James B. Thomson is a Professor of Finance and Senior Associate Dean at the University of Akron's College of Business Administration. Previously, he served as Interim Dean and held senior roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, including Vice President and Financial Economist. He earned his PhD and MA in economics from The Ohio State University and a BS from The Georgia Institute of Technology. Research Focus: Financial markets and institutions, federal deposit insurance, bank regulation, small business lending, credit spreads, and financial stability. Key Publications: His work spans topics like credit market feedback, financial crisis resolution, and systemic risk mitigation, appearing in journals such as the Journal of Finance and Journal of Banking and Finance . Awards: Recognized with a Fellow designation at the FDIC Center for Financial Research and an Outstanding Paper award at the Eastern Finance Association Meetings. Service: Active in academic and professional service, including editorial roles and committee memberships at the University of Akron and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
Aleksandra Wiącek-Burmańczuk is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Labour Law, Institute of Legal Sciences, Faculty of Law and Administration, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin, Poland. She specializes in Labour Law, Employment Law, and related legal disciplines. Current academic position: Adjunct Professor Department: Department of Labour Law University: Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Faculty: Faculty of Law and Administration Research interests include: Labour and employment law frameworks Local self-government legal mechanisms Corporate restructuring processes (mergers, splits, liquidations) Workplace transfer regulations Cultural institutions' legal operations She maintains an active academic schedule with regular office hours (in-person and via MS Teams) and has published 6 works with a total ministerial score of 396.
Domenico Scalera is a Full Professor ( Professore Ordinario ) in the Department of Law, Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM) at the University of Sannio (Università degli Studi del Sannio) in Italy. His academic work focuses on SECS-P/01 - Political Economy, with particular emphasis on regional economic issues in Italy. Professor Scalera's research interests span multiple areas in economics, with a strong focus on Regional Economics , particularly concerning Southern Italy (Mezzogiorno). His work examines Political Economy questions related to decentralization, fiscal federalism, and regional autonomy. He has conducted extensive research on Industrial Organization , especially analyzing Italian firms within Global Value Chains , subcontracting relationships, and industrial restructuring. His publications also address public finance issues, educational efficiency, and the economic development challenges of Southern Italy. Analysis of Professor Scalera's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on Italian regional economic disparities, the implications of differentiated regional autonomy, and Italy's position within global economic networks. His work often combines theoretical economic frameworks with empirical analysis of Italian industrial and regional data. A significant portion of his recent research examines the intersection of digital transformation with traditional industrial structures, the economic impacts of the pandemic, and the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) across Italian regions. Professor Scalera has maintained an active research profile throughout his career, with publication records dating back to the 1980s. His work demonstrates continuity in addressing core questions about Italian economic development while adapting to contemporary challenges including globalization, digital transformation, and the post-pandemic economic landscape. As a researcher, Professor Scalera maintains active profiles on major academic platforms including ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and RePEc, indicating his engagement with the broader academic community. His research output demonstrates sustained scholarly activity with approximately 97 publications documented in the university's IRIS research catalog.
Dr. Marek Kamil Woźnicki is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Constitutional Law, Faculty of Law and Administration, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS), Lublin, Poland. He holds dual expertise in Law (2009) and History (2012) from UMCS, and Canon Law (2014) from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw. His academic career spans roles as a judge's assistant (2011-2015) and editorial leadership of the journal Prawo i Polityka since 2018. Research focuses on constitutional law, electoral law, and political accountability mechanisms in parliamentary systems. Active in institutional governance as a Senate Disciplinary Committee member (2021-present) and internship committee member (2018-present). Recipient of the Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor award. His scholarly output examines Polish electoral law evolution, ministerial accountability frameworks, and comparative analyses of European local governance models. His 2018 monograph Geneza i ewolucja odpowiedzialności politycznej ministra w ustroju III Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej remains a seminal work in the field. Current research explores proportional representation dynamics in Polish voivodeship elections and modern electoral code reforms.
Dr. Piotr Zbieranek is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Social Anthropology , Institute of Sociology , University of Gdańsk . He combines sociology and psychology in his research, focusing on cultural sociology and political sociology. PhD in Social Sciences (cultural policy) MA in Psychology Research interests include: Sociology of culture and cultural heritage Political sociology and policy formulation Civil society and gender studies Local governance and urban/rural identity Recent publications (2024–2020) explore: Cultural policy metagovernance Women's civic engagement in Gdańsk Cultural heritage in rural Stegna Urban identity transformations Social stratification through cultural capital Professional affiliations: Member of the Pomeranian Center for Cultural Research (since 2017) Editorial Secretary of Miscellanea Anthropologica et Sociologica (since 2019)
Dr. Alexander Wentland is a Lecturer and Head of the Transforming Mobility & Society (TraMS) Lab at the Technical University of Munich's Department of Science, Technology, and Society. His research focuses on how past technological legacies shape current innovation processes, particularly in mobility systems, regional economic structures, and sociotechnical futures. He employs ethnographic methods, discourse analysis, and comparative case studies to explore governance of innovation and its societal embedding. Education: Doctorate in Sociology from Technical University of Berlin Positions: Harvard University, TU Munich, Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) Key research interests include regional innovation cultures, mobility policy, and the interplay between technological experimentation and urban governance. Funded by Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), his work bridges academic research with policy and practice through interdisciplinary projects with city administrations, businesses, and NGOs. Recent projects include ReMIX (Responsible Mobility Innovation), ReMGo (Responsible Mobility Governance), and TrEx (Transformative Mobility Experiments). His articles analyze urban mobility transitions, pandemic policy impacts, and socio-technical imaginaries in Europe. Teaching focuses on science & technology policy, mobility futures, and technology security. He advises on mobility equity in metropolitan regions and collaborates globally on innovation governance frameworks.
