Dr. Simon O'Meara is a Professor at SOAS University of London , serving as Reader in the History of Architecture & Archaeology of the Islamic Middle East and Department Student Support and Experience Convenor. He holds a PhD from the University of Leeds (2004) in Arabic and Islamic Studies, following BA and MA degrees in Art History with a focus on visual theory. Key research areas: Islamic architecture , North African urbanism , material culture , and Islamic visual theory Specializes in analyzing how Islamic religious/legal discourses shape urban spaces and visual culture His publications include two monographs: Space and Muslim Urban Life (2007) on Fez's party walls, and The Kaʿba Orientations (2020) on Mecca's spatial symbolism. Current work examines Quranic exegesis through architectural lenses (2024) and Sufi cosmological centers (2023). PhD supervision topics include: Charlie Oubridge: The Nation in Egyptology Aydin Ozcandan: Ottoman fountains and epigraphs Contact: so20@soas.ac.uk | Office: Room 558, Russell Square: College Buildings
Roger Luckhurst is Professor of Modern Literature and currently holds the prestigious Geoffrey Tillotson Chair of Nineteenth Century Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London. A leading scholar in Gothic literature, science fiction, and trauma studies, he has been affiliated with Birkbeck for over 25 years, contributing significantly to interdisciplinary literary and cultural studies. Education and Career Trajectory: 2020-present: Geoffrey Tillotson Chair of Nineteenth Century Studies, Birkbeck College 2008-2020: Professor of Modern and Contemporary Literature, Birkbeck College 2004-2008: Senior Lecturer, Birkbeck College 1994-2004: Lecturer, Birkbeck College 1992-1994: Lecturer, University of Hull Research Interests and Scholarly Contributions: Luckhurst's research spans multiple interconnected fields, establishing him as a preeminent voice in literary and cultural studies. His work on late 19th century English literature examines the intersections of Victorian culture with emerging scientific discourses. His expertise in science fiction studies encompasses both literary analysis and cultural theory, exploring how speculative fiction reflects and shapes contemporary anxieties. In Gothic studies , he investigates the persistence of Gothic aesthetics and themes across different media and historical periods. His groundbreaking work in trauma studies has contributed significantly to understanding how literature and culture process collective trauma. Publications and Scholarly Impact: His extensive publication record demonstrates a remarkable breadth of scholarly inquiry. From his early work on J.G. Ballard to his recent comprehensive study of Gothic culture, Luckhurst has consistently produced influential scholarship. His books have been translated into multiple languages including French, Japanese, Turkish, and German, indicating significant international impact. His forthcoming The Gothic: An Illustrated History (2021) promises to be a definitive work in the field. Honors and Awards: 2009: Visiting Research Fellow, University of Birmingham 2009: Visiting Research Fellow, Flemish Academic Centre for Science and the Arts (VLAC), Brussels January-June 2011: AHRC Fellowship, Birkbeck College Spring 2016: Mellon Distinguished Visiting Professor, Department of English, Columbia University, New York Public Engagement and Media Presence: Beyond academia, Luckhurst has demonstrated exceptional commitment to public scholarship. He has served as a broadcaster for BBC radio, bringing literary criticism to wider audiences. His journalism has appeared in leading British newspapers, bridging the gap between academic research and public discourse. This dual role as academic and public intellectual exemplifies Birkbeck's tradition of making scholarship accessible to broader communities. Interdisciplinary Approach and Institutional Contributions: At Birkbeck College, Luckhurst has been instrumental in fostering the institution's renowned culture of interdisciplinary studies. His work seamlessly integrates literary analysis with cultural theory, film studies, architectural history, and scientific discourse. This approach has influenced generations of students and scholars, establishing Birkbeck as a leading center for innovative literary and cultural research.
