Jordi Castellà Roca is an Associate Professor at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili's Department of Computer Engineering and Mathematics. His research specializes in blockchain applications, cybersecurity, and privacy-preserving technologies. Recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on decentralized systems, smart contracts, and secure access control mechanisms, with applications ranging from low-emission zones to smart grids. Key research areas include: Blockchain-based data management Privacy-enhancing technologies Cryptographic applications in IoT His work frequently addresses compliance frameworks like GDPR and explores practical implementations for urban infrastructure and digital services.
Professor Michael Rushton is a faculty member at Bangor University's School of Computing and Engineering, specializing in nuclear materials and atomic-scale simulations. His research focuses on understanding materials for nuclear applications, including fuel performance, wasteforms, and radiation effects. He leads projects such as the Nuclear Threat Reduction initiative and the OPEn HPC tools for advanced nuclear fuels. His work combines computational methods like molecular dynamics and density functional theory to model material behavior under extreme conditions. Rushton actively engages in public outreach, including discussions on energy security and nuclear innovation, and collaborates on international initiatives like the UK-Japan Fukushima cleanup project. He advises PhD students and has contributed to educational efforts, such as teaching crystallography at Imperial College London. Key projects include developing thermomechanical tools for accident-tolerant fuels, industrial decarbonization strategies, and neutron-photon imaging techniques. His research spans nuclear fuels, high-entropy alloys, and battery materials, emphasizing practical applications in energy systems. Media engagements include commentaries on nuclear energy and safety for BBC and Sky News. Rushton holds an ORCID ID (0000-0001-7650-4377) and is a member of the Materials Chemistry Committee at IOM3.
Dr. Nikolopoulos Georgios is a Principal Researcher at the Institute of Electronic Structure & Laser (IESL/FORTH) since 2014. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Crete (2001), an MSc in Microelectronics-Optoelectronics (University of Crete), and a Physics Diploma from the University of Patras (1996). His career includes roles as a Research Associate at TU Darmstadt (2003-2006) and a Max-Planck Research Fellow (1997-1999). His research focuses on quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum optics, with contributions to topics such as quantum key distribution, boson sampling, and physical unclonable functions. He has participated in major projects like the SECOQC quantum cryptography initiative and the SFB CROSSING security framework as a Mercator Fellow (2019, 2022). Key research interests include quantum security protocols, cryptographic algorithms leveraging quantum phenomena, and the theoretical foundations of quantum information processing. His work bridges quantum theory and practical applications in secure communication systems. Notable awards include the Mercator Fellowship for contributions to cryptography-based security solutions. His publications span quantum authentication, state transfer in spin chains, and optical network design, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to advancing quantum technologies.
John N. Lavis is a Professor in the Department of Health Evidence and Impact at McMaster University, holding a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Evidence-Support Systems. He directs the McMaster Health Forum, which focuses on strengthening health and social systems through evidence-informed decision-making. His roles include Co-Lead of the Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges, the COVID-19 Evidence Network (COVID-END), and the Rapid-Improvement Support and Exchange (RISE) initiative. He is also Adjunct Professor at the Africa Centre for Evidence at the University of Johannesburg. Education: MD from Queen's University, MSc from the London School of Economics, and PhD in Health Policy from Harvard University. His research interests center on translating research evidence into actionable policies, with a focus on health systems, pandemic preparedness, and equity. He has pioneered frameworks for evidence dissemination through platforms like Health Systems Evidence and Social Systems Evidence . Key contributions include developing the 'SHOW ME' evidence delivery framework, evaluating pandemic response strategies, and advancing methodologies for living evidence syntheses. He has been recognized with the Robert Boruch Award (2025) for impactful policy research. His work emphasizes stakeholder dialogues, citizen panels, and institutionalizing evidence-based practices globally.
