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Paul BrewerView profile

Professor

• Political Communication
• Science Communication
• Public Opinion
• +3 more

Paul Brewer is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Delaware, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on political communication, science communication, and how media (traditional, entertainment, and social) shape public opinion on policy issues and scientific topics. Notably, he investigates the impact of YouTube and social media on belief in paranormal phenomena like UFOs and ghosts. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. from the University of Kentucky. His work has been featured in outlets such as *Delaware Public Media* and *Slate*, discussing studies on media consumption and paranormal beliefs. He received the Outstanding Scholarship Award from the College of Arts & Sciences in 2016. Brewer’s research often involves undergraduate and graduate students, including collaborations with Holly Wright and Erin Oittinen on studies analyzing media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Key themes in his work include the interplay between media narratives and public attitudes toward science, technology (e.g., facial recognition, AI), and controversial topics such as gene editing. His book *Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights* (2008) further highlights his expertise in linking communication to societal values and policy debates.

Victor PerottiView profile

Professor

• Digital business
• Digital entrepreneurship
• Web 2.0
• +8 more

Victor Perotti is a Professor and Department Chair of MIS, Marketing, and Digital Business at the Saunders College of Business, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He holds a Ph.D., MA, and MS in Cognitive and Experimental Psychology, along with a BS in Computer Science from The Ohio State University. His research focuses on digital business ecosystems, social media dynamics, and entrepreneurship in marginalized communities. Notable projects include studies on brand community engagement, disaster-impacted customer experiences, and career growth for deaf workers. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including work on social network analysis in startups and the ethical challenges of social media in branding. Perotti teaches advanced business analytics, digital entrepreneurship, and marketing strategy courses. He leads RIT’s Department of MIS, Marketing, and Digital Business, which has seen rapid national ranking growth in the past five years. His academic innovations include a Digital Journalism Incubator grant (2013) to develop interdisciplinary education models. He also co-invented a patent for visualizing web usage patterns (2002) and has presented at global conferences like AMCIS and PDMA. His work bridges cognitive psychology, technology, and business strategy, emphasizing real-world applications in digital transformation and inclusive entrepreneurship.

• Interpreting involving deaf immigrants/refugees
• Deaf female immigrant's inclusion into society
• Deaf refugee women's use of depiction in Norwegian Sign Language
• +5 more

Elisabet Trengereid-Olsen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Language, Literature, Mathematics and Interpreting at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Her work focuses on deaf immigrants/refugees, particularly deaf female immigrants' inclusion in Norwegian society, and their use of depiction in Norwegian Sign Language (NSTM). She leads Work Package 3 in the DEPICT project, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, which explores depiction as a tool for inclusion and communication. Her research addresses interpreting challenges for deaf immigrants, societal integration, and language access barriers. She teaches courses such as Sign Language Interpreting, Professional Ethics, and Deaf Studies. She is completing her PhD on deaf, signing immigrant women's experiences with mandatory integration programs, emphasizing language training. As a member of the SILC research group (Sign Language, Interpreting, Linguistics, and Communication), she contributes to advancing linguistic and sociocultural understanding of NSTM. Her publications analyze systemic gaps in interpreting services and advocate for policy reforms to enhance accessibility for deaf immigrants.

• Social Policy
• Health Policy
• Public Policy
• +7 more

Dr. Volkan Yilmaz is a Lecturer in Social Policy at Ulster University, Belfast, within the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences. He is a co-editor of the Journal of Social Policy and co-coordinates the European Sociological Association’s Sociology of Social Policy and Social Welfare Research Network (RN26). He serves as Course Director for the Social Policy MSc program, a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course. His academic roles also include membership in the Centre for Public Administration at Ulster and participation in the WHO Advisory Group on the Governance of the Private Sector for Universal Health Coverage. Yilmaz’s research focuses on the politics of social policies, global health governance, human rights, disability studies, and LGBTQ+ rights. He employs mixed-methods approaches, combining surveys, public spending data, observational data from social media, and qualitative methods like focus groups and in-depth interviews. His work critiques policy narratives, examines health-politics intersections, and explores marginalization in healthcare systems. Notable projects include analyzing Turkey’s healthcare reforms, LGBTQ+ aging experiences, and social protection gaps during the pandemic. Professional highlights include previous roles as Director of the Social Policy Forum Research Centre in Istanbul, and leadership of Bogazici University’s postgraduate Social Policy program. He has held visiting researcher positions at King’s College London, the University of Bristol, and Fondation Brocher. His contributions span editorial roles, policy advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaborations, reflecting his commitment to advancing equitable social and health policies globally.

