Sara K. Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development at Tufts University, School of Arts and Sciences. She holds the Evans Family Professorship (2020–2023) and has been affiliated with Tisch College. Her work focuses on how youth engage in equity-promoting behaviors, with a focus on identity development, social justice, and systemic inequities. She directs the Development of Identity and Community Engagement (DICE) Lab. Education: PhD in Human Development and Family Studies (2012, University of Connecticut), MA (2008), BS (2006, Michigan State University). Her research emphasizes marginalized youth’s agency in addressing societal inequalities and explores identity formation, civic engagement, and gender dynamics. She has held roles including Research Assistant Professor (2013–2015) and Adjunct roles at Tufts’ Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development. Key research areas include critical reflection on racism/sexism, youth role models, and longitudinal studies of identity development. Awards include her endowed professorship. She collaborates on initiatives like Inspire Aspire—Global Citizens in the Making. Her lab investigates mechanisms linking identity to societal contribution.
Valentina Di Stasio is a Full-time Professor of Sociology at the European University Institute's Department of Political and Social Sciences. She joined the EUI in 2024 after holding positions as Assistant and Associate Professor at Utrecht University, where she co-founded and co-led the Interuniversity Network on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Her academic journey includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, and research positions at the WZB Social Science Center in Berlin. Di Stasio earned her PhD from the University of Amsterdam in 2014 with a dissertation titled 'Why education matters to employers: A vignette study in Italy, England and the Netherlands,' which received the 'Best PhD thesis of the year' award from the European Consortium for Sociological Research (ECSR). Her research primarily addresses labor market inequalities with a focus on gender, ethnic, and racial discrimination. She employs comparative approaches and experimental methods including correspondence tests and factorial surveys. Her recent work examines Islamophobia, anti-Muslim discrimination, and ethnic and gender stereotypes from an intersectional perspective. In 2021, she received an ERC Starting Grant for the TARGETS project (2022-2027), a cross-national multi-actor study on ethnic discrimination in the workplace, and currently serves as co-PI of the Horizon Europe project EqualStrength. Di Stasio's publications span high-impact journals including Annual Review of Sociology, British Journal of Sociology, and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. Her recent research output demonstrates a consistent focus on discrimination mechanisms across European labor markets, with particular attention to religious, ethnic, and gender intersections. ERC Starting Grant for TARGETS project (2022-2027) Best PhD thesis award from European Consortium for Sociological Research She supervises PhD students including Chiara Guasti and Maša Krajnc, and has coordinated significant research projects including the GEMM project, the first cross-nationally harmonized correspondence test conducted simultaneously in five countries (Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain). Her work combines theoretical innovation with methodological rigor, contributing substantially to our understanding of discrimination processes in contemporary European societies.
Michael Russell is a Professor in the Department of Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics & Assessment at Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development. His expertise spans educational measurement, systemic racism in testing, and accessibility in assessment design. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. from Boston College and a B.A. from Brown University. Russell leads research addressing racism in educational measurement, including his book Systemic Racism and Educational Measurement (2023), which critiques the influence of systemic racism on testing practices. His work emphasizes anti-racist methodologies, intersectionality, and equitable assessment design. Key research interests include innovative uses of computer-based technologies, large-scale assessment design, and Universal Design principles. Russell has published extensively on topics like differential item functioning, deficit narratives in quantitative research, and the social justice implications of testing. He collaborates on redesigning graduate programs to prepare scholars for anti-racist research. His courses include Foundations in Research Methodology and Assessment Programs . Russell's work bridges critical theory with practical assessment tools, advocating for equitable educational practices.
