Dr. Michael Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Policing at the School of Law & Criminal Justice. He retired from Merseyside Police in 2022 after 30 years of service, including roles as a public order trainer, operational planner, and leadership instructor. He specialized in public order policing, managing high-profile events like the Champions League, Open Golf Tournament, and G8 protests. His research focuses on balancing human rights with protest policing and multi-agency event management strategies. He served as an accredited Public Safety Tactical Adviser for 19 years, deploying to over 100 events in Merseyside and across the UK. As a trainer, he delivered courses to UK police and international forces like the Ethiopian Federal Police and Sierra Leone Police. His final police role was leading the Merseyside Police Leadership Academy, developing leadership training programs. His publications include works on police liaison teams (2015), protest policing and human rights (2022), and multi-agency approaches to Eurovision events (2023–2024). He has delivered invited talks on large-scale event coordination, emphasizing inter-agency collaboration and strategic planning.
Rebecca Woodland is a Professor of Educational Policy, Leadership, and Evaluation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She serves as Director of Program Evaluation at the Center for Educational Assessment, Associate Director of the Center for Education Policy, and Program Director of the Program Evaluation Graduate Certificate. Her research focuses on evaluation methodologies, culturally responsive curricula, and advancing equity in education through partnerships between researchers and practitioners. She leads an NSF-funded project developing socially just computer-science curricula and has edited encyclopedias on research design and evaluation. Dr. Woodland holds a B.A. (1991) and M.A. (1996) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Ph.D. (2001) from Colorado State University. She was honored with the Marcia Guttentag Award for Excellence in Evaluation (2023). Her work emphasizes educational equity, professional learning communities, and social network analysis to assess collaboration quality in schools. She has published extensively on teacher collaboration, SEL implementation, and anti-racist education strategies. She serves on editorial boards for leading evaluation journals and directs the UMass Program Evaluation Practice online certificate program. Dr. Woodland’s grants include an NSF Research-Practice Partnership and international initiatives like the Instructional Leadership Institute for Pakistani Educators. Her research bridges theory and practice, aiming to improve educational outcomes through evidence-based evaluation frameworks and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Prof. Dr. Matthias Bunge is a full-time academic at Alanus University, where he serves as Professor of Educational Philosophy with a focus on philosophical and aesthetic foundations of pedagogy. He also directs the Master of Arts in Waldorf Education program at the Institute for Waldorf Education, Inclusion and Interculturality under the Department of Educational Science . 1987: Doctorate in Art History (Saarland University) 2000: Appointment as extraordinary professor (Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt) 2012–present: Professor at Alanus University His research bridges art history , educational philosophy , and anthroposophical education , with particular emphasis on image theory , social sculpture , and expanded art concepts . Publications explore intersections between pedagogy, art, and philosophy, including co-edited works like Visual Experiences in the Intermediate Space of Art, Philosophy, and Pedagogy (2019). Recent articles highlight his work on Waldorf educational practices , visual thinking , and anthropological dimensions of art . Key awards include the Dr. Eduard Martin Prize (1989) and the Sickingen-Kunstpreis (2006). He has held teaching roles at Waldorf institutions and contributed to academic dialogues on intercultural education and consciousness research.
