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Patricia M. Thornton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Merton College. She specializes in Chinese politics, focusing on state-society interactions, authoritarian governance, and the legacies of the Cultural Revolution. Her research explores institutions, practices, and networks shaping governance in China, including works like *Disciplining the State* (2007) and *Red Shadows* (2017). She has held leadership roles at Oxford, including Chair of the Sub-Faculty of Politics and International Relations, and served on editorial boards such as *The China Quarterly*. Her work addresses contemporary challenges like authoritarian resilience, social control mechanisms, and political dissent. Research Interests: - State formation and governance in China - Authoritarian political systems - Memory and legacies of the Cultural Revolution - Party-state dynamics and social movements - Comparative political institutions Publications highlight themes like economic governance, social movements, and policy implementation. She has supervised numerous PhD students, many now leading academics in Asia-Pacific studies. Her contributions to understanding China’s political evolution are complemented by media commentary on current events, including analysis of Xi Jinping’s governance strategies and societal trends. Awards: Merton College Fellowship Key Projects: Edited *To Govern China* (2017) and *Red Shadows* (2017)

• Chinese Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Political Sociology
• +4 more

Professor Nguyen Van Chinh is a distinguished scholar in anthropology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University (VNU-USSH), specializing in the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies. With a PhD from the University of Amsterdam and extensive international research experience including a postdoctoral fellowship at the National University of Singapore, he has established himself as a leading expert in Southeast Asian anthropology, migration studies, and ethnic relations. His academic career spanning over four decades includes numerous visiting professorships at prestigious institutions worldwide. Professor Chinh's research interests encompass Anthropology Research Methods , History of Anthropology , Migration and Poverty Studies , Ethnic Identity , and Cross-border Ethnic Groups in Southeast Asia. His scholarly work demonstrates a particular focus on the intersection of economic development, cultural preservation, and social transformation in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian contexts. Through extensive fieldwork and theoretical contributions, he has shaped contemporary understanding of ethnic minorities, migration patterns, and socio-economic changes in the region. His extensive publication record shows a clear evolution toward contemporary issues including China's growing influence in the Mekong region, ethnic Chinese migration, and the challenges of poverty reduction in Vietnam. The research demonstrates increasing engagement with transnational phenomena, border studies, and the impact of China's economic expansion on Southeast Asian societies. His most recent work addresses pressing contemporary issues such as disability rights, academic publishing challenges, and urban migration dynamics. Distinguished PhD dissertation awarded by NVMC (Netherlands Association of Social Sciences and Cultural Sciences), 2000 Certificate of Merit from the President of National University for outstanding achievements, 2007 Asian Leadership Fellow (ALFP) awarded by the Japan Foundation, 2004 Asian Public Intellectual Fellow (API) awarded by the Nippon Foundation, 2010 Multiple research grants from prestigious foundations including Toyota, Rockefeller, and Japan Foundation Professor Chinh has served as an independent consultant for numerous national and international development projects implemented in Vietnam. His advisory work spans multiple sectors including labor, health, agriculture, and ethnic minority affairs, working with organizations such as WHO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP, DFID, IUCN, UNICEF, and UNESCO. His expertise in ethnographic research methods and understanding of Vietnamese society has made him a valuable resource for policy development and implementation across multiple domains.

• Anthropology Research Methods
• History of Anthropology
• Migration Studies
• +5 more

John McDonagh is an Associate Professor in Global Development and the Environment at the School of Global Development, University of East Anglia. His academic journey began with a BSc in Botany (University of Bristol, 1987), followed by an MSc in Tropical Soil Fertility Management (Imperial College, 1988) and a PhD in Tropical Agronomy (University of London, 1993). He joined UEA in 1997 and is a member of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. His research focuses on tropical soil management, sustainable farming systems, and land degradation assessment across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Notable projects include GEF-funded ecosystem carbon assessment tools and DFID-supported biochar studies in Ghana and China. He has also contributed to FAO’s LADA project on dryland degradation. McDonagh has extensive field experience in Thailand, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Namibia, blending scientific research with community-based approaches. His interdisciplinary work addresses the nexus of agriculture, environment, and livelihoods, aligning with UN SDGs related to climate action and zero hunger.

