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Eva SpiesView profile

Professor

• Religious plurality
• Contemporary Christianity in Africa
• Religion and development cooperation
• +9 more

Prof. Dr. Eva Spies is a Professor for the Study of Religion with Focus on Africa at the University of Bayreuth within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences . She holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Mainz and leads the Research Section Moralities in the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence (EXC 2052). Key Roles : Principal Investigator, Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) Vice Dean of Research Co-founder, German Association for the Study of Religion's Africa working group Research Interests span religious plurality, development cooperation, and transformative practices. She coined the concept of religious engineering to analyze how religious resources shape social/political worlds. Regional expertise in Niger/West Africa and Madagascar/Indian Ocean , with focus on: South-South mission Religion and pandemic response Intercultural hermeneutics Epistemological conflicts Material culture in development Projects : Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence (2025): "Religious engineering. The making of moralities, development and religion in Niger" Humboldt Research Hub (2021): "Fighting pandemics with religion?" (with Moi University and University of Zimbabwe) Education : PhD in Cultural Anthropology, University of Mainz

Agnieszka Zabłocka-KosView profile

Professor

• Architecture History
• Urban Planning
• Sacred Architecture
• +2 more

Professor Agnieszka Zabłocka-Kos is a faculty member at the Institute of Art History, University of Wrocław, specializing in Central European architectural history and urbanism. Her work focuses on 19th-20th century architecture, with particular emphasis on Wrocław/Breslau, including post-war reconstruction, national identity construction, and sacred space design. Professor, University of Wrocław Specialist in 19th-20th century Central European architecture Director of postdoctoral internships (NCN FUGA III) Recipient of multiple Rector's awards for research and teaching Research Themes: Urban development in Central Europe, political architecture in Poland/Germany, sacred architecture of the 19th century, post-war modernism, industrial architecture revitalization. Her students have produced award-winning theses on topics like Wrocław urban blocks, Silesian architects, and post-industrial adaptations. Scientific Contributions: Notable works include the edited volume Architecture in the 'long' 19th century (2019), multiple articles on Breslau's architectural conflicts, and international projects on Central European sacred architecture. She has supervised 33 master's and 5 doctoral theses, with several student works published as books. Dettloff Prize for dissertation (1992) Rector's awards for research and didactic achievements International projects with universities in Berlin, Freiburg, and Leipzig Advisor for Wrocław's Monument Office and City Development Bureau Her teaching integrates interdisciplinary approaches, linking art history with political, economic, and social contexts. She promotes student research popularization through conferences, exhibitions, and publications.

Margarita Boenig-LiptsinView profile

Assistant Professor

• Social and political aspects of digital technologies
• Identity and citizenship in technological societies
• Ethics of Technology
• +5 more

Margarita Boenig-Liptsin is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Ethics, Technology and Society at ETH Zurich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, a position she has held since September 2022. Trained in Science, Technology and Society with dual PhDs from Harvard University (History of Science) and Université Paris-Sorbonne (Philosophy), she brings interdisciplinary expertise to examining the relationship between technology, power, democracy, and ethics. Her research spans several interconnected areas focusing on transformations to human identity and citizenship in relation to information technologies across time and cultures. She investigates the social and political aspects of digital technologies, identity and selfhood in technological societies, ethics of technology, and comparative cultures of innovation. Her work uniquely bridges historical analysis with contemporary ethical concerns, examining how concepts like human dignity evolve alongside technological developments from punch cards to AI governance frameworks. Her recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strong focus on AI ethics, data justice, and the philosophical implications of algorithmic systems. These works demonstrate her consistent interest in how technology shapes democratic processes, citizenship, and ethical frameworks. Her research shows progression from historical studies of computer literacy programs to contemporary analyses of generative AI's impact on knowledge production and everyday ethics. Her scientific recognition includes: NSF funding for her collaborative project on Silicon Valley's innovation imaginary Mozilla Foundation Responsible Computer Science Challenge grant (2018-2021) Academic Data Science Alliance support (2020-2022) Sorbonne Université's Paris IAS Chair on 'Major Changes' (2021-2022) At ETH Zurich, she leads research and teaching initiatives that build connections between engineering and social sciences. Previously at UC Berkeley, she directed the Human Contexts and Ethics Program, developing the Human Contexts and Ethics component for data science education. Her work consistently emphasizes translating social science theory for diverse audiences and connecting scholarly work to community needs in Zurich, Switzerland, and Europe. She teaches courses including 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Values' and 'Research in Ethics, Technology and Society' for the Fall 2025 semester.

