David Leopold is an Associate Professor of Political Theory at the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR), University of Oxford, and a Fellow of Mansfield College. He specializes in the political philosophy of G.W.F. Hegel, Karl Marx, and theoretical connections between them. His research also explores utopianism, methodological questions in political theory, and the history of socialist thought. Leopold holds an MA from Sussex University and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. His teaching includes undergraduate and graduate courses on political theory, research methods in the history of political thought, and the theories of Hegel and Marx. He advises doctoral students on Marx, Hegel, and related topics. Research interests span Marx's views on human flourishing (linked to capabilities approaches), Analytical Marxism, William Morris's utopianism, and the role of ideal theory in political philosophy. He critiques dismissals of utopian thinkers like Morris and engages with Engels's early communitarian socialism. Leopold is affiliated with the Political Theory Network and the Centre for Socio-Spatial Justice (CSSJ). His work bridges historical and contemporary political thought, emphasizing critical engagement with classical texts and their relevance to modern debates.
Gautham Narayan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with affiliations in Physics and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). He holds roles as Deputy Director for Astrophysics Research at the NSF-Simons SkAI Institute and Deputy Director of the Center for AstroPhysical Surveys. His research focuses on multi-messenger and time-domain astrophysics, cosmology, and machine learning applications in astronomy. Education: PhD in Physics from Harvard University (2013) and BS (Hons) in Physics from Illinois Wesleyan University (2005). His work includes pioneering AI methods for transient detection, leading collaborations like the Young Supernova Experiment (YSE), and developing standards for LSST and WFIRST. He is a Simonyi NSF-CAREER Fellow and Analysis Coordinator for the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration. Research interests span cosmology, supernovae, and survey science. Key projects include establishing spectrophotometric standards via HST observations and advancing real-time analysis pipelines like ANTARES. Recent work emphasizes Bayesian models for supernova cosmology and multi-messenger astrophysics. Awards: Simonyi NSF-CAREER Fellowship. Collaborations include DESC, SCiMMA, and the KEGS team. Teaching includes courses on astrophysics and data science, with mentorship of students across undergraduate and graduate levels. Public outreach efforts include Astronomy on Tap events and science communication initiatives.
Dr. Bimlesh Wadhwa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and serves as Assistant Dean for Student Life at Tembusu College. She holds dual affiliations as a Residential Fellow at Tembusu College and an active member of the School of Computing's academic community. Her work bridges software engineering, human-computer interaction (HCI), and computing education. Dr. Wadhwa's research focuses on gender issues in HCI, software design quality, and digital well-being. She has pioneered initiatives like the Code for Community program to bring computing education to underserved groups. Her pedagogical contributions include developing courses on object-oriented design, software engineering principles, and interaction design. She actively engages with professional communities through roles such as Faculty Representative at the Singapore Computer Society Student Chapter and advisor to the Computing Club at NUS. Her recent work addresses pressing societal challenges like technology-facilitated sexual violence and integrates AI into educational contexts. She has organized major competitions including CodeXtreme and the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair, fostering innovation among students. Her interdisciplinary collaborations span healthcare applications, smart city technologies, and educational equity initiatives. Dr. Wadhwa’s scholarly contributions include over 80 publications in top venues such as FSE, CHI, and IEEE conferences. She has co-edited book chapters for Springer and Wiley on HCI and informatics, reflecting her commitment to advancing both technical and societal dimensions of computing. In addition to her academic roles, she leads MakerLab initiatives and contributes to national educational policies on computational thinking. Her work emphasizes bridging academia-industry gaps through projects like the GEAR mobile game-assisted rehabilitation system and cloud service brokerage frameworks.
