Zhenzhen Fan is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph (Guelph, Canada). She holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam and previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada). Her research focuses on theoretical/empirical asset pricing, financial derivatives, international finance, and textual analysis in finance. Education: PhD in Finance, University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) Her work explores topics such as currency risk premiums, macroeconomic announcement returns, and post-crisis financial market dynamics. She is affiliated with the FIRM lab and teaches courses like FIN 3100 Corporate Finance and FIN 3000 Investments. Funding: SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2023-current) Canadian Derivatives Institute Grant (2018-2020) Upcoming research includes examining market disagreement effects on macroeconomic announcement returns, to be presented at the Eastern Finance Association conference (Philadelphia, April 2024).
Dr. Doaa Shohaieb is a Teaching Fellow in Marketing at Aston Business School (Aston University), part of the College of Business and Social Sciences. She specializes in Marketing Psychology, Marketing Strategies, and Tourism Marketing. Her research bridges marketing, tourism, and business history, with a focus on crisis management in tourism sectors. She holds a PhD in Management from the University of York (2018) and a PG Cert in Higher Education (2022). Education: PhD in Management (Marketing), University of York, 2018 PG Cert in Higher Education, University of Portsmouth, 2022 Postgraduate Studies in Management, Menoufia University, 2007 BSc (Hons) in Management, Menoufia University, 2006 Research Interests: Dr. Shohaieb’s work explores consumer behavior, marketing strategies in crises, and the integration of AI in education. Her recent studies include corporate governance, ESG initiatives, and online learning challenges for mature students. She co-founded the Nations of York Collective to promote community cohesion and actively organizes the global Marketing Research Camp at Aston University. Awards: Fellowship in the Higher Education Association (FHEA), 2022 Advising & Grants: External examiner at Coventry University, London Metropolitan University, and the University of Hertfordshire. She has secured research funding and presented at international conferences. Labs/Teams: Organizes the Marketing Research Camp, a global academic platform, and co-founded the Nations of York Collective.
Kaidi Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics. His research focuses on Trustworthy AI, with expertise in formal verification of neural networks, adversarial attacks (especially in the physical world), and certified defenses. He actively publishes in top-tier conferences including NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, CVPR, and AAAI, and leads the award-winning research team 'alpha-beta-crown'. PhD in Computer Science, Northeastern University (2021) MS in Computer Science, University of Florida (2017) BS in Computer Science, Sichuan University (2015) Dr. Xu's research spans critical areas in AI security and robustness. He investigates formal methods to verify neural network behavior, develops techniques to defend against real-world adversarial manipulations (such as the famous 'Adversarial T-shirt'), and explores model compression and explainability. His work bridges theoretical guarantees with practical applications in healthcare, material science, and autonomous systems. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward certified robustness, interdisciplinary applications, and formal verification across vision, language, and multimodal systems. He has consistently published at NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, and ACL, demonstrating sustained impact in both machine learning and computer vision communities. Winner of VNN-COMP'21 with highest score Three-time VNN-COMP champion (2021–2023) with team alpha-beta-crown Faculty Research Excellence Award, CCI@Drexel (2024) Recipient of multiple Carleone Faculty Awards (2025) NSF grant recipient for projects on transit systems and material synthesis Dr. Xu advises PhD students, including Jinhao, and has secured significant external and internal funding, including multiple NSF grants and Drexel internal awards. He is actively recruiting motivated students with strong machine learning backgrounds. He also contributes to the academic community as an Area Chair for NeurIPS 2025, organizer of workshops like GenAI4Health@AAAI 2025, and frequent program committee member. He leads the 'alpha-beta-crown' research team, known for its leadership in neural network verification and repeated success in the VNN-COMP competitions. The team focuses on developing scalable, sound, and complete verification tools for deep learning models, pushing the frontier of AI safety and reliability.
