Professor Tony Kushner is the James Parkes Professor of History at the University of Southampton , affiliated with both the History Department and the Parkes Institute . His work spans Jewish migration history , Refugee studies , and Representation and memory of the Holocaust , with additional expertise in Bystander studies and Heritage, history and memory . Current Research: Cultural history of Jacob Harris (18th-century Jewish triple murderer); co-presentations to the Holocaust with Dr Aimee Bunting. Key Article Trends: Focus on Holocaust memory, urban Jewish communities, migration patterns, and intersections of race, colonialism, and genocide. Scientific Awards: BA Fellowship (Dr Jennifer Craig-Norton) K Pieren Postdoc Research Fellowship Hannah Ewence Postdoc Research Fellowship Kushner Rothschild Parkes Intl Summer School in Jewish Heritage PhD Supervision: Currently supervising 7 PhD students across History and Geography. Grants: Sponsored research projects from the British Academy and Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe.
Robert Braun is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a PhD from Cornell University (2017) and previously taught at Northwestern University. His research focuses on civil society dynamics during social upheaval, intergroup relationships in conflict settings, and the historical dimensions of political fear and persecution. His work has been published in prestigious journals like the American Journal of Sociology and American Political Science Review. Key contributions include his book Protectors of Pluralism (Cambridge UP, 2019), analyzing community responses to mass persecution, and his forthcoming project Bogeymen , tracing political fear through Central European folklore. Braun also examines healthcare economics, studying private equity impacts on medical practices and hospice care quality. His interdisciplinary approach bridges historical sociology, political theory, and quantitative analysis. Education: PhD in Sociology, Cornell University, 2017 Research Interests: Genocide Studies, Healthcare Policy, Ethnopolitical Conflict, Moral Mobilization Awards: Not explicitly mentioned in available texts Braun’s work on Holocaust resistance patterns and bystander dynamics has influenced debates on collective action and moral responsibility. His recent studies on healthcare consolidation highlight financialization effects in medical sectors, contributing to policy discussions on equity and access.
Aideen Quilty is Associate Professor of Gender Studies and Social Justice at University College Dublin (UCD), where she also serves as Head of School for the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and as Associate Dean of Social Sciences. With academic responsibility for all social science undergraduate degrees and programs at UCD, she plays a significant leadership role in one of the university's largest academic units. Her educational background includes a BEd, M Equality Studies, and PhD from Maynooth University, along with a Diploma in Public Relations from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to social justice, equality, and community engagement. Professor Quilty's research is profoundly interdisciplinary, weaving together gender studies, queer theory, human geography, and adult education. Her work centers on two major strands: LGBTQI+ experiences in higher education and society, and widening participation in higher education through spatial theory and critical pedagogies. She approaches her scholarship as a form of critical civic practice, seeking to challenge normative structures and promote social change through education. Her research consistently addresses issues of intersectionality, particularly how gender, sexuality, and spatial positioning affect educational access and outcomes. Her publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on LGBTQI+ issues, particularly youth homelessness and educational inclusion. The most recent articles show an increasing emphasis on spatial justice and the intersections of gender, sexuality, and place. Her work consistently applies queer and feminist theoretical frameworks to practical educational and social contexts, with a strong focus on Irish society while maintaining a European perspective through transnational collaborations. Professor Quilty has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing her excellence in teaching and commitment to student learning: University teaching excellence award (2022) Research Fellowship in teaching and learning from UCD (2019-2021) University Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2017) College Teaching and Learning excellence award (2017) UCD Values in Action (VIA) award for her work on the Active Bystander Programme As an advisor, Professor Quilty supervises PhD students working in LGBQI+ and transgender scholarship and EDI in higher education. Her grant activity includes significant projects such as the first nationally funded qualitative research investigation into LGBTQI+ Youth Homelessness in Ireland (2018-2020) and a transnational ERASMUS+ research project developing an LGBTQI+ Inclusion Index for Higher Education Institutions in Europe (2020-2023), which she leads as Principal Investigator. She was also Co-PI on the EU-funded DAPHNE programme (2013-15) exploring LGBTQ youth empowerment. Professor Quilty co-directs the innovative research centre for Gender, Feminisms and Sexualities (CGFS) and works closely with community outreach partners, particularly the Women's Collective Ireland (WCI), as a trusted 'critical friend.' Her work bridges academic research with practical community engagement, creating meaningful connections between university resources and social justice initiatives. She is currently conducting a cross-university impact evaluation research project on the Bystander Programme (2021-22) and serves on the Royal Irish Academy's interdisciplinary committee of social sciences.
