Professor Emma Widdis is a leading scholar at the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics at the University of Cambridge, specializing in the intersection of Soviet cinema, ideology, and cultural geography. Her work explores the reeducation of sensory perception through film, early Soviet urban spaces, and the construction of subjectivity via cinematic techniques. Teaches 20th-century Russian/Soviet literature, cinema, and film theory Focuses on sensory engagement, political avant-garde, and urban spatial representation Supervisor for MPhil and PhD students in Slavonic Studies Her recent book Socialist Senses (2017) examines how cinema shaped Soviet perceptions of reality. Her publications span topics like silence in sound film, set design materiality, and costume symbolism in early Soviet cinema. While no formal scientific awards are listed, her research has been supported through institutional grants and collaborations with centers like CRASSH and Cambridge Language Sciences.
Roger Giner-Sorolla is Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent's School of Psychology, where he has been a faculty member since 2001 after completing his PhD at New York University in 1996. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology from 2016-2022 and currently leads a Leverhulme Foundation grant examining moral heroism across professions. His academic journey includes a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia and has established him as a leading figure in social and moral psychology. Professor Giner-Sorolla's research focuses on the social role of emotions, particularly moral emotions including self-condemning emotions (guilt and shame) and other-condemning emotions (anger, contempt, and disgust). His work extends to intergroup apologies, dehumanization, emotionally driven prejudice, and collective moral roles, with a notable side interest in the ironic enjoyment of music and aesthetic experiences. He is a strong advocate for transparency in scientific reporting, having written extensively on improved reporting guidelines, pre-registration, and open science practices. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on moral psychology with expanding interdisciplinary reach. His work bridges traditional social psychology with emerging areas including cross-cultural emotion research, replication science, and historical memory. The trend shows increasing attention to methodological rigor while maintaining core interests in emotion and morality, with growing emphasis on practical applications in conflict resolution and intergroup relations. Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science Member of Rising Stars selection committee (2023-2024) Promising Scholars Award (University of Kent, 2006) Vacation Research Scholarship (Wellcome Trust, 2005) Multiple ESRC grants totaling over £400,000 European Science Foundation Workshop Award (2004) Professor Giner-Sorolla has supervised an impressive number of PhD students, with 17 doctoral candidates listed in the documentation including both current and past students. His grant portfolio demonstrates significant research impact with funding from major organizations including ESRC, Wellcome Trust, and Leverhulme Foundation. His supervision style appears to encourage students to pursue research that aligns with his core interests in moral emotions while allowing exploration of novel applications and contexts. While the documentation doesn't specify laboratory or research team structures, his extensive collaborative work suggests leadership of research groups focused on moral psychology and emotion research. His numerous international collaborations and invited workshops indicate an active research program with global reach, likely involving multiple research teams working on interconnected projects related to his core interests in moral psychology and scientific methodology.
David Stillwell serves as Professor of Computational Social Science at Cambridge Judge Business School and Academic Director of The Psychometrics Centre, University of Cambridge. His research leverages big data to understand human psychology and behavior, with significant contributions in personality prediction from digital footprints and personalized advertising applications. His educational background includes: BSc in Psychology from the University of Nottingham (2007) MSc in Research Methods from the University of Nottingham (2008) PhD in Decision Making from the University of Nottingham (2012) Dr. Stillwell's research centers on computational social science and psychometrics, pioneering the myPersonality Facebook application that collected data from over 6 million users. His work demonstrates computers can predict personality as accurately as spouses, reveals psychological targeting's advertising effectiveness, and establishes links between personality-matched spending and life satisfaction. He also explores linguistic honesty markers through profanity analysis and personality-based dating patterns. His recent publications (2019-2025) reveal a strong trajectory toward AI evaluation using psychometric frameworks, particularly in medical and general-purpose AI assessment. Key themes include fairness metrics in language models, crisis emotional responses through social media, and computational personality recognition - demonstrating consistent innovation at the psychology-technology intersection. He has received significant recognition: Top 10 most influential papers of 2013 by Altmetric Nieman Journalism Lab highlight of 2013 Named in 'top 30 thinkers under 30' by Pacific Standard Magazine Dr. Stillwell maintains active industry engagement through consultancy with Barclays, Hilton, and Ubisoft on projects spanning computer-adaptive testing systems to interactive experiences like Predictive World for Watch Dogs 2. His policy impact is substantial, with citations by the European Data Protection Supervisor, World Bank, and multiple national governments, leading to speaking engagements at the European Parliament and Bank of England. As Academic Director of The Psychometrics Centre, he leads a global hub for advancing psychological assessment through innovative methods including Concerto open-source software, collaborating with organizations ranging from the European Commission to major corporations on psychometric applications in people analytics and digital behavior.
