Katrin Kivimaa is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture within the Faculty of Arts and Culture at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Leeds and previously served as Professor of Modern Art History at the same institution (2006–2017). Her academic background includes studies in history, art history, and gender studies at the University of Tartu and Central European University. Her research centers on feminist reinterpretations of art history, with emphasis on Estonian modern/contemporary art, nationalism, social art projects, feminist curating, and representations of femininity in visual culture. She investigates how gender and national identity intersect in post-Soviet contexts, often through historiographical analysis. Kivimaa's publications (2009–2022) demonstrate consistent focus on gender politics in Eastern European art, Soviet-era visual culture, feminist curatorial methodologies, and Baltic art historiography. Her work frequently employs exhibition histories, interviews, and ideological critique to challenge canonical narratives. Awards: Ervin Pütsep Prize (2009) for the best art history monograph in Estonian She has led significant curatorial projects including co-curating The Soviet Woman in Estonian Art (Kumu Art Museum, 2010) and participating in the international research team for Gender Check: Femininity and Masculinity in the Art of Eastern Europe (Vienna/Warsaw, 2008–2010). Her editorial work includes anthologies on feminist curating and Baltic art geographies.
Marianna Cavada is a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester School of Architecture (MSA), where she leads the MA Architecture & Urbanism program as the Prototype Urbanism Lab Lead and serves as the Department International Lead. Her research focuses on AI-driven urbanism, smart and liveable cities, and policy design for sustainable urban transformation. Education: PhD in Civil Engineering (2019, University of Birmingham) PG Dip Architecture (International) RIBA II (2008, Huddersfield University) BA Hons Architecture RIBA I (2005, Huddersfield University) BA Hons Interior Design (2001, De Montfort University) Marianna bridges theoretical and practical urbanism through collaborations with local policymakers (Lancaster City Council, Karystos Municipality) and international bodies like the WHO. Her work addresses inequality, climate emergency, and global health within the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework. She contributed to the British Academy-funded 'Caring-with Cities' project and EPSRC initiatives including Liveable Cities and the Green Infrastructure Corridors program. Her research outputs include the book The Little Book of Smart Cities and publications on topics ranging from CO2 emissions in smart cities to gamification in post-pandemic urban evaluation. Marianna has presented at institutions such as the University of Birmingham, Donghua University, and Xi’an Jiaotong University, and has led workshops like the Smart Cities Alliance in Birmingham. Key Scientific Awards: First Prize – Peter Stead Award (2008) Higher Commendation in PG Dip Architecture (2008) Marianna supervises PhD projects in AI Urbanism, Smart Cities, Liveable Cities, and Urban Engineering. Her professional background includes architectural practice in the UK (ATKINS), UAE (Al Falah project), and China (GDG Ltd, Twin Cities), alongside academic roles at the University of Birmingham and Lancaster School of Architecture. She operates from the Manchester Technology Centre and maintains memberships in the International Society for Urban Health and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Gerald K. LeTendre is the Harry Lawrence Batschelet II Chair of Educational Administration at Pennsylvania State University, where he has served as a Professor of Education and International Affairs since 2015. He co-edits The American Journal of Education and contributes to global dialogues on teacher quality, educational policy, and technology integration. Education : BA in Sociology from Harvard University, MA in Sociology and PhD in Education from Stanford University. Research Focus : Comparative international education, teacher policy, ICT/social robots in classrooms, and globalization’s impact on teaching professions. His work analyzes how information and communication technology (ICT) —particularly social robots—reshapes teacher roles worldwide. Recent publications examine teacher leadership in Nordic and East Asian contexts, robot-human interactions in project-based learning, and cross-national policy coherence . He emphasizes globalization’s cultural logics and educational equity in rural districts. Notable awards include multiple Fulbright Scholarships (Bremen, Sophia University), a Spencer Post-doctoral Fellowship , and the Johann Jacobs Young Scholar Award . His research bridges comparative education and technology policy , addressing teacher professional status and ICT’s transformative potential in education systems.
