Ann Swidler is a Professor of the Graduate School at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research intersects sociology, anthropology, and development studies, focusing on the interplay between culture and institutions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Education: PhD from UC Berkeley, BA from Harvard. Teaching: Sociology of culture, religion, and theory. Research Interests include: Cultural repertoires and institutionalization Religion and collective action in African contexts Responses to HIV/AIDS in Malawi Chieftaincy and local governance Global-local interactions in development Recent publications (2020–2024) explore institutional innovation in Africa, spirituality in rural Malawi, and cultural strategies amid HIV/AIDS. Her work often bridges sociological theory with ethnographic fieldwork. Selected Contributions: A Fraught Embrace: The Romance and Reality of AIDS Altruism in Africa (2017, co-authored with Susan Watkins) Talk of Love: How Culture Matters (2001) Habits of the Heart (1985, co-authored)
Dr Theodor Dunkelgrün is a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher at Trinity College, University of Cambridge , and Academic Co-Ordinator of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation-funded project Religious Diversity and the Secular University (2017–2022) at CRASSH. He was previously a postdoctoral fellow at St John’s College (2013–2018) and has taught across History, Divinity, and Classics at Cambridge, Bryn Mawr, UPenn, and the University of Antwerp. Education : Christelijk Gymnasium Sorghvliet (The Hague), Leiden University, University of Chicago (PhD, 2012). Visiting graduate work at Princeton (2005–06) and Oxford (2008). Research Focus : Intersections of biblical scholarship, history of the book, and interfaith intellectual exchange (1450–1900), particularly in the Low Countries and Mediterranean World. Examines how Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars engaged with the Hebrew Bible through technological shifts (print to photography) and institutional contexts. Publications include edited volumes like The Jewish Bookshop of the World (2020) and Bastards and Believers (2020), alongside articles on topics ranging from the Antwerp Polyglot Bible to Jewish converts in early modern Europe. Collaborations span institutions in Taiwan, Oxford, and Leiden, with ongoing work on global philological practices and the Hebrew Bible’s material history. Professional Engagement : Co-founded the Cambridge Seminar in Early Modern Scholarship and Religion (2017), and actively promotes academic freedom through refugee scholar initiatives. Affiliated with the Cambridge Forum for Jewish Studies, Centre for Material Texts, and international networks like EMoDiR and Ideas in Motion.
Gabriel Said Reynolds is the Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He is a leading scholar specializing in Qur'ānic studies with particular expertise in Muslim-Christian relations and the historical context of Islamic scripture. Education Ph.D. in Islamic Studies, Yale University (2003) Professor Reynolds' research explores the intricate relationship between the Qur'ān and Biblical traditions, examining how Qur'ānic narratives reinterpret earlier religious stories within their 7th-century Arabian context. His work demonstrates exceptional literary and historical sensitivity to both Islamic and Christian scriptures, revealing how early Muslim communities engaged with preceding religious traditions while establishing their own theological framework. He approaches Qur'ānic studies with methodological rigor that respects both the academic study of religion and the theological significance of scripture for believers. His publication trajectory shows a consistent deepening of focus on the theological implications of Qur'ānic studies, particularly regarding the nature of God in Islamic scripture as evidenced by his acclaimed work 'Allah: God in the Qur'an.' Reynolds' scholarship bridges academic analysis with contemporary interfaith dialogue, making complex theological concepts accessible to diverse audiences while maintaining scholarly precision. Scientific Awards Field Prize at Yale University for doctoral dissertation on ʿAbd al-Jabbar's Islamic history of Christianity Professor Reynolds serves on the Vatican Dicastery of Inter-Religious Relations with Muslims, reflecting his significant contributions to Catholic-Muslim dialogue. He has directed major collaborative projects including 'The Qurʾān Seminar' (2012-13), which fostered international scholarly exchange. His YouTube channel 'Exploring the Qur'an and the Bible' has become an important platform for academic discussion of scripture, featuring conversations with leading scholars. He has conducted research and delivered lectures across the Middle East including Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, Damascus, and Tehran, giving him firsthand engagement with diverse Muslim scholarly traditions. Through his teaching at Notre Dame and public scholarship, Reynolds has created meaningful pathways for understanding between religious traditions while advancing the academic study of Islam with exceptional clarity and nuance.
