Sharese King is the Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Linguistics at the University of Chicago, where she has taught since 2018. She earned her Ph.D. and Master's in Linguistics from Stanford University, focusing on language variation across African American communities. Her research bridges sociolinguistics, critical race theory, and phonetics to examine how African American speech is constructed, racialized, and socially evaluated. Education: Ph.D., Linguistics, Stanford University (2018) M.A., Linguistics, Stanford University Research Interests: Sociolinguistics Language Variation & Change African American Language Critical Race Theory Phonetic and experimental analysis Dialect and judicial systems Notable Contributions: Interdisciplinary studies on raciolinguistics and courtroom bias Analysis of /s/ articulation in intersectional contexts Reconceptualization of AAVE as AAL to emphasize linguistic diversity Fieldwork in Bakersfield, Rochester, and Chicago Publications in American Speech , Journal of Sociolinguistics , Language , and Nature Scientific Awards: Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship Neubauer Family Assistant Professorship Labs & Projects: Co-founder of the Chicagoland Language Project
Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyUnited States
Emily C. Bartels is a Professor of English at Rutgers University specializing in early modern literature and culture, with particular expertise in Shakespearean and non-Shakespearean drama. She has served as director, and is now dean, of the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English since 2010, a summer Master's program designed for K-12 English teachers. Professor Bartels received her BA from Yale University and both her MA and PhD from Harvard University. Her academic background positioned her to become a leading scholar in Renaissance literature studies. Her research examines questions of race, cross-cultural relations, gender, genre, and performance in early modern English drama. Professor Bartels is renowned for her groundbreaking work on Shakespeare's Othello and Christopher Marlowe's plays, analyzing how these texts represent cultural and racial difference. She has significantly contributed to postcolonial approaches to early modern literature, revealing how English drama engaged with global encounters and representations of the 'other' during the Renaissance period. Her scholarship demonstrates how early modern writers both reflected and shaped contemporary attitudes toward difference, particularly regarding race, religion, and national identity. Professor Bartels' publications reveal a consistent scholarly trajectory examining racial and cultural representation in early modern England. Her work spans from detailed analyses of specific plays like Hamlet and Julius Caesar to broader studies of how England conceptualized Africa and non-Christian cultures during the Renaissance. A recurring theme throughout her career is the analysis of how early English drama both reflected and shaped contemporary attitudes toward difference, particularly regarding race, religion, and national identity. Roma Gill Prize for Best Work on Christopher Marlowe (1993-94) for Spectacles of Strangeness: Imperialism, Alienation, and Marlowe Board of Trustees Fellowship for Scholarly Excellence (1993) School of Arts and Sciences Award for Distinguished Contributors to Undergraduate Education (2008 & 1993) Warren I. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching (2008) Solmsen Fellowship at the Institute of Research in the Humanities, University of Wisconsin (1995) Black Atlantic Project fellowship from the Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis Professor Bartels has demonstrated exceptional commitment to both research and teaching excellence. She has developed innovative courses exploring the intersections of literature, history, and cultural studies, including undergraduate seminars on Othello and Hamlet, and graduate courses on Shakespeare Page and Stage. Her administrative role as dean of the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English demonstrates her commitment to education beyond traditional university settings. Her fellowships from prestigious institutions indicate successful grant acquisition throughout her distinguished career. Professor Bartels has been actively involved with the Shakespeare Association of America and has collaborated with international scholars like Emma Smith of the University of Oxford. Her work has positioned her at the forefront of conversations about early modern literature, race studies, and postcolonial approaches to Renaissance drama, influencing how scholars understand the intersections of literature, race, and cultural identity in the early modern period.
