Johanna Thoma is a Professor of Ethics at the University of Bayreuth and holds positions as Chair of Ethics, President of the International Network for Economic Method, and External Member of the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy. Previously, she was an Associate Professor at the London School of Economics (LSE) and a Visiting Professor there. Her research bridges philosophy, economics, and public policy, focusing on decision theory, moral and political questions, and avoiding paternalism in collective decisions. She holds a PhD from the University of Toronto (2017) and has been recognized with the 2024 Elizabeth D. Rockwell Prize. Thoma’s work explores methodological rigor in economics, ethical implications of public policy, and decision-making under uncertainty. Key themes include the ethics of artificial agents, behavioral welfare economics, and the dangers of single-metric policy frameworks. Her publications span journals like Philosophy and Public Affairs , Ethics , and Economics and Philosophy . Education : PhD in Philosophy, University of Toronto (2017); Visiting Student at Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy. Her awards reflect recognition of her contributions to ethics and policy analysis. Research interests emphasize democratic legitimacy in decision processes and the intersection of philosophy with social sciences. Thoma’s current work addresses challenges in risk imposition by artificial systems and the epistemic foundations of collective decision-making.
Myriam M.A.H. Cloodt serves as an Associate Professor of Open Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Department of Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship & Marketing (ITEM) within the School of Industrial Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She is also affiliated with EAISI High Tech Systems as a University Researcher. Her academic career spans over two decades, with a continuous focus on understanding innovation processes in complex business environments. Dr. Cloodt earned her MSc in Business Economics from Maastricht University in 1997. After working as a lecturer for two years, she began her PhD research at the Department of Organization & Strategy, completing her dissertation at METEOR (Maastricht University) on measuring innovative performance of high-tech companies after mergers and acquisitions. She joined Eindhoven University of Technology in July 2004 as a researcher at the School of Technology Management, becoming Assistant Professor in June 2006, and was promoted to Associate Professor of Open Innovation and Entrepreneurship in August 2017. Her research focuses on open innovation, corporate entrepreneurship, and strategic management, with particular interest in corporate venturing, strategic technology alliances, mergers and acquisitions, network analysis, and value constellations within innovation ecosystems. Dr. Cloodt's work bridges academic theory and practical application, as evidenced by her participation in industry projects for companies and innovation ecosystems like the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Her publications span prestigious journals including Research Policy, Journal of Product Innovation Management, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change, as well as book chapters for Oxford University Press. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward circular economy applications, particularly in plastics innovation, alongside continued work on innovation ecosystems, science parks, and military innovation contexts. Her research demonstrates methodological diversity, employing network analysis, case studies, and stated choice experiments to investigate complex innovation phenomena across different sectors and organizational contexts. Best Paper Award - Mature PhD Student at the ESU European University Network on Entrepreneurship Conference (2021) Dr. Cloodt actively supervises graduate students and has contributed to numerous research projects, including C-PlaNeT (Circular Plastics Network for training), SEE-V-Lab, and the Brabant Center of Entrepreneurship. Her professional engagements extend to developing publications for organizations such as Adviesraad voor het Wetenschaps- en Technologiebeleid (AWT) and Het Financieele Dagblad. In teaching, she contributes to the BSc program in Industrial Engineering & Management Science, the MSc program in Innovation Management, and the Certificate program in Technology Entrepreneurship & Management. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through contributions to circular economy research and sustainable innovation practices. Dr. Cloodt maintains active collaborations with industry partners and participates in significant academic conferences including the Annual World Open Innovation Conference where she serves on program committees.
Howard Rundle is a Full Professor in the Department of Biology within the Faculty of Science at the University of Ottawa. His research laboratory focuses on empirical studies in evolutionary ecology and evolutionary genetics, utilizing both laboratory and field approaches with model systems including various Drosophila species and the antler fly ( Protopiophila litigata ). His work is conducted both in controlled laboratory settings and in natural environments, particularly in Algonquin Park's Wildlife Research Station. Dr. Rundle's primary research interests span evolutionary ecology and evolutionary genetics, with particular emphasis on: The role of sexual selection in adaptation and purging of deleterious mutations Sexual conflict and its ecological context The evolutionary divergence of mate preferences and its contribution to speciation Quantitative genetics of sexual displays, particularly cuticular hydrocarbons in insects The impact of ecological complexity on evolutionary processes His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on how mating environments influence the dynamics of sexual conflict, adaptation, and speciation. Much of his work examines whether sexual selection helps or hinders adaptation, with growing emphasis on genomic approaches to understand the genetic basis of evolutionary responses. His research program demonstrates how ecological context fundamentally shapes evolutionary outcomes, particularly in the interface between natural and sexual selection. Dr. Rundle collaborates extensively with researchers at other institutions including Aneil Agrawal (University of Toronto), Russell Bonduriansky (University of New South Wales), Vincent Careau (University of Ottawa), Kelly Dyer (University of Georgia), Amanda Moehring (Western University), and Locke Rowe (University of Toronto). These collaborations enhance the scope of his research across multiple dimensions of evolutionary biology. The Rundle Lab maintains a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, explicitly welcoming and supporting members from all racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds, as well as those from the LGBTQ+ community, operating under the University of Ottawa's principles in these areas.
