Chris Forde is Professor of Employment Studies at the University of Leeds , affiliated with the Leeds University Business School and Department of People, Work and Employment . He co-directs the Centre for Employment Relations Innovation and Change and serves as Deputy Director of the ESRC Digital Futures at Work Research Centre . His career spans multiple leadership roles, including former Head of the Work and Employment Relations Division. BA Economics and Management (First Class Honours), University of Leeds (1993) MA Economics, University of Leeds (1994) PhD, Leeds University Business School (1998) Forde's research investigates the evolution of work structures , focusing on temporary work , migrant labor dynamics , platform economy challenges , and labour market regulation . His work examines intersections between job quality , worker well-being , and business policy lobbying , employing mixed-method approaches across sectors like healthcare and aerospace. His recent publications and projects include analyses of NHS migrant workforce adaptations during Brexit and pandemic crises, union responses to post-Brexit labor shortages , and labour market reforms in Saudi Arabia. As Co-Director of the Digit Data Observatory , he leads digital work futures research. Co-investigator, ESRC Labour Mobility in Transition (LiMITS) project Co-investigator, EU Horizon 2020 Skills4Justice Project 20+ successfully supervised doctoral students Founding member, Leeds Migration Research Network
Mona Holmqvist is a Professor of Educational Sciences specializing in school and the teaching profession at Lund University's Department of Educational Sciences within the Faculty of Humanities and Theology. She serves as Director of Doctoral Studies in Educational Sciences and has held professorships since 2017, returning to Lund University in 2023 after positions at HKr, GU, and MAU. Her academic journey began with teacher certification for grades 4-6, subject teaching credentials for 7-9, and secondary teaching in pedagogy/psychology, culminating in her 1995 PhD in pedagogy from Lund University focused on teaching students with autism. Her research spans learning theories, particularly variation theory development, and practice-based educational research from early childhood to higher education. Holmqvist has special expertise in subject didactics and special didactics for individuals with ADHD and autism. She has served as principal investigator for ten externally funded research projects and coordinated three research schools, including the National Research School for Pedagogical Work (2001-2010) and SET—Research School in Special Education for Teacher Educators (2018-2022). Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on inclusive education, special didactics, and early mathematics development, with particular attention to students with autism and ADHD. Current projects include a VR-funded study on number sense in 5-6 year-olds and an Erasmus project for higher education course development in Bhutan. Professional leadership roles include Vice Chair of the Academic Merit Review Board in Higher Education Pedagogy at Lund University, membership on the Swedish Research Council's Committee for Educational Sciences, and editorial board positions for three academic journals. Director of Doctoral Studies in Educational Sciences at Lund University Principal Investigator for 10+ externally funded research projects Supervisor for 14 doctoral students and 9 licentiates Member of Swedish Research Council's Educational Science Committee Editorial board member for 3 academic journals Her work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical classroom applications, particularly in inclusive educational settings and teacher professional development. Current research emphasizes content-inclusive teaching approaches that provide equitable learning opportunities for diverse student populations.
