Robert Kaufman is a Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a B.A. (1979), J.D. (1982), and Ph.D. (1995) from UC Berkeley. Prior to academia, he practiced labor and employment law. His career includes positions at McGill University, Stanford University (where he was an Assistant Professor of English and affiliated with German Studies and Modern Thought & Literature), and visiting roles at the University of Chicago and UC Berkeley. He has held fellowships including Stanford Humanities Center, Hellman Family, and Institute of International Studies. He co-chairs Berkeley's Program in Critical Theory. His research focuses on 20th-21st century American poetry, Latin American poetry, Romantic-era poetics, Frankfurt School Critical Theory, and aesthetic philosophy. Key projects include Negative Romanticism: Adornian Aesthetics in Keats, Shelley, and Modern Poetry , and studies on César Vallejo, Paul Celan, and Robert Duncan. His work bridges Marxist theory, lyric form, and sociopolitical critique. Kaufman's essays analyze Adorno's influence on modern poetry, the ethics of lyric form, and intersections between poetry and democracy. His recent work engages postmodernism's aftermath and contemporary political crises. He frequently collaborates on translation projects and public humanities initiatives, including events on Paul Celan's centenary.
Jan Alber is a Professor of Modern English and American Literature at the Department of English and American Literature and Culture, Justus Liebig University Giessen . He previously held positions at RWTH Aachen, Aarhus University, TU Darmstadt, and the University of Freiburg. His work bridges narrative theory, cognitive studies, and postcolonial literature, with a focus on unnatural narratives and empirical approaches to literary analysis. Fields of Interest: Unnatural Narratology, Cognitive Literary Studies, Climate Fiction, Postcolonial Literature Key Themes: Storyworlds, Ideology, Empirical Methods, Narrative Beginnings Alber's recent publications explore narrative theory's intersections with cognition and ideology, including analyses of digital post-postmodernist novels and climate change narratives. His empirical studies examine how readers process experimental narratives, particularly unnatural narrators and metaleptic structures. He has received prestigious awards such as the Habilitation Prize from the German Association of Anglists (2013) and the FRIAS junior group competition (2008). His research is funded by the AHRC, DFG, and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, notably supporting interdisciplinary work on post-truth political narratives and Ukrainian scholars. Alber co-founded the Aachen Center for Cognitive and Empirical Literary Studies and serves as President of the International Society for the Study of Narrative. He organizes international workshops on cognitive narratology and teaches courses spanning literary history, theory, and postmodern fiction.
Emilio Sauri is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Massachusetts Boston. His expertise spans American literature, Latin American literature, critical theory, and photography, with a focus on literature’s relationship to the global economy from the 19th to 21st centuries. PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago BA, Northwestern University Sauri's research examines literature and visual art in the context of globalization, capitalism, and cultural theory. He is currently working on a monograph titled *Imperial Decay: Literature, Autonomy and the End of Modernization in the Americas* (under contract with Northwestern University Press). His prior editorial work includes co-editing *Literature and the Global Contemporary* (Palgrave, 2017) and *Literary Materialisms* (Palgrave, 2013), alongside a special issue of *nonsite* on Latin American literature and theory. His recent publications explore intersections of literature with global capitalism, materialism, and postmodernism, often analyzing Latin American and U.S. texts. Notable topics include the labor of the novel, economic value in contemporary Mexican fiction, and critiques of modernization in Bolaño’s works. Fulbright Fellow, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2018 Sauri has served on the Executive Committee of the Faculty Staff Union (2018–2020) and co-founded the Literary Theory Reading Group. He has taught courses such as *Post-1945 American Literature*, *Literature and the Political Imagination*, and graduate seminars on literary theory and critical methods.
