Mark Geistfeld is the Sheila Lubetsky Birnbaum Professor of Civil Litigation at the New York University School of Law. His primary teaching areas include torts, products liability, and insurance law. He holds a JD from Columbia Law School and advanced degrees in economics from Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, and Lewis and Clark College. Geistfeld’s research focuses on civil liability for AI, insurance law, and the intersection of economic and moral theories in tort law. He has authored five books and over 50 articles, including influential works on autonomous vehicle liability and the structural principles of tort law. His scholarship emphasizes how tort doctrines align with empirical social norms and insurance mechanisms. He teaches courses such as Insurance Law, which explores risk management and liability insurance dynamics, and Products Liability in the Age of AI, addressing emerging legal challenges in technology distribution. His work on vicarious liability and AI-related legal frameworks has shaped contemporary debates in civil litigation.
Belinda Bennett is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), within the Faculty of Business & Law. She serves as Director of Research in the School of Law and is a member of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research. Her expertise lies in health law, with a focus on global health governance, public health law, genomics, and assisted reproductive technologies regulation. Bennett holds a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her research spans legal frameworks for emerging technologies, including driverless cars and robotics, as well as global health policies. She contributes to academic journals such as the International Journal of Law in Context and Journal of Law and the Biosciences . Bennett's work frequently addresses pandemic law, including her book COVID-19, Law and Regulation: Rights, Freedoms, and Obligations in a Pandemic (2023) and articles on vaccine passports and automated vehicle regulation. Bennett's awards include Fellowship with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to legal challenges in health and technology, with grants supporting studies on pandemic preparedness, genomics policy, and disaster resilience for aging populations.
Dr Sherrie-Anne Kaye is a Senior Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), affiliated with the Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) and the MAIC-QUT Road Safety Research Collaboration. She holds a PhD in Psychology from QUT and has been active in road safety research since 2010. Her work focuses on technology acceptance, automated vehicles, young driver behavior, and speeding/speeding-related messaging. Research interests include cognitive measures of risk perception, driver distraction, and the application of behavioral theories to road safety interventions. She leads projects on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), automated vehicle adoption barriers, and prosocial driving behaviors. Her 15 most recent articles (2020–2025) span topics like shared awareness in automated driving, ChatGPT healthcare interactions, and motorcycle safety technologies. Current projects include evaluating Advanced Rider Assistance Systems and driver education reforms. Dr Kaye supervises PhD students in areas like AI chatbot acceptance and semi-automated vehicle safety. She collaborates with industry partners on projects funded by Australian Competitive Grants, focusing on cybersecurity and road safety innovations.
William H. Widen is a Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law , focusing on the regulatory implications of autonomous vehicles and social justice in commercial law reform. His research bridges legal frameworks with technological advancements, emphasizing criminal liability, safety standards, and ethical considerations in emerging transportation systems. Key Research Areas: Autonomous vehicle regulation, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) reform, ethics in AI, and legislative accountability Recent Publications: 2022 analysis of AV testing equity, 2021 studies on automation safety, and 2020 UCC deposit restitution critique Email: w.widen@miami.edu | Phone: (305)284-3739 His work examines automation complacency, manufacturer liability, and the intersection of socioeconomic factors with legal outcomes, particularly in cases involving small financial penalties that disproportionately affect low-income individuals.
Markus Pöllänen is a Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Tampere University, affiliated with the Transport Research Centre within the Faculty of Built Environment. He holds a Master of Science (Technology) in Industrial Management from 2001. His research focuses on transportation safety, automated vehicles, and sustainable mobility solutions, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to infrastructure and climate action. Key research interests include policy impacts on road safety, adoption of electric vehicles, and future competence needs in the transport sector. His work integrates technological innovation with societal challenges, emphasizing climate change mitigation and urban mobility efficiency. Recent publications analyze policy effectiveness, electric vehicle adoption via Delphi studies, and future workforce requirements in transportation. He actively reviews for journals like Public Works Management & Policy and Future Transportation , contributing to peer-reviewed discourse. His interdisciplinary approach bridges academic research with practical policy recommendations.
Popescu Florin Gabriel is an Associate Professor at the University of Petroșani within the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering , specifically in the Department of Automation, Computers, Electrical and Power Engineering . He serves as Director of the socio-economic relations center, focusing on interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry. His research primarily revolves around energy security, electrical infrastructure resilience, occupational safety in power systems, and sustainable energy integration. Notable areas include critical infrastructure protection for power grids, mitigation of electrical hazards in mines, and modernization of electrical installations. He has extensively studied harmonics in power systems, renewable energy integration challenges, and the strategic role of Romania's energy sector in European security contexts. His publications from 2022–2025 emphasize: Risk assessments for high-voltage substations (e.g., Timișoara, Urechesti) Energy security analyses linking national grids to geopolitical stability Innovative solutions like BCI-based mental state recognition and intelligent greenhouse automation Modernization of university laboratory infrastructure Awards/Grants: No specific awards or grants mentioned in the provided texts. His work is primarily funded through institutional and industrial partnerships. Labs/Teams: Leads the Electroenergetics Laboratory modernization efforts and collaborates with industry partners on electrical safety and automation projects.
Marco Giovanni Nieddu is a Senior Assistant Professor at the Università degli Studi di Cagliari , affiliated with CRENoS (Centre for North South Economic Research) and HEDG (Health, Econometrics and Data Group). He completed his PhD in Economics at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona School of Economics) in 2018. His research focuses on applied microeconomics , particularly in education and health policy, decision-making under risk, and Sardinia-specific issues. Education: PhD (UPF, 2018), M.Res (UPF, 2013), MSc (Essex, 2011) His recent work explores monetary incentives in local parliamentary systems, vehicle power restrictions and teen driver safety, and promotion structures for public employees . He actively investigates teacher compensation and structural inequality in Peru, sports betting behavior , and the impact of tenure-track systems on academic productivity and fertility. He is organizing the biennial "Antonio Pigliaru" Workshop , focusing on multidisciplinary Sardinian studies. Marco will serve as a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School from February to June 2025.
Gideon Mbiydzenyuy is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Borås, affiliated with the Department of Information Technology under the Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and IT. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Blekinge Institute of Technology and has been at the University of Borås since 2015. His research focuses on applied computer science, particularly data analysis within industrial AI. Key areas include detecting anomalies in industrial networks, optimizing data-driven decision-making, clustering algorithms, and leveraging machine learning (supervised/unsupervised), neural networks, and reinforcement learning. Applications span energy networks, traffic systems, logistics, retail, and healthcare. Recent publications emphasize AI-driven solutions for district heating, marketing optimization, and intelligent transport systems. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations in industry and policy contexts. Publications highlight contributions to anomaly detection, machine learning applications in energy and transport, and policy studies on road taxation. His research often integrates interdisciplinary approaches, addressing real-world challenges through computational methods.
Alexander Glassbrook is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Road Transport Law at Imperial College London's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering. As a barrister at Temple Garden Chambers, he specializes in transport law with a focus on emerging technologies including autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and micro-mobility solutions. His expertise spans civil, criminal, and public law aspects of vehicle technology across multiple practice areas including consumer rights, data protection, environmental law, insurance, personal injury, privacy, and product liability. Mr. Glassbrook holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature from Bristol University (1993), a CPE Diploma in Law from The City University (1994), and completed his legal training at The Inns of Court School of Law (1995). He furthered his legal education with a Diploma in European Community Law from King's College, University of London (2001). He was called to the Bar in 1995 and has since built a distinguished career at the intersection of law and transportation technology. His research focuses on the complex legal frameworks governing autonomous and electric vehicle technologies. Glassbrook examines issues spanning product liability for downloaded software, data protection in connected vehicles, environmental regulations for electric transportation, insurance frameworks for self-driving cars, and personal injury law as they apply to emerging transportation technologies. His work addresses the challenges of regulating advanced driver assistance systems, fully automated vehicles, and micro-mobility solutions like e-scooters and e-bikes within existing legal structures. His publications reveal a trajectory from foundational work on the basic legal concepts of driverless vehicles to increasingly detailed analysis of specific regulatory frameworks as legislation like the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 has moved from proposal to law. His research shows particular attention to the practical implementation challenges, liability frameworks across different scenarios, and the interface between technological innovation and established legal principles in transportation. While not receiving formal scientific awards, Glassbrook has been consistently recognized by legal directories as 'the leading light in preparing the Bar for issues relating to driverless cars' (Chambers & Partners 2023) and 'at the cutting edge of the emerging law on autonomous vehicles' (Legal 500 2024). His expertise is sought by industry clients ranging from start-ups to established companies, and he has played a significant role in law reform, including leading the Bar Council's response to the Law Commission's final report on automated vehicle law. At Imperial College London, Glassbrook contributes to the academic community through his research fellowship while maintaining an active practice at Temple Garden Chambers. He co-edits AEVlaw.com, a specialized blog on automated and electric vehicle law, which serves as a resource for legal professionals and industry stakeholders navigating this rapidly evolving field. His work bridges academic research with practical legal application in the transportation technology sector, making him a key figure in shaping the legal framework for future mobility solutions.
