Dr. Femi J. Kolapo is a Professor of African History in the Department of History at the University of Guelph (College of Arts). His research focuses on slavery and abolition in 19th-century Africa , evangelical missionary activities , and precolonial West African societies . He has taught courses on African slavery, religious movements, and labor migration. Education: Ph.D., History, York University (1999) M.A., History, Ahmadu Bello University (1989) B.A., History, Ahmadu Bello University (1982) His scholarly work examines West African engagement with Christian missionary efforts , colonial documentation , and indigenous agency during European expansion . He has published extensively on the Church Missionary Society's (CMS) operations in Nigeria and the political impact of missionary activities. Dr. Kolapo contributes to the AH_DigITal Document Portal project, curating 19th-century missionary and colonial archives related to Nigeria. His recent articles analyze topics ranging from missionary theological debates to Nigerian Pentecostalism's digital transformation , demonstrating interdisciplinary breadth across history, religious studies, and political sociology .
Dr. Krzysztof Modras serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theory of Knowledge at the Institute of Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. His research focuses on Islamic theological concepts, interreligious dialogue, and comparative scriptural analysis. Religious Studies Islamic Theology Comparative Religion Quranic Hermeneutics Abrahamic Traditions Medieval Islamic Ethics Modras explores themes including: divine revelation across Abrahamic religions, interfaith dialogue through shared moral values, and Islamic contributions to European culture . His work analyzes mystical experiences in Islam, concepts of salvation through good deeds, and the philosophical foundations of monotheism . Publications frequently address Quranic engagement with Jewish/Christian traditions , eschatological visions, and the symbolism of Jerusalem in Muslim culture. Key publication trends: 1) Theological parallels between Quran and older scriptures (2011-2013); 2) Mystical dimensions of Islamic faith (2015); 3) Ethical frameworks in traditional Islam (2013); 4) Historical-cultural analysis of European Islam (2011-2012).
Ragnhild Johnsrud Zorgati is a Professor in the University of Oslo 's Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages since 2013. Her pluridisciplinary research spans Religious History , Islamic Studies , and Comparative Literature , focusing on Muslim-Christian interactions across historical and contemporary contexts. Current research: Fiction and rap music as sources for studying Islam in Europe Past projects: Tracing the Jerusalem Code in Scandinavian Holy Land descriptions Specialized in: Cultural encounters, postcolonial theory, Tunisian political discourse Her publications highlight: Medieval Iberian legal hybridity 19th-century hammam travel narratives 20th-century immigrant worker representations Post-2011 Tunisian value discourses Key scientific recognitions include grants from: Norwegian Research Council University of Oslo Canada's Science and Humanities Research Council
Knut Martin Stünkel is a Privatdozent and Researcher at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, affiliated with the Centrum für Religionswissenschaftliche Studien and the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1475 ‘Metaphern der Religion’ (Project C03). He holds roles as a Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in in SFB 1475 and a member of the CERES Research Department. His work focuses on religious metaphors, interfaith dialogue, and the historical and philosophical dimensions of religious language. Research Interests: Stünkel’s work examines metaphor theory applied to religious discourse, particularly in contexts of colonial contact, early modern theology, and modern critiques of religion. He explores how metaphors shape religious identity, mediate intercultural encounters, and function in theological polemics. Key areas include Reformation studies, Jewish-Christian relations, and the evolution of religious concepts in philosophy and literature. Publications: His recent work (2025–2020) includes analyses of metaphors in totalitarian literature, Franciscan martyr narratives, and Cusanus’ cosmological symbolism. He also investigates colonial linguistic dynamics and critiques of religious frameworks by thinkers like Marx and D’Holbach. Grants & Projects: Active in SFB 1475 since 2025, he contributes to CERES research on religious science. He has co-edited volumes on religious contact and metaphorology, including Transcending Words: The Language of Religious Contact (2015). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the CERES Research Department and SFB 1475’s interdisciplinary team on metaphor-based religious analysis.