Raphaël Baroni is an Associate Professor of Teaching French as a Foreign Language at the School of French as a Foreign Language (EFLE), Faculty of Arts, University of Lausanne (UNIL). He has held this position since August 1, 2011, and has been actively involved in research and academic collaboration since 2005. He previously taught at the University of Michigan and conducted research at the Center for Research on Arts and Language (EHESS-CNRS) in Paris. His research centers on narratology, particularly narrative tension, plot dynamics, focalization, and transmedial storytelling, with a strong emphasis on the didactic applications of narrative theory in language learning. He aims to develop a general narrative theory while exploring its role as a reflective and pedagogical tool in French language acquisition. His work bridges literary theory, cognitive narratology, and language pedagogy. The recent scholarly output shows a consistent focus on narrative theory, especially in graphic narratives and transmedia contexts. His publications explore narrative pacing, segmentation, immersion, and the teaching of narrative concepts. There is a clear trend toward interdisciplinary research, connecting narratology with media studies, education, and cognitive science. Raphaël Baroni founded the French-speaking Narratology Network (RRN) and co-founded the Research Group on Language Biographies (GReBL) to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration among Francophone scholars. These initiatives reflect his commitment to building academic communities around narrative studies. He has not received any scientific awards mentioned in the source material, and no information is available about advising students or securing research grants. His work is primarily theoretical and pedagogical, with a strong publication record in narratology and French language education.
Prof. Dr. hab. Marzena Górecka is a Full Professor at the Department of German-Language Literature and Culture , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin . Her academic career includes habilitation (2006), Erasmus teaching assignments at the University of Freiburg (Switzerland), and leadership of the INTERREG III C project Language Bridges (2004-2006). Education: University of Lublin (Humanities), University of Zurich (Germanic Philology), University of Perugia (Italian Studies) Degree: Licentiata Philosophiae (1995), Doctorate in German Medieval Literature (1999) Research Focus: German medieval mysticism (Mechthild von Magdeburg, Hildegard von Bingen), Swiss German-language literature of the 20th century (Meinrad Inglin, Albin Zollinger), and literary translation theory with emphasis on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI's Opera Omnia . She explores mystical anthropology, cultural boundaries, and the interplay between theology and literature. Recent Trends: Analysis of postmodern literary spirituality, translation challenges of theological texts, and cultural memory in European border regions. Her 2023 publications examine educational crises through religious pedagogy and contemporary social critique in Swiss literature. Key Awards: Feniks National Literary Award (2014, 2013), Ministerial Individual Scholarship (MEiN), Landes&Gyr Foundation Research Stipend (Switzerland) Academic Service: Active in international research (SNSF Berlin evaluation), editorial leadership for Opera Omnia Ratzinger , and conference organization on European values and migration. She serves on the Polish Ministerial Expert Panel for academic promotions.
Yasmina Benbekai is an associate lecturer (MAST) at Paris 8 University, affiliated with the UFR Foreign Languages and Cultures. She teaches full-time on the MC2L (Media, Culture, 2 Languages) course of the Master's degree in Languages and Societies. She is a member of TransCrit and maintains strong ties with academic and cultural communities. Her professional background includes extensive work in radio, content production, and web journalism for multiple media outlets. Notable projects include Podclasse (podcast competition) and InterClass' (radio coach in an educational city). As a breakdancing expert, she has commented on French and world breakdancing championships, leveraging her deep knowledge of hip-hop culture, dance history, and techniques. Her research interests intersect media studies, cultural analysis, and the sociological dimensions of dance and youth culture. Though no publications are explicitly listed, her teaching and commentary reflect a focus on contemporary textualities and the societal impact of media and culture. No academic awards or grants are mentioned in the provided materials. She currently holds a full-time academic appointment and continues her consultancy work alongside teaching responsibilities.
