David Pratten is an Associate Professor in the Social Anthropology of Africa at the University of Oxford, where he is also a Fellow of St Antony's College. His work bridges social anthropology and African studies, focusing on themes of history, violence, and the state through long-term fieldwork with Annang communities in Nigeria. His research spans colonial-era ritual murders, post-colonial vigilantism, and contemporary masquerade traditions. He has led the African Studies Centre (2009-2013) and served as Director of Graduate Studies, while co-editing the prestigious journal AFRICA since 2010. Key Publications include the award-winning monograph The Man-Leopard Murders (2007) and co-edited volumes like Global Vigilantes (2007). His recent work involves a French National Research Agency (ANR) project on xenophobic exclusion in Africa. Scientific Awards Amaury Talbot Prize (2007) Teaching Excellence Award (2009) He supervises DPhil students and collaborates on research initiatives like the African Print Culture Network, supported by the John Fell Fund. His sabbatical (2024-2025) reflects ongoing commitment to ethnographic fieldwork and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Ana Paulina Lee is an Assistant Professor of Writing and Digital Humanities in the Comparative Literature, English, and Creative Writing Department at the American University of Paris. She joined AUP in 2025 after teaching Latin American literature and culture at Columbia University for eight years and serving as a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at Tulane University. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges literature, history, law, and urban studies with particular focus on marginalized narratives in the Americas. Ph.D. from University of Southern California M.A. from New York University B.A. from Binghamton University Professor Lee's research examines how stories—archival, fictional, oral—shape legal imagination, social life, and urban experience in the Americas. She specializes in the intersections of magic, law, and literature in Latin America, with particular focus on Asian and African diasporas in Brazil. Her work traces how narrative functions as both historical record and catalyst for social transformation, exploring themes of slavery, emancipation, colonial legacies, and urban memory. She approaches these topics through interdisciplinary lenses combining literary analysis with histories of labor, migration, and performance. Lee's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on marginalized narratives and their impact on social structures. Her scholarship connects legal history with cultural production, showing how magical thinking and narrative practices shape urban spaces and social relations. Works like 'Urban Sorcery, Segregation, and Spectacle in Twentieth-Century Rio de Janeiro' and 'Black Magic City' demonstrate her innovative approach to understanding the relationship between occult logics and legal frameworks in Brazilian contexts. Her research on diasporic communities, particularly Chinese and Japanese experiences in Latin America, contributes significantly to transnational and comparative race studies. David B. Larson Fellowship in Health and Spirituality, Kluge Center, United States Library of Congress (2025-2026) National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship (2025) Social Sciences Research Council, Inaugural Recipient of Interdisciplinary Projects in the Social Sciences (2020-2023) Institute for Ideas and Imagination Fellowship, Columbia University in Paris, France (2021-2022) Provost's Tsunoda Senior Fellowship, Visiting Scholar, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan (2019) Heyman Center Fellow, The Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University (2017-2018) Fulbright, Lisbon, Portugal (2013-2014) Professor Lee's scholarly activities have been generously supported by major research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Social Sciences Research Council, and the Library of Congress. Her work demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that bridge humanities and social sciences, particularly through projects examining intersections of race, migration, and cultural production in the Americas. Her publication 'Socially Engaged Oral History Pedagogy Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic' indicates a strong commitment to innovative teaching methods and community-based research. While specific details about current advisees aren't provided, her research program suggests engagement with graduate students interested in diaspora studies, urban history, and literary-cultural analysis. Though not explicitly mentioned in the available information, Professor Lee's research on urban spaces, magic, and law in Brazil likely involves collaborative work with scholars across disciplines. Her participation in centers like the Institute for Ideas and Imagination at Columbia University suggests engagement with interdisciplinary research communities focused on global cultural production and social transformation. Her work contributes to ongoing conversations about how narrative practices shape legal frameworks and social structures in the Americas, particularly regarding racial formation and diasporic experiences.
Guy Hoffman is Associate Professor and Associate Director of Undergraduate Affairs at Cornell University's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He holds faculty appointments in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Information Science, and Mechanical Engineering. Hoffman earned his Ph.D. in Human-Robot Interaction from MIT and M.Sc. in Computer Science from Tel Aviv University. His research explores computational, design, and social aspects of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), with focus areas including: Embodied cognition for social robots Anticipation and timing in HRI Nonverbal behavior in human-robot collaboration Robotics for performing arts Non-anthropomorphic robot design Publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work spanning social robotics, adaptive interfaces, inclusive design, and AI education. Recent articles explore shadow-based interaction privacy, emotional conveyance through shape-changing interfaces, and cultural aspects of robot morphology. Major recognitions include: Andrew P. Sage Best Transactions Paper Award (IEEE, 2020) Dennis G. Shepherd Teaching Award (Cornell, 2019) Best Paper Award, IEEE/ACM HRI Conference (2015) His research group develops robotic platforms like Blossom and investigates human-robot collaboration in workspaces, inclusive play for children with mixed abilities, and open-source educational tools for AI literacy.
