Michael Lucey is the Sidney and Margaret Ancker Chair and Distinguished Professor of French and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. His work bridges French literature from the 19th to 21st centuries with social theory, sexuality studies, and linguistic anthropology. He has authored the critically acclaimed What Proust Heard: Novels and the Ethnography of Talk (2022) and Thinking about Sexuality with Novels (forthcoming). As founding director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Culture , he has shaped interdisciplinary research in queer theory and gender studies. Current research focuses on novels as ethnographic tools Specializes in Proust, Balzac, Woolf, and contemporary French fiction Translation work includes Didier Eribon and Édouard Louis His recent articles explore phonetics in narrative, readability frameworks, and sociological implications of literary form. He actively engages with comparative methodologies and critical theory, while his teaching spans British and American literature’s intersections with French modernism. Lucey’s academic leadership includes directing Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Sexual Culture, which supports global discourse through fellowships and conferences. His office hours are held in Dwinelle Hall and via Zoom. Contact: mlucey@berkeley.edu
Nicholas Evans is Distinguished Professor of Linguistics and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL) at the Australian National University’s School of Culture, History & Language. His work bridges fieldwork-based language documentation with theoretical questions in typology, cultural evolution, and social cognition. Focus on endangered Australian and Papuan languages Director of ARC Laureate Project on 'The Wellsprings of Linguistic Diversity' Co-leader of SCOPIC (Social Cognition Parallax Corpus) study Collaborator in global linguistic diversity initiatives His research explores how micro-level community multilingualism shapes macro-level linguistic diversity, with fieldwork spanning seven years in remote Indigenous communities. Recent projects include PARABANK (paradigm syncretism analysis) and Southern New Guinea language studies, particularly Nen and Yam family languages. Scientific recognition includes the Ken Hale Award (Linguistic Society of America), Anneliese Maier Forschungspreis, and fellowships in the Australian Academy of Humanities, Australian Social Sciences Academy, and the British Academy.
Matthew Potolsky is Professor of English at the University of Utah, specializing in nineteenth-century literature and literary theory. His career spans from 1998 Lecturer at Harvard University to current University Professorship. He earned a BA in Comparative Literature and Philosophy (1990), followed by MA and PhD in Comparative Literature (1992, 1997) from UC Irvine. Chair of English Department (2013-2016) University Professor (2014-2016) Research focuses on Decadence , Mimesis , Finance-Aesthetics intersections , and Government Secrecy . His work traces connections between financialization and decadent aesthetics, revealing how economic cycles influence artistic production. Key themes include: Decadent anti-realist literary movements Finance capital's cultural impact Decadent counterpublic formations Victorian aesthetic education debates Sublime aesthetics in national security Cosmopolitanism in literary communities Recent publications analyze: Decadent style as financialization rhetoric Reintroduction of verisimilitude theory Decadent responses to financial crises Mimetic labor in artistic production Decadent cosmopolitan counterpublics Historical parallels between financialization and literary decadence
Hanjie Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Rice University, affiliated with the Ken Kennedy Institute. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and a Master's from the University of Science and Technology of China. Her research focuses on Natural Language Processing, Interpretable Machine Learning, and Trustworthy AI, emphasizing model explainability, alignment with human needs, and applications in healthcare, sports, and medicine. She has advised numerous students and led initiatives in AI ethics and education. Education: Ph.D. (Computer Science, UVA 2023), M.Sc. (USTC 2018), B.Sc. (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2015). Awards include the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award (UVA 2023) and John A. Stankovic Research Award (UVA 2023). She has organized workshops like BlackboxNLP and served on program committees for ACL, NAACL, and EMNLP. Her recent work includes developing benchmarks like SPORTU for multimodal LLMs, evaluating medical question-answering systems, and advancing methods for robust rationale evaluation (RORA). She teaches courses on Natural Language Processing and Trustworthy NLP, emphasizing pedagogical innovation recognized by teaching awards at UVA. Research collaborations include internships at Microsoft Research, IBM, and the Allen Institute for AI. She mentors students in SURF programs and advocates for diversity in tech, serving as a mentor in UVA's CSGSG Council.
