Andrew Little is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley , where he has taught courses like Democracy , Formal Models in Political Science , and The Scientific Study of Politics . He previously held faculty positions at Cornell University (Graduate) and Harvard University (Graduate). His academic training includes a B.A. from Carleton College and a Ph.D. from NYU . Research Focus: Formal models of biased belief formation, motivated reasoning, democratic backsliding, and authoritarian politics. Teaching: Graduate and undergraduate courses on formal theory, game theory, and quantitative methods. Editorial Role: Associate Editor at the American Journal of Political Science . His peer-reviewed publications address topics such as democratic erosion , information manipulation , and political conflict , combining formal theory with empirical analysis to study authoritarian regimes, policing discrimination, and electoral dynamics. Recent work includes studies on selection neglect in political beliefs and the measurement of democratic backsliding.
Cassandra Rachel Veney, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership at Howard University, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. She has previously held leadership and faculty roles at Case Western Reserve University and the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, where she chaired the Department of International Relations. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1995 M.A. in African Studies, Howard University, 1988 B.A. in Political Science, Syracuse University, 1982 Her research and teaching focus on African international relations, forced migration, gender and human rights, U.S.-Africa relations, and global development. She has authored and edited several influential books and contributed to academic journals and policy discussions. Her work emphasizes the role of African agency in international affairs, the impact of U.S. foreign policy in Africa, and the experiences of the African diaspora. Her recent publications cover a wide range of topics including U.S.-Africa diplomacy, post-conflict reconstruction in Africa, refugee crises, and transnational racial discourse. These works reflect a deep engagement with political economy, democratization, and human rights across the African continent and its global diaspora. Scientific Awards and Honors: Outstanding Professor Award, African Student Association, Illinois State University, 2003 Phi Sigma Alpha, Outstanding Teaching in Political Science Award, Illinois State University, 2000 Who’s Who of American Women, 2000-2001 College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Initiative Award, Illinois State University, 1999 Rotary International Group Study Exchange to India, January-February 1995 University of Missouri Dissertation Travel Grant, 1993 Dr. Veney has served on editorial boards such as African Studies Review and Journal of Asian and African Studies , and has been active in faculty governance, curriculum development, and mentorship. She has organized and presented at international conferences on refugee migration, U.S.-Africa relations, and gender in global politics. While her current role is administrative, her academic contributions remain central to the fields of African studies and international relations. She has also contributed to public discourse through multimedia appearances, including Voice of America and SpiceFM, discussing U.S. politics and global perspectives.
Dr Marcin Smietana is a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Department of Sociology and the Reproductive Sociology Research Group (ReproSoc) . His work focuses on LGBTQ+ family formation , transnational surrogacy , and reproductive justice , funded by grants including a Marie Curie Fellowship and Wellcome Trust support. He teaches courses on Sociology of Gender , Health and Illness , and MPhil in Health, Medicine & Society . PhD in Sociology (University of Barcelona/AFIN) Postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley and Cambridge His research explores queer resistance to authoritarianism , racial dynamics in ART (assisted reproductive technologies), and reproductive decision-making among gay men. He co-edited the landmark volume Making Families: Transnational Surrogacy, Queer Kinship and Reproductive Justice (2018), which bridges reproductive anthropology with queer theory . Current projects examine queer ecologies and critical animal studies . Key contributions include: Identifying repro-regional moral frameworks in cross-cultural surrogacy studies (USA, India, Russia) Documenting the intersections of race and queer reproduction in international surrogacy markets Deconstructing emotional economies in U.S. commercial surrogacy He supervises dissertations on transnational surrogacy , queer kinship , and species relationships in reproduction , with publications spanning Reproductive BioMedicine & Society Online , Sociological Research Online , and edited volumes. His upcoming book examines gay men’s reproductive decision-making in transnational contexts.
Derek H. Kiernan-Johnson is a Teaching Professor at the University of Colorado Law School, specializing in Legal Writing , Appellate Advocacy , and Judicial Opinion Writing . He has taught courses on legal reasoning, document design, and narrative techniques in legal argumentation since joining the faculty in 2007. JD, University of Michigan Law School BA, Princeton University (Religion, Dramatic Performance, Music) His research explores intersections of narrative theory , visual rhetoric , and legal persuasion , with a focus on typography, historical legal contexts, and the performative aspects of law. Publications examine Bluebook overlaps, narrativity in legal writing, and rhetorical influence on judicial decisions. Notable scholarly contributions include analyses of Supreme Court indifference , craft whiskey regulation , and typographic storytelling in legal briefs. He has no listed scientific awards or student advisees in the provided materials. Professional background includes clerking for Justice Michael L. Bender of the Colorado Supreme Court and six years of legal practice at Caplan and Earnest, LLC, representing public-school clients in diverse legal settings.
