Laura Vrana is an Associate Professor in the English Department at the University of South Alabama's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research specializes in African American literature and poetry, with particular focus on Black women poets, literary recognition dynamics, and institutional constraints in contemporary poetry. Research Expertise Vrana's scholarship examines how American literary institutions since 1980 have shaped Black women's poetic expression. Her work explores themes of racial justice, historical memory, and innovative poetics through frameworks including: Black feminist literary criticism Poetics of institutional recognition Experimental forms in African American poetry Interdisciplinary approaches to literary studies Publications and Awards Her 2024 book Pitfalls of Prestige analyzes tensions between inclusion and constraint in literary recognition. Vrana's articles appear in leading journals including Callaloo , Tulsa Studies in Women's Literature , and MELUS , where she received the 2022 Katherine Newman Best Essay Award for her analysis of Thylias Moss's poetic innovations. Projects and Contributions She contributed to the Mellon Foundation-funded Remarkable Receptions podcast exploring Ralph Ellison's legacy and has published critical reviews and book chapters on African American poetics across multiple historical periods.
Judith Thissen is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University 's Department of Media and Culture Studies, Faculty of Humanities. Trained in Paris (Film Studies at Paris 8, Archaeology at Paris 1), she earned her PhD in Arts and Humanities from Utrecht University. Her work bridges cinema history, social history, urban studies, and Jewish studies. PhD: Utrecht University (Arts and Humanities) MA: Paris 8 (Film Studies) BA: Paris 1 (Archaeology) Thissen specializes in early cinema's role in social and cultural transformations. She examines Jewish immigrant film culture in New York (1880-1914), rural European cinema (1920-1970), and digital humanities applications. Her current project, Kol Nidre on Broadway, Jazz Singers in Shul , explores cinema's influence on Jewish religious modernization. Recent publications focus on urban cultural politics, rural film venues, and ethnic media practices. She co-edited Cinema Beyond the City , the first anthology on European rural film culture (BFI, 2017). Key themes include cinema's public sphere, hygiene discourses, and comparative historical analysis. Scientific recognition includes a Max-Weber-Kolleg Senior Fellowship (2020/21) and the Jury Boekman Dissertatieprijs (2012). She teaches in Utrecht's Media & Culture bachelor and Media, Art and Performance Studies master's programs. Thissen actively contributes to digital humanities through networks like DICIS (Digital Cinema Studies), Digital Yiddish Theater Project , and HoMER (History of Moviegoing, Exhibition and Reception). Her research integrates comparative and interdisciplinary methodologies.
Johanna Jebe is a researcher at the University of Tübingen's Department of History, specializing in medieval history. She has held positions including: Academic Assistant (Post-Doc) at the Seminar for Medieval History since 2022 Academic Assistant at Prof. Steffen Patzold's chair (2017-2022) Doctoral Fellow at Graduate College 1662 (2014-2017) Research Focus: Analysis of Carolingian-era monastic manuscripts from St. Gallen and Fulda, examining knowledge organization, religious practices, and reform discourses. Her work challenges centralized narratives of monastic reform by emphasizing local manuscript traditions. Publications & Projects: Has published extensively on medieval libraries, monastic rules, and Carolingian knowledge systems. Created digital editions of medieval exorcisms and charms and contributed to the Tübingen History smartphone app. Awards: Received the Walter Witzemann Prize (2023), Dr. Leopold Lucas Young Researcher Award (2023), and Josef Leinweber Prize (2024). Education: Completed Magistra Artium in Modern/Contemporary History, Medieval History, and Protestant Theology (2014), with studies at Università di Bologna and a doctoral thesis on Carolingian monastic writing practices.
