Find Academic Supervisors

Yushu ZhuView profile

Associate Professor

• Human Geography
• Urban Studies
• Housing
• +6 more

Yushu Zhu is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on housing stratification , urbanization , and social equity , with a particular emphasis on immigrant communities , low-income populations , and ethnic minorities . She teaches courses on housing policy, urban transformation, and research methods. PhD in Architecture from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons) in Geography from Sun Yat-sen University, China Former roles at Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, UBC, and Brown University Research Interests include urban sociology , community housing , and public policy . Recent work analyzes housing inequality in Canada (1981–2016), state-embedded gentrification in China, and neighborhood participation dynamics. Her publications appear in top journals like Urban Studies and Environment and Behavior . Scientific Awards include multiple SSHRC grants (Partnership, Insight, Partnership Engage) and a Lincoln Institute of Land Policy fellowship. She has contributed to policy reports and participated in expert panels on urban housing, pandemic impacts, and social integration.

Christos NicolaidesView profile

Assistant Professor

• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Social Networks
• +5 more

Christos Nicolaides is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Business and Public Administration within the School of Economics and Management at the University of Cyprus (UCY), holding a secondary appointment as a Digital Fellow at MIT's Initiative on the Digital Economy. Previously, he spent three years as a James McDonnell Foundation-funded Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management. His educational background includes a PhD in Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2014), SM from MIT (2011), MSc in Applied Mathematics from Imperial College London (2009), and BSc in Physics from University of Thessaloniki (2008). Nicolaides' research applies mathematical, statistical, and computational tools to large-scale empirical questions in social influence mediated by digital technologies. His work spans Data Science , Machine Learning , Social Networks , and Computational Social Science , with significant contributions to understanding human mobility patterns, disease transmission dynamics, and social contagion effects. His research has established novel methodologies for analyzing complex network structures in mobility data and social interactions. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on applying network science to real-world problems, particularly in pandemic response (12 publications), human mobility analytics (9 publications), and social contagion dynamics (7 publications). His work demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary integration, combining computer science, epidemiology, and organizational behavior since 2020. Marie S. Curie Fellow Two Highly Cited Papers by Web of Science (2017, 2020) Best Paper Award by Risk Analysis Society (2019) Professor of The Week by Poets & Quants (2020) As principal institutional investigator, Nicolaides has secured over €1 million in research funding from the European Commission, industry partners, Cyprus Innovation and Research Foundation, and Cyprus Ministry of Health. His current teaching includes Social Networks and Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Operations Management, and Quantitative Methods in Management. Media coverage of his work spans major outlets including The New York Times, CNN, Nature, and Science, with significant impact on public health policy discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abi GilmoreView profile

Professor

• Cultural Policy
• Arts Management
• Cultural Planning
• +7 more

Abi Gilmore is a Professor of Arts Management, Politics, and Cultural Practices at the University of Manchester's School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (ICP). She holds a part-time secondment as UKRI Policy Fellow at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport. Her work focuses on cultural policy, creative industries, and the role of public spaces like parks in local governance. Gilmore has led interdisciplinary projects such as the AHRC Connected Communities initiative and the UKRI-funded study on pandemic impacts on cultural sectors. She contributes to policy networks including Policy@Manchester and the Manchester Urban Institute, and advises organizations like Creative Addo. Her academic leadership includes founding the MA Arts Management program and co-developing the PhD by Professional Practice in Arts and Cultural Management. Educated at the University of Leicester (BSc Sociology, 1995; DSc Cultural Policy, 2000), Gilmore has held roles in both academia and cultural sector governance, including directing the Northwest Culture Observatory. Her research emphasizes participatory methods, policy evaluation, and the foundational role of cultural infrastructure. She serves on boards for arts organizations such as Brighter Sound and Macclesfield Barnaby Festival, and has extensive international collaborations with institutions in Melbourne and Toronto. Key research outputs include monographs on public parks as cultural policy sites (2024) and edited volumes analyzing pandemic impacts (2022). Her work intersects with UN SDGs related to education, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption. Recent projects explore cultural recovery post-pandemic, devolved governance models, and the political economy of creative ecosystems.