Gavin Schwarz is a Professor and Head of School at the School of Management and Governance within the UNSW Business School . He specializes in organizational change , organizational failure and inertia , and the dynamics of virtual teams , with a focus on how organizations fail during change processes and how to develop applied strategies for change management . His work spans diverse sectors including healthcare, technology, and education, with publications in leading journals such as Academy of Management Learning and Education and Administrative Science Quarterly . Education : PhD in Management (University of Queensland), MPhil (Hons) in Management (University of Auckland), BA in Management and English (University of Auckland). Grants : 2020 Brock University grant for "University communication in times of COVID-19" , 2020 UNSW Medicine grant for "Translation and change: Embedding effective change management in health" , and earlier Australian Research Council and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship awards. His research explores the development of knowledge in organizational theories , with an emphasis on collective responses to change , HR management during crises , and technology strategy . He has contributed to understanding organizational communication , team innovation , and structural inertia . His 15 most recent publications cover topics from AI’s role in organizational change to pandemic-driven research adaptation, with keywords spanning management science , behavioral economics , and digital transformation . Scientific Awards 2021-2023 : Outstanding Reviewer Awards (Academy of Management Review) 2017-2020 : Best Reviewer Awards (Journal of Organizational Behavior) 2019, 2013, 2011 : Best Paper Finalist/Awardee (Academy of Management divisions) 2007, 2006 : Editorial Board Excellence (Academy of Management Journal) and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship As an active supervisor in organizational change and HR development , his work supports healthcare innovation and digital transformation. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science and is on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Review , Journal of Management , and Journal of Organizational Behavior . Contact: g.schwarz@unsw.edu.au
Barbara Penner is Professor of Architectural Humanities at University College London's Bartlett School of Architecture, where she serves as Co-Director of the MA Architectural History program and supervises PhD students. Her academic appointments include Senior Lecturer positions at UCL since 2000 and previous roles at University of East London, Middlesex University, and Chelsea College of Art. Her educational background comprises a PhD from Birkbeck College (2003), MSc from University College London (1996), and BA from McGill University (1994). Penner's research focuses on the social and cultural dimensions of everyday spaces, examining how domestic environments, urban infrastructure, and commercial architecture shape social identities. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates architectural history with anthropology, literary theory, and cultural studies, particularly exploring gender dynamics in spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, hotels, and housing. Her publications reveal consistent engagement with themes of gender, domesticity, and infrastructure across historical periods. Key works include Bathroom (2013), Newlyweds on Tour (2009), and co-edited volumes on public toilets and gender. Recent scholarship examines social scientific research in home design, urine diversion systems, and historical housing models. RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding University-Located Research (2014) Leverhulme Major Fellowship (2021-2023) Provost Teaching Award, UCL (2013) Council of Editors of Learned Journals Best New Journal Award (2009) Penner actively supervises doctoral research on topics including Billy Butlin’s holiday camps and Gulf female shoppers' impact on London retail. She has completed twelve PhD supervisions and examined nearly thirty theses internationally. Her professional activities include serving on the Architectural Association Publications Committee, as North American Editor for Architectural History, and as External Examiner at University College Dublin. She participates in the 'Insurgent Domesticities' research group at Columbia University and contributes to Places Journal as a contributing editor.
Ronald E. Rice is a Distinguished Professor and Arthur N. Rupe Endowed Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has held visiting positions at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on environmental communication, public communication campaigns, organizational theory, and digital technology impacts. He has authored/co-authored numerous books, including the Oxford Handbook of Digital Technology and Society . Education: Columbia University (B.A., English Literature, 1971), Stanford University (M.A. and Ph.D., Communication Research, 1978/1982). Professional roles include Department Chair at UCSB (2013–2015), Co-Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center, and President of the International Communication Association (2006–2007). Research interests span environmental communication, digital divide analysis, and organizational communication. Recent work examines media multitasking, online misinformation, and pro-environmental behavior drivers. Over 230 refereed articles and book chapters highlight his contributions to media effects and technology studies. Notable awards include the Honorary Doctorate from Université de Montréal (2010), ICA Fellowship, and Fulbright Scholarships. His research integrates interdisciplinary methods, emphasizing social networks, media affordances, and policy implications. Advising and grants include leadership in public health communication campaigns and environmental initiatives. Collaborations span global institutions, reflecting his commitment to applied research in digital society challenges.