Alicia Orea Giner is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Sciences of Rey Juan Carlos University, specializing in sustainable tourism and social justice. Her research focuses on Generation Z's sustainable consumption practices in food tourism, AI integration in hospitality, and ethical dimensions of tourism. She co-authored the award-winning article The way we live, the way we travel: generation Z and sustainable consumption in food tourism experiences , recognized with the 2024 Emerald Literati Outstanding Paper Award. Her work bridges sustainability, technology, and cultural studies. Key themes include feminist methodologies in tourism research, transformative travel through ecofeminism, and post-pandemic food tourism trends. She explores AI applications in service robots, wellness tourism's mental health connections, and marginalized communities' roles in culinary tourism. Recent studies address LGBTQ+ tourism challenges, stakeholder participation in World Heritage sites, and ghost tours' cultural narratives. Awards highlight her contributions to sustainability and social justice in tourism. Awards: 2024 Emerald Literati Outstanding Paper Award Research Foci: Food Tourism, AI Ethics, Feminist Tourism Studies, Cultural Heritage Management Labs/Teams: No specific lab mentioned; collaborates across interdisciplinary tourism research networks.
Dr. Marianne Mason is an Associate Professor of Translation/Interpreting Studies and Forensic Linguistics at James Madison University (JMU), where she also coordinates the SETI minor and contributes to Linguistics and Legal Studies programs. Holding a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Georgia, along with a BBA in Statistics and an MA in Translation, her expertise spans interdisciplinary research areas including language and law, discourse analysis, and translation studies. She is a 2018–2019 ACLS Fellow for her project on linguistic analysis in the American justice system. Her research focuses on police-layperson interactions, Miranda rights invocation, and interpreter-mediated legal discourse. Notable works include Police Interrogation, Language, and the Law (Cambridge UP, 2024) and co-editing The Discourse of Police Interviews (U Chicago Press, 2020). She has provided expert testimony in criminal cases and serves on editorial boards for journals like Translation and Interpreting Studies . Educations: Ph.D. Linguistics, University of Georgia MA Translation, [institution not specified] BBA Production Management/Statistics, [institution not specified] Research Projects: ACLS-funded study on language in the American justice system Custodial interrogation reform analysis Affiliations: International Association for Forensic and Legal Linguistics National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators (NAJIT)
Dr. Ara Norenzayan is a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia's Department of Psychology, within the Faculty of Arts. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Michigan (1999). His research focuses on cultural and religious diversity, cultural evolution, cooperation, supernatural beliefs, and human-nature interactions. He co-directs UBC’s Centre for Human Evolution, Cognition, and Culture (HECC). Education: PhD in Psychology, University of Michigan, 1999 Research Interests: Cultural and religious diversity, moral systems, sacred values, and cognitive science. His work bridges evolutionary theory and cultural psychology, exploring how beliefs like 'Big Gods' influence cooperation and conflict. Recent research includes ecospirituality and environmental ethics. Notable Awards: Distinguished University Scholar (2023) Royal Society of Canada Fellow (2020) Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s Daniel M. Wegner Prize (2017) Advising & Grants: Advised numerous students (listed above). Grants include Cattell Sabbatical (2014–2015) and Killam Faculty Research Prize (2008). His lab explores religion, cognition, and cultural evolution, with global fieldwork. Labs/Teams: Co-leads the Evolution of Religion and Morality Project, involving cross-cultural collaboration across 15 societies. His lab includes graduate students and alumni in global academic institutions.
Jeffrey S. Debies-Carl is a Professor in the Psychology Department and Sociology Program at the University of New Haven's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the interplay between physical and virtual environments and social behavior, including urban legends, conspiracy theories, and subcultural dynamics. He holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in Sociology from Ohio State University and Kent State University. Debies-Carl's work spans methodologies from quantitative analysis to ethnography, addressing topics like the transformation of legends in digital spaces, urban environments' influence on attitudes, and subcultural use of physical/virtual spaces. He has authored/co-authored books and articles in journals such as Journal of Folklore Research and Social Science Information . He has received an Honorable Mention Award for Best Article in the Journal of Urban Affairs (2015). His teaching includes courses in sociology, social psychology, and research methods, emphasizing experiential learning. He actively mentors students and contributes to media discussions on topics like conspiracy theories and public spaces.