Hans Beck serves as Professor of Greek History at the University of Münster (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität) since 2018, with an additional appointment as Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Arts at McGill University. His academic career includes previous positions as Professor of Ancient History and Director of Classical Studies at McGill University (2005-2018), Heisenberg Fellow at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (2004-2005), and Research Assistant at the University of Cologne (1997-2004). Beck earned his academic training through doctoral studies at the Universities of Erlangen, Canterbury, and Cambridge (1989-1996), followed by a fellowship at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC (2001-2002). His educational background reflects a strong international foundation in classical studies. His research spans multiple interconnected fields within ancient history, with particular emphasis on the history and culture of ancient Greece, historical geography of Greece, environmental studies of the ancient Greek world, political culture of the Roman Republic, and ancient historiography. Beck's work consistently explores themes of localism, federalism, and political structures across ancient societies, with notable contributions to understanding Greek city-states, regional identities, and comparative political systems. His approach often bridges geographical, historical, and cultural perspectives to examine how ancient communities organized themselves politically and maintained regional identities within larger frameworks. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a sustained focus on local political structures within broader contexts, particularly examining how Greek city-states maintained autonomy while participating in federal leagues. His work increasingly incorporates comparative approaches, connecting Greek political structures with those of Rome and even ancient China, reflecting his editorial work on cross-cultural studies. Beck demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing how physical landscapes shaped political organization and how religious practices reinforced regional identities. Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2018) Anneliese Maier Research Award from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (2014) Heisenberg Fellowship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (2004) Doctoral scholarship from German Academic Exchange Service (1995) Doctoral scholarship from Hanns Seidel Foundation (1994) Beck has supervised numerous doctoral students including Jordan Christopher (2022), Chandra Giroux (2021), Wentian Fu (2020), Rebecca Robinson (2017), Alex McAuley (2015), and François Gauthier (2015), covering diverse topics from ancient Qin and Macedon to cult practices in ancient empires. His academic leadership extends to directing research projects B3-49 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and B3-40 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece' within the Excellence Cluster focusing on 'Religious Diversity and Legal-Political Unity.' As head of the project 'Belonging in/to Lakonia' and 'Localism and Religion in Ancient Greece,' Beck leads interdisciplinary research teams examining archaeological and historical evidence from the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amyklai and its surroundings. His work integrates textual analysis with material culture studies, creating comprehensive approaches to understanding ancient regional identities and religious practices. Beck's leadership in these projects demonstrates his commitment to bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries in classical studies.
Professor Lizelle Bisschoff is a Professor of Film Studies at the University of Glasgow’s School of Culture & Creative Arts. She specializes in African cinema with particular focus on gender representation, digital technologies, and film festival curation. Her research bridges academic scholarship and practical initiatives, such as co-founding the Africa in Motion Film Festival (AiM). She holds a PhD from the University of Stirling and has held prestigious fellowships including the Leverhulme Trust (2010-2012) and Lord Kelvin Adam Smith (2012-2015). Education: PhD in African Cinema (University of Stirling, 2009) MSc in Cultural Studies (University of Edinburgh, 2005) Research Interests: Gender dynamics in African filmmaking Emerging digital film industries across sub-Saharan Africa Postcolonial cinema and modernist aesthetics Her work emphasizes decolonizing film studies through projects like AiM Festival and edited volumes such as Women in African Cinema . Recent research explores African science fiction and feminist archives. She has secured £115k in grants for film restoration and educational outreach programs. Awards: Leverhulme Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship AHRC Follow-on Funding for Impact (£90k) British Federation of Women Graduates Scholarship Teaching: Convenes MSc Film Curation program Teaches Introduction to African Cinemas and Race on Screen Key Projects: Lead curator for Africa’s Lost Classics restoration initiative Organized international symposia on African art and activism
Dr. Michael Boyd is a prominent archaeologist affiliated with the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and serves as an Honorary Research Associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and a Senior Research Affiliate at The Cyprus Institute . His work centers on the prehistoric Aegean, with expertise in material culture, mortuary studies, ritual practices, and landscape archaeology. Research Interests : Boyd's scholarship interrogates the theoretical and methodological foundations of archaeology, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between landscapes, tombs, and human agency. His studies span Early Bronze Age Cycladic cultures, environmental archaeology, and the emergence of ritualized spaces in the Aegean. Publications : Boyd has co-directed the Keros Seaways Project and authored seminal works on Aegean ritual deposits, including the Keros Sanctuary volumes (2016–2018) and Staging Death (2016). His 2021 edited volume Far from Equilibrium critiques contemporary archaeological theory and advocates for reorienting the discipline. Methodological Contributions : He pioneers interdisciplinary and geo-ethnoarchaeological approaches, integrating soil micromorphology and phytolith analysis to reconstruct degradable architectural elements in the Cyclades.
