Prof. Dr. Simone Winko holds the Chair for Modern German Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Göttingen since 2003. Her research spans literary theory, canonization, praxeology of literary studies, and the intersection of emotions with German poetry around 1900 and digital humanities. Academic Roles: Chair at Göttingen (2003–), DFG Priority Programme 2207 leadership (2017–), Courant Center collaboration (2009–) Key Projects: DFG projects on literary change (2023–), computational literary history (2020–2023), and argumentation practices in interpretations (2018–2020) Her recent work focuses on emotions in German-language poetry , using computational methods to model text similarity and analyze historical shifts between Realism and Modernism. She explores how emotional codes and narrative strategies are embedded in lyrical structures, particularly through projects like Anthologien zeitgenössischer deutschsprachiger Lyrik (2022). Scientific Awards : 2010: 1st prize for best doctoral supervision (KissWin, BMBF-funded) Teaching & Collaboration : Supervises B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. theses; co-edits the Journal of Literary Theory and Revisionen book series. Collaborates with Fotis Jannidis, Gerhard Lauer, and Matías Martínez on computational approaches to literary studies.
Christina de Bellaigue is a Jackson Fellow and Tutor in History, Keeper of the Archives, and Associate Professor in History at Exeter College, University of Oxford. Half-French but raised in the UK, she has been at Exeter College since 2006 after positions at Merton College and Stanford University. She teaches across a range of historical periods and themes at both undergraduate and graduate levels. BA Hons in History, Cambridge (1996) DEA (Master's), Paris IV – La Sorbonne (1999) PhD in History, Cambridge (2003) De Bellaigue specializes in the history of childhood and education, women's history, and social mobility in nineteenth-century Britain and France. Her work examines how formal schooling shaped modern ideas about individual development and how women and children contributed to family social advancement. She runs the interdisciplinary research network "Rags to Riches? Experiences of social mobility since 1800" at The Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities (TORCH), which fosters new research through seminars and international workshops. Her publications focus on comparative educational history between Britain and France in the 19th century, with emphasis on gender, social mobility, and home education. She has edited collections on home education and published extensively on girls' schooling, women teachers, and cross-channel educational comparisons, revealing how educational practices reflected and shaped societal values during this transformative period. De Bellaigue actively supervises doctoral and Master's students on diverse topics spanning nineteenth and twentieth century Britain and Europe. Her current doctoral students research school magazines in 19th-century England, the history of Champagne, and working-class housing in France. She has supervised Master's theses on Girlhood and magazines in 1950s Britain, Gender and Empire in 19th-century India, Egyptomania, and Boxing in early nineteenth-century London. She also launched and directs the "Rags to Riches?" research network at TORCH, organizing seminars and international workshops on social mobility since 1800.
Ulla Liukkunen is a Professor of Labour Law and Private International Law at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Law. She also serves as a Docent at the University of Helsinki and is affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). Professor Liukkunen has held significant leadership roles including Director of the Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture until 2022 and has been actively involved in numerous research projects funded by the Finnish Academy and other organizations. Professor Liukkunen's primary research interests focus on Labour Law, Private International Law, Comparative Law, Transnational Law, and Sustainability Law. Her work particularly examines the intersection of labour rights with international legal frameworks, with special attention to Chinese labour law and Nordic perspectives. She has made significant contributions to understanding collective bargaining systems, decent work standards, and the role of the International Labour Organization in global governance. Analysis of Professor Liukkunen's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on transnational labour governance, private international law applications to labour issues, and comparative analyses of labour law systems. Her work increasingly addresses contemporary challenges such as platform work, global value chains, and sustainability dimensions of labour regulation. There is a notable emphasis on bridging theoretical frameworks with practical policy implications, particularly in European and Chinese contexts. Professor Liukkunen has received significant recognition for her scholarly contributions: Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2022) First Class Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2016) Professor Liukkunen has supervised numerous doctoral students and has been involved in significant research projects throughout her career. She has led Finnish Academy-funded research projects on international labour law and comparative labour law, as well as private international law. Her projects include 'Relevant Problems and Perspectives for the Development of International Private Law in Modern Conditions' (2023-2026), 'Employee Participation and Collective Bargaining in the Era of Globalization – Nordic and Chinese Perspectives' (2013-2016), and 'ILO Core Labour Standards Implementation in China: Legal Architecture and Cultural Logic' (2012-2015). Professor Liukkunen is actively involved with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and has played key roles in establishing the Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture. She has served in numerous advisory capacities including as a member of the Finnish Committee for Confirming the General Applicability of Collective Agreements, the Market Court until 2022, and as Vice Member of the Labour Court. Internationally, she serves as Vice Chair of the Mediation Board of the European Labour Authority and is a member of the European Centre of Expertise in the Field of Labour Law.
