Patrick Overeem is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), specializing in Political Science and Public Administration. He holds a PhD from Leiden University (2010) and advanced degrees in Public Administration and Political Science from the same institution. His research focuses on democratic theory, value pluralism, statesmanship, and EU governance. He is affiliated with the Multi-layered Governance (MLG) research group and serves on editorial boards, including the American Review of Public Administration . Overeem's work emphasizes ethical leadership, compromise in politics, and the interplay between democracy and pluralism. Key contributions include his 2012 book on the politics-administration dichotomy and his neo-Aristotelian analyses of political virtue. He has led projects like the EU-funded RECONNECT initiative (2018–2022), exploring democratic reconciliation in Europe. He advises Dutch parliamentary integrity committees and contributes to public debates on ethics and governance through media engagements. His research bridges classical political theory with contemporary challenges, addressing topics like postliberalism, moral dilemmas in governance, and constitutional frameworks. Overeem teaches courses on political theory, democratic systems, and the history of political thought, fostering critical engagement with ethical and institutional dimensions of power.
Arthur Weststeijn is an Assistant Professor in Political History at Utrecht University, specializing in the history of the Dutch Republic and its colonial empire, the history and contemporary politics of Italy, and the history of Spain and Latin America. He is affiliated with the Department of History and Art History within the Humanities faculty and is part of the Research Institute for History and Art History, focusing on International and Political History. Dr. Weststeijn's educational background includes: PhD in History, European University Institute, Florence (2010) RMA in History, European University Institute, Florence (2006) MA in Philosophy, University of Amsterdam (2005) MA in History, University of Amsterdam (2004) Erasmus Exchange, Universidad de Sevilla (2000-2001) His research focuses on the intellectual history of power, particularly examining ideas that express and contest political authority through two main themes: colonialism (how ideas have shaped European colonialism and resistance against it) and republicanism (how resistance to autocratic rule has given rise to ideas of liberty, citizenship, and democracy). His work spans early-modern Dutch colonialism, anticolonial thought, the history of democracy, and connections between ancient and modern forms of settler colonialism. He has published extensively on early modern republicanism, the political uses of classical heritage, and the making of modern Italy. Weststeijn's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersections between political thought, colonial history, and republican theory. His work often examines how historical ideas continue to shape contemporary political discourse, particularly regarding democracy, citizenship, and colonial legacies. He frequently engages with both European and transatlantic intellectual traditions, showing particular expertise in Dutch and Italian political thought. His notable awards and fellowships include: Fellow, Huntington Library, San Marino, California (Summer 2022) Fellow, John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island (Spring 2019) Director of Historical Studies, Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (2011-2017) Dr. Weststeijn has served as a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions including the Cambridge Centre for Political Thought, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and University of Padua. He frequently appears as an expert commentator on Italian culture and politics in Dutch media and maintains an active public intellectual presence. He is involved in multiple research initiatives including the IOS research themes on Contesting Governance, Futures of Democracy, and Longtermism and Institutional Change. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists, classicists, and scholars from various humanities disciplines.
Prof. Dr. Asghar Seyed-Gohrab is a leading scholar in Persian and Iranian Studies at Utrecht University’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. His academic career spans over two decades, including roles as Chairman of Persian Studies at Leiden University and Principal Investigator of the ERC-funded 'Beyond Sharia' project examining Sufism’s role in Islamic intellectual history. He holds a PhD from Leiden University and has authored over 50 monographs and edited volumes on Persian poetry, Sufism, and Iranian cultural history. Education: B.A. in English (Vrije Universiteit), M.A. in Persian Studies (Leiden University), PhD (Leiden University) Research Focus: Medieval Persian poetry’s modern political and cultural relevance, Sufi movements, and the interplay between mysticism and state power in Iran. Grants: ERC Advanced Grant (2021), NWO VIDI/VENI (2009-2014), KNAW Fellow (2023). His research highlights how classical Persian poetry shapes modern Iranian identity, including its use in the 1979 Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. He has supervised 43+ students and edited journals like Iranian Studies and Persica .
