David Bellos is the Meredith Howland Pyne Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Princeton University's Department of French & Italian. He holds a doctorate from Oxford University and has taught at Edinburgh, Southampton, and Manchester universities before joining Princeton in 1997. His research focuses on 19th-century literature, modern European fiction, translation studies, and experimental writing since the 1960s. He is renowned for his work on Georges Perec, Jacques Tati, and Romain Gary, as well as his seminal book Is That a Fish in Your Ear? on translation studies. Bellos has been awarded the Prix Goncourt de la Biographie (1994), the Man Booker International Translator’s Award (2005), and the Howard T. Berhman Award (2019). He serves as an Officier in France’s Ordre national des Arts et des Lettres. His current projects include translating Victor Hugo’s Quatrevingt-treize and a history of the French language. Teaching interests include French-English translation, 19th-century studies, and the history of copyright. He co-teaches courses on copyright law and its cultural implications.
Basak Bilecen is a Professor in the Department of Sociology/ICS at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on migration, social inequalities, and transnational networks, exploring how mobility shapes welfare access and inequality across borders. She employs qualitative interviews and network analysis to examine mechanisms like trust and reciprocity in contexts like healthcare, education, and family life. Key research interests include transnational social protection, migrant integration, and the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, and class. She has conducted comparative studies on Chinese international students in Germany and the US, Turkish migrants' networks, and Syrian refugees' educational challenges. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals addressing inequality and global justice. Recent research highlights include analyzing pandemic impacts on migrant care workers, transnational care practices, and loneliness among international students. She leads projects like the Volkswagen Foundation-funded MIG-AGE study on aging among migrants and the PROMISE initiative to reduce loneliness among older migrants. Educations: Recipient of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fellowship (Harvard, 2017) and Rosalind Franklin Fellowship (Groningen, 2018) Grants/Projects: Leads six active projects on migrant health, diaspora institutions, and social inclusion Labs/Teams: Collaborates internationally on transnational migration studies through mixed-methods research frameworks Awards include the Karl Arnold Prize (2022) for contributions to social science research. Her work bridges academic theory with policy-relevant insights to address global inequalities.
Dr. Rachel Randall is a Reader in Latin American Studies at Queen Mary University of London, affiliated with the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film. She joined Queen Mary in 2023, following roles at the Universities of Bristol, Oxford, and Leeds. Her PhD from the University of Cambridge (2016) focused on Latin American cultural studies. Currently on maternity leave in 2024-25, she holds leadership roles including Impact and Public Engagement Lead for Modern Languages and Cultures and Comparative Literature. Education: BA (Nottingham) MPhil (Cambridge) PhD (Cambridge) Research Interests: Dr. Randall specializes in Latin American cultural studies, with emphases on film, gender studies, and labor. Her current research project Affective and Immaterial Labour in Latin(x) American Culture explores representations of caregiving and labor across media. Her book Paid to Care: Domestic Workers in Contemporary Latin American Culture (2024) examines domestic labor’s colonial legacies, funded by an AHRC Fellowship. Earlier work includes studies on childhood representation in Latin American cinema. Awards: AHRC Research, Development and Engagement Fellowship (2022–2024) Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship (2016–2019) Teaching and Supervision: She teaches modules like Women’s Filmmaking in Latin America and Labour in Latin American Culture . Current PhD students include Shuxuan Wang (co-supervised) and Zhou Gou. She has supervised research on Brazilian club football and women’s experiences in capoeira. Professional Roles: Co-Editor of Hispanic Research Journal , member of QMUL’s Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CRoLAC), and representative on the UK Standing Conference of Latin American Studies.
David Muchlinski is an Assistant Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs within the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He specializes in computational social science with a focus on political violence, utilizing machine learning and natural language processing techniques to study radicalization processes and conflict forecasting. His research interests include: Predictive modeling of civil wars and mass atrocities Social media analysis for radicalization detection Machine learning applications in conflict studies Natural language processing of extremist communications Cross-national patterns of political violence Muchlinski's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on developing computational methods for conflict analysis, with recent work exploring deep learning approaches to electoral violence measurement and transitional justice mechanisms. His research bridges political science, data science, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing practical policy applications. He is actively recruiting computer science students for research projects in computing for social good, particularly those with expertise in machine learning, data visualization, and network analysis.
Sharon Achinstein is the Sir William Osler Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. Her work bridges early modern literature with political communication, focusing on toleration, religious dissent, and gender participation. She explores form and ideology in Milton's writings and their relation to the emerging public sphere. Her recent research examines marriage's literary, legal, and theological dimensions, engaging debates on secularism and human rights in early modernity. Her research has been supported by ACLS, NEH, Folger, British Academy, and UK AHRC fellowships. She has published monographs like *Milton and the Revolutionary Reader* (1994) and *Literature and Dissent in Milton’s England* (2003), as well as edited collections on Milton and gender. Her current projects include an Oxford edition of Milton's divorce tracts. Achinstein’s scholarship interrogates the economic and institutional influences on Renaissance literary studies, tracing how post-war U.S. academic pressures shaped disciplinary frameworks. Her work on Milton spans poetry, political thought, and interdisciplinary dialogues with theology, law, and global history.