Riccardo Marchi is an Italian-born historian and political scientist (b. 1974, Padua) serving as an integrated researcher at the Center for International Studies (CEI-IUL) of ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL) and as an invited professor at Lusófona University in Lisbon. Education PhD in Modern and Contemporary History, ISCTE-IUL, Portugal (2008) Laurea (BA) in Political Science with specialization in Political-History, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy (2001) Research Interests Marchi’s scholarship focuses on right-wing radicalism in contemporary Europe, analysing political thought, parties and movements , as well as the intricate relations between States and radical organizations . He examines democratic transitions , populist radical-right parties , nationalism , conspiracy theories , and the memory politics surrounding authoritarian legacies. Across more than two decades, his work has systematically mapped the Portuguese and Iberian far-right, from the final years of the Estado Novo through the revolutionary period (1974-1975) to the consolidation of democracy and the recent rise of the Chega party. Comparative perspectives on Spain, Italy and transatlantic right-wing networks further enrich his analyses. Publication Profile Marchi’s research output reveals three dominant strands: (1) historical studies of far-right movements during authoritarianism and transition; (2) contemporary analyses of populist radical-right parties, especially Chega; and (3) transnational and comparative work on right-wing extremism across Europe and the Americas. His methodological repertoire combines archival research, elite interviews, survey data and discourse analysis. Grants & Projects Principal Investigator , NEAR project – New Euro-American Radical Rights (FCT grant PTDC/CPO-CPO/28748/2017, 2018-2022) Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Scholarship (2015) – Portuguese radical right during the transition to democracy Participant in EU and bilateral projects such as Iberian Democratic Transitions and IDREA Teaching & Academic Roles He has taught research methods, social movements, nationalism and populism at European University (2010-2014), ISCTE-IUL (2016-2020) and Lusófona University (2021-ongoing) at both undergraduate and master’s levels. International Network & Visiting Positions Member of the executive committee of the Right-wings, History and Memory international research network since 2014. Former visiting researcher at Pablo de Olavide University (Seville, 2007) and University of California, Berkeley (2008).
Simon Ditchfield is a Professor of Early Modern History at the University of York , renowned for his expertise in the intersection of urban and religious culture in the Italian peninsula (1300-1800). He has held significant roles, including Chair of the Departmental Research Committee, and is a co-editor of the Sacro/santo book series. His research explores the making of Roman Catholicism as a global religion, with a focus on Jesuit missions and Counter-Reformation dynamics. Education: BA (York), MPhil/PhD (Warburg Institute), Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (1998-) Projects: Conversion Narratives in Early Modern Europe (AHRC 2010-13), Papacy and People: The Making of Roman Catholicism as a World Religion (OUP), and Daniello Bartoli SJ and Global History (Leverhulme Fellow 2014-15) Simon’s research spans global Catholicism , hagiography , and missionary networks , as evidenced by his 2024 article Exemplary Lives in the Making of a World Religion and 2023 Appropriation and Agency in Roman Catholicism . His work often critiques traditional narratives of Trent and emphasizes cross-cultural exchanges, particularly in Jesuit missions across Persia, New France, and the Asia-Pacific. He has received prestigious fellowships, including a British Academy Research Leave Fellowship (2006-08) and a Leverhulme Fellowship (2014-15). Scientific Awards: Roland Bainton Prize (2020), Accademia Ambrosiana (1998-), FRHistS (1998-) Editorial Roles: Advisory editor for Catholic Historical Review , Archivum Societatem Societatis Iesu , Church History , and Archivum historiae pontificiae He supervises doctoral research on topics like Domestic Religion in Florence , Sacred History in Brittany/Wales , and Music in the English Catholic Community . His leadership includes directing the Heritage Studies as Applied History project (1996-99) and co-editing the Companion to Early Modern Rome (2019), which won the Roland Bainton Prize.
Chris Balaschak serves as the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Art History and Chair of the Visual Arts department at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. His distinguished career encompasses both academic leadership and groundbreaking research in the intersections of photography, visual culture, and environmental studies. Education: Ph.D. in Art History from University of California, Irvine M.F.A. from Art Center College of Design, Pasadena B.A. from New York University, New York Research Focus: Professor Balaschak's scholarly work centers on the histories of photography, modern and contemporary art, and visual culture, with particular emphasis on how visual representations intersect with place-based politics, environmentalism, and high modernist social planning. His current research examines American photographers' responses to the environmental consequences of federal infrastructure throughout the 20th century. Teaching Portfolio: He teaches a diverse range of courses including Art History II (Renaissance-Modernism), Art History III (Contemporary Art), Visual Culture, The Environmental Image, Modern Metropolis, Art & Environment, Race & Visual Culture, and History of Photography, among others. Publications: His research output demonstrates a consistent focus on environmental themes in photography, with his 2021 monograph "The Image of Environmental Harm in American Social Documentary Photography" representing a significant contribution to the field. His work spans from examinations of Puerto Rican forestry photography to analyses of post-industrial Bay Area landscapes. Previous Appointments: Before joining Flagler College, Professor Balaschak held teaching positions at California State University, Long Beach and University of California, Irvine.
