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Arman Eshraghi is a Professor of Finance and Investment at Cardiff Business School , with 15 years of academic and industry experience. He founded the Cardiff Fintech Research Group , leads the Digital Transformation Innovation Institute 's fintech theme, and co-directs the Behavioral Finance Working Group . He serves as Editor-in-Chief of International Review of Economics and Finance and Senior Editor in multiple journals. Key academic appointments: Cardiff University (2018–present), University of Edinburgh (2013–18) International fellowships: Development Bank of Japan, University of Canterbury (New Zealand), UCL Industry engagement: Federal Reserve Bank (NY), Alan Turing Institute, CFA Society UK, CityUK Research Focus: Behavioral finance, corporate finance, financial technology, and interdisciplinary accounting. His work examines retail investor psychology, fund manager behavior, CEO decision-making, and fintech impacts on financial markets. He has published in Review of Financial Studies , Harvard Business Review , and Financial Times . Scientific Contributions: EFMD Global, Emerald Literati, and European Financial Group awards Keynote speaker at global conferences (New York, London, Mumbai, Frankfurt) Media citations in Financial Times , BBC , Forbes , and Bloomberg Teaching & Leadership: Delivers award-winning MSc/MBA/PhD courses in UK, Europe, and Asia. Holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Fellow of AdvanceHE. Designed executive programs for firms including Aetna CVS Health and Scottish Widows. Research Leadership: Co-organizes international conferences like the Cardiff Financial Technology Conference and European Financial Management Association Meeting . Supervises PhD students on topics spanning fintech, behavioral finance, and CEO lifestyle impacts.

• Behavioral Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Technology
• +6 more

Dr. Godfred Afrifa is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Senior Tutor (Canterbury) at Kent Business School , University of Kent. He is also a Visiting Lecturer at IESEG School of Management (France) since 2014 and at ISCID-CO International Business School (France) since 2016. PhD in Finance and Risk (Bournemouth University, 2013) MSc in Finance (University of Leicester, 2008) BSc in Applied Accounting (Oxford Brookes University) HND in Accounting (Kumasi Polytechnic) Chartered Accountant and Certificate in Insurance (Chartered Insurance Institute) His research explores the intersection of corporate governance , working capital management , and microfinance institutions . He investigates how CSR governance affects business practices, the dynamics of trade credit in SMEs, and the role of regional development in service-sector performance. His recent work also covers linguistic influences on financial reporting and pedagogical innovations in accounting education. Dr. Afrifa's 15 most recent publications (2020–2025) span topics like CSR decoupling , firm identity changes , credit policies , and microfinance integrity , with methodologies including stochastic frontier analysis and cross-country comparisons . His work frequently addresses financial strategies in SMEs and sustainability in supply chains and development. Scientific Awards : Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (2015), Affiliate Member of ACCA (2004). Dr. Afrifa supervises Mohammad Abwen (PhD thesis: Credibility of CSR Disclosure ) and welcomes PhD candidates in SME management , working capital , and microfinance . His Visiting Lecturer roles at French institutions highlight international collaboration. The 2023 Evaluation Report on Re:Generation 2031 underscores his work in sustainable development beyond traditional finance.

• SMEs Financing
• Corporate Governance
• Working Capital Management
• +5 more

Professor Hisham Farag is a distinguished academic at the University of Birmingham , where he serves as Professor of Finance and Director of Research at the Birmingham Business School . He is also the Founding Director of the Sustainable Financial Innovation Research Centre (SFIC) , underscoring his leadership in advancing research in sustainable finance and financial innovation. His work is deeply embedded in the Department of Finance , where he contributes to both research and academic leadership. His primary research interests span a wide and impactful range of topics in modern finance, including FinTech , corporate governance , board structure and diversity , corporate social responsibility (CSR) , behavioural finance , sustainable finance , ESG , and green finance . His research investigates how governance mechanisms, board composition, and financial innovations influence firm performance, risk, and ethical outcomes, particularly in both developed and emerging markets. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on global corporate governance, alternative finance, and the social dimensions of finance. Key themes include the role of board diversity in bank stability, the impact of FinTech on entrepreneurship, and the integration of CSR in Islamic and Chinese financial institutions. His work frequently appears in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Corporate Finance , British Journal of Management , and European Journal of Finance . Professor Farag has received significant research funding from notable institutions including the Bank of England , Innovate UK (Energy Systems Catapult) , and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) . His research projects have addressed critical issues such as board effectiveness, risk in financial institutions, and investment decisions in hedge funds. He is actively involved in the academic community, serving as Associate Editor for several prestigious journals: European Journal of Finance , Research in International Business and Finance , Business Ethics European Review , and African Accounting and Finance Association . He has also co-authored a research monograph titled Balancing the Board: Directors’ Skills and Diversity , funded by ICAS. Among his accolades, he received the Best Paper Award at the Global Finance Conference in California, USA. His scholarly output includes numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and professional reports, reflecting a sustained and influential contribution to the field of finance.