Dr. Linda Jimenez serves as a Teaching Professor in the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies within Wayne State University's College of Education. With 27 years of higher education experience, she has taught over 2,000 students across 120+ courses while leading institutional projects focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her work significantly enhances student-centered processes through resource optimization and inclusive strategies. Ph.D. in Learning Design and Technology, Wayne State University M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology, Wayne State University M.Ed. in Kinesiology/Exercise and Sport Science, Wayne State University B.S. in Health and Physical Education/Exercise Science, Wayne State University Her research centers on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) implementation, inclusive pedagogy, and language practices that address diverse learner needs. She pioneers multimedia web accessibility frameworks and strategic alignment methodologies in higher education, translating theoretical concepts into practical classroom applications that serve both traditional students and adult learners. Recent publications (2020-2025) reveal a decisive shift from early exercise science research toward educational equity, with dominant themes in antiracist language practices, UDL integration, and DEI implementation. The 2023-2025 works demonstrate collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to transforming language pedagogy, while her foundational 2003-2005 studies established evidence-based community health interventions. Global Learning Academy Fellowship (2023) Quality Matters Certified Peer Reviewer Faculty Award (2020) Favorite Professor Award (2011-2020) Learning Community Coordinator of the Year (2016-2017) Michigan Fitness Foundation President’s Award (2009) As a federal grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education, she has secured over $3 million for community initiatives including Get Active Detroit and Detroit After-School All-Stars. Her service encompasses university-wide DEI leadership, Latinx Faculty Association roles, and Henry Ford Health System governance, demonstrating sustained commitment to institutional transformation. She directs the Antiracist Language and Literacy Practices research team that develops evidence-based pedagogical frameworks, while co-facilitating university-wide initiatives like the Teaching Circle on Representation, Equity, Accessibility, and Justice to advance inclusive educational ecosystems.
Çerağ Pinçe is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and Graduate Program Director for the MS Supply Chain Management program at Loyola University Chicago's Quinlan School of Business. His research focuses on sustainable operations, closed-loop supply chains, and after-sales service operations. He collaborates with industries such as consumer electronics, hi-tech, and aerospace to address real-world challenges like dynamic value recovery from returns and proactive service parts management. Education: PhD in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Erasmus University Rotterdam, MS in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University, and BS in Statistics from Hacettepe University. He held a postdoctoral appointment at Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business and was a visiting scholar at INSEAD (2014). Prior to academia, he worked as a research scientist at Turkey's National Research Institute of Electronics and Cryptology. Research Interests: Sustainable Operations, Agribusiness Operations, Speculative Stocking Strategies, and Efficient Supply Allocation. He teaches ISSCM 241: Business Statistics and contributes to editorial boards of journals like Production and Operations Management . Professional affiliations include INFORMS, MSOM Society, POMS, and Applied Probability Society. His work emphasizes practical applications, such as optimizing spare parts logistics and mitigating procurement cost fluctuations in agricultural supply chains.
Dr. Nora Sylvander is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Croft Institute for International Studies at the University of Mississippi, College of Liberal Arts. She holds a joint appointment in Anthropology and International Studies and serves as Co-Director of the Geography minor. Her work bridges human geography, political ecology, and Latin American environmental politics. Her research focuses on the political and economic drivers behind environmental conservation, particularly how protected areas lead to the dispossession of indigenous and local communities in Latin America. She critically examines how conservation narratives obscure histories of colonization and territorial appropriation. Her long-term fieldwork in Nicaragua challenges the framing of indigenous-migrant conflicts as purely ethnic, revealing deeper state and economic influences. Dr. Sylvander's recent publications analyze conservation discourses, territorial belonging, and exclusionary environmental policies, especially in Nicaragua’s Bosawás Biosphere Reserve. Her work spans critical conservation studies, indigenous rights, and environmental justice, often highlighting the role of discourse in legitimizing land dispossession. She advocates for more equitable and historically grounded approaches to environmental governance. Conservation regimes of exclusion (2023) Territorial cleansing in Nicaragua (2021) Racializing discourses in conservation (2021) Critique of 30% Earth protection (2021) Territorial sanitization in Nicaragua (2018) Dr. Sylvander has been involved in international research and development work, including with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Nicaragua. She was a Fellow in Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science after completing her Ph.D. She mentors students through the Croft Institute and teaches courses such as Introduction to Environment and Society and Political Ecology. She is actively engaged in curriculum development, particularly through her leadership in the Geography minor. She is affiliated with the Croft Institute for International Studies and contributes to interdisciplinary programs in Anthropology, International Studies, and Geography. Her work integrates critical theory, field-based research, and policy analysis to address pressing issues of environmental justice and territorial rights in the Global South.
