Robert Braun is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a PhD from Cornell University (2017) and previously taught at Northwestern University. His research focuses on civil society dynamics during social upheaval, intergroup relationships in conflict settings, and the historical dimensions of political fear and persecution. His work has been published in prestigious journals like the American Journal of Sociology and American Political Science Review. Key contributions include his book Protectors of Pluralism (Cambridge UP, 2019), analyzing community responses to mass persecution, and his forthcoming project Bogeymen , tracing political fear through Central European folklore. Braun also examines healthcare economics, studying private equity impacts on medical practices and hospice care quality. His interdisciplinary approach bridges historical sociology, political theory, and quantitative analysis. Education: PhD in Sociology, Cornell University, 2017 Research Interests: Genocide Studies, Healthcare Policy, Ethnopolitical Conflict, Moral Mobilization Awards: Not explicitly mentioned in available texts Braun’s work on Holocaust resistance patterns and bystander dynamics has influenced debates on collective action and moral responsibility. His recent studies on healthcare consolidation highlight financialization effects in medical sectors, contributing to policy discussions on equity and access.
Wendy Salmond is a Professor of Art at Chapman University, holding the Martha Weidlein Masters Professorship in Art within the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She specializes in Russian and Soviet art, design, icons, architecture, the Romanov Family, and Russian Revolutionary Culture. Dr. Salmond received her academic training with a BA (Hons I) in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Otago in New Zealand (1978), followed by an MA in Slavic Languages and Literatures (1983) and a PhD in Art History (1989), both from the University of Texas at Austin. Professor Salmond is a renowned scholar of Russian and early Soviet art, architecture, and design, with particular expertise in exploring the intersection of diverse cultural traditions in Russia and the formation of national identity. Her research spans the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, and Russian modernism, with a current focus on transformations in the perception and function of icons in Russia, from objects of devotion to works of art. She has made significant contributions to the study of Russian icons through extensive writing, lecturing, and curatorial work, including serving as a visiting curator at Hillwood Museum and Gardens and guest curator for exhibitions at Hillwood and The New York Public Library. Analysis of Professor Salmond's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Russian religious and secular art, particularly icons and their evolving cultural significance. Her work spans historical periods from Imperial Russia through the Soviet era, with particular attention to the intersection of religious tradition and modern artistic movements. The 2020 publication 'Eternity in Low Earth Orbit: Icons on the International Space Station' demonstrates her innovative approach, examining how Russian Orthodox icons have been incorporated into the International Space Station as sacred objects, connecting terrestrial religious traditions with space exploration. Among her notable honors, Professor Salmond holds the Martha Weidlein Masters Professorship in Art at Chapman University. She has also been recognized through invitations to curate major exhibitions and edit significant scholarly volumes on Russian art. Professor Salmond teaches courses on European modernism, graphic design history, gender and Western art, art history methods, and Russian art, design, and visual culture of the Imperial and early Soviet era. Her teaching emphasizes close visual analysis, sustained discussion, and the development of research skills. As a prolific translator of texts on Russian art and culture, she has edited volumes on Sergei Konenkov, the Bolshevik sales of Russian art in the 1920s and 1930s, and the reception of Art Nouveau in Russia. Her scholarly work extends beyond traditional academic boundaries through her active engagement with museum curation and public scholarship, creating bridges between academic research and public understanding of Russian art and culture.
Professor Ruth Ahnert holds a Chair in Literary History & Digital Humanities at Queen Mary University of London, affiliated with the School of English and Drama and the Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI). Her research bridges early modern literary studies, digital humanities, and data science, focusing on epistolary culture, surveillance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She leads the UKRI-funded Living with Machines project, exploring the social impact of 19th-century technology through computational methods. Educated at the University of Cambridge (BA, MPhil, PhD), she has published widely on topics including Tudor networks, prison literature, and quantitative history. Her work emphasizes collaborative methodologies, as seen in projects like Networking Archives (integrating early modern correspondence metadata) and the interactive Tudor Networks visualization. Awards include grants from the AHRC, Folger Shakespeare Library, and the British Library-Alan Turing Institute partnership. She supervises PhD students examining early modern communication networks and deviance, and her teaching reflects her commitment to blending traditional humanities with computational innovation. Ruht Ahnert’s interdisciplinary approach has been featured in documentaries, radio programs, and public engagement initiatives, including Niall Ferguson’s BBC/PBS series Networlds . Her recent publications include The Network Turn (2020, co-authored) and the forthcoming Tudor Networks of Power (2023). She co-edits the Text Technologies series at Stanford University Press, bridging book history and digital scholarship.
