Find Academic Supervisors

Esther Duflo is the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is also co-founder and co-director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), holds the Chaire, Pauvreté et politiques publiques at the Collège de France, and serves as President of the Paris School of Economics. Her research focuses on understanding the economic lives of people living in poverty to help design and evaluate social policies. Her work spans multiple domains including: Development Economics Poverty Alleviation strategies Health interventions Educational programs Financial inclusion initiatives Environmental policy Governance improvements Duflo revolutionized developmental economics by pioneering the use of randomized controlled trials to test poverty reduction measures. Her empirical approach has challenged conventional opinions about development and has helped improve the efficient use of resources in poverty alleviation programs worldwide. She co-authored the influential books "Poor Economics" and "Good Economics for Hard Times" with Abhijit Banerjee, demonstrating through field experiments how specific interventions (like providing lentils to mothers for child immunization) can dramatically improve social outcomes. Her notable scientific achievements include: Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (2019) Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2015) Infosys Prize (2014) John Bates Clark Medal (2010) MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship (2009) A.SK Social Science Award (2015) Duflo has established J-PAL as a global network of over a hundred affiliated professors who use scientific evidence to inform policy decisions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL has offices across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and South and Southeast Asia. Her work has demonstrated the crucial importance of information in policymaking, with numerous field experiments showing how carefully designed interventions can have significant impacts on social outcomes across multiple domains including health, education, and economic opportunity.

• Development Economics
• Poverty Alleviation
• Health
• +7 more

Ameil Joseph is an Associate Professor at McMaster University's School of Social Work, where they contribute to critical scholarship at the intersection of mental health, race, and social justice. Their work examines how ideas about difference, normalcy, sexuality, eugenics, race, ability and mental 'illness' cohere and perform within policy, law and practice, with over a decade of professional experience in mental health settings including supportive housing, settlement services, crisis respite, and forensic community treatment. Education: Ph.D in Social Work, York University (2009-2014) MSW, Wilfrid Laurier University (2005-2007) BA in Psychology, University of Waterloo (1998-2003) Dr. Joseph's research engages with critical mental health, postcolonial theory, critical race theory, and critical disability studies to examine the historical production of ideas about difference. Their scholarship particularly focuses on how these ideas manifest in mental health systems, immigration policy, and criminal justice, with attention to issues of social justice, violence, ethics, and confluence. Their work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implications, addressing the complex interplay of colonialism, racism, sanism, and eugenics in contemporary social systems. Analysis of Dr. Joseph's recent publications reveals a sustained focus on colonial and eugenic violence within mental health, immigration, and criminal justice systems. Their scholarship consistently examines how racism, sanism, and ableism intersect to produce particular forms of state violence, particularly against racialized immigrants with mental health conditions. Recent work has expanded to address temporal dimensions of oppression, data colonialism, and community responses to grief and loss during the pandemic, demonstrating both theoretical sophistication and practical relevance to current social issues. Scientific Awards: University Scholar 2025 - Recognized for research leadership and impact among eight McMaster professors honored as University Scholars Dr. Joseph has secured significant research funding, including nearly $75,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for community-engaged projects addressing social justice issues. Their teaching portfolio includes advanced courses on critical mental health perspectives, race and colonialism in Canadian society, and social justice theory. While specific graduate students aren't listed in available materials, their extensive co-author network suggests active mentorship and collaboration. Dr. Joseph contributes to community-based initiatives in Hamilton addressing racism in healthcare and mental health systems, connecting academic scholarship with practical community responses to systemic issues. Dr. Joseph maintains an active presence in community responses to contemporary challenges, particularly through initiatives addressing grief during the pandemic and systemic racism in healthcare. Their work exemplifies the integration of scholarly rigor with community engagement, demonstrating how academic research can inform and be informed by real-world social justice efforts.