Dr. Lindsey Cameron is a Reader in Psychology and Director of Undergraduate Student Experience and Student Success at the University of Kent 's School of Psychology . Her research focuses on social developmental psychology , particularly how children develop social knowledge and intergroup attitudes. Her research interests include the development of intergroup attitudes, the role of social norms and cognitive development in shaping these attitudes, and the creation of school-based interventions to reduce prejudice. She investigates the impact of intergroup contact (direct and indirect), cultural awareness, and acculturation processes in childhood. Recent publications highlight trends in intergroup relations, bullying dynamics in schoolchildren, and interventions for social inclusion. Notable areas include intergenerational contact , malocclusion and peer relationships , and gender stereotypes in children’s media . Scientific awards include her appointment to the British Journal of Developmental Psychology Editorial Advisory Panel. She has supervised PhD students such as Dr. Caitlin Baker (2020) and Dr. Lauren Spinner (2017), focusing on topics like strategic color blindness and gender socialization . Her grants span projects like "Growing up with diversity" (British Psychological Society, 2014) and "Tackling racism amongst adolescents" (Big Lottery Research Programme, 2008–09). Collaborations involve charities and diversity organizations across Europe, including One Globe Kids and Office of the Children’s Commissioner .
Geraldien von Frijtag Drabbe Kunzel is an Associate Professor at the Department of History and Art History , Utrecht University. Her work focuses on Political History and International and Political History , with expertise in Holocaust Studies , Modern European History , and Colonialism . PhD in History (University of Amsterdam, 1999) on German criminal courts in occupied Netherlands Her research examines political violence , Nazi-occupied Europe , and perpetratorship , including works on Dutch participation in Holocaust by bullets, Dutch-Jewish communities, and local dynamics in occupied territories. She coordinates the Utrecht Seminar of Political History and Perpetratorship in the Context of Mass Violence research group. Key publication trends include: Dutch colonial projects in Nazi-occupied Europe Microhistories of Holocaust experiences Legal complicity in occupied Netherlands Urban resistance and social dynamics Scientific Awards : NWO Aspasia Grant (2015) Gerda Henkel Foundation Grant (2012-2013) Yad Vashem Research Fellowship (2011) USC Shoah Foundation Senior Fellow (2017-2018) She contributes to BMGN - The Low Countries Historical Review , Journal of Genocide Research , and Biografie Bulletin , with recent works on Holocaust in the Netherlands, Dutch East Indies Jewish communities, and postwar memory.
