Professor Anne JENY is a Full Professor at IÉSEG School of Management, France, specializing in accounting and auditing. She holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from HEC Paris Business School (2003) and Master's degrees in Audit, Finance, and Economics from the University of Paris Dauphine (1995-1996). Her academic career includes professorships at IÉSEG (2021–present) and ESSEC Business School (2002–2020). Her research focuses on intangible assets valuation , fair value measurement , IFRS adoption dynamics , and transparency in financial reporting . She has published widely on topics such as non-audit services' impact on debt costs, innovation's interplay with accounting systems, and gender disparities in accounting professions. Her work integrates empirical analysis with policy implications, particularly in digital economy contexts and public-private partnerships. A member of the LEM (Laboratory of Economy and Management), she has authored books like Les 12 travaux de l'analyste financier (2021) and contributed to international journals such as Accounting in Europe and European Accounting Review . Her research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical insights into corporate governance and regulatory challenges.
Dr. Livia Pancotto is a Senior Lecturer in Banking at the Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Strathclyde. She serves as Director of the MSc in International Banking and Finance and Deputy Director of the Responsible Business Institute (ReBI). She holds a PhD and MSc from Bangor University and degrees from Sapienza University of Rome. Her research focuses on European banking regulation, financial stability, and gender diversity's impact on climate finance. She chairs the International Accounting & Finance Doctoral Symposium and edits The European Journal of Finance. Awards include the 2014 Best Banking and Finance Master’s dissertation. She leads research on negative interest rates, non-performing loans, and green lending through EU-funded projects. Education: PhD Banking & Finance (Bangor), MSc (Sapienza), BSc (Sapienza) Research explores empirical banking dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable finance. Key topics include EU banking union evolution, climate change mitigation via gender-diverse bank boards, and market reactions to policy shocks. Recent work analyzes negative interest rate impacts on bank efficiency and Italy's NPL crisis. She has secured £153k in research funding (2023-2025). Grants: Research Excellence Awards (Strathclyde SRSS) Led workshops on Responsible Business and AI, presented at FSB Financial Innovation Network, and peer-reviewed for top journals. Supervises doctoral candidates through IAFDS. Active in editorial and advisory roles enhancing academic rigor in finance disciplines.
Professor Khaled Hussainey is a Professor of Accounting at Bangor Business School, appointed in April 2024. He previously held academic roles at Portsmouth, Plymouth, Stirling, Manchester, and Ain Shams Universities. With over 25 years of teaching experience, his research focuses on corporate narrative reporting, XBRL, and sustainability. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and secured grants from ESRC, Qatar National Research Foundation, and others. His qualifications include a Ph.D. in Accounting & Finance from the University of Manchester (2004), an M.Sc. from the University of Birmingham (2000), and a B.Com. from Ain Shams University (1994). He has supervised 56 PhD and 7 DBA theses. Research interests include corporate governance, earnings management, Islamic accounting, and big data. He serves as Co-Editor of the Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting and Editor of the International Journal of Emerging Markets . His work has been recognized in Stanford University's Top 2% Researchers list (2023). Grants include £60,000 from ESRC (2005), $120,000 from Qatar NFR (2014), and £48,412 from the British Council (2019). He has held visiting professorships at King Khalid University, Tunis University, and others. He actively participates in international conferences and serves as an external assessor for promotions and research funds globally. His recent articles address sustainability reporting, FinTech disclosure, and climate governance. He emphasizes interdisciplinary research linking accounting practices with technological and environmental trends.
