Chaïma Ahaddour is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven. She specializes in Islamic bioethics and comparative ethics , focusing on prenatal diagnosis, termination of pregnancy, and end-of-life care within Belgium’s multicultural society.
Minoo Mirshahvalad is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen, specializing in the sociology and anthropology of Islam with emphasis on Shi'a communities in Italian contexts. Education: PhD in Sociology, University of Turin (awarded May 2020), dissertation: "Mutations in Shi'a doctrines and rituals in Italy" Her research examines religious conversion dynamics (particularly to Shi'ism), gendered experiences in Islamic practice, digital religiosity through smartphone communities, and comparative Islamic reform movements. She investigates how religious authority adapts within diaspora settings and secular European societies, focusing on ritual innovation and spatial practices among Italian Shia converts. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal concentrated analysis of Italian Shi'a conversion pathways, space-making rituals, and digital community formation. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary engagement across religious studies, migration sociology, and gender theory, with notable contributions to understanding editorial ventures in religious discourse and inculturation processes. Academic engagement includes a May 2025 lecture on "Women and Feminism in Shia Diaspora," reflecting ongoing commitment to gender dynamics within transnational Muslim communities.
Lilian Regina Goncalves Diniz is a historian specializing in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, currently serving as a Researcher at the Department of Humanities, Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Her work bridges religious transformation, cultural hybridization, and gendered practices of piety in post-Roman societies, with a focus on women's roles in healing, magic, and material culture. Education: PhD in European Social History (Middle Ages to Contemporary Age), University of Padua Affiliations: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow (2025), University of Vienna (2017), Free University of Berlin, Madrid Institute for Advanced Study, RomanIslam Center Hamburg Her research examines the intersections of popular religion, subversive practices, and material culture in early medieval Europe. Recent publications explore topics such as female incantations in Caesarius of Arles, religious hybridity in Gaul and Iberia, and post-Roman societal transitions. Dr. Diniz has received international recognition, including the Heidi Marx Prize (2024–2025) and multiple research fellowships. Her funded projects span institutions in Italy, Germany, and Spain, and she actively contributes to academic networks on Mediterranean medieval studies and gendered religious practices.
Insa Nolte is a Professor of African Studies at the University of Birmingham, affiliated with the Department of African Studies and Anthropology and serving as Head of the School of History and Cultures. She holds a joint Research Professor position at Osun State University, Nigeria, since 2013. Her work bridges history and anthropology, focusing on Nigerian and Yoruba religious and political dynamics. Education: Diplomvolkswirtin from Freie Universität Berlin; PhD from University of Birmingham. Her research explores how everyday life shapes political and religious history in southwest Nigeria, with a focus on Muslim-Christian coexistence and gender roles in interfaith marriages. She emphasizes interdisciplinary methodologies, integrating oral histories, Islamic sources, and large-n surveys funded by the European Research Council (ERC). Recent publications analyze historical patterns of religious identification and gendered religious preferences, highlighting the limitations of Eurocentric frameworks for understanding African interfaith dynamics. Her 2020 article on " At least I am married " examines gender in Muslim-Christian marriages, while her 2019 editorial in Journal of African Cultural Studies advocates for decolonizing research practices. Scientific Awards: Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship (current), Fellow at Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (2022-2023), former ASAUK President and Royal African Society Council member. Insa Nolte supervises doctoral research on African history, politics, gender, and religion, with projects addressing ethno-religious conflict, media representations of religion, and traditional rule in Ghana. She has contributed to editorial roles for African Affairs and Africa: Journal of the International African Institute .
