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Maryam Alemzadeh is Associate Professor in History and Politics of Iran at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA), University of Oxford, and a Middle East Centre Fellow. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago (2018) and previously held postdoctoral positions at Brandeis University and Princeton University. Education Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Chicago (2018) Research Interests Dr. Alemzadeh specializes in revolutions, state-building, militias, and modern Iran, examining how individual actions shape political structures through micro-level analysis. Her work integrates sociological theory with Middle Eastern studies to explore the interplay of religion, military institutions, and everyday practice in revolutionary contexts, with a current focus on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Publication Trends Her recent publications analyze Iran's regional dynamics following Soleimani's assassination and review scholarly works on Iranian history. These demonstrate consistent expertise in military institutions, gender dynamics, and post-revolutionary state consolidation, bridging sociology and Middle Eastern studies while emphasizing micro-foundations of political phenomena.

• Sociology
• Middle East Studies
• Revolutions
• +10 more

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

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

Laura Vaughan is Professor of Urban Form and Society and Director of the Space Syntax Lab at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. Her research examines the relationship between urban form and society using space syntax methodologies, addressing critical urban challenges including spatial inequalities, health disparities, poverty, housing, and socioeconomic vitality. She maintains active policy engagement through memberships in the West Yorkshire Scientific Advisory Group and as Chair of the International Space Syntax Executive Committee. Education includes: Doctor of Philosophy, University of London (1995-1999) Master of Science, University of London (1992-1994) Bachelor of Design, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design (1985-1989) Her research integrates space syntax methodology with urban geography and architecture to analyze how spatial configurations influence social patterns. Key interests include the historical evolution of urban segregation mechanisms, morphological predictors of community vitality, and geospatial determinants of public health outcomes. She maintains cross-disciplinary collaborations spanning public health, history, anthropology, and urban planning. Publication trends show consistent focus on urban morphology's societal impacts, with recent work emphasizing longitudinal health studies, historical cartography, and high street resilience. Methodological innovations include developing individual-level environmental exposure metrics and integrating geospatial analysis with cohort studies. Research consistently demonstrates how spatial configurations mediate social processes across temporal scales. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (elected 2005) Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (elected 2015) As Director of the Space Syntax Lab, she leads research on socio-spatial systems and advises PhD students. She teaches the 'Urban Form and Society' module in the MSc/MRes Space Syntax program, exploring urban design's relationship with crime, health, and inequality. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes integrating research with design practice and historical analysis.

• Urban Form
• Space Syntax
• Urban Geography
• +5 more

Aaron Kappeler is a Lecturer in Anthropology of Development at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science, Department of Social Anthropology. He teaches core courses in the MSc International Development program and MA Social Anthropology, including Anthropology and Environment and Social Development. Education: PhD, University of Toronto Graduate studies, University of Heidelberg and University of Leipzig Undergraduate, University of Arizona Research Focus: Kappeler specializes in Latin American political economy with emphasis on agricultural development , petro-populism , and rural livelihoods . His fifteen-year ethnographic fieldwork in Venezuela examines state enterprises, agrarian reform under Chávez, and the interplay of race, nature, and capital in socialist policy implementation. Current work analyzes oil rent redistribution mechanisms. Publication Trends: Recent scholarship (2021-2025) reveals consistent focus on Venezuelan political economy , bridging anthropology and political science . Key themes include petro-populism's impact on rural cooperatives (2024), racialized sovereignty production (2023), and neo-structural socialism in state enterprises (2025). His work critically engages with dependency theory while documenting grassroots responses to resource nationalism. Scientific Awards: None documented in source material. Academic Supervision: Kappeler annually supervises MSc dissertations in International Development and MA dissertations in Social Anthropology. He has served as Director of Admissions for graduate development programs and coordinates departmental open-day events.

• Development
• Political Economy
• Labor
• +10 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

Professor D Graham J Shipley is the Professor of Ancient History at the University of Leicester's School of Archaeology and Ancient History since 2002. His research focuses on Hellenistic and Classical antiquity, particularly on political landscapes, environmental studies, and urban planning. He holds a D.Litt. from the University of Oxford (2020) and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014). Education: Graduated in Classics from Oxford University. Academic roles include serving on the Oxford Classical Texts Committee and the UK Education Honours Committee. Previously chaired the Council of University Classical Departments and convened the Dorothy Buchan Memorial lectures. Research interests emphasize ancient geography, socio-political structures, and environmental interactions. His work spans studies of Sparta, Greek urban planning, and the cultural impact of Hellenistic expansion. Recent publications examine Pseudo-Skylax's geographical texts and post-Alexandrian political dynamics. Scientific Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) D.Litt. (Doctor of Letters) from University of Oxford (2020) Advising and Grants: No specific advisees listed, but supervises research in ancient history and archaeology. Active in collaborative projects such as the Laconia Survey. Grants have supported archaeological fieldwork and publication initiatives. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Oxford Classical Texts Committee and has led interdisciplinary teams in regional archaeological surveys.