Dr. Philip Bockholt is a Junior Professor (Tenure Track) for the History of the Turco-Persian World and Emmy Noether Junior Research Group Leader at the Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies , University of Münster. His research focuses on the history of the Eastern Islamic World (1400–1800), transregional translation processes, knowledge transfer in the Eastern Mediterranean, manuscript studies, and confessional groups in Islam. He is the principal investigator of the DFG-funded TRANSLAPT Emmy Noether Group (2022–2028) and leads the subproject Arabic-Ottoman Translations of Qurʾānic Exegesis (Tafsīr) within the Cluster of Excellence EXC 2060. 2024: Habilitation in Islamic Studies 2018: PhD, Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies 2005–2013: BA/MA in Islamic Studies, History, and Theology (Bochum, Münster, Berlin, Jerusalem, Cairo, Istanbul, Tehran) His research explores intra-Islamic knowledge transfer via Arabic-Persian-Ottoman translations, with a focus on historiography, mirror-of-princes literature, and manuscript variants. He has extensively analyzed the Ḥabīb al-Siyar by Khvāndamīr and its cross-regional dissemination. His recent articles examine textual modifications in Safavid-to-Ottoman translations, multilingualism in Ottoman-Persian contexts, and manuscript annotations as evidence of readership engagement. He co-edited Elsine-i S̱elās̱e: Cultural Analysis of Ottoman Translation (2025) and Multilingualism, Translation, Transfer: Persian in the Ottoman Empire (2024). 2020 Classical Islamic World Book Prize 2019 Annemarie-Schimmel-Stiftung Forschungspreis 2019 S.I.E. European Award Honorable Mention 2015 I.B. Tauris Prize DFG Emmy Noether Funding Bockholt supervises four doctoral candidates on topics including Ottoman Quranic exegesis, biographical dictionaries, and Sufi networks. He has held visiting positions at institutions in Tokyo, Paris, Jerusalem, Madrid, and St. Petersburg. His teaching includes seminars on Islamic manuscript culture, Ottoman translation processes, and confessional groups in the early modern Islamic world. He is a scientific secretary in the Saxon Academy of Sciences’ Afrika – Asien – Europa commission and organizes international conferences on manuscript transmission and Persian-Ottoman exchange.
Professor Sue Niebrzydowski holds a professorship in Medieval Literature at Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language. She serves as Dean of Postgraduate Research and previously directed the Graduate School for the College of Arts and Humanities. Her scholarly work focuses on medieval women's writing, devotional practices, and the intersections of gender, material culture, and life course studies. PhD supervision in medieval women's literature Director of Stephen Colclough Centre for History and Culture of the Book Editorial leadership in Yearbook of English Studies Research themes include: Medieval women's engagement with literature Materiality of devotional texts Ageing and female representation Marian devotion in lay contexts Recent publications examine: Chaucerian manuscript traditions Medieval book of hours practices Global medieval women's writing Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales Fellow of the English Association Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Dr Robin Crockett is the University Academic Integrity Lead at the University of Northampton, based in the Academic Registry. He is a mathematician-ethicist actively engaged in research and professional development in academic integrity, document forensics, and the detection of contract cheating and AI-generated text. He is a member of the European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI), co-founder of the Midlands Integrity Group (UK), and has advised UK policymakers on legislation to ban essay mills. He holds Chartered Scientist and Chartered Mathematician status. MPhil, The Management of Electricity Supplies via Storage as Hydrogen, Cranfield University Master, Energy Conservation and the Environment, Cranfield University PhD, Electrostatic Damage to Semiconductor Devices, University of Southampton Master, Natural & Electrical Sciences, University of Cambridge Bachelor, Natural & Electrical Sciences, University of Cambridge Dr Crockett's research centers on document forensics and academic integrity, with core interests in Fourier theory, time-series analysis, and stylometry for identifying contract cheating. His work increasingly addresses the challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence in education. He applies mathematical and statistical methods to analyze linguistic cues, writing styles, and embedded information in student submissions. His recent publications highlight a strong trend toward understanding and mitigating academic misconduct in the AI era. Topics include AI-text detection uncertainties, forensic stylometry, and policy development for generative AI misuse. Earlier work includes environmental research on radon remediation and signal processing applications in telecommunications. Chartered Scientist Chartered Mathematician Dr Crockett has supervised PhD students, including Believe Nwamae in Computing. He has secured internal research funding, such as the Small Grants Scheme for Early Career Researchers at the University of Northampton for a project on AI-synthesized text detection. He has been an Academic Visitor at Loughborough University and served on the Turnitin Advisory Board, indicating active collaboration and external engagement. He frequently presents at academic events and contributes to policy discussions. He is affiliated with research networks including the European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI) and the European Geosciences Union (as a former Scientific Officer). His work is supported by institutional and collaborative projects focused on advancing machine discernment of academic misconduct.
