Daniel Leunbach is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Business, University of Oslo , specializing in Entrepreneurship . He teaches courses in strategy, innovation management, and entrepreneurship while integrating philosophy and psychology into his research to study decision-making under uncertainty. Ph.D. in Strategy and Entrepreneurship, University of Oslo MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Oslo BSc in Molecular Biology, University of Bergen His research explores the intersection of entrepreneurship theory , philosophy , and psychology , focusing on how entrepreneurs navigate situations where outcome probabilities are impossible to quantify. Recent publications investigate topics such as entrepreneurial imagination through poetry , resource acquisition negotiations , and Wittgensteinian approaches to defining entrepreneurship . Leunbach collaborates with scholars like Truls Erikson and Glenn Roger Kristiansen , publishing in journals such as Academy of Management Review , Scandinavian Journal of Management , and Journal of Business Venturing Design . He is affiliated with the Entrepreneurship (ENT) research group and consults on entrepreneurial decision-making frameworks.
Vera Liao is a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, where she is part of the FATE (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics of AI) group. She will join the University of Michigan Computer Science and Engineering department as an Associate Professor in fall 2025. Her work focuses on human-AI interaction, explainable AI, and responsible computing. Liao has made significant contributions to IBM products such as AI Explainability 360 and Uncertainty Quantification 360 during her time at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. Dr. Liao received her education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Tsinghua University. Her academic journey has positioned her at the intersection of human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence, with a strong emphasis on creating AI systems that are transparent, accountable, and user-centered. Vera Liao's research primarily centers around human-centered AI explainability and transparency. She investigates how to design AI systems that effectively communicate their capabilities, limitations, and decision-making processes to users. Her work examines the intersection of AI transparency with trust, control, and user experience. Liao has pioneered approaches to bridging the socio-technical gap in AI evaluation and has developed frameworks for contextualized evaluation of explainable AI systems. Her research spans multiple domains including conversational interfaces, data storytelling, and creative work with generative AI. Liao's publications reveal a clear trend toward addressing the challenges of large language models and their impact on human-AI interaction. Her recent work focuses on understanding how uncertainty communication affects user trust, how to design for appropriate reliance on AI systems, and how to create authentic co-creation experiences with generative models. She has been examining the risks in AI-infused information ecosystems and developing methods for human-centered evaluation of language technologies. Her scientific contributions have been recognized with multiple honors: Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention at CHI 2025 (two papers) Best Paper Award at CHI 2024 Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention at FAccT 2023 Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention at HCOMP 2022 Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention at CHI 2021 Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention at CHI 2014 Outstanding Paper Award at IUI 2019 Dr. Liao is an active mentor, having guided numerous research interns from top universities including Cornell, Princeton, CMU, Stanford, and MIT. She serves in editorial roles as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Springer Human-Computer Interaction Book Series and as an Editor for ACM CSCW. Liao has secured research funding through her work at Microsoft Research and previously at IBM, focusing on projects related to AI explainability, transparency, and responsible AI development. As part of Microsoft Research's FATE group, Liao collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of researchers focused on the ethical implications of AI technologies. Her work bridges the gap between technical AI development and human-centered design principles, ensuring that AI systems are developed with user needs and societal impacts in mind.
