Irina Gendelman, PhD, is Professor of Communication Studies at Saint Martin’s University. Her research explores public spaces, and cultural narratives, with particular interest in identity, and power. She teaches courses in communication and social theory and co-edits this volume on the evolving figure of the flâneuse.Jeff Birkenstein has a PhD in English from the University of Kentucky and a second MA in TESOL, a degree which has helped him teach around the world. His research and teaching focus on composition and pedagogy as well as, with literature, the world short story and American literature of the 20th century. Thematically, Birkenstein is especially interested in connections between literature and food.