Confidence Duku is a researcher at Wageningen University & Research, specializing in climate resilience and agricultural systems. Their work integrates climate science, hydrology, and machine learning to address food security, deforestation impacts, and flood forecasting in data-scarce regions. Research Interests: Climate change modeling in Eastern Africa Hydrology-guided neural networks for flood forecasting Agricultural resilience (common bean, green gram) under climate stressors Economic impacts of deforestation in Brazil Climate services for financial institutions and SMEs Notable Contributions: Developed frameworks for climate-smart business planning and flood prediction, with a focus on regions like East Africa and Brazil. Their work emphasizes ecosystem services and adaptation strategies. Collaborations: Active in multi-institutional projects, including partnerships with SNV and Copernicus. Led LVVN projects on cascading climate risks and reforestation impacts.
Dr Isik Akin is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Bath Spa University and leads the Accounting Pathway. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Corporate Financial Management, and Quantitative Research Methods. Education: PhD in Accounting and Finance (Bath Spa University), PhD in Economics and Finance (Istanbul Gelisim University), MSc in Finance (University of the West of England), BSc in Mathematics (Trakya University) Professional Qualifications: Fellowship in Higher Education Academy, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) His research focuses on Behavioral Finance , FinTech , Credit Risk Management , and Sustainable Finance . Recent publications analyze: Enterprise valuation dynamics (FTSE 100) Metaverse asset valuation frameworks Interconnected financial markets (stocks, commodities, crypto) Green investments in real estate He has secured significant international funding including the Connect4Innovation UK-Turkey partnership grant (2021-2022, £50,000) and coordinated EU projects like the Life-Long Learning Programme (2016-2017). Scientific Awards & Roles: Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) certified Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Advisory Board Member: Izlek Academic Journal, Metropolitan Business Review Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Economics and Financial Research His career spans multiple institutions including Worcester University and University of Arts London, with expertise in international finance, quantitative methods, and financial globalization.
Prof. Dr. Matthias A. Tietz is an Assistant Professor and leads the Competence Center for Entrepreneurship at the St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG), part of the University of St.Gallen in Singapore. He holds affiliate positions at IE Business School (Madrid), INDEG ISCTE (Lisbon), and the Mediterranean School of Business (Tunis). His academic journey includes degrees from Ivey Business School (Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship), Universidad del Pacífico (Peru), and Nanyang Business School (MBA, Singapore). Research focuses on entrepreneurial decision making, corporate innovation in SMEs and MNCs, and business model copycats. He regularly presents at global conferences like the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference and Academy of Management Annual Meetings. Prior to academia, he consulted for companies like DHL, Henkel, and Sulzer Engineering, focusing on HR and turnaround management. He teaches courses on business consulting, social entrepreneurship in Southeast Asia, and executive education programs globally. Awarded multiple Best Paper Awards (2012, 2014, 2020) and Best Lecturer Awards across IE University programs (2019-2020). Engaged in startups as an advisor and investor, emphasizing cultural diversity in entrepreneurial contexts. Active in pro bono projects, such as supporting rural entrepreneurs in Peru.
Dr Maria Bada is a Lecturer in Cyberpsychology at the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London. She is an active researcher in the field of cyberpsychology with a specific focus on the human element of cybersecurity. Dr Bada is also a member of the committee of the Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Society Group at QMUL. Dr Bada's research spans multiple critical areas in cyberpsychology and cybersecurity. Her primary research interests include: The effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness campaigns and factors leading to their success or failure in changing information security behavior Development of prevention activities to enhance the resilience of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) against cybercrime Cybersecurity awareness initiatives for school learners in South Africa and the UK Youth delinquency and interventions to prevent cybercrime, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and Home Office Social and psychological impacts of cyber-attacks on vulnerable groups Exploration of the cybercrime ecosystem, including cybercriminal profiles, pathways, and risk perceptions Dr Bada's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of psychology and cybersecurity. Her recent work shows increasing specialization in SME cybersecurity challenges, ethical