Toni Aira Foix is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Director at the UPF Barcelona School of Management (Universitat Pompeu Fabra). He holds multiple leadership roles including Director of the Master's Degree in Political and Institutional Communication, Director of the Agbar Chair of International Studies, and Head of the Academic Area at the School of Management. His academic career spans teaching in Communication, Political Science, and Management disciplines across UPF and the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Educationally, he has advanced training in Social and Legal Sciences, Communication, and Journalism. His research focuses on political communication dynamics, institutional messaging strategies, spin doctor analysis, and the interplay between media and governance. Notable areas include crisis communication, electoral strategies, and the evolving role of political advisors in modern democracies. His prolific publication record includes over 12 articles and 24 books/chapters addressing topics like vaccine race politics, far-right social media tactics, and Afghanistan's multidimensional crisis. He actively participates in international conferences and contributes to media discussions on political communication trends. His work bridges academic research with practical governance challenges, emphasizing sustainable growth and institutional communication excellence. Aira Foix has advised on media strategy for public institutions and has been involved in impactful projects like the 'Horizonte ODS' series focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals communication. His interdisciplinary approach integrates political science, media studies, and management principles to address contemporary governance challenges.
Dr. Jennifer Kam is a Professor and Department Vice Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She also serves as a Faculty Affiliate with the Chicano Studies Institute and the Migration Initiative at UCSB. Her research focuses on the health and well-being of immigrant youth and families, particularly examining how structural barriers impact their lives and identifying promotive factors across individual, interpersonal, community, and cultural levels to foster resilience and thriving. Dr. Kam holds a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University (2009), an M.A. from San Diego State University (2004), and a B.A. from UC Davis (2002). She co-designed and directed the Division of Social Sciences Faculty Mentoring Program from 2019–2024. Her work bridges communication studies, public health, and immigration policy, with a strong emphasis on culturally-grounded interventions and community-centered approaches. Research Interests Her research explores: - Structural barriers impacting immigrant families - Resilience and thriving strategies among marginalized groups - Family communication dynamics in multicultural contexts - Health communication interventions targeting vulnerable populations - Language brokering and its mental health implications for youth - Advocacy communication among undocumented communities Awards & Recognition 2023 Presidential Citation from the National Communication Association 2022 Promoting Equity and Inclusivity Award (Health Communication Division) 2016 Early Career Award (Interpersonal Communication Division) 16 Top Paper Awards Teaching & Leadership Dr. Kam teaches undergraduate courses in risk communication, intercultural communication, and interpersonal communication. She also leads graduate seminars in health communication and advocacy strategies. Her leadership roles include serving as former Chair of the Health Communication Division at the National Communication Association.
Giuseppe Contissa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Legal Sciences, University of Bologna. His work focuses on Legal Informatics, AI & Law, Legal Theory, and Law & Technology, particularly in robotics and automated systems. He holds a PhD in Legal Informatics from the University of Bologna and has extensive experience in research projects like ALIAS (air traffic management liability) and CLAUDETTE (AI-driven contract analysis). He is affiliated with ALMA Ai (Human-Centered AI Institute) and ARCES (Electronic Systems Research). Education: PhD in Legal Informatics (2006, University of Bologna), Master's in Legal Informatics (2002), Laurea in Jurisprudence (2001). Research Interests: Computable legal reasoning, AI ethics in healthcare, liability frameworks for autonomous systems, socio-technical systems governance, and automated vehicle regulation. He leads projects on AI certification in aviation and consumer protection through AI systems. Key Projects: CrossJustice (digital criminal procedure rights), SAFELAND (air traffic safety), and COMPULAW (computable law models). He advises the Council of Europe on AI ethics in justice systems. Labs/Teams: CIRSFID (Computer Law Research), ALMA Ai, and collaborations with CodeX (Stanford).
