Mahruba Mowtushi | Languages | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr. Mahruba Mowtushi | Languages | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mahruba Mowtushi | Languages – Associate Professor at BRAC University, Bangladesh

Dr. Mahruba T. Mowtushi is an accomplished scholar in Comparative Literature, Postcolonial Studies, and South Asian Literary Traditions. With a focus on transnational literary networks, her research critically examines the intersections of colonial histories, migration narratives, and cultural representation. She has made significant contributions to global literary discourse, particularly in understanding the Bengali literary imagination of Africa. Her forthcoming book, Africa in the Bengali Imagination from Calcutta to Kampala, 1928-1973 (Routledge, 2024), is a testament to her scholarly excellence. Dr. Mowtushi’s academic career spans prestigious institutions, and her research has been recognized through multiple international fellowships. Her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to expanding literary studies make her an influential figure in contemporary academia.

Professional Profile

ORCID | Scopus

Education

Dr. Mowtushi holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from King’s College London, where her thesis was completed without corrections, a rare distinction that underscores her academic rigor. Her doctoral research delved into South Asian literature’s transcontinental perspectives, particularly focusing on the literary representations of Africa within Bengali narratives. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned a Master’s degree in English Literature, where she developed a strong foundation in postcolonial studies, literary criticism, and cultural theory. Throughout her academic journey, she has been committed to exploring global literary connections and the evolving narratives of identity and displacement.

Experience

Dr. Mowtushi has an extensive teaching and research background, having served as a faculty member at leading institutions, including BRAC University and the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. Her pedagogical expertise covers courses in global modernisms, postcolonial studies, fantasy writing, and transnational literature. Beyond teaching, she has actively participated in academic conferences, symposiums, and collaborative research projects, contributing to discussions on literary networks and migration narratives. Additionally, her involvement with research fellowships and international collaborations has further enhanced her academic outreach, making her a key contributor to the field of Comparative Literature.

Research Interests

Dr. Mowtushi’s research interests lie at the intersection of Comparative Literature, Postcolonial Studies, and South Asian transnational literary networks. Her work primarily focuses on literary depictions of Africa within Bengali literature, colonial and postcolonial migration narratives, and cultural memory. She is particularly interested in how historical and geopolitical contexts shape literary imagination and identity formation. Additionally, her research engages with interdisciplinary approaches, incorporating cultural studies, history, and literary theory to offer nuanced perspectives on literary and historical interactions across continents.

Awards

Dr. Mowtushi’s academic contributions have been recognized with several prestigious fellowships and awards. She was awarded the Baden-Württemberg Fellowship (2023) for her exceptional research contributions, highlighting her international scholarly impact. She also received the South Asian Studies Fellowship at Cornell University (2020), further solidifying her reputation as a leading researcher in transnational literary studies. Additionally, her work has been supported by multiple academic grants and fellowships, enabling her to conduct extensive archival research and field studies. Her recognition in the academic community speaks to her dedication and influence in literary studies.

Publications

📖 Mowtushi, M. T. (2024). Africa in the Bengali Imagination from Calcutta to Kampala, 1928-1973. Routledge. (Forthcoming)
📝 Mowtushi, M. T. (2023). “Colonial Encounters and the Bengali Literary Gaze: Africa in Rabindranath Tagore’s Travels.” South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. Cited by 12 articles
📚 Mowtushi, M. T. (2022). “Displacement and Belonging in Bengali-African Narratives.” The Journal of Commonwealth Literature. Cited by 18 articles
📄 Mowtushi, M. T. (2021). “Postcolonial Memory and Literary Representation of Africa in Bangladeshi Literature.” Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies. Cited by 10 articles
🔍 Mowtushi, M. T. (2020). “The Role of Oral Histories in Mapping South Asian Migration to Africa.” Comparative Literature Studies. Cited by 8 articles
📖 Mowtushi, M. T. (2019). “Reimagining the Colonial Periphery: Africa in Modern Bengali Fiction.” Postcolonial Text. Cited by 14 articles
📑 Mowtushi, M. T. (2018). “Transnational Memory and Literary Exchanges between South Asia and Africa.” The Journal of Transcultural Studies. Cited by 9 articles

Conclusion

Dr. Mahruba T. Mowtushi’s scholarly contributions have had a profound impact on the fields of Comparative Literature and Postcolonial Studies. Through her extensive research, she has brought new perspectives to the understanding of transnational literary networks, particularly in the context of South Asia and Africa. Her commitment to rigorous academic inquiry, interdisciplinary methodologies, and literary discourse has positioned her as a leading voice in her field. With an impressive record of publications, prestigious fellowships, and a forthcoming book, Dr. Mowtushi continues to shape global literary scholarship. Her dedication, intellectual contributions, and innovative research make her a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Xiaodong Xu | Linguistics | Best Paper Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Mr Xiaodong Xu | Linguistics | Best Paper Award

Mr Xiaodong Xu,  Nanjing Normal University, China

Dr. Xiaodong Xu is a renowned professor at Nanjing Normal University’s School of Foreign Languages & Cultures, specializing in psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics. His research delves into bilingual cognition, counterfactual reasoning, and literature’s cognitive impact. With over 40 publications in leading journals and numerous academic awards, Dr. Xu is a prominent figure in his field, known for his pioneering studies on counterfactual processing and referential resolution. His role as a reviewer for major journals and his involvement in multiple academic committees highlight his influence and commitment to advancing linguistic research.

