Jacob Eyferth is an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, jointly appointed in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, the Department of History, and the College. His research focuses on the social and cultural history of twentieth-century China, particularly rural communities, gender dynamics, and the intersection of technology and everyday life. Key research themes include the impact of industrialization, collectivization, and revolution on non-elite populations, with an emphasis on rural women's labor and cultural resistance. His current project explores cotton production, clothing, and gender during China's socialist era. Eating Rice from Bamboo Roots (2009) How China Works (2006) Rural Development in Transitional China (2004) He received the 2011 Joseph Levenson Prize for his first book. Eyferth has taught courses on topics such as class inequality, everyday life under socialism, and revolutionary China, and has held postdoctoral fellowships at Oxford, Harvard, and Rutgers.
Emily Hannum is a Professor of Sociology and Education at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences. She is affiliated with the Population Studies Center, Center for the Study of Contemporary China, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Development Research Initiative. Education: PhD in Sociology from University of Michigan (1998) Research Focus: Poverty and child welfare, gender and ethnic stratification, sociology of education Projects: Gansu Survey of Children and Families, climate-environment-childhood inequalities in LMICs Workshops: Co-organizer of Penn Education and Inequality Workshop Her research explores childhood poverty in China, demographic impacts on education systems, and climate risks affecting children's welfare. She investigates environmental hazards, educational disparities, and family separation effects across China, India, and low/middle-income countries. Recent publications analyze educational expansion in East Asia, climate crisis impacts on child health, and gender disparities in Latin America. She directs longitudinal studies on rural poverty and collaborates on cross-national projects related to environmental and educational equity. Scientific awards include the Stanley I. Sheerr Term Professorship in Social Sciences.
Richard W. Robins is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, within the College of Letters and Science. He is Director of the Personality, Self and Emotion Laboratory and the California Families Project, and a core faculty member of the NIMH Training Program in Affective Science. Ph.D. in Psychology (Social/Personality), University of California, Berkeley (1995) B.A. in Psychology, University of California, Berkeley (1988) His research centers on personality development, self-esteem, narcissism, self-conscious emotions (pride, shame, guilt, contempt), and developmental trajectories of Mexican-origin youth. He employs longitudinal and experimental designs with multi-method data collection across biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in longitudinal analysis of personality and emotion, particularly focusing on developmental pathways in youth, self-evaluation processes, and cultural influences on emotional expression. Key themes include the interplay between temperament and social behavior, the stability of self-esteem, and the distinction between genuine self-worth and narcissism. Award highlights include: 2012 Diener Award for Outstanding Mid-Career Contributions to Personality Psychology Fellow of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (2011) Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution (APA) Theoretical Innovation Prize (SPSP) Chancellor’s Fellow at UC Davis (2002–2007) Professor Robins has secured research funding from the National Institutes of Health, particularly supporting the California Families Project. He has served as Associate Editor for Personality and Social Psychological Review and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , and has edited major handbooks in personality psychology. He mentors graduate students and teaches courses in Personality Psychology, Personality Development, The Self, Emotion, and Longitudinal Methods. He leads the Personality, Self and Emotions Laboratory at UC Davis, which focuses on social development, emotion regulation, and self-esteem using integrative and naturalistic research approaches.
Swantje Falcke is an Assistant Professor in Economic and Social History at Utrecht University's Department of History and Art History. As part of the College of Humanities, her research focuses on migrant integration, naturalization, and the interplay between environmental change and migration patterns. Areas of Expertise: Migration and Societal Change, Pathways to Sustainability, In-Equality Studies Academic Background: PhD in Economics (2017) at Utrecht University, Post-Doc in Political Science at Maastricht University Her interdisciplinary work examines: Education-labor market mismatches among Dutch migrants Impact of German citizenship law reforms on naturalization Long-term effectiveness of refugee integration policies Environmental change effects on migration dynamics Scientific recognition includes: Duncan Black Award (2014) for political economy research NWO XS grant (2024) for environmental migration studies Her publications demonstrate methodological rigor, combining longitudinal analysis, policy evaluation, and empirical economic testing.
Professor Lisa Strohschein holds dual roles as a Professor in the Sociology Department and Director of Undergraduate Programs at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts. Her research focuses on family dynamics and health inequalities, employing longitudinal methodologies to analyze large datasets. She teaches courses on health sociology, mental illness, and socialization, emphasizing sociological perspectives on health distribution and care systems. Her research interests include the interplay between socioeconomic factors and mental health, gender disparities in marital outcomes, and generational shifts in parenting practices. She has published extensively on topics like teen pregnancy correlates, poverty dynamics, and the mental health implications of family structures. Strohschein has received the 2019-20 Killam Annual Professorship and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Studies in Population, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on demographic research. She also contributes to policy through roles like membership in Statistics Canada's Demographic Statistics Advisory Committee and past presidency of the Canadian Population Society. Her scholarly work bridges theoretical frameworks (life course, stress process theory) with methodological rigor, often using growth curve models and competing risks analysis. Current research trends emphasize cross-national comparisons and applied policy relevance, particularly in understanding how family transitions impact health across the life course.