Najam Haider serves as Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department of Religion at Barnard College, with additional affiliation in the Medieval & Renaissance Studies program. His leadership encompasses both administrative responsibilities as department chair and active scholarly engagement in Islamic studies. His academic credentials include a PhD from Princeton University (2007), M.Phil. from Oxford University (2000), and BA from Dartmouth College (1997). These foundational studies established his expertise in historical methodology and religious discourse analysis. Prof. Haider's research centers on early Islamic history, Shi'ism, Islamic law, and ritual practices, with particular emphasis on identity formation through sacred space and historical memory. His work bridges classical Islamic traditions with modern political contexts, examining how colonization reshaped religious discourse. This interdisciplinary approach integrates textual criticism, historical geography, and comparative religious studies to reveal nuanced understandings of Islamic intellectual history. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output, featuring three major monographs with Cambridge University Press and contributions to edited volumes and peer-reviewed journals. The trajectory shows deepening engagement with historiographical questions, moving from identity formation in early Shi'ism to broader examinations of historical writing in pre-modern Islam. His research consistently addresses how communities construct religious authority through narrative and practice. As an educator, Prof. Haider teaches foundational and advanced courses on Islam, post-colonial Muslim societies, and Islamic law, guiding students through primary source analysis and contemporary applications. His course offerings reflect his commitment to connecting historical scholarship with present-day religious and political realities in Muslim communities worldwide.
Muhamad Ali is an Associate Professor in the Department for the Study of Religion, Islamic Studies at the University of California, Riverside. His scholarship bridges Islamic theology, Southeast Asian history, and contemporary social issues, with a strong focus on Indonesia, religious pluralism, and intercultural dialogue. Dr. Ali's research explores diverse domains including: Interreligious relations and fatwa analysis in Indonesian Islamic organizations Quranic foundations of environmental ethics and Muslim ecological activism Ritual studies and lifecycle transitions (rites de passage) in religious communities Anti-racism movements and systemic inequality in global contexts Political intersections of Islam and secularism in Western societies His publications demonstrate consistent engagement with themes of pluralism and justice, analyzing sources ranging from classical Islamic texts to modern sociopolitical discourses. Recent works critically examine environmental theology, structural racism, and cross-cultural religious coexistence.
Dr. Maho Sébiane is a Researcher at the Centre de recherche sur les arts et le langage (CRAL) of the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS) and CNRS in France, with collaborative roles at CREM-LESC (CNRS-Université Paris Nanterre) and CEFREPA (Kuwait). He holds a PhD from University Paris Ouest Nanterre (2015) for his thesis on possession rites in Eastern Arabia. His research integrates ethnomusicology, anthropology, and history to analyze ritual practices (notably the leiwah possession complex), cultural heritage policies, and transregional connections between East Africa and the Arabian Gulf. Key themes include slavery legacies, Swahili cultural diffusion, and the institutionalization of intangible heritage under UNESCO frameworks. Dr. Sébiane's publications consistently address how Gulf nations reconfigure traditional music and rituals for national identity projects, with fieldwork spanning Oman, UAE, Kenya, and Tanzania. His methodological approach combines ethnography, oral history, and discourse analysis. Awards & Grants: Quai Branly Museum – Jacques Chirac Thesis Prize (2016) Special Jury Mention, Thesis Prize on the Middle East and Muslim Worlds (2016) CEFAS 24-month Research Grant (2010)
Craig S. Keener serves as the F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. With a Ph.D. from Duke University, he is a prolific scholar whose work bridges academic rigor with practical ministry application. His research spans New Testament studies, biblical backgrounds, historical Jesus research, and contemporary theological issues. His academic journey began with a B.A. from Central Bible College (now part of Evangel University) in 1982, followed by M.A. and M.Div. degrees from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in 1985 and 1987, culminating in a Ph.D. from Duke University in 1991. Dr. Keener's research interests encompass New Testament backgrounds, Acts, the Historical Jesus, Miracles, the Gospels, and Ethnic/Racial Reconciliation. His scholarly approach emphasizes understanding biblical texts within their historical and cultural contexts, which has shaped his influential contributions to biblical interpretation and theological discourse. His work consistently addresses the intersection of ancient context and contemporary application, particularly regarding issues of justice, reconciliation, and faithful Christian witness in challenging contexts. His publications reveal remarkable breadth, from technical commentaries to accessible background resources. His most notable works include the 4,500-page commentary on Acts, the 1,600-page commentary on John, and the best-selling 'IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament,' which has sold over half a million copies. His recent writing continues to focus on making historical context accessible for contemporary readers while addressing pressing theological questions. 13 national and international awards for scholarly work Six Christianity Today awards International Book Award for Christianity Bible of the Year for the Christian Book Awards (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible) As an educator and thought leader, Dr. Keener has significantly influenced evangelical scholarship through his presidency of the Evangelical Theological Society in 2020, his editorial work with the Bulletin for Biblical Research, and his role as New Testament editor for the award-winning NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. His personal story of marriage to Dr. Médine Moussounga Keener, a refugee from Congo, informs his practical engagement with issues of ethnic reconciliation and global Christianity, as documented in 'Impossible Love' (Chosen, 2016).
