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Joanna SpearView profile

Research Professor

• International Security
• Arms Control
• US Foreign Policy
• +4 more

Dr. Joanna Spear is a Research Professor of International Affairs and Full-time Faculty at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. She currently serves as Director of the FAO Regional Skill Sustainment Initiative and previously led the Security Policy Studies Program and National Security Studies Program at the Elliott School. Prior roles include Senior Lecturer in War Studies at King’s College London. Her expertise spans international arms trade history, US/UK arms export controls, DDR processes, and the intersection of security and development. She is a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI and sits on editorial boards for the RUSI Journal and National Defense University’s PRISM . Education: PhD from the University of Southampton (UK). Research includes a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship project on biotech/pharma firms’ strategies during the Covid-19 pandemic. Notable publications include The Business of Armaments (2023), a landmark study on historical arms manufacturing, and edited volumes on security and development. Key fellowships include the Belfer Center (Harvard), Brookings Institution, and Chatham House. Grants and collaborative projects have focused on defense economics, arms control regimes, and post-conflict reconstruction. She advises on global security policy and frequently publishes in journals like Arms Control Today and Security Studies . Labs/Teams: FAO Initiative leadership, RUSI editorial board, PRISM advisory role Grants: Wilson Center Fellowship (2023-24), multiple institutional research grants

Ben MaybeeView profile

Research Fellow

• Atmospheric Dynamics
• Deep Convection
• Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs)
• +7 more

Dr. Ben Maybee is a Research Fellow in Tropical Meteorology at the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds. His research focuses on atmospheric dynamics, particularly the physics of deep convection and Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) in km-scale models. He investigates how MCSs interact with their environment and influence processes like tropical cyclone formation and climate change impacts. He contributes to major projects such as NERC Huracan, Met Office UPSCALE, and DRENCH. His work bridges high-resolution modeling and climate science, addressing hazards and climate variability. Education: PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics (University of Edinburgh), MPhys and BSc in Theoretical Physics (University of Leeds). Professional Memberships: Institute of Physics, Royal Meteorological Society. Research interests include MCS dynamics, tropical cyclogenesis, and upscale impacts of convection. He collaborates on projects like the LMCS global MCS tracking intercomparison (MCSMIP) and flood forecasting initiatives in Yorkshire. His interdisciplinary work spans atmospheric science, climate modeling, and hydrology. Dr. Maybee’s contributions to initiatives like FOREWARNS and HyCristal highlight his focus on climate predictability and societal impacts. He actively supervises PhD/MSc projects and is affiliated with the Atmospheric and Cloud Dynamics group and the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science. His GitHub repository MCS_shear_evaluation supports his 2024 paper on wind shear effects in convection-permitting models, emphasizing entrainment processes and tropical circulation links.

• International Relations
• Justice in International Affairs
• Regional Security Organizations
• +4 more

Matthias Dembinski is a Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), specializing in international institutions, procedural justice, and regional security. He leads the PATTERN project, analyzing historical patterns in peace and conflict dynamics. Research Focus: Justice in global governance, humanitarian intervention ethics, and Cold War parallels in modern conflicts. Affiliation: PRIF (since 1989), with past roles at Harvard University, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), and the European Security and Defense Policy Consortium. Regional Expertise: Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and post-Soviet states. His recent work examines NATO’s future, EU defense policy post-Ukraine War, and the legitimacy of international institutions under geopolitical strain. Publications emphasize dissociation strategies, norm diffusion in regional organizations, and the interplay between peacebuilding and justice frameworks. Key Projects: PATTERN, comparative studies on humanitarian military interventions, and data set creation for post-WWII interventions. Methodological Approach: Historical analysis, institutional legitimacy theories, and case study comparisons. While no formal awards are listed, his contributions to transatlantic security dialogue and EU-Russia policy debates remain influential. Current research explores decoupling strategies and the evolution of nuclear deterrence paradigms.

