Amy Steigerwalt is a Professor and Department Chair of Political Science at Georgia State University’s College of Arts & Sciences. She also serves as Director of the Georgia Legislative Internship Program. Her research examines federal judicial selection, institutional roles of courts, and electoral dynamics impacting legislative behavior. Research Focus : Steigerwalt’s work bridges American politics, public law, and gender studies, with a particular emphasis on how political institutions (e.g., courts, legislatures) shape policy outcomes and electoral strategies. She has published extensively on judicial confirmations, consensus-building in courts, and the intersection of gender and political vulnerability. Scientific Awards : 2013 Hughes-Gossett Award (Journal of Supreme Court History) Choice Outstanding Academic Title (2014) Media and Public Engagement : A frequent panelist on GPB’s Political Rewind , her expertise has been cited by major outlets including the Washington Post , New York Times , and Bloomberg News .
Cristi A. Gleason is a Professor of Accounting at the Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa, holding the prestigious Carlson-KPMG Research Professorship. As Editor of The Accounting Review , she shapes scholarly discourse in the field. Her 20-year academic career spans roles at the University of Arizona and leadership as Department Executive Officer (2020-2024). PhD in Management, Cornell University MS in Business and Public Administration, Cornell University MAC in Accounting, Brigham Young University BS in Accounting, Brigham Young University Professor Gleason's research focuses on corporate financial reporting , particularly income tax disclosures , analyst forecasts , and corporate governance . Her work examines how firms strategize around unrecognized tax benefits , interim reporting , and the information environment created by analyst interactions. Over 20 publications in top journals explore these intersections, emphasizing regulatory impacts like FIN 48 and strategic board composition. Recent research trends include: Worker representation effects on corporate tax behavior Accuracy of tax expense estimation frameworks Contagion risks in accounting restatements Construct validity in accounting measurement Post-Reg FD selective disclosure mechanisms Political economy of accounting standard adoption Scientific Recognition : American Tax Association Manuscript Award (2007) Public Interest Section AAA Best Paper (2020) Recipient of multiple teaching honors, including the Gilbert P. Maynard Award (2013, 2017) and Dean's Teaching Award (2006), she mentors doctoral students through her PhD seminar while maintaining editorial service on Contemporary Accounting Research (2010-2021).
Nicolas Hebbinckuys is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, focusing on Travel Literature in early New France (16th-17th centuries) and integrating new technologies into French as a Second Language (FSL) instruction. His research explores discourse strategies in travel narratives and representations of American otherness in Renaissance and Ancien Régime texts. Education: PhD in Literary Studies (Université de Moncton, 2015), MA in Comparative Literature (ICES, France, 2006), BA in Modern Letters (ICES France & Université Sainte-Anne Canada, 2004). He develops interactive online course content and conducts language didactic experiments on persistent student errors, feedback mechanisms, and reinvestment. His publications analyze foundational New France texts, climate adaptation in early French expeditions, and literary influences between colonial authors. Professional affiliations include GRÉCUM (Critical Edition Research Group), SOCAR (Ontario Society for Early Modern Research), SE-17 (French 17th-Century Multidisciplinary Studies), and GRÉA (Acadian Studies Research Group).
Engelbert Stockhammer is Professor of Political Economy in the Department of European and International Studies at King's College London, where he joined in 2018 after previously working at Vienna University of Economics and Business (2000-2009) and Kingston University London (2010-2018), where he led the Political Economy Research Group. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and has held visiting positions at Bilkent University, German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), Maastricht University, Macroeconomic Policy Institute (IMK), and Sabanci University. His research interests focus on political economy and macroeconomics , with particular emphasis on financialisation, distribution and growth, and economic policy in Europe. His work bridges Post-Keynesian economics with comparative political economy, examining growth models, housing systems, and business cycle dynamics. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles and is actively engaged in research projects funded by organizations like the Leverhulme Trust and the Institute for New Economic Thinking. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on housing cycles, heterodox business cycle theory, and the political economy of growth models, with particular attention to European economies and historical perspectives. His work integrates macroeconomic modeling with institutional analysis, examining how financialization affects growth patterns across different economic systems. Stockhammer actively engages with policy through collaborations with international organizations including the International Labour Office (ILO), and think tanks such as the New Economics Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Renner Institute, Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, and Foundations for European Progressive Studies. He has published commentary in media outlets including The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Profil, and ORF. He leads the ongoing research project "The Political Economy of Growth Models in an Age of Stagnation" funded by the Leverhulme Trust (2021-2024), and previously led a project on "Income distribution, asset prices and aggregate demand formation 1850-2010" funded by the Institute for New Economic Thinking. His work contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to economic growth and reduced inequalities.
