Jonatan Wistrand is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Lund University's Department of History of Medicine and affiliated with the Birgit Rausing Centre for Medical Humanities. His research examines the intersection of physician identity and patient experiences through literary narratives and historical analysis. Expertise in Medical Humanities Active in UN Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health & Well-being Research focuses on: Doctor-patient role transitions in medical narratives Medical knowledge exchange in the Baltic Sea region University history and medical ethics Recent publications analyze empathy, historical diagnosis, and medical decision-making. Active in networks related to compassion, future healthscapes, and literature-based health interventions. Scientific Awards: Dr Axel Hirschs pris (2025) Sandblomstipendiet (2018)
Associate Professor James N. Kirby is a Clinical Psychologist and Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland. He holds affiliate positions at the Parenting and Family Support Centre, Early Cognitive Development Centre, and Centre for Health Outcomes, Innovation and Clinical Education (CHOICE), all within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Additionally, he maintains a Visiting Fellowship at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University and is an Honorary Member of the Compassionate Mind Foundation UK. Dr. Kirby earned his Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland. His expertise spans clinical psychology with a specialization in compassion research and interventions. Dr. Kirby's research focuses on compassion and its applications in mental health. His work examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding, with particular attention to how compassion-focused interventions help address self-criticism and shame underlying depression and anxiety disorders. His research spans multiple domains including parenting, athlete well-being, mental health in the performing arts, and compassion in healthcare settings. He investigates compassion from multiple angles: as a transdiagnostic treatment target, its neurophysiological correlates, its relationship to social rank and attachment, and its application in diverse populations including autistic adults and fathers. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical compassion-focused interventions across diverse contexts. There's a clear trend toward examining compassion's physiological correlates (particularly heart rate variability), its application in specific populations (autistic adults, athletes, performing artists), and its role in addressing specific mental health challenges like weight stigma in lipoedema. His work increasingly incorporates digital assessment tools and examines compassion in everyday life through experience sampling methods. The research demonstrates how compassion functions as a cross-cutting therapeutic mechanism applicable across multiple mental health conditions. Associate Editor, Mindfulness journal Associate Editor, Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice Author of Choose Compassion (2022) Co-editor of Making an Impact on Mental Health (2020) Co-author of Essentials of Compassion Focused Therapy: A Practice Manual for Clinicians (2024) Dr. Kirby is actively involved in research supervision, currently overseeing multiple PhD candidates across diverse projects related to compassion. His current supervision includes research on deepening self-compassion, online compassion skills training, compassion in healthcare, gender and sexuality perspectives on body image, and compassion-based interventions for caregivers of children born preterm. He has successfully supervised several PhD students to completion, with research focusing on social and affective impacts of attachment, compassion-focused therapy for body weight shame, neurophysiological correlates of compassion, and compassion in parenting contexts. His grants portfolio includes projects funded by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Anglicare Southern Queensland, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, and YoungCare Ltd. As Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group, Dr. Kirby leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to advancing the science and application of compassion. His current research examines compassion in blood donation, the justice system, traumatic pregnancy, and compassionate decision-making, demonstrating the breadth and impact of his work across multiple domains of human experience.
Victoria Hemming is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. She is also a Decision Analyst at Compass Resource Management and an Honorary Research Associate at the Martin Conservation Decisions Lab, UBC. Her work bridges decision science, risk analysis, and behavioral sciences to address natural resource management challenges. Education: PhD in Environmental Science and Ecology, University of Melbourne (2019); BSc (Hons) in Botany, University of Melbourne (2009); BASc in Environmental Science, Geography, and Ecology, University of Melbourne (2008) Research Interests: Victoria focuses on improving decision quality under uncertainty, overcoming data deficiencies through structured expert elicitation, and addressing the decision-implementation gap in conservation. Her work integrates Indigenous knowledge, climate change impacts, and co-benefits frameworks to enhance biodiversity outcomes. Article Trends: Recent publications emphasize expert elicitation protocols (IDEA and Classical Model), decision-making under uncertainty, ecosystem-based climate solutions, and interdisciplinary applications of decision science in conservation and urban planning. Scientific Awards 2022 Top Downloaded Article: An Introduction to Decision Science for Conservation 2020 Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in PhD thesis 2018 Editor Recommendation: A Practical Guide to Structured Expert Elicitation Teaching & Mentorship: She co-developed UBC’s CONS440 course and led workshops on expert elicitation and decision science. Her mentorship includes PhD and Masters students working on urban forestry, marine conservation, and threat management.
