Acknowledgements

This book would not have seen the light without the support, guidance and encouragement of many remarkable individuals who offered invaluable feedback and advice. I am deeply grateful to my PhD supervisor, Professor Robert Gordon, and to Professor Charles Burdett, whose thoughtful guidance and critical feedback were essential in bringing this project to fruition. My gratitude also goes to my colleagues and mentors at the University of Toronto for encouraging me to pursue the publication of this work, first and foremost to Professor Luca Somigli, who believed in me when others would not. I owe particular thanks to Professor Konrad Eisenbichler, whose intellectual generosity and constructive critiques have significantly strengthened this book. Thank you, Konrad, for patiently helping me to shape it into a publishable form. I would also like to thank Dr Anne Simon and Ms Jane Lewin, whose patience and support in navigating the publishing process have been invaluable. Further, I am deeply thankful to the vibrant community of scholars and peers who contributed through stimulating conversations, resource-sharing and constant feedback. In particular, I am fortunate to call Dr Giorgio Busi Rizzi, Dr Lorenzo Di Paola, Dr Luisa Garrido Baez, Professor Elisabeth Brauner and Professor Sandra Parmegiani not only esteemed colleagues but also friends.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family, whose unwavering faith in my abilities has made this research possible. Special thanks go to my parents, who patiently listened to my doubts and worries – even when they made no sense – and offered boundless encouragement throughout this journey. A very special thought goes to my mother, so deeply missed, who would have loved to read this book.