Rev. Dr. hab. Waldemar Żurek, Professor at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, serves at the Center of Ecclesiastical Archives, Libraries and Museums (ABMK) within the Faculty of Theology. His academic career spans decades of dedicated research and publication in church history, particularly focusing on Eastern European Catholicism and the Salesian Order. As an active scholar, he continues to contribute significantly to ecclesiastical documentation and historical research. Professor Żurek's research interests center on ecclesiastical archives, parish documentation, and the history of religious orders, with particular emphasis on the Salesian Order's activities in Poland and Eastern Europe. His work explores the intersection of religious life with historical events, particularly during challenging periods like the communist era in Poland. He has developed expertise in analyzing parish inventories, visitation records, and chronicles to reconstruct religious life and administration across different historical periods. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on documenting church history through meticulous examination of primary sources. The most recent works reveal trends toward comprehensive chronicles of religious institutions, detailed parish records analysis, and biographical studies of clergy members. His research spans multiple disciplines including religious studies, historical documentation, and Eastern European studies, with particular attention to regions like Pinsk, Lutsk, and Volhynia that have complex religious histories across changing political borders. Scientific Awards: Gold Medal for Long Service Professor Żurek has supervised numerous diploma theses including master's work on topics such as 'Social activities of Bishop Adolf Piotr Szelążek.' His editorial work includes significant publications like 'Kult Matki Bożej Ostrobramskiej w historii narodu polskiego' (The Cult of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn in the History of the Polish Nation) and 'Ojciec Profesor Henryk Damian Wojtyska 1933-2009. Pasjonista, historyk Kościoła i dydaktyk' (Father Professor Henryk Damian Wojtyska 1933-2009. Passionist, Church Historian and Educator). He serves on the Scientific Council of the biannual journal 'Archives, Libraries and Church Museums' and is a member of the Theological Society of Józef Bilczewski in Ukraine. His work with the Center of Ecclesiastical Archives, Libraries and Museums represents a significant contribution to preserving and analyzing religious heritage. Through his leadership and scholarship, Professor Żurek has helped establish important methodologies for working with ecclesiastical documentation and has fostered international collaboration in church historical studies, particularly between Polish and Ukrainian scholars.
Michael E. Heyes is Associate Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department at Lycoming College, where he teaches courses on religion, literature, and the history of Christianity. He received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Rice University (2015) and an M.A. in Comparative Religion from the University of Washington (2008). Previously, he held a visiting instructorship at the University of South Florida – Tampa. Education: Ph.D., Religious Studies, Rice University, 2015 M.A., Comparative Religion, University of Washington, 2008 Heyes' research interests span both medieval and modern religious phenomena. His work explores religion and literature , monstrosity and demonology , saints’ lives , gender and race in religious narratives , and American civil religion . He has published extensively on how religious identities are constructed through narratives of the monstrous, from medieval hagiography to contemporary film and conspiracy theories like QAnon. His teaching includes introductory religion, theory-driven courses, religion in fiction and film, and western esotericism. His scholarly output includes two monographs— Demons in the USA (2024) and Margaret's Monsters (2020)—and an edited volume, Holy Monsters, Sacred Grotesques (2018). His articles analyze themes such as demonic corporeality, the racialization of monsters in film, and the gendered dynamics of sainthood. The publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary trend, blending religious studies with literary analysis, cultural criticism, and film theory, particularly focusing on how media shapes spiritual imagination. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Heyes is actively involved in academic service, including co-editing The Journal of Gods and Monsters and organizing special issues on displacement and monstrosity. He has also issued calls for book chapters, such as on Lovecraftian horror in Japan, indicating ongoing research leadership. There is no mention of advising students or receiving grants in the provided material. He maintains a scholarly presence on Academia.edu and has presented at various academic forums. Labs and Research Teams: Co-editor, The Journal of Gods and Monsters Organizer of academic panels and symposia on religion and monstrosity