considerations in security behavior change, and the psychological impacts of cybercrime on individuals and organizations. She frequently collaborates with researchers from diverse disciplines including computer science, criminology, and healthcare, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her work. Dr Bada has secured significant research funding for her work, including: "Enhancing national cyber resilience via SME cyber security and digital responsibility" (£328,119 from EPSRC, 2023-2026) "REPHRAIN: Supporting organisations in making effective privacy related decisions" (£50,801 from EPSRC, 2022-2023) "Assessing Organisational DSbD Awareness and Readiness" (£15,554 from ESRC, 2022-2024) She works closely with research staff including Dr Matthew Rand and collaborates with various UK government agencies including the National Crime Agency and Home Office on cybercrime prevention initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Peter Gomber is Chair of e-Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Goethe University of Frankfurt, Germany. He serves as Co-Chairman and member of the Board of the 'efl – the Data Science Institute', an industry-academic partnership between Frankfurt and Darmstadt Universities and leading industry partners. Additionally, he is a member of the Exchange Council of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Supervisory Board of Clearstream Banking AG, and Research Fellow at the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE in Frankfurt. Prof. Gomber received his Ph.D. at the Institute of Information Systems at the University of Giessen in 1999 after graduating in Business Administration. Before joining Goethe University in 2004, he worked for five years as Director, Head of Market Development Cash Markets and Xetra Research at Deutsche Börse AG, where he developed new market models and products for cash market trading on Xetra. His research focuses on market microstructure theory, digital finance and fintech, regulatory impact on financial markets, and electronic trading systems. With over 150 publications in leading international journals, his work has significantly influenced the field, particularly his highly cited papers on the Fintech Revolution. His recent research examines market fragmentation, circuit breakers, research unbundling under MiFID II, and the application of AI in financial markets. Prof. Gomber's extensive publication record shows a clear evolution from traditional market microstructure and electronic trading systems toward digital finance, fintech innovations, and regulatory impact analysis. His work bridges technical aspects of financial markets with regulatory considerations, demonstrating how technological innovations interact with market structure and regulation. His scientific recognition includes: IBM Shared University Research Grant (2007) Reuters Innovation Award (2000) Best Paper Award of the Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2020) Best Information Systems Publications Award (2020) Top 1 and Top 3 most cited articles in Fintech research (2025 bibliometric analysis) Prof. Gomber has successfully supervised numerous PhD students, including Tino Cestonaro who won the Best PhD Paper Award 2025. He has acquired significant research funds from both public institutions and the private sector. Notably, a market model invention by Prof. Gomber was granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, with two additional market model inventions filed for patent in Europe and the US. He leads an active research team at the Chair of e-Finance, including researchers like Benjamin Clapham, Micha Bender, and Tino Cestonaro. The team collaborates closely with the efl – the Data Science Institute and the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE, bridging academic research with practical applications in financial markets.
Zohreh Pourzolfaghar is an Assistant Professor in Management Information Systems (MIS) at the School of Business, Maynooth University (MU). She serves as Director of the IT-Enable Innovation Programme and cluster lead for the Digital Construction cluster at the Innovation Value Institute (IVI). She is also a member of Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software. Education: PhD in Project Management (University Putra Malaysia, 2011); MSc in Management Systems and Productivity; BSc in Software Engineering. Research Interests : Focuses on digital transformation for SMEs, information management in construction, and smart city architectures. Leads EU-funded projects like EnTrust (agri-data governance), DIGI+ (sustainable digital transformation), and DigiFABs (food & beverage SMEs). Co-PI for projects such as GDI-IE (genomic data infrastructure) and PERFORM (digital retail innovation). Grants & Awards : Secured funding from SFI, Enterprise Ireland, and EU. Notable awards include the BIM Hero Award (2022) and Research Engaged Award (2022). Teaching : Courses include Digital Business, Digital Technology Governance, and Enterprise Architecture. Advises PhD students in MIS and digital transformation. Industry Collaboration : Works with firms like ArcDox and Corballis Technologies on BIM standards and data governance. Active in national and EU policy networks, including NSAI committees.
