Katažyna Bogdzevič is a Professor at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Law School, specializing in Private International Law , European Law , Human Rights , and Environmental Law . She leads the MRU Human Rights LAB and contributes to the Environmental Management Research LAB, focusing on legal frameworks for ecosystem services, climate change mitigation, and stakeholder engagement. Key Research Themes: Integration of Private International Law with Environmental Law , analysis of legal conflicts in nature-based solutions, and name rights under international human rights conventions. Policy Engagement: Serves as advisor to Lithuania's Minister of Justice Ewelina Dobrowolska , emphasizing knowledge transfer to legislative and judicial practices. Email: roffice@mruni.eu
Charles-Francis-Xavier Szymanski is a Professor at the Faculty of Law of Vytautas Magnus University , specializing in the Department of Private Law . He is a renowned expert in international labor law, comparative legal systems, and ethical dimensions of legal practice, with a focus on globalization's impact on legal frameworks. Languages: English (native), Polish (native), Spanish (basics) Key affiliations: Faculty of Law (32 publications), Department of Private Law (12 publications) His research spans Labor Law , Contract Law , and Applied Ethics , particularly examining: Good faith doctrine in U.S. labor negotiations Platform economy worker classification Historical implications of Chiune Sugihara's actions Comparative analysis of European and U.S. mediation systems Social clauses in trade agreements Union roles in modern labor disputes Recent publications reveal expertise in gig economy regulation , collective bargaining , and judicial impacts on labor movements . While no explicit awards are documented, his extensive international collaborations (Italy, Poland, UK) demonstrate academic influence.
ISM University of Management and EconomicsLithuania
Prof. Aras Zirgulis is an American-Lithuanian scholar and Professor at ISM University of Management and Economics since 2010. He holds degrees from UCSD (undergraduate), Vilnius University (master's), and ISM (doctoral). His research focuses on Public Economics, tax policy, and labor economics. He has conducted research visits at ZEW (Germany) and BI Norwegian Business School. Notably, he received the 2017 Kazimieras Meškauskas Prize for his doctoral work on economics. Teaching includes courses like Microeconomics (ECO101), Public Finance (FIN104), and Logical Argumentation (MNG241). He led the RCL Postdoctoral Fellowship on Tax Structures (2020-2022, €49,815) and contributed to the Industry 4.0 project (2020, €61,142). His research spans tax impacts on cross-border sales, migration-unemployment linkages in Europe, and behavioral finance in corporate tax planning. Key publications address Treasury yield curves, Baltic beer taxation, and banana trade wars. He actively participates in international conferences (e.g., ZEW, Spatial Econometrics Association). His work bridges theoretical economics with policy-relevant analysis, emphasizing fiscal frameworks and regional dynamics.
Prof. Dr. Tomas Davulis is a Professor at Vilnius University's Faculty of Law, where he serves as Head of the Private Law Department and leads the Labor Law Center. Previously, he was Dean of the Faculty (2012–2022) and Vice-Dean (2003). His academic credentials include a Doctor of Law (Vilnius, 2002), an LL.M. from the University of Freiburg (2001), and a Master’s in Law (Vilnius, 1993). His research focuses on European Union law , labour law , and human rights , with emphasis on non-discrimination frameworks and constitutional protections. Recent publications analyze EU labor law harmonization, dismissal mechanisms, and atypical employment, reflecting his expertise in transnational legal systems. Notable honors include the French Order of Academic Palms (2018) and national awards for improving Lithuania's business climate (2015). He is active on editorial boards of multiple European law journals and contributes to EU legal expert networks.
Liudmila Ulyashyna is an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Senate at the European Humanities University (EHU), leading the Academic Department of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences (Law) from Vilnius University (2015), and dual LLM degrees from Oslo University (2005–2006) and Ruhr-University (2004). Her research focuses on international human rights law, implementation mechanisms, legal ethics, and participatory democracy. She directs the Center for Constitutionalism and Human Rights and oversees projects like the 'International Law in Advocacy' program, training lawyers in CIS countries on human rights litigation and standards. Her work emphasizes bridging universal human rights norms with local legal systems, particularly in Belarus and post-Soviet states. Notable publications include studies on fair trials during emergencies, universal jurisdiction, and linguistic rights protection. She actively engages with international bodies like the Council of Europe and OSCE, advocating for human rights defenders and legal professionals at risk. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates legal education, strategic litigation, and policy advocacy to strengthen rule-of-law frameworks globally.
Shynia Ouchi is a Full Professor of Labour Law at the Graduate School of Law, Kobe University (Japan). She contributes extensively to academic discourse through publications in prestigious journals such as Diritto delle Relazioni Industriali , Japan Labour Bulletin , and the Bulletin of Comparative Labour Relations Series . Research Focus : Labour law, industrial relations, and employment law in Japan. Collaborations : Associated with international networks, including the ADAPT Network and World Employment Confederation. Her work addresses contemporary challenges in labor systems, including demographic change and digital industrial contexts, as reflected in her involvement in the ADAPT Special Bulletin .