Cassandra L. Yacovazzi is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of South Florida. Her teaching spans American history from exploration to the present, emphasizing race, class, gender, religion, and cultural history. Courses include "American Women I" (AMH3561), "American Women II" (AMH3562), and specialized research seminars on Utopian Experiments in America and the Transformation of America (1960–1980). Her research intersects women’s work, religion, and consumerism, as seen in her book Escaped Nuns: True Womanhood and the Campaign Against Convents in Antebellum America (Oxford University Press, 2018) and ongoing work on Mary Kay Ash and beauty culture. She examines Catholic nun communities and their opposition in 19th-century America, linking these to broader themes of gender, capitalism, and religious identity. Recent publications focus on anti-Catholicism, sectarianism, and the interplay between religion and societal change, with articles in journals like New York Review of Books . Her work often contextualizes historical movements within contemporary debates about gender and faith. She has reviewed scholarship on the Vatican II era, French Revolution refugee nuns, and ecumenical civil rights efforts, highlighting the enduring relevance of historical narratives. Yacovazzi’s teaching philosophy prioritizes critical analysis over memorization, engaging students with primary sources and conflicting evidence. She fosters free inquiry and respect in the classroom, aiming to cultivate historical thinking and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Rakesh Peter-Dass serves as Associate Professor of Religion at Hope College, where he has been teaching since 2016. His academic journey spans multiple prestigious institutions including Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Oxford, where he earned advanced degrees in theology, divinity, and business administration. His research focuses on the complex intersections of religion with business, language, law, and politics, particularly in the South Asian context. Dr. Peter-Dass examines how religious identities are shaped through linguistic choices, legal frameworks, and socio-political dynamics, with special attention to Hindu-Christian relations and religious rights. His work bridges theological scholarship with practical applications in interfaith dialogue and religious freedom advocacy. His publications reveal a consistent focus on South Asian religious contexts, particularly examining Hindi Christian literature, Hindu nationalism, and comparative theological approaches between Hindu and Christian traditions. The research demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between religious studies, political science, linguistics, and legal studies, with significant contributions to understanding religious rights in both Indian and American Supreme Court contexts. Among his notable honors are the Saïd Foundation Scholarship from Oxford University, multiple Harvard University fellowships, and the Selva J. Raj Endowed International Dissertation Research Fellowship from the American Academy of Religion. His teaching excellence has been recognized through Harvard University's Certificate of Distinction in Teaching. Dr. Peter-Dass has served in significant professional capacities including as Co-Chair of the Theology and Religious Reflection Unit at the American Academy of Religion (2018-2023) and on the Editorial Board of the Hindi Theological Literature Committee in India (2011-2015). His extensive consulting work with international development agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and religious bodies demonstrates his commitment to applying academic research to real-world religious and social challenges.
Susannah Heschel is the Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College , chair of the Jewish Studies Program, and faculty member of the Religion Department. She is currently the Joseph Engel Visiting Professor for 2025-2026 at Swartz Hall, Cambridge, and a Guggenheim Fellow researching European Jewish scholarship on Islam. Education: A.B. from Trinity College, M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Research Interests: Her work bridges Jewish and Protestant thought (19th-20th centuries), focusing on biblical scholarship, antisemitism, and Jewish perceptions of Islam. She explores intersections of race, gender, and ethics, particularly in Nazi Germany and modern prophetic traditions. Publications Trends: Recent articles examine Holocaust-era biblical interpretation, prophetic leadership in civil rights, racial theology, and sensory dimensions of antisemitism. Her scholarship spans historical analysis, ethical critique, and interdisciplinary engagements with theology and politics. Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship National Humanities Center Fellowship Wissenschaftskolleg in Berlin Fellowship Moses Mendelssohn Prize (Leo Baeck Institute) Five Honorary Doctorates Elected Member, American Society for the Study of Religion and American Academy for Jewish Research Grants & Visiting Roles: Recipient of Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation grants. Visiting professorships at Universities of Cape Town, Frankfurt, Princeton, Edinburgh, and Lucerne. Convening a 2026 conference on 'Sexual Violence and Antisemitism' with Carnegie support.
