Find Academic Supervisors

Sally StaresView profile

Lecturer

• Survey methods
• Public opinion analysis
• Public perceptions of science & technology
• +3 more

Sally Stares is a social psychologist and faculty member in the Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics (LSE). She specializes in survey methods, public opinion analysis, and public perceptions of new technologies. After nine years as a lecturer/senior lecturer at City, University of London, she returned to LSE, where she previously earned her MSc in Social Research Methods and PhD in Social Psychology. Her research focuses on science-technology-society interactions, particularly public attitudes toward self-driving vehicles, automated journalism, and criminal justice standards. Methodologically, Dr. Stares is an expert in survey design, latent variable models, and cross-national analysis. She has contributed to EU-funded projects on diversity-aware technology, global civil society metrics, and poverty typologies in Scotland. As an editorial board member of Public Understanding of Science , she emphasizes bridging gaps between scientific communities and the public. Her recent work explores audience reactions to automated media content and cross-national variations in automated vehicle acceptance. Publications span transportation policy, biotechnology ethics, and criminology, with a focus on empirical social science methodologies. She has advised organizations including the Social Mobility Commission and Mo Ibrahim Foundation on research design and implementation. Labs/Teams: Active in LSE's methodological research groups and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on technology ethics and public engagement initiatives.

Matthew HartleyView profile

Professor

• Higher Education Leadership
• University Governance
• Democratic Citizenship
• +3 more

Matthew Hartley is a Professor of Education and Board of Advisors Chair of Education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). He also serves as Executive Director of Penn AHEAD (Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy). His roles include overseeing academic and student affairs, admissions, and strategic planning. Hartley holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Education: PhD in Education, Harvard University Master’s Degree in Education, Harvard University Research Interests: Hartley focuses on higher education leadership, democratic governance, and university roles in societal development. He explores institutional excellence beyond global rankings, emphasizing community impact and underserved populations. His work includes studies on Kazakhstan’s higher education reforms, university autonomy, and civic engagement. Recent projects highlight alternative models of institutional success that prioritize local needs over prestige metrics. Recent Work Trends: His publications and projects address global higher education challenges, including democratizing university missions, fostering community partnerships, and redefining excellence in under-resourced contexts. Awards: 2019 National Research Award (Republic of Kazakhstan Ministry of Education). Advising & Grants: Hartley co-authored a Cambridge University Press book (2025) supported by a Qatar Foundation grant. He collaborated with Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) on policy reforms and advised World Bank and Council of Europe initiatives on higher education governance. His Fulbright in Slovakia (2011) explored community-based learning in universities. Labs/Teams: Directs Penn AHEAD, advancing democratic engagement and equity in education systems globally.

Shakuntala BanajiView profile

Professor

• International Media and the Global South
• Film Studies
• Media Literacy
• +5 more

Shakuntala Banaji is a Professor of Media, Culture and Social Change at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She leads the MSc Media, Communication and Development program and lectures on topics including International Media in the Global South, film theory, and critical approaches to media and development. Her research focuses on intersections between socio-political contexts, media, identities, and participation, particularly regarding children/youth agency, disinformation, and hate speech in digital spaces. She has conducted major projects such as the EU-funded CATCHEyoU (on youth citizenship) and research on WhatsApp misinformation linked to Indian lynching cases. Her expertise includes Bollywood studies, media literacy, and the impact of social media on civic engagement. Banaji has authored influential books like Children and Media in India (2017) and Social Media and Hate (2022). Her work critiques exclusionary citizenship discourses and advocates for critical media education to combat disinformation and promote social justice. Recent research explores historical propaganda and contemporary disinformation in India, Brazil, Myanmar, and the UK, emphasizing grassroots resistance against hate speech. She collaborates internationally on projects addressing media ethics, youth activism, and the role of technology in democratic processes.

