Find Academic Supervisors

Venkatram RamaswamyView profile

Professor

• Marketing
• Strategy
• Innovation
• +4 more

Venkatram Ramaswamy is the Hallman Fellow of Electronic Business and Professor of Marketing at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He is a globally recognized thought leader in innovation, strategy, and co-creation, with expertise spanning marketing, branding, IT, and organizational dynamics. His work emphasizes the transformative potential of co-creating value with stakeholders across industries and sectors. Education: PhD in Marketing, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1989). Research Interests: Venkat’s work focuses on co-creation paradigms, experience innovation, digital ecosystems, and stakeholder collaboration. He pioneered the concept of co-creation as a revolutionary approach to business value, detailed in his seminal books The Future of Competition (2004) and The Power of Co-Creation (2010). His recent work explores AI-human interactional creation and platformed ecosystems. Key Contributions: He has advised global firms like Mahindra, Hitachi, and Infosys on co-creation strategies. His frameworks integrate strategic risk management, digital platforms, and lived-experience ecosystems to drive sustainable value. He has delivered keynotes at events worldwide, including the Drucker Forum and InnovationsKongress. Awards: Recipient of the MIT-PwC Award (2003), Emerald Literati Award (2009), and Best Speaker Award at the Baptie Marketing Focus (2005). Grants & Labs: Collaborations with institutions like the International University of Japan (IUJ) and involvement in initiatives like the India Philanthropic Co-Creation Project reflect his commitment to systemic social impact. His research is supported by grants exploring digitalized societal ecosystems and wellbeing-focused platforms.

Yonghwi KwonView profile

Visiting Assistant Professor

• Software Systems Security
• Cyber Forensics
• Software Engineering
• +3 more

Yonghwi Kwon is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on software systems security, cyber forensics, and software engineering. He received the CAREER Award for developing dynamic defenses against cyber threats. His work emphasizes securing software from cyber attacks, recovering forensic evidence, and improving software testing and reverse engineering techniques. Key research areas include memory safety mechanisms, automated vulnerability detection in web applications and mobile systems, and forensic analysis of phishing campaigns. He has pioneered frameworks like CMASan for memory allocator-aware sanitization and Racedb for detecting race conditions in database-backed systems. His contributions span cloud security automation, kernel exploitation analysis, and embedded system fuzzing. Notable achievements include the 2025 CAREER Award supporting his dynamic defense research, and impactful publications in areas like Android information leakage detection (DryJIN), Bluetooth protocol fuzzing (BTFuzzer), and autonomous driving bug discovery (Drivefuzz). His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical cybersecurity solutions.

Hemant K. BhargavaView profile

Professor

• Technology Management
• Management Information Systems
• Economics of Information Technology
• +12 more

Hemant K. Bhargava is a Distinguished Professor at the Graduate School of Management, University of California Davis, where he holds the Jerome and Elsie Suran Chair in Technology Management. He serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), and previously served as Associate Dean for Instructional Programs (2010–2013) and Faculty Chair. He co-founded and was the first Academic Director of the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Decision Sciences, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1989) MBA, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (1986) B.S. in Mathematics, University of Delhi (1984) Bhargava is a leading scholar in technology management, information systems, and decision analytics. His research focuses on the economics of digital goods and platforms, pricing strategies, AI in business, healthcare IT, and platform ecosystems. He builds economic models to study operations, marketing, and competitive strategy in tech-driven markets, with applications in healthcare, media, electric vehicles, and generative AI. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward platform business models, data sharing, AI’s impact on research and education, and healthcare cost transparency. He explores how digital platforms shape competition, how data can be leveraged across markets, and how real-time decision tools can reduce prescription drug costs. His work bridges theory and practice, often involving collaboration with industry and policy makers. His scientific awards include: INFORMS Journal on Computing Test of Time Award (2023) INFORMS CIST Best Paper Award (2021) Google Research Excellence Gift (2017–18) Distinguished Alumni Award, IIM Bangalore (2024) INFORMS ISS President's Service Award (2023) Global 100 Top Academic Data Leaders (2020) Bhargava has played a pivotal role in academic leadership and program development. He co-founded the Theory in Economics of Information Systems (TEIS) workshop and has served on editorial boards of top journals including Management Science (where he is Department Editor for Information Systems), Operations Research, and Marketing Science. He has advised numerous campus initiatives, including the UC Davis Data Lab and Religions of India Initiative. His grants and collaborations include work with Google and healthcare organizations on real-time price transparency tools. He leads the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), which focuses on the societal implications of data and AI. He also co-founded the MSBA program and continues to shape the future of business education in the age of AI through strategic planning committees.

