Find Academic Supervisors

Yuri MansuryView profile

Associate Professor

• Urban and Regional Studies
• Economic Development
• Technology and Society
• +5 more

Yuri Mansury is an Associate Professor of Social Science and Associate Chair of Social Sciences at the Lewis College of Science and Letters, Illinois Institute of Technology. His research focuses on urban and regional studies, economic development, technology and society, and computational modeling of spatial systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Regional Science from Cornell University and completed postdoctoral fellowships at MIT and Harvard. Mansury’s work bridges theoretical models with empirical analysis, addressing topics like disaster impact assessment, wealth inequality, and the economic effects of infrastructure projects. His publications include contributions to journals such as International Regional Science Review , Applied Geography , and Regional Science Policy and Practice . Key areas of investigation include the ripple effects of high-speed rail on Chinese cities, privacy implications of network telemetry, and structural path analysis of extreme weather events. Mansury co-edited special issues on computational modeling and data-driven sustainable development in Asia. He has received prestigious fellowships, including the Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellowship at MIT and the Harvard-MIT Data Center Postdoctoral Fellowship. His interdisciplinary approach integrates geospatial frameworks, agent-based models, and policy analysis to address complex socio-economic challenges.

Ayse Ozbil TorunView profile

Associate Professor

• Urban Design
• Public Health
• Urban Planning
• +3 more

Ayse Ozbil Torun is an Associate Professor in the Architecture and Built Environment Department at Northumbria University. She holds a PhD in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology (2010). Her research focuses on urban design, children’s wellbeing, walkability, and sustainable communities. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary studies linking urban form to health outcomes and child-friendly city design. Key research interests include: Urban form analysis and its impact on mental wellbeing Child-centered urban design principles Walkability metrics in digital age urban planning Recent publications emphasize trends in child-friendly urban spaces and data-driven spatial modeling for walkability. She has contributed to projects like 'Navigating Urban Ecologies,' exploring socio-ecological dynamics in urban environments. Professional activities include peer-review roles for journals like Heliyon and International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, as well as organizing conferences such as the 'Architecture Media Politics and Society: Global Health Conference.'

• Economics of Education
• Applied Econometrics
• Environmental Economics
• +3 more

Luís Catela Nunes is a Full Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE), where he has held leadership roles including Deputy Dean for Research, Head of its Research Unit, and President of the Pedagogical Council. He is a scientific director of Nova SBE’s Economics of Education Knowledge Center and co-founded the Social Sciences DataLab in 2017. His research focuses on Applied Econometrics and Economics of Education, with additional contributions to Environmental Economics. Education: PhD in Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1994) Master in Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991) Bachelor in Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (1987) Agregação in Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (2014) Research Interests: Dr. Nunes explores topics such as educational policy design, school accountability, teacher effectiveness, and environmental valuation. His work bridges quantitative methods with real-world policy implications, particularly in Portugal’s education system and natural resource management. Key Research Trends: Recent articles analyze school performance disparities, environmental crowdfunding mechanisms, wildfire impacts on tourism, and the socio-economic dynamics of immigrant education. His work often employs advanced econometric techniques to assess policy interventions. Advising & Grants: Coordinated projects like ‘Teacher’s Impact on Student Learning’ and ‘Inclusion of Immigrant Students’. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including the Environmental Economics Knowledge Center and DataLab initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leads Nova SBE’s Economics of Education Knowledge Center and co-directs the Social Sciences DataLab, fostering data-driven research in education and social sciences.