Professor Dr. Peter Tillmann is a Research Professor at the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) since June 2012 and Professor of Monetary Economics at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. His work focuses on monetary policy , empirical macroeconomics , and financial markets , with a particular emphasis on policy communication, geopolitical impacts, and supply chain dynamics. Current affiliations: Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), University Giessen Research themes: Monetary policy transmission, fiscal-political discourse, geopolitical risk, supply chain economics Key collaborations: Albina Latifi, Viktoriia Naboka-Krell, David Finck, Sinem Kandemir Media coverage: Financial Times, Reuters, FAZ, Süddeutsche Zeitung Recent publications examine the emotional dimensions of monetary policy , geopolitical tensions in corporate boardrooms , and asymmetric inflation responses to global shocks . His work bridges theoretical insights with empirical analysis across diverse economic contexts. Contact: peter.tillmann@wirtschaft.uni-giessen.de | Affiliations: Justus-Liebig-University Giessen , IMFS Frankfurt , IWH Halle
Dr. Tegwen Malik, a Senior Lecturer at Swansea University's School of Management and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), bridges artificial intelligence research with biomimetic innovations. Her multifaceted roles include Deputy Programme Director for MSc Management, Director of Education and Content at the i-Lab Research Centre, and leadership in the "Global and Social Challenges" theme. Senior Lecturer, School of Management (since 2022) Deputy Director, MSc Management Programme Director of Education, i-Lab Research Centre UKAT Recognised Practitioner in Advising Her research explores Artificial Intelligence applications across sectors, particularly in higher education, and biomimicry innovations for water management in arid regions. Collaborative work spans engineering (Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating), medicine, and management, with external partnerships at Lifescaped, MIT, and ESPCI. Recent publications analyze agentic AI systems , generative AI impacts , and bioinspired water collection mechanisms. The 2023 I3E Conference awarded her for transformative AI research in education. Best Research Paper Award, I3E 2023 Brazil Co-PI on international projects (Lifescaped, MIT, ESPCI) Supervisor for 4 active PhD students Editorial reviewer for Government Information Quarterly and Information & Organisation Dr. Malik also investigates digital marketing adoption , operations management , and international standards , with practical experience in product commercialization and transnational projects. Her teaching focuses on mathematics and analytics for business , reaching over 600 MSc Management students annually.
Gina Turrigiano is the Joseph Levitan Professor of Vision Science in the Department of Biology at Brandeis University. She is also affiliated with the Benjamin and Mae Volen National Center for Complex Systems and the Neuroscience Program. Her research focuses on understanding how neural circuits maintain stability while remaining adaptable through homeostatic plasticity mechanisms. Dr. Turrigiano earned her B.A. from Reed College and her Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego. Her educational background provided the foundation for her pioneering work in neuroscience. Her research centers on homeostatic plasticity mechanisms that allow brain circuits to self-tune during learning and development. The Turrigiano lab studies how neurons adjust their excitability to maintain constant firing rates despite external perturbations. A major discovery from her lab was synaptic scaling, a fundamental homeostatic mechanism. More recently, her work has explored how homeostatic mechanisms interact with classical forms of synaptic plasticity like LTP/LTD, and how sleep and behavioral states gate these plasticity processes. Her research has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders like autism, where homeostatic mechanisms may be disrupted. Analysis of Dr. Turrigiano's recent publications reveals a continued focus on the molecular and circuit mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity. Her work spans multiple levels of analysis from cellular/molecular to systems neuroscience, with particular emphasis on visual cortex as a model system. Recent publications explore the role of Shank3 in autism-related circuit dysfunction, the relationship between sleep and homeostatic regulation, and the distinct contributions of synaptic versus intrinsic homeostatic mechanisms to circuit stability. MacArthur foundation 'genius' award McKnight Foundation Technological Innovation and Neurobiology of Disease awards NIH director's pioneer award HFSP Nakasone Award Member of the National Academy of Sciences American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellow AAAS Fellow Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship Dr. Turrigiano has received substantial research funding including NIH Director's Pioneer Award, NINDS R35 MERIT Award, and multiple McKnight Foundation awards. She has served as President of the Society for Neuroscience and is a member of numerous scientific editorial and advisory boards. Her mentorship has been recognized with the Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship from NINDS. The Turrigiano lab has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to establish independent research careers. The Turrigiano lab operates within the Department of Biology at Brandeis University, with strong connections to the Neuroscience Program and the Volen Center for Complex Systems. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining electrophysiology, imaging, molecular biology, and behavioral analysis to study homeostatic plasticity mechanisms. Current research directions include investigating how homeostatic mechanisms interact with experience-dependent plasticity during critical periods of development, and how disruptions in these mechanisms contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
