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Astrid Norén NilssonView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Cambodian Politics
• Post-Conflict Reconstruction
• Southeast Asian Studies
• +4 more

Astrid Norén Nilsson is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Studies for the MSc Asian Studies programme at the Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University. She holds a PhD in Politics & International Studies from the University of Cambridge (2013, Gates Scholar) and previously served as a research fellow at KITLV, Leiden. Her research focuses on Cambodia’s post-1993 post-conflict politics, emphasizing nationalism, citizenship, and authoritarianism. Notably, her 2016 monograph Cambodia’s Second Kingdom was shortlisted for the EuroSEAS Social Science Book Prize. Her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary dynamics, examining political narratives, elite networks, and civil society transformations. She leads projects on pandemic impacts on Cambodian politics and co-edits regional studies on political norms. Teaching includes supervising MSc theses, and she has held grants including a VR-funded civil society elites project (2018–2020). Awards include recognition for her innovative analysis of Cambodian governance. Current projects explore post-pandemic political trajectories in Cambodia. Education PhD in Politics & International Studies, University of Cambridge (2013) Bachelor’s degree details not specified in text Research Interests Her scholarship centers on Cambodia’s political evolution since the 1993 UNTAC elections, analyzing themes such as: Authoritarian consolidation under Hun Sen’s CPP Nationalist discourses and their role in legitimizing power Citizenship perceptions and rights under authoritarianism Royalist political legacies and their erosion Civil society elites and boundary-crossing between state/non-state spheres Grants & Projects PI: Impact of Pandemic on Cambodian Politics (2022–2024) VR-funded Civil Society Elites project (2018–2020) Labs/Teams Affiliated with Lund University’s Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, a hub for interdisciplinary research on the region.

Tony ChengView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sociology
• Criminology
• Law & Society
• +4 more

Tony Cheng is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. His research examines how the legitimization of state power perpetuates social inequalities, with a focus on policing practices and administrative state interactions. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Yale University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Cheng's work has been supported by grants including the NSF CAREER Award and a Russell Sage Foundation grant. His book The Policing Machine (2024) analyzes police resistance to reforms through community engagement strategies. He teaches courses on policing politics and public policy, including Sociol 214: Politics of Policing and PUBPOL 792: Special Readings in Public Policy Studies . Key Research Themes: Policing legitimacy, institutional reform, racial inequality, administrative state dynamics. Awards: ASA Award, ASC Award, LSA Award, NSF CAREER Award. Grants: NSF CAREER: Elite Wealth in Big City Policing (2024-2029). His publications in top journals like American Journal of Sociology and Criminology explore police-community relations, social media's role in policing discourse, and historical institutional developments in policing.

• Political Psychology
• International Leadership
• Emotions in Politics
• +2 more

Philippe Beauregard is a Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen's School of Social Science, specializing in international leadership, cooperation, and the role of emotions and beliefs in political decision-making. His research examines how psychological factors shape international politics, security issues, and environmental governance. Dr. Beauregard's work explores emotional dimensions of foreign policy decisions, legitimation strategies in climate governance, and gender dynamics in political leadership. His award-winning book 'The Passion of International Leadership' analyzes emotional aspects of transatlantic cooperation. He currently investigates narcissism and empathy in international politics and emotions in global climate governance frameworks. Dr. Beauregard teaches courses on international political psychology and engages in public discourse on medieval state formation and contemporary political dynamics.

Stefan MagenView profile

Professor

• Legal Economics
• Behavioral Economics
• Constitutional Law
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Stefan Magen holds the Chair of Public Law, Legal Philosophy, and Law and Economics at the Ruhr University Bochum , Faculty of Law. His interdisciplinary research bridges legal doctrine, economics, and behavioral sciences, focusing on experimental legal philosophy, public competition law, and constitutional dimensions of religious freedom. Education: Studied Philosophy and Law at Goethe University Frankfurt and Ruhr University Bochum (1988–1997) M.A. in Philosophy (1996), Dr. iur. (2003) from Frankfurt Habilitation at University of Bonn (2010) with thesis "Justice as a Proprium of Law" Research Focus: Combines legal economics and behavioral analysis to examine normativity of law, fairness in governance, and church-state relations. Leads the Center for Law, Behavior, and Cognition and the DFG-CAPES project "Experimental Legal Philosophy: The Concept of Law Revisited" (2020–2023). Scientific Recognition: Recipient of the Walter Kolb Memorial Prize (2004) for his dissertation on corporate status and religious freedom Collaborative grants from DFG and international institutions Teaching: Offers advanced courses in analytical legal philosophy, constitutional law, and law and economics, delivered in English. Coordinates public law exam courses and seminars on behavioral legal studies.

• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Ethnology
• Applied Ethnology
• +16 more

Sabine Klocke-Daffa is an Adjunct Professor of Ethnology at the Department of Ethnology, Asia-Orient Institute, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tübingen, Germany. She has been an academic associate at the university since 2010 and holds a habilitation in ethnology from the same institution, awarded in 2016. Her academic work spans teaching, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong focus on applied ethnology and cultural anthropology. PhD in Ethnology, University of Münster (1998) Habilitation, University of Tübingen (2016) State Examination in Teacher Training, University of Münster (1987) Master's Degree in Ethnology, Sociology, and Romance Philology, University of Münster (1981) Sabine Klocke-Daffa’s research centers on social and cultural anthropology, particularly in southern Africa (Namibia), Madagascar, and Iran. Her key interests include social security systems, exchange relations, cultural dynamics of resources, religion, applied ethnology, and the integration of ethnology into education. She explores how traditional systems of care and solidarity adapt in modern contexts, especially through funeral insurances and basic income grants. Her work critically examines the interplay between local practices and globalized systems, emphasizing cultural appropriation and identity. Her recent publications (2016–2024) reveal a consistent thematic focus on security, trust, time, and resource valuation. Articles analyze life and funeral insurances in Namibia, mineral resource valuation in Iran, and the Sambatra ritual in Madagascar. These works highlight her anthropological approach to understanding how communities navigate risk, modernity, and social change. The keywords across her research include social insurance, cultural heritage, resource complexes, and transformative education. Challenging Authorities. Ethnographies of Legitimacy and Power in Eastern and Southern Africa (2021) Applied Ethnology. Perspectives of an application-oriented science (2019) The curse and blessing of resources (2016) Career orientation for cultural scientists (2009) Klocke-Daffa has supervised multiple PhD students whose work spans gender, cultural heritage, integration, and governance in diverse regions including Botswana, Namibia, Turkey, and Guatemala. She has been involved in significant research projects such as SFB 1070 'Resource Cultures' (co-leading 'Stones from the South' on Iranian gemstones) and the WILLE project on teaching ethnology. She is a founding member of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Global South Studies and the Center for Religion, Culture and Society at the University of Tübingen, and an associate member of the ELISA ethics project on IT exports to Sub-Saharan Africa. She is actively engaged in academic communities, including the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES) and the German Society for Cultural and Social Anthropology (DGSKA). She serves on the scientific advisory board and board of trustees of the Frobenius Institute Frankfurt. Her professional activities include organizing workshops, presenting at international conferences (EASA, IUAES, EAA), and promoting public anthropology through accessible writing and teaching.

Alexandra PhelanView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Political Violence
• Terrorism
• Insurgent Governance
• +4 more

Dr. Alexandra Phelan is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Monash University, specializing in insurgent governance, political violence, and gender analysis. She serves as an associate editor for Studies in Conflict and Terrorism , and holds fellowships at RUSI's Terrorism and Conflict group and the Small Wars Journal-El Centro. Her research focuses on Latin America, particularly Colombia's conflict and FARC's evolution, and explores intersections between gender, extremism, and organized crime. Phelan has led projects on gendered radicalisation, far-right movements, and online extremism. Notable collaborations include a UN Women-funded study on ASEAN's gendered peace dynamics and a UK-Australia comparative analysis of far-right misogyny. She has supervised over 20 research projects since 2020, including initiatives addressing school-based gender violence prevention. Education: Postdoctoral fellow at Monash GPS, Visiting Scholar at Georgetown University (2019) Books: The Combination of All Forms of Struggle (2025), Terrorism, Gender and Women (2021) Awards: Young Women To Watch In International Affairs (2019), Monash Faculty of Arts Dean's Award (2023) Her work bridges academia and policy, emphasizing gendered approaches to counterterrorism and conflict resolution. Current projects include analyzing gaming's role in radicalisation and developing teacher resources to combat online misogyny.

