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Yanjun RenView profile

Professor

• Food Chains
• Consumer Behavior
• Applied Econometrics
• +13 more

Prof. Dr. Yanjun Ren is a Professor at the College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University (NWAFU), China, and has been an IAMO Visiting Research Fellow since May 2024. Prior to his IAMO role, he conducted research at Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, Germany, from 2012 to 2019. PhD in Agricultural Economics focusing on Food Consumption, Income Inequality, and Health-related Issues in China Former Research Assistant/Associate at Kiel University’s Chair of Agricultural Market Analysis (2012–2019) Dr. Ren’s research spans food chains, consumer behavior, and applied econometrics. His work explores how socioeconomic factors, digital transformation, and policy interventions shape food consumption, nutritional outcomes, and environmental sustainability in China and Central Asia. Key themes include food waste reduction, carbon labeling, internet use in rural economies, and intergenerational health behaviors. His 15 most recent articles (2023–2025) emphasize digital agriculture, sustainable consumption, and health economics. Topics include carbon-labeled products, television/media’s role in nutrition, contract farming sustainability, and the socioeconomic determinants of dietary choices. His methodology integrates econometric modeling, eye-tracking experiments, and spatiotemporal analysis. Email: ren@iamo.de

Philippe HammanView profile

Professor

• Sociology of Urban Planning
• Environmental Sociology
• Sustainable Development
• +13 more

Philippe Hamman is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institute of Urban Planning and Regional Development (IUAR) at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Strasbourg. He leads the Master’s program in City and Environment and holds significant leadership roles, including Scientific Assessor and President of the Faculty Scientific Commission since 2016. He is the holder of the Jean Monnet Chair 'GoInUSE' and the Chaire MAKErS on agricultural methanization in Europe, reflecting his central role in sustainability research. His research focuses on urban and regional sustainability, energy transitions, cross-border cooperation in the Upper Rhine region, environmental governance, and socio-ecological issues. He leads major projects funded by Interreg, CNRS, and ADEME, often in trinational collaborations with Germany and Switzerland. His work bridges sociology, environmental studies, and policy analysis. His recent publications explore citizen energy cooperatives as commons, urban sustainability governance, agricultural methanization, and the social dimensions of environmental issues such as tick-borne diseases and pandemic-era urban planning. The articles reflect a consistent focus on sustainability transitions, territorial governance, and citizen participation, with a strong comparative and interdisciplinary approach, particularly between France and Germany. Scientific Assessor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Strasbourg (since 2016) President, Faculty Scientific Commission (since 2016) Member, Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences (2016–2026) President, Committee of Experts, Faculty of Social Sciences (2019–2024), then IUAR (2025–2028) Expert for ANR, ANRT, HCERES, INRAE, and multiple European research funds Member of editorial boards for Espaces et sociétés , Revue de l’Allemagne et des Pays de langue allemande , and others He supervises doctoral students Aude Dziebowski and Romane Joly and teaches courses in urban sociology, sustainable development, and the sociology of urban projects. He is deeply embedded in academic service, peer review, and the editorial direction of research journals and book series. His laboratory, SAGE (UMR 7363), is a key hub for interdisciplinary research on societies, actors, and governance in Europe, where he co-leads research axis 3 on urban and environmental issues.

Mildred E. WarnerView profile

Professor

• Local Government Service Delivery
• Economic Development
• Environmental Sustainability
• +12 more

Dr. Mildred E. Warner is a renowned Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. Her work spans local government service delivery, economic development, environmental sustainability, and multigenerational planning, with a focus on challenging gender biases and promoting social infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth. She collaborates globally with local government associations, planners, and policy groups. Ph.D. in Development Sociology (1997), Cornell University M.S. in Agricultural Economics (1985), Cornell University B.A. in History (1979), Oberlin College Dr. Warner's research interrogates the impacts of privatization, fiscal decentralization, and market-driven approaches on local governance, emphasizing spatial inequality and rural-urban disparities. She investigates age- and gender-based planning, environmental policy, and pragmatic municipalism, with recent work analyzing water affordability, broadband access, and pandemic response strategies. Her comparative international studies span Canada, Ecuador, Honduras, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and China. Her publications highlight trends in privatization , remunicipalization , public-private partnerships , and age-friendly urban planning . These works often intersect with public health policy , environmental justice , and social equity in service delivery. Scientific awards include the Margarita McCoy Award (2020) , Planning for Social Inclusion Award (2006) , and the Excellence in Research Award (2019) . She has secured major grants from the USDA, NIH, Pew Charitable Trusts, and international bodies to fund her work on aging, rural development, and infrastructure equity. Dr. Warner mentors graduate students in planning and public administration, advising on research design and community development. She directs the Local Government Restructuring Lab and co-founded the Community and Regional Development Institute at Cornell. Her expertise is frequently sought in policy circles and media profiles.