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Jan Rüggemeier holds dual academic appointments as a Researcher at the University of Bern's Institute for New Testament Studies (since 2021) and as Junior Professor for New Testament at the University of Bonn's Protestant Theological Faculty (appointed 2021). His academic trajectory includes positions as Senior Lecturer at the University of Zurich (2018-2020) and Postdoctoral Researcher at Bern. His theological education includes studies at Heidelberg, Tübingen, and Oxford, culminating in a First Theological Exam (2007). Research interests focus on methodological innovations in biblical interpretation: Cognitive-narratological approaches to New Testament texts, particularly Markan Christology Application of spatial theory (Raumkonzeption) to Pauline literature Social history reconstructions of early Christian communities in urban contexts Interdisciplinary integration of hermeneutics, narratology, and exegetical practice Publications demonstrate consistent focus on narrative methodology applied to New Testament texts, with recent works emphasizing cognitive frameworks (2019-2021), spatial analysis (2018-2020), and social-historical reconstructions of early Christianity. Article themes evolved from foundational methodological studies (2017) toward applications in Markan theology, Pauline networks, and Hellenistic urban contexts. Awards and grants include: Postdoc Forschungskredit (University of Zurich, 2020) Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise (2019) Armin Schmitt Award for Biblical Studies (2017) German Academic Scholarship (2003-2007) Professional memberships include the Zurich Center for the Ancient World, Society of Biblical Literature, and European Narratology Network. He co-directs research projects on cognitive linguistics and New Testament narrative, having organized international conferences including the St. Andrews-Zurich Seminar on biblical canons (2019).
Marcell Steuernagel serves as Associate Professor of Church Music at Southern Methodist University, concurrently directing both the Master of Sacred Music Program and Doctor of Pastoral Music Program. His academic leadership bridges theological education with practical music ministry training. His educational trajectory includes a Ph.D. in Church Music (ABD) from Baylor University (2015-2018), Master of Music in Composition from Brazil's Federal University of Parana (2006-2008), and Bachelor of Music in Conducting and Composition from Parana School of Music and Arts (1998-2003), complemented by specialized Brazilian Guitar & Jazz Improvisation training. Steuernagel's research interrogates the intersections of music, theology, and cultural identity through ethnomusicological and performance studies frameworks. His work centers on decolonizing church music narratives by amplifying Global South perspectives, particularly examining how race, place, and embodiment shape congregational singing practices. He investigates pneumatological dimensions of popular worship music while analyzing cross-cultural transmission of hymns like 'Amazing Grace' across linguistic boundaries. His scholarship consistently challenges Western hegemony in sacred music through critical frameworks of intellectual property, ritual embodiment, and spatial politics. His publication pattern reveals a concentrated focus on Global South epistemologies since 2021, with recurring themes of decolonization, embodied ritual, and cross-cultural musical exchange. The research demonstrates methodological diversity spanning ethnographic observation, theological reflection, performance analysis, and critical theory application to congregational music practices worldwide. Member, Hymn Society (2019) Member, Performance Studies International (2017) Member, Society for Christian Scholarship in Music (2017) Member, Brazilian Studies Association (2017) Member, Society for Ethnomusicology (2017) Student Research Scholarship, Christian Congregational Music Conference (2017) Baylor Libraries Summer Teaching Fellowship (2017) Baylor Conyers Scholar (2016-2017) Gerald and Kathy Dunlap Endowed Internship (2016) Steuernagel maintains an extensive teaching portfolio across North and South America, having instructed at Baylor University, Baptist University of the Americas, and multiple Brazilian institutions including Federal University of Parana and Parana School of Music. His courses span church music history, composition, worship theology, and musical pedagogy. While specific grant details aren't documented in the source material, his Baylor fellowships and conference awards indicate sustained research funding for projects examining global congregational music practices and theological implications of embodied worship.