Elena Simperl is a Professor of Computer Science and Deputy Head of Department for Enterprise and Engagement at King's College London's Department of Informatics. She co-directs the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence and serves as Director of Research for the Open Data Institute. As a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich's Institute for Advanced Study, she leads the Trustworthy Knowledge Graphs focus group and contributes to advancing human-centric AI research across European institutions. Professor Simperl obtained her doctoral degree in Computer Science from the Free University of Berlin and her diploma from the Technical University of Munich. Prior to joining King's, she held academic positions in Germany, Austria, and at the University of Southampton, and was a Turing Fellow. Her career trajectory demonstrates consistent leadership in bridging academic research with practical applications in data ecosystems. Her research sits at the critical intersection of AI and social computing, focusing on human-centric approaches to building sociotechnical systems that integrate data, algorithms, and human capabilities. She investigates how to make knowledge engineering more accessible, how to leverage collective intelligence for data quality improvement, and how to design participatory AI systems that address societal challenges like misinformation. Her work spans knowledge graphs, semantic technologies, crowdsourcing, and open data, with particular emphasis on the social dimensions of data-intensive systems and the governance frameworks needed for trustworthy AI deployment. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong evolution toward integrating large language models with traditional knowledge engineering practices while maintaining human oversight. There's a clear trajectory from foundational work on knowledge representation toward increasingly applied research addressing real-world challenges in media ecosystems, citizen science, and data governance, with growing attention to policy implications of AI technologies. Fellow of the British Computer Society Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at TUM-IAS (2023) Ranked among top 100 most influential scholars in knowledge engineering of the last decade Included in Women in AI 2000 ranking Professor Simperl has led 14 major European and national research projects totaling millions in funding, including MediaFutures (a Horizon 2020 program tackling online misinformation), QROWD, ODINE, Data Pitch, and ACTION. She currently co-chairs the Croissant working group in ML Commons developing data standards for AI, and serves as president of the Semantic Web Science Association. Her research has directly influenced the development of data ecosystems supporting startups and citizen science initiatives across Europe, demonstrating exceptional ability to translate theoretical advances into practical impact. As Director of Research at the Open Data Institute, she oversees initiatives connecting data entrepreneurs with artists and civic organizations. Her leadership in the MediaFutures project established a data-driven innovation hub that supported 51 startups/SMEs and 43 artists through three open calls, creating a sustainable model for arts-technology collaborations addressing media challenges. Her work with the ODINE project helped create a European ecosystem for data-driven startups, demonstrating her commitment to building practical applications of open data principles.
Professor Dr. Michael Woywode is a full professor and holds the Chair of SME Research and Entrepreneurship at the University of Mannheim , within the Business School . His research and teaching are embedded in the Institute for SME Research and Entrepreneurship (ifm Mannheim) , a central research institute of the university, and the Mannheim Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MCEI) , which offers entrepreneurship courses university-wide. Research Interests: Family Firms: Succession planning, leadership transitions, and post-succession innovation. Entrepreneurship: Founder behavior, startup ecosystems, and entrepreneurial decision-making. Digitalization in SMEs: Competitiveness, digital transformation, and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. Self-Employment & Labor Markets: New forms of self-employment and their societal implications. Teaching: Prof. Woywode teaches across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels, offering courses such as Strategic and International Management , Introduction to Entrepreneurship , and Managing the Family Business . Research Output: His recent publications span high-impact journals including Organization Science , Family Business Review , and Journal of Small Business Management , with a clear focus on entrepreneurship, family business, and institutional theory. Team & Collaboration: He leads a multidisciplinary team including postdocs, PhD candidates, and research associates, working closely with the MCEI and ifm Mannheim to foster entrepreneurship research and education.
Bee-yan Roberts is a Professor of Economics and Asian Studies at the Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Department of Asian Studies within the College of the Liberal Arts. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (1980). Her research focuses on development economics, international economics, and industrial organizations, particularly analyzing firm-level dynamics in Asian economies. She has conducted extensive studies on Taiwanese firms' productivity, export strategies, R&D investments, and global competitiveness. Dr. Roberts' work explores topics such as the impact of R&D investments on firm productivity, the role of exports in shaping labor markets, and the comparative productivity of Taiwanese and South Korean manufacturers. Her recent publications examine Taiwanese multinational firms' foreign location decisions, the relationship between exports and technological upgrading, and the productivity evolution of small and medium enterprises in Taiwan. Her research trends emphasize firm heterogeneity, global market participation, and the interplay between innovation, exports, and economic growth. She collaborates frequently with scholars like Mark J. Roberts and Yi Lee, focusing on empirical analyses of Asian manufacturing sectors. No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but her prolific publication record reflects significant academic contributions. Additional details on grants, labs, or teams are not provided in the text.
