Dr. Ioannis Kaparias is an Associate Professor in Transport Engineering at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the Transportation Research Group (TRG). He holds a Master of Engineering from Imperial College London and a PhD from the same institution. His academic career includes roles at City, University of London, and postdoctoral research at Imperial College. He is a Fellow of Advance HE, a member of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and serves as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the IET Intelligent Transport Systems journal. Education: MEng in Civil Engineering, Imperial College London (2004) PhD in Transport Engineering, Imperial College London (2008) Postdoctoral Researcher, Imperial College London (2008–2012) Research Interests: Efficient, safe, and sustainable land transport systems Highway and traffic management, including real-time routing and network reliability Active travel modes (cycling/pedestrian infrastructure) Public transport operations and optimization New transport technologies (CAVs, MaaS, EVs) Land use-transport interaction models Teaching: Highway & Traffic Engineering modules at Southampton Doctoral Programme Director (Training) in the School of Engineering Past roles include teaching at Imperial College London, City University London, and the University of East London External Roles: Member of US Transportation Research Board committees (Pedestrians/ACH10 and Human Factors/ACH40) Independent expert for the European Commission Speaker at international conferences (e.g., 'To share or not to share space? A very British tale', 2023)
Dr. Jeff Jacob is a Professor of Economics at Bethel University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Adult and Professional Studies. His academic career began at Bethel in 2007, following roles at leading Indian economic policy think tanks focusing on international trade. He holds degrees from St. Stephen's College, Delhi School of Economics, and Southern Methodist University (SMU), including a Ph.D. in Economics (2006). Teaching focuses on economics and business analytics across undergraduate, adult, and MBA programs, covering courses like Data Mining, Econometrics, and Managerial Economics. His pedagogy emphasizes critical thinking, real-world problem-solving, and ethical considerations rooted in Christian faith principles. Research interests span applied econometrics, economic development, business analytics, and the economics of religion. Notable studies include analyses of democracy-growth linkages, social networks’ impact on homeownership, and the role of institutions in trade and geography. His work often employs panel data methods to explore complex socioeconomic questions. Publications include high-impact papers on topics like corruption reforms, drug policy effects, and sexual regulation trends. He has received grants for course development and academic initiatives, and maintains membership in Omicron Delta Epsilon. Presentations at conferences like APEE and the Southern Economic Association highlight his contributions to public choice theory and development economics.
Jose Ismael Crespo Martinez is a distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Murcia, Spain, where he serves as Director of the Department of Political Science and Administration within the Faculty of Law. His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to political science, particularly focusing on Latin American politics and electoral processes. He leads the Political Analysis Group and directs MásPoderLocal, a digital magazine dedicated to political communication and electoral behavior in Spain and Latin America. Dr. Crespo earned his PhD in Political Science from Complutense University of Madrid in 1995 with a thesis on Uruguayan political relations. His educational background established the foundation for his expertise in comparative politics and electoral systems across Latin America. He has maintained strong academic ties with institutions throughout the region, contributing to his comprehensive understanding of political dynamics in both Spanish and Latin American contexts. Crespo's research interests center on political communication, electoral behavior, and campaign strategies, with particular emphasis on Latin American political systems. His work examines how political messages are crafted and received in different cultural contexts, the evolution of campaign techniques in the digital age, and the relationship between media strategies and voter decision-making. He has pioneered research on crisis communication within public administration, especially during the pandemic period, analyzing how governments communicate effectively during emergencies. His scholarly output shows a clear trajectory from foundational studies on Latin American electoral systems toward contemporary analyses of digital political communication. The recent publications demonstrate increasing focus on crisis communication, permanent campaigning in the digital era, and the evolving relationship between citizens and political institutions. His work bridges theoretical political science with practical campaign management, making significant contributions to both academic understanding and real-world political practice. Among his notable recognitions are: Comendador of the Order of the Southern Cross Order with plate of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise Honorary Professor designations from multiple universities Special acknowledgments from Peruvian and Argentine universities Throughout his career, Crespo has secured significant research funding and directed numerous projects examining electoral processes across Latin America. He has served as a consultant for governments and institutions in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. His leadership extends to directing the Spanish Agency for Quality Assessment and University Accreditation (2002-2004) and serving as Director General of Universities for the Spanish government (2000). As president of ALICE (Latin American Association of Electoral Campaign Researchers) since 2012, he has fostered international collaboration among political scientists. Crespo leads the Political Analysis Group at the University of Murcia and oversees the MásPoderLocal initiative, which serves as a hub for research on municipal political communication. His work connects academic research with practical political consulting, creating a dynamic environment where theory informs practice and real-world challenges drive new research directions. The integration of his academic, governmental, and consulting experiences creates a unique perspective on political processes across the Iberian and Latin American spheres.
