Dr. Frances Smith is an Associate Professor in Film Studies at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities. She holds a PhD in Film and Television Studies from the University of Warwick (2013), an MA in Management from Durham University (2008), and a Master of Modern Languages in French/Italian from Manchester University (2007). Her research focuses on teen cinema, female authorship, Hollywood and European cinema, and gender studies, with current work on Céline Sciamma's Girlhood. She authored Rethinking the Hollywood Teen Movie (2017) and co-edited Refocus: The Films of John Hughes (2021). Teaching includes convening Analysing Film, American Teen Cinema, and Working with Film modules. She has taught Gender and Representation, British Cinema, and Study Skills. Her awards include Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2016). Active in PhD supervision focusing on teen cinema, female authorship, and gender in cinema. Publications span over 25 articles/chapters addressing topics like queer youth representation, transatlantic media comparisons, and directorial authorship in John Hughes and Amy Heckerling films. Research explores intersections of gender, space, and cultural identity in global popular cinema.
Stefan Binder is a Senior Research Assistant at the Institute for Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (ISEK) at the University of Zurich's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. His academic work focuses on the intersections of gender, sexuality, and religious studies with particular attention to secular and non-religious perspectives. His primary research interests include gender and sexuality studies, queer anthropology, secularity and non-religion, religious aesthetics, ethics, and temporal dimensions of religious practices. Binder's work employs anthropological approaches to explore contested notions of "newness" and "generational change" within queer and trans* communities in both South Asia (particularly India) and Europe. His research also investigates the sensory, material, and aesthetic dimensions of lived everyday religion and non-religion. Binder's publication record shows a strong focus on nonreligion studies, with particular emphasis on atheist activism in South India. His work frequently examines the relationship between secularism and religious pluralism, with attention to how these concepts manifest in everyday practices and experiences. His scholarship demonstrates interdisciplinary engagement across religious studies, anthropology, gender studies, and South Asian studies. His monograph Total Atheism: Secular Activism and the Politics of Difference in South India (2020) represents a significant contribution to the field of nonreligion studies. His recent articles (2021-2023) continue to develop theoretical frameworks for understanding secularism, nonreligion, and religious aesthetics through ethnographic approaches.
Erik Wade is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Creative Writing at SUNY Oswego. He holds a PhD from Rutgers University and has taught at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn in Germany. His research focuses on race, sexuality, and national identity in early medieval English literature, with a particular emphasis on how these themes intersect with religious texts and cultural narratives. He currently directs the Medieval and Renaissance Studies minor and serves on the advisory board for Exemplaria: Medieval, Early Modern, Theory . Educational Background: PhD in English, Rutgers University (2018) MA in English, University of Oregon (2011) BA in English and History with a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, SUNY Oswego (2009) AA in Humanities, Onondaga Community College (2007) Research Interests: Interrogates racial and sexual discourses in medieval literature Examines how early English texts constructed national identity through contested themes like rape culture and racial hierarchies Investigates global influences (e.g., Byzantine theology) on medieval English thought Challenges Eurocentric narratives in medieval studies Recent Publications Highlight: His work analyzes trans and queer themes in medieval hagiography, the racialized language of 'Anglo-Saxon' terminology, and the intersections between animal studies and gender relations. He co-authored a Smithsonian Magazine article deconstructing the term 'Anglo-Saxon.' Teaching and Advocacy: Teaches courses on medieval global literature, critical theory, and premodern identity. Actively promotes inclusive pedagogy and addresses systemic racism in academic disciplines through published opinion pieces and collaborative projects like the upcoming Race in Early Medieval England (Cambridge UP).
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.
Dr. Isaias Fanlo serves as University Lecturer in Modern Iberian Literary and Cultural Studies within the Spanish & Portuguese Department of the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics at the University of Cambridge. He holds an Iberian Studies Fellowship at Fitzwilliam College where he is based at Storey's Way, Cambridge CB3 0DG. His research specializes in contemporary Iberian cultures with emphases on: Queer theory applied to theatrical and performative events in Spain Intersections of race, class, citizenship and HIV status in urban spaces Catalan and Spanish literatures from the 19th century to present Toponormativity and resistance against gentrification Archival studies of HIV/AIDS through performance Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in spatial politics and queer resistance, with 60% focusing on theatrical responses to urban gentrification and normative space usage. His work increasingly integrates race theory with queer studies, particularly in Catalan drama contexts, while maintaining strong connections to HIV/AIDS cultural narratives and experimental performance forms. His notable awards include: Time Out Award 2016 for Best Innovative Project (Terrats en Cultura festival) Butaca Award 2019 for Best Initiative for Audiences As a cultural manager, Fanlo has significantly impacted Barcelona's scenic arts through founding the decade-running Terrats en Cultura rooftop festival and serving as artistic advisor for Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and Teatre Lliure. His academic supervision extends to MPhil and PhD students researching Iberian queer cultures, though specific student names aren't documented in available materials. His laboratory of practice manifests through active participation in the European Creative Rooftop Network and ongoing festival curation, blending academic theory with community-based artistic production across Barcelona and Chicago.
