Martin Procházka is Professor of English, American, and Comparative Literature at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague. He holds visiting roles at the University of Porto and the University of Kent, including Honorary Visiting Professor since 2021. His research spans Intercultural communication Romanticism Comparative literature Scottish literature American colonial literature , with a focus on authorship, adaptation studies, and the intersections of European Romanticism with Czech cultural contexts. Procházka's recent publications include the 2024 edited book From Shakespeare to Autofiction , which critically engages with Roland Barthes and Michel Foucault's theories of authorship, and the 2022 theoretical work on autopoietic systems and intercultural communication. His scholarship often bridges historical and contemporary debates, such as in the 2021 Romanticism and Periodisation roundtable. He has received the Comenius Medal (1992) for educational research and led the H2020 MSCA ITN European Joint Doctorate Migration and Modernity (MOVES) from 2018 to 2023. Procházka also served as President of the Czech Association for the Study of English (2004-2014) and on the Advisory Board of the International Association of Byron Societies (1999-2024). As founding editor of the Scopus-indexed journal Litteraria Pragensia , he has shaped academic discourse on literary theory and comparative studies. His work on Scottish Enlightenment and Czech modernist reception of William Blake highlights his interdisciplinary approach.
Nicolas Mathevon is a Professor at the University of Saint-Etienne and a Senior Member of the Institut universitaire de France (IUF). His research focuses on bioacoustics and animal communication, spanning from marine mammals to birds. He has held visiting positions at Hunter College (City University of New York) and the University of California, Berkeley. Education Habilitation à diriger les Recherches (2002, University of Saint-Etienne) PhD (1996, University of Lyon 1) Master's Degree (ranked 2nd, University of Lyon 1) Agrégation in Life and Earth Sciences (ranked 8th) Mathevon's research explores how animals use sound for social interactions, mate selection, and environmental adaptation. His work bridges bioacoustics, neuroethology, and behavioral ecology, with a focus on decoding vocal signals' complexity. His publications cover diverse topics including animal soundscapes, vocal memory in seals, and neural encoding of communication calls. The articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining neuroscience, behavioral studies, and acoustic signal analysis. Scientific Awards Prose Award for Excellence in Biological and Life Sciences, AAP (2024) Chevalier des Palmes Académiques (2017) IUF Senior Member (2015-present) IUF Junior Member (2005-2010) Mathevon has supervised 17 PhD students, 10 postdocs, and contributed to public outreach through media, documentaries, and public lectures. He leads the International Master of Bioacoustics program and serves as President of the International BioAcoustic Society.
Stanislav Smirnov is a Professor at the University of Geneva's Department of Mathematics since 2003 and Head of the Chebyshev Laboratory at St. Petersburg State University since 2010. He holds a Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology (1996) and a B.Sc./M.Sc. from St. Petersburg State University (1992). His research focuses on mathematical physics, probability, complex analysis, and dynamical systems, with groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of critical phenomena in statistical physics. Key achievements include receiving the Fields Medal (2010), the highest honor in mathematics, for his work on percolation and the Ising model. He has organized major international conferences, such as the 'St. Petersburg School in Probability & Statistical Physics' (2012) and the '2D Statistical Physics Workshop' (2013). His academic career includes positions at Yale University, the Max-Planck Institute, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Education: Ph.D., Mathematics, California Institute of Technology (1996) B.Sc./M.Sc., Mathematics (with honors), St. Petersburg State University (1992) Awards: Fields Medal (2010) European Research Council Advanced Grants (2008, 2013) Rollo Davidson Prize (2002) Salem Prize (2001) Smirnov’s research bridges probability theory and complex analysis, with notable results on conformal invariance in two-dimensional models. His work has advanced understanding of critical exponents, percolation thresholds, and the universality of phase transitions. He advises doctoral students and collaborates internationally on projects funded by Swiss and European grants. He co-organized over 20 conferences worldwide, including plenary talks at the International Congress of Mathematicians (2006, 2010) and the World Congress in Probability and Statistics (2012). His lab fosters interdisciplinary research, linking mathematics to physics and computer science.