• FinTech
• Corporate Governance
• Board Structure
• +8 more

Dr. Brigitte Steger is a Senior Lecturer in Modern Japanese Studies at the University of Cambridge, where she serves as a Fellow in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Downing College. She teaches modern Japanese society courses and directs graduate affairs while serving as Secretary of the Degree Committee. MA, MPhil, PhD in Japanese Studies (University of Vienna) Visiting researcher at multiple Japanese universities Co-founder of Cambridge Creative Circular Plastics Centre sub-project Her research focuses on cultural anthropology of Japanese daily life, particularly sleep practices (inemuri), gender dynamics in urban spaces, disaster response rituals, and cleanliness/waste practices. She conceptualizes sleep as socio-cultural performance and examines temporal practices in premodern Japan. Recent publications analyze Heian-era sleep patterns, 2011 tsunami shelter hygiene, and plastic consumption in consumer societies. She leads international research on historical timekeeping and contemporary waste practices. Her edited volumes explore Japanese gender diversity, including 'herbivore boys' and manga girl culture. Scientific awards: Bank Austria Prize (2002) Vorarlberg Science Award (2005) University of Cambridge weekly research contributor She supervises graduate research projects and serves on the European Association for Japanese Studies and Japan Anthropology Workshop councils. Her 2025-26 sabbatical focuses on completing Heian-period sleep research.

• Japanese society
• Cultural anthropology
• Gender studies
• +5 more

John Armour is a Professor of Law and Finance at the University of Oxford, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chair of the Law Board. He holds fellowships at the British Academy and the European Corporate Governance Institute. His research focuses on integrating legal and economic analysis, particularly in corporate governance, financial regulation, and corporate insolvency law. He previously held roles at the University of Cambridge and has been a visiting scholar at institutions such as the University of Chicago and the Max Planck Institute. Armour’s educational background includes an MA and BCL from the University of Oxford and an LLM from Yale Law School. He has contributed to major policy projects for the UK government, the World Bank, and the European Commission. His editorial roles include Executive Editor of the Journal of Corporate Law Studies and Journal of Law, Finance and Accounting . Research Interests: Corporate law, financial regulation, insolvency frameworks, and the real-world economic impacts of legal changes. Policy Engagement: Advised UK regulators (BEIS, FCA) and international bodies on corporate governance and financial stability. Awards: Fellow of the British Academy and European Corporate Governance Institute. Armour teaches courses such as Company Law, Principles of Financial Regulation, and Comparative Corporate Law. His recent work explores climate-related corporate commitments and AI’s role in legal practice, including initiatives like the Unlocking the Potential of AI for English Law project.

• Company Law
• Financial Regulation
• Corporate Insolvency
• +4 more

Dr Petra Geraats is an Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow at St John's College. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and has been affiliated with Cambridge since 2000. Research Interests: Macroeconomics Monetary Policy Central Bank Transparency Behavioral Economics Selected Publications analyze trends in monetary policy transparency, central bank credibility, and macroeconomic stabilization. Her work spans theoretical and empirical studies of central bank communication and forecasting practices. Teaching: Macroeconomics at the MPhil and Economics Tripos levels Supervision of Part I, Part IIA, and Part IIB Macroeconomics at St John's College Courses in Monetary Economics, International Macroeconomics, and Macroeconomic Policy Professional Engagement: Participated in evaluations of central banks, including the Bernanke Review of the Bank of England. Delivered keynote speeches, including at the Dutch Central Bank Conference.