Nicholas J. Klein is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. His research focuses on transportation equity, urban mobility, and marginalized communities' travel behaviors. Klein holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. from Cornell University. He has taught at Columbia University, Temple University, and Pratt Institute. His work emphasizes how socioeconomic factors and life events influence transportation choices, particularly among low-income populations. Key research areas include car ownership dynamics, location affordability, and the intersection of transportation policy with social justice. Klein has led projects funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Cornell's Institute for the Social Sciences, exploring car donation programs' impacts on disadvantaged families. Grants: Principal investigator for studies on car donation programs (2018–2020) and immigrant access to public transit (2010–2013). Awards: Journal of Planning Education and Research Top Reviewer Award (2018). Teaching: Courses include quantitative methods for public policy analysis. His publications address topics such as transportation affordability, generational car ownership trends, and the role of life experiences in shaping travel behavior. Klein frequently presents at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting and contributes to high-impact journals like Transport Policy and Journal of Transport and Land Use .
Anastasia Semykina is a Professor of Economics and Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) at RMIT University's School of Economics, Finance & Marketing. She holds a PhD from Michigan State University (2006) and previously served as Charles and Joan Haworth Professor of Economics at Florida State University. Her expertise spans theoretical and applied econometrics, with a focus on panel data models, missing data estimation, and their application in labor economics, education economics, transition economies, and economic psychology. She teaches advanced econometrics and microeconomics courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Research Interests: Theoretical and Applied Econometrics Labor Economics Economics of Education Transition Economies Economics and Psychology Health Economics Her recent publications address topics such as panel data methodologies, healthcare cost-effectiveness analysis, and educational policy evaluation. She is actively involved in supervising PhD and Master's research students in econometrics and applied economics.
Prasanna (Sonny) Tambe is a Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in the economics of technology and labor markets. His research explores AI’s impact on workforce dynamics, HR algorithms, and the gender wage gap in tech industries. Education: Ph.D. in Managerial Science and Applied Economics (Wharton, UPenn); S.B. and M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MIT). His work leverages internet-scale data from job platforms and patent databases to analyze trends in skill acquisition, remote work diversity, and algorithmic bias in hiring. Recent studies examine AI’s role in HR decision-making, the economics of emerging technologies, and labor market responses to IT innovation. Scientific Awards: Best Undergraduate Professors (Poets & Quants, 2020) Best Paper Awards (Management Science, Information Systems Research) ISS Sandra A. Slaughter Early Career Award (2016) Tambe co-directs Wharton Human-AI Research, focusing on ethical AI integration in organizations. His teaching includes award-winning courses on AI’s societal implications and data-driven business strategies.
Sjanne Marie van den Groenendaal is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Human Resource Studies, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University. Her research focuses on sustainable employability of self-employed workers and inclusive Human Resource Management (HRM), with a particular interest in freelancers' employment relationships, organizational needs, and psychological contracts. She has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Best Paper Award (2016) and Best Teacher Awards (2014-2016). Her work bridges HRM practices with societal policies, emphasizing inclusive labor markets and strategic HRM approaches. Education: Master of Science (MSc) External Roles: Founder/Consultant at van den Groenendaal Consultancy since 2020. Her research explores topics such as triad employment relationships, technological impacts on HR education, and the interplay between social security policies and strategic HRM. She actively engages in academic activities, including workshops on qualitative data analysis and invited talks on career development in turbulent contexts. Awards: Best Paper Award (second place), 2016 Best Teacher Award (2014-2016) Societal Impact Competition Award, 2019 Professional Contributions: Advises on inclusive HRM strategies, delivers courses on coaching and development in the Bachelor of Personeelwetenschappen program, and collaborates internationally on research projects.