Federica Sallusto is a Full Professor in Medical Immunology at ETH Zurich and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), and a Group Leader in the Cellular Immunology department at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland. She leads a prominent research group focused on human T cell biology, immunological memory, and immune responses in infection and autoimmunity. Doctor in Biology, University of Rome, 1988 Postdoctoral work: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome; Basel Institute for Immunology Group Leader, IRB, since 2000 Full Professor, ETH Zurich and USI, since 2017 Her research centers on the heterogeneity and function of human CD4+ T cell subsets, particularly Th17 and T follicular helper cells, and their roles in protective immunity and inflammatory diseases. She investigates immune responses to pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and HIV, using cutting-edge techniques in cellular immunology and systems immunology. Her work integrates human immunology with translational applications in vaccinology and autoimmune disorders. The recent publications reflect a strong focus on human immune responses to infectious agents, mechanisms of T and B cell immunity, and the intersection of immunology with neurology and autoimmunity. Key themes include antigen-specific T cell activation, antibody cross-reactivity, regulation of inflammatory pathways, and the impact of vaccines and infections on immune memory and disease outcomes. Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation Prize Behring Lecture Member, German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (2009) Member, EMBO (2011) International Member, U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2022) Doctor honoris causa, University of Fribourg (2022) Federica Sallusto has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom are co-authors on her high-impact publications. Her group has received significant funding from the European Research Council (ERC), Marie Curie Actions, and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), where she served on the National Research Council from 2018 to 2024. She has held leadership roles including President of the Swiss Society for Allergology and Immunology (2013–2015) and President of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (2022–2024). Her laboratory is embedded within the IRB, a leading biomedical research institute affiliated with USI, and collaborates extensively with clinical and research teams across Europe. The group is part of broader scientific networks in antibody discovery, infectious disease immunology, and neuroimmunology.
Lucia O'Sullivan is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick. She holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology from Bowling Green State University, with postdoctoral research training in HIV at Columbia University. Her research focuses on the intersection of sexuality and intimate relationships, including digital technologies' impact on relationships and barriers to sexual health care. She has conducted international studies in South Africa, the UK, Guatemala, India, and the US. Dr. O’Sullivan has authored/co-authored over 175 peer-reviewed articles, a textbook on human sexuality, and serves on multiple journal editorial boards. She is currently not accepting graduate students. Education: B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from UNB; PhD in Experimental Psychology from Bowling Green State University; Postdoctoral training in HIV at Columbia University. Research interests include adolescent and young adult sexuality, sexual violence prevention, and the role of technology in relationships. Her work emphasizes global health perspectives and collaborative international research. Key contributions include co-editing a book on sexual coercion and developing measurement tools like the Short Sexual Subjectivity Inventory. Her recent studies explore sugar arrangements, bystander intervention in sexual aggression, and infidelity predictors.
Holly Branigan is a Professor of Psychology of Language and Cognition at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. Her research focuses on language production, dialogue, child language development, and bilingualism. She holds a Personal Chair and has led numerous grants including projects on conversational alignment in children with autism, language experience effects on development, and syntactic priming in dialogue. Her teaching includes undergraduate courses on Psychology of Language and postgraduate modules on Dialogue. She supervises PhD students in topics like syntactic processing, bilingualism, and interactional linguistics. Branigan has secured over £10M in research funding from bodies like the ESRC and EU, leading projects such as 'How does language experience support language development?' (2018–2023) and 'AThEME: Advancing European Multilingual Experience' (2014–2019). Her work explores how speakers adapt language based on social context, interlocutor traits, and cognitive factors. Key achievements include a 7-year ESRC fellowship (1999–2006), and recognition for contributions to understanding syntactic processing mechanisms. She currently leads research on child language imitation in social contexts and bilingual syntactic representation.
Gary Fireman, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Suffolk University and serves as the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. He holds a PhD and MA from Long Island University, as well as a BA from the University of Michigan. As a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, Texas, and New York, he specializes in child, adolescent, and adult therapy, and psychological assessment. PhD, Long Island University MA, Long Island University BA, University of Michigan Dr. Fireman’s research explores the interplay between emotional complexity, social reasoning, and sleep quality, particularly in populations with aggression, peer victimization, or emotional regulation challenges. His work investigates how nightmares, rumination, and prosocial behavior shape cognitive processes and psychological wellbeing. His recent publications focus on sleep disturbances, social exclusion, and emotional regulation in developmental contexts. Key trends include analyzing the bidirectional relationship between social anxiety and sleep, cross-cultural bullying narratives, and the impact of stress on sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Awards : Departmental-Level Teaching Award (2014) Dr. Fireman teaches courses such as PSYCH-510-C: Independent Study . He maintains an active clinical and research practice, with ongoing collaborations across interdisciplinary psychology fields. Contact: gfireman@suffolk.edu , 617-305-6368.