• Critical Mental Health
• Postcolonial Theory
• Critical Race Theory
• +10 more

Diane E. Austin is a Professor and Director of the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. She also serves as a Research Anthropologist at the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA). Her work focuses on environmental anthropology, particularly community dynamics in industrial and environmental contexts, with a strong emphasis on social justice and collaborative research. She has over 25 years of experience leading interdisciplinary projects in the U.S., Mexico, and Gulf Coast regions. Austin's research spans diverse areas including Native American communities, U.S.-Mexico border sustainability, Gulf Coast oil industry impacts, and urban food systems in arid regions. She has pioneered long-term partnerships with tribal organizations, federal agencies, and community groups, earning recognition such as the University Distinguished Outreach Professor (2008) and Distinguished Director (2023). Her recent work highlights longitudinal studies on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill's social effects, binational environmental initiatives in Nogales, and community-based approaches to disaster resilience. She coordinates BARA's internship and post-baccalaureate programs, supporting hundreds of students in applied anthropological research. Awards: Partners in Conservation Award (2010), Border Research Partnership Award Finalist (2012) Leadership Roles: Chair of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, Member of the Gulf Research Program Advisory Board Key Projects: Southern Paiute cultural preservation, Gulf Coast oil industry studies, Nogales reforestation initiatives Austin’s teaching includes courses on ethnographic methods, data analysis, and mixed-methods research. She actively engages in policy advocacy, contributing expert testimony in legal proceedings related to environmental disasters and labor rights.

• Human-Environment Interactions
• Environmental Justice
• Collaborative Research
• +4 more

Jennifer Jones is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Northwestern University in the Department of Sociology. Her research focuses on racial formation, immigration, political sociology, and Afro-Latinx communities. Jones explores how race is socially constructed through migration, multiracial identity dynamics, and intergroup solidarity. She is the author of The Browning of the New South (2019), analyzing race relations in the U.S. South post-Mexican immigration. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Russell Sage Foundation, and the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. Education: BA from Pomona College; PhD from UC Berkeley. Prior positions include faculty roles at University of Notre Dame and University of Illinois Chicago, alongside a postdoctoral fellowship at Ohio State University. Courses taught include Sociology of Immigration and Immigration and Society . Her research on immigrant-serving institutions in the South examines how racial ideologies shape institutional practices. She collaborates with scholars like Hana Brown on projects linking social movements to racial dynamics. Jones’ articles appear in top journals like American Journal of Sociology and Ethnic and Racial Studies . Her grants include NSF and Russell Sage Foundation awards. While no specific labs are named, her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration. Professional activities include advising graduate students and mentoring junior scholars.

• Racial formation
• Racial and ethnic relations
• Immigration
• +3 more

Adèle Garnier is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geography, Université Laval's Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics. She serves as Director of undergraduate geography programs and the certificate in sustainable tourism. Her research focuses on political geography, migration dynamics, and humanitarian governance, particularly examining refugee labor market participation, temporary migration policies, and technological impacts on immigration systems. Education : PhD in Political Science (Macquarie University/Universität Leipzig, 2012), MA in Political Science (Universität Leipzig, 2006), Diploma in Political Science (Paris, 2002) Her research integrates political geography , migration studies , and geographies of inequality , analyzing power structures in migration governance. Recent work explores Canada's digitalization of immigration, multiscalar impacts of refugee policies, and settler-colonial migration frameworks. Current research trends focus on technological governance of migration , refugee resettlement , and marketization of humanitarian services , with interdisciplinary approaches bridging political science and geography. Research Units : Graduate School of International Studies (ESEI), Immigration Research Team (ERIQA), Cultures-Arts-Societies Center (CELAT) Collaborations : Study Group on Ethnic Relations (Flers), Center for Refugee Studies (York University), Peace Research Institute Oslo She supervises graduate students in geography and co-leads multiple funded projects, including Liberating Migrant Labour (2023-2030) and digital migration governance research (2023-2028).

