Dr. Peter H. Ditto is a Professor of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), affiliated with the School of Social Ecology and the Department of Psychological Science. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University. His research focuses on 'hot cognition'—the interplay of emotion and reason in social, political, moral, medical, and legal judgments. Central themes include motivated reasoning, partisan political bias, and the role of emotion in moral decision-making. His work has explored how political ideology skews judgments, denial in response to medical threats, and how moral principles are selectively applied to justify desired conclusions. Research affiliations include the Hot Cognition Lab at UCI and contributions to platforms like Yourmorals.org for data collection. His interdisciplinary efforts bridge psychology, ethics, and societal issues through studies on topics ranging from end-of-life medical decisions to workplace wellness incentives. He has published extensively in top journals such as Science , Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , and Psychological Science . His articles collectively examine moral psychology, political behavior, and health decision-making, highlighting biases in self-reported happiness, free will perceptions, and punitive motivations. Advising and grant activities are not explicitly detailed here, but his lab’s research emphasizes practical applications to real-world social problems, such as constructive political dialogue through Civil Politics.
Douglas Lemke is a Professor of Political Science and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Pennsylvania State (Penn State) within the College of the Liberal Arts. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Political Science. Professor Lemke has been at Penn State since 2004, previously teaching at the University of Michigan and Florida State University. He earned his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1993. His research focuses on conflict studies, encompassing both interstate and intrastate conflicts, with a particular emphasis on how international relations theories can explain domestic conflicts and inform state-making processes. Key areas include territorial non-state actors, state failure, power transitions, and regional security dynamics. His work has appeared in leading journals such as the American Journal of Political Science and International Studies Quarterly, and he authored the influential book Regions of War and Peace (Cambridge University Press, 2002). Professor Lemke’s recent publications (2023–2013) highlight themes like the influence of international norms on non-state actors, historical legacies of state formation, and regional power dynamics. His scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks from international relations and comparative politics, offering insights into the interplay between global and domestic conflict drivers. He currently holds no listed scientific awards but maintains an active research agenda supported by his academic roles. His advising and grants focus on graduate student mentorship and institutional contributions as Director of Graduate Studies. Lemke’s professional website is https://sites.psu.edu/territorialcontenders/ .
Martha Stiegman is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University. Her research integrates Indigenous knowledge, food sovereignty, and arts-based methodologies to address issues of social, environmental, and disability justice. She is actively engaged in community-based research and public scholarship in Toronto and Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia). Her educational background includes a PhD from Concordia University’s Special Individualized Program and a BA in English Literature & Political Science from McGill University. This interdisciplinary foundation supports her work at the intersection of activism, research, and art. Stiegman’s research focuses on three interconnected domains: Indigenous/settler treaty relations, food sovereignty and justice movements, and participatory video and arts-based research. She emphasizes decolonizing methodologies and community-led knowledge production. Her work explores how arts-based approaches can deepen dialogues across communities and strengthen collective action for justice. Her recent publications and multimedia projects demonstrate a strong trend toward interdisciplinary, community-engaged scholarship that bridges Indigenous epistemologies, environmental justice, and disability justice. She frequently uses film, digital storytelling, and public art to mobilize knowledge and challenge colonial narratives. Co-creator of A Treaty Guide for Torontonians (2022) Lead on the Polishing the Chain project exploring Toronto’s treaty relationships Editor of the forthcoming Anti Colonial Food Systems (Routledge) Active collaborator with Indigenous scholars and artists including Dr. Sherry Pictou, Ange Loft, and Elder Kerry Prosper Stiegman has been involved in significant research grants such as the Atlantic Aboriginal Health Research Program. While specific advisees are not listed, her collaborative projects suggest active mentorship and supervision. She does not appear to lead a formal lab but works within research collectives and community partnerships.