John McAuliffe is Professor of Poetry at The University of Manchester, where he joined in 2004 and currently directs the Creative Manchester research platform focused on Creative Industries, Creativity/Health/Well-being, and Creative Civic Futures. He founded and directed the internationally renowned Centre for New Writing (2007-2021). Additional roles include Associate Publisher at Carcanet Press, co-editor of PN Review, and trustee of Manchester's UNESCO City of Literature. His creative scholarship centers on contemporary poetry with emphases on Irish literary traditions, cross-cultural translation, and poetry's civic applications. Work spans lyric composition, editorial curation of emerging voices, and critical analysis of poetry's intersections with theatre, conflict studies, and social identity. His practice bridges academic scholarship and public literary engagement through institutional leadership. Recent publications reveal evolving thematic trajectories: 2024's National Theatre examines theatricality in modern verse, while Selected Poems (2021/2022) consolidates decades of work exploring Irish landscapes and personal memory. The Kabul Olympics (2020) and Stockholm Syndrome (2019) demonstrate sustained engagement with geopolitical conflict and psychological dimensions of displacement through poetic form. Major recognitions include: Observer Book of the Year (2021/2022) for Selected Poems Guardian Poetry Book of the Month (June 2020) for The Kabul Olympics TLS and Irish Times Book of the Year (2020) for The Kabul Olympics Poetry Book Society Winter Pamphlet Choice (2019) for Stockholm Syndrome McAuliffe served as Deputy Director of the Irish Arts Council (2013-2018), chairs strategic initiatives, contributes to AHRC peer review, and writes extensively for The Irish Times (2013-2020 column). He actively shapes literary policy through Manchester City Council's Events Commission and UNESCO City of Literature governance.
Mungo Wilson is a Professor of Finance at the Saïd Business School , University of Oxford, and an associate member of the Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance. He holds a PPE degree from Oxford, an MSc in Economics from LSE, and a PhD in Economics from Harvard. His research focuses on asset pricing, credit risk, mutual funds, and macroeconomic influences on financial markets. He has published extensively in top journals and engages actively with industry through board roles and advisory work. Education : Bachelor's in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE), University of Oxford MSc Economics, London School of Economics PhD in Economics, Harvard University Research Interests : Assesses how macroeconomic conditions and credit risk shape asset prices Analyzes mutual fund behavior and market information transmission mechanisms Explores political dynamics' impact on financial markets His professional engagements include board memberships with funds like EA Asia Absolute Return Master Fund and advisory roles at Broadwell Capital. Teaching focuses on microeconomics for MBA programs, covering game theory, market structures, and price discrimination. Advisory & Grants : Supervises doctoral students at Saïd Business School and serves on programme committees for major finance conferences (e.g., European Finance Association, CEPR Annual Spring Symposium). Awards : While no specific prizes are listed, his impactful research has been widely cited and presented globally.
