Ruth Kanfer is a Professor of Psychology at the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Psychology, specializing in adult learning, motivation, and career development. Her research addresses the impacts of technological advancements, demographic shifts, and global economic changes on work and career trajectories. She co-directs the PARK Lab, focusing on topics such as self-regulation in job search, motivational dynamics, and the psychology of workplace environments. Dr. Kanfer holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Arizona State University and has contributed to seminal works on aging and workforce diversity. She is a Fellow of prominent organizations including the Academy of Management and the American Psychological Association, and has received prestigious awards such as the SIOP's William R. Owens Scholarly Achievement Award. Her research employs mixed-methods approaches, including experimental studies and large-scale field research. Key themes include adult learning efficacy, team-based motivation, and the design of workspaces to enhance employee well-being. Dr. Kanfer has led projects funded by the Sloan Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Notable contributions include studies on the future of work, the role of future time perspective in career decisions, and the application of a 'whole-person' framework to adult learning. Her work has been published in journals like Journal of Applied Psychology and American Psychologist . She actively participates in professional committees, including the Sloan Research Network on Aging and Work and the National Academy of Sciences' How People Learn II initiative.
Professor John Piggott AO FASSA is Scientia Professor of Economics at the University of New South Wales, where he serves as Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR). He has held significant leadership roles at UNSW including three terms as Head of School of Economics, Associate Dean Research for the Business Faculty for 7 years, and Interim Dean of the Faculty. His expertise spans retirement economics, pension systems, and population ageing issues, with particular focus on Asia-Pacific region. His educational background includes: BA from University of Sydney MSc from London School of Economics PhD from University of London Professor Piggott's research focuses on retirement and pension economics, population ageing, and public finance. His work examines pension system designs across different countries, with particular emphasis on emerging Asian economies. He has conducted extensive research on retirement income systems, long-term care financing, and the economic implications of demographic change. His research has significant policy relevance, having informed government reviews and international organizations' work on ageing populations. He has published widely in leading international economics and actuarial academic journals, with recent work analyzing pension reforms in Indonesia, Thailand, and China. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on population ageing in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly examining pension systems and long-term care in emerging economies. His work bridges economics, public policy, and health services research, with increasing attention to the interconnections between demographic change, economic development, and social policy in aging societies. His research has directly influenced policy discussions through participation in the Henry Tax Review and Australian Ministerial Superannuation Advisory Committee. Professor Piggott has received numerous prestigious awards and honors: Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (1992) Scientia Professor at UNSW (2011-present) ARC Australian Professorial Fellow (2011-2015) UNSW Business School's Staff Excellence Global Impact Award (2020) Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) (2020) Professor Piggott has supervised numerous PhD students including Rafal Chomik, Hoang Hoyen, and T Le Trang. He has secured substantial research funding including multiple ARC grants totaling over $27 million for the CEPAR Centre, Japan Economic and Social Research Institute projects, and Rockefeller Foundation support. His research has directly informed policy discussions through participation in the Henry Tax Review and Australian Ministerial Superannuation Advisory Committee, and he was appointed co-chair of the Think20 Task Force on Aging Population during Japan's G20 Presidency. As Director of CEPAR, Professor Piggott leads a major research center focused on population ageing research, bringing together interdisciplinary expertise to address the challenges of aging societies. The center collaborates with international partners including the US National Academy of Medicine and OECD, and has played a key role in establishing the International Pension Research Association. His work has significant real-world impact, with his research on JobKeeper transition proposals during the COVID-19 pandemic receiving widespread media attention.
Sam Weinstein is a Professor of Law at the Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. He previously held positions at U.C. Berkeley School of Law as a fellow and at the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. His expertise spans antitrust law, competition policy, and regulatory history. He holds a J.D. and Ph.D. in U.S. History from U.C. Berkeley, alongside a B.A. from Haverford College. Education: J.D. (Order of the Coif) and Ph.D. in U.S. History from U.C. Berkeley; B.A. from Haverford College Professional Background: Attorney at U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division; Litigator at Munger, Tolles & Olson His research focuses on antitrust enforcement, innovation policy, and the historical evolution of regulatory frameworks. Notable areas include dynamic pricing algorithms, venture capital antitrust issues, and blockchain regulation. He teaches courses such as Antitrust, Contracts, and Corporations. Professor Weinstein's scholarship appears in top law reviews including NYU Law Review, Georgia Law Review, and Washington University Law Review. His work bridges legal theory with practical regulatory challenges in tech, finance, and corporate sectors.
