Solange Lefebvre is a Full Professor at the Institut d'études religieuses of Université de Montréal, holding the Canada-France Research Chair on Managing Cultural and Religious Diversity. She specializes in secularism, religious diversity, and generational studies. She has led over 30 research projects totaling $3 million in funding, including studies on radicalization, media influence, and prison spirituality. Her academic career includes directing the Centre d'études des religions (2000–2008) and founding the Centre d'études des religions et des spiritualités (CIRRES) in 2019. She has supervised over 40 graduate students and 10 postdoctoral fellows. Key publications include works on Quebec's Bouchard-Taylor Commission, public theology, and youth spirituality. Lefebvre is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2011) and frequently collaborates with media, governments, and non-profits. Her current research focuses on municipal governance of religious diversity and the evolving role of religion post-pandemic. She teaches courses on religion in public life, Quebec heritage, and youth cultures.
Asha Varadharajan is an Associate Professor of English at Queen's University, specializing in postcolonial studies, forced migration, and decolonizing pedagogies. She holds a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan and has taught a diverse curriculum spanning Shakespeare to contemporary women writers. Her research interrogates necropolitics, human rights, and the intersection of literature with global crises such as the refugee crisis and Black Lives Matter. Research Interests include Forced Migration, Necropolitics, Decolonizing Education, and Critical Theory. She has collaborated with political scientists, legal scholars, and business faculty on projects addressing neo-colonialism and corporate responsibility. Her awards include the Principal’s Promoting Student Inquiry Teaching Award (2021) and the IASH-SSPS Visiting Research Fellowship (2019). Teaching philosophy emphasizes contrapuntal approaches to curriculum redesign Supervised 16 doctoral candidates, 2 Master’s students, and 4 postdoctoral fellows Developed an online open-access course on Race, Migration, and Nation funded by eCampus Ontario ($90k grant) Key publications address refugee narratives, Adorno’s critical theory, and the legacies of Edward Said and Gayatri Spivak. Her work bridges literary analysis with urgent global debates about displacement, citizenship, and cultural identity.
Hent de Vries is the Paulette Goddard Professor of the Humanities at New York University, holding joint appointments in Religious Studies, German, and Comparative Literature, and affiliated with the Philosophy department. He chairs the Department of Religious Studies and has held prestigious roles such as Director of the Summer School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University. His research focuses on metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and the intersection of religion and law. De Vries earned his BA/MA and PhD from Leiden University, with a dissertation on Adorno, Levinas, Habermas, and Derrida. He has authored seven monographs and edited over ten volumes, including works on minimal theologies and secular reason. His editorial role as head of Stanford's 'Cultural Memory in the Present' series has produced over 200 titles. Notable awards include the 2020 Prix du Rayonnement de la langue et de la littérature françaises from the Académie Française. De Vries has directed major research initiatives, including a €5.4 million NWO program on the religious past's future, and advised the Dutch government on faith in public policy. His current projects explore miracles, moral perfectionism, and deep pragmatism. His academic contributions span philosophy, religious studies, and interdisciplinary cultural analysis, reflecting his global academic engagements.
Anna Lukina is a Research Fellow in Law at the London School of Economics (LSE) Law School, specializing in legal theory, legal history, and Soviet law. Her work bridges Marxist jurisprudence, Soviet legal practices, and contemporary human rights challenges in Russia. She holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, a B.C.L. (Distinction) from Oxford, and a B.A. in Jurisprudence from Oxford. Education: LL.M., Harvard Law School (2020) B.C.L. (Distinction), University of Oxford (2019) B.A. in Law (Jurisprudence), University of Oxford (2018) Her research examines the relationship between law and moral iniquity in contexts like Nazi Germany, Stalin’s USSR, and antebellum slavery. She critiques Soviet legal theory through the lens of Marx, Engels, and Pashukanis while analyzing modern Russia’s struggles with socioeconomic rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. Notable publications include contributions to Legal Form , Russian Discourses on International Law , and Law, Video Games, Virtual Realities . She has held fellowships from the Institute of Humane Studies and the Cambridge Law Journal, and her work explores the paradoxes of legality in authoritarian regimes and virtual worlds.
