Daria Davitti is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Public International Law at Lund University's Department of Law. Her research focuses on intersections of international economic law and human rights, particularly in contexts of migration, climate breakdown, and privatized public goods. She leads major projects like the ERC-funded 'Refugee Finance: Histories, Frameworks, Practices' and the Formas-funded 'Screening for Sustainability'. Awards include the 2021 Juridiska Föreningens pedagogiska pris and the title of Docent in Public International Law. She advises on EU migration policies and environmental law compliance, and collaborates with institutions like GLAN and the International Code of Conduct Association for private security service providers. Her work examines refugee finance mechanisms, sustainable investment frameworks, and legal accountability in transnational corporate activities. Key areas include refugee entrepreneurship, EU Taxonomy sustainability criteria, and human rights due diligence in international investment. She has published extensively on topics ranging from refugee bonds to litigation finance in investment arbitration.
Associate Professor Bambang Trigunarsyah holds a position at RMIT University since 2018, affiliated with the School of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM). He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, a Master's in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) from the University of Indonesia, and a PhD in Engineering Project Management from the University of Melbourne. His career spans industry roles, including project engineering in Indonesia's oil and gas sector, academic leadership at the University of Indonesia, and international teaching/research appointments at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia. Research interests focus on post-disaster reconstruction, infrastructure project governance, constructability of infrastructure, and project management in developing countries. Notable projects include risk management frameworks using blockchain, circular economy in Saudi construction, and BIPV energy solutions. He actively supervises HDR students in areas like public-sector project success determinants and thermal environment studies. Bambang serves as Higher Degree Research Delegate Authority (HDR DA) for the School of PCPM and teaches postgraduate project management programs. Professional memberships include AIPM, PMI, and ASCE. His industry advisory roles include Indonesia's National Construction Service Development Board (2002-2007) and Australia-Indonesia Centre's Infrastructure Cluster (2016-2018). Recent research emphasizes BIM applications in infrastructure preservation, risk assessment methodologies, and climate-resilient construction. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in emerging economies and complex project environments.
Dr. Alastair Key serves as Director of Studies in Archaeology and Official Fellow in Archaeology at Queens' College, University of Cambridge. His research bridges Paleolithic archaeology, stone tool technology, and hominin behavioral evolution through experimental and computational approaches. Director of Studies and Official Fellow at Queens' College, Cambridge Specializes in Paleolithic stone tool analysis, Acheulean technology, and hominin adaptation Conducts experimental archaeology and computational modelling to assess tool functionality Key's research focuses on Acheulean handaxe production , lithic microwear patterns , and ergonomic constraints in prehistoric tool use . He has extensively published on topics including glacial-stage hominin occupations , Oldowan toolmakers , and machine learning applications to archaeological analysis . His recent publications (2025-2023) span diverse subfields: Acheulean chronology , hominin tool use biomechanics , experimental projectile testing , and computational morphometric methods . The work often integrates multidisciplinary datasets and open-source analytical tools to address fundamental questions about human technological evolution. Current research directions include stone tool sharpness quantification , handaxe social signaling potential , and cross-species tool use comparisons through primate studies.
Craig A. Bond is a Professor at the RAND School of Public Policy, a Senior Economist at RAND Corporation, and Editor-in-Chief of the RAND Journal of Economics. His work bridges military resource allocation and environmental economics through advanced econometric modeling. Current Roles: Research QA Manager (RAND Arroyo Center), Senior Economist Methodological Expertise: Stochastic dynamic programming, discrete choice modeling, non-market valuation Key Research Themes: Military readiness, coastal resilience, green infrastructure, post-disaster recovery Research Interests: Craig Bond specializes in natural resource economics , environmental economics , and applied welfare economics , with recent work focusing on: Risk modeling for defense acquisitions and personnel strategy Resilience dividend valuation frameworks Green infrastructure cost-benefit analysis Climate adaptation in coastal communities Publication Trends: His 15 most recent works (2017-2025) show interdisciplinary focus across: Military Economics: Recruiting optimization, training requirements, economic multipliers Environmental Policy: Coastal land loss, invasive species impact, water management Resilience Modeling: Disaster recovery frameworks, adaptive systems
Nikhil Anand is the Daniel Braun Silvers and Robert Peter Silvers Family Presidential Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania , where he serves as Interim Director of the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI) and Director of Envirolab . His research explores the political ecology of cities through the lens of water infrastructure, focusing on urbanism, state power, and climate change in South Asia and the United States. Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology, Stanford University (2011) MESc in Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University (2004) B.A., Reed College (1998) His research examines how water infrastructure shapes citizenship and state formation , particularly in coastal cities facing climate change. Key projects include Hydraulic City (award-winning book on Mumbai's water systems), Urban Seas (coastal planning), and collaborative initiatives Rising Waters and Inhabited Sea , which analyze climate-induced urban transformations. Themes in his recent 15 articles span infrastructure breakdowns, climate adaptations, and water-related citizenship struggles. These works often intersect urban anthropology , political ecology , and postcolonial studies , emphasizing coastal vulnerability , hydraulic governance , and slow violence against marginalized communities. Scientific Awards: Junior Scholar Prize, Anthropology and Environment Society (2014) Fellowships at Princeton's IAS, University of Minnesota, and Stanford Grants: National Science Foundation Wenner-Gren Foundation SSRC Penn Global Inquiries Fellowship Anand leads collaborative research initiatives involving architects, scientists, and policymakers to reimagine coastal cities. His work bridges anthropology, environmental humanities, and urban planning , with a focus on Mumbai and Philadelphia as sites of climate vulnerability and innovation.