• Ancient History
• Hellenistic Studies
• Classical Antiquity
• +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.

• Witchcraft
• Magic
• Supernatural Beliefs
• +5 more

Tanya Matthan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her research focuses on political ecology, agrarian studies, and the socio-material dimensions of risk in central India. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), alongside an M.A. and MPhil in Sociology from the University of Delhi. Her expertise spans political ecology, water resource management, climate change, and South Asian socio-economic dynamics. Prior to LSE, she was a Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley. Recent work examines speculative practices in agricultural markets and climatic uncertainties affecting rural livelihoods. Her publications in Journal of Peasant Studies and Geoforum reflect this thematic focus. Though no awards are explicitly listed, her postdoctoral fellowship indicates recognition in her field. No advising or grant details are provided in the text. She is affiliated with LSE's Department of Geography and Environment, contributing to its interdisciplinary research on global environmental challenges.

• Political Ecology
• Agrarian Studies
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Sarah Harper is the Clore Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She was appointed a CBE in 2018 for services to Demography and serves as Chair of HelpAge International. Professor Harper has held numerous influential positions including serving on the Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology and as Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Her educational background includes an MA from Cambridge and a DPhil from Oxford. Prior to her academic career, she trained with the BBC as a News and Current Affairs Reporter and Producer. She subsequently held academic positions at the University of London and the University of Chicago before returning to Oxford to found the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. Professor Harper's research focuses on demographic change, particularly the implications of falling fertility and increasing life expectancy. Her work examines life course factors in healthy ageing, social and economic drivers of health and well-being, with emphasis on life transitions. She has conducted significant research on eldercare in China, fertility patterns in sub-Saharan Africa (revealing that ideal family size remains high despite girls' education), and demographic changes in Vietnam and Myanmar affecting agricultural production and food security. Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on global demographic trends, with recent work increasingly addressing the intersection of population change with environmental challenges. She has authored influential books including 'How Population Change Will Transform Our World' (Oxford University Press, 2016) and is working on a new book for Cambridge University Press on Population and Environmental Change. Scientific Awards and Honors CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2018 for services to Demography Royal Society for Public Health: Arts and Health Research Award (2011) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellow of the Royal Anthropology Institute Professor Harper has supervised numerous PhD students across diverse topics from biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia to intergenerational solidarity in Turkey. Her advisory work extends globally, having served on the Scientific Advisory Board of Natural England, the Royal Society's Working Group on Population and Environment, and as an advisor to governments including the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, and the European Commission. She has received research funding from organizations including the US National Institutes of Health, which supported the founding of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. As Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, Professor Harper leads a multidisciplinary team examining demographic trends and their societal implications. The Institute serves as a hub for international collaboration on ageing research, working with organizations including Population Europe and the International Association of Research Universities. She also serves as founding editor of the Journal of Population Ageing and editor of the Handbook of Ageing and Public Policy.

• Demography
• Gerontology
• Population Ageing
• +9 more

Jakob Klein is a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at SOAS University of London. His research focuses on the anthropology of food, with emphasis on Chinese and Asian culinary cultures, ethical consumption, heritage politics, and the interplay between state policies and market forces in shaping food systems. Klein's work explores themes such as: Culinary modernity and identity in China State-led food security initiatives (e.g., potato promotion) Heritage commodification of regional foods Buddhist vegetarianism and changing meat consumption Alternative food movements in postsocialist contexts His publications demonstrate consistent focus on: Cultural adaptation of global food trends Political economy of dietary change Ethnographic analysis of food practices across urban/rural divides He has supervised doctoral research on food tourism in Istria, gastronomic reinvention in Bulgaria, and cultural capital in Chinese leisure industries.

• Anthropology of Food
• Chinese Foodways
• Ethical Eating
• +3 more

Don John Omale serves as a Senior Lecturer in Criminology within the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences, focusing on critical issues in Nigerian and African criminal justice systems. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical field applications across diverse security and justice contexts. Dr. Omale's research centers on restorative justice mechanisms, police ethics, and conflict resolution in Africa. He extensively examines traditional African dispute resolution models alongside modern criminal justice challenges, with particular emphasis on Nigeria. His studies address farmer-herder conflicts, prison conditions, terrorism countermeasures, and domestic violence in semi-urban settings, consistently advocating for culturally grounded solutions that enhance community trust and institutional accountability. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2010-2025) reveals a dominant focus on restorative justice implementation and police accountability in Nigeria. His work demonstrates a methodological shift from theoretical discourse (2005-2011) toward empirical field studies examining practitioner perspectives and community-level impacts, particularly in conflict-affected regions like the Niger Delta and North Central Nigeria. The research consistently connects indigenous African conflict resolution traditions with contemporary security challenges. No scientific awards were documented in available sources Professional activities show no recorded student advising or grant funding in the provided materials, though his extensive publication record suggests active research supervision. His work frequently engages criminal justice professionals and community stakeholders, indicating collaborative field-based approaches to justice reform.