Süleyman Doğanay serves as Lecturer and Department Head in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Sciences at Nigde Omer Halisdemir University's Faculty of Islamic Sciences since 2022. His academic work uniquely bridges Islamic philosophical traditions with contemporary psychological frameworks, focusing on religious coping mechanisms, grief processing, and Sufi psychological thought. His educational foundation includes a Doctorate (2011-2019) and Master's degree (2004-2009) in Philosophy and Religious Sciences from Çukurova University's Institute of Social Sciences, culminating in theses on psychological perspectives of religious belief and Arif Nihat Asya's religious experience. He completed his undergraduate studies (2000-2004) in Primary School Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge Teaching at Çukurova University's Faculty of Theology. Doğanay's research explores the psychological dimensions of Islamic theology through qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Key investigations examine patience during adversity, Quranic bibliotherapy for bereavement, self-esteem dynamics in religious contexts, and the psychological insights of classical Islamic scholars like Ebubakir Razi. His work frequently analyzes Turkish literary figures (particularly Arif Nihat Asya and Aşık Veysel) to understand religious experience in cultural contexts. His 13 recent publications (2019-2024) reveal a consistent trajectory applying Islamic theological resources to modern psychological challenges. Notable patterns include Quranic narrative therapy for trauma, historical analysis of early Islamic psychological texts, and sociological examinations of religious coping in disaster scenarios. The research demonstrates increasing integration of classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary therapeutic practices. He has led significant research projects including 'Maghrebi Sufi Licai and His World of Thought' (2022-2023) and 'The Rise of National Will: July 15' (2022). His authored books such as 'Müslüman Danışanlar İçin Naratif Bir Terapist: Kur'an-ı Kerim' (2025) and 'Mağripli Sûfî Lîcâî ve Düşünce Dünyası' (2023-2024) establish narrative therapy frameworks using Quranic stories and Sufi thought. Conference presentations address early Islamic psychological texts and sociological perspectives on divorce within religious contexts.
Marian Coman is a Lecturer at the University of Bucharest's Faculty of History and a Faculty Member at the "Nicolae Iorga" Institute of History specializing in Medieval History. He graduated from the University of Bucharest in 2001, completed a Master's at Central European University, and earned his PhD in 2013 under Professor Andrei Pippidi. After serving as an associate professor from 2002, he became a full Lecturer in 2013. His academic journey includes prestigious fellowships at the University of Oxford (Chevening scholarship) and the New Europe College. Dr. Coman's research primarily focuses on medieval Wallachia (14th-16th centuries), examining territorial state formation, political structures, and diplomatic analysis of chancery documents. His secondary research areas include Renaissance cartography of Ottoman Europe and late medieval/early modern travel literature. His scholarly work reveals how power networks operated during Ottoman conquest and how Christian and Muslim elites interacted in the Balkans. His publications demonstrate a consistent interest in how historical memory is constructed through documents, maps, and narratives. His recent publications show a trend toward increasingly sophisticated analyses of the intersection between political power, geographical representation, and historical memory. His work moves beyond national historiographical traditions to examine trans-regional networks that operated across religious and political boundaries in Southeastern Europe. Chevening scholarship at the University of Oxford Fellow of the New Europe College Dr. Coman actively supervises graduate students and has developed specialized courses in medieval history, European modernity, and diplomatic history. His teaching encompasses both undergraduate and Master's level instruction, with courses spanning universal history, medieval studies, and specialized topics in Wallachian history. He has been instrumental in developing research-oriented educational activities, including workshops for the CIVIS micro-credential Digital Humanities for Renaissance Studies (DigRen). Though no specific research lab is mentioned, Dr. Coman is deeply involved in collaborative scholarly networks focused on Southeast European history, regularly organizing and participating in international workshops that bring together scholars from across Europe to examine the complex historical dynamics of the Balkan region during medieval and early modern periods.