Hans van Oosterhout is a Professor of Corporate Governance and Responsibility in the Department of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam. He holds a MSc from Leiden University (1993) and a PhD from Erasmus University (2002). His research focuses on ownership and governance strategies across firm types, including family firms, professional partnerships, and new ventures. He has held visiting positions at the Wharton School, serves on RSM BV's board, and engages in non-executive roles with private enterprises. Education: MSc in Management, Leiden University (1993) PhD in Strategic Management, Erasmus University (2002) Research Interests: Ownership dynamics, governance mechanisms, shareholder democracy, family firm transitions, and professional service firm management. He explores how governance structures evolve under institutional pressures and strategic choices. Key Contributions: Over 35 articles in top-tier journals like Academy of Management Journal and Organization Science . Recent work examines symbolic shareholder voting behaviors and political influences on corporate governance. His 2007 ERIM Top Article Award-winning research remains influential. Awards: ERIM Top Article Award (2007). Advising & Grants: Supervised 17 PhD candidates, including prominent scholars like Omar El Nayal and Pushpika Vishwanathan. Active in advising on governance challenges for firms navigating ownership transitions and political interfaces. Labs/Teams: Leads strategic management research groups at RSM, collaborating across disciplines to address global governance complexities.
Tor Iversen is a Professor of Health Economics at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the Department of Health Management and Health Economics within the Institute of Health and Society. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics (1993) and a cand. oecon. (1978) from the University of Oslo. His research focuses on market conditions in healthcare, economic incentives for healthcare providers, and policy evaluations such as free choice reforms and primary care team models. Education: Doctorate in Economics (1993), University of Oslo; cand. oecon. (1978), University of Oslo. Research Interests: Non-price rationing mechanisms in healthcare, economic incentives in long-term care, digital surveillance for chronic disease management, and cross-country comparisons of treatment outcomes and costs. Current projects include evaluations of Norway’s primary healthcare teams pilot program, telemedicine interventions for chronic conditions, and cost-effectiveness analyses of healthcare policies. Professional Activities: Iversen has held editorial roles at the International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics and the Nordic Journal of Health Economics . He collaborates with institutions globally, including Karolinska Institutet, Harvard University, and the University of Melbourne. His research emphasizes healthcare access, provider behavior, and policy impacts. Grants/Advising: Led evaluations of healthcare reforms and pilot programs, including the Norwegian Primary Healthcare Teams project. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams and practical policy applications. Labs/Teams: Part of the Health Economics Research Programme (HERO) and contributed to initiatives like NORCHER (Norwegian Centre for Health Services Research) and the OMIT cohort study on diabetes outcomes.
