Professor Guido Smorto is a full professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Palermo. He teaches Comparative Private Law (AL) with office hours on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 13:00. His research focuses on comparative law approaches to digital markets, platform economy regulation, artificial intelligence governance, and product liability frameworks. Recent publications analyze: European AI Regulation and risk management Platform economy liability and distribution chains Digital sovereignty through comparative law Gender dimensions in technology law Covid-19 pandemic legal frameworks Contact: guido.smorto@unipa.it
Henriette Sinding Aasen is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen, specializing in health and human rights, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups such as undocumented migrants, the elderly, and children. Her work bridges legal frameworks with social citizenship and welfare state regulations. Research Groups: Administrative Law, Public International Law, Welfare Law Projects: Prioritizing Healthcare, Autonomy and Coercion in Health Services, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (South Africa) Key research areas include constitutional protection of welfare rights, balancing conflicting rights, and the intersection of human rights with healthcare policy. Her publications analyze legal challenges in eldercare, reproductive health, and global health equity. She contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like the University of Bergen's strategic groups for Global Challenges and Pandemic Centre, emphasizing juridification and social equality.
Daria Krivonos is a Researcher at the Swedish School of Social Science, University of Helsinki, and a supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences. She leads the LIFEMAKE project (2023–2026) funded by the Kone Foundation, focusing on social reproduction during displacement, and participates in the EuroStorie Centre of Excellence in Law, Identity and European Narratives. Education: PhD in Sociology (Pass with Distinction, University of Helsinki, 2019) Key Collaborations: University of Sheffield (academic visits), Manchester University Press (book editor), Nordic Journal of Migration Research (peer reviewer) Her research explores how race, class, and gender shape East-West migration dynamics, particularly post-Soviet youth and Ukrainian labor migrants. She analyzes whiteness claims, racial capitalism, and migrant participation in global hierarchies through fieldwork in Helsinki and Warsaw. Her recent works examine Europeanisation as structural violence and life-making strategies during crises. Project trends include: (1) Ukrainian migration (post-2022 labor/care work in Warsaw), (2) Racial capitalism (historical continuities in labor exploitation), (3) Postsocialist identity (whiteness performance in Helsinki), and (4) Border politics (critiques of EU migration securitization). Scientific contributions include: PhD with Distinction (2019) Editorial roles for Manchester University Press (2025) and Kontur Magazine Peer-review for Nordic Journal of Migration Research She supervises PhD committees (Ali Ali, Larisa Shpakovskaya) and teaches postgraduate courses including: Europe, Migration and Global Coloniality (2020–2022) Subversive Soviologies (2018–2020) Sociology of Migration Key Concepts in Sociology Her academic network spans Finland, UK (University of Sheffield), and international conferences, with media engagement in outlets like Al Jazeera, Le Monde, and Yle. She actively contributes to anti-racist discourse through Raster.fi and public talks.
Sandra Sullivan-Dunbar is an Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago specializing in feminist Christian ethics through an interdisciplinary lens. Her research critically examines intersections of economic theory, political institutions, history, and social policy with particular emphasis on women's moral agency, reproductive lives, and reproductive labor. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Religious Ethics from the University of Chicago M.Div. from Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University M.A. in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union M.P.P. from Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California-Berkeley A.B. in Religious Studies from Brown University Dr. Sullivan-Dunbar's research spans religion and reproductive justice, feminist ethics across Christian, philosophical and political domains, economic ethics, the care economy, and Christian social ethics. Her seminal book "Human Dependency and Christian Ethics" confronts the erasure of dependency and care work from political and economic theory, while her current projects analyze Catholic abortion discourse to develop a Catholic Christian ethic of reproductive justice within multiracial democracy frameworks. Her publication trajectory reveals deepening engagement with political dimensions of reproductive ethics, evolving from theoretical foundations in dependency and care work toward urgent analyses of abortion discourse's impact on democratic institutions. This progression demonstrates consistent feminist methodology and interdisciplinary integration across theology, political theory, and economic ethics. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Information regarding student advising relationships and research grant funding was not provided in the available documentation.
