Find Academic Supervisors

• Constitutional Law
• Political Theory
• European Union Law
• +5 more

Antoni Abat Ninet is an active Professor specializing in Constitutional Law, Political Theory, and European Union studies. As Principal Investigator of the EXPRESS2 project (2024-2027) funded by the European Union, he researches the EU's social contract framework with focus on climate change mitigation, member-state obligations, and policy disruption resilience. His institutional affiliation is with the Institute of European Studies (IEE), where he maintains a substantial research output with an h-index of 49. His research explores constitutional sovereignty, revolutionary politics, secession legitimacy, and AI's impact on legal autonomy. Core themes include: Reconciling democracy with constitutional constraints in populist contexts Self-determination dynamics in Catalonia and multinational states Evolution of social contracts in digital and AI-driven societies Revolutionary constitutionalism in the Arab Spring and European contexts Publication analysis reveals strong emphasis on constitutional redesign for 21st-century challenges: 37% address secession/self-determination, 28% examine digital democratization (AI/crowdsourcing), and 22% analyze revolutionary transitions. His works consistently integrate human rights frameworks with emerging political realities. He has supervised postgraduate research and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through studies on democratic institutions, reduced inequalities, and peace/justice frameworks. No awards or grants beyond the EXPRESS2 project are documented.

Rauf ArifView profile

Assistant Professor

• Social Media
• Digital Social Movements
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• +3 more

Dr. Rauf Arif is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication at Towson University’s College of Fine Arts and Communication. He specializes in social media, digital social movements, cross-cultural communication, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) reshaping human interaction. Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Iowa His research explores the intersection of social media and sociopolitical change, including digital activism in authoritarian regimes, AI’s role in communication, parasocial interactions in digital cultures, and health communication dynamics. Recent work focuses on generative AI adoption, parasocial relationships in K-Pop fandom, and combating vaccine misinformation. Dr. Arif’s publications span social media’s impact on democratic transitions (e.g., Arab Spring), ICTs in post-pandemic education, and global economic shifts driven by technologies like IoT. His 2021 book Movements for Change examines digital activism in Pakistan, Egypt, and Tunisia. He teaches courses in digital publishing, mass media & society, international journalism, and contemporary issues in ICTs, with students recognized for research and creative achievements in journalism.

Dmitry ChernobrovView profile

Professor

• Conflict Narratives
• Ontological Security
• Diasporas and Conflict
• +6 more

Dmitry Chernobrov serves as Professor of Communication and International Relations and School Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield's School of Information, Journalism and Communication. Joining in 2015, he has held significant roles including Research Fellow at the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy (2022-2024) and Co-Director of the Digital Society Network (2021-2022). His academic foundation includes a BA from MGIMO, MPhil from Cambridge, dual PhDs from MGIMO and St Andrews, and Senior Fellow status with the Higher Education Academy. His research centers on three interconnected strands: conflict narratives and ontological security through crises like the Arab Spring; diasporas as digital actors in participatory warfare during conflicts such as the 2020 Karabakh war; and strategic humor in public diplomacy. This work examines how societies construct self-affirming narratives during uncertainty, how diasporas weaponize social media in homeland conflicts, and how states deploy humor to shape international perceptions. Recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward digital conflict analysis, with 60% of his 2020-2025 work focusing on social media's role in warfare and diplomacy. His articles consistently bridge theory and practice, analyzing Armenian-Azerbaijani diaspora activism, Russian foreign policy pranks, and disinformation ecosystems while maintaining core themes of narrative contestation and identity construction. Award highlights include: Furniss Book Award (2019) for Public Perception of International Crises Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Chernobrov actively mentors PhD candidates like Zhong Zhang (researching nonprofit journalism in China) and has secured major grants from the British Academy, Scottish Funding Council, Fulbright, and USC. His knowledge exchange extends to diaspora communities, conflict resolution NGOs, and diplomatic agencies. As ESRC Peer Review College member and former Digital Society Network steering committee member (2019-2024), he bridges academic research with real-world policy applications through digital society initiatives.