Thimo Heisenberg is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in the Department of Philosophy at Rice University. He holds a PhD from Columbia University (2019) and specializes in 19th and 20th century German Philosophy, with particular focus on Hegel, Fichte, and Schelling. His research bridges German Idealism with contemporary political economy and social theory. PhD: Columbia University, 2019 His research interests include German Philosophy, Social and Political Philosophy, and Political Economy. Current projects involve a book on The Economy in German Idealism , Schelling’s metaphysics of freedom, and Hegel’s biological-political thought. His work has been published in journals such as British Journal of the History of Philosophy and Journal of the American Philosophical Association . Recent publications explore themes like Hegel’s philosophy of money, Fichte’s concept of free time, and the social implications of mortality. These works engage with interdisciplinary debates about capitalism, modernity, and existential philosophy. Awards: Fulbright Scholar, Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation Fellowship, Max Weber Program Fellowship He teaches courses linking his research to pedagogy and co-organizes the Houston Colloquium in German Philosophy. His work integrates textual analysis with contemporary socio-political issues, emphasizing historical texts’ relevance to modern debates.
Paulo Mendes Pinto is a Researcher at Lusófona University , where he coordinates the Science of Religions area and leads the REC-XXI project on Religions, Education, and Citizenship. He has directed the Master’s and Bachelor’s programs in Religious Studies and serves as a Director of Advanced Islamic Leadership Training and Editorial Director of Lusófona University’s publications. His work bridges interreligious dialogue , state-religion relations , and cultural heritage projects with institutions like the Presidency of the Republic Museum and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation . Education: PhD in Cultural Studies (University of Aveiro, 2021), Master’s in Pre-Classical History and Culture (University of Lisbon, 2001), Bachelor’s in History (University of Lisbon, 1997). His research focuses on religious freedom in Portugal, Jewish heritage , Islamic patrimony , and education for sustainability in museums and libraries. Through projects like MUBIESUS and Database of Islamic Heritage in Portugal , he explores intersections of critical pedagogy , environmental justice , and cultural diversity . His recent articles analyze symbolism in religious rituals , urban spirituality , and political uses of religious discourse . He is actively involved in public science initiatives, collaborating with the European Academy of Religions (founded in 2017) and the World Parliament of Religions (Ambassador, 2015–2018). No formal awards are listed, but his leadership in projects like the Mapping of the Neves e Sousa Collection and Community Engagement Against Radicalization underscores his institutional impact.
Helmut Puff serves as the Elizabeth L. Eisenstein Collegiate Professor of History and Germanic Languages at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with joint appointments in the Department of History, Germanic Languages and Literatures, Women's and Gender Studies, and History of Art. His interdisciplinary scholarship bridges historical, literary, and visual studies with a focus on early modern European cultural formations. Education: Ph.D. in German and History from the University of Basel Professor Puff specializes in gender studies, the history of sexuality, and media history within late medieval and early modern German contexts. His foundational work on sodomy during the Reformation era expanded into broader investigations of visual culture, particularly Albrecht Dürer's art and the semiotics of ruins. Current research explores intersections of textuality, visuality, and spatiality through three-dimensional city models spanning the 16th to 21st centuries, revealing enduring cultural patterns in representing destruction and memory. His publication trajectory demonstrates a methodological evolution from historical analysis of sexuality toward interdisciplinary cultural studies, consistently connecting early modern phenomena with contemporary theoretical frameworks. Works like Miniature Monuments (2014) and After the History of Sexuality (2012) exemplify his approach to material culture and Foucauldian genealogies, while book chapters on Dürer and ruins establish critical links between artistic production and historical trauma across centuries. Academic leadership includes serving as North American co-editor of Gender and History (2002-2005), co-directing the international 'Global Turns and Gender Returns' initiative with Nancy Hunt, and a five-year term on the MLA's Divisional Committee for German Literature prior to 1700. He directed the 2011-12 Academic Year in Freiburg exchange program between the University of Michigan and Albert-Ludwigs-Universität. Through the 'Global Turns and Gender Returns' program, Puff fostered transnational scholarly networks connecting gender researchers across geographical and disciplinary boundaries, emphasizing comparative methodologies in transcultural intellectual history.