Dr. Ana Radulovic is a researcher at the University of Singidunum, Serbia, with expertise in leadership, organizational behavior, and management. She earned her PhD in Management from Aston Business School, UK, focusing on relational leadership and the impact of leader-follower relationships on outcomes. Her academic journey includes two master's degrees—one in Management from the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, and another in Postmodern English Literature from the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade—as well as undergraduate studies in English language and literature at the Faculty of Philology and management studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. PhD: Management, Leadership (Aston Business School, UK, 2012–2016) Master's: Management (University of Belgrade, 2010–2012) Master's: Postmodern English Literature (University of Belgrade, 2010–2011) Undergraduate: English language and literature (University of Belgrade, 2006–2010); Management (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2008–2009) Her research interests center on Leadership , with a focus on relational dynamics, interdependence theory, and quantitative/experimental methodologies. She explores how social media, crises, and virtual environments influence leadership effectiveness and organizational sustainability. Dr. Radulovic has received numerous scholarships and awards, including multiple Fund for Young Talents scholarships, a full scholarship for her doctoral studies at Aston University, a US government scholarship for Indiana University, and recognition for TESOL curriculum design and academic achievement. She has also contributed to the field through grants like the US Government Grant for Sustainable Development Program implementation. Scholarship from the Fund for Young Talents (2009/2010, 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015) Full scholarship for doctoral studies (Aston University, 2012–2015) US government scholarship (Indiana University, 2008/2009) Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development scholarship (2007/2008, 2010/2011) Best curriculum design award in TESOL (2009) Dean's Award for Academic Achievement (2008/2009) US Government Grant for Sustainable Development Program (2010) ERSTE Bank 'Club 27 Superstars' finalist (2011) Her work spans theoretical and applied research, with publications on topics like forgiveness in leader-member exchange relationships, servant leadership for sustainability, and charismatic leadership during crises. She has also participated in international conferences, presenting on leadership dynamics in virtual teams and social media integration.
Professor Peter John Edgley Robinson is a distinguished academic and poet at the University of Reading, where he holds the position of Professor in the Department of English Literature, part of the School of Humanities. He is renowned for founding the English Literature with Creative Writing joint degree program and the MA in Creative Writing. His research focuses on modern and contemporary poetry, publishing, and translation, with a particular interest in 20th-century literary movements and interdisciplinary studies. Responsibilities include leading the Poetry & Poetics strand of the Modern Studies Centre and supervising doctoral research in creative writing and academic topics such as post-war Japanese poetry, Muriel Rukeyser’s work, and travel writing. He has held roles as poetry editor for Two Rivers Press and contributed to academic publications like The Fortnightly Review . His career includes teaching at Tohoku University in Japan and organizing events like the Reading Poetry Festival. Key awards include the Cheltenham Prize (1988), the John Florio Prize (2008), and Poetry Book Society recommendations. His publications span poetry collections, critical essays, translations, and novels, reflecting his expertise in literary analysis and creative expression. Notable works include The Sound Sense of Poetry (2018), Ravishing Europa (2019), and Retrieved Attachments (2023). Education: BA from University of York (1974), PhD from University of Cambridge (1981). Translations: Includes works by Vittorio Sereni, Pietro De Marchi, and Giorgio Bassani. Editorial Roles: Numbers magazine, Reading Poetry Festival , and The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary British and Irish Poetry . His research explores intersections between poetry, economics, and cultural identity, with a focus on publishing policies and lyrical forms. He remains active in mentoring emerging writers and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Umberto Eco was a renowned Professor of Semiotics at the University of Bologna and founder of Communication Science studies in Italy. Born in Alessandria (1932), he pursued classical studies before earning his philosophy degree from Turin University (1954). His academic career spanned Turin, Milan, and Florence universities, where he explored semiotics, media studies, and medieval aesthetics. He pioneered interdisciplinary approaches, blending literary criticism with contemporary cultural analysis. Eco's work in publishing (Bompiani, 1959–1975) and media (RAI, L'Espresso) shaped Italian intellectual discourse. The University of Bologna honored him with its highest accolades for his transformative contributions to academia and semiotic theory. Educations: Classical High School in Alessandria Laurea in Literature and Philosophy, University of Turin (1954) His research integrated medieval scholasticism with modern semiotics, analyzing mass media's societal impact through works like Apocalittici e integrati (1964) and the La bustina di Minerva column (1985–2016). Key themes included countercultural movements, communication theory, and the philosophy of aesthetics. His lectures and publications, such as Il costume di casa (1973), became foundational texts for understanding 20th-century intellectual trends. Though no specific scientific awards are listed, his academic legacy was celebrated through institutional recognitions from the University of Bologna. His advisory roles and editorial work fostered avant-garde movements like Gruppo 63, challenging 1950s literary norms. Eco's intellectual reach extended to founding the Scuola Superiore di Studi Umanistici, cementing his role as a pivotal figure in humanistic education.
