Dr. Victor Kempf is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institut für Philosophie , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, since March 2025. He completed his PhD at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt in 2017 and focuses on social and political philosophy from a critical theory perspective.
André Gagné is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University, currently on research leave (July-December 2025). His work bridges theology, political science, and sociology with global recognition through 400+ media features in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. Education: Conjoint PhD from Université catholique de Louvain and Université de Montréal M.A. from Université de Montréal B.Th. from Université de Montréal His research centers on Christian Political Thought (examining theology-state dynamics), Global Pentecostal and Charismatic movements (analyzing their sociopolitical impact worldwide), and Reception History of the Bible (tracing interpretive trajectories across cultures). This interdisciplinary approach integrates historical analysis with contemporary case studies, particularly focusing on evangelical movements in the Americas and Europe. His eight books and recent journal articles reveal consistent thematic focus: the weaponization of spiritual warfare rhetoric in politics, apocalyptic narratives in populist movements, and religious violence in Western traditions. The 2024 publications on Trump-era evangelicalism demonstrate methodological innovation through media discourse analysis combined with theological critique. Scientific awards: Newsmaker of the Week (4 times) Newsmaker of the Month (4 times) President's Opinion Leader of the Year (2016) Expert Communicator of the Year (2024) Dr. Gagné supervises MA students in Theological Studies and PhD candidates in Individualized Programs and Humanities. His policy impact is evidenced by service on Public Safety Canada's National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence (2023-2025), where he contributed theological perspectives on religious extremism. His media engagement strategy represents a deliberate effort to translate academic research for public discourse. He co-directs the Spirit, State, and Society podcast and maintains affiliations with Concordia's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Université de Sherbrooke's Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religions, and the multi-university Political Theology Research Group (McGill, Concordia, UdeM, ULaval).
Todd C. Helmus is a Senior Behavioral Scientist at the RAND Corporation and a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. He specializes in counterterrorism, information operations, security cooperation, and social media analysis with a focus on irregular warfare and violent extremism. Helmus holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and has served as a deployed analyst for U.S. military commands in Iraq and Afghanistan. His research emphasizes countering adversarial tactics such as foreign terrorist recruitment, Chinese gray zone operations, and propaganda campaigns. He teaches graduate courses on information operations and frequently speaks at security conferences. Key findings include studies on veteran susceptibility to extremism and Ukraine's counter-disinformation strategies during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Helmus advises on national security communication campaigns, drawing insights from public health strategies. His work spans academic publications, expert commentary, and video/podcast media across topics like AI-driven misinformation, election security, and global resource development. He remains actively involved in policy analysis for U.S. national strategies on antisemitism and domestic extremism mitigation.
Dr Tim Aistrope is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Director of Graduate Studies (Taught) at the University of Kent's School of Politics and International Relations. Based in Canterbury, his research focuses on the intersection of political culture, security studies, and international relations theory. Key themes include the role of imagination, conspiracy theories in foreign policy, and the embodiment of political narratives. His notable work includes the book Conspiracy Theory and American Foreign Policy (2016), analyzing post-9/11 secrecy and power dynamics. He teaches courses on IR theory and security, supervising PhD students exploring topics like securitization and translation. Active in professional associations, he contributes to journals like International Studies Quarterly and International Affairs . His recent publications address pandemic governance, apocalyptic narratives, and cybersecurity. Research interests span IR theory, US/Australian foreign policy, international ethics, and cyber security. His work often bridges cultural studies and security, examining how narratives shape policy and public perception. He has advised on counter-radicalization strategies and explored the role of social media in counterterrorism. His academic contributions highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding global politics through lenses of culture, ethics, and critical theory.
Dr. Jean Goodwin is the SAS Institute Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric & Technical Communication at NC State University's Department of Communication, part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She specializes in science communication ethics, civil argumentation, and the rhetoric of controversial scientific topics such as climate change and GMOs. Her work bridges theory and practice, including NSF-funded initiatives like Teaching Responsible Communication of Science, which develops case studies for STEM graduate students. She also leads the Leadership in Public Science cluster through NC State's Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program. Education: B.A. in Mathematics (University of Chicago, 1979), J.D. (University of Chicago, 1984), and Ph.D. in Communication/Rhetoric (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1996). Her career includes over 25 years of teaching rhetoric and mentoring students across communication subfields. Research focuses on how scientists communicate effectively with non-experts, leveraging discourse analysis and conceptual frameworks like speech act theory. Key themes include trust-building in contentious contexts, ethical advocacy roles for scientists, and historical rhetorical strategies from Cicero to modern policy debates. Her work often intersects with civic engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration, such as organizing conferences for science communication scholars and advising organizations like the AAAS. Major publications explore ethical dimensions of science communication, including climate change advocacy, disinformation detection, and pandemic messaging. Awards include the EB Knight Journal Award (2007) and her distinguished professorship. Current initiatives emphasize translating scholarly insights into practical tools for scientists and fostering dialogue between scientific and public communities through funded research partnerships.