Professor Dominic Johnson is a prominent scholar in performance and visual culture at Queen Mary University of London, holding the position of Professor of Performance and Visual Culture in the Department of Drama, School of English and Drama. His research focuses on modern and contemporary art and performance post-1960, particularly marginalized and stigmatized practices. He has authored four books and edited six, with notable works including Unlimited Action: The Performance of Extremity in the 1970s (2019) and Critical Live Art: Contemporary Histories of Performance in the UK (2013). Johnson’s academic roles include former Head of the Department of Drama (2020–2023) and ongoing research leadership, such as a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (2024–26). He has held prestigious fellowships at institutions like the University of Southern California and NYU. His research emphasizes archives, queer embodiment, and HIV/AIDS in art, with current projects including exhibitions on British-Pakistani artist Hamad Butt and a monograph on UK art and AIDS. Publications span peer-reviewed articles, edited volumes, and artist catalogues, addressing figures like Franko B, Ron Athey, and Anne Bean. He has supervised 14 doctoral students and actively engages in public lectures, curation, and institutional collaborations, including founding the Sexual Cultures Research Group. His work bridges academia and practice, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary discourse on performance, identity, and cultural politics.
Rico Self is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at North Carolina State University. He also serves as contributing faculty in Feminist Studies and Race and Ethnicity Studies Programs (cross-institutional affiliations noted in academic profiles). His work focuses on rhetorical studies, Black cultural analysis, queer methodologies, and intersections of media, race, and gender. Education: Ph.D. in Communication Studies, Louisiana State University, 2020 M.A. in Philosophy, Louisiana State University, 2019 Research Interests : Rico’s scholarship engages Black queer feminist frameworks, critical media analysis, and performative resistance strategies. He examines topics like HBCU advocacy through sport rhetoric, anti-Black state violence, and institutional DEI dynamics. His work bridges theoretical rigor with community-oriented praxis. Recent Article Trends : Recent publications analyze prophetic rhetoric in HBCU leadership (2025), Black nihilism in academia (2024), queer autocritography as survival strategy (2024), and Black queer feminist performance (2023). These works collectively interrogate systems of oppression while proposing emancipatory frameworks. Recognition : Has received institutional, regional, and national awards for teaching, research, and advocacy (specific awards unspecified). Active in public speaking and consultancy roles addressing social justice issues. Grants & Teams : No specific grants or lab affiliations listed in provided texts. Advises graduate students in communication studies and interdisciplinary programs.
Grace Lavery is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research and creative work interrogate the intersections of capitalism, gender, and embodiment, with a focus on the ascription of sexual meaning to flesh. She holds expertise in 19th-Century British literature, critical theory, cultural studies, and gender studies. Lavery’s scholarly monographs include *Quaint, Exquisite* (2019), *Pleasure and Efficacy* (2023), and *Closures* (2024), alongside her creative memoir *Please Miss* (2022). Her current research explores contemporary demonology and possession narratives. She frequently lectures on trans studies, queer theory, and literary form at institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, and Brown. Her academic career includes teaching at Berkeley since 2016, focusing on courses that blend literary analysis with critical theory. Lavery’s work bridges scholarship and creative writing, examining how formal and generic frameworks shape understandings of the body. Her research often engages psychoanalysis, poststructuralism, and cultural materialism to unpack themes of identity, desire, and power. Notable contributions include rethinking trans literature through historical figures like Christine Jorgensen and analyzing modern media’s portrayal of heterosexuality in sitcoms. Her interdisciplinary approach has led to collaborations across departments and institutions, reflecting her commitment to expanding critical discourses on gender, sexuality, and culture.
Merlin Seller is a Lecturer in Design and Screen Cultures at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh College of Art, appointed in 2019. They teach theory and historical/cultural context across Film, Comics, Media and Game Studies. Seller co-founded the Game Worlds research cluster within the Centre for Data, Culture and Society. Education: MA from St Andrews University MSt from Oxford University PhD from University of East Anglia (UEA) on transmedia works between film, photography and painting in interwar England Seller's research interests span Game Studies, Film Studies, Horror, Non-human theory, and Queer/Trans approaches to games. Their work explores (Post-)Phenomenology, visuality in games, and the representation of nonhuman entities in screen-based media. Seller identifies as a proudly pansexual and trans academic with a background in Art History and Visual Cultural Studies. Analysis of Seller's publications reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus bridging Game Studies with critical theory. Their work frequently examines the intersection of nonhuman perspectives, queer theory, and phenomenological experience in games and film. Recurring themes include temporal mechanics, ecological consciousness, and the materiality of digital interfaces, demonstrating a consistent engagement with contemporary theoretical frameworks in media studies. Seller supervises PhD students including Yun Lu, Trina Tian (Siyu), and Danni C. Pascuma. They also teach courses such as 'Design, Play and Games,' 'Contemporary Cinema,' and 'Introduction to Queer Studies,' while supervising Honours dissertations. Seller co-organized the 'Affecting Game Space' conference through the Game Worlds research cluster. Their creative practice includes plein air paintings of videogame environments and dark comedy comics focused on speculative futures, visible through their portfolio at dearplayer.org.
