William O'Donohue, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), within the College of Science. He holds advanced degrees in both clinical psychology (Ph.D., SUNY Stony Brook) and philosophy (M.A., Indiana University). His research focuses on forensic psychology, sexual assault, evidence-based practice, and the philosophy of psychology. He has directed a NIJ-funded clinic for 27 years, providing free services to victims of sexual abuse, and secured over $3 million in grants. He has authored 90 books and 300+ publications, serving on key committees like the APA's DSM revision panel. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, SUNY Stony Brook (1986) M.S. in Psychology, SUNY Stony Brook (1982) B.S. in Psychology, University of Illinois (1979) M.A. in Philosophy, Indiana University (1988) Research Themes: His work critically examines forensic interviewing protocols, ideological bias in psychology, and the scientific validity of therapeutic practices. He advocates for procedural justice in psychological practice and challenges social justice movements' methodological rigor. Grants & Clinical Work: His clinic's NIJ grant supports free services for sexual abuse victims. He has consulted for the U.S. military and legal professionals on evidence-based practices. Labs/Teams: Operates a long-term clinical research program focused on forensic assessment and victim support through his UNR clinic infrastructure.
Kerri Kotta is a Professor of Music Theory and Head of Musicology at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She holds a PhD in Musicology (2004) and an MA in Composition (1997) from the same institution. Her research focuses on music theory, tonal analysis, Estonian music history, and contemporary composition, with special expertise in the works of Eduard Tubin and Dmitri Shostakovich. She coordinates the International Eduard Tubin Society and edits the composer's complete works. Her research interests span music theory , compositional techniques , Estonian cultural heritage , and interdisciplinary performance studies . Recent publications explore modernism in Estonian art music, Beethoven's structural rhetoric, and socio-psychological dimensions of contemporary opera. Kotta received the Reet Neimar Criticism Award (2023) for her contributions to music scholarship. She leads the project How to share the ardor? Conveying complex musical structures through animated scores (2024-2025), funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Administratively, she chairs the Estonian Musicological Society (2013–present) and the International Eduard Tubin Society (2015–present), while serving on the board of the Estonian Composers Union (2022–present).
Dr. Howard Lavine is Professor of Political Science and Political Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts. He holds the Arleen C. Carlson Professorship and directs the Center for the Study of Political Psychology. His research examines the psychological foundations of political behavior, including personality, identity, attitude formation, and authoritarianism. Lavine has authored influential books including 'Open versus Closed: Personality, Identity and the Politics of Redistribution' and 'The Ambivalent Partisan: How Critical Loyalty Promotes Democracy'. He has received the Erik Erikson Early Career Award (2004) from the International Society of Political Psychology and serves as editor of the journal Political Psychology. His current work investigates status threat dynamics in reactionary politics.
Hong Huaqing is a Professor and doctoral supervisor at the Corpus Research Institute of Shanghai International Studies University. He holds roles as honorary director of the Chinese Corpus Linguistics Research Association and international expert at Peking University's Education Development Center. Formerly, he worked at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) in roles such as researcher at the Learning Research and Development Center and director of the e-Learning Center of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. His research spans machine translation, natural language processing, corpus linguistics, and educational technology. He supervises master's and doctoral students, co-supervises postdoctoral researchers, and focuses on smart education driven by big data analysis and innovative learning ecosystems. Research emphasizes corpus-based methods applied to language education, including computational frameworks for student engagement, wearable sensors in learning analytics, and cross-linguistic rhetoric studies. His work bridges technological innovation (e.g., AI-driven tutorial systems) with pedagogical practice, addressing challenges in non-English language education and teacher training.