Yasser Arafat Payne is a Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, with a joint appointment as an associate professor in the Department of Africana Studies. His academic work focuses on street ethnographic research examining policing and reentry, economic well-being and educational inequality, and gun violence with street-identified Black Americans through the innovative Street Participatory Action Research (Street PAR) framework. Payne earned his Ph.D. and M.Phil. from the City University of New York Graduate Center, an M.A. from Seton Hall University, and a B.A. from Wagner College. His educational background has informed his distinctive approach to studying marginalized communities through the lens of those who live within them. Payne's research program challenges dominant arguments in the literature by asserting that all of the streets of Black and Brown America are resilient. His work focuses on racial identity, street identity, school violence, physical violence, Gangster Rap music and culture, and the methodology of street participatory action research. He has developed Street PAR as a framework that includes three essential features: research orientation, intervention for Street PAR members, and a vehicle for action and activism in local communities. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on violence exposure, police-community relations, reentry challenges, and resilience among street-identified Black populations. Payne's work spans multiple disciplines including criminology, sociology, public health, and urban studies, with particular attention to the intersection of structural inequality and individual experience. Payne actively engages with media on issues of policing and structural violence, as evidenced by his July 2024 commentary on stop-and-frisk policies for NBC News and his August 2023 presentation to the Wilmington Reparations Task Force. He co-authored the book 'Murder Town, USA: Homicide, Structural Violence and Activism in Wilmington' (Rutgers University Press, 2023), which has become a key resource for understanding gun violence in urban communities. As an educator, Payne teaches specialized courses on street ethnography, Gangster Rap Music and Culture, Racial Stratification, and core courses on Race, Class & Gender and Race, Gender & Poverty. His teaching philosophy centers on bringing the lived experiences of street-identified populations into academic discourse through innovative pedagogical approaches. Payne leads a research lab focused on Street PAR methodology, training community members to document experiences of street-identified Black populations through surveys, interviews, and dual interviews. His approach emphasizes community ownership of research and the transformative potential of participatory methodologies in addressing structural violence.
Dr. Saba R. Ali is a Professor of Counseling Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Iowa, affiliated with the Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations and the Rural Psychology Collaborative. Her leadership spans multiple federally funded initiatives including the $2.2 million Culturally Responsive Talent Identification and Career Exploration (TICE) grant from the U.S. Department of Education and two major Behavioral Health Workforce Education Training Program grants totaling $3.2 million from HRSA. Ali's research centers on career development for underserved populations, particularly rural youth and Latinx communities. Her work integrates sociopolitical development theory with career counseling, focusing on healthcare STEM pipelines through projects like FICE and HOPE. She examines how cultural identity, socioeconomic status, and systemic barriers impact career trajectories, with emphasis on Muslim women's experiences and telepsychology applications. Her publication portfolio reveals strong focus on vocational psychology innovations, with recent articles analyzing postgraduate self-efficacy scales, pandemic career impacts, and transnational feminism in therapy. The research consistently bridges theory and practice, targeting practical interventions for rural schools and healthcare systems while advancing measurement tools in career assessment. Scientific Recognition: Distinguished Achievement for Publicly Engaged Research Award (University of Iowa, 2017) Senior Research Fellow, Massachusetts Institute for College and Career Readiness (2015) Public Policy Fellowship (2012) As Principal Investigator on over $7 million in grants, Ali directs major workforce development initiatives including the federally funded Rural Behavioral Health Training Program. Her service includes chairing the Society for Vocational Psychology (2014-2016) and serving as Associate Editor of the Journal of Career Assessment. Current projects focus on culturally responsive talent identification in gifted education and expanding healthcare career pathways for rural students through multi-foundation partnerships. Ali leads the Rural Psychology Collaborative, developing community-engaged interventions that connect K-16 students with healthcare STEM opportunities. Her approach integrates labor market data with culturally responsive programming, creating sustainable pipelines through school partnerships across Iowa's rural communities.
Michael T. Heaney is a Lecturer in Politics and Research Methods at the University of Glasgow's School of Social and Political Sciences, specializing in how social networks, movements, and political parties influence policy and organizational dynamics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has held faculty roles at the University of Michigan and University of Florida, alongside postdoctoral fellowships at Yale University and research fellowships at Glasgow. His research focuses on social movements, interest groups, and political parties, with notable works including Party in the Street (Cambridge, 2015) and the documentary The Activists (2017). He has received grants from the Russell Sage Foundation and National Science Foundation, among others. Research Interests: Social Networks Analysis, Political Parties, Interest Group Politics, Protest Mobilization, Policy Outcomes. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, emphasizing methodological pluralism. Grants & Awards: Russell Sage Foundation, NSF grants; multiple Best Paper Awards (APSA, ECPR), Leon Epstein Book Award, and documentary film accolades. He has advised over a dozen graduate students on topics like lobbying networks, counterterrorism governance, and representation in local politics. Teaching: Courses include Social Network Analysis, Social Movements, and Research Design at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Active in academic service, he has held leadership roles in APSA sections on Political Networks and Political Organizations.