Dr. Femke Roosma is an Associate Professor at the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Sociology . Her research focuses on public opinion, welfare state legitimacy, and political discourse dynamics. Current courses: Soc. Movements in Contemporary Societies, Social Problems, Hybrid Organizations. Email: F.Roosma@tilburguniversity.edu Research Interests : Welfare state attitudes and deservingness theory Universal Basic Income (UBI) policy debates Impact of radical right discourse on welfare chauvinism Democratic interventions for societal discontent Recent Publications analyze multidimensional UBI support, welfare chauvinism during crises, and Dutch Twitter discourse networks. Scientific Recognition : Fellow, Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks (2022–present) External Roles : Chairman, Stichting Straatalliantie (2023–) Professor by Special Appointment, Dr. J.M. Den Uyl Chair, University of Amsterdam (2023–) Member, Stichting De Waterheuvel (2022–) Former Boardmember, Stichting Pro Juventute (2016–2021) Former Member, Amsterdam City Council (2014–2022)
Dr. Katharina Bauer is Associate Professor of Practical Philosophy at Erasmus School of Philosophy, Erasmus University Rotterdam. She obtained her doctorate summa cum laude and completed her habilitation on theories of practical necessity. Previously a Feodor-Lynen Fellow at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and Goethe Universität Frankfurt, she bridges continental philosophy with contemporary societal challenges. Her research investigates the impact of technological and ecological transformations on moral agency, focusing on dignity, authenticity, and autonomy. Key areas include: Ethical implications of human enhancement technologies Technomoral resilience in education systems Democratic hope in crisis contexts Phenomenological approaches to personal identity Publications since 2021 demonstrate sustained focus on pandemic ethics, democratic theory, and moral education, with increasing emphasis on sociotechnical systems and collective agency. Awards include the prestigious Feodor-Lynen Fellowship for Experienced Researchers from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She chairs the Dutch Association of Ethicists and leads PhD supervision in moral philosophy and phenomenology.
Remco Breuker is a Professor of Korean Studies at Leiden University’s Humanities Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), specializing in medieval Korean and Northeast Asian history, North Korean affairs, and contemporary issues. His research bridges historical analysis with modern geopolitical challenges, particularly focusing on marginalized voices and historical narratives. He leads ERC-sponsored and LeidenAsiaCentre-funded projects on Manchurian histories and North Korean forced labor in the EU. Breuker holds a PhD from Leiden University and has held post-doctoral and visiting researcher roles at institutions like the Australian National University. Education: MA in Japanese Studies (Leiden University, 1997) MA in Korean Studies (Leiden University, 1997) MA in Korean History (Seoul National University, 2001) PhD in Korean History (Leiden University, 2006) Research Interests: Breuker’s work examines medieval Korea’s Koryŏ dynasty, Northeast Asian historiography, and modern North Korean political dynamics. He translates modern Korean literature into Dutch, emphasizing marginalized perspectives and cultural hybridity. Recent projects include analyzing North Korean forced labor networks and reinterpreting ancient Manchurian histories’ contemporary relevance. Awards: 2010 KNAW Heineken Young Scientist Award Academy of Korean Studies Translation Grants (2010, 2008) NWO VENI Research Grant (2008) Advisees & Grants: Supervises PhD candidates researching Korean-Vietnam War linkages, Japanese-Korean relations, and North Korean forced labor. Secured grants exceeding €600,000 for translation projects and interdisciplinary research. Leads LIAS initiatives and serves on Leiden’s Slavery Studies Association. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the History as Social Practice project and the Slavery Studies Leiden network, fostering collaborative research on historical narratives and modern exploitation systems.
Jack Halberstam is a Professor of Gender Studies and English at Columbia University, specializing in queer theory, feminist studies, and cultural critique. His research explores intersections of gender, sexuality, and societal norms, with notable works like Female Masculinity and The Queer Art of Failure . Halberstam’s Wild Things: The Disorder of Desire (2020) examines queer ecologies and anarchy, while Trans*: A Quick and Quirky Account of Gender Variance (2018) redefines gender fluidity. He received the 2018 Arcus/Places Prize for scholarship linking gender, sexuality, and urban design. His academic journey includes influential critiques of pop culture in Gaga Feminism (2012) and early explorations of gothic horror in Skin Shows (1995). Halberstam’s forthcoming work The Wild Beyond: Music, Architecture and Anarchy continues his exploration of queer theory’s boundaries. Beyond publications, his teaching focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to gender and literature at Columbia University. Research Focus: Queer temporality, gender variance, cultural criticism, and the built environment. Recent Projects: Investigating anarchist frameworks in queer studies and the role of architecture in gender expression.
