Karen Leick is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Professional Writing at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Department of English. Her research focuses on literary modernism, digital humanities, and media studies, with emphasis on the intersection of modernist writers with mainstream culture and media. Leick’s major publications include Gertrude Stein and the Making of an American Celebrity (Routledge, 2009) and Modernism on File: Writers, Artists, and the FBI, 1920-1950 (Palgrave, 2008). She is currently working on a digital humanities project analyzing American poetry anthologies (1910-1950) and a biography of poet Mary Carolyn Davies (under contract with SUNY Press). Her work explores how modernist figures like Stein were portrayed in popular media, revealing the deep entanglement between avant-garde art and mass culture. Leick teaches courses in literature, professional writing, and first-year writing. Her research has been published in venues such as Modernism/modernity and Journal of Modern Periodical Studies , addressing topics ranging from FBI surveillance of artists to the cultural role of little magazines. Her recent projects include exploring digital methodologies for literary analysis and examining media panics around childhood through works like Parents, Media and Panic Through the Years (2018). Leick’s interdisciplinary approach bridges traditional literary scholarship with emerging digital humanities practices.
Daniel L. Schlafly is a Professor in the Department of History at Saint Louis University 's College of Arts and Sciences . His career spans decades of research in Russian and East European history, with a focus on cross-cultural exchanges between Russia and Western Europe. Education : Ph.D. (Columbia University, 1972), M.A. in Russian Studies (Columbia, 1965), Certificate from the Russian Institute (Columbia, 1965), A.B. (Georgetown University, 1961), and M.B.A. (Saint Louis University, 1998). Research interests include cross-cultural history, Jesuit educational institutions in Russia and America, religious minorities in post-Soviet Russia, and East-West encounters during the Enlightenment. His work emphasizes primary source analysis in original languages like Russian, French, and Italian. Publication trends highlight comparative studies of Jesuit schools, diplomatic records, and religious identity formation. His articles span 1970-2008 , with a focus on Russia's engagement with Catholicism and Western institutions. Scientific awards and grants include: Mellon grants for international research (1991-1996) Adenauer Scholarship for German studies (1961-62) Conference funding from 2002-2014 Grants for translating Marek Inglot's Jesuit history (2008-2013) He has taught courses on the origins of the modern world , history of Eastern Europe , Russian history , and nationalism studies .
Nikki M. Taylor is a Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History (2017-2023) at Howard University's College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on African-American history in the nineteenth century, particularly Urban History, African American Women's History, and the History of American Slavery. Dr. Taylor earned her Ph.D. in U.S. History from Duke University (2001) and B.A./M.A. from University of Pennsylvania and Duke University. She employs Black feminist theory to analyze resistance narratives and trauma studies in historical contexts. Research Focus : Lethal resistance by enslaved women, Margaret Garner's historical legacy, 19th-century Black political thought, and institutional racial violence. Grants : Principal Investigator for $5 million Mellon Just Futures grant (2021-2024) and $480k Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program grant (2018). Her accolades include Howard University Distinguished Faculty Award (2021), Fulbright Fellowship, Social Science Research Council Fellowship, and Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. She has been featured in multimedia platforms like the Marc Steiner Show and 'This Is America' discussions.
Xiaowei Zheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Specializing in Modern China, their research focuses on Qing Dynasty local history, early republican political culture, popular nationalism, and comparative revolutions. They hold a Ph.D. from UC San Diego (2009) and have been recognized with numerous awards including the Regents Humanities Faculty Fellowship (2021) and Hellman Family Faculty Fund (2011). Research interests include constitutionalism, democratization processes, and the historiography of revolutions. Current projects explore 20th-century Chinese political discourse on sovereignty and rights. Recent publications include The Politics of Rights and the 1911 Revolution in China (2018) and articles on Liang Qichao’s political theory and Sichuan’s constitutional debates. Teaches courses like History of China , Modern Chinese Thought , and Comparative Revolutions . Advisor to three graduate students: Gaoziyan Cui, Yu Liu, and Alexandra Noi. Hosted a podcast episode discussing Nakae Chōmin’s influence on Chinese reformers. Active in interdisciplinary initiatives, Zheng emphasizes comparative frameworks and digital humanities in training students for holistic historical analysis.
