Katarzyna Wrońska is a Professor at the Institute of Pedagogy, Jagiellonian University in Kraków , where she also serves as an Erasmus+ Programme Coordinator . Her academic work spans pedagogical theory, educational philosophy, and historical analyses of learning systems. She teaches courses including History of Pedagogical Thought and Practice , Philosophy of Education , and Contemporary Pedagogical Trends , primarily for graduate students. Her research focuses on intersections between liberalism and education, historical pedagogical models (notably John Locke's theories), Christian humanism in curriculum development, and ethical dimensions of self-instruction. She examines autonomy in universities, competition dynamics in learning environments, and civility as an absent pedagogical discourse. The 15 most recent publications reveal trends in three domains: (1) Liberal Educational Philosophy (2012-2024), analyzing autonomy, competition, and state roles; (2) Historical Pedagogy (2011-2021), particularly Polish Enlightenment-era reforms; and (3) Educational Ethics (2005-2023), covering Christian values, civil society, and moral instruction during authoritarian regimes. She supervises doctoral and master's students in pedagogy, though specific advisees aren't named. Consultations for students occur weekly at Batorego Street 12, room 15, during academic year 2024/25, with appointments required via email.
Haipeng Shen is a Professor of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School, The University of Hong Kong, serving as Associate Dean (EMBA and IMBA) and holding the Patrick S C Poon Professorship in Analytics and Innovation. He chairs the Business Analytics and Innovation program and joined HKU in 2015 after previously holding a professorship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His academic credentials include: PhD in Statistics, The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, 2003 MA in Statistics, The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, 2000 BS in Mathematics, School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking University, 1998 Professor Shen's research focuses on data-driven decision making under uncertainty, with expertise spanning big data analytics, business analytics, healthcare analytics, and service engineering. He develops advanced statistical and machine learning methodologies to solve complex operational problems in call centers, optimize stroke care protocols, and enhance financial risk modeling, emphasizing real-time applications in high-stakes environments. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent interdisciplinary approach bridging operations research, statistics, and domain-specific knowledge. His work demonstrates strong methodological innovation in time-series forecasting for service systems, risk assessment frameworks for medical complications, and covariance structure analysis for financial markets, with direct translational impact on business operations and clinical outcomes. His scientific contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including: Most Influential Publication Award from China Stroke Association (2018) Fellow of the American Statistical Association (2015) Best Advisor of the Year Award from Academy of Asian Business (2018) Elected Member of International Statistical Institute (2015) Cluster Chair for Big Data Analytics at INFORMS International (2015) As an academic leader, Professor Shen has secured significant research funding from organizations including The Xerox Foundation and National Institute on Drug Abuse. He serves as Associate Editor for Management Science, Journal of the American Statistical Association, and Technometrics, while mentoring graduate students in statistical methodology and applied analytics. His current initiatives position HKU Business School at the forefront of healthcare innovation through big data analytics, driving collaborations with medical institutions to transform stroke care and hospital operations in Asia.
Simon Chadwick is a Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy at Skema Business School in France. He specializes in the intersection of sports, geopolitics, and economic transformation in the Middle East, particularly focusing on Gulf states' strategic investments in global sports ecosystems. His research examines how nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar leverage sports to diversify economies, enhance soft power, and address unemployment. Key themes include the commercialization of football leagues, privatization of sports clubs, and the role of multinational corporations in shaping regional sports markets. Chadwick’s recent articles analyze the Gulf’s pursuit of the 2036 Olympics, the integration of esports into national strategies, and the challenges of building fan loyalty in the Saudi Pro League. His work also explores the economic implications of acquiring European football clubs and the long-term sustainability of Gulf-led sports initiatives. He has contributed to debates on 'sportswashing' and argues that Gulf investments extend beyond PR to systemic economic restructuring. His insights are frequently cited in analyses of Saudi Vision 2030 and its sports-related giga-projects like Neom and Diriyah.
