California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
Andrew Stuart is the Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), joining in 2016. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Warwick (1999–2016), Stanford University (1992–1999), and Bath University (1989–1992). He earned his PhD from the University of Oxford's Computing Laboratory in 1986. Professor Stuart's research focuses on applied and computational mathematics , particularly Bayesian inverse problems , data assimilation for dynamical systems , and stochastic modeling . His work bridges mathematical theory, algorithm development, and applications in geophysics, materials science, and biological systems. His recent publications emphasize operator learning , machine learning for PDEs , and uncertainty quantification . Key areas include ensemble Kalman methods , Gaussian processes , and neural operators for solving and learning from complex systems. Scientific awards include the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship and election to the Royal Society of Great Britain . He advises graduate students in applied mathematics, computational science, and geophysics, including Edoardo Calvello , Hojjat Kaveh , and Florian Wolf .
Professor Jamie Peck is a University Killam Professor and Professor of Geography at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Arts, Department of Geography. He holds the prestigious title of Distinguished University Scholar at UBC and maintains significant international academic affiliations including Visiting Professor at Oxford University's School of Geography and the Environment, Honorary Professorial Fellow at the University of Manchester, and Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham. Peck received his PhD in Geography from the University of Manchester in 1988 following his BA (Hons) in Geography from the same institution. His distinguished academic career spans positions at the University of Manchester (1989-2000), University of Wisconsin-Madison (2000-2008), and his current position at UBC where he has been a central figure in economic geography and interdisciplinary social science. As an institutional political economist, Professor Peck's research critically examines the spatial dimensions of economic processes, with particular attention to how global phenomena like neoliberalization are constituted through local practices. His work bridges economic geography, urban studies, political economy, and social theory, consistently challenging conventional understandings of market processes and statecraft. Recent research focuses on Chinese state capitalism, especially the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong's evolving political status, alongside methodological innovations in conjunctural analysis as demonstrated in his 2023 book Variegated Economies . His scholarly output reveals a sustained engagement with the variegated nature of capitalist development across different spatial contexts. Recent publications demonstrate a sophisticated methodological approach combining institutional analysis with extended case methods, emphasizing historical context and spatial specificity while challenging universalizing theoretical claims. His work on Chinese political economy represents a significant departure from conventional Western-centric analyses. University Killam Professor (2025) Lauréat Prix International de Géographie Vautrin Lud ("Nobel de Géographie") (2023) Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Clarivate Highly Cited, Social Sciences (2014-2024) Distinguished University Scholar, UBC (2017-present) Canada Research Chair in Urban & Regional Political Economy (2008-2022) Professor Peck has supervised numerous doctoral students whose dissertations examine diverse topics including global urban solutions industries, US-Mexico border economies, Rio de Janeiro's 'PACification' processes, and China's experimental economic zones. His supervision approach emphasizes theoretically sophisticated empirical work that connects local case studies to broader political economic processes. His Canada Research Chair position supported extensive research on urban and regional political economy, while his current Killam Professorship funds ongoing work on Chinese political economy and conjunctural analysis methodologies. While not formally affiliated with a specific laboratory, Professor Peck is deeply engaged with multiple scholarly networks through his editorial leadership as Managing Editor of EPA: Economy & Space and co-editor of the Economic Transformations book series. His role as Convenor of the Summer Institute in Economic Geography demonstrates his commitment to fostering scholarly exchange and theoretical development in economic geography as a discipline.
Professor Dan Meagher is a Chair in Law at Deakin University's Faculty of Business and Law, where he leads research in constitutional law and statutory interpretation. He serves as Director of Research at Deakin Law School and actively contributes to legal scholarship through publications, editorial work, and supervision of doctoral candidates. Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales Master of Laws, Monash University Bachelor of Economics, Monash University Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Monash University His research focuses on constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and human rights protections. He explores the principle of legality, responsible government norms, and the interplay between common law and statutory frameworks, often advocating for enhanced rights protections through judicial interpretation. Professor Meagher's scholarly output highlights trends in Australian constitutionalism, including proportionality in secondary legislation, non-discrimination principles, and the evolution of common law rights. His work bridges doctrinal analysis with practical implications for legislative drafting and judicial review. Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law Comments Editor for the Public Law Review Director of Research at Deakin Law School He supervises doctoral research on topics like human rights protection and legislative drafting models. His professional activities include co-editing major legal texts and contributing to debates on constitutional evolution and judicial interpretation.
