Andrea Korda, PhD (University of California, Santa Barbara), is an Associate Professor of Fine Arts & Humanities and Associate Dean (Research) at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta. Her academic career bridges art history, material culture studies, and pedagogical innovation. Educations: BA in Fine Arts, Queen's University MA in Art History, Concordia University PhD in Art History, University of California, Santa Barbara Research Focus: Dr. Korda specializes in 19th-century visual and material culture, with a focus on education's visual dimensions, children's literature, and community-engaged projects like the award-winning Crafting Communities initiative. She co-curated the virtual exhibition Photographies (Bruce Peel Special Collections) and explores hands-on learning through historical crafts. Teaching: Courses include modern art history (AUART 220), photography theory (AUART 225), and special topics in visual culture (AUART 382). She emphasizes experiential learning and digital humanities integration, as seen in her work with the Getty Museum Challenge and OER projects. Collaborations: Leads interdisciplinary teams on projects like Crafting Communities , blending scholarship with public engagement. Her research bridges historical methodologies with contemporary pedagogical practices, fostering connections between academia and communities.
Dr. Tani Barlow is the George & Nancy Rupp Professor of Humanities and Professor of History at Rice University, affiliated with the Chao Center for Asian Studies and the Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality. A leading scholar in Modern Chinese intellectual history, her work bridges gender studies, media culture, and transnational feminism. She co-founded the Chinese Commercial Advertising Archive and edits the acclaimed journal positions: asia critique . Her research examines late 19th to early 20th century China through lenses of consumer culture, feminist theory, and cultural ephemera. Notable books include In the Event of Women (2018) and The Question of Women in Chinese Feminism (2004). Barlow holds visiting professorships at Tsinghua University, Hitotsubashi University, and the University of Bologna. She has directed major projects like the Rockefeller Foundation's Critical Asian Studies initiative and the Luce Foundation’s Ephemera Project. Her articles span journals like Boundary 2 and differences , analyzing topics from advertising art to Marxist sociology. Her recent work explores digital humanities applications in historical research and the intersections of capitalism with gendered identities in China. Barlow mentors advanced graduate students specializing in modern Chinese history with technical skills in data analysis and cultural theory. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates visual studies, political economy, and feminist critique to reframe understandings of China’s modernization processes.
Rebecca Hains is a Professor of Media and Communication at Salem State University. Her research focuses on children's media culture, gender representation, and marketing to children through critical/cultural studies. Ph.D. in Mass Media and Communication from Temple University (2007) Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies from Temple University (2007) M.S. in Mass Communication from Boston University (2000) B.A. in English/Communication Arts from Emmanuel College (1998) Her work has been featured in major news outlets like BBC, The New York Times, and NPR. She has authored two monographs: The Princess Problem (2014) and Growing Up with Girl Power (2012), and co-edited three collections on children's media and toys. Recent publications analyze: Barbie's body politics and diversity marketing Gendered marketing in LEGO toys Intersectional analysis of media's impact on children Critical perspectives on youth media consumption She actively engages in public scholarship through RebeccaHains.com , social media, and media commentary. Key research trends show: Continuity in examining gendered consumer culture Evolution from girl power narratives to contemporary princess culture Increasing focus on intersectional analyses of race, gender, and class Interdisciplinary approach combining media studies, sociology, and gender studies Her teaching includes courses like: MCO 222 How Advertising Works MCO 303 Media and Race MCO 475 Critical Analysis of Media and Culture MCO 330 UX Research in Digital Media
Prof Andrew Pettegree is the Bishop Wardlaw Professor at the School of History, University of St Andrews. His research focuses on the European Reformation, history of communication, and the history of the book. He leads a research group that completed the Universal Short Title Catalogue, analyzing books published before 1650. Key publications include The Book in the Renaissance and The Invention of News . He has held roles such as Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and founded monograph series like St Andrews Studies in Reformation History . Education: BA, DPhil, and MA from the University of Oxford. Research interests span Reformation media strategies, Dutch Republic book culture, and early modern print networks. Awards include the Goldsmith Prize and fellowships. He supervises PhD students in Reformation and Book History. Key projects include studies on Luther’s media tactics and the Dutch Golden Age book trade. Grants supported work on medical publishing and the Universal Short Title Catalogue. He leads the St Andrews Reformation Studies Institute and collaborates on global book history initiatives. His work bridges academic research with public engagement, emphasizing the role of print in shaping modern society.
