Dr. Kyla Walters is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Sonoma State University. Her research focuses on gender, labor, and education policy, particularly exploring issues of inequality in retail work, sexual harassment in industries, and resistance to charter school expansion. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Current research includes an interview-based study on beauty appraisals during pregnancy and childbirth, conducted with Sonoma State sociology students. Her work has been published in journals like Sociology of Race and Ethnicity and Hospitality & Society , as well as in the book Walking Mannequins (University of California Press, 2022). She has also contributed to policy analyses on teacher union resistance to educational reforms.
Prof. Dr. Frank Ulbrich is a Lecturer and Programme Director for the BSc Business Administration at the Lucerne School of Business (HSLU). He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics. His academic career spans roles at universities in Sweden, the UK, Canada, and Switzerland, alongside IT & Management consulting experience. Research focuses on management education, project management, information management, and organizational change. He has published extensively in areas like shared services, digital transformation, and curriculum development. Notable awards include multiple Emerald Literati Awards and a Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. Education: PhD in Business Administration (Stockholm School of Economics) Affiliations: Institute of Business and Regional Economics at HSLU Teaching Subjects: Academic Methods, Higher Education Management, Project Management, Digital Transformation Recent presentations include discussions on bridging academia-industry gaps, curriculum integration of SDGs, and data-driven learning strategies. His work emphasizes aligning education with labor market needs and advancing evidence-based teaching practices.
John P. O'Doherty serves as the Fletcher Jones Professor of Decision Neuroscience within Caltech's Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, holding continuous faculty appointments since 2004 (Assistant Professor 2004-07, Associate Professor 2007-09, Professor 2009-present, Fletcher Jones Professor 2021-present). He previously directed the Caltech Brain Imaging Center (2013-17) and maintains affiliations with the T&C Chen Center for Social and Decision Neuroscience. His educational background includes a B.A. from University of Dublin, Trinity College (1996) and D.Phil. from University of Oxford (2000). His research focuses on computational and neural mechanisms of reward-based learning and decision-making , employing fMRI, intracranial recordings, and mathematical modeling to investigate how the brain solves complex decision problems through evolutionarily conserved algorithms. Key areas include Reinforcement learning systems (model-based/model-free arbitration) Observational and social learning mechanisms Neural representation of value, risk, and uncertainty Computational phenotyping of mental disorders Temporal dynamics of goal persistence Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in computational psychiatry (problem gambling, autism traits), hierarchical decision-making, and neuroeconomic modeling of social behavior. His work consistently integrates cross-species computational frameworks with human neuroimaging to identify transdiagnostic mechanisms. While specific awards beyond his endowed professorship aren't detailed, his leadership as Brain Imaging Center Director and prolific high-impact publications demonstrate significant recognition. Current advising includes graduate researcher Sneha Aenugu on goal-persistence projects, with administrative support from Mary A. Martin (mmartin@caltech.edu). His active research program continues to pioneer computational approaches to understanding decision pathologies.
Jeff B Murray serves as Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Marketing at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, teaching in the full-time MBA, Executive MBA, and Marketing Doctoral programs. His leadership extends to international doctoral seminars across Europe and Australia, reflecting his scholarly influence. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. His research program examines critical marketing, interpretive consumer research, and philosophy of science through frameworks like Consumer Culture Theory and Transformative Consumer Research. Murray's scholarly contributions reveal a trajectory from foundational critical theory toward contemporary applications in arts markets, sustainable fashion, and digital consumption. His work consistently bridges philosophical inquiry with empirical consumer phenomena, emphasizing emancipatory interests and societal transformation. Recent publications demonstrate growing interdisciplinary engagement with sociology, anthropology, and sustainability studies. Outstanding All-Around Professor Award (2002) Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award (2002) Editorial board service for leading journals including Journal of Consumer Research He mentors doctoral students now holding faculty positions globally, with recent workshops in Germany, France, and Scandinavia highlighting his international impact. His professional engagements span the American Marketing Association, Association for Consumer Research, and American Sociological Association, where he contributes to critical theory development through initiatives like Consumer Culture Theory. Murray maintains active scholarly networks through Transformative Consumer Research and regularly presents at international conferences, advancing critical perspectives on marketing's societal role.