David PettinicchioView profile

Associate Professor

• Political Sociology
• Disability Studies
• Social Inequality
• +5 more

David Pettinicchio is an Associate Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). He holds a PhD from the University of Washington and completed postdoctoral work at Nuffield College, University of Oxford. His research focuses on disability policy, political sociology, health inequalities, and the intersections of race, gender, and class. He is affiliated with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and serves as Executive Co-Editor of the Canadian Review of Sociology . Education: Ph.D. (Sociology, University of Washington), M.A. and B.A. (Sociology, McGill University). Research Interests : Disability-based inequality, economic insecurity during crises (e.g., the pandemic), policy responses to disability, and the role of cultural industries (e.g., fashion) in promoting diversity. Recent projects include a nationwide study on pandemic impacts on people with disabilities and a co-authored book on Aesthetic Citizenship examining diversity in the beauty industry. Grants & Advising : Collaborates with graduate students on projects like diversity in fashion and consumer culture. Has secured funding for pandemic-related research and policy analyses. Supervises doctoral students in disability studies and inequality research. Labs/Teams : Affiliated with the Centre for Criminology & Socio-Legal Studies and the Peel Social Lab, focusing on translating research for public impact.

• Sports Psychology
• Intercultural Communication
• Health Communication
• +3 more

Jordi Segura Bernal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Sciences, Communication and Health at Blanquerna School of Psychology, Education and Sports Sciences, Ramon Llull University. His academic focus spans sports psychology, intercultural communication, and health-related research. He leads the COMSAL research group (Communication and Health) and has coordinated multiple grants, including projects on immigrant healthcare communication and athlete well-being. His research interests include burnout in athletes, leadership in sports coaching, and intercultural dynamics in healthcare settings. Key projects include analyzing cohesion in professional handball teams and exploring telehealth applications for oncology patients. Segura Bernal has authored over 39 publications, with recent works addressing topics like parental influence on young athletes' life meaning and comparative studies on intercultural communication barriers for long-term immigrants. Projects: COMSAL (2022–2025), Intercultural Communication in Healthcare (2015–2016), and Adaptation to Stroke (2015) Key Collaborations: Catalan primary care networks, sports federations, and interdisciplinary health teams He co-edits the XVIII Congreso Nacional de Psicología de la Actividad Física y del Deporte and contributes to policy recommendations for disability inclusion in sports. His work bridges psychological theory with practical applications in healthcare and athletic performance.

Kristen ShinoharaView profile

Associate Professor

• Accessibility
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Design for Social Accessibility
• +3 more

Kristen Shinohara is an Associate Professor at the School of Information within the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences at RIT. She co-directs the CAIR Lab and focuses on designing accessible technologies, supporting disabled graduate students in STEM, and integrating accessibility into computing education. Her research bridges HCI, disability studies, and inclusive design. Education: BS from University of Puget Sound, MS from University of Washington-Tacoma, PhD from University of Washington-Seattle (2017). Research Interests: Her work emphasizes social accessibility, exploring how technologies can better support marginalized groups. Key areas include: accessibility in design tools, graduate student barriers in STEM, and curriculum development for inclusive computing education. She co-developed the Design for Social Accessibility (DSA) framework and method cards to guide inclusive design practices. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed papers in top venues like CHI and ASSETS, focusing on accessibility challenges and solutions. Recent work addresses AI-assisted UX evaluation, cultural dimensions in accessibility, and barriers faced by visually impaired graduate students. Awards & Grants: NSF funding for projects empowering disabled graduate students and infusing accessibility into CS curricula. Recognized with Best Paper Awards and Honorable Mentions at CHI and ASSETS conferences. Advising & Grants: Mentors over 20 graduate and undergraduate students. Leads NSF-funded initiatives to improve accessibility education and support disabled researchers. Collaborates on projects like 'Empowering Disabled Graduate Students in STEM' and 'Teaching Accessibility in Computing.' Labs & Teams: Co-leads the CAIR Lab, fostering interdisciplinary research on inclusive technology. Active in organizing ASSETS 2025 as General Co-Chair, promoting diversity in accessibility research.