Professor Jonathan Boff (FRHistS) is a leading military historian in the Department of History at the University of Birmingham. His research explores the intersection of institutions, individuals, and warfare through comparative and cross-disciplinary approaches. He has a unique background combining academic expertise with two decades of private-sector experience, primarily in Asia. PhD in War Studies, King’s College London MA in History of Warfare, King’s College London BA in PPE, Merton College, Oxford University Boff’s research focuses on Economic Statecraft , the military history of the World Wars, British strategy (1880–1945), and the psychological dynamics of combat. He bridges historical analysis with modern policy challenges, particularly in financial and strategic contexts. Recent publications highlight his expertise in First World War financial policy, battlefield tactics, and institutional adaptation. His work is recognized for its empirical rigor and interdisciplinary methodology. AHRC Fellowship in Research Leadership (2020–23) Prize-winning books: Haig's Enemy (OUP, 2018) and Winning and Losing on the Western Front (CUP, 2012) Fellow of the Royal Historical Society He supervises PhD research on topics such as economic statecraft, World War-era military strategies, and comparative studies of morale. His grants include AHRC funding for his current project on financial warfare, culminating in a 2025 monograph by Oxford University Press.
Dr. Laura McMahon is an Associate Professor in Film and Screen Studies at the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics , University of Cambridge. She is currently on sabbatical leave and will return in Easter Term 2024. Her research explores intersections between film and philosophy , with a focus on French and Francophone cinema , decolonial approaches , feminist theory , and ecocritical perspectives . Dr. McMahon’s work examines how contemporary feminist filmmakers like Onyeka Igwe and Khady Sylla engage with archives to reframe history through speculative reimagining . She also investigates ecological themes in Claire Denis’s films and the ethics of animality in global art cinema. Her monograph Animal Worlds: Film, Philosophy and Time (2019) and edited collections like Animal Life and the Moving Image (2015) highlight her contributions to debates on nonhuman representation and deconstructive aesthetics . Her recent publications analyze documentary practices , postcolonial archives , and critical repurposing in moving image work. She welcomes inquiries from MPhil and PhD students working on related topics. Her teaching and research are affiliated with the Cambridge Film and Screen initiative and the Cambridge Italian Research Network (CIRN).
Jose Apesteguia is an ICREA Research Professor at the Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. His research focuses on behavioral economics, decision theory, experimental economics, and game theory, with particular emphasis on topics such as behavioral heterogeneity, rationality measures, stochastic choice models, and social preferences. Apesteguia has collaborated extensively with scholars like Miguel A. Ballester and Jörg Oechssler, producing influential work on topics ranging from imitation dynamics to the impact of language on moral decisions. His research integrates theoretical frameworks with experimental methods, exploring how individuals make decisions under uncertainty, time preferences, and social contexts. Key contributions include the development of measures of rationality and welfare, as well as analyses of behavioral adaptation and the role of information in competitive environments. His work frequently bridges economic theory with empirical validation, addressing real-world issues such as rule compliance in public institutions and team performance in organizations. Apesteguia’s publications span top journals including the American Economic Journal: Microeconomics , Journal of Economic Theory , and Econometrica . He teaches advanced courses on bounded rationality and behavioral decision theory at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research has been applied to fields like finance (e.g., copy trading behavior) and public policy (e.g., promoting compliance in libraries).