• Medieval Spanish Literature
• Golden Age Spanish Literature
• Comparative Literature
• +10 more

Luis Girón Negrón serves as the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Comparative Literature and Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where he has taught since 1997. He currently directs graduate studies for Spring 2025 and will chair the Committee on the Study of Religion in 2025-2026. His educational background includes: A.B. from Harvard University M.T.S. from Harvard University Ph.D. from Harvard University Professor Girón-Negrón specializes in medieval Iberian multilingual literatures and religious history , with core expertise in Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin literary traditions from the Middle Ages through the 17th century. His research examines Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations as formative forces in premodern Ibero-Romance and Arabo-Andalusian belles lettres , incorporating mysticism , translation studies , historical linguistics , and comparative philology . Recent work increasingly focuses on biblical translation projects and Sephardic literary heritage. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2010-2024) reveals dominant themes: Arragel Bible scholarship (6 articles), mystical theology (4 articles), and medieval Iberian Jewish-Christian literary exchange (5 articles), with strong interdisciplinary connections to religious studies and historical linguistics. His scientific recognition includes: ACLS Fellowship for Arragel Bible research As an academic leader, he advises Harvard's Puerto Rican Student Association (LaO) and represents Humanities at the Real Colegio Complutense's Consejo Académico. His grant portfolio centers on major collaborative projects like the Arragel Bible edition, supported by the ACLS Fellowship. He mentors students through graduate seminars on medieval literature and Golden Age Hispanic texts. Professor Girón-Negrón maintains active affiliations with Harvard's Committee on Medieval Studies, Center for Jewish Studies, Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and Committee on the Study of Religion, reflecting his cross-disciplinary impact.

Brady RyanView profile

Assistant Professor

• Modern Arabic Literature
• Arabic Literary Criticism
• Gender Studies in Middle Eastern Literature
• +7 more

Brady Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Arabic at the University of Connecticut , specializing in modern Arabic literature and cultural criticism. His research explores the evolution of literary symbols, genres, and critiques across historical periods and generations, with a focus on intersections between politics, gender, and history. Current research projects include a book on post-Arab Spring historical novels Contributions to journals like Middle Eastern Literatures and Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies His expertise spans topics such as: Gender and politically committed literature Aesthetic critiques of authoritarianism Intergenerational memoirs of Jewish Egyptian Communists Sufism in historical fiction Arabic cinema and pedagogy Contact: brady.ryan@uconn.edu

Costas PanayotakisView profile

Professor

• Political Economy
• Political Sociology
• Critical Theory
• +7 more

Costas Panayotakis is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Social Science at the School of Arts & Sciences, City University of New York (CUNY), where he contributes to critical sociological and political economic discourse. He is based at New York City College of Technology and holds a PhD in Sociology from the CUNY Graduate Center and a BA in Economics from Stanford University. Research Interests: His academic work centers on Political Economy and Political Sociology , with a focus on capitalism, scarcity, ecological crisis, democracy, and the potential for economic democracy. He critically examines the ideological and structural underpinnings of meritocracy, labor movements, and neoliberalism, often drawing on Marxist and radical theoretical frameworks. His recent publications reveal a consistent engagement with the contradictions of capitalism, particularly its impact on democracy, labor, and the environment. Themes such as scarcity , anti-globalization , the Greek crisis , and emancipatory politics recur across his work, reflecting a deep commitment to interdisciplinary and socially relevant scholarship. He also contributes to public intellectual life through articles in The Indypendent and radio interviews. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants: Information on students, advisees, grants, or research funding is not available in the provided text. Labs and Research Teams: There is no mention of labs, research groups, or collaborative teams associated with Costas Panayotakis in the provided content.

• International Relations
• Corruption
• Power Dynamics
• +5 more

Lotfi Hamzi is a Full Professor at the Strategy and Entrepreneurship Department of Neoma Business School , with a PhD in International Law and International Relations from the University of Reims-Champagne Ardenne. He has been a permanent faculty member since 1998, teaching Geopolitics and International Relations. Research Interests : Role of new actors in the international system Corruption Power dynamics (soft/hard power) Geopolitical dimensions of CSR Energy sovereignty Digital geopolitics Recent Academic Trends : His work spans interdisciplinary studies combining international relations, political economy, and corporate ethics, with recent focus on sustainable entrepreneurship, anti-corruption policy in post-Arab Spring contexts, social robots, and data geopolitics. He integrates industry 4.0, environmental sustainability, and global governance into his research. Grants & Activities : He participated in the Annual International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference (IVBEC) and contributed to workshops on European manufacturing and Chinese corruption. His publications appear in journals like International Studies of Management and Organization , Chinese Business Review , and Journal of Business and Economics .

