Marlon Boeve is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University's School of Law (Institute of Constitutional, Administrative Law and Legal Theory) and Professor of Environmental and Planning Law at TU Delft's Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment. She holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2017) focusing on environmental law of compact cities. Her career includes positions at the Amsterdam Centre for Environmental Law and Sustainability (1995-2017) and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment (2015-2017). Research Focus: Her work centers on environmental law frameworks, circular economy transitions, and regulatory approaches to sustainable urban development. Key interests include: Legal instruments for circular building practices EU environmental policy implementation Industrial emissions regulation Participatory governance in spatial planning Plastic pollution mitigation strategies Academic Service: She chairs the Dutch Association for Environmental Law, serves on editorial boards for environmental and construction law journals, and coordinates interdisciplinary sustainability initiatives. Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on environmental regulatory reform, circular economy implementation challenges, and sustainable urban governance, with recent work examining plastic waste policies and industrial emissions frameworks.
Dragan Vujičić is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Forestry , University of Belgrade . He specializes in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Conservation , with a focus on urban green spaces, spatial planning, and sustainable development. Education: Master's degree in Landscape Architecture from the Faculty of Forestry (1997) Professional Affiliations: Member of the Association of Landscape Architects of Serbia (Board of Directors 2005–2013); Member of the Serbian Chamber of Engineers; Examiner-mentor for professional exams in landscape architecture since 2007 His research explores the theory of form in landscape design , urban open spaces , and legal regulations in spatial planning . He has contributed to over 100 landscaping projects and co-authored the textbook Landscape Design Techniques (2003). Recent publications emphasize green infrastructure frameworks, urban park utilization, and ecological assessments in compact cities. Scientific Awards: Grand Prize, First Urban Planning Salon in Niš (1991) III Category Award, ISoCaRP Urban Ecology Competition (1994) Belgrade Chamber of Commerce Thesis Award (1997) Award, First Salon of Landscape Architecture (2005) Collaborative Work: Co-authored articles in Applied Ecology and Environmental Research , Land , and Šumarski list on topics like urban forestry, river island planning, and biodiversity conservation.
Andry Razakamanantsoa is a Researcher at Gustave Eiffel University, serving as Sustainable Development Research Officer and Deputy Director of the Geomatériaux, Environmental Interactions Laboratory (GERS-GIE). He is affiliated with the Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Environment, Natural Hazards and Earth Sciences (GERS), specifically within the Geomatériaux and Environmental Interactions (GIE) research group. With 83 publications and over 1,184 citations, his work focuses on sustainable geotechnical solutions and environmental interactions. His research interests span hydromechanical behaviors of geomaterials, durability of treated soils, soil-atmosphere interactions, physical modeling of aerosols, material rheology, and sustainable construction techniques. Key research axes include multi-physical and multi-scale coupling around infrastructure and cities, valorization of waste materials in construction, durability of earth structures, and dust emission control from unpaved roads. Razakamanantsoa's publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical applications of geotechnical research, with particular emphasis on sustainable construction materials, soil treatment techniques, and environmental impact mitigation. His recent work shows increasing integration of machine learning techniques for environmental monitoring and analysis of construction material behavior. He has participated in numerous research projects including PROPER (European assessment of highway stormwater runoff pollution), OI2018_F2 (water economy), OI2019_F3 (mapping suitable lands for raw earth construction), and dust emission control studies for earthmoving sites. His research has practical applications in road construction, sustainable building techniques, and environmental protection. Razakamanantsoa collaborates extensively with industry partners including the French National Federation of Public Works (FNTP), the Union of Earth and Sea Professions (UMTM), and the Professional Syndicate of French Excavators (SPTF), ensuring his research has direct practical relevance to industry challenges.
Katharine Hill serves as Professor in the School of Social Work within the Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas, concurrently holding the administrative role of Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Research. She oversees faculty development, grants management, sponsored programs, and the Institutional Review Board while advancing university-wide diversity and inter-professional initiatives. Her academic credentials include: PhD and MSW from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities BA from Macalester College Dr. Hill's research pioneers political social work , focusing on nonpartisan voter engagement among college students and marginalized populations, alongside advocacy for children with disabilities in child welfare systems. Her work integrates macro practice with policy analysis, emphasizing community-based interventions, program evaluation, and nonprofit administration to cultivate social workers as change agents. Her 2018 publications reveal a concentrated research trajectory bridging voter mobilization and child welfare policy , demonstrating how educational settings can drive civic participation while addressing systemic inequities for vulnerable youth. These works establish social work's critical role in democratic engagement and policy reform. Key recognitions include: Distinguished Early Career Grant for voter engagement research Campus Election Engagement Project funding for student voter mobilization President’s Civic Engagement Stewardship Award for institutionalizing civic mission As former BSW Program Director and School of Social Work Director, Dr. Hill has shaped curriculum and mentored students through high-impact initiatives like the voter engagement project, where she supervises student fellows in nonpartisan registration drives and ballot education. Her grant leadership spans competitive internal funding and national partnerships advancing civic participation. She spearheads St. Thomas' voter engagement ecosystem through the Center for the Common Good, collaborating with Campus Election Engagement Project to implement campus-wide voting initiatives that connect students with electoral processes through value-aligned civic education.