Professor Iain MacRury is a Professor in Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling with extensive involvement in media policy and regulation research. He currently serves as Deputy Chair of the General University Research Ethics Panel (GUEP) and Deputy Chair of the University Research Environment Group (REG) at the University of Stirling. His external roles include being appointed as External Examiner for Media Programmes at the University of Leeds (2028) and membership on Ofcom's Research, Evidence and Evaluation Working Group. His research focuses on: Media policy and regulation frameworks Branded content governance across international contexts Ethical considerations in contemporary media environments Cultural implications of promotional industries Comparative media systems analysis Professor MacRury leads the Branded Content Governance Project, an ESRC/AHRC joint-supported initiative conducting international comparative analysis of governance arrangements regarding media policy and institutional regulation of branded content in promotional industries across Europe and other global sites. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with the evolving relationship between commercial interests, media content, and regulatory frameworks. His work shows particular attention to transparency issues in digital media environments and the challenges of regulating emerging advertising formats across different national contexts. The trajectory of his recent publications indicates growing interest in the global dimensions of media regulation and the adaptation of regulatory frameworks to technological change. Professor MacRury actively contributes to university governance through his ethics and research environment leadership roles, demonstrating commitment to research integrity and academic standards within his institution.
Dr Xin Xin is a Reader in International Communications at the University of Westminster , affiliated with the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and the Contemporary China Centre . Her academic career spans over three decades, combining journalism, scholarship, and policy engagement. She previously held the RCUK Academic Fellowship (2006-2011) and UK/China Fellowship for Excellence (2008-2009) , focusing on China's soft power, media transformations, and digital labor. Educational Background: BA in Russian Language and Literature (Beijing International Studies University, 1994) MA in International Journalism (University of Westminster, 2003) PhD in Media and Communication (University of Westminster, 2006) Research Focus: Dr Xin's work bridges the political economy of Chinese media , global communications , soft power strategies , sociology of journalism , and grassroots digital practices . She critically examines how marketization, globalization, and digitalization reshape legacy media like Xinhua News Agency, alongside state-corporate soft power deployments and grassroots digital activism. Recent Publications highlight trends in AI-driven journalism , digital labor , party journalism modernization , and soft power analysis . Her articles span empirical studies of Xinhua's financialization and party journalism, comparative public diplomacy, and longitudinal analyses of digital inclusion in BRICS nations. Scientific Awards: RCUK Academic Fellowship (2006-2011) UK/China Fellowship for Excellence (2008-2009) Founding Editorial Board Member of Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture and Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture Supervision: Dr Xin currently supervises PhD students on topics including Sino-African journalism, Chinese diaspora identity on YouTube, and gender dynamics in Chinese social media. She co-organized 11 international doctoral summer schools and served as second supervisor for over ten PhD candidates. Activities: She has delivered lectures at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, University of Birmingham, and Tsinghua University. Her consultancy work includes Oxford Analytica and the Media Diversity Institute, with media citations in Al Jazeera , NBC News , and The Washington Post .
Dr. Joanna Cohen is an Associate Professor in American History at Queen Mary University of London's School of History. She specializes in 19th-century U.S. history, focusing on consumption, citizenship, capitalism, and material culture. Her work explores how commercial practices shaped civic identity and emotional responses to loss during the Civil War era. Education: BA (Cambridge), MA (Northwestern University), PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Research Interests: Consumer culture and citizenship Visual/material culture in 19th-century America Capitalism's intersections with race/gender Emotional history of economic trauma Awards: 2014 Grier Prize for best article Huntington Library Fellowship Newberry Library Fellowship Supervision: Guides doctoral research on 19th-century American capitalism, consumption, and visual culture. Public Engagement: BBC Radio contributor, podcast appearances, and frequent conference speaker at events like the Freethinking Festival.
Mélanie Ouvry is an Associate Professor and Dean of Faculty at MBS Education since 2017. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, she has held roles as program director for specialized master's programs, department head for marketing and interim management, and served as a communication strategy consultant at Publicis Group. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, retail dynamics, and cross-cultural marketing experiences. Her academic expertise includes strategic marketing, buyer behavior analysis, and advertising strategy. Key research themes explore multi-store shopping behaviors, consumer experience valuation, loyalty mechanisms, and the cognitive dimensions of retail environments. She has conducted extensive studies in retail distribution systems, communication strategies, and tourism-related consumer behavior in historical commercial districts like the Medina of Sousse. Her publications span topics from grocery shopping decision-making to television audience engagement, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach bridging marketing, cognitive science, and cultural studies. Teaching responsibilities include advanced marketing strategy courses and consumer behavior analysis modules.