Song Ma is a Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He is also an affiliated faculty member at Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law and Yale SOM Program on Entrepreneurship, having joined Yale SOM Faculty in 2016. His educational background includes: PhD in Finance from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business (2016) BA in Economics from Zhejiang University (2010) Professor Ma's research primarily focuses on innovation economics, entrepreneurship, financial economics, AI, and big data. His work extends to corporate strategy, industrial organization, antitrust, labor, and business law. He has made significant contributions to understanding how innovation interacts with financial markets, corporate strategy, and competition policy, particularly through his influential 'Killer Acquisitions' paper which has been cited in Congressional antitrust reports and lawsuits against major tech companies. His recent publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach combining finance, economics, and data science methodologies. Many papers examine the intersection of innovation and corporate finance, with increasing incorporation of AI and big data techniques as seen in his video analysis research. His work shows evolution from traditional finance topics toward more policy-relevant research with real-world impact on antitrust regulation and innovation policy. Professor Ma has received numerous prestigious awards: 2023 Best Paper Award, China International Conference in Finance 2022 Best Paper on Competition Economics, Association of Competition Economics 2022 Jerry S. Cohen Award for Antitrust Scholarship 2021 GARP Best Paper in Risk Management Award 40 Under 40 Best Business School Professors by Poets & Quants (2021) Robert F. Lanzillotti Prize for Antitrust Economics (2020) Jensen Prize for Best Paper on Corporate Finance (2019) In teaching, Professor Ma delivers popular courses including 'Entrepreneurial Finance,' 'Venture Capital and Private Equity,' and 'Finance and the Society.' He co-organizes WEFI (Workshop on Entrepreneurial Finance and Innovation), a bi-weekly virtual research forum. His research has been referenced by major regulatory bodies worldwide including the FTC, EU Competition Commission, and UK Competition and Markets Authority, and featured in leading media outlets like Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Professor Ma actively incorporates new data science technologies into his empirical economic research, focusing on unstructured data analysis and machine learning applications.
**Danilo Dantas** is a **Professor** in the **Department of Marketing** at **HEC Montréal**, a leading business school in Canada. He holds additional roles as the **Pedagogical Coordinator of the Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) in Arts Management** (in French) and a **Regular Member** of the **Observatoire Interdisciplinaire de Création et de Recherche en Musique (OICRM)**. His expertise spans **Music Marketing**, **Database Marketing**, and **Electronic Commerce**, with a focus on cultural branding, consumer engagement, and digital strategies in creative industries. **Education**: He earned his **Doctorat ès sciences de gestion (marketing)** from Université de Grenoble II, along with advanced degrees including a **D.E.A. in Sciences de Gestion (marketing)**, **D.E.S.S. in Commerce International**, and a **B.A.A. in Administration** from UFRGS, Brazil. **Research & Teaching**: Professor Dantas teaches courses such as *Marketing des arts et de la culture* and *Analyse des bases de données en marketing*. His research investigates topics like cultural branding (e.g., leveraging live music for city brands), music industry strategies, and consumer behavior in digital ecosystems. Recent work explores the interplay between brand fit and new product performance, social media impact on online communities, and e-Government service quality metrics. **Advising**: He has supervised **2 PhD dissertations**, **7 Master’s theses**, and **21+ supervised projects**, covering areas such as VR consumer experiences, vinyl store dynamics, and festival attendee motivations. His projects often address practical challenges in arts management, digital transformation, and cultural policy. **Labs/Teams**: His affiliation with OICRM integrates music creation and research, while his work with the Chaire de gestion des arts Carmelle et Rémi-Marcoux emphasizes arts management education and data-driven decision-making.
Professor Allan Afuah is a distinguished academic at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, specializing in strategy. He holds a PhD and MS from MIT. His research focuses on business model innovation, crowdsourcing, technological innovation, and open innovation. He has won prestigious awards, including the 2022 AMR Decade Award for his work on crowdsourcing. Afuah teaches courses on managing innovation in digital markets, emphasizing how firms like Apple and Amazon create value in uncertain environments. His books, such as Business Model Innovation and Creating and Capturing Value through Crowdsourcing , explore strategic frameworks for competitive advantage. His work often bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in digital transformation and organizational strategy. Education: PhD (1994) and MS (1990) in Strategy from MIT. Awards include the AMR Decade Award, AMR Managerial Practice Award, and Ross School’s MBA Teacher of the Year. His research has been published in top journals like Academy of Management Review and Strategic Management Journal . Research Interests: Business Model Innovation Crowdsourcing and Open Innovation Technological Change and Strategy Competitive Advantage User-Driven Innovation Global Markets and Digital Transformation His articles analyze topics like multisided platforms, network effects, and the strategic implications of digital ecosystems. He advocates for frameworks that help firms navigate disruption and leverage innovation for sustained growth.
