Thomas Gunther is a Professor of Managerial Accounting and Control at the Department of Economics, Technical University of Dresden. His research focuses on business accounting, controlling of non-profit organisations, value-based management, and the evaluation of intangible resources. University: Technical University of Dresden Department: Department of Economics Academic Rank: Professor Gunther's work explores performance measurement systems, brand valuation, and time-oriented cost accounting, with empirical studies across German companies and the public education sector. He has led research groups on value-oriented leadership in SMEs and intangible assets in accounting. As a consultant, he works with medium-sized businesses and public institutions on implementing controlling systems, including AOK Saxony, Dresden Transport Company, and the Saxon State Ministry of Education. He serves as Managing Editor for the Journal of Management Control (JoMaC) and is a founding member of PRISMA (Centre for Sustainability Assessment and Policy) at TU Dresden.
Cornelia Betsch serves as Director of the Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour (IPB) at the University of Erfurt, where she holds a professorship in Health Communication within the Faculty of Philosophy. She is responsible for the Master's program in Health Communication through the Department of Media and Communication Studies and leads the Health Communication Working Group at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg as an external position. Her interdisciplinary work bridges behavioral science, psychology, and public health to address critical global challenges. Habilitation (2006), University of Erfurt: 'The role of risk perception and risk communication in prevention decisions – the example of vaccination decisions' PhD (Dr. phil., summa cum laude, 2006), University of Heidelberg: 'Preference for intuition and deliberation– measurement and consequences of affect- and cognition based decision making' Diplom in Psychology (2002), University of Heidelberg Betsch's research focuses on understanding health and planetary health behaviors, particularly examining vaccination behavior, prudent antibiotic use, and climate-friendly actions. Her work extends globally, with investigations in various African countries on vaccination and antibiotic practices. She pioneered the influential COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO) and subsequently developed the Planetary Health Action Survey (PACE), large-scale studies that regularly track public knowledge, risk perception, protective behaviors, and trust during crises. Her research emphasizes applying behavioral and cultural insights to design effective policy frameworks and explanatory communication that promotes positive health behaviors. The 15 most recent articles showcase Betsch's research evolution toward integrating behavioral science with planetary health, climate action, and vaccine communication. Her work increasingly examines the psychological foundations of climate behavior while maintaining her established expertise in vaccine hesitancy and antimicrobial resistance. Recent publications demonstrate methodological diversity, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, survey experiments, and large-scale monitoring datasets that bridge academic research with practical policy applications. German Psychology Prize (2021) Thuringian Research Prize (2022) Betsch has secured research funding from independent research organizations, ministries, and foundations to support her work on health communication and planetary health behavior. She serves as a scientific advisor to multiple organizations including the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioral and Cultural Insights, Science Media Center Germany, and Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. At the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, she established the WHO Collaborating Center for Behavioral Research in Global Health, demonstrating her commitment to translating research into global health practice. Her engagement extends to policy advising, having served on the Corona Expert Council of the Federal Chancellery during the pandemic. As Director of the Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour, Betsch leads an interdisciplinary team applying social and behavioral science perspectives to planetary health and the climate crisis. The institute serves as a hub for research, education, and science communication at the intersection of human health and environmental sustainability. Her work through the IPB emphasizes Open Science principles and aims to understand the comprehensive factors influencing climate-friendly behavior to identify effective intervention points for policy development.
Aafke Fraaije is a postdoctoral researcher at the Section Ethics & Philosophy of Technology , Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management , Delft University of Technology. Her work bridges art, ethics, and technology through interdisciplinary approaches to citizen engagement and responsible innovation. Institution: Delft University of Technology School: Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management Department: Section Ethics & Philosophy of Technology Academic Rank: Research Fellow Research Interests : Ethics of human-nature-technology relationships Art-based methods for public engagement with technology Participatory futuring in smart city development Inclusive approaches to technology governance Communication frameworks in clinical and engineering contexts Critical analysis of responsible research and innovation (RRI) Recent Research Trends : Her publications focus on using artistic practices (dance, theatre) to explore ethical implications of smart city technologies, developing frameworks for responsible innovation, and analyzing communication dynamics in high-stakes environments like surgery and robotics. Key themes include citizen participation in technological development, interdisciplinary methodologies, and ethical accountability across sectors.