• Macroeconomics
• Monetary Policy
• Central Bank Transparency
• +2 more

Mary Mitsi is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Commercial Law and International Arbitration at Queen Mary University of London's School of Law. As Director for Executive Education at CCLS, she designs training programs for legal practitioners and government officials. Her expertise spans international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, and conflict of laws. Her research examines arbitral decision-making processes, legal reasoning in awards, treaty interpretation, precedent application, and judicial dialogue in investment law. Her monograph analyzes how arbitrators interpret international laws and apply customary principles in investor-state disputes. Publications address contemporary challenges in international dispute resolution, including ISDS criticisms and the evolution of arbitration frameworks. Her work emphasizes consistency in arbitral jurisprudence and the development of legal principles in investment arbitration. Engagement includes training judges and practitioners globally, contributing to European Bank for Reconstruction and Development projects, and participating in international arbitration conferences on corruption, ESG disputes, and energy sector arbitration.

• International Arbitration
• Investment Law
• Commercial Law
• +3 more

Professor Maia Chankseliani is Professor of Comparative and International Education at the University of Oxford and a Governing Body Fellow of St Edmund Hall. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Educational Research and Chair of the Executive Committee of the Education and Development Forum (UKFIET), and is a Trustee of the University of Bahrain. She leads the International Mobility and World Development research project funded by the U.S. Department of State. Her educational background includes: BA and MA from Tbilisi State University MA from the University of Warwick EdM from Harvard University PhD from the University of Cambridge Professor Chankseliani's research explores the public role of tertiary education in diverse settings, examining how universities contribute to social, economic, and political development, and how international engagement shapes both institutions and societies. Her work spans international student mobility and its developmental impact, academic freedom, university contributions to sustainable development, and higher education in post-Soviet contexts. Her monograph What Happened to the Soviet University? (OUP, 2022) offers insights beyond the former Soviet context, addressing contemporary debates around academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Her major international study International Mobility and World Development represents the first global mixed-methods project examining how international education contributes to societal development. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on the ripple effects of international student mobility, particularly examining poverty reduction mechanisms, intercultural competence development, and systemic impacts on home countries. Based on extensive qualitative data from over 700 interviews across 70 countries combined with quantitative analysis, her research reveals how internationally mobile individuals become agents of change through knowledge transfer, policy influence, and institutional reform. This body of work shows that returnees adapt, translate, and embed reform through multiple mechanisms far beyond simple skill transfer. Professor Chankseliani has secured significant research funding from diverse sources including the U.S. Department of State, UKRI/ESRC, British Council, World Bank, Qatar Foundation, and European Commission. Her research has informed policy dialogue in areas such as poverty reduction, education and health systems, gender equality, and civic life. She regularly engages with governments and international audiences, and her work is frequently featured in global media outlets including Nature and University World News. At Oxford, Professor Chankseliani convenes the Comparative and International Education Research Group and previously led the department's MSc in Comparative and International Education from 2017 to 2024. She supervises multiple doctoral students and has worked on numerous externally funded research projects involving UK government departments, international organizations, and academic institutions. Her current research portfolio includes examining how international education experiences translate into societal development outcomes, with particular emphasis on poverty reduction mechanisms and the long-term impacts of mobility on home countries.

• Comparative and International Education
• Higher Education
• International Student Mobility
• +5 more

Dr. Tommaso Gabrieli is an Associate Professor in Real Estate at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London (UCL), where he has been employed since September 2015. His academic career spans multiple institutions including the University of Reading, City University London, University of Warwick, and the Catholic University of Milan. His educational background includes: PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick (2009) MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2003) Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy from the University of Reading (2013) As a theoretical economist trained in the ambrosian tradition of social welfare, Gabrieli's research focuses on the economic analysis of urban policy issues. His expertise encompasses economic modeling of real estate markets, financial viability of urban projects, multi-dimensional value measurements, and value-capture mechanisms. He has developed novel interdisciplinary methods bridging urban planning and design with economics, making him one of few economists actively collaborating with urban planning scholars in the UK. His work addresses Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Good Health, Decent Work, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities, and Climate Action. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on urban design governance, value capture mechanisms, and the interface between economic theory and urban planning practice. The research spans theoretical explorations of post-growth planning and practical applications in land value recovery, particularly examining implications for housing affordability, wealth distribution, and community wellbeing in both urban and rural contexts. His work often integrates behavioral economics with spatial planning considerations. Professional recognition includes: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Gabrieli has extensive experience supervising PhD and MSc dissertations across multiple institutions. His teaching portfolio includes Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation at UCL, where he leads relevant modules for both undergraduate and graduate programs. He has contributed to significant research projects including 'Street Appeal' commissioned by Transport for London and the Horizon 2020-funded 'UrbanMaestro' project worth 1 million Euros. His research impact has been formally recognized by Transport for London. Currently, he leads the 'Future Urban Growth Lab' project, funded by UCL Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Funding, in partnership with the Royal Town Planning Institute and Politecnico of Turin. This project aims to operationalize an urban growth model prototype for use by local authorities in planning future city development, bridging academic research with practical planning applications.

