Concetta Mazzulla is an Adjunct Professor of English Literature at the University of Catania's Faculty of Letters and Philosophy. Specializing in Irish literature, she earned her PhD from Trinity College Dublin, focusing on interdisciplinary relationships between Flann O'Brien and James Joyce. Her research spans comparative literature, travel writing, and classical influences on modern Irish narratives. PhD: Trinity College Dublin Current Role: Adjunct Professor at University of Catania Key Research: Flann O'Brien, James Joyce, Italo Calvino, Mediterranean Studies Her publications include translations, exhibition catalogs, and articles on Irish literary themes. Notable contributions cover: 2019 translations of Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin's poetry 2018 catalog for 'Beyond Visible' art exhibition 2000 essays on southern Italy in Irish travel literature 1999 comparative study of O'Brien and Calvino 1984-1996 analyses of medieval intertextuality in modern Irish fiction Her recent teaching includes English Culture and Literature II courses, with exam rescheduling notices up to 2024. She has supervised thesis topics on: Gender and madness in Charlotte Brontë and Jean Rhys Irish civil war representation in 'The Banshee of Inisherin' Island mythology in historical and fictional contexts
Jan Frode Haugseth is an Associate Professor in Education at the Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He serves as a study program leader for Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education (Years 1–7). Haugseth holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from NTNU (2012) and is currently a visiting scholar at the Department of Sociology, UC Berkeley (2024-2025). Ph.D. in Sociology, NTNU (2012) Haugseth's research focuses on youth studies, media sociology, and engagement theory, particularly examining how young people navigate social inclusion. His comparative project between Scandinavia and California explores personal, structural, and cultural factors affecting youth participation. He co-leads the BULKIS research network on children's quality of life and educational engagement. His recent academic work spans educational theory, pragmatic sociology, and climate activism analysis. Publications address topics like moral equipping in education, digital literacy, and pedagogical critiques of neoliberalism. While not explicitly listing students or awards, his collaborations with Eli Smeplass and others highlight interdisciplinary approaches to educational sociology and social pragmatism. Haugseth teaches courses including equity in education, qualitative research methods, and inclusive pedagogy. His outreach includes public debates on educational policy, media ethics, and youth climate activism. Current projects examine engagement theory applications to educational investment and comparative analyses of youth affectivities.
Fabrizio Tassinari is the founding Executive Director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance (FSTG) at the European University Institute (EUI), Florence, where he sets the strategic direction, research portfolio and policy outreach of the School. A political scientist by training, he has previously served as Senior Researcher and Head of Foreign Policy Studies at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) and as Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen and Adjunct Professor at Humboldt University Berlin (2012-2017). Education PhD in Political Science, University of Copenhagen BA summa cum laude in Political Science, La Sapienza University of Rome Research & Policy Focus Tassinari’s research integrates comparative politics and international relations to explore questions of European governance, democracy, security and neighbourhood policy. His work analyses how the European Union can project stability beyond its borders, how crises reshape European solidarity, and how governance models—particularly the Nordic experience—can inform post-crisis reform. He is the author of the widely-cited monograph Why Europe Fears its Neighbors (Praeger, 2009; updated Turkish ed. 2011) and the recent The Pursuit of Governance: Nordic Dispatches on a New Middle Way (Cambridge University Press/Agenda, 2022; Italian ed. Rubbettino). His analyses appear regularly in The Economist, Financial Times, Washington Post, CNN, Le Figaro, Die Welt and he maintains a bi-weekly column in the Italian daily Il Riformista . Scientific Distinctions & Fellowships Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (German Government) Berggruen Fellow, Berggruen Institute (Los Angeles & Venice) Fellow, SAIS/Johns Hopkins University Fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Senior Transatlantic Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States Advisory & Governance Roles Beyond academia, Tassinari advises European and North-American governments and institutions. He sits on the Council of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Board of the Italian Institute of International Affairs (IAI) and the Management Board of the European Media and Information Fund (EMIF).