Chris H. Wiggins serves as Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics at Columbia Engineering and Chief Data Scientist at The New York Times. He is a founding member of Columbia's Data Science Institute executive committee and Department of Systems Biology, with additional affiliations in Statistics, Foundations of Data Science, Health Analytics, Computational Social Science, and Education. His educational background includes: PhD in Theoretical Physics from Princeton University (1993-1998) Courant Instructor position at NYU (1998-2001) Wiggins' research bridges data science ethics , systems biology , and applied mathematics , focusing on societal implications of technology. His work examines disinformation ecosystems, ethical product design frameworks, and algorithmic accountability through interdisciplinary lenses combining computational methods with social science perspectives. His publications reveal a consistent emphasis on ethical infrastructure in data science, particularly how social media platforms can implement Tukey-inspired principles through measurable objectives. This reflects his broader mission to operationalize ethics in technology development. Award highlights: Fellow of the American Physical Society Columbia’s Avanessians Diversity Award Wiggins co-founded hackNY (2010), establishing semesterly student hackathons and the Fellows Program connecting students with NYC startups. His advisory work focuses on creating structured pathways for academic-industry collaboration in data science education. He leads Columbia's Computational Social Science initiatives and hackNY's educational infrastructure, fostering communities where students develop real-world data science solutions while engaging with ethical challenges.
Reinier H. Kraakman is the Ezra Ripley Thayer Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches corporate law, corporate finance, and organizational law. He previously served as a professor at Yale Law School and has held visiting positions at Georgetown University Law Center and New York University School of Law. His academic and policy work has influenced corporate governance reforms in countries such as Russia and Vietnam. Education: J.D., Yale Law School, 1979 Ph.D. in Sociology, Harvard University, 1973 B.A. in History and Science, Harvard College, 1971 Fulbright Fellowship, University of Frankfurt, 1971 His research focuses on corporate law, corporate governance, comparative corporate law, and the economic foundations of organizational law. Kraakman is renowned for identifying core agency problems in corporations—between managers and shareholders, controlling and minority shareholders, and shareholders and other stakeholders. His work emphasizes the functional and comparative analysis of legal institutions across jurisdictions. The recent publications of Professor Kraakman reflect a sustained focus on the intersection of law, economics, and institutional design. His articles and books analyze corporate governance structures, market efficiency, CEO turnover, and the historical evolution of business entities. He frequently collaborates with leading scholars such as Henry Hansmann, Lucian Bebchuk, and Ronald Gilson, producing influential interdisciplinary work that shapes both academic discourse and policy debates. Scientific Awards: Elected ECGI Research Associate (2006) Fulbright Fellowship (1971) Kraakman has advised on legal reforms and contributed to major amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly in cases involving corporate political speech and shareholder rights. His work on compliance, executive compensation, and board accountability has informed regulatory thinking globally. He is a key figure in the academic network promoting empirical and theoretical rigor in corporate law. He is a co-author of the seminal treatise The Anatomy of Corporate Law , now in its third edition, and has published extensively in top law journals including the Yale Law Journal , Georgetown Law Journal , and Harvard Law Review . His scholarship continues to be central to understanding the convergence and divergence of corporate legal systems worldwide.
Paul Christesen serves as the William R. Kenan Professor of Ancient Greek History in the Department of Classics at Dartmouth College and holds a Life Fellowship at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. His academic leadership includes chairing the Classics Department while maintaining active research and editorial commitments. Education B.A. from Dartmouth College M.A. from Columbia University M. Phil. from Columbia University Ph.D. from Columbia University His research integrates ancient Greek political systems with sport historiography , featuring groundbreaking work on Spartan society and Olympic victor lists. He pioneers geospatial methodologies through Geographic Information Systems to analyze archaeological settlement patterns, bridging traditional philology with digital humanities. Current projects examine sport's relationship to democratic development across historical eras. Christesen's publications reveal evolving focus from foundational Olympic chronology studies toward interdisciplinary analyses of sport's societal impact, increasingly incorporating digital archaeological approaches and comparative political frameworks. His editorial work shapes contemporary discourse in classical reception studies. Scientific Awards William R. Kenan Professorship (prestigious endowed chair) Life Fellowship at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge As an educator, Christesen teaches core courses including Classical Studies 1: Antiquity Today and specialized seminars on Greek athletics and Archaic history. His departmental leadership and editorial projects demonstrate significant institutional impact, though specific grant details and student mentorship records aren't provided in source materials.
