Ravinder Bhavnani is a Professor of International Relations/Political Science at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. His research focuses on the micro-foundations of violence, utilizing agent-based computational modeling and empirical analysis to explore actor behavior, social mechanisms, and emergent structures. He holds affiliations with the Centre for Finance and Development and the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy. Educated at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (PhD), Bhavnani specializes in armed conflicts, terrorism, urban-rural dynamics, and regional expertise in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Key themes in his work include surveillance effects on collective action, urban conflict morphology, and resilience to socio-economic crises. His research outputs span journals like American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Peace Research , with a focus on computational methods and policy-relevant insights. He has co-edited volumes on global conflict trends and serves on editorial boards such as the Journal of Conflict Resolution . Advising and grants include collaborations on projects analyzing protest dynamics, malnutrition resilience, and segregation effects. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with applied conflict analysis, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to peacebuilding and violence prevention.
Kevin R. Anderson is a Professor of Political Science at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). He specializes in American and African American Political Thought, focusing on tensions between individual liberty, collective good, and American political values. His research explores historical and contemporary issues in voting rights, civil rights, and political theory. Anderson holds a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He teaches courses in American government, political theory, and African American politics. His first book, *Agitations: Ideologies and Strategies in African American Politics* (2010), examines political strategies within African American communities. His second co-authored work, *State Voting Laws in America: Historical Statutes and Their Modern Implications* (2015), analyzes the evolution of voting rights laws in the U.S. His articles address topics like Robert F. Kennedy’s influence in Mississippi, the pedagogy of Constitution Day, and historical patterns of voting law retrenchment. Anderson has participated in media discussions on redistricting, political campaigns, and post-insurrection political dynamics. He recently contributed to a DEI Week workshop in 2025.
Gabrielle Hecht is a Professor of History at Stanford University and holds a courtesy appointment in Anthropology. She specializes in the global history of science, technology, and environment, with a focus on Africa and the Anthropocene. Her work examines how racial capitalism, colonial legacies, and environmental justice intersect with technological systems. Hecht earned a PhD in History and Sociology of Science (University of Pennsylvania, 1992), an M.A. in the same field (1988), and a B.S. in Physics from MIT (1986). Prior to returning to Stanford in 2017, she spent 18 years at the University of Michigan, where she contributed to collaborative projects like WiSER’s ‘Theory and Empiricism’ initiative. Her research interests span nuclear histories, waste governance, and the entangled geographies of Cold War technopolitics. Current projects include Inside-Out Earth , exploring energy residues in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Chile, and Residual Governance , which analyzes mining waste and environmental justice in South Africa. She collaborates with artist Potšišo Phasha and scholars across disciplines to address planetary crises through local perspectives. Hecht has received prestigious awards including the 2024 PROSE Awards, E. Ohnuki-Tierney Award, and ASA Best Book Prize. Her work has been funded by NSF, NEH, and international research foundations. She serves as a Research Associate at Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER).
James L. Gibson is the Sidney W. Souers Professor of Government at Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Political Science. He also holds positions as Professor of African and African American Studies, Director of the Program on Citizenship and Democratic Values at the Weidenbaum Center, and Professor Extraordinary in Political Science at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His research focuses on Judicial Politics, Democratization, Political Psychology, and South African politics, with notable contributions to understanding post-apartheid transitions and judicial legitimacy. He earned a BA from Emory University (1972) and PhD from the University of Iowa (1975), with prior roles at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and the University of Houston before joining Washington University in 1999. His work includes over 100 refereed articles and eight books, including the 'Overcoming Trilogy' on South Africa and Judging Inequality (2021), which examines state courts' roles in U.S. inequality. His awards include the APSA Law and Courts Lifetime Achievement Award (2011), the Decade of Behavior Research Award (2005), and the Alexander L. George Book Award (2004). Current research explores judicial symbolism's impact on African American perceptions of courts and public reactions to the Khmer Rouge trials in Cambodia. Gibson’s grants and advising contributions are extensive, with leadership roles in the Midwest Political Science Association. His work bridges theoretical and applied political science, emphasizing policy relevance and public understanding of behavioral principles.