Matt Nassar is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Assistant Professor of Cognitive and Psychological Sciences at Brown University. He leads the Learning, Memory and Decision Lab, which is part of the Department of Neuroscience and the Robert J. & Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science. His research focuses on understanding how the brain flexibly processes information to achieve complex and adaptive behaviors through computational approaches that bridge cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Education: PhD, University of Pennsylvania (2012) BA, Colgate University (2004) Nassar's research examines how different cognitive systems—learning, memory, and perception—leverage common computational principles to optimize decision-making. His work particularly focuses on how the brain balances stability and flexibility in processing information, how uncertainty is represented and utilized in learning, and how neural computations underlie complex behaviors. Through computational modeling and empirical research, he investigates how modular information-processing systems impact decisions and complex behavior in dynamic environments. His research integrates methods from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to address fundamental questions about human cognition. Analysis of Nassar's recent publications (2020-2024) reveals a strong focus on computational neuroscience applied to decision-making, learning, and psychiatric conditions. His work frequently employs Bayesian modeling approaches to understand belief updating, uncertainty processing, and structure learning. Key themes include the neural basis of flexibility in learning, computational mechanisms underlying psychiatric symptoms, and age-related changes in cognitive processing. His research bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling to provide insights into both healthy cognition and disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Scientific Contributions: Developed computational models of belief updating and learning under uncertainty Investigated neural mechanisms of stability-flexibility tradeoffs in cognition Examined age-related differences in learning and memory processes Explored computational mechanisms underlying psychiatric conditions Studied the role of noise correlations in neural learning systems Investigated how prefrontal cortex representations shape decision processes Nassar actively mentors researchers in his lab, with recent announcements highlighting postdocs joining from prestigious institutions like Max Planck UCL and Freie Universität Berlin. His lab appears to receive significant research funding, supporting multiple postdoctoral positions and research projects. Collaborations span multiple departments at Brown University, particularly with researchers in Cognitive and Psychological Sciences, Neurology, and Psychiatry. The lab has produced numerous high-impact publications in top journals including Nature Human Behaviour, Brain, and eLife. The Learning, Memory and Decision Lab, led by Nassar, is an active research group that uses computational models to understand how the brain represents and stores information for effective decision making. Recent lab announcements (as of February 2025) indicate the lab is expanding with new postdoctoral researchers joining from Harvard, Max Planck UCL, and Freie Universität Berlin, suggesting strong research momentum and funding support. The lab appears to be well-integrated within Brown's neuroscience community, with collaborations spanning multiple departments and research centers.
Prof. Dr. Koert van Bekkum serves as Professor and Department Chair of Old Testament at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit Leuven (ETF Leuven), where he also holds the position of Academic Vice Dean for Research since 2022. Previously, he was an Associate Professor of Old Testament at ETF Leuven (2018-2020) and continues to hold an Associate Professor position at Theological University Kampen since 2018. His academic career spans biblical scholarship, theological education, and research leadership in the field of Old Testament studies within the Reformed tradition. His educational background includes: PhD from Theological University Kampen (2010) with highest honors, dissertation: 'From Conquest to Coexistence: Ideology and Antiquarian Intent in the Historiography of Israel's Settlement in Canaan' Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (2014) Visiting PhD Candidate, Archaeological Institute, Hebrew University Jerusalem (2000) Member Megiddo Expedition (1998, 2000) Drs. theol., Theological University Kampen (1997) VWO-diploma (gymnasium), Gomarus College, Groningen (1989) Van Bekkum's research interests span multiple dimensions of Old Testament scholarship, with particular emphasis on biblical historiography, archaeology of the Southern Levant, and the intersection of biblical studies with Reformed theology. His work demonstrates deep engagement with ancient Near Eastern contexts, biblical chronology, and the theological interpretation of scripture. He has made significant contributions to understanding biblical covenants, ancient Israelite history, and the relationship between biblical texts and archaeological evidence. His scholarship often bridges traditional Reformed theological perspectives with contemporary academic approaches to biblical studies, creating a distinctive voice in the field that values both confessional commitments and scholarly rigor. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of biblical texts with historical and archaeological contexts, particularly regarding the chronology of ancient Israel and the Southern Levant. Van Bekkum frequently examines how biblical narratives interact with ancient Near Eastern contexts, as seen in his work on Joshua, Deuteronomy, and biblical covenants. His scholarship shows a growing interest in reception history and how biblical texts have been interpreted across different eras, including contemporary contexts of religious pluralism. Notably, he has engaged with controversial topics like the Shapira forgeries and biblical chronology, demonstrating willingness to tackle complex scholarly debates while maintaining theological integrity. Van Bekkum is actively involved in academic service, serving on the Executive Board of the Netherlands School for Advanced Studies in Theology and Religion (2017-), as a member of the American Schools of Oriental Research (2019-), and previously as Secretary of the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België (2017-2022). His leadership extends to editorial roles, including previous service on the Editorial Board of Verantwoordingsreeks (2014-2017) and the Board of the Society for Christian Philosophy (2013-2017). His academic work is characterized by a commitment to integrating biblical scholarship with Reformed theological tradition while engaging constructively with contemporary scholarly debates. Van Bekkum's research demonstrates how historical-critical methods can coexist with confessional theological commitments, offering a model for evangelical scholarship that is both academically rigorous and theologically faithful.