Sara Kazmi is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, with affiliations in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. Her interdisciplinary research bridges literary studies, performance, and history to examine anticolonial and Marxist literary movements in South Asia. Focuses on Panjabi writers from India/Pakistan (1960s-70s) Co-editor of 'Digital Teaching Tools' for Revolutionary Papers PhD from University of Cambridge in Criticism and Culture Expertise in oral traditions, manuscript studies, and postcolonial resistance Research Interests explore how marginal literary traditions challenge nationalist and capitalist structures. Her work engages: Anticolonial print cultures Queer and trans theory in South Asian contexts Ghadar movement's transnational legacy Language politics and regional autonomy Archival studies and ethnographic methods Her publications demonstrate expertise in: Marxist literary radicalism Gendered reinterpretations of folk narratives Decolonial approaches to epidemiology and spatial studies
Patrick J. Vernon is a Lecturer in Gender and War Studies at King's College London's Department of War Studies. Their research specializes in queer and feminist approaches to international relations, with a focus on the intersection of coloniality, political violence, and identity politics. Employing critical theoretical frameworks Analysing humanitarian intervention through queer/decolonial lenses Contributing to debates on post-truth politics and bordering processes Key research areas include the racialized and gendered dimensions of colonial violence, LGBTQ+ inclusion in security studies, and the epistemicide of marginalized knowledge systems in global politics. Their 2024 monograph The Coloniality of Humanitarian Intervention examines how colonial temporalities shape contemporary interventionist practices through heteronormative and racist epistemologies. Recent publications demonstrate thematic clusters in: (1) queer critiques of sovereignty and security frameworks; (2) decolonial analysis of humanitarian intervention; (3) post-truth politics as discursive violence; (4) civilizational discourse in international events; and (5) LGBTQ+ inclusion in UN peacebuilding initiatives. This work consistently challenges Western-centric narratives in international relations while centering trans*, indigenous, and Palestinian lived experiences. As co-curator of The Healing Gardens of Bab and producer of community engagement projects like immersion: a celebration of community and belonging , Vernon bridges academic research with creative activism focused on minoritized communities. Their interdisciplinary methodology combines discourse analysis with queer phenomenology to interrogate the violent reproduction of international hierarchies.
Sophie Seita is a London-based artist, researcher, and Lecturer in Fine Art & History of Art at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she also serves as Director of Critical Studies for the BA Fine Art Extension Degree and Deputy Director of Research for the Department of Art. Her interdisciplinary practice spans performance, video, sound, textiles, books, and installations, with language as a central material. Previously, she was a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Boston University (2019-2022) and a Junior Research Fellow at Queens' College, University of Cambridge (2016-2019). Seita's research interests encompass lecture-performances, poetic essays, video essays, practice-based research, queer studies, trans studies, affect theory, disability studies, deaf studies, creative access, experimental captions and audio descriptions, speculative approaches to archives, fictional collectives, concepts of play, difficulty, opacity, absurdity, ornamentation, deep listening, histories of avant-garde group formation, translation studies, multilingualism, queer ecology, decolonial ecology, and experimental pedagogy. Her creative curiosities include opacity, playfulness, difficulty, artifice, queer abstraction, minor genres, ornamentation, materiality beyond objects, the materiality of language, listening beyond hearing, ambiguity, non-linear narratives, and provisional ideas. Her recent publications demonstrate strong trends in examining the intersections of performance, language, and experimental publishing, particularly focusing on lecture-performances as critical knowledge production, the materiality of language, and speculative approaches to archives. Her work consistently engages with queer and feminist perspectives on avant-garde practices while exploring experimental forms of documentation and presentation. Werner Düttmann Fellowship at Akademie der Künste Berlin (2024) Vice-Chancellor's Public Engagement Award (University of Cambridge) Eccles Centre Fellowship (British Library) PEN/Heim Translation Award Wonder Book Prize Dorothea Schlegel Artist in Residence Seita supervises and examines PhD projects at Goldsmiths and has secured numerous research grants, including funding from the British Academy, Arts Council England, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Early Career Research Fund Award from Goldsmiths. She is co-founder of The Hildegard von Bingen Society for Gardening Companions, an ongoing queer collaborative project with musician Naomi Woo that explores speculative archives and queer ecology through sound, performance, and publications. Her artistic practice often involves collaborative work across disciplines, particularly with The Hildegard von Bingen Society for Gardening Companions, which creates experimental pedagogical frameworks and community-based environmental projects.