Victor Plahte Tschudi is a full-time Professor at the Institute of Architecture, Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), specializing in architectural history, theory, and the intersection of print culture with built environments. His research explores Rome’s architectural representation, the Baroque era, and the legacy of figures like Vitruvius and Piranesi through bibliotopography (the study of place through printed matter). Key research areas include classical architecture, historical preservation, and the philosophical implications of architectural drawings. His recent publications analyze themes such as the genius loci (spirit of place), copyright in Renaissance Rome, and the role of prints in shaping architectural memory. Books authored or edited by Tschudi include Piranesi and the Modern (2022) and Baroque Antiquity: Archaeological Imagination in Early Modern Europe (2017). While no scientific awards or formal student advisement information are documented in the provided text, his work remains deeply engaged with historical narratives and critical architectural discourse.
Goretti Horgan is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at Ulster University, affiliated with the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences and the Institute for Research in Social Sciences. She serves as Deputy Director of ARK’s Policy Unit, a joint initiative with Queen’s University Belfast focusing on evidence-based policy. Previously, she held roles at the National Children’s Bureau and Save the Children, and contributed to anti-poverty advocacy as a director and chair of the Northern Ireland Anti Poverty Network. Her research focuses on child and family poverty, children’s and women’s rights, welfare reform, and reproductive health policy. Notable projects include a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship (2008) examining welfare reform’s impact on disabled individuals in Northern Ireland, and a current ESRC-funded study analyzing the social harms of criminalizing abortion in Northern Ireland and the UK. Her work frequently collaborates with NGOs, producing influential reports on child poverty, welfare policies, and reproductive rights. Publications highlight her interdisciplinary focus, addressing topics like abortion law, public health, and socio-economic inequality. Awards include the Leverhulme Fellowship, recognizing her impactful research on marginalized groups. She actively engages with policymakers and the public, aiming to bridge research and practice in social policy. Her affiliations include the Institute for Research in Social Sciences and ARK, which facilitate collaborative research and policy advocacy. Current projects emphasize reproductive health and decriminalization, reflecting her commitment to advancing human rights and equity in policy frameworks.
Dr. Azim Khan is a Professor of Global Health and Human Rights at the School for International Training (SIT). He serves as Director of SIT’s International Honors Program in Human Rights and Co-Chair of the MA in Global Health. With over 25 years of experience, he focuses on global citizenship through international education, law, human rights, and sustainable development. His research emphasizes health justice, governance of India’s health systems, and health policy advocacy for aging populations. Education: PhD in Health, Gender, and Human Rights from Aligarh Muslim University; MA in Human Rights (University of London), LLM (Aligarh Muslim University), LLB (University of Lucknow), and BA (Avadh University). Key Achievements: Recipient of the Ford Foundation International Fellowship (2003) and Scholar of Peace Fellowship (2007). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (UK) and the Public Health Association of India. His work includes shadow reporting for UN CERD and consulting for UN agencies and nonprofits. Research Themes: His publications span health equity, gender disparities, minority marginalization, and legal frameworks for human rights. Recent articles address reproductive health in Uttar Pradesh and barriers to tuberculosis diagnosis for women. Professional Roles: Academic Director of programs on traditional medicine and public health, and Senior Advisor for Humanitarian Assistance and Crisis Management. His presentations focus on global health challenges, caste-gender intersections, and ethical global health research.