Christopher KutzView profile

Professor

• Moral Philosophy
• Political Philosophy
• Legal Philosophy
• +6 more

Christopher Kutz is the C. William Maxeiner Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program at Berkeley Law in 1998 after clerkships with Judge Stephen F. Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. His academic roles include visiting professorships at Columbia Law School, Stanford Law School, and Sciences Po University in Paris. Education: B.A., Yale University (1989) Ph.D., UC Berkeley (1996) J.D., Yale University (1997) His research focuses on moral, political, and legal philosophy with emphases on criminal law, international law, constitutional law, and democratic theory. Key themes include complicity in collective harm, ethics of warfare, climate change responsibilities, and democratic accountability. He teaches criminal law and philosophy courses. Notable publications include Complicity: Ethics and Law for a Collective Age (2000) and On War and Democracy (2016), exploring state violence ethics and democratic limitations on warfare. Recent work addresses norm erosion in international relations and justifications for national defense. He has held no listed awards but maintains active engagement in interdisciplinary legal scholarship. No advising record or grant details are provided in the source text.

Elizabeth AvetisianView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Transpersonal Psychology
• Consciousness Studies
• Contemplative Neuroscience
• +11 more

Elizabeth Avetisian is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Human Development at Pacific Oaks College, serving both the Pasadena and Online campuses. She holds a PhD in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology and brings a rich interdisciplinary background integrating psychology, consciousness studies, and technology. Education: PhD in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA MBA in Business Strategy, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA BS in Computer Science, California State University, Northridge, CA Her research focuses on the intersection of contemplative neuroscience, depth psychology, and consciousness studies, particularly exploring transpersonal experiences through the lens of phenomenology and hermeneutics. Drawing from ancient wisdom traditions—including Indigenous, Armenian, yogic, and shamanic practices—she investigates how embodied consciousness and personal rituals like meditation, breathwork, and dance shape human development and higher purpose. Her philosophical and somatic approach emphasizes intersubjectivity and the integration of spiritual experience into psychological frameworks. Her two most recent publications examine tasseography as both a Jungian symbolic practice and an empirical hermeneutic method, reflecting her unique fusion of mystical traditions with rigorous academic inquiry. This body of work contributes to the growing field of transpersonal studies by validating non-ordinary states and interpretive rituals as legitimate domains of psychological research. Professional Affiliations: Member, The Society for Consciousness Studies She has extensive experience mentoring graduate students and editing scholarly works across disciplines, with expertise in qualitative research design, critical scholarship, and academic writing. Her professional journey began with a decade-long corporate career in software development, systems analysis, and technical training, which informs her integrative perspective on organizational and personal transformation. She does not currently lead a formal lab or research team, though her scholarship promotes integrative, contemplative, and culturally informed approaches to human development.

• Political Movements
• Think Tanks
• Social Democracy
• +6 more

Prof. Wojciech Piotr Ziętara is a university professor at the Department of Political Movements and Ethnic Studies, Institute of Political and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska (UMCS). Holding a habilitation in political science (2014) and a PhD in political science (2006), he specializes in political movements, think tanks, and social democracy. Currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism (2019-2024), he previously held administrative roles as Vice-Dean for Student Affairs (2016-2019). Education: MA in Political Science (UMCS, 1999), MA in Law (UMCS, 2002) Current Roles: Professor, Dean, Researcher Core Research Areas: Political Movements, Think Tanks, Social Democracy His research focuses on political movements , think tanks , and social democracy across historical and contemporary contexts. Key projects include analyzing direct democracy mechanisms in Central/Eastern Europe and the ideological evolution of political organizations. Recent work explores critical infrastructure security, European political foundations, and the legitimization strategies of authoritarian regimes through referendums. Recent publications highlight trends in Central-Eastern European think tanks , direct democracy in post-Soviet states, and transnational political networks . His studies bridge theoretical frameworks (e.g., network theory) with empirical cases (e.g., Belarus, Russia, Catalonia). He also contributes to edited volumes on political ideologies and regional governance.