Leigh Oakes is Professor of French and Linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures within the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film at Queen Mary University of London. He has held progressive academic positions at the institution since 2000, advancing from Lecturer to his current professorship. His international academic background includes a PhD from the University of Melbourne and research at Stockholm University's Centre for Research on Bilingualism. His educational qualifications include a PhD (2001) and BA (Hons) (1996), both from the University of Melbourne. Oakes specializes in language policy and planning, with particular focus on language and national identity in France, Quebec, and Sweden. His research has expanded into linguistic justice debates in political theory, advocating for normative and interdisciplinary approaches to language policy. Oakes' publication trends reveal a consistent focus on ethical dimensions of language policy, with increasing emphasis on pluricentric justice and linguistic integration since 2016. His work bridges sociolinguistics and political philosophy, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections between language attitudes, national identity construction, and policy implementation across Francophone contexts. The 2018 co-authored monograph 'Normative Language Policy' represents a significant theoretical contribution to the field. 2008 Pierre Savard Prize for 'Language, Citizenship and Identity in Quebec' Leverhulme Trust Research Project Grant for 'The Ethics of Linguistic Integration' project Co-editor-in-chief of Sociolinguistica: European Journal of Sociolinguistics Co-editor of Multilingual Matters book series Member of editorial boards for Language Policy and Modern Languages Open Oakes actively supervises PhD candidates in sociolinguistic topics, with current research focusing on linguistic integration in Quebec and adaptation among mobile French speakers. His major Leverhulme-funded project 'The Ethics of Linguistic Integration' examines moral implications of language requirements for immigrants across England, Quebec, and Wales. He serves on several international academic committees including the Association internationale des études québécoises and the British Association of Canadian Studies. He leads the interdisciplinary 'Ethics of Linguistic Integration' research team, which combines expertise from applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and political theory to investigate language integration policies. His work connects with broader university initiatives through Queen Mary's research highways in social justice and global challenges.
Janina Dill holds the Dame Louise Richardson Chair in Global Security at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. She is also a Professorial Fellow at Trinity College and Co-Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict (ELAC). Her academic work focuses on the intersection of law, morality, and international relations in the context of war. Her research spans three interconnected strands: the legal requirements for military operations under international law; theoretical frameworks for understanding how international law serves as an instrument of morality in war; and empirical investigations into how moral and legal norms affect real-world military decision-making and public opinion in conflict zones. Professor Dill's work has particular relevance to contemporary conflicts, with extensive analysis of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. She has examined how international humanitarian law applies to these conflicts, the moral arguments employed by different parties, and the practical challenges of implementing legal constraints in complex warfare environments. Her research has been recognized with the prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize in 2021, which she has used to advance her work on the moral psychology of decision-making in war. She is currently leading multiple significant research projects, including a three-year ESRC/NSF-funded study on "Cumulative Civilian Harm" and an expert process with the ICRC on military objectives under international humanitarian law. Professor Dill is frequently consulted by international media outlets including The Guardian, The Economist, BBC, CNN, and major European publications. Her expertise is regularly sought on matters related to the laws and ethics of war, particularly regarding the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. She has received recognition for her contributions to the field through numerous speaking engagements, media appearances, and her influential research that bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical applications in contemporary conflicts.
Professor Aleksandra Cichocka is a Professor of Political Psychology and Deputy Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Kent. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Warsaw and was a Fulbright Fellow at New York University. Her research focuses on political psychology, particularly collective narcissism, self-worth dynamics, and the psychological underpinnings of political attitudes. She leads the Political Psychology Lab and has been on leave until Summer 2025. Education: PhD in Psychology (University of Warsaw, 2013), Fulbright Fellowship (New York University, 2009-2013). Research interests include links between narcissism and political behavior, collective narcissism's social consequences, and psychological factors driving political engagement. Her work has been published in top journals like Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Political Psychology . Key achievements include major grants from the Leverhulme Trust and Nuffield Foundation, and awards such as the Jos Jaspars Medal (2017) and Andrzej Malewski Award (2016). She supervises current and past PhD students in topics like conspiracy theories and identity politics. Professional roles include editorial positions at PNAS Nexus and European Journal of Social Psychology . Her research spans global collaborations on topics like pandemic responses and nationalism.