• Urban Studies
• Smart Urbanism
• Southern Urbanism
• +10 more

Nancy Odendaal is a Professor in Urban Studies at the Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Basel. She is based in Basel, Switzerland, and holds a prominent role in the Critical Urbanisms program. Her academic expertise lies at the intersection of urban planning, digital technologies, and urban life in the Global South, particularly African cities. Institution: University of Basel Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Department: Department of Social Sciences Field: Urban Studies Email: nancy.odendaal@unibas.ch Her research focuses on the interplay between urban livelihoods and the appropriation of new technologies and infrastructure in the urban South. She is particularly interested in how digital platforms are reshaping urban spatialities, governance, and everyday life in African cities. Her 2023 book, Disrupted Urbanism: Situated initiatives in African cities , published by Bristol University Press, is a key contribution to this field. She also investigates themes such as the governmentality of local government digitization, the impact of global tech companies like Google on urban spaces, and the role of hybrid storytelling as a method for knowledge co-production. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in critical urbanism, with a focus on rethinking smart city narratives from Southern perspectives. The articles emphasize digital inclusion, resistance, and the social implications of technology in unequal urban contexts. Her work bridges urban planning, critical geography, and science and technology studies, advocating for more situated and participatory approaches to urban research and practice. Nancy Odendaal is actively involved in the academic community through editorial and review roles: Editorial Board Member, Urban Geography Editorial Board Member, Journal of the American Planning Association Editorial Board Member, Progress in Planning Permanent Member, Review Panel, Swiss National Science Foundation SPIRIT Programme Member, Interdisciplinary Research Review Panel, Swiss National Science Foundation Member, Urban and Rural Areas Review Panel, Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development She is committed to experiential and situated pedagogy, integrating her research into her teaching on the Critical Urbanisms degree. She has published on case study methods in African urban planning education and continues to develop methodological frameworks with her students. While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership in the program suggests active mentorship of graduate students. Nancy Odendaal’s work is central to advancing critical perspectives on urbanization, technology, and planning in the Global South, contributing significantly to both academic discourse and practical urban governance debates.

Lesley BattyView profile

Academic

• Ecological Education
• Industrial Pollution Ecology
• Phytoremediation
• +7 more

Dr. Lesley Batty is a Reader in Ecological Education at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham. She plays key leadership roles as Head of Wellbeing and Head of Employability and Placements within the School, reflecting her strong commitment to student development and inclusive education. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Sheffield, an MRes and BSc from the University of Reading, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from the University of Birmingham. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a HEFi Scholar, underscoring her excellence in teaching. Dr. Batty's research centers on the ecology of industrial pollution, particularly in post-mining landscapes. She investigates phytoremediation techniques for contaminated soils, focusing on heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Her work extends to ecological education, where she explores inclusive teaching practices, barriers in STEM laboratories, and the integration of employability skills into the curriculum. She is actively involved in national educational policy through her role as Lead Secretary of the British Ecological Society Special Interest Group in Teaching and Learning and as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Geochemical Exploration. Her recent publications reveal a dual focus: one stream on environmental contamination and remediation (e.g., metal and PAH pollution in brownfield sites, phytoremediation with bacteria and chelates), and another on innovative pedagogy in geography and ecology (e.g., virtual field trips, inclusive lab practices, and the future of fieldwork education). This reflects her unique position at the intersection of environmental science and educational leadership. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) HEFi Scholar Lead Secretary, British Ecological Society Special Interest Group in Teaching and Learning Dr. Batty is a dedicated educator and researcher who bridges the gap between environmental science and pedagogical innovation. She has made significant contributions to both her field of research and the national discourse on ecological education. Her leadership in student wellbeing and employability, combined with her research on pollution and inclusive learning, demonstrates a holistic approach to academic life. She actively supervises research, as evidenced by her co-authorship with doctoral researchers, and welcomes PhD applications in her areas of expertise. She is a key member of several research groups, including those focused on Physical Geography, Global Biogeochemistry, and Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Her collaborative work, especially in large consortia on conservation education, highlights her strong network and impact in the academic community.

