ASPECT Students
Judson Abraham
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Appalachian Studies, Globalization, Critical Theory, and Social Movements.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Political Science, 2015, Virginia Tech
B.A., Political Science, 2013, Winthrop University, Rock Hill SC.
Samuel Beckenhauer
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Critical Theory, Critical Security Studies, Postcolonial Theory, Philosophy of Science, Militarization and U.S. Foreign Policy
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., International Politics, Aberystywth University, 2019
B.A., Political Science, Vassar College, 2018
Nada Berrada
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT,Virginia Tech
MA: Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech, 2016
BA: Political Science and Economics, Ecole de Gouvernance et d’Economie de Rabat, 2014
Alexandra Briggs
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Race and Ethnicity, Environmental Justice, Discourse Analysis, Feminist Political Theory, Aesthetics and Radical Politics.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT,Virginia Tech
MA: Political and Civic Engagement, Winthrop University, 2016
BA: Political Science, Winthrop University, 2013
Jerry Burkette
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Ethical Theory (Metaethical Theory and Applied Ethical Theory); Interactions of Ethical Theory with Political and Cultural Contexts.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT,Virginia Tech
MA: Philosophy, Virginia Tech
MA: International Relations, Salve Regina University, 2008
BS: Education, Missouri State University, 1991
BS: Music, Missouri State University, 1991
Linea Cutter
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
International political economy, food systems theory, feminist theory, feminist geopolitics, and critical theory.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A. Political Science, Florida International University, 2018
B.A. History and Political Science, Nova Southeastern University, 2015
Jordan Fallon
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Black Feminism, Politics of Work, Critical Race Theory, Post Structuralism
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A. Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2019
B.A. Philosophy / Sociology, Roanoke College, 2014
Tim Filbert
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
AModernity, techno-politics, and sustainable development; global coloniality, postcoloniality and border thinking; politics of space, place, and nature
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.S. 1996, Water Resources Management, University of Wisconsin
B.S. 1983, General Engineering, University of Illinois
Rob Flahive
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
International Relations, Global History, History and Theory of Modernist Architecture, Urbanism, Preservation, and Planning
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Political Studies, American University of Beirut, 2013
BA: English Literature, Washington University in St. Louis, 2003
Hannah Glasson
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Ecological Philosophy, Philosophy of Economics, Systems Theory, Post-Structuralism, and Philosophical Posthumanism
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Philosophy of Religion, University of Chicago, 2014
BA: Comparative Study of Religion, Harvard University, 2010
Johannes Grow
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
International relations theory, modern political and social theory, European Union and European studies, critical security studies, cultural studies, and critical geopolitics
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MPIA (Master in Public and International Affairs), 2014,Virginia Tech
B.A., International Studies, Virginia Tech
Robert Hodges
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
International Security, Violent Non-state Actors, Culture and Belief Systems, International Order, International Society/System, IR Theory, and International Law
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2017
BA: Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2016
Darren Jackson
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Continental philosophy (especially Heidegger), Wittgenstein, post-analytic philosophy, critical theory, phenomenology, music.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, 2019 (), Virginia Tech
M.A., Philosophy, 2015, Virginia Tech
B.A., 1994, Saint Olaf College (Philosophy, Ancient Studies).
