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Christoph GüntherView profile

Researcher

• Islamic Studies
• Political Islam
• Visual Culture
• +7 more

Dr. Christoph Günther is a researcher at the Institute of Ethnology and African Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, where he leads a BMBF-funded Junior Research Group on Jihadism on the Internet since 2017. Previously, he served as a Guest Professor at the same institution during Summer Semester 2016, hosted by Prof. Dr. Matthias Krings. His academic journey includes research positions at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle/Saale until 2016 and teaching appointments at the Universities of Marburg and Leipzig. PhD from University of Leipzig (2013) MA in Islamic Studies, History and Arabic Studies from University of Bamberg (2002-2008) Studies at University of Cairo (2004/2005) DFG Research Training Group Fellow at University of Leipzig (2010-2013) Dr. Günther specializes in the ideology and visual culture of the Islamic State (IS), with particular focus on jihadist online propaganda, visual communication strategies, and the intersection of religious ideology with state-building aspirations. His research examines how IS constructs authority through visual media and how these materials are received and appropriated by various audiences. He is recognized as an expert in this field and is frequently consulted by media outlets for his in-depth knowledge of IS propaganda mechanisms. His research has identified significant shifts in jihadist propaganda quality since 2013, moving beyond traditional political or Islamic studies approaches to incorporate media-cultural and media-anthropological perspectives. This interdisciplinary approach provides novel insights into jihadists' self-perception and how their messaging resonates with different audiences, including non-regional viewers in the 'Global North' and regional Arabic-speaking populations. Regular media commentator on IS ideology and visual culture Organizer of the 'Jihadi Audiovisualities' conference (October 2018) Conducted research on IS propaganda targeting Western audiences Investigated regional Arabic material from Syria and Iraq Analyzed Boko Haram's Hausa-language propaganda Dr. Günther's work bridges academic research and practical counter-terrorism efforts through his contributions to understanding jihadist justification narratives and potential counter-narratives. His research has significant societal relevance given the evolving nature of online radicalization and the professionalization of jihadist media production.

Andrew EngelhardtView profile

Assistant Professor

• Political Psychology
• Racial Attitudes
• Group-Based Inequalities
• +4 more

Andrew Engelhardt is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Stony Brook University, with a PhD from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. from The College of William & Mary. He previously held positions at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and Brown University’s Taubman Center. His research focuses on how political psychology shapes responses to racial inequality in liberal democracies, emphasizing the development of racial attitudes and their impact on political decisions. Research interests include group-centric thinking in American politics, racial socialization priorities, and linking theoretical constructs to empirical measures. Methodologically, he employs diverse approaches across populations. His work has been published in top journals like American Political Science Review and American Journal of Political Science, and covered by major media outlets. Key awards include the 2022 ISPP Roberta Sigel Award for early-career scholars. Engelhardt has contributed to projects like the UNC System’s Free Expression and Constructive Dialogue initiative. His teaching spans courses on American elections, race relations, and statistical methods in political science.

Amy O'ConnorView profile

Associate Professor

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Public Relations
• Corporate Communication
• +5 more

Amy O'Connor is an Associate Professor of Strategic Communication at the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Minnesota. Her research centers on corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication, stakeholder engagement, and corporate-community relationships, particularly in extraction industries. She authored The Mine Next Door and edited the award-winning Routledge Handbook on Corporate Social Responsibility Communication (2022). Her teaching emphasizes collaborative learning, critical thinking, and community engagement. Ph.D., Purdue University (Communication) M.A., Western Michigan University (Organizational Communication) B.A., Washington State University (Mass Communication/Advertising) Research interests include CSR communication, institutionalization of CSR, stakeholder expectations, and ethnographic studies in mining communities. Recent work explores CSR in polarized and digital environments, corporate-nonprofit partnerships, and the interplay between location and CSR practices. Key article trends highlight CSR communication challenges in polarized societies, digitalization impacts, mining industry dynamics, and stakeholder behavioral intentions. Her 2025 study on SPIRIT in clinical trials bridges health communication and ethical research practices. University Honors Program Fellow (2024-2025) Recognized as most popular and influential CSR scholar (2020 bibliometric analysis) Award-winning editor of Routledge Handbook on CSR Communication (2022) Amy mentors students through the Dean's First-Year Research and Creative Scholar (DFRACS) program and supervises UROP participants. Her work integrates academic rigor with practical CSR solutions, reflecting the University of Minnesota's land grant mission.