Marios Koutsias is a Senior Lecturer at Essex Law School, University of Essex, specializing in EU Commercial Law, Company Law, and Data Protection. He holds an LLB from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, an LLM in EU Law from the University of Essex, an MA in Politics and International Relations from King's College London, and a PhD in Law from the University of Essex. Prior to his academic career, he practiced as a lawyer on Greek Law and European Union Law in Thessaloniki and Brussels, and remains a member of the Thessaloniki Bar Association, Greece. His educational background includes: LLB from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece LLM in EU Law from University of Essex MA in Politics and International Relations from King's College, London PhD in Law from University of Essex Dr. Koutsias' research focuses on Company Law, Corporate Governance, Comparative Company Law, European Union Law with a special emphasis on the Internal Market, and Privacy and Data Protection. His work critically examines shareholder primacy versus stakeholder theory, the influence of national cultural identities on corporate governance frameworks, and the evolving landscape of data protection regulations in the digital economy. He has made significant contributions to understanding how Brexit might reshape European corporate governance paradigms and the tensions between commercial interests and privacy rights in global trade. His publication record reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach, connecting theoretical legal concepts with practical commercial applications. The research trends show increasing focus on post-Brexit regulatory alignment, stakeholder governance models, and data protection challenges in international commerce. His most recent 2025 article argues that Brexit should not sever UK-EU privacy regulatory connections to protect both trade interests and human rights. Dr. Koutsias supervises PhD students in Law with expertise in corporate governance frameworks across different jurisdictions. His current supervisees include Tioluwani Comfort Tioluwani and Iman Abdulrahman M Alfaraj, while he has successfully guided seven PhD students to completion since 2016, including Christina Gkampitsaki (awarded January 2024) and Tioluwani Comfort Tioluwani (awarded December 2023). His teaching responsibilities encompass Company Law (LW225), Law of the European Union (LW302), Final Year Research Project (LW304), Introduction to the Law of the European Union (LW430), Industry Placement (LW811), and Data Protection Law in the Digital Age (LW656). He has secured research funding including the 2019 Mondaq KTP 2 grant from Innovate UK. Dr. Koutsias has co-authored three significant books: 'Company Law in the New Europe' and 'The Nature of Corporate Governance: The Significance of National Cultural Identity' (both Edward Elgar Publishers), and 'Company Law' by Palgrave with Professor Janet Dine, which is considered one of the leading textbooks in the field. He also serves as a Specialist Contributor to Gore Brown on EU Company Law publications, demonstrating his recognized expertise in this specialized area.
Professor Crystal Abidin is a prominent digital anthropologist and ethnographer specializing in influencer cultures, social media pop cultures, and internet fame dynamics. She holds a Professorship at Curtin University's School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, alongside roles as Director of the Influencer Ethnography Research Lab and Deputy Director of the Korea Research Centre. Her research spans 100+ publications, 12 special issues, and 6 authored/edited books, with a focus on Asia Pacific contexts. Key roles include: ARC DECRA Fellow (2019-2024) Editor-in-Chief of Media International Australia Founder of TikTok Cultures Research Network Associate Investigator at the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child Her research interests emphasize: Influencer labor and platform governance Cross-cultural digital practices Activism and identity expression online Children's media engagement Notable awards include WA Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2022), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), and Pacific Standard's Top Thinkers Under 30 (2016). Her work frequently addresses: Ethical concerns in influencer marketing Platform-specific content creation Racial and gender dynamics in social media Global-local interplay in digital cultures Current initiatives include advancing TikTok cultures research and co-editing interdisciplinary volumes on influencer marketing and digital child safety.
Béatrice Parguel is a CNRS Research Director at Paris-Dauphine University where she directs the Center for Marketing and Public Policy Research. Her academic career spans consumer psychology with a focus on experimental methodology, examining implications for public authorities in consumer information and education. Her research interests center on greenwashing, environmental labeling, ecology education for children, and reduction of over-packaging. She investigates how marketing practices influence consumer behavior, particularly in sustainable consumption contexts, with significant contributions to understanding luxury brand management, CSR communication, and the psychological mechanisms behind consumer responses to environmental claims. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy implications, often exploring the tension between commercial interests and public welfare. Parguel's publications reveal consistent themes in sustainable consumption, with a growing emphasis on food-related behaviors, digital activism, and luxury market dynamics in recent years. Her research employs rigorous experimental methods to uncover both conscious and subconscious consumer responses to marketing stimuli, particularly in ethically charged contexts. As director of the Center for Marketing and Public Policy Research, she leads a team investigating the intersection of marketing practices and societal impact, with particular attention to regulatory implications and consumer protection.