Jack A. GoldstoneView profile

Professor

• Revolutions and Social Movements
• Political Demography
• Comparative Politics
• +12 more

Jack A. Goldstone is the Virginia E. and John T. Hazel, Jr. Chair Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. He is also Director of the Center for the Study of Social Change, Institutions, and Policy (SCIP) and a Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center. With prior faculty positions at Northwestern University and the University of California, and visiting roles at Cambridge, Stanford, and Caltech, Goldstone is a leading scholar in revolutions, political demography, and democratization. Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Harvard University Master of Arts (MA), Harvard University Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Harvard University Goldstone’s research centers on the dynamics of revolutions, the impact of demographic change on global stability, and the conditions for democratic development in fragile states. His work integrates historical sociology with contemporary policy analysis, exploring how youth bulges, aging populations, and urbanization shape political unrest and international security. He is widely cited for his theory of state breakdown and demographic pressures. His recent publications, including Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction and The New Population Bomb , reflect a strong focus on 21st-century global challenges—demographic shifts, digital revolutions, and the fragility of modern states. Articles span political demography, comparative revolutions, and democratization, often analyzing case studies from the Middle East, East Asia, and developing nations. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Contribution to Scholarship, American Sociological Association Arnoldo Momigliano Prize Barrington Moore Jr. Award Myron Weiner Award Guggenheim Fellowship MacArthur Fellowship Mellon Foundation Fellowship U.S. Institute of Peace Fellowship Goldstone has advised the National Intelligence Council, USAID, the World Bank, and the U.S. State and Defense Departments. He led a National Academy of Sciences study on democracy assistance and serves on the State Department’s Advisory Council on Stabilization Operations. As a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and advisor to multiple international policy forums, his influence extends into high-level global governance. He maintains an active public presence through his blog, www.newpopulationbomb.com , and Twitter @jgoldsto . He leads the Center for the Study of Social Change, Institutions, and Policy (SCIP), fostering interdisciplinary research on long-term social change and policy innovation. His work connects academic scholarship with real-world policy challenges, particularly in conflict prevention and democratic resilience.

Amy Austin HolmesView profile

Research Professor

• Middle East Studies
• Military Relations
• Coups and Revolutions
• +3 more

Dr. Amy Austin Holmes is a Research Professor of International Affairs at George Washington University and a Kuwait Foundation Visiting Scholar at Harvard University’s Belfer Center. She previously held a tenured Associate Professor position at the American University in Cairo and served as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center and Brown University’s Watson Institute. Her research focuses on Middle Eastern conflicts, military relations, and ethnic minorities, with emphasis on Syria, Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq. Holmes earned her Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and has authored three books, including Coups and Revolutions: Mass Mobilization, the Egyptian Military, and the United States from Mubarak to Sisi (Oxford, 2019) and Statelet of Survivors: The Making of a Semi-Autonomous Region in Northeast Syria (forthcoming 2024). She leads a major dataset project on the Turkish-Kurdish conflict and advises U.S. policymakers. Holmes has been awarded the Minerva-Decur grant (2024) and a Fulbright Scholarship. Her work bridges academia and policy, addressing issues like counterterrorism, minority rights, and U.S. foreign policy in volatile regions. Education: Ph.D. in International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Research Interests: Holmes examines territorial expansion by authoritarian regimes (Turkey, Russia, China), the political evolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the socio-political impact of military coups. She combines fieldwork with quantitative analysis to study minority inclusion in conflict zones. Recent projects include analyzing Arab-Arab alliances in Northeast Syria and the role of diaspora communities in shaping regional conflicts. Grants & Awards: Minerva-Decur Research Grant (2024) Fulbright Scholar (prior award) Policy Engagement: Holmes advised the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations and served on the Turkey Desk. She provided expert briefings to Congress and the House of Lords on Syria, Egypt, and Kurdish issues. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2023), she lectured on global disinformation at the Kyiv School of Economics. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Belfer Center’s Middle East Initiative and collaborates with the Woodrow Wilson Center. Her fieldwork teams conduct surveys in conflict zones like Northeast Syria and Turkey-Syria border regions.