Tim BaleView profile

Professor

• Political Parties
• Elections
• UK Politics
• +5 more

Tim Bale is Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London , affiliated with the School of Politics and International Relations . His academic journey began at Cambridge, continued with an MA at Northwestern University (USA), and culminated in a PhD at the Department of Politics, Sheffield University. After teaching at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) and Sussex University (UK), he joined Queen Mary. Bale has received notable awards, including the Bernard Crick Prize for Outstanding Teaching (2008) and the W.J.M. MacKenzie Prize (2011) for his book on the Conservative Party. Specializes in political parties, elections, immigration policy, and UK/European politics Key research funded by the ESRC (e.g., Party Membership Project) and Leverhulme Trust (Major Research Fellowship, 2020-2022) Author of The Conservative Party after Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation (2023) and co-editor of Riding the Populist Wave: Europe's Mainstream Right in Crisis (2021) Active media commentator, contributing to UK and international media, and a prolific tweeter ( @ProfTimBale ) His recent publications focus on party member dynamics, Brexit consequences, and immigration policy politicization. He has supervised numerous PhD students, particularly in political party systems, and serves on advisory boards for think tanks like the Social Market Foundation and Bright Blue . Bale is currently involved in the Mile End Institute and was Deputy Director of the ESRC initiative UK in a Changing Europe .

• Energy Transition
• Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
• Renewable Energy Policy
• +3 more

Professor Peta Ashworth is Director of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition at Curtin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on energy transition, public perception of emerging technologies, and sustainable development strategies. Key areas include carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), hydrogen energy systems, and global South energy dynamics. Her work spans interdisciplinary collaborations addressing climate policy, renewable energy adoption, and stakeholder engagement in decarbonization efforts. Notable contributions include systematic reviews on biopesticide regulation, hydrogen social acceptance frameworks, and geopolitical implications of critical minerals. She leads initiatives in clean cooking finance reform and energy equity analysis, emphasizing practical solutions for sustainable transitions. Recent publications explore public engagement strategies for emerging technologies, with a focus on message framing effectiveness and gender dynamics in participatory processes. Her research bridges technical innovation with societal acceptance, contributing to policy frameworks that balance environmental goals with community needs.

Tselil SchrammView profile

Assistant Professor

• Algorithms
• Optimization
• Computational Complexity
• +3 more

Tselil Schramm is an Assistant Professor at Stanford University in the Department of Statistics, with courtesy appointments in Computer Science and Mathematics. Her work bridges theoretical computer science and statistics, focusing on algorithm design and information-computation tradeoffs. Research interests include: Theoretical power of sum-of-squares semidefinite programs Fast spectral methods for high-dimensional estimation Characterizing computational complexity in statistical problems Interplay between different computation models Teaching: She has taught courses like Intro to Statistics , Machine Learning Theory , and The Sum-of-Squares Algorithmic Paradigm in Statistics since joining Stanford in 2022. Selected publications highlight: Robust algorithmic paradigms for high-dimensional data, computational barriers in low-degree polynomial estimation, and theoretical foundations of statistical query models. Scientific honors: NSF CAREER Award (2020s) COLT 2021 Best Paper Runner-up (Statistical query algorithms paper)

• Business Communication
• Data Communication
• Corporate Social Responsibility Communication
• +4 more

Beth Walter is an Associate Teaching Professor of Business Communication at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, where she has worked since 2014 (as Assistant Teaching Professor until 2024). She teaches business communication, presentation skills, professional writing, data communication, executive presence, and interpersonal managerial communication at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Former President & CEO of Spotlight Performing Arts Academy (1996-2010) PhD in Communication and Rhetorical Studies from Duquesne University (2014) Her research focuses on pedagogical methods for business writing, AI ethics in communication, and corporate social responsibility communication strategies. She designs custom executive education programs and integrates improvisational theater techniques into leadership training. Recent publications examine AI instruction in business communication and Bakhtin's philosophical contributions to rhetorical theory. Teaching activities include courses like AI for Business Communication , Data Storytelling , and Business Communication for Analysts . Professional activities include committee memberships for curriculum review and faculty searches, as well as consulting work with PPG Industries and Coherent Corp on executive presence development. She has been involved in multiple CMU teaching initiatives including GAITAR@Scale Advisory Team.

David SpiegelhalterView profile

Professor

• Public Understanding of Risk
• Bayesian Statistics
• Biostatistics
• +2 more

David Spiegelhalter is Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Mathematics. His research focuses on Bayesian statistics, public communication of uncertainty, biostatistics, and performance assessment in healthcare. He has contributed extensively to risk perception studies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and develops tools for statistical communication. Spiegelhalter's work bridges technical statistics with public understanding, emphasizing transparent communication of scientific uncertainty. His research interests include: Developing frameworks for trust in scientific advocacy Quantifying pandemic risks and public responses Creating accessible statistical tools for healthcare decisions His publications show consistent focus on: Public health communication strategies Philosophical foundations of probability Epidemiological modeling with recent emphasis on COVID-19 data interpretation.