Isaac William Martin serves as the Jeri-Ann and Gary E. Jacobs Professor of Social Science in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the University of California San Diego's Division of Social Sciences. He founded and chaired the department from 2019 to 2025. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California Berkeley M.A. in Sociology, University of California Berkeley B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, Carleton College Martin's research focuses on housing policy , public finance , and the political sociology of inequality . His work examines how tax policies shape social structures, with particular attention to property tax revolts, municipal finance, and housing crises. He employs historical-comparative methods to analyze fiscal citizenship and wealth distribution. His 15 most recent publications reveal consistent engagement with taxation politics (35%), urban displacement (25%), and institutional development (20%). Key trends include longitudinal analysis of American fiscal policy, cross-national comparisons of tax resistance movements, and critical examinations of housing market failures. Martin's scholarly recognition includes: American Sociological Association Book Award Pacific Sociological Association Book Award Social Science History Association Book Award His editorial service spans prestigious journals including the American Journal of Sociology and Contemporary Sociology . Media coverage of his research in The New Yorker and Washington Post demonstrates public impact. Martin's teaching excellence has been recognized with four UCSD awards, reflecting his commitment to mentoring across undergraduate and graduate levels.
Dr. Jens Palkowitsch-Kühl serves as a Lecturer at the Chair of Protestant Theology II with a focus on Religious Education and Didactics of Religious Education within the Institute for Protestant Theology and Religious Education at Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg. He maintains concurrent academic appointments including Acting Professor of Ethics and Education at the Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt (2023-2024), and teaching positions at Ludwigsburg University of Education and Protestant University of Darmstadt. His professional roles extend to digital leadership positions within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria as E-Learning Coordinator and former Digital Education Officer. Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with community education/diaconal work qualification (Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, 2008-2012) Master of Arts in Religious Education - Protestant Religious Education (Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, 2012-2013) PhD in Religious Education with dissertation on 'Religious education teachers in digitalization processes' (2015-2020) Dr. Palkowitsch-Kühl's research focuses on the intersection of digital media and religious education, with particular emphasis on religious socialization in mediatized spaces, digital media education, and ICT applications in religious contexts. His work bridges theological inquiry with practical educational applications, examining how emerging technologies reshape religious learning environments and experiences. He investigates how youth navigate religious identity formation within digital landscapes and develops pedagogical approaches for integrating new media into religious instruction. His recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated digital applications in religious education, with growing attention to artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and game-based learning. The research demonstrates a methodological shift from analyzing existing digital media integration toward developing and testing innovative pedagogical frameworks like the reliGlobal approach and VR-based learning environments. His work consistently addresses both theoretical foundations and practical implementation challenges in religious education contexts. Dr. Palkowitsch-Kühl actively contributes to the RELab digital research initiative and the Center for Anti-Semitism Education, collaborating with colleagues like Prof. Dr. Ilona Nord on projects examining religious education in mediatized worlds. His interdisciplinary approach connects religious studies with media theory, educational psychology, and digital humanities to address contemporary challenges in religious education. His teaching portfolio spans multiple institutions and covers topics including 'Media & Methods in Religious Education,' 'Digital Games in Religious Education,' and 'Religious Education Excursions' focused on VR, gamification, and digital socialization. He has developed specialized courses on serious moral games, AI applications, and digital media competencies for religious educators, reflecting his commitment to preparing future religious educators for digital contexts.
Bruce A. Desmarais, Jr. is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Penn State University with a dual appointment at the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS). His academic career demonstrates extensive engagement with policy diffusion networks and computational social science methodologies. His research interests center on policy diffusion , state policy networks , Exponential Random Graph Models , and legislative behavior . Desmarais applies network analysis techniques to understand how policies spread across U.S. states, with particular focus on environmental policy, pandemic responses, and political misinformation. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on computational approaches to political networks, with recurring themes in policy diffusion dynamics, social capital formation, civil unrest contagion, and digital political communication. His work frequently employs network science methodologies to analyze complex policy landscapes across state governments. Desmarais has secured significant research funding through the National Science Foundation, including: Active Projects : Digitally Accountable Public Representation (2023-2026), Patterns of State Policy Responses to the Pandemic (2022-2025) Recent Completed Projects : Diffusion of State Policy Responses to COVID-19 (2020-2022), Expanded Framework for Inferring Public Policy Diffusion Networks (2018-2022), DAPPR: Diffusion Analytics for Public Policy Research (2016-2021) His collaborative research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between political science, data science, and network analysis. Current projects focus on digital representation, pandemic policy responses, and network analytics for public policy research.
Trish Audette-Longo is an Assistant Professor at Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication, specializing in digital journalism and reporting. She holds a PhD in Communication Studies from Concordia University, an MSc in Media, Communication and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University. Her research focuses on digital and alternative journalism , climate change communication , and Indigenous media representation , with notable work on the impact of the pandemic on journalism education. She has contributed to academic publications such as the International Journal of Communication and Canadian Journal of Communication . 2022 Faculty of Public Affairs Teaching Fellowship Excellence Award Trish teaches courses including Writing with Style , Introduction to Reporting , and Creative Non-fiction , bridging practical journalism training with critical media analysis.