Nicolaas Kraft van Ermel-NijlandView profile

Lecturer

• Contemporary History of Russia
• Contemporary History of Ukraine
• Contemporary History of Poland
• +7 more

Nicolaas Kraft van Ermel-Nijland serves as a Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts, where he is affiliated with both the Groningen Institute for Central and Eastern-European Studies and the Netherlands-Russia Centre. His academic profile centers on contemporary historical analysis of Eastern Europe with particular emphasis on Ukraine, Russia, and Poland. His research expertise spans contemporary history of Russia, Ukraine, and Poland , with specialized focus on politics of history , church-state relations , and Eastern Orthodox Church history . Additional research strands include Armenian Genocide studies , First World War Eastern Front history , and Russia-Netherlands diplomatic relations . His methodological approach combines archival research with contemporary media analysis, particularly examining how historical narratives shape current geopolitical conflicts. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on historical memory politics in post-Soviet states , with recent work increasingly addressing the 2014 Ukrainian crisis and Russo-Ukrainian war . His scholarship demonstrates particular attention to religious dimensions of national identity and neutral state perspectives on historical conflicts. Through extensive media engagement including 29 documented press appearances between 2024-2025, he has established himself as a prominent commentator on Eastern European affairs, frequently providing expert analysis on Ukrainian political developments, Russia-West relations, and historical dimensions of current conflicts. His academic service includes editorial contributions to multi-author volumes on First World War history and active participation in the Netherlands-Russia Centre's mission to bridge scientific, cultural, and economic connections between the Netherlands and Russia.

Xenia Paula KyriakouView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Archaeology
• Humanitarian Forensics
• +5 more

Dr. Xenia Paula Kyriakou serves as a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Sciences at the University of West London's School of Human and Social Sciences, a position she assumed in 2024. As a scholar-practitioner, she operates as both a Forensic Anthropologist and Forensic Archaeologist. Her educational foundation includes a PhD in Forensic Science. Her research specializes in Humanitarian Forensics within conflict and post-conflict environments, targeting gross human rights violations through clandestine grave recovery, de-commingling processes, and population-specific identification methodologies. Complementary interests span Bioarchaeology, Palaeopathology, and Epidemiology, with practical applications in real-world human rights investigations. Dr. Kyriakou bridges academia and fieldwork through global consultancy for police agencies, supporting criminal investigations and cold case resolutions. Her scholar-practitioner approach ensures research directly addresses operational forensic challenges in humanitarian contexts. She actively supervises research degrees, though specific student details remain unlisted in the available documentation.

Kwon Yun-jeongView profile

Adjunct Associate Professor

• Child Psychology
• Play Therapy
• Multicultural Family Studies
• +3 more

Kwon Yun-jeong serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at Seoul National University's College of Human Ecology. She concurrently directs the Korean Association of Applied Behavior Analysts (2022–present) and Mammoth Children and Youth Counseling Center (2019–present), while providing counseling services at the Central Childcare Comprehensive Support Center (2017–present). Her specialty focuses on clinical child psychology with emphasis on therapeutic interventions for diverse family structures. Her academic foundation includes: Ph.D. in Child and Family Studies (Seoul National University, 2007–2016) Master's in Child and Family Studies (Seoul National University, 2003–2007) Bachelor's in Child and Family Studies (Seoul National University, 1998–2002) Research centers on play therapy applications for children with ADHD, trauma, and behavioral issues, alongside multicultural family dynamics including attachment patterns and school adaptation. Her work demonstrates clinical innovation through parent-child play therapy models and culturally responsive interventions for North Korean refugees. Key themes include grief processing in bereavement, metacognitive anxiety strategies, and maternal behavioral control impacts on child development. Publication analysis (2010–2018) reveals evolving expertise from foundational multicultural family studies toward specialized therapeutic techniques. Early work established frameworks for school adaptation programs and language environments, while later research (2015–2018) developed targeted play therapy protocols for obsessive behaviors, ADHD management, and trauma recovery—showcasing clinical refinement through case study methodology. Research leadership includes: National Institute of Korean Language textbook development for multicultural families (2010) Daejeon Western Office of Education school adaptation program (2009) Jeju Provincial Office of Education multicultural family initiatives (2008) Ministry of Health and Welfare Comprehensive Survey on Children and Adolescents (2009) Her Mammoth Children and Youth Counseling Center functions as a clinical hub for evidence-based interventions, while directorship of the Korean Association of Applied Behavior Analysts positions her at the forefront of professional behavior analysis standards in South Korea.