Ali MousaviView profile

Assistant Professor

• Archaeology of Iran
• Achaemenid architecture and epigraphy
• Sasanian empire
• +3 more

Ali Mousavi is Assistant Professor of Iranian Archaeology in UCLA’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and a core faculty member of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. A Berkeley PhD and former fellow of the Smithsonian, Maison de l’Orient and Global Heritage Fund, he has directed excavations and UNESCO World-Heritage projects at Pasargadae, Bam, Susa, Sultaniyeh and Turang Tepe and authored prize-winning volumes Ancient Iran from the Air and Persepolis: Discovery and Afterlife of a World Wonder . Education PhD, Near Eastern Studies (Archaeology), University of California, Berkeley (2005) MA, Archaeology, History and Languages of Old World Civilizations, Université Lyon II, France (1997) BA, Archaeology and Art History of Europe and the East Mediterranean, Université Lyon II, France (1996) Research interests span the archaeology and art history of Iran from the Neolithic to the early-20th century, with particular focus on Achaemenid and Sasanian monumental architecture, ancient irrigation (qanats), landscape archaeology, digital heritage, and the modern historiography of Iranian archaeology. His field projects integrate remote sensing, epigraphy, GIS and conservation science to investigate imperial capitals, rock-cut monuments and water-management systems across the Iranian plateau. Across more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Mousavi has re-examined dating criteria for Achaemenid stone monuments, analysed royal inscriptions as visual displays, traced medieval Persian pilgrims’ graffiti at ancient sites, and produced synthetic archaeological surveys of the Sasanian empire and the Central Alborz Iron-Age cultures. The corpus reflects a sustained engagement with primary field data, archival research and critical historiography of 19th- and 20th-century excavations. Selected honours Ehsan Yarshater Book Award (2014) Iranian Ministry of Culture World Book Award (2014) Leon Levy – Shelby White publication grant (2008) UNESCO award for World-Heritage nomination files (2003) Iran Heritage Foundation field-work award (2003) Guitty Azarpay Fellowship, UC Berkeley (2000-2003) IFRI Fellowship, Paris (1998) At UCLA he offers undergraduate courses “Archaeology of Iran” and “Ancient Cities of Iran (4000 BC-AD 1900)” and mentors graduate researchers in the Cotsen Institute. His grants and fellowships from NSF-equivalent European and American agencies underwrite both field seasons and publication of critical archaeological corpora, while his service on Iranian, UNESCO and international heritage boards continues to link scholarly output with heritage-management policy.

Halis AydemirView profile

Professor

• Hadith Studies
• Islamic Jurisprudence (Inheritance Calculation)
• Probability Theory in Hadith Transmission
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Halis Aydemir is a Professor at the Department of Basic Islamic Sciences in Dumlupınar University's Faculty of Theology. He holds concurrent administrative roles including Vice Rector (2015–2019), Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences (2015–2020), and Head of the Hadith Department. His academic journey includes a BSc in Electrical Engineering (Istanbul Technical University, 1995) and a PhD in Basic Islamic Sciences (Uludağ University, 2004). His research focuses on applying probability theory to Hadith transmission systems, developing mathematical models for inheritance calculations in Islamic law, and Arabic language education. Notable projects include the 'Al-Musnad al-Sahih' manuscript verification (2002–2012) and multiple inheritance calculation software projects. He has authored over 80 publications including critical editions of Hadith collections and theoretical works on Hadith reliability. Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned. Administrative roles include leadership in religious affairs projects and educational software initiatives. Research highlights include probabilistic analysis of narrator reliability, isnad model evaluation, and digital tools for Islamic legal calculations. His work bridges traditional Islamic scholarship with modern quantitative methods.