Professor Gary Gibbons is a distinguished academic at the University of Cambridge, holding the position of Professor of Theoretical Physics within the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), part of the Faculty of Mathematics. His research focuses on general relativity, quantum gravity, cosmology, and black hole physics. He is a core member of the Relativity and Gravitation Group, known for contributions to gravitational wave theory, black hole thermodynamics, and geometric methods in physics. His work intersects with areas such as the memory effect of gravitational waves, Carroll symmetry, and the mathematical structure of spacetime. Prof. Gibbons collaborates internationally, publishing extensively in top journals like Physical Review D and Classical and Quantum Gravity . His research also extends to applied mathematics, including studies on abrasion processes and shape evolution in geosciences. He maintains an active role in theoretical physics, advising graduate students and contributing to the academic community through lectures and seminars.
Abigail Jacobs is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan , jointly appointed in the School of Information and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts . She is also affiliated with the Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing (ESC) and the Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS) . Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder (2015-2019) BA in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences and Mathematics, Northwestern University (2011-2015) Research Interests: Dr. Jacobs examines measurement and validity in machine learning , focusing on hidden assumptions in AI systems, governance structures in sociotechnical systems, and inequality in algorithmic design. Her work bridges AI, data science, and social science methodologies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent Publications (2024-2025) explore generative AI evaluation, algorithmic transparency in government (e.g., US Census Bureau), motion capture data ethics, and sociotechnical frameworks for AI governance. Earlier works (2023) address fairness in ranking systems and racial categorization in algorithmic bias studies. Scientific Awards: Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellowship (2024) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (during PhD) Advising & Grants: She co-advises Ph.D. students Amina Abdu and Meera Desai . Her research includes a Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab grant on AI audits and collaborations with institutions like UC Berkeley, Microsoft Research, and the National Academies .
Professor Tony Kushner is the James Parkes Professor of History at the University of Southampton , affiliated with both the History Department and the Parkes Institute . His work spans Jewish migration history , Refugee studies , and Representation and memory of the Holocaust , with additional expertise in Bystander studies and Heritage, history and memory . Current Research: Cultural history of Jacob Harris (18th-century Jewish triple murderer); co-presentations to the Holocaust with Dr Aimee Bunting. Key Article Trends: Focus on Holocaust memory, urban Jewish communities, migration patterns, and intersections of race, colonialism, and genocide. Scientific Awards: BA Fellowship (Dr Jennifer Craig-Norton) K Pieren Postdoc Research Fellowship Hannah Ewence Postdoc Research Fellowship Kushner Rothschild Parkes Intl Summer School in Jewish Heritage PhD Supervision: Currently supervising 7 PhD students across History and Geography. Grants: Sponsored research projects from the British Academy and Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe.
Professor Sara B. Pritchard is a leading scholar in environmental science and technology studies (STS) at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in History from Stanford University and University of Puget Sound. Her research critically examines light pollution, environmental ethics, and the intersection of technology and nature. Pritchard has received grants from the National Science Foundation and Cornell's Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, among others. Her major works include Night as Environment: Light Pollution and the Anthropocene (2024) and Confluence: The Nature of Technology and the Remaking of the Rhône (2011). She co-edited influential volumes such as New Natures: Joining Environmental History with Science and Technology Studies (2013) and pioneered the concept of 'envirotechnical analysis.' Pritchard advises students across disciplines including Anthropology, Asian Studies, and Natural Resources. Her research explores dark histories, nuclear disasters, and sustainable energy transitions. She collaborates with global scholars through special journal issues on topics like climate justice and polar night studies. Pritchard’s work bridges environmental humanities with technological critique, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to urgent ecological challenges.