Brenno Vitorino CostaView profile

Lecturer

• Tourism Planning
• Public Transport in Tourism
• Urban Tourism
• +3 more

Brenno Vitorino Costa is a Lecturer at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Sao Paulo, where he has taught Tourism Management courses since 2006. He is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, affiliated with the research unit Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policy (GOVCOPP). His academic background includes an MSc in Hospitality Studies from Anhembi Morumbi University and a BSc in Tourism from the University of Sao Paulo. His research focuses on enhancing tourism through public transport integration, urban tourism development, and tourism education. Key interests include studying railway heritage as a tourism asset, social media's role in tourism, and urban park accessibility. He explores how transportation infrastructure, such as ancient train stations and roadside services, contributes to tourism experiences in Brazil. His publications highlight themes like destination image perception, graduate employment in tourism, and urban segregation dynamics in parks. Though no scientific awards are noted, his work spans over a decade, reflecting sustained engagement with tourism's socio-spatial dimensions and education. Affiliations: Member of GOVCOPP (University of Aveiro), Federal Institute of Sao Paulo. Research Groups: Tourism and Development (TD).

Bob PresseyView profile

Professor

• Conservation Planning
• Marine Conservation
• Climate Change Impacts
• +3 more

Professor Bob Pressey is a Distinguished Professor and Chief Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University. He leads Program 1: Conservation Planning, focusing on spatial solutions for resource management challenges. His research integrates ecological, socio-economic, and governance dimensions to advance conservation outcomes globally. He holds degrees in environmental science and ecology, including a PhD from the University of New South Wales. Research interests include climate change impacts on ecosystems, integrated land-sea planning, conservation decision-support systems, and measuring conservation outcomes. He pioneered systematic conservation planning and has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, earning him recognition as an ISI Highly Cited Researcher. His work spans Australia, the Asia-Pacific, and beyond, collaborating with communities, NGOs, and governments. Key projects include marine protected area design, coral reef resilience, and adaptive management frameworks for the Great Barrier Reef. Education: BSc (Hons), University of Sydney; MEnvStud, Macquarie University; PhD, UNSW Awards: ISI Highly Cited Researcher (Ecology/Environment) Key Projects: Coral Triangle conservation, Tonga Special Management Areas, Great Barrier Reef governance

Jacqueline LauView profile

Research Fellow

• Climate Change Resilience
• Environmental Justice
• Small-Scale Fisheries
• +3 more

Jacqueline Lau is a Research Fellow at James Cook University's College of Arts, Society and Education and an ARC DECRA Fellow. She holds a PhD in Environmental Social Science (James Cook University), MPhil in Environment, Society & Development (University of Cambridge), and a BSc (Hons) in Sociology (Australian National University). Her work focuses on climate resilience in small-scale fisheries, environmental justice, and the moral dimensions of climate decisions. Research highlights include examining adaptation strategies in Pacific coastal communities, analyzing pandemic impacts on Kenyan fisheries, and exploring equity in marine conservation policies. She has contributed to global initiatives like the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and WorldFish, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to socio-ecological systems. Lau’s work bridges social science and natural resource management, addressing challenges such as food security, climate justice, and sustainable development in vulnerable regions. Her current projects include a DECRA-funded study on morality’s role in climate adaptation along the Great Barrier Reef.

Lynda YorkeView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Quaternary Geomorphology
• Fluvial and Pro-Glacial Sequences
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +5 more

Dr Lynda Yorke is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at Bangor University's School of Environmental and Natural Sciences. She specializes in Quaternary geomorphology, fluvial systems, and climate change impacts, with a strong focus on inclusive education and community engagement. Lynda leads the Geography programmes as Degree Programme Director and has held significant roles including Chair of the RGS-IBG Geography and Education Research Group (2021-2024). Her research bridges physical geography with socio-ecological transformations, emphasizing accessibility in fieldwork and virtual technologies. Education: BSc (Northumbria University), MSc (Durham University), PhD (University of Hull). Professional roles include Editorial Board memberships for Geo: Geography and Environment and Journal of Geography in Higher Education , alongside external examining responsibilities at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Chester. Research Interests : Quaternary environmental change, geoarchaeology, natural hazards, climate justice, and inclusive pedagogy. Recent projects include NERC-funded CULTIVATE (inclusion in fieldwork), Shore to Shelter (public engagement), and interdisciplinary climate heritage work. Grants & Awards : NERC (CULTIVATE, Shore to Shelter), British Council, Learned Society of Wales, and Royal Geographical Society funding. Recognitions include Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and RGS Fellowship. Advising & Labs : Supervises PhD students Rachel Jones (coastal/maritime archaeology) and Sarah Morton Williams (Anglesey geoarchaeology). Engaged in collaborative projects with National Trust Wales and Vietnam's disaster resilience initiatives. Labs/Teams : Active in the CULTIVATE consortium, Climate Heritage Networks (ClicherNet4Wales), and international hazard vulnerability assessments in Vietnam. Leads virtual fieldwork development through projects like More Inclusive Fieldwork.