Maksymilian Del Mar is Professor of Legal Theory and Legal Humanities in the Department of Law at Queen Mary University of London's School of Law. He has held this position since joining Queen Mary in 2011, contributing significantly to legal scholarship and education. His academic journey spans multiple disciplines and institutions, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to legal studies. Professor Del Mar received his BA Hons/LLB Hons in philosophy, literature, and law from the University of Queensland, Australia (1999-2004), with an Honours dissertation in philosophy and literature on Italo Calvino. He then completed a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) at the University of Edinburgh (2006-2009), followed by a Doctorate in the Social Sciences (DSS) at the University of Lausanne (2009-2012). Prior to academia, he qualified as a lawyer in Brisbane, Australia, and worked as a Judge's Associate in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Professor Del Mar's research interests span the intersection of legal theory and legal humanities. His work explores the relations between legal theory and legal history, the history and historiography of politics and philosophy, and the theory and history of imagination, emotion, and related language arts. He has a particular focus on Scottish philosophers and jurists from the 18th to 20th centuries, including David Hume, Adam Smith, and Neil MacCormick. His current research projects examine the relations between character sketching and legal reasoning, and the imagination in eighteenth century Scotland. His scholarship reflects a commitment to building bridges across disciplines and articulating the essential role of arts and humanities in legal pedagogy and scholarship. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on cognitive legal humanities, imagination in law, and the historical dimensions of legal reasoning. There is a clear trend toward interdisciplinary approaches that integrate insights from literature, rhetoric, cognitive science, and history into legal analysis. His work increasingly explores the embodied and affective dimensions of legal reasoning, moving beyond purely textual analysis to consider kinesic intelligence, emotional dimensions, and the materiality of legal practice. Professor Del Mar has received recognition for his work, including the IVR's Commendation for Excellence for 'Artefacts of Legal Inquiry'. Professor Del Mar actively supervises doctoral students working in legal theory and legal humanities, with a focus on the theory and history of common law reasoning, relations between law and cultural theory and history, the history and historiography of legal philosophy, law in a global context, and Scottish jurisprudence. His current and recent students include Isa Bellati, Luiza Tavares da Motta, Gabrielle Schwarzmann, and Adela Halo. His editorial work demonstrates significant scholarly activity, including editing the Law in Context series at Cambridge University Press, the Cambridge Elements in Legal Humanities, and the Encounters with Books from Other Disciplines series for the International Journal of Law in Context. He serves on the Editorial Board of Law & Literature. Professor Del Mar convenes the interdisciplinary research network on 'Imagination' at the Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. He previously founded and convened the Cotterrell Lectures in Sociological Jurisprudence (2015-2025) and the Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context (2013-18). He is also Co-Convenor of the Research Seminar series of the Queen Mary Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies and a Member of the Advisory Committee of the Centre for the History of Political Thought at Queen Mary.
Nephele Papakonstantinou, Ph.D. (Sorbonne), is an Assistant Professor of Latin Philology at National and Kapodistrias University of Athens (Department of Philology) and a Research Fellow at Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg's Institute of Classical Philology. She holds dual affiliations in classical philology and legal medicine interdisciplinary research. Ph.D., Sorbonne University Evaluated by Conseil National des Universités de France (2023) for Maître de Conférences qualification Her research focuses on intersections between Roman legal rhetoric (particularly Quintilian and declamation traditions), Roman jurisprudence, Greco-Roman medical thought, and their Renaissance reception. Current work examines historical development of medical jurisprudence in classical Rome and late Renaissance Italy through the lens of case histories and consilia literature. Key publication trends include analysis of Pseudo-Quintilian's legal frameworks, trauma representation in classical texts, and Renaissance humanist adaptations of ancient medical-legal concepts. Her 2025 monograph on crimen raptus in Roman law and upcoming work on Paolo Zacchia's poisoning consilia demonstrate this interdisciplinary approach. Recipient of Alexander von Humboldt Post-doctoral Research Fellowship Co-editor of Narratio in Medicine and the Law (forthcoming, Palgrave Macmillan) Active in collaborative research projects, she directs initiatives connecting classical philology with legal medicine traditions across antiquity and the Renaissance, supported by ongoing institutional funding and international academic partnerships.
Simon Shogry is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow at Brasenose College. He specializes in Ancient Philosophy, with a focus on Stoicism, Hellenistic ethics, and epistemology. His research explores topics such as Stoic moral psychology, the rationality of perception, and the interplay between logic and ethics in ancient thought. Shogry earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University’s Program in Classical Philosophy and holds a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College. Before joining Oxford, he held postdoctoral and lecturing positions at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the College of New Jersey. His research interests include Stoic and Epicurean ethics, ancient logic, and moral psychology. He has published extensively on figures like Seneca, Epictetus, and Chrysippus, with a recent monograph Stoic Eros (CUP, 2024). His work bridges ancient philosophical debates with contemporary epistemology and ethics, emphasizing the relevance of Hellenistic thought to modern discussions. Shogry teaches undergraduate courses on ancient philosophy and ethics at Oxford. His scholarship is accessible via his personal webpage, Google Scholar, and PhilPeople profiles.