Zhiying MaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Medical Anthropology
• Disability Studies
• Global Health
• +5 more

Dr. Zhiying Ma is an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice , with faculty affiliations at the Center for East Asian Studies, Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, and Global Studies Program. She holds a joint PhD in Comparative Human Development and Anthropology from the University of Chicago and bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from Peking University. Research Focus: Examines biopolitical paternalism in China's mental health governance Develops peer support systems for persons with serious mental illnesses Investigates intersections of disability rights, care ethics, and welfare systems Conducts ethnographic fieldwork in psychiatric hospitals and community teams Key Projects: Led a CBPR pilot project (2019-2021) to create peer support manuals in Guangzhou, and currently scales services in Guangzhou/Yunnan with Cyrus Tang Foundation support. Collaborated with the WHO on community mental health models. Scientific Recognition: 2021 Ford Global Fellow Published in SSM-Mental Health , Cultural Anthropology , and Disability Studies Quarterly Advocacy & Impact: Combines scholarship and activism , consulting for NGOs on disability livelihoods and gender equality. Collaborates with China's community mental health teams to improve service fidelity and client satisfaction.

Courtney QuinnView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sustainability Science
• Environmental Leadership
• Sustainable Farming
• +5 more

Dr. Courtney Quinn is an Assistant Professor of Sustainability Science at Furman University. She joined the faculty in 2024 and has been teaching since 2013, focusing on fostering intellectually challenging yet joyful classroom environments. Her research explores leadership in sustainability, food systems, place attachment, and critical thinking development. She co-founded the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) in 2021, a program uniting business and conservation leaders for cross-sectoral dialogue and experiential learning. Education: Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln M.S. in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln B.A. in Environmental Policy, Drake University Dr. Quinn’s work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing sustainability futures, coupled human-natural systems, and resilience modeling. Her recent articles address topics like local food networks, pandemic-driven sustainability thinking, and climate policy implementation. The SLI program highlights her commitment to translating academic insights into actionable leadership strategies for real-world environmental challenges. Her research spans agriculture, environmental governance, and education, with a focus on fostering ethical decision-making and community engagement. She advises students on projects related to food systems, climate resilience, and farmer-land relationships.

• Political Economy
• Environmental Economics
• Insurance Economics
• +5 more

Professor Paul A. Raschky is affiliated with the Department of Economics at Monash University , where he also directs the SoDa Labs and co-founded the KASPR Datahaus PTY LTD and IP Observatory . His academic focus spans Political Economy , Environmental Economics , Insurance Economics , and Development Economics , with a specialization in natural hazards and data science applications. Education: PhD (University of Innsbruck, 2008), with a postdoctoral research visit at the Wharton School . Research: Explores intersections of disaster risk , governance , and economic development , leveraging machine learning and big data . Recent Publications: Focus on generative AI productivity , ethnic favoritism , disaster insurance , and conflict economics . Awards: Recipient of the ABDC Award for Innovation and Excellence in Research (2022) and Dean’s Excellence in Research Award (2016) . Projects: Leads initiatives on internet suppression in Myanmar , news media availability , and AI-driven policy insights in South-East Asia and the Pacific. Future Work: Will be on sabbatical in 2025 , likely expanding on AI applications and disaster resilience .