• Political Geography
• Migration and Territory
• Migration, Inequality and Power
• +11 more

Mariana Gkliati is an Assistant Professor of International and EU Law at Radboud University, Nijmegen. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Law (Magna Cum Laude) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Legal Research Master (Summa Cum Laude) from Utrecht University. Her PhD from Leiden University focused on Frontex accountability, supervised by Professors Rodrigues and Besselink, and was supported by the Meijers Research Institute. Education: PhD in Immigration Law, Leiden University (2016-2020) Legal Research Master, Utrecht University (Summa Cum Laude) Graduate Diploma in Law, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Magna Cum Laude) Her research interests center on migration, refugee law, and human rights, particularly the accountability of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). She leads the externally funded project 'European Border and Coast Guard Agency: Systemic Accountability in Practice,' involving an 8-member team. Her work emphasizes evidence-based policy-making and anti-smuggling policies. Professional Activities: Research Affiliate, Refugee Law Initiative (RLI), University of London Teaches on the RLI MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies Former visiting Research Fellow at the School of Advanced Study (2016) and Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law (2019-2020) Awards: Magna Cum Laude, Graduate Diploma in Law Summa Cum Laude, Legal Research Master Her grants and projects include systemic accountability research on Frontex. She advises NGOs, law firms, and the European Parliament, and contributes to expert reports on migration and borders. Labs/Teams: Leads an 8-member research team for her funded project on Frontex accountability.

• International Law
• EU Law
• Refugee Law
• +3 more

Leigh Oakes is Professor of French and Linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures within the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film at Queen Mary University of London. He has held progressive academic positions at the institution since 2000, advancing from Lecturer to his current professorship. His international academic background includes a PhD from the University of Melbourne and research at Stockholm University's Centre for Research on Bilingualism. His educational qualifications include a PhD (2001) and BA (Hons) (1996), both from the University of Melbourne. Oakes specializes in language policy and planning, with particular focus on language and national identity in France, Quebec, and Sweden. His research has expanded into linguistic justice debates in political theory, advocating for normative and interdisciplinary approaches to language policy. Oakes' publication trends reveal a consistent focus on ethical dimensions of language policy, with increasing emphasis on pluricentric justice and linguistic integration since 2016. His work bridges sociolinguistics and political philosophy, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections between language attitudes, national identity construction, and policy implementation across Francophone contexts. The 2018 co-authored monograph 'Normative Language Policy' represents a significant theoretical contribution to the field. 2008 Pierre Savard Prize for 'Language, Citizenship and Identity in Quebec' Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant for 'The Ethics of Linguistic Integration' project Co-editor-in-chief of Sociolinguistica: European Journal of Sociolinguistics Co-editor of Multilingual Matters book series Member of editorial boards for Language Policy and Modern Languages Open Oakes actively supervises PhD candidates in sociolinguistic topics, with current research focusing on linguistic integration in Quebec and adaptation among mobile French speakers. His major Leverhulme-funded project 'The Ethics of Linguistic Integration' examines moral implications of language requirements for immigrants across England, Quebec, and Wales. He serves on several international academic committees including the Association internationale des études québécoises and the British Association of Canadian Studies. He leads the interdisciplinary 'Ethics of Linguistic Integration' research team, which combines expertise from applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and political theory to investigate language integration policies. His work connects with broader university initiatives through Queen Mary's research highways in social justice and global challenges.

• Language Policy and Planning
• Language and National Identity
• Linguistic Justice
• +5 more

Gerald L. Neuman is the J. Sinclair Armstrong Professor of International, Foreign, and Comparative Law at Harvard Law School (HLS), where he serves as Director of the Human Rights Program. His expertise spans human rights, constitutional law, immigration law, and international legal frameworks. Previously, he taught at the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1984-1992) and Columbia Law School (1992-2006). Research Interests: Neuman's work focuses on: Human rights in populist and pandemic contexts Transnational constitutionalism Immigration law and extraterritorial constitutional rights Age discrimination as a human rights violation Impeachment's role in human rights protection Indirect discrimination analysis Selected Trends: His recent articles examine pandemic-era immigration policies ( Title 42 ), impeachment mechanisms for human rights violations, and age discrimination frameworks. Publications show consistent engagement with: Constitutional law intersections Comparative legal analysis Administrative law critiques Human rights treaty body applications Scientific Contributions: Neuman's work appears in leading journals like Harvard International Law Journal and Harvard Human Rights Journal . He has organized workshops on indirect discrimination related to: Sexual orientation/gender identity Chronological age Religious practice Disability rights Pandemic policy impacts He has served as a UN expert workshop organizer and contributed to international human rights literature through edited volumes and treaty analysis.