Professor Yusuf Karbhari is a Professor of Accounting at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, he has established himself as an expert in accounting, particularly in the areas of public sector accounting, Islamic finance, and corporate governance in emerging economies. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications across diverse economic contexts, from the UK public sector to Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian financial systems. Professor Karbhari holds a PhD and MBA from institutions in Wales, along with a BA (Hons) degree. His educational background has provided the foundation for his extensive research career focused on accounting practices in both developed and emerging economies. Professor Karbhari's research interests encompass a wide range of topics including Accounting and Accountability in government sectors across the Middle East and Malaysia, Accounting practices of UK Executive Agencies, International Government Accounting, Communicative Effectiveness of International Auditor's Reports, Financial Reporting and Performance Measurement in UK Central Government, and Managerial and Accounting Reforms in the Public Sector. His work particularly emphasizes the intersection of traditional accounting principles with cultural and religious contexts, especially in Islamic finance systems. His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on accounting practices in emerging economies, with particular attention to Islamic banking and finance, corporate governance structures, and public sector accounting. Over the past decade, his research has increasingly examined the role of Sharia boards in Islamic financial institutions, environmental disclosure practices, and the relationship between governance mechanisms and financial performance in diverse economic contexts. Professor Karbhari is available for postgraduate supervision and has research interests that align with his expertise in Accounting and Auditing in Emerging Economies, International Public Sector Accounting, Corporate Governance in emerging economies, and Islamic Banking and Finance. He teaches undergraduate courses in Accounting for Decision Making and Control (Year 2) and Public Sector Accounting (Year 3).
Dr. Sylvie Bacquet is a Senior Lecturer and Assistant Head of School at the University of Westminster's Westminster Law School, where she has been teaching since 2004. She leads on student experience, inclusion, and wellbeing, and serves as Module Leader for LLB Law and Religion and LLB Public Law. Dr. Bacquet is an active researcher in human rights law, with a particular focus on freedom of religion and related issues. She is a member of the Westminster Law and Theory Lab and contributes to Sustainable Development Goals through her research. Education: Master's degree in International Relations & Diplomacy at the American University of Paris LLM in International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex PhD (specific topic and institution not specified in source material) Dr. Bacquet's research focuses on human rights, particularly freedom of religion, manifestation of belief, religious symbols, secularism, freedom of expression, and hate speech. Her work examines how different religious symbols and practices coexist in pluralist societies and how legal frameworks balance individual religious freedoms with societal needs. She frequently employs comparative analysis between England and France to explore these issues, with particular attention to how secular values interact with religious expression in public spaces and educational institutions. Dr. Bacquet's publication record shows a consistent thematic focus on religion and law, with increasing attention to contemporary challenges in pluralist societies. Her work demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the complex relationship between freedom of expression and religious hate speech, religious symbols in public spaces, and the accommodation of religious minorities within legal frameworks. Recent publications reflect growing scholarly interest in the role of secularism in public institutions and the practical implications of religious freedom jurisprudence. Dr. Bacquet has supervised doctoral researchers including Samuel Hutman (working on freedom of expression in higher education) and Renan Nery Porto (researching justice and cocoa production). She has been involved in several significant research projects, including evaluations of legal service commissions' training schemes and studies on mediation in court-based schemes. Her work has been funded by organizations including the Legal Services Commission and the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Dr. Bacquet also contributes to student wellbeing initiatives through her leadership role in overseeing student experience and inclusion at the university.
David Amborski is a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning, specializing in urban planning economics. He founded the Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) and previously led the City Building Institute. His work focuses on municipal finance, land development, housing markets, and land value capture tools. Education: BA MSc MA Research interests include infrastructure finance, property tax reform, and strategic planning practices in Ontario and Eastern Europe. He advises government bodies like the National Treasury of South Africa and collaborates with international organizations such as the OECD and World Bank. Key Contributions: Consulted on Toronto’s Smart Track financing and MPAC’s property tax assessment processes Authored works on suburban policy challenges and livable cities Presented globally at UN Habitat III, Medellín, and across Eastern Europe/Latin America Awards: Lambda Alpha Honourary Land Economics Society membership. Advisory Roles: Google Sidewalk Affordable Housing Advisory Committee City of Toronto Inclusionary Zoning Advisory Committee Metrolinx Project Evaluation Advisory Panel Editorial boards of Town Planning Review and Journal of European Research and Spatial Policy Labs/Initiatives: Active in CUR and the City Building Institute, advancing land value capture and urban policy innovations.