Arjan F. Kirkels is an Assistant Professor and University Lecturer in the Department of Technology, Innovation & Society within the School of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His work focuses on sustainability assessments, decision-making in transitions, and interdisciplinary education for sustainable innovation. His research interests include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Multi-Criteria Assessment (MCA), sustainability transitions, industrial ecology, and systems engineering. He applies these to emerging technologies such as batteries, hydrogen systems, and heat pumps, with a strong emphasis on integrating stakeholder values and addressing deep uncertainties in sustainability decisions. The recent articles highlight a consistent focus on assessing emerging technologies, particularly in renewable energy and circular economy applications. Trends include prospective LCA, experience curves in solar technology, socio-technical impact assessment, and educational innovations in sustainability. His work bridges technical analysis with social and governance dimensions of sustainability transitions. Best Teacher Award, 1st year Bachelor Sustainable Innovation, for course 0SV20 'Industrial Ecology' (2013) Best Teacher Award, 1st year Bachelor Sustainable Innovation, for course 0SV20 'Industrial Ecology' (2018) Best Teacher Award, 1st year Bachelor Sustainable Innovation, for course 0SV20 'Industrial Ecology' (2020) Educational award nomination, bachelor Sustainable Innovation, course 0SK30 Inter-University Sustainability Challenge (2023) Education Award 2024 - master Innovation Sciences (2025) Arjan F. Kirkels has supervised over 100 thesis students and more than 100 interdisciplinary student groups. He has developed and taught over 20 courses and co-authored 4 textbooks and 7 publications on educational innovation. He is currently supervising four researchers: Huiying Liu, Prapti Maharjan, Rishi Bhatnagar, and Seyed Mousavi. His research is supported by projects such as the EU-funded cVPP (Community-based Virtual Power Plant) and studies on Dutch sustainability transitions. He is actively involved in educational initiatives, including MOOC development and challenge-based learning, and contributes to public discourse through media appearances and workshops on sustainability education and systems thinking.
Caroline Andre is an Associate Professor of Law at NEOMA Business School, specializing in private law with a focus on labor law, marketing law, and cooperative law. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students in both initial and continuing education programs, and has practiced law professionally. Her research bridges legal and management disciplines, addressing topics like social and solidarity economy (SSE), circular economy intersections, CSR policies, and entrepreneurial values. Her academic contributions span legal journals and management science publications, including monographs like Creating the Circular Economy (2024). She actively participates in national/international communities like EURAM and ACfas. Recent work examines SSE's role in ecological transition, pandemic crisis adaptation, and labor law compliance in SMEs. Key research outputs include analyses of social audits in SME acquisitions (2022), employer pooling models (2019-2020), and legal frameworks for SSE organizations. Her work frequently explores regulatory pressures and ethical governance in business environments. Caroline has no listed scientific awards but has contributed to numerous regionally funded research projects. Her teaching extends to professionals via continuing education, emphasizing practical legal applications in business contexts.
Dr. Alicia Kulczynski is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Head of the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD in Management (Marketing) and undergraduate degrees in Forensic Science and Communication Studies. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, branding, and advertising, with emphasis on spokesperson characteristics, psycholinguistics in branding, and music concert attendance. She has published in top-tier journals like the Journal of Marketing and European Journal of Marketing, and was recognized as Associate Editor of the Year (2024) for the Journal of Consumer Behaviour. Her work bridges academia and industry through collaborations with organizations such as the NSW Ombudsman and Ultra Music Festival. Education - PhD in Management (Marketing), University of Newcastle (2014) - Bachelor of Science (Forensic), University of Newcastle - Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies), University of Newcastle Research Interests - Consumer behavior and decision-making - Branding and brand communication - Advertising strategies and spokesperson effectiveness - Psycholinguistics in brand naming and consumer priming - Music concert attendee behavior and motivations - Cause-related marketing and social impact initiatives Awards - Associate Editor of the Year (2024) - Multiple Best Paper Awards at ANZMAC (2015–2024) - Teaching Excellence Awards (2016–2024) - Industry Collaboration Recognition (e.g., Ultra Music Festival) Grants & Industry Work - Partnered with NSW Ombudsman to develop AI tools for complaint assistance. - Established an Industry Consultative Committee with Pacific Smiles, Newcastle Airport, and HMRI. - Collaborated on diabetes management system market research with a Swedish SME. Teaching & Mentorship - Teaches marketing research courses with industry-linked projects. - Supervised PhD students on topics like AI-driven pricing, post-purchase dissonance, and omnichannel consumer experiences. - Guided students to publish in top journals such as the Journal of Consumer Behaviour and European Journal of Marketing. Labs & Teams - Leads the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline. - Co-founded the Social Marketing Research Team for Youth (SMRTY) initiative.