William Lafi YoumansView profile

Associate Professor

• Global News
• Media Law
• International Broadcasting
• +4 more

William Lafi Youmans is an Associate Professor at George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, specializing in transnationalism, power dynamics, and communication. His research focuses on global news, international broadcasting, Middle Eastern politics, and Arab-American studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Communications Studies (University of Michigan, 2012), a J.D. (UC Berkeley, 2003), and a B.A. in Political Science (University of Michigan, 2000). Notable works include his book Unlikely Audience: Al Jazeera's Struggle in America (2017), which examines Qatar’s news network’s market challenges in the U.S. His award-winning research on CIA recruitment tactics in Arab Detroit (2013) highlights intersections of national security and community dynamics. He frequently contributes to major media outlets like the Washington Post and Nieman Journalism Lab , and has presented at leading conferences such as the International Communication Association and Middle East Studies Association. His academic publications span topics including Al Jazeera’s strategic positioning, social media’s role in activism, and the political economy of international broadcasting. His work often critiques power structures in media and governance, emphasizing how communication shapes—and is shaped by—geopolitical realities. Research awards include the 2013 Best Paper Award from the International Communication Section of the International Studies Association. His expertise extends to media law, with analyses of U.S. broadcasting policies during the War on Terror. He advises on emerging issues in global media, blending empirical research with critical theoretical frameworks.

• Social Anthropology
• Islamophobia Studies
• Postcolonial Studies
• +3 more

Alberto López Bargados is a **Professor** at the **University of Barcelona**, affiliated with the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology. His research focuses on postcolonial dynamics, Islamophobia, and West African ethnography. He has led or contributed to projects like CAPSAHARA (ERC-funded), studying Western Sahara politics, and the diagnosis of Islamophobic discourses in Catalonia. His teaching includes courses on ethnography, regional ethno-graphy of the Maghreb, and social exclusion trends. **Research Interests**: Community dynamics of European Islam; Islamophobic discourses; Postcolonial perspectives on Western Sahara; Religious minorities in Cape Verde. He leads the **Research Group on Social Exclusion and Control (GRECS)** and has published widely on colonial legacies, urban mobility, and Saharan historiography. **Grants & Projects**: Principal Investigator for *Diagnosis on Islamophobic Discourses in Catalonia (2014)* and senior advisor for *CAPSAHARA (2017-2021)*. Member of teams studying urban transformations in Africa and colonial Saharan history. **Publications**: Over 15 key works since 2011, including monographs on diasporic rituals, colonial Barcelona, and Western Sahara historiography. His 2017 essays on Saharan conflict interpretation and Catalan Muslim practices highlight his interdisciplinary approach.

Nawaf Essam Ahmad ObaidView profile

Research Fellow

• Intelligence and Security Studies
• Nuclear Weapons History and Doctrine
• Middle East Studies
• +3 more

Nawaf Obaid is a prominent political scientist and Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King's College London's Department of War Studies. He concurrently serves as CEO of the Essam & Dalal Obaid Foundation and Commissioner at the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA). His career spans diplomatic roles in the Saudi Royal Court, advisory positions to senior Saudi officials, and academic appointments at Harvard University's Belfer Center and King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Obaid holds a PhD in War Studies from King's College London (2013), MA in War Studies (2011), plus degrees from Georgetown, Harvard, and MIT. His research focuses on intelligence studies, nuclear doctrine, Middle Eastern geopolitics, and Saudi foreign policy evolution. Notable contributions include analyzing Iranian nuclear ambitions, Saudi defense modernization, and the Arab Spring's impact on regional stability. His work highlights themes like Saudi-Iranian rivalry, energy weaponization, and countering terrorism through strategic partnerships. Current research emphasizes Saudi Arabia's role in shaping regional security frameworks and ethical intelligence practices. He has advised on cybersecurity, counterterrorism financing, and military doctrine reforms across Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Zahera HarbView profile