Om Narasimhan is Professor of Marketing at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research focuses on entrepreneurship in emerging markets, innovation, pricing, and distribution channels. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and previously held the Board of Overseers Chaired Professorship at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Education: Ph.D. in Business Administration (Marketing), University of Southern California M.S. in Physics, University of Virginia B.S. in Physics, University of Delhi His work explores how microentrepreneurs navigate informal economies and how marketing strategies adapt to emerging market constraints. Research integrates behavioral economics, supply chain dynamics, and consumer psychology to address real-world business challenges. Publications emphasize empirical analyses of market mechanisms, with recurring themes in retail strategy, compensation models, and global business development. Article keywords frequently include entrepreneurship, consumer behavior, and emerging economies. Awards: SIG Best Paper awards (American Marketing Association) John D. Little award finalist Marketing Science Institute Young Scholar Outstanding Researcher Award (Carlson School) Best MBA Professor Award (Carlson School) He teaches in the Masters in Management and Global Executive programs, with executive education engagements at companies including 3M, Samsung, and Target. Leads the Marketing Faculty Research Group at LSE.
Briana Last is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University, specializing in Clinical Psychology. She holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (2022) and focuses on improving mental health service accessibility and quality through interdisciplinary research. Her research emphasizes three core domains: social determinants of mental health, implementation strategies for service improvement, and structural factors influencing clinician decision-making. She employs mixed methods and community-based participatory approaches, prioritizing marginalized populations affected by systemic inequities. Key interests include behavioral health workforce development, policy analysis, and dismantling barriers to equitable mental healthcare. Her lab, the Mental Healthcare for All Lab, collaborates with governments, agencies, and clinicians to translate research into actionable policies. Notable projects address clinician burnout interventions, public mental health system gaps, and anti-transgender policy impacts. Recent work critiques scientifically unfounded bans on gender-affirming care and evaluates federal loan repayment programs for mental health workforce retention. Publications span topics like AI chatbots in mental health, state policy effects on LGBTQ+ populations, and trauma therapy implementation. Her work highlights how clinician work conditions directly shape patient care quality, advocating for systemic changes to enhance both provider well-being and patient outcomes.
Mark Skidmore is a tenured Professor and Morris Chair in State and Local Government Finance and Policy at Michigan State University (MSU), with a joint appointment in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics and the Economics Department. He serves as a Resident Fellow and Interim Director of MSU Extension's Center for Local Government Finance and Policy. His research focuses on public finance, regional economics, and the economics of natural disasters, with particular emphasis on property taxation, fiscal decentralization, and disaster vulnerability. Educations: Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado and University of Washington, respectively. Roles: Tenured Professor, Morris Chair, and Interim Director of the MSU Extension Center. His research explores the interplay between government policies and economic development, including studies on property tax reforms, regional development strategies, and the societal impacts of natural disasters. Notable projects include analyses of Detroit's property tax challenges and Michigan's drinking water infrastructure needs. He has also contributed to policy discussions on tax increment financing, fiscal stress in municipalities, and the economic effects of climate change. Skidmore has received the 2017-18 AFRE Excellence Awards and has led grant-funded research, such as the USDA grant on rural price inflation. His work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions, emphasizing equitable taxation and resilient urban planning. He teaches courses on public sector budgeting and applied microeconomics at the graduate level. He has advised numerous students on theses and dissertations, though specific advisee names are not listed here. His collaborations include projects with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Sustainable Michigan Endowed Project.
Thomas Richter is a leading academic and Professor at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) , where he serves as Lead Research Fellow and Head of the Research Programme "Accountability and Participation" . His work focuses on the institutional and material determinants of authoritarian rule , executive personalization , and global political economy , particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region. Education: PhD in Political Science (summa cum laude) at the University of Bremen (2008); studies at Eberhard-Karls University Tuebingen and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research explores the interplay of rentier statehood and economic reforms , civil society under authoritarian regimes , and shrinking civic spaces . Recent projects include the Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM) and the Monitoring System and Transfer Platform Radicalisation (MOTRA) , funded by BMBF and DFG. Richter has published extensively on topics such as anti-Semitism , executive power dynamics , and public opinion on military service in Germany. He has received notable awards, including the Lijphart/Przeworski/Verba Data Set Award (2017) and the Gero Erdmann-Preis für vergleichende Area-Forschung (2022) . His collaborative work spans institutions like the WZB Berlin and Université de Tunis . Richter is also a co-editor of the Perspectives on the Maghreb series with Amsterdam University Press.