Shahid Siddique is an Associate Professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on understanding molecular and applied aspects of plant-parasitic nematode interactions with host plants. He aims to develop sustainable strategies to mitigate nematode-induced crop losses through genetic, biochemical, and biotechnological approaches. His lab is particularly interested in host resistance mechanisms, nematode effector proteins, and biocontrol solutions. Education: MSc, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan PhD, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria Habilitation, University of Bonn, Germany Research Interests: Siddique’s work bridges basic and applied research, including cell surface signaling in plant-parasitic nematode interactions, functional characterization of secretory proteins, molecular diagnostics for nematodes, and biocontrol strategies. Current projects explore recombination hotspots in nematode genomes, CRISPR-based resistance engineering, and redox signaling mechanisms. Teaching: General Plant Nematology (NEM100) in Spring 2020 Labs/Teams: The Siddique Lab focuses on translating molecular discoveries into practical pest management solutions. Collaborations involve genomic analysis, proteomics, and field trials to address global agricultural challenges.
Roy Johnsen is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), specializing in corrosion and surface technology. With a Dr.ing. degree from NTH (1984), he has extensive industry experience from Statoil Research Centre (1985-1991) and CorrOcean (1991-2004), where he expanded the company globally. His current research focuses on hydrogen embrittlement, corrosion protection, and integrity management in offshore systems, with collaborations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Dr. Rhiannon Firth is a Lecturer in Sociology of Education in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL). She also serves as the Programme Leader for the MA in Sociology of Education. Her academic career spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Sociology, Education, and Politics, with a focus on utopian ideals and pedagogical practices of social and ecological movements. Dr. Firth's educational background includes: First Class BA (Hons) in Combined Studies (Politics, English Literature and Economic and Social History) from the University of Leicester ESRC-funded MA in Political Science (Distinction) from the University of Nottingham PhD in Political Sociology from the University of Nottingham Her research focuses on how grassroots social movements create knowledge and mobilize social change around global "wicked" problems including inequality, climate change, technological developments, and pandemics. She has conducted funded research with self-managed sustainable communities in the UK and USA, grassroots disaster relief movements including Occupy Sandy New York and COVID-19 Mutual Aid London, and organizations using automation technology in experimental ways. Dr. Firth's recent publications reflect her ongoing exploration of utopian and dystopian themes across multiple domains. Her work spans analyses of pandemic responses, ecological breakdown, industrial technology, and community organizing. A strong thread throughout her scholarship examines how prefigurative politics and mutual aid practices offer alternatives to mainstream approaches to social organization, particularly in times of crisis. Her research increasingly focuses on the intersection of technology, labor, and utopian thinking, particularly examining how automation and cybernetics might be reimagined through radical social movements. Among her significant recognitions: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), earned in 2017 ESRC funding for her MA studies Dr. Firth has secured research funding from multiple sources including ESRC, ISRF, EPSRC, HEFCE, local councils, and UCL Grand Challenges. She supervises MA dissertations annually and currently mentors one PhD student. Her professional activities include media engagement (such as appearing on BBC Radio 4's The Moral Maze), conference presentations, and serving as ECR Representative for the Utopian Studies Society of Europe. She is actively involved with research groups and networks focused on utopian studies, social movements, and critical pedagogy, contributing to the vibrant intellectual community around alternative futures and radical educational practices.
