Dr. Mehmet KART (born 1984) is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Child Development, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University since 2019. He earned his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the same university in 2022 after a Master's (2017) and Bachelor's degree (2006) in Education. His academic work focuses on values education , Ahi culture , inclusive educational practices , and special needs education . Research Interests: Ethical value integration in modern education Development of competency models in curriculum design Challenges in educating children with special needs Multicultural and inclusive teaching strategies Notable Contributions: Authored 11 articles, 5 book chapters, and 2 books (e.g., "Ahlak ve Değer Eğitimi Modeli 'ADEM'") Principal investigator for projects like "Turkey's Centenary Values in Primary Education" (2025) Collaborated with researchers across Turkey and Germany on education policy Active in academic committees (Board Member, Department Vice Chair)
Patricia Sánchez Holgado is a Researcher at the University of Salamanca within the Faculty of Communication , specifically the Department of Sociology and Communication . She earned her PhD in 2021 with a thesis on La comunicación de la ciencia de datos en España (Data Science Communication in Spain), supervised by Dr. Carlos Arcila Calderón. Research Interests: Science communication mechanisms Social media dynamics in academic contexts Hate speech detection and analysis Big data and AI public perception Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in longitudinal analysis of climate change communication on Twitter (2019-2022), AI adoption factors in Spain using UTAUT models, and hate speech detection methodologies. Her work bridges computational techniques with social science perspectives, particularly through sentiment analysis and automated classification of online discourse. Collaborations include significant projects with the Observatorio de la Comunicación Mediática del Cambio Climático and the DataScienceSpain initiative. She contributes to the academic community through editorial roles in journals like Disertaciones and participates in international conferences such as TEEM. Her research methodology combines machine learning approaches with traditional social science frameworks, focusing on intersections between technology, ethics, and public discourse.
Dr. Tomasz Soroka is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora , Jagiellonian University , Kraków, Poland. He serves as the Dean's Representative for General Affairs at the Faculty of Management and Administration (2020–2024) and previously directed the MA in TransAtlantic Studies program (2019–2020). Soroka's interdisciplinary work bridges Canadian studies , political science , and language policy , with a focus on Canada's sociopolitical evolution. His research interests include: Language Policy and Rights in Canada and the USA Canadian Foreign Policy under Justin Trudeau Monarchical Evolution in Canada Indigenous Language Protection Gender Equality in International Relations Temporary Labor Migration Systems Recent publications analyze Canada's indigenous language legislation , gender-focused foreign policy , and labor migration frameworks like the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. Soroka's work often intersects historical analysis with contemporary policy critique . Academic affiliations include being a member of the Central European Association for Canadian Studies and Polish Association for Canadian Studies (Board, 2004–2010; Secretary General, 2013–2016). He has lectured internationally through Erasmus+ and CEEPUS programs in Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Portugal. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, Jagiellonian University (2010) MA in Cultural Studies (American Studies specialization), Jagiellonian University (2003) BA in English Philology, University of Opole (2001) Visiting Scholar, McGill University (2013) and University of Ottawa (2005, 2011) Grants and Projects: Recipient of International Council for Canadian Studies (2005), Central European Association for Canadian Studies (2004), and National Science Centre (2012–2017) funding. Principal investigator for projects on Polish-Canadian transnational practices (2022–2023) and Inuit language policy in Nunavut (2018–2019).