Slava Jankin is a Professor of Data Science and Government at the University of Birmingham’s School of Government, where he also serves as Deputy Director of the Institute for Data and AI and Founding Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government. He is concurrently a Fellow and Founding Director of the Data Science Lab at the Hertie School in Berlin. Previously, he held a Professorship at the University of Essex and has worked at University College London (UCL) and the London School of Economics (LSE). His research bridges computational methods, governance, and climate policy, with a focus on AI applications in public institutions, climate-health surveillance, and misinformation resilience. Jankin earned a PhD in Political Science from Trinity College Dublin (2009), a Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics (2006), and a BSc from Belarus State Economic University (2002). **Education**: • PhD in Political Science, Trinity College Dublin (2009) • Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics, Trinity College Dublin (2006) • BSc Econ with Distinction, Belarus State Economic University (2002) **Research Interests**: Jankin’s work integrates AI and computational methods with governance challenges, including climate policy, health surveillance, and institutional effectiveness. He leads initiatives like the Lancet Countdown’s climate-health monitoring and the CATALYSE project on climate impacts. His research also explores digital twins for governance systems and the role of cultural diversity in societal resilience against misinformation. **Grants & Collaborations**: He advises the UN and EU on AI and data science, co-leads the Lancet Countdown, and collaborates with institutions like the Alan Turing Institute. His applied work includes developing AI tools for public service optimization and policy simulations. **Labs & Teams**: Directs the Centre for AI in Government (University of Birmingham) and the Hertie School’s Data Science Lab, fostering interdisciplinary teams to advance computational methods in public policy.
Paulo Blikstein is an Associate Professor of Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies Design at Teachers College, Columbia University. He holds affiliations with the Mathematics, Science & Technology department and the Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies Design program. His expertise spans curriculum design, digital innovation, science education, and educational technology. Dr. Blikstein earned a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University (2009), M.Sc. in Media Arts & Sciences from MIT Media Lab (2002), and degrees in Engineering from the University of São Paulo (Brazil). His research focuses on leveraging technology to enhance learning through computational modeling, maker education, and tangible interfaces. He leads the Transformative Learning Technologies Lab and the FabLearn Program, which develop innovative tools like MoDa and PlayData, integrating computational thinking with real-world science experiments. His work emphasizes equitable access to technology-driven education, particularly in the Global South. Recent projects include deploying cloud labs for biology education, analyzing disinformation dynamics via agent-based models, and exploring how social media influences political radicalization. He critiques commercial education technology discourse through a critical pedagogy lens, advocating for culturally responsive, hands-on learning. Blikstein’s research bridges theory and practice, addressing systemic challenges in science education through participatory design with teachers and communities. His labs create sustainable educational technologies, such as DIY liquid handling robots and haptic feedback systems, to democratize STEM access. He also investigates computational identity formation in K-12 students and the role of making in fostering gender equity in STEM.
Alina Landowska serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw. Her academic profile integrates cultural studies, computational linguistics, and ethics, with significant contributions to understanding moral foundations in digital discourse and technological futures. Her educational background includes degrees in Management and Economics from Gdańsk University of Technology and European Integration from the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, complemented by international scholarship experiences: SDG Academy (United Nations) Tantur Ecumenical Institute, Jerusalem (University of Notre Dame) Baltic University Program, Uppsala Swedish Institute of Environmental Research, Kalmar Royal Danish Student Fund, Copenhagen Landowska's research investigates cultural evolution through computational discourse analysis, focusing on morality-technology intersections. She pioneers text-mining methodologies to examine moral foundations in social media, anticipatory rhetoric in digital communication, and value-based management frameworks. Her work bridges humanities with data science, analyzing polarization mechanisms and proleptic cues in online environments while exploring cooperation ethics in business contexts. Recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation in mapping technological futures through sentiment/emotion analysis and moral-value detection systems. Her article corpus reveals consistent thematic threads: digital rhetoric analysis (particularly prolepsis functions), moral psychology applications in AI/social media, and cultural evolution studies linking cooperation theory with business ethics. This interdisciplinary approach positions her at the nexus of computational social science and humanistic inquiry. No scientific awards or prizes are documented in her current professional profile. As an educator, Landowska mentors students in discourse analysis methodologies and socio-economic media studies while serving as executive coach with EMCC Poland. Her research leadership extends to co-founding the Institute for Development think tank and representing Employers of Poland at the OECD's Business and Industry Advisory Committee (2016-2018). She previously held vice-presidential roles in the Polish Association of Businesswomen. Landowska maintains active research affiliations with the Humanistic Management Center (University of Lucerne), International Council for Small Business (George Washington University), and ArgDiaP association. Her 2022-2024 tenure with New Ethos Lab advanced dialogue studies in persuasion frameworks, complementing her current work on digital rhetoric's ethical dimensions.
Rick Busselle is an Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), affiliated with the School of Media & Communication within the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on how mediated narratives influence perceptions of social issues like poverty and crime, emphasizing engagement, perceived realism, and the social construction of reality through media. He holds a B.S. in Journalism from BGSU, an M.A. in Telecommunication, and a Ph.D. in Mass Media, both from Michigan State University. Dr. Busselle’s work appears in journals like Communication Theory and Media Psychology , with a focus on narrative engagement, media effects, and psychophysiological responses. He has served on editorial boards for Media Psychology , The Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media , and co-edited Media Psychology . His courses include Media Effects, Quantitative Research Methods, and Strategic Communication. His scholarship bridges narrative theory and audience psychology, exploring how stories shape social realities. Recent publications (2022–2008) highlight themes like epistemic monitoring in stories, narrative persuasion, and the cultivation of perceived realism. His research underscores the interplay between cognitive processes and media influence, with applications in communication studies and journalism. Busselle’s contributions extend to editorial leadership and academic mentorship, shaping discourse in media psychology and communication theory without explicit awards but recognized through peer contributions and publication impact.