Prof. Dr. Marion Eggert is Chair of Korean Studies at the Faculty of East Asian Studies , Ruhr-Universität Bochum . She serves as Head of the Department of Korean Language and Culture and maintains active research in Korean literary and intellectual history (17th–19th centuries) and modern Korean literature . Her current projects include Principal Investigator roles in SFB 1475 'Metaphors of Religion' and managing subproject B02 . Research focus areas include: Korean literary history Intellectual transformations Travel literature analysis Epistolary practices Confucian knowledge systems Key publication trends (2023–2018) examine premodern Korean epistemology , travel writing , dream symbolism , and knowledge circulation between Korea and Europe. She has edited multiple volumes on religious dynamics and cultural status. Contact: marion.eggert@rub.de , Office GB 1/46, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
Ferdinando Sardella is an Associate Professor at Stockholm University's Department of Ethnology, History of Religions and Gender Studies. His research focuses on Hinduism, South Asian Studies, and the sociology of religious movements. Academic Background: Ph.D. in Religious Studies from University of Gothenburg (2010) Postdoctoral Fellow at Uppsala University (2011-2014) Research Fellow at Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Research Themes explore Hinduism's European expansion, colonial Bengali religious dynamics, and diaspora cultural preservation. Fieldwork in India spanning two years informs his work on transnational Hindu communities. Key Publications include the award-winning monograph on Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and the foundational Handbook of Hinduism in Europe (2020). His edited volumes examine Vaishnavism's colonial impact and European institutionalization. Scientific Recognition: Recipient of Donner Institute Prize Current Projects include mapping Hinduism's European presence and analyzing diaspora generational challenges in tradition transmission. Collaborates with Prof. Knut Jacobsen (Bergen) and Dr. Lucian Wong (Oxford).
Professor David Cheetham serves in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham , holding the academic rank of Professor of Philosophical Theology since 2020. He previously served as Head of the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion (2016-2020) and Head of Department of Theology and Religion (2012-2015). Current research focuses on theology of religions , interreligious hermeneutics , and theology and the arts . His work explores Christianity and Asian religions , theology of creation , and public theology . Recent publications examine interreligious aesthetics , postsecular theology , and theological pluralism . He has co-edited volumes on intercultural theology and scriptural reasoning . No scientific awards are listed in the provided text. As an ordained Church of England minister and professional musician, he integrates spiritual practice and musical engagement into theological discourse.
Dr. Ruth Sheldon is a Senior Lecturer in Religion and Social Science at King's College London's Department of Theology & Religious Studies. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Kent (2010-2016) and previously served as Associate Lecturer at Kent and Research Fellow at Birkbeck. Her research focuses on encounters across religious/secular divides, particularly in urban and institutional contexts, with emphasis on Middle East conflicts and Jewish ethno-religious minorities. She has conducted ethnographic studies on Palestinian-Israeli campus politics and everyday ethics in super-diverse neighborhoods. Awards include a 2024 Leverhulme Fellowship for research on marginalized Jewish women. She teaches modules on religion's sociological dimensions and collaborates with organizations like the Faith and Belief Forum on religious inclusion policies. Research Interests: Ethical encounters, secularism, religious pluralism, urban ethnography, Palestine-Israel studies, Jewish minority dynamics. Recent Work: Her 2024 article examines Haredi Jewish marriage practices in London, while 2022 studies explore secular city ethics and Jewish-Muslim interactions. She has published extensively on conflict ethics in universities and austerity's impact on community spaces. Awards: Leverhulme Trust Fellowship (2024), Manchester University Press book (2016).
