Steve Loughnan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. His research focuses on dehumanization, objectification, and human-animal relations, exploring how societal and psychological factors influence moral judgments and behaviors. He teaches undergraduate courses on social psychology, experimental/applied social psychology, and social class, and supervises PhD students in related fields. Research interests include: Dehumanization of social and ethnic outgroups Psychological impacts of objectification on women and marginalized groups Moral psychology of meat consumption and animal treatment Effects of economic inequality on societal attitudes Anthropomorphism in human-AI and human-pet relationships His publications analyze topics like the psychological mechanisms behind meat consumption paradoxes, the role of dehumanization in conflict scenarios, and the ethical implications of AI romance. He has received no explicitly listed awards but has been widely cited in social psychology domains. Teaching includes year-long programs on social psychology principles, experimental research methods, and social class analysis. Office hours are held weekly to support students. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with applied issues in global inequality, environmental ethics, and veterinary mental health.
Ori Mautner is a Research Fellow at Christ's College in the field of Social Anthropology. His research focuses on ethics, religion, and politics, particularly examining non-liberal approaches to living with difference in Israel-Palestine through ethnographic fieldwork and Buddhist-derived practices. MA in Social Anthropology from Tel Aviv University PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Cambridge Former student in the Lautman Interdisciplinary Programme for Outstanding Students at Tel Aviv University His doctoral thesis explored how Orthodox Jews and secular Jewish left-wing activists in Israel employ Buddhist meditation techniques for religious and political goals, contributing to the anthropology of ethics. He is currently conducting ethnographic research in central Israel, analyzing neighborly relations between working-class Mizrahim and Palestinian citizens amidst structural inequality and violence. Ori has received significant recognition for his scholarly work, including: 2021 Curl Essay Prize, Royal Anthropological Institute 2020 Student Essay Prize, American Anthropological Association’s Society for the Anthropology of Religion
Rebecca Carey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Princeton University's School of Arts and Sciences, where she conducts research on social class as a cultural context that shapes psychological processes through relationships. Her work examines how social class influences close relationships and how these relationships either mitigate or exacerbate social disparities. Dr. Carey received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and maintains the Adversity and Relationships in Context Lab at Princeton. Her research addresses two central questions: how social class shapes the nature of close relationships, and what role close relationships play in mitigating or exacerbating disparities across social class. Her research interests focus on how economic inequality in the U.S. shapes people's experiences through social class, which determines health, happiness, and success. She examines how social class contexts foster different relational realities - with lower class contexts creating dense, interdependent networks that promote survival, and higher class contexts creating diverse, loosely connected networks that promote opportunity. Her work bridges psychology, sociology, and public policy to address social inequality. Dr. Carey's publications reveal a consistent focus on social class as a fundamental cultural context, with recent work examining first-generation college students, pandemic effects on inequality, and the role of cross-race and cross-class interactions in educational settings. Her research demonstrates how relational structures differ across class contexts and how these differences impact educational outcomes, health disparities, and social mobility. Scientific Awards: President's Award for Distinguished Teaching Dr. Carey advises several graduate students including Priscilla Diaz-Gonzalez, Nicole Columbaro Johnson, and Madeline Paxson. Her research has been supported by various grants focused on understanding social class disparities in educational and health contexts. She has developed innovative methodologies for conducting research with people in lower-socioeconomic-status contexts, emphasizing ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity. At Princeton, Dr. Carey leads the Adversity and Relationships in Context Lab, which brings together graduate and undergraduate researchers to investigate how social class shapes relationships and psychological processes. The lab focuses on both theoretical contributions to understanding class-based cultural models and practical applications for reducing inequality through relationship-focused interventions.
Katherine Stubbs is the Lee Family Associate Professor of English at Colby College, specializing in American literature and cultural studies. Her research spans 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century texts, with a focus on marginalized voices in working-class, ethnic, and feminist discourses. Education: Ph.D. from Duke University Her scholarly work interrogates intersections of technology, labor, and identity through feminist theory and cultural analysis. She has edited Anzia Yezierska’s Arrogant Beggar and curated thematic issues on labor and subjectivity. Recent publications explore telegraphy’s influence on narrative forms, material culture in immigrant literature, and gender dynamics in industrial economies. Her writing appears in journals like New Media, 1750-1925 , MELUS , and differences , alongside entries in the Oxford Companion to Women’s Writing in the United States .