Alison Landsberg is a Professor at George Mason University, affiliated with the Department of History and Art History and the Cultural Studies PhD program. Her research focuses on the politics of memory, affective engagements with the past, visual culture, and the intersections of race, aesthetics, and history. A leading scholar in memory studies, she explores how mass media and popular culture shape historical consciousness and political subjectivity. Her seminal works include *Prosthetic Memory* (2004) and *Engaging the Past* (2015), which analyze how mediated experiences of history foster empathy and progressive politics. Landsberg’s interdisciplinary work bridges film studies, cultural theory, and historiography. She examines how audiovisual media—from films to immersive digital exhibits—produce alternative historical narratives that challenge traditional academic historiography. Her current project, *Impossible Histories*, critiques conventional ‘historicism’ and explores counterhegemonic modes of historical representation. Her teaching spans courses on historical cinema, visual culture, and the politics of memory. She has advised over 20 doctoral students, many of whom explore topics like public history, digital memory, and cultural activism. Landsberg is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences and has contributed to NPR’s *On the Media* and *The American Scholar* on topics ranging from racial representation to post-postracial America. Landsberg’s research emphasizes the urgency of rethinking historical engagement in an era of fragmented media and contested identities. Her work underscores the ethical and political stakes of how societies remember—and forget—the past.
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.
Wang Ning is a distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature with affiliations at Tsinghua University (part-time) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His career spans prestigious roles including Zhiyuan Chair Professor (2009–present) and Changjiang Distinguished Professor (2013–present). Born in 1955, he holds academic qualifications from institutions in China, Europe, and North America. Research interests focus on cosmopolitanism, translation studies, Northrop Frye's mythopoeia, cultural studies, and Chinese-Western comparative literature. He has secured over ten grants since 1991 aimed at introducing European theory to China and has conducted research across Europe, North America, and Australia as a visiting professor/research fellow. Key achievements include the Changjiang Scholars Award (2013), membership in Académé de la Latinité (2010), and fellowships at Cambridge and Gottingen Universities. He co-founded Chinese editions of New Literary History and Critical Inquiry , advancing transnational literary discourse. Wang has delivered keynote lectures globally and led initiatives to bridge Chinese and Western literary traditions. His work emphasizes global literary dynamics, translation’s role in cultural exchange, and reinterpreting modern Chinese literature within global contexts.
Daniel Medin serves as Professor at The American University of Paris within the Department of Comparative Literature and English History and Politics, joining the faculty in January 2010 after teaching positions at Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Free University Berlin. His academic credentials include: PhD, Washington University in St. Louis MA, Washington University in St. Louis BA, University of Connecticut Professor Medin's research centers on contemporary international fiction and the global reception of Franz Kafka , with significant contributions to Central European literary studies. His scholarly focus extends to autobiographical writing , editorial practices for translated fiction , and small prose forms , consistently examining cross-cultural literary exchange through interdisciplinary lenses that bridge literature, history, and translation theory. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a pronounced trajectory toward edited volumes spotlighting global literary voices across European, Asian, and Latin American traditions. His work demonstrates sustained engagement with translation as cultural mediation and Kafka's enduring legacy in contemporary writing, frequently connecting literary analysis with musical composition through collaborations with composers and musicians. His distinguished recognition includes: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship As director of the Center for Writers and Translators and editor of the Cahiers Series, Professor Medin cultivates transnational literary networks through institutional leadership rather than traditional grant-funded research. His extensive involvement with literary prizes—including the International Booker Prize and European Union Prize for Literature—complements his editorial work at publications like Music & Literature and Schreibheft. He actively shapes contemporary discourse through the Center for Writers and Translators, organizing events that connect authors, translators, and scholars across linguistic boundaries. His recent festival appearances at Cheltenham, Bergen, and Dublin highlight ongoing commitment to examining Kafka's relevance and fostering dialogue about global literary trends.