Slavko Alčakovic is a Visiting Professor at the University of Singidunum in Belgrade, Serbia. Holding a PhD in Marketing and Trade from the same university, his academic journey includes a Master's in Financial Management and Investment Banking from Lincoln University (2008-2010) and a Bachelor's in Accounting and Auditing from the University of Singidunum (2004-2008). He primarily focuses on digital marketing, sports marketing, and consumer behavior, with particular interest in Super Bowl advertising trends, generational marketing, and media digitalization impacts. Education: BSc in Accounting & Auditing, University of Singidunum (2004-2008) MSc in Financial Management & Investment Banking, Lincoln University (2008-2010) PhD in Marketing & Trade, University of Singidunum (2010-2013) Research Focus: His work examines digital marketing innovations (including NFTs and AI applications), political communication shifts from traditional to digital media, and hybrid learning dynamics. Publications frequently analyze Super Bowl advertising patterns (2017-2025), Generation Z's market behavior, and team cohesion in sports contexts. Collaborative Work: Frequently collaborates with scholars like A. Belačić, V. Gavranović, and I. Savić across disciplines including marketing, education, and sports psychology. His research spans both academic journals (e.g., The European Journal of Applied Economics ) and international conferences (Sinteza, SINERGIJA).
Sarah Annunziato is an Associate Professor of Italian and Director of both the Undergraduate Program in Italian and the Italian Language Program (1000-2000 level courses) at the University of Virginia. She holds a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Smith College. Her research focuses on children’s literature, media, and trauma representation, with a particular emphasis on Italian and U.S. texts. She also investigates language pedagogy, including game-based learning and the role of streaming media in language acquisition. Her teaching spans graduate courses like Dante’s Inferno on Film and undergraduate courses such as Elementary Italian and Small Screen Italy . She has advised MA theses on topics ranging from Italian literature to comparative cinema. Annunziato has received multiple grants, including funding for a tutoring clinic and curriculum development for healthcare-focused Italian courses. Her publications include Clic! L’italiano col telecomando (2024) and articles on topics like colonialism in Emilio Salgari’s works and Dante’s influence on American TV. She actively serves as an editor for La Vendemmia and contributes to initiatives like the Moons and Bonfires archive of Italian-American history.
Yoon Ji-hyun is a Professor in the Department of Food and Nutrition at Seoul National University's College of Human Ecology. Her work focuses on food service management, nutrition policy, and dietary behavior analysis, with a particular emphasis on multicultural dietary practices and sustainable development in food systems. Education: Bachelor's in Food and Nutrition (SNU), BBA (SNU), MS in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (Iowa State University), PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management (Purdue University). Leadership Roles: Associate Dean (2019-2021), Director of Ho-Am Faculty House (2010-2012), and multiple directorships in nutrition policy centers. Her research integrates public health and consumer behavior, analyzing topics like pandemic-induced dietary changes, school lunch standards, and food safety anxiety. She has led projects on non-face-to-face food safety management, food education policies, and sodium-reduced environments, funded by South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Education, and others. Professor Yoon's work also addresses urban dietary trends, including single-person households' kitchen needs and workers' meal patterns, using data from national health surveys and time-use studies. She has contributed to regional and inter-Korean comparative studies on nutritional disparities and dietary guidelines. She teaches courses on foodservice management, consumer market analysis, and graduate-level research methodologies, while serving as Vice President in several academic societies, including the Korean Society of Dietary Culture and Korean Cancer Association.
Ayendy Bonifacio is a Dominican American scholar, writer, and poet currently serving as Assistant Professor of English at the University of Toledo's College of Arts and Letters. Born in Santiago De Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, he earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University and has established himself as a significant voice in American literature, Latine studies, and diaspora studies. His research focuses on the intersections of memory, migration, race, and colonial legacies in the Americas, with particular attention to nineteenth-century to contemporary print culture. Bonifacio's scholarly work bridges academic and public discourse, appearing in venues ranging from American Periodicals and ASAP/Journal to The New York Times and Slate . He explores how literary forms negotiate cultural identity across borders, with special emphasis on Dominican and Latinx experiences. Bonifacio's publications reveal a consistent trajectory examining transnational literary connections, particularly between Anglophone and Hispanophone traditions. His work frequently addresses anti-Blackness within Latinx communities, diasporic identity formation, and the material history of print culture. The 2024 monograph Paratextuality in Anglophone and Hispanophone Poems in the U.S. Press, 1855–1901 represents a significant contribution to understanding how multilingual poetry circulated in nineteenth-century American periodicals. Top ten best non-fiction books of 2017 (The Latino Author for Dique Dominican ) Bonifacio's writing has received support from prestigious organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Digital Media and Composition Institute (DMAC), the Ohio Arts Council, and the Society for Nineteenth-Century Americanists. His creative work spans multiple genres, including the memoir Dique Dominican (2017), poetry collection To the River, We Are Migrants (2020), and the forthcoming novel Bless Me, Papi (2025). He maintains an active presence in public intellectual discourse through contributions to major media outlets where he addresses contemporary issues of race, immigration, and academic labor.