Dr. Jenny Gu is an Associate Tutor in the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex, with a secondary role as a Support Worker in Student Advice and Guidance. She holds a PhD from the University of Sussex (2018) focusing on mindfulness and compassion interventions. Her research interests span mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), compassion measurement, healthcare worker well-being, psychometric scale development, and clinical trial methodologies. She has contributed to studies on youth mental health interventions, healthcare staff stress reduction, and the neuroscientific basis of brain structure variation. Notable projects include the EYE-2 trial on engagement strategies for psychosis patients and evaluations of mindfulness-based programs for stress management. Education: PhD in Psychology (2018): University of Sussex, Thesis: 'Mindfulness and compassion: measurement and mechanisms of interventions' Research Highlights: Her work emphasizes translating mindfulness and compassion research into practical healthcare applications. Key areas include validating compassion scales (e.g., Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales), analyzing mindfulness questionnaire efficacy, and designing clinical trials for youth mental health. She also explores interventional strategies to improve engagement in first-episode psychosis care and reduce workplace stress among healthcare professionals. Grants & Collaboration: Her collaborative projects involve institutions like King's College London and the University of Oxford, focusing on randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. Funding sources include mental health research grants and university partnerships. Labs/Teams: Active within the University of Sussex's clinical psychology research group, contributing to interdisciplinary mental health initiatives.
Steven Waller is a Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Recreation and Sport Management at the University of Tennessee, within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. His academic career spans over three decades, with leadership roles including Co-Director of the Sport and Religion Research Alliance. Education: He holds a DMin in Pastoral Care and Counseling from United Theological Seminary, a PhD in Parks & Recreation Administration from Michigan State University, and additional degrees in Public Administration and Recreation Management from the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University. Research focuses on organizational behavior in recreation/sport organizations, diversity equity inclusion (DEI), and the intersection of religion and sport. Notable areas include barriers to career advancement for minorities, institutional evil in organizational culture, and sport chaplaincy professionalization. Recent projects examine African American career mobility patterns and the impact of religiosity on athlete families. Key publications address sport chaplaincy identity formation, compassion fatigue in therapeutic settings, and systemic racial inequities in sport structures. His work bridges faith-based practices with sport management through interdisciplinary frameworks. Received 2021 CEHHS Equity Summer Institute Certification 2017 Literary Award from Christian Society for Kinesiology 2015 Meritorious Service Award (Knox County Parks Board) Teaching incorporates Jack Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory, emphasizing critical reflection and adult learning styles. Current appointments include Editorial Board roles for multiple journals, and leadership in diversity initiatives through UTK's Division of Diversity and Engagement. Active in community service: Board member of Project GRAD Knoxville and the International Sports Chaplaincy Federation. Serves on editorial boards for Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology , Journal of Public Management and Social Policy , and others. Led the 2020 Special Issue on Diversity in Aquatics for International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education , addressing systemic barriers in swimming access and equity initiatives.
Rebecca Baelen is a Research Fellow in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her work focuses on mindfulness-based interventions in educational settings, with a particular emphasis on teacher well-being, social-emotional learning (SEL), and youth development. She has contributed to developing scalable mindfulness programs for K-12 educators and students, emphasizing culturally responsive practices and teacher-centered approaches to professional development. Her research also explores leadership frameworks rooted in mindfulness and yoga to improve school culture and organizational change. Key areas of research include: Mindfulness training for educators to enhance social-emotional competencies Optimal program design for youth across developmental stages Teacher resilience through self-compassion interventions Implementation science for school-based programs Her work bridges educational psychology, leadership studies, and contemplative practices, addressing systemic challenges in scaling mindfulness initiatives. Recent studies highlight barriers to student motivation in mindfulness programs and propose innovative solutions for universal school interventions.