Robert Rooderkerk is Associate Professor of Operations Management at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, where he is affiliated with the Department of Technology and Operations Management. His research sits at the intersection of marketing and operations, focusing on omnichannel retail, assortment optimization, and fulfillment strategies. He teaches courses on retail operations, empirical research methods, and consumer decision making across undergraduate, MBA, and PhD programs. Research Interests: His research combines empirical and conceptual approaches to understand how data analytics, consumer behavior, and new technologies are transforming retail. He investigates topics such as product line design, dynamic assortment personalization, and the impact of fulfillment failures on customer loyalty. His work integrates methods from econometrics, operations research, and psychology. Publication Trends: His recent publications span journals in marketing, operations, and management, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work. Key themes include the adoption of retail analytics, omnichannel integration, and behavioral aspects of retail operations. There is a strong emphasis on practical relevance and industry applicability. Dutch Marketing Science Award Paul Green Award Finalist, Journal of Marketing Research Advising and Grants: While no direct list of students is provided, he supervises bachelor theses and contributes to PhD training through the ERIM Master of Philosophy program. He has served as coordinator of the Research Training and Bachelor Thesis course. His research has been supported through academic collaborations and has had significant media coverage, indicating public and industry impact. Labs and Teams: He is actively involved in the Marketing-Operations Interface research group at RSM and collaborates with scholars globally. His work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through innovations in sustainable retail practices and responsible consumption.
Paul Zarowin is a Professor of Accounting and Chair of the Department of Accounting at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University, where he has been a faculty member since 1984. He holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics from the University of Chicago and an M.B.A. in Finance from the same institution, along with a B.A. in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Research Interests: Professor Zarowin's research centers on the relationship between accounting information and stock market prices. He investigates how financial disclosures, accounting choices, and regulatory frameworks influence market efficiency and earnings quality. His work spans earnings management, R&D capitalization, financial reporting transparency, and the valuation implications of accounting practices. Publication Trends: His recent publications in leading journals such as The Accounting Review , Journal of Accounting and Economics , and Review of Accounting Studies reflect a consistent focus on empirical accounting research, particularly on how accounting decisions affect market perceptions and firm behavior. Themes include the impact of regulation on R&D reporting, earnings manipulation strategies, and the reliability of financial statements in private versus public firms. Scientific Awards: New York University Presidential Fellowship Peat Marwick National Research Fellowship Glucksman Institute Fellowship Advising and Grants: While specific advisees are not listed, Professor Zarowin has led impactful research supported by prestigious fellowships. His work often involves collaborative projects with scholars across institutions, suggesting active mentorship and research leadership. He teaches Financial Accounting and Financial Reporting and Analysis in undergraduate and MBA programs, and also teaches Accounting for Lawyers at NYU Law School. Labs and Research Teams: Although no formal lab is mentioned, Professor Zarowin is deeply embedded in the academic accounting community through collaborative research and departmental leadership. His work frequently appears in joint studies, indicating strong engagement with research teams and scholarly networks focused on financial reporting and market outcomes.
Paul Gerrans is a Professor of Finance at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Business School, specializing in consumer financial decision-making, retirement savings, and financial literacy. He has held roles including Chair of the Business School's Regional Ethics and Research Committee and membership in the OECD/INFE Research Committee and PISA Financial Literacy Expert Group. His research integrates behavioral economics, aging studies, and policy analysis, with a focus on improving retirement outcomes through education and interventions. Education Overview: Previous positions at Edith Cowan University (1990–2010) and visiting roles at Susquehanna University (1995, 2007). Research Interests: Financial literacy acquisition in youth and its decline in older adults. Impact of cognitive function on retirement savings decisions. Cross-cultural retirement savings behaviors (e.g., Thailand, Malaysia). Role of social norms and values in financial choices. Awards: 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award from Financial Literacy Australia. Grants & Projects: Australia Research Council grants on retirement savings education (2009–2012). CSIRO-funded Superannuation Cluster projects (2013–2016). Recent collaborations on pandemic impacts on retirement savings (2023–2025). External Roles: Member of OECD’s INFE Research Committee and PISA Financial Literacy Group. Advisory roles for ASIC, National Seniors Australia, and Thai universities. His work bridges academia and policy, addressing global challenges in financial inclusion and aging populations.
