Claudia Rapp is a full Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies . She teaches courses on Byzantine History , The Cult of Saints , and Big Books in Byzantine Studies , among others. Her research focuses on Byzantine social history and religious practices Mobility of texts, manuscripts, and ideas across Byzantium and the medieval Mediterranean Ritual brotherhood and its legal/liturgical frameworks Monasticism and its influence on Christian identity Liturgical manuscripts as social history sources Recent publications examine mobility patterns and microstructures in the Byzantine world, with a strong emphasis on intercultural exchanges and manuscript studies. She has contributed to key projects like the Sinai Palimpsests Project and the Wiener Euchologien-Projekt . Her work appears in leading journals and edited volumes.
Hank Voss serves as Associate Professor of Christian Ministry within the Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Studies & Philosophy Department at Taylor University. Previously, he held leadership roles including National Director of Church Planting and Senior National Staff with The Urban Ministry Institute during seventeen years of service with World Impact. His academic credentials include: PhD from Wheaton College MA in New Testament and Christian Theology from Talbot School of Theology BA in Biblical Literature and Christian Education from Taylor University Additional studies at The University of Chicago Divinity School, Harvest Language School—Mexico, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, US Center for World Missions, and Jerusalem University College—Israel Voss specializes in the intersection of theological scholarship and practical ministry, with core research areas encompassing church planting among the poor, ecclesiology, missional theology, priesthood of all believers, and spiritual formation. His work uniquely bridges historical Christian spirituality with contemporary urban ministry challenges, emphasizing theological education for marginalized communities through frameworks like the priesthood of all believers. His 2013-2023 publications reveal consistent thematic development across spiritual classics, urban church planting, and theological exegesis. Key trajectories include the application of medieval spiritual texts (notably Aelred of Rievaulx) to modern ministry, canonical approaches to ecclesiology, and the integration of grammatical-historical methods with theological interpretation. The Sacred Roots Spiritual Classics series demonstrates his commitment to making historical resources accessible for current practitioners. No scientific awards are documented in the source material. Voss currently directs the Lilly Foundation-funded Sacred Roots Thriving in Ministry Project, which supports practitioners through spiritual formation resources and edited classical texts. His prior work with The Urban Ministry Institute established foundational frameworks for training church planters in impoverished urban contexts. Primary Grant: Lilly Foundation funding for Sacred Roots Thriving in Ministry Project Key Initiative: Sacred Roots Spiritual Classics series (Editor) He maintains active community engagement through Destiny Christian Church in Muncie, Indiana, where he and his family participate in local ministry and community events.
Ioanna Tourkochoriti serves as Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law. A globally recognized scholar, her work bridges comparative constitutional analysis, human rights theory, and jurisprudence with practical applications in anti-discrimination frameworks. Her educational foundation includes: Ph.D. from École des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris L.L.M. from University of Paris II - Panthéon-Assas M.A. from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris L.L.B. from Athens Law School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Tourkochoriti's research critically examines the intersection of human rights, constitutional structures, and historical political thought across legal systems. Her acclaimed monograph Freedom of Speech: The Revolutionary Roots of American and French Legal Thought (Cambridge University Press, 2022) established new frameworks for understanding expressive freedoms. Current projects analyze business and human rights compliance, online hate speech regulation, and state obligations in combating dehumanization through comparative lenses. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in religious freedom conflicts (particularly workplace accommodations), EU digital governance challenges, and philosophical foundations of anti-discrimination law. Her methodology consistently employs transnational comparisons between American, French, and EU legal traditions, with increasing focus on digital age tensions between privacy, speech, and equality. The 2023-2025 works demonstrate growing engagement with CJEU jurisprudence and emergent regulatory frameworks like the Digital Services Act. No scientific awards are documented in the source materials. She leads multiple international research consortia on hate speech regulation and business and human rights, evidenced by co-editing the Oxford Handbook on Hate Speech and Oxford Handbook on Anti-Discrimination Law and Religion . Her editorial projects with Cambridge University Press and Edward Elgar indicate sustained research funding, though specific grants remain unlisted. As Associate Director of the Center for International and Comparative Law, she shapes institutional research priorities while mentoring emerging scholars through guest lectures worldwide. The Center for International and Comparative Law serves as her primary institutional base, supplemented by transnational networks addressing online hate speech and business-human rights interfaces. These collaborations involve scholars from Harvard, LSE, and EU institutions, reflecting her role as a connector in global legal academia despite no dedicated laboratory structure.