Anna WeissmanView profile

Research Fellow

• Political Representation
• Local Political Economy
• Political Geography
• +3 more

Anna Weissman is a Political Scientist completing her PhD at the University of California, Berkeley in 2025. She will join the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics at Princeton University as a Postdoctoral Fellow starting September 2025. Her academic home is within the Department of Political Science in the College of Letters and Science at UC Berkeley. PhD, Political Science, University of California, Berkeley (2025) B.A., Political Science, Philosophy, and German, Tufts University Weissman's research focuses on representation, local political economy, and political geography, with specific attention to who holds power in American local governments and how this drives policymaking. Her work examines municipal officials' embeddedness in their communities and the implications for policy outcomes, particularly relating to land use, with special interest in small-town and rural America. Another significant branch of her research investigates attitudes about descriptive representation at the national level. She employs diverse methodological approaches including causal inference designs for observational data, text analysis, and original surveys and survey experiments. Her publication record shows a strong focus on representation and local politics, with articles appearing in top political science journals including the Journal of Politics and the Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy. Her work demonstrates consistent attention to how representation functions across different political contexts and scales. Research Associate, Political Science Department, MIT (prior to graduate school) Weissman has served as a Graduate Student Instructor and Tutor at UC Berkeley for multiple courses including Decision Analysis and Quant Methods, Politics of Public Policy, Introduction to American Politics, and research methods courses. Her teaching experience spans both graduate and undergraduate levels, demonstrating her commitment to political science education. Her research portfolio includes significant work on local government dynamics, representation, and political behavior, with several publications in prestigious journals and multiple works in progress examining the relationship between place-based attachment and political attitudes.

• Urban Planning
• Housing Policy
• Cultural Heritage Management
• +3 more

Dr. Pranita Shrestha is a Researcher at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Her work focuses on urban planning, housing policy, and informal settlements, with particular attention to platform-mediated housing markets and their socio-economic impacts. Her research spans topics such as cultural heritage management, rural community resilience, and policy responses to urban housing challenges. Shrestha has contributed to significant studies including analyses of Airbnb's impact on housing markets, post-disaster rehabilitation in Kathmandu Valley's World Heritage Sites, and the role of digital platforms in enabling informal housing practices. Her work often intersects with issues of equity, policy effectiveness, and spatial justice. Key projects include the AHURI-funded study on short-term rental accommodations and collaborative research on social housing marketization in New South Wales. Her research outputs include peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy reports addressing global urban challenges. Shrestha's expertise is reflected in her interdisciplinary approach, combining policy analysis with field studies in diverse contexts such as Kathmandu, Sydney, and Turkey's Behramkale region. She actively engages with both academic and policy communities to advance evidence-based solutions for urban sustainability and affordability.

• African Studies
• Linguistics
• Historical Anthropology
• +8 more

Katrin Bromber is a German Researcher at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, where she has led the research group "Progress and its Discontents: Ideas, Practices, Materiality" since 2014. Her career spans senior research roles at ZMO and academic teaching positions at the University of Vienna. Nationality: German. Language skills: Native German, fluent English/Swahili, moderate Amharic, good reading knowledge in French/Russian, basic Tigrinya. Habilitation (2009–): African Studies, University of Vienna PhD (1993): African Linguistics, University of Leipzig MA (1988): Swahili Studies, University of Leipzig Katrin Bromber's research interrogates intersections of body politics , sports history , Swahili linguistics , and Ethiopian modernity . Her work traces how physical culture, media representation, and colonial/imperial narratives shape national identities across Africa and Asia. Current focus: "Progress" as contested concept in Ethiopian and Gulf urbanism. Key article trends reflect her translocal methodology: 2017 studies on Ethiopian stadiums and fitness culture ; 2014-2013 publications analyzing East African military press , sports branding in the Gulf , and Swahili poetry ; 2007-2000 works on colonial linguistic politics , Indian Ocean slavery , and German colonial Swahili promotion . Recurring sub-fields: body as political text, translocal modernity, media historiography. Scientific Awards: Research Grant of the Berlin City Council (1999-2000): Gendered Slavery study Service to the Scientific Community: Chairwoman, Academic Association for Horn of Africa Studies (2012–) Editorial Advisory Board - Stichproben. Vienna Journal of African Studies (2015–) Editorial Advisory Board - Studies of Department of African Languages and Cultures (2015–) Teaching Experience: Textlinguistics, Mediacommunication, African Linguistics, Swahili (elementary/advanced), Swahili Literature, Swahili in Arabic Script at Leipzig, Humboldt-Berlin, Free Berlin, and Vienna universities Anthropology of the Body at Mekelle University Summer School Field Research: Tanzania (1993-2003): Swahili Poetry, Intellectual History Kenya (2005): Indian Ocean WW2 UAE/Bahrain (2009): Sports and Body Cultures Ethiopia (2009-2015): Sports, Body Politics