Julia Cagé is a Full Professor of Economics at Sciences Po Paris since 2024, having joined the Department of Economics in 2014 and receiving tenure in 2021. She is affiliated with the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Evaluation of Public Policies (LIEPP), the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) where she leads the CEPR Research and Policy Network on 'Media Plurality,' and the CESifo Research Network. Her research spans political economy, media economics, and economic history with a focus on democracy, information economics, and political participation. Cagé's research interests center on the intersection of media, politics, and economics, particularly examining how media structures influence democratic processes, political participation, and information provision. Her work combines historical analysis with contemporary economic methods to understand the relationship between media markets, campaign finance, and political representation. She has pioneered research on media ownership models, the economics of digital journalism, and the long-term effects of historical institutions on contemporary political behavior. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on the economics of information and democracy, with particular attention to media markets, campaign finance, and electoral systems. Her work spans both theoretical and empirical approaches, often using historical data to inform contemporary policy questions. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary integration, connecting economics with political science, history, and media studies to address fundamental questions about democratic representation and information markets. European Research Council Starting Grant (2021) for the PARTICIPATE project Best Young French Economist Award (ex aequo) by Le Cercle des économistes and Le Monde (2023) Yrjö Jahnsson Award (2025) Special Jury Prize for Best Book on Media (2016) Prix Pétrarque de l'essai by Le Monde and France Culture (2019) Cagé has supervised numerous PhD students and early-career researchers through her ERC grant and other research projects. She has secured substantial funding including the European Research Council Starting Grant and McCourt Institute grants in 2022 and 2023. Her research group at LIEPP has produced influential policy recommendations on media pluralism and democratic representation. She has also been involved in practical applications of her research through her board membership at Agence France Presse (2015-2022) and her policy engagement with French and European institutions. Cagé leads the PARTICIPATE research project funded by the ERC, which studies campaign finance, information, and political influence using individual-level data and computer science tools. Her work connects with broader research initiatives at Sciences Po focused on democratic innovation and the political economy of information. She frequently collaborates with interdisciplinary teams including economists, political scientists, historians, and computer scientists to address complex questions about democracy in the digital age.
Alina Sajed is an Associate Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at McMaster University, where she joined in September 2013 after serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2010 to 2013. She earned her PhD in Political Science from McMaster University in 2008, following academic work at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and French Language and Literature from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Master of Arts from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Master of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University PhD in Political Science from McMaster University (2008) Professor Sajed's research critically examines international relations through decolonial and postcolonial lenses, with particular focus on colonialism, decolonization, anticolonial theory, and Third Worldism as global political projects. Her work centers on North Africa and the Middle East, exploring political violence, political Islam, and the unrealized potential of Third Worldism beyond rigid nationalist boundaries. She investigates how Algerian intellectuals engaged in translocal solidarity with other decolonization projects worldwide. Dr. Sajed has received significant recognition for her scholarly contributions, including: ISA's 2024 Theory Award for special issue 'Anticolonial Connectivity and the Politics of Solidarity' President's Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision (2022) As an educator, she teaches courses including International Relations: North-South, Non-Western International Relations, and Politics of the Global South. She serves as Associate Editor at Contexto Internacional: Journal of Global Connections and has guest edited issues for South Atlantic Quarterly and Postcolonial Studies, demonstrating her leadership in advancing decolonial approaches to international relations scholarship.
Murat FİDAN serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Kastamonu University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, where he has been a full-time faculty member since 2020. Previously, he held academic positions at Gaziantep University and Kilis 7 Aralık University, specializing in Ottoman economic history and price dynamics. His career spans over two decades of teaching and research in Turkish higher education. His academic credentials include a PhD in Islamic History and Arts from Ondokuz Mayıs University (2003), a Master's in Islamic Law from İnönü University (1996), and a BA in Theology from Ankara University (1993). His foreign language proficiency includes English (YÖKDİL score 60, 2017). FİDAN's research centers on Ottoman economic structures, with particular expertise in price history, trade relations, and institutional analysis. His work bridges Ottoman history with economic methodology, examining narh (price control) records, guild systems, and international trade dynamics. He has published extensively on Kastamonu's regional economy, Ottoman-Russian commercial relations, and the evolution of monetary systems, contributing significantly to understanding pre-modern economic mechanisms through primary source analysis. His publication portfolio shows consistent output with 43 total works including 19 journal articles, 14 conference papers, 2 books, and 8 book chapters. The research demonstrates chronological depth from 2004 to 2024, with recent focus on waqf (endowment) institutions, comparative economic thought, and Eastern Mediterranean maritime history. Methodologically, he combines archival research with economic analysis, primarily using Ottoman-era price records and customs tariff documents. FİDAN has successfully supervised 13 master's theses focusing on Ottoman economic history, Turkish women's labor participation, and regional price dynamics. His sole research project (2016-2018) examined price movements in Kastamonu between 1673-1806 using narh records. He maintains active collaborations with scholars like Serkan Dilek and Tolga Ulusoy, co-authoring multiple publications on economic history topics.