Michał Stangel is a University Professor in the Department of Urban and Spatial Planning at the Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology, specializing in sustainable urban development, revitalization, and public space design. His academic credentials include a doctorate (2007) and habilitation (2014), establishing him as a leading figure in Polish urban planning. His research focuses on implementing sustainable development concepts through practical urban interventions, particularly in transforming former military sites into functional urban centers and integrating information technologies into revitalization processes. Key thematic areas include compact city development, participatory spatial planning, and airport-proximate zone planning as evidenced by his three authoritative books on contemporary urban challenges. Professor Stangel has received significant recognition including the Minister of Infrastructure and Construction Award for the Tczew New Center project and first place in the prestigious "Kraków - Nowa Huta Przyszłości" international competition. His Fulbright and Bauhaus-Dessau Foundation scholarships enabled impactful collaboration at MIT on the Zaragoza Digital Mile project. As an active community contributor, he serves as an expert for the Sendzimir Foundation's "Common Space" initiative and maintains memberships in the Polish Association of Town and Country Planners (TUP), Polish Green Building Council (PLGBC), and StrongCities2030 network. His extensive portfolio includes approximately one hundred urban studies across thirty competition wins, demonstrating tangible impact on Polish urban landscapes through projects in Rybnik, Wałbrzych, and Gdynia.
Dr. Idil Atak serves as Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University's Lincoln Alexander School of Law, specializing in migration law, refugee protection, and human rights. Her expertise encompasses irregular migration, securitization of migration policies, and international human rights frameworks, with significant contributions to global migration governance discourse through leadership roles including Director-at-Large for CARFMS and former Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Migration and Border Studies. Her academic foundation includes: LLD (Doctor of Laws) from Université de Montréal MA (Social Sciences) from University of Marmara BA (Public Administration and International Relations) from University of Bogazici Atak's research critically examines the intersection of security imperatives and human rights in migration governance, focusing on policy consequences like criminalization, externalization, and sanctuary city dynamics. Her interdisciplinary approach combines legal analysis with political science perspectives to address vulnerabilities of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants, particularly in Canadian urban contexts. Recent publications reveal evolving focus on Global Compact implementation, human trafficking data systems, and sanctuary policy efficacy, demonstrating consistent engagement with contemporary migration challenges through international collaborations. Her work consistently highlights tensions between state security measures and fundamental human rights protections. Key recognitions include: Ontario's Early Researcher Award (2019-2024) Université de Montréal's Best International Thesis Award (2012) She directs multiple SSHRC-funded projects examining migration securitization, sanctuary policies, and trafficking responses, while actively mentoring emerging scholars and shaping refugee studies through CARFMS leadership. Her research teams integrate legal scholars, policymakers, and community organizations to address complex migration challenges through evidence-based approaches.
Yasemin Bekyol is a Researcher at the FAU Research Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU CHREN), leading the project "Health! Participation in the Care Sector," and a doctoral candidate at MFI focusing on "Vulnerability in the European Asylum System." She holds an MSc in International Politics from SOAS, University of London, and a BA in English and Political Economics from Heidelberg University and Loughborough University. Her research explores migration governance, refugee integration in healthcare systems, gender-sensitive asylum policies, and EU responses to crises like COVID-19. Key themes include labor rights for refugees, vulnerability frameworks, and transnational policy coordination. Publications analyze migration policy reforms, refugee workforce integration, and pandemic impacts, with recent work emphasizing equitable skills partnerships and systemic barriers in health sectors. Awards: FFL Fellowship for gender equality in academia (2021-2022) She collaborates on EU-funded projects (e.g., FAU CHREN’s COVID-19 migration study) and has advised institutions like the German Red Cross on asylum-seeker integration.