Delali Kumavie is an Assistant Professor of English at Syracuse University, affiliated with Women's and Gender Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University (2020), with prior fellowships at Harvard University’s Mahindra Humanities Institute and the University of Virginia’s Carter G. Woodson Institute. Her research bridges Global Black Literature, Science and Technology Studies, and Black Ecologies, focusing on aviation’s role in shaping racialized geographies. Her book project Aerial Geographies examines air travel infrastructure as sites of Black life/death and racial structuring. Education: Ph.D., English Language and Literature, Northwestern University (2020) M.A., English Language and Literature, Northwestern University (2018) M.S., English Studies, Illinois State University (2012) B.A., English, University of Ghana (2009) Research Interests: Kumavie’s scholarship interrogates how aviation technology and airspaces (airplanes, airports) mediate Black mobility and identity. She analyzes texts by authors like Abdulrazak Gurnah, Nnedi Okorafor, and Lesley Nneka Arimah to explore themes of displacement, haunting, and ecological justice. Recent work critiques airport spaces as sites of racialized violence and migrant vulnerability. Awards & Grants: "Aerial Geographies" grant from Institute for Citizens & Scholars (2024-2024) Faculty Creative Activities and Research (FCAR) Grant (2023-2024) Teaching & Service: Teaches courses on race, literature, and empire. Served on Syracuse’s Graduate Committee and mentors through the FPP program. Active in professional organizations like the Modern Language Association and American Comparative Literature Association.
Robert Peaslee is an Associate Professor in the Journalism & Creative Media Industries program of the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University , where he also serves as Associate Dean of the Honors College . His scholarship bridges media anthropology, fan studies, and adaptation theory, with particular attention to the cultural politics of superheroes, screen tourism, and global media flows. Education Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2007 Research Interests Peaslee’s work interrogates how media texts and industries shape social power relations. Employing ethnographic and textual methods, he has examined: fan cultures and participatory audiences the spatial politics of screen tourism destinations such as Hobbiton and Game of Thrones filming sites the global circulation of superhero narratives and their moral economies representations of place, memory, and identity in film and television Across these strands he explores how media producers and consumers co-create meaning, often through transnational and digital contexts. Publication Trajectory His recent publications display a consistent focus on adaptation and transmedia storytelling, especially where comic-book superheroes and cult texts intersect with tourism and fan labor. The 2020 co-edited volume The Supervillain Reader and the 2016 collection Marvel Comics into Film exemplify his leadership in consolidating critical discourse around comic-to-screen adaptation. Parallel articles on screen tourism investigate how locations such as New Zealand’s Hobbiton or Northern Ireland’s Game of Thrones sites become contested spaces of authenticity and commodification. Awards & Honors Member, TTU Teaching Academy TTU President’s Excellence in Teaching Award Professing Excellence Award, Research Chair, Visual Communication Division, AEJMC (2011) 2nd Place, Top Faculty Papers Competition, AEJMC Visual Communications Division (2010) 2009–2010 Professing Excellence Award, Texas Tech University 2010 Nominee – Outstanding Faculty, Student Disability Services, Texas Tech University Teaching, Service & Leadership Peaslee teaches undergraduate and graduate courses that integrate critical theory with creative practice, including Visual Communication, Writing for Series Television, and Qualitative Research Methods. He has coordinated the TTU International Film Series and formerly served as Programming Chair for the Flatland Film Festival in Lubbock. His record of service includes editorial board membership for the American Communication Journal and leadership roles within AEJMC’s Visual Communication Division. Labs & Creative Spaces While no formal lab is listed, his ongoing longitudinal ethnographic projects on screen-tourism sites and his editorial collaborations function as de facto research collectives involving graduate students and international scholars.