Richard Thompson Ford is a lawyer and the George E. Osborne Professor of Law at Stanford University School of of Law. He specializes in civil rights and anti-discrimination law, with a focus on the intersection of social criticism and legal analysis. His research examines legal and societal conflicts around discrimination claims, racial segregation, and the use of territorial boundaries as tools of social regulation. He writes for both academic and popular audiences, contributing to publications such as the New York Times , Washington Post , and Vox . Key Publications: Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History , Rights Gone Wrong: How Law Corrupts the Struggle for Equality , and others. Professional Affiliations: Member of the American Law Institute, founding member of the Academic Freedom Alliance, and board member of the Authors' Guild Foundation. His career includes roles as a Reginald F. Lewis Fellow at Harvard Law School, litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster, and housing policy consultant for Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Audrey Macklin is a Professor and Chair in International Human Rights Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. She also serves as Director of the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies and teaches at the School of Public Policy and Governance. Her research and teaching focus on migration and citizenship law, gender, multiculturalism, business and human rights, and administrative law. BSc (Alberta) LLB (Toronto) LLM (Yale) Macklin's work bridges academic and non-academic legal audiences, engaging interdisciplinary networks, governments, and NGOs globally. She has contributed to edited book collections, op-eds in The New York Times , The Guardian , and major Canadian outlets, and frequently participates in parliamentary committee hearings. Her research explores the intersection of private refugee sponsorship and civic mobilization, alongside systemic issues in immigration, citizenship revocation, and refugee healthcare access. Scientific Awards and Distinctions: Fellow 2017 Alumni Macklin has held significant roles, including adjudicating refugee claims at Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (1994-1996) and acting as an observer for Human Rights Watch during Omar Khadr's Guantánamo Bay proceedings. She represented Human Rights Watch in two Supreme Court of Canada appeals related to the Khadr case and has served as pro bono counsel in landmark human rights cases, such as challenges to security certificates and niqab bans at citizenship ceremonies.
Yasmeen Abu-Laban is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on ethnic and gender politics, immigration policies, surveillance, and multiculturalism, with a particular emphasis on citizenship, human rights, and xenophobic populism. She is a Fellow in CIFAR's Boundaries, Membership & Belonging program and holds the Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Citizenship and Human Rights. PhD (Political Science), Carleton University MA (Political Science), Carleton University BA Honours (Political Science), University of Alberta Her research explores how citizenship and human rights are contested through multiculturalism, immigration policies, and surveillance practices. Recent work analyzes xenophobic populism and democratic backlashes against minorities. She has published extensively on multiculturalism, immigration policy, and surveillance, with keywords spanning Political Science , Human Rights , and Policy Analysis , often addressing Canadian political systems , transnational racialization , and democratic values . Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Citizenship and Human Rights (2018-) Killam Annual Professorship (2013-2014) McCalla Research Professorship (2006-2007) APSA Best Paper Award (2000) Abu-Laban collaborates with policy-makers and community groups while maintaining academic engagement, reflecting her interdisciplinary and policy-oriented approach. She is affiliated with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR).
Paul A. Rahe is Professor of History and Political Science at Hillsdale College, where he holds the Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage. With a distinguished academic career spanning multiple institutions including Cornell University, Franklin and Marshall College, and the University of Tulsa, Rahe is recognized as a leading scholar in political philosophy and ancient history. His educational background includes a B.A. in History from Yale University (1971), a B.A. in Literae Humaniores from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar (1974), and a Ph.D. in History from Yale University (1977). His academic journey reflects deep engagement with classical studies and political thought. Rahe's research focuses on the evolution of self-government in Western civilization, with particular expertise in ancient Greek history (especially Sparta), political philosophy from Machiavelli to Montesquieu, and the American founding era. His work challenges conventional interpretations of republicanism, arguing for a decisive break between ancient and modern forms of governance. His three-volume Republics Ancient and Modern is considered a landmark study that redefined scholarly understanding of classical republicanism's relationship to American political thought. His recent publications demonstrate continued scholarly productivity, with significant works on Spartan history and Montesquieu's political theory. Rahe's articles reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of historical analysis and contemporary political concerns, particularly regarding liberty, constitutional design, and the philosophical foundations of republicanism. His work often engages critically with Enlightenment thought while drawing connections between ancient political practices and modern democratic challenges. Rhodes Scholarship (1971) Phi Beta Kappa (Yale University, 1971) National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships (1993-1994, 2005) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fellowship (1993-1994) Templeton Honor Rolls for Education in a Free Society (1997-1998) Koren Prize for Best Article in French History (2006) Emily Daugherty Award for Teaching Excellence (2012) 2019 Strategic Forecasting Book Award Rahe has advised numerous graduate students and participated in major scholarly projects examining the foundations of Western political thought. His research has been supported by prestigious fellowships from institutions including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Woodrow Wilson Center, and the American Academy in Berlin. His work has influenced both academic discourse and public understanding of constitutional principles and historical political philosophy.
