Bram Duivenvoorde is an Associate Professor at the Molengraaff Institute for Private Law , Utrecht University , specializing in advertising law , consumer law , and e-commerce . He holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam (2014) and combines academic research with practical legal experience, including roles as an attorney-at-law at Hoogenraad & Haak (2014-2020) and interim legal counsel at Heineken International (2018). His work focuses on digital society , personalized marketing , and AI regulation in consumer contexts. Education : PhD (UvA, 2014), LLM (Utrecht, 2009), LLB (Utrecht, 2007) Key Research Areas : Advertising Law, Consumer Law, Digital Regulation, EU Law, Personalized Marketing Recent publications analyze generative AI , deepfakes , and DSA compliance , emphasizing consumer protection in evolving digital landscapes. He supervises PhD candidates Thijs Kelder and Jorn Torenbosch and leads the LLM Honours Programme . Duivenvoorde contributes to European consumer law through RENFORCE initiatives and serves as Editor for journals like Intellectuele Eigendom en Reclamerecht .
Michael Haenlein is a Professor of Marketing at ESCP Business School in Paris. He holds a Ph.D. from WHU, Otto Beisheim School of Management, and a Habilitation from Pantheon-Sorbonne University. His research focuses on the impact of emerging technologies such as AI, social media, and video gaming on businesses and consumers. He has published over 50 articles and received the 2021 Jan-Benedict Steenkamp Award for long-term academic impact. Haenlein serves on the editorial boards of journals like the Journal of Marketing and International Journal of Research in Marketing . He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association (AMA) Academic Council and the European Marketing Academy (EMAC), where he chairs the Publications Committee. His work bridges academic research with industry applications, emphasizing digital transformation and strategic marketing. Recent publications explore topics like metaverse retailing, AI-driven consumer insights, and influencer marketing strategies. He advises companies across sectors such as telecommunications and finance on leveraging technology for competitive advantage.
Séverine Dusollier is a Professor of Intellectual Property at the Law School of Sciences Po Paris and holds a Senior Chair at the Institut Universitaire de France. She serves as Director of the Law School's Research Centre and Head of the Master in Innovation Law, actively contributing to doctoral committee activities. Her expertise spans copyright law , digital rights , and intellectual property frameworks. Key roles : Research Centre Director, Master in Innovation Law Head International engagement : Founding Member of the European Copyright Society, ATRIP member Her research focuses on digital copyright issues , authorship concepts , contractual protections for creators , and the evolution of exceptions and limitations . Recent work explores generative AI implications, public domain dynamics , and inclusive property models . She has held visiting positions at Berkeley, Columbia, NYU, and Cambridge. Notable scientific awards include: ERC research grant (2014–2019) Senior Chair, Institut Universitaire de France CSPLA (French Copyright Council) membership Her publications emphasize digital transitions , IP openness , and fair remuneration in streaming , reflecting her dedication to reconciling traditional IP structures with modern technological realities.
Natasha Zhang Foutz is a Research Associate Professor of Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia . Her work bridges Artificial Intelligence , Marketing Analytics , and Consumer Behavior , with a focus on Digital Content and Location-Based Services . She teaches Marketing Analytics , Entertainment Marketing , and Marketing Models across undergraduate to PhD programs. Ph.D. in Marketing, Cornell University M.S. in Statistics & Marketing, Cornell University B.S. in Economics, Fudan University Her research investigates: AI-Powered Entertainment Marketing : Using machine learning to analyze consumer behavior in digital content. Privacy and Ethical Data Use : Studying consumer trade-offs between privacy and public good, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic . Location Analytics : Leveraging mobile data for urban economics, real estate, and emergency response modeling (e.g., MobiRescue for disaster logistics). Prosocial Consumer Behavior : Exploring how social capital and diversity drive innovation and policy compliance. Recent publications highlight trends in Reinforcement Learning for crisis management, Privacy-Preserving AI , and Freemium Pricing Models in digital markets. Her awards include the 2025 UVA Outstanding Researcher Award and the 2018 Mallen Award for motion picture studies. Natasha serves as an Area Editor for multiple journals, emphasizing Data Science in marketing. She has advised numerous PhD students and collaborated on projects analyzing Big Data in consumer mobility and platform economics.