Elizabeth F. Loftus is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine with appointments in the Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, Department of Criminology, Law, and Society, and Department of Cognitive Sciences. She also holds affiliate professor appointments in Psychology and Law at the University of Washington. As a Fellow of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, she maintains active research programs across multiple disciplines. Dr. Loftus's research focuses on the malleability of human memory, particularly in legal contexts. Her pioneering work on the misinformation effect demonstrates how memories can be altered by post-event information, with profound implications for eyewitness testimony. She has extensively studied false memories, repressed memory phenomena, and the creation of memory distortions through suggestion, hypnosis, and other therapeutic techniques. Her research has challenged conventional wisdom about memory reliability and has been instrumental in legal cases involving eyewitness testimony. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent themes in cognitive psychology and legal applications, with particular emphasis on memory distortion mechanisms, source monitoring failures, and the creation of false memories through suggestion. Her work spans experimental psychology, legal psychology, and clinical applications, demonstrating how memory can be manipulated in predictable ways. Grawemeyer Award in Psychology (2005) American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology (2003) Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Member, National Academy of Sciences (U.S.) Dr. Loftus has been central to numerous high-profile legal cases involving memory reliability, including the Eileen Franklin case where she served as an expert witness. Her research has influenced legal standards for evaluating eyewitness testimony and has prompted critical examination of recovered memory therapy practices. She has been involved in litigation concerning false memory syndrome and therapeutic malpractice, with her research cited in numerous court cases. At UC Irvine, she collaborates with researchers in the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, bridging cognitive psychology with neuroscience approaches to memory research.
Tsering Shakya is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding the Canada Research Chair in Religion and Contemporary Society in Asia. He is affiliated with the Institute for Asian Research within the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and co-leads the Himalaya Program. His expertise spans Tibetan history, politics, and cultural production, with notable contributions to understanding ethno-national identity, religious practice, and minority policy in the Himalayan region and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Shakya’s research bridges historical and contemporary analyses of Tibet, focusing on social transformation, political dynamics, and the role of social media in shaping minority experiences. He currently serves as President of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, reflecting his global scholarly leadership. Research Interests : His work examines the intersection of politics, identity, and religion in Tibet and the Himalayas. Key themes include Tibetan cultural resilience, PRC minority policies, and the evolving landscape of protest and dissent. He has also explored the impact of social media on marginalized communities in China. Awards : He holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair, underscoring his academic impact. His seminal works, such as The Dragon in the Land of Snows , are widely acclaimed as foundational texts on modern Tibetan history. Teaching : He teaches courses like Nationalism, Religion, and Ethnic Conflict in Asia and Policy in Context , emphasizing critical analysis of regional and global policy challenges. Labs/Teams : As co-lead of the Himalaya Program, he fosters interdisciplinary research on Himalayan societies, governance, and cultural preservation.
Timothy James Lockley is Professor of American History at the University of Warwick. He has held academic positions at the university since 1996, progressing from Lecturer to Professor in 2015. His research spans the social history of the colonial and antebellum American South, the Caribbean, slavery, race, class, poverty, and medical history. He is also interested in the cultural history of cricket and classical music broadcasting. M.A., University of Edinburgh, 1993 Ph.D., University of Cambridge, 1996 Lockley's research explores the complex relationships between race and class, particularly among non-slaveholding whites and enslaved African Americans. His work on medical history examines racial immunity theories and mortality patterns in urban centers like Savannah. He has also published on the history of classical music radio and the social role of cricket in the American South. His recent articles focus on military slavery in the West India Regiments, slave conspiracies, family life under slavery, urban poverty, and the cultural impact of radio. These publications reflect a consistent engagement with themes of race, resistance, gender, and health in the Atlantic world. Scientific awards and grants include: AHRC Grant (2015–2018): "Africa's Sons Under Arms" AHRB Grant (2000–2002): "Southern Charities Project" He has supervised numerous PhD and MA students on topics including enslaved masculinity, slaveholding ideology, antislavery networks, and folk religion in Jamaica. He has served as associate editor of Slavery & Abolition and contributed to major reference works. He is actively involved in public history, appearing on BBC’s "In Our Time" to discuss topics such as the Pilgrim Fathers, Pocahontas, and the Haitian Revolution. Lockley leads research groups and collaborates with scholars across the UK and US, focusing on Atlantic history, slavery, and cultural memory. His future research includes a study of Savannah in 1820 and the history of classical music radio during World War II.
Yuri Zhukov is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University, holding dual appointments in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the Department of Government (College). His research focuses on armed conflict, state repression, and geospatial data science, with notable work on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and historical legacies of political violence. He earned his Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown, and a B.A. in International Relations from Brown University. Education: Ph.D., Government, Harvard University M.A., National Security Studies, Georgetown University B.A., International Relations, Brown University His research interests span the intersection of political violence and quantitative methods. He has pioneered geospatial analysis tools like VIINA to track conflict incidents and developed databases such as xSub for subnational violence studies. His work on Ukraine’s economic resilience during the 2022 invasion and vaccine hesitancy in low-income countries highlights his interdisciplinary approach to global challenges. His articles frequently address modern warfare dynamics, repression strategies, and historical conflict impacts. Awards include the 2015 Bruce Russett Award for excellence in conflict research. Zhukov’s advising and grants focus on military conflict, authoritarian regimes, and global health policy, reflecting his commitment to understanding systemic drivers of violence and governance.