Greg Keoleian is the Peter M. Wege Endowed Professor of Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan. He co-founded and directs the Center for Sustainable Systems and co-leads the MI Hydrogen initiative. His research focuses on advancing life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies to evaluate the sustainability of technologies, products, and systems. Key areas include renewable energy systems (e.g., wind, solar, bioenergy), transportation decarbonization, circular economy frameworks, and food/agricultural systems. He teaches interdisciplinary graduate courses on Sustainable Energy Systems and Industrial Ecology, and co-directs the Engineering Sustainable Systems Dual Degree Program and the Rackham Graduate Certificate Program in Industry Ecology. Research interests emphasize integrating environmental, economic, and social metrics into sustainability assessments. Notable contributions include pioneering LCA models for hydrogen energy systems, vehicle lifecycle optimization, and circular economy pathways for automotive materials. His work spans global and regional scales, addressing challenges such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable urban infrastructure. Keoleian’s recent work highlights synergies between emerging technologies (e.g., wireless charging, autonomous vehicles) and sustainability goals. He collaborates with policymakers and industry leaders to translate research into actionable strategies for deep decarbonization and circular economy adoption. Initiatives like the State of Michigan Hydrogen Roadmap exemplify his focus on bridging academic research with practical implementation. His interdisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive analysis of energy systems, industrial processes, and consumer behaviors. Keoleian’s teaching and mentorship emphasize systems thinking and cross-sector collaboration. He has shaped curricula that prepare students for leadership roles in sustainable systems design, policy development, and corporate sustainability management. Ongoing projects include optimizing reusable packaging systems, evaluating food waste impacts, and modeling urban energy justice in electric vehicle deployment.
Aeli Roberts is a Professorial Teaching Fellow at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London, specializing in sustainability, health and safety, and sustainable construction practices. She is a member of BSSC's Centre for Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment, a partnership between UCL and Gatehouse Chambers. Her educational background includes a diverse range of qualifications: PhD from Open University (2004), Bar Vocational Course from BPP Law School (2005), BSc in Construction Management from University College London (2003), MSc from Royal Holloway (1988), BSc from Royal Holloway (1986), and Higher National Diploma from Camberwell College of Art (1990). Initially trained as a chemist, she worked in industry and taught material science to conservation students before transitioning to construction management. Roberts' research focuses on integrating green space within urban environments for environmental and social benefits, health and safety in construction, and sustainable building practices. Her work examines sustainability in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which employ 85% of UK construction workers, and explores architect-client interactions for sustainable domestic construction. She has conducted comparative studies of health, safety, and well-being in UK and Hong Kong construction industries. Her publication record shows a strong focus on operational failure mitigation, knowledge transfer for safety culture, and the role of building control in sustainable construction. Recent work emphasizes climate change impacts on construction, wellbeing in the industry, and sustainable design integration. Her research bridges academic theory with practical application in the construction sector. Scientific Awards: Significant contributions serving the Design Futures Council's London and Cambridge Think Tank (2012) Roberts has held teaching positions across multiple subject areas including materials science, law, and sustainability. She has developed a third-year module on built asset management, emphasizing the importance of post-occupancy building performance. Her teaching philosophy connects historical building conservation with contemporary sustainability challenges, particularly in the context of upgrading existing housing stock to meet carbon reduction targets. She has been involved in collaborative research projects with organizations including the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), focusing on eco-design training for the construction supply chain. Her work with the CIC 2050 Group demonstrates engagement with industry-wide sustainability initiatives.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Asef Bayat is Professor of Sociology and the Catherine and Bruce Bastian Professor of Global and Transnational Studies at the Department of Sociology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He has held previous academic positions at the American University in Cairo, Leiden University (where he held the Chair of Society and Culture of the Modern Middle East), and visiting appointments at UC Berkeley, Columbia University, Oxford, and Brown University. His research interests include: Political Sociology Collective Behavior and Social Movements Sociology of Religion Urban Life and Politics Islam and Modernity Contemporary Middle East Bayat's research focuses on the role of ordinary people and subaltern classes in social and political transformations, particularly in the context of the Arab Spring and Middle Eastern urban movements. His work bridges comparative and historical sociology with global and transnational perspectives, emphasizing everyday forms of resistance and the reconfiguration of political Islam. He has extensively explored the sociological dimensions of revolution, modernity, migration, and loss of home. His recent publications, including articles in International Journal of Urban and Regional Research and Journal of Democracy , reflect a sustained engagement with urban politics, revolutionary dynamics, and youth activism in the Global South. The recurring themes across his work include the agency of marginalized populations, the transformation of public space, and the evolving nature of political engagement in non-Western contexts. Bayat has received numerous honors and fellowships: Guggenheim Fellow Ford Foundation Fellow MacArthur Fellow Open Society Fellow Wissenschaftskolleg Fellow, Berlin He has been actively involved in academic leadership, having served as director of the International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World (ISIM) and elected to the Board of the UN Research Institute for Social Development. He has taught key courses such as Global Social Movements, Global Religion and Politics, and Middle Eastern Societies. Though specific students are not listed, his role as a full professor and author of major works indicates extensive mentorship and academic advising. He is affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary centers, including the Center for African Studies, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, European Union Center, and Center for Global Studies.
