The “Problematics of Culture and Theory” Seminar, held by the School of English at Aristotle
University, is warmly inviting you to attend the Roundtable Discussion on
The Langston Hughes Project 2025
on Thursday, 18th December 2025, at 13.00
in Room 112, Old Philosophy Building.
The title of the talk is:
'Still Here':
The Meaning of Langston Hughes to University Students in the 21st Century
All interested in attending the talk are kindly asked to compete the registration form.
EVENT ABSTRACT:
The discussion will focus on why Hughes still has a message for today and what that message is. This will, of course, incorporate how to translate that meaning when the work is put into a different language. Why should we remember Langston Hughes, and how should we remember him?
This event is being organized under the auspices of the Stockton U-AUTh MOU (Agreement Academic Coordinator: Professor Tatiani Rapatzikou)
PROJECT COORDINATOR:
Professor David Roessel is the Peter and Stella Yiannos Professor of Greek Language and Literature at Stockton University. He is the author of In Byron's Shadow: Modern Greece in the English and American Imagination, which won the Modern Language Association Prize for Independent Scholars in 2002. He has also edited Langston Hughes, Tennessee Williams, Lawrence Durrell, and other modern authors.
PARTICIPANTS’ SHORT BIOS:
Calvin Washington- My name is Calvin Washington, and I am an undergraduate student at Stockton University studying Criminal Justice and Homeland Security. I’m a U.S. Army veteran, and my time in the military has shaped my discipline, resilience, and commitment to serving others. I grew up in a small town in Maryland. My experience motivates my interest in culture, community, and social issues. I also work under Dr. Roessel in the pursuit of global engagement, which has given me the chance to explore meaningful connections between history, identity, and social change. Being part of this trip is important to me because Langston Hughes’s work reflects themes of identity, struggle, and hope—ideas that connect deeply with my own journey and the communities I care about. I am glad to be here.
Kyle Miller - My name is Kyle Miller. I am a 28-year-old Haitian-American from Pleasantville, New Jersey, and a current undergraduate student at Stockton University pursuing an Information Systems degree with a focus in cybersecurity and a minor in Jewish Studies. I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and I work in my school’s military-affiliated office. In my free time, I enjoy exercising and writing poetry.
Megan Coates - Megan Coates, originally from Atlantic City, New Jersey, holds a B.A. in Classics from Stockton University and an M.A. in Medieval Art History. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Byzantine Art at Princeton University, where her dissertation operationalizes the visual citation practices of post-iconoclastic Byzantine artistic workshops and centers. Her research investigates how artists transmitted, recombined, and reinterpreted visual motifs in the centuries after Iconoclasm. Beyond her academic work, Megan is committed to expanding travel opportunities for undergraduate and non-traditional students, especially those embarking on their first study-abroad experience. She is also passionate about developing new approaches to the reception of Hellenic Studies for students encountering the field for the first time.
Beatrice Colina- Beatrice Colina is a PhD student in the program of Modern Languages, Cultures and Societies at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. She graduated with a thesis titled Adapting Autobiography to Theory: The Role of Language and the Body in Gloria Anzaldúa’s Autohistoria-teoría and now she is researching in the field of feminist and Black studies. Her PhD project is about the relation between the poetic and the theoretical production of Gloria Anzaldúa, bell hooks, and Audre Lorde, as feminist and queer thinkers who have written and theorized from a physical and symbolic position of marginality. Her research interests include American Literature, Literary Criticism, BIPOC Studies, Diaspora Studies and Feminist Studies.
Elena Santi- Elena Santi earned her Master’s degree in European, American, and Postcolonial Languages and Literatures from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in 2024. Her MA thesis explored the function of images in contemporary novels, with a focus on W.G. Sebald’s Austerlitz and Aleksandar Hemon’s The Lazarus Project. She is now doing her PhD at the University of Milan with a research project on phototexts. Her broader interests include contemporary literature, intermedial studies, and the history and theory of the novel.
Christina Redondo-I’m Cristina Redondo and I’m a 24 years old student from Madrid, Spain. I am currently in my last year of Modern Languages (English, Spanish and German) in the UAM. I love literature, reading and writing, and I would love my job to be related to these matters in the future. Right now I’m focusing on finishing a fantasy novel of over 500 pages while in the planning stages of different writing projects.
Anaelle Coree- I am actually attending a preparatory class so as to become a certified English teacher. I will be writing the exams in February and in March (two different exams). I have a master’s degree in English research. The title of my dissertation is: The Voice in Florence Welch’s work, from Lungs to Dance Fever. I love running, poetry and learning new things!
Despoina Kallou- Despoina Kallou is a 21-year-old undergraduate student in the Department of English Language and Literature at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, currently completing the final year of her studies. Her academic interests focus on Anglophone literature, with particular attention to its theoretical and cultural dimensions. She aims to pursue an academic career in the field, engaging in research that bridges literary analysis with contemporary critical perspectives.
George Kostopoulos- George Kostopoulos is a language teacher and translator from Greece. He teaches Greek and English and is currently studying English Language and Literature. He loves literature, especially works that explore culture and identity. He enjoys creating fun, supportive lessons and exploring translation projects to learn more about languages and Cultures.
Panagiota Chrysostomos- My name is Panagiota Chrysostomos. I am a third-year student in the department of English Language and Literature in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. This project allowed me to enrich my knowledge on Langston Hughes life as well as his literary work. The translation process gave me the opportunity to delve into his poetry and prose texts and deeply comprehend his struggles as well as dreams.
Maria Monastirioti - My name is Maria Monastirioti, and I am a third-year student in the Aristotle university of Thessaloniki. I am 21 years old and I come from Corfu,Greece. According to the Michigan language examinations, my English proficiency ranges from B1, B2(lower) to C1(proficiency). Outside of my academic interests, I enjoy working out and watching Football.
Maria-Anastasia Kalogriou - My name is Maria-Anastasia Kalogirou. I'm 21 years old and I study English literature at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. I was born in Crete, an island in the southernmost region of Greece. In my spare time I love to read, write and I also adore Hayao Miyazaki’s movies.
Maria Argiriou - Hi! I am Maria Argiriou and I'm studying English Literature at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Geography and languages are my passions, but I am also very fond of sports and do aerial acrobatics.
Problematics Seminar Coordinators:
Dr L.E. Roupakia (roupakia@enl.auth.gr) and Dr Ε. Botonaki (botonaki@enl.auth.gr)