• Restorative Justice
• Police Ethics
• Criminal Justice
• +4 more

Dr. Kathryn A. Burnett is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Arts and Media at the University of the West of Scotland, based in the School of Business and Creative Industries. She is actively involved in supervising PhD students and contributes to research areas including rural sociology, cultural heritage, and climate adaptation. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable communities and environmental stewardship. Education: (Details not explicitly provided in text, but her extensive academic output suggests a PhD in related fields.) Research Interests: Dr. Burnett’s expertise spans Scottish culture, remote rural communities, island studies, and the creative industries. Her work emphasizes cultural work, resilience in marginalized regions, and the intersection of media, narrative, and place. She explores themes such as Gaelic heritage, climate adaptation strategies, and the socio-economic dynamics of small island communities. Recent Research Trends: Her publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to rural regeneration, climate adaptation through participatory methods, and the mediatization of island spaces. Recent work includes studies on Arctic art education, coastal community resilience, and sustainable enterprise in remote areas. Awards: SFHEA (2021) Best Paper Award, Rural Enterprise ISBE, Cardiff (2013) Winner of Best Paper Rural Enterprise ISBE (2014) Grants & Advisory Roles: She has held external examiner roles at institutions like the University of Highlands and Islands and has been a Board Member of The Reid Foundation. Her activities include organizing conferences, hosting academic visitors, and contributing to national and international research networks. Labs/Teams: Collaborations include projects with the University of Lapland (e.g., Nurture: Living in the Landscape) and cross-border initiatives on Arctic studies and climate adaptation. She frequently engages in interdisciplinary research with environmental scientists and sociologists.

• Sociology
• Rural Sociology
• Cultural Heritage
• +7 more

Claire Mercer is a Professor of Human Geography at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), based in the Department of Geography and Environment. Her research focuses on urbanization in Africa, particularly in Tanzania, examining how middle-class identities are constructed through suburban housing and self-build practices. She explores themes of class reproduction, urban inequality, and the intersection of civil society with development policies. Mercer is a leading scholar in African urban studies, with expertise in diaspora networks, postcolonial geographies, and NGO dynamics. Her current research project, funded by the ESRC, investigates how self-build housing in Ghana and Tanzania drives urban and economic growth. She has authored multiple books and articles, including the upcoming monograph The suburban frontier: middle class construction in Dar es Salaam (University of California Press, 2024). Mercer serves on editorial boards for journals such as the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research and Antipode , contributing to critical debates in development geography. Her work spans interdisciplinary themes including African urbanism, spatial inequality, and the politics of belonging. Key regions of focus include Tanzania, Cameroon, and the UK. Mercer’s research bridges theoretical frameworks from human geography with empirical studies of African urbanization, emphasizing the material and aesthetic dimensions of class formation in peripheral urban areas.

• Human Geography
• Urbanization in Africa
• Middle Class Dynamics
• +5 more

Dr. Philipp Rode is Executive Director of LSE Cities and Associate Professor (Education) at the London School of Economics' School of Public Policy. He leads interdisciplinary urban development research, focusing on transport, sustainability, and governance. His work spans global urban challenges, including climate policy, emergency governance, and urban transitions. Rode co-founded the Urban Age Programme and advises international organizations like UCLG and Metropolis. He holds degrees in transport systems (TU Berlin), city design (LSE), and urban governance (PhD, LSE), and has authored/co-edited influential books such as Governing Compact Cities and Shaping Cities in an Urban Age . Affiliations: LSE Cities, University of St. Gallen (Visiting Professor) Key Roles: Co-Director of LSE's MSc in Cities, Lead of Emergency Governance Initiative Global Engagement: Partnered with OECD, UNDP, World Resources Institute, and over 50 city governments Research interests center on multi-dimensional urbanization, socio-technological transitions, and governance systems. His recent work emphasizes emergency governance frameworks for cities, climate-resilient urban policies, and accessibility strategies. Rode has contributed to shaping the UN's New Urban Agenda and advised the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. Publications span peer-reviewed journals ( Transport Policy , Environment and Planning B ) and edited volumes addressing urban sustainability, transport governance, and strategic planning. His work bridges academic insights with policy impact, emphasizing actionable frameworks for equitable and resilient cities.

• Urban Studies
• Transport Policy
• Urban Governance
• +3 more