Professor Tolga Akçura is a distinguished faculty member at Özyeğin University's Faculty of Business, Department of Business Administration. With over 25 years of academic experience, he has developed and taught courses on marketing strategy, marketing analytics, and marketing research at prestigious institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, and Long Island University. At Özyeğin University, he teaches Marketing Strategy, Integrated Marketing Communication Strategies, Innovation, Business Model Development, and Advanced Topics in Marketing for undergraduate, graduate, and executive students. Professor Akçura holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Boğaziçi University (1990), an MA in Business Administration from Boğaziçi University (1996), an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University (1998), and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Marketing from Carnegie Mellon University (2000). Before joining academia, he worked for Procter & Gamble across multiple European locations including Brussels, London, Manchester, and Istanbul. His research focuses on the intersection of Information Technology and Marketing, Brand Valuation, Consumer Learning Behavior, Structural Choice Models, Brand Equity dynamics, and Competitive Pricing Strategies. Professor Akçura has made significant contributions to marketing science through his extensive publication record in top-tier journals. His recent scholarly work demonstrates a strong trend toward digital marketing, AI applications in marketing analytics, healthcare marketing, and the strategic implications of data-driven decision making. His publications span from foundational work on brand equity to cutting-edge research on patient-generated health data and deep learning applications in campaign participation prediction. William W. Cooper Award (awarded twice for publications in Management Science and Marketing Science) Professor Akçura has successfully bridged academic research with practical business applications through his role as founder of eBrandValue A.Ş. and as a Y-Combinator alum (YCW15). He is an active member of professional organizations including the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science, American Marketing Association, and Direct Marketing Institute. His industry experience complements his academic work, providing students with valuable real-world insights into marketing strategy and implementation.
Prof. Dr. M. Bjørn von Rimscha is a full-time Professor of Media Economics at the Department of Social Sciences, Media and Sport, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He serves as Prodekan for Studium und Lehre since 2023 and previously held leadership roles including Geschäftsführender Leiter of the Institute for Journalism. His research focuses on media economics, digital transformation, advertising markets, and cross-border media management. Positions: Professor (2015–present), Prodekan (2023–present) Education: Freie Universität Berlin, University of Ulster Key Collaborations: Co-edited De Gruyter Handbook of Media Economics (2024), Handbuch Medienökonomie (2021) His recent work examines digital disruption in media industries, payment models for journalism, and the economic value of creativity. He advises PhD students like Robin Riemann and holds editorial roles at the Journal of Media Business Studies . Contact: b.vonrimscha@uni-mainz.de
Peter Huybers is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Science and Engineering at Harvard University , where he investigates the climate system and its societal implications, including interactions between volcanism and glaciation , extreme temperature predictability , and climate change impacts on food production . Research interests span climate change attribution , paleoclimate reconstruction , drought dynamics , crop yield modeling , and earth system feedbacks . His work often integrates art-historical analysis with climate science, as seen in studies of 19th-century air pollution through Turner and Monet paintings . Scientific awards include funding from Harvard Data Science Initiative (2023) for projects on climate change and food supply volatility Amazon Web Services (2023) grant His 20+ peer-reviewed articles since 2020 focus on climate proxies , hydrological modeling , solar forcing , and agricultural-climate interactions , with recent work in Nature , PNAS , and Science Advances . Advising : Mentored 10+ PhD students including Parker Liautaud , Duo Chan , and Marena Lin , while leading research teams with current members like Greta Berendes and Caro Park . Former staff include Jon Proctor and Lucas Vargas Zeppetello , the latter now at UC Berkeley (2024).