Professor Benjamin Ziemann of the University of Sheffield , holds a Ph.D. and Habilitation from German institutions. His research spans Modern German History, with a focus on the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany , labor movements, and anti-nuclear pacifism . He has received grants from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation , British Academy , and others. His work includes a definitive biography of Martin Niemöller , analyzing themes like antisemitism , nationalism , and postwar moral reckoning . He has authored and edited seminal texts such as The Oxford Handbook of the Weimar Republic and co-edits journals like Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft . Research Interests : Social history of German workers in WWI, Weimar/Nazi political culture, religious movements. Teaching : Imperial Germany (1871-1918), Weimar Republic, Gender and Violence in WWI. Supervision : PhD on German army combat, refugee camps in postwar Germany, Catholic discourses on war/peace. Public Engagement : Frequent lecturer in Europe, Japan, USA; media appearances in Deutschlandfunk and rbb Kulturradio .
Wendy Gay Pearson serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Western University. Her academic work spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a particular focus on identity, citizenship, and belonging through the lenses of gender and sexuality. Professor Pearson's research interests encompass gender and sexuality studies, queer theory, feminist theory, critical race theory, and cultural studies. She approaches these topics through postmodernist and postcolonial theoretical frameworks, with emerging intersectional approaches to race, ethnicity, and diaspora. Her work specifically investigates these issues within science fiction, Canadian literature and film, and Indigenous film, examining connections between seemingly disparate areas such as analyzing Eden Robinson's Monkey Beach through both science fiction and Indigenous studies perspectives. Professor Pearson's scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly intersectional analyses, particularly in the most recent publications that bridge Indigenous studies with gender and sexuality frameworks. Her work consistently explores how science fiction functions as a space for imagining alternative gender and sexual possibilities, while simultaneously examining how Canadian cultural production engages with queer identities. The publications reveal a growing emphasis on Indigenous perspectives in film and literature, with multiple forthcoming 2024 contributions to the Routledge Handbook of Indigenous Film . As evidenced by her extensive editorial work including The Routledge Companion to Gender and Science Fiction (2023) and Reverse Shots: Indigenous Film and Media in an International Context (2014), Professor Pearson has established herself as a significant contributor to scholarly conversations at the intersection of gender studies and speculative fiction. Her book Zero Patience (2011) with Susan Knabe demonstrates long-standing engagement with queer cinema. Professor Pearson's academic supervision extends across multiple disciplines, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach. Her work has been supported through various academic channels that enable her to explore connections between Indigenous film, queer Canadian culture, and science fiction, though specific grant details are not provided in the available information. Her research methodology combines close textual analysis with theoretical frameworks from queer studies, feminist theory, and critical race theory, creating innovative approaches to understanding how cultural texts negotiate complex identity formations. This integrative approach is particularly evident in her examination of works by authors like Hiromi Goto, Nalo Hopkinson, and Larissa Lai, where she simultaneously considers sexuality, gender, race, and science fiction elements.
Dr. Hannah Zdansky is an Assistant Professor of English at Belmont Abbey College, specializing in medieval languages, literatures, and manuscript studies. Her research focuses on cross-cultural connections in medieval Britain and Ireland, particularly exploring multilingualism, religion in literature, and medieval reading practices. She holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.A. from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Her expertise spans Old and Middle English, French, Irish, Welsh, and Latin, with a methodological focus on digital humanities and the history of the book. Dr. Zdansky’s work examines how medieval literary and material cultures were shaped by multicultural interactions, including studies on medieval manuscripts, the role of women in literary production, and the intersection of religion with secular narratives. Her recent scholarly engagements include presentations on topics like the transnational dimensions of medieval texts, the interplay between sacred and secular themes in works such as Gui o Bharbhuic , and comparative analyses of Welsh and English manuscript traditions. Her publications span peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries, and book reviews, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary medieval studies. Dr. Zdansky teaches a wide range of courses, from Old English Language and Literature to Irish History, emphasizing close textual analysis and historical context. She has advised numerous students through independent studies and thesis work, fostering academic rigor and intellectual curiosity in her classroom.