Kirril ShieldsView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Genocide Studies
• Human Rights
• Holocaust Narratives
• +3 more

Kirril Shields is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Political Science & International Studies, University of Queensland, and Director of Education at the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Genocide Studies and Prevention , lectures on genocide history and humanitarianism, and consults for the UN Office on Genocide Prevention. His work spans Southeast Asia, focusing on hate speech prevention and human rights abuses. His research integrates genocide studies, Holocaust narratives, and political propaganda, often analyzing cultural and historical dimensions through Australian literature. Collaborations with organizations in Southeast Asia and prior roles at the World Bank and WHO highlight his practical engagement in global governance. Key trends in his publications include critical examinations of Holocaust representation, ethical pedagogy, and the intersection of literature with atrocity prevention. His work bridges academic inquiry with policy-oriented outputs, such as hate speech legislation reports.

• International Relations
• Negotiations
• Theory of International Alliances
• +4 more

Andrzej Dybczyński is a lecturer at the University of Wrocław , contributing to academic programs like EMGS (European Master in Global Studies). His research focuses on international relations theories , particularly alliance formation , Polish foreign policy , and negotiation dynamics . He has authored and co-authored publications exploring these areas, with a strong emphasis on historical and geopolitical analysis. Research Interests: Theory of international alliances Polish foreign policy Negotiations and conflict resolution Ethnic minorities in Europe Dr. Dybczyński’s work includes critical analyses of NATO expansion, census policy impacts on ethnic identity, and methodological approaches to international relations. He supports MA-thesis supervision in related fields but no scientific awards are documented in the provided texts. His publications span 2004–2008, reflecting sustained engagement with central and Eastern European political dynamics.

Rasmus Mølgaard MariagerView profile

Professor

• Contemporary History
• Cold War History
• Danish History after 1945
• +5 more

Rasmus Mølgaard Mariager (born 1971) is a Professor of Contemporary History at the SAXO-Institute within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Copenhagen. His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to Danish and European contemporary history, particularly focusing on Cold War studies and transatlantic relations. He has held various academic positions at the University of Copenhagen and previously at the University of Southern Denmark. Education: Dr.phil. in History, University of Copenhagen (2017) Ph.D. in History, University of Copenhagen (2003) Cand.mag. in History and Philosophy, University of Copenhagen (1997) History studies at University of Thessaloniki, Greece (1994) Mariager's research interests center on post-1945 Danish history, Northern European contemporary history, the Cold War, transatlantic relations, and the American world order. His scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on how Denmark navigated its position between superpowers during the Cold War and in subsequent military engagements. He has written 10 books and edited approximately 20 volumes on these topics, establishing himself as a leading authority on Danish Cold War history. Research Trends: Mariager's recent publications reveal a pattern of examining Denmark's military engagements in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq through historical and political lenses. His work frequently analyzes the interplay between domestic politics and international decision-making, particularly regarding Denmark's transition from a semi-neutral position to a more active NATO ally. His 2024 book 'Sjælekampen: Danskernes kolde krig' represents a comprehensive examination of Denmark's Cold War experience. Scientific Recognition: Elected to the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters (2023) Elected to the Royal Danish Society for National History (2014) Elected to the Society for Publication of Sources to Danish History (2010) Editor-in-Chief of the Scandinavian Journal of History (2009-2018) Mariager has served as research leader for the independent investigation into Denmark's military engagements in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq (2016-2019). He currently serves as Co-PI for the FKK-FSE-funded collective research project 'Mind the Gap. Security Scholarship between Academia and Policy, 1978-2024' (2023-2027). His grant history includes leadership of significant research projects examining Denmark's military history and security policy. Research Networks: Mariager has been actively involved in several research networks including NORCENCOWAR (Nordic Network of Cold War Researchers, 2008-2012) and the European Détente Research Network (2008-2009). He initiated and co-edited 'The Cold War and Denmark. Gads Encyclopedia' with participation from 70 researchers, demonstrating his ability to coordinate large-scale collaborative research efforts.