Prof Bertrand Taithe is a Professor of Cultural History in the Department of History at the University of Manchester. He is a founding member and former executive director of the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI). His research focuses on humanitarianism, the history of medicine, French colonial history, and cultural history. Taithe holds editorial roles for the European Review of History and co-edits book series such as Cultural History of Modern War and Humanitarianism Key Debates . Education: Studied in Montpellier and the Sorbonne, later completing his PhD at the University of Manchester. He held a Wellcome postdoctoral fellowship and lectured at the University of Huddersfield before returning to Manchester in 2000. Research interests include humanitarian aid practices, colonial missions in French West Africa, and the history of medicine in conflict zones. He leads projects on humanitarian handicrafts and healthcare in crises, collaborating with organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières. Key contributions include co-founding HCRI, editing the Journal of Humanitarian Affairs , and publishing monographs on humanitarian history. His upcoming book The Humanitarians: A Cultural History examines humanitarian practices and technologies over time. Advising and grants: Supervised over 30 PhD students on topics ranging from humanitarian aid to colonial history. Current projects include studies on refugee education and Soviet humanitarianism. His work addresses SDGs related to global health and sustainable development. Labs/Teams: HCRI fosters interdisciplinary research on humanitarian response, combining academic and practitioner perspectives. Taithe’s collaborations include exhibitions on humanitarianism and data ethics in aid research.
Dr. Alistair Henry is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Edinburgh's School of Law, holding LLB, MSc, and PhD qualifications. He maintains office hours on Tuesdays from 11:00-13:00 and serves as a key academic bridge between university research and policing practice in Scotland. His academic career includes eight years (2010-2018) as Associate Director of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR), where he chaired the Police Community Relations Network. Currently, he coordinates the Edinburgh/SIPR Brokering Group, connecting university researchers with policing practitioners across Scotland. Dr. Henry's research focuses on: Sociology of policing and community engagement Interaction ritual theory applied to police-public encounters Governance and accountability mechanisms in policing Academic-practitioner collaborations Digital dimensions of contemporary policing Police reform implementation in Scotland His publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory from traditional criminological studies toward increasingly digital-focused analyses of police-public interactions. Recent work examines how social media, digital rituals, and online platforms are reshaping traditional policing paradigms while maintaining core community engagement functions. As an educator, Dr. Henry actively supervises PhD students, with particular interest in local crime governance, police accountability mechanisms, democratic governance of police, police reform effects, austerity-era policing challenges, and effective partnership working strategies. His research methodology often combines theoretical sophistication with practical field insights gained through extensive knowledge exchange activities with policing practitioners.
Nicole Smith is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the School of Molecular Sciences and a member of the Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer. Her research focuses on non-canonical nucleic acid structures, including G-quadruplexes and i-Motifs, in diseases such as cancers, dementias, and neurodegenerative disorders. She holds a PhD from UWA (2010) and has conducted postdoctoral research at institutions like the Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie (Bordeaux, France) and The Australian National University. Education: B.Sc. (Biochemistry & Chemistry, University of Sydney), PhD (University of Western Australia) Postdoctoral roles: ANR Fellowship (IECB, France), ANU (Australia) Her research interests span Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Biophysics, and Genomics. She investigates the role of nucleic acid structures in disease mechanisms, with a focus on therapeutic applications. Key projects include targeting G-quadruplex DNA in Alzheimer’s and breast cancer, and developing nanotechnology-based therapies for neurotrauma. Dr. Smith has secured over 28 grants, including a NHMRC Dementia Fellowship (2017), National Breast Cancer Foundation Innovator Grant (2017), and leadership in the ARC Training Centre for Next-Gen Biomedical Analysis. Her work contributes to UN SDGs 3 (Good Health) and 9 (Industry Innovation). She has supervised numerous students, including 6 PhD graduates, 10 Masters students, and 9 Honours students, alongside exchange scholars from the University of Bath and others. Awards include the Healy Research Collaboration Award (2015) and a visiting professorship at Università Degli Studi di Padova (2021). Labs/Teams: Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer, collaborations in nanomedicine, neuroscience, and drug delivery.