Serena Booth is an incoming Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Brown University. Previously, she served as an AAAS AI Policy Fellow in the U.S. Senate, advising the Senate Banking Committee on AI policy. She holds a PhD from MIT CSAIL (2023) and a BA from Harvard College (2016). Her research focuses on human-AI interaction, specification design for AI systems, and ethical AI practices. She also worked as an Associate Product Manager at Google, scaling ARCore to 100 million devices. Her research explores how humans specify AI behaviors, assess system success, and mitigate misalignment risks. Key contributions include Bayes-TrEx (model transparency via Bayesian sampling) and RoCUS (robot controller understanding). Her work has been supported by NSF GRFP and MIT Presidential Fellowships. She advocates for science policy equity through MIT's Science Policy Initiative and co-founded initiatives to support women in computing (e.g., GW6 at MIT). Education: PhD MIT CSAIL (2023), BA Harvard College (2016) Awards: Rising Star in EECS, HRI Pioneer, NSF GRFP Key Areas: Reward design pitfalls, human-robot trust, ethical AI curriculum development Her recent publications analyze reward function misdesign (AAAI 2023), human-AI teaching frameworks (HRI 2022), and feature attribution reliability (AAAI 2022). She currently seeks PhD students/postdocs focusing on human-AI alignment, reinforcement learning, and policy implications.
Isaac Sorkin is an Associate Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Economics at Stanford University, where he holds additional appointments as Trione Faculty Scholar and Gordon and Dailey Pattee Endowed Faculty Fellow. His primary research examines labor market dynamics, wage determination, and economic inequality. Professor Sorkin's work bridges labor economics and macroeconomics, with specific focus areas including: Labor market frictions and search behavior Firm dynamics and worker reallocation Wage inequality and distributional outcomes Applied econometric methods Policy evaluation of labor market interventions His recent publications demonstrate innovative approaches to measuring market concentration effects on wages, analyzing racial disparities in employment trajectories, and evaluating minimum wage policies. Methodologically, he develops and applies structural models and quasi-experimental designs to address identification challenges in labor economics. Professor Sorkin was recognized as a Sloan Research Fellow in Economics in 2021. He contributes to the field through editorial responsibilities and mentorship of graduate students.
Zhanna Sarsenbayeva is a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Sydney. Previously, she held a Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Ubiquitous Computing, Accessibility, and Affective Computing. She earned a PhD in Engineering from the University of Melbourne, an MSc in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Oulu, and a BSc in Computer Science from University College London. Research Interests: Dr. Sarsenbayeva explores how technology can enhance accessibility, improve emotion recognition in mobile contexts, and address situational impairments. Her work spans wearable sensors, mobile health applications, and ethical AI methodologies. Awards & Honors: 2022–2023: Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme 2021: CIS ECR Grant 2020: Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Fellowship 2019: Gaetano Borriello Outstanding Student Award Advising & Grants: She currently supervises five PhD students researching topics like mixed reality collaboration and emotion recognition. Her grants include projects on accessibility standards and fairness in AI. International Collaborations: Engages with researchers at Aalborg University (Denmark), University of Oulu (Finland), and LMU Munich (Germany) on interdisciplinary projects.
Mihalis Giannakis is a full Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Audencia Business School in France (HDR certified). He holds a BSc/MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Patras University, followed by an MSc in Engineering Business Management and a PhD in Industrial and Business Studies from the University of Warwick. His career includes roles as Head of Research (2022-2023) and Head of Major in Supply Chain Management (2016-2017) at Audencia, alongside visiting professorships at institutions like Texas A&M University and the University of Cyprus. His research focuses on supply chain sustainability, digitalization, risk management, and innovation, with active engagement in sectors like energy, defense, and telecommunications. Giannakis has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, guest-edited journals, and contributed to academic associations such as the European Decision Sciences Institute. He has received awards for research and teaching excellence, including the AGORA training initiative (2023) and a research grant on supply chain risk management (2013). His work emphasizes the integration of technology (e.g., AI, IoT) into supply chains and explores societal impacts of emerging technologies like the metaverse. Giannakis has advised organizations on supply chain resilience and led projects on big data analytics in humanitarian logistics. He maintains roles in editorial and review boards for top journals such as Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management and Technological Forecasting and Social Change .