Suzi HallView profile

Professor

• Urbanisation
• Migration
• Racialisation
• +12 more

Suzi Hall is Professor of Sociology and Head of Department at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her research explores the intersections of global migration, urban marginalisation, and racialisation, with a focus on everyday life in multicultural cities. She is a leading figure in urban ethnography and contributes significantly to debates on citizenship, public space, and migrant livelihoods. University: London School of Economics and Political Science School: Department of Sociology Academic Rank: Professor Her research interests include urbanisation, migration, racialisation, livelihoods, and ethnography, with a strong emphasis on the lived realities of marginalised communities in cities. She combines sociological theory with architectural insight, drawing from her background as a practicing architect in South Africa. The recent publications of Professor Hall reveal a consistent trajectory in urban ethnography, focusing on migrant infrastructures, gendered precarity, and the politics of urban space. Her work spans high-impact journals in sociology, urban studies, and geography, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach and methodological rigor. Themes such as super-diversity, street economies, and urban belonging recur across her scholarship, often grounded in fieldwork in London, Cape Town, and other global cities. Scientific awards and recognitions include: Philip Leverhulme Prize in Sociology (2017) ESRC Future Research Leaders award (2015–2017) LSE Student Union 'Outstanding Teacher of the Year' (2025) Rome Scholarship in Architecture (1998–1999) LSE Robert McKenzie Prize for outstanding PhD research (2010) She teaches on the MSc City Design & Social Science programme and convenes an undergraduate module on Racial Borderscapes. She is part of the Urban Sociology research cluster at LSE and welcomes PhD enquiries in her research areas, though not for the 2026–27 session. She has supervised and mentored numerous students and contributes to academic leadership as Head of Department. Her major works include the books The Migrant’s Paradox (2021) and City, Street and Citizen (2012), as well as edited volumes like The Sage Handbook of the 21st Century City . She has also contributed to public scholarship through films like Ordinary Streets and the open-access website Race, Space and Architecture .

Oliver GasserView profile

Researcher

• Internet Measurement
• IPv6
• BGP
• +9 more

Oliver Gasser is a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI-INF) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he has co-lectured courses such as Advanced Computer Networking and Master Course Computer Networks. His research focuses on Internet measurement, security, and privacy, with a strong emphasis on IPv6, DNS, BGP, and web tracking technologies. His research interests include Internet measurement, IPv6 deployment, BGP security, DNS infrastructure, web tracking, privacy technologies, and network resilience. He has made significant contributions to understanding IPv6 hitlists, router fingerprinting, hypergiant content delivery networks, and consent banner manipulation on the web. His work combines large-scale active measurements with data analysis to uncover systemic issues in Internet infrastructure and privacy practices. The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on measurement-driven research across networking, security, and privacy. Trends include analyzing IPv6 adoption patterns, detecting covert tracking mechanisms in web cookies, evaluating security of Internet protocols like DNS and BGP, and improving measurement methodologies for large-scale network studies. His work often involves developing open tools and datasets that advance reproducibility in networking research. PAM 2023 Best Paper Award TMA 2023 Best Paper Award TMA 2023 Fast Track Award PAM 2018 Best Paper Award IRTF Applied Networking Research Prize 2018 IMC 2017 Community Contribution Award TMA 2017 Best Dataset Award CoNEXT 2023 Community Contribution Award Oliver Gasser has advised or co-advised over 40 master’s and bachelor’s theses at MPI-INF and TUM, demonstrating strong mentorship in academic research. He has led several measurement projects that have received external funding, including development of the IPv6 Hitlist Service and tools for analyzing web tracking. His community service includes extensive participation in program committees for major networking conferences such as IMC, CoNEXT, PAM, and TMA. He leads and contributes to several open research initiatives including the IPv6 Hitlist Service, SNMPv3 Measurement Service, MPTCP Measurement Service, DNS Observatory, and the BannerClick tool for automated cookie banner interaction. These platforms provide valuable resources for the global networking research community and support reproducible science.

Jonn AxsenView profile

Professor

• Sustainable Transportation
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation
• Electric Vehicles
• +4 more

Jonn Axsen is a Professor in the School of Resource & Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University (SFU), where he directs the Sustainable Transportation Research Team (START). With an academic career focused on mitigating transportation emissions, he bridges individual decision-making, social systems, technology, and public policy to advance sustainable mobility solutions. BBA, Business Administration (First Class Honours), Simon Fraser University MRM, Resource Management, Simon Fraser University PhD, Transportation Technology and Policy, University of California, Davis His research identifies solutions for decarbonizing road transportation, examining electric vehicles, alternative mobility systems, and policy frameworks. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understand consumer behavior, organizational transitions, and policy effectiveness in achieving zero-emissions vehicle adoption. Recent publications focus on policy mixes for ZEV adoption, automobility reduction, and consumer perceptions of emerging mobility technologies. Key trends include analyzing subsidy effectiveness, automaker responses to regulation, and cross-cultural differences in mobility preferences. His work appears in top venues like Nature Climate Change and Transportation Research Part D . Royal Society of Canada Fellow (2021) International Transport Forum Award (2012) Securing $2M+ in grants from SSHRC, Translink, Tesla, and PICS, Axsen collaborates with organizations including the UN, Transport Canada, and environmental NGOs. He serves as Senior Associate Editor for Energy Research & Social Science and sits on the US National Academies’ Transportation Research Board. The START team at SFU conducts applied research on sustainable transportation, integrating stakeholder insights with academic rigor. Axsen's lab focuses on bridging technical and social dimensions of mobility transitions through mixed-method studies.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• +6 more