Joseph A. Aistrup is a Professor of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, where he served as Dean from 2013-2021. His academic career includes prior roles as Associate Dean at Kansas State University and Head of the Political Science Department at Kansas State starting in 2002. His educational background includes a PhD from Indiana University (1989), an MA from Virginia Tech University (1984), and a BA from Fort Hays State University (1982). Aistrup's research spans American politics with emphases on electoral behavior, federalism, and environmental policy. His work examines geographic sorting in presidential elections, voter ID laws, abortion policymaking post-Dobbs, and water governance in the Great Plains. He employs interdisciplinary approaches integrating political science with environmental systems analysis, particularly through coupled human-natural systems modeling for sustainability challenges. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on contemporary political conflicts including election security, resource distribution, and the intersection of climate change with agricultural communities. Key themes include institutional design in environmental governance and the evolving dynamics of regional political identities. OpenMI Award (2017) for Ogallala Aquifer modeling Robert Lineberry Award (2012) for best paper in Social Science Quarterly Aistrup has secured significant research funding for interdisciplinary environmental projects, particularly through collaborations with hydrologists and agricultural scientists on Great Plains sustainability. His leadership in the College of Liberal Arts involved strategic initiatives in faculty development and international programs. While no formal lab is specified, his work consistently involves team-based research on coupled human-natural systems with colleagues across engineering, agriculture, and social sciences.
Jennifer J. Popiel is a Professor in the Department of History and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Affairs at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her work focuses on modern French history, with emphases on religious culture, gender roles, and intellectual movements. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Trinity University. Her research explores the intersection of religion, sentiment, and authority in post-revolutionary France, particularly through the lens of gender and domestic ideals. Notable works include Rousseau's Daughters (2008), which examines women's autonomy in 19th-century France, and Heroic Hearts (2021), analyzing sentiment and religious imagery. She is currently working on a monograph titled Worship Facing Europe . Her publications span peer-reviewed articles, textbooks, and edited volumes, with a focus on Atlantic World dynamics and revolutionary legacies. Awards include the David Pinkney Prize and Fulbright Fellowship. She teaches courses on the French Revolution, Atlantic commodities, and modern European intellectual history. Dr. Popiel's grants include Mellon and Provost's Research Awards. She advises on interdisciplinary projects and contributes to university-wide research initiatives as Associate Dean.
Joseph F. Kobylka is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he also holds the prestigious Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor title. Since joining the SMU faculty in 1983, he has established a remarkable four-decade career, teaching courses on constitutional law, American political thought, and judicial decision-making. His office is located in Carr Collins Hall 209, and he maintains active engagement with students through regular office hours and course instruction, including Constitutional Law of Civil Liberties as recently as Spring 2022. Kobylka earned his B.A. with honors in government and history from Beloit College in 1978, followed by a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota in 1984. His academic journey began at SMU in 1983, where he has remained a dedicated faculty member, demonstrating exceptional institutional commitment and scholarly continuity throughout his career. Professor Kobylka's research focuses on constitutional law and politics, judicial decision making, and American Political Thought. His scholarly work explores the intricate relationship between legal frameworks and political processes, with particular attention to Supreme Court jurisprudence. He has made significant contributions to understanding how interest groups influence legal change, particularly in areas like obscenity law and establishment clause litigation. His current research includes a biography of former Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun, under contract with University of Virginia Press, which builds upon his expertise in judicial biography and constitutional interpretation. His 'Cycles of American Political Thought' lecture series was published by the Teaching Company, and he was a major contributor to the PBS series 'The Supreme Court,' demonstrating his ability to translate academic knowledge for broader public audiences. Kobylka's scholarly output reveals consistent engagement with constitutional interpretation, judicial behavior, and the evolution of legal doctrine. His work spans from foundational studies of James Madison's political thought to contemporary analyses of Supreme Court decision-making processes. A notable thread throughout his career is the examination of how legal change occurs through strategic litigation by interest groups, particularly in sensitive areas like abortion rights and church-state relations. His publications demonstrate both historical depth and contemporary relevance, connecting theoretical frameworks with practical legal and political developments. Scientific Awards: SMU 'M' Award Rotunda Outstanding Professor (1986, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2013) H.O.P.E. Professor of the Year (2011) Willis M. Tate Award (1991, 2007) SMU Student Senate 'Faculty Member of the Year' (2006) Godbey Author's Award (1992) Golden Mustang Award (1990) Deschner Award (1984) Altschuler Distinguished Teaching Award (2001) Member of SMU's 'Academy of Distinguished Teachers' Professor Kobylka has been a dedicated mentor to political science students, serving as faculty advisor to the Political Science Symposium and Pi Sigma Alpha (the national political science honor society). His commitment to student development extends beyond the classroom through these extracurricular activities. He has received four SMU research grants and fellowships supporting his scholarly work on constitutional law and judicial politics. Kobylka's teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and critical engagement with constitutional principles, as reflected in his individual political action assignments that encourage students to explore their own political ideologies through structured exercises. While Kobylka does not lead a formal laboratory setting given the nature of political science research, his work involves collaborative scholarly networks focused on constitutional interpretation and judicial behavior. He has contributed to major public-facing projects like the PBS series on the Supreme Court, bridging academic research with public education. His ongoing biography of Justice Blackmun represents a significant scholarly contribution that connects historical analysis with contemporary constitutional understanding, while his planned study of recent church-state litigation demonstrates continued engagement with evolving legal controversies.