William Martinez, PhD, ABPP is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and Vice Chair for Diversity and Health Equity. He serves as Director of the Child and Adolescent Services clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Director of Pediatric Mental Health for the UCSF Health and Human Rights Initiative. Dr. Martinez is a licensed psychologist (CA PSY28084) certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences Division of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry Director of the Fuerte program Faculty in APA-accredited internship programs Dr. Martinez's research focuses on reducing behavioral health disparities among ethnic minority youth, with special emphasis on Latinx and immigrant populations. His socio-ecological approach addresses three key areas: the impact of social determinants on behavioral health disparities; implementation of evidence-based prevention and intervention programming for traumatic stress; and policy advocacy for juveniles in immigration court proceedings. His work integrates implementation science with community-based participatory research to develop culturally responsive mental health interventions. Analysis of Dr. Martinez's 15 most recent publications reveals a strong concentration on immigrant mental health, particularly focusing on newcomer Latinx youth. His research spans trauma, adaptation, telehealth implementation during the pandemic, critical consciousness, and the impact of immigration policy on mental health. The publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach combining clinical psychology, public health, and policy advocacy. Scientific awards and honors include: CHCF Health Care Leadership Program Fellow (2022-2024) NIH Loan Repayment Program (2018-2020) Jeffrey S. Tanaka Memorial Dissertation Award (2015) Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship (2013-2014) Predoctoral Minority Fellowship Program (2010-2013) Dr. Martinez is Principal Investigator of several major research projects, including the Fuerte program (a school-based prevention program for newcomer immigrant youth), and serves as Co-Investigator on NIH-funded research examining community-based sports interventions for newcomer youth. He is actively involved in training through the Multicultural Clinical Training Program and Clinical Psychology Training Program at UCSF/ZSFG. His leadership extends to global health equity, with research interests spanning child and adolescent health, mental health, human rights, refugee health, policy standards of care, and implementation science across California and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Joseph T. Mahoney is the Caterpillar Chair and Professor of Business Administration at the Gies College of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also serves as Associate Director of the Illinois Strategic Organizations Initiative (ISOI). His research focuses on strategic management, organizational economics, and governance theory, emphasizing topics like resource-based views, transaction costs, stakeholder management, and firm growth dynamics. Mahoney is a Fellow of the Strategic Management Society (2013) and an AOM Fellow (2012). Key research interests include Edith Penrose’s growth theory, real options analysis, and the interplay between corporate governance and stakeholder interests. His work bridges classical economic theories with modern organizational challenges, addressing topics such as firm boundaries, strategic decision-making under uncertainty, and institutional frameworks. Recent publications highlight explorations into resource redeployment, stakeholder governance frameworks, and the Penrose Effect. His contributions emphasize theoretical rigor while addressing practical managerial implications. Professional recognitions include leadership roles in academic initiatives and editorial contributions to journals like Strategy Science and Strategic Management Review . His research has been widely cited, with notable works on transaction cost economics and strategic alliances.