Dijin Xu is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale School of Medicine, Yale University. His research focuses on lipid metabolism, immunology, and molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders and host-pathogen interactions. He holds a PhD from Tsinghua University (2016). Education: PhD in Microbiology, Tsinghua University, 2016 Research Interests: Dr. Xu’s work spans immunology (e.g., B cell biology and somatic hypermutation), lipid metabolism (lipid droplet dynamics and adipose tissue homeostasis), and virology (antiviral defense mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2). His studies integrate cellular biology, molecular genetics, and biochemical approaches to understand disease processes. Publications Overview: His recent work explores mechanisms of lipid droplet regulation, metabolic disorder prevention, and immune system function. Notable contributions include studies on Rab GTPases in lipid storage and ELOF1’s role in antibody diversification. Labs & Affiliations: He is affiliated with the West Campus Integrative Science & Technology Center at Yale University, focusing on interdisciplinary research in cellular and molecular biology.
Mary A. Carskadon is Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School and Director of the EP Bradley Hospital COBRE Center for Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Her distinguished career spans over five decades with foundational contributions to sleep science. Her educational background includes a BA in psychology from Gettysburg College (1969) and a doctorate with distinction in neuro- and biobehavioral sciences from Stanford University (1979), earned under William C. Dement. She is a distinguished alumna of Gettysburg College and holds an honorary doctor of sciences degree from that institution. Carskadon's research focuses on circadian timing systems and sleep/wake patterns in children, adolescents, and young adults. Her work on school start times has significantly influenced public health policy, prompting organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC to advocate for later school schedules. She developed the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) with Dr. Dement, which remains a global standard for assessing sleep disorders. Current research examines sleep-health disparities in urban children with asthma, sleep patterns in suicide risk populations, and the impact of sleep restriction on adolescent performance. Her extensive publication record shows consistent focus on adolescent sleep physiology, circadian rhythms, and public health implications. Recent work explores connections between sleep timing, mental health, and academic performance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining her foundational work on sleep measurement methodologies. Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Sleep Foundation Distinguished Scientist and Outstanding Educator Awards of the Sleep Research Society (the latter now presented in her name) 2023 Brown University Distinguished Research Achievement Award William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award (2023) V. Sagar Sethi, M.D., Mental Health Research Award Leadership in Sleep Medicine Award from American Academy of Physicians of Indian Origin-Sleep Elected Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Carskadon directs the NIH/NIGMS-funded Bradley Hospital COBRE Center, mentoring junior researchers in pediatric sleep and circadian rhythms. She serves as inaugural editor-in-chief of SLEEP Advances and has secured multiple NIH grants including R01 HL142058 examining ethnic differences in children's sleep patterns with asthma, P20 GM139743 for the COBRE center, and R01 HD103665 investigating sleep restriction effects using neuroimaging. Her work bridges laboratory research with real-world applications, particularly in school policy reform and health equity initiatives. She leads multiple research teams including the CLASS Study (Circadian Light in Adolescence, Sleep and School), projects on sleep disruption in urban children with asthma, and studies examining sleep's role in opioid use disorder treatment. Her laboratory continues to innovate in sleep measurement techniques while maintaining longitudinal studies on adolescent sleep patterns across developmental stages.
Dr Hector Gutierrez Rufrancos is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Stirling School of Management , where he serves as the Undergraduate Economics Programme Director, PhD Convenor, and Summer School Director for the Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics (SGPE). He is also a Research Fellow at the Global Labor Organization . Education: PhD in Economics (2017), University of Sussex MSc in Development Economics (2010), University of Sussex BA in Economics with Development Studies (2009), University of Sussex His research focuses on the interplay between policy, institutions, and individual well-being, particularly in the context of living standards, inequality, and informality. Key areas include: Living Standards & Well-being: Historical analysis of nutrition, poverty, and inequality (19th–20th centuries) in Britain, Europe, and the USA. Institutions & Political Economy: Studies on unions in Mexico, geopolitical risk spillovers, and informal economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Methodological Expertise: Applied econometric techniques such as causal inference, instrumental variables (IV), regression discontinuity design (RDD), and differences-in-differences (DiD). His recent publications address topics like pollution’s effect on labor supply, informality’s impact on welfare, and historical inequality patterns. He emphasizes empirical rigor in both research and teaching, offering workshops in Stata programming, LaTeX, and causal inference methods. Academic Service: Organized SGPE Summer Schools (2022–present), co-directed SGPE PhD programs (2022–2023), and coordinates MSc dissertations. He actively presents at conferences including the Scottish Economic Society, Royal Economic Association, and UNU-WIDER seminars.