John McDanielView profile

Lecturer

• Crime/Criminal Justice
• Human Rights
• Transnational Policing
• +4 more

Dr John McDaniel is a Lecturer in Crime/Criminal Justice at Lancaster Law School within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at Lancaster University. He holds a PhD in Law from the University of Kent (2015) and an MA in Human Rights in Criminal Justice (1st Class) from the University of Limerick (2010). His research focuses on socio-legal issues including the policing of speech crimes, cross-border police cooperation, human rights, and AI applications in policing. He has advised UK police forces, the National Crime Agency, and contributed evidence to parliamentary committees. Key roles include chairing the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) for West Midlands Police (since 2023), serving on the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) for a major UK prison (2016–2022), and acting as a 'Special' advisor on EU policing arrangements (2018–2020). He is a member of the EU Cost Action CA22128 (2023–2026) and co-investigator for the AHRC-funded 'SmartSafeSigning' project (2025–2027), addressing deaf inclusion in domestic violence support. Publications include co-edited volumes such as Predictive Policing and Artificial Intelligence (Routledge) and peer-reviewed articles on AI in policing and police accountability. He has held editorial roles, including Associate Editor for Criminology and Criminal Justice (2020–2022), and reviewed for Bristol University Press and other publishers.

Robert ThornbergView profile

Professor

• School Bullying
• Moral Disengagement
• Values Education
• +4 more

Robert Thornberg is a Professor of Education at Linköping University's Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL), part of the Faculty of Educational Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Research in 2006. His research focuses on school bullying mechanisms, moral disengagement, values education, and teacher training challenges. Thornberg uses mixed methods including qualitative ethnography, surveys, and statistical analysis. Key areas include bullying bystander dynamics, classroom climate impacts, and LGBTQI+ inclusivity in schools. He leads the School Bullying Research Group and coordinates the Nordic Educational Research Association's Value Issues network. Recognitions include Expertscape's global bullying expert ranking and SEK 26.3M in Swedish Research Council grants. Education: PhD in Educational Research (2006). Academic networks include Georgia State University's School Safety Research Center and editorial roles in Nordic Studies in Education. His work addresses bullying prevention, teacher-student relationship quality, and systemic educational equity.

Giorgio BroccoView profile

Lecturer

• Medical Anthropology
• Disability Anthropology
• Environmental Anthropology
• +5 more

Dr. Giorgio Brocco is a Research Associate (PostDoc) and Lecturer at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna. His academic journey includes a PhD from the Free University of Berlin (2021), where his thesis focused on albinism in Tanzania. He currently leads research on environmental health and justice in the French Caribbean territories. His affiliations include the Research Group 'Health Matters' and collaborations with global platforms like ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Education: PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Free University of Berlin, 2021 Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Vienna, 2021–present Research Focus: Medical anthropology, disability studies, environmental health, postcolonial critique, and critical disability frameworks. His work emphasizes global-local interactions, media representations, and humanitarian discourses. Teaching: Current and past courses via u:find platform, focusing on medical anthropology and disability studies. Grants & Labs: Engaged with interdisciplinary projects on albinism and environmental toxins in Martinique/Guadeloupe. No explicit grants mentioned, but extensive conference participation (e.g., 'Sentiments of Justice in Africa', 'Different Shades of White'). Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including key works on albinism in Tanzania and postcolonial medical anthropology.

Senia KalfaView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Workplace Well-being
• Employee Health
• Organizational Management
• +3 more

Dr. Senia Kalfa is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management at Macquarie University, affiliated with the Centre for Workforce Futures. Her research focuses on workplace well-being, employee health, and organizational management, with a particular emphasis on issues such as corporate social responsibility, mental health accommodation, and the impact of societal crises like the pandemic on HR practices. Key research areas include employee return to work post-cancer, intimate partner violence in the workplace, and the future of work. She has contributed to projects such as investigating lymphoedema's impact on women’s careers and mental health support in mining industries. Dr. Kalfa’s work bridges theory and practice, addressing topics like Bourdieu’s sociological frameworks applied to organizational behavior. Her 2023 publications highlight corporate responses to intimate partner violence and pandemic-era HR strategies. Earlier work includes studies on academic complicity in exploitation and the financial burden of lymphoedema on cancer survivors. She has been awarded the Best Paper Award (2009) for contributions to higher education reform research. Dr. Kalfa collaborates with institutions like the NSW Ministry of Health and has presented at international conferences. Her research emphasizes ethical practices, employee voice mechanisms, and equitable organizational policies.