Maile Arvin is a Kanaka Maoli feminist scholar and Assistant Professor at the Department of Ethnic Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her research and teaching focus on Indigenous relationships to land, histories of race and settler colonialism in Hawaiʻi, Oceania, and the United States. Previously, she was faculty in History and Gender Studies at the University of Utah and founding director of the Center for Pasifika Indigenous Knowledges. PhD in Ethnic Studies, University of California San Diego (2013) MA in Ethnic Studies, University of California San Diego (2009) BA in English, Swarthmore College (2005) Her research examines: Colonial production of racial categories, particularly Polynesians as an 'almost white race' in historical social science History of incarceration of Native Hawaiian children in government institutions (1865–1960s) Intersection of settler colonialism and Indigenous feminisms Critique of eugenics and genomic studies in the Pacific Community-engaged memorialization projects in Hawaiʻi Recent scholarly trends include analyses of Indigenous sovereignty, critiques of settler colonial whiteness, and interdisciplinary studies of race-gender dynamics. Arvin's publications explore Polynesian racialization, decolonial feminism, and the socioeconomic impacts of colonial institutions. NEH Chair's Grant for Nā Lei Poina ʻOle ACLS Digital Justice Seed Grant Arvin leads Nā Lei Poina ʻOle (Beloved Children Never Forgotten), a community history project about reformatories and industrial schools in Hawaiʻi. In collaboration with Kawela Farrant and the North Shore Community Land Trust, this project uses archival and oral histories to confront the legacy of child incarceration. She also critiques the nonprofit-industrial complex's role in limiting Indigenous sovereignty.
Patricia A. Banks is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College, with affiliations in Africana Studies and the Program in Entrepreneurship, Organizations, and Society. She holds a Ph.D. and A.M. from Harvard University and a B.A. (summa cum laude, valedictorian) from Spelman College. Her research explores intersections of culture, consumption, and race, focusing on African Diaspora dynamics. Key areas include cultural philanthropy, art collecting as identity practice, and corporate diversity capital. She authored Black Culture, Inc. (Stanford 2022), winning the Oliver Cromwell Cox Book Award, and Race, Ethnicity, and Consumption (Routledge 2020). Recent honors include ASA awards and fellowships from the CASBS (Stanford), Sheila Biddle Ford Foundation, and Harvard’s Hutchins Center. She co-edits Poetics and serves on ASA committees. Teaching awards include recognition from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center and Mount Holyoke’s Baccalaureate address. Her work spans books, peer-reviewed articles, and media engagements (NYT, Artnet). The African American Museums Database, her digital archive, catalogs over 300 institutions. Current projects address corporate diversity signaling, African art markets, and dress code discrimination.
Rachel Arnett is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in diversity, identity, inclusion, intergroup relations, and intersectionality within the Organizational Behavior subgroup. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard University's interdisciplinary Organizational Behavior program and holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. Education: Ph.D., Harvard University (Organizational Behavior) B.A., University of Pennsylvania Her research explores pathways to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through identity-based interactions, including: Identity expression and concealment in workplace relationships Intergroup dynamics and social change Allyship behaviors and bias confrontation Intersectional influences of gender, race, and social class on leadership Psychological safety in DEI advancement Recent publications analyze cultural-identity expression as inclusion mechanisms, bias confrontation strategies, and longitudinal impacts of identity management. Her work combines lab experiments, surveys, and qualitative methods in collaboration with DEI-focused organizations. Key awards include the 2023-2024 Claude Marion Faculty Scholar designation, 2022 Poets & Quants Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors, and four consecutive Wharton Teaching Excellence Awards (2018-2021).
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.
Amy Bruckman is a Regents’ Professor and Senior Associate Chair in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology. As a Fellow of The ACM and member of the SIGCHI Academy , she contributes to social computing research focusing on online collaboration, cross-cultural understanding, and content moderation. Her 2022 book "Should You Believe Wikipedia? Online Communities and the Construction of Knowledge" explores digital knowledge creation. Education: Ph.D. from MIT Media Lab (1997), B.A. in Physics from Harvard (1987) Research Affiliations: GVU Center, IRI People and Technology Her work addresses social computing challenges including: AI ethics in human-AI interaction Algorithmic bias in content moderation Epistemic justice in online communities Comparative platform analysis (Reddit, Discord, TikTok) Grassroots technology movements Recent publications examine: AI support tools for online counseling Community-driven research frameworks Racial bias mitigation in toxic language detection Designing teachable social media experiences Human trafficking intervention ethics Scientific recognition includes: ACM Fellowship SIGCHI Academy membership She has contributed to: Georgia Tech's Computing Education initiatives Research ethics frameworks for Human-Computer Interaction
Adèle Garnier is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geography, Université Laval's Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics. She serves as Director of undergraduate geography programs and the certificate in sustainable tourism. Her research focuses on political geography, migration dynamics, and humanitarian governance, particularly examining refugee labor market participation, temporary migration policies, and technological impacts on immigration systems. Education : PhD in Political Science (Macquarie University/Universität Leipzig, 2012), MA in Political Science (Universität Leipzig, 2006), Diploma in Political Science (Paris, 2002) Her research integrates political geography , migration studies , and geographies of inequality , analyzing power structures in migration governance. Recent work explores Canada's digitalization of immigration, multiscalar impacts of refugee policies, and settler-colonial migration frameworks. Current research trends focus on technological governance of migration , refugee resettlement , and marketization of humanitarian services , with interdisciplinary approaches bridging political science and geography. Research Units : Graduate School of International Studies (ESEI), Immigration Research Team (ERIQA), Cultures-Arts-Societies Center (CELAT) Collaborations : Study Group on Ethnic Relations (Flers), Center for Refugee Studies (York University), Peace Research Institute Oslo She supervises graduate students in geography and co-leads multiple funded projects, including Liberating Migrant Labour (2023-2030) and digital migration governance research (2023-2028).