Professor Hisham Farag is a distinguished academic at the University of Birmingham , where he serves as Professor of Finance and Director of Research at the Birmingham Business School . He is also the Founding Director of the Sustainable Financial Innovation Research Centre (SFIC) , underscoring his leadership in advancing research in sustainable finance and financial innovation. His work is deeply embedded in the Department of Finance , where he contributes to both research and academic leadership. His primary research interests span a wide and impactful range of topics in modern finance, including FinTech , corporate governance , board structure and diversity , corporate social responsibility (CSR) , behavioural finance , sustainable finance , ESG , and green finance . His research investigates how governance mechanisms, board composition, and financial innovations influence firm performance, risk, and ethical outcomes, particularly in both developed and emerging markets. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on global corporate governance, alternative finance, and the social dimensions of finance. Key themes include the role of board diversity in bank stability, the impact of FinTech on entrepreneurship, and the integration of CSR in Islamic and Chinese financial institutions. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Corporate Finance , British Journal of Management , and European Journal of Finance . Professor Farag has received significant research funding from notable institutions including the Bank of England , Innovate UK (Energy Systems Catapult) , and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) . His research projects have addressed critical issues such as board effectiveness, risk in financial institutions, and investment decisions in hedge funds. He is actively involved in the academic community, serving as Associate Editor for several prestigious journals: European Journal of Finance , Research in International Business and Finance , Business Ethics European Review , and African Accounting and Finance Association . He has also co-authored a research monograph titled Balancing the Board: Directors’ Skills and Diversity , funded by ICAS. Among his accolades, he received the Best Paper Award at the Global Finance Conference in California, USA. His scholarly output includes numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and professional reports, reflecting a sustained and influential contribution to the field of finance.
Dr. Brigitte Steger is a Senior Lecturer in Modern Japanese Studies at the University of Cambridge, where she serves as a Fellow in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Downing College. She teaches modern Japanese society courses and directs graduate affairs while serving as Secretary of the Degree Committee. MA, MPhil, PhD in Japanese Studies (University of Vienna) Visiting researcher at multiple Japanese universities Co-founder of Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre sub-project Her research focuses on cultural anthropology of Japanese daily life, particularly sleep practices (inemuri), gender dynamics in urban spaces, disaster response rituals, and cleanliness/waste practices. She conceptualizes sleep as socio-cultural performance and examines temporal practices in premodern Japan. Recent publications analyze Heian-era sleep patterns, 2011 tsunami shelter hygiene, and plastic consumption in consumer societies. She leads international research on historical timekeeping and contemporary waste practices. Her edited volumes explore Japanese gender diversity, including 'herbivore boys' and manga girl culture. Scientific awards: Bank Austria Prize (2002) Vorarlberg Science Award (2005) University of Cambridge weekly research contributor She supervises graduate research projects and serves on the European Association for Japanese Studies and Japan Anthropology Workshop councils. Her 2025-26 sabbatical focuses on completing Heian-period sleep research.
Professor Raghavendra Rau is the Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Professor of Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. He is the Founder and Academic Director of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) and serves on editorial boards of journals like the Journal of Corporate Finance and Journal of Banking and Finance. He will be President of the Financial Management Association in 2025 and has held visiting roles at Gresham College, Universiti Malaya, and University of Jordan. Education: MBA (IIM Bangalore), MSc, PhD (INSEAD) Previous Roles: Principal at Barclays Global Investors, Ambank Chair, Gresham Professorship His research focuses on how investors and firms process information, with key areas including corporate governance, behavioral finance, fintech, digital finance, CEO decision-making, and ESG. He explores links between prenatal environmental exposure and executive risk-taking, gender diversity in finance, and regulatory impacts on crowdfunding and digital lending. Recent publications analyze serial acquirers' behavior, CSR impacts on firm value, superstitious fund managers, and digital financing regulations. His work bridges behavioral biases, environmental factors, and financial innovation. Awards include the 2015 Ig Nobel Prize in Management.
