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Melvyn R.W. HamstraView profile

Professor

• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership
• Human Resource Management
• +6 more

Melvyn R.W. Hamstra is a Full Professor at IÉSEG School of Management in France since 2023. His academic career includes roles as Associate Professor (2021–2023) and Assistant Professor (2020–2021) at IÉSEG, as well as Assistant Professor positions at the University of Maastricht (2015–2020) and the University of Amsterdam (2013–2015). He holds a Ph.D. in Behavioural and Social Sciences from the University of Groningen (2013), preceded by a Master’s (2009) and Bachelor’s (2007) in Psychology from the same institution. Research Interests : His work centers on organizational behavior, leadership, and employee motivation, with a strong emphasis on regulatory focus theory, employee voice dynamics, and knowledge management. Key themes include how leadership styles (e.g., promotion vs. prevention focus) influence team innovation, conflict resolution, and workplace morale. Publication Trends : Recent publications (2025–2024) explore topics such as gender bias in leadership evaluation, financial stress and counterproductive behavior, ethical conflict in teams, and the dual-edged role of humor in workplace negotiations. His longitudinal studies on religious engagement and life satisfaction, as well as theoretical models on knowledge withholding, highlight interdisciplinary breadth. Teaching : He contributes to bachelor and master’s programs at IÉSEG, focusing on leadership development, positive leadership, and organizational learning.

Patricia M ThorntonView profile

Associate Professor

• Chinese Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Political Sociology
• +4 more

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)

Kevin KochersbergerView profile

Associate Professor

• Dynamics and control
• Autonomous aerial systems
• Applied aerodynamics
• +7 more

Dr. Kevin Kochersberger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech , with a career spanning academic research, technical innovation, and educational leadership. His work focuses on autonomous aerial systems , robotic control , and applied aerodynamics , particularly through the Uncrewed Systems Laboratory . Kochersberger's research has pioneered UAV-based radiation detection , 3D terrain mapping , and low-resource drone applications , including establishing the African Drone and Data Academy in Malawi . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1994) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1984) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1983) A.S., Engineering Science, Jamestown Community College (1981) Kochersberger's publications demonstrate expertise in UAV path planning , smart material actuation , and radiation source localization , with over $9M in research funding. His scientific awards include AIAA Associate Fellow (2009) and Aviation Week Aerospace Laureate (2003). Notable projects involve helicopter-deployable robotic systems and urban canyon navigation without GPS. Recent articles highlight BVLOS drone simulators , 2.5D terrain mapping , and autonomous negative obstacle traversal , reflecting his focus on real-time adaptive control and heterogeneous robotic systems . He teaches Drone Technology and Flight Operations and Advanced Design Projects , emphasizing student-driven innovation and industry collaboration .

Meg RithmireView profile

Professor

• Comparative Political Economy
• China's Political Economy
• State-Business Relations
• +7 more

Meg Rithmire serves as the James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration within the Business, Government, and International Economy Unit at Harvard Business School. She holds concurrent faculty affiliations at Harvard's Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Fairbank Center for East Asian Studies, and Harvard Faculty Committee on Southeast Asia, where she convenes the Chinese Economy Seminar. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Government from Harvard University, establishing her expertise in comparative political economy with regional specialization in China and Southeast Asia. Education: PhD in Government, Harvard University Professor Rithmire's research investigates the volatile intersection of concentrated political power and market mechanisms within authoritarian contexts. She pioneers analysis of mutual endangerment dynamics where distrust between business and political elites—coupled with financial liberalization—creates destabilizing relationships, as documented in her award-winning book Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia . Her scholarship spans Chinese land politics, outward investment patterns, and the geopolitical risks threatening US-China economic interdependence. Recent work increasingly focuses on business risk management frameworks for navigating national security threats in global operations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a sharp pivot toward geopolitical risk governance, with 60% of her 2022-2025 output addressing business resilience in deteriorating US-China relations. While maintaining deep historical analysis of China's political economy, her contemporary work integrates security studies frameworks, reflecting the securitization of economic policy. This evolution demonstrates how authoritarian capitalism's global expansion forces multinational corporations to develop sophisticated risk assessment protocols beyond traditional market analysis. Awards & Honors: 2023 HBS Student Association Faculty Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Elective Curriculum 2020 Greenhill Award for Outstanding Service to the HBS Community 2015 Charles M. Williams Award for Teaching Excellence 2015 HBS Student Association Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Required Curriculum Professor Rithmire advises executive education programs on geopolitical risk management while co-chairing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Geopolitical Risk and Resilience initiative. Her research receives institutional support through Harvard's Fairbank Center and Weatherhead Center affiliations, with editorial leadership roles at The China Quarterly and The China Journal amplifying her influence. Current grant activities focus on developing corporate risk assessment frameworks for national security threats, particularly regarding Chinese market operations. She leads the Business Geopolitical Risk and Resilience initiative with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, convening multinational executives and policymakers to develop practical risk management protocols. Through the Fairbank Center's Chinese Economy Seminar, she facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue among economists, political scientists, and area specialists examining China's evolving economic governance structures. These platforms bridge academic research with real-world business and policy challenges in an era of strategic competition.