Clare Gardiner serves as Professor of Palliative Care at the University of Sheffield's School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery. She leads the Sheffield Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group and co-directs the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre, with over 15 years of research experience and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. Research Focus: Her work centers on palliative and end-of-life care, ageing populations, and mesothelioma. Key interests include economic aspects of palliative care (particularly family caregiving costs), social isolation in elderly populations, and loneliness interventions like befriending. As Co-Director of the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre, she investigates patient experiences and service delivery models for mesothelioma care. Publication Trends: Recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates strong emphasis on mesothelioma care pathways, pandemic impacts on palliative services, caregiver financial burdens, and mental health implications. Her methodological approach combines mixed-methods studies, systematic reviews, and international comparative analyses to address health equity and service delivery challenges. Scientific Recognition: Vice Chancellor’s Fellowship (2015) for economic analysis of palliative care Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship (2020) studying policies for working end-of-life caregivers Leadership & Grants: She currently directs Mesothelioma UK-funded research (2020-2023) and previously led the University-funded 'Cost of Dying' project (2015-2019). Her research on financial support systems for caregivers has shaped policy discussions, while her role as Chair of the European Association for Palliative Care Reference Group for Family Caregivers drives international collaboration. Research Infrastructure: Gardiner maintains dual leadership roles in the Sheffield Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group and Mesothelioma UK Research Centre, fostering interdisciplinary teams focused on evidence-based interventions for vulnerable patient populations and their caregivers.
Professor Justine Nolan serves as the Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute and a Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice at UNSW Sydney. With over 25 years of experience, she is an internationally recognized expert in modern slavery and human rights issues relating to business practices. Her career has included significant advisory roles with business, civil society, government, and the United Nations, and she has been a key driver of the Australian and global business and human rights movement. Professor Nolan holds an MPP from the University of California, Berkeley, and both an LLB(Hons) and BSc from the Australian National University. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary approach to human rights and business issues. Nolan's research focuses on the intersection of business and human rights, particularly supply chain responsibility for human rights and modern slavery. Her work is noted for both conceptual clarity and practical application, setting strategic paths to address significant business and human rights challenges. She has led major research projects, including one on 'transformative business practices' funded by the Laudes Foundation, which identifies and tests replicable business practices for just transitions in global supply chains. Her influential publications include the 2019 co-authored book Addressing Modern Slavery , The International Law of Human Rights (OUP, 2017), and Business and Human Rights: From Principles to Practice (Routledge, 2016). Professor Nolan's scholarly output reveals consistent focus on modern slavery legislation, supply chain transparency, human rights due diligence, and corporate accountability. Her work demonstrates a progression from theoretical frameworks to practical applications, with increasing emphasis on remediation mechanisms and regulatory effectiveness in recent years. UNSW Arc Postgraduate Outstanding Research Supervisor Award (2020) Academic of the Year, Australian Law Awards (2019) UNSW Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (2018) UNSW Plus Alliance Fellow (2019-2020) Professor Nolan has supervised numerous doctoral students on topics including human rights protection in manufacturing supply chains, extraterritorial processing of refugees, the lithium extractive sector and corporate human rights compliance, and remedying corporate human rights violations. She has secured substantial research funding, including grants from the Laudes Foundation (EUR238,033), Freedom Fund (US$72,727), and Australian Government programs. Her teaching portfolio includes International Human Rights Law and Advocacy, Business and Human Rights, and Human Rights Law in Practice. As Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, Nolan leads a major research center focused on business and human rights issues. She has held significant leadership roles including Deputy Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre (2006-2017) and Associate Dean Academic at UNSW Law (2016-2019). She continues to influence policy through appointments to the Australian Government's Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group (2020, reappointed 2024) and other expert panels.
Nicole Westmarland is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Durham University and Director of the Durham Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA). Her work focuses on male violence against women, policy reform, and global advocacy for gender-based violence prevention. She has led over thirty research and consultancy projects, influencing initiatives like the HM Government Stern Review and the Home Office Coordinated Prostitution Strategy. Current affiliation: Durham University (School of Applied Social Sciences, Department of Sociology) Teaching: MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice, Violence and Abuse module Her research spans sexual violence, domestic abuse, gender dynamics, and policy evaluation , with recent publications addressing pandemic adaptations in perpetrator programs, policing strategies for coercive control, and pedagogical innovations for social change. Her 2015-2025 publications highlight interdisciplinary collaborations across criminology, social work, and law. Scientific honors include advisory roles for the House of Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights (2014-15), the Association of Chief Police Officers (2012-15), and the Government’s Victims of Violence and Abuse Prevention Project. She chairs CRiVA’s Expert Group and advocates for academic research driving real-world social change . Westmarland supervises PhD researchers such as Amy Richards, Fernanda Chacon-Onetto, Holly Dustin, Julia Guy, and Lihan Miao , while leading initiatives like Project Mirabal and the End Violence Against Women Coalition collaborations.