Jonathan R. Lyon is Professor of History of the High and Late Middle Ages at the Institute for Austrian Historical Research within the Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies at the University of Vienna. He maintains office hours on Thursdays from 14:00-16:00 (available via Zoom by appointment) and can be contacted at jonathan.lyon@univie.ac.at or +43-1-4277-27297. His educational background includes: B.A. in History and Latin, Colgate University (1997, Summa cum laude) Exchange year at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (1996) M.A. in History, University of Notre Dame (1999) Ph.D. in History, University of Notre Dame (2005) Lyon's research centers on the Holy Roman Empire during the High and Late Middle Ages, European political and social structures (1000-1500), the evolution of statehood, corruption mechanisms, medieval kinship systems, and gender dynamics with particular emphasis on masculinity. His work examines how political power, social networks, and religious institutions intersected in shaping medieval governance and community life, often challenging traditional narratives about medieval state formation through comparative analysis of German and Hungarian contexts. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent chronological focus on the 12th-15th centuries with increasing attention to corruption, gender, and monastic institutions since 2015. His scholarship demonstrates methodological diversity through charter analysis, prosopography, and comparative institutional studies, while maintaining thematic continuity in examining power dynamics between nobility, monarchy, and religious entities across Central Europe. His major scientific awards include: 2024 Otto Gründler Book Prize for Corruption, Protection and Justice in Medieval Europe: A Thousand-Year History 2017 John Nicholas Brown Prize for Princely Brothers and Sisters: The Sibling Bond in German Politics, 1100–1250 Lyon has secured prestigious research funding including the Fulbright Fellowship (2000-2001), DAAD Research Fellowship (2007), FWF Lise Meitner Fellowship (2013-2014), and Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship (2017-2018). He served as Academic Director of the Berlin Consortium for German Studies (2012-2013) and currently advises the Manchester Medieval Sources Series. His ongoing projects include editing charters of Quedlinburg abbesses and authoring an introductory text on the medieval Holy Roman Empire.
Christoph Koch is a Full Professor in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) , Switzerland. He has held academic positions at Cornell University (2007-2010, 2006), Saarland University (2005-2007), and TU Vienna (2001-2005). His research focuses on database systems, logic, programming languages, and data management.
James K. Russell is a Full Professor in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of British Columbia, where he has been faculty since 1999. He directs the Volcanology and Petrology Laboratory and maintains an active research program in volcanology and petrology with significant international collaborations including appointments at LMU Munich, University of Torino, and Monash University. His educational background includes a Ph.D. (1984) and M.Sc. (1980) from the University of Calgary, and a B.Sc.(H) (1976) from the University of Manitoba. He previously worked at Cominco Exploration Ltd in Vernon, British Columbia before joining UBC. Russell's research focuses on understanding magmatic processes through multiple approaches. His primary interests include glaciovolcanism as a tool for paleoclimate reconstruction, predictive modeling of magma transport properties, and high-temperature rock mechanics experiments. His work bridges theoretical modeling with field observations, particularly in the Canadian Cordillera. He has developed influential models for magma viscosity that are widely cited in the volcanology community. His publication record shows consistent high-impact research over several decades, with recent work focusing on ultramafic melt viscosity, kimberlite transport mechanisms, and glaciovolcanic interactions. The research demonstrates a strong emphasis on quantitative approaches combining thermodynamics, rheology, and field-based observations to solve fundamental problems in volcanology. Scientific Awards: 2024 Research Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, LMU, Munich, Germany 2022 DAAD Research Stay for Visiting Academics Scholarship (3 months) 2019 Visiting Professorship, University Roma Tre 2019 Visiting Fellow at Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Munich 2016 Fellow of Mineralogical Society of America 2013 NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement Award 2010 Career Achievement Medal, Volcanology Division, Geological Association of Canada 2008 Peacock Medal, Mineralogical Association of Canada Russell has served in numerous editorial and professional capacities, including as Co-Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research (2016-2022), Associate Editor for multiple prominent journals, and as evaluator for research grants including ERC Consolidator grants and NSERC competitions. He has provided media consultation for National Geographic and Nova/Pioneer Productions. He maintains active laboratory facilities for volcanology and petrology research at UBC, with equipment for high-temperature experiments and magma rheology studies. His research group collaborates internationally with institutions in Germany, Italy, and Australia, reflecting his extensive network built through sabbatical visits and visiting professorships.