Marianne Hafnor Bøe is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Stavanger, specifically within the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Humanities and the Department of Cultural Studies and Languages. Her academic work focuses on the intersections of religion, law, and gender, with a particular emphasis on Shia Islam, Islamic family law, and Muslim communities in Norway and Iran. She has conducted extensive ethnographic research, including studies on Mahr (Islamic dowry) in Norway, the role of Muslim women in Western Norway, and the Shia community in Norway. Ph.D. in Religious Studies, University of Bergen (2013) Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Council of Norway (2015-2018) Affiliated with the University of Bergen in an adjunct professor role (2024-2026) Visiting Scholar at SOAS, University of London (2011), University of Copenhagen (2022), and Northeastern University (2016-2017) Her research interests include: Gender equality in Islamic law Religious didactics and education Shia Islam in diasporic contexts Legal pluralism and religious practice Feminist interpretations of Islam Religious minorities in Europe Her publications span 15 recent articles (2022-2025) analyzing topics such as: Iranian family law reforms Shia material religion Gender dynamics in Islamic chaplaincy Muslim youth culture in Norway Protest aesthetics in Iranian movements Religious legal systems in multicultural societies She serves as: Vice-Dean for Education at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Humanities Chairman of KIFO (Institute for Church, Religion and Philosophy Research) Editorial member of DIN - Journal for Religion and Culture
Emiliano Grossman is a Professor at Sciences Po , holding a Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR). He serves as Director of the Center for Socio-Political Data (CDSP) and is affiliated with the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) . Based at Sciences Po's Paris and Reims campuses, he teaches comparative politics and introduction to political science , while leading the "Politics and Public Policy" policy stream at the School of Public Affairs. PhD (IEP Paris), MPhil (University of Cambridge), Habilitation (2014) Co-editor-in-chief of European Journal of Political Research (2017-2024) Research Focus: Specializes in comparative political institutions , agenda-setting processes , and media-politics nexus . Current work examines "attention cycles" , partisan strategies , and media visibility effects . Leads the ANR-funded political agendas project measuring French institutional evolution through quantitative indicators. Academic Contributions: 45+ peer-reviewed articles across Climate Policy , Comparative Political Studies , and European Journal of Political Research . Key themes include climate policy acceptance , science skepticism trends , and Yellow Vest movement analysis . Supervision: Mentored PhD students including recently Lennard Alke (defended 2024 on EU affairs politicization). Collaborates with scholars like Cristina Peñasco (Cambridge/Banque de France) on cross-national climate surveys.
Wendy Woodson serves as the Roger C. Holden Professor of Theater and Dance at Amherst College and the Five College Dance Department, where she has taught since 1987. Founder and Artistic Director of Present Co. Inc., she has created over 100 interdisciplinary performance works presented globally at venues including the Kennedy Center, Jacob's Pillow, and LaMaMa theaters in NYC and Melbourne. Her research centers on interdisciplinary performance , exploring tensions between individual voices through mediation, reconciliation, and translation across media. She emphasizes kinesthetic empathy and collaborative improvisation, developing frameworks where movement, text, and video interact to examine belonging and identity. Her artistic practice consistently investigates how individuals navigate relationships within specific cultural and physical contexts. Analysis of her 15 most recent works reveals an evolution from stage-based choreography toward video installations addressing displacement ( NELA , DORA ) and environmental change ( Shore ), while maintaining core interests in multilingual expression and psychological archetypes. Her pieces frequently engage refugee narratives, memory reconstruction, and cross-cultural dialogue. Prestigious Recognition: Fulbright Senior Scholar (2006-07), multiple international film festival Grand Prizes Major Residencies: Rockefeller Bellagio Center, Bogliasco Foundation, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Foundation Support: National Endowment for the Arts (6 fellowships), Massachusetts Cultural Council (12 awards) Woodson has mentored through guest artist residencies at 15+ institutions worldwide while developing innovative curricula like The Art of Noticing seminar. Her Present Company Inc. has sustained 40+ years of collaborative production with over 50 associate artists across dance, theater, and visual media, creating experimental works that challenge conventional performance boundaries through interdisciplinary integration.