Eve-Michelle Basu is an Affiliated Researcher at the SSE Institute for Research (SIR), part of the Department of Marketing and Strategy at Stockholm School of Economics (HHS). She holds a PhD in Business Studies (Entrepreneurship) from Uppsala University and has a M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, along with Economics studies in the U.S. Her research focuses on entrepreneurial ecosystems, exogenous factors influencing entrepreneurial processes, and organizational dynamics. She explores topics like international network activity of firms, corporate venturing units, and the interplay between entrepreneurship theory and novel methodologies. Basu has taught extensively in Business Planning, Corporate Entrepreneurship, and Analytics at Uppsala University's Department of Business Studies. Her practical experience includes roles in Marketing/Sales (B2B/B2C) and Market Research across industries such as telecommunications, retail, electric utilities, and steel in Germany and Sweden. Her current project investigates the commercialization of biotechnology inventions, integrating entrepreneurship and organization theory with advanced methodologies.
Ola Bergström is a Professor of Management and Organisation at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg. He obtained his PhD in 1998 from the same institution. His research focuses on organizational restructuring, labor markets, and European policy contexts. He serves as Vice-Dean for Education at his school since 2020 and is a board member of the Centre for Global Human Resource Management. He advises the Economic Council for Swedish Manufacturing Industry and has led multiple European research projects on restructuring. Key research interests include strategic human resource management, change management, and the interplay between organizations and labor markets. His work addresses contemporary challenges like green transition, climate policy, and industrial competitiveness. Notable contributions include studies on workforce reduction, temporary agency work, and the impact of economic crises on policy frameworks. Recent publications (2020–2023) emphasize sustainability transitions, post-pandemic industry resilience, and equitable climate policies. He frequently collaborates with institutions like the European Academy of Management and participates in global forums addressing labor market dynamics. His interdisciplinary approach bridges academic research with practical policy recommendations for businesses and governments.
Haruaki Hirota is a Professor of Public Economics at the Faculty of Economics, Musashi University in Tokyo. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Osaka University (2010) and has held positions including committee member at Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Visiting Fellow at Crawford School of Economics at Australian National University. His research focuses on local public finance mechanisms, municipal mergers, intergovernmental fiscal policies, and Japan's fiscal consolidation strategies. Education: Ph.D. Economics (Osaka University, 2010) Research interests emphasize practical applications of fiscal policy in urban governance, including analyses of Japan’s municipal restructuring processes and vertical fiscal frameworks. His work intersects with political economy, regional development, and public finance sustainability. Notable recognition includes the 2018 Sato Prize from the Japan Association of Local Public Finance for contributions to local fiscal studies. Professional activities include policy advising roles and academic collaborations between Japan and Australia.
Dagmara Kociuba is a Lecturer at the Department of Spatial Policy and Planning , Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. Her career spans roles in academic research, project management, and policy evaluation, with expertise in urban studies, spatial management, and EU Cohesion Policy. Department: Spatial Policy and Planning University: Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) Academic Rank: Lecturer Research Interests Specializes in Functional Urban Areas , Smart Specialization , and Participatory Budgeting . Focuses on EU Cohesion Policy implementation, Integrated Territorial Investments (ITIs), and Historical Urban Landscape reconstruction. Works on Smart City ecosystem models, Urban Green Infrastructure , and Boundary Changes analysis. Scientific Contributions (2025–2018): Published 15+ works on GIS applications for historical urban studies, EU fund utilization , and spatial policy evaluation . Research themes include urban sustainability , territorial cohesion , and smart city modeling . Projects and Expert Activities : Managed initiatives like Lublin - the city of your ideas and Green Human Space in Pszczela Wola. Served as evaluator for Czech Academy of Sciences and expert for Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). Active in Community Committee of Lublin Metropolitan Area and Regional Studies Association EU Cohesion Policy Network .