• Information Discovery
• Bayesian Networks
• Information Retrieval
• +5 more

Petri Myllymäki serves as Director of multiple prominent research entities at Aalto University's School of Science, including the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT), the Department of Computer Science, the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI), and his own research group. His leadership positions demonstrate significant influence in the Finnish and international AI research community. Dr. Myllymäki's research focuses on information discovery, Bayesian networks, information retrieval, and machine learning. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications, particularly in developing systems that enhance how humans interact with information spaces. His research fingerprint prominently features Information Discovery (100%), Bayesian Networks (50%), Hashing (50%), Approximation Algorithms (50%), Information Retrieval (50%), structure learning (50%), Search Engine technology (37%), and Task Performance (33%). His recent publications (2015-2025) reveal a consistent trajectory in interactive information discovery systems, with increasing applications in diverse domains including decision science, public health, and social media analysis. Notably, his 2024-2025 work shows expansion into cognitive burden in decision-making, health outcomes research using machine learning, and political social media analysis – demonstrating how his core AI methodologies are being applied to address complex societal challenges. Recognized at AI Finland Gala 2024 for contribution reaching over 1.4 million users Featured in multiple media outlets including X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky Work referenced in patents and Wikipedia pages Dr. Myllymäki actively hosts academic visitors and participates in collaborative research activities. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through applications in information access and AI development. The Myllymäki Petri group (HIIT) serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and information systems.

Tarunabh KhaitanView profile

Professor

• Legal Theory
• Constitutional Law
• Discrimination Law
• +4 more

Tarunabh Khaitan is the Professor (Chair) of Public Law at LSE Law School and an Honorary Professorial Fellow at Melbourne Law School. He specializes in legal theory, constitutional studies, discrimination law, and comparative constitutional design. Educated at National Law School (Bangalore) and Oxford (as a Rhodes Scholar), he holds degrees including a DPhil from Exeter College. Previously, he held roles such as Vice Dean at Oxford Law Faculty and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at Melbourne Law School. His research focuses on discrimination law, constitutional design, and judicial accountability. His monograph A Theory of Discrimination Law (OUP 2015) won the 2019 Woodward Medal. He has advised on anti-discrimination legislation in India and contributed to UN anti-discrimination guides. Awards include the 2018 Letten Prize (€200k award) and Excellence in Engagement Award (2020). Key publications include works on constitutional resilience in South Asia, comparative electoral systems, and the role of political parties in constitutional theory. He advises global initiatives like the International Journal of Constitutional Law and the Equal Rights Trust. His Hindi podcast संविधान संवाद explores Indian constitutionalism.

Eric AtwellView profile

Professor

• Artificial Intelligence
• Natural Language Processing
• Machine Learning
• +8 more