David A. Dzewaltowski is a Professor in the Department of Health Promotion at the College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), and also holds a professorship at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. He serves as the Endowed Community Chair for Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity, reflecting his leadership in community-based health promotion research. Education: PhD, University of Iowa, 1987 MS, West Virginia University, 1985 B.A., Western Washington University, 1983 Dr. Dzewaltowski is a behavioral and social scientist whose research focuses on community systems and their role in shaping population health. He investigates how communities can create environments that support healthy behaviors in children and families, particularly in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, and obesity prevention. His work emphasizes community engagement, capacity building, and the use of evidence-based practices in real-world settings such as schools, childcare centers, and after-school programs. He applies theoretical frameworks like Social Cognitive Theory to understand and influence health behaviors. His publication record from the 1990s to early 2000s reveals a strong focus on physical activity behavior change, comparing theoretical models and addressing challenges in translating research into public health practice. His work increasingly emphasizes implementation science and the generalizability of interventions in diverse community settings. Dr. Dzewaltowski is affiliated with leading professional organizations, including: American Public Health Association Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity He actively contributes to health promotion science through research, academic leadership, and collaboration with community partners. While no formal advising or grant activity is detailed in the text, his role as an endowed chair and professor indicates significant involvement in research mentorship and project leadership. His work bridges academic research and community action to foster sustainable health improvements.
Marnix Hendrik G Verkammen is a Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with both the College of Engineering and the School of Basic Sciences. He serves as an Engineer in the ESC - Management unit (ESC-GE) and as a Lecturer in the School of Physics (SPH-ENS), contributing to space systems education. His research and teaching focus on space systems engineering , particularly concurrent engineering for space missions . This approach, modeled after the European Space Agency's Concurrent Engineering Challenge, emphasizes integrated, real-time design of space missions. His work bridges engineering and physics, supporting interdisciplinary training in aerospace mission development. He has developed and teaches the course Concurrent Engineering of Space Missions , which introduces students to integrated design frameworks used in modern space agencies. His educational efforts are aligned with practical, team-based mission planning and systems engineering methodologies. No scientific awards or publications were mentioned in the provided text. Marnix Verkammen advises no listed students and there is no mention of grants or funded projects. His teaching responsibilities are central to his role at EPFL. He is associated with the ESC-GE unit and the SPH-ENS teaching division, both active in space education and engineering training at EPFL. These units support hands-on, interdisciplinary programs in space mission design.
Jan Hidders is a Lecturer in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Birkbeck, University of London. He joined Birkbeck in 2020 after holding academic positions at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Associate Professor, 2016–2020), Delft University of Technology (Assistant Professor, 2008–2016), and the University of Antwerp (Postdoctoral Researcher, 2001–2008). He holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology (2001) and has industry teaching experience at Avans Hogeschool (1996–2001). Research Focus Hidders' research centers on three interconnected domains: Graph Data Management : Design of graph query languages, schema definition systems (PG-Schema), and theoretical properties like expressive power and optimization. He contributes to ISO standardization for SQL/GQL graph extensions. Workflow Modelling : Hierarchical decomposition of Petri nets for workflow correctness verification and orchestration of multi-actor systems. Conceptual Data Models : Formal semantics of ORM2 and its relationship to graph data models, including ORM-native DBMS design. His recent publications emphasize graph database schemas , threshold query optimization , and scalable data processing , reflecting his involvement in LDBC benchmarks and ISO standards. No awards are documented. Academic Roles Programme Director for MSc Computer Science at Birkbeck. Researcher at Birkbeck Knowledge Lab and Birkbeck Institute for Data Analytics. ACM and IEEE member since 2003 and 2006, respectively. He teaches Software Engineering II and Computer Systems , with 1 recorded PhD supervision.