Nicholas Brody is a Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Puget Sound. His research focuses on the social implications of technology, with a particular emphasis on relational communication, cyberbullying, and post-breakup digital behaviors. He teaches courses on communication theory, quantitative methods, and mediated relationships. Brody holds a BS from The University of Texas at Austin (2005), an MA from Arizona State University (2009), and a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin (2013). His work has been recognized with the Thomas A. Davis teaching award (2019) and the Puget Sound faculty research award (2016 and 2024). Key research areas include bystander intervention in cyberbullying, memory management post-breakup, and the role of humor in relationships. His studies appear in journals like Communication Monographs , Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , and Computers in Human Behavior . Brody emphasizes the intersection of technology and human interaction, exploring how digital platforms shape relational processes and identity. Contact: Jones 300D, 253.879.3340, nbrody@pugetsound.edu
Prof. Dieter Pohl is a leading historian at Klagenfurt University, serving as Professor of Contemporary History with a focus on Eastern/Southeastern Europe. He heads the Department of Contemporary History and the Institute of History, overseeing research on Nazi policies, mass violence, and Soviet-Ukrainian contexts. Born in 1964, Pohl earned his PhD in Munich (1995) and habilitation in 2007. His career includes leadership roles at the Munich Institute for Contemporary History before joining Klagenfurt in 2010. His research prioritizes European and Soviet history, emphasizing 20th-century mass violence, Nazi occupation dynamics, and post-war consequences. Key areas include Holocaust studies, Ukrainian-Soviet relations, and global historiographical trends. Notable projects include editing the multi-volume Die Verfolgung und Ermordung der europäischen Juden and analyzing Himmler’s SS operations via decrypted records. Pohl’s work frequently addresses transnational fascism, colonial policies in occupied territories, and the interplay between military strategy and genocide. His publications bridge academic rigor with public engagement, influencing debates on historical memory and collaboration in occupied Europe. Though no awards are explicitly listed, his prolific output and institutional leadership underscore his scholarly impact. His research often intersects with legal and ethical questions about historical accountability, particularly regarding Nazi crimes and post-Soviet memory politics.
Dr. George Fitzmaurice is a Research Fellow at Autodesk, leading the Human Computer Interaction and Visualization Research group. With over 120 publications and 95 patents, his work spans 25 years of innovation in interactive systems, focusing on technology-assisted learning , 3D visualization , and novel input techniques . His notable contributions include the Maya 1.0 UI and SketchBook Pro design, as well as pioneering Graspable UIs and Spatially-Aware Displays . Education : MIT (B.Sc. Math/CS), Brown (M.Sc. CS), Toronto (Ph.D. CS) His research explores immersive visualization and generative AI applications in design workflows, with recent work focusing on VR/AR tools like TimeTunnel for motion editing and WhatIF for AI-assisted narrative design. Current projects examine the intersection of large language models , 3D design systems , and collaborative environments . Key article themes include: Generative AI integration (3DALL-E, WorldSmith) Immersive motion analysis (AvatAR, VideoPoseVR) Creative workflow optimization (MoodCubes, Immersive Sampling) Privacy-aware VR systems (Vice VRsa) Scientific Recognition: 2019 - Inducted into ACM CHI Academy 2024 - Awarded ACM Fellow for computing contributions He has developed foundational interaction techniques like ViewCube™ and SteeringWheels™ , and his work continues to shape modern 3D UI paradigms and spatial computing approaches through projects like DreamSketch and Tesseract.