Fatima Quraishi serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Art & Archaeology at Princeton University, specializing in South Asian art and architecture with focus on pre-modern Muslim visual culture. Her research explores transregional artistic exchanges, monumental landscapes, and material practices in historical South Asia. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University (2019). Prior appointments include Assistant Professor at the University of California Riverside and teaching roles at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology in Karachi, Pakistan. Quraishi's research centers on three major projects: (1) Her book manuscript Palimpsests Past and Present: The Sufis and Sultans of the Makli Necropolis (1380–1660) examines funerary landscapes in the Indus delta; (2) A study of 18th-19th century Kashmiri cartographic textiles integrating geography and artisanal practices; (3) Analysis of medieval South Asian royal edicts and their material production. Her work emphasizes artists' roles in cultural formation and memorialization rituals. She has received significant research support through fellowships at Cornell University, the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2017, she curated the exhibition Paradise on Earth: Manuscripts, Miniatures, and Mendicants from Kashmir at Karachi's Mohatta Palace Museum. Society for the Humanities Fellowship at Cornell University Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts Fellowship Metropolitan Museum of Art Fellowship Professor Quraishi teaches courses on South Asian art and material culture with emphasis on artistic practice, identity formation, and memorialization rituals. Her pedagogy incorporates hands-on engagement with original artworks through institutional collections. Current research includes cataloging chancery documents at Pakistan's National Museum and investigating Kashmiri embroidered cartographic textiles.
Maria Lindebæk Schmidt Lyngsøe serves as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies within the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Humanities. Her scholarly work centers on contemporary Islam in Scandinavia, specifically examining how devoted Muslims navigate religious practice within complex secular environments and maintain connections to divine and communal bonds through educational activities. Education: Master's Degree in History of Religions, Embodying the Text (University of Copenhagen, 2017) Lyngsøe's research integrates material religion, ontological theory, and ethnographic methodologies to analyze both online and offline religious expressions. Current investigations focus on Islamic aesthetics through the 'Framing Islam' sub-project, where she examines ethical dimensions of art production and consumption in Scandinavian Muslim communities. Her work consistently addresses gender perspectives in Islamic education and the adaptation of religious traditions within secular societies. Her 2025 publications reveal a thematic focus on foundational female figures in Islamic tradition (Mariam, Khadija, Fatima, Aisha), analyzed through contemporary Danish Muslim experiences. These works highlight intersections between historical narratives and modern religious identity formation, particularly regarding Ramadan practices, religious authority, and artistic expression within secular contexts. Scientific Recognition: No formal awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials. Lyngsøe actively supervises students in courses covering historical/contemporary Islam, gender studies, and ethnographic methods. Her primary research funding derives from the 'Pious Practices Among Danish Muslims' project led by Professor Catharina Raudvere. She maintains significant public engagement through media contributions and academic outreach. Research Collaborations: She operates within the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies research network and collaborates extensively with Kvindernes Religionshistorie (Women's Religious History) on public-facing content about women in religious traditions. Her current sub-project 'Framing Islam' involves interdisciplinary partnerships examining Islamic art production in Scandinavia.