Rainer Forst is Professor of Political Theory and Philosophy at Goethe University Frankfurt, where he holds positions in both the Institute of Political Science and the Institute of Philosophy. He serves as Director of the Research Center for Normative Orders, Co-speaker of the cluster initiative "ConTrust – Trust in Conflict," Spokesperson of the Leibniz Prize Research Group "Transnational Justice," and Deputy Spokesperson of the Coordinating Institute Frankfurt at the Research Institute for Social Cohesion. Additionally, he is a Permanent Fellow at the Research College for Human Sciences Bad Homburg, Director of the Justitia Center for Advanced Studies, and Head of the Master's program in Political Theory. Since 2017, he has also been a Research Professor of Political Theory at the Social Science Research Center (WZB) in Berlin. Forst received his education studying philosophy, political science, and American studies in Frankfurt/Main, New York, and at Harvard University. His academic journey includes: Ph.D. under Jürgen Habermas with thesis "Contexts of Justice: Political Philosophy Beyond Liberalism and Communitarianism" (1993) Habilitation in 2003 with "Tolerance in Conflict: History, Content, and Present of a Controversial Concept" Professor Forst's research focuses on foundational questions of political philosophy and critical theory. His work centers on justice theory, democracy, toleration, normative orders, and social cohesion. He has developed a distinctive approach he terms "critical constructivism," which builds on Kantian philosophy while engaging with the Frankfurt School tradition of critical theory. His research examines how justification processes form the basis of legitimate political orders and how concepts like solidarity and tolerance function within democratic societies. Forst's work is notable for its systematic integration of historical analysis with normative theory, creating frameworks for understanding contemporary political challenges through the lens of philosophical tradition. His recent publications reveal a growing focus on democratic regression, trust in conflictual societies, and the philosophical foundations of social cohesion. Forst has increasingly addressed the dual crises of democracy - both the political-normative justification crisis and the global structural crisis. His work connects Kantian philosophy with contemporary democratic theory, exploring concepts like the "noumenal republic" as frameworks for understanding justice and legitimacy in complex societies. A consistent thread throughout his scholarship is the examination of how power relations intersect with normative claims in political justification processes. Professor Forst has received significant recognition for his contributions to political philosophy: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2012), Germany's highest research honor Member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy Permanent Fellow at the Research College for Human Sciences Bad Homburg As an educator and mentor, Forst has directed numerous research initiatives and supervised many doctoral students who have gone on to prominent academic positions. He leads the international MA program in Political Theory funded by the German Academic Exchange Service and has established several significant research centers including the Research Center for Normative Orders, the Leibniz Prize Research Group "Transnational Justice," and the Center for Advanced Studies "Justitia Amplificata." His editorial work includes serving as Associate Editor of Ethics and member of editorial boards for numerous prestigious journals including Political Theory and Constellations. Forst's research infrastructure includes the Research Center for Normative Orders, which he directs, and the cluster initiative "ConTrust – Trust in Conflict," which examines political coexistence under conditions of uncertainty. His Leibniz Prize Research Group "Transnational Justice" investigates justice beyond national borders, while the Justitia Center for Advanced Studies serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on justice-related topics. These institutions form an integrated network supporting collaborative research across philosophy, political science, and law.