Johannes Schöning is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of St. Gallen, where he leads a research group focused on developing novel user interfaces that empower individuals and communities with data-driven decision capabilities. His work bridges rapidly advancing technologies with human needs across diverse contexts including geographic information science, public health, medical applications, and extreme environments such as space missions. He publishes extensively at premier HCI venues including ACM CHI, MobileHCI, and DIS, as well as in interdisciplinary journals like NATURE and PLOS ONE. Professor Schöning's research interests center on understanding the interplay between technology and human activities through rigorous methods from AI, computer graphics, and cognitive psychology. His work emphasizes user-centered design methodologies and mixed methods approaches to create interfaces that fit both technological possibilities and human requirements. Key focus areas include virtual and augmented reality applications, accessibility solutions, navigation technologies, and the social implications of digital interfaces in everyday life. His research mission prioritizes theoretical and practice-based inquiry to develop disruptive solutions for real-world problems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in virtual reality applications for emotional regulation and accessibility, with increasing emphasis on generative AI integration, environmental awareness, and space-related HCI challenges. His work consistently demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration across computer science, psychology, geography, and medical fields, with publications showing growing interest in social implications of technology, particularly regarding navigation systems and their externalities. His scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards including: Best Presentation Award at IEEE VR 2023 Best Paper Award & Accessibility Award at Interact 2019 10 Year Impact Award 2021 Multiple Honorable Mention Awards at top conferences Professor Schöning actively mentors students across bachelor, master, and PhD levels, with his lab seeking candidates interested in the intersection of HCI, geoinformatics, and ubiquitous computing technologies. He emphasizes creating a 'detox-free academic environment' that focuses on meaningful teaching and research outcomes rather than academic pressures. His group frequently collaborates with international researchers and institutions on projects spanning medical applications, space exploration interfaces, and public health technologies. The research laboratory led by Professor Schöning maintains strong interdisciplinary connections across multiple domains. Current projects include developing AI-powered wearables for blind and low vision users, exploring VR applications for emotional regulation, investigating navigation technologies' social impacts, and creating interfaces for space mission contexts. The lab's work on CubeSat control software and plant visualization for space greenhouses demonstrates their unique focus on extreme environment applications, while their research on citizen participation through generative AI shows engagement with contemporary societal challenges.
Kimberly Lema serves as a Research Professor at the Crimes against Children Research Center (CCRC) at the University of New Hampshire, where she leads critical research on youth victimization, violence prevention, and trauma responses. Her work spans multiple interdisciplinary domains connecting psychology, public health, and criminology. Dr. Lema's research focuses on adolescent health and safety, with particular expertise in digital sexual violence, polyvictimization, cyberbullying, and structural determinants of health. Her work examines how social contexts influence mental health outcomes among vulnerable youth populations, with special attention to sexual and gender minority youth. She investigates both risk factors and resilience mechanisms that affect youth exposed to various forms of violence and trauma. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on integrated approaches to violence research, recognizing the overlap between different forms of victimization. Her work increasingly examines structural determinants of health and how social contexts shape mental health outcomes. A significant portion of her recent research addresses image-based sexual abuse, bystander intervention strategies, and the mental health impacts on both victims and professionals working with child sexual abuse cases. Dr. Lema currently leads multiple federally funded research projects, including a major NIH study Understanding Bystanders for Self-Directed Violence Prevention: A Prospective National Study Highlighting Marginalized Youth and Young Adults (2021-2026), along with several Department of Justice-funded projects examining child sexual exploitation, hate crimes, and youth firearm violence. Her research portfolio demonstrates sustained external funding and significant contributions to evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. She is actively involved in evaluating prevention programs, including the Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Curriculum and Love146's child trafficking prevention program. Her work with the CCRC positions her at the forefront of research translating into practical applications for child protection and youth safety.
Sotirios Thanos is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Real Estate and Urban Economics at the University of Manchester within the School of Environment, Education and Development's Department of Planning, Property and Environmental Management. He actively teaches Urban and Environmental Economics and Real Estate Modelling courses while accepting PhD students for supervision. His academic credentials include: PhD in Economics, University of Leeds (awarded 2008) MA in Transport Economics, University of Leeds (awarded 2001) Thanos specializes in real estate, urban, transport, and environmental economics with methodological expertise in spatial econometrics, panel data analysis, choice experiments, and non-market valuation. His current research focuses on spatio-temporal house price modeling and transportation noise impacts, contributing directly to UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent application of advanced spatial econometric techniques to housing market dynamics, environmental externalities, and transportation economics. His work demonstrates increasing policy relevance through studies on housing supply constraints, flood risk valuation, and pandemic-induced housing market shifts, often bridging theoretical econometric innovation with practical urban planning applications. Thanos actively supervises postgraduate researchers and leads significant research initiatives including: Manchester Real Estate and Urban Economics (MREUE) group (ongoing) Community Infrastructure Levy housing market impacts study (2021) Societal cost of flooding research (2017-2018) Food and drink retail location patterns feasibility study (2021) He directs the MREUE research group, which investigates real estate markets across the UK and India through interdisciplinary collaboration between faculty and postgraduate students, focusing on housing policy, spatial economics, and environmental valuation.
Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dedering holds the Professorship for Educational Institutions and School Development at the Faculty of Education, University of Erfurt. Her research focuses on systemic approaches to school development, educational leadership, and evidence-based educational practices. She has led projects funded by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Heraeus Educational Foundation. Research priorities: School development consulting, organizational ambidexterity, and lateral entry teacher professionalization Editorial roles: Journal "Die Deutsche Schule" and "Jahrbuch der Schulentwicklung" Current projects: School Development Consulting in Disadvantaged Locations (2024-2025) and School Supervision in Times of Transformation (2024-2026) Recent publications address topics like school leadership stressors, regulatory processes in school development, and systemic consulting frameworks. She received the DGfE award in 2010 for her contributions to educational science. Key themes: Educational governance, teacher innovativeness, and critical perspectives on school development consulting Collaborations: University of Siegen, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and Springer VS publications Her work emphasizes practical implementation of research findings in educational policy and school management.
Brian Hanley is a Reader in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics at Leeds Beckett University , affiliated with the Carnegie School of Sport and Centre for Sports Performance . He lectures on biomechanics of health, sports injury, and human gait. Education: Applied Physiology, Carlow Institute of Technology First-class Honours in Sport and Exercise Science, Leeds Metropolitan University PhD, Leeds Beckett University (Biomechanical Analysis of Elite Race Walking) First-class Honours in Psychology, Open University Brian's research focuses on track and field athletics , with emphasis on biomechanics of technique, pacing strategies, athlete development, sports technology, and training methods. He specializes in distance running and race walking , particularly analyzing real-world data from elite competitions. His recent publications explore diverse topics including gait parameter validity, footstrike patterns, pacing optimization in 400m/1500m events, kinematic differences in 10,000m runners, and the impact of super shoes on marathon performance. These studies highlight his expertise in translating lab-based findings to field applications. Brian serves as an external consultant for European Athletics on high-performance development programs and collaborates with elite athletes globally. His work bridges academic research with practical coaching applications, notably through the Centre for Human Performance at Leeds Beckett.
Dr. Sarah K. Carmichael is a Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University , where she also serves in the Appalachian Studies Faculty . Her interdisciplinary research focuses on fluid-rock reactions , manganese geomicrobiology , and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mass extinction events through Devonian period studies . B.A. from Smith College M.A. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University Her research combines geochemistry of mass extinctions , microbe-mineral interactions in caves , and Appalachian manganese ore formation through fieldwork from Mongolian mountains to Vietnamese basins . She leads the DAGGER (Devonian Anoxia, Geochemistry, Geochronology, and Extinction Research) Team and collaborates with Dr. Suzanna Bräuer on cave geomicrobiology projects. Recent publications focus on Devonian-Mississippian stratigraphy in Mongolia , mercury isotope evidence for Late Devonian ocean anoxia , and human impact assessment in Appalachian caves . Her work has been recognized with National Geographic Explorer status, inclusion in the Explorers Club 50 , and the UNC Board of Governors Teaching Award . Scientific awards include National Geographic Explorer (2018, 2022) Explorers Club 50 (2022) Board of Governors Teaching Award (2020) Academy of Outstanding Teachers induction (2022) KWI Distinguished Service Award (2020) William C. Strickland Outstanding Junior Faculty Award (2014) She mentors numerous student researchers and has secured over $1.2 million in external funding from organizations like the National Science Foundation and National Geographic Society . Her laboratory work utilizes advanced techniques such as electron microscopy and isotope analysis to decode micron-scale mineral textures that reveal Earth's ancient environmental changes.