• Tropical Agriculture
• Sustainable Farming Systems
• Soil Fertility Management
• +3 more

Dr. Yawei Zhao is a Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Manchester. She specializes in digital technologies, urbanization, and lifestyle migration. Her research explores data centers, PropTech, and the intersection of lifestyle migration with small city urbanization. Funded by the British Academy, IJURR Foundation, and Mitacs Canada, her work appears in journals like Urban Geography and Housing Studies . Prior to Manchester, she was a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary, where she earned her PhD in Geography. She holds degrees from McGill University, City University of Hong Kong, and National University of Singapore. Her research interests include urban governance, ecological civilization, and China's urban dynamics. Notable projects examine the Belt and Road Initiative's AI governance platforms and the impact of virtual tourism on cultural heritage sites. She co-leads PhD supervision on topics such as internal migration in China and animal rights in urban governance. Dr. Zhao actively contributes to interdisciplinary platforms like Digital Futures, Manchester China Institute, and Manchester Urban Institute. She organized the 2022–2023 conference ‘Making Rent: Generational Inequality and the Housing Crisis.’

• Urban Geography
• Digital Technologies
• Urbanization
• +8 more

Professor Jack Barbalet is a distinguished academic at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), affiliated with the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences at the Melbourne campus. His research centers on sociological theory, political and economic sociology, the sociology of emotions, and the sociology of modern China, with a focus on social solidarity, interaction, and institutionalization. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Flinders University and a PhD from Adelaide University. He has held academic positions at the University of Papua New Guinea, Australian National University, University of Leicester, and Hong Kong Baptist University before joining ACU. His research emphasizes conceptual refinement and theoretical development, particularly in interpreting Max Weber and analyzing Chinese society through the lens of guanxi, trust, and rural social structures. His recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with foundational sociological texts and their contemporary relevance. The body of his recent work demonstrates strong thematic continuity in examining classical sociological theory, especially Weberian thought, while extending it into non-Western contexts, particularly China. Topics include political violence, cultural imperialism, emotional dynamics in social exchange, and institutional transformation. Member, Editorial Board, Sociology (from 2022) Member, Editorial Board, Sociological Theory (from 2021) Member, Editorial Board, Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour (from 2020) Member, Advisory Board, Emotions and Society (from 2019) As a Full HDR Supervisor, Professor Barbalet mentors higher degree research students, though no specific students are listed in the provided text. While no grants are explicitly mentioned, his sustained publication record and editorial roles indicate active research funding and academic leadership. His work continues to influence theoretical and comparative sociology globally. Professor Barbalet is actively involved in academic service through editorial and advisory roles across major sociology journals, reflecting his leadership in sociological theory and the sociology of emotions. He contributes to shaping scholarly discourse in core areas of the discipline.

• Sociological Theory
• Political Sociology
• Economic Sociology
• +12 more

Professor Adam Yuet Chau is a Fellow and Director of Studies at St John's College and holds the Professor of the Anthropology of China position at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge . His academic journey includes training at Stanford University (PhD in Anthropology, 2001) and teaching roles at Oxford and SOAS before joining Cambridge in 2008. Focus on Chinese religions and their social dimensions Specializes in ritual theory and cultural transformations Develops comparative frameworks for understanding religious practices His research spans religion under socialism , hosting in political/religious contexts , and ritual polytropy . Recent projects include editing Chinese Religious Culture in 100 Objects and analyzing 'spheres' (界) in Chinese society . Publications like Miraculous Response (2006) and Religion in Contemporary China (2011) establish him as a key figure in religious anthropology. Current and past PhD/MPhil students explore topics from temple festivals in Taiwan to religious subjectification . He actively reviews for leading presses (Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard) and journals ( Ethnos , Modern China ), and participates in international academic workshops.

• Chinese Religion and Ritual
• Ritual Theory
• State-Society Relations
• +7 more