Thompson S.H. Teo is a Professor in the Department of Analytics and Operations (DAO) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School. He holds editorial roles in top journals including European Journal of Information Systems, International Journal of Information Management, and Communications of the AIS. His research spans information systems strategy, business-IT alignment, e-commerce, sustainability, and AI's societal impacts. With over 200 publications, he ranked #143 globally in 2023 among business scientists (research.com) and was recognized in Stanford's top 2% global scientists (2021-2023). Awards include the Best Associate Editor Award (2017) and AIS Distinguished Membership. Thompson's research interests include IT adoption, cyberloafing, supply chain digitalization, and green innovation. He teaches courses on innovation, Industry 4.0, and strategic IT at undergraduate, masters, and executive levels. Notable contributions include frameworks for commute experience analysis and AI adoption market signals. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in sustainability, organizational behavior, and digital governance. Affiliations: NUS Business School, Distinguished Editorial Advisory Board (IJoIM), Senior Member (INFORMS) Grants & Leadership: Extensive editorial leadership, supervised China Scholarship Council PhD students, and executive programs on innovation design thinking. Key Contributions: Over 270 publications, four co-edited books on IT/e-commerce, and policy-relevant studies on environmental regulations and green tech adoption. His research often employs mixed methods (e.g., QCA for corruption analysis, PLS-SEM for cyberloafing models) and addresses global issues like fake news mitigation via ChatGPT and pandemic-era customer engagement in short videos.
Dr. Limin Jao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE) at McGill University’s Faculty of Education. Her research focuses on exemplary teaching practices in mathematics and STE(A)M education, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, project-based learning, and student engagement. She holds leadership roles including Vice-President of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group and Editorial Board member of the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education. Her expertise spans teacher education, pedagogy, and research-practice partnerships. Education: Ph.D., Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto M.A., Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, OISE, University of Toronto B.Ed., Secondary Biology and Mathematics Education, Queen's University B.Sc.H., Biology and Mathematics, Queen's University Research Interests: Limin explores how interdisciplinary and inquiry-based methods foster student engagement and teacher development. Her work bridges theory and practice, advocating for inclusive classrooms and educator collaboration. She has pioneered projects linking community artifacts to STEM learning and co-edited volumes on transdisciplinary education and teacher training borders. Publications Trends: Recent work examines gender perspectives in mathematics, pre-service teacher experiences, and professional learning communities in STEM. Her research emphasizes equity, pedagogical innovation, and the intersection of cultural contexts with educational practices. Awards: 2023 Award for Distinguished Teaching, McGill University Faculty of Education Advising & Grants: Limin supervises graduate students in mathematics education and collaborates on research-practice initiatives. She leads the Jao Research Team and contributes to the Chandaria Research Centre’s advisory board at Branksome Hall. Labs/Teams: The Jao Research Team focuses on innovative teaching strategies and STE(A)M education, with projects addressing student agency and interdisciplinary curriculum design.
Susan Holmes is Professor at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where she joined as Reader in Television in 2007 and was appointed to Professor in 2018. She is an active member of several research groups including Media Equality, Film, Television and Media, Gender and Its Intersections Steering Committee, and HealthUEA. Her work spans television studies, celebrity culture, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Professor Holmes received her academic training at the University of Sussex (BA in English and Media Studies), followed by an MA in Film from the University of Southampton, and completed her PhD on British film and television in the 1950s at the same institution. Prior to joining UEA, she taught Media and Cultural Studies at the Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University) and television and film at the University of Kent. Her research focuses on several interconnected areas that challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. In television studies, she has made significant contributions to understanding British television history, particularly through her books 'British TV and Film in the 1950s' and 'Entertaining TV: the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s,' where she challenges canonical ideas about early BBC television. Her work on reality TV examines historical development, generic labeling, and celebrity. Since 2014, she has conducted important empirical research on feminist approaches to eating disorders, analyzing media representations and working directly with people with lived experience. A key focus of this research examines how feminist approaches are neglected in contemporary eating disorder treatment, with implications for both clinical practice and cultural understanding. She co-founded the influential Celebrity Studies journal in 2010 and edited it for the first eight years of its publication. Analysis of Professor Holmes' recent publications reveals a clear trajectory where her expertise in media and television studies converges with her feminist scholarship on eating disorders. Her most recent work (2023-2025) increasingly focuses on cross-cultural applications of feminist approaches to eating disorders (including work in China), the use of innovative methodologies like Photovoice, and examinations of therapeutic alliance in treatment settings. Simultaneously, she continues to analyze contemporary media representations, particularly focusing on motherhood, true crime television, and reality TV through feminist lenses. This dual focus demonstrates how media representations shape cultural understandings of both celebrity and health conditions. Professor Holmes' significant contributions to academia have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Senior Fellowship from Advance HE (2024) UEA engagement award (2017) ALPSP award nomination for Celebrity Studies as best new journal (2011) She currently runs the Feminist Media Studies research cluster at UEA and is actively supervising postgraduate research in areas including popular television, television/film history, British TV history, stardom/celebrity, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Her current major research project is the 'ALLIANCE study' (2024-2026), funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which aims to develop practice and policy recommendations to support effective therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for eating disorders. This builds on her earlier British Academy-funded research on 'Entertaining Television: British TV, the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s' (2007-2008). Professor Holmes plays a significant role in the academic community through her editorial work, serving on the boards of journals including Archives of Psychology, Big Data & Society, and Critical Studies in Television, and previously as co-founder and editor of Celebrity Studies. She has also been active in media engagement, contributing expert commentary on topics ranging from Netflix's portrayal of eating disorders to Celebrity Big Brother.