Diana YoungView profile

Associate Professor

• Cultural Anthropology
• Material and Visual Culture
• Museum Studies
• +6 more

Associate Professor Diana Young is an academic, curator, educator, and designer at The University of Queensland (UQ), affiliated with the School of Social Science. Her research bridges cultural anthropology, material and visual culture, and museum studies, with a focus on Indigenous Australian art, museum practices, and the role of color in social life. She holds a Master's and PhD from University College London. Her work includes curating exhibitions such as the 50th anniversary of Ernabella Arts and leading the UQ Anthropology Museum’s transformation into a public institution. She directed the Master of Museum Studies program and raised over AUS$1.1 million for museum initiatives. Her research explores color as material and cultural substance, Australian Indigenous art markets, and digital heritage. Recent articles highlight her focus on Indigenous land management (e.g., Water as Country), museum curation practices, and material culture studies. She collaborates with institutions like QAGOMA on learning-focused courses and has authored/co-authored numerous books and chapters, including Solomon Islands: Re-Enchantment and the Colonial Shadow (2017).

Kathleen L. KomarView profile

Professor

• Comparative Literature
• German Literature
• Feminist Theory
• +3 more

Kathleen L. Komar is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Comparative Literature at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), part of the UCLA College. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Princeton University (1977). Her primary language expertise includes German, reflecting her focus on German literary traditions. Professor Komar’s research spans feminist theory, modernist literature, and post-symbolist poetry, with significant contributions to the study of Rainer Maria Rilke, Hermann Broch, and Robert Musil. She has authored and edited works analyzing mythological reinterpretation, gender dynamics in literature, and the intersection of digital humanities with traditional literary studies. Her academic career includes leadership roles such as serving as ACLA President, where she championed interdisciplinary approaches and the evolution of comparative literature as a discipline. Komar’s scholarship bridges historical analysis and contemporary critical theory, addressing themes like utopianism, postcommunism, and the role of silence in postwar discourses. She has also explored pedagogical innovations in teaching world literature and the application of predictive analytics in educational technology. Notable research areas include: Reinterpretation of classical myths (e.g., Klytemnestra) Modernist aesthetic theory in German literature Electronic poetry and digital textuality Feminist explorations of literary space Comparative studies of European and American literary traditions Her publications reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary dialogue, spanning edited companions, critical essays, and theoretical interventions in both print and digital formats. Komar’s work frequently emphasizes the transformative potential of literature to interrogate cultural, political, and gendered structures.

AnnMarie BrennanView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Architectural Utopian Studies
• Design Theory
• Media Studies
• +8 more

AnnMarie Brennan is a Senior Lecturer in Design Theory at the Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne. Her academic roles include teaching architectural theory and studio design. Her research focuses on the history and theory of 20th- and 21st-century design and architecture, with special interests in architectural utopian studies, political economy of design, media studies, and material culture. She holds degrees from Catholic University of America (B.A. 1993, B.Arch 1994), Yale University (M.E.D. 2001), and Princeton University (M.A. 2003, Ph.D. 2011). Currently, she is transforming her doctoral work on Olivetti's industrial utopia into a book manuscript. Education background includes: Bachelor of Arts and Architecture at Catholic University of America Masters of Environmental Design from Yale University Master of Arts and Doctorate from Princeton University Her research directions emphasize architectural and urban histories, with interdisciplinary projects spanning media studies, labor history, and design pedagogy. Key contributions include co-editing Cold War Hothouses: Inventing Postwar Culture and organizing exhibitions such as Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Architecture and Design . She has taught at Yale, Princeton, and Pratt Institute, and is affiliated with the Australian Centre for Architectural History, Urban and Cultural Heritage (ACAHUCH). Her exhibitions and publications highlight intersections between design, technology, and cultural critique. Notable works explore postmodern architecture, Italian design, and media's role in shaping architectural discourse.