Jordache A. Ellapen is an Associate Professor of Black Studies, specializing in visual and performance art cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora. His research focuses on blackness, Afro-Indian relationalities, and feminist/queer studies in post-apartheid South Africa. He holds a PhD in American Studies from Indiana University, with minors in Visual Culture Studies, and advanced degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and New York University. Bachelor of Arts and MA in Dramatic Art (University of the Witwatersrand) MA in Cinema Studies (New York University) PhD in American Studies (Indiana University) His research interrogates how visual and performance art challenge racial hierarchies, with a focus on women and LGBTIQ+ artists. Current projects explore the intersection of pleasure and black freedom in decolonial politics. He is the author of Indenture Aesthetics (2025), which reimagines Black Consciousness through a queer African framework. Awarded the Feminist Studies Journal Claire G. Moses Award (2022) and Queer African Studies Association Award (2022), Ellapen’s work spans journals like Feminist Studies and Journal for African Cultural Studies . He curates The Pleasure Project and has received fellowships from institutions including the Ford Foundation and the University of Toronto.
Violet Showers Johnson is a Professor of History at Texas A&M University, holding concurrent roles as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development at Texas A&M University, Qatar, and former Associate Dean in the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M’s main campus. She holds a Ph.D. from Boston College (1992), an MA from the University of New Brunswick, and a BA from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. Her work bridges African, African American, and diasporic histories with a focus on race, migration, and transnational identities. Education: BA (Honors in History) - Fourah Bay College, MA - University of New Brunswick, Ph.D. - Boston College Her research examines Black immigrant experiences in America, the African diaspora, and post-civil rights era dynamics. Notable works include The Other Black Bostonians (2006) and African & American (2014), analyzing West Indian and African immigrant communities. Her current project explores the intersection of blackness and foreign identity in late 20th-century America. Publications reflect interdisciplinary engagement with civil rights struggles, cultural identity, and transnationalism. She has served in leadership roles at Texas A&M Qatar, directing the Division of Arts and Sciences, and pioneered Africana Studies programs at Agnes Scott College. Her administrative work focuses on faculty development and inclusive academic leadership.
Dr. Andre A. Pekerti is an Associate Professor in International Management within the International Business Discipline at The University of Queensland Business School, part of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. He holds a prominent position as Associate Professor in the School of Business and maintains an active research profile across multiple international business domains. With a multicultural background as a Christian of Indonesian-Chinese heritage who grew up in Jakarta, Southern California, and New Zealand, Dr. Pekerti is a naturalized New Zealander and Australian. His educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science, Masters (Research), and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Canterbury and The University of Auckland. This diverse background informs his scholarly work on cross-cultural phenomena. Dr. Pekerti's primary research focuses on cultural intelligence, cross-cultural communication, n-Culturals (individuals capable of synthesizing multiple cultural identities), acculturation, servant leadership, ethics, and international organizational behavior. He has pioneered theoretical perspectives on multiculturalism within individuals through his work on n-Culturalism, which represents a significant contribution to cross-cultural management literature. His research examines how individuals navigate multiple cultural identities and the implications for workplace behavior, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. His publication record is extensive with 42 journal articles, 11 book chapters, 32 conference papers, 1 book, and 1 research report. His work appears in top-tier journals including International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Business Ethics, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, and Journal of International Business Studies. Recent research explores emotional aspects of merger integration, the impact of race and accent on career progression, and the mediating effects of cultural intelligence on sociocultural adaptation. Dr. Pekerti has served as Vice President of the Australia New Zealand International Business Academy for two terms and currently sits on the editorial review boards of multiple prestigious journals including Asia-Pacific Journal of Management, Cross-Cultural and Strategic Management, Human Resource Management Review, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of International Business Studies, and Journal of World Business. He also serves as Honorary Editor of Andalas Management Review. Among his notable initiatives is the Rapid Acculturation Mateship Program (RAMP) at UQ Business School, which has evolved into the Global Mates and BEL Buddies programs. This 19-week program connects local students with incoming international students to facilitate adjustment to UQ, Australia, and reciprocal cultural learning, positively affecting domestic and international student experiences. He has secured significant research funding including an ARC Linkage Project on servant leadership and a Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research grant on digital transformation of SMEs. Dr. Pekerti has taught MBA programs at The University of Auckland, Bond University, and UQ Business School. His consulting experience includes work with Diner's Club (Singapore), Department of Transport Victoria (Australia), and the Ministry of Trade (Indonesia). Most recently, he has collaborated with BiasSync on unconscious bias assessment solutions for organizations.