Joseph D. WellmanView profile

Associate Professor

• Social Psychology
• Stigma
• Health Psychology
• +9 more

Joseph D. Wellman is an Associate Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Mississippi, College of Liberal Arts. He joined the faculty in 2019 and was tenured and promoted in 2023. His research examines stigma, health, discrimination, and intergroup relations, with a focus on how identity and system beliefs shape responses to bias. He is the Director of Experimental Training and leads the SHADE Lab (Social Health and Discrimination Experiences Lab). Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Maine (2012) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Culture, Emotion, and Race, Wesleyan University Former Assistant Professor, California State University, San Bernardino Dr. Wellman's research centers on the psychological impact of stigma, particularly weight-based and racial discrimination. He investigates how group identification, system-legitimizing beliefs, and zero-sum thinking influence well-being and intergroup dynamics. His work spans social and health psychology, applying theoretical models like the rejection-identification model to real-world issues of equity and mental health. His recent publications (2017–2024) reveal a consistent focus on identity under threat—whether through weight stigma, racial ideology, or gender norms. Articles explore how identifying as 'fat' affects well-being, how zero-sum beliefs shape opposition to social progress, and how masculinity threats drive bias. These works appear in leading journals such as Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , Body Image , and Appetite , reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with health, identity, and social justice. Scientific recognition includes: Fellow, Society of Experimental Social Psychology (2022) Dr. Mike L. Edmonds New Scholar Award, UM College of Liberal Arts (2023) He has secured NSF ADVANCE grants at both California State University, San Bernardino and the University of Mississippi to promote diversity in academic hiring and promotion. He mentors Ph.D. students in the Experimental Psychology program and teaches courses in social psychology, stigma & health, and advanced quantitative methods. His lab, the SHADE Lab, supports research on discrimination and health disparities.

Barna Róza EmíliaView profile

Associate Professor

• Popular Music Studies
• Sociology of Music
• Digital Music Industries
• +12 more

Barna Róza Emília is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Communication at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). She holds a PhD in Popular Music Studies from the University of Liverpool (2011) and additional MA degrees in Sociology and English Studies from the University of Szeged. She also serves as a guest lecturer at the University of Pécs’ "University of Music" programme. Her research centers on the intersection of music, technology, and society, with particular focus on digital music industries, cultural labour, music and gender, music and politics, and popular music in semi-peripheral contexts . Her work critically examines how digitalization, state policies, and patriarchal structures shape music production, consumption, and labor, especially in Hungary and Eastern Europe. Her recent publications analyze the role of popular music in the rise of right-wing populism in Hungary, emotional labor among female music managers, the bedroom as a site of music production, and the gendered dynamics of digital music work. She employs qualitative methods including interviews, sociodrama, and discourse analysis. She leads and participates in major international research projects such as MUSICSTREAM (ERC), Popular Music and the Rise of Populism in Europe (Volkswagen Stiftung), and Creative Labour in the Hungarian Music Industry (NKFIH), reflecting her influence in the field of music sociology and cultural studies. Her academic leadership includes heading the Cultural Industries MA specialisation at BME and serving on the International Advisory Board of the IASPM Journal . She has co-organized major conferences on music, politics, and digital culture and is a frequent invited speaker at international events. She is also an active academic publisher, with recent books including Working in Music on the Semiperiphery and Popular Music, Technology, and the Changing Media Ecosystem , and has edited volumes on feminist perspectives and Hungarian popular music.