Dr. Simon A. Morrison is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Communication, Screen & Performance within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Chester. He serves as Programme Leader for the Music Journalism degree, which he helped design, build and deliver from its first cohort in 2014. With 25 years of experience as a writer, broadcaster, and academic, Morrison brings extensive industry knowledge to his teaching and research, having worked as a music journalist reporting from locations worldwide including Beijing, Brazil, Moscow, and Marrakech. Dr. Morrison holds a PhD from the University of Leeds (completed 2018), an MA from the University of Manchester (1995-1997), and a BA Hons from the University of Manchester (1989-1992). Prior to his position at Chester, he worked as an Associate Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University (2012-2014) and as a Visiting Lecturer at Leeds University (2011-2013). His academic journey follows a substantial career in media where he presented TV for Rapture TV, hosted radio shows in Ibiza, produced and presented for Kiss Radio, and appeared on BBC Breakfast and BBC 5 Live. Dr. Morrison's research centers on the intersection of words and music , with particular focus on Popular Music , Musico-Literary Intermediality , and Electronic Dance Music Culture . His work explores how music subcultures, particularly rave and dance music scenes, are represented in literature and journalism. He examines the connections between different countercultural movements, notably drawing parallels between the Beat Generation writers and contemporary 'Chemical Generation' authors who write about club culture. His research also investigates the relationship between music journalism and subcultural movements across different historical periods. His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory connecting historical dance music developments across continents and eras. Morrison's work traces the evolution of electronic dance music from its American roots in Chicago and Detroit through its transatlantic journey to Europe and back again, examining how cultural exchange shaped musical innovation. His analyses of Pink Floyd demonstrate how rock bands interact with media landscapes, while his investigations of music journalism document the changing nature of music criticism in digital eras. The recurring theme across his scholarship is the examination of how subcultural experiences are translated into written form, whether through journalism, fiction, or academic analysis. Dr. Morrison actively supervises undergraduate dissertation projects and Negotiated Study production projects across all three years of undergraduate study. He has successfully supervised an MRes project to completion and examined PhDs (including one internal and two external, one being an Australian PhD by Artefact & Exegesis). He has served as an External Examiner for Music Journalism programs at Southampton Solent University (2016-2019) and BIMM London, Birmingham and Manchester (2016-2020). His teaching spans modules including Introduction to Journalism, Live Journalism, Dancing About Architecture: Popular Music Media, Histories and Technologies, The Cultural Politics of Music Journalism, The Politics of Social Media, Magazine Publishing and Music PR and Promotional Writing.
Joanna Pawlik is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Art History at the University of Sussex, within the School of Media, Arts and Humanities. Her research focuses on modern art and literature, emphasizing transnationalism, avant-gardism, and protest movements. She has been funded by prestigious grants like the Leverhulme Trust and the AHRC. Her 2021 monograph Remade in America , awarded the MSA First Book Prize, examines Surrealism's role in American activism post-1940. Current research explores fascist iconography in American art (1945–1980), funded by a Leverhulme Fellowship. Education: PhD in Art History, University of Sussex (2003–2008) MA in Art History, York University, Canada (2021–2022) BA Hons in Art History, University of East Anglia (2018–2021) Research Interests: Her work investigates surrealism's transnational legacies, anti-fascist art, feminist/queer methodologies, and postwar American visual culture. She examines how surrealist principles intersect with race, gender, class, and activism in movements like the Beat Generation and Black Arts Movement. Grants & Awards: Leverhulme Research Fellowship (2020–2022) Leverhulme Trust Grant 'Radical America: Afterlives' (2016) MSA First Book Prize (2021) Professional Activities: Co-director of the SAVAnT Doctoral School promoting interdisciplinary American visual studies. Supervises PhD projects on postwar American art, anti-fascism, and feminist/queer art history. Engages in public scholarship through interviews and exhibitions.
