Susan Scott is a Professor of Management and Artificial Intelligence at Imperial College London, holding a joint appointment with the Imperial College Business School and IX, the university’s AI initiative. She previously held academic roles at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), including Professor of Information Systems and Innovation and Faculty Group Lead in the Department of Management. Her research spans Information Systems, Organization Theory, and Technology Management, with a focus on sociomateriality, digital transformation, and ethical innovation. Scott earned a PhD in Management (Information Systems) from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Information Systems from LSE, and a BA in History and Politics from SOAS, University of London. Her work bridges theoretical and applied domains, addressing challenges in digital accountability, institutional displacement, and the societal impacts of emerging technologies. She has contributed to major initiatives like the SWIFT financial network analysis and explored ethical dimensions of AI and big tech. Her articles critically examine topics such as crowd-based accountability, digital undertows in industry standards, and the material-discursive practices shaping organizational practices. Though no awards are listed, her extensive publications reflect a commitment to rigorous qualitative and mixed-methods research, emphasizing phenomenon-focused theorizing in Information Systems. Scott’s research agenda integrates academic and practical insights, addressing future challenges like AI governance, digital responsibility, and the sociotechnical reconfigurations reshaping institutions and industries.
William B Gartner serves as the Bertarelli Foundation Distinguished Professor of Family Entrepreneurship at Babson College's F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, where he also directs research at the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship. Having joined Babson's faculty in 2017, Gartner brings over 40 years of experience studying entrepreneurial phenomena, with particular expertise in family entrepreneurship dynamics. He previously held distinguished chairs at the University of Southern California and Clemson University, establishing himself as a leading scholar in the field. Gartner earned his PhD, MBA, and BBA from the University of Washington, forming the foundation for his extensive research career. His academic journey began during entrepreneurship's early days in the late 1970s when he took one of the first entrepreneurship courses as an MBA student at the University of Washington, when only six students initially enrolled in the class. Gartner's research primarily explores how families act entrepreneurially, examining topics including entrepreneurial legacy, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and the transformation of family businesses across generations. His work bridges entrepreneurship theory with practical applications, particularly focusing on how entrepreneurial legacies can drive innovation in family businesses. He is particularly interested in the linguistic innovations entrepreneurs employ and how storytelling shapes entrepreneurial identity and practice. His scholarship has evolved to incorporate humanities perspectives, recognizing that literature, philosophy, and history provide valuable insights into entrepreneurial thinking and behavior. Analysis of Gartner's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on family entrepreneurship as an ongoing process rather than a static state, with increasing attention to methodological innovation in entrepreneurship research. His work demonstrates growing interest in the role of narrative, visual methods, and qualitative approaches to understand complex entrepreneurial phenomena. The research shows consistent focus on family business succession as transformation rather than simple transfer, with increasing attention to adolescent entrepreneurial development and the influence of parenting styles. 2025 — Top 1% of Scholars in all subjects, Stanford/Elsevier's Top 2% Scientist Rankings 2024 — The FamCap25 – The Top FamilyEnterprise Academics, FAMILY CAPITAL MAGAZINE 2022 — Justin G. Longnecker Fellow, United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship 2016 — Dedication to Entrepreneurship Award, Entrepreneurship Division, Academy of Management 2013 — Foundational Paper Award, Entrepreneurship Division, Academy of Management 2005 — International Award for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research Gartner actively mentors doctoral students and early-career researchers, frequently collaborating on publications addressing complex family business dynamics. His editorial roles as Special Issue Editor for Entrepreneurship and Regional Development and Academy of Management Perspectives demonstrate his influence in shaping research agendas. He has secured significant research funding supporting studies on entrepreneurial legacy, family business succession, and adolescent entrepreneurial development, though specific grant amounts aren't detailed in the available materials. As Director of Research at the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship, Gartner leads initiatives connecting academic research with practical applications for family businesses. His work emphasizes the transformative potential of entrepreneurship within family contexts, challenging traditional notions of family business succession as mere transfer of ownership. Through workshops and seminars, he helps families explore how entrepreneurial legacies can lead to new innovations while preserving core values across generations.