Lasse Niemi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting at Aalto University. He leads the Audit Research Group, which focuses on four key research teams: the value of auditing, social networks in auditing and corporate governance, digitalization in auditing, and the impact of auditors' cognitive abilities on audit quality. His work bridges traditional accounting practices with modern technological and social dynamics. Research Pillars: Voluntary Audit Demand Network Analysis in Auditing Digital Transformation Audit Quality Determinants Scientific Recognition: BEST PAPER AWARD EARNet Symposium 2001 Recent publications explore intersections of gender dynamics in auditing careers, digitalization expertise impacts on fees, and climate risk disclosures. His email is lasse.niemi@aalto.fi .
Sarah Blodgett Bermeo is an Associate Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy and Associate Professor of Political Science at Duke University, serving as Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of International Development Policy program and affiliate of the Duke Center for International Development. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Political Science, Princeton University (2008) M.A. in Political Science, Princeton University (2006) M.P.A., Princeton University (2001) B.A., University of Rochester (1997) Bermeo specializes in political economy at the intersection of international relations and development studies, with core expertise in industrialized-developing country relations. Her research examines strategic allocation of foreign aid, trade agreements, and climate finance through the lens of self-interested yet development-oriented donor behavior. Recent work intensively explores climate migration dynamics, health aid transitions, and the geopolitical implications of economic shifts in major donor countries like China. She investigates how negative spillovers from underdevelopment drive industrialized states to target assistance while protecting their own interests. Publication trends reveal consistent focus on aid allocation mechanisms since 2009, evolving from foundational work on democratization and trade adjudication toward contemporary climate migration and health system vulnerabilities. Her scholarship demonstrates increasing integration of environmental and health crises into development policy frameworks, with notable emphasis on data-driven analysis of donor behavior during global disruptions. Her scholarly recognition includes: Robert O. Keohane Award from International Organization (2016) for "Aid Is Not Oil" Bermeo directs externally funded research initiatives including a 2023-2024 USAID-focused study on China's economic slowdown implications and a 2020 SDG2 Leaders Alliance viability assessment. She mentors students through Bass Connections research teams and teaches graduate courses in globalization, policy analysis, and international political economy across Public Policy, Political Science, and International Comparative Studies departments. As MIDP Director of Graduate Studies, she leads curriculum development while collaborating with the Duke Center for International Development on practitioner-oriented research. Her Bass Connections teams specifically address technology-society intersections within migration and development contexts, producing policy-relevant outputs for international organizations.
Prof. Dr. Jonas Schützeneder is a Professor of Digital Journalism at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, where he serves as Deputy Chair of the Examination Board. He holds a doctorate in Sports Journalism and Sports Communication and completed his habilitation in Innovation Communication. His academic responsibilities include teaching digital journalism in the Management and Media program (BA/MA), with a focus on data journalism, social media strategies, and online formats. Schützeneder's research explores transformative trends in journalism, with core interests in: Artificial intelligence applications in newsrooms Social media's impact on journalism practices Innovation communication and media evolution Podcast formats and audio storytelling strategies Ethical dimensions of digital journalism His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on journalism's digital transformation, particularly examining how emerging technologies like AI and social platforms are reshaping content production, distribution, and ethical frameworks across European media landscapes. His scientific recognitions include: University Teaching Award from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (awarded twice) Multiple nominations for Teaching Award at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences Schützeneder leads the podcast project 'Held:innen von Magdeburg' where students research and produce content about contemporary and historical figures. Since 2018, he has served on the editorial board of Communicatio Socialis, an academic journal on media ethics, where he manages peer review processes. Since 2024, he co-heads the DGPuK Journalism Section, a 400-member organization within the German Society for Journalism and Communication Studies.
Wang Yingji is a tenured professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Art and Media, Tongji University. He holds a PhD in Literary Studies and has served as director of the China Culture and Art Communication Research Center, member of the China Artists Association, and editorial board member of "Media Criticism" journal. BA: Chinese Language and Literature, Renmin University of China (1995) MA: Journalism, Beijing Normal University (2004) PhD: Literary Studies, Beijing Normal University (2007) His research focuses on the intersections between Journalism and Communication, Media Phenomenology, Philosophy of Technology, and Traditional Chinese Culture. His work explores embodied cognition in media interaction, technological mediation of human perception, and historical epistemology of media systems. The articles demonstrate his expertise in media phenomenology (Hubert Dreyfus analysis), digital reading behavior studies, VR technology ideologies, and historical reconstruction of Chinese communication theories. His publications span from 2016-2022 with consistent CSSCI indexing. National Social Science Fund General Project: "Chinese Modern Public Opinion Thought History" (2021) Major Project Subtopic: "Chinese Media Archaeology in Civilizational Diversity" (2020) Ministry of Education Project: "Husserl's Media and Communication Thought" (2020) Completed NSFC Project: "Rumor Propagation and Governance in Public Emergencies" (2011) As educator, he teaches courses like "Chinese Classical Media Art", "Media Research Methods", and "Communication Theory". His administrative roles include leadership positions in the Chinese Society of Journalism History and multiple journal editorial boards.
