Professor Karen Broadhurst is a Professor of Social Work at Lancaster University's Sociology Department, part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on family preservation, particularly the position of women in family justice systems and prevention of care entry for children. She was awarded an OBE (2025) and became a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2020). She leads the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, established in 2015, and has held leadership roles in Lancaster University's Data Science Institute (2019–2024). Current roles include ADR UK Ambassador (ESRC), Co-Lead of the ESRC Community Catalyst (2024–2026), and Principal Investigator of the ESRC-funded COMFT study, linking family and criminal justice data to assess impacts on mothers and children. Her research has driven policy changes, such as the Born into Care Series improving child protection practices globally. She collaborates internationally on projects like the SIB (State Intervention with Babies) funded by the Australian Research Council. Her work emphasizes ethical use of public services data to inform legislative and policy reforms. She chairs HER CIRCLE, supporting mothers separated from children, and advises bodies like the Independent Review of Children's Social Care. Teaching focuses on social work, child welfare, and policy, with an intersectional approach. She supervises ESRC-funded PhD students, including Sara Bellamio and Lily Golding. Key grants include £2.2M for Nuffield Family Justice Observatory analyses. Awards include OBE and Academy of Social Sciences Fellowship.
Dr Srdjan Cirovic is a Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Surrey, serving as Programme Director for the MSc in Biomedical Engineering. He is affiliated with the Centre for Biomedical Engineering and teaches biomechanics courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels including ENG2097, ENG3173, ENGM187, and ENGM259. His educational background includes: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Belgrade, Serbia MSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada PhD in Aerospace Engineering (2001) from the University of Toronto, Canada Dr Cirovic's research integrates computational modeling with experimental approaches to investigate biomechanical phenomena in pathological conditions and therapeutic interventions. His primary focus areas feature: Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and syringomyelia pathogenesis Mechanisms of radial shock wave therapy for musculoskeletal disorders Cardiovascular responses to mechanical stresses including G-forces in aviation Biomechanics of ocular trauma and infant shaking injuries Analysis of his publication record (2000-2006) reveals consistent emphasis on computational modeling of physiological systems, particularly cardiovascular and neurological responses to mechanical stimuli. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between aerospace engineering principles and clinical biomedical challenges, with recurring themes in trauma biomechanics and therapeutic device mechanisms. As Programme Director of the MSc in Biomedical Engineering, Dr Cirovic oversees curriculum development and academic supervision. His teaching portfolio spans core biomechanics principles and clinical rehabilitation applications, reflecting his dual expertise in engineering fundamentals and medical contexts.
Dr Amy Paine is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at Cardiff University, specializing in child development, adoption outcomes, and the role of humor in social relationships. She holds a BSc and PhD from Cardiff University, including a 2017 doctoral thesis on sibling influence on social understanding. Her research employs longitudinal methods to study protective factors in children’s relationships and the impact of adversity in adoptive families. Education BSc Psychology with Professional Placement, Cardiff University (2013) PhD Developmental and Health Psychology, Cardiff University (2017) Research Interests Dr Paine focuses on social development through play, protective mechanisms in close relationships, and neurocognitive profiles of adopted children. Her work emphasizes humor as a tool for social understanding and has pioneered studies on adoption trajectories, familial communication, and intervention programs for vulnerable families. Grants & Awards 2025-2026: Welsh Government grant for adoption trajectory studies 2022: Cardiff University Civic Mission grant for playful hospital programs Recipient of the 2017 Hadyn Ellis Prize for Best Doctoral Dissertation Teaching & Supervision Coordinates MSc Psychology placements and supervises dissertations on children’s psychological disorders. Current PhD students include Cass Sheehan and Thais Marques. Labs & Initiatives Co-Director of the Neurodevelopment Assessment Unit and leads the Wales Adoption Study, collaborating with institutions globally to advance child welfare research.
Ashley Woodman is a Senior Lecturer II and Program Director of the Developmental Disabilities and Human Services (DDHS) Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, affiliated with the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. She earned her PhD in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College, alongside a BA in Psychology and French Literature from McGill University. Her research focuses on family well-being within intellectually/developmentally disabled (IDD) populations, disability paradigms, and long-term developmental trajectories of individuals with IDD. She directs the Disability, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE) Lab and teaches courses like PSYCH 480 (Intellectual Disability Concepts) and PSYCH 481 (Families and IDD). Woodman’s work examines parental stress, family processes, and societal perceptions of disability. Notable collaborations include the Lifespan Family Research group and the Early Intervention Collaborative Study. She advises undergraduate students and has contributed to policy discussions on disability care, including hospice practices for aging IDD adults. Her research spans peer-reviewed articles in journals like Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and Development and Psychopathology , alongside book chapters on supported living and caregiving. Teaching and service include roles on the Undergraduate Studies Committee and the Course Materials Affordability Working Group. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges developmental science, clinical practice, and disability advocacy.
Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis is a Professor of Forensic and Clinical Psychology at the University of Bath, UK. She is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security, Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB), and Centre for the Study of Violence. Her work focuses on technology-assisted child sexual abuse, child maltreatment, trauma, and resilience. She holds Chartered status in both clinical and forensic psychology from the British Psychological Society and is HCPC registered. Education includes a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology (1998) and a Clinical Psychology lateral transfer (2006), both from the British Psychological Society. She also holds a PG Cert in Learning and Teaching (2003) and a BSc in Psychology (1994) from the University of Birmingham. Her research spans applied psychology, policy impact, and collaborations with NGOs like the WHO, NSPCC, and CEOP. Key projects include studying caregiver influences on trauma recovery, policing interventions, and international networks for preventing technology-related child abuse. She supervises PhD students exploring online bystander interventions, neuroimaging of resilience, and cultural perspectives on child maltreatment. Publications emphasize themes such as child neglect perceptions, neural resilience mechanisms, and AI-assisted law enforcement. Awards include Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (2010) and Chartered status in both clinical and forensic psychology.
Kavita Singh Ongechi, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health. She serves as Lead of the Maternal, Child and Family Health Concentration and a Faculty Fellow at the Carolina Population Center. Her work focuses on evaluating maternal and child health programs in low-resource settings, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations such as displaced communities and women with disabilities. Dr. Ongechi has led large-scale evaluations in Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, and Bangladesh, employing mixed methods to assess interventions like maternal quality improvement projects and neonatal survival strategies. She also advises global initiatives like the Data for Impact (D4I) Project to improve maternal mortality measurement and health data quality. Education: PhD in Population Dynamics (minor in Epidemiology), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2002 MPH in Maternal and Child Health, Georgetown University, 1997 BA in Biology, Cornell University, 1996 Her research interests span global maternal health, postnatal care innovations, and HIV prevention in marginalized groups. Dr. Ongechi has been recognized with the Philip and Ruth Hettleman Prize (2019) and serves in leadership roles such as Global Health Admissions Chair and MPH Steering Committee member. She teaches courses on global maternal and child health and cultural humility in research. Key Contributions: Designed evaluations of Safe Motherhood Initiatives and neonatal survival interventions Pioneered subnational-level analyses linking gender equality to health outcomes in Nigeria Advocated for improved documentation of wartime attacks on healthcare facilities Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator for Ethiopia's Maternal and Newborn Quality Improvement Project Co-Investigator for the $90M Global Health PEARL Project Advisor for MEASURE Evaluation and D4I initiatives
Po Kan Noble Lo is a Lecturer in the Division of Languages and Communication at Lancaster University. He holds prestigious fellowships including Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and Chartered Linguist. His academic journey includes a Juris Doctor from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, a Master of Studies from the University of Oxford, and multiple degrees from The University of Hong Kong. He also serves as International Cooperation Director for ESP Korea (2025-2027) and is an active member of both the Law and Society Association and The Association of Law Teachers. Educational Background: Certificate in Computer Science for Lawyers, Harvard Law School Executive Education (Aug 2025) Certificate in Generative AI for the Legal Profession, University of California at Berkeley (Apr 2025) Juris Doctor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Oct 2022) Master of Studies, University of Oxford (May 2015) Master of Arts, The University of Hong Kong (Nov 2011) Bachelor of Arts, The University of Hong Kong (Dec 2009) Chartered Linguist, Chartered Institute of Linguists (Nov 2016 - present) Fellow, Royal Society of Arts (Aug 2015 - present) Noble Lo's research spans the intersection of language education, artificial intelligence, and higher education pedagogy. His work particularly focuses on AI-assisted language learning, self-regulated learning through mobile applications, and the impact of technology on educational outcomes. He has conducted comparative studies across multiple countries including Hong Kong, South Korea, Mainland China, the UK, and the USA, examining how cultural contexts influence language learning effectiveness. His recent work has increasingly explored the ethical implications of AI in education and human rights considerations. His publication portfolio demonstrates a clear evolution from traditional language instruction studies toward cutting-edge investigations of AI's role in education. The research reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of technology in language learning environments, with particular attention to student motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes in both online and face-to-face settings. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence from diverse educational contexts. Scientific Awards: Most Popular Preprints Award: 1st Prize (Apr 2024) CPCE Active Scholar Awards 2024 (Sept 2024) Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D) 2024 Reviewer Excellence Award (Oct 2024) Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D) 2023 Reviewer Excellence Award (Oct 2023) The 8th LRC Law Reform Essay Competition 2021: Award Certificate and Letter of Appreciation (2021) Noble Lo has secured significant research funding for projects totaling over HK$2.4 million, demonstrating his ability to lead substantial research initiatives. His role as Principal Investigator on multiple projects indicates his leadership in the field. As an editorial board member for Frontiers in Sociology and Frontiers in Education, he contributes to scholarly discourse and quality control in his fields of expertise. His activities as a subject leader for university courses and adjudicator for English speaking competitions further demonstrate his commitment to advancing language education. Through his current projects including 'Investigating the Effectiveness of AI-Driven Personalized Feedback' and 'Adapting to AI in Higher Education,' Noble Lo is positioned at the forefront of educational technology research, exploring how artificial intelligence can be effectively integrated into language learning and academic writing instruction while maintaining educational quality and addressing ethical considerations.
Dr. Daniel Doh is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Western Australia (UWA), based in the School of Allied Health. Previously, he held roles at the University of Western Sydney, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Ghana, where he led the Master of Social Policy program. He specializes in policy-engaged research, mixed-methods evaluation, and quantitative modeling/qualitative analysis. His work focuses on aging populations, disability care, child protection, migration, and policy design. Education: PhD in Social Policy (Edith Cowan University, 2017), MPhil in Social Work (University of Ghana, 2010). He has collaborated with UNICEF, HelpAge Ghana, and governments in West Africa to shape social protection policies for vulnerable groups. His current research includes evaluations of Australia's Hospital-in-the-Home program and migrant care systems. Teaching: Coordinates core units in social work research, policy analysis, and human development. Advocates collaborative, student-centered learning strategies. Key Research Themes: Long-term care systems, informal caregiving, migration's impact on health, and randomized control trials. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG3), education (SDG4), and reduced inequalities (SDG10). Publications: 19 peer-reviewed articles focusing on elder abuse, nutritional outcomes in aging populations, and migrant health challenges. Recent work emphasizes global health equity and policy innovation.
Yulia Ioffe is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Queen Mary University of London's School of Law, focusing on the AHRC-funded project 'Rethinking Child Law and Policy'. She holds a DPhil (PhD) in Law from the University of Oxford, an LL.M from Harvard Law School specializing in international human rights law, and degrees from Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University. Her work bridges international law, refugee rights, and child policy, with particular attention to treaty interpretation by international organizations. Research interests include asylum-seeking children's rights, refugee law compliance, and the role of international bodies in legal frameworks. Her recent work analyzes Russia's constitutional changes, Ukrainian treaty relations, and nuclear policy implications. She has taught international human rights law at Oxford and contributed to UNHCR initiatives. Publications span journals like the American Journal of International Law and EJIL: Talk!, covering topics from refugee penalization to ECtHR jurisprudence. Her engagement includes work with the International Court of Justice and UNHCR offices in Bosnia and Ukraine, reflecting a career merging academic research with practical legal advocacy.
Dean Alan Dudley is an Associate Professor (Health and Physical Education) at Macquarie University's Macquarie School of Education and a member of the Performance and Expertise Research Centre. He holds honorary Associate Professor roles at the University of Queensland, University of Sydney, and University of the South Pacific. With degrees from the University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong, Harvard University, and the University of Oxford, Dr. Dudley specializes in interdisciplinary research linking health and education, particularly focusing on children's well-being through physical literacy, pedagogy, and policy. Affiliations: Macquarie School of Education, UNESCO International Bureau of Education, Australian Sports Commission Educations: Multiple degrees including from Harvard and Oxford His research interests center on physical education's role in child health, learning assessment methodologies, and global health policy. Key contributions include work on UNESCO's Quality Physical Education Guidelines and the Kazan Action Plan. Recent projects include the Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!) and ERASMUS+ initiatives promoting physical literacy. Grants/Projects: 6 active/funded projects since 2014 focusing on pedagogy, policy, and public health Dr. Dudley has advised international bodies like UNESCO and the Oceanic National Olympic Committee, influencing policy on physical education and sports. His work emphasizes evidence-based approaches to improving children's physical activity and well-being through education systems. Notable impacts include contributions to Australian Sports Commission policies and curriculum redesign efforts in Alberta Education.