Dr Darcy Leigh is an Associate Professor in Law at the University of Sussex's School of Law, Politics and Sociology. Her work bridges International Relations and Law, focusing on colonial legacies, racial politics, gender/sexuality studies, and trans/queer/anti-colonial perspectives. She holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh (2015), winning BISA's best thesis award. Research Interests: Explores European colonialism's impact on contemporary issues like trans rights opposition, antisemitism, and free speech movements. Current work examines Jewish law/international politics within colonial frameworks. Combines theoretical rigor with activist engagement through projects like Queer Yeshiva and Akitsiraq Law School. Teaching & Awards: Teaches human rights, international law, and critical theories at Sussex. Coordinated the Social Sciences Foundation Year program, earning national teaching awards (2019 Advance HE, 2022 Pearson HE). Known for participatory pedagogy rooted in decolonial and queer movements. Publications Trends: Recent work critiques 'free speech' as colonial tool, analyzes anti-trans movements through security frameworks, and advocates queer manifestos against institutional inclusionism. Earlier research examined Indigenous struggles and Arctic decolonization. Awards: 2022 Pearson HE Award - Most Innovative Student Support 2019 Advance HE Award - Collaborative Teaching Excellence 2015 BISA Best Thesis Prize Supervision & Grants: Open to PhD students exploring colonialism/resistance, especially gender/sexuality/disability/race intersections. Past projects included settler colonialism critiques and queer legal frameworks. Collaborations: Active in radical education initiatives beyond academia, including transnational solidarity networks and Indigenous legal education projects.
Lewis Grossman is the Ann Loeb Bronfman Professor of Law at American University's Washington College of Law, where he has taught since 1997 and served as Associate Dean for Scholarship during 2008–2011 and 2022. His expertise spans food and drug law, health law, American legal history, and civil procedure. He has held visiting positions at Harvard Law School (January 2025), Cornell Law School, Princeton University as a Law and Public Affairs Fellow, and Texas A&M University’s Institute for Healthcare Access. His educational background includes: B.A. from Yale University (1986, summa cum laude) J.D. from Harvard Law School (1990, magna cum laude) Ph.D. in History from Yale University (2005) Grossman's research critically examines the historical evolution of medical regulation, patient autonomy, and the politicization of health expertise. His work reveals persistent tensions between regulatory authority and individual freedom in therapeutic choice, analyzing how social movements—from AIDS activism to contemporary abortion rights advocacy—reshape drug regulation. He investigates the historical roots of medical mistrust and the shifting boundaries between professional authority and patient empowerment. His recent publications demonstrate a sharp focus on reproductive health law post-Dobbs, particularly mifepristone regulation and over-the-counter abortion access, while expanding into emerging areas like psychedelic medicine regulation and the weaponization of health expertise in political discourse. This reflects a trajectory from historical analysis toward urgent interventions in current regulatory battles. His notable honors include: George Washington Egleston Prize for Best Dissertation in American History (Yale University) Law and Public Affairs Fellowship at Princeton University Grossman has provided significant advisory impact through service on five committees of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, focusing on medical product regulation and supply chain security. He recently represented food and drug law scholars in Supreme Court amicus briefs defending FDA's mifepristone regulations. His scholarly influence extends through co-authoring foundational textbooks including Food and Drug Law: Cases and Materials and A Documentary Companion to A Civil Action , which shape legal education nationwide. Through National Academies committees and scholarly networks, Grossman collaborates with interdisciplinary teams of physicians, pharmacologists, and policy experts to address systemic challenges in healthcare regulation, particularly regarding drug access, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the intersection of law with public health emergencies.
