Find Academic Supervisors

Māris JurušsView profile

Associate Professor

• Tax Policy
• Customs Administration
• Sustainability
• +4 more

Māris Jurušs is an Associate Professor and Director of Study Programs at the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (FEEM) of Riga Technical University . He oversees the study programs in "Customs and Tax Administration" and "Internal Security and Civil Protection." Additionally, he serves as a member of both the RTU FEEM Council and the FEEM Scientific Council. His research focuses on tax policy , customs administration , sustainability , and public administration . He has extensive experience in national and international projects, particularly in fiscal strategies for sustainable mobility and environmental taxation. Jurušs has worked in the Tax Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance and an international audit company . He is an expert of the Latvian Science Council and actively participates in academic conferences and Erasmus+ teaching exchanges. Selected projects include: "D2_DIGITAL2": State budget funding for RTU's digital governance development (2024). "LZP-2022/1-0306": Model development for sustainable last-mile delivery in Latvia (2023–present). ESF 01000-3.1.2.-e/118": Efficient university governance development (2018–2023). "CA21133 - GLITSS": COST Action on globalization, illicit trade, sustainability, and security (2023–). His publications address topics such as excise duty harmonization for tobacco products, environmental taxation in transport, digital transformation of tax systems, and sustainable fiscal strategies . These works often intersect with European Union policy , climate change mitigation , and economic regulation .

Stephen SmithView profile

Professor

• Environmental Economics
• Public Economics
• Taxation Policy
• +3 more

Stephen Smith is a Professor of Economics at University College London (UCL), serving as Head of the Economics Department (1997–2002) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences (2007–2013). His primary research focuses on environmental policy, taxation, and European VAT systems. He has authored influential works like Environmental Economics: A Very Short Introduction (2011) and Taxation: A Very Short Introduction (2015), simplifying complex economic concepts for non-specialists. Research contributions include analysis of environmental tax instruments, VAT fraud prevention, and duty-free shopping economics. He has advised governments and international organizations such as HM Treasury, the European Commission, and the IMF. His affiliations include Research Associate roles at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and Research Fellow at CESifo (Munich).

Filipe VilelaView profile

Associate Professor

• Conjugated Polymers
• Photocatalysis
• Organic Electronics
• +4 more

Filipe Vilela is an Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University, affiliated with the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences and the Institute of Chemical Sciences. His research focuses on designing 3D conjugated polymers for heterogeneous photocatalysis, including conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) and PolyHIPEs for applications in solar energy conversion and sustainable chemistry. He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde (2007) and has held positions at the Max Planck Institute and the University of Strathclyde before joining Heriot-Watt in 2013. Education: BSc (2002) from University of Lisbon, PhD (2007) from University of Strathclyde under Prof. David Sherrington, with postdoctoral training at Strathclyde (2007-2010) and Max Planck Institute (2011-2013). Research interests span photocatalytic materials, conjugated porous polymers, flow chemistry, and sustainable energy solutions. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy (SDG7) and climate action (SDG13). Notable achievements include developing PolyHIPE-based photocatalysts and advancing continuous polymer analysis. Recent articles highlight advancements in biodegradable polyester degradation, flow chemistry catalysis, and photochemical reaction design. His lab (vilelaLAB) focuses on translating materials science into practical applications. Supervised 5 postdoctoral researchers at MPI and maintains active collaborations globally.

Penelope TuckView profile

Professor

• Accounting
• Public Finance
• Taxation Policy
• +7 more

Professor Penelope Tuck is a Professor of Accounting, Public Finance and Policy at the Department of Accounting, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham. She previously held academic positions at Warwick Business School, the University of Southampton, and the University of Buckingham, and has professional experience as a Senior Tax Manager at Coopers & Lybrand (PwC). She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (FCA) and a Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). Her research lies at the intersection of accounting and organisation studies, with a focus on taxation policy and practice, public finance, governance, and the interplay of identity, knowledge, and power in public policy contexts. She has contributed extensively to scholarly discourse through publications in journals such as Critical Perspectives on Accounting , The British Accounting Review , and Public Money & Management , as well as book chapters on tax history and transparency. Her recent work explores themes including tax devolution, corporate tax avoidance, transparency in ownership, and the sociological dimensions of accounting in public institutions. She teaches modules on International Business Taxation and Accounting Theory and welcomes PhD applicants interested in qualitative research on taxation and public sector management. She holds leadership roles in professional communities, including membership on the Research Advisory Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, the Research Committee of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, and the Executive and Steering Group of the UK Tax Research Network. Her publications reflect a consistent trajectory in critical accounting, public policy, and institutional analysis, with a strong qualitative and interpretive methodological approach. She has served as Head of the Department of Accounting and Director of Research for the Business School, demonstrating her commitment to academic leadership and research excellence. Her research group and collaborations span interdisciplinary teams focusing on public accountability, tax governance, and organisational dynamics in the public sector.