Cees B.M. van Riel is a visiting professor in the Department of Business-Society Management at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University. He previously served as a professor of corporate communication and is a globally recognized expert in reputation management, employee alignment, and corporate branding. His research focuses on corporate communication , organizational identity , employee alignment , and industry reputation . He investigates how organizations build and maintain strong reputations through strategic internal and external communication, particularly during periods of change or crisis. His work bridges academic theory and practical application, influencing both scholarly discourse and corporate practice. His recent publications, including a 2023 article on museum-corporate sponsorships, demonstrate a sustained engagement with themes of mutual value creation, stakeholder management, and reputation dynamics. His body of work consistently addresses reputation management , organizational change , impression management , and corporate branding across diverse sectors. Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Reputation Review Founder of the Reputation Forum The Netherlands (RfN) Founding Director of RSM's International Executive Master Programme in Corporate Communication Co-founder of the Reputation Institute Professor van Riel has supervised numerous academic works and has led major educational initiatives. He has been actively involved in global reputation rankings, including the Forbes-published Annual Reputation Institute Study. His consultancy work with multinational corporations such as ING, Philips, and Shell underscores his impact beyond academia. He has also held editorial and speaking roles, contributing significantly to the dissemination of management knowledge. He is central to a research network focused on corporate communication and reputation, with collaborations spanning multiple countries and institutions. His leadership in founding academic programs and professional forums highlights his role in shaping the field.
Dr Yong Lin is an Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management at the Department of Management, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. He joined the university in September 2021, having previously held academic positions at the University of Greenwich and Huazhong University of Science & Technology. He has also served as a visiting researcher at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge, and as a research assistant at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. PhD in Management Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, 2002 MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, 1999 Dr Lin’s research focuses on digital transformation and sustainability strategies in operations and supply chains. His key interests include supply chain risk and resilience, digital logistics platforms, business ecosystems, and manufacturing strategies. He explores how digital technologies such as blockchain and RFID can enhance transparency, efficiency, and sustainability across supply networks. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward digitalization, resilience, and sustainability in supply chains, with studies on modular resilience in multinational platforms, blockchain in remanufacturing, and digitalization in healthcare logistics. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as International Journal of Operations and Production Management , Journal of Cleaner Production , and Technological Forecasting and Social Change . Senior Fellow of the Advance HE (Higher Education Academy) Certified Management and Business Educator, Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) Chartered Fellow, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Dr Lin has led and coordinated several research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the 863 Program, and the European Regional Development Fund. He actively engages in industry consulting to transfer research outcomes into practical business solutions. He welcomes PhD applicants interested in digital transformation, sustainability, logistics platforms, and business ecosystems. He is also involved in advising and mentoring graduate researchers in these domains. Dr Lin is affiliated with the Department of Management at Birmingham Business School, where he contributes to research, teaching, and knowledge exchange in operations and supply chain management. His work bridges academic rigor with real-world application, particularly in digital and sustainable supply chain innovation.
Tariq Iqbal is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia , with joint appointments in the Department of Systems and Information Engineering and Department of Computer Science . He leads the Collaborative Robotics Lab (CRL) , specializing in human-robot teams and embodied AI . Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT's CSAIL , advised by Prof. Julie Shah , and earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of California San Diego (UCSD) under Prof. Laurel Riek . Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California San Diego (2017) M.S. in Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso (2012) B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (2007) His research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics , focusing on human-robot collaboration in dynamic environments. Key areas include motion prediction , multimodal fusion , trust modeling , and collaborative learning . His work integrates cognitive science and deep learning to enhance robotic fluency in naturalistic settings. Recent publications (2023–2025) highlight advancements in human-robot team dynamics , multimodal dataset creation , and motion prediction algorithms . Notable works include Energy-Based Transformers for scalable AI, PoseTron for motion prediction, and Accessible Navigation Mapping for assistive robotics. These contributions span trust modeling , cloud robotic infrastructure , and safety in close-proximity collaboration . National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) Innovation Award As faculty, he has secured grants from NSF and AFOSR , mentored research students, and taught courses like Stochastic Modeling I (SYS 6005) and Robots and Humans (SYS 4582/6465, ECE 4502/6465, CS 6465) . His prior industry roles at IBM Watson Lab and Grameenphone Ltd. inform his applied research in telecom infrastructure and cognitive robotics . He leads the Collaborative Robotics Lab (CRL) at UVA, which develops multimodal datasets , real-time coordination algorithms , and adaptive pathfinding systems . Current projects explore human motion prediction , team synchrony , and embodied question-answering , reflecting his commitment to advancing human-robot fluency and contextual AI .