Dr. Godfred Afrifa is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Senior Tutor (Canterbury) at Kent Business School , University of Kent. He is also a Visiting Lecturer at IESEG School of Management (France) since 2014 and at ISCID-CO International Business School (France) since 2016. PhD in Finance and Risk (Bournemouth University, 2013) MSc in Finance (University of Leicester, 2008) BSc in Applied Accounting (Oxford Brookes University) HND in Accounting (Kumasi Polytechnic) Chartered Accountant and Certificate in Insurance (Chartered Insurance Institute) His research explores the intersection of corporate governance , working capital management , and microfinance institutions . He investigates how CSR governance affects business practices, the dynamics of trade credit in SMEs, and the role of regional development in service-sector performance. His recent work also covers linguistic influences on financial reporting and pedagogical innovations in accounting education. Dr. Afrifa's 15 most recent publications (2020–2025) span topics like CSR decoupling , firm identity changes , credit policies , and microfinance integrity , with methodologies including stochastic frontier analysis and cross-country comparisons . His work frequently addresses financial strategies in SMEs and sustainability in supply chains and development. Scientific Awards : Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (2015), Affiliate Member of ACCA (2004). Dr. Afrifa supervises Mohammad Abwen (PhD thesis: Credibility of CSR Disclosure ) and welcomes PhD candidates in SME management , working capital , and microfinance . His Visiting Lecturer roles at French institutions highlight international collaboration. The 2023 Evaluation Report on Re:Generation 2031 underscores his work in sustainable development beyond traditional finance.
Dr. Thijs Broekhuizen is an Associate Professor at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business, specializing in Innovation Management & Strategy. He currently serves as Scientific Director of the University of Groningen Business School, Coordinator of the Northern-Netherlands Innovation Monitor, and Programme Director of the Executive MBA. His research focuses on digital transformation, value creation in innovation, and digital business models, with interdisciplinary insights bridging strategy, innovation, and digitalization. Education: PhD in Marketing (University of Groningen, 2006) MSc in Marketing (University of Groningen, 2001) Research Interests: Broekhuizen explores value appropriation in technology-driven contexts, digital business models, and strategic responses to disruptive technologies. His work emphasizes SMEs' digital transformation challenges, organizational identity during technological change, and AI-driven innovation management. Key areas include digital platforms, motion picture industries, and social media dynamics. Grants & Projects: TALENT4S3 (€165K, Interreg 2024-2028) SIRM (€189K, Interreg 2023-2027) NWO-funded studies on construction industry profitability and online customer journeys Awards: Best Paper Award at ISoF 2021 Best Short Paper Award Nomination 2021 Teaching & Leadership: Broekhuizen teaches strategy and digitalization in executive programs and has led the MScBA and EMBA initiatives. His educational roles include Programme Director of the Executive MBA (Energy Transition, Health, Sustainable Business Models tracks) and member of the Groningen Digital Business Centre. Labs/Teams: He coordinates the Northern-Netherlands Innovation Monitor (surveying 10,000+ SMEs) and collaborates with the Groningen Digital Business Centre to advance digital strategy research.
Professor Dinusha Mendis is a leading academic in Intellectual Property and Innovation Law at Bournemouth University, where she serves as Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM). Her expertise bridges copyright law with emerging technologies like 3D printing, AI, blockchain, and the Metaverse, informed by extensive research and consultation with entities such as the European Parliament, UKIPO, and corporations like HP and Chanel. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh University and has authored seminal works on the intersection of technology and IP. BSc in Law from Aberdeen University LLM and PhD from Edinburgh University Called to the Bar of England and Wales Her research focuses on copyright challenges in immersive environments , AI-generated content regulation , and blockchain/NFTs . She led major studies for the European Commission and UKIPO , including the first peer-reviewed work on 3D printing and IP. Her 2019 co-edited book with Stanford and QUT scholars established foundational frameworks for additive manufacturing legal analysis. Recent publications highlight AI copyright disputes (2024 The Conversation ), NFT legal ambiguities (2022), and pandemic-era 3D printing (2020). Trends show increasing emphasis on decentralized IP systems and machine learning's impact on creative industries . Scientific Awards & Grants JSPS Visiting Professorship (2023) Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grant (2024) EU Commission Research Funding (2020) AHRC Grant for 3D Jewellery Study (2017) As a PhD supervisor, she mentors researchers on AI copyright (Benjamin White), crypto-art (Bahar Dagli), and music creation law (Elizabeth Bailey). She contributes to global IP policy through the World Economic Forum's Metaverse Governance Team and EU IPR Enforcement Projects .
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