Joel Andreas is a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University since 2003, serving as Program Director of the East Asian Studies Program. His research focuses on political contention, social inequality, and social change in contemporary China. He holds a PhD in Sociology from UCLA and teaches social theory, political sociology, and courses on Chinese society. He has held visiting positions at universities including the University of Sydney, Hong Kong University, and Ningxia University. His work examines labor movements, rural land policies, and class dynamics in China. Recent research includes analyses of staff-worker congresses, rural land dispossession, and the persistence of militarism in U.S. policy. He critiques market reforms and explores the legacy of the Cultural Revolution. Andreas has contributed to debates on China’s transition to capitalism and the decline of socialist systems. His publications span topics from urbanization to state coercion in rural development. He maintains an active role in academic exchanges and policy-relevant research on China’s socio-political landscape.
Lillie Padilla is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics at Sam Houston State University's Department of World Languages and Cultures. Holding a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana, her research explores interdisciplinary connections between: Afro-Latinx representation in educational materials Discourse analysis and language ideologies Sociolinguistic studies in Equatorial Guinea Critical race theory applications in language teaching Her work focuses on Spanish subject pronoun expression patterns in multilingual contexts and curriculum development for inclusive pedagogy. Recent publications examine: Representation gaps in Spanish language textbooks Methodological challenges in Equatorial Guinea research Critical discourse analysis of Netflix's Elite series Intersectional representation of Afro-Latinx women Scientific achievements include: Finalist for American Association of Linguistics 2025 award for co-edited volume Representation, Inclusion and Social Justice in World Language Teaching Padilla's research continues to shape conversations about linguistic diversity and marginalized voices in language education through both empirical studies and theoretical frameworks.
Claire Bowern is Professor of Linguistics at Yale University specializing in historical linguistics, language documentation, and Australian Indigenous languages. Her research employs computational phylogenetics to study language evolution and supports language revitalization through digital archives and fieldwork methodologies. Recent publications address: Phylogenetic signal in lexical evolution across language families Digital infrastructure for endangered language documentation (FLEx software analysis) Decolonizing linguistics pedagogy and research practices Her work consistently integrates linguistic, anthropological, and computational approaches to analyze language diversity and change. She contributes to global databases including Grambank and D-PLACE, examining links between linguistic, cultural, and environmental patterns.
Jeffrey A. Cooper is a Professor of Law at Quinnipiac University School of Law , where he teaches courses in estate planning, wills and trusts, and taxation. He previously served as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and is currently faculty adviser to the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal . Education: AB from Harvard University, JD from Yale University, LLM from New York University Research Interests: His work focuses on tax policy , estate and gift taxation , and the intersection of federal tax law with state probate systems . He specializes in trust enforceability , uniform trust code , and historical analysis of tax legislation. Publications: Recent articles address perpetual trusts , state death tax decline , and curriculum reforms in estate planning education. His scholarship is widely published in national law journals and cited in casebooks. Scientific Awards: Academic Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Faculty Scholar, Quinnipiac University Professional Background: Before academia, Cooper practiced law for over a decade as a principal at Cummings & Lockwood, senior officer at United States Trust Company, and special counsel to Shipman & Goodwin. He also served as a senior adviser to Fiduciary Trust Company International.
Eric Van Young is a distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), specializing in colonial and 19th-century Latin American history, particularly Mexico. He has held significant roles, including Chair of the Department of History (2000-2004) and Interim Dean of the Division of Arts and Humanities (2007-2008). His research focuses on rural history, peasant movements, cultural history, and biographical studies of key figures like Lucas Alaman. He earned his B.A. from the University of Chicago (1967), M.A. and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (1968, 1978). Education: B.A. (University of Chicago), M.A. & Ph.D. (UC Berkeley) Roles: Professor of History, Department Chair, Interim Dean His research explores Mexico’s colonial and early national periods, emphasizing rural economic structures, popular rebellions, and the intersections of culture and politics. Current projects include a biography of Lucas Alaman and a synthetic history of Mexico (1750-1850). He has authored numerous books, including Writing Mexican History (2012) and The Other Rebellion (2001), alongside over 100 articles. His work bridges economic and cultural historiography, offering critical insights into regional dynamics and the construction of national identity. Van Young’s scholarly contributions include editorial roles for journals and book series, as well as extensive peer review for academic publishers. His interdisciplinary approach addresses themes like messianic movements, state formation, and the legacy of colonial institutions in modern Mexico.