Ramón Soneira Martínez is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Austrian Archaeological Institute's Department of Classical Studies. He holds a Degree in History from the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) with a focus on Ancient History, a Master's degree in Religious Studies, and a PhD in Religious Studies from the Max-Weber-Kolleg of the University of Erfurt (Germany) and the University of Graz (Austria). His academic career centers on interdisciplinary approaches to ancient religious phenomena. Education : Bachelor's Degree in History (Ancient History focus), Complutense University of Madrid Master's Degree in Religious Studies Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies, Max-Weber-Kolleg (University of Erfurt) and University of Graz Research Interests : Ramón specializes in Ancient History of Religion, Theory and Methodology of Religious Studies, Religious Deviance, and Atheism in the ancient Mediterranean. His work explores unbelief narratives, sacred spatial practices, and biopolitical dimensions of religious systems in Greco-Roman contexts. Publication Trends : His recent scholarship (2020–2025) examines atheistic positions in Classical Athens, interdisciplinary frameworks for analyzing ancient religion, biopolitical dimensions of marriage, and ecological interpretations of sacred landscapes. These works frequently engage with Platonic philosophy, pre-Socratic thought, and comparative methodologies across Mediterranean civilizations. Current Research Projects : Doubt and religion in the ancient Mediterranean: A comparative analysis of unbelief narratives Lodging/Living in a Sacred Context: Investigating spatial dynamics of religious environments
Deval Desai serves as Reader in International Economic Law at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh Law School, a position he has held since 2020 after serving as Lecturer from 2020-2023. His academic career includes research positions at Harvard Law School and the Geneva Graduate Institute. Dr. Desai also brings extensive practical experience from a decade working with the World Bank on rule of law and governance in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as advising the United Nations on rule of law issues. Dr. Desai's educational background includes an MA in History and French Literature from Oxford University, followed by legal training at City University/BPP Law School (PGDipL and PGDipLP), and advanced law degrees (LLM and SJD) from Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he held prestigious fellowships including the Byse Fellowship, Program on Negotiation Next Generation Fellowship, and Institute for Global Law and Policy Fellowship. MA (Oxon), History and French Literature PGDipL, PGDipLP, City University/BPP Law School LLM, Harvard Law School SJD, Harvard Law School Dr. Desai's research centers on law and development, administrative law and regulation, theories of the state, and patterns of knowledge and authority across the Global North and South. His work examines institutional reform processes, particularly how expertise and knowledge operate within rule of law initiatives. His interdisciplinary approach draws from legal and social theory, development studies, international relations, and performance studies, as evidenced in his monograph Expert Ignorance (Cambridge University Press). His recent work focuses on fiscal sociology, administrative law in the Global South, and the politics of social welfare provision. Dr. Desai's publications span leading journals in law, political science, and development studies, revealing a consistent focus on the intersections between legal institutions, governance, and development. His work demonstrates increasing engagement with comparative methodologies and critical perspectives on knowledge production in global governance. Recent articles show particular attention to fiscal policy, welfare systems, and responses to global crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, with comparative studies between India and European contexts. Dame Muriel Spark Medal (2024, Royal Society of Edinburgh) Chancellor's 'Rising Star' Award (2023, University of Edinburgh) Member of the Young Academy of Scotland Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe Dr. Desai has secured significant research funding from diverse international sources, including a £2.1 million Swiss National Science Foundation Sinergia grant titled 'Reversing the Gaze: Towards Post-Comparative Area Studies' where he serves as PI. He also leads projects funded by the British Academy, University of Edinburgh's Big Ideas Accelerator, Scottish Funding Council, and Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. His commitment to mentoring is evident through his recognition with the Susan Manning Award for Inspiring Mentor and his leadership in establishing programs like the Global Scholars' Academy at the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Global Justice summer school at CEU. As editor-in-chief of the Cambridge University Press book series 'Elements in Legal Theory and the Global South' and serving on multiple editorial boards, Dr. Desai plays a significant role in shaping scholarly discourse. His current research projects examine 'loss' in legal institutions guiding transitional processes, constitutional implications of fiscal arrangements in fragile contexts, and social welfare provision in India and Italy.