• Community development
• Economic governance
• Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE)
• +7 more

Silvia Sacchetti is a Full Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Trento, Italy, and holds an adjunct role in the Department of Public Leadership and Social Enterprise at The Open University, UK. She specializes in community development, social and solidarity economy (SSE), cultural governance, and inclusive economic policies. Her research explores organizational governance in social enterprises, music education networks, and the interplay between cultural production and local development. Education: PhD in Commerce (University of Birmingham, UK, 2004, part-time) MSc in Business Research (University of Birmingham, UK, 1998, full-time) Laurea in Political Science (University of Bologna, Italy, 1997) Research Focus: Her work interrogates governance models in cultural and social enterprises, emphasizing cooperative frameworks for fostering inclusivity and sustainability. Key themes include music schools’ role in community resilience, stakeholder engagement in SSE, and the socio-economic impacts of cultural policymaking. She has secured grants such as €50,000 from Fondazione Caritro (2020) and a Leverhulme Research Grant (£10,000) for studies on work-integration enterprises. Publications: Her recent work spans SSE’s contribution to economic growth, music education networks in Trentino, and governance theories linking transaction costs to self-actualization. Over 15 years, she has presented at major conferences like EURAM, IIPPE, and EMES, addressing topics such as biosphere reserves governance and lean production in social enterprises. Awards/Grants: Multiple competitive grants include the Leverhulme Research Grant (2015) and Fondazione Caritro funding (2020). She has also led collaborative projects with organizations like the Trentino Brass Band Federation. Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary initiatives like the CEFF system (Italy) and Scotland’s social enterprise networks. Her work emphasizes participatory methodologies and deliberative governance structures.

Elizabeth Van CouveringView profile

Assistant Professor

• Political Economy of Digital Media
• Search Engine Algorithms
• Data Visualization
• +3 more

Elizabeth Van Couvering is an Assistant Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Karlstad University, Sweden. She holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, an MBA from the Open University, and a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. Her research focuses on the political economy of digital platforms, search engines, algorithmic gatekeeping, and gig economy labor dynamics. She also explores data visualization and climate communication. Teaching responsibilities include media theory, strategic communications, science and technology studies, and data visualization courses. Current research projects include 'Algorithms and media organisations' and 'SWEGIG' (job intermediary platforms in Sweden). Her work draws from over three decades of industry experience in digital media, including roles at early internet companies like Cyberia, Easynet, and Webmedia. Education: PhD, London School of Economics and Political Science (2002) MBA, Open University BA, Bryn Mawr College Her research highlights platform power structures, algorithmic accountability, and the socio-economic impacts of digital transformation. Recent work examines AI chatbots' political information retrieval and gig workers' resistance to algorithmic management. She has co-authored influential studies on search engine bias, media literacy, and VR immersion theory. Professional activities include advising projects for Nielsen Online and IAB Europe, while personal interests bridge technology and textile crafts—she has hacked knitting machines using Arduino chips. She collaborates with Karlstad colleagues on interdisciplinary projects and teaches in Swedish ("och svenska!").