Joël Thibeault is a Professor at the Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa and Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Education, University of Regina . His research focuses on the teaching and learning of French grammar in Francophone minority contexts, the integrated instruction of French and English, and the use of children’s literature in linguistic education. He has secured major funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for studies on bilingual grammar pedagogy. Research Themes: Francophone minority education, plurilingual approaches, drama-based pedagogy, and curriculum innovation. Awards: Received the Prix du nouveau chercheur (2024) from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education. Recent Publications emphasize inductive grammar strategies, plurilingual vocabulary instruction, and drama/literature integration in minority language classrooms. His work bridges policy, practice, and technology in Canadian French-language education. Scientific Awards: SSHRC Grant (2024) Prix du nouveau chercheur (2024)
Kelsey Swingle is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University, where she leads the Swingle Lab at the intersection of biomaterials science, immune engineering, and reproductive biology. Her research focuses on engineering therapeutic and vaccine technologies with translational potential. Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University Dr. Swingle’s research explores the design of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and nucleic acid therapeutics for women’s health applications, including pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and gynecologic cancers. Her work integrates bioengineering principles with immune modulation strategies to develop targeted therapies. The trends in her publications highlight advancements in LNP elasticity optimization for placental mRNA delivery, targeted systemic RNA delivery to the brain, and in utero gene editing applications. Her lab prioritizes interdisciplinary approaches to overcome biological barriers in women’s health. 2025 Solomon R. Pollack Award for Excellence in Graduate Bioengineering Research 2024 Muriel Joan Drew Hege Award for Women in Cellular Immunotherapy Research 2024 Penn Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award 2023 Gordon Research Conference Travel Award 2022 Society for Biomaterials STAR Award 2020 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship The Swingle Lab collaborates with the Texas Medical Center to develop precision nanomedicines. Her team employs in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models to study biomaterial interactions with female-specific tissues, emphasizing translational research and inclusive scientific communication.
Katarzyna Wrońska is a Professor at the Institute of Pedagogy, Jagiellonian University in Kraków , where she also serves as an Erasmus+ Programme Coordinator . Her academic work spans pedagogical theory, educational philosophy, and historical analyses of learning systems. She teaches courses including History of Pedagogical Thought and Practice , Philosophy of Education , and Contemporary Pedagogical Trends , primarily for graduate students. Her research focuses on intersections between liberalism and education, historical pedagogical models (notably John Locke's theories), Christian humanism in curriculum development, and ethical dimensions of self-instruction. She examines autonomy in universities, competition dynamics in learning environments, and civility as an absent pedagogical discourse. The 15 most recent publications reveal trends in three domains: (1) Liberal Educational Philosophy (2012-2024), analyzing autonomy, competition, and state roles; (2) Historical Pedagogy (2011-2021), particularly Polish Enlightenment-era reforms; and (3) Educational Ethics (2005-2023), covering Christian values, civil society, and moral instruction during authoritarian regimes. She supervises doctoral and master's students in pedagogy, though specific advisees aren't named. Consultations for students occur weekly at Batorego Street 12, room 15, during academic year 2024/25, with appointments required via email.
Professor Alisdair Gillespie is a faculty member at Lancaster University in the School of Law . His primary academic role is as a Professor , and he also serves as the University Academic Dean . Cybercrime Child Sexual Exploitation Legal Systems and Evidence Covert Surveillance Sexual Offences Professor Gillespie’s research focuses on cybercrime , particularly child sexual exploitation , including child pornography , grooming , and solicitation . His work extends to covert surveillance and legal systems , emphasizing evidence law and criminal justice . He has acted as an expert advisor to the UN, Council of Europe, EU , and UK government bodies , influencing policy on child protection and cybercrime . Projects like Designing a Model of Restorative Justice for Victims of Online Child Abusive Images (2021–2023) and Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation (2013) highlight his practical engagement. His PhD supervision interests cover Criminal Law, Sexual Offences, Covert Policing , and Criminal Justice (including Evidence ). Contact details include email : a.gillespie@lancaster.ac.uk and office : D23, D - Floor, University House .