Paul E. Nahme is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Judaic Studies at Brown University. His scholarship bridges modern Jewish thought, cultural history, and critical theory, with a focus on intersections between identity, affect, race, and religion. Education: PhD (2013), MA (2008), BA (2006) from the University of Toronto Research Interests: Nahme examines racial formation through Jewish identity, analyzing how affective economies shape historical and contemporary antisemitism, nationalism, and secularization. His work engages German/French philosophy (Kant, Cohen, Weimar/Nazi periods), kabbalistic and Hasidic traditions, and critical race theory. Key Publications: His award-finalist book Hermann Cohen and the Crisis of Liberalism (2019) explores Enlightenment liberalism through Jewish philosophical lenses. In Ghost People: Race, Religion and the Affective Sources of Jewish Identity (2024), he investigates racial affect in post-Holocaust and post-slavery contexts. He also co-edited Covenantal Thinking (2024) on David Novak's theology. Scientific Recognition: Finalist, 2019 National Jewish Book Award Teaching: Courses include "Race, Religion, and the Secular," "Heidegger, the Jews, and the Crisis of Liberalism," and "Fascism: 1933-Present." He also teaches on political theology and the ethics of minority identities.
David Stein is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and a Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute’s Macroeconomic Analysis Program. His research focuses on the interplay between political economy, social movements, and public policy, with a particular emphasis on African American Studies, the civil rights movement, policing and imprisonment, labor history, and environmental justice. He holds a Ph.D. in American Studies and Ethnicity from the University of Southern California. Stein has held postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA and the CUNY Graduate Center and has taught at Claremont McKenna College, UCLA, and Queens College. His current book project, Fearing Inflation, Inflating Fears , examines how civil rights demands for guaranteed jobs led to the expansion of the carceral state instead of welfare programs. Stein’s work bridges academic scholarship and public policy, including co-authoring federal job guarantee resolutions with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. His writings appear in venues like The Washington Post , Democracy Journal , and The Intercept . Stein’s honors include the Hellman Family Fellowship, UC Regents Junior Faculty Fellowship, and Maria Stewart Prize. He collaborates with social justice organizations and co-hosted the podcast Who Makes Cents?: A History of Capitalism . His research spans topics such as racial capitalism, climate justice, and the historical geography of money.
Dr. Aliki Varvogli is a Senior Lecturer in American Literature at the University of Dundee's School of Humanities. Since joining Dundee in 2001, she has specialized in contemporary American fiction with particular focus on postmodernism, crime fiction, narratives of immigration, and literature's engagement with urban experiences and financial crises. Education: PhD in American Literature from the University of East Anglia, MA in English Literature, BA in English and American Literature from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her research explores: Contemporary American literary responses to economic crises Evolution of police procedural and forensic thriller genres Urban experience and racial dynamics in American fiction Post-9/11 narrative frameworks Transatlantic literary connections Recent research activity includes Forensic Crime Fiction (2024) with Cambridge University Press, alongside multiple publications on Paul Auster, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Annie Proulx. She serves on editorial boards for Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction and Symbiosis Journal , and received the CASS Teaching & Good Practice Award (2015) for her 'Other Americas' module. Scientific contributions include: Paul Auster Research Library Fellowship (2024) University of Copenhagen research collaborations Editorial work with the Approaches to Contemporary American Literature series
Justin J. Podur is Professor and Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. He holds a PhD in Forestry from the University of Toronto and has established himself as a prominent scholar bridging environmental science and critical geopolitical analysis. His research spans two interconnected domains: political conflicts in regions affected by Western intervention (particularly Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, and the DRC), and environmental science focusing on forest fire patterns in Ontario and climate change impacts. He integrates historical research with contemporary geopolitical analysis, drawing from extensive fieldwork in conflict zones where he has worked as both journalist and translator. Podur's academic work reveals clear trends: a consistent critical examination of Western intervention in the Global South, with particular attention to media narratives that justify military actions and economic sanctions. His environmental research demonstrates sophisticated use of quantitative methods and GIS to model ecological patterns while connecting them to broader political economic forces. NSERC Discovery Grant recipient Frank A. MacDougall Fellowship awardee Author of multiple scholarly books on geopolitics Host of 'The Anti-Empire Project Podcast' (175+ episodes) As a dedicated educator, Podur supervises graduate students in Geography and Environmental Studies while teaching courses ranging from environmental management to advanced statistical analysis. His public intellectual work through blogging and podcasting extends his academic insights to broader audiences, maintaining rigorous analysis while remaining accessible to non-specialists.