Prof. Cornelia Richter is a Professor of Systematic Theology and Hermeneutics at the Protestant Theological Faculty of the University of Bonn since 2012. She serves as Chair of the Senate of the University of Bonn since 2024 and has held leadership roles such as Dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology (2020–2024). Born in 1970, she earned her doctorate (summa cum laude) from the University of Marburg in 2002 and habilitation in 2010. Her research focuses on Philosophy of Religion, Hermeneutics, and Resilience in Religion and Spirituality, notably leading the DFG-funded project FOR 2686. She has held visiting professorships in Zurich and Giessen and contributed to theology through editorial roles in journals like International Journal of Philosophy and Theology . Her work bridges theology with interdisciplinary studies, addressing modern challenges like pandemic resilience and interfaith dialogue. Education: PhD (2002), Habilitation (2010) – University of Marburg Studies in Protestant Theology and Philosophy – Universities of Vienna and Munich Research Fellowship – Center for Subjectivity Research, Copenhagen (2003–2005) Research Interests: Her work explores hermeneutical approaches to religious meaning, resilience in crises, and the interplay between theology and modern challenges. Key areas include: - Critical analysis of resilience frameworks in theology and philosophy - Theological engagement with modern existential issues (e.g., hope, fear, powerlessness) - Interdisciplinary dialogue on religion’s role in human sciences. - Resilience studies in healthcare and pandemic contexts. Grants & Projects: DFG-FOR 2686 “Resilience in Religion and Spirituality” (2019–2022) Editorial leadership in multiple theological journals and book series Co-director of the Bonn Institute of Hermeneutics Labs/Teams: Department of Systematic Theology, University of Bonn; interdisciplinary research groups on resilience and theology.
Rachel Fell McDermott is Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures at Barnard College, Columbia University, specializing in South Asian religions, particularly the Hindu goddess traditions of Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Her work bridges religious studies, human rights, and comparative religion, with a strong focus on Kali, Durga Puja, and the literary legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam. Education: A.B., Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania, 1981 M.Div., Harvard Divinity School, 1984 A.M., Study of Religion, Harvard University, 1986 Ph.D., Study of Religion, Harvard University, 1993 Her research centers on the religious and cultural dynamics of Bengal, exploring themes such as goddess worship, ritual practices, religious poetry, and the intersection of religion with politics and identity. She is deeply engaged in comparative religion, examining how religious themes like suffering, sacrifice, and divine femininity manifest across traditions. Her scholarship also addresses diasporic religious experiences, digital religion, and interfaith dialogue, particularly between Hindu and Christian communities. The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained scholarly engagement with goddess traditions, especially Kali and Durga, as well as broader themes in South Asian religion, including Tantric symbolism, festival culture, and the reception of Hindu deities in the West. Her work spans ethnographic, historical, and textual analysis, often highlighting the contested and evolving nature of religious canons. She frequently contributes to major academic anthologies and journals in religious studies, South Asian studies, and comparative theology. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. As a senior professor and managing editor of major academic volumes, she has likely advised numerous graduate students and secured research funding, though specific names and grants are not mentioned. She teaches courses such as “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” that explore theodicy across religions. She is currently on leave for the 2024–2025 academic year, indicating ongoing active involvement in academic life. She is involved in significant editorial projects, including the third edition of The Sources of Indian Traditions , and is working on translations and a monograph on Kazi Nazrul Islam. Her scholarly presence includes invited lectures at institutions such as Princeton, the University of Connecticut, and the Bangla Academy in Dhaka, reflecting her international recognition in the field of South Asian religious studies.