Dr. Orsolya Nador is an Associate Professor at the Department of Hungarian Linguistics, Institute of Hungarian Language, Literature and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest, Hungary. With a PhD in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1998), she has dedicated her career to the study of language policy, Hungarian as a foreign language, and the linguistic landscape of East-Central Europe. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in language teaching and policy development across Central and Eastern European contexts. PhD in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1998) MA in Hungarian Language and Literature, Eötvös Loránd University (1983) Habilitation, University of Pécs (2001) Dr. univ. in Contemporary Hungarian Literature, Eötvös Loránd University (1988) Teacher of Hungarian-Russian Primary School, Eger Teacher Training College (1981) Dr. Nador's research focuses on language policy history, Hungarian as a foreign language (including educational policy and psycholinguistic aspects), Hungarian as a language of origin, the history of Hungarian applied linguistics, and diachronic analysis of linguistic-ethnic issues in East-Central Europe. Her interdisciplinary approach connects historical linguistics with contemporary language policy challenges, particularly regarding minority languages in the Carpathian Basin region. She has pioneered research on language identity formation and the relationship between linguistic diversity and social cohesion in multi-ethnic contexts, examining how language policies shape national identities across Central Europe. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the linguistic landscape of the Carpathian Basin, with particular attention to language policy development, minority language rights, and the teaching of Hungarian as both a foreign and heritage language. Dr. Nador's scholarly work demonstrates how historical language policies continue to influence contemporary linguistic practices and identity formation across East-Central Europe. Her research increasingly addresses digital aspects of language teaching and the evolving role of Hungarian in the European multilingual context, reflecting her commitment to adapting linguistic research to contemporary educational challenges. Teacher of the Year, Károli Gáspár Reformed University (2015) Brassai Prize, Hungarian Association of Applied Linguists and Language Teachers (2023) Dr. Nador has supervised numerous doctoral students working on language policy issues across Europe, including research on Norwegian language policy, Swiss multilingualism, Hungarian language in Burgenland, and media discourse analysis. She has led international research projects including Te-Le-Hu (2008-2010) and Hungarobox (2013-2015), focusing on language teaching methodologies for Hungarian as a foreign language. Her editorial work includes serving as editor-in-chief for Modern Language Teaching journal since 2018 and previously for THL2 - Journal of Hungarian Language Teaching (2005-2018), where she shaped the discourse on Hungarian language pedagogy for over a decade. As leader of the Hungarology Research Group, Dr. Nador coordinates collaborative research on Hungarian language and culture across international borders. Her team works closely with institutions in Slovakia, Croatia, Romania, and Serbia to document and analyze the linguistic practices of Hungarian minority communities throughout the Carpathian Basin, creating a comprehensive picture of how Hungarian functions as both a majority and minority language in different national contexts.
Professor Harry Dimitriou is the Bartlett Professor of Planning Studies at University College London (UCL) and Director of the OMEGA Centre, an international research hub focused on mega infrastructure projects funded by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) from 2005 to 2015. He has held numerous leadership roles, including Head of the Bartlett School of Planning (1998–2004), and has advised global institutions such as the World Bank, UN-Habitat, and the European Investment Bank. Education : PhD in Transport and Urban Development (University of Wales, 1990), MSc in Urban Science (University of Birmingham, 1970), Diploma in Town and Regional Planning (Leeds School of Town Planning, 1969) His research focuses on urban land-use/transport planning , mega transport infrastructure appraisal , and institution-building for sustainable development , with emphasis on cities in the Developing World. Recent work explores policy-led multi-criteria analysis for mega projects and infrastructure interdependencies. He contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) , 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) , and 13 (Climate Action) through teaching and research.