Huamin Qu is a Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He serves as the Founding Dean of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), Founding Head of the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), and was the Founding Acting Head of Computational Media and Arts (CMA) at HKUST(GZ). Qu directs the VisLab and coordinates the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) group. He obtained his BS in Mathematics from Xi'an Jiaotong University and MS/PhD in Computer Science from Stony Brook University. Qu's research integrates Data Visualization , Human-Computer Interaction , and Human-Centered AI , with applications in urban informatics, social networks, and explainable AI. His work focuses on developing interactive systems for big data analytics, visual storytelling, and AI-driven decision support. Research extends to multimodal communication, fintech, and augmented reality applications. His publications emphasize visual analytics for complex datasets (mobility, social media, financial), interaction techniques for immersive environments, and AI-enhanced visualization tools. Recent works explore explainable AI interfaces and large-scale data communication frameworks. IEEE Visualization Academy (2020) IEEE VGTC Technical Achievement Award AI 2000 Most Influential Scholar (2019, 2023, 2024) 21 Best Paper/Honorable Mention awards IBM Faculty Award (2009) APICTA Merit Award (2015) Yelp Dataset Grand Prize (2018) Qu has advised 48 PhD graduates (21 now faculty at institutions like UC Davis, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M) and 30 MPhil students. He secured major grants including RGC theme-based projects (digital citizenship, air pollution), UGC AoE (slope safety), and China's 973 Program. As VisLab director, he leads 20+ researchers in visualization/HCI projects adopted by Microsoft, IBM, Huawei, and Tencent.
Katja Hose is a Full Professor of Data Management at TU Wien's DBAI research unit, heading the Data Management and Knowledge-Driven AI Lab. She previously held a Poul Due Jensen Foundation Professorship at Aalborg University. Her research focuses on data and knowledge engineering, including graph databases, knowledge graphs, querying, analytics, and machine learning, with interdisciplinary applications in bioscience, healthcare, and environmental assessment. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Ilmenau University of Technology, 2009), Postdoc at Max Planck Institute for Informatics (2009–2012). Academic roles include Program Co-Chair for ISWC 2024 and EDBT 2023, and editorial board membership at VLDBJ and TGDK. She leads projects like TARGET (health virtual twins) and ARMADA (data management). Research Interests: Knowledge Graphs, Semantic Web, Big Data, Machine Learning, Data Integration, and Provenance Systems. Key contributions include SHACL shape extraction, conversational data analytics, and environmental knowledge graphs. Awards include the 2025 Distinguished Meta-Reviewer Award and 2024 Manfred Paul Award. Advising and Grants: Supervised students including E. Pürmayr (Diploma Thesis 2025). Active in EU projects (TARGET, ARMADA) and grant coordination. Labs/Teams: DMKI Lab at TU Wien, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in healthcare and environmental science.
Tobias Bolch is a full Professor at the Institute of Geodesy, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Austria, specializing in cryospheric research with a focus on High Mountain Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. His work integrates advanced geodetic and remote sensing methodologies to address critical climate change impacts on glaciers and related systems. His research spans: Glacier dynamics and mass balance monitoring using InSAR and optical satellite data Rock glacier kinematics and permafrost interactions Glacial lake evolution and outburst flood hazards Climate-glacier-hydrology linkages in Central Asian river basins Long-term cryosphere reconstruction using historical satellite archives Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in quantifying ice loss acceleration, particularly from lake-terminating glaciers, and the application of multi-sensor approaches (Sentinel, ASTER, UAV) for decadal-scale change detection. His work consistently emphasizes the hydrological consequences of glacier retreat for downstream water security across High Mountain Asia. No scientific awards or specific grant programs were documented in the provided materials. While student supervision details are absent, his position at TU Graz's Institute of Geodesy indicates active mentorship within geospatial and cryospheric research programs. His homepage (https://ifg.tugraz.at) serves as the primary hub for research dissemination through the university's PURE portal.