Pierre-Philippe Combes is a CNRS Research Professor and Head of Doctoral Studies in Economics at Sciences Po since 2021. He also serves as Co-Editor of the Journal of Urban Economics and Director of Graduate Programs in Economics at Sciences Po. Previously, he held positions at Aix-Marseille University (2003-2016), Boston University (2001-2003), and CERAS-École des Ponts et Chaussées (1998-2001). He holds a PhD in Economics from CREST (Paris School of Economics). Education PhD in Economics, Paris School of Economics (CREST), 1996 Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR), Aix-Marseille University, 2004 Research Interests : Urban economics and economic geography, focusing on local labor markets, housing markets, firm and household location choices, and resulting spatial disparities. His work uses machine learning for historical data recovery and examines agglomeration economies, migration externalities, and discrimination in urban contexts. Scientific Output Trends : Recent publications analyze urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa, agglomeration economies, real income inequality in China, and historical land use through machine learning. Collaborative work spans France, China, and international institutions, addressing housing costs, peer effects in research, and urban poverty metrics. Scientific Awards : NATO Advanced Fellowship Grant (2001-2002) PhD Thesis Award - Association Française de Science Économique (AFSE) PhD Thesis Award - Association de Science Régionale de Langue Française (ASRDLF) Mention très honorable avec félicitations du jury (PhD thesis) Teaching & Editorial Roles : Teaches urban economics at Sciences Po and ENS Lyon. Serves on editorial boards of the Journal of Economic Geography , Regional Science and Urban Economics , and Journal of Urban Economics . Participates in evaluation committees for PhDs and habilitations across Europe. Policy Contributions : Advises on urban poverty measurement for the World Bank and contributes to French regional policy reports, including the Grand Paris Express project and CNIS (National Statistical Council).

• Urban Economics
• Economic Geography
• International Trade
• +3 more

Jie Bai is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), focusing on firms and markets in developing economies. His research addresses barriers to firm growth, market frictions, and policy design for private sector development in regions like China, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. Methodologically, he combines randomized control trials, quasi-experiments, and structural modeling from industrial organization and international trade. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT (2016) and previously worked at Microsoft Research New England before joining HKS in 2017. His work emphasizes collaboration with governments and NGOs to evaluate industrial and trade policies. Key research themes include collective reputation in trade, environmental policy impacts, corruption dynamics, and child labor economics. His recent publications analyze China's dairy industry reputation, Vietnam's firm corruption patterns, and Zambia's product choice perceptions. He co-founded initiatives like the China Econ Lab and China and the Global Economy project to foster research on China's role in global economics. Teaching includes advanced microeconomic analysis and game theory. No grants or labs are explicitly listed in the provided texts.

• Development Economics
• International Trade
• Industrial Organization
• +3 more

Tan Chuan Hoo is an Associate Professor (tenured) and Deputy Head of the Department of Information Systems and Analytics at the National University of Singapore's School of Computing. With a distinguished academic career spanning multiple continents, he brings expertise in digital transformation, healthcare informatics, and enterprise systems to his teaching and research. His educational background includes: B.Sc. (1st Class Honours, National University of Singapore) M.Sc. (Accelerated, National University of Singapore) Ph.D. (National University of Singapore) Professor Tan's research focuses on digital transformation, particularly designing, deploying, and evaluating technological innovations. His work centers on two critical areas: digital commerce (provision of digital services such as online shopping aids) and digital organization (ensuring operational efficiency and performance). His research has significant implications for healthcare institutions, corporations, and crisis preparedness and response organizations. He conducts comprehensive analyses using various scientific methodologies including field experiments and mixed methods to understand how digital technologies reshape business operations and enhance societal well-being. His publication record shows a consistent focus on information systems, with recent articles (2020-2025) emphasizing healthcare informatics, digital transformation, and open innovation. His work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward understanding how technology intersects with organizational effectiveness and societal implications, with increasing attention to healthcare applications and digital crisis management. Professor Tan has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the field: Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, NUS (2024, 2017) Information Management Research Award, China Information Economics Society (2023) Reviewer Hall of Fame, Journal of AIS (2020) Outstanding Associate Editor Award, MIS Quarterly (2016) Best Reviewer Award, Journal of AIS (2016) INFORMS ISS Design Science Award (2013) Honorable Mention, Journal of AIS (2015) He has successfully advised PhD students and collaborated with public and private entities on research projects. His editorial service as Associate Editor for Information Systems Research and MIS Quarterly, along with board memberships at other leading journals, demonstrates his significant influence in the field. Professor Tan has secured research grants supporting projects on digital crisis preparedness, disaster response technology, and healthcare digitalization. His research group focuses on understanding how technology can be designed and implemented to support organizations in crisis situations, enhance healthcare services, and improve digital commerce. Current projects include examining digital crisis management, technology for disaster response, and the digital transformation of healthcare services.