Lisa Lowe is the Samuel Knight Professor of American Studies at Yale University, with affiliate appointments in the Programs in Ethnicity, Race, and Migration and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has previously taught at the University of California, San Diego, and Tufts University, establishing a distinguished interdisciplinary career in American Studies, Comparative Literature, and critical race theory. Education: Stanford University – European Intellectual History University of California, Santa Cruz – French Literature and Critical Theory Lowe's research focuses on the intersections of colonialism, race, immigration, and globalization. Her work critically examines how liberal modernity is built upon racial capitalism, settler colonialism, and transnational displacement. She is a leading voice in transnational feminism and Asian American studies, analyzing how immigrant subjects are constructed as 'perpetual foreigners' within national cultures. Her scholarship bridges literary analysis, historical critique, and political theory to interrogate the legacies of empire. Her recent publications show a sustained engagement with the entanglements of liberalism, empire, and intimacy across continents. Themes include racial capitalism, the transpacific, feminist resistance, and the cultural politics of globalization. Her work consistently challenges disciplinary boundaries and calls for a rethinking of American Studies through a global and decolonial lens. Scientific Awards and Honors: Guggenheim Fellow American Council of Learned Societies Fellow Rockefeller Foundation Fellow Mellon Foundation Fellow UC Humanities Research Institute Fellow University of California President's Faculty Research Fellow (2011–12) Visiting Fellow, School of Advanced Study, University of London F. Ross Johnson-Connaught Distinguished Visitor, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto (2012) Carl Bode - Norman Holmes Pearson Award (2018) Richard A. Yarborough Prize (2018) Finalist, John Hope Franklin Award (2016) Nicolás Guillén Outstanding Book Award (2018) 1997 Book Award in Cultural Studies, Association for Asian American Studies Lowe has been a mentor to numerous scholars, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, recognized by the Richard A. Yarborough Prize. She has received multiple grants and fellowships supporting her research, including from the Mellon, Rockefeller, and Guggenheim Foundations. She co-convened the Mellon Sawyer Seminar 'Comparative Global Humanities' at Tufts and has been an Affiliate Scholar at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (2022–2023). She has also served as a visiting fellow and speaker at numerous international institutions, indicating sustained collaborative and advisory engagement. Lowe co-edits the influential book series Perverse Modernities with Jack Halberstam at Duke University Press, shaping contemporary critical theory. She has also co-edited special issues and volumes that have advanced the field of Asian American Studies. Her scholarly network includes leading institutions across the U.S. and globally, and she continues to be a central figure in interdisciplinary humanities.
Zehra Keser Özmantar serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Sciences at Gaziantep University's Faculty of Education, specializing in educational management and administration. Her academic journey spans over 15 years with progressive roles from Research Assistant to current faculty position. Her educational foundation includes: Doctorate in Educational Sciences (2011), Gaziantep University Master's in Educational Sciences (2007), Gaziantep University Licence in Classroom Teaching (2003), Hacettepe University Professor Özmantar's research critically examines educational leadership through multiple lenses including crisis management in earthquake-affected schools, talent management in public education, and ethical decision-making processes among school principals. Her work frequently employs qualitative methodologies to explore systemic challenges in Turkish educational institutions while addressing global themes like refugee teacher integration and 21st-century skill development. Her publication portfolio (2017-2025) reveals a strategic evolution from foundational studies on Turkish education problems toward contemporary crises including emergency remote teaching and earthquake zone management. Key thematic clusters emerge around leadership development, accreditation systems, and neoliberal policy impacts on school choice. Her recognition includes: European Commission European Innovative Teaching Award (2022) YÖK Public Abroad Education Scholarship (2010) She has mentored 11 graduate students through doctoral and master's theses addressing critical issues like female administrators' conflict resolution and problem-solving competencies. Her research leadership extends to three major projects including an EU-funded initiative on inclusive school heritage and TÜBİTAK-supported work on applied school leadership development. Through her role as visiting researcher at University of Nottingham and participation in international conferences, she maintains active cross-border scholarly engagement while contributing to national education policy discussions through workshops like Gaziantep 2023 Education Vision.