Lydia Wistisen is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Culture and Aesthetics at Stockholm University, specializing in children's and young adult literature. She teaches courses on children's and young adult literature as well as feminist and modern literary history. Her research focuses on young adult literature and the complex relationship between text, space, and identity. Wistisen is currently leading the project The Child in the Wasteocene: Trash Thematics, Waste Aesthetics, and Environmental Ethics in Swedish Children's Culture 1969–1977 , funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, which examines how waste functions in Swedish children's media during a period of heightened environmental awareness. Previously, she completed her doctoral thesis Gångtunneln: Urbana erfarenheter i svensk ungdomslitteratur 1890–2010 (2017), analyzing city representations in Swedish young adult literature across more than a century, and conducted a postdoctoral project (2018–2020) on youth culture in post-war literature. Wistisen's publications reveal strong thematic trends in environmental humanities, particularly waste studies and the Anthropocene, alongside urban studies and gender analysis. Her work frequently examines how literary representations engage with social issues including poverty, generational conflict, and identity formation. She approaches these topics through intersectional frameworks that consider age, gender, class, ethnicity, and sexuality. As an active member of the academic community, Wistisen reviews children's and young adult literature for Dagens Nyheter and has served on the editorial boards of Barnelitterært Forskningstidsskrift, Tidskrift för litteraturvetenskap, and Aiolos: Tidskrift för litteratur, teori och estetik. Her research is supported by significant grants including those from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and Anna Ahlström och Ellen Terserus stiftelse.
Mariya Ivanova is an Associate Professor at the Department of Administration and Management, New Bulgarian University (NBU), with expertise in organizational development, human resource management, and adult learning. Her career spans over two decades, focusing on digital transformation in education, talent management, and EU education policies. Doctor of Economics (2012), Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Certificates in Personal Coaching (2010), Mentoring (2006), and multiple management qualifications Her research explores HR systems , change management , and educational technology , particularly in crisis contexts and multicultural environments. Recent work examines employer branding for green economy and digital tools in talent selection . Articles highlight trends in digital HR practices cross-cultural leadership lifelong learning social innovation education policy tourism workforce strategies She participates in international projects like B-WISE (Erasmus+) and HoCare Interreg Europe, focusing on skills development and home care innovation. Her roles include team leadership in student training programs and expertise in EU integration policies.
Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Alexandrov Panayotov, PhD is an Associate Professor at the New Bulgarian University since October 12, 1999. He is affiliated with the Department of Administration and Management and has been the head of the "Business Administration" section. From 2000 to 2011, he served as the director of the Master's Program in Business Administration and has been the director of the Doctoral Program in Business Administration since 2012. He is also the Chairman of the "Business Administration" Community, having established, developed, and affirmed the first Master's and Doctoral programs in this specialty in Bulgaria. Dr. Panayotov holds a degree in Pedagogy/Psychology specialization from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (1972-1976). He earned his Doctorate from VAK-2337 on October 10, 1988, for applying integrative approaches of psychology and pedagogy in the management sphere. He also possesses a certificate in Positive Psychology for Organizations and Managers from Wiesbaden, Germany (1992). 1972-1976: Pedagogy/Psychology specialization, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" 1988: Doctorate from VAK-2337 on applying integrative approaches of psychology and pedagogy in management 1992: Certificate in Positive Psychology for Organizations and Managers, Wiesbaden, Germany Dr. Panayotov's research interests are interdisciplinary, primarily focused on interactionist perspectives of human behavior in organizations and management. His work outlines new directions including business psychology (management training), organizational behavior, cross-cultural management, power, leadership, and motivational management. He has introduced numerous new modules and specialized courses for several departments: "Business Administration," Economics, and Cognitive Psychology, leading to methodologies for harmonious and positive development. His publications reveal consistent trends in leadership studies, organizational behavior, and human capital development. Over the years, his research has evolved from foundational work on organizational behavior to more complex analyses of power dynamics, strategic leadership, and interdisciplinary approaches to management. His recent work shows a strong emphasis on positive psychology applications in organizational contexts and the development of unified theories for leadership and management. Editor-in-Chief of the International Publication "Leadership, Society, Strategic Visions (Series)" Author (compiler, scientific editor) of 12 collective volumes from NBU including 3 Annuals, 2 specialized publications, and 7 conference proceedings Principal developer of the first Master's and Doctoral programs in Business Administration in Bulgaria Dr. Panayotov has supervised four doctoral students, with three having completed their studies (Maria Yosifova Tumbeva, Tsanko Borislavov Donkov, and Martin Atanasov Zafirov) and one currently working on digital leadership. He has also led numerous international, national, and educational projects including the Balkan Case Challenge, HR management practical training with the Bulgarian Business Network, and various conference and publication projects. His work has been recognized by prominent figures including the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, who praised the academic debates organized under Dr. Panayotov's leadership. Dr. Panayotov has established and chaired numerous forums, alumni events, and seminars that present diverse current topics and possible solutions with broad public resonance. His initiatives have been described as "a traditional initiative and further evidence that the New Bulgarian University is an institution that finds the right pulse of the times and seeks effective solutions to current problems, drawing global, regional, and national perspectives."