June Ann Jones
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Political theory, environmental politics, agrarian studies
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Political Science, Vanderbilt University, 2018
B.A. Government and Psychology, University of Maryland, 2014
Leigh McKagen
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
American cultural identity, media studies, contemporary American history, 20th century American history, popular culture, cultural studies, science fiction
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., English Literature, 2009, Virginia Tech
B.A., English Literature, 2006, Virginia Tech
B.A., History, 2006, Virginia Tech
Galen Olmsted
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MFA: Art, University of Florida, 2012
BA: Visual Arts, Western Kentucky University, 2009
Mohammed Pervaiz
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Anthropology of the secular, Tradition, Form-of-life, Embodiment, Turkey, Wittgenstein, phenomenology, Sufism, comparative colonial connections, decolonial struggles, modern discontents, history and philosophy of science
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Middle East Studies, 2012, The University of Chicago
B.S.,(Chemistry, Sociology), 2007, Haverford College
Sarah Plummer
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
journalism ethics, citizen journalism, Appalachia, mass media, coal culture.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: English Literature, Virginia Tech, 2010
BA: Theatre Arts, Berea College, 2005
Shaun Respess
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Humanities, Old Dominion University, 2017
BA: Philosophy, Old Dominion University, 2015
Patrick Salmons
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Race, pop culture and media, Appalachian culture, global political economy, cultural politics.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2017
BA: Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2015
Ezgi Seref
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Cultural Studies, Sabanci University, 2014
MA: Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Sabanci University, 2011
LLB: Law, Marmara University, 2007
Muhammed Shah Shajahan
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Philosophical Anthropology, Anthropology of Islam, South Asian Histories of Caste, Religion and Nationalism, Space and Subjectivity, Contemporary Urban Theories, Political Theology
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M. Phil.: Comparative Literature, University of Hyderabad, 2018
MA: Comparative Literature, University of Hyderabad, 2016
BA: Mass Communication, University of Calicut, 2013
Kathryn Shepard
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Art theory, philosophy of (visual) language, metaphysics of identity, ethics of cultural geography, environmental ethics.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: Philosophy, Virginia Tech, 2016
BA: Philosophy, Virginia Tech, 2014
BA: Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2014
BFA: Fine Arts, Virginia Tech, 2014
Faith Skiles
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Cross-Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Feminist theories of Space/Place, Korean and East Asian History, American Religious History
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA: History, Virginia Tech, 2016
BA: History, Mary Baldwin College, 2004
Spenser Slough
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Pre-industrial Appalachian history and culture, folklore, material culture, post-colonialism, cultural heritage discourse and preservation, public history and memory.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA, Material Culture and Public Humanities, Virginia Tech, 2017
MA, History and Graduate Certificate, Public History, Virginia Tech, 2015
BA, History, College of William and Mary, 2012
Emma Stamm
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Hacking, Continental Philosophy, Data and Society, Philosophy of Technology, Digital Culture.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MS: Nonprofit Management, The New School, 2015
BA: Literature, Bard College, 2011
Julie Walters Steele
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Public History, Slavery and US Plantation Narratives, Race and Gender Studies, Social Justice Activism.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., English, Clemson University, 1993
B.A., English, Clemson University, 1985
Alexander Stubberfield
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
American politics; globalization; economic development; international aid; NGOs and NPOs; poverty; political ideology and subjectivity; political extremism; moral and political philosophy; philosophy of language; democracy; capitalism; corporate personhood; universities; mass persuasion; US right-wing social movements
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Public and International Affairs: Governance and Capacity Building, 2015, Virginia Tech
M.A., Philosophy, 2015, Virginia Tech
Graduate Certificate, Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management
B.S., Philosophy, 2011, The College at Brockport, State University of New York
Madison Tepper
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Socioeconomic inequality, globalization, Marxist theory, feminist and queer theory, comparative politics, postcolonial theory, rhetoric and discourse analysis
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Political Science, Virginia Tech, 2018
B.A., International Studies and Political Science, Salisbury University, 2015
Molly Todd
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Immigration, border security industrial complex, biopolitics
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
MA, Social Science-International Studies, University of Colorado at Denver, 2018
BA, International Studies-Globalization, Humboldt State University, 2012
BA, Spanish Education, Humboldt State University, 2012
Sara Wenger
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
political theory, posthumanism, critical race theory, disability studies, cyberpunk, science fiction and climate fiction
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Women's Studies, The University of Alabama, 2018
B.A., Political Science, Miami University, 2016
B.A., Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Miami University, 2016
Zachariah Wheeler
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
Political Theory, Culture and Ideology
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.A., Cinema Studies, New York University, 2017
B.A., English, Salisbury University, 2015
Sengul Yildiz Alanbay
PH.D. IN THE ALLIANCE FOR SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND CULTURAL THOUGHT
RESEARCH AREAS
International Relations Theories, Critical Theory, Security Studies, Discourse Analysis, European Integration, European Union
EDUCATION
Ph.D., ASPECT, Virginia Tech
M.S., International Relations, Middle East Technical University, 2016
B.S., International Relations, Middle East Technical University, 2013