Rachel V HarrisonView profile

Professor

• Cultural Studies
• Cinema
• Modern Literature
• +7 more

Professor Rachel V Harrison is a leading academic in Thai Cultural Studies at SOAS University of London. Her work bridges cinema, modern literature, postcolonial theory, and gender studies, with a focus on Thailand and mainland Southeast Asia. She also contributes to medical humanities and public engagement, particularly in Northeast Thailand (Isan) and Laos. Education: BA and PhD from the University of London. Roles: Professor of Thai Cultural Studies, Steering Committee Member of MA Cultural Studies. Research Interests : Cultural studies, cinema, and gender analysis intersect with themes of Orientalism, cultural difference, and literary criticism. Her work explores medical humanities and the comparative study of Southeast Asian literatures. She emphasizes the interplay between traditional and modern elements in Thai cultural production. Recent Publications : Harrison’s scholarship spans Thai cinema, postcolonial identity, and healthcare access for sex workers. Her 2025 article Entangled Worlds, Situated Knowledge highlights cultural context in global-local dynamics. Earlier works examine folk legends, masculinities, and eroticism in Thai literature. PhD Supervision : She has guided students on topics like Thai literature, diasporic identities, Burmese women’s writings, and Thai cinema’s gender representations. Collaborations : Frequent collaborations with scholars in medical humanities and Southeast Asian studies, including co-authoring on bullying in medicine and cultural engagement.

Xin SunView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Political Economy
• Government-Business Relations
• Land Politics
• +5 more

Xin Sun is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese and East Asian Business at the Lau China Institute and King's Business School, King's College London. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Northwestern University, a BA in Chemistry and Economics from Peking University, and an MA in Economics from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prior roles include positions at the University of Oxford and Trinity College Dublin. Research Interests: Political economy of China, government-business relations, land politics, rural governance, authoritarian institutions, and research methodology. Current projects focus on land institutions, housing markets, and the interplay between formal/informal political practices. Teaching: Courses include 'Political Economy of China', 'Business and Entrepreneurship in Contemporary China', and 'Doing Business in China'. Affiliations: Member of research groups examining urban-rural development, authoritarianism/populism, and Chinese international investments. Active in King’s Global Institutes and the Lau China Institute. Grants/Advising: Supervises PhD students on Chinese political economy topics. No specific grants listed, but extensive publications indicate ongoing research funding. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with research groups on China’s urbanization, rural development, and authoritarian political dynamics.

Stephan J. GoetzView profile

Professor

• Agricultural Economics
• Regional Economic Development
• Rural Development
• +17 more

Stephan J. Goetz is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education at the College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University. He is based at 207C Armsby Building, University Park, PA 16802, and can be reached at sjg16@psu.edu. His research spans agricultural economics, regional development, and rural policy, with a strong emphasis on human and social capital, innovation, and community well-being. His research interests focus on the role of markets and human capital in economic growth and poverty reduction. Key areas include regional food systems, self-employment, social network analysis, targeted regional development, agritourism, direct farm sales, and the digital divide. His work often integrates data science, spatial analysis, and policy evaluation to understand rural economic dynamics. The recent publications highlight a consistent trend in analyzing rural innovation, food system resilience, and socioeconomic impacts of technology and crises. His work combines empirical methods with optimization models, often using county-level U.S. data. Themes include food hub logistics, cloud computing in rural economies, pandemic-related food insecurity, and gender impacts in farming. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals reflects scholarly recognition. He has collaborated with researchers across disciplines, suggesting active grant-funded projects and likely student mentorship, though formal advisees are not named. He is involved in research on equitable communities and the built environment, and affiliated with initiatives related to health and environmental sustainability. His work with extension services indicates engagement with public outreach and community development programs.