Richard Smith serves as the AVP for Institutional Mission & Belonging and College Chaplain at McDaniel College, where he is also an active faculty member teaching Sociology courses. His dual role bridges administrative leadership in institutional mission with direct academic engagement in critical race studies. His educational background includes: 2009: Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from Temple University 2000: B.A. in Sociology from McDaniel College Dr. Smith's research centers on the Sociology of race and racism , with deep focus on African American culture , Race and Justice , and Racism and Religion . His work examines how African American communities navigate racial injustice through cultural practices, religious institutions, and food traditions as forms of resistance and resilience. He critically analyzes the interplay between systemic racism and community agency, particularly in urban contexts like his native Baltimore. His recent publications (2016-2020) reveal consistent thematic development across sociology, religious studies, and food justice. These works demonstrate interdisciplinary exploration of racial identity, with increasing attention to pedagogical approaches for discussing race in academic settings and the role of cultural practices in social transformation. Dr. Smith has received significant recognition: Distinguished Scholar Award (2019) Multicultural Leaders' Most Valuable Faculty Award (2015) As Faculty Advisor for the Black Student Union, he actively mentors student organizations while championing inclusive campus initiatives. Student testimonials, including one from Aisha Ghodbane '17, emphasize his transformative teaching philosophy that cultivates critical self-reflection without inducing defensiveness, enabling students to confront biases and develop greater openness.
Christine Montecillo Leider is an Assistant Professor of Multilingual Learner Education at the School of Education, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, where she is also affiliated with the Center for Asian American Studies (CAAS) within the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS). Her work focuses on teacher beliefs about language diversity and policy and civil rights issues regarding teacher education and racialized multilingual learners' access to education. Dr. Leider's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College MA in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College BA in Spanish and Psychology from the University of Portland Her research interests center on multilingual learner education, teacher beliefs, and critical collaborative ethnographic methods to unpack the lived experiences of women of color educators and scholars. Dr. Leider frequently employs duoethnography and mixed-methods approaches to examine how language diversity impacts educational experiences and outcomes. Her work examining State Education Agency policies for English learners has been nationally recognized in education media outlets including EdWeek and New America. Analysis of Dr. Leider's publications reveals a strong focus on equity in multilingual education, teacher preparation for working with diverse learners, and critical perspectives on language policy. Her work spans multiple educational contexts including K-12 schools, teacher education programs, and arts education settings. She frequently employs critical theoretical frameworks including Critical Race Theory and LangCrit to analyze educational policies and practices. Dr. Leider has received significant recognition for her work: Principal Investigator of ROPESS, a federally funded $3.4 million grant to support "grow your own" pathways to bilingual teacher certification Elected president of Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages (MATSOL) Member of the National Committee for Effective Literacy for Multilingual Learners As a teacher educator and education researcher, Dr. Leider brings her personal experiences growing up as a Filipina American and second-generation immigrant to inform her research agenda. She is actively involved in multiple research projects examining language policy, teacher beliefs, and equity in education for multilingual learners. Her forthcoming books include "Critical Disciplinary Literacy" and "Preparing Antiracist Teachers," as well as co-editing "Until Every Woman is Free: Equity and Belonging in the Academy through Duoethnography".