Anna Kaganiec-Kamieńska is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora, Faculty of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and has a strong academic background in English and Spanish languages and cultures. Her research is deeply interdisciplinary, focusing on sociolinguistics, language policy, ethnic and national identity, and transnationalism, with a particular emphasis on Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Her research interests center on the complex interplay between language, identity, and power. Key areas include language policy and ideologies in Puerto Rico and Latin America, the status of heritage languages among diasporic communities (notably Polish in Argentina), the dynamics of bilingualism, and the formation of national and ethnic identities in multicultural and post-colonial contexts. She also investigates the role of language in human rights and the cultural rights of indigenous peoples. Her recent publications and conference presentations reveal a clear trend towards analyzing contemporary political and social issues through the lens of language. Her work frequently examines Puerto Rico’s unique linguistic and political status, the impact of globalization, and the digital age on language use and attitudes, including informal learning in online communities. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and academic volumes. Fulbright Fellowship (2017-2018) Kosciuszko Foundation Grant (2004-2005) Society-Environment-Technology Program Grant, Jagiellonian University (2013, 2015) Dr. Kaganiec-Kamieńska is an active member of the academic community. She has served on the editorial board of the journal "Studia Migracyjne-Przegląd Polonijny" and was its assistant editor from 2012 to 2016. She is a member of several scholarly associations, including the Latin American Association for Linguistics and Philology (ALFAL), the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), and the Polish Association of Hispanists. Her research is collaborative, as evidenced by her joint projects with scholars from institutions in Puerto Rico, such as the Universidad de Puerto Rico-Río Piedras.
Francesca Poggi is a Full Professor of Philosophy of Law at the Cesare Beccaria Department of Legal Sciences, University of Milan. She serves as the university's gender equality liaison and oversees the Gender Equality and Violence Against Women project at Human Hall. Her academic work bridges legal theory with moral philosophy, focusing on analytic philosophy and general legal theory. She is a member of the scientific committee for Italian legal journals and actively contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like the Inter-University Center ‘Cultures of Gender’. Her research spans gender equality, legal interpretation methodologies, bioethics, and social sustainability. Notable projects include analyzing gender-based violence frameworks, exploring constitutional legal systems' communicative theories, and addressing linguistic inclusivity in policy-making. She critiques moral biases in legal reasoning and examines the intersection of law with human rights, migration, and multiculturalism. Her scholarship engages with contemporary debates on autonomy in healthcare decisions, xenotransplantation ethics, and the application of Robert Alexy’s correctness claims in legal contexts. She also participates in EU-funded initiatives like the MUSA project, aiming to build innovation ecosystems through territorial R&D leadership.
Cláudia Pazos Alonso is Professor of Portuguese and Gender Studies and Senior Research Fellow at Wadham College, University of Oxford. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, where she teaches Lusophone literature from the 19th century to the present, with a focus on Eça de Queirós, Fernando Pessoa, women writers, and literature from Portuguese-speaking Africa. Her academic leadership extends to editorial roles in major journals and book series, including the Reconfiguring Identities in the Portuguese-speaking World series for Peter Lang. MA, University of Cambridge DPhil, University of Oxford Her research centers on gender, national identity, and postcolonial representations in Portuguese, Brazilian, and Lusophone African literatures. Key interests include women’s writing, canon formation, modernism, and the role of literature in colonial and postcolonial contexts. She has made significant contributions to the study of overlooked female figures such as Florbela Espanca and Francisca Wood, and her work bridges literary analysis with feminist and cultural history. The most recent articles highlight a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on gendered intellectual history, 19th-century periodical culture, and transnational literary networks. Her work reveals a deep engagement with feminist recovery, editorial activism, and the intersection of literature with social change, particularly in Portuguese-speaking contexts. From analyses of A Voz Feminina to studies of António Pedro’s modernist narratives, her scholarship connects literary form with political and cultural transformation. Cláudia Pazos Alonso has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. However, her extensive editorial work—guest editing special issues of Portuguese Studies , Bulletin of Hispanic Studies , and Portuguese Literary and Cultural Studies —demonstrates recognition and leadership in her field. She actively mentors students and welcomes prospective applicants to study Portuguese at Wadham College. While no named advisees are listed, her role as professor and senior research fellow implies significant supervision and academic guidance. She has secured editorial and research projects, including multi-volume publications and international collaborations, though specific grant funding is not detailed. Cláudia leads and contributes to several research initiatives, including the international De Oriente a Ocidente series and the Reconfiguring Identities book series. She collaborates with scholars across Lusophone academia and participates in global dialogues on gender and literature, often hosting prominent writers like Lídia Jorge and Hélia Correia at Oxford.
Prof. PhDr. Milan FERENČÍK, PhD., is a Professor at the University of Prešov's Faculty of Arts, affiliated with the Institute of British and American Studies. He specializes in linguistics, sociolinguistics, and applied linguistics, focusing on topics like multilingualism, politeness theory, and linguistic landscapes. His research often intersects with cultural studies and globalization, examining language use in urban environments, tourism, and globalized contexts. Contact him via milan.ferencik@unipo.sk. His work spans academic writing styles, regulatory discourse practices, and the sociolinguistics of conflict, as seen in studies on Slovakia’s social movements and Ukraine’s crisis signage. He contributes to blended learning methodologies and has explored linguistic aspects of ELF interactions and spatial semiotics in urban spaces.