Prof. Dr. Sakibe Nalan BÜYÜKKANTARCIOĞLU is a Professor at Çankaya University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies (English). She previously served as Professor (2007–2019), Associate Professor (2000–2007), and Assistant Professor (1997–2000) at Hacettepe University, Department of English Linguistics. PhD in English Linguistics (Hacettepe University, 1991) MA in English Language Teaching (Middle East Technical University, 1985) BA in English Teaching (Istanbul University, 1978) Her research spans Linguistics, Cognitive Linguistics, Discourse Analysis, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Translation Studies , with a focus on figurative language, interjections, political discourse, and endangered languages. She received the European Language Award (2011) and has supervised numerous PhD and MA theses, including work on Turkish idioms, gender representation, and language awareness. A prolific editor and conference participant, she has contributed to interdisciplinary projects and publications on Turkish sociolinguistics.
Azizjon ALIMOV is a Full Professor at IÉSEG School of Management (University of Lille, France), specializing in Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Law and Finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Oregon (2007) and an MBA from Central Michigan University (2001). His HDR (Habilitation) in Management Sciences was awarded by the University of Lille in 2023. His research focuses on corporate governance, cross-border M&A dynamics, and the interplay between legal frameworks and financial decision-making. Key themes include intellectual property rights' impact on corporate debt costs, product market competition effects on corporate cash holdings, and government borrowing influences on acquisition strategies. His work frequently examines global contexts, with studies spanning North America, Asia, and Europe. Notable publications include analyses of IPO staging mechanisms (2024), managerial discipline through trade liberalization (2023), and the role of labor protection laws in loan contracting (2015). His recent work emphasizes reproducibility in management science methodology (2023) and cross-border regulatory challenges in M&A. No scientific awards are explicitly listed; however, his extensive publication record reflects sustained academic contributions. He has advised students across institutions including City University of Hong Kong and the Sauder School of Business, though specific advisee names are not documented here. His professional experience includes roles at the University of Arizona (2008–2010), California State University (2007–2008), and as an HSBC Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia (2016–2018). He currently leads the Finance Track at IÉSEG, contributing to programs like the Grande École Master’s in Finance and MSc Corporate Finance courses.
Anette Mikes is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and a Hertford College Fellow. She specializes in risk management, corporate governance, and sustainability, with a focus on the intersection of ethics and organizational control systems. Her research explores how risk frameworks shape corporate decision-making, particularly in climate change and decarbonization contexts. Education: PhD in Accounting from the London School of Economics (2005) Pre-doctoral work in the City of London (2006–2007) studying Chief Risk Officer roles Research Interests: Behavioral approaches to risk management Management control systems for sustainability Ethics in corporate governance Decarbonization strategies in heavy industries Her 2012 Harvard Business Review article (with Robert Kaplan) on risk frameworks remains influential, while her documentary on the Kursk submarine disaster highlights crisis management failures. Awards: 2025 Honorary Doctorate from Uppsala University 2017 ACA Prize for Risk Management Contributions 2014 Global Risk Forum Film Award Key Contributions: Co-developed Harvard’s Risk Management executive program Leads research on ‘Values at Risk’ and corporate purpose Published widely on climate risk governance and ethical leadership Her recent work emphasizes decarbonization strategies and moral accountability in business, bridging accounting practices with environmental and ethical imperatives.
Emily Hannum is a Professor of Sociology and Education at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences. She is affiliated with the Population Studies Center, Center for the Study of Contemporary China, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Development Research Initiative. Education: PhD in Sociology from University of Michigan (1998) Research Focus: Poverty and child welfare, gender and ethnic stratification, sociology of education Projects: Gansu Survey of Children and Families, climate-environment-childhood inequalities in LMICs Workshops: Co-organizer of Penn Education and Inequality Workshop Her research explores childhood poverty in China, demographic impacts on education systems, and climate risks affecting children's welfare. She investigates environmental hazards, educational disparities, and family separation effects across China, India, and low/middle-income countries. Recent publications analyze educational expansion in East Asia, climate crisis impacts on child health, and gender disparities in Latin America. She directs longitudinal studies on rural poverty and collaborates on cross-national projects related to environmental and educational equity. Scientific awards include the Stanley I. Sheerr Term Professorship in Social Sciences.
