Valentina Baú is a Senior Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI) at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. Her work focuses on Communication for Development in Peacebuilding, particularly in conflict-affected and displacement contexts. Ph.D. in Communication for Development in Peacebuilding from Macquarie University (2019) Alumna of University of Reading and Bournemouth Media School Her research explores participatory media, digital communication, and youth engagement in refugee camps (Kakuma, Za'atari, Philippines) and post-conflict settings (Kenya, Italy, Sierra Leone). She evaluates how media interventions foster social cohesion, human rights awareness, and sustainable peace. Recent publications analyze: Refugee camp radio's role in community building Reality TV as civic engagement platforms in Palestine Facebook's (mis-)use by refugee youth Communicative ecologies in protracted displacement Virtual timeline methodologies for remote fieldwork Scientific recognition includes the 2019 Senesh Fellowship. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications for UN agencies (UNICEF, IOM, UNHCR) and NGOs, emphasizing citizen-led communication strategies.
Christopher Worswick is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Carleton University , Ottawa, Canada. His academic journey includes a B.A. from Queen’s University and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia. Worswick specializes in labour economics , applied econometrics , and development economics , with a focus on immigration economics and education economics . His research examines how immigrant admission categories affect economic integration , intergenerational earnings mobility , and labour market outcomes . He has contributed to understanding the returns to post-migration education and the impacts of temporary foreign worker programs . Key publications include studies on intergenerational earnings transmission in Canada’s Journal of Population Economics and analyses of mandatory retirement rules for Canadian university professors. His work often leverages administrative data and longitudinal tax records to assess policy effectiveness. Worswick collaborates with researchers like Casey Warman and Matthew D. Webb , contributing to debates on points-based immigration systems , visible minority earnings gaps , and immigrant assimilation . While his scientific awards are not explicitly listed, his influence is evident through citations and policy engagement.
Martin Loridan is an internationally established composer and Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels. His works are regularly performed across Europe and beyond by renowned ensembles including the Arditti Quartet, Klangforum Wien, and Fractales, as well as soloists like Claude Delangle and Rohan de Saram. Education: Graduate of Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique (CNSM) PhD in Composition from University of Leeds (UK), funded by Stanley Burton Research Scholarship and Leeds Doctoral Scholarship Research Interests: Loridan's pioneering work centers on air and breath ( souffle ) as a compositional material, traditional music systems (evidenced by Villa Salammbô residency with French Institute support in Tunis), and innovative instrumental hybridizations. His research explores extended pedal systems for piano resonance, amplified instrument techniques (e.g., accordion with fragile electronics), and hybrid lutheries like the Naylute (fusing Western flute and Arab Nay). He investigates the tactile properties of breath, dual human-instrumental resonance phenomena, and air's porosity as timbral material within orchestral and electronic contexts. Scientific Awards: Reinl Foundation Prize (Vienna) André Jolivet Prize (Paris) Vareler Prize (Berlin) Art Research Fund (FRArt) by FNRS, Belgium Stanley Burton Research Scholarship Leeds Doctoral Scholarship Research Leadership: Loridan directs the Festival Mosaïques—an interdisciplinary experimental music festival in Brussels connecting international artists with intergenerational audiences—and secures significant research funding including the FNRS Art Research Fund. His doctoral research at Leeds established foundational work on breath as compositional material, supported by competitive academic scholarships. Professional Activities: His scores are published by BabelScores (Paris), and he actively participates in educational initiatives including HarMa+ Erasmus programs and HarMA HUB faculty development.