Alison Ledgerwood is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, and Principal Investigator of the Attitudes and Group Identity Lab. Her research examines how social context shapes attitudes and preferences, with a focus on open and inclusive scientific practices. Ph.D., Social Psychology, New York University (2008) M.A., Psychology, New York University (2006) B.A., Psychology, Amherst College (2003) Her research explores psychological distance , framing effects , and system justification theory , while methodologically advancing preregistration , collaborative science , and equity in publishing . She also investigates group identity dynamics and implicit/explicit bias measurement . Recent publications highlight her work on racial bias methodology , open science reform , and contextual framing . Awards include the 2024 Distinguished Service to the Society award, 2021 UC Davis Advising and Mentoring Award, and 2017 SPSP Service to the Field award. 2024 Distinguished Service to the Society, SPSP 2021 UC Davis Graduate Advising and Mentoring Award 2017 Service to the Field, SPSP Hellman Fellowship (2010-2011), UC Davis UC Davis Chancellor's Fellow APS Fellow SESP Fellow Ledgerwood advises on scientific integrity through roles like Chair of the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) II Guidelines Task Force and Anti Colorism and Eurocentrism in Methods and Practices (ACEMAP) Task Force. Her lab fosters contextual evaluation studies and psychological distance frameworks .
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Christopher J. Palmer is an Associate Professor of Finance at the MIT Sloan School of Management, specializing in financial decision-making, credit markets, and policy interventions. His research focuses on how individuals and institutions respond to economic upheavals in areas like bankruptcy, retirement savings, and real estate. He holds a PhD in Economics from MIT and a BA in Economics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University. Palmer’s work has been published in top journals such as the American Economic Review , Journal of Finance , and Review of Financial Studies . He explores topics including racial disparities in bankruptcy outcomes, consumer payment behavior, and the effects of quantitative easing. His research is supported by affiliations with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). Key honors include the 2022 Jamieson Prize and the 2019 Society for Financial Studies Best Paper Award. Palmer has contributed to public debates on policy issues like rent control and retirement savings through media outlets such as The New York Times , Bloomberg , and Vox .
Dr. Kristen M George serves as an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine. Her academic journey includes a BA in Political Science with minors in Public Health and Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis, followed by an MPH and PhD in Epidemiology with a minor in Biostatistics from the University of Minnesota (completed in 2015 and 2019 respectively). Dr. George's research program focuses on lifecourse vascular contributions to dementia and cognitive aging, with particular emphasis on race and sex disparities. She investigates how social determinants lead to inequities in cardiovascular risk factors and disease, which subsequently contribute to disparities in cognitive aging and dementia outcomes. Her work bridges epidemiology, neurology, and social determinants of health to address critical gaps in understanding dementia disparities. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on African American health, life course epidemiology, and structural determinants of cognitive aging. Her research frequently examines how historical and contemporary social factors impact neurological outcomes in diverse populations, with particular attention to cardiovascular pathways to dementia. Professional recognition includes: Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS) Scholar, UC Davis (2021) NIH Travel Award (2020) JB Hawley Student Research Award, University of Minnesota (2016) Dr. George is an active member of the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment and the Methods in Longitudinal Dementia Research community, contributing to both national and international efforts to understand and address dementia disparities through rigorous epidemiological approaches.