Larry D. Siekawitch, Ph.D., serves as an Adjunct Instructor at University of Northwestern, teaching Bible, theology, Church history, and Greek for seven years alongside 18 years of pastoral experience. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, complemented by theological training at Reformed Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His educational credentials are: Ph.D., University of Wales Th.M., Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Dr. Siekawitch's research centers on Theology and Church History , with specialized focus on Biblical Studies (particularly Old and New Testament Greek), Comparative Religion , and Christian Apologetics . His work critically examines the Bible's uniqueness against Islamic, Jewish, Mormon, and Catholic perspectives while exploring historical theological developments from Puritanism to medieval atonement theories. This interdisciplinary approach bridges scriptural analysis with contemporary interfaith dialogue. His publication record from 2008–2020 reveals consistent engagement with apologetic methodology, biblical authority, and historical theology. Key thematic threads include comparative scriptural analysis (especially Bible-Quran relations), Puritan intellectual-emotional integration, and sacramental theology within Reformed traditions. The output demonstrates rigorous engagement with primary sources across multiple religious traditions. Professional activities include academic presentations across Ukraine on Islamic theology and public debates at institutions like St. Cloud State University, reflecting active contribution to religious discourse beyond traditional academia.
Fellipe do Vale serves as Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS), part of Trinity International University, since 2021. His scholarly work bridges theological reflection with contemporary cultural analysis, emphasizing how Christian doctrine informs human identity and social structures. Academic Background: BA, Calvin University MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School PhD, Southern Methodist University Dr. do Vale's research centers on theological anthropology and moral theology, with concentrated expertise in gender studies, political theology, and race theory through an eschatological lens. He examines how Augustinian and Cappadocian frameworks interact with modern identity politics, arguing that the gospel of grace fundamentally reshapes human embodiment and social relationships. His work consistently connects historical theological traditions to urgent contemporary questions about human dignity and communal flourishing. Analysis of his publications reveals a cohesive trajectory exploring identity formation through Christological and pneumatological frameworks. His scholarship demonstrates rigorous engagement with patristic sources while addressing modern debates on gender, race, and political theology. The 2023 monograph Gender as Love synthesizes these threads into a comprehensive theological account of human identity. Professional Recognition: Emerging Public Intellectual award (2023) from Redeemer University Colin Gunton Memorial Essay Prize (2018) Dr. do Vale actively contributes to scholarly communities through memberships in the Evangelical Theological Society, American Academy of Religion, Hispanic Theological Initiative, Society of Christian Philosophers, and Institute for Biblical Research. While no formal advising relationships or grant-funded projects are documented in available sources, his pedagogical approach emphasizes integrating theological education with practical ministry formation. His research continues to develop intersections between systematic theology and contemporary identity discourse within ecclesial contexts.
Dr. John Thomas Scott serves as Dean of Mercer University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Professor of History, a position he has held since joining the History Department in 1991. His leadership emphasizes rigorous historical scholarship and undergraduate research mentorship, resulting in history majors consistently winning the University Library's research award and regional conference honors. Dr. Scott's academic credentials include: Ph.D. in History from The College of William and Mary M.A. in History from the University of Georgia B.A. in History from Vanderbilt University Non-degree study at the University of Leeds His research specializes in Colonial America, particularly U.S. religious and intellectual history of the 18th-early 19th centuries, examining intellectual networks and personal relationships in the North Atlantic world with focus on Georgia. He additionally integrates film studies into historical pedagogy through HIS 245: American Film as Art and History, analyzing 1930-1990 films as historical documents. Dr. Scott's publications (2002-2020) demonstrate sustained exploration of colonial religious history, Georgia's colonial development, and missionary efforts. Key works examine George Whitefield's Bethesda Mission, the Wesleys' Anglican Mission to Georgia, and figures like Nancy Hart and Benjamin Ingham, revealing how religious networks shaped colonial society and revolutionary rhetoric. No personal scientific awards are documented, but his departmental leadership has cultivated exceptional student research outcomes. Dr. Scott provides extensive mentorship through dedicated faculty-student collaboration, time-intensive research guidance, and expertise in historical methodology, though specific grant funding details are not provided in the source material.