Grazia Cecere is a Professor of Digital Economics at IMT Business School (Institut Mines-Télécom) and Director of Research within the LITEM Research Unit. She holds a Ph.D. from the joint program of University of Paris-Saclay and University of Turin, and a master's degree from the College of Europe (Natolin, Poland). Her research focuses on digital platforms, privacy regulation, and the economics of mobile applications. She has served on evaluation boards for institutions like ARCEP and INRAE, and advises regulatory bodies such as ARCOM. Her work has earned awards including the 2019 Marie-Dominique Hagelsteen Prize and the 2021 Social Science Foundation Research Award. Her key projects include ANR PROPEOS (privacy-oriented online services) and YPPOG (data-driven personalized advertising). She actively collaborates with researchers in the U.S. and Europe, and chairs the Francophone Association in Digital Economics (AFREN). Teaching includes digital marketing, cybersecurity, and data economics. Her former students hold academic and postdoctoral positions across institutions like IMT and Sciences Po. Education: Ph.D. in Economics (Paris-Saclay & Turin) Master's, College of Europe Grants: Institut DataIA, ANR Labs/Teams: iLab iDeal, Paris Digital Economics Seminar Advisory Roles: Scientific expert for ARCEP, ARCOM, and INRAE
Marshall Toplansky serves as an Associate Professor at Chapman University's George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. Holding a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Albany, he focuses on urban economics, policy analysis, and regional development. As co-author with Joel Kotkin on numerous reports and podcasts, his work examines California's economic trajectory, housing affordability, demographic shifts, and technological impacts on society. California's Middle Class Decline Urban Development Strategies Technological Disruption Analysis Regional Economic Policy His recent publications address topics ranging from the future of office real estate markets to critiques of green energy policies. The Feudal Future podcast series, co-hosted with Kotkin, explores contemporary issues including AI's societal implications, European political transformations, and the creator economy. Despite extensive publication output, specific student advisement details and formal awards remain undocumented in available sources.
Marianne Hatzopoulou is a Professor at the University of Toronto 's Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering , holding a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Transport Decarbonization and Air Quality . She leads the Transportation and Air Quality (TRAQ) research group and directs the Positive Zero Transport Futures living lab. Her work focuses on transportation-air quality-climate-public health intersections with 150+ publications. Transportation Decarbonization Urban Air Quality Modeling Climate Policy Integration Environmental Justice Data-Driven Pollution Analysis Recent research includes 2025 Symposium leadership , NSERC Brockhouse Prize (2021), and 2022 U of T Mid-Career Award . She serves as Associate Editor for Transportation Research Part D and chairs the TRB Air Quality Committee (2023-2026). Students include 13+ PhD/MASc candidates.
Thomas Bieber is a full-time Professor of Tax Law at the Institute for Financial Law, Tax Law and Tax Policy of Johannes Kepler University Linz , where he serves as institute head since 2022. His career spans over two decades in Austrian academia with progressive roles from assistant to associate professor, including deputy head of the Research Institute for Customs and Foreign Trade Law (ZAW Linz) . He holds habilitation in Financial and Tax Law and has received multiple international awards including the Wolfgang Gassner Science Prize and Maurice Lauré Prize for his groundbreaking work on import turnover taxation. His research focuses on customs law , excise duties , and EU tax harmonization , with recent emphasis on digital taxation , carbon border adjustments , and AI applications in tax administration . He leads major EU-commissioned studies on excise duty logistics and has co-authored two 2025 books on digital VAT systems and Multinational Tax Reform . As a curriculum co-editor of the authoritative "Spektrum der Steuerwissenschaften" journal, he shapes Austrian tax discourse. His 15 most recent publications reveal trends in customs-VAT integration (2013-2025), energy taxation (2016-2023), and digital compliance (2022-2024), with increasing focus on blockchain applications and carbon leakage in taxation. He has secured multiple FFG research grants, including 2013's customs law digitalization project with MIC. As deputy head of ZAW Linz and senate member at JKU, he influences academic governance. Scientific awards include: Wolfgang Gassner Science Prize 2019 Maurice Lauré Prize 2019 Gustav Figdor Prize 2019 Ludwig Scharinger Prize 2007 As head of the Institute since 2022, he oversees 12 faculty members across tax law, customs, and environmental taxation. His 2025 lecture series covers topics from climate protection taxation to medical practice taxation , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Königorski is a Professor of Control Systems and Mechatronics at the Technical University of Darmstadt's Institute of Automatic Control and Mechatronics. He holds a doctorate from TU Karlsruhe and has extensive industry experience at Robert Bosch GmbH and Thyssen Henschel. His research focuses on modeling nonlinear systems, mechatronic systems control, vehicle dynamics, and microgrid control. Königorski leads the Control Systems and Mechatronics Laboratory and has contributed to projects like Proreta 3 (driver assistance systems) and FLORIDyn (wind turbine modeling). His work bridges theoretical control methods with practical applications in automotive, robotics, and renewable energy sectors. Education: Electrical Engineering (1977-1983, TU Karlsruhe), PhD (1987, TU Karlsruhe) on state feedback design. Professional roles include Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and spokesperson roles in academic committees. Research interests emphasize system modeling, robust control, and mechatronics applications. Notable areas include automated driving trajectory planning, sensorless motor control, and inverter-based microgrid synchronization. His recent work addresses challenges in unsupervised scenario extraction for autonomous systems and gait phase estimation for prosthetics. Labs/Teams: Head of the Control Systems and Mechatronics Laboratory. Collaborations include industry partnerships for automotive and renewable energy projects. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing safety in nonlinear systems, optimizing energy grids, and advancing human-centric automation technologies.
Pierdomenico De Gioia Carabellese is a full Professor of Banking and Financial Law at the Beijing Institute of Technology, School of Civil and Commercial Law, and concurrently holds professorships at Edith Cowan University (Australia) and SGH Warsaw School of Economics (Poland). He also holds a Docenza at Unimercatorum (Italy) and has extensive international academic leadership experience. His work bridges academia and legal practice across common law, civil law, and mixed jurisdictions. Education: Ph.D. in Banking and Financial Law, University of Siena (2004) LL.M. in European and International Trade Law, Glasgow Caledonian University (Distinction, 2007) LLB (Scotland), Law Society of Scotland (2009) Diploma in Legal Practice (Scotland, 2010) PGCAP (Post-Graduate Course in Academic Practice), Heriot-Watt University (2010) Master in Leadership, University of Huddersfield (2017) His research spans banking law, corporate governance, fintech, employment law, securitization, derivatives, ESG, AI, and automated vehicles. He is known for interdisciplinary and comparative legal analysis, especially between the UK, EU, and Italy. His publications exceed 160, with over 25 in 2024 alone, reflecting a prolific and current scholarly trajectory. The recent articles show a strong trend toward emerging legal technologies, regulatory innovation, and the intersection of law with digital transformation—especially in AI, data privacy, automated transport, and sustainable finance. His work frequently engages with UK and EU regulatory frameworks, often offering comparative insights to Italian law. Scientific Awards and Honors: Three Teaching Oscars (UK, Scotland) Shortlisted for Teaching Award Chartered Manager Fellow of Advance HE Professor De Gioia Carabellese supervises PhD students at multiple institutions, including Unimercatorum, University of Salento, and the University of South Wales. He has successfully completed supervision of four PhD candidates and is currently mentoring several others. His academic leadership extends to designing LLB, LLM, and PhD programs globally. He has also led knowledge transfer initiatives with financial institutions and contributed to public policy debates, particularly in financial regulation and corporate governance. He is actively involved in research teams and academic networks, frequently delivering keynote speeches at international conferences on topics such as ESG derivatives, green finance, and legal tech. His leadership in establishing new LLM programs and interdisciplinary research schools highlights his role as an academic innovator.