Monica Trieu is an Associate Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Purdue University, where she focuses on the intersection of race, ethnicity, and immigration with particular emphasis on children of immigrants. Her scholarly work bridges sociology and Asian American studies through critical examination of identity formation and systemic inequalities. Education: Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California, Irvine (Asian American Studies emphasis) Master's in Sociology, University of California, Irvine Research Focus: Professor Trieu's expertise spans International Migration, Post-1960s Immigrants and Refugees, 1.5 and Second-Generation Identity, Transnational Ties, and Historical/Contemporary Asian American Experiences. Her scholarship critically analyzes internalized racism, regional identity formation (particularly in the Midwest), and the psychological impacts of anti-Asian violence during the pandemic. She employs intersectional frameworks to explore how refugee experiences, cultural adaptation, and transnational connections shape ethnic identity among Southeast Asian Americans and other immigrant communities. Publication Trends: Her 2013-2024 publications reveal evolving engagement with contemporary crises—from pandemic-induced mental health challenges and anti-Asian violence to structural invisibility of Midwest Asian American communities. While maintaining core focus on identity negotiation among second-generation immigrants, her recent work expands into comparative analyses of Asian American/Latina/o transnational patterns and refugee resettlement experiences, demonstrating methodological versatility across ethnographic, survey, and media analysis approaches. Professional Impact: As author of Identity Construction among Chinese-Vietnamese Americans: Being, Becoming, and Belonging (2009) and publications in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies and Journal of Asian American Studies , Trieu has established herself as a key voice in Midwest Asian American scholarship. Her research directly informs institutional responses to rising anti-Asian sentiment and contributes foundational frameworks for understanding regional ethnic identity formation beyond coastal enclaves.
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Marcus Smith is an Associate Professor in Law at the Charles Sturt University , where he teaches LAW222 Technology Law and directs the Bachelor of Laws program. He holds advanced degrees from the Australian National University (PhD, LLM) and the University of Cambridge (MPhil). His research spans technology law and regulation , focusing on genomic data governance biometric identification AI ethics blockchain policy cybersecurity surveillance law He leads the Contemporary Threats to Australian Security research group and serves as Chief Investigator on an NHMRC-funded project (MRF2015531) addressing genomic dataset governance. His recent work analyzes algorithmic bias in facial recognition AI in healthcare blockchain's regulatory challenges post-pandemic cybercrime surveillance ethics data security frameworks He actively supervises PhD and honours students in technology law and contributes to law reform through submissions to international bodies like the UN Human Rights Council .
Dr. Young Yun Kim is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma's Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, where she has developed nationally recognized Intercultural Communication graduate programs since joining in 1988. Her academic journey spans continents, beginning in Seoul, Korea, and continuing through significant scholarly institutions in the United States. B.A.: Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea M.A.: University of Hawaii (East-West Center Communication Institute) Ph.D.: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois Dr. Kim's research pioneers the theoretical foundations of cross-cultural adaptation and interethnic communication. Her Integrative Communication Theory of Cross-Cultural Adaptation positions communication as the central mechanism for achieving internal equilibrium in new cultural environments, while her Contextual Theory of Interethnic Communication examines associative and dissociative behaviors across ethnic boundaries. Her work uniquely bridges personal transformation with systemic cultural dynamics, emphasizing how intercultural experiences foster expanded human understanding. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent theoretical refinement with increasing focus on identity transformation, synchrony in communication, and the emergence of intercultural personhood beyond traditional cultural boundaries. Her scholarship demonstrates remarkable continuity in core themes while progressively incorporating globalization's impact on individual and collective identity formation. Scientific Awards Fellow of the International Communication Association (2002) Top Scholar Award for Lifetime Achievement, Intercultural Communication Division, International Communication Association (2006) Dr. Kim has directed numerous doctoral theses and collaborated on significant cross-cultural research projects examining adaptation patterns among diverse populations including Korean and Indonesian expatriates, Hispanic youth, international students, and refugees. Her research funding includes a two-year study of Indochinese refugees (1978-1980) sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reflecting sustained external validation of her methodological rigor and theoretical significance. As a foundational leader in intercultural scholarship, Dr. Kim serves on 11 editorial boards including Journal of Communication and Human Communication Research, and has held executive positions in the International Communication Association and International Academy for Intercultural Research, culminating in her presidency (2013-2015) of the latter organization.