Cinzia Pica, Ed.D. is a Professor in Human Services and Director of the Women’s Studies Program at Assumption University. Her work bridges intercultural education , social justice , and human services , with a focus on dismantling systemic inequities in educational and community contexts. Degrees: B.A., M.S.Ed. (The College of Saint Rose); Ed.M., Ed.D. (Harvard University, University of Massachusetts Amherst) Her research examines cross-race friendships , refugee resettlement pedagogy , and critical intercultural frameworks . Recent work includes a 2023 article on trauma-informed case management for refugees and a 2022 systems analysis of Latine education in Massachusetts. She is known for rigorous cross-cultural comparative studies, particularly between Italy and the U.S. Notable honors include the 2023 Society of Professors of Education Outstanding Book Award (Honorable Mention) and the 2022 Paul Ziegler Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship . Her grants include Assumption University’s 2022-2024 Course Load Reduction for Scholarship Grant. Pica is a sought-after presenter at international conferences, including the American Educational Research Association and the European Sociological Association. She has also been featured on NPR and WAMC as a guest expert on cross-race relationships and educational equity.
Dr Haoyu Li is a Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Management at the Business School of Brunel University London. He joined the institution after completing his Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh in 2021. His academic journey includes an MSc and BA from the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in China. Currently, he teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules in finance and accounting, and holds a Fellowship with Advance HE (FHEA). Dr Li's educational journey reflects a strong international perspective, with advanced training in the UK and foundational studies in China. Ph.D., University of Edinburgh (2021) MSc, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics BA, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics Dr Li's research focuses on Corporate Finance and Fintech, with particular emphasis on Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, and Sustainable Finance. His work explores the interplay between financial markets, corporate decision-making, and external factors such as press freedom and environmental disclosures. Recent publications investigate how board networks affect merger outcomes and how sustainability reporting influences bank lending in emerging economies. His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on empirical corporate finance, particularly in emerging markets. Key themes include the impact of information environment (e.g., press freedom, environmental disclosures) on financial outcomes, the role of corporate governance structures in M&A, and the dynamics of customer and supplier relationships. His research often leverages unique datasets from China and other emerging economies, contributing to the understanding of financial systems in transitional economies. Dr Li has received the following recognition for his academic work: Fellowship (FHEA) with Advance HE Dr Li actively supervises undergraduate students in their final year projects and serves as module leader for key finance courses. He is committed to student development, as evidenced by his creation of free educational resources including two Chinese-language handbooks on R programming and econometrics.
Irene Morae Kang, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope, Orange County, California, where she also serves as Medical Director of Women’s Health Medical Oncology. She specializes in breast cancer treatment and research, with clinical expertise extending to hematology-oncology. Dr. Kang joined City of Hope in 2022 after serving as Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Southern California (2017-2022). Education & Training: • M.D. from University of California San Francisco School of Medicine (2006-2011) • B.S. in Bioengineering and Premedicine from University of California Berkeley College of Engineering (2001-2006) • Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at University of Southern California (2014-2017) • Internal Medicine Residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (2011-2014) Research Focus: Dr. Kang's research centers on molecular characterization of breast tumors, circulating tumor cell analysis, cancer treatment innovations, and health disparities in oncology. Her work explores exercise interventions during chemotherapy, liquid biopsy technologies, HER2-targeted therapies, and inflammatory breast cancer biology. She maintains active involvement in clinical trials investigating new therapeutic approaches for breast cancer. Publications: Her recent articles (2019-2021) demonstrate a strong focus on translational breast cancer research, particularly liquid biopsy applications, exercise oncology, treatment complications, and health disparities. She frequently publishes on molecular diagnostics, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and novel therapeutic strategies. Awards & Honors: USC Oncology Teaching Award (2020) USC Oncology Co-Chief Fellow (2016) Resident Clinical Vignette Competition: First Place (2012) Phi Beta Kappa (2006) Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society (2004) Professional Leadership: Dr. Kang serves on multiple national committees including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Oncology Practice Initiative. She holds memberships in ASCO, American Society of Hematology, and contributes to USC Clinical Investigations Support Office committees. Her leadership extends to cancer education programs and integrative health initiatives.
Laura M. Baylor serves as Assistant Professor and Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program within DeSales University's College of Healthcare Professions. A board-certified family nurse practitioner since 2001 and registered nurse since 1989, she maintains active clinical practice at Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley while teaching MSN/BSN-DNP programs. Her educational trajectory includes: Associate of Science in Nursing (1988) - Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center School of Nursing and Union County College Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1999) - Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales Master of Science in Nursing as Family Nurse Practitioner (2001) - DeSales University Doctor of Nursing Practice in Clinical Leadership (2013) - DeSales University (inaugural class) Dr. Baylor's professional focus centers on primary care nursing education and clinical diagnostic reasoning, informed by 20+ years of diversified practice spanning college health, urology, emergency medicine, and home-based care for the homebound. Her teaching portfolio includes Procedures for Primary Care and Family Nurse Practitioner specialty courses, emphasizing real-world clinical application. As a founding member of the National Association of Family Nurse Practitioners, she co-chairs its mentorship committee while serving on the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners board as Lehigh Valley representative. Her academic mentorship extends through clinical preceptorship at DeSales University since 2006, where she became Program Director in 2017 after extensive adjunct faculty experience.
John Traynor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Gonzaga University . His research focuses on Middle School Education , School/Community Partnerships , and the Social/Cultural Foundations of Education , with a strong emphasis on Civic Engagement and Jesuit educational principles. Ph.D. , Culture Studies and Social Thought in Education, Washington State University M.I.T. , Social Studies Endorsement, Seattle University B.A. , Political Science, University of Washington Dr. Traynor's research explores the intersection of teacher training, community engagement, and middle-level education reform. He has led initiatives like the Hillyard Youth Collaborative and Collaborative Schools for Innovation and Success , emphasizing school-university partnerships and equity-driven practices. His publications from 2013–2019 highlight collaborative teacher training models, service-learning frameworks, and middle school reform strategies, often addressing educational equity and community-based solutions. Key themes include civic engagement, K-12 partnerships, and socio-cultural contexts in education. Grants awarded to Dr. Traynor include funding from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction , Environmental Protection Agency , and Inland Northwest Community Foundation , supporting projects like the Gonzaga’s Center for Climate, Society and the Environment Climate Literacy Project and youth engagement programs. Dr. Traynor is also an avid outdoorsman, passionate about skiing, biking, and fly fishing, often integrating environmental education into his work through partnerships like the Sierra Club’s Building Bridges to the Outdoors Project .
Dr. Karin Fisher is an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's Department of Rural Health within the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing. With over 25 years of nursing experience, she transitioned to academia after completing her PhD at the University of New England, focusing on rural health, sexually transmitted infections, and health equity. Dr. Fisher holds a PhD from the University of New England. Her clinical background includes positions as Clinical Nurse Consultant at Hunter New England Health Service (1993-1997), Public Health Officer (1997-2007), Acting Director of Population Health & Planning (2002-2004), and Senior Research Officer (2008-2010) at Hunter New England Local Health Network. Dr. Fisher's research focuses on health services research, primary health care, public health issues, interprofessional collaboration, and health workforce issues with particular emphasis on equity perspectives. Her work explores Population Health issues, Sexually transmitted infections, Inequalities, Equity issues, Health service access, Rural workforce issues, and Difficult to access populations. She employs qualitative methodologies including Grounded theory and Mixed methods in her research. Her recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on rural health workforce development, Indigenous health programs, telehealth service delivery, and interprofessional education. There's a clear trajectory in her work toward understanding how to improve health outcomes in rural and remote settings, with increasing attention to culturally safe practices for Aboriginal communities and innovative approaches to health professional education. Dr. Fisher has secured over $176,000 in research funding across 5 grants. Current projects include 'Out of sight, out of mind?' examining videoconferencing in rural healthcare education, exploration of rural palliative care models, and 'Yearning to yarn' focused on Aboriginal ways of knowing and learning. She currently supervises 2 students (one PhD and one Honours student) and has previously supervised 2 PhD students to completion. Her supervision focuses on topics related to Aboriginal health, nursing workforce, and graduate outcomes tracking. She works as part of a multidisciplinary team at the University of Newcastle that includes medicine, radiography, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy, occupational therapy, Indigenous health care, speech pathology and mental health professionals.