Maria Cristina Morales is a Professor in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at the University of Texas at El Paso, College of Liberal Arts . Her research critically examines how Latinx ethnicity intersects with social statuses and institutions, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border , using quantitative and qualitative methodologies while prioritizing reflexive and theory-driven approaches . Education: PhD in Sociology, Texas A&M University (2004) Research Focus includes structural violence at the U.S.-Mexico border, environmental hazard perceptions near border ports, and gender/sexuality dynamics . Her publications and presentations bridge border studies, immigration, labor rights, and environmental justice . Recent projects include decolonizing survey research and Latinxs on the Margins (forthcoming). Scientific Awards include the Norma Williams Distinguished Service Award (2024), UT Regents Outstanding Teaching Award (2016), and multiple recognitions from the Southwestern Sociological Association and Building Scholars programs. Grants highlight her leadership in National Science Foundation and North American Development Bank funded projects addressing sociological issues, air quality assessment , and data accessibility for vulnerable communities.
Dr. Mateusz Zieliński is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Theory at the Institute of Political Science, University of Wrocław. His institutional roles include conducting teaching consultations from office 314 and managing scientific projects from office 214. He serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the MiserArt Foundation and is actively engaged in multiple research initiatives including the Horizon Europe-funded ENCODE project. His research focuses on Political Theory with particular emphasis on Political Representation, Aesthetics and Social Exclusion, political discourses, and the intersection of New Media with Contemporary Pop Culture. His work often employs network analysis methodologies to examine political phenomena, particularly coalition formation and political representation dynamics. Zieliński's recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate a clear trajectory examining the theoretical foundations of political representation, with increasing attention to intersectional perspectives, Brexit-era party dynamics, and the relationship between aesthetics and political exclusion. His work spans both theoretical political science and empirical studies of Polish and comparative politics. Horizon Europe grant for ENCODE project (2021-2027) As co-founder of the "In Praise of Friendship" scientific seminar and social project, Zieliński bridges academic research with community engagement. His work with MiserArt center demonstrates commitment to applying political theory to social inclusion initiatives, particularly for marginalized populations in Wrocław's Nadodrze district. His leadership in the ENCODE project highlights his growing international research profile. Zieliński maintains active involvement in both academic and community spaces, with his research increasingly addressing contemporary political challenges through interdisciplinary lenses combining political theory, network analysis, and discourse studies.
Dr. Christine Drew serves as Assistant Professor in Auburn University's College of Education within the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling. She coordinates the Graduate Transition Certificate Program and advises the EAGLES Program, leveraging her expertise in behavior analysis for intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her academic foundation includes a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, M.Ed. in Special Education from Texas State University, and B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas. Educational background: Ph.D. in Special Education from University of Oregon M.Ed. in Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis concentration from Texas State University B.A. in Economics with minor in secondary social studies education from University of Texas Dr. Drew's research pioneers intersections of behavior analysis, sexuality education, and IDD support through parent collaboration. Her work advances telehealth interventions for challenging behavior and inclusive practices for neurodiverse populations, with growing emphasis on social justice dimensions like LGBTQIA+ inclusion and racial equity in autism services. Methodologically, she integrates single-case designs with community-based participatory approaches to address systemic barriers. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) Practical skill-building interventions for daily living and menstrual health, (2) Telehealth adaptations for family-implemented behavior support across generations, and (3) Critical examinations of equity gaps in disability research and incarceration systems. Her scholarly impact extends through editorial contributions to the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions . Professional recognition includes Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) status achieved in 2019, though no formal scientific awards are documented. Her editorial board service demonstrates peer acknowledgment of expertise. As EAGLES Program Faculty Research Advisor, Dr. Drew mentors transition-focused projects while coordinating graduate certificate training. Her telehealth research during the pandemic suggests NIH or IES grant involvement, though specific funding isn't detailed. Current work emphasizes sustainable activism models for behavior analysts. Dr. Drew leads Auburn's EAGLES Program research initiatives, developing inclusive higher education frameworks for students with IDD. Her telehealth case studies involve multi-stakeholder teams including grandparents, parents, and school personnel, reflecting her commitment to ecological intervention approaches.