Hildegard Kernmayer serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Graz within the Institute of German Studies. Her office is located at Mozartgasse 8, Room 0024EG0026, in Graz, Austria (postal code 8010), and she is available for consultation by appointment through university channels. Research & Teaching Focus: Dr. Kernmayer specializes in Modern German Literature, holding formal teaching authorization in this discipline. Her academic work centers on contemporary literary analysis within German-speaking contexts, with emphasis on textual interpretation and historical-cultural frameworks. She actively supervises final theses and contributes to curriculum development across multiple courses in the Institute. Contact: Email: hildegard.kernmayer@uni-graz.at Phone: +43 (0)316 380 - 8168
Ayşe Zişan FURAT is a Professor of Eurasian Studies at the Research Institute of Turkology, Istanbul University, a position she has held since February 2022. She is affiliated with the Department of Eurasian Studies and previously served in the Faculty of Theology and the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Her institutional base is the Türkiyat Araştırmaları Enstitüsü, located in Beyazıt, Istanbul. Education: B.A. in History of Science, Istanbul University, 2001 M.A. in Religious Education, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Istanbul University, 2004 Ph.D. in Religious Education, same department, 2009 Her research focuses on religious and cultural transformation across Eurasia, with particular attention to the history of science and education in Islamic and Turkic contexts. She investigates the interplay between religious institutions, educational systems, and cultural evolution in Anatolia, the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Ottoman Empire. Her work bridges humanities, religious studies, and historical sociology, emphasizing cross-cultural exchanges and knowledge transmission. The most recent publications reflect a strong thematic continuity in studying religious education, manuscript cultures, scientific traditions, and interfaith dynamics across Eurasia. Her scholarly output spans from the medieval to modern periods, combining historical analysis with cultural theory. Keywords across her articles include Religious Studies, History of Science, Eurasian Studies, and Cultural History, indicating a multidisciplinary approach grounded in the humanities. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: 115 publications indexed in Web of Science H-index of 12 (WoS), 14 (Google Scholar), 31 (TrDizin) Participation in 48 research projects Supervision of 14 theses Active contributor to UN Sustainable Development Goals through humanities research Ayşe Zişan FURAT has made significant contributions to academic advising and collaborative research. She has supervised numerous graduate theses and participated in extensive research projects, reflecting a strong commitment to academic mentorship and interdisciplinary inquiry. While specific grants are not listed, her high project count suggests active engagement in funded research. She is a key figure in advancing Turkic and Eurasian studies within the Turkish academic landscape. She is affiliated with the Research Institute of Turkology, a leading center for Turkish and Eurasian studies at Istanbul University. The institute supports interdisciplinary research on Turkic peoples, languages, religions, and cultures across Eurasia, and she contributes to its mission through her scholarship and academic leadership.
Juan Medina Contreras is a faculty member at the Faculty of Communication, University of Salamanca . He holds a Doctorate in Communication , a Degree in Journalism , an Expert in Gender and Communication , and a Master in Screenwriting and Political Image Consulting . His career spans academic research, teaching, and professional training in communication. His research focuses on film studies , political communication , gender representation , and visual rhetoric . Notable contributions include analyzing female archetypes in the [REC] saga, the portrayal of defense organizations in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the role of cinematic editing in shaping political and cultural narratives. His 15 most recent publications span 2014–2021 , with recurring themes in Spanish cinema , gender dynamics , political advertising , and historical memory . He has also explored digital photography ethics and citizen journalism challenges. While no scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, his work includes a research study on quality of life for disabled women in Palencia (2014). He has supervised theses and contributed to books like Género negro sin límites (2019) and La estética televisiva en las series contemporáneas (2018).
