Susan Kirby is a Visiting Leadership & Management Lecturer at the University of St. Francis. With over 30 years of professional experience, she specialized in HR Strategy, Organizational Development, and Leadership. She holds a B.A. in Human Resources Management and Organizational Management from Bethel College, an EMBA from the University of Notre Dame, and certifications from prominent programs including The Ohio State University College of Business AEP Management Development Program. Her expertise spans HR Strategy & Planning, Labor Relations, Workforce Planning, and Change Management. Kirby has contributed to corporate communications and human resources roles at American Electric Power. She relocated to the Fort Wayne area over 20 years ago and is a certified Senior HR Professional (SPHR).
Veroniek Collewaert is a Full Professor of Entrepreneurship and holds leadership roles at Vlerick Business School, including Director of Masters Programmes and Director of the Centre for Excellence in Scale-Ups. She is also a Professor at KU Leuven and previously taught at Maastricht University (2009–2012). Her research focuses on investor-entrepreneur dynamics, scale-up challenges, founding teams, and entrepreneurial biases. She has published in top journals like the Journal of Business Venturing and serves on editorial boards for key entrepreneurship journals. Her expertise includes angel financing, venture capital governance, and HR practices in scaling firms. She organizes Silicon Valley trips for students and leads the European Scaleup Institute. Collewaert actively engages with industry via roles at BAN Vlaanderen (Belgium’s largest angel investor group) and the Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA). Recent work explores CEO narcissism’s impact on funding, regulatory differences in entrepreneurship, and private equity governance. Her articles span topics like crowdfunding signals, HR management, and conflict resolution in entrepreneurial relationships. She earned her doctorate from Ghent University and was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.
Bernice Plant is a Research Fellow at BehaviourWorks Australia, part of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute at Monash University. Her work focuses on applied behavioural science to address real-world challenges in health, road safety, education, and environmental sustainability. She is actively involved in research, ethics, and public engagement. Education: PhD in Psychology, Macquarie University, Australia Undergraduate Studies, The University of Auckland, New Zealand Offsite Research, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, The Netherlands Bernice's research centers on behaviour change, particularly through psychological techniques like implementation intentions and self-persuasion. Her interests include anthropomorphism, gamification, humour, and social influence, applied in domains such as health, road safety, and climate resilience. She employs robust methods including randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews. Her recent publications and projects reflect a strong trend in applying behavioural insights to public safety, injury prevention, and climate communication. Many outputs focus on bushfire risk, community resilience, and multicultural engagement, demonstrating a commitment to equitable and scalable interventions. Scientific Awards: Psychology Higher Degree Research Publication Prize (2018) Recognition for Outstanding Coursework Instruction (2017) Bernice serves on the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC), advises on multiple research projects, and contributes to public discourse through media and conferences. She is currently leading several funded projects and is accepting PhD students. She is also a professional member of the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF), reflecting her engagement with fire and climate resilience communities. Bernice leads or contributes to key research teams at BehaviourWorks Australia, focusing on developing and evaluating behaviour change interventions. Her projects often involve multi-institutional collaboration and real-world implementation, particularly in healthcare and environmental risk settings.
Prof. Dr. jur. Renate Isabel Schüller serves as an active Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Nuremberg University of Technology. Her academic leadership includes Coordinator of the Law Department, Representative for the practical semester, and membership on the International Business Applicant Selection Committee. She actively supervises university partnerships with Instituto Tecnológico y Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) in Mexico and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (USA). Her research centers on German employment law with significant contributions to commercial law frameworks. Key focus areas include transfer of undertakings (Section 613a BGB), extraordinary termination procedures, flexible personnel deployment mechanisms, and insolvency employment protections. Her work consistently addresses the intersection of national legislation and European Union directives, particularly regarding unfair contract terms and workforce transfers. Analysis of her 1997 publications reveals dominant trends in public sector labor relations and private enterprise compliance. Approximately 65% of her work examines transfer of undertakings jurisprudence, while 30% addresses termination rights and contractual flexibility. All publications demonstrate rigorous engagement with European Court of Justice rulings and practical implications for German employers across public and private sectors. Prof. Schüller maintains active administrative engagement through international partnership coordination and applicant selection committee service. Her office is located at Bahnhofstraße 87, 90402 Nuremberg, with contact via phone (0911-58802881) or fax (0911-58806720).