Donald C. HaggisView profile

Professor

• Aegean Archaeology
• Classical Archaeology
• Minoan Crete
• +5 more

Donald C. Haggis is the Nicholas A. Cassas Professor of Greek Studies and Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). He holds a Ph.D. in Classical Studies from the University of Minnesota and has been affiliated with the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, the British School of Archaeology at Athens, and the University of Michigan. His research focuses on Aegean settlement structure, Minoan Crete, and early urbanization in the Mediterranean. Roles: Department Chair (2020–present), Director of the Azoria Project, Adjunct Professor at Duke University, and Managing Committee member of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Education: Ph.D., Classical Studies, University of Minnesota (1992) M.A. and B.A., Classics, Wayne State University (1983 and 1982) Research Interests: Haggis investigates settlement behavior, archaeological landscapes, and socio-political change in the Aegean. His work centers on the transition from Minoan to Archaic Greek urbanism, particularly through the Azoria Project in eastern Crete. Key themes include Minoan-Mycenaean continuity, early state formation, and material culture analysis. Grants & Awards: Recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and Wenner-Gren Foundation. Honors include the Best Practices in Site Preservation Award (2012) and Distinguished Alumnus Award (2009). Labs/Teams: Leads the Azoria Project, a long-term excavation and research initiative examining an Archaic city in Crete. Collaborates with institutions like the Institute for Aegean Prehistory and the Research Laboratories of Archaeology at UNC-CH. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles and books, including Classical Archaeology in Context (2015) and The Archaeological Survey of the Kavousi Region (2005). Recent work explores the Azoria civic complex, Minoan feasting practices, and diachronic cultural landscapes.

Charlotta WidmarkView profile

Associate Professor

• Cultural Anthropology
• Urban Anthropology
• Latin American Studies
• +7 more

Charlotta Widmark is a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology. She holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology and serves as Director of Studies at the Advanced and Research Level in her department. Her work focuses on identity, power, and social change in Latin America, particularly Bolivia and Peru, with emphases on indigenous peoples, urbanization, gender, and multiculturalism. Education: Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology (dissertation: To Make Do in the City: Social Identities and Cultural Transformations among Aymara Speakers in La Paz , 2003) Research Interests: Latin American democratization processes and indigenous-state relations Social inequality and urban transformation in Andean cities Gender equality challenges in multicultural policies Urban anthropology and spatialized cultural change Development anthropology and policy implementation Recent Research Projects: "Social inequality, Spatialized Cultural Transformations and Life Trajectories" (2019): Re-study of La Paz's urban outskirts Interdisciplinary research node "The good city – Urbanism and social change" (2012-2015) Teaching: Economic anthropology, anthropology and religion, academic writing at undergraduate level Advanced courses: Ethnography and Anthropology in Practice Key Themes in Publications: Urban spatial dynamics and heritage in global cities (Rome, Istanbul, London) Gender-political tensions in Bolivian multiculturalism Ethnographic methodologies in development contexts Labs/Teams: Led interdisciplinary urban studies initiatives including the "The good city" research node analyzing urban space and social change in European cities.

Oscar Mendez MaldonadoView profile

Lecturer

• Robotics
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Vision
• +3 more

Oscar Mendez Maldonado is a Lecturer in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Surrey's School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, affiliated with the Robotics Department and CVSSP Centre. He holds a PhD (2018) and BEng (2013) from the University of Surrey. His research focuses on Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Robotics, with emphasis on autonomous systems, localisation, and SLAM applications. Key projects include the Autonomous Valet Parking (AVP) system for indoor navigation and the SMILE project for sign language assessment using AI. He has supervised students like James Ross (Autonomous Vehicles), Xihan Bian (Reinforcement Learning), and Nimet Kaygusuz (Visual Odometry). Notable achievements include the Sullivan Thesis Prize (2018) and impactful publications in IEEE conferences (e.g., ICRA, CVPR, IROS). Research spans topics like 3D hand pose estimation via diffusion models, graph-based visual odometry fusion, and Raman spectroscopy for localisation. He contributes to open-source tools (e.g., RaSpectLoc GitHub) and collaborates with industry partners like Parkopedia. His work bridges theoretical advances with real-world applications in autonomous systems and healthcare.

