Michael Levien is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University, affiliated with the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI). His research bridges ethnography and social theory, focusing on large-scale political economic forces in localized contexts. Research interests: Development sociology, agrarian political economy, political sociology, social theory, ethnography, and India. His current work examines climate change and energy transition politics in U.S. fossil fuel regions, particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Louisiana. Academic background: PhD in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley (2013). He has published extensively on land dispossession, agrarian Marxism, and comparative studies of India and China.
Brandon Marc Finn is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Urban Sustainability Research Group and core faculty member of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan. His interdisciplinary work bridges urbanization, informality, and resource extraction, particularly in African contexts. He holds a PhD in Urban Planning from Harvard University, an MSc in Urban Studies from University College London, and a BSocSci in Environmental and Geographical Sciences from the University of Cape Town. His research focuses on the unintended consequences of decarbonization, examining global supply chains in the Democratic Republic of Congo (cobalt/copper) and Ghana (e-waste). He argues that informality is central to sustainable development, particularly in climate resilience and just transitions. Current projects include analyzing artisanal mining practices' role in decarbonization and assessing informality's impact on urban climate policies. Brandon's work spans multiple regions, with fieldwork in sub-Saharan Africa, Iran, and Southeast Asia. He critiques neocolonial legacies in urban development and advocates for inclusive urban planning frameworks. His recent studies highlight how historical colonial policies exacerbate modern urban disparities, especially in pandemic responses and infrastructure governance. Though no formal awards are listed, his contributions to redefining urban sustainability frameworks have been influential in academic circles. His research integrates spatial justice, resource governance, and global development challenges, offering critical insights into equitable urban futures.
Hyojin Kim is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). She also coordinates the Joint Ph.D. Program in Urban Systems. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor at the Catholic University of America from 2013 to 2019. Dr. Kim holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from Texas A&M University (2012), an M.S. in Housing and Interior Design from Yonsei University (2006), and a B.S. in Housing and Interior Design from Yonsei University (2004). Her research focuses on building energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and next-generation built environments. Key projects include collaborations with NIST, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Samsung Electronics, and SmithGroupJJR, evaluating advanced low-energy systems and technologies. She has secured funding from NIST, U.S. Department of Energy, and ASHRAE, among others, and has authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers and technical reports. Dr. Kim actively contributes to professional organizations: Chair of ASHRAE GPC 45P on Whole Building Performance, Vice Chair of TC 4.7 Energy Calculations, and Research Subcommittee Chair for TC 7.6 Building Energy Performance. She also serves on the ASHRAE GPC 14 Measurement of Energy Savings. Awarded the 2020 ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award, her work emphasizes practical applications of energy-efficient technologies and standards. Her research spans hotel energy management, school building performance, and thermal comfort metrics. She leads initiatives to bridge academic research with industry practices through interdisciplinary collaborations. Her advisory and grant activities include managing NJIT’s research strategy and overseeing the Ph.D. program in Urban Systems. She has advised numerous projects funded by federal agencies and industry partners, focusing on building codes, energy retrofits, and sustainable design methodologies. Dr. Kim’s lab focuses on real-world validation of energy models and IEQ technologies. She collaborates with the ASHRAE Task Force to develop global thermal comfort databases and performance measurement protocols, ensuring alignment between research and industry standards.
Kassahun Kebede, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Justice Studies at Eastern Washington University (EWU), affiliated with the College of Social Sciences. His expertise spans international migration, transnationalism, and development-induced displacement. He has authored works on African diaspora communities, rural livelihoods in Ethiopia, and the impacts of climate change on marginalized populations. Dr. Kebede holds a Wenner-Gren Foundation grant and has consulted for organizations like the World Bank and USAID. He teaches courses such as Global Migration (SOCI 385) and Medical Sociology (SOCI 379). Recent research includes studies on Ethiopian-American second-generation identity and diaspora advocacy for democracy, supported by an Eastern Washington Summer Research Grant (2023-2024). His awards include EWU’s 2019 Teaching Excellence Award and the Jeffers Chertok Honors Student Influential Faculty Mentor Award. His research bridges academic rigor with policy relevance, addressing issues like refugee integration in Nairobi and transnational networks among Ethiopian immigrants in the Washington, D.C. area.