Max Baker-Hytch is a Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, and a member of the Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Theology & Religion. He holds a DPhil in Philosophy from Oxford (2014) and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Oxford and the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on epistemology, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and philosophical theology, particularly the intersection of moral/religious belief aetiology and epistemic significance. He is currently authoring a monograph on divine creation trade-offs related to the problem of evil and divine hiddenness. His teaching includes tutorials on General Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Knowledge and Reality, and Analytic Philosophy and Christian Theology. Key publications include explorations of near-death experiences' evidential value, critiques of evolutionary debunking arguments, and analyses of natural theology's contemporary landscape. He has also contributed to debates on epistemic externalism, defeatism, and religious diversity's impact on belief justification. His recent book, *God and the Problem of Evidential Ambiguity* (2024), addresses challenges in discerning ultimate reality amid evidential complexity. Baker-Hytch’s work bridges analytic philosophy with theological inquiry, emphasizing methodological clarity and interdisciplinary discourse.
Taylor H Black is an Associate Professor of English at Duke University, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, specializing in 20th Century American Literature , Popular Music Studies , and Queer Theory . He is currently working on two book projects: Cult of Personality: An American Romance and Butterfly on the Wheel , a critical biography of Quentin Crisp and cultural history of New York's Downtown Arts scene in the 1980s. Education: Ph.D., Rutgers University (2015) B.A., CUNY Hunter College (2007) Black's research explores the intersections of literature, music, and queer identity , focusing on how style functions as a cultural force beyond social categorization. His work traces stylistic evolution in American arts and media, particularly through figures like Bob Dylan and Quentin Crisp. His scientific award includes the Langford Lectureship Award (2025) from Duke University. Black's teaching portfolio includes courses on American literature, film, and critical theory, such as America Dreams American Movies II and Criticism and the Arts .
Denny Borsboom is Professor in the Psychological Methods Group at the University of Amsterdam, where he directs the Social and Behavioural Data Science Centre. His research program develops network theories of psychopathology, novel psychometric methods, and formalized psychological theory through initiatives like the Psychosystems Project and Theory Methods Lab. Research focuses on conceptual foundations of measurement, complex systems approaches to mental disorders, and computational modeling of psychological phenomena. Recent publications advance network psychometrics, validity theory, and integration of intra/interindividual dynamics. Articles demonstrate strong methodological innovation through computational psychiatry applications, network theory development, and philosophical engagement with psychological foundations. Recurring themes include psychopathological networks, measurement realism, system transitions, and collaborative theory-building frameworks.
Elizabeth (Liz) Sanders, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at The Ohio State University (OSU) since 2011. She is a globally recognized social scientist and pioneer in participatory and co-design methodologies, advocating for democratizing design through collaborative, human-centered approaches. Her work emphasizes involving stakeholders in shaping their own futures, particularly in healthcare, education, and technology. Alongside her academic role, she founded MakeTools, LLC, to explore co-design landscapes and develop tools for collective creativity. Sanders holds degrees from Miami University (BA in Psychology and Anthropology, 1975) and The Ohio State University (MA, 1977; PhD, 1981). She has been honored with prestigious awards including Phi Beta Kappa and membership in Sigma Xi. Her research focuses on transdisciplinary co-design, collective dreaming, and speculative design. Notable projects include reimagining healthcare spaces, designing interventions for diabetes management, and fostering creativity through playful probes. Sanders has collaborated with major companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Procter & Gamble, bridging academic and industrial design practices. She co-authored Convivial Toolbox: Generative Research for the Front End of Design , a seminal text in co-design education and practice. Awards and recognitions include Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, and a University Fellowship from OSU (1975–1979). She actively contributes to university initiatives, such as the Reimagining Teaching and Learning Initiative, and advises student organizations like Paranormal Investigations at OSU. Her work explores emerging technologies like VR/AR/AI to accelerate co-design and collective creativity in envisioning future living systems.