Lynn Wu is an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence, analytics, and innovation. She teaches MBA, undergraduate, and doctoral courses on emerging technologies' transformative impact on business and society. Education: B.S. in Finance and Computer Science, MIT M.S. in Computer Science, MIT Ph.D. in Management Science, MIT Sloan Her research explores how AI and digital platforms reshape productivity, workforce dynamics, and innovation strategies, with applications in antitrust policy and startup ecosystems. Key trends in her publications include AI's role in post-IPO innovation, robotics' impact on managerial roles, and social media's ability to mitigate funding disparities. Scientific Awards: Kauffman Best Paper Award (2019) Sandy Slaughter Early Career Award (2019) AIS Early Career Award (2018) ISR Best Published Paper (2014) Best Paper Awards at ICIS (2009), HICSS (2013), etc. She has collaborated with IBM, Google, Meta, and advised the U.S. Department of Justice and World Bank, with her work cited by The New York Times , The Economist , and Harvard Business Review .
Palak Suri serves as an Assistant Professor in the Economics Department at West Virginia University, specializing in urban and labor economics with emphasis on public transit distributional impacts and gender employment dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, University of Maryland, 2022 Her research investigates socioeconomic effects of urban infrastructure in developing contexts, particularly analyzing Mumbai's metro rail system for travel time savings, employment accessibility, land value appreciation, and air quality improvements. She concurrently examines transportation's role in women's labor market participation through empirical studies on gender-transport-employment linkages. Recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate methodological rigor through combined reduced-form and structural approaches, establishing connections between public transportation investments and multidimensional welfare outcomes including environmental health, gender equity, and household economic benefits across Indian urban settings.
Susan Butler-Wu, PhD, D(ABMM), SM (ASCP) serves as the Director of Medical Microbiology at LAC+USC Medical Center and holds the position of Clinical Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. She received her PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Tufts University and completed postdoctoral fellowships in Tuberculosis Pathogenesis at New York University and Medical and Public Health Microbiology at the University of Washington. Prior to her current role, she was the Associate Director of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Washington Medical Center. Research Focus: Rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance detection, and diagnostic stewardship. Professional Roles: Member of the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology; serves on working groups for the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Key Contributions: Extensive publications on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, and antimicrobial resistance trends.
Dr. Alfred Chong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt University (HWU). Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and co-founded the Illinois Risk Lab. His research focuses on Actuarial Science, Financial Mathematics, and Quantitative Risk Management, addressing emerging risks like cyber, pandemic, and climate risks, leveraging machine learning, optimization, and stochastic control. He holds a PhD from The University of Hong Kong and King's College London, and is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries. Chong actively contributes to academic governance, including roles in the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Early Career Forum and the Maxwell Institute's Data and Decisions research theme. Education: PhD in Actuarial Science, University of Hong Kong & King's College London Research Interests: Chong explores risk sharing mechanisms, forward preferences in insurance, and mitigation strategies for large-scale risks. His work integrates data analytics and machine learning to solve decision-making challenges, such as cybersecurity risk assessment, pandemic resource allocation, and climate risk modeling. Recent projects include incident-specific cyber insurance design and delegated investment strategies for retirement savings. Awards: Michael V. Colla Prize for Mathematics Related to Medicine (2022) Best of 2020 in the Annual Meeting of the Casualty Actuarial Society (2021) Advising & Grants: Chong supervises PhD students in holistic risk management, forward preferences, and reinforcement learning applications. He has secured grants supporting interdisciplinary research in risk modeling and insurance innovation. Labs & Teams: Co-founder of the Illinois Risk Lab (UIUC), now leading research at HWU's Actuarial Mathematics & Statistics department. Engaged with the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences for knowledge exchange initiatives.