Dr. Pinon Hermida Victor is a Researcher at the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) under the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of A Coruña (2011) and has conducted extensive research on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), focusing on femtosecond lasers, double-pulse configurations, and applications in material analysis, archaeology, and environmental science. His career includes roles at Applied Photonics Ltd (UK) as Senior Applications Scientist (2014-2020) and postdoctoral fellowships at FORTH-IESL through the Marie Curie ATLAS program (2006-2008). Research interests span LIBS methodology development, optical fiber systems for high-power lasers, and software for spectral analysis. Notable contributions include portable LIBS instrument design and radiation-resistant optical components for nuclear facilities. Awards include the 2008 LIBS Contest and the 2011 Premio Extraordinario de Doctorado. Recent work focuses on applying LIBS to archaeological mollusc shell analysis for climate and environmental studies. He collaborates internationally on LIBS quantification challenges and instrument durability in harsh environments. Education: PhD in Physics (2011), University of A Coruña; Diploma in Physics (2001), University of Santiago de Compostela Key Roles: Senior Applications Scientist (Applied Photonics), Marie Curie Fellow (FORTH-IESL), Researcher (Laboratory of Industrial Applications of Lasers) Lab Affiliations: IESL-FORTH and University of A Coruña laser labs
Rich Shivener is an Associate Professor in the Writing Department at York University's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS). He holds a PhD from the University of Cincinnati and an MA from Northern Kentucky University. His research focuses on digital media composing practices, emotions in rhetoric, and the intersections of technology and communication. He has served as a section editor for Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy from 2016 to 2024. Before academia, he worked in journalism and technical writing, contributing to local newspapers, national magazines, and software documentation. Shivener's recent work explores virtual reality (VR) writing, remote collaboration in game development, and environmental rhetoric in digital infrastructure. His articles analyze topics such as affective labor in online spaces, infrastructural storytelling for environmental justice, and pandemic-era remote work adaptations. He teaches in the digital authoring stream, emphasizing multimodal and hybrid approaches to writing. His research trends highlight a focus on emerging technologies’ impact on communication practices, with particular attention to equity, emotion, and sustainability. He has contributed to discussions about digital authorship, technical communication ethics, and the rhetorical dimensions of webcomics and gaming communities. Shivener’s career reflects a commitment to bridging academic and applied contexts, leveraging his industry experience to inform teaching and research. He remains active in methodological innovations, such as discourse-based interviews and infrastructural narrative analysis, to explore tacit knowledge and systemic inequities in technical fields.
Lauri Rautkari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at Aalto University, Finland. His research focuses on water interactions in biomaterials, particularly wood, with an emphasis on developing advanced analytical methods for water vapor sorption, creating novel low-sorption materials, and investigating hygroscopicity and fungal decay resistance in modified wood systems. Research Highlights: Gas-phase ozone treatment for improved wettability, thermal and chemical wood modification, hyperspectral imaging for moisture prediction, bioinspired coatings for fungal protection, and interlaboratory studies on sorption data quality. Recent Publications: Key contributions to understanding lignin's role in moisture interactions, acetylation reversibility, and the impact of fungal degradation on heat-treated wood. The trend in his publications reflects a strong focus on hygroscopicity, chemical modification techniques (acetylation, melamine-formaldehyde impregnation), advanced imaging methods (hyperspectral, neutron scattering), and the development of sustainable wood-based materials for construction and acoustic applications. Collaborative interlaboratory efforts dominate his work, ensuring standardized methodologies for moisture analysis.
Dr. Jack Copley is an Associate Professor in International Political Economy at the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University. Previously, he held a Lecturer position at the University of Bath and earned his PhD from the University of Warwick. His research bridges historical and contemporary analyses of capitalist governance. Current affiliation: Durham University Prior affiliation: University of Bath Education: PhD, University of Warwick Copley's work focuses on the governance of global capitalism, emphasizing how states navigate economic development dilemmas. His research spans two key themes: (1) the financialization of the global economy through state policies, exemplified by his analysis of Britain's financial liberalization (1970s–1980s), and (2) the challenges of decarbonizing economies amid long-term growth stagnation. He integrates declassified archives, historical analysis, and critical political economy frameworks to explore intersections between financial policy, class struggle, and climate governance. Recent publications highlight his expertise in financialization dynamics, climate crisis management, and Marxist economic theory. His 2022 book Governing Financialization provides a foundational account of Britain's financial liberalization, while his 2024 work on steel decarbonization underscores industrial transition challenges in stagnant economies. Collaborative projects examine late capitalism's 'wicked trinity' of stagnation, surplus humanity, and environmental breakdown.