Dr. Yujie (Julie) Chen is an Associate Professor (on leave) at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information, affiliated with the Department of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology (CCIT). Her work focuses on digital media's political economy, platform capitalism, and digital labour studies. She authored Super-Sticky WeChat and Chinese Society , analyzing WeChat's societal integration and platform power dynamics in China. Her research critiques how labour is marginalized in datafication discourse, particularly in platform-mediated sectors like ride-hailing (DiDi) and food delivery. Key themes include algorithmic control, worker resistance, and the interplay between technology, state policies, and labour conditions in China. Dr. Chen’s work bridges sociotechnical systems analysis with critical political economy frameworks. Her recent studies explore temporal exploitation in platform labour (e.g., food delivery workers’ time management), gamification of work processes, and the 'digital utility' concept deployed by platforms to justify market dominance. She frequently presents at conferences like AoIR and ICA, emphasizing global platform capitalism’s socio-economic impacts. Dr. Chen is completing a book manuscript examining labour’s erasure in datafication narratives and advocating for analytical frameworks that foreground embodied labour experiences. Her research also intersects with global South labour comparisons, notably between China and the Philippines in platform economies.
Professor Stephen Broad is a musicologist and educator serving as Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and has extensive experience in historical musicology, music education, and policy development. His research focuses on Olivier Messiaen, 1930s French music culture, and music practice in Scotland. Broad has authored/co-authored influential reports like What’s Going On? , which informed the Scottish Youth Music Initiative, and chairs the European Platform for Artistic Research in Music (EPARM). Education: DPhil in Historical Musicology, University of Oxford (2001) MA in Music and Physics, University of Glasgow (1997) Research Interests: Historical Musicology: Messiaen’s early career, French musical traditions, and music historiography Music Education: Pedagogy in diverse contexts, policy development, and workforce training Practice-Based Research: Philosophical frameworks and interdisciplinary methodologies Awards & Roles: External Examiner at Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, and others Editorial boards for Music Education Research and Practice-Based Research Journal Recipient of grants including the Scottish Government’s £1m Musical Instrument Fund Advising & Grants: Supervised over 10 doctoral projects in musicology, performance, and education Contributed to policy initiatives like Creative Scotland’s music development programs Labs/Teams: Leads the Sciences, Humanities and Arts Research Exchange (SHARE) and chairs EPARM, fostering international collaboration in artistic research.
John Finn serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology at Christopher Newport University's College of Arts and Sciences. He holds joint appointments with the Honors Program, Center for Crime Equity and Justice Research and Policy, and Center for Sustainability in Education. PhD in Geography, Arizona State University MA in Geography, University of Missouri BA in International Studies, University of Missouri Finn's research examines the socioeconomic, environmental, and health consequences of persistent racial segregation in the United States, with particular focus on Hampton Roads, Virginia and Latin American contexts including Cuba and Brazil. His work integrates urban geography, environmental justice, and human-environment interaction through field research methods. His 2024 solo exhibition 'Living Apart: Geography of Segregation in the 21st Century' at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art demonstrates his innovative approach to translating academic research into public engagement. Finn's recent publications reveal strong thematic focus on urban renewal impacts, environmental justice mapping, and Latin American geographies, with increasing emphasis on climate gentrification and spatial epidemiology. 2024 SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award (Virginia's highest faculty honor) 2021 Alumni Society Award for Teaching and Mentoring 2020 Faculty Excellence Award in Scholarship Class of 2013 Faculty Development Award (2019) Finn has secured over $200,000 in research funding and delivered more than 100 invited lectures across North America, Latin America, and Europe. His work bridges academic research and practical applications through partnerships with medical schools, planning associations, and environmental organizations. He maintains active research teams focused on mapping segregation patterns and analyzing environmental health disparities in coastal Virginia.