Susan Gilles is a Professor at Capital University Law School , where she has taught since 1990. Her work focuses on Civil Procedure , First Amendment Law , and Media Law , with recent scholarship including the interactive online casebook Click & Learn: Civil Procedure (2020). She holds an LL.M. from Harvard University and an LL.B. with honors in Public Law from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Chair, Academic Affairs Committee Advisor, Women’s Law Association Her research spans constitutional privacy , tort law , and legal education innovation , with a focus on applying technology to enhance procedural law pedagogy. Publications include analyses of libel litigation processes ( Taking First Amendment Procedure Seriously , 1998), media accountability in defamation cases ( Food Lion as Reform or Revolution , 2000), and evolving privacy doctrines ( From Rehnquist to Roberts , 2007). Her work often examines the interplay between legal procedure and constitutional principles , particularly in media contexts.
Jack Clark Francis is a Professor at the Bert W. Wasserman Department of Economics and Finance within the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, City University of New York . He holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Washington (1969), an MBA in Finance from Indiana University (1964), and a BS in Marketing from Indiana University (1962). Education: PhD, University of Washington, Finance, 1969 MBA, Indiana University, Finance, 1964 BS, Indiana University, Business Marketing, 1962 Research interests span Investments , Portfolio Management , Derivatives , and Financial Markets . His work includes analyses of cryptocurrencies , timberland investments , utility theories , and market efficiency . He has contributed extensively to asset pricing , tax policy impacts , and executive compensation models . Scientific awards include editorial board memberships for journals like Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets & Policy (1995–Present) and International Review of Financial Analysis (1992–2025). His advising role involves evaluating finance professors and mentoring interns via reports and committee work. He has participated in grants and research initiatives related to market modeling, real estate, and derivatives. Labs and teams include collaborations with institutions like Rutgers University, Pacific Basin Finance Conference, and Federal Reserve Bank, with presentations at international conferences and editorial contributions to key finance journals.
Rossana Sampugnaro is an Associate Professor of Sociology of Political Phenomena at the Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Catania, where she has held academic positions since 2003. She currently teaches Political Communication in the MA in 'Sociology of networks, information and innovation', Political Sociology in the Bachelor in Philosophy, and Political Sociology in the Bachelor in Communication Sciences. She also serves as Jean Monnet Coordinator for the Project EuReact 'European Renovate Actors and European public sphere' (2019-2022). Her research interests focus on Electoral Behavior and Political Communication , Public Opinion and Migration Issues , and NGOs and Communication in Mediterranean Crises . Her scholarly work examines the intersection of digital communication, electoral campaigns, and political representation, with particular attention to Italian and European contexts. She has conducted comparative analyses of electoral systems across nine European states and studied the professionalization of political campaigns in the digital age. Her publication record shows a strong trajectory of scholarly output from 2015-2020, with significant contributions to journals like Contemporary Italian Politics, Political Communication, and Participazione e Conflitto. Her research demonstrates a consistent focus on political representation, electoral behavior, and the evolving nature of political communication in the digital era, with increasing attention to migration issues and Mediterranean crises in her more recent work. Degree Award, Cesaps (Centro studi per l'azione politica e sociale, Catania), 1993 PHd Award for dissertation on 'Electoral Behavior and Political Communication. Paths of electoral abstentionism', selected by the Italian Sociology Association (AIS) and the Committee of Italian PhD Boards in Sociology, 2001 Professor Sampugnaro supervises PhD candidates including Anna D'Augusta, Francesca Montemagno, and Connie Falduzzi, and has received research funding through MIUR's FFABR grant program. She actively participates in international research collaborations including Erasmus Plus partnerships with Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, University of Salford, and Uppsala University. She serves on the Academic Board of the PhD in Political Science at the University of Catania and is a member of the Scientific Board of the Journal 'Participation and Conflict'.