Aurelien MondonView profile

Professor

• Far Right Politics
• Populism Studies
• Political Theory
• +3 more

Aurelien Mondon is a Professor in the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies at the University of Bath. His research focuses on far-right politics, mainstreaming processes, racism, and populism, with a particular emphasis on reactionary discourses in elite and media contexts. He holds a PhD in Political Science from La Trobe University (2011) and has authored or edited influential books such as Reactionary Democracy: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream (2020) and Mainstreaming the Extreme Right in France and Australia (2013). Mondon’s work critically examines the normalization of far-right ideologies within mainstream politics, emphasizing the role of liberal institutions and media in enabling reactionary agendas. His research spans comparative political analysis, media studies, and critical race theory. He has supervised five doctoral students and contributed to over 111 peer-reviewed publications, exploring topics like Islamophobia, transphobic strategies, and the intersection of populism with racialized discourses. Mondon is co-convenor of the Reactionary Politics Research Network and actively engages in public discourse through media contributions, conferences, and policy-oriented discussions. His expertise aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those addressing education, inequality, and social justice.

Patricia Elaine PerkinsView profile

Professor

• Ecological Economics
• Climate Justice
• Commons Governance
• +7 more

Patricia Elaine Perkins is a Professor at the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, where she conducts research and teaches in ecological economics, climate justice, and community-based environmental governance. Her interdisciplinary work integrates feminist theory, political ecology, and participatory research methods to address global inequities in the context of climate change and sustainability transitions. Her educational background includes a PhD and MA in Economics from the University of Toronto, and a BA in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University. This strong foundation underpins her critical approach to mainstream economic paradigms and her advocacy for alternative, justice-oriented frameworks. Perkins' research interests center on climate justice, feminist ecological economics, commons governance, and community economic development . She explores how local communities, particularly in the Global South, can lead equitable responses to climate change through participatory models. Her focus on gender, care, and intersectionality brings vital perspectives to environmental decision-making processes. Her recent publications reflect a strong thematic trend toward decentralized governance, social movements, and systemic alternatives to growth-oriented economies . Articles and books examine degrowth, climate activism, and the integration of plural knowledge systems in environmental management, especially in Brazil, Canada, and Africa. She emphasizes community-led solutions and the ethical dimensions of sustainability. REDI (Respect, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) training certificate – Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion, York University Perkins has secured significant research funding from SSHRC, IDRC, and the New Frontiers in Research Fund for projects on post-pandemic recovery, ethical data management, and community-based climate resilience. She actively mentors students and collaborates internationally, contributing to global policy through her role as a Lead Author for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. Her work bridges academic research, community engagement, and public policy advocacy. She leads research teams and community-university partnerships focused on the Jane and Finch neighborhood, Brazil, and African watersheds. These labs and collaborative networks emphasize participatory action research, ethical data practices, and capacity building in marginalized communities.

Charlotte AlbrechtsenView profile

Lecturer

• Digital Media
• Participatory Research Methods
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• +10 more

Charlotte Albrechtsen is an External Lecturer in the Department of Business & Management at the University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Social Sciences. She is actively engaged in teaching, research, and editorial activities, contributing to interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of digital media, communication, and participatory research methods. Institution: University of Southern Denmark Department: Department of Business & Management (DBM) Academic Role: Lecturer Email: charal@sam.sdu.dk Her research interests center on innovative qualitative methodologies, including mobile ethnography, collaborative data analysis through gamified techniques, and the integration of generative AI in creative research practices. She explores how digital tools can enhance participatory research and democratize knowledge production. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward blending humanities perspectives with digital technologies—such as drawing analogies between medieval monastic practices and modern prompt engineering, or using board games to involve stakeholders in data interpretation. This reflects a unique interdisciplinary approach that bridges communication theory, design, and AI literacy. Scientific recognition includes: Forbundet Kommunikation & Sprogs ph.d.-pris (2006) Forfatterlegat (2007) She has taught courses in strategic communication, research methodology, and market analysis, and has served as a peer reviewer for journals like CoDesign . Her current project, Balancing AI in EDU , investigates ethical and pedagogical implications of AI in higher education. While no formal advisees are listed, her supervisory role in teaching suggests mentorship experience. She does not appear to lead a formal lab but contributes to collaborative, participatory research networks.

• Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
• Socioeconomic Development
• E-governance
• +6 more

Patience Akpan-Obong is a Professor at Arizona State University's College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Polytechnic Campus). She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science (University of Alberta, 2003), an M.A. in Journalism (Carleton University, 1996), and a National Diploma in Mass Communication (Cross River State University of Technology, Nigeria, 1984). Her research focuses on ICTs' role in socio-economic development, e-governance in emerging democracies, and gender issues in technology, particularly in Africa. She has authored seminal works like Information and Communication Technologies in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development (2009) and contributed to global debates on digital divides and governance. Her teaching spans leadership, organizational diversity, gender and race dynamics, and innovation in developing countries. She has received prestigious awards, including the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (2022) and a Fulbright Scholar Award (2015–2016). She actively serves on university committees and international advisory boards, including roles in Covenant University's E-governance initiatives in Nigeria. Her work bridges academia and public policy, emphasizing ICT-driven socio-economic transformation.