Anne-Sophie Noel is a Lecturer in Greek language and literature at École Normale Supérieure de Lyon since 2018, with a focus on Greek theatre , cognitive approaches to tragedy , and material culture . She serves as a Junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (2023–2028) and holds leadership roles in the InSpectA and KINSPECTA research projects. Research Themes : Materiality in Greek drama (tragic objects, prosthetics, textiles) Cognitive science intersections (audience empathy, kinesthetic resonance) Postcolonial and ecocritical readings of classical texts Academic Leadership : Co-head of Master in Ancient Worlds (2023–2024) Coordinator of sub-axis B3: 'Reception of past cultures' (2021–2025) Member of HiSoMA Laboratory Council and Scientific Council Her scientific awards include: Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) Junior membership (2023–2028) Eighth section of the CNU: Elected member (substitute) (2024–2028) Notable research collaborations include: Theatre practice and interpersonal synchronization (2024, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience) Co-edited special issues on ancient object life (2024, Cahiers du Théâtre Antique) Contributions to cognitive studies in Greek tragedy (OUP, Routledge)
Peter Knight is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Manchester , affiliated with the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (English, American Studies & Creative Writing). He focuses on conspiracy theories and cultural approaches to finance , with over two decades of research grants and leadership in major interdisciplinary projects. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG151: United States) Co-editor of Routledge Handbook of Conspiracy Theories His research reconfigures conspiracy theory analysis through cultural lenses, challenging psychological dismissals. Key projects include Everything Is Connected (AHRC, 2016-20) and REDACT (EU CHANSE, 2022-25). Publications span Routledge, Edinburgh UP, and Cambridge UP. Recent work with Clare Birchall and Michael Butter explores coronavirus pandemic conspiracies , while his Reading the Market (2016) examines Gilded Age financial narratives. He co-curated the Show Me the Money exhibition (2014-16), visualizing financial history. Scientific Awards BAAS Book Prize (2017) Peter supervises projects on topics like 19th-20th century American literature , digital conspiracy theories , and financial epistemology . His media commentary (The Conversation, BBC) addresses public understanding of economic and conspiratorial discourse.
Christian von Scheve is a Professor of Sociology and Head of the Department of Sociology of Emotions at Freie Universität Berlin. He also serves on the board of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1171 'Affective Societies' and is a Research Fellow at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin). His academic journey includes positions as a Research Professor at DIW Berlin (2011-2014), Junior Professor at Freie Universität Berlin (2008-2014), and Assistant Professor at the University of Vienna (2007-2008). His research examines the interplay between culture, social structures, and emotions, with emphasis on: The social/cultural constitution of emotions and affective experiences Emotional dimensions of economic action Human/non-human social interaction He employs diverse methodologies including surveys, interviews, and experiments. His recent publications (2022-2025) predominantly explore affective polarization , refugee integration , and the role of emotions in political discourse, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches spanning sociology, neuroscience, and political science. A consistent theme is how emotions shape social cohesion and conflict in contemporary societies. He holds key editorial roles including Co-Editor of Soziale Welt , Associate Editor of Emotion Review , and Editorial Board positions for multiple book series on affective societies and emotion research. He actively advises Master's students, requiring thesis proposals to be submitted six weeks before registration deadlines. His research is embedded in collaborative projects like SFB 1171 'Affective Societies' and the 'Social Cohesion and Civil Society' initiative.
Ellen Droog is an Assistant Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Department of Communication Science. She holds additional affiliations with the Network Institute and the Communication Choices, Content and Consequences (CCCC) research group. Her work focuses on satirical news, metaphorical humor, audience responses to media, and corporate social responsibility claims. Research Interests: Droog's research explores how humor and satire function in media, particularly their cognitive, emotional, and persuasive effects. She investigates how metaphors shape public understanding of complex issues like corporate responsibility and health crises. Her recent projects examine the effectiveness of media literacy interventions against misinformation. Key Contributions: Over 14 peer-reviewed publications since 2020, including seminal work on satirical news mechanisms, metaphor analysis in satire, and CSR communication strategies. Her 2023 PhD thesis bridged satirical news features with audience effects through metaphor analysis. Awards: Wilhelmina Drucker Student Talent Award (2017) Teaching: Courses include Communication Science foundations, corporate communication strategies, and media persuasion techniques. Cross-Disciplinary Work: Collaborations span psychology, health communication, and political science.