Jaromír Balcar is a historian affiliated with the University of Bremen's Department of Modern and Contemporary History as a Private Lecturer (Privatdozent). He earned his doctorate from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in 2002 and completed his habilitation at Universität Bremen in 2010. His academic career includes extended research positions at the Institute of Contemporary History in Munich and Universität Bremen, where he led the project "Fiscal Persecution of Jews and Restitution in Bremen" (2012-2014). His research focuses on: Economic and social history of Nazi Germany and Communist Czechoslovakia Industrial transformations under totalitarian regimes Jewish persecution and post-Holocaust restitution Regional development in postwar Germany Administrative history under occupation Balcar's publications demonstrate consistent focus on economic systems in transition, particularly industrial management in Central Europe during political upheavals. His recent work examines Nazi exploitation of Czech industry, postwar nationalization policies, and bureaucratic mechanisms of Jewish persecution. He has directed significant research projects including DFG-funded studies on managed economies in Bohemia-Moravia and the Bremer Landesbank-supported investigation into fiscal persecution of Jews. Balcar maintains editorial responsibilities at the online review journal "Sehepunkte" and has coordinated digital historical document collections.
Professor Robert Klementowski, affiliated with the University of Wrocław and its Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences , specializes in 20th Century History , Atomic Science History , and Anthropology of Memory . His work bridges Political History and Cultural Anthropology , focusing on the Security Apparatus of Communist Poland , Utopianism , and Graphic Design History . Research Themes : Security services, economic transformations, memory politics, and cultural narratives in Eastern Europe. Notable Contributions : Analysis of uranium mining's societal impact, institutional culture of secret services, and utopian elements in European civilization. Scientific Outputs (2016-2020) reveal consistent engagement with repressive structures , post-war economic challenges , and symbolism in memory politics . He serves on editorial boards and contributes to Polish Economic History Society initiatives.
Laura Hermer is a Professor of Law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, specializing in health law and reproductive justice. She previously served as Associate Professor at Hamline University School of Law (2012-2015) and held dual appointments at the University of Texas Medical Branch as Assistant Professor in Preventive Medicine and member of the Institute for Medical Humanities (2007-2012). Her education includes a B.A. from Hampshire College (1993), J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law (1998), and LL.M. in Health Law from the University of Houston Law Center (2002). Hermer's research examines systemic barriers in healthcare access, with emphasis on reproductive rights, Medicaid policy, population health equity, and legal protections for vulnerable communities. Her work intersects constitutional law, public health ethics, and healthcare financing. Recent publications analyze abortion legislation during crises, Medicaid restructuring, and reproductive autonomy, demonstrating consistent focus on how legal frameworks impact marginalized populations during societal challenges. Awards & Fellowships: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Faculty Fellow (2014-2015) for innovation in public health law education Grants & Initiatives: Secured Texas Department of State Health Services funding for secondhand smoke ordinance research; established Mitchell Hamline's medical-legal partnership with United Family Medicine through external funding. Academic Leadership: Founded Mitchell Hamline's medical-legal partnership clinic; developed health economics curriculum at University of Texas Medical Branch; directed scientific integrity training for biomedical graduate students.
Adam Hilton is an Associate Professor of Politics at Mount Holyoke College, specializing in American political development through the lens of parties, movements, and political entrepreneurs. He holds a PhD and MA from York University and a BA from Evergreen State College. Research Focus: Interactions between social movements and political parties as co-evolutionary forces Current Projects: Parties, Power, and Change (co-edited book, 2025); Explaining the Great Divergence (monograph in progress) His 2021 book True Blues redefines party dynamics as "contentious institutions" shaped by conflicts between reformers and elites. Recent publications examine post-election analyses (2020-2021), polarization origins (2019), and party democratization efforts (2017-2018). Scientific Award: 2022 Centennial Grant from American Political Science Association Teaching: Courses on American Political Development, Inequality, and Election Systems
Hans von Spakovsky is a Senior Legal Fellow and manager of the Election Law Reform Initiative at The Heritage Foundation's Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies. He is also an adjunct professor at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, where he teaches legal courses. Senior Legal Fellow, The Heritage Foundation Adjunct Professor, George Mason University School of Law Former Member, Federal Election Commission Former Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice Chairman, Public Interest Legal Foundation Education: J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law (1984) B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1981) Hans von Spakovsky specializes in election integrity, civil rights, constitutional law, and government regulation. His research emphasizes voter ID laws, election fraud prevention, campaign finance reform, and the enforcement of federal voting rights. He has developed comprehensive analyses of state election laws through the Election Integrity Scorecard and maintains a national database of proven election fraud cases. His academic and policy work bridges legal scholarship with practical governance reform. His recent publications reflect a strong focus on legal and constitutional issues surrounding elections, immigration, executive power, and civil liberties. Common themes include the rule of law, federalism, and the balance between individual rights and governmental authority. His work often critiques perceived liberal judicial overreach and advocates for stricter enforcement of immigration and election laws. Scientific Awards: Drs. W. Glenn and Rita Ricardo Campbell Award (2016) for outstanding contribution to the analysis and promotion of the Free Society Hans von Spakovsky has not supervised formal graduate students but has influenced public policy through mentorship and collaboration within conservative legal circles. He has testified before Congress and advised numerous state and national organizations, including the National Association of Secretaries of State and the Federalist Society. He previously led the Civil Justice Reform Initiative at Heritage and has held leadership roles in election oversight bodies at the county and federal advisory levels. His work continues to shape conservative legal thought on election security and constitutional governance.