Cindy H. White is an Associate Professor and current Department Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder's College of Media, Communication and Information. She holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Arizona (1996), an M.A. from Texas Tech University (1989), and a B.A. from Texas Tech University (1987). Her office hours are held via Zoom on Mondays (2:30-3:45 PM) and Thursdays (12:30-1:15 PM). Dr. White's research program examines interpersonal communication dynamics with focus areas including: Patterns of interaction in personal relationships Nonverbal behavior and relational communication Family communication and relational transitions College student-parent communication about finances Communication challenges in health contexts (e.g., bystander intervention in drinking situations) Socialization processes in communication learning Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on interpersonal adaptation, deception studies, family/relational communication, and health communication interventions. Recent works (2014-2021) show increased attention to theoretical frameworks in adaptation and practical applications in educational settings, while earlier foundational work (1990s-2000s) established expertise in deception detection and conversational analysis. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including: COMM 3510: Family Communication COMM 4510: Senior Seminar in Interpersonal Communication COMM 4950: Senior Thesis (Honors) COMM 6780: Roles, Relationships, and Identities in Interaction and mentors students through the honors thesis program.
Peter Druschel is the founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS) and leads the Distributed Systems Group. He holds adjunct professorships at Saarland University and the University of Maryland, reflecting his strong academic affiliations in computer science. He has previously served as a Professor of Computer Science at Rice University and has held visiting positions at MIT, Microsoft Research Cambridge, and LIP6. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Arizona, 1994 His research centers on building secure, compliant, and privacy-preserving distributed and mobile systems. Key interests include accountable systems, peer-to-peer networks, operating systems, and network security. He has led foundational work in systems like Pastry, Scribe, and Glacier, and currently focuses on privacy compliance in data processing through projects like Thoth and iPic. His work is supported by major grants from the ERC, Max Planck Society, DFG, BMBF, and Google. The recent publications highlight a consistent trend in secure and privacy-aware systems, with a focus on policy enforcement, isolation mechanisms, anonymity, and mobile security. These works span top venues such as USENIX Security, OSDI, MobiSys, and SIGCOMM, reflecting sustained impact in systems and security communities. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (1995) Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2000) SIGOPS Mark Weiser Award (2008) Microsoft Research Outstanding Collaborator Award (2016) EuroSys Lifetime Achievement Award (2017) Druschel has advised numerous PhD and master’s students and postdoctoral researchers at MPI-SWS. He has co-directed major collaborative programs including the Cornell-Maryland-Max Planck Pre-doctoral School and the Maryland Max Planck Ph.D. Program. His leadership extends to professional service, having chaired SOSP, OSDI, NSDI, and EuroSys, and served on editorial boards of CACM, TOCS, and Royal Society Open Science. He is a member of Academia Europaea and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Labs and Teams: Distributed Systems Group, MPI-SWS imPACT ERC Synergy Project Collaborators include Bobby Bhattacharjee, Deepak Garg, Miguel Castro, Ion Stoica, and others
Dr. Sara Thompson is a Professor in the Department of Criminology at Toronto Metropolitan University since 2008. Her work focuses on social inequality, urban violence, policing, hate crime, radicalization, and policy impacts. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and has extensive advisory roles, including co-Principal Investigator on a SSHRC Insight Grant examining body-worn cameras and police accountability. Thompson serves on key committees such as the International Radicalization Prevention Team (ITERP), Toronto Police Service’s Race-Based Data Panel, and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Research Advisory Committee. Education: BA (Hons.), MA, and Ph.D. in Criminology (University of Toronto). Research Interests: Thompson’s work bridges academic research and policy, emphasizing socially engaged violence-prevention strategies. Her recent projects explore the spatial distribution of violence, policing reforms, and CVE programming efficacy. She has authored influential reports on hate crime priorities, body camera impacts, and diaspora radicalization dynamics. Grants & Advising: Co-PI on SSHRC-funded body camera research (2021–present), led Public Safety Canada CVE evaluations, and contributes to police training curricula through the Ontario Police College. Her advisory roles span community organizations like Yorktown Family Services and Toronto Public Health’s violence initiative. Key Contributions: Developed CVE evaluation frameworks, advised on racial profiling policies, and co-authored major texts such as Canada Among Nations: Terrorism and Counter-terrorism (2020). Her work prioritizes balancing security needs with human rights and community trust.
