New Books in Intellectual History Creators & Guests

Stephen Dyson is the associate director of the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute and a professor of political science.

Dr. Yakir Englander is the national director of leadership programs at the Israeli-American Council.

Dave Broucek is a retired international ministries director.

Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender.

Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature.

Jeffrey R. Dudas is an Affiliate Faculty and Professor of Political Science of American Studies at the University of Connecticut.

Caleb Zakarin is an Assistant Editor at the New Books Network.

Dr. Miranda Melcher earned her PhD in Defence Studies from King’s College London, where she researched how to negotiate and implement peace treaties. Her research identifies methods for integrating opposing forces into unified post-conflict security institutions through peace treaty negotiation and implementation, with her qualitative historical case studies focusing on Mozambique and Angola. She is currently a Senior Legal Fellow at Just Access.

Carla Nappi is a historian and self-described historical pataphysician specializing in Chinese and Manchu texts from early modernity. She holds the Andrew W. Mellon Chair in History at the University of Pittsburgh, where her research explores translation, knowledge production, and the intersections of language and history. Nappi has published extensively on these topics, contributing to fields such as intellectual history, the history of science, and comparative literature. Her work often takes an experimental and interdisciplinary approach, blending historical scholarship with creative narrative techniques. In addition to her academic contributions, she engages in public scholarship through podcasts and other media.

Jordan Osserman is a Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, and a clinical trainee with the Site for Contemporary Psychoanalysis in London. His research focuses on the intersections of psychoanalysis, religion, gender, and cultural theory. Osserman has published works exploring how psychoanalytic concepts can be applied to contemporary social and cultural issues, often examining themes of desire, identity, and political subjectivity. His interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical practice with academic scholarship, contributing to broader conversations about mental health, social theory, and cultural critique.

Meghan Cochran is one of the podcast hosts of the New Books Network.

Kyle Johannsen is a philosophy instructor at Trent University and an Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law, and Ethics (APPLE) fellow at Queen's University. He is also a podcast host on the New Books Network's Animal Studies Channel. He has a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Queen’s, and an M.A. and a B.A., from York. His research is in animal and environmental ethics, and in political philosophy.

Shu Wan is currently matriculated as a doctoral student in history at the University at Buffalo. He is a digital and disability historian, and serves in the editorial team of Digital Humanities Quarterly and Nursing Clio.

Joseph Krulder is an author.

Derrais Carter is an Associate Professor of Gender & Women's Studies at the University of Arizona.

Reuben Niewenhuis works as a software developer for a warehouse automation company. He double majored in computer science and philosophy at Calvin University.

Salvador Lopez Rivera is a Visiting Assistant Professor of French at Loyola University Maryland.

Armin Firouzi Haj is a sales manager at Clavis Aurea.

Shehnaz Haqqani is one of the podcast host of the New Books Network.