Shakuntala Banaji is a Professor of Media, Culture and Social Change at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She leads the MSc Media, Communication and Development program and lectures on topics including International Media in the Global South, film theory, and critical approaches to media and development. Her research focuses on intersections between socio-political contexts, media, identities, and participation, particularly regarding children/youth agency, disinformation, and hate speech in digital spaces. She has conducted major projects such as the EU-funded CATCHEyoU (on youth citizenship) and research on WhatsApp misinformation linked to Indian lynching cases. Her expertise includes Bollywood studies, media literacy, and the impact of social media on civic engagement. Banaji has authored influential books like Children and Media in India (2017) and Social Media and Hate (2022). Her work critiques exclusionary citizenship discourses and advocates for critical media education to combat disinformation and promote social justice. Recent research explores historical propaganda and contemporary disinformation in India, Brazil, Myanmar, and the UK, emphasizing grassroots resistance against hate speech. She collaborates internationally on projects addressing media ethics, youth activism, and the role of technology in democratic processes.
Kent Kristensen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Law at Aalborg University, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. His academic work centers on health law, with a strong emphasis on patient rights, legal regulation of healthcare professionals, and ethical issues in medical practice. His research interests include health law, informed consent, patient rights, regulation of quackery, and legal aspects of healthcare reform . He actively contributes to public discourse through media engagement and advisory roles. The recent articles reflect a consistent focus on legal and ethical challenges in the Danish healthcare system, particularly around consent, professional authorization, and systemic accountability. His work bridges academic scholarship with practical policy impact. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned. Kent Kristensen advises on legal policy and serves as a reviewer for Nordic and international journals. There is no mention of specific grants or funding in the provided text. He is actively involved in public discourse, frequently contributing to media discussions on health law topics. He is affiliated with the research group 'Offentligret' (Public Law) at Aalborg University and maintains an active scholarly presence through publications and public engagement.
Marianne Hundahl Hansen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Aalborg University. She holds a PhD in law and has been actively teaching and conducting research since 2013. Her academic work spans several key areas of private and consumer law, with a strong focus on EU legal frameworks. Research Interests: Her primary research fields include Tourism Law, Marketing Law, Consumer Law, EU Law, Contract Law, Tort Law, Obligations Law, Sales Law, Enforcement Law, and Insolvency Law. She is particularly interested in the legal challenges surrounding green marketing and consumer protection in the digital and tourism sectors. Publication Trends: Her recent and forthcoming publications (2024–2025) reflect a strong focus on regulatory compliance in green marketing, consumer rights in package travel, and documentation requirements in environmental claims. These works demonstrate a consistent engagement with EU-level legal harmonization and consumer protection mechanisms, often blending doctrinal analysis with policy-oriented insights. Scientific Engagement: Guest writer at Turistmonitor on legal issues in tourism Contributor to public legal discourse through media appearances Active participant in academic events such as AAU Learning Day, Law Talk, and industry forums Administrative and Professional Service: She is a member of the Joint Committee at the Department of Law, board member of Djøf-klubben at AAU, and board member of the Staff Association at the Department of Law. She also served as a legal officer at the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (2021–2022). Supervision and Teaching: Marianne has supervised numerous bachelor projects and master’s theses in her fields of expertise and continues to teach across a broad range of legal subjects, contributing significantly to legal education at Aalborg University.