Amélia Maria Cavaca Augusto is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology of the University of Beira Interior (UBI), where she also serves as Vice-Rector for Quality, Social Responsibility, and Social Action. She leads the Social Responsibility Office and is a researcher at CIES-UBI, the Center for Research and Studies in Sociology. Her academic focus includes Sociology of Health and Illness, Gender Sociology, and Gender-Based Violence, with a strong emphasis on qualitative methodologies. She coordinates courses such as Advanced Research Methodologies and Health and Society, while overseeing master’s and doctoral theses in health sociology, gender studies, and domestic violence research. Her work has been published in international journals and book chapters, addressing topics like IVF ethics, maternal health, and prison architecture for aging populations. Amélia has received the 2020 ISCTE Research Award and leads projects like EDUDER (equitable university access for vulnerable groups) and QADoc (doctoral education quality assurance). She actively collaborates with institutions across Europe on initiatives like mapping out-of-hospital births and cervical cancer screening adherence in Central Portugal.
Barry Scott Wimpfheimer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies and the Pritzker School of Law at Northwestern University, where he specializes in the Talmud and Rabbinic Literature. He earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University and maintains an active scholarly profile that bridges religious studies, legal theory, and literary analysis. His work focuses on the Babylonian Talmud as both a legal and literary text, developing methodologies for reading talmudic law through cultural and narrative frameworks. Wimpfheimer's research interests include: Talmudic legal narratives and their cultural contexts Rabbinic literature as cultural expression Jewish law and literary theory Narrative precedent in religious legal systems The cultural history and reception of the Talmud His scholarly output reveals an evolution from close textual analysis of Talmudic legal stories to broader cultural histories of the Talmud itself. Wimpfheimer examines how legal narratives function within the Talmudic corpus, arguing for a "thick" reading that incorporates cultural concerns to provide textured descriptions of Jewish law and insights into rabbinic Judaism in Babylonia. His 2018 book The Talmud: A Biography represents a culmination of this approach, tracing the Talmud's life from pre-origins to contemporary reception. Wimpfheimer has received significant recognition for his scholarship: Salo and Jeanette Baron Prize in Jewish Studies (2007) for his doctoral dissertation "Legal Narratives in the Babylonian Talmud" National Jewish Book Award (Jewish Education and Identity Award in Memory of Dorothy Kripke) for The Talmud: A Biography (2018) As an educator, Wimpfheimer teaches courses including Introduction to Kabbalah, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Introduction to Judaism, Law as Literature - Jewish Law, Gender and Judaism, The Talmud: An Introduction, and Studies in Judaism--Religion and Narrative. He has developed educational resources such as a massive open online course (MOOC) on Northwestern's Coursera channel and classroom materials for Introduction to Judaism, demonstrating his commitment to making complex religious texts accessible to broader audiences.
Dr. Flore Janssen is an Assistant Professor in Literary Studies at Utrecht University's Department of Languages, Literature and Communication. She joined in 2021, specializing in 19th/20th-century literature, gender studies, and archives. Her research explores intersections of literature with social, political, and economic history, focusing on marginalized identities and activism. She holds a PhD (2018), MA in Archives (2021), and MA in Victorian Studies (2013). Key areas include women's activism in consumer leagues, archival praxis, and digital humanities. She co-founded the Harkives project, a digital archive on Margaret Harkness. Recent work examines Salvation Army retail strategies and decolonizing archival practices. She teaches courses on Victorian literature and public engagement.