Jianhua Zhang is a Professor of Computer Science and founding deputy head of the AI Lab at the Department of Computer Science, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. He holds affiliations with the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design. His career includes roles as Scientific Director at Vekia (France), Head of Machine Learning Lab, and Professorships at East China University of Science and Technology and Beijing University of Technology. He has held visiting positions at TU Berlin, TU Dresden, and the University of Catania. Educations: PhD in Electrical Engineering and Information Sciences (Ruhr University Bochum, 2005), Postdoctoral Research at the University of Sheffield (2005-2006). Research focuses on artificial intelligence, computational intelligence, cognitive human-machine systems, neuroergonomics, affective computing, and AI-driven neuroergonomics. Applications span engineering, biomedicine, finance, and business. He has led over 20 large-scale projects and published extensively (4 books, 13 chapters, ~200 papers). Leadership roles include Chair of IFAC Technical Committee on Human-Machine Systems (2017-2023), Vice Chair of IEEE Norway Section, and editorial roles at journals like Frontiers in Neuroscience and Cognitive Neurodynamics . He organized major conferences like IFAC HMS2025 (Beijing) and ICMLT 2024 (Oslo). Awards: Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists (2023/2024), Senior Research Fellowship (CSC, 2012), Max Planck Fellowship (2011), Shanghai Pujiang Talent (2007), DAAD Scholarship (2002-2004). Grants and advising: PI for 20+ projects, advising PhD students in AI, machine learning, and control systems. Teaching includes courses on computational intelligence, IoT, and fuzzy systems at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Labs/Teams: AI Lab at OsloMet, Machine Learning Lab (Vekia), and collaborations with institutions globally. Current work emphasizes AI ethics, neuroergonomics in smart cities, and adaptive human-machine systems.
Paul D. Miller, known professionally as DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a Professor of Music and Mediated Art at The European Graduate School (EGS). Based in New York City, he is an experimental electronic and hip-hop musician, conceptual artist, and writer whose work spans music production, film, multimedia installations, and critical theory. He has released over a dozen albums pioneering 'illbient' and trip hop genres, authored influential books including Rhythm Science and Sound Unbound , and exhibited internationally at venues like the Venice Biennale and Andy Warhol Museum. Education: Bowdoin College: Studied philosophy and French literature; thesis on Richard Wagner's Gesamtkunstwerk as precursor to new media. Research Interests: Miller's work centers on remix culture as a postmodern methodology, exploring intersections of sound, image, and technology. His theoretical framework positions the DJ as a 'post-subjective auteur' who creates meaning through layered connections across time, culture, and media. Key projects include Rebirth of a Nation (reworking D.W. Griffith's film to address racial history) and Terra Nova (Antarctica sound recordings addressing climate change), demonstrating his focus on historical reinterpretation and environmental crisis through digital media. Publications: His 14 scholarly articles (2001-2009) analyze remix as cultural practice across domains from album art history ( The Inner Sleeve ) to Baudrillard's philosophy ( Baudrillard: A Remembrance ). The corpus reveals consistent investigation into how sampling, digital layering, and media archaeology reshape narrative, memory, and cultural identity in the information age. Awards: No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source text. Advising and Grants: The source text provides no information regarding students supervised, academic advising, or research grants administered by Miller. Labs and Teams: Miller operates through project-based collaborations rather than fixed labs, forming temporary collectives with institutions like the American Museum of Natural History (for Terra Nova ) and artists including Yoko Ono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and choreographer Francesca Harper. His 'Unfinished Stories' project with Pulitzer-winning critic Margo Jefferson exemplifies his interdisciplinary approach bridging dance, music, and social commentary.
Donald Spector is Professor of Physics at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), where he has been a faculty member since 1989. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University (1986) and has taught at Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Utrecht. He is affiliated with the Department of Physics in the School of Natural and Social Sciences and has served as coordinator of the Engineering Program and chair of the Physics Department. Ph.D., Harvard University, 1986 A.M., Harvard University, 1983 A.B., Harvard University, 1981, magna cum laude His research centers on supersymmetry, quantum field theory, and mathematical physics, with significant contributions to Q-balls, magnetic monopoles, and duality in supersymmetric quantum mechanics. He explores the intersection of physics with number theory, set theory, and computational complexity. His interdisciplinary work spans physics and the arts, particularly music (e.g., John Cage, Terry Riley) and theatre (e.g., Waiting for Godot ). His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward foundational questions in physics and information theory, especially the application of set-theoretic forcing to generalize information theory. His work bridges theoretical physics, mathematics, and the humanities, often drawing analogies between physical principles and artistic expression. Scientific awards and honors include: Teaching awards at Harvard and Cornell NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship KITP Scholar (2005–2008) Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Visiting Fellowship Philip J. Moorad Professor of Science (2005–2010) FQXi Grant (2013–2015) Spector has been regularly funded by the National Science Foundation, FQXi, KITP, and JSPS. He has supervised student research in quantum mechanics and simulated annealing. He is a founding member and board member of the Anacapa Society, which promotes theoretical physics at undergraduate institutions. He teaches courses such as Quantum Computing, Modern Physics, and interdisciplinary seminars like Physics through Star Trek and Time Travel & Multiple Universes . He is involved in multiple labs and collaborative initiatives, including organizing workshops at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and contributing to interdisciplinary projects at the Institute for Science and Interdisciplinary Studies. His recent work includes performing in plays and providing dramaturgical support for theatre productions.