Dr. Jasper Fessmann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis, joining in 2023 after serving at West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Florida, a Qualifying Certificate in University-Level Teaching from Technical University Berlin, and degrees in International Public Relations (MA, Boston University), Communication Arts (BA), and Philosophy (BA) from Georgia Southern University. His research focuses on public interest communications (PIC), international public relations, disinformation, and crisis communications. He pioneered the PIC field to advance social change, particularly countering climate denial campaigns. His work emphasizes strategic communication for NGOs, governments, and Fortune 500 companies, informed by 15 years in international PR agencies and pro bono projects on Holocaust remembrance. His publications analyze climate change communication strategies, crisis management, and non-profit communication frameworks. Recent articles address gamification in education to combat misinformation and cross-cultural crisis responses. His research bridges theoretical foundations and practical applications of strategic communication for societal benefit. Dr. Fessmann has no listed awards but has contributed to public interest initiatives globally. His advising and grants are not detailed in available texts, though his academic work suggests ongoing engagement with PIC and climate communication projects. He teaches university-level courses and maintains an office at Meeman Journalism 330.
Dr. Ian Yi Han is an Assistant Professor at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Co-Director of the Center for Health Intervention and Policy Evaluation Research (HIPER). His research focuses on evaluating community-based health interventions, telehealth programs, and the impact of built environments on health behaviors. He holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Nutrition from Columbia University, an M.A. in Psychology in Education, and a B.Sc. in Neural Science & Psychology from New York University. Key research areas include programme evaluation, population health, health services research, and dietary behaviors. He explores how interventions can improve patient experiences and population health outcomes, particularly through telemedicine and lifestyle modifications. His work has been published in journals like npj Digital Medicine, Metabolism, and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Notable projects include studies on blood pressure telemonitoring, diabetes management during the pandemic, and supermarket intervention strategies for obesity prevention. Dr. Han has contributed to policy initiatives through roles such as Senior Research Fellow at the National University Health System and Lecturer at Columbia University. He advises on primary care research and collaborates on global health projects, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions to public health challenges.
Darren Dahl is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business , holding the RBC Financial Group Professor of Entrepreneurship chair. His research focuses on new product development , creativity , consumer emotions , social influence , and social marketing . Education: BCom from the University of Alberta, PhD from UBC Leadership: Dean of the Sauder School of Business Research Trends: Recent work emphasizes innovation strategies , consumer identity dynamics , ethical marketing , and social impact . He explores how organizational structures influence perceptions, the role of identity in consumption, and the psychological drivers of prosocial behavior. Contact: Office HA 769, Tel: 604-822-8556, Email: darren.dahl@sauder.ubc.ca
Lorrie Faith Cranor is the Director and Bosch Distinguished Professor in Security and Privacy Technologies at the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute, and the FORE Systems University Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. She also directs the CyLab Usable Privacy and Security Laboratory (CUPS) and co-directs the MSIT-Privacy Engineering master’s program. She previously served as Chief Technologist at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and is a co-founder of Wombat Security Technologies. Carnegie Mellon University – CyLab Security and Privacy Institute School of Computer Science – Department of Computer Science College of Engineering – Department of Engineering and Public Policy PhD Program in Societal Computing Human-Computer Interaction Institute (affiliate) Heinz College (affiliate) Dr. Cranor’s research centers on usable privacy and security, privacy engineering, and technology policy. Her work spans authentication systems, privacy policies, IoT security, and human behavior in digital environments. She has pioneered research on password usability, privacy labels (e.g., 'nutrition labels' for privacy), and privacy decision-making. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates computer science, public policy, and behavioral science to create systems that are both secure and user-friendly. Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on privacy interfaces, consent mechanisms, IoT security labels, and user comprehension of digital privacy. Trends include evaluating the usability of privacy controls across platforms, designing tools for developers to generate accurate privacy disclosures, and understanding user behavior in online tracking and advertising contexts. Her work frequently appears in top venues such as CHI, SOUPS, and PETS. ACM CHI Academy inductee ACM Fellow IEEE Fellow 2018 ACM CHI Social Impact Award 2018 International Association of Privacy Professionals Privacy Leadership Award 2018 IEEE Cybersecurity Award for Practice Alumni Achievement Award, McKelvey School of Engineering Top 100 Innovator under 35, Technology Review Dr. Cranor has advised numerous PhD students in interdisciplinary programs including Societal Computing, Engineering and Public Policy, and Human-Computer Interaction. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, DARPA, and industry partners. She serves on the boards of the Computing Research Association, Center for Democracy and Technology, and Electronic Privacy Information Center. She is a frequent media commentator on privacy and security issues. She leads the CyLab Usable Privacy and Security Laboratory (CUPS), a multidisciplinary research group that includes faculty and students from computer science, policy, and HCI. The lab focuses on making privacy and security systems more intuitive, effective, and user-controlled. Key projects include the Usable Privacy Policy Project, privacy nutrition labels, and the Personalized Privacy Assistant Project.
