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You-tien HsingView profile

Professor

• Political economy of development in East Asia
• Power and space
• Cultural and environmental politics
• +2 more

Professor You-tien Hsing is the Pamela P. Fong Family Distinguished Chair in China Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the political economy of development in East Asia, particularly China, examining intersections of power, space, urbanization, cultural politics, and environmental governance. Education: PhD in City and Regional Planning, UC Berkeley (1993). Her research integrates ethnographic methods with political economy analysis to explore how historical, geographical, and institutional factors shape social and environmental dynamics in China. Key themes include land battles, territorial politics, and the role of grassroots activism in state-society relations. Recent publications analyze urbanization, global-local capital interactions, and environmental politics in China. She has also co-edited works on social activism and urban-rural linkages. Scientific Awards: Pamela P. Fong Family Distinguished Chair in China Studies. She teaches courses on Global China, emphasizing critical engagement with China’s developmental trajectory through fieldwork, interviews, and theoretical frameworks.

• Urban Anthropology
• Migration and Mobility Regimes
• Comparative Racial Formations
• +5 more

Dr. Shanshan Lan is a researcher affiliated with the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, where she contributes to the Moving Matters programme group. Her work focuses on urban anthropology, migration patterns, and racial formations across Asia and Euro-America. She examines transnational student mobility, global cities, African diasporas in China, and Chinese diasporas in the U.S., with a particular emphasis on class dynamics and social change. Her research employs ethnographic methods, including walking ethnography in urban environments, to explore how race and migration intersect with globalization. Notable projects include studies on African communities in Guangzhou, the role of the Catholic Church in African diasporas, and the experiences of Western entrepreneurs during the pandemic. Key Interests: Transnational migration, racial knowledge circulation, pandemic sociology, and global urban studies. Recent Focus: Whiteness studies in China, precarious migrant identities, and the impact of globalization on education and labor markets. Lan has received recognition for her work, including the Honorary Mention of the 2006 SUNTA Graduate Student Prize. Her publications span academic journals and edited volumes, addressing topics from racial inclusion policies to transnational business networks.

Kelly AskewView profile

Professor

• Socialism/Postsocialism
• Property Rights Formalization
• Land Conflicts
• +9 more

Kelly Askew is a Professor of Anthropology and Afroamerican & African Studies at the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. She holds a PhD in Anthropology (Harvard, 1997) and a BA in Music and Anthropology (Yale, 1997), with over three decades of fieldwork in Tanzania and Kenya. Education PhD in Anthropology, Harvard University (1997) BA in Music and Anthropology, Yale University Key Roles Chair of the Department of Anthropology Niara Sudarkasa Collegiate Professor Her research bridges three primary domains: Postsocialist transitions (e.g., property rights formalization and land conflicts), art and political aesthetics (e.g., Swahili music, African visual arts, ethnographic filmmaking), and indigenous political movements (e.g., Maasai and Parakuyo pastoralists). She has produced award-winning documentaries like The Chairman and the Lions (2013) and Maasai Remix (2019), which examine cultural resilience and land rights. Scientific awards include being a finalist for the African Studies Association Herskovits Award (2002). Recent publications analyze land dispossession mechanisms, postsocialist cultural production, and media’s role in political identity. She has secured grants from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Ford Foundation.

Araz TaeihaghView profile

Assistant Professor

• Policy Design
• Technology Governance
• Socio-Technical Systems
• +5 more

Dr. Araz Taeihagh is an Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS), where he also serves as Principal Investigator at the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (CTIC) and NUS Cities. He previously chaired the PhD Programme in Public Policy (2020-2023). Taeihagh holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and has over two decades of consulting experience in energy, environment, transportation, and technology domains. His research focuses on policy design and governance of emerging technologies , with expertise spanning autonomous systems, AI governance, sharing economies, and smart cities. Key research areas include: Decision support systems and complexity approaches to public policy Infrastructure and sustainable development (energy/environment/transport) Socio-technical systems and technology governance Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on AI governance frameworks , autonomous systems regulation , and smart city development , particularly examining policy innovation in Singapore and comparative Asian contexts. Research frequently addresses tensions between technological innovation and regulatory oversight. Major recognitions include: Ranked Top 2% Scientist worldwide for energy (2023) and citation impact (2020-2022) Best Paper Award from Transport Reviews (2020) Research Excellence Awards (2019-2022) Faculty Research Fellowships from LKYSPP and NUS Humanities & Social Sciences He serves on editorial boards of Technological Forecasting and Social Change , Policy and Society , and other leading journals, and co-chairs scientific committees for AI Singapore's governance initiatives.