• Urban Economics
• Real Estate Valuation
• Behavioral Economics
• +12 more

Ricardo Soares de Oliveira is a Professor of International Politics of Africa at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford, and Full Professor of Political Science at CERI Sciences Po. He is an Official Fellow at St Peter's College, University of Oxford, and a Fellow with the Global Public Policy Institute, Berlin. His work spans comparative politics, political economy, and global governance, with a focus on African states and their interactions with offshore economies. BA, MPhil, PhD in Political Science His research explores the international political economy of African states, particularly extractive industries, financial sector dynamics, conflict/post-conflict reconstruction, and African-Asian relations. He investigates transnational kleptocracy, authoritarianism's influence on the global economy, and offshore finance's impact on African politics. Recent publications analyze trends in kleptocratic networks, offshore finance, and authoritarian economic strategies. His work underscores the role of global financial systems in enabling corruption and the challenges of statebuilding in resource-rich contexts. Leverhulme Trust/British Academy Senior Research Fellowship (2023–24) British Academy Senior Research Fellowship (2023) Leverhulme Trust Fellowship (2011) Soares de Oliveira advises PhD students and has secured grants from the Leverhulme Trust, ESRC, DFID/FCDO, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. He co-directs the Oxford Martin Programme on African Governance and collaborates with institutions like the European Commission, World Bank, and UNCTAD. His media commentary appears in the Financial Times , Foreign Affairs , and Times Literary Supplement .

• Comparative Politics and Government
• Political Economy
• International Political Economy
• +9 more

Professor Sarah Stockwell is a leading scholar in the History of Empire and Decolonization at King's College London, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and the Department of History. She joined King’s in 1992 after studies at Cambridge and Oxford, and became a full-time professor following a flexible part-time period from 2002 to 2017. She leads the Empires and Decolonizations Research Hub and co-convenes the World and Imperial History Seminar at the Institute of Historical Research. Her research focuses on 20th century British colonial and postcolonial history, particularly decolonization processes in Africa, the role of institutions like Oxford/Cambridge, and the Anglican Church’s engagement with decolonization. Key works include The British End of the British Empire (2018) and edited volumes on development in post-colonial Africa. Recent publications analyze British business strategies during decolonization, postcolonial development aid, and institutional transitions. She has delivered lectures globally and participated in major conferences such as the North American Conference of British Studies and German Historical Institute events. Her work emphasizes transnational histories and the legacy of empire on contemporary institutions.

• History of Empire and Decolonization
• British Colonial and Postcolonial History
• Colonial Africa
• +4 more

Professor John Muellbauer is a Senior Research Fellow at Nuffield College and Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford. He co-directs the Macroeconomics and Finance Programme at the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) Oxford Martin School. His work bridges household economics, housing markets, and finance-real economy interactions, with a focus on credit channels and monetary transmission mechanisms. Education: B.A. from Cambridge University, Ph.D. from UC Berkeley Former roles: Professor at Birkbeck College (London), Lecturer at Warwick University His research emphasizes systems approaches to consumption, house prices, and debt, critiquing conventional central bank models. Recent work includes international house price cycles (Journal of Economic Literature, 2021) and ECB policy model critiques (2022). He collaborates with central banks globally and contributes to macroprudential policy frameworks. Scientific awards include the 2014 Kendrick Prize for his work on credit and housing markets. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, Econometric Society, and European Economic Association, and a CEPR Research Fellow. Policy engagement spans HM Treasury, OECD, Swedish Prudential Authority, and the Resolution Foundation. He advocates for a Green Land Value Tax to address UK housing challenges and frequently contributes to VoxEU debates.