Emie Yiannaka is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, affiliated with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Her research focuses on the economic impacts of new technologies and policies in the agri-food sector, including genetically modified products, food fraud, and consumer behavior. Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, University of Saskatchewan (2002) M.Sc. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute at Chania, Greece (1996) M.A. in Agricultural Policy, Mediterranean Agronomic Institute at Chania, Greece (1995) B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (1994) Her research spans topics such as innovation economics, intellectual property strategies, consumer acceptance of food technologies, and the economic effects of corporate social responsibility. Recent work examines food fraud deterrence, information avoidance behavior, and ecosystem services valuation. She has published extensively in journals like Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics , PLOS ONE , and American Journal of Agricultural Economics . Yiannaka has taught courses including Agricultural Marketing in Multinational Environments, Applied Welfare Economics, and Innovation Strategies. She has mentored numerous advisees, including Mavroutsikos C., Deka A., Britwum K., and Meerza S.I.A., who co-authored key publications on food fraud and consumer behavior.
Gavan J. Fitzsimons is the Edward S. & Rose K. Donnell Distinguished Professor of Marketing and Psychology at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business , with a secondary appointment in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience. He is a Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences . His research bridges consumer psychology, behavioral decision-making, and social cognition, focusing on nonconscious influences on consumption patterns. Education: Ph.D., Columbia University (1995) Key research themes include subconscious consumer behavior , brand relationships , health-related consumption , and social dynamics in purchasing decisions . Recent work examines financial stress effects on purchase satisfaction, secret consumer behaviors in relationships, and pandemic-related decision-making. Notable trends in his 2023-2025 publications involve Marketing's subconscious influence (2025: Quality-Quantity Tradeoffs) Brand teasing as relationship-building (2025: Humor in Branding) Financial constraint effects on consumer happiness (2024: Opportunity Cost Analysis) Crisis behavior during pandemics (2024: Prosociality Across 39 Countries) Health behavior spillovers in families (2024: Parental Food Choices) Scientific Contributions include Foundational work on nonconscious consumer psychology (2008 JCP editorial) Methodological innovations in moderated regression analysis (2013 JMR ) Behavioral economics of brand sincerity effects (2015 JCR )
Jukka Rintamäki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management Studies at Aalto University's School of Business. His work focuses on organizational behavior, corporate social responsibility (CSR), collective memory, and sustainability. He holds a doctoral degree from Aalto University (2016), with earlier master's (2010) and bachelor's (2007) degrees in business administration from Helsinki School of Economics and Aalto's business school. Research interests include the interplay between memory and organizational ethics, institutional dynamics, power struggles in academic and corporate settings, and CSR in emerging sectors like esports. His 2024 work on 'Institutional Parasites' explores organizational dependency relationships, while 2023 studies investigate CSR's role in sport development and memory work across organizations. He has contributed to top journals like Academy of Management Review and Annals . Rintamäki's work addresses UN SDGs related to responsible consumption and partnerships. He has been active in peer-review roles for major management journals since 2015. Media engagements include commentaries on corporate responsibility and economic policy in 2023-2024.
Steffi Haag is a Professor of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Institute of Computer Science , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) . She bridges the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Business Administration and Economics , collaborating with the Center for Entrepreneurship Düsseldorf (CEDUS) to inspire tech startups. Her research focuses on sustainable information systems, digital experiences, and business models. Steffi Haag’s research integrates Shadow IT , Usable Cybersecurity , and Digital Idea Management . Her work emphasizes theoretical , quantitative , qualitative , and mixed-methods research , including experimental and survey methodologies. Steffi Haag’s publications (2018–2024) span Information Systems , Cybersecurity , Digital Twins , and Sustainable Design . Common themes include Shadow IT dynamics , user behavior in security , and innovation management . Hermann Gutmann Award for special scientific achievements (2023) Schöller Fellow (2020) HMD Best Paper Award (2018) Research Award in Data Protection and Data Security (2017) Dissertation Prize (2017) Steffi Haag has secured grants such as the TU Darmstadt Postdoctoral Fellowship for Female Researchers (2016–2018) and Deloitte Foundation Fellowship (2009–2011). She actively moderates conferences and serves as Associate Editor of Business & Information Systems Engineering .