Tuula Juvonen is a Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies at the Tampere University , Faculty of Social Sciences, Unit of Social Research. Since 2020, she has taught the Master's Thesis Seminar (SSR.GEN.110) and coordinated/acted as examiner for English courses like YKT.215 (Gender Theories), YKT.228 (Body and Intersectionality), and YKT.YKE.501 (Genders/Sexualities). Research Fields: Queer Studies Lesbian Studies Queer History Affective Inequalities Intimate Relationships Archival Practices Feminist Pedagogy Recent Publications focus on queer historical methodologies, archival activism, affective spaces in LGBTQ+ communities, and interdisciplinary analyses of gender/sexuality discourses. Key themes include theorizing queer temporalities , resisting heteronormativity , and documenting marginalized histories . Scientific Awards: State Award for Public Information (2024, Ministry of Education) YKY Community Award (2015, with Leena Rodriguez) Good Teacher Award (2012, student-voted) Archival Deed of the Year (2012, honor mention) Grants and Projects: Leads the Affective Activism project (2021-2025, Academy of Finland), and has directed/led multiple funded initiatives including Queer Narratives (2012-2017) and Thinking Archives (2005-2006). Her work bridges academic research with community-based queer history preservation through roles in organizations like Friends of Queer History (Chair 2020-2024).
Joëlle Rouleau is an Associate Professor at Université de Montréal's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Art History, Cinema and Audiovisual Media. Her academic career spans queer theory, gender studies, film studies, and research-creation methodologies. Department: Art History, Cinema and Audiovisual Media Research Focus: Intersectional Representation in Quebec Cinema, Queer TV Studies, Feminist Approaches Her research explores queer and trans media representation , intersectional film analysis , and gender-sensitive health studies . Recent projects include queer television conferences and disability representation studies in cinema. Notable trends in her 2014-2022 publications include: analysis of Queer TV seriality , gender metrics in health research , and intersectional feminist film pedagogy . She has secured multiple Canadian federal grants (SSHRC, CIHR, FRQSC) for her queer media studies. 3 SSHRC-funded research projects 1 CIHR/IRSC medical gender study 1 FRQSC research-creation grant Rouleau supervises master's students on topics including: queer cinema pedagogy, neuroqueer emancipation, and cinematic power dynamics. She leads Labo Télé UdeM and contributes to disability art research initiatives.
Jan-Magnus Enelo serves as a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Örebro University's School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. His academic work spans sociological theory, quantitative methodology, and interdisciplinary research on social stratification and cultural dynamics. His research focuses on social class structures , political sociology , and culture's influence on values and political behavior , with particular emphasis on honour-based violence and culture of honour phenomena. Enelo examines how socioeconomic conditions shape fundamental values that subsequently influence political opinions and party affiliations, while his violence studies explore how honour cultures emerge, manifest, and persist in Swedish society. As principal investigator for the HVS: Honour, Violence and Society project (2017-2020), he led quantitative studies on honour-related violence across Sweden's major metropolitan areas. His publications reveal critical intersections between gender, migration background, and social isolation in violence vulnerability. Senior Lecturer in Sociology since 2012 (following doctoral completion) Active researcher in CVS - Centre for Violence Studies Member of HeVoS (Honor, Violence and Society) research group Contributor to Work, Family and Intimate Relations research collective Enelo's teaching portfolio centers on sociological theory and quantitative methods, with additional instruction in social work and media/communication studies. His methodological expertise informs both his empirical research on political consumption fields and his analyses of honour-based oppression mechanisms.