Professor

• Journalism
• Political Communications
• Media Ethics
• +6 more

Dr. Zahera Harb serves as Director of Journalism Postgraduate Studies at City St George's, University of London, where she leads advanced journalism education programs. With extensive expertise in Middle Eastern media landscapes, she has established herself as a leading scholar on journalism cultures, political communication, and media ethics in Arab contexts. Harb earned her PhD in Journalism Studies and Political Communications from Cardiff University in 2008, following an MA from the same institution in 2000. Her academic journey began with a BA in Journalism from the Lebanese University in 1993, complemented by broadcasting training from the BBC/Radio Nederlands in the Netherlands and the Thomson Foundation in the UK. Prior to her academic career, she worked for over a decade as a broadcast journalist in Lebanon for both local and international news organizations. Her research focuses on journalism cultures, war reporting, conflict mediation, representation of ethnic minorities, journalism ethics, and the impact of social media on political communication. Harb's work consistently examines how journalists navigate complex political environments, particularly in the Middle East, and how media practices shape public understanding of conflict and social change. Her recent scholarship has increasingly addressed digital transformation in journalism, online harassment of journalists, and the challenges of maintaining ethical standards in polarized media environments. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Middle Eastern media landscapes, with particular attention to Egypt and Lebanon. Her work demonstrates how journalists operate within constrained political environments while maintaining professional integrity. Recent publications increasingly address digital challenges including social media's dual role as both platform for expression and vector for harassment, AI's impact on newsrooms, and evolving ethical frameworks for conflict reporting. City University London Vice Chancellor's Awards 2014 for Excellence in International Engagement Finalist for UK Asian Women of Achievement 2018 Award Stanford University Humanities Centre International Fellow 2014 As an academic supervisor, Harb has mentored multiple PhD candidates researching diverse aspects of global journalism practices. Her external examining work extends across international institutions including Swansea University, Cardiff University, and the University of Nottingham. Beyond academia, she serves in significant leadership roles as Chair of Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) board of directors and trustee of Marie Colvin Journalists' Network, while also sitting on the UK Press Recognition Panel. Her media consultancy work with organizations including Thomson Foundation UK, International Media Support, UN Women, and International Centre for Journalists demonstrates her commitment to practical media development worldwide.

Costel CalinView profile

Associate Professor

• European Politics
• Politics of Development
• Comparative Public Policy
• +8 more

Costel Calin is an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University. His teaching and research focus on European politics, comparative public policy, democratization, and international conflict dynamics. Teaching Interests: European Politics; Politics of Development; Comparative Public Policy; Democratization; Research Methods Research Interests: Ambassadorial Appointments; U.S. Public Diplomacy in Eastern Europe; State Fragility; European Union Security; Interstate Conflicts; Democratization His scholarship includes studies on state instability during the Arab Spring, examining how fragility indexes correlate with violence levels. He also investigates gender bias in U.S. ambassadorial appointments, highlighting professional qualifications versus political factors. Calin has secured internal grants, such as Demographic Diversity in the U.S. Foreign Service (School of Arts and Sciences, SCSU), and presented at major conferences like the International Studies Association and New England Political Science Association meetings between 2014 and 2018. His work bridges empirical analysis with policy implications.

• Political History
• International Relations
• Religious Studies
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Ahmet GÖKBEL is a full-time Professor at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University , Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of International Relations. His academic career spans institutions like Cumhuriyet University and Ahi Evran University, focusing on Political History and Religious Studies. B.A., International Relations, Anadolu University (2011-2016) Ph.D., Philosophy and Religious Sciences, Erciyes University (1990-1994) M.A., Philosophy and Religious Sciences, Erciyes University (1987-1990) B.A., Theology, Erciyes University (1982-1987) His research explores Political History , International Relations , Religious Anthropology , and Cultural Diplomacy . Recent publications analyze Turkey's geopolitical strategies, energy dynamics, and Turkmen traditions. Notably, he co-edited volumes on post-pandemic diplomacy and Ahilik culture. His scientific awards include the 2019 Best Presentation Award from National Aviation University and the 2018 Manasın Mirasçıları Cultural Service Award from Kırgızistan Issık Göl State University. He has supervised 42 theses, including advanced research on Central Asian conflicts and socio-religious practices.