Cristina Bicchieri is the S. J. Patterson Harvie Professor of Social Thought and Comparative Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania , where she also holds appointments as Professor of Philosophy and Psychology and Professor of Legal Studies at the Wharton School. She founded and directs the Penn Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics , the Philosophy, Politics & Economics Program , and the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences . Education : PhD in Philosophy from Cambridge University and a Laurea (Summa cum Laude) from the University of Milano . Her research lies at the intersection of philosophy , game theory , and cognitive psychology , focusing on: Judgment and Decision-Making : Fairness, trust, cooperation, and how expectations influence behavior. Social Norms : Their nature, evolution, measurement, and application in policy (e.g., sanitation, corruption). Epistemic Foundations of Game Theory : Rational choices under bounded knowledge and computational models for game solutions. Her recent articles explore topics like norm stability , language framing effects , and sanitation interventions in India . These works emphasize behavioral dynamics , cognitive psychology , and public policy applications . Scientific Awards : Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2021) Member, German Academy of Sciences (2021) Honorary Fellow, Wolfson College, Cambridge (2016) Pufendorf Medal (2015) Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (2007) She leads the Behavioral Ethics Lab and collaborates with organizations like UNICEF , the World Bank , and the Gates Foundation to implement norm-based interventions globally.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Andreas Fuster is an Associate Professor of Finance and SFI Senior Chair at the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI) @ EPFL, and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). He previously worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Swiss National Bank, where he maintains a part-time research advisor role. His research focuses on empirical finance (household finance, real estate, banking, fintech), macroeconomics, and behavioral economics, with recent work examining technological advancements in credit markets. He teaches courses in financial engineering, macroeconomics, and financial econometrics at EPFL. As Director of the Doctoral Program in Finance at EPFL and academic co-director of the EPFL Executive Education Fintech program, he oversees academic development and executive training. His editorial roles include Associate Editor at the Review of Financial Studies and Journal of Financial Economics . Education: Ph.D. from Harvard University, M.Phil. from Oxford University, B.A. from University of Lausanne (all in economics). Research Interests: Empirical finance, macroeconomics, behavioral and experimental economics, fintech, mortgage markets, and banking regulation. External Roles: Co-organizer of the BIS-CEPR-SCG-SFI Conference on Financial Intermediation and SNB-CIF Conference on Cryptoassets and Financial Innovation. Grants & Awards: Recognition for contributions to financial stability and policy analysis (no specific awards listed). His work has been published in top journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Review of Financial Studies. He advises on sustainable digital finance through Innosuisse and contributes to policy analysis via CEPR and the Federal Reserve Bank of NY.
Dr Louise Ashley is an Associate Professor and IHSS Fellow at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Business and Management. Her research focuses on equality, diversity, and inclusion within elite professions such as law, accountancy, and investment banking, with a particular emphasis on socio-economic diversity, gender, and ethnicity. She leads research projects funded by the UK government’s Social Mobility Commission and has advised third-sector organizations like UpReach and the Bridge Group. Her work examines barriers to social mobility and evaluates organizational diversity programs. Dr Ashley’s research includes comprehensive analyses of non-educational barriers to elite professions, socio-economic exclusion dynamics, and gender inequities in professional work environments. She has published in leading journals such as Human Relations and Work, Employment and Society , and her findings have been featured in mainstream media including BBC Radio 4, the New York Times, and The Guardian. Her research grants include a £158,579 AHRC award for interdisciplinary civic theatre research (2021–2022) and a £25,900 Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission grant (2015). She supervises PhD students exploring topics like feminist identity in Chinese entrepreneurship. Dr Ashley holds roles on multiple advisory committees, including the City of London Corporation Social Mobility Taskforce and the JLL Foundation’s social equality initiatives.
Professor Maia Chankseliani is Professor of Comparative and International Education at the University of Oxford and a Governing Body Fellow of St Edmund Hall. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Educational Research and Chair of the Executive Committee of the Education and Development Forum (UKFIET), and is a Trustee of the University of Bahrain. She leads the International Mobility and World Development research project funded by the U.S. Department of State. Her educational background includes: BA and MA from Tbilisi State University MA from the University of Warwick EdM from Harvard University PhD from the University of Cambridge Professor Chankseliani's research explores the public role of tertiary education in diverse settings, examining how universities contribute to social, economic, and political development, and how international engagement shapes both institutions and societies. Her work spans international student mobility and its developmental impact, academic freedom, university contributions to sustainable development, and higher education in post-Soviet contexts. Her monograph What Happened to the Soviet University? (OUP, 2022) offers insights beyond the former Soviet context, addressing contemporary debates around academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Her major international study International Mobility and World Development represents the first global mixed-methods project examining how international education contributes to societal development. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on the ripple effects of international student mobility, particularly examining poverty reduction mechanisms, intercultural competence development, and systemic impacts on home countries. Based on extensive qualitative data from over 700 interviews across 70 countries combined with quantitative analysis, her research reveals how internationally mobile individuals become agents of change through knowledge transfer, policy influence, and institutional reform. This body of work shows that returnees adapt, translate, and embed reform through multiple mechanisms far beyond simple skill transfer. Professor Chankseliani has secured significant research funding from diverse sources including the U.S. Department of State, UKRI/ESRC, British Council, World Bank, Qatar Foundation, and European Commission. Her research has informed policy dialogue in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health systems, gender equality, and civic life. She regularly engages with governments and international audiences, and her work is frequently featured in global media outlets including Nature and University World News. At Oxford, Professor Chankseliani convenes the Comparative and International Education Research Group and previously led the department's MSc in Comparative and International Education from 2017 to 2024. She supervises multiple doctoral students and has worked on numerous externally funded research projects involving UK government departments, international organizations, and academic institutions. Her current research portfolio includes examining how international education experiences translate into societal development outcomes, with particular emphasis on poverty reduction mechanisms and the long-term impacts of mobility on home countries.