Professor Eric Atwell is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence for Language at the University of Leeds' School of Computer Science, part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He holds additional roles as a LITE Fellow at the Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (40% part-time), Turing Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, and member of the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) and Language at Leeds (LATL). His research focuses on AI applications in corpus linguistics, text analytics, and computational analysis of religious and medical texts, with a strong emphasis on Arabic and Islamic studies. He leads the AI4L research group and has supervised over 60 research students and fellows, many of whom have pursued careers in academia, tech, and AI-driven fields. Education: PhD in Corpus Linguistics and Language Learning (University of Leeds, 2008), BA (First Class) in Computing and Linguistics (Lancaster University, 1981) Grants: Includes EPSRC-funded projects like Natural Language Processing with Arabic and Islamic Studies (£337K, 2013-2015) and EDUBOTS chatbots for education (£94K, 2019-2022) Teaching: Leads modules in Data Mining, Text Analytics, and AI across multiple programs, including online Masters and PhDs. Known for innovative teaching approaches and student support, receiving positive feedback for engagement and course design. Research Interests: AI applied to corpus linguistics, Quranic text analysis, Arabic NLP, chatbots for education, and decolonizing curricula. Notable projects include Quranic semantic search tools, Hadith corpus analysis, and AI-driven fact-checking systems. Publications: Over 277 publications, with recent work focusing on Quranic QA systems, Arabic dialect identification, and generative AI applications in education. His research is widely cited, earning recognition from ResearchGate for high readership. Awards: Recognized for his most-read research items on ResearchGate (June 2021). Gallup StrengthsFinder highlights his top traits as Learner, Achiever, Ideation, Intellection, and Maximizer. Labs/Teams: Leads the AI4L research group and collaborates with international institutions including SUSTECH Sudan, King Saud University, and SWJT University (China). Active in research networks like LIDA and LATL.

Owen DaviesView profile

Professor

• Witchcraft
• Magic
• Supernatural Beliefs
• +5 more

Professor Owen Davies is a faculty member at the University of Hertfordshire , affiliated with the History Department at the School of Creative Arts . His research spans witchcraft , magic , supernatural beliefs , and folklore , with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches integrating archaeology, anthropology, and biomedical studies. Key research areas : Witchcraft, Domestic Magic, Medical History, Electrification, Public History. Recent projects : AHRC-funded 'StoryMachine', Leverhulme 'Inner Lives', Wellcome Trust 'Harnessing the Power of the Criminal Corpse', and a new AHRC 3-year study on witch bottles. Selected publications : America Bewitched (2013), The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic (2017), Troubled by Faith (2023). Awards : Funded by AHRC, Wellcome Trust, and Leverhulme Trust. Collaborates with institutions like Museum of London Archaeology and University of Essex. Leads community engagement via the Heritage Hub and 'Electric Generations' exhibition.

Bambang TrigunarsyahView profile

Associate Professor

• Project Management
• Infrastructure Project Delivery
• Post-Disaster Reconstruction
• +4 more

Associate Professor Bambang Trigunarsyah holds a position at RMIT University since 2018, affiliated with the School of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM). He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, a Master's in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) from the University of Indonesia, and a PhD in Engineering Project Management from the University of Melbourne. His career spans industry roles, including project engineering in Indonesia's oil and gas sector, academic leadership at the University of Indonesia, and international teaching/research appointments at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia. Research interests focus on post-disaster reconstruction, infrastructure project governance, constructability of infrastructure, and project management in developing countries. Notable projects include risk management frameworks using blockchain, circular economy in Saudi construction, and BIPV energy solutions. He actively supervises HDR students in areas like public-sector project success determinants and thermal environment studies. Bambang serves as Higher Degree Research Delegate Authority (HDR DA) for the School of PCPM and teaches postgraduate project management programs. Professional memberships include AIPM, PMI, and ASCE. His industry advisory roles include Indonesia's National Construction Service Development Board (2002-2007) and Australia-Indonesia Centre's Infrastructure Cluster (2016-2018). Recent research emphasizes BIM applications in infrastructure preservation, risk assessment methodologies, and climate-resilient construction. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in emerging economies and complex project environments.