Erika Wall is a Professor at the Department of Health Sciences , Mid Sweden University . Her work focuses on Occupational Health Science , with particular emphasis on workplace dynamics, risk management, and employee engagement, especially in public sector and rural settings. Occupational Health Science faculty Research on activity-based workplaces, hybrid work environments, and employee net promoter scores Her research explores: Employee engagement and advocacy in public sector workplaces Transition to activity-based and hybrid work models Risk management strategies during crises like power loss or pandemics Work-life balance and mental health among young adults Recent publications highlight: Qualitative studies on leadership and organizational factors Narrative analyses of coworking spaces in rural Sweden Examinations of sense of coherence in public sector transitions Additional areas include: Informal caregiving during the coronavirus pandemic Return-to-work processes for individuals with mental disorders Visual methods for risk perception analysis
Maureen Salmon is Associate Dean for Knowledge Exchange at the London College of Communication, part of the University of the Arts London (UAL). She is a Senior Lecturer with extensive experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, and professional practices across undergraduate and postgraduate programs including MA Arts and Culture Enterprise, Executive MBA Fashion, and BA Design Management. She previously served as a Visiting Professor of Transformational Leadership at the International School of Management (ISM Group) in Senegal from 2019 to 2021. Education: MA Arts Management, City, University of London (1987–1989) BA Education and Dance, University of Surrey (1984–1987) Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher and Professional Education, Institute of Education, London University (2005–2007) Senior Fellow, Advance HE (2020) Certified Chartered Manager, Chartered Management Institute (2019) Her research is practice-led and interdisciplinary, focusing on leadership, pan-African diaspora practices, equality, diversity, inclusion, arts management, and innovative business models in cultural organizations. She was a key researcher in the EU-funded Creative Lenses project (2015–2019), which explored sustainable models for arts and cultural institutions. Her recent publications and activities emphasize decolonisation, knowledge exchange, and social justice. Maureen's recent scholarly output spans themes such as emotional intelligence in education, cultural entrepreneurship, Black women in dance, diaspora engagement, and systemic racism in arts education. Her work consistently bridges academic research with industry application, particularly in the creative and cultural sectors. She has contributed to major reports and conceptual toolkits used in cultural policy and organizational development. Scientific Awards: Women of the Year 2000, Millennium Festival of Women's Work Finalist, European Union Women of Achievement Award 2001 European Federation of Black Women Business Owners Professional Award Maureen supervises postgraduate research students and has co-supervised PGR candidates at UAL. She has led curriculum development and knowledge exchange initiatives across seven UAL programs, including EMBA Fashion and MA Arts Culture and Enterprise. She has also designed and delivered professional development programs for industry practitioners through UAL Short Courses and British Council initiatives. Her grant-funded work includes the Creative Lenses project and the Multiplier Lab for West African creative hubs. She is actively involved in institutional leadership, serving on the UAL Research and Knowledge Exchange Ethics Committee, co-chairing the Race Equality Charter Student Sub-Group and the Africa Caribbean Diaspora Group. She has collaborated with institutions such as the British Library, V&A, Guildhall School, Sadler’s Wells, British Council, and the Africa Centre. She also leads Freshwaters Consultancy Ltd, which supports leadership and organizational transformation globally.
Dr. Esther Kim Lee is the Frances Hill Fox Professor of Theater Studies, International Comparative Studies, and History at Duke University. She serves as Chair of Theater Studies and directs the Asian American and Diaspora Studies program. Education: Ph.D. from Ohio State University (2000) Her research focuses on Asian American theatre history, Korean diaspora performance, and globalization impacts on theatre. She pioneers critical analyses of yellowface, transcultural memory, and intercultural aesthetics. Recent publications examine modernity's intersection with performance, visual rhetoric in Asian representation, and diasporic identity construction. Her work challenges Eurocentrism in drama studies. 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award (American Society for Theatre Research) 2022 Barnard Hewitt Award 2022 John W. Frick Award 2007 Outstanding Book Award (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) She consults on graduate mentoring ethics and contributes to queer theatre studies. Her digital presence includes a personal website and Twitter @estherkimlee.