Hsiu-Chuang Deppman is a Professor of Chinese and Cinema and Media at Oberlin College, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds positions in both the East Asian Studies and Cinema and Media departments. Currently on leave for the 2024-25 academic year, her research focuses on film adaptation, Chinese cinema history, and comparative literature. She has published extensively, including books like Close-ups and Long Shots in Modern Chinese Cinemas (2021) and Adapted for the Screen (2010). Deppman earned her PhD (1999) and MA (1993) in Chinese Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a BA (1990) from National Cheng-Kung University in Taiwan. Her research interests span: Adaptation Studies History of Chinese Cinema Documentary and Media Studies Contemporary Chinese Fiction Comparative Literature Awarded the 2016-2017 Excellence in Teaching Award, she has also received grants and fellowships including the Fulbright Research Grant, Taiwan National Science Council Grant, and Freeman Foundation Grant for Asian Studies, among others. In addition to her research, Deppman teaches courses such as Contemporary East Asian Cinema and Intermediate Chinese I . Her work has been supported by the GLCA/Mellon New Directions Initiative and the Chiu Scholarly Exchange Program for Taiwan Studies. Her current project involves writing a book on Jia Zhangke’s cinema of reflection, reflecting her ongoing engagement with modern Chinese cinematic narratives.
Younghoon Kim serves as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Asian Studies within the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he contributes to research and teaching in Korean studies, translation, and contemporary media. His work bridges cultural analysis with critical examinations of television and film across Korean and American contexts. Educational Background: Ph.D. from University of Alberta (2011) M.A. from University of Alberta (2006) M.A. from Sogang University (2004) B.A. from Myong Ji University (2002) Dr. Kim's research centers on Korean popular culture and national identity formation, with particular focus on entrepreneurship narratives and self-help culture in contemporary Korea. He investigates contemporary American television dramas as cultural artifacts reflecting societal shifts, while also exploring translation practices and fashion as expressions of cultural identity. His interdisciplinary approach connects media studies with sociological and philosophical frameworks. His recent publications reveal consistent thematic threads examining neoliberal subjectivity through television analysis (including Breaking Bad and Mad Men), Korean youth cultural expressions, and cross-cultural literary adaptations. The scholarly output spans musicology, television studies, and translation theory, with significant contributions to understanding how media shapes identity in both Korean and global contexts. Journal publications demonstrate strong engagement with A&HCI-indexed and Korean Citation Index venues.
Sandro Zanetti, Full Professor of General and Comparative Literature at the University of Zurich's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, specializes in avant-garde research, artistic production processes, and poetics of (im)probability. He studied German, History, and Philosophy at Basel, Freiburg, and Tübingen (1993-1999), earned his PhD in 2005 at Basel's SNSF project, and held positions including Junior Professor at Hildesheim (2008-2011) and DFG network head (2010-2014). Since 2011 at UZH, he progressed from Assistant to Full Professor (2022) and serves as Co-Dean of Studies since 2021. Current affiliations: Department of General and Comparative Literature (UZH), Center for Arts and Cultural Theory (ZKK), Literary Radio Zurich Former roles: ZGW Center (2010-2022), SNF project leader (2015-2019), Co-editor of History of the Present (2016-present) His research explores: Avant-garde genealogies and postwar literary modernity Time perception and aesthetic temporality Writing as cultural technique Interdisciplinary intersections with philosophy, media studies, and art Publications reveal trends in: 2022-2024: Dada historiography, AI-generated literature, Paul Celan's late works 2019-2021: Aesthetic theory, transactuality, Barthesian concepts 2014-2017: Improvisation networks, multilingualism, collaborative writing He co-founded interdisciplinary platforms and maintains editorial roles across 15 anthologies since 2004.