Professor Alberto Rigolio is a scholar of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University, specializing in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Roman and Late Antique periods. He focuses on Syriac literature, Greco-Roman intellectual traditions, and the reception of classical texts in early Christian and Islamic contexts. Rigolio holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University and has held prestigious fellowships at Harvard, Princeton, and All Souls College, Oxford. He serves as Chair of the Board of Examiners at Durham and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His research explores the transformation of classical dialogue forms in late antiquity, the transmission of Greek texts into Syriac and Arabic, and the cultural intersections between Greco-Roman, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Key works include Christians in Conversation (Oxford UP, 2019), which examines late antique dialogue literature, and a forthcoming book on the emergence of Syriac literature supported by British Academy and Princeton IAS fellowships. Education: BA/Milan, D.Phil./Oxford, Postdoctoral Fellowships at Harvard and Princeton Affiliations: Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Durham Rigolio's articles analyze Syriac translations of Aristotelian works, Plutarch, and Themistius, revealing how Greco-Roman thought was adapted to meet religious and cultural needs. His projects include studies on Syriac rhetoric, the Roman household in late antique conflicts, and para-biblical narratives. He supervises postdoctoral researchers and PhD students on topics ranging from Syriac literary culture to late antique religious identity. Awards: British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2024), All Souls College Visiting Fellowship (2024) Grants: Leverhulme Trust, British Academy, American Philosophical Society He directs research labs examining Syriac intellectual culture and co-ordinates interdisciplinary projects on late antique translation movements. Rigolio is actively involved in public outreach, offering talks on Roman religion, Palmyrene military identity, and the Graeco-Syro-Arabic textual tradition.
Vicente Cervera Salinas is a Professor of Spanish Literature at the University of Murcia, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Department of Spanish Literature, Literary Theory and Comparative Literature. He has been a full professor since 2004 and specializes in Latin American literature, intertextuality, and literary theory. His research interests include: Spanish and Latin American Literature Comparative Literature and Intertextuality Poetry and the Essay as Literary Genres Classical Mythology and its Modern Reinterpretations Aesthetic Criticism and Cultural Memory Philosophical Dimensions in Literature His scholarly and creative work reflects deep engagement with figures like Jorge Luis Borges, Dante Alighieri, and George Santayana. His publications span poetry, critical essays, and editorial projects, often exploring the intersections between literature, philosophy, and cultural identity. The themes across his recent articles reveal a consistent focus on myth, authorship, and transatlantic literary traditions, particularly in Hispanic contexts. He has received recognition including the Second Prize in the America Poetry Prize (1993). He co-directs the journal Cartaphilus: Revista de investigación y crítica estética and has directed the Humanities Classroom at the University of Murcia. He served as president of the Association of Hispanic American Literary Studies (2014–2018). He has supervised at least one doctoral thesis and has been a visiting professor at institutions in Havana, San José (Costa Rica), Buenos Aires, and Vienna. His academic leadership includes editing multi-volume works on literary figures and movements, contributing significantly to the study of Hispanic intellectual and aesthetic traditions. He leads the research group Plural Scriptures: Intertextuality and Interdisciplinarity , continuing to influence both literary scholarship and creative writing in Spain and Latin America.
Professor Esra Özyürek is a faculty member in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, holding the title of Sultan Qaboos Professor of Abrahamic Faiths and Shared Values . She also serves as the CIP Academic Director and acts as a Supervisor under the guidance of Ayesha Ulhaq, Djan Sauerborn, Imad Ahmed, Peach Hoyle, and Zain Bin Bayah. Her academic positions include roles as a University Teaching Officer and part of the Religious Studies specialists group within the academic staff. Professor Özyürek's educational background includes a PhD from the University of Michigan and undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Political Science from Boğaziçi University, Istanbul. Her research interests are expansive and interdisciplinary, focusing on secularism, Islam and Muslims in Western societies, Muslim-Jewish relations, religious conversion, empathy in interfaith contexts, Holocaust memory, civil religion, and regional studies of Turkey and Germany. These areas reflect a deep engagement with contemporary religious dynamics, cultural diversity, and historical memory. Professor Özyürek is currently accepting PhD students but is not available for consultancy. She is affiliated with the School of Arts & Humanities and contributes to its research initiatives and graduate programs. Her professional narrative highlights academic leadership and supervision. She collaborates within the CIP (Centre for Interfaith Practices?) team , fostering dialogue on shared values among Abrahamic faiths. While no specific grants are mentioned, her work likely involves collaborative projects given her supervisory roles and academic directorship.