Kurt Desender serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Charles III University of Madrid, specializing in corporate governance, strategic management, CSR, and financial accounting. His academic background combines Spanish and Belgian institutions with significant international research collaborations. Education: PhD in Business Economics, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona Master in Business Administration, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona Undergraduate Degree, Catholic University of Leuven Desender's research examines how ownership structures and institutional environments shape corporate governance practices across national boundaries, with particular emphasis on the strategic implications of CSR adoption. His work bridges theoretical frameworks from institutional theory and stakeholder management to analyze board behaviors and financial outcomes in multinational contexts. Analysis of his 12 publications (2010-2021) reveals consistent focus on ownership-governance dynamics, particularly institutional investors' influence and cross-national variations in CSR implementation. Key methodological approaches include large-scale comparative analyses of governance systems, with recurring themes of board monitoring effectiveness and CSR's financial materiality across diverse regulatory environments.
Prof. Dr. Gerrit Sames is a Professor of General Business Administration at Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences (THM), specializing in Organization with a focus on ERP systems. He has held leadership roles in industry, including Managing Director positions at Buderus Heiztechnik GmbH and Schott-Rohrglas GmbH, and served on the Board of Schott Solar AG. His research focuses on digitalization, Industry 4.0, and SMEs, with publications analyzing digital maturity models, business process transformation, and workforce implications. Affiliation: Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences (THM) Email: gerrit.sames@w.thm.de Research Interests: Digitalization, Industry 4.0, ERP systems, SME transformation, IT maturity models, and business process optimization. His work emphasizes practical frameworks for digital positioning and addressing organizational challenges. Recent Publications: 15+ studies on digitalization trends in SMEs, including comparative analyses between Germany and Japan, maturity models for Industry 4.0, and IT security classifications. Conference Contributions: Expert panelist at Bundestag discussions, Hannover Messe presentations, and contributions to IoT and automation congresses.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katrin Temmen is a full Professor at Paderborn University where she serves as Section Owner of Teaching Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology within the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematics . She also holds the position of Dean of Students for the same faculty, underscoring her pivotal role in shaping engineering education and student affairs. Her research is anchored in two key areas: Transformation and Education and Sustainable Materials, Processes and Products . These themes converge in her work on digital teaching technologies, augmented reality for learning, open educational resources (OER), and sustainable vocational training concepts. She explores how emerging technologies—especially 5G and mixed-reality environments—can transform engineering curricula and teacher professional development. Across her recent publications (2024–2025), Prof. Temmen investigates: systematic development of multimedia OER for electrical engineering, meta-analyses of augmented reality in education, design of digital student laboratories for teacher training, and comparative studies on self-efficacy among future technical teachers. These works collectively highlight a trajectory toward immersive, sustainable, and scalable educational innovations. Teaching portfolio: She teaches over twenty courses spanning technical writing, mechatronics and manufacturing labs, didactic project seminars, philosophy & ethics of technology, and vocational teacher preparation programs . Her courses emphasize reflective practice, project-based learning, and the integration of digital tools in engineering pedagogy. Contact information: Email: katrin.temmen@uni-paderborn.de Phone: +49 5251 60-3004 Office: Pohlweg 47-49, Room P1.6.09.2, 33098 Paderborn, Germany Office hours: by appointment