Tonya Sanders ThachView profile

Associate Professor

• Faith-based Community Development
• Curriculum Development
• Health and Community Development
• +2 more

Tonya Sanders Thach, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning within Morgan State University's School of Architecture and Planning. A certified planner (AICP) with 17+ years of experience, she specializes in community engagement to address environmental, housing, transportation, and health disparities in marginalized communities through partnerships with faith-based organizations. Her academic credentials include: B.A. in Psychology from Truman State University (minor in Spanish) M.A. in Community Psychology and Social Change from The Pennsylvania State University Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago Dr. Sanders Thach's research explores Faith-based Community Development, Curriculum Development, Health and Community Development, Community Engagement, and Climate Adaptation. She designs community engagement strategies and evaluates interventions for sustainability and equity, particularly in lower-income minority communities facing historic environmental injustice and housing disparities. Her work emphasizes dismantling structural barriers through faith-based partnerships while advancing public health and affordable housing solutions. Analysis of her 2014-2018 publications reveals consistent focus on power dynamics in faith-based cross-sector collaborations, climate adaptation in vulnerable urban settings, and community-driven historic preservation. Her work demonstrates how religious institutions can catalyze equitable development while navigating complex partnership challenges in marginalized communities. Her notable recognition includes: Civic Leadership Award, Proviso Action Committee (2011) Dr. Sanders Thach has secured significant grant funding including a $25 million Department of Energy grant for the Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (2022-2027) as Co-PI, NIH-funded CBPR research on sanitation ($20,000), EPA green infrastructure projects ($60,000), and multiple community planning grants from local governments. Current initiatives involve partnerships with Enterprise Community Partners, Community Development Network of Maryland, and Southwest Partners to address housing, health, and climate resilience in Baltimore. She co-leads the Baltimore Social Environmental Collaboration (40+ researchers from 12 institutions), serves as Board Chair of Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, and contributes to national planning education through the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and American Planning Association.

Diliana AngelovaView profile

Associate Professor

• Byzantine Studies
• Roman History
• Gender Studies
• +3 more

Diliana Angelova serves as Associate Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, with scholarly specialization in Byzantine and Roman historical studies emphasizing gender dynamics, religious frameworks, and artistic expression. Education: BA, American University in Bulgaria, 1995 MA, Southern Methodist University, 1998 MA, Harvard University, 2002 PhD, Harvard University, 2005 Her research program critically investigates female agency within imperial systems through interdisciplinary analysis of textual sources, architectural patronage, and material artifacts. Core methodologies integrate gender theory with art historical analysis to reconstruct women's roles in religious and political spheres across late antiquity and early Byzantium, particularly examining how empresses leveraged sacred discourse for authority. Publication trends reveal sustained engagement with imperial ideology through physical manifestations—buildings, ivories, and urban landscapes—demonstrating how female rulers like Pulcheria and Ariadne engineered religious and architectural programs to project power. Thematic continuity connects her monograph on founding narratives with earlier articles exploring material culture as political language. Scientific Awards: Van Courtlandt Elliott Prize, Medieval Academy of America (2006) for outstanding first article in medieval studies Information regarding graduate student supervision and external research funding remains unspecified in available documentation, though her scholarly output indicates active contribution to Byzantine gender studies through major publications and academic reviews.

Arthur SchaferView profile

Professor

• Professional Ethics
• Bioethics
• Applied Ethics
• +8 more

Arthur Schafer is a Full Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Arts and Founding Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics. He serves as a National Research Associate of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and previously held roles as ethics consultant for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Head of the Section of Bio-Medical Ethics in the Faculty of Medicine. His academic credentials include a BLitt in Philosophy from the University of Oxford (1967) and a BA Honours from the University of Manitoba. His distinguished career spans over five decades of ethical scholarship and public engagement. Professor Schafer specializes in professional and applied ethics with intensive focus on bioethics , research ethics , and biomedical conflicts of interest . His work critically examines medical assistance in dying , informed consent , clinical trial ethics , and human rights frameworks , establishing him as a leading voice in Canadian ethical discourse. His philosophical approach bridges theoretical rigor with practical policy applications across multiple professional domains. Analysis of his 13 most recent publications reveals enduring engagement with evolving ethical challenges, particularly the tension between institutional interests and professional integrity. His scholarship demonstrates consistent progression from foundational ethical theory toward contemporary policy applications, with recent work heavily concentrated on medical assistance in dying and pharmaceutical industry influence in healthcare systems. His scientific recognition includes: D. R. Campbell Outreach Award (1984) Olive Beatrice Stanton Award for Excellence in Teaching (1976) Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship (1964) Woodrow Wilson Fellowship (1964) Canada Council Fellow As an active supervisor for Master's and PhD students, Schafer extends his mentorship through ethics consulting for professional associations in Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Nursing, and Pharmacy. His policy impact is evidenced by service on the Provincial-Territorial Expert Panel on Medical Assistance in Dying and two published reports for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. His extensive media contributions—including hundreds of CBC appearances and newspaper columns—demonstrate exceptional public scholarship. The Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics, which he founded, functions as a vital interdisciplinary hub connecting academic philosophy with real-world ethical challenges across healthcare, law, and public policy sectors, facilitating ongoing dialogue between scholars, practitioners, and community stakeholders.