Dr. Janina Stürner-Siovitz is a postdoctoral research fellow and project leader at the Institute of Political Science and the Centre for Human Rights Erlangen-Nürnberg at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg. She specializes in migration governance within complex multi-level systems, with a particular focus on city diplomacy and the role of urban authorities in migration policy-making at global, European, and African levels. Her current work centers on the 'Equal Partnerships' project examining African intermediary cities as actors in urban migration governance. Her educational background includes: PhD in Political Sciences from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (summa cum laude) Franco-German master's degree in International Relations with focus on migration policies Franco-German bachelor's degree in Political Sciences from Sciences Po Aix and University of Freiburg Stürner-Siovitz's research focuses on migration governance in multi-level systems, with particular emphasis on how cities interact with states and international actors in implementing the Global Compacts for Migration and Refugees. She examines city diplomacy in regional and global migration governance across Europe, Africa, and UN systems, with special attention to AU-EU relations, climate mobility, and empowerment in protracted displacement situations. Her work bridges local experience from her time with the City of Stuttgart with transnational research on migration policy networks. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on African urban governance in migration contexts, with increasing attention to climate mobility and intermediary cities. Her work demonstrates how municipal authorities are becoming key actors in transnational migration governance, challenging traditional nation-state centered approaches. She consistently examines how local-global connections shape migration policy implementation and how cities develop innovative approaches to migration governance that transcend national frameworks. Her notable affiliations and recognitions include: Visiting Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States Research Associate of the City Diplomacy Lab Non-Resident Fellow of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Peer reviewer for the UN Network on Migration Knowledge Platform Member of UNHCR's Global Academic Interdisciplinary Network Stürner-Siovitz has developed significant policy impact through commissioned work for major international organizations. Her research has informed policy processes for the European Commission, German Federal Foreign Office, UN agencies, and numerous foundations. She has extensive experience designing evaluation processes, workshops, and policy papers that bridge academic research and practical governance needs. Her current 'Equal Partnerships' project represents a continuation of her longstanding work on how cities shape migration governance, now with a specific focus on African intermediary cities and multi-stakeholder partnerships. Her field work spans Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda, and the United States, providing her with firsthand experience across diverse migration contexts. This global perspective informs her analysis of how local authorities navigate the complex challenges of migration governance in different political and cultural settings.
Assoc. Prof. Ing. Arch. Zuzana Tóthová, PhD. is a faculty member at the Faculty of Architecture of the Slovak University of Technology (STU) in Bratislava, where she has served as an assistant professor at the Institute of Architecture of Civic Buildings I since 2003. Prior to this, she worked as an assistant at the same faculty from 1996 to 2003 in the Department of Architectural Design of Buildings for Administration, Education, Trade, Services, Transport and Public Catering. Dr. Tóthová's research interests span multiple areas of architectural design with particular focus on: Architectural identity of railway station buildings (the subject of her doctoral dissertation) Housing design, especially family houses and apartment buildings Transformations of public facilities and civic buildings Urban hotel architecture in the 20th and 21st centuries Architectural reconstruction and renovation projects Her publication record from 2004-2012 demonstrates consistent scholarly activity in architectural journals and conference proceedings, with a particular emphasis on Slovak architecture and design solutions. The publications reveal a progression from historical analysis of architectural forms to contemporary design challenges, particularly in housing and public facility design, showing how traditional elements are reinterpreted in modern contexts while maintaining cultural identity. Dr. Tóthová has received recognition through invitations to contribute to significant architectural publications and conferences. She has served on organizing committees for academic events and curated architectural exhibitions, demonstrating leadership in the architectural academic community. Her professional practice complements her academic work, with numerous implemented projects including: Reconstruction of the Kutscherfeld Palace for the French Embassy in Bratislava Hospital and polyclinic designs in Moldava nad Bodvou Various family house reconstructions and designs throughout Slovakia International projects completed during her internship at an architectural studio in Bern, Switzerland Dr. Tóthová maintains an active role in both academic and professional architectural circles, bridging theoretical research with practical design solutions in the Slovak architectural landscape. Her work contributes significantly to understanding how architectural identity is expressed through building types that serve both functional and cultural purposes in the Central European context.
D'Alessandro Giampaolo is a Researcher (temporary position) at the University of L'Aquila, specifically within the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics. His academic discipline is IIND-07/A - Thermal Engineering and Industrial Energy Systems, and he belongs to Academic Recruitment Field 09/IIND-07 covering Thermal sciences, energy technology, building physics and nuclear engineering. His work is situated within Area 09 - Industrial and Information Engineering at the university. Dr. Giampaolo's research focuses on thermal engineering and industrial energy systems, with particular emphasis on heat transfer optimization, energy recovery in industrial processes, thermal management solutions, and applications in building physics. His work bridges theoretical thermal science with practical industrial applications, addressing critical challenges in energy efficiency and sustainability. Analysis of his recent publication trends shows a consistent focus on advancing thermal management technologies across multiple domains including electronics cooling, industrial process optimization, building energy systems, and nuclear engineering applications. His research output demonstrates a methodological approach combining computational modeling with experimental validation to develop practical engineering solutions. While specific award information isn't available in the current records, his research in thermal engineering addresses critical challenges in industrial energy efficiency and sustainable technology development, which are areas of growing importance in contemporary engineering research. Dr. Giampaolo's work in thermal engineering provides valuable opportunities for students interested in energy systems, heat transfer optimization, and sustainable industrial technologies. His research has direct applications in improving energy efficiency across multiple industrial sectors and contributes to the broader goals of sustainable engineering practices.