Dr. Alexandra Schmölder is a researcher at the Chair of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, University of Bamberg. She focuses on international careers, employee mobility, and global organizational behavior, including projects like Global Mobility of Expatriates (GLOMO) and e-Wanderlust: Global Research on Digital Nomads . Her work examines individual, social, and institutional factors influencing international relocation and behavioral effects of temporary work. Education: Master's in Heritage Conservation (M.A.), University of Bamberg (2009-2012) PhD in progress at KDWT, University of Bamberg (completed in 2025) Her research spans diversity in workplace personality , overemployment , and global leadership effectiveness . She has managed EU projects like Horizon 2020 Nano-Cathedral and contributed to cross-level research approaches in doctoral projects. Contact: Room: FMA 01.04 Phone: +49 951 863-2575 Email: alexandra.schmoelder@uni-bamberg.de
Magnus Bygren is a Professor of Sociology and Head of the Department of Sociology at Stockholm University . His research focuses on mechanisms behind ethnic, gender, and class inequalities , utilizing large-scale survey data, register data, text analysis, and experimental designs . Key methodological contributions include causal inference and quantitative methods in social segregation analysis. Current Role : Professor and Department Head Affiliation : Stockholm University, Department of Sociology Research trends in his publications reveal: Labor Market Discrimination (gender, parenthood, ethnic background) Education Policy (school choice, ability grouping, grading reforms) Family Dynamics (parenthood premiums, parental leave usage) His experimental work, including correspondence tests and laboratory experiments , systematically challenges assumptions about employer discrimination in Sweden’s dual-earner policy model. Notable findings include the absence of motherhood penalties in hiring and the stability of parenthood wage gaps despite radical policy changes.
Erik Akseli Sjödin is a Lecturer in Civil Law, specializing in Labor Law, at Stockholm University's Institute for Social Research (SOFI). His work focuses on EU labor market regulations, collective agreements, and legal frameworks governing employer-employee relationships. Research Interests: Labor Law, EU Regulations, Cross-border Labor Mobility, Social Sustainability, Workplace Democracy, Legal Harmonization Key Projects: 'En inkluderande och hållbar svensk arbetsrätt' (Inclusive and Sustainable Swedish Labor Law), 'Reglering av arbetstid' (Work Time Regulation) His recent publications analyze EU labor law's impact on Swedish workplaces, judicial rulings on employment termination, and legal challenges in cross-border corporate mobility. He collaborates with Eskil Wadensjö and Niklas Selberg on labor rights and policy analysis. Current affiliations include: Stockholm University, Institute for Social Research (SOFI) Labor Market Regulation (AMR) Research Group
Dr. Nita Chhinzer is an Associate Professor of Human Resources at the University of Guelph's Department of Management, within the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. She holds a PhD in Management from McMaster University (2006) and an MBA from the same institution. Her research focuses on strategic human resource management, particularly downsizing practices, institutional theory applications, and the societal impacts of layoffs. She has co-authored leading HR textbooks including HRM in Canada (14th ed.) and Management of Human Resources (5th ed.). Her work bridges academia and industry, addressing organizational challenges through empirical studies. Key contributions include analyzing how industry contexts shape layoff strategies, employer perceptions of graduate employability, and the ethical dimensions of downsizing. She has received international recognition, including the 2019 Emerald Literati Award and being named one of Canada's top 25 HR professionals (2016). Dr. Chhinzer actively engages in policy discussions and media commentary on employment issues, including pandemic-related workforce challenges. She advises graduate students on downsizing research and explores emerging topics like technology's impact on job design. Her teaching and research emphasize practical solutions for HR professionals and organizational leaders.
John Swarbrick is a Lecturer in the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding program at California State University Dominguez Hills, where he also serves on the program's Board of Advisors. Professor Swarbrick's professional journey includes: Admitted barrister of Gray's Inn, London Practiced criminal law in the UK as both prosecutor and defense attorney Served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Labor and Employee Relations at California State University (2012-2019) Admitted to the California Bar after relocating to Southern California Holds LL.M. degrees in Dispute Resolution (Pepperdine University) and International Business Law (University of Manchester) His research and teaching focus on practical applications of conflict resolution theory, bridging academic concepts with real-world labor relations challenges. Drawing from extensive experience representing police associations in high-profile discrimination cases in the UK and serving as Chief Negotiator for the CSU system's contract negotiations, Professor Swarbrick provides students with valuable insights into negotiation strategy, grievance procedures, and employment law frameworks. Professor Swarbrick has taught negotiation theory extensively and has advised university systems including Wisconsin and California on labor relations matters. His international perspective, having worked within both UK and US legal systems, offers students comparative insights into dispute resolution approaches across different cultural and legal contexts.
Franck Biétry serves as Professor of Management Sciences at the University of Caen Normandy, specializing in Human Resource Management. He holds HDR qualification (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) and directs the relocation of Master's programs in International Development of SMEs/SMIs and International Business to Guadeloupe. His research concentrates on critical psychological workplace dimensions: Well-being at work : Investigating factors driving employee satisfaction and mental health in professional environments Work engagement : Analyzing psychological states of absorption and enthusiasm in job performance Mind-Wandering : Examining spontaneous thought processes ("errance de la pensée") and their cognitive impact on workplace productivity This triad of research interests positions him at the intersection of organizational psychology and modern HR practices, emphasizing the human element in management theory.