Leandro Simões PongeluppeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sustainable Development Goals
• Stakeholder Management
• Socioeconomic Development
• +7 more

Leandro "Leo" Pongeluppe serves as an Assistant Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, holding the distinguished position of Leonard J. Horwitz Faculty Scholar. His academic journey culminated with a PhD from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, positioning him at the forefront of research at the intersection of business and societal challenges. Pongeluppe's research program centers on understanding how organizational design and governance mechanisms influence the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His work spans multiple continents and contexts, with field research conducted in Brazilian favelas, the Amazon rainforest, worldwide desalination plants, and African HIV/AIDS treatment clinics. Methodologically, he employs innovative mixed-methods approaches that combine econometric causal inference with ethnographic techniques to tackle complex socio-environmental challenges. His publication portfolio reveals a consistent focus on stakeholder management within contexts of socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability. The research demonstrates how businesses can effectively address global challenges through strategic stakeholder engagement, showing particular promise in environmental conservation efforts and inclusive business models. His work on the Amazon rainforest reveals how companies like Natura have successfully preserved forests through stakeholder alignment, while his favela research exposes the complex social consequences of economic mobility. Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative Research Funding (2024) Wharton Teaching Excellence Awards (2023-24) Wiley Blackwell Outstanding Dissertation Award (Academy of Management, 2023) Multiple Best Paper Awards from Strategic Management Society and Academy of Management conferences Wharton Global Initiatives and ESG Initiative Funding (2023) Prior to his academic career, Pongeluppe co-founded Insper Metricis, a research group focused on socio-environmental impact evaluation, where he contributed to Brazil's first Social Impact Bond in partnership with São Paulo State Government and international development institutions. His professional experience also includes three years as an associate researcher at the Accenture Institute for High Performance, working on inclusive innovation projects across Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa. This practical experience deeply informs his scholarly work and teaching approach, particularly in his course on Managing Established Enterprises which addresses strategic challenges facing incumbent firms.

Andrew G. WalderView profile

Professor

• Political Sociology
• Communist Regimes
• Chinese History
• +3 more

Andrew G. Walder is the Denise O'Leary and Kent Thiry Professor of the Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Political Science. He is a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and former Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center. His research focuses on political stability, conflict, and transformation in communist regimes, particularly China. Walder holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan (1981) and an A.B. in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University (1975). He has held leadership roles, including Chair of Stanford's Sociology Department and Director of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Division of Social Sciences (1995–1997). His work explores China’s Cultural Revolution, post-Mao economic reforms, and corporate development. Awards include Guggenheim and National Science Foundation fellowships, and he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Education: Ph.D., Sociology, University of Michigan (1981) A.B., Political Science, Johns Hopkins University (1975) Walder’s research investigates China’s political economy, focusing on social stratification, corporate evolution, and the Maoist legacy. His books include Fractured Rebellion (2009), China Under Mao (2015), and Agents of Disorder (2019). He has advised on policy in Hong Kong and contributed to global studies on transitional economies. Currently, his research examines China’s large corporations and post-Mao political trajectories. His awards include ASA, AAS, and SSH Association prizes for scholarly contributions. He has held visiting roles at the Stanford Center at Peking University and chairs academic panels in Hong Kong. Walder’s interdisciplinary work bridges sociology, political science, and history, emphasizing China’s complex transitions from state socialism to modern capitalism.

David NicholsView profile

Professor

• Urban Planning
• Cultural Heritage
• Urban History
• +3 more

Professor David Nichols is a faculty member in the Melbourne School of Design at The University of Melbourne, holding the position of Professor in Urban Planning. His research focuses on urban planning history, theory, and socio-cultural planning with particular attention to 20th century Australian contexts. He has authored/co-authored significant works including Urban Australia and Post-Punk: Exploring Dogs in Space and The Alert Grey Twinkling Eyes of C. J. DeGaris . His research interests span urban and cultural heritage, architectural history, and the socio-cultural dimensions of urban development. Notable projects include the 'PastPort' mobile app for citizen heritage engagement and studies on community activism in public space conservation. Nichols teaches courses on urban planning history and has contributed to debates on postwar planning education and regional development strategies. His academic output reflects interdisciplinary engagement with topics ranging from suburban morphology to audiovisual technology in education. Current work includes exploring the legacy of Walter Burley Griffin’s urban designs and reinterpreting Australian country town dynamics. He maintains active collaborations in cultural heritage preservation and community-driven urban initiatives.