Dr. Kate Reid is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, affiliated with the People, Place & Social Change Research Group. She also contributes to the School of Psychology and School of Health & Wellbeing. Her roles include leading the MSc Psychological Studies program and coordinating dissertations. Her research focuses on health psychology, social justice, qualitative methods, food insecurity, and public engagement. Reid has led a multi-country feasibility trial (ASSIST Global) addressing adolescent smoking prevention and collaborated with Food Train and Eat Well Age Well on food security projects. Her teaching emphasizes qualitative research and clinical health psychology, with a focus on online learning. Key awards include the 2017 IAA Award for community-based food security work. She has supervised multiple PhD students and secured grants like the MRC/NIHR-funded ASSIST Global study and the Glasgow KE Flexible Fund. Reid actively engages in public knowledge exchange through festivals and conferences, promoting topics like healthy ageing and urban learning through innovative methods like big data analysis and creative qualitative techniques.
David Lowe holds the Chair in Contemporary History at Deakin University as a Deakin Distinguished Professor. His research examines Australia's role in global affairs, memory of conflict, and student mobility as cultural diplomacy. Key research areas: Australia's Cold War policies and diplomatic history Transnational student mobility between Australia and India Public uses of history in politics Diplomatic representation in Tokyo and Delhi He has authored/edited books including 'Rising Power and Changing People: The Australian High Commission in India' (2022) and 'Lessons from History' (2022). Current projects analyze Australia's national security concepts since 1901 and Korean War remembrance. Honors include Fellowship in the Academy of Social Sciences Australia and editorial board positions for Australian Historical Studies.
Dr. Yangguang Tian is a Lecturer in Cyber Security at the University of Surrey, affiliated with the Surrey Centre for Cyber Security and the Computer Science Research Centre within the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. He holds a PhD in applied cryptography from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and has conducted postdoctoral research at Singapore Management University and Singapore University of Technology and Design. Prior to Surrey, he was a research-based Assistant Professor at Osaka University, Japan. His research focuses on applied cryptography, network security, blockchain technologies, and privacy-preserving systems. Recent work emphasizes policy-based cryptographic systems, chameleon hash functions for blockchain integrity, and secure authentication mechanisms for IoT and 5G environments. He has contributed to frameworks for privacy-preserving biometric authentication and blockchain redaction with accountability. Dr. Tian's publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with notable work on blockchain-aided signature schemes, attribute-based encryption, and privacy-preserving protocols. His research bridges theoretical cryptography with practical applications in decentralized systems and IoT security. He currently leads projects on secure multi-party computation and blockchain forensics. No specific grants or awards are mentioned in the provided materials.
Prof. Abe de Jong is a Professor of Corporate Finance at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business and holds a concurrent position as Professor of Finance at Monash University (Australia). His research focuses on corporate finance, financial history, and business history, with particular emphasis on historical institutional impacts, taxation, and capital structure dynamics. He leads major research projects including 'Collateral Damage: The Financial Economics of Slavery' (NWO, 2025-2029) and 'Taking Stock: The Amsterdam Exchange and Dutch Growth' (NWO, 2021-2026). Key research interests include corporate governance evolution, Dutch financial systems, and long-term economic trends. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary corporate finance challenges, often utilizing archival data to uncover patterns in corporate behavior. Notable publications address topics such as convertible bonds, Nazi-occupied corporate taxation, and asset sale disclosures. He has secured significant grants from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), focusing on financial metadata creation and colonial economic history. His pedagogical contributions include developing frameworks to integrate historical sensibility into managerial decision-making. Abe de Jong actively collaborates with international institutions and maintains affiliations in both the Netherlands and Australia.