Karl Gustafsson is a Professor at Stockholm University within the Department of Economic History and International Relations. His work bridges security studies , collective memory , and digital research methods in international relations. Current Role: Professor of International Relations, Stockholm University Previous Positions: Post-Doc at Lund University, Researcher at Swedish Institute of International Affairs Visiting Appointments: University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Keio University, Academia Sinica, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies Research Focus: Karl specializes in memory politics , ontological security , and anxiety-driven international dynamics , particularly in Sino-Japanese relations and digital platforms . His studies explore how historical narratives and online memory construction influence state identity and policy. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Wang Gungwu Prize (2014) and Stockholm University Association’s award (2011). Holds Swedish Research Council and Marianne & Marcus Wallenberg Foundation grants for projects on apologies in international politics and digital memory in East Asia . Publications: His work appears in journals such as International Studies Quarterly , European Journal of International Relations , and Memory Studies , addressing topics like narrative power in East Asia, anxiety’s role in policy change , and digital humanities applications in IR.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Wojciech Matusik is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). He leads the Computational Design and Fabrication Group and is a member of the Computer Graphics Group. His research spans computer graphics, robotics, and AI-driven manufacturing, with a focus on computational design, tactile sensing, and material science. Matusik holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT (2003), an MS from MIT (2001), and a BS from UC Berkeley (1997). His work includes groundbreaking projects like differentiable cloth simulation (DiffCloth), AI-enhanced molecular design, and tactile sensing gloves. He has received prestigious awards such as the MIT TR35 (2004), DARPA Young Faculty Award (2012), and Ruth and Joel Spira Teaching Award (2014). Matusik teaches courses on computer graphics, machine learning, and computational fabrication at MIT. Key research themes include: Robotics: Robotic assembly, tactile interaction, and soft robotics Graphics: 3D holography, procedural material generation Manufacturing: Additive fabrication, topology optimization His recent articles explore AI-driven molecular synthesis, holographic displays, and tactile-enabled VR systems. Matusik collaborates on open-source tools like the WiReSens tactile platform and Simit language for sparse systems.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
Jonathan N. Katz is the Kay Sugahara Professor of Social Sciences and Statistics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He holds a S.B. from MIT (1990), M.A. from UC San Diego (1992), and Ph.D. from UC San Diego (1995). His career includes roles as Assistant Professor (1995-98), Associate Professor (1998-2003), and Professor (2003-11) at Caltech, with subsequent appointments as Sugahara Professor (2012–present), Executive Officer for Social Sciences (2007), and Division Chair (2007–14). His research focuses on statistical methods in social sciences, electoral systems, and public policy. Key affiliations include the Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project and the Linde Institute of Economic and Management Sciences. Katz is Deputy Editor for Social Sciences at Science Advances and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2011) and the Society for Political Methodology (2008). Research interests span political methodology, formal theory, and American politics. Recent work addresses partisan fairness in electoral systems, statistical rigor in political modeling, and institutional dynamics in legislative and judicial contexts. Notable contributions include critiques of electoral college bias and audits of political behavior research methodologies. Awards: Career Achievement Award in Political Methodology (2024), Inaugural Fellow, Society for Political Methodology (2008). Grants/Labs: Caltech/MIT Voting Technology Project, Linde Institute Directorship (2013–14).
Dr John Stanton is a Reader in Law at City St George's, University of London, with a focus on Constitutional Law and Comparative Constitutional Law. He has held academic roles since 2010, previously at Kingston University and City University, and is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Malta since 2018. PhD in Law (Kingston University London, 2010) LLB Law (University of Surrey, 2007) His research spans Maltese constitutional history , local government dynamics , democracy , and central-local relations . Recent projects include Law, Localism and the Constitution (2023) and co-editing The Constitution of Malta at Sixty (2024). John’s publications and conference presentations (e.g., at Melbourne and Texas) address themes like constitutional decay , autocracy , and democratic resilience . He contributes to journals such as Legal Studies , Public Law , and Environmental Law Review . Learning Enhancement Award for Teaching (2017) Fellow, Higher Education Academy He testified before the UK Parliament on devolution and is active in the Society of Legal Scholars , UK Constitutional Law Association , and the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple .
Renate Sachse is a Researcher at the Chair of Structural Analysis, Technical University of Munich (TUM), where she has worked since May 2024. Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at Harvard University's Bertoldi Lab (2024) and TUM's Chair of Computational Mechanics (2021-2024), following academic staff roles at the University of Stuttgart (2015-2020). Her interdisciplinary work bridges civil engineering, biomechanics, and computational modeling. Her educational foundation includes a Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Stuttgart (2014; thesis: 'Isogeometric contact analysis of thin-walled structures') and a Bachelor's from the same institution (2011; thesis: 'A Primary School Pavilion for Magagula in South Africa - Structural Analysis'). She also completed ERASMUS studies at ESTP Paris and internships at Foster + Partners and Werner Sobek AG. Dr. Sachse's research centers on biomechanics and biomimetics, with pioneering work on plant-inspired structures. She investigates snapping mechanisms in carnivorous plants (Venus flytrap, waterwheel plant) to develop bio-inspired adaptive systems, soft robotics, and metamaterials. Her expertise spans motion design for large-deformation structures, isogeometric analysis, and hygroscopic actuation in 4D-printed materials, emphasizing computational modeling of contact mechanics and structural stability. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on biomechanics (60% of articles), particularly plant movement mechanics translated into engineering solutions. Her work consistently integrates computational structural analysis with biological principles, showing increasing emphasis on motion design (25% of recent output) and additive manufacturing applications (15%). Key trends include translating snap-buckling phenomena into robotics and developing material design spaces for responsive structures. Her distinguished awards include the Bertha Benz Prize (2022), Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellowship (2022-2024), and University of Stuttgart Publication Award (2022). Additional recognition comprises GAMM Juniors Fellowship (2020-2022), AVK Innovation Award (2017), and Emil Mörsch Study Prize (2014). She has secured independent funding through the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund for high-risk interdisciplinary projects and participates in collaborative initiatives including CoDA, MistralWind, WINSENT, and FlexWing. While teaching advanced courses at TUM (Advanced Finite Element Methods, Theory of Plates), her mentorship focuses on computational mechanics and biomimetic design principles. Currently based at TUM's Chair of Structural Analysis under Prof. Bletzinger, she maintains active collaboration with Harvard University's Bertoldi Lab in developing next-generation adaptive structures.
Peter Henderson is an Assistant Professor at Princeton University with joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science and the School of Public and International Affairs. He is affiliated with the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), Princeton Language and Intelligence Initiative (PLI), Center for Statistics and Machine Learning (CSML), and Program in Law & Public Policy (PLAW). J.D./Ph.D., Stanford University, 2023 M.Sc., McGill University and Montréal Institute for Learning Algorithms Henderson's research focuses on the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and law, with particular emphasis on AI safety, methods to improve reasoning in foundation models, interdisciplinary approaches to law and AI, and AI governance. His work spans language-grounded reinforcement learning, alignment techniques, strategic decision-making in legal contexts, and public interest artificial intelligence. He investigates how legal frameworks can guide the development of AI systems that benefit society while addressing potential harms. Henderson's recent publications reveal a strong trajectory toward addressing the safety, governance, and legal implications of foundation models. His work combines rigorous technical AI research with deep legal analysis, particularly examining how intellectual property law interacts with AI development, regulatory pathways that balance innovation with harm prevention, and the role of law in shaping responsible AI deployment. A significant thread throughout his research is the development of better evaluation methodologies for AI systems, especially in critical domains like law. SEAS Excellence in Teaching Award (2025) Henderson leads the Princeton Law+Language, AI, & Society (POLARIS) Lab, where he advises students and researchers working at the intersection of AI and legal studies. His research has been supported through collaborations with government agencies, including work with the IRS on audit selection algorithms. His findings have informed practical applications in government efficiency and equity, as well as legal system improvements. Henderson runs the POLARIS Lab at Princeton, which focuses on developing AI systems that work for the public interest, particularly in legal contexts. His team develops sequential decision-making systems for government efficiency, foundation models capable of reasoning about law, and improved safety evaluation frameworks for AI systems. The lab maintains strong connections with legal practitioners and policymakers to ensure research has real-world impact.