H. Paul LeBlanc III is a Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in the Department of Communication , College of Liberal and Fine Arts . His career spans academic leadership, communication education, and interdisciplinary research. Education : Ph.D. in Communication (Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 2000), M.A. in Communication (Louisiana State University, 1992), B.A. in Philosophy (St. Mary’s University, 1988) Research Focus includes interpersonal communication, family dynamics, health communication, educational technology, and advertising effectiveness. His work bridges qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with a focus on real-world applications like online learning analytics and promotional product efficacy. Grants : City of San Antonio PEG Grant (2021-2022) Cultural Heritage and Climate Change Grant (2021-2022) I-Corps Grant for Stat-Tree.com (2019) Teaching Philosophy emphasizes guiding students toward self-discovery through communication. Courses include Social Interaction, Public Speaking, and Graduate Research Methods. He completed ACUE's Effective Online Instruction certification (2024).
Lars Behrenz serves as both an Associate Professor of Economics and Vice-Chancellor with special responsibility for challenge-driven knowledge formation and analysis at Linnaeus University from January 1, 2024 through September 30, 2026. His dual role combines academic leadership with administrative responsibilities, where he supports and represents university management while focusing on development areas requiring cross-disciplinary and challenge-driven approaches. He holds a 60% position as Vice-Chancellor while maintaining his academic duties. Behrenz's research centers on labor market economics with particular emphasis on long-term effects of labor market restructuring, transitional labor markets, self-sufficiency policies, and empirical analyses of labor market policy. His extensive work examines employer recruitment behavior, second-generation immigrant integration, employment office effectiveness, Rehn-Meidner model relevance, unemployment costs to society, and socio-economic value assessments of both social economy and elite sports. He has developed various evaluation methodologies for labor market policies including personnel reinforcements and startup grants. His recent publication trend reveals a consistent focus on practical labor market policy evaluation with increasing attention to methodological rigor. The articles demonstrate a progression from foundational studies on employment office efficiency toward more complex evaluations of wage subsidy programs and immigrant integration processes. His work bridges academic research with practical policy implementation, often conducted in collaboration with Swedish government agencies and international partners. The research consistently applies empirical methods to address real-world labor market challenges in Sweden. Behrenz serves as a member of the Swedish government's labor market policy council and sits on the board of Kalmar Science Park AB. He currently teaches Labor Market Economics at the bachelor's level and Advanced Economic Methods at the master's program in economics while supervising bachelor's theses. Additionally, he works with 16 other international experts as an external advisor to Finland's Research Council for the distribution of major research environment funds (1-5 million Euro). His current research projects include 'Looking back on the way forward' (an ESO report on the establishment process in the Swedish labor market), studying the long-term effects of the employment service (running through 2026), and developing new evaluation methods for labor market policies (also through 2026). These projects reflect his ongoing commitment to rigorous policy evaluation and methodological development in labor economics.
Sandra Lyndon is a Reader in Childhood and Social Policy within the Department of Childhood, Social Work and Social Care at the University of Chichester. She serves as Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Level 6 programme and teaches across Early Childhood Studies degrees, leveraging extensive professional experience working with children and families in early years settings. Her educational background includes a PG Cert in Teaching and Learning, MSc in Educational Psychology, MSc in Experimental Psychology, PGCE in Primary Education, and BA (Hons) in Sociology and Politics. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Sussex, her research examines narratives of poverty in early childhood. Lyndon's research centers on child poverty through multiple lenses: analyzing practitioner narratives, developing poverty intervention strategies, and examining systemic barriers. Her work reveals how poverty narratives become entangled with welfare systems and professional identities, particularly highlighting the 'poverty paradox' where practitioners experiencing poverty themselves support impoverished families. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on health and wellbeing leadership in schools serving disadvantaged communities. She actively contributes to widening participation initiatives, notably through bridging modules supporting homeless individuals into higher education. Her methodological expertise in narrative analysis and co-research approaches informs both her academic work and practical interventions in educational settings. Lyndon maintains active engagement with preschool practitioners through international studies on post-pandemic poverty responses and intergenerational projects fostering meaningful connections between young children and older adults.