Alicia Blanco-BayoView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Early Childhood Education
• Relational Pedagogy
• Emotional Competence
• +3 more

Alicia Blanco-Bayo is a Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education and External Examiner at Middlesex University. Her research focuses on relational pedagogy, emotional development, and assessment methodologies in early childhood, emphasizing the role of emotional connections in learning. She holds a PhD from Lancaster University (2022) titled 'CARIÑO IS THE PEDAGOGY': Assessing 4-year-olds whilst making sense of their behaviors. Education: PhD in Education and Social Justice from Lancaster University, 2022 Her work explores how assessment practices can nurture emotional competence and well-being in young children, particularly through the 'CARINO' pedagogical approach. Key interests include social-emotional development, mental health (SEMH), and caring assessment methods in early childhood education. She integrates global perspectives from her fieldwork in Nepal, India, and Jordan. Recent research trends highlight interdisciplinary approaches linking child rights, democracy, and nature-based learning. Projects like 'Las raices de 'una chica de pueblo'' emphasize community-rooted education initiatives. Grants/Projects: Alicia Blanco-Bayo: Las raices de 'una chica de pueblo' (Ongoing since 2023) Thinkids-Guidelines for implementation of key competences (2023–2024) Special Needs/SEMH Assessment Framework project (2023–2025) She contributes to research networks such as the International Centre for Early Years Education and the Children's Rights and Wellbeing Research Network, promoting equity and social justice in early childhood settings.

Roya TalibovaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Political Violence
• Political Economy
• Historical Political Economy
• +3 more

Roya Talibova is the Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Her research explores political violence, authoritarian regimes, and historical political economy, with a focus on the long-term effects of repression and combat motivation. She holds a PhD in Political Science and Scientific Computing from the University of Michigan, alongside a dual MS in Statistics, MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and prior academic roles at Vanderbilt University and the University of Pennsylvania’s DevLab@Penn. Education: PhD in Political Science and Scientific Computing, MS in Statistics (2022), University of Michigan MPA (2014), Harvard Kennedy School MA in International Relations (2009), Seton Hall University BA (2007), Azerbaijan University of Foreign Languages Research Interests: Political violence, authoritarian regimes, historical political economy, quantitative methods, and the intersection of repression and military mobilization. Her work combines archival data, geospatial analysis, and computational models to study phenomena such as WWII combat motivation and the legacy of Stalinist repression. Awards: Ronald H. Coase Best Dissertation Award Juan Linz Best Dissertation Award Midwest Political Science Association Best Paper Awards Grants: Supported by NSF, Carnegie Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, and others. Her methodological contributions include developing tools for large-scale data linkage and terrorism database frameworks. Affiliations: Core faculty at Harvard’s Belfer Center, affiliated with Ash Center, Center for International Development, Harvard Data Science Initiative, and Weatherhead Center for International Affairs.

Matteo GianniView profile

Professor

• Normative Political Theory
• Migration and Mobility
• Urban Citizenship
• +15 more

Matteo Gianni is a Full Professor and Director of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Geneva, Faculty of Social Sciences. He has been a faculty member since 2011, previously serving as Associate Professor and progressing from assistant and senior lecturer roles. He is affiliated with the Institute for Citizenship Studies (where he briefly served as Director in 2024) and the Institute for Gender Studies. He also holds a significant role in the NCCR – On the Move research consortium based at the University of Neuchâtel, leading research and serving on its management board since 2018. His research interests span a broad and interconnected set of themes in political theory and social policy, including Normative Political Theory, Migration and Mobility, Urban Citizenship, Deliberative Democracy, Integration of Muslims in Europe, Theories of Justice and Recognition, Secularism, and Epistemology of the Social Sciences . He has extensively examined the political integration of Muslims in Switzerland and Europe, the ethics of migration, and the role of public deliberation in democratic societies. The most recent publications reflect a sustained focus on issues of epistemic justice, multicultural citizenship, and the political dynamics of religious pluralism. His work often analyzes how migration, security policies, and integration discourses shape democratic citizenship in mobile and multicultural societies. He frequently collaborates with scholars across Europe and North America, as seen in his leadership of international research projects and co-supervision of PhD students. Matteo Gianni has supervised numerous doctoral students, many of whom have completed their theses on topics related to migration, citizenship, and political integration. He has received research funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation and has conducted scientific visits to Rutgers University and the University of Toronto. He was Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences from 2016 to 2020 and is co-chair of the ASSP Political Theory Group. He has led major research projects such as Narratives of Crisis and Their Influence in Shaping Discourses and Policies of Migration and Mobility and Perimeters of Multilayered Democratic Citizenship in a Mobile and Multicultural World . He is actively involved in knowledge transfer and public engagement, as evidenced by his media contributions such as the article "We must make race visible" in Le Courrier (2022). His work bridges academic research and policy development, particularly through partnerships with public institutions like the Department of Social Cohesion in Geneva to create local participatory forums.