Mariela A. Rodríguez, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where she also serves as a Leadership Fellow for Student Success in the College of Education and Human Development. Her work emphasizes leadership practices that foster equitable learning environments for culturally and linguistically diverse students, with a focus on social justice and mentorship frameworks. Dr. Rodríguez has held prominent roles in national educational organizations, including Vice President of Division A at the American Educational Research Association (2021–2024) and President of the University Council for Educational Administration (2017–2018). She was appointed Co-Editor of the American Educational Research Journal in 2024 and received the Jay D. Scribner Mentoring Award (2021) for her work with graduate students and emerging scholars. Her research explores the intersection of social justice, guerrilla pedagogy, and leadership development, particularly for Latinas and immigrant faculty in academia. Recent publications (2024) include studies on horizontal mentoring and decolonial approaches to transforming schools through guerrilla pedagogy. Earlier work (2019–2017) addresses dual language immersion, English learner support, and organizational renewal in educational institutions. Awards: Jay D. Scribner Mentoring Award (2021) Leadership Roles: Co-Editor, American Educational Research Journal (2024–present) Vice President, AERA Division A (2021–2024) President, UCEA (2017–2018) Key Research Themes: Equity-Oriented Leadership Culturally Responsive Practices Mentorship for Underrepresented Groups Decolonial Educational Reform
Ajay K. Kohli is the Gary T. and Elizabeth R. Jones Chair and Regents' Professor in Marketing at the Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on customer centricity, sales management, B2B marketing, brand management, and market orientation. He has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Marketing and currently holds editorial roles at the Journal of Marketing and International Journal of Research in Marketing . Current Roles: Regents' Professor, Scheller College of Business Editorial Leadership: Former Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Marketing , Associate Editor, Area Editor Academic Recognition: AMA Fellow, EMAC Fellow, ISBM Fellow, multiple awards Education: PhD in Business Management, University of Pittsburgh PGDM (MBA), Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta B. Tech in Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur Research Interests span market orientation, customer solutions, sales management, and brand management. His work explores how firms adapt to market changes, manage customer relationships, and leverage relational processes for competitive advantage. He emphasizes practical relevance, bridging academic research with industry applications. Scientific Awards and Honors Three honorary doctorates (BI Norwegian Business School, University of St. Gallen, Corvinus University of Budapest) IIM Calcutta’s Distinguished Alumnus Award (2017) AMA/McGraw-Hill/Irwin Career Award (2017) Paul D. Converse Award (2016, termed "Marketing Hall of Fame" by Fortune ) Multiple best paper awards across journals Teaching and Professional Experience: Professor Kohli has taught at Emory University, Harvard Business School, University of Texas at Austin, and several international institutions. He has led executive education seminars globally and received the Jack G. Taylor Teaching Excellence Award at UT-Austin. His industry experience includes consulting with 3M, Accenture, IBM, and Deloitte.
Stjepan Husnjak is a Full Professor at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Agriculture (Department of Soil Science), with continuous employment since 1986. He holds B.Sc. (1985), M.Sc. (1993), and Ph.D. (2000) degrees from the same institution, specializing in soil erosion, moisture regimes, and agricultural technology. His research focuses on soil science, including soil classification, GIS applications, soil genesis, degradation, and protection strategies for sustainable land use. He has led projects such as: Advanced monitoring of agroecosystems at risk of salinization/pollution (EU, 2020–2023) Biomass ash applications to enhance soil fertility (National, 2019–2020) Correlation of Croatian soils with the World Reference Base (2007–2013) His publications emphasize soil management in Croatia, erosion modeling, temperature regimes, and tillage systems, often applied to regional agricultural challenges. Administratively, he served as Head of the Department of Soil Science (2003–2011, 2015–2018) and Head of Agroecology graduate studies (2005–2017). He also held editorial roles in Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus and Cartography and Geoinformation .