Sam Akehurst is a Professor of Advanced Powertrain Systems at the University of Bath's Department of Mechanical Engineering. He specializes in reducing CO2 emissions through advanced internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicle technologies, with a focus on Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) and thermal management systems. His research is supported by major industrial collaborations, including those with Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, and McLaren Automotive, through APC and Innovate UK funding. Research interests include Future Internal Combustion Engine technology, Advanced Transmission Systems, Turbocharging systems, and Powertrain Modelling. He leads numerous high-profile projects such as HyFIVE (Hydrogen Storage and Fuelling) and HEIDI (Hydrogen Electric Integrated Drivetrain Initiative), addressing challenges in hydrogen propulsion and sustainable drivetrains. Recent publications emphasize hydrogen internal combustion engines, particulate emissions control, and data-driven combustion modeling. His work aligns with UN SDG 13 (Climate Action) by advancing low-carbon powertrain solutions. Prof. Akehurst has secured over 52 research projects, demonstrating expertise in collaborative industry-academia initiatives. He actively participates in international conferences and serves as a key figure in the UK's automotive sustainability efforts.
Dr. Zeeshan Sheikh is an Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in the Departments of Applied Oral Sciences and Dental Clinical Sciences at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry. He is a Clinical Scientist in Periodontics and a Fellow of The Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC). His expertise spans biomaterials research, surgical periodontics, and implantology, with a focus on developing novel bone graft substitutes and regenerative therapies. Dr. Sheikh holds degrees including a PhD from McGill University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University. Education: BDS (Dentistry) MSc (Dental Biomaterials, Queen Mary University of London) PhD (McGill University) M.Perio (Dalhousie University) Research Interests: Dr. Sheikh’s work centers on biomaterials for bone regeneration, periodontal tissue engineering, and translational applications in dentistry. Key areas include calcium phosphate cements, anabolic drug conjugates, and macrophage-biomaterial interactions. His SheikhLab collaborates with industry to advance clinical solutions for alveolar ridge augmentation and periodontal regeneration. Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and book chapters. Recent trends focus on biomaterials for dental implants, antimicrobial coatings, and 3D-printed bioceramic scaffolds. Awards & Leadership: Fellow of RCDC in Periodontics President, CADR-NCOHR NSRG Chair, NCOHR-Knowledge Exchange Working Group Advising & Grants: Supervises graduate students (DDS, MSc, PhD) and postdoctoral fellows. Active in securing grants for translational research in biomaterials and clinical periodontics. Labs/Teams: Leads the SheikhLab at Dalhousie, collaborating with the School of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Applied Oral Sciences.
Dr. Hadi Heidary is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham’s School of Chemical Engineering, affiliated with the Birmingham Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research. His expertise focuses on polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) performance optimization, life cycle assessment (LCA), and sustainable energy systems. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (2016), an MSc from Sharif University of Technology (2009), and a BSc from Amirkabir University (2007). His research interests span PEM fuel cell durability, renewable energy economics, hydrogen technology, and environmental impact analysis. He has authored/co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work emphasizing LCA of fuel cell vehicles and green hydrogen integration into gas turbine systems. Dr. Heidary has secured six industrial grants and supervised multiple BSc/MSc theses. He contributed to the University of Delaware’s fuel cell research during his PhD and serves as a reviewer for journals like Renewable Energy and International Journal of Hydrogen Energy . His current projects involve analyzing energy systems sustainability and advancing PEM fuel cell component design. He is a key member of the Birmingham fuel cell research group, focusing on bridging academic innovation with industrial applications.
Karl Erik Haug is a Professor and Head of the Department of Modern Social History at NTNU. His research focuses on Norwegian foreign, security, and defense policy with emphasis on international relations from 1800 to the present, particularly 1870–1940. He earned his Dr.philos in 2012 with a thesis on Norway's idealism vs. realism in League of Nations diplomacy. Key research areas include comparative analyses of war and peace, interwar dynamics, and Norway's geopolitical positioning. His work bridges diplomatic history with military strategy, emphasizing Norwegian engagement in global and regional conflicts. Publications span articles, edited volumes, and books like Conceptualising Modern War (2011) and Alt henger sammen med alt! (2020). His 2020 works analyze neutrality during WWI and military education reform. Earlier works address League of Nations dynamics and WWII bombings. No scientific awards are listed, but his contributions are reflected in extensive academic output. He advises no listed students but collaborates with colleagues like Ole Jørgen Maaø and Steinar Sanderød. His role as department head underscores his institutional leadership in historical studies.