Gilah Kletenik is a Research Fellow in Jewish Studies at the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies, University of Washington, holding the Hazel D. Cole Fellowship (2024-2026). She specializes in Jewish philosophy from medieval through modern periods with concentrated expertise in Spinoza's thought and its intellectual lineage. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University (2020) M.A. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies M.A. in Bible and Talmud Kletenik's research interrogates how power structures shape Western conceptions of reality, reason, and humanity, excavating alternatives in Jewish naturalism and immanence. She critically engages Spinoza's philosophy through medieval precursors (Maimonides, Gersonides), early modern contemporaries (Descartes, Anne Conway), and modern heirs (Marx, Deleuze), while situating this work within critical theory, new materialism, object-oriented ontology, affect theory, and queer theory frameworks. Her scholarship consistently bridges historical philosophical analysis with contemporary sociopolitical critique. Her public scholarship demonstrates thematic continuity across publications, examining institutional power dynamics in Jewish Studies through lenses of gender, antisemitism, and decolonization. These works reveal persistent patterns connecting medieval philosophical concepts to modern systemic issues in academia and society. Her distinguished fellowships include: Hazel D. Cole Fellow in Jewish Studies, University of Washington (2024-2026) Postdoctoral Associate, Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies, Boston University Alan M. Stroock Fellow, Center for Jewish Studies, Harvard University Currently completing her monograph "Sovereignty Disrupted: Spinoza and the Disparity of Reality," Kletenik maintains active public engagement through lectures and critical commentary, advancing interdisciplinary dialogue between Jewish philosophy and contemporary theoretical movements while challenging institutional norms in academic Jewish Studies.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg is Professor of Political Science with a focus on African Politics & Development Policy at the University of Bayreuth since 2022. He serves as Deputy Head of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) until 2025 and has held prior roles as Junior Professor and Senior Fellow at BIGSAS (2015–2021). His academic career includes research associate positions at the GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies (2006–2015) and teaching roles at the Universities of Abomey-Calavi, Heidelberg, and Lüneburg. Stroh-Steckelberg’s research spans comparative democracy studies , judicial politics , electoral systems , political party dynamics , and development policy in Africa, with regional expertise in Francophone West Africa and Rwanda . His work emphasizes institutional diffusion, informal networks in courts, and the interplay between formal and informal governance structures. Recent publications reveal a focus on judicial appointment policies , electoral manipulation , and local governance challenges across Africa. He contributes to methodological advancements in comparative area studies and network analysis , particularly in non-Western democracies. Stroh-Steckelberg is actively involved in academic communities including the American Political Science Association , German Political Science Association , and Association for African Studies in Germany .
Mulki Al-Sharmani is a Professor at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Cultures (specializing in Middle Eastern Studies). Her research focuses on Islamic feminism, Muslim family law, gender studies, and transnational migrant communities. She examines how religious texts and practices intersect with legal frameworks and social dynamics in contexts like Egypt, Finland, and the Somali diaspora. Her work includes analyzing Islamic legal reform, gender equality in marriage, and the lived experiences of Muslim women. Key publications explore Qur'anic hermeneutics, the role of feminist activism in legal change, and the wellbeing of transnational families. She has contributed to projects like 'Reclaiming Adl and Ihsan in Muslim Marriage' and co-edited volumes on Islamic ethics and family law reform. Research interests: Islamic feminist theory, Middle Eastern legal traditions, transnational family dynamics, and religious praxis. Recent articles highlight themes like Qur'anic ethics of marriage, legal pluralism in Finland, and the political dimensions of Egyptian family law reform. Active in international conferences, including presentations at SOAS University of London, American University in Cairo, and panels on Islamic law and gender at venues like MESA and EASR. Involved in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Africa Research Forum and Musawah's global network for equality in Muslim family laws.