Kari Lancaster is a Professor in Social Studies of Science and Health within the Department of Social and Policy Sciences at the University of Bath . She is also an Editor of Science, Technology & Human Values and holds an Honorary Burnet Institute Senior Principal Fellow position at the Burnet Institute. Her work bridges Science and Technology Studies (STS) , health sociology , and policy studies to examine evidence-making practices and intervention translations in health. Research Interests: She specializes in Theory-informed and theory-innovating empirical social science research Critical analysis of drugs and addiction and infectious diseases (hepatitis C, HIV, and COVID-19) Interdisciplinarity through collaboration between critical social scientists and policy/practice implementers Global health policy under transformative changes, focusing on outbreak response and viral elimination Scientific Awards: Honorary Burnet Institute Senior Principal Fellow (2024) Education: Holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of New South Wales.
Professor Terry Flew (BEc (Hons), MEc (Sydney), MBA (QUT), PhD (Griffith)) is a leading academic at the University of Sydney , holding the Professor of Digital Communication & Culture position within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences . As an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow (2024-2029), he leads the Centre for AI, Trust & Governance , a flagship initiative involving multiple faculties. His international appointments include Research Fellow at the UK Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre and Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Co-Director, Centre for AI Trust and Governance Member, SSSHARC research center International collaborations with Carleton University (Canada), Communications University of China, University of Glasgow (UK) Research Focus : Specializing in platform governance , digital policy , and mediated trust , Professor Flew bridges media economics , AI ethics , and creative industries . His work examines digital platform regulation , news media sustainability , and global internet governance , with recent projects analyzing trust mechanisms in AI systems and digital content regulation . The 2024-2028 Laureate Fellowship on "Mediated Trust" integrates these themes. Publications & Grants : With 16 authored/edited books and 129 journal articles , he has secured $11 million in research funding (including $9.9 million from ARC). Key grants include ARC Discovery projects on digital platform governance and Linkage projects on citizen journalism. Professional Leadership : Served as ICA President (2019-2020), ANZCA President (2009-10), and Lead Commissioner for the Australian Law Reform Commission. Currently sits on editorial boards of Journal of Communication , Global Media and Communication , and Media International Australia .
Professor Peter Verhoef is a renowned academic at the University of Groningen, serving as a Professor of Marketing and Director of the University of Groningen Business School. He earned his PhD from the Erasmus School of Economics. His research focuses on customer management, loyalty, and consumer behavior in contexts such as organic product purchasing and digital transformation. Notably, Verhoef received the 2013 Sheth Foundation/Journal of Marketing Award and the 2009 Harold M. Maynard Award, marking him as a leading figure in marketing research. He also chairs the Advisory Council for the Customer Centre of the Dutch Banking Association (NVB). Education: PhD from Erasmus School of Economics Affiliations: Director of University of Groningen Business School, Chair at NVB Research Interests: Verhoef’s work bridges academic rigor and practical applications. He investigates how digital transformation impacts businesses, explores consumer responses to privacy practices, and analyzes the effects of marketing strategies on customer retention. His findings often challenge conventional wisdom, such as demonstrating that 'light' products do not aid weight loss. Recent studies emphasize omnichannel retailing, privacy calculus, and the business value of SME digitalization. Awards: His accolades include the Sheth Foundation/Journal of Marketing Award for groundbreaking work on CRM efforts and the Harold M. Maynard Award for best paper in the Journal of Marketing. These prizes underscore his global influence in marketing academia. Grants & Teams: While specific grants are not detailed, his leadership roles suggest involvement in large-scale research projects. Collaborative work with institutions like the SOM Research School and contributions to interdisciplinary initiatives (e.g., digital transformation frameworks) highlight his team-oriented approach. Labs/Teams: Active in the University of Groningen Business School’s marketing department, he collaborates with researchers like Dong J.Q., Nguyen D.K., and Eggers F., focusing on data analytics, customer experience, and privacy-related challenges.