Simon Langlois-Bertrand serves as a Part Time Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Concordia University, teaching core courses including Introduction to International Relations (POLI205), Sustainability and Governance (POLI208), and Global Energy Politics and Policy (POLI486). His interdisciplinary academic foundation combines engineering and political science, reflected in his educational trajectory: PhD International Affairs, Carleton University M.Sc. Political Science, Université de Montréal M.Ing. Industrial Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal B.Ing. Computer Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal Langlois-Bertrand's research critically examines energy politics and policy , global environmental governance , and sustainability transitions , with particular emphasis on social-technical dimensions of development and U.S. political dynamics. His work bridges engineering perspectives with political analysis to explore how technological systems interact with institutional frameworks. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals concentrated expertise in North American energy transitions, featuring empirical studies on electricity rate structures, Quebec's carbon policy, and theoretical investigations of uncertainty in energy governance. Key thematic threads include decarbonization pathways, circular economy implementation, and life-cycle policy approaches, predominantly focused on Canadian and Quebec contexts. Scientific awards: No awards documented in source material. Regarding academic mentorship, the provided text contains no information about graduate students supervised or research grants secured. His current research projects indicate ongoing work on the geopolitics of ecological transition and environmental state theory through life-cycle analysis frameworks. No laboratory affiliations or research team memberships are specified in the available documentation.
Dr. Jarno Hoekman is an Associate Professor in Innovation Studies at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University. His research focuses on the dynamics and governance of science in the context of innovation, regulation, and societal challenges, with particular emphasis on sustainability and health. He is affiliated with both the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and the Utrecht collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy & Regulation in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Hoekman serves as the programme leader of the research master in Innovation Sciences and teaches academic integrity courses to Master students and PhD candidates. Dr. Hoekman's research is organized around three interconnected themes: Science in transition , examining how scientific practices and institutional arrangements are evolving through open science, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and alternative recognition systems; Regulatory science and innovation , investigating innovations in tools and standards for assessing risks and benefits of new technologies, including safety assessment methods and regulatory authorization standards; and Geography of science , exploring the role of location factors in scientific knowledge production and diffusion. Analysis of Dr. Hoekman's recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning pharmacology, toxicology, innovation studies, and science policy. Key research trends include examining conditional marketing authorization pathways, post-approval studies for conditionally authorized medicines, animal-free safety testing methodologies, and the societal impact of transdisciplinary research projects. His work frequently employs mixed-methods approaches and involves multi-stakeholder perspectives to address complex regulatory and innovation challenges. Dr. Hoekman actively contributes to policy-relevant research, including major European Commission studies on pharmaceutical legislation. His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions and involves interdisciplinary teams working on pharmaceutical policy, sustainable innovation, and science-society interactions. As a member of the Utrecht Young Academy and the UU Open Science Platform, he engages with broader academic community initiatives related to research integrity and open science practices.
Dr. Alyas Widita is an Assistant Professor in the Urban Design program at Monash University, Indonesia. He is actively involved in research and teaching, focusing on urban planning, transportation, and smart city technologies. He serves as the Program Coordinator for Urban Design and teaches courses such as Urban Design Studio: Smart City and Smart City Technologies. Education: Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States Dr. Widita's research centers on the built environment, transportation systems, and urban analytics, with a strong emphasis on developing Asian cities. His work explores congestion impacts of mass transit, ride-hailing effects on vehicle ownership, rural-urban migration, walking behavior, and spatial patterns of MSMEs. He employs advanced data analytics and causal evaluation methods to inform urban policy. His recent publications span high-impact journals such as Transport Reviews , Journal of Planning Education and Research , and Travel Behaviour and Society . The research trend shows a consistent focus on data-driven urban policy, sustainable mobility, and equity in urban development across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Scientific Awards and Recognition: No specific awards listed, but research widely cited and featured in media outlets. Dr. Widita has secured and contributed to multiple research projects funded by international and national agencies, including the World Bank, Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), Central Bank of Indonesia, and Georgia Department of Transportation. He is currently leading or co-leading projects on Jakarta’s subsidence, flood risk management using remote sensing, and the Citarum River revitalization. He collaborates extensively with researchers across disciplines and institutions. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable cities and communities. He is accepting PhD students interested in the built environment, transportation, and urban analytics in developing Asia. He is involved in key labs and research teams including the Citarum Action Research Program (CARP), Intelligent and Dynamic Remote Sensing for Flood Risk, and interdisciplinary urban analytics initiatives at Monash Indonesia.