Jennifer C. Lena is an Associate Professor of Arts Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University, with a courtesy appointment in Sociology. She also serves as Co-Editor of the Culture and Economic Life book series (Stanford University Press). Her research focuses on cultural sociology, music genres, nonprofit management, and arts leadership. Lena holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Columbia University (2003) and a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology and English from Colgate University (1996). Core Expertise: Arts Leadership, Cultural Policy, Music Sociology Professional Roles: Visiting Professor at Sciences Po (2022), Fellow at Digital Futures Institute (2022) Her research interests span genre formation, authenticity in music communities, and organizational dynamics in the arts. Recent projects include studies on polyoccupationalism in postindustrial work and the sociological impacts of taxation on cultural production. Lena’s work bridges theoretical contributions with applied research, including studies on arts alumni careers and cultural engagement with global Muslim communities. Awards & Recognition 2017 Davis Conference Best Paper Award Grammy Nomination (2011) Choice Outstanding Academic Title (2012) Her teaching spans graduate courses at Teachers College and undergraduate programs at Barnard and Vanderbilt, covering topics like cultural policy, arts management, and the sociology of culture. Current initiatives include the *Junk Drawers* project (2025 target) and *Ticket to Divide: Admissions Taxes and Artistic Diversity* (2026). Lena has advised over 50 research reports and collaborated with institutions like the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) and the American Sociological Association.
Kasper Welbers is an Associate Professor at the Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds additional appointments at the Network Institute and the Communication Choices, Content and Consequences (CCCC) research group. He is co-Director of The Societal Analytics Lab, Vice Chair of the Computational Methods Division at the International Communication Association (ICA), and a scientific representative of the OPINION COST Action network. His research focuses on computational communication science, journalism, and political communication, particularly exploring how news spreads and the role of gatekeepers in media systems. He develops open-source tools for research and advocates for reproducible computational methods. Education and Academic Background: While formal education details are not explicitly provided, his academic trajectory is evident through his faculty role and publications. Research Interests: Welbers combines methodological innovations with substantive research on news diffusion, media gatekeeping, and computational text analysis. His work addresses topics like dark platforms' agenda-setting roles, automated content analysis techniques, and the impact of platform policies on data donation studies. He emphasizes ethical research practices and open-source infrastructure development. Grants and Awards: He received the Faculty of Social Sciences Dissertation Award (2017) and Teacher Talent Award (2019), highlighting both research and pedagogical excellence. Labs and Collaborations: His work is anchored in The Societal Analytics Lab, fostering interdisciplinary research on societal challenges through computational methods. Collaborations span global networks like the OPINION COST Action, addressing cross-cultural media dynamics. Teaching: He teaches courses such as Computational Analysis of Digital Communication and contributes to curriculum development in AI ethics and data science for societal issues.
Peter Hudson is the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Eberly College of Science. His research focuses on disease dynamics in wildlife systems, particularly exploring epidemiology, pathogen interactions, and zoonotic disease control. Former Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, he leads projects addressing ecological and evolutionary drivers of infectious diseases. Notable contributions include studies on Hendra virus in bats, SARS-CoV-2 in deer, and wolf population dynamics linked to canine distemper outbreaks. His work integrates field studies with mathematical modeling, emphasizing landscape immunity and conservation strategies to mitigate pandemics. Hudson's research has been supported through grants including a $4.5M USDA initiative to study SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife. He collaborates internationally on bat-borne zoonoses and has published extensively in high-impact journals like Science , Nature , and PNAS . His interdisciplinary approach bridges ecology, epidemiology, and policy to address global health challenges. Key affiliations: Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State's Institute for Energy and the Environment Expertise: Wildlife epidemiology, disease ecology, conservation medicine Recent work highlights include identifying weather patterns influencing Nipah virus risk in Bangladesh and demonstrating how disease outbreaks drive evolutionary changes in wolf coat color and mating behavior. He advocates for ecologically based biosecurity measures to prevent future pandemics through landscape restoration and biodiversity conservation.