Noman Shaheer is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, with a PhD in International Business from the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina (2019). His work bridges digital internationalization, digital innovations, and online entrepreneurship, with a focus on how digital platforms reshape global business dynamics. His research examines topics such as legitimacy spillovers in multinational platforms, identity signaling in digital entrepreneurship, and institutional influences on cross-border acquisitions. He has published in top-tier journals including Journal of International Business Studies , Journal of Business Venturing , and Harvard Business Review , with recent articles addressing network effects in digital markets and the evolution of non-traditional entry modes. Fields of Interest: Digital Internationalization Digital Innovations Online Entrepreneurship Global Strategy Fintech International Entrepreneurship Scientific Awards : Lazardis Award for Journal of Business Venturing’s Best Paper Temple/AIB Best Paper Award Best Reviewer Awards at AOM and AIB Charles Coker Fellowship Alan M. Rugman Most Promising Scholar Award Dean’s Citation for Teaching Excellence (University of Sydney) Teaching : He teaches courses on Digital Globalization, Global Business, Strategy in Emerging Markets, and International Entrepreneurship.
Cristian Danescu-Niculescu-Mizil is an Associate Professor at the Department of Information Science , Cornell University . His research focuses on computational frameworks for social behavior analysis through large-scale natural language data , particularly in online communities and crisis counseling contexts. Recipient of WWW Best Paper Award (2013) and Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges Award Co-developer of ConvoKit , a comprehensive conversational analysis toolkit Principal investigator in NLP for mental health , antisocial behavior detection , and linguistic coordination studies His work spans computational social science and human-centered AI , with recent publications in EMNLP 2025 , ACL 2025 , and CSCW 2025 focusing on conversation dynamics modeling , pivotal moment detection , and talk-time equity analysis . He has advised multiple PhD students who became faculty at Harvey Mudd , University of Michigan , and Thompson Reuters . Key scientific contributions : 2013 : WWW Best Paper - Power dynamics through linguistic coordination 2016 : IJCAI NLP & Journalism Best Paper - Gender bias quantification 2017 : ICWSM Best Paper - Trolling behavior analysis He teaches NLP and Social Interaction (INFO/CS 6742) and Language and Information (INFO/CS 4300) , with teaching resources including the Politeness Web App and ConvoWizard interactive tool featured in NPR's Weekend Edition . His work has been covered by New Scientist , NBC Today Show , and New York Times .
Edward H. Hagen is a Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Washington State University, Vancouver. He holds a BA in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara (1999). His postdoctoral work was at Humboldt University, Berlin, under Peter Hammerstein. Since 2007, he has been at WSU, leading the Bioanthropology Lab. His research integrates evolutionary approaches to medicine, focusing on substance use, mental health, child development, and leadership evolution. Key themes include evolutionary medicine, signaling theory in depression/suicidality, and the role of pharmacological plant use in human evolution. He has conducted fieldwork in the Central African Republic, Ecuador, and India. Hagen's work spans theoretical models (e.g., depression as bargaining signals) and empirical studies (e.g., tobacco use and helminth infection in hunter-gatherers). He has secured over $387,000 in grants, including NSF funding for projects on leadership, child signals of need, and smoking behavior. His lab explores topics like music's evolutionary roots (credible signaling hypothesis) and predator deterrence. He is active in academic discourse, critiquing popular theories like Dunbar's social bonding hypothesis for music evolution. His publications span evolutionary psychology, anthropology, and medical journals, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.
Kathleen M. Carley is a full professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science with courtesy appointments in Engineering and Public Policy, Heinz School, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. As director of the Center for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational Systems (CASOS) and the Center for Informed Democracy and Social-Cybersecurity (IDeaS) , she leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of network science, cognitive modeling, and cybersecurity. Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University SB degrees in Economics and Political Science from MIT Her research focuses on Dynamic Network Analysis (DNA) and Social-Cybersecurity (SC) , developing tools like ORA (network analysis), AutoMap (semantic mining), Construct (influence simulation), and BotHunter (bot detection). She has over 400 publications and 15+ active research projects addressing disinformation, cognitive security, and organizational resilience. Recent work examines LLM-powered bots , multi-platform misinformation dynamics , and public health analytics . As an IEEE Fellow, she contributes to standards in computational social science while teaching courses on network analysis and complex socio-technical systems.