Thomas McIlwraith is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph, within the College of Social & Applied Human Sciences. He previously taught at Douglas College and has extensive experience as a consulting anthropologist with Indigenous communities in British Columbia and northern Alberta. His research focuses on Indigenous land rights, resource use, and confronting cultural appropriation in children's summer camps. McIlwraith holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico (2007). His research interests include documenting territoriality and resource harvesting practices of Indigenous communities, analyzing biases in consulting anthropology projects, and addressing cultural appropriation in outdoor education. He collaborates with First Nations on land use planning, oral histories, and traditional knowledge preservation. Recent work explores the intersection of Indigenous land use and resource extraction projects like mining and logging. McIlwraith supervises MA students in Public Issues Anthropology, emphasizing applied research. His publications span topics from Inuit perspectives on climate change to ethical challenges in AI-driven education. He actively contributes to debates on cultural sensitivity in outdoor programming and Indigenous rights advocacy.
Patience Akpan-Obong is a Professor at Arizona State University's College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (Polytechnic Campus). She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science (University of Alberta, 2003), an M.A. in Journalism (Carleton University, 1996), and a National Diploma in Mass Communication (Cross River State University of Technology, Nigeria, 1984). Her research focuses on ICTs' role in socio-economic development, e-governance in emerging democracies, and gender issues in technology, particularly in Africa. She has authored seminal works like Information and Communication Technologies in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development (2009) and contributed to global debates on digital divides and governance. Her teaching spans leadership, organizational diversity, gender and race dynamics, and innovation in developing countries. She has received prestigious awards, including the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (2022) and a Fulbright Scholar Award (2015–2016). She actively serves on university committees and international advisory boards, including roles in Covenant University's E-governance initiatives in Nigeria. Her work bridges academia and public policy, emphasizing ICT-driven socio-economic transformation.
Luisa Arango is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Ethnology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Strasbourg, where she also serves as Director of Studies for the Bachelor's program in Anthropology and Ethnology in Distance Learning (EàD). She is based at the MISHA building and is affiliated with the SAGE Laboratory (UMR 7363). Her academic work spans research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong focus on urban anthropology and environmental issues. Her research centers on urban environments, water and land resource management, identity dynamics in cities, and the anthropology of techniques, with fieldwork conducted in the Nile Valley (Sudan) and the Colombian Caribbean. She explores themes such as urbanization processes, spatiality and power, local perceptions of climate change, and alternative ethnographic methods. Her work often engages with political ecology, interdisciplinary environmental research, and the social dimensions of nature and resources. Luisa Arango’s recent publications (2013–2024) reflect a consistent focus on hydrosocial systems, urban water governance, land appropriation, and knowledge production in Africa and Latin America. Her articles appear in journals such as Canadian Journal of African Studies , Espaces et Sociétés , Autrepart , and Sources . She has also contributed to interdisciplinary dialogues on climate change, artistic ethnography, and field drawing as research tools. Knowledge about nature in Africa Urban water management in Khartoum and Cartagena Land rights and ethnic identity in Colombia Interdisciplinary approaches to climate and urban planning Ethnographic and artistic methodologies Luisa Arango is actively involved in research networks such as WATERLAT-GOBACIT and GAIA (University of Antioquia, Colombia). She has supervised academic projects and contributed to methodological innovations in ethnographic research. She teaches courses on ethnographic methods, urban anthropology, and research forums for distance-learning students. Her work emphasizes the political dimensions of resource access, the transformative power of collective action, and the importance of integrating social and material realities in understanding urban and environmental change. She has no listed scientific awards in the provided text, but her sustained publication record and leadership roles indicate significant scholarly impact. She is also engaged in public-facing research, including graphic works and documentaries on anthropological practice.