Prof. Keimpe Algra is a distinguished academic at Utrecht University, holding the position of Professor of the History of Philosophy within the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Faculty of Humanities. He specializes in ancient philosophy, particularly Hellenistic thought, ancient physics, and Stoic theology. Algra earned his Ph.D. from Utrecht University in 1988 and has held significant roles, including Dean of the Faculty of Humanities (since 2014) and Vice Dean for Research (2007–2013). His research focuses on reconstructing Stoic cosmology, Epicurean theories, and the interplay between ancient philosophy and science. Education & Career Algra studied philosophy and classics at Utrecht University, completing his Ph.D. cum laude. He has held professorships at Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Yale. His administrative roles include leadership in academic governance, notably chairing committees for research integrity and quality indicators for the humanities under the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). Research Interests His work explores ancient physics, Stoic theology, and philosophical texts like Aristotle’s Physics . Key areas include the reception of Aristotle in Hellenistic philosophy, the role of cosmology in Stoic ethics, and the philosophical debates surrounding place and space in antiquity. Publications & Awards Algra authored Concepts of Space in Greek Thought (1995) and co-edited The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy (1999). He has received accolades such as the Dutch Royal Academy Professorship (2000–2003) and membership in KNAW (2004). His articles address topics ranging from Plutarch’s theology to the Stoic concept of demons. Grants & Leadership He secured grants from NWO and the ESF for projects on Stoic cosmology and ancient physics. As a leader, he chairs KNAW’s Humanities Council and contributed to revising the Dutch Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
P.J. (Peter) Verovsek, PhD is an Assistant Professor in History and Theory of European Integration at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on European integration, memory studies, and critical theory, with particular emphasis on Jürgen Habermas and 20th-century intellectual history. He holds a PhD from Yale University and previously taught at the University of Sheffield. Verovsek is a Book Reviews Editor for Contemporary Political Theory and serves on Slovenia's Quality Assurance Agency Executive Council. Education: PhD, MPhil, MA in Political Science, Yale University (2007-2013) A.B., Summa cum laude, Dartmouth College (2002-2006) Research Interests: Verovsek examines collective memory, democratic theory, and the role of public intellectuals. His monograph Memory and the Future of Europe (2020) explores post-World War II integration dynamics. He is currently completing an intellectual biography of Jürgen Habermas, analyzing his public engagement and the role of scholars in modern democracy. Recent Work Trends: His articles critically engage Habermas’s work alongside Lyotard and Foucault, reinterpreting modernity debates. Themes of European crisis governance, generational leadership shifts, and transitional justice frequently appear in his scholarship. Awards & Fellowships: British Academy mid-Career Fellowship (2019-2021) DAAD Graduate Fellowship (2010-2011) Fulbright Research Fellowship (2006-2007) Service & Outreach: Verovsek advises Slovenia’s higher education accreditation body and contributes to public discourse via outlets like Social Europe and Europzine . He reviews for leading journals and serves on editorial boards of interdisciplinary political science publications. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Center for International Relations Research (CIRR) and collaborates on projects about critical theory’s contemporary relevance.
Philipp K. Masur is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Managing Director of the Digital Media and Behavior Lab. He holds a PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Hohenheim and has previously worked at the Universities of Mainz and Hohenheim. His research focuses on digital communication, social media impacts, privacy/self-disclosure dynamics, media literacies, and well-being, with a focus on behavioral contagion and open science practices. Education: PhD in Social Sciences (University of Hohenheim, 2018) MSc in Communication Science (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz) Studies in Economic Sciences and Philosophy (Macquarie University Sydney) Research Interests: Interdisciplinary studies on social media's societal impact, leveraging survey, experimental, and computational methods. Key areas include privacy paradox, media literacy, and the role of social norms in online behavior. Awards: ICA Top Faculty Paper Award (2020, 2019) APC Young Scholars Award (2018) VENI Innovation Grant (NWO, 2022) Grants & Labs: Leads the VENI-funded project on behavioral contagion on social media. Manages the Digital Media and Behavior Lab, fostering collaborative research on digital society challenges.