• Human Rights Law
• Immigration Law
• Constitutional Law
• +5 more

Sakari Melander is a Professor at the Faculty of Law , University of Helsinki, specializing in Criminal Law , with a focus on constitutionalization, Europeanization, and sentencing policies. His work bridges theoretical criminal law with practical legislative and policy challenges. Key research areas include EU criminal law, constitutional constraints on criminal legislation, and general doctrines of criminal law. He has extensive experience in parliamentary legal consultation, providing expert opinions to Finland’s Legislative Committees (e.g., on immigration control, anti-corruption directives, and digital evidence handling). Recent publications address topics like EU corporate sanction policies, constitutionalization of criminal law, and reforms in Finnish sentencing systems. His 2025 article in the New Journal of European Criminal Law explores balancing administrative and criminal sanctions in the EU. Scientific awards include: Hilkka ja Otto Brusiin Foundation Thesis Prize (2001) Magister Bonus – Good Teacher Award (2014) Primustohtori Award (2010) Year’s Teacher (2010) Year’s Opponent (2008) He leads research projects such as Criminal Law Under Pressure: Differentiation and Harmonization (2012-2015) and Assessment of Human Trafficking Sanction Practices (2021-2022), and supervises doctoral theses on criminal law topics.

• Criminal Law
• EU Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• +4 more

Haruka Nagao is an Assistant Professor at the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages within the University of Oregon . Their research focuses on health governance , Africa-China relations , gender dynamics , public opinion , soft power diplomacy , and East Asia . Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends: (1) Public Health and Health Governance (e.g., mental health in rural China, prenatal care, vaccine distribution), (2) Political Science and Policy Analysis (e.g., grassroots elections, women's leadership, immigration policy), and (3) International Relations and Diplomacy (e.g., China's global soft power, Africa-China collaborations). Their work integrates China studies with comparative analysis , addressing intersections between social networks , democratic understanding , and global health politics .

• health governance
• Africa-China relations
• gender
• +3 more

Leo J. Garofalo is the Virginia Eason Weinmann '51 Professor of History at Connecticut College, where he joined in 2002. He coordinates the Social Justice and Sustainability Pathway and co-directs the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program. His scholarship focuses on colonial Latin America with emphasis on racial dynamics and cultural exchange. Education: B.A. in History and Hispanic Studies from Brown University M.A. from Boston College Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin at Madison Research Focus: Garofalo investigates the intersection of African and Indigenous cultures in colonial Peru, examining how marketplaces, taverns, and religious practices shaped Afro-Andean identities. His current work traces West African diaspora routes to the Andes and analyzes Afro-Iberian influences on witchcraft traditions. He utilizes Inquisition records and Spanish imperial archives to reconstruct transatlantic cultural networks. Awards: Virginia Eason Weinmann '51 Professorship (endowed chair) Social Science Research Council Grant Fulbright-Hays Research Grant Academic Leadership: Garofalo has organized campus events featuring Afro-Peruvian performers (Negrura Peruana) and activists like former Colombian Governor Luis Murillo. In 2010, he co-led a Study Away Teach Away program in Oaxaca, Mexico, examining immigration and indigenous rights movements.