Lauren M. Lipner, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Long Island University (LIU) Post, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She holds a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University in 2020. Her academic and clinical training includes an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Pennsylvania Hospital/University of Pennsylvania Health System, a clinical postdoctoral fellowship at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, and a research and teaching postdoctoral fellowship at Adelphi University. Her research focuses on psychotherapy process and outcome, with an emphasis on the development and repair of the therapeutic alliance. Key areas include alliance rupture resolution, factors contributing to premature treatment termination, and methodological approaches to measuring therapeutic dynamics. She has contributed extensively to the literature through peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. The most recent publications reflect a strong trend in advancing methodological rigor in studying alliance ruptures, utilizing control chart methods, single-case designs, and multi-method approaches. Her work bridges clinical practice with empirical research, particularly in cognitive-behavioral and integrative therapies for personality and anxiety disorders. Scientific awards and grants highlight her recognition in the field: Small Research Grant, Society for Psychotherapy Research (2021) Charles J. Gelso, Ph.D. Psychotherapy Research Grant, Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (APA Division 29, 2023) Dr. Lipner has served as Principal Investigator on funded projects including 'The relationship between therapist flexibility, alliance rupture resolution, and premature treatment termination' and 'Reasons for dropout measure: Development and validation.' She is actively involved in professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (Divisions 12 and 29), the Society for Psychotherapy Research, and the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. She regularly presents her research at national and international conferences, contributing to training and supervision literature, particularly in CBT and alliance-focused models. While no specific lab or research team is explicitly named in the text, her collaborative work with prominent researchers like Jeremy D. Safran, J. Christopher Muran, and Jacqueline P. Barber suggests active participation in a research network focused on psychotherapy process and integration. Her contributions to handbooks and case studies further indicate a strong commitment to clinical education and training.
Dr. Pranita Shrestha is a Researcher at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Her work focuses on urban planning, housing policy, and informal settlements, with particular attention to platform-mediated housing markets and their socio-economic impacts. Her research spans topics such as cultural heritage management, rural community resilience, and policy responses to urban housing challenges. Shrestha has contributed to significant studies including analyses of Airbnb's impact on housing markets, post-disaster rehabilitation in Kathmandu Valley's World Heritage Sites, and the role of digital platforms in enabling informal housing practices. Her work often intersects with issues of equity, policy effectiveness, and spatial justice. Key projects include the AHURI-funded study on short-term rental accommodations and collaborative research on social housing marketization in New South Wales. Her research outputs include peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy reports addressing global urban challenges. Shrestha's expertise is reflected in her interdisciplinary approach, combining policy analysis with field studies in diverse contexts such as Kathmandu, Sydney, and Turkey's Behramkale region. She actively engages with both academic and policy communities to advance evidence-based solutions for urban sustainability and affordability.
Anna Villarroya Planas is a Professor at the Universitat de Barcelona, serving as Director of the Research Center for Information, Communication and Culture. She holds a law degree and economics degree from the Universitat de Barcelona, and a PhD in Public Sector Economics from the same institution. Affiliated with both the Faculty of Information and Audiovisual Media and the Department of Economics, she has been teaching courses related to cultural economics and cultural policies since 1993. Her research focuses on digital culture and content, with special emphasis on open access to science and economic studies on culture, particularly examining gender perspectives in cultural sectors. She serves as President of the European Association of Cultural Researchers and coordinates the Interuniversity Doctoral Program in Gender Studies: Cultures, Societies and Policies. Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong focus on gender equality in cultural sectors, particularly examining gender discrimination in the performing arts, LGBTQ perspectives in information studies, and cultural policies with gender perspectives. Her work spans multiple disciplines including cultural economics, gender studies, library science, and policy analysis, demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches to understanding cultural production, consumption, and policy implementation. She has participated in numerous research projects funded by public entities including the World Bank, Council of Europe, ERICarts, Organization of Ibero-American States, Spanish Ministry of Culture, Catalan Department of Culture, and Barcelona Provincial Council, as well as private foundations like "la Caixa" Banking Foundation, Carulla Foundation, and Alternativas Foundation. Since 2006, she has authored the report on cultural policy in Spain included in the Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends, and since 2017 has been a member of the Council of the Association of the Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends. Her leadership extends to directing research projects focused on gender perspectives in information and media studies, including the GEMPIMS (Gender Perspective Mentoring Program in Information & Media Studies) initiative at the University of Barcelona.