Dr. Lieke Schrijvers is a Research Associate at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Department of Lived Religion and Society. She holds a PhD from Utrecht University and Ghent University. Her research focuses on the intersectional study of religion, gender, sexuality, and race, with particular attention to interreligious encounters, mixed couples, and religious conversion. Since 2022, she has been leading the VIDI project 'Unequal Partners? An Ethnographic Study of Christian-Jewish and Christian-Muslim Couples in the Netherlands,' analyzing societal norms and inequalities through mixed-couple dynamics. Education: Double doctorate in Cultural Anthropology from Utrecht University and Ghent University. Her forthcoming book, Conversion, Gender, Race , is based on her PhD research and will be published by Routledge. Research Interests: Schrijvers' work examines how religion intersects with gender, race, and sexuality in everyday life. Her current project explores antisemitism and Islamophobia through the lens of interfaith couples. She has published widely in journals like Social Compass , Religion and Gender , and Culture and Religion . Articles Trends: Her publications address topics such as queer love in popular culture, gender dynamics in religious conversion, and the societal implications of interfaith relationships. Recent work highlights the role of Dutch cultural archives in shaping couple dynamics and the lived experiences of female converts. Grants & Projects: Active VIDI grant recipient for the 'Unequal Partners?' project (2021–2026). Her research bridges ethnographic fieldwork with theoretical frameworks in religion and society. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with researchers like Gert Blaauwendraad and Lieve Naus in the VIDI project. She also serves as an editorial board member for the journal Religion and Gender .
Dr. Caleb Michael Froehlich is an Associate Lecturer in Theology and the Arts at the School of Divinity, University of St Andrews. His research focuses on intersections between religion, art, and culture from the 20th century to the present, emphasizing culturally engaged theology, biblical reception, and religious experience. He holds a PhD in Religion, Art, and Culture from St Andrews, an MLitt in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts (St Andrews), and a Master of Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His work includes a forthcoming book Redefining Religious Experience in the Long Sixties (Routledge), exploring how American youth engaged with popular art during the 1960s. Notable publications include articles on Peter Howson’s art, biblical theophany in poetry, and the role of grotesque imagery in religious narratives. He has also contributed to projects like the Templeton-funded 'Art and the Sacred' initiative, investigating audience interaction with sacred art at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Research interests span theology and visual arts, cultural theology, and religious experience in modern contexts. His awards include the Zondervan Theology Award and Russell Trust Postgraduate Award. Froehlich has organized interdisciplinary events such as the TheoArtistry Poets and Composers Schemes, fostering dialogue between theology and artistic practice.
Professor Ulrich Schmiedel holds the chair in Global Christianities at Lund University's Centre for Theology and Religious Studies within the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology. His work bridges theology with sociology, anthropology, and philosophy to examine religion's role in contemporary societal challenges. Specializes in public and political theology Research focuses on migrant/postmigrant societies and interreligious relations Editor-in-chief of Political and Public Theologies series His research methodologies integrate theological inquiry with sociological/anthropological approaches, particularly examining: Christian-Muslim relations and Islamophobia Populism's impact on religious ethics Multi-faith refugee relief networks Secularization and pluralization dynamics Critical examination of religious supremacy narratives Recent publications explore: 9/11's long-term theological implications Ethics of faith-based humanitarian acts Postmigrant ecclesiological models Critical analysis of religious violence theories Scientific recognition includes: Elected to Royal Society of Letters Lund (2024) Habilitation Prize from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2021) Member of Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton (2017) Current projects: FABRIC: Faith-Based Refugee Relief in Europe (ERC-funded, 2024-2028) COMCOM: Christian-Muslim Political Theology (2024-2026)
John Harding is Professor of East Asian Religions in the Department of History and Religion at the University of Lethbridge, Canada. He has served multiple terms as department chair (2010-2013, 2015, 2018, 2022-2023) and was the founding coordinator of the Asian Studies minor (2013-2017, 2022). He currently teaches Zen Buddhism and World Religions and is a visiting scholar at Aarhus University, Denmark (April–May 2024). Education: BA, Asian Studies (minor Religion), University of Puget Sound, 1994 PhD, Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania, 2003 Research stays in Japan and one year at the University of Cambridge, England Research Interests: Harding specializes in Japanese Buddhism and the global modernization of Buddhism over the past 150 years. His work emphasizes cross-cultural exchanges between Asia and the West, including studies of Buddhism in Canada (notably Jōdo Shinshū in southern Alberta) and transnational Buddhist networks. A secondary focus is the theory and method of studying religion, reflected in widely used textbooks co-authored with Hillary Rodrigues. Recent Publications & Trends: From 2008 to 2024, his publications reveal a sustained investigation into the globalization of Buddhism. Monographs such as Mahayana Phoenix (2008) and Buddhism in the Global Eye (2020) map Japanese and Canadian Buddhist identities within transnational contexts. Edited collections including Wild Geese (2010) and Flowers on the Rock (2014) extend this inquiry to Canadian Buddhist communities, while theoretical pieces interrogate secularization and pedagogy in religious studies. Grants & Awards: SSHRC Insight Grant, “The Modernization of Buddhism in Global Perspective,” 2013–2022, CAD $258,659 (PI, with Victor Sōgen Hori & Alexander Soucy) University of Lethbridge Research Fund, “CREDO: Buddhist Developments of the Western Frontier,” 2009–2011, CAD $17,300 University of Lethbridge Research Fund, “Cultural Responses to Contested Claims of Sacred Place,” 2005, CAD $8,500 Labs, Teams & Service: Harding co-directs the Global Buddha research network (globalbuddha.org) with Hori and Soucy, which disseminates findings from their SSHRC project. He is a past president and current board member of the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, serves on editorial boards, and regularly delivers public lectures such as the “Buddha’s World Tour” PUBlic Professor Series talk (2015).