Werner Sollors is the Henry B. and Anne M. Cabot Professor of English and Professor of African American Studies at Harvard University, where he has been a faculty member since 1983. He has held significant leadership roles including chair of Afro-American Studies (1984-1987, 1988-1990), American Civilization (1997-2002), and Ethnic Studies (2001-2004, 2009-2010). Previously, he was Assistant and Associate Professor at Columbia University (1976-1983) and at Freie Universität Berlin (before 1976). He has served as a Visiting Professor at numerous institutions worldwide including Oxford University, Munich and Berlin Universities, Bern, Università degli Studi di Venezia, La Sapienza, Hebrew University, Nanjing Normal University, and New York University Abu Dhabi. Education: Doctorate from Freie Universität Berlin Professor Sollors is a leading scholar in American literature, African American studies, and ethnic studies, with particular expertise in interracial literature, multiculturalism, and the history of American literature and culture. His work explores the complex intersections of race, ethnicity, and national identity in America, with special attention to the 1940s and the literary representations of migration and cultural pluralism. Sollors has made significant contributions to understanding how American literature has negotiated questions of consent versus descent in defining American identity, and his research on visual studies and text-image relationships has opened new avenues in literary criticism. An analysis of Sollors' publications reveals a consistent focus on the dynamics of ethnic identity, multiculturalism, and American literature across different historical periods. His work demonstrates a progression from theoretical explorations of ethnicity to detailed historical investigations of specific periods like the 1940s. A key thread throughout his scholarship is the examination of how literature reflects and shapes cultural identity, with particular attention to interracial relationships and multilingual aspects of American culture. His editorial work has been instrumental in recovering and contextualizing important texts in African American literature and immigrant writing. Scientific Awards and Honors: Dr. phil. h.c. Universität Regensburg (2017) Member of Academia Europaea (2012) Corresponding Member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (2005) Fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2001) Corresponding Member of the Bavarian American Academy (2000) National Endowment of the Humanities Fellowship (1999-2000) Walter Channing Cabot Fellow, Harvard University (1997-1998) Constance Rourke Prize (1990) John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellow (1981) Throughout his distinguished career, Sollors has mentored numerous graduate students and contributed significantly to academic discourse through his extensive publications and editorial work. His leadership roles as chair of multiple academic departments at Harvard demonstrate his commitment to shaping interdisciplinary fields of study. Sollors has secured prestigious grants including the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and the Walter Channing Cabot Fellowship, supporting his research on American literature and ethnic studies. His collaborative projects, particularly co-editing major anthologies and literary histories, have established him as a central figure in American literary scholarship. While the text doesn't specifically mention research labs or formal teams led by Sollors, his extensive collaborative work as co-editor of major publications like 'A New Literary History of America' and 'The Multilingual Anthology of American Literature' suggests significant scholarly collaboration. His work with institutions like the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and various international academies indicates participation in broader academic networks that function as intellectual communities advancing research in American studies and ethnic literature.