Linda L Carpenter is a Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Alpert Medical School, where she has maintained an active physician-scientist career since joining the faculty in 1997. As Deputy Director of the Butler COBRE Center for Neuromodulation and Director of its Neuromodulation and Neuroimaging Core, she provides critical resources and training for neuromodulation researchers throughout Rhode Island. Her clinical work is centered at Butler Hospital where she leads the TMS Clinic. Dr. Carpenter's research program investigates the neurobiology of mood and anxiety disorders with a focus on developing novel treatments. Her work spans laboratory biomarker development, neuroimaging, and numerous clinical trials evaluating brain stimulation techniques including TMS, tDCS, VNS, and DBS. She has led a decade-long federally funded translational research program examining early life stress effects on adult stress biology and has conducted pivotal trials for FDA-approved neuromodulation devices. Her research bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications, particularly in treatment-resistant depression. Her publication record demonstrates consistent research productivity with over 200 publications focusing on brain stimulation mechanisms, treatment response prediction, and novel therapeutics for mood disorders. Recent work emphasizes personalized approaches to neuromodulation, EEG biomarkers for treatment response, and expanding access to brain stimulation therapies through home-based and digital platforms. She contributes significantly to clinical guidelines as evidenced by her participation in consensus recommendations for TMS application in depression treatment. Dr. Carpenter's scientific leadership extends to collaborative efforts across multiple institutions, serving on task forces for the American Psychiatric Association and contributing to major reviews on novel biomarkers and treatments. Her work connects neurophysiological mechanisms with clinical outcomes, advancing the field of neuromodulation while maintaining strong translational relevance to patient care.
Dr. Evelina Akimova is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Purdue University. Her research integrates social science genomics , chronotype analysis , and quantitative causal inference to explore health inequalities and career trajectories.
Martin Peitz is Professor of Microeconomics at the University of Mannheim and Director of the Mannheim Centre for Competition and Innovation (MaCCI) . His research focuses on industrial organization, competition policy, and digital platform regulation. He has served as head of the Department of Economics (2010–2013), a member of the European Commission's Economic Advisory Group on Competition Policy (2013–2016), and Academic Director at CERRE (2012–2016). Peitz earned his economics degree from the University of Bonn in 1992 and a PhD in economics from Bonn in 1995. His work bridges game theory, institutional frameworks, and empirical analysis of markets experiencing failure due to monopolistic behavior, externalities, or asymmetric information. His research highlights the evolution of competition policy in the digital age, analyzing tech giants like Google and Microsoft, and contributed to debates on zero-rating, net neutrality, and AI liability. He emphasizes ex ante regulatory interventions (e.g., sector inquiries) and ex post antitrust measures (e.g., merger control) to address market power. Scientific Awards : Heisenberg fellowship, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2000) Peitz supervises bachelor’s and master’s theses in industrial organization and microeconomics, requiring electives in these areas. His lab, MaCCI , regularly hosts events like the Mannheim Competition Policy Forum (MCPF) , open to students and researchers.
Marco Leyton, PhD , is a Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. He serves as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University . His work focuses on understanding addictions and psychiatric disorders through biopsychosocial frameworks. Institution: RI-MUHC, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Academic Rank: Professor Research Interests : Leyton investigates the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction, emphasizing dopamine and serotonin signaling, neuroimaging techniques (PET, MRI), and vulnerability traits in psychiatric disorders. His studies explore how temperament, adversity, and neurochemical pathways contribute to substance use disorders. Publication Trends : Recent work examines psychedelic drug mechanisms (psilocybin, lisuride), glutamate receptor dynamics, and policy approaches to the overdose crisis. He integrates multimodal imaging (fMRI, PET) to study cue reactivity, cognitive regulation, and developmental trajectories of mental health. Methodological Expertise : Leyton employs advanced neuroimaging, radiotracer development, and longitudinal cohort studies to map neural circuits involved in addiction vulnerability. His research bridges preclinical models with human clinical applications.