Mariya SenykView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Indirect Taxation
• EU VAT Law
• International Tax Law
• +5 more

Mariya Senyk is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Law and a Researcher at both the Lund Tax Academy and Public Law. Her roles involve teaching and conducting research in tax-related fields. Her research interests focus on indirect taxation, particularly EU VAT law, international tax law, and WTO law. She examines the tax challenges arising from the digital economy, including jurisdictional issues and the interplay between digital taxes and international trade law. Additionally, she is initiating a project on the role of taxes in achieving sustainability goals, analyzing energy taxation and how the EU can influence environmental tax policies within member states despite their national prerogatives. Recent publications emphasize the intersection of digitalization and tax law, particularly VAT, addressing challenges like cross-border jurisdiction, tax policy adaptation, and compliance in virtual environments. She also engages with EU case law interpretations, such as the Girelli Alcool case, and comparative analyses of national and EU tax practices. These works reflect a focus on modernizing tax frameworks to align with digital economy realities while exploring taxation’s role in sustainability initiatives. Mariya is the Principal Investigator of the ongoing Territorial allocation of consumption-type VAT between countries (EU focused) project and collaborates in interdisciplinary initiatives like Digitax and its Pufendorf IAS-related themes. She directs the advanced course Beskattning i den digitala eran (JUDN23) and has participated in conferences and workshops, including the Swedish Tax Force for the Future and the 15th GREIT Conference on tax jurisdiction issues. She is affiliated with the Lund Tax Academy and contributes to research within Public Law. Key collaborations include the Digitax network and projects at the Pufendorf Institute for Advanced Study, highlighting her involvement in teams addressing modern taxation challenges.

• Tax Law
• Consumption Taxation
• Value-added Tax
• +1 more

Leila Juanto is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Lapland, specializing in tax law with a focus on consumption taxation, value-added tax, and excise taxes. She has been actively contributing to academic research since at least 2006, producing 27 documented outputs including books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles. Her research interests encompass diverse taxation areas such as mining taxes, aviation taxation, corporate tax structures, and environmental policy integration. Notable publications include co-authored works like Synti- ja haittaverokirja (2020) and Arvonlisäverotus ja muu kulutusverotus (2018), which explore complex tax frameworks and legal implementations. Her articles reflect a trend toward analyzing specific tax domains (e.g., excise taxes on metals, aviation tax challenges) while maintaining a core focus on VAT and consumption policies. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the text. Leila has supervised one documented academic work. While no grants or lab affiliations are specified, her extensive publication record indicates involvement in collaborative research projects and institutional tax policy initiatives.

Chris LawsonView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Customs and Border Management
• Customs Reform
• Risk Management
• +3 more

Chris Lawson is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Course Director at the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, Charles Sturt University, where he joined in 2021. With over 39 years of professional experience in customs and border management, he has implemented reform projects across Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Jordan, Lithuania, Pakistan, Somalia, and Ukraine. Education MIRA MICLA Graduate Diploma Graduate Certificate in CCES Research Interests His expertise centers on customs modernization, organizational capacity building, and risk management systems. Lawson specializes in developing compliance frameworks, standard operating procedures, and border post rehabilitation strategies. His work integrates training needs analysis with practical implementation of customs procedures, emphasizing anti-smuggling techniques, post-clearance audit systems, and leadership development for border agencies. Professional Contributions As Principal Consultant for CCES, he designs and delivers specialized training programs including examination protocols, import/export compliance, and risk assessment methodologies. He currently teaches the Master in Customs Administration and Bachelor in Border Management courses, translating field experience into academic curriculum development.