Nicholas Burton, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Brock University. His research focuses on strategic sport marketing, including sponsorship management, ambush marketing, and geopolitical dimensions of sport business. He is affiliated with the Centre for Sport Capacity, contributing to interdisciplinary research and policy development in sport management. Dr. Burton’s work explores topics such as athlete branding, fan behavior on social media, and the economic implications of global sport events. His recent studies address the impact of digital platforms on sponsorship activation and the challenges posed by pandemic disruptions to international sponsorships. Education: PhD in Sport Management His research trends emphasize the evolving nature of marketing strategies in sport, particularly leveraging emerging technologies and analyzing global geopolitical influences. Notable contributions include redefining ambush marketing typologies and examining the soft power dynamics of multinational sport entities like City Football Group. Awards: 2019 IJSMS Outstanding Paper Award Burton advises graduate students pursuing research in sponsorship and sustainability, women’s sport marketing, and the geopolitical economy of sport. He teaches advanced sport marketing and globalization of sport courses, integrating practical insights from his industry collaborations. His work bridges academic rigor with real-world applications, addressing issues like fan sentiment analysis, crisis management in sport sponsorships, and the ethical dimensions of marketing practices.
Professor Kurt Lushington is a faculty member at the University of South Australia, affiliated with the UniSA Justice & Society and the School of Psychology. He holds a PhD and MPsych (Clinical) from Flinders University. His research focuses on sleep health, aging, circadian rhythms, neurocognition, and financial well-being of older adults. He supervises the Insomnia Clinic, a joint initiative with the Respiratory and Sleep Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and UniSA's Psychology Clinic. Education : PhD and MPsych (Clinical) from Flinders University. Research Interests : Sleep disorders in children and adults, workplace fatigue, financial well-being of older Australians, nutrition in aged care, and cardiovascular impacts of sleep-disordered breathing. Collaborations : Engages with NGOs, industry partners, and hospitals like Women's and Children's Hospital Adelaide. Teaching : Involves research methodology, sleep medicine, and psychophysiology courses. Projects : Includes studies on bullying's impact on adolescent sleep and health, and equity release strategies for aged homeowners. His work bridges clinical practice and policy, addressing social needs through research and education.
Dr. Mariam Karagulyan works at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ in the Department of Applied Microbial Ecology , focusing on Environmental Mycology . Her research investigates fungal degradation of plastic polymers and additives within the FINEST project (2022–2027) , funded by the Helmholtz Association. Education BSc in Biology (2007–2011), State University of Yerevan, Armenia MSc in Environmental and Aquatic Microbiology (2011–2013), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel MSc in Agricultural Engineering (2014–2016), Szent-István University, Hungary Research Focus Her work bridges Environmental Microbiology and Biodegradation , with a specialization in fungal interactions with synthetic materials. Key methodologies include Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to study microbial surface properties under stress conditions. Publications highlight roles of fungi in sustainable circular economy and plastic waste management . Positions Held Postdoc (2024–present), UFZ, Department of Applied Microbial Ecology Technical Scientific Assistant (2023–2024), Leipzig University, Veterinary Faculty Scientific Employee (2022), Coburg University of Applied Sciences PhD Candidate (2016–2021), UFZ, Department of Environmental Biotechnology Technical Expertise AFM for analyzing cell-mineral adhesion and surface properties Microbial responses to water and osmotic stress Quantifying fungal biodegradation of polymers
Andrew Whitman is a Professor of Finance at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, specializing in insurance law, corporate risk management, and employee benefits. His expertise spans insurance coverage, marketing, underwriting, claims, workers compensation, and healthcare policy. His academic credentials include: BS in Business from Pennsylvania State University (1960) MBA in Business from Pennsylvania State University (1962) PhD in Commerce from the University of Wisconsin (1966) JD in Law from the University of Minnesota (1968) Dr. Whitman's research integrates legal and business perspectives, focusing on risk exposure frameworks for small enterprises, regulatory compliance in insurance, and evolving healthcare legislation. His work bridges academic theory with practical applications in corporate risk mitigation and insurance law. Publication trends reveal sustained focus on enterprise risk management (2013-2014), particularly for small businesses navigating intellectual property risks and ACA compliance. Earlier works (1990s-2000s) established foundational analyses of insurance regulation, demutualization, and claims evaluation under homeowners policies. As a practitioner, he served as special assistant to the Wisconsin Insurance Department, deputy commissioner for Pennsylvania's Insurance Department, and expert witness in 10 states' courts. He maintains active professional designations including CFP, CPCU, and CLU while volunteering as a firefighter/EMT in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Prof. dr. Bart Dierynck is a Full Professor in Accounting at the Tilburg School of Economics and Management , focusing on multidisciplinary research at the intersection of management accounting , operations management , organizational behavior , and corporate responsibility . He teaches in MSc, MBA, and executive education programs, and currently leads the PhD program at his school. Undergraduate and PhD in Accounting from KU Leuven (Belgium) Visiting positions at Emory University and INSEAD His research combines quantitative methods (experiments, surveys, archival data) to address practical challenges in performance-based pay systems , financial reporting , and operational efficiency . Publications span leading journals like Management Accounting Research and Medical Care Research and Review . As an award-winning teacher , he designs programs bridging strategic implementation and sustainability leadership , including the Part-time Master in Business Administration (MSc) and Sustainability Leadership Program.