Rania SalemView profile

Associate Professor

• Sociology of Family
• Sociology of Gender
• Work, Stratification and Markets
• +3 more

Rania Salem is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). Her research focuses on the sociology of family, gender, and economic sociology of households and labor markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Research Interests Dr. Salem explores themes such as women’s agency, marriage practices, and the intersection of economic factors with social stratification. Her work often employs empirical methodologies to analyze household dynamics, gender roles, and cultural norms in Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. Publication Trends Her recent publications (2015–2022) emphasize gendered labor market effects on marriage timing, matrimonial expenditures, kin marriage rationales, and women’s empowerment in rural MENA contexts. These studies integrate qualitative and quantitative approaches to address social inequalities.

Lu YiView profile

Professor

• Chinese Economy
• Public Finance
• Global Economic Governance
• +5 more

Lu Yi is a Professor at the Department of Economics, Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management , holding a CITIC Chair Professor since 2022. He is also Director of multiple research centers , including the Tsinghua University China Economic and Social Data Research Center and the Center for International Economics. A doctoral supervisor , he has guided students across institutions and academic programs. Lu Yi's education includes a BA from Fudan University's School of Life Sciences (1999) , an MA from Fudan University's School of Management (2003) , and a PhD from the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Business and Economics (2007) . His research focuses on Chinese economy, public finance, and global economic governance , with particular emphasis on trade liberalization, institutional quality, and environmental policy. Key research areas : Trade policy impacts, productivity gains from trade, environmental regulation effects, and labor market responses to technological change Leadership roles : Editorial board member of American Economic Journal: Economic Policy , Co-Editor of China & World Economy , former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Economic Journal Policy advisory : Expert for National Healthcare Security Administration's DIP payment system, National Council Member for Social and Economic Council His scientific awards span national and provincial levels , including the First Sun Shangqing Young Scholar Award , Pushan World Economics Outstanding Paper Youth Award , and multiple provincial social science achievement awards in Shandong, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Sichuan. His publications in top journals like the Journal of Public Economics , Review of Economics and Statistics , and Nature Climate Change demonstrate his influence in applied economics and policy research.

Paul CollierView profile

Professor

• Economic development
• Migration and refugee crisis
• Urbanisation in low-income countries
• +7 more

Sir Paul Collier is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and serves as the Oxford Academic Director of the International Growth Centre, a collaboration between the LSE and Oxford Universities. He is also a member of the Natural Resource Governance Institute Board. His academic work spans decades of research focused on economic development challenges in the world's poorest regions, bridging theoretical economics with practical policy solutions, particularly in contexts of conflict, natural resource management, and regional economic decline. Professor Collier's research interests center on economic development, with specific focus areas including: Mitigating the challenges of migration and the refugee crisis Understanding urbanization processes in low-income countries Addressing the political economy of resource-rich but economically poor nations Exploring how cultural factors influence economic outcomes Developing frameworks for regional renewal in neglected places Analyzing the relationship between democracy and economic development in fragile states His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of economic policy, social cohesion, and cultural dimensions in development contexts. Collier's work increasingly emphasizes the importance of collective learning, social capital, and local agency in reversing economic decline, moving beyond traditional market-centric approaches. Among his notable scientific contributions are: Handesblatt Prize for The Future of Capitalism Arthur Ross Prize for The Bottom Billion Adam Smith Prize by Glasgow's Philosophical Society (2023) Global Citizenship Award by Belgium's cooperative movement (2018) 2025 Axiom Business Book Award for Left Behind Professor Collier actively advises governments and international organizations on development policy, with particular emphasis on practical approaches to regional renewal. His current research project "Establishing state legitimacy and effectiveness in fragile and conflict-affected societies," funded by a British Academy Grant, examines how conflict-affected states can build functional governance capacity. He has also contributed to Oxford University's first MOOC "From poverty to prosperity: understanding economic development," making his expertise accessible globally.