Barbara Bombi is a Professor of Medieval History at the University of Kent's School of History. She holds a PhD from the Catholic University of Milan (2000) and has held research positions at the German Historical Institute in Rome, University of Padua, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Her research focuses on the High Middle Ages (1200-1450), specializing in the medieval papacy, canon law, crusades, and the Teutonic Order. She leads the Leverhulme/British Academy-funded 'Diplomacy and the Making of Europe' project. Elected Fellow of the British Academy (2022) and member of the Royal Historical Society Council (2019), she also serves as General Editor of the Canterbury and York Society and on the Internationale Historische Kommission. Teaching spans later medieval Europe, religious history, and canon law. Education: PhD in Medieval History, Catholic University of Milan (2000) Research Fellowships: German Historical Institute Rome (2001), University of Padua (2002–2004) Research Interests: Her work examines papal diplomacy, Anglo-papal relations (as seen in her 2019 OUP monograph), and the Teutonic Order's archival practices. She analyzes the Baltic Crusades' role in European identity formation and medieval diplomatic practices' impact on state-building. Current projects include compiling a catalog of manuscripts of the Liber Extra. Publications Trends: Her articles and books explore papal elections, curial administration, and military orders' archival strategies. Recent works emphasize diplomatic networks and their role in shaping late medieval Europe's political landscape. Awards/Grants: British Academy Fellowship (2022) Leverhulme/BA Small Grant (2018–present) Labs/Teams: Directs the 'Making of Europe' international research network through the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS).
Lea Ypi is a Professor of Political Theory at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an Honorary Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University. She holds degrees from the University of Rome La Sapienza and a PhD from the European University Institute, followed by postdoctoral research at Nuffield College, Oxford. Her work spans political theory, the history of philosophy, Marxism, critical theory, and Kantian philosophy. Notable publications include Global Justice and Avant-Garde Political Agency , The Meaning of Partisanship (with Jonathan White), and Free: Coming of Age at the End of History . Ypi’s research has been recognized with the British Academy Prize and a Leverhulme Prize. She is a Fellow of the British Academy, Academia Europea, and the Albanian Academy of Sciences. Her research interests include revolutionary theory, Kantian philosophy, structural injustice, and global justice. Key publications address topics like Kant’s views on colonialism, the ethics of migration, and the role of partisanship in democracy. Ypi’s academic contributions bridge normative political theory with critical engagement in contemporary social and political issues. Awards include the British Academy Prize for Excellence in Political Science (2015), Leverhulme Prize (2014), and fellowships in leading academic institutions. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates historical, philosophical, and contemporary analyses to address urgent political questions.
Przemysław Kordos is a Professor at the University of Warsaw , affiliated with the Faculty of Liberal Arts , where he serves as Coordinator for the Development of the Modern Greek Philology Program . He holds two PhDs in Humanities (2007, 2019) and was awarded the Loukis Papaphilippou Seat of Advancement in Modern Greek scholarship. Education: MA in Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology (University of Warsaw, 2001) MS in Sociology (University of Warsaw, 2002) PhD in Humanities (University of Warsaw, 2007) Second PhD in Humanities (University of Warsaw, 2019) His research interests span: Contemporary Modern Greek and Cypriot literature Polish-Greek cultural relations (philhellenism) Social and ethnographic issues in Greece and Cyprus Travel literature analysis Fantasy literature's cultural implications His scientific work reveals a focus on linguistic assimilation in foreign language learning (via fMRI studies), historical parallels between Polish and Greek independence movements, and critical analyses of Cypriot folk culture's politicization. Key scientific awards include: Loukis Papaphilippou Seat (University of Warsaw) Internships at EKPA and IKY (Greece) Scholarships at IMXA (Greece) and MUNI (Czech Republic) His academic contributions include cataloging 60+ Polish travel accounts to Greece, analyzing the shift from travel literature to tourism discourse, and examining the Hellene-Romios dichotomy's role in modern Greek identity construction.
Shannon Bell is a Professor in Political Science at York University, working as a performance philosopher who integrates digital video technology with political theory. Her research examines intersections of cyberpolitics, aesthetics, and power through projects like 'Shooting Theory', which visualizes philosophical concepts through film. She has authored books including 'Fast Feminism' and 'Reading, Writing and Rewriting the Prostitute Body'. Current SSHRC-funded projects explore bioart and robotic art extremes, with residencies at Symbiotica (UWA) and international exhibitions. She teaches courses on modern political thought, technopolitics, and aesthetics. Educational background includes a PhD in Political Science from York University. Professional leadership includes directing the Resource Centre for Public Sociology.