Carolyn C MeltzerView profile

Professor

• Neuroradiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• +4 more

Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD, is the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC and holds the May S. and John H. Hooval, M.D., Dean’s Chair. She previously served as Chair of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Emory University and held leadership roles in faculty advancement and diversity. Her research focuses on neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, Alzheimer’s disease, and psychiatric disorders in aging, with recent emphasis on healthcare equity and leadership. Dr. Meltzer has been recognized with numerous awards, including the AMA Distinguished Service Award and the ACR Gold Medal. She holds an MD from Johns Hopkins, residency and fellowship training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and an undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University. Beyond academia, her photography has been exhibited globally. Education: MD (Johns Hopkins), Residency/Fellowship (Johns Hopkins Hospital), BA in Biology (Cornell University) Leadership Roles: Dean of Keck School of Medicine (2022–present), Chair of Radiology at Emory (2007–2022), Executive Associate Dean at Emory School of Medicine Research Interests: Dr. Meltzer’s work spans clinical imaging, neurodegenerative diseases, and healthcare system transformation. She advocates for diversity in radiology, gender equity in academic medicine, and ethical use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Publications: Over 200 peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from Alzheimer’s imaging to institutional diversity initiatives. Recent works emphasize healthcare equity, leadership, and pandemic response strategies. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary initiatives at Keck School of Medicine focused on translational research, education innovation, and institutional equity.

• Prostitution Studies
• Urban Sociology
• Gender Studies
• +3 more

LS Nencel is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. They also hold a fellowship position within the Identities, Diversity and Inclusion (IDI) research group. Their work focuses on critical issues such as urban sociology, gender studies, and development aid partnerships. Recent research examines migrant well-being in urban spaces, sex work policy debates, and aid chain dynamics in Global South contexts. Research Interests: Prostitution and stigmatization dynamics Ethnographic methodologies in marginalized communities Community-based development strategies Gendered experiences of structural inequality Recent Research Trends: Articles from 2023-2024 highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding marginalized populations, combining ethnography with policy analysis. Key themes include labor rights of sex workers, intersectionality of disability and gender violence, and the political role of NGOs in development aid. Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator for NWO-funded 'Sexual & Reproductive Health' initiative (2016-2018) Researcher in 'HAPPY' project on education and well-being in Bhutan (2021-2024) Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Identities, Diversity and Inclusion research group focusing on intersectional social justice research.

Hans BosselaarView profile

Researcher

• Governance of Social Welfare
• Public Administration
• Social Policy
• +3 more

Hans Bosselaar is a Researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities , Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He specializes in governance of the social welfare state, particularly focusing on local implementation of policies related to benefits, provisions, and reintegration. As Academic Manager of the Kenniswerkplaats Lokaal15 , he collaborates with municipalities, client organizations, and professionals to address youth integration challenges in labor markets. His research emphasizes professionalization of leadership in reintegration services, client participation in governance, and institutional welfare reforms. Notable projects include leading a 5-year program on youth integration governance and evaluating professionalization initiatives through action research. He has published extensively on topics like empathic professionalism, municipal management practices, and disability employment strategies. Recent work includes analyses of decentralized welfare systems, participatory policymaking, and institutional barriers to equitable employment practices. His contributions bridge academic research with practical policy implementation, emphasizing collaboration between public institutions and marginalized groups. Key Projects: Action Lab Professionalization (2022-2023) Open Hiring Effectiveness Study (2019-2020) Decentralized Welfare Crafting (2013-2021) Grants & Collaborations: Partnerships with Divosa, municipalities, and client organizations through Kenniswerkplaats Lokaal15 . Labs/Teams: Core contributor to Lokaal15 knowledge network and VU’s Public Governance research initiatives.

Ilja CorneliszView profile

Associate Professor

• Educational Policy
• Mental Health
• Digital Health
• +6 more

Dr. Ilja Cornelisz is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He also holds an appointment at the LEARN! - Learning sciences institute and serves as an Associate/Statistical Editor for Nature PJ - Science of Learning since 2024. His research focuses on educational policy, mental health interventions, digital health applications, and student outcomes in inclusive education settings. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in quality education and good health. Key research areas include analyzing labor market outcomes for disabled individuals, effects of special needs students on peers, and optimizing digital mental health interventions. Cornelisz has co-authored over 60 publications and led projects like 'Big Data Analysis for Mental Health' and 'House of Skills.' Research Interests: Education policy, digital therapeutics, inclusive education, and labor market dynamics Notable Projects: Big data analysis for youth mental health (2023–2028) Visual in Beeld research (2021–2023) Cornelisz has received awards such as the 2023 FGB Teacher Award and co-authored the 2018 Best Paper Award-winning research. His articles often bridge theory and practice, addressing real-world educational challenges through data-driven solutions.