Dr. Amy Damashek serves as Professor in the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses while mentoring Clinical Psychology doctoral students. She chairs the department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and maintains an active research program focused on vulnerable populations. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia (2007) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2009) Research Focus: Her work centers on preventing child maltreatment and unintentional injuries among at-risk youth, with specialized expertise in infant sleep-related deaths and health disparities . She develops culturally responsive parenting interventions for low-income and Spanish-speaking families, emphasizing community-based solutions through home visiting programs. Publication Trends: Recent work (2020-2023) demonstrates consistent focus on pandemic adaptation of family services, safe sleep practices in marginalized communities, and digital intervention strategies. Her mixed-methods approach bridges clinical psychology with public health, prioritizing implementation in real-world settings. Scientific Recognition: Fellow of the American Psychological Association Former President of APA Division 37 (Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice) Grants & Mentoring: Secured federal funding for child injury prevention in underserved communities. Mentors Clinical Psychology doctoral students with emphasis on culturally competent practice, accepting new graduate students for Fall 2025. Her federally funded work directly informs evidence-based home visiting protocols. Research Ecosystem: Collaborates extensively with community health workers, home visiting agencies, and pediatric care providers to implement and evaluate interventions addressing structural barriers in family support systems.
Professor Julian Richards is a leading academic in security and intelligence studies at the University of Buckingham, where he serves as Director of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS). He holds a PhD in Political Violence from the University of Cambridge (1993) and spent nearly two decades in British Government intelligence roles before transitioning to academia in 2006. His roles include Programme Director for three MA programmes and supervising BUCSIS’s MPhil/DPhil research students. Education: PhD in Political Violence (Cambridge University, 1993). Prior to academia, he held senior intelligence positions with the UK Government. Research focuses on global security, extremism/radicalization, intelligence analysis techniques, and cyber threats. He has authored four books and numerous articles, including works on counter-terrorism, cyber-warfare, and Far-Right extremism in Europe. His media commentary spans BBC, Sky News, and international outlets. His articles explore contemporary security challenges such as post-Brexit intelligence dynamics, cyber resilience, and extremist propaganda in digital spaces. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining political science, technology, and ethical considerations in intelligence practices. Awards: None explicitly listed, though his contributions to security discourse are widely recognized. He advises on policy and has testified in government inquiries on privacy-security balances. Advising & Grants: Supervises doctoral researchers in security studies and leads BUCSIS’s research initiatives. His work intersects academia and policy, addressing real-world security challenges through rigorous analysis. Labs/Teams: Directs BUCSIS, fostering collaborative research on global security threats. The Centre hosts interdisciplinary projects on intelligence analysis, cyber security, and counter-extremism strategies.
Konrad Kollnig is an Assistant Professor at Maastricht University’s Faculty of Law, specializing in the intersection of law and technology. He leads the RegTech4AI project, which combines legal and technical methods to address challenges in the AI and digital platforms sector. His academic background includes a PhD and MSc from the University of Oxford and a BSc from RWTH Aachen, with his PhD thesis winning the prestigious Stefano Rodotà Award 2024. Research focuses on market power analysis in digital platforms, ethical AI governance, and privacy-preserving technologies. He developed the TrackerControl app (200,000+ downloads) to expose app tracking practices. His work has influenced EU, OECD, US FTC, and other regulatory bodies, and been featured in Forbes, Wired, and New Scientist. Key achievements include winning the United Nations Privacy Competition 2022 and the Best Student Privacy Paper Award 2022. He holds a five-year RegTech4AI project grant (€2.1M) funding six researchers. Talks and collaborations span institutions like Georgetown University, CNIL, and the Council of Europe. His interdisciplinary approach bridges computer science, law, and policy to address systemic risks in digital ecosystems.
Marina Romeo Delgado is a Full Professor at the Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona. She directs the UB-ADECCO Chair for Labour Integration of People with Disabilities and leads the Consolidated Teaching Innovation Group GIDC-CAV. As Internal Coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Work, Organizational and Personal Psychology (WOP-P) Master's program, she collaborates with universities in Bologna, Coimbra, and Valencia. She also coordinates the Interuniversity Doctorate in Psychology of Communication and Change. Her research focuses on psychosocial risks, organizational communication, and employee well-being with emphasis on disability inclusion in workplaces. She has led projects like 'Implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Psychology and Education Programs' (2022-2024) and 'Realizing Potential of EU Staff Mobility' (2016-2019). Awarded EuroPsy Specialist certification in Work and Organisational Psychology, she has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles on telework motivation, job crafting effects, and disability employment policies. Her work bridges academic research with practical interventions through international collaborations and institutional initiatives.