Averil Cameron is a distinguished Professor of Late Antique and Byzantine History at the University of Oxford, previously serving at King's College London from 1978–1994. Her research focuses on the intersection of political, religious, and cultural dynamics in late antiquity and Byzantium. She has held prominent roles such as President of the Council for British Archaeology in the Levant and has been honored with prestigious awards including the British Academy Kenyon Medal (2020) and DBE (2006). Her academic contributions include foundational texts on Procopius, Eusebius, and the Mediterranean world. Notable works like Byzantine Matters (2014) and Dialogues and Debates from Late Antiquity (2017) explore intellectual and religious discourses. She has edited volumes in the Cambridge Ancient History series, shaping scholarly narratives on Roman and Byzantine empires. Cameron’s publications consistently bridge micro-historical analysis with macro-historical trends, emphasizing how cultural and political shifts in late antiquity laid foundations for medieval Europe and the Islamic world. Her work integrates textual criticism, archaeological insights, and interdisciplinary approaches to reconstruct complex historical phenomena. Awards: Kenyon Medal, DBE, CBE, Fellow of British Academy Editorial Roles: Cambridge Ancient History series, British Archaeology Council Key Themes: Imperial governance, religious transitions, cultural continuity, and late antique socio-political structures
Professor Martial Staub holds the position of Professor of Medieval History at the University of Sheffield, serving as Internationalisation Officer and SRDS Director within the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities. He joined the university in 2004 after a research fellowship at the Max Planck Institute of History in Göttingen, Germany. His academic training includes degrees from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris X Nanterre, and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, alongside studies at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Fontenay/St Cloud. Staub’s research focuses on late medieval European history, particularly South German and Italian cities, with expertise in medieval philanthropy, historiography, and spatial mobility. He co-directs the Centre for the Study of Abrupt, Violent and Traumatic Change and leads projects on medieval global citizenship. His teaching spans undergraduate courses like 'Pagans, Christians and Heretics in Medieval Europe' and postgraduate programs such as 'Approaching the Middle Ages.' Professional roles include editorial board memberships for journals like Zeitschrift für Ideengeschichte and German History , alongside affiliations with institutions such as the Görres-Gesellschaft. His work bridges interdisciplinary collaborations, addressing themes of exile, urban history, and the interplay between medieval and modern contexts.
Mattias Gassman is an Assistant Professor of Humanities at the University of Florida's Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. His research focuses on the transformation of Roman religious ideas by Christianity, particularly in late antiquity. Previously, he held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of St. Andrews and the University of Oxford. He earned a PhD in Classics from the University of Cambridge (2017), and prior degrees from Oxford, Minnesota, and Iowa State University. His research emphasizes critical analysis of modern concepts like 'paganism' and 'secularity' through ancient lenses. His first monograph, Worshippers of the Gods (Oxford, 2020), examined fourth-century Roman religious debates. His current book project, Citizens of the Earth , analyzes Augustine's engagement with Roman religion across his works. He also co-authored a general-audience textbook on fourth- and fifth-century theological controversies. His articles explore topics such as Augustine's anti-pagan rhetoric, late antique preacher techniques, and the reception of classical texts. Recent publications appear in Journal of Early Christian Studies , Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte , and Augustinian Studies . He teaches courses on ancient texts and religious history, including Immortality (Quest 1) and Great Books of the Ancient World .
Susannah Heschel serves as the Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies and Chair of the Jewish Studies Program at Dartmouth College, holding a faculty appointment in the Religion Department. Her academic leadership extends through elected memberships in the American Academy for Jewish Research and American Society for the Study of Religion, with visiting professorships at Frankfurt, Cape Town, and Princeton Universities. Her educational background includes: A.B. from Trinity College M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Heschel's research centers on 19th-20th century Jewish and Protestant intellectual history, with groundbreaking work on Christian theologians in Nazi Germany, Jewish scholarship on Islam, and the theological roots of antisemitism. Her scholarship uniquely bridges biblical studies, feminist theory, and Holocaust research, examining how religious frameworks shape identity and persecution. Current projects explore European Jewish scholarship on Islam through a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her recent publications reveal persistent engagement with prophetic tradition across Jewish-Christian contexts, Holocaust memory studies, and the intersection of race/gender in theological ethics. Works consistently analyze how religious texts are weaponized for oppression while recovering marginalized voices in interfaith dialogue. Honors include: National Jewish Book Award for Abraham Geiger and the Jewish Jesus Mendelssohn Prize from Leo Baeck Institute Five international honorary doctorates Guggenheim Fellowship Research support spans major foundations: Current: Guggenheim Fellowship (2023-2024) Maimonides Institute Fellowship (University of Hamburg, Winter 2024) Previous: Rockefeller Fellowship (National Humanities Center) Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin Fellowship (2011-2012) Carnegie Foundation grants Ford Foundation grants Though not directing formal labs, Heschel collaborates internationally through fellowships at Hamburg's Maimonides Institute and Berlin's Wissenschaftskolleg, advancing comparative research on Jewish-Muslim-Christian intellectual history while mentoring junior scholars through Dartmouth's Jewish Studies Program.