Profile

scopus

Strengths for the Award

Dr. Xiaodong Xu’s research exemplifies significant advancements in psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, making him a strong candidate for the Best Paper Award. His work on counterfactual processing, referential resolution, and literature reading has contributed valuable insights into cognitive and neural mechanisms of language processing. His papers, published in top-tier journals like Brain & Language and the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, demonstrate rigorous methodology and innovative approaches to understanding complex linguistic phenomena.

Notable papers that stand out for this award include:

  • “Understanding Counterfactuals in Transparent and Nontransparent Context: An Event-Related Potential Investigation” (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory and Cognition, 2021). This paper provides a comprehensive ERP investigation into counterfactual processing, shedding light on how different contexts influence cognitive responses.
  • “Literature Reading Modulates Pronoun Resolution in Counterfactual World: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials” (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory and Cognition, 2019). This study explores the impact of literature reading on cognitive processes related to pronoun resolution in counterfactual scenarios, illustrating the interaction between literary engagement and cognitive processing.

These papers highlight Dr. Xu’s ability to blend behavioral and neurocognitive methods, advancing both theoretical and applied aspects of psycholinguistics.

Areas for Improvement

To enhance the impact of his research further, Dr. Xu could focus on the following areas:

  1. Interdisciplinary Research: Expanding the scope of research to integrate insights from fields like artificial intelligence, cognitive neuroscience, or educational technology could offer new perspectives and applications of his findings.
  2. Broader Language and Cultural Contexts: Including a more diverse range of languages and cultural contexts in his studies could provide a more comprehensive understanding of universal versus language-specific cognitive processes.
  3. Public Engagement: Increasing efforts to communicate his research findings to a broader audience through popular science articles, public lectures, or media appearances could help bridge the gap between academia and the general public.

Education🎓

Dr. Xiaodong Xu earned his Ph.D. in Learning Sciences with a focus on Neurolinguistics from Southeast University in 2013. He furthered his expertise as a visiting scholar at the University of Edinburgh in 2019-2020. His education has equipped him with a profound understanding of both theoretical and applied aspects of psycholinguistics, enriching his research and teaching.

Experience💼

Dr. Xu has served at Nanjing Normal University since 2007, progressing from Assistant Lecturer to Professor. He has been recognized for his academic excellence and leadership, including a promotion ahead of schedule to Professor in 2020. His roles have included lecturing, supervising master’s students, and leading significant research projects, reflecting his extensive experience and expertise in linguistics.

Awards🏆

Dr. Xu’s accolades include the “Top Ten Major Research Advances” at Nanjing Normal University (2019) and the “Young Social Science Scholar” of Jiangsu Province (2019). He has received multiple awards, such as the Jiangsu Province’s “333 High-Level Talent Cultivation Project” and the “Excellent Young Backbone Teacher” under the Qing Lan Project. His recognition highlights his outstanding contributions to the field of psycholinguistics.

Research Focus🔬

Dr. Xu’s research centers on psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, with current projects investigating Chinese-English counterfactual processing, referential resolution influenced by semantic and pragmatic information, and the neurocognitive processes involved in literature reading. His work combines behavioral and ERP studies to understand cognitive mechanisms in bilingual and literary contexts.

Publications Top Notes

“Adaptation in L2 Sentence Processing: An EEG Study” 🧠📘

“Understanding an Implicated Causality: The Brain Network for Processing Concessive Relations” 🧠🔍

“Better I Than He: Personal Perspective Modulates Counterfactual Processing” 🧠✨

“Understanding Temporal Relations in Mandarin Chinese: An ERP Investigation” ⏳💡

“Understanding Counterfactuals in Transparent and Nontransparent Contexts: An Event-Related Potential Investigation” 🔄📊

“Literature Reading Modulates Pronoun Resolution in Counterfactual World: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials” 📚🔄

“How Referential Uncertainty is Modulated by Conjunctions: ERP Evidence from Advanced Chinese–English L2 Learners and English L1 Speakers” 🔗👥

“Age-Related Alterations in Electroencephalography Connectivity and Network Topology During N-Back Working Memory Task” 🧠⏳

“The Effect of Emotion on Morphosyntactic Learning in Foreign Language Learners” 😢📚

Conclusion

Dr. Xiaodong Xu’s body of work, characterized by its innovative use of ERP studies and its contributions to understanding complex cognitive processes in language, positions him as a leading candidate for the Best Paper Award. His research not only advances theoretical knowledge but also has practical implications for fields such as language education and cognitive rehabilitation. Addressing potential areas for interdisciplinary and public engagement could further amplify the impact of his research and solidify his reputation as a leading scholar in psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics.