Rod Andrew Jr. is a Professor and Alumni Master Teacher in the Department of History at Clemson University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Humanities. He retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and previously served as Officer-in-Charge of the Field History Branch at the U.S. Marine Corps History Division. His research focuses on U.S. Military History, the American South, and cultural history, with notable works on Southern figures like Wade Hampton and Andrew Pickens. Education: Ph.D., University of Georgia (1997) M.A., Clemson University (1993) B.A., University of North Carolina (1987) Research Interests: Combines Southern history with military and cultural analysis, emphasizing leadership, institutional crises, and regional identity. Current projects include a forthcoming book on post-WWII Marine Corps challenges. His work bridges military strategy, political dynamics, and cultural narratives. Recognition: Mary Lawton Hodges Prize in Southern Studies (2009) Harry M. Ward Book Award (for Andrew Pickens biography) His teaching spans courses on the American South, military history, and World War II. He actively collaborates with military history institutions, contributing to official historical documentation and analysis.
Colin D. Smith is a Senior International and Defense Researcher and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, RAND Corporation. His expertise spans national security, military strategy, Russia and Eastern Europe, U.S.-European relations, NATO, military logistics, and cyber warfare. He has held significant roles in defense research and policy analysis, drawing on decades of military experience. Education: M.A. in National Security Affairs (Russia and the former Soviet Union), Naval Postgraduate School B.S. in Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy Graduate, Amphibious Warfare School Graduate, Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Non-Resident) Graduate, Defense Language Institute CMC Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Smith’s research focuses on defense policy and global security challenges, particularly amphibious operations, cyber acquisition, and geopolitical vulnerabilities in semiconductor supply chains. He has led analyses on U.S. Marine Corps logistics, Navy readiness, and the strategic implications of China-Taiwan unification. His work combines operational military insight with rigorous policy analysis. His recent publications reflect a strong trend in defense modernization, strategic competition, and the interplay between technology and national security. Themes include naval survivability, cyber capabilities, reserve force readiness, and critical supply chain dependencies in high-stakes geopolitical environments. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Smith has not advised any named students in the provided material. His grants and funding sources are not explicitly mentioned, though his research is institutionally supported by RAND. He brings extensive operational and policy experience to his academic and research roles. He is actively involved in research teams at RAND, particularly within the National Security Research Division (NSRD), Arroyo Center, and Health Sciences Research Division (HSRD), focusing on defense strategy and international security. He also contributes to public discourse through commentary and expert analysis.
Jiefeng Sun serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering within Arizona State University's School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy. His research program centers on designing artificial-muscle-driven robots that replicate biological adaptivity through advanced modeling and control systems. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Robotics and Control from Colorado State University (2022) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Dalian University of Technology (2017) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lanzhou University of Technology (2014) Dr. Sun's research integrates soft robotics, artificial muscles, and adaptive control to create morphologically intelligent systems. His work spans aerial robotics, wearable exoskeletons, and biomimetic locomotion, with emphasis on shape-changing mechanisms and energy-efficient actuation that enables robots to operate in unstructured environments. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant themes in twisted-and-coiled actuators, tensegrity structures, and physics-informed control methods. Key trends include variable-stiffness systems for wearable devices, data-efficient simulation techniques using Koopman operators, and bistable mechanisms for aerial grasping applications. His research excellence has been recognized through: Finalist for Best Student Paper Award at IEEE/RSJ IROS 2018 Reviewer of the Year 2021 for Smart Materials and Structures Journal 2022 DARPA Riser designation Dr. Sun actively recruits graduate students for robotics research and has secured significant funding including DARPA support. He teaches core courses including System Dynamics and Control I (MAE 318) while supervising thesis research and applied projects through MAE 599 and MAE 792. He directs the Sun Robotics Lab (https://sunroboticslab.github.io), which collaborates across biomechanics, materials science, and control theory to develop next-generation adaptive robotic systems with applications in healthcare, exploration, and human augmentation.
Karine Gagné is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph. Her research, primarily conducted in the Indian Himalayas (Ladakh and Zanskar), addresses the political and cultural dimensions of human-environment interactions, with a focus on climate change, ethics of care, and citizenship. Her educational background: PhD in Anthropology, Université de Montréal, 2015 Professor Gagné's research explores how marginalized communities in the Himalayas develop technical expertise to address climate change and state abandonment. She examines the constitution of environmental knowledge, human-animal relations, and the infrastructure of citizenship. Her work bridges anthropology, environmental studies, and political ecology, emphasizing the ethics of care and the temporal dimensions of climate change. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the Himalayas, addressing glacier retreat, infrastructure development, and human-animal relations. Her work shows a progression from local ethics of care to the intersection of state infrastructure and climate adaptation, with increasing attention to citizen expertise and temporalities of environmental change. Professor Gagné has secured multiple competitive research grants, including: SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2022-2024): Domesticating Wildness: Snow Leopard Conservation in the Himalayan Anthropocene ($70,981) SSHRC Insight Grant (2022-2027): Coping with Infrastructural Curves: Marginalized Citizens Challenging State Plans in India and Vietnam ($84,584) SSHRC Insight Grant (2020-2025): Decolonizing Climate Knowledge: An Ethnographic Study of Travel and Mobility in The Indian Himalayas in An Era of Climate Change ($99,643) SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2019-2022): Connecting People Positively? The Infrastructure of Mobility in Democratic India and Socialist Vietnam ($64,670) SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2018-2021): Amid Icy Ruins and Insecure Futures: Climate Change, Expertise, and The Infrastructure of Citizenship in Zanskar ($61,287) She actively supervises graduate students (Nigel Marimuthu, Tenzing Palmo, Tehzeeb Bano, and Alejandra Valentina Gonzalez Rodriguez) and offers fellowships for projects on infrastructures of mobility and snow leopard conservation. Her research team, operating within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph, engages in interdisciplinary fieldwork in the Himalayas, focusing on climate change adaptation, infrastructure, and human-animal relations. Current projects include studies on snow leopard conservation through tourism and citizen science, and the impact of infrastructural development on marginalized communities.
Dr. Tim Benbow is a Professor of Strategic Studies at King's College London, affiliated with the Defence Studies Department within the School of Security Studies. He holds a PhD from the University of Oxford and has held academic positions at Oxford, Britannia Royal Naval College, and King's. His research focuses on naval strategy, British defence policy, and military history from the Second World War to the present. Benbow has authored numerous books and articles on topics including naval aviation, amphibious warfare, and the Royal Navy's strategic role post-1945. Education: PhD in History (University of Oxford, 1999), MPhil (University of Oxford, 1992), BA (University of Oxford, 1990). He also studied as a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University. Research Interests: Naval strategy and history (especially naval aviation and amphibious warfare); UK defence policy; warfare since 1945; the changing character of war. Awards: Recipient of the Sir Julian S. Corbett Prize in Modern History (2016). His work has influenced UK naval doctrine and policy, particularly through analyses of historical case studies like the Korean War and D-Day operations. Grants/Projects: Led projects such as 'Wonder and be astounded': British military innovation in the Second World War (2017–2019) and 'The Royal Navy in British defence policy, 1945–2015' (2014). Labs/Groups: Active in the Corbett Centre for Maritime Policy Studies, First and Second World War Research Groups, and the Sir Michael Howard Centre for the History of War.
Captain Henk Warnar is an Associate Professor of Naval Strategy at the Netherlands Defence Academy's Faculty of War Studies, concurrently serving as Director of the Dutch Seapower Course and editor of the Militaire Spectator . He holds a Master's in Public Administration (Leiden University) and a Naval War College degree. With 39 years of Dutch Navy service, his operational experience spans submarine/frigate commands, NATO roles, and policy-making at the MOD. His research focuses on Dutch naval strategic thought (1892–1940), examining how professional debate shaped defensive strategies for the Netherlands East Indies. His work challenges narratives of strategic failure, emphasizing adaptive professionalism despite colonial constraints. Publications span maritime strategy, naval diplomacy, and contemporary security challenges, often analyzing case studies like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Black Sea dynamics, and historical battles. He critiques modern naval engagement tactics while advocating for small nations' strategic adaptability. His podcast and articles highlight the enduring relevance of classical naval theorists like Mahan and Corbett in modern contexts. Advisory roles include leading the Seapower Course and contributing to military education reforms. His work underscores the interplay between theory and practice in naval strategy, blending historical analysis with current operational realities.
Dr. Michal Piegzik serves as a Lecturer in Family Law and Children's Rights Law at Edinburgh Napier University's Business School, where he also holds the position of Deputy Director of the Centre for Child and Family Law and Policy. PhD in Japanese Private Law LLM (specific institution not stated) His research integrates legal scholarship with historical analysis, specializing in Japanese legal history, Pacific War military operations, and contemporary family law issues. Piegzik applies multidisciplinary approaches to present complex legal topics to general audiences while incorporating both Western and Japanese perspectives. His work demonstrates particular expertise in Meiji-era legal reforms, Japanese wartime policies, and comparative family law systems. Piegzik's recent publications reveal consistent thematic focus across two primary domains: Japanese legal history (particularly Meiji-era codification processes and constitutional development) and Pacific War military history (with detailed analyses of specific campaigns). His scholarship frequently examines the intersection of law, culture, and historical context in Japanese legal development. Japanese Ministry of Education Scholarship (2016-2017) Japanese Ministry of Education Scholarship (2020-2022) As an academic supervisor, Piegzik currently serves as Additional Supervisor for doctoral research on "Age of Marriage and Civil Partnership in Scotland: a need for reform" led by Ego Chidinma Ezeokoli. His leadership role in the Centre for Child and Family Law and Policy positions him at the forefront of contemporary legal policy development in Scotland regarding children's rights and family law reform. Piegzik maintains active research collaboration through the Centre for Child and Family Law and Policy, focusing on children's rights, child protection systems, and family law policy development within Scottish and international contexts.
Hew Strachan is a Professor at the School of International Relations, University of St Andrews . His career spans military history, strategic analysis, and international security studies. He has contributed to 59 research outputs and participated in 21 activities, including advisory roles for public/government organizations. Key research areas: Military History, Strategic Studies, International Security Active in analyzing modern conflicts (e.g., Ukraine-Russia war) and historical transitions (e.g., 1918 as a pivotal era) Recent publications focus on deterrence frameworks, amphibious operations, and analytical failures in conflict prediction. His work intersects with UN SDGs related to peace, justice, and global resilience. Scientific Awards Honorary Membership, National Army Museum Institute (2018) Pritzker Literature Award (2016) Samuel Eliot Morison Prize (2018) Elected Fellow, The British Academy (2017) Strachan's advisory work includes memberships in the Army Records Society, HALO Trust, and British Pugwash, with activities spanning military ethics workshops and policy analysis since 2017.
Robert Dell is the Chair Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University at Buffalo, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He also serves as Managing Director of the Collaborative Institute for Multisource Information Fusion. His research spans optimization, production scheduling, supply chain design, and professional sports analytics. Recent publications highlight his work in military logistics (aircraft maintenance planning, amphibious group routing), integer programming (web session reconstruction, pallet loading), and defense infrastructure optimization. His methodologies integrate machine learning, combinatorial optimization, and geospatial modeling. Scientific achievements include the IFORS Prize Finalist (2012) .
Matthew Heaslip is a Senior Lecturer in Naval History at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature. He also serves as a Visiting Fellow at the Royal Navy's Strategic Studies Centre. His research focuses on the Royal Navy's role in Britain's imperial system during the 20th century, emphasizing littoral naval operations, gunboat diplomacy, and geopolitical influence. He contributes to editorial boards for Coastal Studies and Society and The Northern Marine/Le marin du nord , and holds roles in professional societies like the Society for Nautical Research and Navy Records Society. Teaching includes the MA in Naval, Maritime and Coastal History and BA History dissertation supervision. He actively advises PhD students and engages with media on naval history topics. Key projects include studies on Royal Navy strategy, Baltic interventions, and Lloyd's Register activities in China. Research Highlights: Examines Royal Navy's China Station (1920s), interwar operations, and amphibious warfare legacy. Awards: Santander Research Award (2016), UoP Recognition Awards (2022), and World Ship Society Bursary (2018). Media Engagement: Regular expert commentary on naval history for TV, print, and digital platforms.
Prof. Arthur ten Cate is a Professor of Military History at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts, affiliated with the Research Centre for Historical Studies. He concurrently serves as Research Manager at the Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH) and holds the rank of Major in the Royal Netherlands Army Reserve, having been deployed to Afghanistan, Mali, and an EU Operational Headquarters for the Middle East. Ten Cate specializes in contemporary military history, particularly Dutch involvement in international interventions, peacekeeping operations, and post-Cold War conflicts. His research focuses on topics such as Dutch military operations in Iraq (2003–2005), the wars of Yugoslav dissolution (1991–1995), and the Netherlands Army Special Forces Regiment. Current projects include a collaboration with the NIOD Institute on the Afghan War. He lectures at universities and military staff colleges, editing the journal Militaire Spectator . His expertise contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Ten Cate has authored books including Callsign Nassau (2016) on special forces and A Gentle Occupation (2014) on Dutch military actions in Iraq. He frequently presents at international conferences, publishing in journals like Small Wars & Insurgencies . His work bridges academic and practical military domains, emphasizing historical context for modern conflict analysis.
Mark Karau is a Professor and Chair of the Humanities Unit at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. He holds a PhD from Florida State University (2000) and advanced degrees from Marquette University. His primary academic affiliation is in the Department of Humanities, where he leads and teaches in the field of modern European history. BA/MA, Marquette University (1991, 1993) PhD, Florida State University (2000) Professor Karau specializes in the history of Germany from 1871 to 1989, with a particular focus on the First World War. His research delves into military and naval history, especially the role of the MarineKorps Flandern and strategic decisions leading to Germany’s defeat. He has published extensively, including two major monographs and several journal articles and encyclopedia entries. His work bridges military operations with broader political and social contexts of early 20th-century Europe. The recent publications and revised editions of his books indicate sustained scholarly activity. His research themes include German military strategy, naval warfare in the North Sea, amphibious operations, and the interplay between war and political collapse. These works reflect a deep engagement with archival sources and historiographical debates. Article 'Twisting the Dragon's Tail: The Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids of 1918' selected by historian Andrew Lambert for a top naval history collection While no formal advising or grant information is available, Karau plays a leadership role as Chair of the Humanities Unit and teaches courses on 20th-century European history. He joined UW-Green Bay through the merger with the UW Colleges, indicating institutional continuity and active academic service. There is no indication of part-time or retired status, and he remains an active scholar and educator.
Artyukh Oleksandr Mykolayovych is Head of the Department of Automobiles, Heat Engines and Hybrid Power Plants at Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University's Faculty of Transport. He holds the academic title of Associate Professor (docent) and has been active at the university since 2003. He is also a member of multiple academic councils and serves as guarantor for the master's educational program "Wheeled and tracked vehicles." Education: Zaporizhia National Technical University, Transport (1998), specialty 8.090211 "Wheeled and tracked vehicles", qualification "mechanical engineer" Postgraduate studies at National Scientific Center "Institute of Mechanization and Electrification of Agriculture" (1999-2002), specialty 05.05.11 "Machines and means of mechanization of agricultural production" Candidate of Technical Sciences (2002) Professor Artyukh's research focuses on automotive engineering, with particular emphasis on hydrogen technologies in road transport, optimization of vehicle smoothness and vibration reduction, and modeling of work processes for special purpose off-road vehicles. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in automotive design, diagnostics, and energy systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding vehicle dynamics, particularly in steering geometry and amphibious vehicle design. His recent publications show a clear trend toward sustainable transportation solutions, with increasing focus on hydrogen technologies, electric vehicle integration, and eco-friendly engine improvements. His research spans traditional automotive engineering while adapting to modern challenges like wartime educational constraints and the need for more environmentally friendly transportation systems. Professor Artyukh is actively involved in academic governance as a member of multiple councils and has participated in numerous international collaborations and internships, including recent training in Poland. He has supervised the development of numerous educational materials and has been instrumental in adapting technical education during challenging circumstances.
Hope Ginsburg is a Professor in the Department of Kinetic Imaging at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, where she has taught since 2007. Her interdisciplinary practice bridges environmental art, climate science, and community engagement through large-scale collaborative projects. Her research focuses on environmental art interventions , climate crisis response systems , and eco-feminist pedagogies . Ginsburg develops immersive practices like underwater meditation and amphibious movement systems that integrate scientific research with somatic experience. Her work explores marine ecosystems, atmospheric science, and collaborative knowledge production through projects like Meditation Ocean and Land Dive Team . Ginsburg's recent projects demonstrate evolving trends toward climate adaptation frameworks and cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange . Her work increasingly integrates climate science with participatory practices, creating platforms for community-based environmental action while examining ocean conservation, atmospheric awareness, and interspecies communication through innovative artistic methodologies. National Endowment for the Arts Grant Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Visual Arts Fellowship Wexner Center for the Arts Artist Residency Award Art Matters Foundation Grant Robert Rauschenberg Residency Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture Fellowship Ginsburg has secured significant grant funding including NEA and Warhol Foundation support for collaborative projects like Sponge Exchange . Her Mildred's Lane residency since 2008 serves as a living laboratory for ecological research and pedagogical experimentation. She advises numerous student-led initiatives including the Coastorama Cooperative, which developed climate crisis dioramas with USF students. Her Mildred's Lane residency functions as an active research site for ecological art practices, while the Land Dive Team operates as a mobile laboratory for amphibious exploration. Ginsburg's work integrates institutional partnerships with community-based science, creating networks for climate response through artistic practice.
Col. G. John David serves as a Military Instructor and USMC Chair at the Eisenhower School of the National Defense University. He holds Master's degrees in Strategic Intelligence and Hemispheric Defense and Security from the Inter American Defense College. His extensive military career includes command roles from platoon to regimental levels, most recently with Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group under Marine Forces Cyber Command. Col. David has served in diverse roles, including Division Head for the Intelligence Division (M2) of Headquarters Marine Corps under the Deputy Commandant for Information. He has also held positions at U.S. Central Command, Defense Intelligence Agency, and the State Department. His professional proficiency includes Spanish, French, and European and Brazilian Portuguese. Education: Master's in Strategic Intelligence, Inter American Defense College Master's in Hemispheric Defense and Security, Inter American Defense College Graduate of French Capstone Course (CHEM), Spanish Staff College (ESFFA), Air War College, MIT’s Seminar XXI, Joint Forces Staff College, and Marine Corps Command and Staff/Amphibious Warfare Schools Key Experience: Commander, Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group Division Head, Intelligence Division (M2), Headquarters Marine Corps Joint Staff and Interagency Assignments His expertise spans cyber warfare, joint intelligence operations, and multinational military strategy. Col. David emphasizes language proficiency and cross-cultural collaboration in military and defense contexts.