Professor Jean K. Chalaby is a faculty member in the Department of Sociology at City, University of London . He obtained his PhD in Sociology from the London School of Economics in 1994 and joined City University London as a lecturer in 2000, serving as Head of the Sociology Department from 2012 to 2014. He has also been a visiting lecturer at the University of Geneva for 15 years. His research focuses on international communication, media globalization, transnational television networks , and the global value chain dynamics of the streaming era. He has authored influential works such as The Format Age (2017) and Transnational Television in Europe (2009), while editing collections like Transnational Television Worldwide (2005). His work critically examines the decline of European media groups against U.S. streaming giants, exploring digital policy, cultural dependency , and the uneven power dynamics in global entertainment. Recent publications analyze the streaming market , media value chains , and TV content production , emphasizing network effects , platform economies , and EU policy challenges . Despite his extensive output (over 70 single-authored publications), no scientific awards or student supervision data are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Professor Iain MacRury is a Professor in Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling with extensive involvement in media policy and regulation research. He currently serves as Deputy Chair of the General University Research Ethics Panel (GUEP) and Deputy Chair of the University Research Environment Group (REG) at the University of Stirling. His external roles include being appointed as External Examiner for Media Programmes at the University of Leeds (2028) and membership on Ofcom's Research, Evidence and Evaluation Working Group. His research focuses on: Media policy and regulation frameworks Branded content governance across international contexts Ethical considerations in contemporary media environments Cultural implications of promotional industries Comparative media systems analysis Professor MacRury leads the Branded Content Governance Project, an ESRC/AHRC joint-supported initiative conducting international comparative analysis of governance arrangements regarding media policy and institutional regulation of branded content in promotional industries across Europe and other global sites. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with the evolving relationship between commercial interests, media content, and regulatory frameworks. His work shows particular attention to transparency issues in digital media environments and the challenges of regulating emerging advertising formats across different national contexts. The trajectory of his recent publications indicates growing interest in the global dimensions of media regulation and the adaptation of regulatory frameworks to technological change. Professor MacRury actively contributes to university governance through his ethics and research environment leadership roles, demonstrating commitment to research integrity and academic standards within his institution.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Skiera holds the first chair for electronic commerce in Germany at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main since 1999. He serves on the board of efl - The Data Science Institute and the Schmalenbach Society, while representing Germany at the European Marketing Community (EMAC). Chair of Marketing, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Board member, efl - The Data Science Institute National representative, European Marketing Community (EMAC) His research focuses on MarTech/SalesTech integration, customer value management, online advertising analytics, data-driven pricing models, and the economic implications of internet privacy regulations. He leads the ERC Advanced Grant project on cookie usage restrictions' economic consequences. Recent publications examine dynamic pricing in digital markets, competition visualization using big data, and AI applications in marketing analytics. The ERC Advanced Grant research has produced empirical analyses of GDPR impacts on advertising ecosystems. 2015 Journal of Marketing Best Paper Award 2013 International Journal of Research in Marketing Best Paper Award Multiple MSI/H. Paul Root Award recognitions He has mentored 17 doctoral students who became professors globally, including at London Business School and LMU Munich. His work bridges marketing analytics with financial valuation through customer equity modeling.
Dr Xin Xin is a Reader in International Communications at the University of Westminster , affiliated with the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and the Contemporary China Centre . Her academic career spans over three decades, combining journalism, scholarship, and policy engagement. She previously held the RCUK Academic Fellowship (2006-2011) and UK/China Fellowship for Excellence (2008-2009) , focusing on China's soft power, media transformations, and digital labor. Educational Background: BA in Russian Language and Literature (Beijing International Studies University, 1994) MA in International Journalism (University of Westminster, 2003) PhD in Media and Communication (University of Westminster, 2006) Research Focus: Dr Xin's work bridges the political economy of Chinese media , global communications , soft power strategies , sociology of journalism , and grassroots digital practices . She critically examines how marketization, globalization, and digitalization reshape legacy media like Xinhua News Agency, alongside state-corporate soft power deployments and grassroots digital activism. Recent Publications highlight trends in AI-driven journalism , digital labor , party journalism modernization , and soft power analysis . Her articles span empirical studies of Xinhua's financialization and party journalism, comparative public diplomacy, and longitudinal analyses of digital inclusion in BRICS nations. Scientific Awards: RCUK Academic Fellowship (2006-2011) UK/China Fellowship for Excellence (2008-2009) Founding Editorial Board Member of Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture and Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture Supervision: Dr Xin currently supervises PhD students on topics including Sino-African journalism, Chinese diaspora identity on YouTube, and gender dynamics in Chinese social media. She co-organized 11 international doctoral summer schools and served as second supervisor for over ten PhD candidates. Activities: She has delivered lectures at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, University of Birmingham, and Tsinghua University. Her consultancy work includes Oxford Analytica and the Media Diversity Institute, with media citations in Al Jazeera , NBC News , and The Washington Post .