Loren Lybarger is Professor and Chair of the Department of Classics and Religious Studies at Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences, where he has held a leadership and teaching role for many years. His work spans religious studies, political identity, and justice, with deep engagement in both Palestinian and Latin American contexts. Ph.D., Divinity School, University of Chicago, 2002 M.A., Christian-Muslim Relations, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1995 M.A., Linguistics, American University in Cairo, 1991 B.A., History, Earlham College, 1986 Lybarger’s research centers on religion, nationalism, state violence, and memory, particularly in diasporic and post-conflict settings. His ethnographic work in Palestine and Argentina explores how religious identities shape demands for justice across generations. He examines themes of secularism, religious resurgence, trauma, and utopian imagination, especially in relation to climate change and displacement. His teaching includes courses on Islam, political Islam, Sufism, religion and violence, and theories of religion. His publications reveal a strong trajectory in interdisciplinary scholarship, blending religious studies with sociology, anthropology, and political science. Recent works analyze Palestinian Muslim narratives beyond conflict binaries, religious responses to ecological disasters, and commemorative justice in Argentina. His books Palestinian Chicago and Commemorative Literacies and Labors of Justice reflect his commitment to ethnographic depth and social relevance. 2024 Presidential Research Scholar, Ohio University 2023 Baker Fund Research Grant for "Nordic Palestine" project 2022 Outstanding Faculty Research Award, College of Arts and Sciences Multiple NEH and university research grants Senior Fellowships at University of Chicago and University of Notre Dame Lybarger has served in leadership roles in the American Academy of Religion, Ohio University AAUP chapter, and the Palestinian American Research Center. He collaborates extensively, particularly with James S. Damico and Edward Brudney on memory and justice projects. He is currently developing research on religion and climate change in rural U.S. and Palestinian communities in the EU. His work is featured in podcasts and public scholarship, demonstrating a strong commitment to accessible and impactful research.
Yasir Zaki is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at New York University Abu Dhabi and a Global Network Assistant Professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, NYU. He leads the Communication Networks Lab, focusing on next-generation communication systems, performance optimization, and digital equity. University: New York University Abu Dhabi School: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences Department: Department of Computer Science Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Email: yz48@nyu.edu Dr. Zaki holds an MSc and PhD in Communication and Information Technology from the University of Bremen, graduating with honors. His research centers on communication and wireless networks, cellular systems, congestion control, and enhancing internet access in developing regions. His work bridges theory and real-world impact, especially in digital inclusion and AI's role in education. His recent publications span top venues like PNAS, IEEE TCSS, and ACM IMC, covering topics such as satellite network performance, digital inequality (Lite-Web), AI in education, and Big Tech's global influence. These works reveal a strong trend toward socially impactful computing, network measurement at scale, and algorithmic transparency. Big Tech Dominance Despite Global Mistrust Perception of AI in Education YouTube's Political Bias Lite-Web for Digital Equity Satellite Network Analysis His research has been recognized through high-profile media coverage in Nature and The National , and his PhD student Hazem Ibrahim received the MIT Technology Review Arabia’s Innovators Under 35 MENA 2023 award. This reflects the lab's excellence in computational social science and AI policy. Dr. Zaki mentors students in the Capstone and Research Seminar courses and actively advises PhD and research assistants. He has secured research funding through NYUAD and collaborative projects, enabling field deployments in 56 countries. His lab, the Communication Networks Lab, fosters interdisciplinary work, involving researchers from computer science, social sciences, and policy.
Dr. Jelena S. Starčević is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social and Human Sciences, Faculty of Pedagogical Sciences, University of Kragujevac in Jagodina. She specializes in educational psychology with a focus on intercultural competence, inclusive education, and emotional development. She conducts research on teacher education, Roma community educational challenges, and child rights implementation. She serves as the President of the Commission for Ethical Assessment of Psychological Research at the University of Kragujevac. Her academic career includes a PhD in Psychology in Educational Work (2019) from the University of Kragujevac, following previous degrees from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade. She teaches courses such as 'Intercultural Psychology', 'Inclusive Education – Theory and Practice', and 'Modern Concepts of Learning and Teaching' at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Her research explores themes like intercultural effectiveness among educators, preschool inclusion policies, and validation of psychological assessment tools. She actively participates in international projects like 'Positive Education' and domestic initiatives focused on professional competencies of young researchers. She implements programs for the Pestalozzi Foundation's Education for Child Rights in master's programs. Dr. Starčević's work emphasizes bridging theoretical frameworks with practical educational challenges, particularly in multicultural and inclusive settings. She has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and frequently presents at national and international conferences.