Tal Simons is Professor of Organization Theory in the Department of Organisation and Personnel Management at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam, and has been an ERIM Fellow since 2019. His research examines organizational responses to societal pressures through institutional and behavioral lenses. Simons' work centers on institutional theory applications in regulatory resistance, ideological dynamics, and organizational authenticity. He investigates how firms navigate social movements, media scrutiny, and moral legitimacy challenges across diverse sectors including tobacco, wine, and contemporary dance. His methodology blends historical analysis with qualitative case studies to uncover patterns in community cohesion, aesthetic innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration. Publication trends reveal an evolution from foundational studies on kibbutzim and Israeli wine industry transformation (1997-2010) toward contemporary analyses of CSR-media relationships, regulatory compliance, and authenticity construction (2015-2024). Recent work emphasizes ideological imperatives in news coverage and moral legitimacy frameworks, while maintaining consistent theoretical grounding in institutional logics and organizational ecology. Professional recognition includes: ERIM Fellow (2019–present) As an active doctoral supervisor, Simons mentors nine PhD candidates across organization theory and behavior domains. His advisees explore cross-cultural collaborations, multi-stakeholder organizing, sustainability-focused community enterprises, and societal change mechanisms. Supervision spans 2015 to present with roles as promotor and committee member, reflecting sustained commitment to developing organizational scholarship through next-generation researchers.
Kisha Porcher is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Delaware, specializing in English Education. She serves as the Student Teaching Coordinator and holds a Ph.D. in Teaching and Teacher Education from George Mason University, alongside degrees from Spelman College and Teachers College Columbia University. B.A., English and Secondary Education, Spelman College M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, Teachers College Columbia University Ph.D., Teaching and Teacher Education, George Mason University Her research focuses on centering Blackness through frameworks like the Black Gaze and archeology of the self (Sealey-Ruiz, 2019), emphasizing racial identity development and community-engaged learning. She explores systemic assets for Black and Brown students while advocating for anti-racist pedagogies in urban education settings. Her recent publications highlight trends in critical literacy instruction , decolonizing curricula , and equity-driven teacher training , with a strong emphasis on racial justice and linguistic diversity. Notably, she received the College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2022. Porcher’s work bridges teacher self-reflection and structural reform , positioning educators as disruptors of systemic inequities. Her scholarship spans topics from cultural competency to community-embedded pedagogies, reflecting her commitment to redistributing power in educational systems.