• Applied Stochastic Process
• Optimization
• Operations Research

Hiroaki Mohri is a Professor at Waseda University's School of Commerce, where he has been serving since 2023 after previously holding positions as Associate Professor (2001-2022) and Assistant Professor (1999-2001). He earned both his Master of Science and Doctor of Engineering degrees from Tokyo Institute of Technology. His academic career includes visiting professorships at the University of Bonn Research Institute for Discrete Mathematics (2005-2007). Waseda University, Professor (2023-present) Waseda University, Associate Professor (2001-2022) Waseda University, Assistant Professor (1999-2001) University of Bonn, Visiting Professor (2005-2007) Mohri's research spans applied mathematics with a focus on stochastic processes, optimization, and operations research. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between mathematical theory and practical applications in network reliability, financial securities, and infrastructure management. He has made significant contributions to cooperative game theory applications in network design problems and reliability engineering. His publication record shows a consistent research trajectory with recent work focusing on catastrophic failure models, network reliability evaluation, and damage analysis from multiple shock types. Mohri has successfully bridged theoretical mathematics with practical applications in infrastructure management, political conflict analysis, and financial systems. His research demonstrates how mathematical modeling can address complex real-world problems across diverse domains. Mohri is an active member of several professional organizations including the Mathematical Association of America, Game Theory Society, Japan Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, and the Operations Research Society of Japan. He has led numerous research projects including 'An Interdisciplinary Study on the Effect of Non-Military Engagement in Preventing Escalation of Conflicts' and 'International involvement in escalating conflicts: Mediation theory and the case of the former Soviet Union.' Additionally, he has organized international student exchange programs to former Soviet Union countries, focusing on international relations, logistics, and multicultural societies.

Armend BekajView profile

Researcher

• Peace and Conflict Research
• Nuclear Disarmament
• Non-proliferation
• +7 more

Armend Bekaj serves as a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Peace and Conflict Research since January 2021, where he contributes to the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament as part of Working Group 2 on International Measures for Compliance to Nuclear Disarmament Regimes. His work bridges academic research with policy application through active collaboration with Professor Peter Wallensteen on nuclear sanctions regimes. His educational foundation includes a PhD from the University of Sheffield and a Master in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford's Peace Studies Department. This training supports his mixed-methods approach with emphasis on qualitative analysis of complex political transitions. Bekaj's research critically examines two interconnected domains: nuclear disarmament verification mechanisms and the political trajectories of post-conflict societies. His Western Balkans expertise informs analyses of democratization versus autocratization trends, particularly regarding former combatants' roles in institution-building. Current projects focus on sanctions efficacy in nuclear non-proliferation and long-term democratic consolidation in transitory contexts. Recent publications reveal a methodical progression from regional case studies (Kosovo/North Macedonia) toward comparative nuclear policy frameworks. The 2024 edited volume on sanctions demonstrates growing influence in disarmament scholarship, while his Global State of Democracy contributions establish credibility in quantitative democracy assessment. As convener of DPCR's internship programme for Bachelor's and Master's students, Bekaj facilitates practical engagement with peace research. His pre-academic career includes significant project leadership at International IDEA (developing democracy indices), OSCE Kosovo (as Chief of Analysis), and USAID civil society initiatives, demonstrating consistent policy-relevant expertise. He currently coordinates a multi-disciplinary edited volume on nuclear disarmament verification through the Alva Myrdal Centre network, extending his collaborative research on compliance mechanisms within international security frameworks.