Marina Svensson is Professor of Modern China Studies and Head of Department at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University. She is also Director of Third Cycle Studies and Office Director at the Centre, and a member of Lund University’s Profile Area on Human Rights. Her research is interdisciplinary, focusing on human rights, cultural heritage, media, digital society, and academic freedom in contemporary China. Research Interests: Her work spans visual cultures (documentary film, photography), digital ethnography, civic engagement, and youth issues in China. She explores how digital platforms enable or constrain voice and activism, and investigates the politics of cultural heritage and identity. Her recent focus includes academic freedom and its global implications. Publications & Research Trends: Her recent publications (2019–2024) reflect a strong emphasis on digital China, youth, human rights, and academic freedom. She frequently publishes in journals related to media, heritage, and China studies, often combining ethnographic insights with policy analysis. Her work bridges academic research and public debate. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants: She supervises PhD and master’s students and has led major research projects funded by the Swedish Research Council, Sida, and the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation. Projects include 'Digital China,' 'Cultural Heritage,' 'Investigative Journalism,' and 'Legal Empowerment of the Poor.' Labs and Teams: She co-leads the 'Lund Human Rights Research Hub' (LHRRH), an interdisciplinary network. She has collaborated with scholars across Sweden and internationally, particularly in projects involving law, media, and human rights in China.
Elena Bacchin is a Professor of Modern History at the University of Vienna’s Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies, Department of History. She previously held academic positions as Associate Professor (2023-2024) and Assistant Professor (2021-2023) at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Global Fellow (2019-2022) at Columbia University and Ca’ Foscari, and a Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London (2017-2018). PhD in History, University of Padua (2007-2010) Doctoral Student, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa (2011-2015) Her research focuses on the transnational history of the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly political actors such as exiles, foreign fighters, and deportees. She examines the circulation of people, ideas, and practices across borders and their influence on political mobilization, repression, and the development of international solidarity networks. Her work also explores the history of nationalism, cultural history, and the relationship between political and religious identities. She contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Recent publications analyze political deportation during the Risorgimento, memory of exiles in Fascist Italy, and transnational humanitarian movements. These studies emphasize forced migration, penal colonies, narrative construction, and the intersection of international law with state security. Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Fellow at Remarque Institute, New York University Fellow at University of St Andrews Principal Investigator of the PRISON project (Italian Ministry of Research) As Principal Investigator of the PRISON project, she investigates political repression and international solidarity networks. Her academic collaborations include visiting scholar appointments at the University of California San Diego, University of Oxford, and New York University.
Adeeb Khalid is the Jane and Raphael Bernstein Professor of Asian Studies and History at Carleton College, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. His scholarship bridges Central Asian history, Soviet studies, and postcolonial theory, with a focus on cultural transformations under imperial and revolutionary contexts. PhD and MA from University of Wisconsin-Madison President of Central Eurasian Studies Society (2005-06) Executive Board, Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (2013-15) Key research areas include: Modern Central Asian history (1860s-present) Islam under Russian/Soviet rule Nation-building and colonialism Comparative imperial formations Language and identity politics Anticolonial movements in Eurasia His publications have been translated into Russian, Chinese, Turkish, and Korean. Recent articles examine: Post-Soviet Islamic historiography Colonial Turkestan's exclusion/inclusion dynamics Decolonizing Central Asian national identities Methodological debates in area studies Scientific recognitions: Wayne S. Vucinich Book Prize (2008) Reginald Zelnik Book Prize (2016) Honorable Mention, Joseph Rothschild Prize Active in international academic collaborations, Khalid has held visiting positions at Maison des Sciences de l'Homme in Paris and the Library of Congress's Kluge Center. He teaches courses on Russian Empire, Soviet Revolution, and Middle Eastern cultural history.