Claire Célérier is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Household Finance. Her academic career spans prestigious institutions including the University of Toronto (where she advanced from Assistant to Associate Professor between 2016-2022) and the University of Zurich (2014-2016). She maintains an affiliation with the People's History Lab and actively contributes to academic discourse through conference organization including 'Race, Equity and Public Policy' (2023) and 'Banks, States and the People' (2024). Dr. Célérier's research explores how finance can benefit households through multiple lenses including behavioral economics, asset pricing, and financial history. Her work investigates innovation in finance, diversity and inclusion impacts, and historical perspectives on financial systems. She has developed significant expertise in household finance, banking, and the intersection of finance with social issues, particularly racial disparities in financial markets as demonstrated in her award-winning research on the Freedman's Savings Bank. Her scholarly output shows a clear trajectory from foundational work on security design and investor behavior toward increasingly socially relevant research on financial inclusion, racial equity, and household financial decision-making. Recent publications demonstrate her growing focus on historical contexts of financial systems and their contemporary implications, particularly regarding marginalized communities. Canada Research Chair in Household Finance (2024) Bank of Canada Governor's Award (2022) University of Toronto Top 5% Merit Award (2021) Petro Canada Young Innovators Award Program (2021) Multiple Rotman School of Management Teaching Awards (2019-2021) Ieke van den Burg Prize for Research on Systemic Risk (2015) Dr. Célérier has successfully secured substantial research funding including Insight Development Grants (CAD 54,500), Connaught Research Grant (CAD 10,000), and the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation Grant (EUR 400,000). She mentors several PhD students including Andrada Bilan (2020), Alexey Vasilenko (2023), and Purnoor Tak (Expected 2026), and has supervised numerous master's theses at both University of Toronto and University of Zurich. Her service contributions include Rotman School of Management MBA program committee, executive committee, seminar coordination, and faculty recruiting committee.
Andrew Radin is a Senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation and Associate Director of the Master of National Security Policy Program at the RAND School of Public Policy. His work focuses on European security, military activities in space, and state-building, with expertise in NATO, Russia, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Ph.D. in Political Science, MIT B.A. in Political Science and Mathematics, University of Chicago Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Southern California His research centers on European and Eurasian security , military strategy , and state-building in weak states . He emphasizes the role of local politics in institution-building and has conducted case studies in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Ukraine. His work explores hybrid warfare, deterrence, security sector reform, and U.S. policy toward Russia and China. His recent publications reveal a strong trend in analyzing space as a domain of military competition , NATO deterrence strategies , and Russian gray-zone aggression . Topics frequently include escalation dynamics, allied cooperation, and the future of the liberal international order. His research combines policy relevance with academic rigor. Scientific Contributions and Recognition: Author of Institution Building in Weak States: The Primacy of Local Politics (Georgetown University Press) Published in Security Studies , Journal of Conflict Resolution , Washington Quarterly , and War on the Rocks Contributor to high-impact RAND reports on Ukraine, NATO, Russia, and international order Andrew Radin has advised on national security policy, including serving as Country Director for Afghanistan in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. He previously taught as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. He has not received mention of specific grants or student advisees, but his leadership in the Master of National Security Policy program suggests mentorship and program development responsibilities. He is active in shaping U.S. defense and foreign policy through research and commentary. Laboratories, Teams, and Research Groups: He is affiliated with the RAND Corporation’s international security research division and contributes to projects on global competition, military strategy, and political warfare. His work is often collaborative, involving multidisciplinary teams focused on defense policy and strategic stability.
Rodrigo Carril is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Business at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and an Affiliated Professor at the Barcelona School of Economics (BSE). His research focuses on Public Economics and Industrial Organization, particularly examining public procurement policies and their economic impacts. He holds a PhD in Economics from Stanford University (2020) and is a Juan de la Cierva Researcher. Education: PhD in Economics, Stanford University (2020). His work explores topics such as pharmaceutical market dynamics, defense contracting efficiency, and regulatory frameworks for public procurement. He has received prestigious awards including the Claire and Ralph Landau Prize (2020) and the Young Economists' Essay Award (2022). Key research trends include analyzing procurement policies' effects on competition, evaluating preference programs for disadvantaged groups, and methodological contributions to econometric techniques like regression discontinuity designs. Awards: Claire and Ralph Landau Prize 2020 Young Economists' Essay Award 2022 Advising and Grants: While specific grants aren’t listed, his collaborative work involves co-authors like Claudia Allende, Mark Duggan, and Andres Gonzalez-Lira, indicating active academic partnerships. He is affiliated with the BSE and contributes to policy-oriented research initiatives. Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary projects at UPF and BSE, focusing on public sector efficiency and regulatory economics.