Karen Barad is Distinguished Professor of History of Consciousness at the University of California, Santa Cruz, with joint appointments in Philosophy and Feminist Studies. She holds a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics from SUNY Stony Brook and previously held a tenured position in a physics department before transitioning to interdisciplinary work. At UCSC, she is affiliated with the Humanities Division and serves as faculty in the History of Consciousness Department and Philosophy Department. Barad earned her Ph.D. in Physics from SUNY Stony Brook, building a foundation in theoretical particle physics before moving toward more interdisciplinary work. Her unique trajectory from physics to philosophy and feminist studies has shaped her distinctive approach to questions of matter, meaning, and ethics. Barad's research spans multiple disciplines including science studies, multispecies studies, physics, nuclear studies, continental philosophy, epistemology, ontology, ethics, politics, and philosophy of physics. Her theoretical framework of "agential realism" has significantly influenced feminist theory, science studies, and philosophy. She approaches questions of matter, meaning, and ethics through the lens of quantum physics, developing concepts like intra-action, diffraction, and entanglement as philosophical tools. Her work challenges traditional boundaries between subject/object, nature/culture, and human/non-human. Her publications over the last two decades reveal a consistent engagement with the intersections of science, philosophy, and ethics, particularly focusing on how material-discursive practices shape reality. Barad's work increasingly addresses ecological concerns, nuclear legacies, and questions of justice, demonstrating how scientific concepts can inform ethical and political thought. Her writing moves fluidly between theoretical physics, feminist theory, and philosophical inquiry, creating new pathways for understanding the entanglement of matter and meaning. honorary doctorate from Gothenburg University Fulbright fellowship Kresge College Teaching Award Barad has received significant recognition for her scholarship and her research has been generously supported by major funding organizations including the National Science Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Hughes Foundation, the Irvine Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. As Co-Director of the Science & Justice Graduate Training Program at UCSC, Barad has mentored numerous graduate students and shaped interdisciplinary research connecting scientific inquiry with questions of social justice. Her collaborative work with scholars like Jenny Reardon has helped establish science & justice as a vital field of inquiry. Barad's approach to mentoring emphasizes the ethical responsibilities inherent in scientific and philosophical practices. Through her leadership in the Science & Justice Research Center, which she helped found, Barad has fostered innovative collaborations across disciplines, creating spaces where scientists, humanists, and social scientists can work together on pressing contemporary issues. Her work continues to influence multiple fields, with ongoing projects exploring nuclear colonialism, ecological ethics, and the material consequences of scientific practices.
Eva Midden is an Associate Professor in Gender Studies and Director of Education (Masters) at the Department of Media and Culture Studies, Utrecht University. She holds a Master’s in Political Science (University of Leiden) and a PhD in Philosophy (University of Central Lancashire, UK), focusing on feminism in multicultural societies and postsecular developments. Education: MA Political Science (Leiden), PhD Philosophy (Central Lancashire) Affiliation: Utrecht University (College of Humanities, Department of Media and Culture Studies) Roles: Chair of NOG Curriculum Committee, Senior Researcher in Horizon Project RE-WIRING, Board Member of RINGS Her research explores gender, religion, national identity, and postsecularism , with specific attention to conversion to Islam, intersectionality, whiteness, and media analysis . Recent work includes a book project on women and (in)fidelity, and a 2024 study on racialization and conversion in Jordan. Key article trends span gender and postsecularism (2014–2024), with subfields like digital multiculturalism, religious identity negotiation, and transnational digital networks . Collaborative projects (e.g., MIGNET, RE-WIRING) highlight her focus on inclusion, representation, and empowerment of marginalized groups. She has organized international symposia on postsecularism, gender, and religious diversity, and contributes to editorial work (e.g., Religion and Gender journal). No explicit scientific awards are mentioned, but her leadership in research networks and EU-funded projects underscores her academic impact.