Daniel Seabra LopesView profile

Assistant Professor

• Economic Sociology
• Economic Anthropology
• Financial Studies
• +3 more

Daniel Seabra Lopes is an Assistant Professor at ISEG - School of Economics and Management, Universidade de Lisboa, and a Research Fellow at SOCIUS Research Centre. He holds dual PhDs in Cultural/Social Anthropology (2007) and Economic Sociology (2018). His research focuses on economic sociology, financial ethnography, and organizational studies, with a particular interest in the cultural dimensions of finance, credit practices, and Gypsy communities in Portugal. He has supervised 3 PhD and 16 Master's theses, and currently coordinates research projects on financial innovation and regulatory frameworks. Education: BSc in Anthropology (1994, Universidade Nova de Lisboa), MSc in Anthropology (1999, ISCTE), PhD in Cultural Anthropology (2007, Universidade Nova de Lisboa), and second PhD in Economic Sociology (2018, Universidade de Lisboa). Research interests include financial regulation, ethnography of markets, and sociocultural aspects of policing. His work bridges anthropology and sociology through studies of credit systems, institutional dynamics, and ritual practices in marginalized communities. Recent publications analyze central banking discourse, blockchain-based financial innovation, and the semiotics of financial crises. He has participated in 8 research projects, coordinating 3, and currently leads a project exploring post-2008 financial transformations. Teaching includes courses on sociological theories, qualitative research methods, and social studies of finance across undergraduate and graduate programs at ISEG. Lopes has conducted fieldwork in Portugal, Brazil, and Africa, examining issues such as police cooperation, educational integration of Roma communities, and transnational labor dynamics. His interdisciplinary approach combines ethnographic methods with institutional analysis to address contemporary socio-economic challenges.

Erik MeijView profile

Researcher

• Urban & Rural Inequality
• Ethnography
• Qualitative Methods
• +3 more

Dr. Erik Meij is a PhD researcher at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Spatial Sciences, Department of Cultural Geography. His research focuses on socio-spatial inequality, urban and rural poverty, and ethnographic methodologies. His work examines everyday experiences of socio-spatial inequality through case studies in Groningen, East Groningen (Netherlands), and Calgary (Canada). He employs ethnographic and participatory research approaches to explore issues like intergenerational poverty, social mixing interventions, and the role of social networks in rural poverty. Key research themes include urban-rural inequality, qualitative methods, and the impact of policy on marginalized communities. His studies highlight how socio-spatial interventions can inadvertently reinforce exclusion and how class practices perpetuate poverty. His work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and media commentaries. Dr. Meij collaborates with researchers and institutions to produce evidence-based insights on poverty dynamics and policy effectiveness. His findings emphasize the need for context-specific solutions to address systemic inequalities and improve social mobility.

Barend WindView profile

Assistant Professor

• Urban Studies
• Housing Market Dynamics
• Urban Inequality
• +4 more

Dr. Barend Wind is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen. His research focuses on urban inequality, housing market dynamics, spatial justice, and welfare state analysis. He holds editorial roles at Agora Magazine and InPlanning. His work examines socio-economic developments' impacts on urban spaces, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Syria and post-communist societies. He teaches courses on urban social justice and planning at both BSc and MSc levels. Key research areas include housing policy, urban governance, and the interplay between institutional frameworks and spatial outcomes. Recent work explores private rental market dynamics in student cities, food strategies for social justice, and post-conflict urban development. His publications appear in journals like Habitat International and Journal of Persianate Studies . Wind has contributed expert commentary on housing crises in Dutch media, addressing topics like foreign investment in Dutch real estate and challenges in social housing. His research bridges urban theory with empirical case studies across Europe and the Middle East.

Mary MostafanezhadView profile

Professor

• Development Geography
• Political Ecology
• Socio-environmental Change
• +5 more