• Latin American History
• Caribbean History
• History of Race and Ethnicity
• +6 more

Emilio A. Parrado is the Dorothy Swaine Thomas Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences and Director of the Population Studies Center. His research focuses on migration dynamics, particularly Hispanic populations in the U.S., international migration patterns, and social/demographic changes in Latin America. He combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including original survey and ethnographic data. Education: Ph.D. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1997), M.A. (Sociology, University of Chicago, 1994), B.A. (Sociology, University of Buenos Aires, 1988). Key research areas include: Migrant health risks and transnational mobility (e.g., HIV/STI patterns at the U.S.-Mexico border) Gendered impacts of migration on labor markets and family structures Demographic transitions and social inequality in Latin America, including post-pandemic labor market shifts in Argentina Recent work emphasizes deportation effects on mental health, regional migration trends to Buenos Aires, and the intersection of immigration policy with fertility and urban development. His Migrante Project focuses on Mexico-U.S. border health observatories. Awards: None explicitly listed. Active in grants related to migrant health and labor studies. Labs/Teams: Leads the Population Studies Center and collaborates with the Latin American and Latino Studies Program at UPenn.

• International Migration
• Demographic Change in Latin America
• Hispanic Population Studies
• +3 more

Professor Kevern Verney serves as Associate Dean (Research) in the Arts & Sciences Faculty Office. His expertise lies in American political history, focusing on topics such as the African American Freedom Struggle, race and immigration, and U.S. presidential dynamics. He supervises PhD projects on the Trump and Obama administrations and has contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to equality and justice. Academic Rank: Professor Primary Affiliation: Arts & Sciences Faculty Office Research interests include Barack Obama's presidency , Trump administration policies , historiography of civil rights , and border politics . His work intersects with global perspectives on U.S. political developments. Major publications analyze the Alt-Right movement, UK responses to Trump’s presidency, and the historiography of Black civil rights. Articles frequently explore themes of immigration, political rhetoric, and transnational political reactions. Grants/Advising: Actively supervising PhD candidates and contributing to research grants on U.S. political history.

• American History
• Race and Immigration Studies
• Presidential Politics
• +3 more

Elias Dinas is a Full-time Professor in the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute (EUI). He holds the Swiss Chair in Federalism, Democracy, and International Governance. His research focuses on political socialization, authoritarian legacies, and research methodology. Dinas earned his PhD in Political Science from the EUI in 2010. His research interests include the impact of historical traumas on political attitudes, experimental methods, and the dynamics of norm change. He collaborates with institutions like the Graduate Institute in Geneva through seminars, conferences, and methodological workshops. Recent work explores topics such as ideology mapping via AI, the electoral effects of early voting experiences, and the interplay between migration crises and public policy. His research has been published in top journals like the American Political Science Review and highlighted in outlets like The New York Times. Received the Michael Wallerstein Award (2019) for his work on migration and hostility. Supervises 14 students researching memory politics, norm change, and intergroup relations. Leads projects on post-authoritarian ideologies, German political identity, and elite-driven norm erosion. His teaching and supervision emphasize causal inference, experimental design, and quantitative methods, reflecting his commitment to rigorous political analysis.

• Political Socialization
• Authoritarian and Post-Authoritarian Politics
• Political Methodology
• +6 more

Dr. Nima Naghibi is a Professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University, specializing in postcolonial and diasporic studies with a focus on Iran. She holds a PhD from the University of Alberta. Education: PhD in English, University of Alberta Research Interests: Explores postcolonial theory, diasporic literatures, trauma narratives, and human rights through the lens of immigrant/refugee experiences. Her work emphasizes Middle Eastern studies, particularly Iranian contexts, and the intersections of social justice with literary forms. Publications: Authored two monographs and contributed to journals like English Studies in Canada and Radical History Review . Her 2016 work Women Write Iran examines diasporic Iranian women's narratives, while earlier scholarship interrogates Western feminist frameworks in relation to Iran. Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Advisees/Grants: No current advisees or grant details listed. She teaches courses related to life narratives and exile literature.

• Postcolonial Studies
• Diaspora Studies
• Immigrant/Exile Literatures
• +5 more