Vasant Dhar is the Robert A Miller Professor of Business and Professor of Data Science at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University. He serves as Director of Industry Relations and specializes in Technology, Operations, and Statistics. Joining Stern in 1983, Professor Dhar has established himself as a leading expert in artificial intelligence, data science, and financial technology. Professor Dhar's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Pittsburgh (1984) M.Phil. from the University of Pittsburgh (1982) B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (1978) His research focuses on how risk influences our trust in AI systems, demonstrating the existence of an "automation frontier" that expresses a tradeoff between how often machines will be wrong and the consequences of their errors. Professor Dhar examines how innovations such as Artificial Intelligence impact our lives, and how we can create technology and policy for a better future in a world of increasingly intelligent machines. His work spans financial applications of AI, where he was among the first to bring machine learning to Wall Street in the 1990s, founding the machine-learning-based hedge fund SCT Capital Management. Professor Dhar's recent publications reveal a strong focus on the practical applications and societal implications of AI. His work addresses critical issues including AI reliability in financial document analysis, the governance of AI companies, ethical considerations in biometric payments, and the evolving relationship between humans and increasingly intelligent machines. His research demonstrates how AI is transforming various sectors while raising important questions about trust, accountability, and the future of work. Among his notable recognitions is the Robert A Miller Professorship, an endowed chair position at NYU Stern. His research has been funded by grants from industry and government agencies such as the National Science Foundation. Professor Dhar teaches courses on Systematic Investing, Data Science, Prediction, and Tech Innovation. He has written over 100 research articles and is the host of the "Brave New World" podcast, which explores how technology and virtualization in the post-COVID era is transforming humanity. He publishes fortnightly at vasantdhar.substack.com and is a frequent speaker in academic and industrial forums.
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
Prof. Michel Clement is a Professor of Marketing & Media at the University of Hamburg Business School, holding the Chair for Marketing & Media since 2006. He previously held academic positions at the University of Passau (2005/2006) and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (2002–2005). His research focuses on entertainment media product management, new technologies, and donor/customer management. He has held significant administrative roles including Academic Senate Member (2013–present), Faculty Council Member (2014–present), and Director of the Research Center Media and Communication (2008–present). Education: PhD in Marketing from Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (mentor: Prof. Sönke Albers), with a Master's in Business Administration focusing on Marketing, Innovation Management, and Psychology. Pre-academic career included management roles at Bertelsmann mediaSystems and Bertelsmann eCommerce Group, where he founded Snoopstar.com GmbH as Vice President. Research interests span digital media economics, prosocial behavior in healthcare donations, platform business models, and consumer decision-making in entertainment industries. He has contributed to understanding blood/plasma donation retention strategies, smart speaker impacts on media consumption, and pandemic-related behavioral changes. Leadership roles include supervisory board memberships at MADSACK Mediengruppe (2018–present), Studierendenwerk Hamburg (2017–present), and Universität Hamburg Marketing GmbH (2015–present). He has directed major initiatives like the Hamburg Graduate School for Media and Communication (2009–2016) and co-developed international MBA programs with Fudan University (2006–2008). Grants and collaborations include state-funded excellence initiatives and industry partnerships. His work integrates academic research with practical applications in media technology scouting, venture consulting, and digital platform governance.
Aviv Nevo is the George A. Weiss and Lydia Bravo Weiss University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, holding joint appointments in the Department of Economics (School of Arts and Sciences) and the Marketing Department at the Wharton School. His research focuses on empirical industrial organization, antitrust economics, marketing, and econometrics, with applications to consumer packaged goods, healthcare, telecom, and real estate. Nevo earned his Ph.D. (1997) and AM (1994) in economics from Harvard University and a BSc in mathematics and economics from Tel Aviv University (1991). He joined Penn through the Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) program, which recognizes scholars who bridge disciplines. His work has examined price competition, merger implications, and regulatory policy, with notable contributions to understanding market dynamics in digital platforms and telecommunications. Nevo serves as a fellow of the Econometric Society, a research associate at NBER, and co-editor of Econometrica and the RAND Journal of Economics . Nevo’s research interests span antitrust analysis, consumer behavior, and applied econometrics. His recent studies address issues such as steering incentives in telecom gatekeepers, substitution effects in streaming media, and the misuse of economic metrics in merger reviews. He has advised on high-profile cases, including the Sabre/Farelogix and Aetna-Humana mergers, integrating empirical rigor into policy debates. Awards: Fellow of the Econometric Society, NBER Research Associate, Institute for Fiscal Studies International Fellow. Editorial Roles: Co-editor of Econometrica and RAND Journal of Economics . Professional Activities: PIK University Professor, Penn Integrates Knowledge initiative participant. Nevo’s work bridges academia and policy, with a focus on real-world applications of economic theory. His teaching spans both economics and marketing disciplines, reflecting his dual departmental affiliation.