Maurizio Albahari is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame and concurrently serves as Associate Professor in the Keough School of Global Affairs. He has been a Kellogg Institute faculty fellow since 2016 and maintains a research associate position at the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies at UC San Diego. His academic work bridges anthropology with global affairs, focusing on critical issues of migration, sovereignty, and human rights in contemporary Mediterranean contexts. Albahari's research centers on migration and refugee mobility, sovereignty, democracy and human rights, citizenship, cities and aesthetics, and religious pluralism in public life. His scholarly approach examines how political and social structures shape migration experiences through the lens of social-cultural anthropology. He investigates the ethics of migration control, the politics of humanitarian response, and the lived experiences of refugees and migrants, with particular attention to Italian and European contexts. His work challenges conventional narratives about migration by emphasizing migrant agency and the political dimensions of humanitarian responses. Analysis of Albahari's publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focused on Mediterranean migration, border politics, and human rights. His work spans ethnographic studies of migration routes, critical analyses of European border policies, and examinations of the humanitarian-military complex governing migration flows. A recurring theme across his scholarship is the tension between state sovereignty and human rights in contexts of forced migration, with particular attention to how border enforcement mechanisms transform humanitarian principles into instruments of control. University of Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway Affiliated Fellowship, American Academy in Rome (2016–2017) As a Kellogg Institute faculty fellow since 2016, Albahari engages in interdisciplinary research and likely mentors students interested in migration policy and human rights. His concurrent appointment in the Keough School of Global Affairs suggests involvement in policy-relevant scholarship and advising students pursuing careers in international affairs. While specific grant details aren't provided, his research on Mediterranean migration appears supported by institutional affiliations and fellowships that facilitate cross-institutional collaboration. Albahari's work is conducted through multiple institutional affiliations, including the University of Notre Dame's Department of Anthropology, the Keough School of Global Affairs, and the Kellogg Institute. His research associate position at UC San Diego's Center for Comparative Immigration Studies indicates collaborative work across institutions. His scholarship engages with critical global issues including Catholic Social Teaching, Citizenship, Civil Society, Democracy, Globalization, Governance, Human Rights, Identity, Migration/Border Studies, Religion, Transnationalism, and Violence, reflecting a comprehensive approach to understanding contemporary migration phenomena.
Patrick Griffin is the Madden-Hennebry Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. He is affiliated with the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, the Nanovic Institute of European Studies, and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, where he served as the Thomas Moore and Judith Livingston Director from 2018 to 2024. His research focuses on the intersection of colonial American, early modern Irish, and British history, emphasizing Atlantic-wide themes such as revolution, rebellion, migration, colonization, and violence. He has authored and edited multiple influential works, including The Age of Atlantic Revolution (2023) and The Townshend Moment (2017). Griffin's publications highlight transnational dynamics of the Age of Revolution (c. 1750-1850), exploring how empires transitioned into nation-states and how individuals navigated shifting concepts of sovereignty and identity. His work spans comparative analyses of conflicts like the Seven Years' War and their impact on Atlantic societies. American Council for Learned Societies Fellowship (2004-2005) Huntington Library Fellowship (2015) Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship (1997) Filson Historical Society Fellowship (2001) James A. Burns, CSC, Graduate School Award Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy (2023) Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh (2018) Griffin earned his PhD in American history from Northwestern University, an MA in political science from Columbia University, and a BA in government and history from Notre Dame. He has served as chair of Notre Dame's Department of History (2011-2017) and contributed extensively to graduate studies.
Tümay Kadakci Koca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Geology from Dokuz Eylül University (2021), an MSc in Applied Geology (2011), and a BSc in Geological Engineering from Hacettepe University (2009). Research Focus: Engineering geology, rock mechanics, slope stability analysis, geotechnical engineering, and soft computing applications in geological problems. Academic Contributions: Over 15 publications focusing on rock slope stability in mining operations, soil burn severity mapping post-wildfires, and geomechanical properties of sedimentary rocks. Scientific Recognition: Recipient of Kemal Erguvanlı Engineering Geology Award (2022) and Altın Çekiç Geology Research/Article Award (1900). Projects: Led TÜBİTAK-funded research on post-fire soil burn severity in Muğla, contributed to dam reservoir landslide analyses, and consulted for private mining projects in Turkey. Her work integrates numerical modeling with field studies, emphasizing Turkey-specific geological challenges and environmental impacts.