Elizabeth Raposa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Fordham University. She is affiliated with the Rose Hill Campus, located at Dealy Hall, Room 322B. Her research focuses on promoting positive socio-emotional outcomes in stress-exposed youth, particularly addressing disparities in mental health for underserved populations. Key areas include mentoring relationships, stress adaptation, and resilience in adolescents and young adults. Her work investigates how natural mentoring relationships, emotion regulation, and cultural factors influence youth development. She also examines barriers to mental healthcare access among first-generation and underrepresented college students, emphasizing the role of social belonging and institutional support systems. Recent research highlights the impact of mobile technology interventions on youth well-being, mentor biases in formal programs, and the interplay between food cravings and health behaviors in adolescents. Her findings contribute to evidence-based strategies for improving mental health outcomes in high-risk youth populations. Dr. Raposa's lab, the Raposa Lab, actively explores these themes through longitudinal studies and community-based interventions. She is a member of professional psychology organizations and maintains an active presence in academic publishing. Contact information includes eraposa@fordham.edu and raposalab@gmail.com.
Jeppe Rich is a Professor at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). His primary research focuses on statistical and mathematical modeling applied to transport-related challenges, including transport demand modeling, discrete choice models, freight transport, cost-benefit assessments, and strategic long-term demand models. Rich holds a Mathematical Planning qualification from the University of Aarhus (1989–1995). He has held external positions as a Senior Consultant at Atkins A/S (2001–2002) and as a Researcher at the National Environmental Research Institute (1995–1998). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and climate action (SDG 13). His research interests span transport policy, transportation science, and the application of advanced modeling techniques to address urban mobility challenges. Notable areas include EV infrastructure planning, bicycle network optimization, and cost-benefit analysis of transport projects. He supervises several PhD students in topics like electric freight transport, micromobility safety, and urban charging infrastructure. Rich has published extensively on transport policy, demand modeling, and sustainable mobility solutions. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex transport challenges, combining engineering, economics, and data science methodologies.
Laurent BARRAS is a Full Professor in Asset Management at the University of Luxembourg's Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, within the Department of Finance. His research focuses on asset pricing, mutual fund performance, hedge fund strategies, and behavioral finance. He holds a prominent position in academic finance, contributing to understanding investment strategies and market dynamics. His work explores topics such as value creation in mutual funds, homeowner investment behavior, and model misspecification in hedge fund evaluation. He has published extensively in top-tier journals, emphasizing empirical analysis and large-scale data approaches. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. BARRAS's research trends highlight critiques of performance measurement frameworks (e.g., false discoveries in alphas) and comparisons of international asset allocation methods. His articles often bridge theory and practice, addressing practical implications for investors and policymakers.
Joachim Sundqvist is Associate Professor at the Department of Food, Nutrition and Culinary Science of Umeå University, Sweden. With a dual commitment to teaching and research, he explores the sociological and cultural dimensions of food and meals, bridging theory and practice for gastronomy, dietetics, and food-science students. Research Focus: His work delves into the meal experience as a complex social phenomenon, integrating consumption value, social identity, cultural norms, and personal taste within everyday practices. Studies of business travel, outdoor dining, and Arctic hiking illuminate how context shapes eating behaviors. Research Groups & Projects: Member, Sustainable Food Transitions Member, Sympoietic Collaboratory Project lead (2024-2027) Providing evidence-based insights on alternative proteins for EU sustainability Project lead (2023-2026) LOCALITY Project lead (2020-2022) Off-grid gastronomy Project lead (2016-2017) Eating out – visitors’ food-related activities Publications Overview: Since 2015, Sundqvist has published extensively on gastronomic experiences, business-travel meals, outdoor food practices, and sustainable restaurant strategies, appearing in International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science , Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism , and multiple Swedish academic reports.