Allen J. Scott is a Distinguished Research Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a joint appointment in the Department of Public Policy (School of Public Affairs) and Department of Geography. He has held prestigious positions at UCLA since 1994 and previously at the University of Toronto (1969–1994). His career spans over five decades, focusing on urban geography, regional development, and cultural economy. Education : BA (1961) from Oxford University; MA and PhD (1962, 1965) from Northwestern University. Research Interests include: Creative cities and cognitive-cultural capitalism Political economy of urbanization and globalization Industrial clusters and labor-intensive economies Human capital distribution in metropolitan areas Cultural landscapes and peripheral development Publication Trends (2005–2014) emphasize: Globalization's impact on low-technology industries Cognitive-cultural capitalism in urban contexts Human capital dynamics in metropolitan hierarchies Celebrity culture and urban glamour Creative field theories and urban policy implications Scientific Awards : 1986 Guggenheim Fellow 2003 Vautrin Lud Prize 2005 Meridian Book Prize 1999–2013: Chaires d’Excellence, Fellowships, and Doctor Honoris Causa 2008 Carol and Bruce Mallen Lifetime Achievement Award 2003 ISI Highly Cited Author
David Leigh is a Professor in Organic Chemistry at the University of Manchester , UK. He has held prestigious positions including the Sir Samuel Hall Chair (2014–present), Forbes Chair at the University of Edinburgh (2001–2012), and Chair of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Warwick (1998–2001). His research focuses on synthetic molecular machines, supramolecular chemistry, and molecular knots. Fields of Scholarship : Synthetic molecular machines, Synthetic molecular knots and links, Supramolecular chemistry His work includes creating hydrogen-bonded molecular rotors , reversible rotary molecular motors , and artificial ribosome mimics . Article trends highlight nanotechnology , molecular engineering , and self-assembly advancements. Scientific Awards : Royal Society of Chemistry Pedler Award (2014), ERC Advanced Grant (2014), Bakerian Prize (2013), Tilden Prize (2010), Fellow of the Royal Society (2009), etc. Leigh has led groundbreaking projects funded by the European Research Council (2008, 2014) and held an EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship (2005–2010). His lab at the University of Manchester explores bottom-up molecular design and stimuli-responsive systems.
Wang Ning is a distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature with affiliations at Tsinghua University (part-time) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His career spans prestigious roles including Zhiyuan Chair Professor (2009–present) and Changjiang Distinguished Professor (2013–present). Born in 1955, he holds academic qualifications from institutions in China, Europe, and North America. Research interests focus on cosmopolitanism, translation studies, Northrop Frye's mythopoeia, cultural studies, and Chinese-Western comparative literature. He has secured over ten grants since 1991 aimed at introducing European theory to China and has conducted research across Europe, North America, and Australia as a visiting professor/research fellow. Key achievements include the Changjiang Scholars Award (2013), membership in Académé de la Latinité (2010), and fellowships at Cambridge and Gottingen Universities. He co-founded Chinese editions of New Literary History and Critical Inquiry , advancing transnational literary discourse. Wang has delivered keynote lectures globally and led initiatives to bridge Chinese and Western literary traditions. His work emphasizes global literary dynamics, translation’s role in cultural exchange, and reinterpreting modern Chinese literature within global contexts.
Lam James is a Chair Professor of Control Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a BSc (1st Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester, and MPhil/PhD degrees from the University of Cambridge. His academic journey includes roles as a Croucher Fellow, Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, and faculty member at City University of Hong Kong before joining HKU in 1993. Professor Lam serves as Editor-in-Chief for four international journals including IET Control Theory and Applications and Journal of The Franklin Institute . His research focuses on networked control systems, vibration control, control theory, and multi-agent systems. With 600+ peer-reviewed publications, he maintains an H-index of 102 (Web of Science) and 108 (Scopus), recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher in multiple fields. Education: BSc Manchester (Mechanical Engineering), MPhil/PhD Cambridge Editorial Roles: 20+ journals, including leadership roles since 2012 His awards include Foreign Membership of Academia Europaea (2024), National Academy of Artificial Intelligence membership (2025), and two State Natural Science Awards (2015, 2019). He is a Fellow of multiple institutions including IEEE, IMechE, and HKIE.