Michelle Fitts is a Senior Research Fellow in the Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease group, focusing on public health research related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, women’s health, and remote healthcare systems. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health), 5 (Gender Equality), and 8 (Decent Work). Research Interests : Health equity for Indigenous populations Workforce dynamics in remote health services Digital health interventions for substance use Trauma and concussion management Gender-based violence in healthcare contexts Publication Trends : Her recent articles (2024–2025) emphasize qualitative methodologies, workforce retention in Aboriginal-controlled clinics, AI-driven health tools, and trauma-related healthcare disparities. Topics span SDG-aligned areas like chronic disease prevention and gender justice. Network & Collaborations : Collaborates with institutions in Australia’s Northern Territory and Western Australia, focusing on Indigenous health and rural service delivery. Key partnerships include academic teams in public health and emergency medicine.

Martin BechtholdView profile

Professor

• Architectural Technology
• Materials Science
• Design Engineering
• +4 more

Martin Bechthold is the Kumagai Professor of Architectural Technology at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), serving concurrently as the GSD’s Academic Dean. He holds affiliations with Harvard’s Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. His academic career bridges architecture, materials science, and engineering, with a focus on innovative material systems and design robotics. Bechthold earned a Diplom-Ingenieur in architecture from RWTH Aachen University and a Doctor of Design from Harvard GSD. He previously practiced architecture in Europe with firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Santiago Calatrava. His research groups, including the Material Processes and Systems (MaP+S) Group and the Design Robotics Group, explore topics like multi-material 3D printing, carbon-negative materials, and biofabrication. He founded the Laboratory for Design Technology to foster industry-academia collaborations. His research interests span structural innovation, architectural ceramics, and the perception of materials. He has authored seminal works such as Innovative Surface Structures and Ceramic Material Systems , and his peer-reviewed papers appear in Nature Reviews and Advanced Functional Materials . He teaches advanced courses on material systems, design methods, and structural design. Bechthold’s work emphasizes sustainable technologies and cross-disciplinary design, with projects like the Concrete Origami and Ceramic Futures exhibitions showcasing experimental material applications. He holds patents in material innovation and has curated influential design exhibitions.

Matthew GandyView profile

Professor

• Urban Studies
• Environmental Geography
• Cultural Geography
• +3 more

Matthew Gandy is a Professor of Cultural and Historical Geography at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of King’s College. He holds affiliations with the Infrastructural Geographies and Vital Geographies research groups. His work spans urban metabolism, epidemiology, critical landscape studies, and cinematic methodologies. Gandy earned a BA (First Class) from St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and a PhD in Geography from the London School of Economics. His research explores intersections of nature, culture, and infrastructure in cities like Mumbai, Berlin, and Lagos. Notable contributions include The Fabric of Space (2014) and Natura Urbana (2022), award-winning works analyzing urban water systems, biodiversity, and ecological constellations. He has held visiting roles at institutions including Columbia University and UCLA, and founded the UCL Urban Laboratory (2005–2011). Key honors include the AAG Meridian Award (2014), British Academy Fellowship (2016), and John Brinckerhoff Jackson Prize (2023). Gandy’s films, such as Liquid City (2007) and Natura Urbana (2017), blend documentary techniques with academic research. He is actively involved in urban biodiversity initiatives, including Hackney Biodiversity Partnership. Teaching focuses on global urbanism, cultural landscapes, and the Anthropocene. Editorial roles include co-editing The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (2012–2018). His work addresses urban political ecologies, multispecies urbanism, and the socio-cultural dimensions of urban environments.