Marco Adelfio is an Associate Professor in Applied Urbanism at Chalmers University of Technology, specifically within the Department of Urban Design and Planning under the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering. His academic work focuses on the intersection of urban planning, social sustainability, and participatory processes in diverse urban contexts. Dr. Adelfio's research centers on multi-stakeholder processes and knowledge co-production that contribute to socially sustainable development across urban, suburban and rural areas. He has developed expertise in collaborative pedagogy within urban design and community architecture, participatory GIS methodologies, and examining how humans and non-humans mediate the local translation of circulating knowledge. His work often addresses the practical implementation of compact city models while considering social equity dimensions and context-specific adaptations of planning ideals. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent engagement with digital tools for participatory planning, compact city development, and sustainable urban transformation. His research demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach, connecting urban planning with environmental considerations, social inclusion, and technological innovation. Key thematic areas include stakeholder engagement in brownfield redevelopment, the integration of cultural values in digital planning tools, and examining the social dimensions of mobility transitions including connected and autonomous vehicles. Dr. Adelfio leads and participates in multiple research projects funded primarily by Formas, Sweden's research council for sustainable development. His collaborative work extends across disciplines and institutions, particularly with the University of Gothenburg and other Swedish universities. His projects often involve multi-stakeholder approaches to address complex urban challenges through co-creation frameworks.
Dr. Margaret Commins serves as the Shelton Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science, International Studies, and Sociology at Queens University of Charlotte within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her expertise centers on Latin American politics, U.S.-Latin American relations, and immigration policy with strong community engagement. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill M.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill B.A. in Political Science and History from Gettysburg College Dr. Commins' research examines U.S. immigration policy frameworks, municipal-level immigrant integration strategies, and U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. She actively incorporates experiential learning through leadership of student delegations to the Washington Model Organization of American States conference and U.S.-Mexico border immersion programs. Her Scholarship of Teaching and Learning work emphasizes student collaboration, exemplified by the 2022 Rogers Summer Research Institute project analyzing Charlotte's immigrant integration dynamics. Professional recognition includes: Queens’ Hunter Hamilton Love of Teaching Award (2020) North Carolina Campus Compact Faculty Engaged Scholar designation (2016) She maintains robust civic engagement as a Charlotte International Cabinet member advising city leadership, board member of the Latin American Coalition, and Refugee Support Services Fruitful Friend. Her mentorship extends through research collaborations and experiential learning initiatives that connect classroom theory with real-world policy challenges.
Dr. Samia Kirchner is a tenured Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at Morgan State University's Department of Architecture. She teaches across multiple programs including the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design (AREN), Master of Architecture (M.Arch), and PhD in Architecture, Urbanism and Built Environments (AUBE). Previously, she has taught at the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Georgia Institute of Technology. Her professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects-International Affiliate (AIA-IA), Congress of New Urbanism (CNU), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP). She currently serves as a Board of Trustee Member of the Governance Committee of the Interfaith Partnership for the Chesapeake Bay and as Associate Director on the Board of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Dr. Kirchner's research focuses on the (trans)formative role of water in City Design, Urban Regeneration, and Redevelopment. Her scholarly work spans architectural and urban history & theory, Islamic architecture & urbanism, port city regeneration, and urban regenerative design. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture selected her as Area Coordinator for the Arabian Peninsula, and she has chaired two cycles of the Kenneth F. Brown Culture and Architecture Design Award. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in Middle Eastern urban spaces, sustainable urban public places, maritime heritage, and the intersection of cultural identity with urban development. She has received numerous grants and awards, including multiple Mellon Foundation grants, Department of Energy funding, and the Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic Penczek Faculty Service-Learning Award. 2024: PI on Mellon Foundation Humanities in Place Grant ($50,000) 2024: Co-PI on Maryland Sea Grant funded Baltimore BLUE-CORE project ($600,000) 2023: Co-PI on Department of Education Title VI Grant ($300,000) 2020: Winner of Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic Penczek Faculty Service-Learning Award 2019: Co-Designed Project Entry Transect 7 selected for the AIA-Baltimore Edge Competition Dr. Kirchner has led significant initiatives including the Morgan Internationalization of Education Task Force and serves as Middle East Area Editor for the forthcoming Bloomsbury Global Encyclopedia of Women in Architecture, Editorial Member of the Journal of Arabian Studies, and Desk Reviewer for ICOMOS on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Her community engagement includes urban design consultancy for the City of Cambridge, MD, and participation in numerous community-focused projects addressing urban regeneration and environmental sustainability.