Virgil D. GligorView profile

Professor

• Network and Distributed Systems Security
• Distributed Systems
• Applied Cryptography
• +3 more

Virgil D. Gligor is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the College of Engineering. He serves as Co-Director of CyLab, CMU's cybersecurity research center. His academic career spans over four decades, with a Ph.D. (1976) and M.Sc. (1973) from UC Berkeley, preceded by a B.Sc. (1972) in Electrical Engineering. His research focuses on network and distributed systems security, applied cryptography, and formal methods, with contributions to sensor network security, ad-hoc network trust models, and cryptographic protocol design. Recent work includes pioneering secure communication architectures (e.g., MiniSec), distributed detection of node replication attacks, and formal verification of security protocols. He has received prestigious recognitions, including induction into the Cybersecurity Hall of Fame (2019) and a Distinguished Paper Award at the NDSS Symposium (2019). His teaching includes courses on applied cryptography and network security. Current projects involve designing secure tactical mobile ad-hoc networks (MURI grant) and dynamic coalition management systems. Dr. Gligor’s work bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementations, emphasizing provable security guarantees even in compromised environments. His lab develops cryptographic primitives and security frameworks for modern distributed systems, addressing challenges in IoT, sensor networks, and coalition resource management.

Michelle TorresView profile

Assistant Professor

• Political Methodology
• Political Behavior
• Computer Vision
• +5 more

Margaret Michelle Torres is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research focuses on political methodology, computer vision, causal inference, and survey methodology, with substantive interests in political media communication, participation, and attitude formation. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and an A.M. in Statistics from Washington University in St. Louis, alongside a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from CIDE (Mexico City). Her work bridges computational methods and social science inquiry, emphasizing innovative tools for analyzing visual and textual data. Recent projects explore how ideology influences perceptions of political groups, the role of visual frames in protests, and methodological issues in causal inference. Torres has authored influential papers on topics ranging from election dynamics to the application of machine learning in political analysis. Notable contributions include frameworks for unsupervised visual analysis and critiques of posttreatment variable pitfalls in experiments. Her research frequently intersects with questions of media representation, public opinion, and institutional trust. Torres advises students in quantitative methods and political behavior, though specific advisee names are not listed here.

Cristina MarinhoView profile

Lecturer

• Political Psychology
• Critical Discourse Analysis
• Media and Political Communication
• +3 more

Cristina Marinho is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. She holds a PhD in Social Psychology from Loughborough University and an MSc in Social and Organisational Psychology from ISCTE (University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal). Her research focuses on political manipulation, rhetorical strategies in parliamentary discourse, and public engagement with climate change communication. She actively supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students in qualitative methodologies and dissertation work. Education : PhD, Social Psychology, Loughborough University (UK) MSc, Social and Organisational Psychology, ISCTE, Portugal Her research investigates how politicians misrepresent reality through statistical manipulation and historical mythmaking, with a focus on Portuguese parliamentary rituals and UK/EU political discourse. Collaborations include projects on climate change communication with Dr Sue Widdicombe and Dr Rahul Sambaraju. She has published extensively with co-author Michael Billig on topics like political rhetoric and critical discourse analysis. Teaching responsibilities include Qualitative Social Psychology Lab, Psychology Mini-Dissertation supervision, and coordination of the Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research (QMiPR) course. She maintains regular office hours for student advising.

Anne TempletonView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Crowd Psychology
• Social Identity Theory
• Emergency Response
• +5 more

Anne Templeton serves as a Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. She holds a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and leads the research group Identities and Collective Behaviour . Her academic journey includes a PhD from Sussex, MSc from Surrey, and MA (hons) from St Andrews. Her research centers on applying social identity theory to crowd psychology, particularly examining how group dynamics influence safety during emergencies and mass events. Key focus areas include: psychological crowd modeling, first responder communication strategies, and incorporating social identities into evacuation simulations. She develops behavioral interventions to improve public adherence during crises through computational modeling and virtual reality experiments. Her 15 most recent publications reveal strong thematic consistency across emergency management, crowd dynamics, and social identity applications. Recent work emphasizes high-rise evacuation protocols, tunnel fire egress, COP26 protest support mechanisms, and bystander CPR interventions. The research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of psychology, computational modeling, and public safety practice. Scientific Recognition: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2022) Research Leadership: Principal Investigator for ESRC, DCMS, and Chief Nursing Office grants totaling over £1.8 million, including the £1.377m UKRI project on first responder communication strategies. Current supervision of four PhD students (Waleed Alhajri, Sam Vo, Sayaka Hinata, Kayleigh Smith). Her knowledge exchange extends through government advisory roles including the Scottish Government COVID-19 Behavioural Insights team (2021-2022), UK Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Science Board (2021), and Sports Grounds Safety Authority consultation (2020). Media engagements feature BBC, Reuters, and The Conversation coverage of Hajj crowd safety and stadium atmosphere research.