Professor Elaine Fahey is a leading scholar in EU law and global governance at the City Law School, City St George's, University of London, where she serves as Professor of EU Law and Deputy Head of Department (academic programmes). She is co-convener of the Institute for the Study of European Law (ISEL) and the UACES James Madison Trust EUFUtures initiative (2022–2025). Her academic career includes visiting professorships at Washington College of Law (American University), Keio University, and NYU, as well as fellowships at the European University Institute and the University of Graz. LLB, Trinity College Dublin LLM, Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge PhD, Trinity College Dublin Barrister-at-Law, Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Ireland Attorney-at-Law, State of New York Senior Fellowship, Higher Education Authority UK Her research focuses on the intersection of EU law with global governance, digital regulation, transatlantic relations, and the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. She explores how the EU navigates legal frameworks beyond the nation-state, particularly in digital trade, cybersecurity, and data protection. Her work critically examines the EU’s role as a global regulatory actor and its interactions with international institutions. Her extensive publication record includes the monograph The EU as a Global Digital Actor (Hart, 2022) and numerous articles on digital sovereignty, data transfers, and transatlantic cooperation. Recent research analyzes the EU–US Trade and Technology Council (TTC), the evolution of the Privacy Shield, and strategic litigation in digital rights. Her work reveals a strong trend toward understanding how soft law, institutional design, and judicial decisions shape EU external relations and digital governance. Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Transatlantic Relations (2019–2022) Emile Noël Fellow, NYU Law School Max Weber Fellow, European University Institute Senior Land Steiermark Fellow, University of Graz Senior Fellowship, Higher Education Authority UK Professor Fahey has supervised multiple PhD students, including Isabella Mancini, Giulio Kowalski, and Christos Karetsos, on topics such as algorithmic collusion, digital markets, and investment law. She has led significant research projects, including the ESRC-funded TRILATTRADE grant and the Marie Curie ITN on EU and Transatlantic Investment and Trade (EUTIP). She previously held leadership roles as Associate Dean (International) and interim Associate Dean (Research) at the City Law School. She is an elected member of the EU Studies Association (EUSA) Executive (2021–2025). She has also contributed to public policy through briefings for the Welsh Parliament and reports on CJEU litigation in Ireland. She is associated with research initiatives such as the Institute for the Study of European Law (ISEL) and has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects on Facebook regulation, transatlantic relations, and EU technological sovereignty. Her work bridges legal scholarship, policy, and international academic collaboration.
Gerard A. Ateshian is the Andrew Walz Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University, where he has been a faculty member since 1991. He also served as Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering from 2011 to 2014 and is the founding director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory (MBL), established in 1996. Education: BS (1986), MS (1987), MPhil (1990), and PhD (1991) in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University. Research Interests: Professor Ateshian's research focuses on the mechanics of soft biological tissues , particularly articular cartilage . His work integrates theoretical, experimental, and computational approaches to understand cartilage lubrication, tissue engineering, and growth and remodeling in living tissues. He has extended continuum mechanics frameworks to model complex biological phenomena such as mass transport, osmotic effects, and reactive mechanics in tissue mixtures. His recent efforts include developing open-source computational tools (FEBio) and translating research into clinical treatments for osteoarthritis . Scientific Awards: H.R. Lissner Medal, ASME (2017) OARSI Basic Science Award (2013) Columbia Engineering Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award (2012) Great Teacher Award, Society of Columbia Graduates (2002) YC Fung Young Investigator Award, ASME (1997) Fellow: ASME, BMES, AIMBE Advising and Mentorship: Professor Ateshian has advised numerous PhD students, including recent graduates Vince Sise and Katherine Spack , who completed their dissertations on cartilage fatigue and osteochondral allografts, respectively. His lab actively mentors students from both Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering programs. Laboratory and Collaborations: He directs the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory (MBL) , which collaborates closely with the Cellular Engineering Laboratory of Prof. Clark Hung and with Dr. Jeffrey Weiss at the University of Utah on computational modeling (FEBio). He also collaborates with Columbia University Medical Center faculty on clinical translation of cartilage research.