Professor Jason Rentfrow is a Professor of Personality & Individual Differences and Director of Graduate Education at the University of Cambridge's Department of Psychology. His research focuses on geographical psychology, exploring how regional environments shape personality, cultural differences, and societal outcomes. He also serves as Director of Studies in Psychology at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Key research interests include the psychological effects of geography on traits like openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism; the role of music preferences in personality expression; and the impact of socioeconomic status on self-concept. He has pioneered studies linking personality to political behavior, urban planning, and public health responses to crises like the 2020 pandemic. His work combines large-scale data analysis with spatial methodology, examining datasets from over 133 nations. Notable contributions include frameworks for measuring regional personality differences and their implications for innovation, entrepreneurship, and electoral outcomes. He has also developed psychometric tools like the Test of Attribute Preferences (TAP) for studying musical preferences. Recent research highlights include analyzing how Roman historical legacies influence modern German well-being disparities, the psychological roots of Brexit and Trump voter behavior, and the link between childhood trauma and adult empathy levels. His interdisciplinary approach spans psychology, sociology, economics, and geography. Professional activities include supervising graduate students, reviewing for top journals, and advising on cultural policy. He maintains an active lab focused on personality-environment interactions and their societal consequences.
Professor Brent Mittelstadt is a leading academic in data ethics and AI governance at the University of Oxford's Oxford Internet Institute (OII), serving as Professor of Data Ethics and Policy and Director of Research. He coordinates the Governance of Emerging Technologies (GET) programme, focusing on ethics, law, and technology interplay. His work bridges academic research with policy impact, contributing frameworks like 'counterfactual explanations' and fairness metrics ('Conditional Demographic Disparity') used globally. He leads high-profile projects such as Trustworthiness Auditing for AI and A Right to Reasonable Inferences in Advertising and Financial Services. Research interests span AI ethics, medical ethics, technology governance, and non-discrimination law. He has pioneered ethical frameworks addressing algorithmic bias, GDPR compliance, and AI accountability. His work has influenced policy bodies like the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and the European Commission, and is implemented by tech giants such as Google and Microsoft. Awarded O2RB Excellence in Impact Awards (2018, 2021) and PLSC Best Paper (2019) Funded by Wellcome Trust, Sloan Foundation, and others Advisory roles for NHSx, GSK Consumer Healthcare, and regulatory bodies Recent work focuses on AI regulation (EU AI Act), generative AI ethics, and healthcare AI governance. He co-leads the OxonFair toolkit for algorithmic fairness and investigates societal impacts of deepfake proliferation and large language models.
Patricia M. Thornton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Merton College. She specializes in Chinese politics, focusing on state-society interactions, authoritarian governance, and the legacies of the Cultural Revolution. Her research explores institutions, practices, and networks shaping governance in China, including works like *Disciplining the State* (2007) and *Red Shadows* (2017). She has held leadership roles at Oxford, including Chair of the Sub-Faculty of Politics and International Relations, and served on editorial boards such as *The China Quarterly*. Her work addresses contemporary challenges like authoritarian resilience, social control mechanisms, and political dissent. Research Interests: - State formation and governance in China - Authoritarian political systems - Memory and legacies of the Cultural Revolution - Party-state dynamics and social movements - Comparative political institutions Publications highlight themes like economic governance, social movements, and policy implementation. She has supervised numerous PhD students, many now leading academics in Asia-Pacific studies. Her contributions to understanding China’s political evolution are complemented by media commentary on current events, including analysis of Xi Jinping’s governance strategies and societal trends. Awards: Merton College Fellowship Key Projects: Edited *To Govern China* (2017) and *Red Shadows* (2017)
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Dr. Karin A. King is an LSE Fellow in the Department of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her expertise spans global talent management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management. She teaches in LSE's Master's programs, focusing on organisational behaviour, negotiations, and strategic rewards. With over two decades of experience in corporate HR and consulting, Dr. King advises leaders on evidence-based talent management practices aligned with business priorities. Her research explores global talent systems, leadership succession, and diversity in organisational contexts. Dr. King has been recognized with multiple awards, including the LSE Teaching Award (2023), Top Ten Best Lecturer (2022), and repeated Teaching Excellence Awards (2015–2022). She holds professional certifications in HR, management consulting, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her work bridges academic research and practice, with publications in leading journals like BRQ Business Research Quarterly and Journal of Global Mobility . Recent research emphasizes macro-contingent talent strategies and the role of line managers in global talent initiatives.