Lauren Leve is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her academic career centers on the intersection of religion, culture, and changing forms of life in contemporary Nepal and South Asia. Trained as an anthropologist, she examines how religious practices and subjectivities interact with broader political, economic, and social trends, particularly those associated with neoliberal globalization. Ph.D., Princeton University B.A., University of Chicago A.A., Simon's Rock of Bard College Professor Leve's research interests span ethnographic methods, the ethnography of religion, personhood, subjectivity, the anthropology of ethics, democracy, law, violence, international development, globalism, postcoloniality, and the religious landscapes of Nepal, South Asia, and Buddhist Southeast Asia. Her work explores how religious practices mediate and are mediated by political and economic transformations, with particular attention to how human agents use religion to reflect on their world and aspirations. Her scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on Theravada Buddhism's revival in Nepal, particularly among Newar communities, and how this religious movement intersects with democratic reforms, economic liberalization, and changing forms of personhood. Her publications demonstrate expertise in both ethnographic methodology and theoretical contributions to understanding modern religious subjectivity, with a special emphasis on how global processes are reflected and reflected upon by Nepali Buddhists. James Fisher Prize for First Books on the Himalayan Region (2018) UNC FIRE grant (2016) Carolina Women's Center, Faculty Fellow (2013-14) Institute for Arts and Humanities, Faculty Fellow (2007) Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, Research Award (2004) Program in Agrarian Studies, Yale University, Program Fellow (2004-2005) As Director of Graduate Studies in Religious Studies, Professor Leve mentors graduate students and teaches courses on ethnographic methodologies, Theravada Buddhism, Himalayan Buddhism, and topical theories reflecting her research interests. She has consulted on research studies in international development, focusing on women's literacy and empowerment, and provides expert witness services in US courts. Her current research projects explore the globalization of Buddhist meditation through the Goenka tradition and follow rural women's experiences through development projects, Maoist insurrection, and conversion to Christianity.
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).
Professor Kendrick Oliver is a faculty member in the Department of History at the University of Southampton, holding the rank of Professor of American History. His research focuses on 20th-century American political, social, and cultural responses to existential questions, with emphasis on scientific cosmology, space history, communication technology, evangelical religious history, and the Vietnam War. He has served as Head of the Department of History from 2018 to 2022 and contributed to founding the Historians of the Twentieth Century United States organization (2000s). Current research examines the social and cultural history of the Big Bang theory, supported by grants from the American Philosophical Society and others. Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate modules on McCarthyism, the Space Age, and America's global role since 1945, alongside a master's-level course on conspiracies and paranoia in American history. He is developing the MA Global Challenges program launching in 2024. Supervision includes four PhD students across history disciplines. Oliver has authored three books, including *The My Lai Massacre in American History and Memory* and *To Touch the Face of God: the Sacred, the Profane and the American Space Program, 1957-75*. His scholarship bridges science and religion, analyzing topics like prison ministry origins, cosmic microwave background discovery narratives, and evangelical globalization. Oliver’s work frequently intersects with broader themes of memory, technology, and Cold War context.
Charles Parker is a Professor in the Department of History at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. He specializes in early modern European history, focusing on religious belief, global entanglements, and the Dutch Empire. His recent work examines Calvinism's role in Dutch colonial missions. Parker holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (1993). Education: Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1993 M.A., Auburn University, 1986 B.A., Auburn University, 1981 His research explores how religious identity shaped global interactions, particularly through Dutch commercial and missionary activities. Current projects include a book on global Calvinism's impact on the Dutch Empire. He has received prestigious fellowships, including the Felix M. Gilbert Membership at the Institute for Advanced Study (2019–2020). Parker's publications span monographs like Global Calvinism (2022) and Faith on the Margins (2008), and edited volumes such as Religious Diaspora in Early Modern Europe (2013). His articles address themes like religious conversion, colonial missions, and early modern governance. Awards: Eugene A. Hotfelder Professor in the Humanities (2010–2016) NEH Summer Institute co-director (2013) Fulbright Fellowship to the Netherlands (1990–1991) Parker advises in the History department and has contributed to grants like the Spencer Foundation Research Grant (2002). He is affiliated with Saint Louis University's interdisciplinary initiatives in global history and religious studies.