Professor Moses Acquaah is a Professor and Department Head of Management at the Bryan School of Business and Economics, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). He serves as Director of the PhD Program in Business Administration. His research focuses on strategic management, emerging economies, family businesses, and sustainability in Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and multiple advanced degrees from institutions like Simon Fraser University and the University of Cambridge. Education: Ph.D. in Strategic Management and International Management, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee M.B.A. in Accounting & Policy Analysis, Simon Fraser University M.A. in Economics (Monetary and International Economics), Simon Fraser University Graduate Diploma in Development Studies, University of Cambridge B.A. (Honors) in Social Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Ghana Research Interests: Social capital and networking in emerging economies Competitive strategy in sub-Saharan Africa Family business management and entrepreneurship Sustainability and green supply chain practices Leadership in Africa and the diaspora Global strategic alliances and institutional pressures His recent work examines pandemic impacts on African businesses, innovation strategy combinations, and leadership effectiveness. He has published extensively in journals like Journal of Cleaner Production , International Business Review , and Africa Journal of Management . Key Contributions: Pioneered studies on family businesses in sub-Saharan Africa Developed the Leadership Effectiveness in Africa and the Diaspora (LEAD) scale Edited special issues on pandemic management and sustainable development in Africa
Dr. Eleanor Power is an Associate Professor in the Department of Methodology at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her research focuses on the interplay between belief, practice, identity, and social relationships, with a particular emphasis on how reputational dynamics shape social inequality and cooperation. She combines ethnographic methods with social network analysis to study these phenomena in South India and cross-culturally. Education: Eleanor holds a PhD in Anthropology from Stanford University (2015). Prior to joining LSE in 2017, she was an Omidyar Postdoctoral Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute. She is fluent in English and Tamil. Research Interests: Eleanor examines signaling theory, religious practice, and the micro-dynamics of social inequality, including the 'reputational poverty trap.' Her current projects include co-directing the ENDOW project on social and economic inequality and leading the Rep2SI project on reputational dynamics. Her work bridges anthropology, sociology, and computational social science. Publications: Her recent work explores latent network models, cooperative behavior in South Indian communities, and the role of reputation in human social networks. She also collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as analyzing reproductive inequality across species and the impact of art workshops on prisoners' well-being. Awards: While no specific awards are listed, her research has been highlighted in LSE's 30th Anniversary celebrations for its interdisciplinary innovation and collaborative nature. Grants and Labs: Eleanor leads the Rep2SI project and co-directs the ENDOW project, indicating active grant-funded research. She is affiliated with LSE's Department of Methodology and has collaborated with institutions like the Santa Fe Institute.
Wes Hartmann is the John G. McCoy-Banc One Professor of Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His research focuses on the intersection of marketing, economics, and policy, with emphasis on pricing strategies, brand advertising, social interactions, and conservation. He has advised numerous PhD students who have secured academic and industry positions globally. Key research interests include understanding frequency in brand advertising, preference externality estimators, and the economics of harm reduction through conservation experiments. Hartmann’s work bridges theoretical econometric models with real-world applications, such as dynamic pricing in retail and the impact of digital cinema on market dynamics. His publications have been recognized with prestigious awards, including finalist nominations for the John D.C. Little Award and the Paul Green Award. Notable contributions include groundbreaking studies on Super Bowl advertising effectiveness and the implications of social networks on consumer behavior. Hartmann’s advising record spans over 15 students, many of whom have secured tenured positions or roles at top institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and NYU. His research collaborations include projects on conservation field experiments, internet vs. TV advertising efficacy, and the role of social interactions in targeted marketing.
Alex Wilson is an Associate Professor at Queen's Business School, Queen's University Belfast. He holds leadership roles including Director of Internationalisation and Direction of Reputation and Rankings at Queen's Business School, and previously held directorships at Loughborough University's School of Business and Economics. Research Interests: Open Strategy, Digital Strategizing, Strategy as Practice, Future of Management Education. Expertise in qualitative methods, IT/social media's role in strategic work, and business school innovation. His research explores how technology mediates strategic processes, organizational legitimacy, and the evolving purpose of business schools. He has advised on strategic initiatives for institutions globally and contributed to defining digital strategizing frameworks. Key Achievements: Recipient of CABS Research Fellowships (2017, 2018) Dean’s Award for Early Career Teaching Excellence (2015) Led studies on Singapore Management University's strategic evolution and UK business school competitiveness. Advises PhD students focusing on topics like corporate sustainability tensions, services offshoring, and Christian values in business. Active in hosting international delegations and delivering invited talks on open strategy and digital transformation.