Prof. Malte Jochum is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Change Ecology at the University of Würzburg. His research focuses on understanding how global environmental changes affect ecological communities, particularly in soil systems and multitrophic interactions. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Göttingen (2016) and has conducted postdoctoral research at institutions in Leipzig, Bern, and Göttingen. His work bridges theory and application in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, energy flux modeling, and invasive species impacts. Education: 2012–2016: Ph.D. in Biology, University of Göttingen (summa cum laude) 2007–2012: B.Sc./M.Sc. in Biology, TU Darmstadt Research Interests: Prof. Jochum investigates how climate change, land-use intensification, and biological invasions disrupt ecosystem processes. His key areas include: Energy flux dynamics in above- and belowground communities Effects of earthworm invasions on soil biodiversity Quantitative approaches to biodiversity-ecosystem functions Global datasets on elemental stoichiometry and community traits He has contributed to influential studies like the StoichLife dataset and pioneered energy flux methodologies in food webs. Publications Trends: His recent work emphasizes global-scale patterns (e.g., springtail metabolism, Baltic Sea food webs) and applied challenges like sustainable land use. He frequently collaborates on datasets linking plant-animal stoichiometry and climate impacts. Grants & Teams: Leads the Junior Professorship at Würzburg and collaborates with teams like the iDiv Halle-Jena-Leipzig. He advises student assistants and coordinates international projects on soil biodiversity communication (e.g., Communicating Soil Biodiversity Research to Kids ). Labs/Teams: Active in the Department’s research groups focusing on global change ecology, with links to the Jena Experiment and tropical land-use networks in Indonesia.
David Weiss is a Professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He earned his Ph.D. at UNM in 2005 and teaches courses in strategic communication, political communication, and media studies. His research focuses on media discourse, political and religious communication, and intersections of media with societal institutions like politics, religion, and race. Education: Ph.D., University of New Mexico (2005) Research Streams: (1) Political/religious communication, (2) Linguistic identity in media, (3) Media theory and political economy Service: UNM Faculty Senate representative, Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Campus Task Force, advisor to LoboEdge student agency His 2025-2023 publications span media theory, science communication, and environmental modeling, reflecting interdisciplinary interests. Recent works address social media discourse, flood mapping technologies, behavioral health campaigns, and decolonizing science engagement.
Andrew Greenlee is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida A&M University. He is affiliated with the Division of Research & Innovation and the Center of Excellence for Housing & Community Development Policy Research. His research focuses on housing policy, community development, and social equity, particularly examining how governance of low-income housing programs impacts households. He investigates residential mobility, neighborhood change, and forced displacement caused by urban renewal, eviction, and climate change. Education: Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy (2012) from the University of Illinois at Chicago; M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning (2006) from the University of Iowa; B.A. in English and Sociology (2004) from Grinnell College. As part of the HCDPR Team, he collaborates with other researchers on policy-oriented projects. No specific grants, awards, or published articles are detailed in the provided text.
John Moore is a Research Professor at the Arctic Centre Global Change Research, University of Lapland. His work focuses on glaciology, climate research, and geoengineering, particularly studying glaciers in Tibet, Svalbard, and Antarctica. He employs ice core analysis, Earth System Models, and mathematical modeling to understand climate impacts and glacier behavior. Moore has led or contributed to major projects like ICEMAP (Antarctica modeling), Co-CREATE (solar radiation research), and Cool Place (indigenous knowledge integration). His research interests include geoengineering solutions, climate intervention strategies, and the socio-environmental implications of Arctic changes. Key awards include the China Friendship Medal (2014) and election to the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2016). He actively collaborates internationally, contributing to climate policy discussions and Arctic science initiatives. Moore's recent publications emphasize glacial retreat mechanisms, climate model datasets for geoengineering studies, and Arctic conservation strategies. His work has been featured in media, highlighting innovative approaches to mitigating climate impacts in polar regions.