Vinay AakaluView profile

Professor

• Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgery
• Ocular Surface Disease
• Corneal Wound Healing
• +4 more

Dr. Vinay Aakalu serves as Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Michigan, where he holds dual leadership roles as Section Leader and Medical Director for Eye Plastic, Orbital and Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Director of the Ocular Surface Disease Research Program. He additionally serves as Associate Preceptor for the ASOPRS Approved Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship, training future specialists in oculofacial reconstruction. His academic training includes: Medical Degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2006) Ophthalmology Residency at University of Illinois at Chicago (2010) Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at University of Illinois at Chicago (2012) Dr. Aakalu's research program integrates basic science and clinical innovation across three interconnected domains: ocular surface biology with emphasis on histatin peptide therapeutics for corneal wound healing; advanced oculoplastic techniques including 3D-printed orbital implants and virtual reality surgical training; and translational studies on tear film biomarkers for systemic disease detection. His laboratory has pioneered discoveries regarding histatin-5's anti-inflammatory mechanisms in alkali injury models and its potential for treating dry eye disease. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant research trajectories in corneal wound healing therapeutics (particularly histatin peptide applications), evidence-based oculoplastic guidelines for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and surgical innovation through 3D printing and virtual reality. His work consistently bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, with recent studies addressing soft tissue filler complications, eyelid motion biomechanics, and novel reconstruction techniques for periocular malignancies. No scientific awards were documented in the provided source material. As Associate Preceptor for the ASOPRS fellowship, Dr. Aakalu mentors oculofacial surgery trainees in complex reconstruction techniques. While specific grant details weren't provided, his active research program in ocular surface disease and surgical innovation indicates substantial ongoing funding supporting laboratory investigations and clinical trials. He directs the Ocular Surface Disease Research Program, which employs multidisciplinary approaches combining cell biology, peptide therapeutics, and advanced imaging to develop novel treatments for corneal disorders. The program maintains strong clinical integration through collaborations with cornea specialists and oculoplastic surgeons at the Kellogg Eye Center.

Peter RickardView profile

Lecturer

• Customs and Excise
• Border Security
• International Trade
• +2 more

Peter Rickard serves as a Lecturer at the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES), Charles Sturt University, leveraging over two decades of operational experience within the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and its predecessor organizations including Revenue Canada - Customs and Excise and the Canada Customs & Revenue Agency. His expertise spans critical border security domains with primary focus on: Trade incentives program management Advance Passenger Information – Passenger Name Record (API-PNR) compliance systems International aviation data analysis for border operations Customs enforcement strategies Cross-border regulatory cooperation frameworks Prior to joining CCES, Rickard directed the CBSA's national API-PNR Compliance program where his team monitored international air carrier data flows for all Canadian-bound aircraft, conducted compliance analysis, and supported targeting operations through direct engagement with global airlines, aviation associations, and regulatory bodies to enhance understanding of Canadian border legislation. No scientific awards or student supervision activities were documented in the source material. His operational background in customs compliance and international aviation security forms the foundation of his academic contributions at CCES.

Rob PreeceView profile

Associate Professor

• Excise Taxation Policy
• Indirect Tax Administration
• Customs Reform
• +3 more

Rob Preece is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, Charles Sturt University, and serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, he specializes in excise policy development and indirect tax administration reform across Southeast Asia. Key affiliations: Charles Sturt University, University of Canberra Regional collaborations: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia Rob’s research focuses on excise taxation, customs enforcement, and capacity-building initiatives. He has contributed to long-term reform projects with ministries of finance, customs departments, and international organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. His work includes combating illicit trade in tobacco products (co-authored with Interpol) and delivering tax modules for Shanghai Customs College and leadership programs for Malaysian and Indonesian customs officers. Recent projects emphasize VAT/environmental tax reforms and regional transport agreements in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Justīna HudenkoView profile

Associate Professor

• Sustainable infrastructure
• Rail transport and logistics
• Tax systems and governance
• +3 more

Justīna Hudenko is an Associate Professor at the Department of Customs and Taxation, Riga Technical University, specializing in Sustainable infrastructure Rail transport and logistics Tax systems and governance Digital technologies Blockchain Transport modelling and simulations Her research focuses on integrating sustainability principles into infrastructure development, optimizing logistics systems, and analyzing tax policy impacts. She actively combines academic work with leadership roles in transportation and climate governance. Recent publications highlight her work on GIS-based transport simulations, Green Deal policy assessments, and blockchain applications in logistics. She contributes to EU-funded projects and serves on national and international advisory boards.