• Agent-Based Modeling
• Socio-Economic Dynamics
• Environmental Resilience
• +5 more

Dr. Debraj Roy is a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), affiliated with the Faculty of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science and the Informatics Institute. His research focuses on agent-based modeling, socio-economic dynamics, environmental resilience, and blockchain technology. He investigates complex systems such as urban slums, disaster recovery, and climate adaptation using computational methods like remote sensing and machine learning. His work bridges theory and practice, offering insights into policy design for sustainable development and social equity. Key research interests include slum dynamics, poverty traps, and the application of blockchain oracles for decentralized systems. He employs advanced techniques such as global sensitivity analysis and manifold learning to explore multi-scale socio-environmental challenges. His recent articles highlight trends in carbon pricing, flood risk valuation, and multi-agent systems. Earlier work concentrated on urban inequality in cities like Bangalore and Mexico City, leveraging geospatial and statistical tools. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed. His advising and team collaborations are unspecified in the provided text.

Rathna RamanathanView profile

Professor

• Communication Design
• Typography
• Intercultural Communication
• +5 more

Dr. Rathna Ramanathan is a leading academic and practitioner in intercultural communication and alternative publishing. Currently serving as Provost of Central Saint Martins and UAL Executive Dean for Global Affairs , she has previously held deanships at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art. Based in London but originally from Chennai, India, her work bridges South Asian and global design practices. University of Reading - PhD in Typography and Graphic Communication Central Saint Martins - MA in Communication Design University of Madras - BA Fine Art Her research focuses on intercultural communication and alternative publishing in the Global South, examining how marginalized voices can be amplified through design. She explores the tension between tangible/intangible heritages and contemporary design, and investigates how form, media, and content interact in addressing social/political issues. Recent publications highlight her design research trends in decolonial publishing, critical typography, and intercultural book design. As a design educator , she emphasizes listening, cross-cultural learning, and sustainable practices. Her supervision includes postgraduate research students working on topics like female printers in India, exhibition design, and architectural lettering. Key scientific collaborations include major projects with Tara Books (international design awards), British Council-funded initiatives (Crafting Futures, Going Global Partnership), and the Murty Classical Library of India (Harvard University Press partnership). She consults on Indic typeface design with Adobe and Monotype. Her design lab at Central Saint Martins (M9Design) works with international networks of editors, translators, and type designers. Current team projects focus on digital/print transitions, bilingual typography, and preserving endangered typographic practices through innovative publishing formats.

Krista LynesView profile

Professor

• Feminist Media Studies
• Queer Theory
• Migration Studies
• +3 more

Krista Lynes is a Professor of Communication Studies at Concordia University, holding the Canada Research Chair in Feminist Media Studies and directing the Feminist Media Studio. Their research focuses on intersectional frameworks addressing feminist media studies, queer theory, migration studies, critical race studies, environmental humanities, and infrastructure studies. Lynes employs research-creation methodologies to interrogate systems of power and mobility. Thesis supervision: Media Studies (MA), Communication (PhD), Humanities (PhD) Labs/Teams: Director of the Feminist Media Studio, a space for interdisciplinary art and activism Recent work examines vital energy in greenhouse infrastructures, queer migrant activisms, and decolonizing corporeal representations in art. Their scholarship bridges media theory with global social justice concerns, emphasizing transnational circuits and planetary aesthetics.

Alison L BainView profile

Professor

• Urban social geography
• Arts-led urban development
• Geographies of artistic labour & creative practice
• +3 more

Alison L Bain is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Geography at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. She specializes in feminist urban social geography, focusing on LGBTQ2S suburban place-making, artistic labor, and queer geographies. Her research spans Canada and Germany, examining cultural production, spatial politics, and municipal policies in urban and suburban contexts. Education: PhD Geography, University of Cambridge MA Geography, University of Toronto BA (Honours) Geography, Queen’s University Her work interrogates queer suburban identities, LGBTQ2S service needs, and contested governance dynamics in arts districts. Notable projects include a SSHRC-funded study on LGBTQ2S suburban lives in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. She teaches courses on urban cultures, public space, and geographies of gender/sexuality. Research Trends: Recent articles emphasize queer spatial practices, suburban LGBTQ+ activisms, and the infrastructural politics of inclusion. Key themes include queer suburbanisms, cultural policy interventions, and the interplay of art, urban planning, and municipal governance. Awards: Joint sabbatical leave fellowship (YUFA/York University) International travel conference awards (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) Advising & Grants: Principal Investigator for the SSHRC-funded 'Queering Canadian suburbs' project (2016–2021). Mentors students in feminist methodologies and queer spatial theory. Courses include GEOG 5314 (Cultures of Cities), GEOG 2220 (Urban Geography), and GEOG 3400 (Geographies of Genders/Sexualities). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary urban geographers and LGBTQ2S advocacy groups to advance inclusive urban policy frameworks and queer spatial praxis.