Assoc. Prof. Dovilė Ruplienė is an academic at Vilnius University's Institute of Regional Development with expertise in regional economic resilience, public finance, and labor market dynamics. She holds a PhD in Economics from Vytautas Magnus University and has held academic roles since 2004, including positions at Šiauliai University and Vilnius University. Her research focuses on the interplay between economic growth, labor markets, and demographic changes. Notable projects include the EU-funded 'INTERA' project on jobless growth and 'SAFICON' analyzing municipal fiscal competitiveness. She has authored over 50 publications, emphasizing regional economic analysis and policy implications. Dr. Ruplienė has received the Šiauliai Association of Industrialists Award (2021) for her regional development study and contributes to policy advisory roles. She teaches courses like 'Public Sector Finance' and 'Economic Crisis Assessment' at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Eric Brunat is a Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Law, Savoie Mont Blanc University (USMB), France. He is a member of the Institute for Research in Management and Economics (IREGE) and has taught at the Grenoble Institute of Political Studies. He has played a pivotal role in international academic collaboration, notably co-leading the joint European and International Business Law master's program between USMB and Mykolo Romerio University (MRU), Lithuania, for which he was awarded the Honorary Member title by MRU in 2023. He previously served as Vice-Rector of Savoie University and was Scientific Director of the Center for European and Russian Economic Policy in Moscow. His research focuses on International Economics , European Integration , Transition Economies , Development Economics , and Regional Economics . His work examines the economic transformation of post-Soviet states, EU enlargement, institutional reform, and development challenges in Eastern Europe. He has conducted extensive research on the political economy of economic reforms in Russia, Belarus, and Moldova, often in collaboration with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His over 150 publications span multiple languages and analyze trends in economic transition, regional integration, and development policy. His recent work emphasizes EU neighborhood policy, fiscal federalism, innovation in transition economies, and sustainable development in alpine regions. The articles reflect a consistent focus on institutional change, policy evaluation, and cross-border economic cooperation. Notable scientific recognitions include: Honorary Member of Mykolo Romerio University (2023) Savoie University Honorary Medal Eric Brunat has served as a senior economist and advisor for the UNDP in Russia, Belarus, and Moldova, contributing to economic policy formulation during critical transition periods. His academic leadership extends to institutional roles, including vice-rectorship and directing research centers. He has been a visiting professor and speaker at numerous international conferences across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, fostering global academic dialogue. He is affiliated with key research entities such as IREGE and has contributed to policy-oriented research through collaborations with international organizations and universities. His work bridges academic scholarship and practical policy advice, particularly in the context of economic modernization and integration.
Aušra Maslauskaitė is a Professor at the Department of Sociology , Faculty of Social Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University . She is also affiliated with the Vytautas Kavolis Interdisciplinary Research Institute and the Centre for Demographic Research . Education and Language Skills: Habilitated Doctor (2009) Professor (2012) Spoken/Written Languages: Lithuanian (Native), English (Very Good), German (Very Good), Russian (Very Good), French (Basic) Research Interests: Maslauskaitė's research focuses on the sociology of the family , family demography , and sociology of gender . She has extensively studied intergenerational family solidarity , post-communist social transformations , and fertility intentions in Lithuania. Recent Publications: Her most recent work includes studies on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected fertility intentions , legalizing same-sex partnerships and its demographic impact, and the role of cultural capital in educational mobility in post-communist societies. Professional Activities: Maslauskaitė contributed to the development of the Lithuanian Longitudinal Social Survey (LIST) and participated in the 14th Conference of the Lithuanian Sociological Society in 2022. Contact: Email ausra.maslauskaite@vdu.lt
Michele Tiraboschi is a Full Professor of Labour Law at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, where he serves as Director of the Centro Studi DEAL (Diritto, Economia, Ambiente, Lavoro). He is the Scientific Coordinator of ADAPT, an association for labour studies founded in 2000 by Professor Marco Biagi, and coordinates the legal major of the Doctoral School in Human Capital Formation and Labour Relations promoted by ADAPT, MIUR, and the University of Bergamo. His research spans critical areas of labor studies: Labour Law Industrial Relations Labor Market dynamics School-to-Work Transition Comparative Labour Law Labour Economics Tiraboschi has held significant public appointments including two terms on the National Guarantee Commission for implementing strike legislation in essential public services and two terms representing the Italian Government at the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in Dublin. As a scholar, he directs the Review Diritto delle Relazioni Industriali and manages the E-Journal of International and Comparative Labour Studies. He regularly contributes as a columnist for Avvenire and Panorama, providing expert analysis on labor market developments and legal frameworks. He leads the Centro Studi DEAL as a multidisciplinary hub for research on law, economics, environment, and work, facilitating academic collaboration and policy-relevant research in labor studies across national and international contexts.
Marius Bartninkas is a Lecturer at the Department of Private Law within the Faculty of Law at Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas, Lithuania). His work focuses on labor law and legal regulation of employment relationships. Primary Research Areas: Labor law, employment contracts, employer rights, and procedural requirements in termination cases. Publications: Analyzed Lithuanian labor law reforms and co-authored a comparative study on public law in the Baltic States.
Charles Szymanski is a Professor at the Faculty of Law of Vilnius University. He holds a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Pittsburgh (USA) and has passed the bar exams in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. His academic career spans international borders, with teaching engagements in Lithuania at Vytautas Magnus University, in the USA at Michigan State University College of Law, and in Poland at the Universities of Warmia-Masuria, Lublin, and Lodz. Doctor of Laws, University of Pittsburgh Research and Teaching Focus: Szymanski's expertise centers on international law , labor law , public international law , mediation , disability rights , and comparative constitutional law . His work explores intersections between corporate ethics, labor rights, and legal frameworks for conflict resolution in Eastern Europe. Academic Engagement: He actively participates in international scientific conferences and master's thesis defense committees, emphasizing his role as a global legal scholar.