Bradley Turner serves as the Director of Online Golf Instruction at Keiser University College of Golf, where he holds an academic position with significant leadership responsibilities. With credentials including an MBA and PGA certification, Turner has established himself as an authority in golf education and instruction methodology. His research interests span multiple dimensions of golf education, including golf instruction techniques, golf course management, golf psychology, technological innovations in golf training, turfgrass management, and the business aspects of the golf industry. Turner has demonstrated particular expertise in the psychological components of golf performance and the application of modern technology to traditional golf instruction. Turner's scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with contemporary issues in golf education, with a focus on practical applications for both amateur and professional golfers. His work often addresses the intersection of traditional golf instruction with modern technological advancements, examining how digital tools and platforms can enhance learning outcomes in golf education. Over 165 published articles on golf instruction and education Specialized expertise in online golf instruction methodologies Focus on practical applications for golfers of all skill levels Contributions to golf business and management education As Director of Online Golf Instruction, Turner oversees the development and delivery of golf education programs through digital platforms, adapting traditional golf instruction to modern educational technologies and learning preferences. His work bridges the gap between academic golf education and practical industry applications, making him a significant contributor to contemporary golf pedagogy.
Assoc. Prof. Duygu Koçak is an academic at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University's Faculty of Education, specializing in Measurement and Evaluation in Education. She holds a Ph.D. from Ankara University (2016) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto (2018-2019). Her roles include Associate Professor, Department Head, and Deputy Head of Department at her current institution. Her research focuses on educational measurement, psychometrics, and statistical methodologies in education. Her academic journey includes positions at Adıyaman University (2014-2016) and lecturing roles since 2016. She has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles on topics like test validity, Monte Carlo simulations, and learning disabilities. Notable works include the 'Academic Jealousy Scale' (2019) and studies on homework impact (2020). Dr. Koçak has contributed to edited volumes on data analysis and measurement tools. She serves as a referee for journals like the Journal of Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology and has presented at international conferences on educational statistics and assessment.
Chiara Monfardini is a Full Professor of Econometrics at the Department of Economics of the University of Bologna. Her academic discipline is ECON-05/A Econometrics. She holds a Degree in Statistics and Economics from the University of Padova (1992) and a PhD in Economics from the European University Institute (1997). Her career includes positions as an Assistant Professor (2001), Associate Professor (2005), and Full Professor (2017) at the University of Bologna. She is affiliated with the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) and CHILD-Collegio Carlo Alberto. As Co-Editor of the Review of Economics of the Household , she contributes to academic publishing. Her research focuses on microeconometrics, simulation-based inference, and applied studies in labor, household, and health economics. Key themes include parental time investments, gender gaps in time use, and the intergenerational transmission of educational choices. She leads projects like MINUTO (MindUsTogether), funded by PRIN2017, exploring mindful parenting interventions and parental engagement via digital tools. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as Econometrics , Microeconometrics , and Advanced Microeconometrics . Her work integrates quantitative methods with policy analysis, addressing issues like early childhood education impacts and voting behavior. Office hours are held on Mondays at 5 PM by appointment.
Conny Almekinders is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Knowledge Technology and Innovation at Wageningen University & Research, focusing on seed systems, agricultural development, and participatory research approaches. His work bridges plant genetics, socioeconomics, and institutional dynamics to enhance crop seed systems globally. Key areas include potato and cassava seed systems, gender-responsive agricultural practices, and disease management strategies in developing countries. Research emphasizes seed degeneration, stakeholder collaboration in breeding programs, and policy analysis for resilient seed systems. He has co-supervised 25 PhD projects, including studies on decentralized seed multiplication in Kenya, hybrid potato breeding models, and community-driven development in Ethiopia. Notable contributions include developing diagnostic tools for root/tuber seed systems and evaluating farmer willingness-to-pay for quality planting materials in Southeast Asia. Almekinders has published over 168 peer-reviewed articles, datasets, and reports addressing seed systems' technical and social dimensions. His projects often involve international collaborations, such as the CRRIsP initiative on climate-resilient potato innovations and the RTB Seed System Toolbox. He actively participates in lectures and workshops promoting inclusive seed system transformation.
Tülin Haşlaman is an Associate Professor at the Department of Elementary Education - Primary Education, TED University. She holds roles as a Coordinator and Vice Head of Department. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Instructional Technologies, Technology-Enhanced Language Learning, and Micro Teaching, reflecting her expertise in educational technology and pedagogical innovation. Her research focuses on ICT integration in education, self-regulated learning strategies, and teacher development. Notable areas of interest include the use of digital storytelling for computational thinking, infographics in supporting student autonomy, and smartphone addiction among university students. She has also studied the impact of social media platforms like Facebook on teacher training and the integration of ICT into teaching processes. Dr. Haşlaman’s work emphasizes bridging technology with educational practices, particularly in primary education contexts. Her articles highlight themes such as pre-service teacher digital competency, disabled teachers’ technology integration challenges, and peer assessment in online environments. Despite her extensive academic contributions, she has no explicitly listed awards or grants in the provided materials. Her courses over the years span foundational education topics like Learning Environments, Observation in Schools, and Research Methods, demonstrating a commitment to both theoretical and applied aspects of education. While she has not specified any affiliated labs or teams, her teaching and research activities suggest active engagement in educational technology initiatives and teacher professional development programs.