• Criminology
• Political Violence
• Organized Crime
• +7 more

Vincenzo Ruggiero is a Professor of Sociology at the School of Law and Social Sciences , Middlesex University. His work bridges criminology , political violence , and critical theory , focusing on power structures , state-corporate crime , and green criminology . Research Themes: Crimes of the powerful, financial crime, political violence, environmental crime, degrowth movement, and abolitionist criminology. Recent Trends: Analysis of war as corporate crime, intersections of behavioral economics and political violence, sustainability challenges, and global reparation for displaced populations. Editorial Work: Co-editor of Organized crime and terrorist networks (2019) and Corruption and organized crime in Europe (2012).

• Sustainable Energy
• Energy Policy
• Business Models for Sustainability
• +12 more

Matthew Hannon is a Professor of Sustainable Energy Business and Policy at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde. His research focuses on the business models, policies, and technologies critical to achieving a socially equitable, net-zero economy. He leads and co-leads major research initiatives including the UKRI-funded EnergyREV consortium, the UK Energy Research Centre’s Community Energy Finance and 'Whole Person - Whole Place' retrofit projects, and the Scottish Universities Insight Institute’s Carbon Offsetting for Communities project. His educational background includes a PhD in Co-evolution of Innovative Business Models and Sustainability Transitions from the University of Leeds and a Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching from Imperial College London. He has held visiting positions at Imperial College London and is actively engaged in knowledge exchange and policy outreach. Hannon's research interests span sustainable energy, energy policy, business model innovation, community energy, energy justice, and smart local energy systems. His work emphasizes the socio-technical dimensions of energy transitions, particularly how community engagement, financial mechanisms, and policy design can enable equitable decarbonization. He has published in top-tier journals such as Nature Energy , Energy Research and Social Science , and Technological Forecasting and Social Change , and has co-authored books on energy innovation. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on community energy finance, smart local energy systems, energy retrofitting, and policy innovation. Key themes include the role of business models in sustainability transitions, the financing of grassroots innovation, and the social and relational aspects of energy efficiency. His work increasingly integrates justice and equity into the design of energy systems and policies. Place on the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Scottish Crucible (2018) World Energy Congress Recognition (2016) Hannon has supervised multiple PhD students and is actively involved in advising on research projects. His work has attracted significant funding from UKRI, ESRC, EPSRC, and other bodies. He provides expert testimony to parliamentary committees and contributes to government consultations. He is a council member of the British Institute of Energy Economics, chair and trustee of the community energy charity South Seeds, and a member of advisory panels for BSI/Defra and USwitch. He is also the co-founder and host of the Local Zero podcast, which highlights local climate action and has been recognized as the Times Pod of the Week. Hannon leads or co-leads several active research projects, including 'Systems Approaches for Accelerating a Just Transition (JUST-Systems)' and 'The Role of Smart Energy Homes in Accelerating a Just Transition to Net-Zero'. His team includes co-investigators from across Strathclyde and partner organizations, reflecting a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to tackling complex energy challenges.