David Alan Goldberg is an Associate Professor in the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE) at Cornell University, part of Cornell Engineering. He joined Cornell in 2017 and previously held the A. Russel Chandler III Associate Professorship at Georgia Tech’s Industrial and Systems Engineering department. Goldberg earned his Ph.D. in Operations Research from MIT (2011) and a B.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University (2006). Education: B.S. in Computer Science, Columbia University (2006) Ph.D. in Operations Research, MIT (2011) Research Interests: Goldberg’s work focuses on applied probability and stochastic processes, including optimal stopping, inventory and queueing models, combinatorial optimization, and robust optimization. He develops algorithms and insights for complex systems, addressing challenges like the curse of dimensionality. His research spans applications in data science, operations research, and stochastic modeling. Notable contributions include distributionally robust inventory control and high-dimensional decision-making frameworks. Awards and Honors: 2025 Community-Engaged Practice and Innovation Award (David M. Einhorn Center) 2023 Sunny Yau ’72 Teaching Award (Cornell) 2019 INFORMS Applied Probability Society Best Publication Award 2015 NSF CAREER Award Multiple INFORMS Nicholson Student Paper Competitions (First Place, 2019 & 2015) Teaching and Service: Goldberg leads Cornell ORIE’s undergraduate research program, connecting students to real-world applications of OR and data science. He teaches courses in probability modeling, stochastic models, and academic skills for PhD students. He chairs the INFORMS Applied Probability Society and serves on editorial boards for Operations Research and Stochastic Systems . At Cornell, he advises the Undergraduate ORIE Society and directs undergraduate studies in ORIE. Labs & Collaborations: Goldberg’s research integrates theoretical rigor with practical applications, often involving collaborations across disciplines. His work bridges operations research, statistics, and computer science to address modern challenges in inventory systems, queueing networks, and decision-making under uncertainty.
Sandra Ajaps is a Lecturer in Education at the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), University of Manchester, with a strong research focus on sustainability education, critical pedagogy, and decolonising education. She actively contributes to the academic community through teaching, research, and leadership in specialized research groups. Her educational background includes: PhD in Environmental Conservation Education from New York University (awarded 2021) MPhil in Psychology and Education from the University of Cambridge (2014) BSc(Ed) in Geography Education from the University of Nigeria (2010) Ajaps' research interests center on transforming educational approaches to address environmental challenges through decolonial frameworks. Her work explores how indigenous knowledge systems can inform sustainability education, particularly in Nigerian contexts, while examining the intersections of civic engagement, environmental conservation, and critical pedagogy. She investigates how educational institutions can better integrate place-based knowledge and decolonial methodologies to address climate change and sustainability challenges. Her research output reveals a strong trajectory in examining sustainable development through decolonial lenses, with particular emphasis on indigenous knowledge systems, environmental education, and civic engagement in Nigeria. Her publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach that bridges education, environmental science, and social justice. Her notable awards include: New York University Steinhardt PhD Fellowship (2015-2019) New York University Doctoral Research Grant (2018) Simms Prize for best results in Education, University of Cambridge (2014) Cambridge Assessment and Santander Award for Master's Program (2013-2014) University of Nigeria's Prizes for top graduating student in both the Faculty of Education and Department of Social Science Education (2010) Ajaps supervises graduate students, including ten MA students and two PhD students as co-supervisor during the 2021/2022 academic year. She teaches across multiple programs including International Education, Education for a Sustainable Environment, and Sustainability Education on the BSc Education programme. Her research is closely tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to quality education and sustainable communities. Within the Manchester Institute of Education, she is an active member of both the Green Research in Education Group (GRiEG) and the Power, Inequality, and Activism research group, contributing to collaborative research initiatives focused on environmental sustainability and social justice in educational contexts.