Gerard Kuperus is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of San Francisco, within the College of Arts and Sciences. He is a full-time faculty member with extensive contributions to environmental, continental, and comparative philosophy. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Laudato Si' Action Platform (2022–present) and previously as Faculty Director of Sustainability (2018–2020). His educational background includes a PhD in Philosophy from DePaul University (2005) and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Amsterdam (1999). Kuperus's research centers on environmental philosophy, the philosophy of nature, aesthetics, and comparative thought, particularly Zen and Indigenous philosophies. His work explores the self in ecological contexts, the meaning of place, and the intersections of art, literature, and environmental ethics. He emphasizes rethinking human identity within broader Earth communities, drawing from thinkers like Dōgen, Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Latour. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent interdisciplinary focus on ecopolitics, bioregionalism, existentialism, and ecological selfhood. These works span journals and edited volumes in philosophy, environmental studies, and sustainability science, reflecting a deep integration of continental theory with ecological praxis. His scientific awards include: National Endowment for the Humanities Chair (2018–2019) Mellon Faculty Award (2018, 2019) Davies Professor (2015) Kuperus has held academic appointments at Saint Xavier University and DePaul University before joining USF. He has co-edited significant volumes and authored a major monograph, indicating active scholarly leadership and mentorship, though specific students are not listed. His involvement in sustainability initiatives suggests engagement with institutional grants and community-based environmental projects. While no formal lab or research team is mentioned, his collaborative editorial work and participation in the Laudato Si' platform indicate leadership in interdisciplinary environmental philosophy initiatives.
Krista Thomason is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Swarthmore College, specializing in ethics, moral psychology, and Kantian theory. Her work bridges social/political philosophy with contemporary issues like technology ethics and mental health. She is affiliated with the American Philosophical Association, North American Kant Society, and North American Society for Social Philosophy. PhD from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2009) BA in Philosophy and Classical Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Thomason’s research explores the role of negative emotions (shame, anger, envy) in moral life, arguing they are essential rather than obstacles. Her recent book Dancing with the Devil (Oxford, 2024) synthesizes historical and modern perspectives. She has published extensively on Kantian ethics, social media shaming, and moral responsibility. Publications span journals like Philosophy and Phenomenological Research , Kantian Review , and The Monist , addressing topics from child soldiers to digital ethics. Thomason frequently contributes to Psychology Today and has been featured in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and CNN .
Professor Ian Harper is Chair of Anthropology, Health, and Development at the University of Edinburgh , affiliated with the School of Social and Political Science , Global Development Academy , and Global Health Academy . His work bridges medical practice and anthropological research, focusing on South Asia , particularly Nepal, and global health policy.
Katja Lehtisaari is an Adjunct Professor (Docent) in Media and Communications at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. She currently works as a Researcher in Media and Communication Studies since January 2020, following her role as University Lecturer (September 2018-December 2019). Her affiliations include the Aleksanteri Institute, Swedish School of Social Science, and the Helsinki Media Policy Research Group. Doctor of Social Sciences (University of Tampere, 2009) Basic & Intermediate University Pedagogy Studies (University of Helsinki, 2018) Her research focuses on media business models, Russian media systems, crisis communication, and media policy. She has led projects like “New business models in Nordic news media companies” and contributed to studies on digitalization's impact on media economics and epistemic rights in digital disruptions. Recent publications examine affective news consumption during pandemics and knowledge discourses in crisis information processing. Key keywords: Journalism, Digital Media, Epistemic Rights. Best paper award at ISMI 2017 conference Tiedettä suomeksi prize (2020) She has extensive experience in academic leadership, including acting as Head of International Affairs at Aleksanteri Institute and serving as editor-in-chief for Idäntutkimus and Aleksanteri Insight journals.
Professor Nicola Ansell is a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at Brunel University, affiliated with the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences . Her research focuses on social and cultural change among young people in the Global South, particularly southern Africa, addressing themes like HIV/AIDS impacts, education policy, food security, and generational relations. MA, University of Cambridge PhD, Keele University Her work explores geographies of youth and childhood , participatory research , and the politics of global policy agendas in education and social protection. Recent projects analyze social cash transfers in Malawi and Lesotho, education-aspiration links in rural peripheries, and ethical challenges in ethnographic research. Grants from ESRC-DFID supported her studies on Education systems in rural settings , Social cash transfers , and Youth food security . She supervises PhD students on topics spanning minority education in China, menstrual experiences in India, and cultural tourism in Nigeria. Key roles include Director of Education in the Department of Social and Political Sciences and Programme Lead for the MA in Children, Youth and Education. She contributes to editorial boards and professional associations like the Royal Geographical Society and Development Studies Association .