Mark Mazower is the Ira D. Wallach Professor of History at Columbia University, where he has established himself as a leading historian specializing in modern Greece, 20th-century Europe, and international history. He also serves as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Director of the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris, which brings together scholars with leading artists, writers, composers and filmmakers from around the world to foster innovative interdisciplinary collaboration. His educational background includes a D.Phil. from Oxford University (1988), an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University (1983), and a B.A. from Oxford University (1981). This strong academic foundation has positioned him as a preeminent historian with expertise spanning multiple historical periods and geographical regions. Mazower's research focuses on modern Greek history, 20th-century European history, and international history, with recent work examining the historical evolution of the Greek islands over the very long term. His scholarship bridges academic rigor with public engagement, as he frequently contributes commentary on international affairs and book reviews to major publications including the Financial Times , The Nation , the London Review of Books , and the New York Review of Books . In 2016, he expanded his public engagement through the film Techniques of the Body , a meditation on the refugee crisis in Greek history created with director Constantine Giannaris. His publications reveal a consistent focus on understanding the complex interplay between national histories and broader international frameworks. Mazower's work often examines how local experiences intersect with global forces, particularly in the context of war, occupation, state formation, and the development of international institutions. His approach combines deep archival research with conceptual innovation, making significant contributions to our understanding of European history, Greek history, and international relations. Mazower's scholarly achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Gennadius Prize (2023) Honorary Citizenship from the Republic of Greece (2022) Fellow of the British Academy (2019) D. Litt., honoris causa , Catholic University of Leuven (2019) D. Litt., honoris causa , University of Athens (2015) Dido Sotiriou Award of the Hellenic Authors Society (2012) Society of Columbia Graduates Great Teacher Award (2011) Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Hitler's Empire: Trilling Award and LA Times Book Prize for History (2009) Salonica, City of Ghosts: Duff Cooper Prize (2005) As an educator at Columbia University, Mazower has mentored numerous students in the Department of History, guiding research in modern European history, Greek history, and international history. His leadership extends to directing the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination in Paris, which has received significant funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to support interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and creative artists from around the world. At the Columbia Institute for Ideas and Imagination, Mazower has created a unique intellectual environment where historians work alongside artists, writers, and filmmakers to explore new approaches to understanding complex historical and contemporary issues. This innovative space reflects his commitment to bridging academic scholarship with creative expression and public engagement, fostering dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to address pressing global challenges.
Kevin M. F. Platt is the Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as Graduate Chair of the Comparative Literature Program. His research focuses on Russian historiography, post-Soviet cultures, and the interplay between memory, poetry, and political history. Platt holds a B.A. from Amherst College and a Ph.D. from Stanford University, with prior teaching experience at Pomona College. His notable works include Terror and Greatness: Ivan and Peter as Russian Myths (2011) and History in a Grotesque Key (1997/2006), alongside co-edited volumes on Russian historiography and translations of works by Anna Akhmatova and Osip Mandelstam. Current projects explore critical historiography of Russia, contemporary Russian culture in Latvia, and translation initiatives. Platt’s teaching spans Russian and East European cinema, literature, and cultural studies, including courses on Sergei Eisenstein, Andrei Tarkovsky, and post-Soviet cultural dynamics. His scholarship bridges historical analysis with literary critique, emphasizing postcolonial frameworks and diaspora studies. Recent research and publications address decolonization narratives, Latvian-Russian cultural intersections, and the legacy of Soviet imperialism. Platt actively engages with contemporary artistic movements, such as the Orbita Group, and critiques geopolitical identity formations in post-Soviet spaces.
Arturas Rozenas is an Associate Professor of Politics at New York University's College of Arts & Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science (Duke University, 2012), an M.S. in Statistical and Decision Sciences (Duke University, 2010), and a B.A. in Philosophy (Vilnius University, 2001). His research focuses on comparative politics and statistics, with emphasis on authoritarian regimes, electoral politics, and state repression. He investigates topics such as propaganda tactics, voter behavior in non-democratic systems, historical impacts of political violence, and media manipulation strategies in authoritarian contexts. His work spans case studies in Russia, Ukraine, and post-Soviet regions, analyzing how autocrats control information and maintain power. Recent studies include the effects of symbolic politics on national identity and the consequences of demographically targeted repression. Rozenas’ research also explores electoral fraud detection, post-election coups, and theoretical frameworks for modeling political dynamics. No awards are explicitly listed in the provided information. His advising and grants activities are not detailed here. He is affiliated with NYU’s Politics Department and maintains a personal homepage for research dissemination.
Mary Roldán is the Dorothy Epstein Professor of Latin American History at Hunter College and holds a faculty appointment at the CUNY Graduate Center. She specializes in twentieth-century Colombian social and political history, with research focusing on violence, state formation, peace studies, urban history, and transnational Catholic Church dynamics. Her work bridges academic research with public engagement, including contributions to Colombia’s Museo Casa de la Memoria and collaborations with institutions like the U.S. Institute of Peace and Radio Nacional de Colombia. Education: BA, MA, and PhD in Latin American History from Harvard University. Current research projects include Broadcast Nation: Radio, Culture and Politics in Colombia (1930–1962) , Acción Cultural Popular: Radio, Development and Catholic Transnationalism in Colombia (1947–1994) , and a co-edited volume on Colombian political history. Key awards include the 2003 Fundación Alejandro Angel Escobar National Book Award for A Sangre y Fuego . Her publications analyze topics ranging from drug trafficking’s impact on Medellín to Cold War rural development strategies. Grants include Fulbright-Hays, COLCIENCIAS, and MacArthur Peace Studies support. Teaching responsibilities include the Thomas Hunter Honors Program and the History Departments at Hunter College and the Graduate Center. She serves on editorial boards for Estudios Sociales and Trashumante, Revista Americana de Historia Social .