• Household economics
• Housing markets
• Finance-real economy interactions
• +3 more

Dr Jan Woudstra is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield's School of Architecture and Landscape. With a PhD in Landscape Architecture from University College London and a background in landscape design, horticulture, and conservation, he has taught landscape architecture and history since 1995 and part-time at the Architectural Association School of Architecture from 1988-2005. Education: PhD, MA (Conservation), Dip Hort (Kew) Research Focus: History and theory of modern movement landscape architecture, planting design, hard landscape detailing, and international design trends Supervision: Claudia Leticia Martínez Velarde, Lei Gao, Kairan Li, Sang Jung Yoon, Vivienne Rose Parrott, Jijun Zhao, Manoochehr Salahi Moghadam, Hossein Donyavi, Sally O’Halloran Contact: j.woudstra@sheffield.ac.uk | Arts Tower, Floor 12, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN His research emphasizes landscape conservation, sustainability, and social equitability, with case studies on designers like Christopher Tunnard, Peter Shepheard, and Robert Marnock. He explores the tension between memory and innovation in historic landscapes. Recent publications address Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Scandinavian design, and historical planting techniques. Collaborations with Peter Blundell Jones and others analyze the interplay between architecture and landscape.

• History and theory of the modern movement in landscape architecture
• Landscape conservation
• Planting design
• +7 more

Professor Jill Atkins is a Professor of Accounting at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, with a distinguished career spanning accounting and finance. She also serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. As a leading academic in sustainable accounting, she has published over 50 journal articles and several influential books, establishing herself as a thought leader in the field of extinction accounting and biodiversity finance. Professor Atkins holds a BA Hons (First Class) in European Economics with a Licence ès Sciences Economiques from the University of Nantes, an MSc in Corporate and International Finance from the University of Durham, and a PhD in Finance from the University of Manchester. She is Series Editor for the de Gruyter Studies in Corporate Governance and has authored the leading international textbook "Corporate Governance and Accountability," now in its 5th edition. Professor Atkins' research focuses on three interconnected areas that have significantly contributed to sustainability accounting literature. Her work on private social and environmental reporting (SER) has evolved into "private integrated reporting," where institutional investor engagement processes increasingly integrate social, environmental, and financial issues. She has pioneered the development of "extinction accounting," creating a framework that has inspired extensive international academic research and influenced investment institutions' pollinator engagement strategies. Her third major contribution involves exploring the historical roots of environmental and ecological accounting, connecting accounting history with sustainability research across various historical periods from Victorian water pollution accounting to 18th century nature diaries. Analysis of Professor Atkins' recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly specialized and urgent environmental accounting. Her work has evolved from general sustainability reporting to highly focused extinction accounting frameworks, with growing attention to historical precedents and cross-cultural applications. The publications demonstrate a sophisticated integration of critical accounting theory with practical applications in biodiversity conservation, showing how accounting mechanisms can serve as tools for species protection and environmental preservation. Her research increasingly incorporates interdisciplinary perspectives, drawing from ecology, history, art, and philosophy to develop comprehensive approaches to extinction governance. Professor Atkins has received significant recognition within the ESG investment industry and governance circles as a thought leader, regularly invited to give keynotes at international practitioner and academic events. She has led influential projects including a Nuffield Foundation-funded study on private SER and has developed innovative frameworks such as the extinction governance model that brings together accounting practices with governance mechanisms aimed at preventing species extinctions. Professor Atkins supervises doctoral candidates in extinction accounting, extinction governance, ESG investment, accounting for biodiversity, and corporate governance (qualitative research). She has established collaborative networks with leading practitioners in responsible investment, sustainability ratings, financial analysis, and reporting framework providers, including the Capitals Coalition, Moody's, Vigeo Eiris, AXA, and the WWF.

• Sustainable Accounting
• Extinction Accounting
• Extinction Governance
• +9 more

Robert Kosowski is Professor of Finance and Head of the Department of Finance at Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London. He holds a Ph.D. from London School of Economics, M.Sc. in Economics from London School of Economics, and B.A./M.A. in Economics from Trinity College, Cambridge University. His research examines asset management, risk management, machine learning applications in finance, hedge funds, and performance measurement. He has published in top finance journals including Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies. Awards include European Finance Association Best Paper Award (2007), four INQUIRE best paper awards, and British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2011-2012). Recent publications focus on machine learning in finance, regulatory impacts on funds, and innovative risk management approaches. Articles demonstrate consistent methodological rigor across quantitative finance topics with practical applications for investment management. Professor Kosowski is co-author of 'Principles of Financial Engineering' and directs executive education programs in Risk Management. He has industry experience as Head of Quantitative Research at Unigestion and previously worked at Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.

• Asset Management
• Hedge Funds
• Risk Management
• +2 more