Anthony Rollett is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University , where he has been a faculty member since 1995. He serves as the Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the NASA-supported Institute for Model-Based Qualification & Certification of Additive Manufacturing (IMQCAM) and co-director of the Next Manufacturing Center . Prior to CMU, he held leadership roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory (1991-1995). Education: Ph.D., Materials Engineering, Drexel University (1987) MA, Metallurgy and Materials Science, Cambridge University (1977) Research Interests: Rollett’s work focuses on microstructural evolution and microstructure-property relationships in 3D using experiments and simulations. His expertise spans additive manufacturing , metal 3D printing , materials for energy systems , grain growth , recrystallization , and stereology , with techniques like high-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) and dynamic x-ray radiography (DXR) . Scientific Contributions: He has over 320 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index >80 . His recent articles highlight machine learning for laser processing , fatigue analysis of additively manufactured alloys, and design optimization for heat exchangers in supercritical CO2 and solar thermal applications . Scientific Awards: Fellow of ASM International (1996) Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK) (2004) Fellow of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) (2011) Cyril Stanley Smith Award (TMS, 2014) Member of Honor, French Metallurgical Society (2015) US Steel Professor (2017) Francqui International Professor (2020-2021) International FAME Award (2023) Leadership & Impact: Rollett co-led the development of a NASA Space Technology Research Institute for additive manufacturing and established a new master’s program in additive manufacturing (2018). His research group is funded by industry , federal agencies , and Pennsylvania state grants . He also serves on the Basic Energy Science Advisory Committee and Defense Programs Advisory Committee for the Department of Energy.
Dr. Mark B. Smith is an Associate Professor in Modern European History at the University of Cambridge’s Department of History. His research focuses on Soviet and European history, particularly the Soviet Union’s social structures, welfare policies, urban development, and cultural dynamics from Stalinism through late socialism. He teaches courses on welfare states, Soviet life, and 20th-century European violence. Key research areas include Soviet urban housing programs, welfare state evolution, and Cold War-era cultural exchanges. His publications analyze topics like Khrushchev’s housing reforms, post-Stalin urban welfare systems, and Soviet pension policies. Smith has co-edited special issues on European urban societies and authored books such as *The Russia Anxiety* (2019) and the forthcoming *Exit Stalin* (2026). He advises doctoral students on Soviet history, welfare states, and Cold War topics. His work bridges legal history, social policy analysis, and cultural studies, emphasizing how everyday life reflected broader ideological and structural changes in Soviet society.
Professor Christopher Carman is the Stevenson Professor of Citizenship at the University of Glasgow, holding a PhD from the University of Houston. He has served in leadership roles including Head of Subject (Politics & International Relations), Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences, and Deputy Head of the School. His research focuses on political representation, electoral processes, public opinion, and Scottish politics, with notable contributions to studies on the Scottish Parliament and rural-urban political divides. Carman has led the Scottish Election Study (SES) since 2011 and co-leads the NORFACE-funded RUDE project on European rural-urban dynamics. He also contributes to the Glasgow-Nankai Joint Graduate School and the Stevenson Trust, fostering citizenship education and democratic research. Education: PhD in Political Science, University of Houston (2000). Previous academic roles include professorships at the Universities of Strathclyde and Pittsburgh. Research Interests: Political representation alternatives (e.g., public petitions systems), electoral behavior, Scottish and UK politics, direct democracy, and comparative legislative politics. Recent work addresses rural-urban divides in Europe and political compromise in democratic systems. Key Projects: Scottish Election Study (SES), Rural and Urban Divide in Europe (RUDE), and studies on political scandals and multilevel governance. His publications span electoral studies, comparative politics, and political behavior, with a focus on institutional trust and democratic engagement. Grants and Funding: ESRC and NORFACE grants support his research. The Stevenson Trust supports his work on citizenship education and public lectures.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Martin Z. Bazant is the E. G. Roos (1944) Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), holding the Digital Learning Officer role in the Department of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on mathematical modeling of electrochemical systems, transport phenomena, and applied mathematics, with significant contributions to battery technology and electrochemical energy storage. He is affiliated with MIT’s Department of Mathematics and the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), leading initiatives like the Center for Battery Sustainability and D3BATT. Education: Ph.D. from Harvard University (1997), M.S. and B.S. from the University of Arizona (1993, 1992). His work bridges theory and application, addressing challenges in lithium-ion batteries, solid-state systems, and electrolyte dynamics. Notable achievements include pioneering studies on coupled ion-electron transfer mechanisms and phase separation in battery materials. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering (2025) and a Fellow of the Electrochemical Society (2023). As an educator, he develops MOOCs on transport phenomena and contributes to digital learning initiatives. His research group explores advanced battery diagnostics, machine learning for materials science, and environmental applications of electrochemical processes. Key collaborations include startups like Lithios, Inc., and leadership roles in professional societies such as the International Electrokinetics Society.