Jörg Spenkuch is an Associate Professor of Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, where he has been since 2013. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics (2013) and M.A. (2009) from the University of Chicago, and dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Business Administration (2007) from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Education: Ph.D., 2013, Economics, University of Chicago M.A., 2009, Economics, University of Chicago B.A., 2007, Economics, University of St. Gallen B.A., 2007, Business Administration, University of St. Gallen Professor Spenkuch's research bridges political economy and applied microeconomics , with a focus on ideological behavior, strategic decision-making, and social dynamics. His work examines topics like: Political Economy: Campaign finance, electoral accountability, and ideological sorting. Behavioral Economics: Satisficing behavior, memory-driven choices, and strategic voting. Public Policy: School desegregation effects, bureaucratic performance, and immigration-crime linkages. His recent publications analyze: Long-term ideological shifts from 1975 school desegregation (2025 working paper). Memory premiums in decision-making (2025 working paper). Complexity's role in chess strategy (2024 Review of Economic Studies ). Political accountability during natural disasters (2025 American Economic Journal ). Scientific Recognition: MinE Best Paper Award (European Economic Association) Chair's Core Teaching Award Deutschlands "Top 40 unter 40" (Capital magazine) FEEM Award (European Economic Association) Best Paper Award, RGS Doctoral Conference At Kellogg, he teaches Leadership and Crisis Management (PACT-440-5) and Business Analytics (DECS-435-0). His work has been published in top journals like Econometrica , American Economic Review , Quarterly Journal of Economics , and Review of Economic Studies , covering topics from partisan spatial sorting to expressive vs. strategic voting behavior.
Tianna Paschel is an Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the intersection of racial ideology, politics, and globalization in Latin America, particularly exploring shifts from universal citizenship to multicultural frameworks recognizing black populations’ rights. She is the author of Becoming Black Political Subjects (winner of multiple awards) and co-editor of Afro-Latin@s in Movement . Paschel holds affiliations with the American Political Science Association Task Force on Race and Class Inequality, the Network of Anti-Racist Action and Research (RAIAR), and the Law Section of the American Sociological Association. Her work examines black mobilization in Colombia and Brazil, anti-blackness in immigration politics, and transnational solidarity networks. Key themes include racialized state policies, intersectionality of race and class, and hemispheric black activism. Her research methods combine ethnography, archival work, and survey data analysis. Paschel’s scholarly contributions bridge sociology, political science, and ethnic studies. Her 2020s work explores California’s racialized immigration debates while earlier projects analyzed Latin America’s ethno-racial rights frameworks. She has received prestigious awards recognizing her groundbreaking analysis of race, statecraft, and social movements. Her professional service includes advising on anti-racist research initiatives and collaborating across disciplines to center black perspectives in academic discourse. Office hours are held Monday-Friday 9am-4pm in 660 Social Sciences Building, UC Berkeley.
Dr. Ziming Liu is a Professor at the School of Information, San José State University , where he has been a core faculty member since 2000, advancing from Assistant to Full Professor by 2010. He holds a Ph.D. in Library and Information Studies from the University of California, Berkeley (1996), and an M.S. from Zhongshan University, China (1990). Ph.D., Library and Information Studies, University of California, Berkeley (1996) M.S., Library and Information Science, Zhongshan University, China (1990) His research focuses on digital reading, digital libraries, information behavior, and scholarly communication . He has extensively studied how users interact with digital versus print materials, gender differences in online reading, and the evolution of documents in the digital age. His 2008 book, From Paper to Digital: Documents in the Information Age , is a seminal work in the field. His research on digital reading has been featured in major media outlets such as The Washington Post , The Guardian , and Scientific American . The recent scholarly output (2022–2023) shows a continued focus on digital reading behavior , particularly how social media and digital distraction affect reading practices. His work combines empirical user studies with theoretical insights into information behavior, often using comparative and cross-cultural methodologies. The publications appear in leading journals like Journal of Documentation and Information Processing and Management , reflecting sustained scholarly impact. There are no mentions of scientific awards or honors in the provided text. Dr. Liu has taught key courses including INFO 200 – Information Communities , INFO 275 – Library Services for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Communities , and INFO 287 – Seminar in Information Science Education . While no specific students are listed, his role as a professor and publication record imply graduate student mentorship. He has not held administrative or part-time roles, and there is no indication of lab or team leadership in the text.