Dr. Niall Richardson is an Associate Professor (Media and Film) at the University of Sussex, part of the School of Media, Arts and Humanities. He previously taught at the University of Sunderland before joining Sussex in 2007. His academic roles include convening the MA Gender and Media program. Richardson's research focuses on minority group representations in film and media, particularly intersections with gender and sexuality. Key themes include LGBTQ+ representation, disability, transgender identifications, and ageing femininity in cinema. Education: He holds an M.A. from the University of St. Andrews, a P.G.C.E. from Queen's University Belfast, and two M.A. and a PhD from the University of Ulster. His scholarly contributions include monographs like Transgressive Bodies: Representations in Film and Popular Culture (2010) and Trans Representation in Contemporary Popular Cinema (2022), as well as edited collections such as Cross Generational Relationships and Cinema (2020). He has authored textbooks on gender, sexuality, and body studies. Research Interests: Richardson’s work critically examines queer cinema, trans representation, ageing in media, and cross-generational relationships. His analyses often address cultural stereotypes and the politics of identity in film and popular culture. Recent projects include studies on Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023) and representations of Muslim-drag in documentaries. Teaching: He teaches undergraduate courses on Cinema and Sexualities, Film Musicals, and MA modules like Gender and Representation and Cinematic Bodies. His pedagogical focus aligns with his research, emphasizing critical media analysis and intersectional frameworks. Labs/Teams: While no specific lab is noted, his collaborative work includes co-editing volumes and co-authoring studies with scholars like F. Smith and J. Gwynne.
France Winddance Twine is a Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with affiliations at Cambridge University's Sociology of Reproduction research group. She holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and has held prior positions at Duke University and the University of Washington, where she founded the Latin American Studies unit in the Jackson School of International Studies. Her work focuses on intersectional analyses of race, gender, technology, and inequality, particularly through ethnographic and visual methodologies. Education: Ph.D. in Sociology, UC Berkeley Key Research Areas: Racial literacy, queer reproduction, tech industry inequality, feminist science studies, visual sociology Twine's research bridges multiple disciplines, addressing global racial formations, digital labor markets, and anti-racist strategies. Her concept of 'racial literacy' emphasizes intellectual and cultural practices countering anti-Black racism. Recent work examines Silicon Valley's caste systems and barriers faced by women and minorities in tech. Awarded the 2020 ASA Race, Gender & Class Distinguished Career Award, she also secured a $225K Mellon Foundation grant for interdisciplinary seminars on migration and race. She founded UCSB's Technologies for Justice Lab, fostering collaborations between humanities/social sciences and STEM fields to advance equity in technology. Teaching includes courses on digital technologies, racial justice, and ethnographic methods. Her eleven authored/edited books include A White Side of Black Britain (2010) and Geek Girls: Inequality and Opportunity in Silicon Valley (2022).
Abdulhamit Arvas is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, with affiliations in Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies; Comparative Literature & Literary Theory; the Middle East Center; and Global Medieval and Renaissance Studies. He is an extraordinary member of Exeter College at the University of Oxford. BA, Hacettepe University, Turkey MA, Eastern Michigan University PhD, Michigan State University His research and teaching focus on early modern literature and culture, comparative histories of sexuality and race, queer studies, trans history, cross-cultural encounters, and Islam in the Renaissance. His work bridges literary analysis with critical race and gender theory, particularly examining the intersections of homoeroticism, empire, and race in transnational Mediterranean contexts. Dr. Arvas’s publications span journals like GLQ: A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies , English Literary Renaissance , and Shakespeare Survey , alongside edited collections such as The Cambridge History of Gay and Lesbian Literature . He is currently editing a new edition of Shakespeare’s Othello for Oxford University Press, reflecting his engagement with transhistorical and cross-cultural dialogues. 2025 Charles Ludwig Distinguished Teaching Award 2025 and 2022 David Delaura Teaching Awards Fellowships from Fulbright, Folger Shakespeare Library, SSHRC Early Modern Conversions at the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and University of California Humanities Research Institute His courses at Penn include topics like “Premodern Trans Studies,” “Queer Islam and the Renaissance,” and “Shakespeare Now,” emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to gender, race, and cultural memory. Dr. Arvas also co-edited the tenth anniversary issue of postmedieval , later published as a book, and his first monograph Boys Abducted: The Homoerotics of Empire and Race in Early Modernity (Duke UP, 2025) redefines early modern transnational sexualities.