Gabriel Byng is a researcher at the University of Vienna's Institute of Art History within the Faculty of History and Cultural Studies, with additional affiliation to the History Department at University of Cambridge. His office is located at Garnisongasse 13, University Campus Hof 9, 1090 Vienna, where he can be reached at +43-1-4277-41484. Dr. Byng holds degrees including BA and MA from Cambridge (Cantab) plus another MA. Dr. Byng's research spans multiple interconnected fields in medieval studies with particular focus on architecture's relationship to economic structures, political theory, material culture, and religious experience. His work examines how spatial organization in churches reflected and shaped social hierarchies, how building practices connected to broader economic patterns, and how material objects mediated religious experiences. His Digital Pilgrim II project represents his commitment to applying digital methodologies to traditional art historical questions, particularly regarding medieval pilgrimage practices and iconography. An analysis of Dr. Byng's recent publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory exploring the intersection of architecture, social organization, and religious practice in medieval Europe. His work demonstrates particular expertise in English parish church architecture while increasingly incorporating Viennese contexts, as seen in his 2023 article on St. Stephen's Cathedral during the 1408 political crisis. Methodologically, he bridges traditional archival research with theoretical frameworks from practice theory, phenomenology, and material culture studies. Reginald Taylor and Lord Fletcher Essay Prize (for 'The Function and Iconography of the Minstrels' Gallery at Exeter Cathedral') Dr. Byng's scholarly contributions extend beyond traditional academic publishing through his involvement with projects like Digital Pilgrim II, which examines medieval pilgrimage practices through digital mapping of badge distributions. His policy paper submission to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's inquiry into tourism demonstrates engagement with contemporary heritage management issues. His work with the Churches Conservation Trust and the Cathedral and Church Buildings Division shows practical application of his research to current preservation challenges. Dr. Byng actively participates in academic discourse through numerous conference papers, seminars, and public talks on topics ranging from medieval synagogues to parish church guides. His research on the 'iconographic communities' formed through shared visual culture in late-medieval Europe represents an innovative approach to understanding medieval social networks through material evidence.
Patrizia Carioti is an Associate Professor of East Asian History and Far Eastern History and Civilizations at the University of Naples L'Orientale, Department of Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean (DAAM). She holds a Ph.D. in East Asian Civilizations from the Oriental University Institute and has extensive language expertise including Japanese, English, Chinese, and Dutch, with reading proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Latin. Her research focuses on the international maritime context of East Asia, with specific attention to the 16th-18th centuries. Professor Carioti has published extensively on topics including the Matsuura clan of Hirado, Sino-Japanese relations, maritime trade networks, overseas Chinese communities, and the Dutch East India Company's activities in East Asia. Her scholarly output includes 68 publications spanning book chapters, edited volumes, and journal articles. Her recent work demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of maritime trade, political power, and cultural exchange in early modern East Asia, with particular emphasis on Taiwan, Nagasaki, and Hirado as key nodes in regional networks. Her publications reveal deep engagement with primary sources in multiple languages and a sophisticated understanding of the complex relationships between Chinese, Japanese, European, and Southeast Asian actors during this period. Member of the DAAM Board (since February 2012) President of the Master's Degree Course in Asian and African Languages and Cultures (2006-2008) Member of the University Commission for Teaching (since 2008) Member of the University Commission for Internationalization (since 2008) Head of Agreement with CASS Head of Agreement with Xiamen University Head of Agreement with Tokyo University Professor Carioti serves on the scientific committees of several prestigious journals including Bulletin of Portuguese/Japanese Studies, Sulla via del Catai, and Il Giappone, which she has coordinated editorially since 2007. She is actively involved in numerous international academic associations including the European Association of Chinese Studies, European Association of Japanese Studies, and the International Association of Historians of Asia.
Jennifer Snow serves as Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Extended Learning at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP), a constituent seminary of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), where she integrates academic scholarship with practical ministry focused on justice, inclusion, and spiritual transformation within congregational contexts. Her academic foundation includes: PhD in Religion from Columbia University (2004) MA from Boston University (1997) BA from University at Albany, State University of New York (1994) Dr. Snow's research explores critical intersections of Christianity with societal structures, specializing in mission studies, immigration policy, racial justice, and sexual ethics in global contexts. Her work examines historical dynamics between Protestant missionaries and Asian immigrant communities while analyzing contemporary implications of missionary teachings on marriage and church discipline in African settings, consistently highlighting themes of ecumenical transformation and social advocacy through rigorous theological engagement. Recent publications reveal a trajectory from 19th-century Episcopal Church inclusion struggles to mid-20th-century missionary sexual education in Africa, demonstrating evolving scholarly attention to race, migration, and embodied ethics within Christian traditions across diverse cultural landscapes. No scientific awards are documented in available sources, though her contributions extend through collaborative curriculum development for organizations including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Progressive Christians Uniting. Professional activities emphasize community-based knowledge production rather than formal grant-funded research, evidenced by her development of environmental justice curricula and policy materials on immigration; she maintains active leadership through CDSP's Extended Learning programs while previously serving as deputy director of Progressive Christians Uniting and discipleship ministries associate for the Diocese of California's youth and young adult communities.