Dr Denitsa Dineva is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Strategy at Cardiff Business School , specializing in digital marketing , consumer behavior , and brand strategy . With a PhD in Digital Marketing from Aberystwyth University, she brings both academic expertise and practical experience from commercial and non-profit sector marketing roles. Her research focuses on the complexities of digital and social media , particularly examining uncivil consumer interactions , brand content moderation , and digital brand engagement . Denitsa employs mixed methods , social media text analysis , and experimental research to understand brand-consumer dynamics in digital spaces. 2025: Brand-to-brand social media engagement analysis 2025: Communication accommodation in brand communities 2025: Schadenfreude in service recovery 2024: Brand engagement typology 2023: Platform moderation strategies 2023: Brand advertising withdrawal cases She has received multiple accolades including the IAA Impact Award (2025) and SIM Conference Best Paper (2024), while also securing £133,878 in research funding across projects on digital marketing and public value initiatives. Denitsa teaches Digital Marketing modules at BSc, MSc, and executive education levels, and currently supervises PhD research related to online brand communities , social media content moderation , and consumer engagement dynamics . She serves as Senior Personal Tutor and External Examiner at multiple universities.
Francesco Rosati is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), affiliated with the Centre for Technology Entrepreneurship. His work focuses on the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development, particularly addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He holds academic qualifications in management and engineering and has mentored numerous Danish and international startups. Rosati has been recognized with the Tietgen Award 2020 for early-career contributions to business-oriented social sciences. Research interests include corporate sustainability management, business model innovation for sustainability, and organizational silos analysis. His work spans multiple sectors, including healthcare and construction industries. Rosati teaches courses on strategy, entrepreneurship, and sustainability at both Master’s and executive education levels, and actively participates in global conferences. Key projects include accelerating SDG-aligned entrepreneurship education, circular business model innovation in construction, and building climate resilience for vegetable farmers in Ghana. His research has been published in journals like Business Strategy and the Environment , Journal of Cleaner Production , and Organization and Environment . Rosati has supervised several PhD students exploring topics such as entrepreneurial resilience, SDG reporting, and business model innovation. His work emphasizes bridging management and engineering disciplines to address global sustainability challenges.
Dr. Silvia Baiocco serves as Assistant Professor at University of Rome Tor Vergata, teaching entrepreneurship, tourism management, and marketing courses across Bachelor and Master programs including 'Creation of Enterprises and Entrepreneurship' (Master), 'Fundamentals of Service Management' (Bachelor), and 'Tourism and Cultural Management for Sustainability' (Bachelor). Her institutional affiliation centers on Business Economics (sector ECON-07/A) with research rooted in co-evolutionary theory. Her research critically examines sustainable business model innovation through three interconnected lenses: (1) tourism-destination co-evolution in historic villages and Alberghi Diffusi, (2) university-industry knowledge exchange for sustainable spin-offs via PNICube Observatory frameworks, and (3) technology integration in smart tourism through AI-driven destination management. She emphasizes context-specific adaptation in both high-income (Italy) and low/middle-income settings (Ghana), with strong focus on social impact and heritage preservation. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals accelerating focus on digital tourism transformation (AI applications, smart city integration) and resilience-building in accommodation firms. Her work consistently applies co-evolutionary frameworks to decode organizational adaptation, particularly in sustainable entrepreneurship contexts. The PNICube Observatory reports highlight her policy-relevant contributions to university research valorization. As educator, Dr. Baiocco actively shapes future business leaders through courses spanning startup creation to sustainable destination management. Her research trajectory indicates deepening engagement with technology-mediated sustainability solutions and cross-sectoral innovation ecosystems, particularly through ongoing PNICube Observatory initiatives.