Hanna Bäckström Olofsson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Umeå University. Her work bridges Gender Studies, Public Health, and Social Work, focusing on issues of social inequality, gender-based violence, and feminist activism. She leads the project *Negotiating the risk of segregation* examining responses to socioeconomic segregation in Umeå, and co-leads research on social services' approaches to gender-based violence. Her postdoctoral work focuses on feminist youth empowerment centers in Sweden. She holds a PhD in Gender Studies (2020) from Umeå University, exploring altruism and activism in civil society. Her research interests include feminist ethics, community development, digital activism, and the intersection of public policy with gendered violence. Notable projects include analyzing how social services identify violence through question-centered protocols and studying peer-support networks for young women's mental health. She has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed articles since 2015, addressing topics from migrant ideologies to app-based interventions against violence. Education: PhD (Gender Studies, Umeå University, 2020) Grants: Involved in projects funded by Forte (2021–2025) and others Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in social work, gender studies, and public health Her work emphasizes practical interventions while critiquing systemic barriers, blending theoretical frameworks from feminist ethics with participatory research methods.
Dr. Patrick Vogel is a Habilitation candidate and researcher in the Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) group at the University of Würzburg's Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Experimental Physics V. His work focuses on advancing MPI technology for clinical applications, including imaging safety assessments, interventional procedures, and nanoparticle-based diagnostics. He contributes to the development of portable MPI scanners and hybrid imaging systems, collaborating with the AG Behr research group. His research spans magnetic particle spectroscopy, vascular imaging, and biomaterial characterization. Vogel has pioneered studies on MPI-guided endovascular interventions and the application of MPI in perfusion models. His work bridges physics, biomedical engineering, and clinical practice, with a focus on translating MPI into real-world medical diagnostics and surgery support. Key projects include the design of human-sized MPI scanners, safety evaluations of medical implants, and the use of synthetic tracers like Synomag®. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address challenges in vascular imaging, nanoparticle behavior analysis, and real-time imaging systems.
Dr. Pei-Chun Tsai is an Associate Professor in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. She previously served as an assistant and later associate professor at Radford University, where she advanced her research and teaching in counseling psychology. She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University and a master’s in Counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University-Bloomington. PhD in Counseling Psychology – Iowa State University M.S.Ed. in Counseling and Counselor Education – Indiana University Bloomington Bachelor’s Degree – National Taipei University of Education, Taiwan Dr. Tsai’s research centers on strength-based approaches to coping with adversity, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities, international students, and counseling trainees. She investigates how culturally relevant resources such as bicultural competence, collective self-esteem, and supervisory alliances moderate the impact of discrimination and stress on mental health outcomes. Her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on identity, discrimination, and resilience. Across her work, themes of language barriers, racial microaggressions, and acculturative stress emerge, analyzed through the lens of protective coping mechanisms. Her research often employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, with a strong emphasis on culturally sensitive assessment and intervention. Dr. Tsai has been recognized with several awards, including: Outstanding Counseling Psychology Graduate Student Award University Teaching Excellence Award Diversity in Psychological Science Graduate Research Award She is actively involved in mentoring future psychologists and has collaborated on national and international research projects. Currently, she is leading a qualitative study with colleagues from San Francisco University on non-native English-speaking faculty in the U.S., exploring their developmental trajectories and coping strategies. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes empowering students by helping them identify and utilize their personal strengths in clinical practice. Dr. Tsai also maintains strong ties to her cultural roots, often integrating insights from Taiwanese traditions, particularly around food and care, into her personal and professional life.
Kevin O'Sullivan is a Professor at the University of Galway, specializing in global history with a focus on environmental history, humanitarianism, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He co-leads the AHRC-funded 'Sites of Fracture' project (2025-2027) and collaborates with the community-focused 'This/OUR' initiative in Cork. His research explores the socio-economic transformations of Ireland through ecological lenses and the evolution of sustainable development paradigms. Education: PhD, Trinity College Dublin (2008) Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, University College Dublin (2009–2011) Marie Curie Fellowship, University of Birmingham (2011–2012) His research spans environmental history, decolonisation, and the role of NGOs in shaping global justice. Recent projects include 'Green Fractures: Capitalism, Climate, and Community in Ireland since the 1970s' and 'Sustainability in Practice: A Global History, from the Oil Crisis to the SDGs', analyzing historical models of sustainable energy and economic organization. Key scientific awards include Honorary Research Fellowships at the University of Birmingham and IRCHSS scholarships. He has taught modules like 'Globalisation since 1945' and 'The Environment since 1945', and served on the Royal Irish Academy's Standing Committee for International Affairs since 2020 as editor of the Documents on Irish Foreign Policy project.