William Mayhan is a Professor in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Dakota . His research focuses on cerebral microcirculation and vascular biology , particularly examining endothelial cell function in disease states like diabetes and alcohol consumption. Education: PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (1983) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, University of Iowa (1985) BS in Biology, Creighton University (1977) His work investigates blood-brain barrier permeability and cerebral vasculature responses to hypertension, diabetes, and alcohol. Key findings include mechanisms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) dysfunction and oxidative stress in diabetic and alcoholic models. Recent publications analyze prenatal alcohol exposure effects on cerebral arterioles and CB2 receptor agonists for vascular protection in diabetes. His studies span in vivo models, potassium channel dynamics , and inflammatory mediators in stroke pathogenesis.
Reinhard Pollak is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Mannheim and Head of the Department 'Monitoring Society and Social Change' at GESIS. His research focuses on social mobility, educational disparities, gender inequality, and social classes. Previously, he held roles as Professor at Freie Universität Berlin and Head of the Project Group 'National Educational Panel Study: Vocational Training and Lifelong Learning' at the Social Science Research Center (WZB), Berlin. Education: PhD (Dr. rer. soc.) in Sociology from the University of Mannheim (2009) Diplom in Sociology from the University of Mannheim (2001) Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies at the University of Mannheim and Indiana University, Bloomington, USA Research Interests: Investigates the intersection of education, social inequality, and mobility across nations. Explores how educational systems perpetuate or mitigate social stratification, with a focus on gender, class, and longitudinal trends. Recent work examines vocational education's role in labor market transitions and the long-term effects of educational expansion. Key Projects: National Educational Panel Study (NEPS): Vocational Training and Lifelong Learning Technological Inequality (TECHNEQUALITY) Intergenerational Social Mobility with Micro Classes Grants & Advising: Active in securing research grants for large-scale projects like NEPS and TECHNEQUALITY. Advises on policy-relevant studies but no formal advisee名单 is listed. Labs/Teams: Leads the 'Monitoring Society and Social Change' team at GESIS, collaborating with international scholars on cross-national inequality studies.
Alyssa King is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, Queen's University, specializing in courts, comparative procedure, and issues of adjudicator legitimacy. Her research focuses on access to justice, federalism, arbitration, and the intersection of international law with domestic systems. She holds a PhD and JD from Yale University, an AB from Harvard University, and a Master 2 from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. Previously, she clerked for U.S. federal judges and contributed to legal journals like the Yale Law Journal. Her work examines procedural harmonization, transnational judicial practices, and legal systems' interactions. Education: PhD in Law, Yale University (2018) Juris Doctor (JD), Yale Law School (2012) AB in Social Studies (magna cum laude), Harvard University (2008) Master 2, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales Her research explores how adjudicators navigate legitimacy in cross-border contexts, including arbitration and federal systems. Key themes include procedural ethics, judicial mobility, and legal frameworks for pandemic responses. She teaches Contracts and actively engages with global legal challenges. Awards & Recognition: No specific awards mentioned in the provided texts. Advising & Grants: No advising roles or grants explicitly listed, though her research likely involves institutional support. Labs & Teams: Not specified in the provided information.