• Digital Transformation
• Healthcare Informatics
• Platforms & Innovation
• +5 more

Chuqing Dong serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University's College of Communication Arts and Sciences, where her research centers on corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG communications, government relations, and AI-driven public relations practices through interdisciplinary frameworks. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. from the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota, complemented by dual master's degrees in Public Policy (M.P.P.) and Professional Strategic Communication. Research priorities encompass: CSR/ESG communication effectiveness in digital environments Strategic nonprofit-corporate alliances and societal impacts Ethical frameworks for caring public relations Government communication in the AI era Her 30+ publications reveal evolving trends toward AI ethics in PR, cross-cultural CSR analysis, and crisis communication during pandemics, prominently featured in Public Relations Review and Journal of Business Ethics. Recognition includes top paper awards from major associations: International Communication Association (ICA) Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) National Communication Association (NCA) International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC) She mentors students in CSR/ESG communication and ethical consumerism while directing research funded by the C.R. Anderson Foundation, SSHRC, and Arthur W. Page Center examining oil industry dialogic communication, employee CSR engagement, and DEI ethics training.

• Corporate Social Responsibility
• ESG
• Government Communication
• +5 more

Dr. Shufang Sun is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University’s School of Public Health, and Associate Director of the Mindfulness Center. Her work focuses on understanding how stress, trauma, and systemic inequities contribute to health disparities, particularly among marginalized populations like LGBTQ+ individuals, youth, and communities affected by HIV. She develops mindfulness-based, technology-mediated interventions to promote mental health and reduce stigma, with a global focus including China, the Philippines, and Ukraine. Education: PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2018). Research interests include mindfulness interventions, mHealth (mobile health), global mental health, HIV prevention, minority stress, and stigma reduction. Her work emphasizes community-engaged research and rigorous evidence synthesis through meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Current projects include interventions for displaced Ukrainians, suicide prevention in rural China, and HIV prevention among transgender women in the Philippines. Her interventions address topics like queer resilience, pandemic mental health, and health equity for vulnerable groups. Awards include the APA’s Barbara Smith Early Career Award and Brown University’s Early Career Research Achievement Award. Grants: Principal investigator on NIH-funded projects totaling over $7.5M, including a $3M R24 grant for mindfulness evidence synthesis and a $621K NIMH grant for school-based suicide prevention in China. Labs/Teams: Director of the Mindfulness for Health Equity Lab, collaborating with global researchers on stigma reduction and digital health innovations.

• Mindfulness-based interventions
• mHealth (mobile health)
• Global mental health
• +7 more

Professor Jiti Gao is a Donald Cochrane Chair in Econometrics & Business Statistics at Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics. He leads the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, specializing in non- and semi-parametric econometrics, time-series analysis, and panel data methodologies. His research focuses on developing statistical models for climate change, energy demand, and financial forecasting. Affiliations: Monash University, Impact Labs Grants: Multiple ARC Discovery Projects (e.g., 2020–2025 on climate-energy time series, 2017–2020 on econometric model building) Collaborations: CSIRO, Yale University, and international partners from China, Norway, and Singapore Research interests include climate econometrics, financial time series, and policy evaluation. Over 136 publications span econometric theory and applications, with recent work on nonlinear trending models and quantile regression. His grants emphasize methodological advancements in time series and panel data analysis. Awards: Not explicitly mentioned, but recognition includes Australian Professorial Fellow status and international research leadership roles. Advising/Grants: Primary Investigator on multiple ARC-funded projects, focusing on climate modeling and financial econometrics Labs/Teams: Part of Monash's Impact Labs and collaborates with global institutions on climate and econometric initiatives

• Econometrics
• Non- and Semi-Parametric Econometrics
• Time-Series Analysis
• +3 more

Christopher S. Tang is a UCLA Distinguished Professor and Edward W. Carter Chair in Business Administration at the Anderson School of Management , where he researches global supply chain management with a focus on social innovation in developing countries . He also serves as Senior Associate Dean for Global Initiatives and Faculty Director of the Center for Global Management . Education: Ph.D. in Management Science (1985, Yale University) M.Phil. in Administrative Science (1983, Yale University) M.A. in Statistics (1983, Yale University) B.Sc. in Mathematics (First Class Honors, 1981, King’s College, University of London) His research explores the intersection of corporate responsibility and supply chain innovation , addressing topics like microfinancing , mobile platforms for developing economies , direct agricultural procurement , and disaster response logistics . He emphasizes visibility, integrity, and agility in uncertain environments. Recent work highlights AI adoption benefits for supply chains , strategies to reduce forced labor risks , and policy impacts on ride-sharing platforms . His research bridges operations management and social justice , advocating for environmental stewardship alongside business growth. Scientific Awards: Salzberg Medallion (2017) Lifetime Fellow, INFORMS (2011) Responsible Research in Management Award (2017) Teaching Excellence Award (multiple years, UCLA-NUS) Dean’s Excellent Service Award (2014) As an influential adviser and consultant , Tang has worked with Amazon, HP, IBM, Nestlé, GKN , and Accenture . He has taught at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , and served as visiting professor at Cambridge University and the Institute of Advanced Study at HKUST .