Jiahong ChenView profile

Lecturer

• Data Protection Law
• Cybersecurity Law
• Law and AI
• +2 more

Dr. Jiahong Chen is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Sheffield School of Law . His research focuses on the intersection of law and technology, particularly Data Protection Law , Cybersecurity Law , Law and AI , and Internet Regulation . He serves as Departmental EDI Director and Deputy LLM Programme Director. PhD, University of Edinburgh LLM, China University of Political Science and Law LLB, China University of Political Science and Law His research examines regulatory challenges in smart homes , large language models , and data ethics . Current projects include the ESRC-funded "The Internet of Tactical Engagement (IoTE)" and RAI UK's "Addressing Socio-technical Limitations of Large Language Models" . Publications span GDPR interpretation, health data regulation, and smart device accountability. He teaches modules on Information Technology Law , Data Privacy and Governance , and Consumer Law .

Alison Braley-RattaiView profile

Associate Professor

• Labour Law
• Employment Law
• Human Rights in the Workplace
• +3 more

Dr. Alison Braley-Rattai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Labour Studies at Brock University. Her research focuses on labour rights, employment law, and human rights in the workplace, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of labour policies and constitutional rights. She holds a PhD from the University of Western Ontario, an LLM from Osgoode Hall, an MA from York University, and a BA (Hons) from York University. Her work explores topics such as union responses to workplace mandates, constitutional challenges to back-to-work legislation, and the legal contours of academic freedom. She has published extensively on issues like the right to strike, pandemic-related labour policies, and the impact of political shifts on labour relations. Dr. Braley-Rattai’s scholarship bridges legal frameworks, policy analysis, and real-world labour dynamics. Her recent articles highlight trends in pandemic-era workplace policies, constitutional implications of labour disputes, and the evolving role of minority unionism. She actively contributes to debates on balancing employer obligations with worker rights, particularly in contexts like vaccination mandates and free speech directives.

Alexander DunlapView profile

Researcher

• Political Ecology
• Environmental Justice
• Extractive Development
• +3 more

Alexander Dunlap is a Research Scientist at Boston University's Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) and a visiting research fellow at the University of Helsinki's Global Development Studies department. He holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, an MSc in Modules from the University of Sussex (UK), an MA in Environment, Development and Policy from Sussex, and a BS in Political Science from Portland State University (USA). His work critically examines energy transitions, extractive industries, and the socioecological impacts of green capitalism. Research Interests: Political ecology of low-carbon technologies Green extractivism in global contexts Decolonial and anarchist approaches to sustainability State violence and counterinsurgency tactics Environmental justice in renewable energy projects Publications: Dunlap’s recent work focuses on solar energy injustices in California, industrial solar manufacturing in Ohio, and the militarization of nature. His articles interrogate how 'green' infrastructure reinforces colonial and capitalist systems, often through spatial dispossession and anti-Indigenous violence. Labs/Teams: Active in IGS research clusters studying infrastructural harm and energy justice. Co-editor of Human Geography , a journal promoting radical interdisciplinary scholarship. Future Work: Continuing research on solar project lifecycles, particularly mining-to-decommissioning impacts, and expanding analysis of Europe’s energy grid conflicts.

Tim BaarslagView profile

Professor

• Automated Negotiation
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Artificial Intelligence
• +4 more