Marcin KosienkowskiView profile

Professor

• De facto states
• Sovereignty referenda
• Patron-client relations
• +6 more

Dr. hab. Marcin Kosienkowski is a full Professor at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), serving in the Department of International Relations and Security within the Institute of Political and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences. His primary affiliations include research and teaching roles focused on de facto states and Eastern European politics. Education: 2019: Habilitation in Social Sciences (Political and Administrative Science), Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw 2010: PhD in Political Science (International Relations), Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 2005: MSc in International Relations, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin Research Focus: Professor Kosienkowski specializes in de facto states, sovereignty dynamics, and patron-client relations, with regional expertise in Transnistria, Moldova, Gagauzia, and Ukrainian Bessarabia. His work explores legitimization strategies, soft power, and conflict resolution in post-Soviet territories. Publications: His recent articles (2021-2025) predominantly analyze de facto statehood, sovereignty referenda, and Russian influence in Eastern Europe. Key themes include geopolitical competition, autonomy models, and electoral politics in contested regions like Transnistria and Gagauzia. Awards: Medal of the National Education Commission (2021) Multiple Rector's Awards for scientific/organizational excellence (2017-2024) Best Master's Thesis in International Relations (2006) Projects & Advising: He has led research grants including Determinants of Stability of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (2008-2010) and contributed to projects on ethnic policy and digital diplomacy. Serves as reviewer for 20+ academic journals including Ethnopolitics and Nationalities Papers . Professional Experience: Conducted research stays in Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, and Estonia, with internships at institutions like the Carnegie Moscow Center and Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Laura WangerinView profile

Assistant Professor

• Medieval European History
• Medieval Legal History
• Politics of Sanctity
• +3 more

Laura Wangerin, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of History at Seton Hall University and an Honorary Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of History. Her research focuses on medieval legal history, the politics of sanctity, and comparative interdisciplinary methodologies, with a specialization in Medieval European History. She holds a triple major in History, English, and Spanish from Ripon College (cum laude), an MA in Medieval History from Indiana University-Bloomington, and an MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Education: Ripon College (BA), Indiana University (MA), University of Wisconsin-Madison (PhD) Her research explores themes such as Ottonian governance, medieval documentary sources, and the intersection of religious and secular authority. Recent work includes studies on Ottonian queens, decentralized political systems modeled after biological frameworks, and the role of relics in legitimizing power. Her publications span monographs, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on medieval Europe’s political and religious dynamics. Notable works include Kingship and Justice in the Ottonian Empire (2019) and studies on Liudprand of Cremona’s Antapodosis . She teaches courses such as 'Medieval Women,' 'The Crusades,' and 'Early Middle Ages,' integrating interdisciplinary approaches. Her academic affiliations include Seton Hall University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Honorary Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

Megan PriceView profile

Lecturer

• International Relations
• Security Studies
• Political Theory
• +3 more

Megan Price is a Lecturer in International Relations at the School of Social Sciences, University of Western Australia. Her research focuses on the politics of violence and legitimacy, particularly state justifications for domestic armed actions. She holds a PhD from the University of Queensland and previously served as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sheffield. Education: PhD in Political Science and International Studies (University of Queensland), postdoctoral research at University of Sheffield. Research Interests: Specializing in how states legitimize violence internationally, with case studies in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Key topics include international human rights law, constructivist theory, and the interplay between geopolitical norms and conflict. Publications (2022-2024): Focus on U.S. detention policies, Sri Lanka's civil war, Bangladesh's independence, and Indonesia's Aceh conflict, emphasizing legitimacy frameworks in armed conflicts. No awards listed. Active in global studies, ethics, and terrorism research networks.

Matt RainsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human Rights
• Political Violence
• Oppression
• +3 more

Matt Rains is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Whitworth University and Civil and Political Rights Lead for the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI). He joined Whitworth in 2024 after earning his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Georgia. His research focuses on human rights measurement, political violence, and structural oppression, addressing questions like why states target citizens with violence and how societal power structures deny human rights. His work spans political violence, political economy, and methodological innovation. Key projects include analyzing nationalism's role in torture practices, leadership legitimation strategies affecting human rights compliance, and developing measurement techniques for civil/political rights. As HRMI's Civil and Political Rights Lead, he oversees annual data collection on eight rights categories and at-risk populations. Additional projects include the Universal Periodic Review Other Stakeholders Engagement dataset (with Chun-Young Park) and research on human trafficking economics, conflict mediation sequencing, and text analysis of white supremacist rhetoric in U.S. political discourse. Rains' contributions emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to pressing global issues, blending quantitative and qualitative methods while maintaining close collaboration with advocacy organizations.