Domenic VitielloView profile

Associate Professor

• Immigrant and migrant communities
• Urban agriculture and food system planning
• Urban and planning history

Domenic Vitiello is an Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Pennsylvania (2004). His research focuses on immigrant communities, urban agriculture, and the history of urban planning. Vitiello’s work examines how migration patterns, food systems, and historical policies shape contemporary urban landscapes. He teaches courses on metropolitan food systems, migration and development, and the role of immigrant communities in urban contexts. His scholarly contributions include studies on the transformation of Chinatowns, the politics of sanctuary cities, and the ecological and economic potential of urban agriculture. Vitiello’s research bridges historical analysis with contemporary urban challenges, emphasizing questions of equity, sustainability, and community resilience. His work often intersects with themes of urban policy, cultural preservation, and transnational migration. Notable projects include analyses of Philadelphia’s urban development history, the impact of immigrant labor on cultural economies, and the role of food systems in community revitalization. Vitiello’s interdisciplinary approach combines urban studies, environmental sociology, and historical methodologies to address pressing urban issues.

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.

• Entrepreneurship
• Tourism Management
• Sustainable Business Models
• +2 more

Dr. Silvia Baiocco serves as Assistant Professor at University of Rome Tor Vergata, teaching entrepreneurship, tourism management, and marketing courses across Bachelor and Master programs including 'Creation of Enterprises and Entrepreneurship' (Master), 'Fundamentals of Service Management' (Bachelor), and 'Tourism and Cultural Management for Sustainability' (Bachelor). Her institutional affiliation centers on Business Economics (sector ECON-07/A) with research rooted in co-evolutionary theory. Her research critically examines sustainable business model innovation through three interconnected lenses: (1) tourism-destination co-evolution in historic villages and Alberghi Diffusi, (2) university-industry knowledge exchange for sustainable spin-offs via PNICube Observatory frameworks, and (3) technology integration in smart tourism through AI-driven destination management. She emphasizes context-specific adaptation in both high-income (Italy) and low/middle-income settings (Ghana), with strong focus on social impact and heritage preservation. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals accelerating focus on digital tourism transformation (AI applications, smart city integration) and resilience-building in accommodation firms. Her work consistently applies co-evolutionary frameworks to decode organizational adaptation, particularly in sustainable entrepreneurship contexts. The PNICube Observatory reports highlight her policy-relevant contributions to university research valorization. As educator, Dr. Baiocco actively shapes future business leaders through courses spanning startup creation to sustainable destination management. Her research trajectory indicates deepening engagement with technology-mediated sustainability solutions and cross-sectoral innovation ecosystems, particularly through ongoing PNICube Observatory initiatives.

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.

Yoann DemoliView profile

Lecturer

• Sociology of consumption
• Social stratification
• Environmental sociology
• +2 more