Dr Sui Ting Kong is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Durham University . Since joining in 2017 she has combined social-work training with sociological scholarship to advance feminist participatory methodologies and social-work practice research. Education PhD, University of York (UK), 2015 – Sociology/Social Work Post-doctoral Fellowship, University of Hong Kong, 2015–2017 Professional training in Social Work, Hong Kong (prior to doctoral studies) Research Interests Dr Kong’s work centres on feminist participatory methodologies , social-work practice research , and violence against women . She designs innovative collaborative methods—Cooperative Grounded Inquiry, Collaborative Focus-Group Analysis, and Collaborative Practice Research for Social Work—to democratise knowledge production with practitioners, survivors, and diaspora communities. Core theoretical contributions include relational models for care in intimate-partner violence, relational personhood in end-of-life care, and the concept of hierarchical harmony in politicised personal lives. Research Themes in Publications Across more than 25 peer-reviewed outputs (2016–2025), her work explores: Hong Kong politics, identity, and the Umbrella Movement Gender-based violence, post-separation support, and survivor voices COVID-19 impacts on social-work practice and embodiment End-of-life care in residential homes for Chinese elders Arts-based and performative methods in turbulent political contexts Ethical and practical challenges in participatory action research Scientific Awards British Academy/Wolfson Fellowship (2021–2024) – three-year project on transnational social work and the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK. Doctoral Supervision & Mentorship Dr Kong currently supervises: Eileen Lauster – Marie Curie Research Fellow Lihan Miao – Postgraduate Research Student Susan Sakano – Postgraduate Research Student Research Teams & Collaborations She co-founded the BASW UK Network for Social Work Practitioner Research to foster co-produced research between academics and practitioners. She also partners with the British Association of Social Workers to develop a national curriculum and workplace support for recently arrived Hong Kong social workers in the UK.
Jean-Paul TCHANKAM is a full-time professor at Kedge Business School Bordeaux specializing in strategy, sustainable development and entrepreneurship. He serves as the educational director of the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at BEM-Dakar and Abidjan, extending his academic influence across multiple continents. His research primarily focuses on organizational performance, strategic management, and entrepreneurship , with particular attention to contexts in developing economies. Professor TCHANKAM has established himself as a leading scholar in social auditing and corporate responsibility, evidenced by his co-authorship of "The Encyclopedia of Social Auditing and Corporate Responsibility" (EMS Paris 2012) and other significant publications including "Reinventing Leadership" (2017), "Learning for Performance" (2018), and "Africa Positive Impact" (2020). His recent scholarly output demonstrates a diverse research portfolio spanning organizational behavior, entrepreneurship, financial economics, and sustainable development. His work frequently examines business contexts in Africa, particularly Cameroon, with numerous publications analyzing SMEs, gender dynamics in entrepreneurship, and the impact of digital technologies on business practices in developing economies. Laureate of the National Academy of Sciences, Belles-Lettres, and Arts of Bordeaux Associate member of CEPN-CNRS-Paris Member of the Scientific Council of the Academy of Management Sciences of Paris (ASMP) Member of the Scientific and Evaluation Committee of the journal "Questions de Management" Co-president of the International Institute of Social Auditing for Sub-Saharan Africa Professor TCHANKAM has supervised numerous doctoral students through the DBA program at BEM-Dakar and Abidjan, fostering academic and professional development across Francophone Africa. His leadership in social auditing initiatives demonstrates a commitment to practical applications of academic research for societal benefit.
Bielinis Lidia is a Lecturer at the Department of Social Pedagogy and Educational Research Methodology. Her academic work demonstrates active engagement in both theoretical and empirical research, with sustained scholarly output spanning educational methodology, digital learning environments, and environmental psychology. She holds a doctoral degree and maintains continuous research activity as evidenced by publications from 2015 through 2025. Her primary research domains include: Educational Innovation : Examining digital transformation in learning spaces, e-textbook efficacy, and technology-enhanced pedagogy Environmental Psychology : Investigating psychological responses to natural and altered landscapes, forest therapy benefits, and climate adaptation Social Pedagogy : Exploring justice in educational assessment, intergenerational communication, and adult learning methodologies Recent publication analysis reveals three dominant interdisciplinary trends: Digital education transformation in university settings Psychological impacts of natural and modified environments Educational policy and knowledge management frameworks This work consistently incorporates mixed-methods approaches including experimental designs, survey research, and theoretical analysis.