Cyrus C.C. Mody is a Professor in the History of Science, Technology, and Innovation and Director of the STS Program at Maastricht University. Formerly an Associate Professor (2014–2015) and Assistant Professor (2007–2014) at Rice University's Department of History, his research focuses on the commercialization of academic science, energy humanities, and the technopolitics of scarcity. He leads the NWO-funded 'Managing Scarcity and Sustainability' project and co-leads the ERC Synergy 'Nanobubbles' initiative examining scientific record correction. His expertise spans applied physics, university-industry partnerships, and countercultural science in the US since 1965. Education: Ph.D. (2004), M.A. (2001), Cornell University, Science and Technology Studies A.B. (1997), Harvard University, Engineering Sciences (magna cum laude) Research Interests: Mody explores how scientific knowledge interacts with industry, policy, and culture. Key themes include: Energy transitions and environmental diplomacy Historical roles of oil and semiconductor industries Responsible innovation frameworks Risk communication in science Grants & Collaborations: NWO Vici Grant (2020–2025): Investigates oil industry's role in sustainability debates ERC Synergy 'Nanobubbles': Addresses scientific discourse integrity Postdoc and PhD supervision in energy humanities and nanotechnology ethics Public Engagement: Mody critiques authoritarian threats to science, advocates for interdisciplinary education, and publishes in venues like Volkskrant and Science & Education . His 2022 MIT Press book The Squares analyzes 1970s scientist activism.
Kate Pukhovaia is an Assistant Professor in Ottoman Studies at Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies within the Faculty of Humanities. She specializes in the early modern socio-political history of the Muslim Middle East, with particular focus on the Arab world during the 14th-18th centuries. Her academic expertise spans multiple domains: Political History of the Middle East History of Political Thought Social History of the Ottoman Empire Islamic Studies with focus on Shiism Arabic Manuscript Studies Dr. Pukhovaia's research examines comparative pre-modern state institutions and political elites in the Middle East, with particular attention to the history of Arabia in its regional context. Her current research project, "Early Modern State Development in Yemen," funded by the Horizon-2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions program, investigates state and political elite development in Yemen during the 13th-17th centuries, with special focus on the role of Ottoman rule (1538-1635) in transforming regional political and social structures. Her scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on Yemeni history, particularly Zaydi governance structures, tribal kinship systems, and early modern state formation. She has organized significant academic events including the "Biographies of Rulers in the Premodern Islamicate World" workshop and the "Zaydi Governance in Yemen between Legal Theory and Political Practice" conference in 2024. Among her notable achievements is the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowship awarded in 2021, which supports her research on Yemeni state development. Dr. Pukhovaia is actively involved in academic service, hosting the Leiden Yemeni Studies Lecture series and co-organizing international workshops. She previously held a fellowship at the Polonsky Academy for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute (2021-2022). Her educational background includes a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University and BA/MA degrees from the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Sophie Withaeckx is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences , Maastricht University , specializing in philosophy and ethics. Her work bridges critical inquiries into culture, gender, and morality with empirical studies on violence and transnational adoption. Doctorate in Philosophy and Moral Sciences (VUB) Master's in African Languages & Cultures (UGent) and International Politics (University of Antwerp) Research Focus: Normative conceptions of 'humanity' in public institutions and higher education decolonization Ethics of transnational adoption, examining humanness, family structures, and kinship Intersectional analysis of intimate partner violence in general practice Recent Publications address adoption reform resistance, ethical caregiving practices, and intersectional policy frameworks, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to gender, violence, and transnational ethics. PhD Supervision: Eva Vergaert: Intersectional care for intimate partner violence Atamhi Cawayu: Transnational adoption inequalities Folashade Ajayi: Black activism in Europe Career History: Former coordinator at RHEA (VUB), lecturer at Odisee University College, and staff member at IVCA (Intercultural Women’s Center Antwerp).