Dale Copeland is a Professor of International Affairs at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and is a leading scholar in international relations, specializing in security studies and international political economy. His research explores the interplay between economic interdependence, reputation, and state behavior, particularly in great power relations. Ph.D., University of Chicago His research focuses on security studies , international political economy , and IR theory , with particular emphasis on the causes of war, economic interdependence, bargaining and coercion, and the impact of rising and declining power. He investigates how trade, finance, and military behavior are interconnected and how states build reputations in international politics. His recent and past publications reveal a consistent focus on the conditions under which economic interdependence leads to peace or conflict. His work combines historical case studies with theoretical rigor, often engaging with realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Key themes include preventive war, reputation dynamics, trade expectations, and the strategic use of economic tools in foreign policy. His scientific awards include: International Studies Association Best Book Award (2017) MacArthur Fellowship Mellon Fellowship Post-doctoral Fellowship at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University Professor Copeland has advised numerous students and contributed to major scholarly debates through symposia on his work in International Security Studies Forum and Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research . He has received significant research support through prestigious fellowships and grants, enabling his influential publications. He is currently working on a book about commerce and American foreign policy and a new project on coercion without war. He is affiliated with the Frank Batten School and contributes to its mission of training future leaders in public policy and international affairs. His research informs both academic discourse and policy-relevant understanding of international conflict and cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Mona Mensmann is an Associate Professor of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Cologne , School of Business and Social Sciences. Her research bridges entrepreneurship with psychology, focusing on entrepreneurial mindset, proactive behavior, and training curricula. Current: Associate Professor (W2), University of Cologne (2021–) Previous: Associate/Assistant Professor at Warwick Business School (2018–2021) Education: PhD in Psychology, Leuphana University (2013–2017); MSc in Psychology, University of Heidelberg (2011–2013) Mensmann’s research explores the psychological foundations of entrepreneurship, including the impact of cognitive traits (e.g., ADHD, need for cognition) on entrepreneurial intentions and outcomes. She emphasizes personal initiative training as a tool for poverty reduction and sustainable business development, particularly in West Africa and developing economies. Her publications span peer-reviewed journals like Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and Science , focusing on topics such as sleep quality’s influence on founders, training program effectiveness, and lifespan entrepreneurship. She has also contributed to academic book chapters and conference proceedings.
Dr. Alex Black is an Associate Professor in the School of Optometry & Vision Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Faculty of Health. He serves as Course Coordinator for the Master of Optometry program and leads the Vision and Everyday Function research group within QUT's Centre for Vision and Eye Research. His expertise spans vision science, ageing-related vision decline, falls prevention, and driving safety. Dr. Black holds dual qualifications: a PhD in Vision Science (QUT, 2010) and a Masters of Public Health (University of Queensland, 2012). Teaching roles: Coordinates OP85 Master of Optometry program Research focus: Vision impairment impacts on mobility, driving safety, and academic performance Awards: FAAO (Fellow of American Academy of Optometry), FHEA (Fellow of Higher Education Academy) Research highlights include AUD $3.2 million in grants, over 100 publications, and contributions to international journals like Clinical & Experimental Optometry . His work bridges clinical practice and research, addressing real-world issues through innovative studies such as night-time pedestrian safety clothing design and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) usability for older adults. Key collaborations include NHMRC-funded projects on injury prevention and Vision and Driving research laboratory studies. Dr. Black also serves editorial roles for Clinical & Experimental Optometry and peer review activities.
Jan van den Ende is a Full Professor of Management of Technology and Innovation at the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University. He is also Professor of Horticulture Innovation and a Visiting Professor at LUISS Università Guido Carli in Rome, Italy, reflecting his broad academic engagement across disciplines and institutions. His research centers on the development of new products and services, with a focus on idea management , control of NPD projects , design management , and sustainable innovation . His work is deeply interdisciplinary, spanning innovation management, organizational studies, and strategic management, as reflected in his publications in top journals such as Research Policy , Harvard Business Review , and IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management . The trends in his recent publications highlight a sustained focus on innovation processes in complex environments, including project-based organizations, multinational enterprises, and high-tech industries like video games. His research increasingly explores socio-organizational dynamics such as status, resource scarcity, and entrepreneurial incubation. He has held long-standing editorial roles in leading journals including: Research Policy (Editor since 2003) IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management (Editor since 2007) Journal of Management Studies (Editor since 2009) Service Business (Editor since 2012) He teaches in MBA and Executive Education programs for global firms such as ASML, FrieslandCampina, IFF, and MAN, bridging academic research with industry practice. He has supervised 25 academic works, indicating a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable economic growth and innovation. He earned his PhD from Delft University of Technology.