Emilie Smith is Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University's College of Social Science, where she serves as Inaugural Distinguished Senior Scholar and leads the MSU Youth Equity Project. Her research examines how families, schools, and communities interact to foster positive youth development, with special focus on racial-ethnic identity and socialization in diverse socioeconomic and geographic contexts. Smith employs community-engaged randomized trials and multilevel methods to develop family and community approaches that reduce disparities. Her work spans developmental psychology, prevention science, and cross-cultural studies of resilience. Analysis of her recent publications shows strong emphasis on: (1) racial-ethnic socialization processes in minority youth development, (2) implementation science in community programs, (3) culturally responsive interventions for underserved populations, and (4) systemic approaches to health and educational equity. This body of work demonstrates interdisciplinary integration across psychology, sociology, and public health. Honors & Education Fellow, Society of Prevention Research Fellow, American Psychological Association Division 27 PhD & MA in Ecological/Community Psychology, Michigan State University BA in Psychology and Afro American Studies, Smith College
Dr. Zoe Klemfuss is an Associate Professor of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), specializing in developmental and legal psychology. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and directs the Child Narratives Lab (childnarrativeslab.com). Her research focuses on children’s memory accuracy, narrative development, and sociocontextual influences, with applications to legal contexts such as child sexual abuse testimony. She has published in top journals like Developmental Psychology and Annual Review of Clinical Psychology , supported by NIH grants. Key research areas include: Narrative development and eyewitness abilities in children, Sociocontextual factors shaping memory and well-being, Legal implications of children’s testimony accuracy, Parent-child communication strategies in stress/health contexts. Recent publications highlight her work on pandemic-related mental health, misinformation resistance, and juror decision-making influenced by emotional testimony. Her lab emphasizes translational research bridging cognitive development and societal applications. She has advised multiple students and collaborates on grants addressing child welfare and forensic psychology.
Associate Professor Joanne Evans is a leading academic in archival and recordkeeping studies at Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology. She heads the Digital Transformation group in the Department of Human Centred Computing and holds an ARC Future Fellowship (2015-2018) focused on co-designing inclusive recordkeeping systems for childhood out-of-home care. Her expertise spans participatory design, rights-based frameworks, and digital equity. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Archives and Recordkeeping), Monash University (2007) Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, Monash University (2012) Multiple diplomas in Information Technology and Management from RMIT University Bachelor of Science with Honours (Chemistry), Australian National University (1988) Research Interests: Evans' work addresses lifelong identity, memory, and accountability for care-experienced individuals through participatory design. She explores recordkeeping informatics, digital equity, and ethical technologies. Recent projects include real-time rights-based governance systems and multicultural approaches to IT education. Key Contributions: Established the Recordkeeping and the Rights of the Child Research Program Developed frameworks for inclusive recordkeeping networks Advocated for archival justice and data sovereignty Awards & Activities: ARC Future Fellowship (2015-2018) Member of International Council on Archives, Australian Society of Archivists, and Australian Library and Information Association Teaching: Leads units in recordkeeping informatics, archival systems, and information management within Monash's IT curriculum.
Nicole Black is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School. She holds a PhD in Health Economics from Monash University (2012) and has been a co-editor of the journal *Health Economics* (2019-2024). Her research focuses on health economics, child health, mental health, and socioeconomic inequities in healthcare access. She has led multiple ARC-funded projects including investigations into child maltreatment economics (2024-2027), mental healthcare inequity (2021-2024), and childhood obesity's life-course impacts (2013-2023). Key projects include an ARC Discovery Project analyzing child maltreatment's economic consequences and a DECRA fellowship examining children's time allocation's effects on health. Awards include the Australian Health Economics Society Early Career Prize (2015) and Dean’s Research Excellence Award (2016). Her work addresses Sustainable Development Goals related to education and health equity. Recent research highlights include studies on mental healthcare access disparities, inflation’s health impacts, and compulsory schooling’s role in reducing child maltreatment. She collaborates internationally on projects involving Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands, focusing on healthcare costs and policy evaluation.
Youseph Yazdi, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, with a courtesy appointment at the Carey Business School. He also serves as Executive Director of the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID). His research focuses on healthcare design, global health innovation, and medical device development, emphasizing practical solutions for low-resource settings and clinical challenges. Education: MBA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2007) PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (1997) MSE in Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin (1992) BS in Electrical Engineering, Rice University (1986) Research Interests: Dr. Yazdi’s work bridges engineering, business, and clinical practice. Key areas include global health innovation (e.g., breast cancer detection tools in Uganda), medical device commercialization, and design education. He leads initiatives like the Johns Hopkins one-year biomedical design program for medical students and improved Ebola protective suits. Grants & Collaborations: Recipient of Johns Hopkins Discovery Awards (2024) for cross-disciplinary projects. NIH-funded partnership with Howard University to address neurological disorders (2025). Labs & Teams: Oversees the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID), fostering translational research and student-driven projects. Active in developing telemedicine tools and low-cost medical devices for global health challenges.