Dr Marcin Smietana is a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge , affiliated with the Department of Sociology and the Reproductive Sociology Research Group (ReproSoc) . His work focuses on LGBTQ+ family formation , transnational surrogacy , and reproductive justice , funded by grants including a Marie Curie Fellowship and Wellcome Trust support. He teaches courses on Sociology of Gender , Health and Illness , and MPhil in Health, Medicine & Society . PhD in Sociology (University of Barcelona/AFIN) Postdoctoral work at UC Berkeley and Cambridge His research explores queer resistance to authoritarianism , racial dynamics in ART (assisted reproductive technologies), and reproductive decision-making among gay men. He co-edited the landmark volume Making Families: Transnational Surrogacy, Queer Kinship and Reproductive Justice (2018), which bridges reproductive anthropology with queer theory . Current projects examine queer ecologies and critical animal studies . Key contributions include: Identifying repro-regional moral frameworks in cross-cultural surrogacy studies (USA, India, Russia) Documenting the intersections of race and queer reproduction in international surrogacy markets Deconstructing emotional economies in U.S. commercial surrogacy He supervises dissertations on transnational surrogacy , queer kinship , and species relationships in reproduction , with publications spanning Reproductive BioMedicine & Society Online , Sociological Research Online , and edited volumes. His upcoming book examines gay men’s reproductive decision-making in transnational contexts.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Knieling (HafenCity University Hamburg) specializes in Urban Planning and Regional Development , focusing on sustainable metropolitan governance, climate resilience, and land use policy. As co-chair of Hamburg's Senate Climate Advisory Board , he drives policy recommendations on net-zero land consumption , climate action plans , and spatial governance reform . Co-chair, Hamburg Climate Advisory Board (2021–present) Member, Advisory Council for Spatial Development, German Federal Ministry Co-leader, DFG Research Training Group 'City Science Lab' Coordinator, EU projects 'SMARTilience', 'RESCUE', 'Area21' His research explores climate-resilient urban governance through comparative studies of cities like Halle (Saale) and Mannheim , emphasizing collaborative planning and smart city technologies . Recent work addresses heat action planning , spatial equity , and digital policy tools for sustainable development. Key publication trends include land consumption reduction (30 ha/day target), urban-rural partnerships , and AI in spatial planning . His Urban Governance Toolbox project (2023) exemplifies solutions for municipal climate resilience. Students under his supervision include: Leon Thümer (B.Sc., 2020 - 'Co-Creation in Real Estate') Laura-Darleen Klein (M.Sc., 2023 - 'Age-Friendly Cities') Charlotte Muhl (M.Sc., 2018 - 'Urban Commons') He leads the Urban Planning and Regional Development department, mentoring 12+ research associates and coordinating interdisciplinary projects with institutions like Goldsmiths University , Leuphana University , and Georgia Tech .
Jörg Spenkuch is an Associate Professor of Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, where he has been since 2013. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics (2013) and M.A. (2009) from the University of Chicago, and dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Business Administration (2007) from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Education: Ph.D., 2013, Economics, University of Chicago M.A., 2009, Economics, University of Chicago B.A., 2007, Economics, University of St. Gallen B.A., 2007, Business Administration, University of St. Gallen Professor Spenkuch's research bridges political economy and applied microeconomics , with a focus on ideological behavior, strategic decision-making, and social dynamics. His work examines topics like: Political Economy: Campaign finance, electoral accountability, and ideological sorting. Behavioral Economics: Satisficing behavior, memory-driven choices, and strategic voting. Public Policy: School desegregation effects, bureaucratic performance, and immigration-crime linkages. His recent publications analyze: Long-term ideological shifts from 1975 school desegregation (2025 working paper). Memory premiums in decision-making (2025 working paper). Complexity's role in chess strategy (2024 Review of Economic Studies ). Political accountability during natural disasters (2025 American Economic Journal ). Scientific Recognition: MinE Best Paper Award (European Economic Association) Chair's Core Teaching Award Deutschlands "Top 40 unter 40" (Capital magazine) FEEM Award (European Economic Association) Best Paper Award, RGS Doctoral Conference At Kellogg, he teaches Leadership and Crisis Management (PACT-440-5) and Business Analytics (DECS-435-0). His work has been published in top journals like Econometrica , American Economic Review , Quarterly Journal of Economics , and Review of Economic Studies , covering topics from partisan spatial sorting to expressive vs. strategic voting behavior.