Dr. Appala Raju Badireddy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Vermont (UVM), and Director of the Water Treatment & Environmental Nanotechnology (WTEN) Laboratory. He is also co-founder and CTO of Secure Surgical Solutions LLC, and a founding member of Vermont Initiative for Biological and Environmental Surveillance (VIBES). His research focuses on sustainable membrane processes, environmental nanotechnology, nanometrology, and water security. Education: Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, University of Houston (2003-2009) M.Tech., Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (2001-2003) B.Tech., Chemical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (1997-2001) Postdoctoral Research, Duke University (2009-2014) under Prof. Mark Wiesner Research Interests: Sustainable Membrane Processes: Water/wastewater treatment, desalination, anti-fouling strategies, and resource recovery. Environmental Nanotechnology: Nano-enabled sensors, remediation, and implications of nanomaterials in ecosystems. Environmental Chemodynamics: PFAS fate/transport, nutrient cycling, and contaminant toxicity. Water Security: Real-time monitoring systems and soil health assessments. His work integrates lab-scale innovations with field applications, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent Research Trends: Recent publications highlight advancements in PFAS remediation, electric-field enhanced filtration, and living lab approaches to precision agriculture. He explores nanomaterials for water treatment while addressing their environmental implications through novel detection methods like ED-HSI microscopy. Labs & Initiatives: WTEN Lab: Focuses on nanotechnology-driven water solutions. VIBES: Develops environmental surveillance tools for public health. Secure Surgical Solutions: Applies nanotechnology to medical devices.
Marco Brogna is an Associate Professor of Economic Geography at the Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory, and Finance at Sapienza University of Rome. He has been serving in this capacity since March 2007, following his position as a Confirmed Researcher of Economic Geography from 2001 to 2007. His academic work is deeply rooted in the Faculty of Economics, where he has held significant administrative roles including Delegate of the Dean for Teaching and President of the Coordination Committee for Degree Programs. Professor Brogna's research interests span Tourism Development , Sustainable Tourism , Local Economic Development , Economic Geography , Territorial Planning , and Accessible Tourism . His work consistently focuses on the intersection between tourism, regional development, and sustainable practices. He has particular expertise in analyzing tourism dynamics in the Lazio region and Rome, examining how tourism impacts local economies and how territories can be developed to maximize tourism potential while maintaining sustainability. His recent publications reveal a clear trend toward analyzing post-pandemic tourism recovery, sustainable development models, and the evolving relationship between tourism and local communities. His research demonstrates a progression from traditional tourism studies toward more complex analyses of tourism's role in territorial development, with increasing focus on digital influences, accessibility, and sustainable practices. His work spans both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, often using case studies from Rome and the Lazio region to illustrate broader principles of tourism development. Professor Brogna has been actively involved in thesis supervision for undergraduate and graduate students, encouraging students to apply one semester before their expected completion date. He has led numerous research projects funded by the Lazio Region, including innovative research on tourist industry management, tourism training, and sustainable tourism development. His most significant projects include being responsible for the 2021 research on 'Innovative Management of the Tourist Industry' and the 2020 National Report on Open-Air Tourism. Professor Brogna has also been instrumental in organizing academic events, including the 'Giovedì del Turismo' conference series at Sapienza University since 2015, as well as numerous other conferences on tourism development, sustainable tourism, and territorial planning. His work extends beyond academia into practical applications through his involvement with Rome's strategic tourism planning and various governmental advisory roles.
Akshay R. Rao is a Professor and General Mills Chair in Marketing at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management . He holds a PhD in Marketing from Virginia Tech and has served as founding Director of the Institute for Research in Marketing (2005-2010) and Chairman of the Marketing & Logistics Management Department (2003-2006). Rao has also held visiting positions at MIT and Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Honors), Madras University (1978) Master of Business Administration in Marketing, XLRI - Xavier School of Management (1980) Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1986) Rao's research spans consumer behavior, pricing strategy, brand management , and political marketplace segmentation , with recent work examining vaccine hesitancy , political ideology effects on consumer behavior , and fake news dynamics . His work appears in top journals including Journal of Consumer Research , Journal of Marketing , and Harvard Business Review , covering topics from neuromarketing to information economics . Scientific recognition includes: Robert Ferber Award (1987) Harold Maynard Award (2000) Distinguished Alumnus, XLRI (2011) He has testified before the Federal Trade Commission and served on editorial boards of Journal of Consumer Research and Journal of Marketing . Beyond academia, Rao consults for global firms like 3M and Medtronic, and has conducted the Minnesota Orchestra twice in 2024-2025.