Dr Oscar Zhou serves as a Lecturer in Media Studies and Director of Studies for Planning, Culture and Environment (PGT) at the School of Arts, University of Kent, following prior academic appointments at the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, and University of Hertfordshire. His scholarly trajectory includes a PhD in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Sussex and a Masters in Globalisation and Communications from the University of Leicester. His educational credentials: PhD in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Sussex Masters in Globalisation and Communications, University of Leicester Undergraduate training in communication and technical science Zhou's research critically examines intersections of digital culture, gender/sexuality studies, and media technologies, with concentrated focus on LGBTQ+ communities' engagements in transnational contexts. Employing digital and algorithmic ethnography, he investigates queer digital cultures, critical health communication, and platform politics—particularly analyzing how algorithms reconfigure power dynamics around gender, sexuality, and youth wellbeing in Chinese digital ecosystems like Douyin/TikTok. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent exploration of Chinese digital media landscapes, emphasizing queer visibility on platforms such as Douyin and Zhihu, danmei fan cultures, and gender politics in television. His work also addresses digital activism, influencer economies, and geopolitical representations in fandom, demonstrating methodological innovation through short-video platform analytics and participatory youth research. Professional recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy As an active PhD supervisor, Zhou seeks candidates with qualitative and ethnographic expertise in digital culture, particularly welcoming projects on Chinese media, algorithmic governance, and queer health communication. He chairs the UK-China Media and Cultural Studies Association while contributing to the Centre for Health and Medical Humanities, currently leading collaborative research on short-video apps' societal impacts through the lens of gender, sexuality, and youth wellbeing.
Michael D. Smith is a Professor of Information Technology and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, with joint appointments at Heinz College and Tepper School of Business. His research employs economic and statistical methods to analyze digital markets, focusing on firm and consumer behavior in online environments. Education: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Summa Cum Laude), University of Maryland M.Sc. in Telecommunications Science, University of Maryland Ph.D. in Management Science and Information Technology, MIT Research Interests: Professor Smith investigates the economics of digital information markets, consumer behavior in online platforms, and policy implications of technological disruption. His work spans copyright enforcement, digital advertising, and the impact of piracy on legal media consumption. Publications: His recent studies examine AI’s role in copyright policy, effectiveness of anti-piracy measures, and market dynamics in digital streaming. Articles often bridge economics, computer science, and public policy. Awards: National Science Foundation CAREER Award Multiple Best Teacher Awards at CMU Recognized as a Top 100 Emerging Engineering Leader (NAE, 2020) Best Paper Runner-Up (Information Systems Research, 2006) Editorial and Industry Roles: Served as Senior Editor at Information Systems Research and Associate Editor at Management Science . Prior to academia, he worked in telecommunications at GTE and Booz Allen Hamilton, earning a patent for AI applications in network design. Contact: mds@cmu.edu | Office: 4800 Forbes Avenue, Hamburg Hall 2204, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Dr. James W. Navalta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research focuses on physiological responses to outdoor exercise (hiking, trail running) and the validity/reliability of wearable technology. He earned his B.S. in Physical Education and Biology from Brigham Young University–Hawaii, M.S. in Kinesiology from UNLV, and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from Purdue University. Education: B.S. - Physical Education & Biology, Brigham Young University–Hawaii M.S. - Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Ph.D. - Exercise Physiology, Purdue University His research portfolio includes: Wearable technology validation for physiological measurements Comparative studies of indoor vs outdoor exercise environments Impact of gender-inclusive approaches on sports science Metabolic and cardiovascular responses to unconventional workouts Psychological benefits of nature immersion Recent publications demonstrate expertise in: Wearable device accuracy testing VO2max and lactate threshold validation Environmental influence on exercise physiology Methodological improvements in data collection Gender-inclusive research design Outdoor activity impact assessment As co-founder and executive editor of the International Journal of Exercise Science, he contributes significantly to academic discourse. He also serves on editorial boards for journals related to digital health and exercise technology.