Luc Sels has served as Rector of KU Leuven since August 1, 2017, and was re-elected for a second four-year term in May 2021. He is a full professor in the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), where he joined in 1996, became full professor in 2004, and served as Dean from 2008 to 2017. He concurrently holds an honorary professorship at Cardiff University and advisory roles at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, National University of Singapore, and Korea University. His research centers on labour market projections (employment, skill levels, regional forecasts), active labour market policies, and cooperative entrepreneurship. As Chairholder of the Randstand Chair on Employer Branding, VBO-FEB Chair on Belgian Business Champions, and CERA-Boerenbond Chair on Cooperative Entrepreneurship, he publishes in top journals including Journal of Management and Harvard Business Review. His work bridges academic research and policy impact through the Centre of Expertise in Labour Market Monitoring. Analysis of Sels' 2021-2025 publications reveals two dominant research streams: human resource management (particularly employer branding mechanics and line manager roles in training effectiveness) and cooperative enterprise dynamics (focusing on social capital in agri-food cooperatives). Methodological innovations in survival analysis for organizational research complement these themes, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor across management, economics, and policy domains. Scientific Awards: No specific prizes, fellowships, or medals are mentioned in the source text. Sels actively supervises doctoral research, including S. Friedel's work on agri-food cooperative legitimacy, A. Billiet's study of member 'voice' mechanisms, K.G. Tamayo's analysis of line manager HRM involvement in Philippine call centers, and S. Ghielen's employer branding equity research. His current funded projects include Intercooperation (2024-2028) examining cross-cooperative legitimacy, Centre of Expertise for Labour Market Monitoring (2021-2025), and Relationships Matter (2019-2024) investigating social capital in agricultural cooperatives. He conducts research through KU Leuven's Department of Work and Organisation Studies and Leuven Economics of Education Research Centre (LEER), while directing the Centre of Expertise in Labour Market Monitoring for Flemish government policy advising. His cooperative entrepreneurship work operates through the CERA-Boerenbond Chair, integrating academic research with industry partnerships.
Ira Chatterjee is an Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at the School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She holds a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship from the Hanken School of Economics (2022) and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. With 12 years of industry experience before academia, her research focuses on entrepreneurship, social innovation, and organizational change in emerging markets, particularly in low-income settings. She currently supervises theses at Upgrad Edtech UK and serves as a Global Professor of the Practice at Golden Gate University. Education: Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship, Management, and Organization, Hanken School of Economics (2022) MBA, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi Research Interests: Her work explores how entrepreneurship drives social and economic development through social innovations and organizational change. Key areas include women’s entrepreneurship, well-being at the base of the pyramid, and the role of intermediaries in qualitative research. She also investigates structuration theory and its applications in organizational studies. Advising & Ancillary Roles: Thesis Supervisor at Upgrad Edtech UK (2024–2026) Global Professor of the Practice at Golden Gate University (2025–present) Labs/Teams: No specific lab mentioned, but her research collaborations span international institutions, including the University of Chester and San Francisco-based universities.
Dr Tanya Tierney serves as Assistant Dean, Clinical Communication at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University. She is a资深 medical educator specializing in patient-centered communication and simulation-based teaching methodologies. Previously, she held roles at Imperial College London, including Course Leader for Clinical Communication and Head of Year for Graduate Entry Medicine students. Her expertise includes simulated patient (SP) training, curriculum development, and student welfare initiatives. Dr Tierney holds a PhD in Neuroendocrinology from the National Institute for Medical Research (1998) and transitioned to medical education research in 2004. Her work focuses on simulation-based learning, ethnographic approaches to non-technical skills development, and stress management in healthcare settings. Key contributions include developing assessment tools like the Imperial Stress Assessment Tool (ISAT) and advancing hybrid simulation methodologies. Her research portfolio spans over two decades, with recent emphasis on empathy development in healthcare professionals, global perspectives on equity in medical education, and optimizing simulated participant programs. She has authored numerous studies on clinical communication, surgical training, and interprofessional collaboration.
Dr. Jennifer Cearns is a Lecturer in AI Trust and Security and Social Anthropology at The University of Manchester, and a Visiting Professor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. Her research bridges digital anthropology with investigations into AI's societal impacts, including intimacy, trust, grief, and kinship in human-AI relationships. She has conducted ethnographic fieldwork across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the US, with a focus on Cuba's socio-economic dynamics and digital-material exchanges. Cearns holds a PhD from UCL (2020), an MSc and BA from Oxford University, and has consulted in the technology industry for over a decade. Her research explores themes like AI in dementia care, embryo selection ethics, and the privatization of Cuban housing. She has published extensively, including her monograph Circulating Culture (2023), which examines cross-border exchanges between Cuba and the US. Awards include the Arthur Maurice Hocart Prize (2019) and Roseberry Nash Award (2020). Cearns actively engages in public discourse through media appearances and academic conferences, addressing topics like AI’s emotional dimensions and digital surveillance. She supervises PhD students in areas such as AI ethics, kinship studies, and Latin American socio-political issues. Current projects include a book on Cuba’s evolving values and collaborations on AI’s epistemological challenges. Cearns’ work contributes to UN SDGs related to education and sustainable development through her research on technology’s societal impacts.
Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng serves as Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chair Professor in Positioning and Navigation Systems at Imperial College London. He directs the Centre for Active Resilience and Security (CARS) and maintains key affiliations with the Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation, Centre for Transport Engineering and Modelling, Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering, and Space Lab. His extensive advisory roles include the Science Museum Group Board of Trustees, Royal Institute of Navigation Presidency, and Royal Academy of Engineering Africa Steering Committee. His educational background includes a BSc (First Class) in Engineering from the University of Nairobi and MSc (Distinction) and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Nottingham. He received an honorary DSc from Technical University of Kenya in 2023. Ochieng's research pioneers critical infrastructure resilience, user-centric mobility, and positioning/navigation/timing (PNT) systems. He has designed satellite navigation systems (including Europe's EGNOS and GALILEO) for multi-domain applications and advanced Air Traffic Management and Intelligent Transport Systems. His work integrates geomatics, transportation engineering, and sustainable mobility to solve global urban infrastructure challenges, with recent emphasis on decarbonization and AI-driven solutions. His 2024-2025 publications reveal strong trends in sustainable transportation decarbonization, AI-optimized traffic management, and resilient urban positioning systems. Research focuses on hydrogen fuel cell trains, carbon-efficient aviation, and deep reinforcement learning applications for emission reduction, demonstrating interdisciplinary integration of engineering, environmental science, and artificial intelligence to address climate challenges. Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2013) Harold Spencer-Jones Gold Medal from Royal Institute of Navigation (2019) Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from Technical University of Kenya (2023) Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) from Kenya (2023) Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (2024) Ochieng provides strategic guidance to UK Government bodies (Government Office for Science, Department for Transport, FCDO), European Parliament, and European Court of Auditors. His advisory work shaped the Blackett Review on Satellite-derived Time/Position, UK Space Strategy, and Future of Mobility report. He chairs the Science Museum London Advisory Board and leads FCDO's Sustainable Urban Economic Development program in Africa, with significant grant influence through UK National Physical Laboratory and Department for International Development. He directs the Centre for Active Resilience and Security (CARS) and leads Space Lab initiatives, focusing on mission-critical PNT systems and infrastructure resilience. His teams collaborate with international consortia including RTCM Special Committee 134 and US Institute of Navigation, developing next-generation navigation solutions for safety-critical applications across transport, aviation, and urban environments.
Dr. Ma'Mon Saeed Alghananim is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Faculty of Engineering , Imperial College London. His work focuses on geospatial engineering and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) for mission-critical systems. PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London (2022) MSc in Geospatial Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW) BSc in Surveying and Geomatics Engineering, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan Dr. Alghananim pioneered the Maximum non-Bounded Difference (MnBD) method to solve a 20-year-old GNSS overbounding error problem, enhancing safety in critical applications. He also developed the GEV-based Gaussian distribution for extreme event modeling in complex datasets. His research spans GNSS error analysis , extreme value statistics , and safety-critical systems , contributing to high-profile projects like the European Space Agency's INSPIRe and UKRI's WeWalk . No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned.
Prof. Dr. phil. Dipl. Psych. Ulrike Kluge is a Professor and Head of the Center of Cross-Cultural Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (ZIPP) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. She concurrently leads the Research Division for Intercultural Migration and Care Research within Social Psychiatry and serves as a Senior Researcher at the Berlin Institute for Integration and Migration Research (Humboldt University). Her work focuses on intercultural mental health services and migration-related psychosocial challenges. Research Focus: Kluge specializes in critical migration studies examining psychological impacts of displacement, ethno-psychoanalysis, psychotherapy with cultural interpreters, and group-analytic approaches in transcultural contexts. Her research portfolio includes qualitative investigations into: Mental health consequences of racism and structural discrimination Refugee-host community dynamics Language barriers in healthcare Innovative care models for forced migrants Intercultural opening of mental health systems Key Projects: FOCUS: Forced displacement and refugee-host community solidarity TransVer: Network for intercultural opening of psychosocial care systems reWoven: Refugee women and psychosocial volunteer engagement SeGeMi: Study group on Mental Health and Migration Effectiveness studies on native-language counseling Professional Engagement: She develops training programs for clinicians working with refugees, provides supervision services, and coordinates Berlin-wide networks for refugee mental health care. Her work significantly contributes to professionalizing psychosocial support for asylum seekers through the 'Welcome Culture at Charité' initiative.