Stephen Greenblatt is the Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences , specializing in English literature. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale and has been a pivotal figure in Shakespearean scholarship and early modern studies for over four decades. Education : BA, Yale (1964) MPhil, Cambridge (1966) PhD, Yale (1969) His research interests span: Shakespearean studies Renaissance cultural mobility Religion-literature intersections Literary anthropology Travel literature New Historicism methodology Key scientific contributions include foundational works on Shakespeare's cultural impact, Renaissance humanist practices, and transatlantic discourse. Notably, The Swerve (2011) examined Renaissance intellectual transformation, winning both National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. Awards & Honors : Holberg Prize Laureate (2016) Pulitzer Prize (2012) National Book Award (2011) James Russell Lowell Prize (MLA) Two Guggenheim Fellowships Mellon Distinguished Humanist Award Plus memberships in elite academies: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Philosophical Society, and British Academy.
Helena Wangefelt Ström is a Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University's Department of ABM (Archaeology, History, Cultural studies, and Religious studies) and a Visiting Researcher at the Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Religion and Society (CRS). She holds a PhD in Museology and specializes in the intersection of sacredness and cultural heritage, particularly in museum contexts. Teaches in Master's programs in ABM and Digital Humanities Focuses on religious heritage, critical heritage studies, early modern history, and AI's role in cultural heritage practices Research Themes include: Transformation of religious objects/places between sacred and heritage categories AI classification in heritage contexts Methodological development for interdisciplinary research Political and identity dimensions of heritage Recent Publications examine: Heritagization processes in early modern Italy and Sweden Museum impact on sacredness through curatorial models Religious dissent networks in EMoDiR reports Relic commodification and ethical challenges As a CRS Scientific Council member, she co-leads the Secularism and Human Rights theme. Her work bridges historical analysis (Rome/Venice 17th century) with contemporary heritage management debates.
Wojciech Tworek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Wrocław since 2019. His research focuses on Hasidism, Jewish Orthodoxy, and the Chabad movement, with a particular emphasis on interwar Poland. He holds degrees from Jagiellonian University (philosophy), University of Warsaw (Hebrew studies), and completed a postgraduate program at the Paideia Institute in Sweden. His doctoral work at University College London led to his monograph Eternity Now: Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liady and Temporality (2019). Tworek has held fellowships from YIVO, the Posen Foundation, and the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture, as well as a National Science Centre (NCN) grant for his project on Chabad in interwar Poland. His current research explores mysticism and modernity through Chabad's cultural history. He also contributes to Yiddish cultural preservation, including translating materials from the Ringelblum Archive. Education: Philosophy (UJ), Hebrew Studies (UW), Paideia Institute (Sweden) Grants: NCN Sonata Grant, YIVO Fellowship, Posen Foundation Grant Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles on Hasidic theology, education, and cultural history Tworek advises five PhD students and collaborates on projects like the Anthology of Hasidic Tales . He maintains the Ada Rapoport-Albert archive and organizes Hasidic literature seminars for students and alumni.