Professor Tatsuya Nakazawa of Waseda University's Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences specializes in Early Modern and Modern Eastern/Central European History, particularly focusing on Slovakia, Hungary, and the Habsburg Empire. His research examines nation-building processes that simultaneously drew upon modern principles (citizenship, human rights) and late medieval/early modern feudal traditions like the Corporate State. He directs Waseda's Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Ethnicity (2024-2029) and maintains active international collaborations, including work at Comenius University and Selye János University. Key research areas: Composite monarchies (Habsburg Empire) 1848 Revolutions Republican theory ('Republic with King') Border dynamics (Danube region) Nation-state legitimacy His recent work analyzes the interplay between imperial structures and modern nationalism, with comparative studies on Japan's educational reforms and European historical memory. He has received multiple KAKENHI grants and served on editorial boards for journals like Eruditio-Educatio . Scientific Awards include 2016 KAKENHI Examination Committee Award and 2009 University of Fukui Outstanding Faculty Member.
Trica Keaton is a Professor in the Department of African and African American Studies at Dartmouth College, with faculty affiliations in the Departments of Sociology and Film & Media Studies. She is a Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the French Institute for Advanced Study (FIAS/IAS - Iméra) for 2024-25. Her interdisciplinary research and teaching focus on racialization, antiblackness, resistance, and identity politics in the U.S., France, and Europe, with particular emphasis on African diaspora communities and French cinema. Ph.D. in Education (Sociology of Education and African Diaspora Studies), University of California, Berkeley (2001) Doctoral Studies in Sociology, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris, France M.A. in Applied Linguistics (Language Policy and Immigration in France), University of California, Los Angeles M.A. in French, Middlebury College B.A. in Linguistics and French, University of California, Los Angeles Her research spans sociology, film studies, and African diaspora analysis, examining systemic racism, cultural representations, and social exclusion. Recent publications and projects analyze French authorities' inaction on racial profiling, Afro-French cinema, and the interplay between race, identity, and institutions. The Real to Reel: Racialized Representations and French Banlieue Cinéma project bridges her expertise in sociology, film studies, and diaspora analysis. Her work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2023 Choice Pick and shortlisting for the American Library in Paris Book Award. She founded and directs Dartmouth's Afro/Black Paris Foreign Study Program, which immerses students in the African diaspora's historical and contemporary role in France through experiential learning, museum courses, and collaborations with Black Francophone scholars and artists.
Raúl Matta is a Research Fellow at the University of Göttingen and a senior researcher at the Institut Lyfe Research Center (formerly Institut Paul Bocuse). He holds a doctorate in Sociology from the University of Paris – Sorbonne Nouvelle (2009) and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Free University of Berlin and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in Paris. Doctorate: University of Paris – Sorbonne Nouvelle (2009) Postdoctoral: Free University of Berlin Postdoctoral: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (Paris) Matta's research focuses on the intersection of food anthropology, cultural heritage, and cultural studies, with particular emphasis on the cultural, social, and political uses of food. His work critically examines how food heritage is constructed and mobilized for political purposes, particularly in Latin America. He investigates the impacts of culinary heritage-making on social inclusion, inequality, and national identity formation, with special attention to Peru and Mexico. His extensive publication record reveals consistent engagement with themes of gastro-politics, food heritage governance, and the neoliberal dimensions of culinary multiculturalism. Matta's research demonstrates how food becomes a terrain for cultural friction, where global heritage frameworks interact with local knowledge systems, often creating tensions between preservation and commodification. His work particularly highlights how indigenous communities and women navigate these complex heritage landscapes. Matta directs the DFG-funded project "Food as Cultural Heritage" and assists with the ANR-funded Project FoodHerit. His research has been supported by major funding bodies including the German Research Foundation and the French National Research Agency, reflecting the significance of his contributions to understanding the political dimensions of food heritage.