Philip Zachernuk is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Dalhousie University, specializing in Modern African history with emphasis on intellectual traditions, slavery, colonialism, and educational systems. His scholarship bridges West African historical contexts with transnational Pan-African movements and diasporic engagements. His educational background includes a BA and MA from Dalhousie University and a PhD from the University of Toronto. Zachernuk's research examines how African intellectuals navigated colonial structures while redefining continental identity, particularly through education and print culture in Nigeria. His work challenges Eurocentric historical frameworks by centering African epistemological agency. Recent publications reveal sustained focus on Edward Wilmot Blyden's intellectual legacy, West African creolization processes, and the complexities of Pan-African cultural production. His scholarship demonstrates evolving engagement with animal studies, anonymity in colonial public spheres, and the economic dimensions of pre-independence Africa, reflecting interdisciplinary expansion within African historiography. Zachernuk teaches core courses including Slavery and Slaving in Global History, Rise and Fall of African Slavery, Wars and Revolts in 19th Century Africa, and Topics in African History (Nationalism & Independence), maintaining active office hours for student engagement in Winter 2025.
Dr. Katie Gaddini serves as Associate Professor in Sociology at University College London's Social Research Institute, where she leads research within the Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU). She maintains dual affiliations as Affiliate Researcher with UCL's Sarah Parker Remond Centre and Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg's Department of Sociology. Currently (2022-2026), she holds a prestigious UK Research and Innovation fellowship hosted jointly by UCL and Stanford University, investigating Christian women's engagement with conservative politics in the United States. Her academic foundation includes master's degrees from Boston College and the London School of Economics, culminating in a PhD in Sociology from the University of Cambridge. Her ethnographic expertise spans five years of immersive fieldwork with single evangelical women, documented in her critically acclaimed book The Struggle to Stay: Why Single Evangelical Women are Leaving the Church (2022). Gaddini's research program centers on the sociology of religion through four interconnected lenses: (1) Lived religion approaches to evangelical Christianity; (2) Intersectional analysis of race, class, and gender within religious belonging; (3) Comparative studies of Christianity and politics across the Americas; and (4) Identity theory examining the co-constitution of racial-religious-national identities. Her methodological preference for ethnography extends to previous work on gendered violence in Mumbai and Johannesburg. Her scholarly output reveals consistent thematic evolution toward analyzing Christian nationalism's digital transformation, gendered religious experiences during political upheavals (Brexit/Trump), and the crisis of evangelical identity in contemporary Western societies. The publications demonstrate methodological rigor in ethnographic data collection coupled with sophisticated theoretical engagement across sociology, gender studies, and political science. Awards: Betty Scharf Award for Research on Gender & Religion (London School of Economics) British Higher Education Academy Fellowship Gaddini's current UKRI-funded fellowship represents significant grant acquisition, focusing on longitudinal analysis of American Christian women's political engagement. While her mentorship activities aren't explicitly detailed, her position at TCRU suggests involvement in guiding doctoral candidates within UCL's graduate programs. Her research infrastructure includes collaborations through the Politics of Religion study (2020-2022), producing influential infographics and digital resources that bridge academic research and public discourse. She operates within UCL's Social Research Institute ecosystem, particularly through the Thomas Coram Research Unit's interdisciplinary framework and the Sarah Parker Remond Centre's focus on race and equality. Her Johannesburg affiliation indicates ongoing transnational research partnerships, while her active Twitter presence (@katiegaddini) demonstrates commitment to public scholarship and academic communication.