Katrin Bromber is a German Researcher at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, where she has led the research group "Progress and its Discontents: Ideas, Practices, Materiality" since 2014. Her career spans senior research roles at ZMO and academic teaching positions at the University of Vienna. Nationality: German. Language skills: Native German, fluent English/Swahili, moderate Amharic, good reading knowledge in French/Russian, basic Tigrinya. Habilitation (2009–): African Studies, University of Vienna PhD (1993): African Linguistics, University of Leipzig MA (1988): Swahili Studies, University of Leipzig Katrin Bromber's research interrogates intersections of body politics , sports history , Swahili linguistics , and Ethiopian modernity . Her work traces how physical culture, media representation, and colonial/imperial narratives shape national identities across Africa and Asia. Current focus: "Progress" as contested concept in Ethiopian and Gulf urbanism. Key article trends reflect her translocal methodology: 2017 studies on Ethiopian stadiums and fitness culture ; 2014-2013 publications analyzing East African military press , sports branding in the Gulf , and Swahili poetry ; 2007-2000 works on colonial linguistic politics , Indian Ocean slavery , and German colonial Swahili promotion . Recurring sub-fields: body as political text, translocal modernity, media historiography. Scientific Awards: Research Grant of the Berlin City Council (1999-2000): Gendered Slavery study Service to the Scientific Community: Chairwoman, Academic Association for Horn of Africa Studies (2012–) Editorial Advisory Board - Stichproben. Vienna Journal of African Studies (2015–) Editorial Advisory Board - Studies of Department of African Languages and Cultures (2015–) Teaching Experience: Textlinguistics, Mediacommunication, African Linguistics, Swahili (elementary/advanced), Swahili Literature, Swahili in Arabic Script at Leipzig, Humboldt-Berlin, Free Berlin, and Vienna universities Anthropology of the Body at Mekelle University Summer School Field Research: Tanzania (1993-2003): Swahili Poetry, Intellectual History Kenya (2005): Indian Ocean WW2 UAE/Bahrain (2009): Sports and Body Cultures Ethiopia (2009-2015): Sports, Body Politics
Laura Wernick is an Associate Professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service. Her academic background includes a PhD and MA from the University of Michigan, an MSW and MPA from Columbia University, and a BA from UC Berkeley. Dr. Wernick specializes in transformative community organizing models addressing intersectional power dynamics, with a focus on LGBTQ+ youth, domestic worker movements, and disability justice. She employs participatory action research methods to co-create solutions with marginalized communities. Her research explores how organizing models combat ableism, white supremacy in academia, and systemic oppression. Notable areas include youth-led advocacy, wealth mobilization for social justice, and employer-employee dynamics among domestic workers. Dr. Wernick's work bridges theory and practice through youth-adult partnerships and institutional reform initiatives. She maintains an active blog and public scholarship presence at www.laurawernick.com . Recent scholarship highlights include dismantling ableism in social work education and analyzing pandemic-related stigma. Her 2024 publications emphasize disability justice pedagogy and intersectional approaches to youth organizing. Methodologically, she advocates for participatory action research that disrupts traditional academic hierarchies. Leveraging over 20 years of practice experience, Dr. Wernick collaborates with community organizations to design interventions that foster healing and systemic change. Her current projects address racial disparities in school discipline and the mental health benefits of youth activism. She teaches courses on community organizing, social justice pedagogy, and marginalized populations.
Tianxi Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Statistics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, within the College of Science and Engineering. Their research integrates statistical methodology with applications in network science, data privacy, and biomedical data analysis. Their research interests lie at the intersection of statistics and network science, focusing on statistical modeling of complex networks , data privacy , network security , and biomedical applications such as neuroimaging and genomics. They develop adaptive and scalable methods for network estimation, community detection, and differential correlation analysis. The recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on advancing statistical tools for network-structured data, with increasing applications in neuroscience and cancer genomics. The work spans theoretical development (e.g., network growth models) and practical applications (e.g., glioblastoma gene modules), reflecting a balance between methodology and real-world impact. Tianxi Li leads an active research program funded by the National Science Foundation, indicating recognition and support for their innovative work. Principal Investigator, Statistical tools for network security protection: from data privacy to threat detection , NSF (2024–2025) They advise graduate students in statistics and data science, though specific advisees are not listed. Their collaborative network includes researchers in biostatistics, computer science, and machine learning, as evidenced by co-authorships and interdisciplinary projects. Li's work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through advancements in data-driven solutions for secure and ethical data analysis.