Janna Parker is a professor in the Department of Marketing at James Madison University, specializing in digital marketing, retailing, and nonprofit marketing. With a career transition from political campaigns, she focuses on social media's role in personal and professional branding. Her research examines work-personal social media boundaries, employer governance policies, and volunteerism in nonprofit contexts. Education: Bachelor's in History (California State University Sacramento), Master's (Cameron University), Doctorate (Louisiana Tech) Teaching Interests: Digital marketing education, social media strategy, nonprofit marketing Her scholarly work spans social media governance, volunteer engagement, and retail dynamics, with recent emphasis on digital marketing pedagogy and cancel culture implications. Parker has contributed to academic journals through empirical studies and conceptual commentaries. Key article trends include: Digital marketing education evolution (2024) Social media governance in corporate and nonprofit contexts (2024) Online teaching satisfaction in higher education (2022) Volunteer brand community dynamics (2020) Consumer behavior frameworks (2019) Her media appearances include expert commentary on holiday retail strategies and social media research, reflecting practical applications of her academic work.
Patricia M. Thornton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at the University of Oxford and a Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Merton College. She specializes in Chinese politics, focusing on state-society interactions, authoritarian governance, and the legacies of the Cultural Revolution. Her research explores institutions, practices, and networks shaping governance in China, including works like *Disciplining the State* (2007) and *Red Shadows* (2017). She has held leadership roles at Oxford, including Chair of the Sub-Faculty of Politics and International Relations, and served on editorial boards such as *The China Quarterly*. Her work addresses contemporary challenges like authoritarian resilience, social control mechanisms, and political dissent. Research Interests: - State formation and governance in China - Authoritarian political systems - Memory and legacies of the Cultural Revolution - Party-state dynamics and social movements - Comparative political institutions Publications highlight themes like economic governance, social movements, and policy implementation. She has supervised numerous PhD students, many now leading academics in Asia-Pacific studies. Her contributions to understanding China’s political evolution are complemented by media commentary on current events, including analysis of Xi Jinping’s governance strategies and societal trends. Awards: Merton College Fellowship Key Projects: Edited *To Govern China* (2017) and *Red Shadows* (2017)
Brendan O'Connor is an Associate Professor in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on computational social science and natural language processing (NLP), particularly exploring how social factors influence language technologies and using text analysis to understand societal trends. His work includes studies on racial bias in NLP, political event analysis, and social media linguistics. He holds a PhD in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University (2014) and dual MS/BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University (2006). Education: PhD in Machine Learning, Carnegie Mellon University (2014) MS in Symbolic Systems, Stanford University (2006) BS in Symbolic Systems, Stanford University (2006) Research interests span AI ethics, social media analysis, and computational methods for studying language and society. Notably, he investigates racial disparities in NLP systems, linguistic variation in African American English, and event detection in news and social media. His work has been recognized with NSF CAREER and Google Faculty awards, and his research has been cited thousands of times. His lab, the Statistical Social Language Analysis Lab, develops tools for analyzing large-scale text data. He is affiliated with the Center for Data Science, Center for Intelligent Information Retrieval, and Computational Social Science Institute. Recent projects include analyzing global news coverage of critical events and developing frameworks for zero-shot argument explication. Awards and Honors: NSF CAREER Award Google Faculty Research Award Best Paper Award Advising and Grants: O'Connor has advised projects on social media polling representativeness and demographic analysis. His grants include collaborative research on sociopolitical event extraction and bias mitigation in AI systems. He has also contributed to platforms like Rookie for news archive exploration and ezCoref for coreference resolution. Labs/Teams: Leads the Statistical Social Language Analysis Lab and collaborates with the UMass NLP Group and Harvard Institute for Quantitative Social Science. His work bridges NLP with social science methodologies, emphasizing transparency in algorithms and causal inference using text data.
Carol Carpenter is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Research Scholar at Yale University's School of the Environment. She has held teaching and research positions at Syracuse University, the University of Hawaii, and Hawaii-Pacific University, and a research role at the East-West Center. Her expertise spans environmental anthropology, conservation, sustainable development, and gender in agrarian systems. She earned a B.A. from SUNY Binghamton and M.A./Ph.D. from Cornell University. Her research focuses on the social science of conservation, economic anthropology in agriculture, and gender dynamics in ecological systems. Notable fieldwork includes four years in Indonesia studying rituals and social networks, followed by four years in Pakistan as a development consultant on social forestry and women's issues for USAID, the World Bank, and the Asia Foundation. She joined Yale in 1998 and published Power in Conservation: Environmental Anthropology Beyond Political Ecology (2020) and co-edited Environmental Anthropology: An Historical Reader (2007). Her recent work critiques conservation practices through an anthropological lens, emphasizing cultural contexts and gender roles. Earlier studies explored resource management in Pakistan, including women’s labor in agriculture and afforestation impacts. Her articles span decades, addressing topics from ritual ethnobotany to development surveillance in Bolivia. While no specific grants or lab affiliations are detailed, her consultancy roles highlight applied research in development sectors. No awards are explicitly mentioned, though her academic contributions are substantial.