Edward K. CHAN is Professor of American Studies in Waseda University's School of Culture, Media and Society and Department of Transcultural Studies, where he has served since 2018 after holding academic positions at Aichi University, Nagoya University, and Kennesaw State University. His career demonstrates sustained transnational engagement with American cultural production through Japanese institutional frameworks. His educational trajectory includes a PhD in English from the University of Rochester (2004), MA in English from California State University, Fullerton (1993), and BA in English from the University of California, Riverside (1989). CHAN's research interrogates the racialized foundations of utopian thought, particularly examining how white nationalist movements construct utopian visions through neoliberal frameworks. His scholarship spans American literature, film studies, and transnational cultural consumption, with special focus on science fiction, dystopian narratives, and the intersection of race with family ideology. This work reveals consistent patterns in how racial hierarchies are naturalized through cultural production across historical periods. His publication trajectory demonstrates deepening engagement with white power ideology, evolving from foundational work on 1970s utopian subjectivity to contemporary analyses of neoliberal whiteness. The 2023 monograph 'White Power and American Neoliberal Culture' represents a culmination of this research arc, systematically documenting the convergence of economic restructuring and racialized utopianism in 21st-century America. His scientific recognition includes: University College Distinguished Research & Creative Activity Award (2010, Kennesaw State University) Eugenio Battisti Award for Best Article in Utopian Studies for 2006 (2007, Society for Utopian Studies) As President of the Society for Utopian Studies (2024-present), he mentors emerging scholars through international symposia like the 2024 'Utopia/Dystopia, Race, Nation' event funded by Waseda University grants. His teaching portfolio encompasses comprehensive undergraduate and graduate instruction in American literature, film studies, and postcolonial theory, with 2025 syllabi showing active course development. He currently leads the 'Racial Utopianism and Cultural Representation' research project, fostering international collaborations between Japanese and global scholars while supervising graduate research in transcultural studies through Waseda's Department of Transcultural Studies.
Reynaldo Romero serves as Associate Professor in the Department of History, Humanities and Languages at the University of Houston-Downtown, where he has maintained active teaching and research since at least 2012. His academic foundation spans linguistics, public health, and translation studies across multiple institutions. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics from Georgetown University (Dissertation: Structural Consequences of Language Shift: Judeo-Spanish in Istanbul) M.P.H. in Community Health Practice from UTHealth (Dissertation: Beliefs on COVID-19 vaccination among Hispanic day laborers) M.A. in Translation from Kent State University Multiple B.A. degrees in French, General Linguistics, and Spanish Language/Linguistics from Rice University Romero's research creates critical intersections between linguistic theory and real-world applications. His work on Spanish for the Professions establishes frameworks for medical and legal interpreting while addressing systemic language access barriers. The scholarship on endangered languages—particularly Judeo-Spanish and Afro-Hispanic varieties—combines rigorous documentation with urgent revitalization efforts. His healthcare access research directly engages Houston's linguistic minorities through community-based projects like the Medical Translation Project with HISD. Recent publications reveal three dominant trajectories: (1) advancing methodologies in Afro-Hispanic linguistics through collaborative edited volumes; (2) developing social justice frameworks for marginalized language communities; and (3) documenting endangered linguistic varieties with innovative digital approaches. These threads converge in his community-engaged scholarship that bridges academic research and practical language access solutions. Professional recognition includes: Certified Translator status from the American Translators Association Advanced Professional Analytic Linguist certification Specialized medical and legal interpreter credentials Online teaching certification with digital tools specialization Romero's grant activity demonstrates sustained commitment to practical applications of linguistic research. Current projects include 'Promoting the Critical and Responsible Use of Digital Tools and AI in Written Tasks' (2024-2025), while past work developed medical interpreter training during disaster relief and language access protocols for healthcare settings. His service learning initiatives—like the Medical Translation Project with Houston ISD—create tangible community impact while advancing pedagogical innovation. Through the Medical Translation Project and language access advocacy, Romero cultivates collaborative spaces where academic research directly serves Houston's linguistic minorities. His work with heritage speakers and endangered language communities establishes frameworks for linguistic empowerment beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Mette Andersson is a Professor at the Department of Sociology and Social Geography, University of Oslo. She holds a PhD from the University of Bergen (1995-99) and has held visiting fellowships at Goldsmiths College, University of London (2000) and Yale University (2003). Previously, she served as Professor of Sociology at the University of Bergen (2009-2014), where she taught migration, race, transnationalism, and social movement theory. Her research focuses on cultural/political sociology, migration, ethnicity, social movements, globalization, and sport. Current projects include an antiracism study examining generational divides in activism and identity dynamics within Norwegian social movements. She employs qualitative methods like interviews, focus groups, and web-ethnography. Key contributions include analyzing racialization processes, public sphere debates on multiculturalism, and the role of sport in integration. Her work bridges theoretical conceptualization and empirical case studies, emphasizing comparative research and policy relevance. Notable collaborations include a multi-authored book chapter on antiracism dilemmas in Norway and research on Polish migrant workers' racialization. She actively engages in public debates on migration and racism through media contributions and policy-oriented research.