Lars FogelinView profile

Associate Professor

• Archaeology
• South Asia
• Buddhism
• +4 more

Lars Fogelin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Arizona, specializing in the archaeology of Buddhism in South Asia. His work bridges archaeology, religious studies, and the philosophy of science, with a focus on early Buddhist architecture, ritual practices, and theoretical frameworks. His research interests include the archaeology of religion, South Asian Buddhism, and methodological debates in archaeological theory. Fogelin has conducted extensive fieldwork in India, particularly in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, examining Buddhist monastic sites like Thotlakonda and investigating the material manifestations of religious practices. Key contributions include studies on Buddhist stupas' architectural evolution, ritual practices in mortuary contexts, and the application of philosophical principles to archaeological reasoning. He has authored influential books such as An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism (2015) and edited volumes exploring the intersection of archaeology and religion. Fogelin's work emphasizes methodological rigor and interdisciplinary approaches, addressing how material culture reflects social, religious, and ideological dynamics. His research also critiques essentialist interpretations in archaeological studies, advocating for context-sensitive analyses of ritual and religious practices.

Chao TianView profile

Associate Professor

• Information Theory
• Distributed Data Storage
• Coding Theory
• +6 more

Dr. Chao Tian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University (2005) and a B.E. from Tsinghua University (2000). His research focuses on information theory, distributed storage systems, coding theory, and machine learning applications, including large language models (LLMs) and privacy-preserving techniques like steganography and private information retrieval (PIR). He has received notable awards, including the 2017 IEEE Jack Wolf ISIT Best Student Paper Award and the 2014 IEEE ComSoc DSTC Best Paper Award. Dr. Tian’s work bridges theoretical foundations and practical applications, such as optimizing storage codes for distributed systems, developing secure PIR protocols, and exploring LLMs in energy and steganographic contexts. His group has pioneered methods for variable-order Markov chain modeling with transformers and designed quantization techniques for perceptual quality. Recent activities include a faculty development leave at MIT/Harvard and delivering distinguished lectures globally on AI and information theory. He advises students on cutting-edge topics like LLM-based steganography and diffusion models. His publications span journals like IEEE Transactions on Information Theory and conferences such as NeurIPS and ISIT, with a focus on coding theory, privacy, and machine learning. He has also contributed to open-source tools like the CAI toolbox for investigating information-theoretic limits. Current projects include optimizing cryptocurrency mining in energy markets and advancing federated learning with adversarial robustness.

• Spatial Data Analysis
• Spatial Interaction Modeling
• Local Statistical Analysis
• +5 more

A. Stewart Fotheringham is a Regents' Professor of Computational Spatial Science and Director of the Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC) at Arizona State University’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning. He is also a Distinguished Sustainability Scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability. His research focuses on spatial data analysis using statistical, mathematical, and computational methods, with expertise in spatial interaction modeling and local statistical analysis, particularly multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). He has conducted substantive research in health geography, crime patterns, retailing, migration, and transportation. Affiliations: ASU’s Institute for Social Science Research, National Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea Education: Ph.D., M.A. (McMaster University), B.Sc. (Aberdeen University) Awards: Science Foundation Ireland Research Professorship (2004), over $15 million in funding His research interests include spatial statistics, geographic information science, and the development of methodologies to analyze spatial heterogeneity. He has authored 12 books and nearly 200 publications, emphasizing reproducibility in geospatial research and advancing computational tools like MGWR. Recent work examines spatial voting dynamics, housing valuation, and health disparities using local modeling techniques. He advises on grants, serves on the Transportation Research Board’s Executive Committee, and contributes to global sustainability initiatives.

Andrew deWaardView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cultural Industries
• Political Economy of Media
• Financialization of Media
• +3 more

Andrew deWaard is an Assistant Professor of Media and Popular Culture at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His research focuses on the cultural industries, political economy of media, financial capital’s impact on media authorship, and media consolidation. He is the author of Derivative Media: How Wall Street Devours Culture (UC Press, 2024), which analyzes financialization in film, television, and music. He co-authored The Cinema of Steven Soderbergh (2013) and co-founded the Cultural Capital Project (SSHRC-funded) and the MACRO Lab , studying media consolidation and independent music in the streaming era. Education: PhD in Cinema and Media Studies, University of California, Los Angeles (2017) MA in Film Studies, University of British Columbia (2009) BA in Film Studies and Media, Information, and Technoculture, University of Western Ontario (2005) Research Interests: De Waard examines how financialization reshapes creative industries, particularly through Wall Street’s influence on film, music, and media. His work bridges political economy, cultural studies, and ethnography to critique corporate monopolies and advocate for equitable media systems. Key themes include streaming platforms, authorship dynamics, and policy interventions for artists. Publications Trends: His articles span financialization in Hollywood, indie film funding, Canadian music policy, and digital annotation tools for education. Notable works include analyses of venture capital’s role in media and ethnographic studies of musicians in the streaming age. His 2023 Popular Music and Society article won an award from IASPM-Canada. Awards/Grants: Best Article 2023 (IASPM-Canada) SSHRC-funded research projects (Cultural Capital Project, MACRO Lab) Labs/Teams: Leads the MACRO Lab at UCSD, analyzing media consolidation effects, and co-directs the Cultural Capital Project, studying independent music’s struggles in streaming economies.