Elfatih EltahirView profile

Professor

• Climate Change
• Hydroclimatology
• Environmental Science
• +3 more

Elfatih Eltahir is the H. M. King Bhumibol Professor at MIT, affiliated with the Climate and Environment faculty and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (University of Khartoum, 1985), M.Sc. in Hydrology (National University of Ireland, 1988), and S.M. and Sc.D. in Meteorology/Hydroclimatology (MIT, 1993). His research focuses on climate change impacts on water availability, extreme weather, and vector-borne diseases, with a particular emphasis on developing numerical models like the MIT Regional Climate Model (MRCM) and the Hydrology-Entomology-Malaria Transmission Simulator (HYDREMATS). Key research areas include projecting climate change effects on regions such as the Mediterranean, South Asia, and West Africa, with a focus on adaptation strategies. He has pioneered the concept of 'outdoor days' to quantify climate impacts on human activity. Awards include membership in the National Academy of Engineering (2023), World Academy of Sciences (2023), and American Geophysical Union Fellowship (2008). Teaching: Global Change Science (1.071), Surface Hydrology (1.714), Environmental Data Analysis (1.073) Projects: UM6P-MIT Research Program, Jameel Observatory Climate Resilience Early Warning System Network (CREWSnet) His work has addressed societal challenges like Nile River water management, malaria transmission dynamics, and climate adaptation in vulnerable communities. Field campaigns and collaborations with institutions like the United Arab Emirates reinforce his applied research focus. Awards: 2023: National Academy of Engineering Member 2023: World Academy of Sciences Fellow 2008: AGU Fellow 2017: Hydrologic Science Award Research grants and funding support impactful projects such as climate modeling for the Middle East, Africa, and the U.S., with a focus on interdisciplinary solutions.

Vasilis KostakisView profile

Professor

• Technology Governance
• Sustainability
• Peer Production Systems
• +7 more

Vasilis Kostakis is a Professor of Technology Governance and Sustainability at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia, and a Faculty Associate at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center. He is also the founder of the P2P Lab, a global initiative exploring peer-to-peer production systems, and a founding member of the 'Tzoumakers' rural makerspace and CommonEn energy cooperative in Greece. Research Interests : Kostakis focuses on technology governance, sustainability, and commons-based systems. His work critiques traditional economic models and advocates for decentralized, community-driven approaches to energy, production, and knowledge-sharing. Key themes include post-growth economics, cosmolocal scalability, and the intersection of digital technology with local initiatives. Key Contributions : He has pioneered frameworks like 'cosmolocalism' (balancing local and global systems) and 'design global, manufacture local' (Dgml), emphasizing localized production using global digital designs. His projects, such as TheOtherSchool.art and the P2P Lab, aim to democratize access to technology and knowledge. Labs & Collaborations : The P2P Lab acts as a hub for global commons research, while his hometown initiatives in Ioannina, Greece, exemplify grassroots sustainability. Collaborations span academia, civil society, and policy-making to reimagine socio-technical systems.