Catharina Raudvere is a Professor in the History of Religions at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen. She received her Ph.D. in 1993 from Lund University, Sweden, and became a professor at the University of Copenhagen in 2005. Her academic career includes significant research positions at Lund University, Linköping University, University of California Berkeley, and the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul. Her research focuses on contemporary Islam, particularly in the Balkans and Turkey, with special emphasis on Sufism, Muslim rituals, everyday religion, leadership and legitimacy, religion and politics, and religion's relationship to aesthetics and representations of the past. She maintains a longstanding interest in Old Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore, creating a unique interdisciplinary perspective that bridges contemporary religious practices with historical traditions. Professor Raudvere leads the major research center 'The Many Roads in Modernity. The Transformation of South East Europe and Its Ottoman Legacy from the 1870s to the 21st Century' funded by the Carlsberg Foundation. Her publication record is extensive, with 142 research outputs including books, edited volumes, and scholarly articles that demonstrate consistent engagement with themes of religious identity, transnational religious networks, and cultural memory in Southeast Europe and beyond. Among her notable awards are: Einar Hansen legacy for humanistic research (2002) Dag Strömbeck price from The Royal Gustavus Adolphus Academy (2005) King Gustav VI Adolf's Gold Medal for Merit (2018) Ridder af Dannebrog (2018) She serves as coordinator of the Ph.D. programme 'Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies' at the University of Copenhagen and is editor-in-chief for the book series 'Modernity, Memory and Identity in South-East Europe' published by Palgrave Macmillan. Professor Raudvere also holds prestigious fellowships in the Royal Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities (Stockholm), the Royal Gustavus Adolphus Academy (Uppsala), and the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
Kamal Abu-Shamsieh serves as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Interreligious Chaplaincy Program at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), where he has been a Core Doctoral Faculty member since 2019. His academic credentials include: PhD in Practical Theology, Graduate Theological Union (2019) MA in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, Hartford Seminary (2012) Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy, Hartford Seminary (2011) BA in Linguistics, Birzeit University (1991) Dr. Abu-Shamsieh's research integrates Practical Theology with critical applications in spiritual care, specializing in Ethics of End-of-Life Spiritual Care , Islamic Law and Ethics , and Interfaith Relations and Dialogue . His scholarship bridges theological theory and clinical chaplaincy practice, particularly in multicultural healthcare settings. Through courses like Death Theologies and Rituals in Chaplaincy and Seminar in Pediatric Chaplaincy , he develops frameworks for interreligious soul care that address contemporary ethical dilemmas in end-of-life contexts. As Director of the Interreligious Chaplaincy Program, he shapes curricular development and professional training standards for chaplains serving diverse communities. His doctoral faculty role involves mentoring candidates in theological research methodologies focused on practical ministry applications.
Juan E. Campo is Chair of the Department of Religious Studies and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and History of Religions at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He holds a BA in History ( magna cum laude ) from the University of Southern California and an MA/PhD from the University of Chicago. His administrative leadership includes serving as Director of the UC Education Abroad Program (2010-2023) and Co-Director of the Center for Middle East Studies. Professor Campo's research specializes in: Comparative Islamic spatial practices and pilgrimage traditions Religious domestic spaces in Muslim contexts Contemporary manifestations of religion in the Middle East, South Asia, and global diasporas Interdisciplinary approaches to religious material culture and visual representations His publications demonstrate consistent focus on Islamic spatiality, ritual practices, and cross-cultural religious expressions. Recent works explore talismanic architecture, pilgrimage visualizations, and theoretical frameworks for religious space. Earlier foundational research established his expertise in domestic religious practices and critical analyses of Islamic representation. Notable scientific awards: American Academy of Religion's Award for Excellence (1991) New York Public Library 'Best of Reference' Award (2010) Professor Campo has extensive international fieldwork experience, having directed UC study centers in Cairo, Delhi, and Hyderabad. He currently leads projects documenting Comoros Islands' Islamic heritage and comparative global pilgrimages.