Krishan Kumar is a University Professor and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia, specializing in political sociology, historical sociology, and social theory. His research spans nationalism, global history, and comparative-historical sociology, with a focus on empires and societal transformations. Research Interests: Stratification and social inequality Political sociology and social thought Cultural and comparative-historical analysis Dynamics of nationalism and national identity Publications: His works include groundbreaking books on empires, revolutions, and societal transitions, reflecting a thematic arc from industrial/post-industrial societies to contemporary global challenges. Key trends include the interplay between utopian ideals and realpolitik, and historical comparative analysis of state structures.
Dr. Howard Lavine is Professor of Political Science and Political Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts. He holds the Arleen C. Carlson Professorship and directs the Center for the Study of Political Psychology. His research examines the psychological foundations of political behavior, including personality, identity, attitude formation, and authoritarianism. Lavine has authored influential books including 'Open versus Closed: Personality, Identity and the Politics of Redistribution' and 'The Ambivalent Partisan: How Critical Loyalty Promotes Democracy'. He has received the Erik Erikson Early Career Award (2004) from the International Society of Political Psychology and serves as editor of the journal Political Psychology. His current work investigates status threat dynamics in reactionary politics.
Hakan Sandal-Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Gender, Peace and Security at the Department of Gender Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science. His research critically examines intersections of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and conflict in the Middle East, particularly focusing on Kurdish queer/LGBTIQ+ politics and diasporic movements. He is also invested in creative-critical interdisciplinary research methods, co-editing a volume on politically engaged methodologies. Previously, he served at the University of Cambridge as a Teaching Associate and Affiliated Lecturer, and as Campaigns Officer for Amnesty UK’s LGBTI Network. Education : - PhD, University of Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies - MA in Cultural Studies, Istanbul Bilgi University Research Interests : - Queer Studies in Conflict Zones - Kurdish Social Movements - Diasporic Feminist and Queer Activism - Ethnography and Creative Writing Methodologies Publications Trends : His work bridges theoretical inquiries with activism, emphasizing marginalized queer voices in conflict-affected regions. Recent projects include monographs on Kurdish queer politics and co-edited collections on creative-critical interventions for social justice. Awards & Grants : No awards explicitly mentioned, but his work has been translated into multiple languages and featured in outlets such as openDemocracy and Jadaliyya. Advising & Mentorship : No listed advisees, but directs LSE’s MSc Gender and MSc Gender (Research) programmes, teaching courses like GI402 (Gender, Knowledge & Research Practice) and GI413 (Gender, Race & Militarisation). Labs & Collaborations : Co-convened 'Creaction' interdisciplinary workshops at UCL, fostering global creative-critical social justice research.
Julie Smith is Professor of European Politics in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow and Director of Studies in Politics at Robinson College. From 2013 to 2019, she served as Director of the European Centre at POLIS, and since 2016 has co-directed the MSt in International Relations, a two-year part-time Masters programme. She has been a member of the House of Lords since 2014 and served on the International Relations Committee from 2016 to 2021. Education: PPE at Brasenose College, Oxford MPhil in Politics at St. Antony’s College, Oxford DPhil in Politics at St. Antony’s College, Oxford Hanseatic Scholar in Hamburg Research Interests: Professor Smith specializes in EU history and politics, with concentrated research on UK-EU relations, parliamentary budgetary processes, and European democracy mechanisms including referendums and European Parliament elections. Her work examines institutional dynamics between national and EU parliaments, alongside broader analyses of Liberalism. Current projects include Horizon 2020’s Reconnect initiative on democracy and rule of law, and authoring the Edward Elgar Advanced Introduction to the European Union (2022). Scientific Awards: Hanseatic Scholar Advising and Grants: As Robinson College Director of Studies, she supervises undergraduate politics students. She secured Horizon 2020 funding for the Reconnect project and previously served as Founding Editor (2011-2017) of Edward Elgar’s New Horizons in European Politics series. She currently edits Routledge’s Europa EU Perspectives series focused on EU reform. Her editorial leadership spans major academic publishing initiatives in European studies. Labs and Teams: Professor Smith co-directs the MSt in International Relations programme and previously led POLIS’s European Centre (2013-2019). She actively collaborates on multinational research teams including the Horizon 2020 Reconnect consortium, focusing on democratic resilience and institutional design within the EU framework.