Lianne Lefsrud serves as Associate Professor and Risk, Innovation, and Sustainability Chair (RISC) in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research bridges engineering, social sciences, and policy to transform risk management practices across energy, mining, construction, and railroading industries, directly influencing regulations, building codes, and industry operations for sustainable development. Her academic credentials include: BSc in Civil Engineering (Cooperative Program), University of Alberta (1994) MSc in Interdisciplinary Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sociology, University of Alberta (1996) PhD in Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business (2014) Dr. Lefsrud's research centers on risk management frameworks for sustainability challenges. She examines hazard identification, social license to operate, and technology adoption drivers in high-hazard industries, with emphasis on prospective risk assessment (e.g., hydrogen infrastructure design) and retrospective analysis (e.g., microplastic pollution impacts). Her work integrates circular economy principles into energy systems while addressing unintended consequences across UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate heavy focus on machine learning applications for rail and construction safety, hydrogen infrastructure risk analysis, and science denial mitigation. Key patterns show cross-industry adaptation of AI for incident prediction, regulatory gap analysis for emerging energy systems, and socio-technical approaches to reconcile sustainability goals with operational realities. Scientific recognition includes: Erb Post-Doctoral Fellowship (University of Michigan) Dow Sustainability Research Fellowship (Ross School of Business) Dr. Lefsrud mentors graduate students through industry-integrated projects like her Sustainable Design course where teams generated patents and city solutions. Her research secures Alberta Innovates funding with 1:4 industrial-to-federal matching, collaborating with Suncor, Transport Canada, and Canadian Standards Association. Grants target practical implementations including railcar inspection systems and hydrogen safety protocols. She co-founded Insight Risk Systems and leads the Lefsrud Lab, prioritizing inclusive teams with under-represented groups (women, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, neurodiverse) to tackle 'wicked problems' in sustainability. The lab leverages interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, computer science, psychology, and environmental sociology for real-world risk management solutions.
Professor Gernot Sieg holds the Chair of Industrial Organization with a focus on Infrastructure and Transport Economics at the University of Münster, leading the Institute of Transport Economics. He previously served as Director of the Institute of Economics at TU Braunschweig and has held visiting positions at institutions like the University of Southern California. His academic background includes a Dr. rer. pol. (1993–1999) and Habilitation (1993–1999). Prof. Sieg’s research focuses on transport markets, regulatory economics, and infrastructure policy. Notable projects include the CRC 1385 on Law and Literature, evaluating bicycle traffic optimization (Leezenflow), and analyzing aviation slot regulations. He advises the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport’s Scientific Advisory Board. His research interests span transport infrastructure financing, traffic flow dynamics, and environmental policy. Recent work addresses vehicle value externalities, phantom jam costs, and the economic impact of speed limits. He teaches courses on competition regulation, transport economics, and industrial organization. Prof. Sieg frequently engages with public policy debates, contributing to media discussions on infrastructure rehabilitation, climate policy, and mobility transitions. His work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions, emphasizing sustainable and equitable transport systems.
Peter Irga is a Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. He is globally recognized as a leader in nature-based biological air treatment technologies, particularly green wall systems (Phytosystems), with current worldwide ranking #1 in his research topic (SciVal Topic T.37087). Dr Irga's research focuses on innovative nature-based solutions for urban air pollution challenges, including phytoremediation technologies, biosolar green roofs, and agrivoltaics. His work bridges environmental engineering with practical urban applications, examining the performance of nature-based systems in real-world settings to quantify their value and identify development opportunities. His research demonstrates how living infrastructure provides cities with natural beauty while improving human health and wellbeing, addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 3 (Good Health). His research portfolio includes 80+ publications with an H-index of 30 and $5.21M in research income, including ARC funding. Industry recognition includes $4.54M in high-level consultancies. His work spans multiple disciplines including atmospheric science, environmental engineering, and sustainable materials development, with particular emphasis on practical implementation of green infrastructure solutions in urban settings. Tall Poppy Science Award (2022) from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science ARC DECRA Fellow (2021-2024) Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2018-2021) Dr Irga actively supervises Masters and PhD students and coordinates Postgraduate Environmental Engineering and Water Engineering programs. His funded research includes Sustainable High-Performance Transitory Structures using Biobased Materials (2025-2026), Bradfield Green and Bio-Solar Roof Monitoring (2025), and Plantabox for Targeting the Urban Heat Island Challenge (2024-2025). He collaborates with industry partners including Junglefy, Ambius, Bradfield Development Authority, and City of Sydney.