Meera Alagaraja is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Administration & Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University's College of Education. Her research focuses on adult learning, performance improvement, and strategic HRD, emphasizing workforce development and organizational well-being. She collaborates with nonprofits to align community well-being with workforce priorities and partners with private-sector organizations to align HR policies with strategic objectives. Her research spans three primary areas: 1) employee well-being programs and health policies, 2) strategic HRD frameworks for organizational performance, and 3) community-based workforce development initiatives. Notable projects include studies on Black American community well-being, empathic organizational leadership, and burnout prevention in military contexts. Dr. Alagaraja's recent work explores intersections between cultural identity (e.g., multiracial student belongingness) and organizational dynamics. Her articles analyze topics like lean management practices, global HRD strategies in emerging markets (e.g., Ghana), and compassion in leadership behavior. While no formal awards are listed, her prolific publication record indicates sustained scholarly contributions to HRD and adult education. Her advising and grant activities are not explicitly detailed in the text, though her collaborations suggest involvement in community-based research projects. No specific labs or teams are mentioned, though her work involves partnerships with non-profits and multinational organizations.
Martin Voracek is a Professor of Psychological Research Methods at the University of Vienna, Faculty of Psychology, where he serves as Deputy Head of the Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology. He is also Head of School and Speaker for the Vienna Doctoral School CoBeNe, Director of Doctoral Studies for Psychology, Cognition, Behaviour and Neuroscience, and Chair of the University of Vienna Ethics Committee. Professor Voracek specializes in meta-analysis and systematic reviews, focusing on methodology for research synthesis and integration, including publication bias and evidence distortion in empirical research. His work also encompasses individual differences research, particularly biological bases of personality and behavior, and suicide research. His extensive publication record spans topics including psychological methods, mindfulness studies, digit ratio research (2D:4D), and cross-cultural psychological measurement. Voracek's research output demonstrates a clear trend toward large-scale, multinational collaborative studies, particularly in developing measurement-invariant psychological instruments across diverse populations. His recent work has focused on validating scales across 65 nations and 40+ languages, examining constructs like life satisfaction, self-compassion, body appreciation, and nature connectedness. His methodological expertise is evident in numerous meta-analyses and systematic reviews across diverse psychological domains. Among his notable scientific contributions are leadership roles in the Network of Open Science Initiatives at Psychology Departments (NOSI) and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Individual Differences. His work has significantly advanced methodological approaches to psychological research, particularly in meta-analysis and research synthesis. Professor Voracek supervises numerous theses and leads doctoral education through the Vienna Doctoral School CoBeNe. His teaching portfolio includes courses on research approaches in cognitive psychology, master's thesis seminars, and specialized research seminars focusing on metascience, meta-analysis, scientific discourse analysis, and language neuroscience.
Alinne Barrera, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Full Professor at Palo Alto University, where she serves as Director of the PhD Clinical Psychology Program. She joined PAU in 2009 and is an internationally recognized expert in perinatal mental health, depression prevention, and digital intervention adaptations for underserved populations. Her prior leadership roles include serving as Chief of the Adult Psychosocial Interventions Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), where she managed extramural grants and provided technical assistance for clinical trials implementing evidence-based treatments. Her research focuses on: Developing scalable digital mental health tools (e.g., Mothers and Babies Online Course, BabyText SMS program) Adapting interventions for diverse perinatal populations Addressing health disparities through technology-enabled solutions She leads the Maternal And Digital Research for Equitable Solutions (MADRES) Lab and has advised organizations including the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health and digital health platforms EmmaWell and Canopie. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2018-2025) reveals strong emphasis on: Digital prevention of perinatal depression through web/SMS platforms Cultural adaptations for Latinx, Black, and adolescent populations Implementation science in real-world settings Validation of assessment tools and user-centered design frameworks Dr. Barrera holds a PhD and MA in Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Dr. Julie Maslowsky is an Associate Professor of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and Associate Professor of Health Behavior and Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She is also a Research Associate Professor at the UM Institute for Social Research. Her work focuses on adolescent health with a particular emphasis on sexual and reproductive health including contraception and abortion. Dr. Maslowsky's research integrates adolescent developmental science with population and reproductive health to inform developmentally appropriate policies and practices. She is a team scientist, builder, and interdisciplinary scholar whose work