Professor Theresa Gannon is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist and Director of the Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent . Her research focuses on arson , sexual offending , and treatment effectiveness for offenders. She has developed standardized treatment programs like the Firesetting Intervention Programme for Prisoners (FIPP) and FIP-MO . Her work includes creating the Compositional Explanatory Theory of Pedophilia (CEToP) and leading meta-analyses on sexual offender treatment. She has contributed to legislation on polygraph testing in the UK and examined virtual reality for firesetting rehabilitation. Scientific Awards : ESRC Outstanding Impact in Society Award (2016) Lifetime Significant Achievement Award, British Psychological Society (2019) Elected Fellow of ATSA and the Academy of Social Sciences Selected Research Trends from her 15 most recent articles include arson typologies , sexual aggression in universities , unapprehended offender studies , and forensic treatment evaluation . Notable Grants : Youth Endowment Fund Enterprise Award (2021-2024, £333,813) ESRC grants for firesetting treatment development (2011-2014, £563,311) Ministry of Justice tender for polygraph evaluation (2010-2012, £324,417)
Sebastian Wichert is the Head of the LMU-ifo Economics & Business Data Center (EBDC) since January 2022 and was Deputy Director of the ifo Center for Industrial Organization and New Technologies from 2018 to 2021. He holds a PhD in Economics from LMU Munich (2012–2018) and has affiliations with institutions like the ifo Institute and the DFG-Sonderforschungsbereich TRR 190 'Rationality & Competition'. Education: Diplom-Volkswirt (LMU Munich, 2011) Erasmus Exchange (University of Bern, 2009–2010) Abitur (Gymnasium Gröbenzell, 2006) His research interests span Big Data Economics , Health Economics , Innovation Economics , and Regional Economics . He focuses on empirical analyses of consumer behavior during crises, public transport policies, climate movements, and healthcare utilization. His scientific awards include the Science Prize of the German Society for Health Economics (2019) and admission to the Leibniz-Akademie für Führungskräfte (2022) . He has contributed to projects like the Horizon 2020 PILLARS program and Research Data Centers (RDCnet) . As a research associate at LMU Munich and ifo Institute, he has led initiatives to improve research data access and published extensively on topics such as economic recovery post-pandemic , mobility patterns , and health risk attitudes . He also teaches courses on digital transformation and empirical methods in economics .
Dr. Karlijn A. C. Meeks serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine with secondary appointment in Epidemiology & Public Health, conducting research through the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition focused on cardiometabolic diseases in African-ancestry populations across sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora. Her academic credentials include: B.Sc. in Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University (2010) M.Sc. in Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University (2012) Ph.D. in Public Health Epidemiology, University of Amsterdam (2017) Postdoctoral training in Epidemiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (2018) Postdoctoral training in Genetic Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health (2024) Dr. Meeks pioneers research in genetic and epigenetic epidemiology of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia through innovative multi-omics approaches that integrate genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics with classical epidemiological methods. Her work specifically targets historically underrepresented African populations using comparative migrant studies across geographical settings to dissect environmental versus genetic contributions to disease. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles with recent work (2019-2023) establishing foundational knowledge in African-ancestry populations through first-of-kind epigenome-wide association studies and genome-wide analyses of cytokines. Her publications in Genome Medicine , EBioMedicine , and International Journal of Epidemiology demonstrate consistent focus on Mendelian randomization, biomarker discovery, and improving risk prediction models for cardiometabolic diseases in underrepresented groups. Her major scientific recognition includes: NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) As principal investigator of the NIH K99/R00 award, Dr. Meeks leads research examining interactions between lifestyle factors, cytokines, genetic variants, and epigenetic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes pathogenesis among African-ancestry populations. While specific advisees aren't documented in source materials, her work involves extensive international collaboration through consortia like the RODAM study. Dr. Meeks operates within the University of Maryland's Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition while maintaining active research partnerships with institutions across sub-Saharan Africa and the National Institutes of Health, driving global health equity through population-specific genomic and epigenetic research frameworks.