Marietje Schaake is a prominent expert on technology, policy, and geopolitics with a public sector focus. She served as a member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2019, where she was influential in shaping Europe's policies on technology, trade, and foreign affairs, including implementing "net neutrality" policies. Currently, she is a Fellow at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center and at the Institute for Human-Centered AI, where she advances initiatives to promote digital freedoms, stricter export controls for cybersurveillance technology, and new policies for e-commerce and cybersecurity. Schaake is the author of "The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley," which provides a roadmap for governments to prevent technology companies from harming citizens. Her work has been described as "alarming and hopeful," and she has been hailed by The New Yorker for her "forceful critique" of Big Tech. She writes a monthly column for the Financial Times on technology and governance and serves on the UN's AI Advisory Body. Her research focuses on the critical intersection of technology, democracy, and governance. She examines how digital platforms impact democratic processes, the geopolitical implications of technology dominance, and the need for robust regulatory frameworks to protect citizens' rights in the digital age. Her work emphasizes digital sovereignty, the importance of preventing corporate overreach in governance functions, and developing alternative models to the current US-China tech dominance. Schaake's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on emerging technology policy challenges. Her writing tracks the evolution of debates around AI governance, digital sovereignty, and the democratic implications of technology concentration. She has been particularly prescient in identifying how technology companies increasingly encroach on governmental functions and the urgent need for democratic institutions to reassert their authority in the digital realm. As a speaker and policy advisor, Schaake works extensively with governmental bodies, international organizations, and civil society to develop practical approaches for technology governance that prioritize democratic values and human rights. Her perspective bridges the technical, policy, and geopolitical dimensions of the digital transformation currently reshaping societies worldwide.
Dr. Dmitry Sidorenko is a Researcher in Climate Dynamics at the Alfred Wegener Institute, focusing on high-resolution ocean modeling, Arctic Ocean dynamics, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). His work emphasizes understanding climate change impacts through advanced simulations using models like FESOM2 and IFS. Research interests include eddy-resolving ocean simulations, AMOC variability, and the effects of freshwater forcing on climate systems. He contributes to projects such as nextGEMS, advancing kilometer-scale Earth system modeling. His studies address Arctic sea ice decline, Antarctic basal melt thresholds, and the role of mesoscale eddies in ocean circulation. Key projects involve coupled ocean-atmosphere models, data assimilation techniques, and improving model resolution to capture subgrid-scale processes. His work bridges climate projections with real-world observations, informing global climate policy and scientific understanding.
P. Whitney Lackenbauer is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North and Professor at Trent University’s School for the Study of Canada. His work focuses on Arctic sovereignty, security, and Indigenous-state relations, with particular attention to policy implications. He holds degrees from St. Jerome’s/Waterloo and the University of Calgary. Research emphasizes northern communities’ agency in shaping policy, advocating for evidence-based approaches rooted in social justice. He mentors students in advanced research through grants like SSHRC and the Department of National Defence, emphasizing co-authorship. Administrative roles include Graduate Director and involvement with the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network. Publications address Arctic militarization, China’s Arctic engagement, and Indigenous participation in defense initiatives. Projects include community-based search and rescue systems in Nunavut and analyzing Russian and Chinese strategic narratives. His work bridges academic research with practical policy recommendations for northern resilience and sovereignty.
Pierre Coheur is a Professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in the Faculty of Sciences, specializing in atmospheric remote sensing and spectroscopy. He currently serves as Vice-recteur au développement durable at ULB (2024-present) and Advisor for the Rector – Research in Science and Technology (2023-present). Previously, he was Head of the Chemistry Department (2021-2022) and Head of the SQUARES laboratory (2017-2023). His research focuses on remote-sensing of Earth and planetary atmospheres, atmospheric radiative transfer and retrievals, atmospheric chemistry, environmental chemistry, and molecular spectroscopy. Coheur leads several major research projects including "Hyperspectral atmospheric IR sounding missions" (HIRS), "Building a benchmarking service for Chemistry-Climate Models" (BCCM-O3), and "SPectroscopy in support to the exploration of planetary atmospHERES" (SPHERES). His recent publications reveal a strong focus on satellite-based atmospheric monitoring, particularly using IASI data, with applications to studying wildfire emissions, ozone variability, greenhouse gases, and air quality. His work demonstrates expertise in analyzing atmospheric composition across different planetary environments, from Earth to Mars. Frontiers Planet Prize, National champion (2023) Certificate for outstanding contribution to the Mars Express mission (2023) Research.com Environmental Sciences in Belgium Leader Award (2023) Researcher of the "Fondation de l'Université" (since 2010) Stas Award of the Royal academy of Sciences (1999) Professor Coheur has supervised numerous PhD students including Mauri Rosier, Gaia Pinardi, Beata Opacka, and others. He serves as Chairman of the IASI Sounder Science Working Group (EUMETSAT-CNES) since 2019 and is a member of the ACE Science Team since 2004. His research is supported by multiple grants from ESA, BELSPO, and other funding agencies. He leads the Spectroscopy, Quantum Chemistry and Atmospheric Remote Sensing research group at ULB, which includes several postdoctoral researchers and collaborators working on atmospheric composition monitoring using satellite data.