has been funded by multiple institutes of the NIH. She founded Youth Reproductive Equity, the nation's leading research collaborative focused on adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health post-Dobbs v. Jackson. Her research interests span adolescent development and health, sexual and reproductive health, population health, health policy, and health equity. Dr. Maslowsky has received notable awards including the Outstanding Adolescent Health Initiative from the University of Michigan Adolescent Health Initiative, being named a Public Voices Fellow by The Op-Ed Project, and receiving the Compassion in Action Award presented by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dr. Maslowsky is currently leading several major research projects: Creating a state-level policy data dashboard to facilitate research on reproductive health (NICHD R01HD115716, PI, 9/16/2024-5/31/2029) Development of a digital decision support tool to facilitate developmentally appropriate adolescent contraceptive counseling in primary care (NICHD R21HD107460, PI, 9/12/2022-8/31/2024) Research roadmap on policy-ready research for youth abortion access (William T. Grant Foundation, PI, 1/1/2023-12/31/2023) Her publications demonstrate strong focus on adolescent perspectives on contraception post-Dobbs, the impact of abortion restrictions on minors, and the role of developmental science in reproductive health policy. Her work appears in high-impact journals including JAMA, Health Affairs, Pediatrics, and JAMA Pediatrics. Dr. Maslowsky serves on multiple professional organizations: Co-Director of Social Science and Medicine at the Center for History, Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Ethics in Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School (2025-present) Affiliate, Institute for Health Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan (2024-present) Affiliate, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan (2024-present) Society of Family Planning (Chair of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Special Interest Group, 2021-2025) As an educator, Dr. Maslowsky teaches courses on social determinants of health, intervention development, implementation science, and grant writing. She actively mentors students and is currently accepting new PhD students. Her media appearances in outlets like The Washington Post, NPR, and The Conversation demonstrate her commitment to translating research into public discourse on adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Dr. Cassandra Tellegen is a Teaching Associate at the School of Psychology within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Queensland. She serves as Curriculum Development Leader at the Parenting and Family Support Centre (PFSC), where she is responsible for updating and creating Triple P training materials. As a clinical psychologist and board-approved clinical supervisor who completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2013 at UQ, she has established herself as a significant contributor to the field of developmental psychology and evidence-based parenting interventions. Dr. Tellegen earned both her Bachelor (Honours) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Queensland. Her doctoral research focused on parenting children with developmental disabilities, specifically evaluating the Stepping Stones Triple P-Positive Parenting Program for children with autism spectrum disorders. Her primary research interests center on developmental disabilities with a special emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Tellegen's work extensively explores behavioral family interventions, particularly the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) system. She investigates parenting self-efficacy, implementation science of evidence-based parenting programs, and compassion-based interventions. Her research often employs meta-analytic approaches and examines how parenting programs can be effectively implemented across various contexts including educational settings and with diverse populations. A notable aspect of her work is the development and validation of measurement tools for assessing parental adjustment and self-regulation. Analysis of Dr. Tellegen's publication record reveals a strong trajectory focused on implementation science of parenting interventions, particularly examining factors that facilitate or hinder successful adoption of evidence-based programs in real-world settings. Her recent work has increasingly focused on parenting self-efficacy, home-school partnerships, and compassion-based interventions. Methodologically, she frequently employs meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials, and structural equation modeling to understand complex relationships in family systems and implementation contexts. Dr. Tellegen actively supervises doctoral students at the University of Queensland, serving as Principal Advisor for research on parent mental health symptoms and family adjustment outcomes, and as Associate Advisor for studies examining parental self-regulation in home-school partnerships. She has secured research funding, including a past grant from the Edmund Rice Overseas Aid Fund for a randomized controlled trial of a parenting program for Kenyan parents living in poverty. Her work bridges academic research with practical application through her role at the Parenting and Family Support Centre. As Curriculum Development Leader at the PFSC, Dr. Tellegen works closely with the Parenting and Family Support Centre team, contributing to the development and refinement of evidence-based parenting interventions. Her work bridges academic research with practical application, ensuring that parenting programs are both scientifically rigorous and accessible to practitioners and families. She regularly presents her findings at national and international conferences, including the Australian Association for Research in Education and the Helping Families Change Conference.