Dr. Stephen Muzzatti is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Toronto Metropolitan University. He holds a BA, MA, and PhD in Sociology from York University. His research focuses on cultural criminology, animals in society (HAS), transgression, death studies, and neoliberalism's impact on social dynamics. He examines intersections between crime, consumerism, and human-animal interactions, with notable work on state/corporate crime, veterinary care during pandemics, and austerity's effects on universities. Recent publications explore topics like companion animal welfare, gendered labor in feral cat management, and neoliberal university culture. He teaches courses such as SOC 105 (Introduction to Sociology), SOC 319 (Sociological Perspectives on Crime), and CC 8836 (Animals in Society and Culture). Dr. Muzzatti actively participates in academic organizations, including the Canadian Sociological Association and the Justice Studies Association, and chairs the Parkdale Residents Association's Safety and Security Group. His work bridges criminological theory with critical social analysis, addressing themes like mortality politics, paranormal phenomena, and the monetization of violence. Despite no listed awards, his extensive publications reflect scholarly impact in transgressive pedagogy and HAS research.
Alexander Sumich is Professor of Mental Health and Biopsychology at Nottingham Trent University , School of Social Sciences. He co-directs the Centre for Public and Psychosocial Health and co-leads the Affect, Personality and Embodied Brain (APE) Research Group . He also serves as Adjunct Professor in Psychology at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand , and holds editorial and leadership roles in organizations like the British Society for the Psychology of Individual Differences (Treasurer) and Personality and Individual Differences (Associate Editor). Education: MA in Psychology (First Class Honors), University of Auckland PhD in Psychology as Applied to Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London His research spans neuroimaging and electrophysiological methods to investigate the neurobiology of affect-driven behaviors (depression, aggression, hallucinations) and the immune system's role in mental health . He employs virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) , spiking neural networks , and computational models to enhance mental health interventions. Key areas include gaming disorder , mindfulness effects , and gut-brain axis interactions . Notable research grants include: BIAL Foundation (2023-2024): €58,765 for trauma-paranormal-mental health links MBIE-Catalyst Programme (2020-2024): NZ$2,134,847 for computational neurogenetics UKRI KTP (2021-2024): £204,000 for therapeutic digital displays His external roles include: Treasurer, British Society for the Psychology of Individual Differences Associate Editor, Personality and Individual Differences Co-host, APE2020 Conference
Jenny Davidson is a Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, where she maintains an active teaching schedule with office hours listed for Spring 2025. Her academic home is in the Department of English and Comparative Literature, where she contributes to both undergraduate and graduate programs with regular office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:00pm. Professor Davidson's research spans multiple domains of literary studies, with a primary focus on eighteenth-century British literature and culture. Her intellectual interests extend to cultural and intellectual history, the history of science, and the contemporary novel in English. She approaches literary analysis through multiple lenses, examining prose fiction, the history of the novel, and British literary traditions with equal rigor. Her work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary literary practice. Davidson's scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory from historical literary criticism toward more personal and stylistic explorations. While her early work focused on eighteenth-century manners and breeding practices, she has increasingly turned her attention to the mechanics of reading and writing, culminating in works that examine Jane Austen's legacy and the power of individual sentences. Her creative writing complements her scholarly work, with novels that often incorporate historical elements while exploring contemporary concerns. Her distinguished career has been recognized with numerous awards: Lenfest Distinguished Teaching Award (2005) Guggenheim Fellowship (2005-2006) Mark Van Doren Teaching Award (2010) Fellowship at Columbia's Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris (2018-2019) Professor Davidson has mentored numerous students through her academic career, though specific advisees are not listed in available materials. Her research has been supported by prestigious fellowships including the Guggenheim, which enabled significant progress on her scholarly work. While her Spring 2025 office hours indicate ongoing teaching responsibilities, specific grant information beyond her fellowships is not detailed in the provided materials. Though not explicitly mentioned in the available materials, Professor Davidson's fellowship at Columbia's Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris suggests participation in international academic collaborations. Her dual focus on scholarly criticism and creative writing places her at an interesting intersection of academic and literary communities, contributing to both theoretical discourse and literary production.