Dr. Charles Rougé is a Senior Lecturer in Water Resilience at the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield. He holds an MSc and PhD, and his career spans top institutions in France, the US, Canada, and the UK. 2018–present: University of Sheffield (Lecturer → Senior Lecturer) 2023–2026: Principal Investigator, EPSRC-funded project on water-energy systems under climate change and energy transition Research Focus: Modelling complex water resource systems to enhance resilience against climate change, with a growing emphasis on water-energy nexus challenges. His work integrates hydrology, power systems engineering, economics, and decision theory. Key Trends: 15 most recent articles span climate-perturbed hydrological models, water-energy system coupling, socio-hydrology applications, and transboundary water governance. Many showcase interdisciplinary approaches to water infrastructure flexibility and uncertainty quantification. Scientific Awards: 2019 Quentin Martin Best Practice Award (JWRPM) 2015 Editor's Citation for Excellence (WRR) Grants: EPSRC grant (UKRI) for 'Flexible design and operation of water resource systems' (2023–2026) Team Leadership: Leads the 'Water resilience' research group at Sheffield, mentoring early-career researchers in water system sustainability and low-carbon energy transition.
Waqqas Afif, MD, M.Sc., FRCPC, is an Investigator at the RI-MUHC (Montreal General Hospital site) within the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program . He holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University , and is affiliated with the Division of Gastroenterology at the MUHC . His research focuses on the safety and efficacy of biologic medications in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) , with a specific emphasis on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) to optimize patient outcomes. Key areas include Biologic therapy optimization Endoscopic and histologic remission Drug concentration analysis Mucosal healing Predictive biomarkers Real-world treatment patterns Scientific Contributions : His recent work explores histologic activity in UC relapse proactive TDM strategies ustekinumab dose escalation in Crohn's guselkumab efficacy in UC metabolic comorbidities in IBD personalized infliximab dosing and other topics published in journals like Inflamm Bowel Dis , Gastroenterology , and Am J Gastroenterol . For contact, email waqqas.afif@mcgill.ca .
Rachel Hess, MD, MS is Professor of Population Health Sciences and Internal Medicine and Associate Vice President for Research-Health Sciences at the University of Utah Schools of the Health Sciences. She co-directs the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute and was founding Chief of the Division of Health System Innovation and Research (2014-2022). A board-certified General Internist and internationally recognized health-services researcher, she focuses on translating evidence into practice through health-information technology and patient-centered outcomes. Education & Training MD – University of New Mexico School of Medicine MS Clinical Research – University of Pittsburgh Fellowship – General Internal Medicine & Women’s Health, University of Pittsburgh / VA Pittsburgh Medical Center Chief Residency – Internal Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital Residency – Internal Medicine, Temple University Hospital BA Mathematics – Washington University in St. Louis Research Focus Dr Hess’s program is dedicated to improving patient-centered outcomes by leveraging implementation science, health-information technology, and patient-reported measures. Her work spans: Design and nationwide deployment of EHR-integrated clinical decision support for cancer genetics, lung-cancer screening, heart-failure management, and antibiotic stewardship. Large multi-site pragmatic trials (ADAPTABLE, RECOVER, BRIDGE, MAINTAIN) examining effectiveness, equity, and scalability of digital-health interventions. Women’s health across the lifespan, including studies on menopause, sexual function, and post-COVID sequelae. Advanced analytics linking patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with healthcare utilization and cost. Scientific Awards & Recognition Board Certification, American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine) Leadership of NIH RECOVER Consortium adult cohort—one of the largest studies of Long COVID worldwide Principal investigator on >$50 million in federal and foundation funding (PCORI, NHLBI, NCI, AHRQ, CDC) Leadership & Service As Associate Vice President for Research she sets strategic priorities for the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Health. She co-chairs the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute, oversees campus-wide clinical-trials infrastructure, and mentors interdisciplinary teams spanning informatics, behavioral science, epidemiology, and clinical medicine. Laboratories & Teams Dr Hess leads the Health System Innovation and Research (HSIR) group—an interdisciplinary unit of data scientists, implementation researchers, clinicians, and patient partners—dedicated to rapid-cycle testing and national scale-up of digital-health solutions.
Eva Vetter is a full Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with both the Department for Teacher Education and the Department of Linguistics . She specializes in multilingualism, language teaching methodologies, and minority language education, with a focus on integrating climate justice themes into linguistic pedagogy. Email: eva.vetter@univie.ac.at Office: Porzellangasse 4, 1st floor, 1090 Vienna Her research interests include: Applied linguistics in educational contexts Minoritized language preservation Language policy and equity Interdisciplinary approaches to multilingualism Recent teaching activities focus on: Developing communication spaces for multilingual learners Empirical research methods in language education Climate justice integration in linguistic curricula Doctoral supervision in applied linguistics She actively mentors educators through professional development programs and leads research initiatives at the intersection of linguistics and teacher education.