Dr. C. Matthew Phillips is Professor of History at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he teaches courses in World Civilization, European history, medieval Christianity, the Reformation, crusades, and Russian/Soviet history. Dr. Phillips' research focuses on medieval monasticism, crusade history, and Luther's theology of the cross. His scholarship explores the intersection of religious thought, historical events, and theological development in medieval and early modern Europe. He examines how religious concepts like the theology of the cross shaped historical movements such as the crusades and the Reformation. His work demonstrates consistent attention to how cross symbolism functioned in religious contexts, connecting theological concepts to historical practice and interpretation. His publications reveal a historian deeply engaged with both medieval spirituality and Reformation thought. Phillips investigates how concepts like the theology of the cross influenced crusade ideology and monastic practice, while also examining Luther's theological development regarding resistance theory and the cross. His recent blog posts (2023-2024) extend these interests into contemporary discussions about historical truth, demonstrating how historical interpretation connects past religious thought to modern questions of authority and resistance. Dr. Phillips maintains an active scholarly presence through his blog 'Historia et Memoria,' where he writes on topics ranging from Augustine of Hippo's analysis of Roman virtues to George Orwell's warnings about historical truth in totalitarian societies. His work bridges academic scholarship with accessible historical analysis, making significant contributions to understanding how religious concepts shape historical events and interpretations.
Johannes Hackl serves as Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the University of Jena's Institute for Oriental, Indo-European Studies & Prehistoric and Early History Archaeology since December 2021. Previously, he held academic positions at the University of Leipzig (2015-2021) and University of Vienna (2006-2013), culminating in his habilitation with venia legendi from Leipzig in 2021. His research centers on the linguistic evolution of Akkadian during the first millennium BCE, particularly examining language contact with Aramaic and the socio-economic contexts of Babylonian legal documentation. Specializing in charter studies, seal analysis, epigraphy, and paleography, Hackl investigates Babylonian economic, social, and legal history during the late Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods through cuneiform archives. His publication portfolio demonstrates expertise in Late Babylonian textual analysis, with significant contributions to understanding administrative practices, temple economies, and linguistic transitions. Recent work includes editorial leadership on the Achaemenid History series and critical editions of Babylonian legal texts. International Association for Assyriology Prize for Best First Assyriological Article Written after PhD (2017) Hackl directs the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Jena, supervising research on Babylonian cuneiform documentation and linguistic history. His current projects include analyzing the Professor Hilprecht Collection of Babylonian Antiquities and investigating scribal practices in Hellenistic Babylonia through archival materials. He regularly presents at international conferences on topics including diplomatics, sealing practices, and multi-ethnic societies in ancient empires. Hackl maintains active research collaborations across European institutions, frequently working with scholars like M. Jursa and J. Oelsner on Babylonian economic history and textual analysis. His work bridges linguistic, historical, and archaeological methodologies to reconstruct Babylonian societal structures during imperial transitions.
Elif Behnan BOZDOĞAN serves as a Lecturer at Istanbul 29 Mayis University since 2014, specializing in Quranic sciences and manuscript analysis within Islamic studies. Her academic credentials include: Licence in Nutrition and Dietetics from Hacettepe University (2011) Master's in Quran Reading and Recitation from Marmara University (2017) Doctorate in Tafsir from Marmara University (2024) Her research centers on historical Quranic manuscripts, with particular expertise in Hijazi script analysis and Berlin/Damascus manuscript collections. She combines textual scholarship with preservation techniques, contributing to understanding Quranic transmission history through rigorous paleographic and codicological methods. Her work bridges religious studies, historical linguistics, and cultural heritage conservation. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Regarding academic mentorship and funding, the available records indicate no specified graduate students or research grants. Additional scholarly activities include Quran recitation mastery (hafiz) under Tayyar Altıkulaç, classical Turkish music studies (ney with Celaleddin Biçer, kemenche with Didem Aydemir Tuncer), and Quranic vocalization training with Hacer Akın.