Tim Baarslag is a Senior Researcher and group leader of the Intelligent and Autonomous Systems group at CWI (The Dutch research institute for Mathematics and Computer Science). He holds the title of Professor of Mathematics of Cooperative AI at Eindhoven University of Technology and serves as a Visiting Associate Professor at Nagoya University of Technology, Visiting Fellow at the University of Southampton, and Visiting Scholar at MIT. His research focuses on automated negotiation systems for collaborative decision-making in smart energy trading, IoT, autonomous vehicles, and digital privacy. Education : MSc (cum laude) and BSc (cum laude) from Utrecht University; PhD (cum laude) from Delft University of Technology Tim pioneered the COMBINE project (NWO Vidi grant) for coordinating multi-deal negotiations and developed the widely-used Genius negotiation environment. His work appears in prestigious venues like Science Magazine , Artificial Intelligence , and MIT Technology Review . He also leads the International Automated Negotiating Agent Competition and contributes to policy through memberships in The Young Academy and Netherlands Academy of Engineering . Recent research trends emphasize multi-deal negotiation protocols (2024), preference uncertainty modeling in privacy negotiations (2022), and scalable algorithms for handling outcome spaces as large as 10²⁵⁰ possibilities. His 2023 work on search algorithms for large negotiation domains has applications in energy trading and supply chain management. Scientific Awards : Cor Baayen Young Researcher Award (2017), Springer Theses Award (2016), multiple Best Paper Awards (AAMAS 2022, WI-IAT 2015, IJCAI 2014), and recognitions as Science Talent (2018), Academic Pioneer (2020), and Young Talent (2019) As a grant recipient , Tim leads NWO Vidi project COMBINE and previously held a Veni grant for preference uncertainty research. He mentors through organizing competitions, serving on conference PCs (AAAI, IJCAI), and reviewing in top journals like Artificial Intelligence . His work bridges theory and practice through the Genius framework and real-world implementations in smart grid and vehicular platooning.

Jacques deLisleView profile

Professor

• Chinese Law
• International Relations
• Taiwan Studies
• +3 more

Jacques deLisle is the Stephen A. Cozen Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China, co-director of the Center for Asian Law, and director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. His expertise centers on contemporary Chinese law, politics, and U.S.-China relations, with a focus on legal reform, cross-strait relations, and Taiwan's international status. DeLisle’s research explores the interplay between law, governance, and international dynamics in China. His notable works analyze China’s engagement with international law, Taiwan’s diplomatic strategies, and the implications of U.S. policy toward the region. Recent publications include studies on China-India territorial disputes, political warfare tactics by authoritarian regimes, and the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party. His work frequently addresses geopolitical issues such as the South China Sea disputes, the impact of the pandemic on U.S.-China relations, and the legal frameworks governing cross-strait interactions. DeLisle has advised on legal reform initiatives in China and frequently engages in policy discussions, including as an expert witness on Chinese law and a consultant for development programs.

Miles Maochun YuView profile

Professor

• China
• Communism
• Military History
• +7 more

Miles Maochun Yu is a Professor of East Asia and military/naval history at the United States Naval Academy, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and the Robert Alexander Mercer Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. His expertise spans China policy, military history, US-China relations, and geopolitical strategy, with a focus on historical precedents influencing modern conflicts. Doctorate in History, University of California, Berkeley Master’s Degree, Swarthmore College Bachelor’s Degree, Nankai University Yu’s research synthesizes military history and contemporary CCP behavior, analyzing ideological roots of Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, military technology evolution in US-China rivalry, and Cold War parallels. His work examines how historical events like the 1958 Quemoy-Matsu Crisis and 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War inform current strategic dynamics. His recent publications reveal trends in China’s strategic deception, post-CCP transition scenarios, and the role of AI in future military engagements. These works bridge historical analysis with policy recommendations, emphasizing ideological clarity in countering authoritarian regimes. Recipient of USNA Top Researcher Award US Navy Special Action Award US Navy Meritorious Service Awards As former China Policy Advisor to Secretary Mike Pompeo, Yu has shaped U.S. foreign policy discussions. He regularly consults governmental agencies, testifies before Congress, and serves as chief historian for military documentaries on the History and Discovery Channels.

Emily JonesView profile

Associate Professor

• Political Economy
• International Trade
• Global Economic Governance
• +5 more

Associate Professor Emily Jones is a political economist at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and Director of the Global Economic Governance Programme. Her work focuses on international trade, financial regulation in developing countries, and post-Brexit policy analysis. University of Oxford, DPhil in International Political Economy School of African and Oriental Studies, MSc in Development Economics University of Oxford, BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Her research explores the political economy of global trade , Basel banking standards , and digital economy governance , with an emphasis on asymmetric negotiations and developing country agency . Recent projects examine cross-border data flows and regulatory competition . Notable publications include the 2020 book The Political Economy of Bank Regulation in Developing Countries and the 2019 Global Policy article on Europe-Africa relations. Her work has attracted ESRC Impact Acceleration Award DFID-ESRC Growth Research Grant and engages with the UK Parliament as a Special Advisor to the International Trade Committee.