Wandia Njoya serves as Associate Professor of Literature at Daystar University, Kenya, where she previously led the Department of Language and Performing Arts. Currently a fellow at the University of Bayreuth's Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, she researches education policy anthropology in African contexts. Her scholarly work examines intersections of arts, humanities, religion, and education policy through decolonial lenses. She investigates lived experiences of Kenyan educators and systemic impacts of globalism/colonialism on post-independence education, emphasizing narrative approaches to uncover hidden agendas behind educational frameworks. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on religious influences in public education, curriculum decolonization, and knowledge production. Her work bridges academic rigor and public discourse, frequently employing storytelling to analyze educational experiences across Kenyan historical and cultural landscapes. Scientific Awards: Three consecutive annual awards for best blog on social issues and active citizenship As former department head and co-convener of Bayreuth's 2022 Education Alibi conference, Njoya actively shapes education reform discourse. She mentors emerging scholars while developing interdisciplinary platforms for Kenyan/international researchers to generate innovative educational perspectives accessible to public stakeholders.
Tania Willard is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan, situated on Syilx Okanagan Nation territories. She identifies as mixed Secwépemc and settler artist/curator, with research focusing on land-based art practices and Indigenous resurgence. Her research studio CFI Site/ation develops Indigenous-specific contemporary art models challenging Western aesthetics in Canadian art. She teaches courses in Visual Strategies and Research , Indigenous Land-based Art , and Contemporary Indigenous Art . Key research themes include Indigenous land-based practices, curatorial praxis, BIPOC equity in art, and language revitalization Collaborative projects: BUSH Gallery (ongoing), Beat Nation (2012-2014), Exposure: Native Art and Political Ecology (2020-ongoing) Scientific Awards : Hnatyshyn Foundation Curatorial Excellence Award (2016) Shadbolt VIVA Award (2020) Forge Project Fellow (2022) Her academic work intersects with community-based art projects, museum interventions, and national exhibition programs. The CFI-funded Site/ation studio operationalizes Indigenous methodologies through land-based creative practices.
Dr. Lisa-Jo K. van den Scott serves as an Associate Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where her innovative work bridges spatial sociology, temporal theory, and symbolic interactionism. Her research uniquely explores how physical environments like walls shape social identity, particularly through her foundational Sociology of Walls framework developed during five years of immersive fieldwork in Nunavut. Her academic journey began with an M.A. in Classics from Memorial University before pursuing doctoral studies at Northwestern University. This classical foundation informed her distinctive approach to contemporary sociological questions, especially regarding space, time, and cultural meaning-making. Van den Scott's research program centers on three interconnected pillars: the sociology of space/place (with walls as critical analytical units), the sociology of time (examining temporal resistance and agency), and symbolic interactionism applied to northern contexts. Her work consistently demonstrates how spatial arrangements and temporal practices constitute identity performance, particularly among Inuit communities where she documented remarkable cultural resilience. This tripartite framework extends to analyses of reality television, political transitions, and research ethics. Her 15 most recent publications reveal a methodological commitment to qualitative approaches while traversing diverse substantive areas—from Inuit shamanism's collective memory to temporal resistance strategies and material culture analysis. Key trends include decolonizing spatial theory through northern epistemologies, innovating temporal agency concepts, and advancing symbolic interactionism's relevance to contemporary social issues. Her scholarly recognition includes: 2019 Helena Lopata Mentor Excellence Award from the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction As Editor-in-Chief of Symbolic Interaction , van den Scott shapes the field's discourse while co-founding The Avalon Research Society to advance place-based scholarship. Her mentorship excellence extends to teaching advanced seminars on space/time sociology and qualitative methods, where she emphasizes ethical reflexivity—evident in her public letter to students affirming that 'your ideas are important to our society.' She actively cultivates scholarly communities through the Anglo-Nordic Network of Social Research and as co-organizer of the Annual Qualitative Analysis Conference since 2014, creating vital spaces for methodological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in qualitative research.