Catherine Z. Elgin is a Professor of the Philosophy of Education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education since 1996. She holds a Ph.D. from Brandeis University (1975) and has taught at MIT, Princeton, Wellesley, Dartmouth, UNC Chapel Hill, Michigan State, Simmons, and Vassar prior to her Harvard appointment. Literary executor for Nelson Goodman and Jonathan Adler Research focuses on epistemology , philosophy of art , and philosophy of science Argues that understanding (not knowledge) should be epistemology's central concern Research Trends across her publications reveal: Epistemic value of fiction and imagination Interdisciplinary connections between art, science, and philosophy Critique of analytic/synthetic distinctions Perspectival approaches to scientific representation Conceptual analysis of exemplification and metaphor Epistemic normativity in educational contexts Scientific Awards & Editorial Involvement : Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2023) Advisory Board, American Philosophical Association Committee on the Philosophy of Education Editorial Board, American Philosophical Quarterly Editorial Board, International Journal for the Philosophy of Science Academic Leadership : Teaches courses in philosophy of education Maintains active research program through Harvard's DASH repository Collaborates with educators across Harvard's schools including the Center for Ethics and the Professions
Kiran Pedada is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, and holds the F. Ross Johnson Fellow and The Associates Fellow in Marketing and Inclusive Business. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at the Indian School of Business (ISB) and a Visiting Scholar at the University of North Carolina. He has been recognized as ISB’s Teacher of the Year (2020 and 2021) and named a top MBA professor by BusinessBecause. His research focuses on marketing strategy, digital transformation, emerging markets, and inclusive business practices. Dr. Pedada earned his Ph.D. in Marketing from Texas Tech University, where he won the Helen Devitt Jones Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. His doctoral work on international marketing alliances in emerging markets won the prestigious AMS Mary Kay Inc. Doctoral Dissertation Award. Before academia, he worked in management consulting and corporate strategy. Research Interests : Marketing strategy in digital environments Social and financial impact of marketing Global marketing expansion via digital ecosystems Emerging markets dynamics Brand competitiveness through digital orientation Key Contributions : His research has been published in top journals like Journal of Marketing Research and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. He co-authored cases on digital transformation for Harvard Business Publishing and serves on editorial boards of key marketing journals. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and CNN. Awards : AMS Mary Kay Inc. Doctoral Dissertation Award (2019) F. Ross Johnson Fellowship Teacher of the Year (ISB, 2020 & 2021) He actively advises on digital readiness of SMEs and ESG integration in alliances. His current projects explore metaverse applications and rural microentrepreneurship in India.
Dr. Otto Koppius is an Assistant Professor at the Rotterdam School of Management , Department of Technology and Operations Management. His research focuses on sports analytics , predictive analytics , and complex networks , emphasizing data-driven decision-making in organizations. He explores applications ranging from talent identification in sports using sensor data to sustainability in supply chains. Key research interests include: Methodological advances in predictive analytics, including feature engineering and algorithmic bias detection. Integration of predictive analytics into organizational practices. Smart cargo sensor data for optimizing supply chain networks. Past work includes studies on social influence in networks, closed-loop supply chains, and knowledge transfer within firms. His articles analyze topics like network interventions, innovation dynamics, and digital ecosystem orchestration. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided text. He has supervised 6 academic works, though specific student names are not listed. Research extends to themes like sustainability, business strategy, and organizational behavior, with a focus on translating technical methods to real-world business challenges.
J. Eric Bickel is a Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, serving as Director of the Operations Research & Industrial Engineering (ORIE) and Engineering Management programs. He holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and directs the Center for Engineering & Decision Analytics (CEDA). His academic background includes a PhD and MS in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University. His research focuses on decision analysis under uncertainty, addressing topics like probabilistic modeling, climate engineering, risk management, and applications in sports and energy sectors. His work has been featured in major media including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal , and his climate engineering research was endorsed by Nobel Laureates as a top climate change response strategy. Professor Bickel has extensive industry experience, having previously served as Senior Engagement Manager and Co-Director of Client Education at Strategic Decisions Group (SDG), where he remains on the Board of Directors. His consulting spans oil/gas, energy trading, and financial services sectors. He has received recognition as a Fellow of the Society of Decision Professionals and contributed to the Copenhagen Consensus on Climate Project. His teaching extends to executive education through Texas Executive Education and McCombs School of Business. Research highlights include novel methods for probabilistic dependence modeling, value-of-information analysis in shale reservoirs, and critiques of risk assessment tools like heat maps. His climate engineering work emphasizes economically viable solar radiation management strategies.