Dr. Anitha Chinnaswamy is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security Management at Aston Business School, Aston University, where she serves as Deputy Director of the Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Research Centre. She leads the MSc Cyber Security Management program and directs multiple research initiatives focusing on cyber security risk management, cryptocurrency regulation, AI applications in cybersecurity, and gender diversity in the field. Her educational background includes a PhD in Computing, an MSc in Informatics, and a PG Cert in Higher Education, all from Coventry University. As a CRISC certified professional and APMG Certified Cyber Security Instructor, she brings both academic rigor and industry relevance to her work. Dr. Chinnaswamy's research spans critical cybersecurity areas including cyber security risk management, cryptocurrency and illicit money flows, cloud-based artificial intelligence applications, and addressing the gender gap in cybersecurity. Her work bridges technical cybersecurity solutions with organizational behavior, risk management, and awareness strategies, creating holistic approaches to security challenges. She has developed award-winning curricula that empower future leaders in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Her publications reveal a strong focus on applying AI to cybersecurity challenges, particularly in banking and financial crime detection, while also addressing regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies and the social dimensions of cybersecurity through work on gender diversity and inclusion. Tech for Good Award, Midlands Women in Tech Awards, 2023 Academic Award, Midlands Women in Tech Awards, 2024 Finalist - Cyber University of the Year, National Cyber Awards, 2024 As Programme Director for the MSc Cyber Security Management, Dr. Chinnaswamy has secured substantial research funding from Horizon Europe, Innovate UK, DSIT, and WMCA. Her current projects include CyVAWG: Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls (£75,000), CyberKali 2024 (£42,000), and a KTP with BlueScreen IT (£202,024). She actively collaborates with LEAs, regional cybercrime units, corporate partners, government agencies, and academic institutions across multiple projects. Dr. Chinnaswamy leads the Cyber Security Innovation Centre research team and serves as Chapter Leader for ISACA Central UK. As a founding member of the Ethnic Minorities in Cyber (EMiC) Network supported by DSIT, she champions diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity, while also serving as a STEM Ambassador in the West Midlands to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Professor Vania Sena is a Chair in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise at the Management School of the University of Sheffield. She is a leading scholar in innovation, entrepreneurship, big data analytics, and institutional economics, with a strong focus on productivity, SMEs, and collaborative innovation systems. Her work spans finance, public policy, and technology management, often employing advanced econometric and network analysis methods. Her research interests include big data and performance , open and collaborative innovation , institutional impacts on innovation , entrepreneurship and SMEs , circular economy , and peer-to-peer lending . She has extensively studied the role of human capital, governance, and intellectual property in firm performance and innovation outcomes. The 15 most recent articles reflect a consistent trajectory in data-driven innovation research, with increasing emphasis on AI, machine learning, resilience in supply chains (notably hydrogen), and the circular economy. Her publications appear in top journals such as Technological Forecasting and Social Change , British Journal of Management , Journal of Banking & Finance , and Journal of Economic Literature , showcasing interdisciplinary reach and methodological rigor. Her scientific contributions include influential reviews on appropriability mechanisms and innovation, empirical studies on R&D spillovers, and frameworks for evaluating resilience in emerging energy systems. While specific awards are not listed, her publication record indicates significant recognition in the field. She has supervised doctoral researchers, including recent completions on immigrant entrepreneurship and institutional effects on business survival. Her work is supported by extensive collaborations across Europe and beyond. She is actively involved in PhD supervision and research leadership within the Entrepreneurship, Strategy and International Business group. Professor Sena has contributed to major research themes such as the impact of big data on SMEs, stakeholder diversity in innovation, and the role of policy in enabling circular economy business models. She is also engaged in policy-relevant research on financial inclusion, data intelligence in local government, and the effects of labor market restructuring.
Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUTFinland
Adeel Tariq is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Industrial Engineering and Management department of LUT School of Engineering Sciences , Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland. He completed his Ph.D. (2019) and MBA (2014) at the School of Management , Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Research Focus: Technology and innovation management, digital transformation, sustainable development, knowledge management, and leadership studies. Peer Review: Active reviewer for journals including Leadership & Organization Development Journal , Journal of Intellectual Capital , and European Journal of Innovation Management . Collaborations: Regular co-author with Waqas Tariq, Muhammad Saleem Sumbal, and Marko Torkkeli on topics like digital governance, fintech, and SME sustainability.
Professor Marie Griffiths is a distinguished academic and expert in digital transformation at Salford Business School, University of Salford. She holds the position of Professor of Digital Technologies in Organizations and serves as EDI Lead for Research (2023–present). Her academic career includes significant leadership roles such as PGR Director at Salford Business School (2019–2023) and Head of the Digital Business Research Centre. She previously served as President of the UK Academy for Information Systems (UKAIS) after her tenure as Vice President. Dr. Griffiths earned her PhD in Business Information Systems, establishing the foundation for her expertise in digital transformation. Her research spans multiple critical areas including digital transformation, information systems, gender and IT, AI and disruptive technologies, digital society, privacy and surveillance studies, family surveillance, productivity technologies, and digital education. Her work consistently bridges academic theory with practical business applications, focusing on how organizations respond to digital disruptions and how workforces adapt to emerging technologies. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on strategic digital transformation, digital maturity assessment, and the intersection of technology with social impact. The 2025 second edition of her book 'Strategic Digital Transformation – A Results-Driven Approach' represents a significant contribution to the field. Her research increasingly addresses the gender dimensions of digital transformation, as evidenced by her 2024 work on closing the REF Gender Inequality Gap. She also explores the practical applications of digital technologies in specific sectors including government organizations, healthcare (particularly nursing), and financial technology. Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Teacher Awards (multiple) Professor Griffiths has supervised 14 PhD completions and currently oversees doctoral candidates researching fintech, digital transformation, and sustainability. She established the PGR International Women's Network to support female researchers. Her grant leadership includes 11 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with organizations like Manchester Chamber of Commerce, OPAL, and Hydro-X, securing significant funding from Innovate UK. She has also contributed to policy development through work with the British Standards Institute Steering Group for Digital Maturity. As Head of the Digital Business Research Centre, Professor Griffiths leads a team focused on practical digital transformation research with strong industry connections. Her approach emphasizes people-centric transformation, ensuring that people remain at the heart of any change. The centre's work spans multiple sectors including government, healthcare, finance, and small and medium enterprises, with a particular focus on developing practical tools like digital transformation canvases for different organizational contexts.
Ellen E Meade is a Research Professor of Economics at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, joining in 2022 after 25 years at the Federal Reserve Board. Her academic career includes roles as Special Adviser to the Fed Board of Governors and Senior Adviser in the Division of Monetary Affairs. She holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (1988) and a B.A. from Duke University (1979). Her research focuses on monetary policy mechanisms, central bank transparency, decisionmaking processes, and communications strategies. Notable projects include analyzing FOMC discourse patterns using AI and examining gender representation in economics publications. Recent media engagements include commentary on Federal Reserve policies under Jay Powell and Janet Yellen. Teaching includes courses on inflation dynamics, modern monetary policy, and independent research supervision. Her work bridges academic research with practical central banking challenges, emphasizing institutional governance and policy effectiveness. No formal advisees are listed, but her courses engage advanced economics students in critical policy analysis.