Brent JuratowitchView profile

Senior Lecturer

• International Trade
• Customs Administration
• Vocational Education and Training
• +3 more

Brent Juratowitch is a Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator at the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, Charles Sturt University, responsible for managing commercial operations of accredited vocational programs since joining in January 2013. He serves as Course Convener and Primary Assessor for the Advanced Diploma of International Business Management. Education: Graduate Certificate in Customs Administration, Charles Sturt University Master of Business Administration, Charles Sturt University Bachelor's Degree in Economics, University of Sydney Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Research and professional interests: International Trade Customs Administration Vocational Education and Training Business Management Export Development Trade Policy With 35+ years in international trade across public and private sectors, his work focuses on trade facilitation, vocational training delivery, and export development through practical field applications. Professional leadership: Lead project teams delivering vocational training in Laos and Solomon Islands Current Chair of Canberra Institute of Technology Pathways College Industry Advisory Group Former Trade and Investment Ambassador for Australian Capital Territory Former President of ACT Exporters Network

Martijn SchippersView profile

Associate Professor

• EU Customs Law
• Tax Law
• VAT Regulations
• +5 more

Martijn Schippers is an Associate Professor of Tax Law at the Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam. He specializes in EU Customs Law and serves as program coordinator for the Post-Master in EU Customs Law. His roles include membership in EY’s Global Trade & Sustainability team and leadership in academic initiatives like the Indirect Tax master’s program. Schippers holds a PhD in Customs Valuation (2021), LL.M degrees in Tax and Company Law (2014), and a Post-Master in EU Customs Law (2016). His research focuses on EU customs law, VAT, excise taxes, CBAM, and sustainability in global trade. He frequently publishes in journals like ARS Aequi , EC Tax Review , and Intertax . Awards include the Stevens Prize (2019) and the PhD Thesis Award (2022). Schippers advises on EU customs compliance, sustainability, and excise tax matters through EY. He contributes to international tax policy discussions and collaborates with organizations like the International Fiscal Association (IFA) and the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU).

David WiddowsonView profile

Professor

• Trade Facilitation
• Regulatory Compliance Management
• Risk Management
• +3 more

Professor David Widdowson AM is the Head of School and CEO of the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia. He holds a PhD in Public Sector Management and has over 40 years of experience in international trade regulation, including 21 years with the Australian Customs Service. His leadership roles include founding the International Network of Customs Universities (INCUS) and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the World Customs Journal. He is also actively involved in global customs organizations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO), contributing to academic research and policy development. Professor Widdowson's research focuses on Trade Facilitation, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, and Supply Chain Security. He has been recognized for his contributions to higher education, receiving the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019. His work emphasizes modernizing border systems through digital innovation, strategic partnerships, and capacity building in developing regions. His publications from 2022–2024 highlight trends in customs digitization, post-crisis trade management, and the implementation of global trade frameworks like the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. He advocates for integrated approaches to compliance, leveraging technology and international collaboration to enhance trade efficiency and security. Key professional activities include advancing the WCO Data Strategy, promoting mutual recognition of trusted trader programs (AEO), and evaluating Single Window systems in Australia and Pacific nations. His work bridges academia and practice, aiming to strengthen customs institutions globally.

Andy JohnsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Maritime Enforcement
• Risk Management
• Intelligence
• +4 more

Associate Professor Andy Johnson is a seasoned academic and practitioner in the field of customs and maritime studies at Charles Sturt University (CSU). With 44 years of experience in the customs environment, including 37 years at Australian Customs, he serves as the Course Coordinator for Maritime Studies and leads customs programs. Based in Barton, Canberra, he can be reached via phone at 02 6272 6300 or email at andjohnson@csu.edu.au. Education: Master’s Degree in Maritime Studies Andy’s expertise spans maritime enforcement, risk management, intelligence, investigations, border protection, and operational management. He has delivered training across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific, and Australia. His academic contributions include convening and lecturing postgraduate and undergraduate courses at CSU’s Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, as well as authoring the Maritime Enforcement Masters Unit. As a Visiting Fellow, Andy collaborates with the University of Wollongong and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka, enhancing international academic engagement in customs and maritime policy.