William Yang Wang serves as the Mellichamp Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2019-present). He directs the UCSB Center for Responsible Machine Learning, the Mind and Machine Intelligence Initiative, and the UCSB NLP Group. His research focuses on theoretical foundations and practical algorithms for AI, particularly in NLP, LLMs, and neuro-symbolic reasoning. PhD in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University Active in AI theory and applications (2016-present) Research interests span multiple AI domains, with special emphasis on NLP and responsible machine learning. He has pioneered datasets like HybridQA, TabFact, and VaTeX, enabling advancements in multi-hop QA, fact verification, and video-language tasks. His work combines statistical relational learning with modern deep learning paradigms. Recent publications center around multimodal reasoning, knowledge graph integration, and responsible AI development. He has received numerous accolades including the IEEE SPS Pierre-Simon Laplace Award (2024) and NSF CAREER Award (2021). Karen Sparck Jones Award (2022) DARPA Young Faculty Award (2018) IBM Faculty Award Mentoring 15+ PhD and postdoc researchers who now hold positions at Microsoft Research, Amazon, Meta GenAI, and academic institutions like Arizona and Rutgers. His lab maintains active collaborations with industry partners through initiatives like ChipAgents.ai, which he founded as CEO.
Angelika Malinar, Professor of Indology at the University of Zurich and member of its Gender Studies Department, specializes in Hinduism, Indian philosophy, and Sanskrit literature. Her work spans historical and modern contexts, with a focus on epic texts and Indo-European exchanges. She co-edits the Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism and contributes to the University Research Priority Program "Asia and Europe." PhD and habilitation from University of Tübingen Researcher at Tübingen, Berlin, and London Her research integrates Sanskrit epics, philosophical traditions, and modern Hindu identity. Recent publications analyze Mahābhārata theology, ritual practices, and cross-cultural interpretations. She explores how texts like the Bhagavadgītā and Nārāyaṇīya bridge ritualism, aesthetics, and individual authority. Key article trends examine cosmological monotheism , epic decision-making , and colonial reinterpretations . Her editorial roles include interdisciplinary volumes on time, purity, and Indo-European cultural dialogues. As a Senior Lecturer at SOAS and Professor in Zurich, she has led projects on monastic institutions, rasas, and canonical formation. Her work contextualizes Indian philosophy within global frameworks, notably nineteenth-century German Indology.
Wang Ning is a distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature with affiliations at Tsinghua University (part-time) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His career spans prestigious roles including Zhiyuan Chair Professor (2009–present) and Changjiang Distinguished Professor (2013–present). Born in 1955, he holds academic qualifications from institutions in China, Europe, and North America. Research interests focus on cosmopolitanism, translation studies, Northrop Frye's mythopoeia, cultural studies, and Chinese-Western comparative literature. He has secured over ten grants since 1991 aimed at introducing European theory to China and has conducted research across Europe, North America, and Australia as a visiting professor/research fellow. Key achievements include the Changjiang Scholars Award (2013), membership in Académé de la Latinité (2010), and fellowships at Cambridge and Gottingen Universities. He co-founded Chinese editions of New Literary History and Critical Inquiry , advancing transnational literary discourse. Wang has delivered keynote lectures globally and led initiatives to bridge Chinese and Western literary traditions. His work emphasizes global literary dynamics, translation’s role in cultural exchange, and reinterpreting modern Chinese literature within global contexts.
Astrid Wagner is a Senior Scientist and Deputy Director at the Institute of Philosophy (IFS) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid. She holds a PhD in Philosophy from Technische Universität Berlin, recognized by the National University of Distance Education (UNED), and previously served as professor for 20 years at TU Berlin. Her research focuses on philosophy of culture, science epistemology, and digital society challenges. Key interests include philosophy of language, perception phenomenology, pragmatism, and ethical implications of digital transformation. Recent work examines uncertainty dynamics, trust frameworks, post-truth phenomena, infodemics, conspiracy theories, cognitive vulnerability, and digital citizenship. Wagner leads major research initiatives including the INconRES project on ethical-epistemological keys to digital social dynamics (2021-2025), the ORTEGA-CM interdisciplinary innovation consortium on José Ortega y Gasset's legacy (2024-2026), and previously directed the RESPONTRUST project combating COVID-19 disinformation (2021-2023). She co-leads the DESTERRA project analyzing disinformation's societal foundations (2022-2025) and participates in UCM's Rationality, Knowledge and Action research group. She serves on Spain's Committee of Experts for National Security against disinformation, advises the Congressional Science Office, and holds editorial positions at the Journal of Ortega Studies. Wagner contributes to GENET Association's Gender Studies Network and juries for the Princess of Asturias Award and Javier Muguerza Philosophy Prize.