Jonathan W. ChipmanView profile

Adjunct Assistant Professor

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Remote Sensing
• Applied Spatial Analysis
• +3 more

Jonathan W. Chipman is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Dartmouth College and Director of the Citrin Family GIS/Applied Spatial Analysis Laboratory. He holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College and M.S./Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Specializing in geospatial science, his work integrates remote sensing, GIS, and spatial analysis to study environmental and social systems. Research focuses include lake optical properties via satellite imagery, land-use changes in Egypt/China, vegetation dynamics in southern Africa, and socio-spatial segregation patterns in the US. Education: A.B., Dartmouth College M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Interests: Chipman applies geospatial tools to environmental challenges, including climate change impacts on glaciers, land-cover transformations, and socio-environmental linkages. His work bridges disciplines like hydrology, ecology, and public health through innovative GIS methods. Recent projects explore tropical glacier dynamics, greenspace health correlations, and malaria endemicity patterns. Key Article Trends: Publications emphasize remote sensing applications in glaciology, environmental toxicology, and socio-environmental systems. Themes include satellite-based monitoring of river systems, glacier classification in High Mountain Asia, and GIS-driven analysis of human health exposures tied to land cover. Lab & Collaborations: Leads the Citrin Lab, focusing on applied spatial analysis. Courses taught include GEOG 54 (Geovisualization) and EARS 77 (Environmental GIS). Active in 3D landscape modeling collaborations via SketchFab and Google Scholar.

Dayna N ScottView profile

Professor

• Environmental Justice
• Extractivism
• Indigenous Jurisdiction and Land Rights
• +7 more

Dayna N Scott is a Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University, where she holds the York Research Chair in Environmental Law & Justice in the Green Economy (2018–2023). She is the Director of the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic and Co-Coordinator of the joint MES/JD program. Her interdisciplinary work bridges law, environmental studies, and Indigenous governance. Education: PhD in Law, Osgoode Hall Law School LLB, Osgoode Hall Law School MES, York University BSc in Ecology (Honours), University of Guelph Her research centers on environmental justice, extractivism, Indigenous jurisdiction over lands and resources, gender and environmental health, and the justice dimensions of the green economy. She employs critical, community-based, and feminist methodologies to examine legal and regulatory frameworks around pollution, toxics, and resource extraction. Her recent publications explore themes such as sacrifice zones in the green economy, infrastructural dispossession on the critical minerals frontier, Indigenous-led impact assessment, and decolonizing legal geographies. The articles reflect a consistent focus on the intersection of law, colonialism, and environmental harm, particularly in the context of Canada’s Ring of Fire and Indigenous communities like Aamjiwnaang First Nation. Scientific Awards and Recognition: York Research Chair (Tier 2) Fulbright Fellowship York-Massey Fellowship Law Commission of Canada’s 'Audacity of Imagination' Award Canada–US Fulbright Scholarship Sir John A. Mactaggart Essay Prize in Environmental Law Professor Scott actively supervises PhD and LLM students in Environmental Studies, Socio-Legal Studies, and Law, with a focus on critical, community-engaged research. She has led major SSHRC-funded projects such as 'Jurisdiction Back: Infrastructure Beyond Extractivism' and 'Consent & Contract: Authorizing Extraction in Ontario’s Ring of Fire.' Her leadership extends to committee service, including academic governance and equity initiatives. She is also involved in environmental justice activism and policy engagement, including advisory roles with the Government of Canada and Indigenous communities. She is affiliated with research centers such as the Yellowhead Institute and has collaborated with scholars across Canada on decolonizing legal and environmental frameworks. Her work emphasizes relational accountability, Indigenous resurgence, and transformative legal change.