Dr David Bailey is an Associate Professor in Politics at the University of Birmingham, affiliated with the Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS) within the School of Government. His work focuses on the critical political economy of contemporary capitalism, with particular emphasis on protest movements, social resistance, and left-leaning political agency. Dr Bailey's educational background includes a PhD in Political Science from London and an MA in European Political and Economic Integration from Durham. His academic journey has positioned him as a leading scholar in critical political economy approaches to understanding resistance against neoliberalism. His research interests span comparative and critical political economy, examining how capitalism interacts with protest, dissent, social movements, collective action, and left parties. Dr Bailey explores how these dynamics impact political institutions and broader societal trends, particularly in the context of austerity and neoliberal governance. His work often takes a broadly Marxist perspective while engaging with contemporary challenges like climate activism, worker-led dissent, and resistance to AI-driven technological determinism. Dr Bailey's publication record reveals a consistent focus on resistance to neoliberalism across multiple domains - environmental politics, labor movements, social policy, and European integration. His work demonstrates how seemingly disparate forms of resistance connect to form broader challenges to dominant economic and political paradigms, with increasing attention to post-pandemic and digital age challenges. Dr Bailey serves in significant editorial roles that reflect his scholarly standing: Reviews editor for Capital and Class Member of the Executive Board of the Critical Political Economy Research Network (CPERN) of the European Sociological Association Convenor of the CSE/Capital and Class Midlands Member of the editorial board of Global Political Economy Dr Bailey actively supervises PhD and Master's students working on social movements, protest movements, left parties, and the critical political economy of contemporary capitalism. His research has been supported through various academic collaborations and publications that examine resistance to austerity and neoliberal governance across different national contexts. He is closely associated with several research groups at the University of Birmingham, particularly the Political Economy research group, European Studies research group, and Parties, Voters and Elections research group, contributing to a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment focused on critical approaches to political economy.
Prof. Dr. Julia Bernstein is a Professor of Discrimination and Inclusion in Immigration Society at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (since 2015), affiliated with the Department of Social Work and Health. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, and Art History (1992–1995), an M.A. in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology (1996–2000) from the University of Haifa, Israel, and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Goethe University Frankfurt (2009). She leads the research area Social Legacy of National Socialism and coordinates international projects on antisemitism prevention. Bernstein's research examines discrimination through interdisciplinary lenses, focusing on: Antisemitism in institutional and everyday contexts Migration, identity, and transnationalism among Russian-speaking Jews Stereotyping mechanisms and racialization processes Holocaust memory and its societal repercussions Food sociology as a marker of cultural identity Her recent publications (2020–2022) demonstrate a strong focus on antisemitism in educational settings, analyzing victim perspectives, teacher training gaps, and pedagogical counter-strategies. She frequently addresses media representations of Jewish communities and the normalization of Israel-related antisemitism. Honors include the Barbara-und-Piergiuseppe-Scardigli-Preis for her dissertation (2011) and nomination for the WISAG-Preis (2010). Bernstein directs federally funded projects like Mach mal keine Judenaktion! (2017–2019) and collaborates with institutions including the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, Anne Frank Educational Center, and Tel Aviv University's Kantor Center. At Frankfurt UAS, she teaches courses on antisemitism, social inequality, and Holocaust legacy in Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Diversity and Inclusion programs. She mentors emerging scholars through the Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk and co-leads the Frankfurt meets Haifa academic exchange initiative.
Beate Volker is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Geosciences , University of Utrecht , specializing in Human Geography and Spatial Planning . Her research focuses on Social Network Analysis , Social Capital , and Personal Network Dynamics , with particular interests in Dutch society, neighborhood effects, and urban sociology. Institutional affiliation: University of Utrecht Academic rank: Associate Professor Department: Human Geography and Spatial Planning Her scholarly work examines how life course events , urban densification , and social stratification shape personal and community-level networks. She investigates network segregation in Chilean and Dutch contexts, prisoner reintegration challenges, and the health impacts of social capital . Her methodological expertise includes field experiments, panel data analysis, and relational data collection. Recent publications highlight trends in acquaintanceship networks in the Netherlands, collective efficacy in neighborhoods, and person-centered care in long-term facilities. She contributes to the Dynamics of Youth and Pathways to Sustainability research programs. As a supervisor and researcher, Volker explores network consequences of entrepreneurship , pet ownership , and romantic relationships . Her work frequently appears in journals like Social Networks , British Journal of Sociology , and Health and Place , with peer-reviewed studies on network homogeneity, tie decay, and expert-driven causal modeling.