Lisa Lowe is the Samuel Knight Professor of American Studies at Yale University, with affiliate appointments in the Programs in Ethnicity, Race, and Migration and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has previously taught at the University of California, San Diego, and Tufts University, establishing a distinguished interdisciplinary career in American Studies, Comparative Literature, and critical race theory. Education: Stanford University – European Intellectual History University of California, Santa Cruz – French Literature and Critical Theory Lowe's research focuses on the intersections of colonialism, race, immigration, and globalization. Her work critically examines how liberal modernity is built upon racial capitalism, settler colonialism, and transnational displacement. She is a leading voice in transnational feminism and Asian American studies, analyzing how immigrant subjects are constructed as 'perpetual foreigners' within national cultures. Her scholarship bridges literary analysis, historical critique, and political theory to interrogate the legacies of empire. Her recent publications show a sustained engagement with the entanglements of liberalism, empire, and intimacy across continents. Themes include racial capitalism, the transpacific, feminist resistance, and the cultural politics of globalization. Her work consistently challenges disciplinary boundaries and calls for a rethinking of American Studies through a global and decolonial lens. Scientific Awards and Honors: Guggenheim Fellow American Council of Learned Societies Fellow Rockefeller Foundation Fellow Mellon Foundation Fellow UC Humanities Research Institute Fellow University of California President's Faculty Research Fellow (2011–12) Visiting Fellow, School of Advanced Study, University of London F. Ross Johnson-Connaught Distinguished Visitor, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto (2012) Carl Bode - Norman Holmes Pearson Award (2018) Richard A. Yarborough Prize (2018) Finalist, John Hope Franklin Award (2016) Nicolás Guillén Outstanding Book Award (2018) 1997 Book Award in Cultural Studies, Association for Asian American Studies Lowe has been a mentor to numerous scholars, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, recognized by the Richard A. Yarborough Prize. She has received multiple grants and fellowships supporting her research, including from the Mellon, Rockefeller, and Guggenheim Foundations. She co-convened the Mellon Sawyer Seminar 'Comparative Global Humanities' at Tufts and has been an Affiliate Scholar at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (2022–2023). She has also served as a visiting fellow and speaker at numerous international institutions, indicating sustained collaborative and advisory engagement. Lowe co-edits the influential book series Perverse Modernities with Jack Halberstam at Duke University Press, shaping contemporary critical theory. She has also co-edited special issues and volumes that have advanced the field of Asian American Studies. Her scholarly network includes leading institutions across the U.S. and globally, and she continues to be a central figure in interdisciplinary humanities.
Dr. Ismail White is a Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, specializing in American politics with a focus on Black political behavior, public opinion, and racial inequality. He holds a B.A. from Southern University and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Education: B.A., Political Science, Southern University Ph.D., Political Science, University of Michigan His research explores how racial group norms shape Black political unity, voter turnout mechanisms, and the impact of racial cues in campaigns. He has authored seminal works like Steadfast Democrats , analyzing the persistence of Black party loyalty, and conducted field experiments on racial priming effects. Dr. White’s work spans interdisciplinary themes, including survey methodology, voting rights, and policy implications of racial identity. Awards from APSA, MPSA, and NCBPS recognize his contributions. He currently serves on the American National Election Study board and directs survey research at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Scientific Awards: American Political Science Association Midwest Political Science Association National Conference of Black Political Scientists
Loïc Wacquant is a Professor at the University of Chicago in the Department of Sociology , College of Social Science. His research spans ethnography, social theory, urban marginality, and racial domination with a focus on the penal state and neoliberal governance. Academic Contributions: Expanded Bourdieu's habitus theory through carnal sociology in Body and Soul: Notebooks of an Apprentice Boxer (2022) and Journey to the Land of Boxers (2022). Conceptual Innovations: Developed 'thick construction' methodology and critiqued 'ethnographism' in The Poverty of the Ethnography of Poverty (2023). Sociopolitical Analysis: Mapped the caste-terror framework of Jim Crow in Jim Crow: Caste Terrorism in America (2024) and Racial Domination (2024), deconstructing 'race' as denegated ethnicity. Scientific Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship ASA Best Book Award for Body and Soul French Ministry of Defense Prix de la Recherche