Mats Ingulstad is a Professor at the Department of Modern History and Society within the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) . His academic work bridges historical analysis with contemporary resource governance and environmental sustainability. Research Interests : Ingulstad specializes in Contemporary American History , European Integration , and Great Power Politics , with a strong focus on resources and the environment . His current projects include Fate of Nations (resource history and geopolitical development) and TripleDeep (deep-sea mining governance). Teaching & Outreach : He leads the SUSTAINABLE case-based teaching development project (2021-2023) and teaches courses on War and Sustainability (KRIG3050) and Global Political Economy of Natural Resources (HIST3400). Ingulstad frequently contributes to public discourse through Smithsonian Magazine interviews and academic lectures on maritime modernity and deep-sea mining. Publications : His recent works examine Arctic ecology, historical resource conflicts, and industrial policy from the 19th to 21st centuries, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to history, geopolitics, and environmental science.
Kamaljit Singh is an Associate Professor at the Institute for GeoEnergy Engineering (IGE) within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, UK. He has held this position since 2021, after serving as an Assistant Professor at the same institution from 2019 to 2021. Prior to joining Heriot-Watt, he held research positions at Imperial College London, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, and the Max-Planck Institute in Germany. His research employs advanced imaging techniques to study fluid dynamics in porous media with applications to energy storage and environmental challenges. Dr. Singh's educational background includes: PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of New South Wales at Australian Defence Force Academy, Australia (2004-2009) M.E. in Environmental Engineering from Punjab Engineering College/Panjab University, India (2000-2002) B.E. in Civil Engineering from GNE/Punjab Technical University, India (1996-2000) His primary research focuses on 3D imaging of fluid flow in permeable media using both in-house and synchrotron X-ray micro-CT. His current projects investigate H 2 and CO 2 storage in subsurface rocks, pore-to-core scale fluid displacement dynamics, wettability effects on multiphase flow, multi-scale rock characterization, and thermoregulation in termite nests for bio-inspired building design. Dr. Singh's work directly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and climate action, with his research group ( https://digiporflow.site.hw.ac.uk ) advancing digital imaging techniques for porous flow systems. Analysis of Dr. Singh's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on hydrogen storage mechanics in geological formations, particularly examining permeability evolution and deformation in sandstones under cyclic loading. His work also maintains significant focus on CO 2 sequestration in carbonate reservoirs and has produced notable interdisciplinary research on termite nest ventilation as a model for sustainable building design. His methodological approach consistently integrates advanced imaging techniques with computational modeling to address energy transition challenges. Dr. Singh serves as Global Course Leader for Reservoir Engineering (MSc) and teaches Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (undergraduate). His research has received considerable media attention, including coverage in The New York Times, The Straits Times, and Süddeutsche Zeitung for his work on bio-inspired ventilation systems. With 41 research publications, 4 datasets, and 7 invited talks, he maintains an active research program focused on solving critical challenges in subsurface energy storage and sustainable engineering.
Dr. John Simaika is a prominent conservation biologist specializing in freshwater ecosystems, particularly focusing on dragonflies and biomonitoring. He serves as Handling Editor for Conservation Biology , founder/co-chair of the IUCN Task Force on Global Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Sampling Protocols (GLOSAM), and Africa Coordinator of the Freshwater Biodiversity Observation Network (FWBON). His work integrates ecological research with policy, emphasizing global freshwater biodiversity conservation and the development of standardized assessment tools. Research Focus: Biomonitoring indices, invasive species impacts, dragonfly conservation, and freshwater health assessment protocols Key Projects: EU COFUND study on wetland bioindicators, South African freshwater biomonitoring framework, and global EPTO database His research addresses both ecological mechanisms (e.g., species turnover dynamics, pesticide impacts) and applied solutions (e.g., stream restoration, policy integration). Recent publications highlight global insect decline advocacy, agroecosystem sustainability, and the role of artificial ponds in biodiversity preservation. Awards: Marsh Award for Early Career Entomology (2017) Dr. Simaika bridges science and governance through initiatives like FWBON and IUCN committees, emphasizing capacity-building for biodiversity monitoring. His work spans Africa, South America, and Lebanon, with a focus on translating ecological data into actionable conservation policies.