• Supply Chain Management
• Outsourcing
• Pricing Strategy
• +5 more

Professor Phil Clark is a Professor of International Politics at SOAS University of London, specializing in conflict and post-conflict issues with a focus on transitional justice, peacebuilding, and reconciliation after mass atrocity in Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi. He holds a DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar, and a Bachelor of International Studies from Flinders University. His research focuses on international, national, and community-based responses to mass violence in Central Africa, particularly examining the gacaca community courts in post-genocide Rwanda and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Professor Clark has advised multiple governments (Danish, Sudanese, Swedish, Ugandan, and UK), international organizations (ICC, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda), and NGOs (Human Rights Watch, Crisis Group) on conflict issues in Africa. Professor Clark's work spans several key areas including the History, Politics and Law of the African Great Lakes; Transitional Justice Theory and Practice; the Politics of Violence; Community-Based and Customary Law; Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation; the Politics of International Criminal Justice; Peacebuilding, Security and Post-Conflict Reconstruction; and Moral and Political Philosophy. His approach often combines theoretical analysis with practical fieldwork in post-conflict societies. His publications reveal a consistent focus on the tension between international legal frameworks and local justice mechanisms, particularly examining how post-genocide societies navigate complex reconciliation processes. Over time, his work has evolved from documenting specific cases (like the gacaca courts) to analyzing broader patterns of transitional justice and international criminal law across the African continent. Shortlisted for the Raphael Lemkin Award for best book on genocide and mass violence (for "Distant Justice: The Impact of the International Criminal Court on African Politics") Regular contributor to major media outlets including The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Washington Post, The Guardian, and BBC Frequent media commentator on international news networks including BBC, France 24, Al Jazeera, CNN, and Deutsche Welle Professor Clark has supervised multiple PhD students working on topics related to conflict analysis, women's access to transitional justice, China-Africa relations, and conflict transformation. His current research includes "Intergenerational Justice in Eastern Africa" and "Reframing Justice after Atrocity," which examines justice interactions beyond the linear international-to-national transmission of norms and practices. He has led significant research projects, including serving as technical advisor and co-author of a 2007 UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights project surveying popular perceptions of transitional justice and peacebuilding in northern Uganda. His ongoing work continues to shape academic and policy discussions about justice mechanisms in post-conflict societies.

• Conflict and Post-Conflict Issues
• Transitional Justice
• Peacebuilding
• +9 more

Steve Mann is a Professor in Applied Linguistics at the University of Warwick, where he has been affiliated since 2007. His work focuses on English Language Teacher Education (ELTE), teacher development, and qualitative research methodologies. He holds a PGCE from the University of Warwick (1984) and has extensive experience in ELT across Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe. Mann’s research group investigates reflective practice, teacher beliefs, mentoring, and technology integration in education. Notable contributions include co-editing the Routledge Handbook of English Language Teacher Education (2019) and pioneering studies on video-based teacher reflection. He has supervised numerous PhD students exploring aspects of teacher development, though he is currently not accepting new PhD candidates. Education: PGCE, University of Warwick (1984) Pre-service teaching in English and Drama in England (1980s) British Council Teaching Scheme in Hong Kong (1980s) Research Interests: Teacher education, reflective practice, qualitative interview methodologies, and the role of technology in professional development. His work emphasizes bridging theory and practice in ELT, particularly through collaborative dialogue and action research. Grants & Projects: Supporting Sustainable English Teacher Professional Development in Yunnan Province (British Council, 2022–2023) China Course Research: Postgraduate Curriculum Design (2019–2022) Video in Language Teacher Education (British Council, 2016–2018) Labs/Teams: Leads a research group focused on teacher development, mentoring, and blended learning strategies. Collaborates with institutions like the British Council on global teacher education initiatives.

• English Language Teacher Education (ELTE)
• Teacher Development
• Reflective Practice
• +5 more