Dr. Gili Kugler is a Senior Lecturer of Biblical Studies at the University of Haifa and a supervising editor for TheTorah.co.il. From 2023 to 2026, she holds a Humboldt Foundation Fellowship for Experienced Researchers at the University of Göttingen. She earned her Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and specializes in biblical theology and literary-historical analysis of biblical literature. Her research explores ideas and myths with significant political and psychological implications, focusing particularly on contradictions and narrative patterns within the Pentateuch. Dr. Kugler's work examines how biblical texts address fundamental questions about leadership, community formation, and historical memory through close literary analysis. Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with contemporary debates in biblical studies, particularly regarding the relationship between different textual traditions within the Torah and their implications for understanding ancient Israelite thought. Her articles reveal a methodological approach that combines traditional textual criticism with attention to narrative structure and psychological dimensions of biblical stories. Humboldt Foundation Fellow for Experienced Researchers (2023-2026) Dr. Kugler serves as a supervising editor for TheTorah.co.il, contributing to scholarly discourse that bridges academic biblical criticism with traditional Jewish study. Her work addresses both historical-critical questions and contemporary relevance of biblical texts, particularly in the Israeli context.
Marni Sommer is a Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, where she leads the Gender, Adolescent Transitions and Environment (GATE) Program. Her work spans global health, adolescent development, menstrual health and hygiene, and the intersection of public health with education and gender issues. She has established herself as a leading expert in menstrual health research, particularly in low-resource and humanitarian settings. BS, 1994 University of Pennsylvania BS, 1999 Johns Hopkins University MS, 2001 Johns Hopkins University MPH, 2001 Johns Hopkins University DrPH, 2008 Columbia University Dr. Sommer's research focuses on child and adolescent health, community health, global health, and maternal and reproductive health with particular emphasis on menstrual health and hygiene. Her work explores how puberty, menstruation, and gender intersect with education, health systems, and environmental factors to shape adolescent development trajectories. She has pioneered research on menstrual health in humanitarian contexts, recognizing that over 26 million displaced girls and women struggle to manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications, developing puberty education materials used in over ten countries worldwide. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on menstrual health infrastructure, particularly menstrual-friendly public toilets across global urban settings. Her research spans both low- and high-income contexts, examining menstrual health in humanitarian emergencies, schools, universities, and among homeless populations. There's a clear trajectory toward systems-level interventions that address menstrual health beyond product provision to include infrastructure, policy, and education. Doctoral Dissertation with Distinction, 2008 Marisa de Castro Benton Award for Outstanding Dissertation in Sociomedical Sciences, 2008 Award for Excellence in Global Health for a Doctoral Student, 2008 The Johns Hopkins Nurses' Alumni Association Award, 1999 Dr. Sommer leads the GATE Program, which has secured funding from sources including Elrha's Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises, USAID's Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance, and the Waterloo Foundation. Her work has resulted in practical tools including the MHM in Emergencies Toolkit, Menstrual Disposal Guidance Compendium, and the Menstrual-Friendly Public Toilet Toolkit. She has established partnerships with the International Rescue Committee, UN agencies, and researchers worldwide to translate research into actionable programs. The GATE Program operates across multiple domains including global puberty research (developing puberty books in ten countries), menstrual health in emergencies (addressing the needs of displaced populations), menstrual health in the U.S. (focusing on adolescents, homelessness, and universities), and menstrual-friendly public toilets (a six-city global study). Dr. Sommer's approach integrates community-based participatory research with practical resource development to address critical gaps in adolescent health and menstrual health globally.
John Froula serves as Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Director of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership at The Saint Paul Seminary, University of St. Thomas. He holds a Ph.D. from Ave Maria University (2012), an S.T.B. (summa cum laude) from Pontifical University of St. Teresa in Rome (2006), and a B.A. from Thomas Aquinas College (1999). His educational background includes: Ph.D., Ave Maria University, 2012 S.T.B., Pontifical University of St. Teresa (summa cum laude), Rome, 2006 B.A., Thomas Aquinas College, 1999 Dr. Froula's research centers on Christology, Eucharistic Theology, Thomistic philosophy, and grace dynamics. His work rigorously applies St. Thomas Aquinas's framework to contemporary theological questions, particularly examining Christ's humanity, sacramental theology, and spiritual formation through rigorous philosophical analysis. His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on Thomistic engagement with medieval and modern theological challenges, evidenced by his 2014 Thomist article analyzing 'esse secundarium' in Christology and multiple conference presentations exploring Aquinas's Christology, natural determinism, and mystical experience. As Director of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership program, Dr. Froula oversees academic formation for pastoral ministry. No information regarding research grants, student advising, or laboratory affiliations appears in the source materials.