Dr Tracy Qu is a Lecturer in the School of Accountancy at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), within the Faculty of Business & Law. She holds a PhD in Accounting from Griffith University (2018) and is a CPA Australia member (since 2021). Her research focuses on executive remuneration, corporate governance, financial reporting, and environmental accounting. Tracy teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in accounting fundamentals, financial analysis, and business valuation. She has also served as a referee for journals like Accounting and Finance and Australian Journal of Management . Tracy’s research explores intersections between governance structures and executive compensation design, particularly in mitigating agency conflicts. Her work examines topics such as carbon emissions policy impacts on corporate behavior, labeling effects in financial disclosures, and CEO celebrity influence on investment decisions. She actively contributes to academic debates on environmental accounting and sustainability reporting. Tracy is currently accepting research students for Honours, Masters, and PhD programs, focusing on topics like executive compensation efficiency, board interlocks, and compensation consultants’ roles.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Skiera is a leading Marketing Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt since 1999 and a member of the managing board of the efl - The Data Science Institute. His work bridges information systems and marketing, with a focus on data-driven decision making and digital transformation.
Dr. Jiaman Xu is a Lecturer in Finance at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, a position she has held since 2024. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor in Finance at University College Dublin (2022-2024) following completion of her PhD at the University of Edinburgh. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Finance, University of Edinburgh, 2022 MSc in Finance (Distinction), University of Edinburgh, 2018 BSc in Accounting, Huazhong Agricultural University, 2013 Dr. Xu's research centers on empirical corporate finance with specialized focus on private markets dynamics, including established private companies' interactions with public markets and VC/PE-backed firms. Her work explores cultural transmission in finance through inherited trust mechanisms, pension finance complexities, and behavioral aspects of risk-taking in banking institutions. She also investigates blockchain applications for transforming corporate governance structures. Her publication portfolio reveals consistent contributions across corporate governance, private equity, behavioral finance, and pension economics. Recent work examines institutional ownership effects in private firms, cultural determinants of informal finance, and international spillover effects from corporate scandals, demonstrating methodological rigor in empirical finance research. Dr. Xu actively supervises postgraduate students and teaches Corporate Financial Management at Cardiff University. Previously at UCD, she instructed Foundations of Finance (UG), Empirical Corporate Finance, Financial Analysis, and Corporate Finance (PG) courses across multiple academic years.
Cristina Bettinelli is a full professor in the Department of Management at the University of Bergamo. She serves as Director of the MSc Program in International Management and Marketing (IMM) and Director of the Center for Young and Family Enterprise (CYFE). Her research focuses on family business governance , entrepreneurial firm innovation , and internationalization , with publications in journals like Family Business Review , Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice , and Journal of Family Business Strategy . Member of editorial boards: Family Business Review , Journal of Family Business Strategy Professional activities: Innovative training projects, Marketing Lhab research group (since 2024) Scientific Awards: Best Contribution to Practice Paper (2024) - IFERA Best Unpublished Research Paper Award (2022, 2015) - FFI Multiple Best Paper Awards/Nominations - IFERA, EIASM, ICSB Family Business Review Best Paper Award (2012) Recent Research Trends: Analyzes family firm dynamics, pandemic response behaviors, cross-border e-commerce strategies, and B corporation ethics. Her 2024-2025 publications emphasize organizational identity , crisis management , and strategic governance .
Laurie Williams serves as a Goodnight Distinguished University Professor in the Computer Science Department within the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University. She co-directs both the NCSU Secure Computing Institute and the NC State Science of Security Lablet, demonstrating deep institutional leadership in cybersecurity research. With over 260 refereed publications, her work establishes her as a prominent figure in software security academia. Her research spans critical areas including software security, agile development practices (particularly continuous deployment), software reliability, and software supply chain security. Williams focuses on practical security solutions addressing modern challenges like malicious dependencies in open-source ecosystems, AI-generated code vulnerabilities, and runtime protection mechanisms. Her work bridges theoretical security principles with industry-relevant applications. Recent publications reveal strong trends toward software supply chain security, with multiple 2024-2025 papers addressing vulnerability exploitability, malicious commit detection, and metrics-driven security control selection. Her research increasingly incorporates machine learning for threat detection while maintaining focus on human factors in secure development practices. IEEE Fellow (2018) National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2004) ACM SIGSOFT Influential Educator Award (2009) Multiple IBM Faculty Awards (2002-2012) NCSU Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award (2015-2016) Williams leads multiple major NSF-funded projects including the $5.7M SaTC Frontiers grant on secure software supply chains and the Science of Security Lablet with $3.6M in DoD funding. Her research emphasizes practical industry impact through collaborations with Cisco and Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. She actively mentors through the NCSU Research Leadership Academy and maintains significant educational outreach in software security. Her laboratory work centers on the Secure Computing Institute and Science of Security Lablet, where her team develops frameworks for vulnerability prediction, supply chain risk assessment, and secure development methodologies. Current projects focus on machine learning integrity, cognitive modeling for security decisions, and empirical analysis of build/deployment logs for anomaly detection.