Sophie N. Parragh is Professor and Head of the Institute of Production and Logistics Management at Johannes Kepler University Linz, where she also serves as program director of the master's degree program in Economic and Business Analytics. She received her PhD from the University of Vienna in 2009 and completed her habilitation in 2016, following postdoctoral research at the IBM Center for Advanced Studies in Porto and a visiting professorship at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Her research focuses on developing exact and heuristic optimization algorithms for complex logistics and transportation problems. Key areas include vehicle routing, green logistics, disaster relief distribution planning, scheduling, and multi-objective optimization. She has particular expertise in branch-and-bound, branch-and-price, column generation, and metaheuristics approaches to solve challenging combinatorial optimization problems. Dr. Parragh's publication record shows a consistent trend toward increasingly complex multi-objective problems, with recent work focusing on electric vehicle routing, multi-echelon production planning under uncertainty, and bi-objective facility location problems with applications in disaster relief. Her research bridges theoretical optimization methods with practical applications in logistics and transportation. Scientific Awards: ÖGOR (Austrian Society for Operations Research) dissertation prize doc.award from the University of Vienna Hertha Firnberg Postdoc fellowship from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) Dr. Parragh has served as department editor for OR Spectrum and as associate editor for Transportation Science, Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, INFORMS Journal on Computing, and Networks. She has led and participated in numerous third-party funded research projects in operations research, including work in healthcare logistics, field staff routing, production planning, and electric vehicle routing. In 2021-2022, she co-organized the monthly VeRoLog webinar series, demonstrating her active engagement with the international operations research community. She maintains strong research collaborations across Europe, evidenced by her co-authored publications with researchers from institutions in Austria, France, Portugal, Denmark, and beyond. Her work consistently addresses both theoretical challenges in optimization and practical applications in industry and public service contexts.
İdil Gaziulusoy is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Design at Aalto University's Department of Design . As a sustainability scientist and design researcher, she focuses on developing frameworks for sustainable, equitable, and resilient future systems through design interventions in socio-technical and socio-ecological contexts, particularly in urban and production-consumption systems. Her research explores design for sustainability transitions , emphasizing co-creation, multispecies ethics, and systemic stakeholder analysis. Recent work includes climate data dashboards , feminist futures in music , and bioinclusive design methodologies . Her publications highlight collaborative approaches to urban sustainability, with a trajectory toward more-than-human flourishing and relational design . Articles demonstrate interdisciplinary engagement across design science , urban transformations , and policy innovation .
Richard J. Light is the Carl H. Pforzheimer, Jr. Research Professor of Teaching and Learning at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). He has been a pivotal figure in higher education policy and assessment for decades, working with four Harvard presidents to enhance undergraduate experiences. His research focuses on higher education leadership , student assessment , and first-generation student success , particularly in educational innovation and curriculum design . Currently, Light is leading initiatives like the Forum for Excellence and Innovation in Higher Education and the Harvard Higher Education Leaders Forum. Education : Ph.D. in Statistics, Harvard University His work emphasizes active learning , student engagement , and constructive faculty-student relationships . Light is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of the Stone Award and Paul Lazarsfeld Award . He has also served on influential boards including the U.S. General Accounting Office and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. Scientific Awards : Stone Award for best book about education and society (2001) Paul Lazarsfeld Award for Distinguished Contributions to Scientific Practice (1991) Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Elected Fellow of The National Academy of Education Light's research on higher education and teaching methods has influenced policies at Harvard and beyond. His collaborations, such as with Howard Gardner on reinventing liberal arts for the 21st century , and projects with Brown, Duke, Georgetown, and Harvard on first-generation student success , highlight his commitment to equitable education and institutional improvement . He advocates for small class sizes and student-led discussions to foster community building and academic growth .
Wolfgang Spohn is a Senior Professor at the University of Tübingen (since 2019) and Principal Investigator of the Cluster of Excellence 'Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science' . He previously served as Professor (C4) at the University of Konstanz (1996-2018) and as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bielefeld (1991-1996). His academic career spans multiple prestigious roles including Academia Europaea member (2015) Frege-Preis awardee (2015) Lakatos Award winner (2012) His research focuses on epistemology , philosophy of science , philosophical logic , ontology , and decision/game theory . He developed ranking theory as a foundational framework for belief dynamics and epistemic reasoning. His work bridges formal epistemology with practical applications in legal theory, economic rationality, and artificial intelligence. Recent publications highlight his contributions to Rationality frameworks for law and science Indexical utility theory and time preferences Ranking-theoretic approaches to conditionals and norms Epistemological foundations of induction Scientific honors include Lakatos Award (2012) Frege-Preis (2015) Heisenberg-Stipendium (1985) He has led major research initiatives such as the DFG Forschergruppe on counterfactuals (2011-2019) and the Reinhart-Koselleck project on reflexive decision theory (2020-present).