Dov Cohen is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois, with extensive cross-disciplinary affiliations including the Information Trust Institute, College of Law, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. His academic home resides within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Professor Cohen's research centers on Cultural Psychology with specific expertise in honor cultures, institutional inversion, and cross-cultural value systems. His work examines how cultural frameworks shape cognition, emotion, and behavior - particularly regarding violence, debt, and religious influences. Notable contributions include the development of the 'institutional inversion' framework explaining discrepancies between collective attitudes and behaviors, and pioneering research on honor cultures in the American South. His publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions across top journals including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , Current Directions in Psychological Science , and Social Psychology . Recent work explores East-West relationship differences, gendered language in financial contexts, and the psychological mechanisms underlying cultural transmission. Cohen maintains active research programs examining the embodied nature of culture through psychological perspective and physical comportment. His theoretical work integrates Lewinian field theory with contemporary cultural psychology frameworks. As a mentor, Professor Cohen advises graduate students in Psychology and related interdisciplinary programs, fostering research that bridges cultural psychology with law, economics, and religious studies. His collaborative projects frequently involve international teams examining cultural phenomena across diverse national contexts.
Charles Baden-Fuller is the Centenary Professor of Strategy and leader of the Strategy Group at Bayes Business School , City St George’s, University of London . He is concurrently a Senior Fellow at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania . Recognised among the world’s top strategy scholars, he has directed major multi-institutional research initiatives and served as Editor-in-Chief of Long Range Planning (1999-2010). Education & Qualifications BA (Oxon) – University of Oxford MA Economics – Cornell University PhD – London School of Economics Research Interests Charles’s work lies at the intersection of strategic management , business model innovation and digital transformation . His early research explained how mature firms can be rejuvenated and how alliances create competitive advantage. More recently he has advanced the concept of business models , investigating what they are, how they evolve, and how managerial cognition shapes their deployment in increasingly digitalised environments. Empirical settings span biotechnology, financial services, automotive software ecosystems and creative industries. Publications & Impact With over 80 refereed journal articles and five influential books—including the seminal Rejuvenating the Mature Business (Harvard Business Press)—his scholarship has shaped both academic theory and managerial practice. Recent articles (2021-2025) focus on digital platform alliances, entrepreneurial networking logics, and AI-enabled business model design. Honours & Awards Fellow of the Strategic Management Society (SMS Fellow, 2009) Fellow of the British Academy of Management Fellow of the British Academy Fellow of AACSB Doctoral Supervision & Research Funding He has supervised to completion more than six PhD students, many now faculty at leading universities. His research has attracted over £4 million in grants from the European Union , UK ESRC , EPSRC and the Mack Institute-Wharton , supporting multi-university teams at Bayes, Sussex, LSE, CREATE-Glasgow, Grenoble EM and Wharton. Professional & Outreach Roles Beyond academia, Charles serves as director or strategic advisor to several high-technology start-ups and as trustee of a major charity. He is a frequent keynote speaker for industry and policy audiences, and his research findings have been featured in the Financial Times , Management Today and other leading media.
Éric Bélanger is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at McGill University, specializing in Canadian and Quebec politics. His research focuses on electoral behavior, political parties, nationalism, and public opinion dynamics. He holds a PhD from the Université de Montréal and has published extensively on topics such as generational shifts in Quebec nationalism, party realignment, and municipal voting patterns. His work frequently employs quantitative methods, including advanced econometric modeling for election forecasting. Research interests include: Quebec and Canadian political systems Political party competition and realignment Nationalist movements and identity politics Economic voting and fiscal policy impacts Municipal elections and local governance Comparative studies of electoral systems His recent work highlights innovative approaches to forecasting elections in diverse contexts like France and Latin America, while maintaining a strong focus on Quebec-specific issues such as generational voting patterns and the evolving nationalist landscape. Bélanger’s research often bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis, contributing to both Canadian and comparative political science literatures.