Chris SellersView profile

Professor

• Environmental History
• Climate History
• Medical History
• +12 more

Chris Sellers is a Professor in the Department of History at Stony Brook University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and an M.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Medical School, reflecting his interdisciplinary focus on environmental and medical history. His research centers on the environmental, health, and social impacts of industrialization and urbanization, particularly in the United States and Mexico. Key areas include the history of capitalism, inequality, democracy, and the environmental and civil rights movements. He has made significant contributions to the history of industrial hazards, suburban environmentalism, and the petrochemical industry’s role in climate change. His recent and ongoing work analyzes transnational environmental issues, with a focus on oil and petrochemical industries, urban development, and climate science. His publications reveal a consistent trend toward interdisciplinary, socially engaged scholarship that connects environmental history with public health, policy, and justice. National Science Foundation Grant National Humanities Center Fellowship National Library of Medicine Award Sellers has advised numerous graduate students and led major collaborative initiatives, including the History of Environment and Health Network (HEHN), H-EnviroHealth, and the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative. He has secured significant research funding and continues to mentor emerging scholars in environmental history and health. He is actively involved in academic communities through digital platforms, public scholarship, and network-building, contributing to both scholarly and public understanding of environmental and health challenges.

Sigurt VitolsView profile

Research Fellow

• Corporate Governance
• Sustainable Development
• Worker Participation
• +3 more

Sigurt Vitols is a Senior Research Fellow at the Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB), currently working in the Project Group "Globalization, Work, and Production" since July 2017. His research focuses on corporate governance systems, sustainable development, worker participation mechanisms, and financial institutions' impact on corporate behavior. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1997) and an M.A. in Sociology from the same institution (1989). His academic journey began at WZB as a Doctoral Candidate in 1990, becoming a Research Fellow in 1997. Vitols' research interests center on comparative corporate governance systems, with particular focus on European models that incorporate worker representation. His work examines how different governance structures affect corporate sustainability, long-term investment strategies, and social outcomes. He has extensively studied German codetermination systems and their impacts on corporate behavior, including tax avoidance practices, investment horizons, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. His research spans political economy, labor relations, and institutional analysis of financial systems. His publication record shows consistent focus on worker participation in corporate governance, sustainable business models, and the relationship between financial institutions and corporate behavior. Recent work has expanded to examine European-wide worker representation mechanisms, corporate sustainability reporting, and the impact of worker representation on corporate tax practices. Vitols has led significant research projects including the development of the Mitbestimmungsindex (MB-ix), which measures the strength and impact of worker representation in corporate governance. He has also contributed to European research on corporate governance frameworks through projects examining the European Company Statute, cross-border mergers, and takeover directives. His work has been supported through collaborations with major European institutions including the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI), where he served as a Visiting Senior Researcher (2010-2011), and the Harvard Labor and Worklife Program, where he was a Wertheim Fellow in Residence (2009).

Klara DolkView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Gender pedagogy
• Equal treatment
• Children's rights
• +5 more

Klara Dolk is a Senior Lecturer at Stockholm University's Department of Child and Youth Studies, specializing in early childhood education. She teaches in the Programme in Early Childhood Education and is an active member of the Practice-based research in and about early childhood education and care (PraFF) research group. Her work focuses on integrating critical perspectives into preschool educational practices across Sweden. Dr. Dolk's research interests center on gender pedagogy, equal treatment, children's rights, and norm-critical perspectives in early childhood education. Her work examines how preschools address sensitive social issues including poverty, economic inequality, and social vulnerability. She employs poststructuralist and feminist theoretical frameworks to analyze power relations between children and adults within educational settings, with particular attention to how children's resistance can challenge and transform educational practices. Her recent publications (2020-2023) reveal a growing focus on how preschools handle controversial social phenomena like begging, economic inequality, and class perspectives. These works demonstrate her commitment to examining how norm-critical approaches can be effectively implemented in early childhood education to address societal challenges while maintaining educational integrity. Her research shows consistent engagement with ethical dilemmas in preschool settings and the practical challenges of implementing fundamental values education. Dr. Dolk has contributed significantly to scholarly discourse through numerous publications in both Swedish and international journals. Her work spans theoretical explorations of gender and power to practical examinations of how preschools address real-world social issues. She has published in journals such as Lambda Nordica, International Journal of Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood, and Tam-Revy, demonstrating her interdisciplinary approach to early childhood education research. As a dedicated educator and researcher, Dr. Dolk actively contributes to advancing critical approaches in early childhood education through her teaching, research projects on preschool attendance and social vulnerability, and participation in the PraFF research group. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical educational challenges, providing valuable insights for both academic and practitioner communities in the field of early childhood education.