Mary Mostafanezhad serves as Professor and Graduate Chair in the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. A human geographer specializing in development and socio-environmental change across the Asia-Pacific region, her work critically examines tourism, agricultural transitions, and infrastructure through political ecology frameworks with a focus on Southeast Asia. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (2011), MS in Anthropology from the University of Oregon (2005), and BA in Anthropology & Communication from Washington State University (2003). Mostafanezhad's research centers on development geography and political ecology , with particular expertise in tourism economies, agrarian transitions, and atmospheric politics. Her scholarship investigates how transnational processes mediate everyday experiences through ethnographic fieldwork in Thailand, analyzing air pollution crises, forest degradation, and infrastructure impacts. She integrates textual analysis of popular culture with geospatial collaboration to reveal socio-ecological power dynamics in Southeast Asia. Recent publications demonstrate a pronounced shift toward atmospheric political ecology , with 8 of her 15 most recent works (2023-2025) examining air pollution in Northern Thailand. This research intersects tourism geopolitics, crisis narratives, and Belt and Road Initiative impacts, revealing how seasonal haze becomes normalized through data politics and volumetric governance. Her work consistently bridges tourism studies, environmental science, and critical geography. Her scientific recognition includes: Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching (2021) Major research funding supports her fieldwork: National Science Foundation Cultural Anthropology Senior Research Award for political ecology of seasonal air pollution in northern Thailand $1,000,000 Henry Luce Foundation grant for Transboundary Air Pollution and Belt-Road Initiative impacts in Myanmar/Thailand She mentors graduate students on Asia-Pacific development geographies while leading international collaborations with Chiang Mai University's Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development. Her academic service includes Co-Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Geographies and leadership roles in the American Association of Geographers' Recreation, Tourism, and Sport specialty group.

Yuqin JiangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Geographic Information Science (GIS)
• Spatial Big Data Analysis
• Human Mobility
• +4 more

Yuqin Jiang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, leveraging spatial big data to advance understanding of human mobility and human-environment interactions for sustainable urban development. Her research bridges data science and social sciences through quantitative methods addressing real-world societal challenges. Her academic credentials include: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University (2023-2024) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University (2022-2023) PhD in Geography, University of South Carolina (2022) MS in Geography, University of South Carolina (2017) BA in Geography, University at Buffalo, SUNY (2014) Dr. Jiang's research program focuses on extracting actionable insights from massive spatial datasets to address critical urban challenges. Key areas include: Modeling human mobility during disruptive events like hurricanes and pandemics Developing equity-centered frameworks for post-disaster recovery Mapping healthcare accessibility and transportation dynamics Quantifying environmental impacts through activity-based carbon footprint analysis Creating cyberGIS tools for democratizing geovisual analytics Her recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate consistent innovation in spatial big data applications, with increasing emphasis on methodological rigor and societal impact. Notable trends include the integration of diverse data sources (taxi GPS, mobile devices, social media) to uncover urban system patterns, growing attention to spatial inequality in environmental outcomes, and pioneering work in AI-assisted disaster response. She has developed novel approaches like entropy-based trip distribution measurements and sensor-based event detection systems. Dr. Jiang teaches GEO 388: Introduction to GIS Research and actively pursues interdisciplinary collaborations to expand the real-world applicability of her work in urban sustainability and disaster resilience.

• Economic Geography
• Regional Development
• Urban Studies
• +5 more

Dr. Mehmet Tahsin Şahin is an Assistant Professor at Akdeniz University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Geography . He holds a PhD from Ankara University (2018) in Human and Economic Geography, with additional academic qualifications from Anadolu University, Afyon Kocatepe University, and Balikesir University. His current research focuses on urban climate resilience , KIBS (Knowledge-Intensive Business Services) , and pandemic-induced economic transformations . Academic Positions: 2019–Present Assistant Professor, Akdeniz University 2018–2019: Research Assistant, Siirt University 2012–2018: Research Assistant, Ankara University 2013: Guest Research Assistant, Philipps-Universitaet Marburg His recent publications analyze urban heat islands , transhumance adaptations during pandemics , and Covid-19 impacts on SMEs . He leads a long-term TÜBİTAK project (2024–2032) on Science Olympiads while managing shorter-term grants including Antalya/Muratpaşa smart city planning and Ukraine-Turkey conflict migration studies. 2018 Best Doctoral Thesis Awards from ISPIM and Economic Research Foundation recognize his early career contributions. As Vice President of the Ankara Social, Economic and Spatial Research Association and member of international regional science organizations (RSA, ERSA), he bridges academic practice with policy. His work appears in journals like Land , International Journal of Geography and Geography Education , and Visnyk Kharkiv National University across 52 total publications.