Dr Ailise Bulfin is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin. Her research and teaching focus on 19th-century and contemporary literature and culture, with a particular emphasis on popular fiction genres such as gothic, horror, crime, and science fiction. She is the Principal Investigator of the ERC-funded project ‘CSAReps’, which investigates fictional representations of child sexual abuse and their societal impact. University: University College Dublin School: School of English, Drama and Film Rank: Assistant Professor Email: ailise.bulfin1@ucd.ie Dr Bulfin's research spans a wide range of interdisciplinary fields, including medical humanities, environmental humanities, cognitive literary studies, and cultural studies. Her work critically examines how narratives about war, invasion, environmental disaster, and sexual violence shape public understanding and emotional responses. She has published extensively on topics such as invasion fiction, catastrophe narratives, and representations of child sexual abuse in literature and film. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward interdisciplinary inquiry, combining literary analysis with empirical and cognitive approaches. She frequently explores how gothic and speculative fiction serve as vehicles for addressing urgent social and psychological issues, particularly through metaphor and indirect representation. Her work on climate change and ecological catastrophe in Victorian fiction highlights early forms of ecological awareness, while her research on child sexual abuse in young adult gothic fiction investigates both harmful myths and resilient survivor models. European Research Council Starting Grant (CSAReps, 2021–2028) Wellcome Trust funding British Academy grants Irish Research Council fellowships Royal Irish Academy funding Dr Bulfin has delivered keynotes and invited talks at institutions such as the University of Reading, Max Planck Institute, and University of Aberdeen. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin’s Discipline of Psychiatry and co-organizes the international Invasion Network. Her public engagement includes radio interviews on RTE and collaborative events with CSA survivors and health professionals. As a teacher, she has coordinated modules on speculative fiction, war fiction, and modernity, and advocates for student-centered, research-led pedagogy. She holds a Professional Special Purpose Certificate in Academic Practice from Trinity College Dublin.
Jorie Lagerwey is a Professor in Television Studies at the School of English, Drama and Film, University College Dublin. Her research intersects feminist criticism, critical race theory, and celebrity culture, focusing on gender and race representation in transatlantic television and digital media. She has authored and co-edited influential works like Horrible White People (2020) and Single Lives (2022), and her scholarship appears in journals such as JCMS and Television and New Media . Education: BA in History (Duke University), MA and PhD in Critical Studies (University of Southern California). Lagerwey’s research explores TV genre, discourses of quality, and the affective dimensions of media. Her work interrogates how digital platforms and industry practices shape representations of identity, particularly in reality television and docuseries like Tiger King and The Good Wife . Recent publications examine whiteness, single women, and streaming media’s ideological underpinnings. Her 15 most recent articles span 2015–2025, highlighting themes such as generic chaos in Netflix docuseries, postfeminist celebrity branding, and the racialization of sitcoms. Awards include the UCD Teaching Excellence Award (2018) and competitive grants for teaching innovation and dissertation completion. Scientific Awards: Teaching Excellence Award (2018) Adjunct Professional Development Grants (2011, 2010) Dissertation Completion Fellowship (2008–2009) Mary Pickford and George Cukor Scholarships As Vice-Principal for Teaching and Learning (2020–2023), she led academic advising initiatives and developed digital teaching frameworks. She has coordinated modules like History of Television , Beyoncé and Taylor Swift , and Wellness & Happiness Media , emphasizing student-centered pedagogy and authentic assessments.
Jay T. Johnson is the University Distinguished Professor of Geography & Atmospheric Science at the University of Kansas, serving as Associate Chair of the department and Director of the Center for Indigenous Research, Science, and Technology (CIRST). His work focuses on Indigenous geographies, cultural survival, and place-based struggles, with comparative research in North America, the Pacific, and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Johnson teaches courses in cultural geography, qualitative research methods, and Indigenous geographies, emphasizing anti-colonial pedagogies. Johnson’s research explores Indigenous methodologies, resource management, and the politics of place. Notable projects include studies on energy sovereignty in Alaska, Indigenous participation in climate science, and the ethical challenges of qualitative data sharing. He has published extensively on Indigenous knowledge systems, decolonial methodologies, and the intersections of environmental justice and racial equity. His honors include the Docking Faculty Scholar award from the University of Kansas (2019) and recognition for diversity contributions from the Association of American Geographers (2014). Johnson leads multi-institutional initiatives like the Haskell-NCAR environmental training program and the MOONS Indigenous STEM mentorship workshop. His work bridges academic and Indigenous communities through collaborative research centers like CIRST, fostering ethical partnerships and innovative methodologies. Johnson’s career reflects a commitment to Indigenous self-determination, evidenced through his advocacy for research sovereignty, place-based pedagogy, and the integration of Indigenous epistemologies into mainstream geosciences. His recent work emphasizes multispecies coexistence frameworks and the spectral agency of historical landscapes.