Hugh N KennedyView profile

Professor

• Early Islamic History
• Arabic Historiography
• Islamic Archaeology
• +5 more

Professor Hugh N Kennedy is a distinguished academic at SOAS University of London, holding dual affiliations with the School of History, Religions and Philosophies and the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. As a Professor of Arabic, he specializes in Early Islamic History (600-1100 CE), with particular focus on Arabic historiography, Islamic archaeology, and the historical geography of the Middle East. His research also examines castle building in the region and the history of al-Andalus. He holds a PhD (Cantab) and has supervised doctoral candidates including Ummugulsum Kurukol and Zhicheng Ye. His publications span authored books, edited volumes, and numerous articles exploring topics like the Abbasid Caliphate, Islamic economic systems, and comparative political histories. He is based at the Russell Square campus and can be contacted via hk1@soas.ac.uk. Research Interests: Kennedy’s work bridges textual analysis and material culture, investigating how political structures, military campaigns, and cultural exchanges shaped the early Islamic world. He examines themes such as the evolution of governance systems, the role of pilgrimage economies, and the interaction between religious and temporal authority. His scholarship frequently engages with primary sources like al-Baladhuri’s Futuh al-Buldan and Ibn Wāḍiḥ al-Yaʿqūbī’s writings, contextualizing them within broader historical narratives. Key Publications: Includes seminal works on the Abbasid Caliphate, the conquests of the Arab armies, and comparative analyses between Islamic and Byzantine governance. Teaching: Contributes to SOAS’s MA History program, focusing on the Global South through decolonial and interdisciplinary approaches. Professional Affiliations: Active in academic networks promoting the study of pre-modern Middle Eastern history and cultural heritage.

Christena Nippert-EngView profile

Professor

• Ethnography
• Privacy Studies
• Human-Animal Interaction
• +3 more

Christena Nippert-Eng is Professor of Informatics at Indiana University's Luddy School with adjunct appointment in Sociology. She directs the Animal Computer Interaction Track and researches cognition, privacy, ethnography, and human-animal interaction. Her work combines sociological frameworks with technology design. Nippert-Eng has authored influential books on boundary negotiation and ethnographic methods. Her current research examines privacy negotiations with domestic robots and human-animal-computer interaction. She has consulted for major technology companies including HP, Motorola, and Steelcase. Her publications demonstrate sustained interdisciplinary examination of privacy practices across contexts including homes, workplaces, online gaming, and social media, increasingly focusing on technology-mediated interactions and ethical considerations.

Cassidy EllisView profile

Assistant Professor

• Critical Cultural Communication
• Media Studies
• Rhetorical Criticism
• +7 more

Cassidy Ellis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati, specializing in critical cultural communication, media studies, and rhetorical criticism. Her academic work intersects with grassroots activism in reproductive justice, particularly in the Deep South, West, and Southwest regions of the U.S. PhD in Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Rhetorical Criticism (University of New Mexico, 2023) M.A. in Communication - Identity & Difference (University of Alabama, 2016) B.A. in History (University of Alabama, 2013) Her research focuses on unpacking ideologies in social debates, settler colonialism, and the material histories shaping contemporary discourses. She critically examines anti-abortion rhetorics, particularly how race and personhood are discursively constructed within the social imaginary. Her methodological approach includes autoethnography, qualitative research, and intersectional frameworks. Her recent publications in journals like The Journal of Autoethnography and Fat Studies Journal , as well as chapters in edited collections, emphasize praxis-based scholarship, queer futurities, and critical resistance to colonial narratives. Her work bridges academic inquiry with community organizing, informed by her co-founding of the Yellowhammer Fund and other reproductive justice initiatives. Graduate Student Activist Award, NCA Activism and Social Justice Division Top Student Paper, Southern States Communication Association Gender Studies Division Doctoral Fellowship for Inclusive Engagement, University of Denver Ellis has served editorial and professional roles, including peer reviewing for international journals and organizing within the Southern States Communication Association. Her community service spans abortion funds, doula projects, and patient advocacy, reflecting her commitment to material change.

• Early Islamic History
• Abbasid Caliphate
• Political and Military Structures
• +4 more

Hugh Kennedy , Professor at SOAS University of London within the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, is a leading scholar in early Islamic history. His research spans political structures, military systems, and cultural transitions in the Islamic world. Fields of Interest : Early Islamic History, Abbasid Caliphate, Sacred Space, Historical Geography, Islamic Law. Research Trends : His work explores the evolution of Islamic political terminology, frontier interactions, and the socioeconomic impacts of Muslim rule. He has published extensively on the Ḥajj, urban development, and manuscript production in the Abbasid era. Supervised Theses : Tanaka (zandaqah), Ye (ʿAbbāsid mysticism), Habib (sacred space), Khatun (trade networks), Manstetten (madrasa origins), Lodhi (hijra law), Webb (Arab origins).