Yoann Demoli is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), part of the Université Paris-Saclay. He is affiliated with the PRINTEMPS Laboratory (CNRS-UVSQ) and the Quantitative Sociology Laboratory at CREST. His academic career spans over a decade with teaching and research positions at various prestigious French institutions including Sciences Po Paris and Paris 8 University. His educational background includes: Doctoral thesis in sociology under Philippe Coulangeon at Sciences Po Paris (2010-2015) Master 2 in Sociology and Statistics from School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences and ENS Paris (2009-2010) Master 1 in Sociology from University of Paris IV (2007-2008) Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Economics from Universities of Paris IV and I (2006-2007) Preparatory classes at Lycée Carnot and Lycée Henri IV (2003-2006) Demoli's research focuses on the sociology of consumption, social stratification, environmental sociology, and particularly the sociology of the automobile. His work employs quantitative methods to analyze how automobile use and ownership patterns reflect and reinforce social inequalities. He examines how factors like class, gender, and geography influence mobility practices, with particular attention to working-class households in peri-urban and rural areas. His research reveals complex relationships between environmental attitudes and actual car use behaviors, challenging simplistic narratives about ecological conversion. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the intersection of social structure and mobility practices, with particular attention to historical trends and class analysis. The collection shows a progression from analyzing specific aspects of automobile culture to broader questions of ecological conversion and social stratification in transportation systems. His scientific work has been recognized with the Young Author Prize at the 22nd GERPISA International Conference in 2014. He regularly contributes to academic discourse through peer review for journals such as Acts of Research in Social Sciences and Transport Security Review. As an advisor, Demoli has supervised numerous undergraduate research projects and master's theses on topics ranging from police uniforms to online dating sociology. His current research projects include CONDUIRE (financed by ADEME), a study on magistrates' mobility funded by the Ministry of Justice, and research on the social drivers of ecological conversion coordinated by Philippe Coulangeon. Within the academic community, Demoli co-organizes the workshop 'Quantitative Sociology and Sociology of Quantification' and co-leads the Mobility theme of the Federation for Research in Computer, Human and Social Sciences at UVSQ. He also serves as Director of the Department of Sociology and Geography at UVSQ and is an active participant in research dissemination through media appearances.

Ravi AhujaView profile

Professor

• Labour History
• Social History of India
• Urban History
• +10 more

Prof. Ravi Ahuja serves as Professor of Modern Indian History and head of the 'Modern Indian History' research group at the Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS) of the University of Göttingen, where he was founding director in 2009. Previously, he taught at Heidelberg University's South Asia Institute and conducted research at Berlin's Centre for Modern Oriental Studies before his appointment at SOAS, University of London. His research spans 18th-20th century Indian social history with core focus on labour systems, urban development, and infrastructure. Current projects investigate South Asian seafarers' social history and mid-20th century labour-centred social policy formation. The CeMIS research group maintains concentrated bandwidth in: Labour history and history of work History of capital(ism) History of economic and social policy Social history of industrial space (urban/rural) History of infrastructure A dedicated research-oriented educator, Prof. Ahuja offers comprehensive courses across South Asian historiography including gender history, medical history, and social movement studies. He co-leads the 'Historical Sociology' study focus with Rupa Viswanath and maintains intensive mentorship of research students within CeMIS's collaborative academic environment.

• 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 .

Tatjana SchnellView profile

Professor

• Existential Psychology
• Meaning in Life
• Existential Health
• +4 more

Tatjana Schnell is a Professor of Existential Psychology at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, where she has worked since October 2020. She also holds a fellowship at the Humanistic University Berlin (since 2024). Her professional journey includes academic training in psychology, theology, religious studies, and philosophy across Germany, the UK, and Austria, with a doctorate from the University of Trier (Germany) and habilitation from the University of Innsbruck (Austria), where she founded the Existential Psychology Lab. Education : Psychology, Theology, Religious Studies, and Philosophy from the University of Göttingen, University of London, University of Heidelberg, and University of Cambridge Degree : Doctorate in Psychology (University of Trier, Germany) Habilitation : Psychology (University of Innsbruck, Austria) Tatjana Schnell's research focuses on existential themes including meaning in life, existential health, death attitudes, alienation, and religious/spiritual/secular worldviews. Her work bridges individual psychology with societal and environmental implications, with extensive international collaborations and publications. She has authored key works like "The Psychology of Meaning in Life" (2nd ed., 2025) and "Sinn finden" (2024). Her recent publications examine pandemic psychology, existential resources in gifted adults, workplace spirituality, and meaning-based interventions for chronic pain and cancer rehabilitation. Her research projects include "Making Sense of Volunteering," "Sinnmacher - The Meaning App," and studies on existential resources in palliative care. The Tatjana Schnell website provides further details about her work. Fellow : Humanistic University Berlin (2024) Tatjana Schnell has developed innovative tools like the Sources of Meaning Card Method (SoMeCaM) and Meaning in Work Inventory (ME-Work), with validated versions across multiple cultures. Her work emphasizes the practical application of existential psychology in mental health, organizational behavior, and ecological engagement. She founded the Existential Psychology Lab at the University of Innsbruck and continues to lead impactful research at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society.