Gabriel Lopez-MoctezumaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Political Economy
• Political Science
• Collective Decision-Making
• +5 more

Gabriel Lopez-Moctezuma is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) , joining the faculty in 2017. He holds a B.A. from Instituto Tecnologico Automomo de Mexico (2007), an M.A. (2012), and a Ph.D. (2016) from Princeton University. Caltech affiliations: Ronald and Maxine Linde Institute of Economic and Management Sciences Center for Theoretical and Experimental Social Sciences (CTESS) His research focuses on collective decision-making in committees (e.g., Federal Open Market Committee, U.S. Supreme Court) and electoral competition . Methodologically, he employs structural estimation , causal inference , and text analysis to study how sequential decision-making affects policy outcomes and voter behavior. Key contributions include analyzing social learning in judicial deliberations and quantifying the trade-off between ideological preferences and reelection incentives in U.S. Senate elections. Teaching roles include courses on Political Theory (SS 202 abc) and Applied Empirical Methods in the Social Sciences (SS 228 abc). Publications span topics from monetary policy dynamics to democratic representation , with ongoing work on political advertising effects and deliberation mechanisms in electoral systems.

Paolo CavaliereView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Freedom of Expression
• Media Law
• Digital Platforms Regulation
• +6 more

Paolo Cavaliere is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and IT Law at the University of Edinburgh Law School, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Scottish Research Centre for Intellectual Property and Technology Law (SCRIPT) and Head of Subject Area for IP, Media and Technology. He joined the University in September 2014 and maintains active research and teaching in freedom of expression, media law, and communications law. His educational background includes a PhD in International Law and Economics from Bocconi University (Italy), an LLM in Public Law from University College London, and a Laurea in Law from the University of Pavia (Italy). Prior to his position at Edinburgh, he worked as a researcher at the Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policies at the University of Oxford's Centre for Socio-Legal Studies. Cavaliere's research focuses on the intersection of digital technologies and legal frameworks, with particular expertise in disinformation regulation, freedom of expression in digital environments, media law, and platform governance. His work examines how traditional legal concepts like truth, accuracy, and sovereignty are being redefined in the context of digital platforms and global information ecosystems. He has published extensively on topics including hate speech regulation, content moderation practices, micro-targeting in political campaigns, and the impact of disinformation on democratic processes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward examining how legal frameworks are adapting to the challenges posed by digital platforms, particularly regarding disinformation, hate speech, and content governance. His work increasingly addresses the tension between protecting fundamental rights like freedom of expression and implementing effective regulatory measures for digital platforms. The 2024 publication on freedom of expression after disinformation represents a significant evolution in his thinking toward developing new paradigms for information rights in the digital age. Cavaliere maintains active professional affiliations as a research associate at the University of Oxford's Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy and as a non-resident research fellow at the Central European University's Center for Media, Data and Society. He has provided expertise on telecommunications and media law to various NGOs and international organizations, including the African Union's Mission to Somalia and the Council of Europe. His teaching and research activities demonstrate strong engagement with both theoretical legal frameworks and practical policy implementation, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of digital media regulation. Cavaliere regularly contributes to policy discussions through commissioned reports, legal reviews, and participation in academic and professional networks focused on media law and digital governance.

• Adolescent Mental Health
• Social Development
• School-Based Interventions
• +3 more

Lucy Foulkes is a Prudence Trust Research Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology and an honorary lecturer at University College London (UCL). Her work focuses on adolescent mental health, social development, and the unintended consequences of mental health interventions. She investigates how school-based programs may inadvertently exacerbate mental health issues, particularly in vulnerable populations. Foulkes employs experimental, qualitative, and longitudinal methods to address gaps in quantitative research, emphasizing co-produced studies with adolescents. Her research explores topics such as self-diagnosis of mental disorders, the romanticization of mental health problems, and the impact of mental health awareness campaigns. She advocates for evidence-based approaches that account for social context and youth perspectives. Foulkes is a prominent science communicator, having authored books like What Mental Illness Really Is (…and what it isn’t) and contributing regularly to media outlets including The Guardian, BBC Radio, and podcasts. Key projects include analyzing how adolescents perceive mental health interventions, evaluating the role of identity development in symptom reporting, and investigating the psychosocial effects of mindfulness training. She emphasizes ethical considerations in research design, particularly regarding potential harm from universal interventions. Foulkes’ work bridges academic research and public engagement, aiming to inform policy and practice through rigorous, youth-centered methodologies. Her current projects include writing a book on adolescent development (Penguin Random House, 2024) and leading collaborative studies on mental health trends in education settings.