J. Albert Harrill is a Professor of History at The Ohio State University , where he has been affiliated with the Department of History since at least 2010. Holding a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christian Literature from the University of Chicago , Harrill specializes in the intersection of New Testament , early Christianity , and Roman social history , particularly focusing on ancient slaves and marginalized communities . Education: Ph.D., New Testament and Early Christian Literature, University of Chicago His research explores social and cultural dynamics in early Christian texts, with significant contributions to slavery studies through works like Slaves in the New Testament (2006) and The Manumission of Slaves in Early Christianity (1995). He also investigates ethnic fluidity in Ephesians, exegetical methodologies , and classical literary topoi in patristic writings. Recent Publications examine: Ephesians as a circular letter 1 Corinthians 7:21 and evolving scholarship on Pauline slavery Atheist catalogues in classical and Christian contexts Architectural ekphrasis in Roman culture Origen's exegetical techniques Scientific Awards: 2021 Sphinx and Mortar Board Outstanding Faculty 2019 Honors Faculty Service Award in Arts and Sciences 2017 Clio Award for Distinguished Teaching in History 2012 Distinguished Teaching Award in Religious Studies (Indiana University) With nearly 35 years of teaching experience , Harrill has received consistent recognition for courses on Paul's apostleship , historical Jesus , Greek/Roman slavery , and ancient Roman religion . He maintains active academic engagement through the Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean World .
Professor Eva Haverkamp-Rott holds the Chair of Medieval Jewish History and Culture at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) since 2009. Her work uniquely bridges Medieval History and Jewish Studies, focusing on Jewish life in Europe from the 4th to 16th centuries, with geographic emphasis on the Holy Roman Empire, Italy, France, England, and the Byzantine Empire. PhD in Medieval History (University of Konstanz, 1999) Master in Jewish Studies and Medieval/Modern History (University of Cologne, 1994) Her research explores Jewish-Christian-Muslim interactions, medieval economic systems, numismatics, and the historiography of Jewish persecution during the Crusades. She specializes in analyzing Hebrew chronicles and Latin texts to reconstruct interfaith dynamics. Her recent publications focus on global medieval history, Jewish tombstone symbolism, and economic exchanges between religious groups. She has contributed significantly to understanding Jewish roles in medieval coinage and trade. 2020: Prize for Good Teaching (Bavarian Ministry of Science and Arts) 2006: The Historical Book Prize for 'Hebrew Accounts of the Persecution of the Jews during the First Crusade' 2005: Jon Gillum Teaching Award, Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2004: Ryskamp Research Fellowship, NEH Fellowship 2000: District of Konstanz Prize for promotion of young scientists Professor Haverkamp-Rott has led interdisciplinary projects like the Regensburg archaeological excavations and co-edited cultural guides. Her work emphasizes contextualizing Jewish experiences within broader European historical frameworks.
Dr. Julia Gebke is a Researcher at the Department of History within the Historical-Cultural Faculty of the University of Vienna. She currently holds the Elise Richter Fellowship from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), leading the project "Habsburg Women in Dynastic Politics and Diplomacy." Education : B.A., M.A., Ph.D. in History (University of Graz, 2015) Her research spans the Early Modern Period, focusing on Cultural History of Politics and Diplomacy, Gender History, History of Science, and DisAbility Studies. She explores the intersection of body politics in Habsburg diplomacy and the stigmatization of marginalized groups in Early Modern Spain. Key publications include groundbreaking work on disAbility in Early Modern Europe and analyses of Habsburg women's roles in dynastic networks. She co-founded the DisAbility Studies research group at the University of Vienna in 2019. Scientific Awards : Elise Richter Fellowship (FWF, 2021) Dr. Gebke's lab and team collaborations include the DisAbility Studies research group and interdisciplinary partnerships across European institutions, emphasizing societal dynamics in historical contexts.