Michael Sedlmair is a Professor at the University of Stuttgart's VISUS (Visualization Research Center). His research focuses on visualization, augmented reality, and immersive analytics. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (2010). Affiliations: Department of Computer Science, University of Stuttgart Research interests span: Augmented Reality applications in collaboration and industry Immersive analytics and spatial data visualization Human-computer interaction in AR/VR contexts His work emphasizes practical applications such as human-robot collaboration, medical simulations, and molecular visualization. Over 200+ publications since 2008 highlight contributions to visualization theory and tool development.
Erik Teodoor Verhoef is a Full Professor of Spatial Economics at the Department of Spatial Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds since 2009. Previously, he was a Member of the Faculty Board (serving as Research Director and Vice dean) at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, VU University Amsterdam from 2008 to 2011. His educational background includes a Cum Laude graduation in Economics from State University Groningen in 1991, followed by a PhD from VU University Amsterdam under the supervision of Professors Peter Nijkamp and Piet Rietveld. Since 1996, he has been an Elected Research Fellow at the Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam-Rotterdam. Verhoef's research focuses on traffic congestion, static and dynamic network analysis, urban externalities, second-best regulation, efficiency and equity aspects of spatial externalities and regulation, spatial equilibrium modelling, valuation, transport economics, and urban economics. His work has significantly contributed to understanding congestion pricing mechanisms, transport policy design, and the economic analysis of transportation networks. His research often combines sophisticated theoretical modeling with empirical analysis to provide practical insights into optimal transport policies. His publication record shows a consistent contribution to transportation economics, with particular emphasis on congestion pricing, road pricing schemes, and the economic analysis of transportation networks. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on equity implications of pricing mechanisms, behavioral responses to transport policies, and the integration of reliability considerations into transport economics. The Epainos Prize 1996, European Regional Science Association Honorable Mention for the 1996 Dissertation Prize of the Transportation Science Section of INFORMS RSUE Award for Innovative Research by Recent Doctoral Candidates 2000 Reimut Jochimsen Prize 2006 Honorable Mention for the WCTRS Prize 2007 Highly Cited Author Award 2004–2008, Journal of Urban Economics Elected Fellow of the Regional Science Association International (2010) Verhoef serves in significant editorial capacities, including as one of two Editors-in-Chief for Economics of Transportation and Associate Editor for Transportation Research B. He also serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals including the Journal of Urban Economics, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, and Journal of Regional Science. His academic leadership extends to international organizations where he serves on the Founding Board of the International Transportation Economics Association and as Vice-chair of NECTAR, while having organized numerous academic events including the Nectar-Kuhmo Summer Schools and the European Regional Science Association Conference.
Julia F. Slejko, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research (P-SHOR) at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She serves as Co-Director of the Patient-Driven Values in Healthcare Evaluation (PAVE) Center and Director of the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Graduate Program. Dr. Slejko is actively involved in ISPOR, where she co-leads the Women in HEOR initiative and serves on the Faculty Advisor Council and Health Science Policy Council. BA in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology – University of Colorado Boulder PhD in Pharmacoeconomics – University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Postdoctoral Training – Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program, University of Washington School of Pharmacy Dr. Slejko’s research centers on health economic modeling and patient-informed value assessment. She investigates how real-world evidence, particularly medication adherence, influences cost-effectiveness analyses and healthcare decision-making. Her work integrates patient preferences into value frameworks, especially for chronic conditions like COPD, mental health disorders, and cancer. She also explores disparities in treatment outcomes related to socioeconomic and geographic factors. Her recent publications (2020–2023) demonstrate a strong focus on patient-centered outcomes, microsimulation modeling, and economic burden analyses across oncology, psychiatry, and respiratory diseases. Themes include stakeholder engagement, treatment preferences, and the economic impact of comorbidities and health inequities. Dr. Slejko mentors students through her role as faculty advisor for the UMB ISPOR Student Chapter and teaches graduate courses in research methods and pharmacoeconomics. She leads interdisciplinary research teams within the PAVE Center, fostering collaboration between patients, clinicians, and policymakers. She has no listed scientific awards in the provided text, though her leadership roles suggest professional recognition. She advises on student research and is involved in grant-funded projects related to patient-driven value assessment, though specific grants are not detailed.