Franz Castro is a Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center , focusing on quantitative methods to address health disparities among people with disabilities, particularly intersecting with race/ethnicity and socioeconomic factors. He holds an MD from the University of Panama, an MSc from Johns Hopkins, and an MPH in Quantitative Methods from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His research spans health equity , social determinants of health , and global burden of disease studies , with recent work analyzing disability disparities in STEM, vaccination rates, and child mortality. Key publications examine geographic inequalities in sanitation, education, and disease prevalence across low- and middle-income countries. Scientific Awards: 2020 Presidential Scholar (Harvard University) 2018 New Voices in Global Health Winner (World Health Summit) 2017 WHO Alliance for Health Policy Essay Competition Runner-up 2016 French Young Ambassador for Human Rights Dr. Castro's work bridges public health, epidemiology, and policy analysis, with affiliations to major research networks like the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study and Local Burden of Disease (LBD) Collaborators.
Mike Schuster serves as Assistant Professor of Legal Studies at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business since 2019, specializing in intellectual property and empirical legal studies with focus on technology-law intersections and equity issues. Education: LLM in Trade Regulation, New York University School of Law, 2009 JD, South Texas College of Law, 2007 BS in Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, 2002 Research Interests: Professor Schuster's work spans patent, copyright, and trademark law through empirical methodologies, investigating gender/race disparities in IP systems and legal challenges from AI/cannabis industries. His research bridges doctrinal analysis with quantitative data to expose systemic biases in patent prosecution and trademark registration while examining how legal uncertainty shapes business strategies in emerging markets. Publications: His 15 most recent publications (2019-2025) reveal consistent empirical rigor across intellectual property domains, with recurring themes including gender equity in inventorship, strategic obfuscation in patent filings, and fair use market measurement. These works appear in leading interdisciplinary journals and demonstrate methodological sophistication through corpus analysis, citation networks, and demographic statistics. Awards and Honors: 2025 Best Paper at Gender and Business Research Conference (Kinsey-Kelley Center) 2024 Ralph Hoeber Memorial Award for Excellence in Research 2024 Best Interdisciplinary Paper Award (Academy of Legal Studies in Business) 2024 Best Sports and Entertainment Law Paper 2023 Early Career Achievement Award 2022 Terry College Outstanding Teacher Award 2022 & 2021 Best Interdisciplinary Paper Awards Multiple 2019 Southeastern Academy honors Consecutive Richard W. Poole Research Excellence Awards (2017-2019) Advising and Grants: No specific information regarding student advising or grant funding appears in available sources. Labs and Teams: The source material contains no references to research laboratories or collaborative teams directed by Professor Schuster.
Professor Ian Burn is a Professor of Economics and Chair in Applied Microeconomics at the University of Liverpool. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California-Irvine (2017) and previously served as an Assistant Professor at the Swedish Institute for Social Research in Stockholm. His research focuses on labor market discrimination, particularly against women, older workers, and the LGBT+ community, employing experimental methods and econometrics. Key areas include the economic impacts of anti-discrimination laws, workplace ageism, and the socioeconomic status of marginalized groups. Institutional Affiliations : University of Liverpool (since 2017), Swedish Institute for Social Research (previous role) Professional Activities : Associate Editor of Industrial Relations (2024–present), member of the Liverpool Advanced Methods for Big Data Analytics (LAMBDA) Research Centre, and the Centre for Organisational and Employee Wellbeing. Teaching : Coordinates the Economics of Diversity & Inclusion module (ECON217) and supervises theses on labor market dynamics and gender issues. His research on discrimination integrates experimental designs with big data analytics, emphasizing policy evaluation. Recent work examines ageist language in job ads and the efficacy of state-level anti-discrimination laws. Notable collaborations include studies on Sweden’s transgender demographics and the intersectional challenges faced by older women in retirement systems. He has published in top journals such as the Journal of Political Economy and American Economic Review , and his work often bridges theoretical models with real-world policy applications.