Michelle Bentley is a Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for International Security at Royal Holloway, University of London. She specializes in weapons of mass destruction, US foreign policy, and security taboos. Her work bridges academic research with policy-oriented analysis, particularly focusing on chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons dynamics. Education: BSc SocSci (Hons), PGCert, PGDip, MSc SocSci, PhD Research Interests: Her interdisciplinary research explores how political rhetoric shapes weaponization norms, with a focus on: Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) taboos US foreign policy continuities Terrorism and counter-radicalization strategies Publications: Recent work includes acclaimed books like The Biological Weapons Taboo (2023) and peer-reviewed articles in International Affairs and Security Studies . Her 2024 analysis of chemical warfare in Ukraine highlights strategic ambiguity in modern conflicts. Awards: Recipient of the BISA Teaching Excellence Award (2022) and multiple Royal Holloway teaching commendations for innovative methods like social media engagement in political education. Engagement: Active media contributor with analyses featured in Vox and The Conversation , addressing topics like US-Iran tensions and the political impact of Trump biopics. Leadership: Oversees the Gender Institute and Conflict, Violence and Terrorism Research Centre, fostering interdisciplinary security research.
Chantal Mouffe is Professor of Political Theory at University of Westminster, where she develops her influential theory of agonistic pluralism. Her research challenges deliberative democracy models and advocates for constructive political conflict within democratic frameworks. Core concepts: Agonistic pluralism as democratic alternative Critique of consensus-based politics Space as democratic battleground Post-structural political ontology Her recent work explores multipolar world orders and spatial dimensions of democratic practice. Mouffe has held research positions at Harvard, Cornell, and Collège International de Philosophie in Paris.
Associate Professor Samantha Schulz is a sociologist of education at The University of Adelaide's School of Education, within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. She specializes in educational justice, focusing on First Nations education, race critical theory, affect studies, and gender equity. Her work spans international contexts including Kenya, India, China, and Australia's APY Lands. She is co-convenor of the Pedagogies for Justice Research Group, affiliated with CRESI and the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender. As Program Director for the Master of Teaching program, she emphasizes socially engaged pedagogies. Recent research includes the ARC-funded 'Culturally Responsive Schooling' project (2022-24) and studies on gender-based violence in educational settings. Her publications explore decolonial methodologies, critical race theory, and the intersection of affect and pedagogy. Her grants include leadership roles in projects addressing Indigenous sovereignty in education, culturally responsive curriculum design, and restorative practices. Notable collaborations involve UniSA and Open University of Cyprus. She co-edits the Routledge 'Local Global Issues in Education' series and actively publishes on topics ranging from toxic masculinity in academia to anti-racist policy frameworks. Her advising focuses on fostering critical scholarship in Masters and PhD candidates, with research supervision emphasizing justice-oriented educational practices. She leads initiatives like 'Teaching in an era of digital influence' and has contributed to policy discussions on preventing violent extremism in schools. Her work bridges theoretical rigor with practical advocacy for marginalized communities in education systems globally.
Professor Julian Richards is a leading academic in security and intelligence studies at the University of Buckingham, where he serves as Director of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS). He holds a PhD in Political Violence from the University of Cambridge (1993) and spent nearly two decades in British Government intelligence roles before transitioning to academia in 2006. His roles include Programme Director for three MA programmes and supervising BUCSIS’s MPhil/DPhil research students. Education: PhD in Political Violence (Cambridge University, 1993). Prior to academia, he held senior intelligence positions with the UK Government. Research focuses on global security, extremism/radicalization, intelligence analysis techniques, and cyber threats. He has authored four books and numerous articles, including works on counter-terrorism, cyber-warfare, and Far-Right extremism in Europe. His media commentary spans BBC, Sky News, and international outlets. His articles explore contemporary security challenges such as post-Brexit intelligence dynamics, cyber resilience, and extremist propaganda in digital spaces. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining political science, technology, and ethical considerations in intelligence practices. Awards: None explicitly listed, though his contributions to security discourse are widely recognized. He advises on policy and has testified in government inquiries on privacy-security balances. Advising & Grants: Supervises doctoral researchers in security studies and leads BUCSIS’s research initiatives. His work intersects academia and policy, addressing real-world security challenges through rigorous analysis. Labs/Teams: Directs BUCSIS, fostering collaborative research on global security threats. The Centre hosts interdisciplinary projects on intelligence analysis, cyber security, and counter-extremism strategies.
Kurt Sengul is a Macquarie University Research Fellow (MQRF) in the School of Communication, Society and Culture. He holds a PhD in Media and Communications from the University of Newcastle (2022). His research focuses on media populism, far-right movements, and critical discourse analysis, with projects exploring the nexus between media and far-right politics in Australia. He has taught at the University of Sydney and University of Newcastle, specializing in political communication, social media, and digital cultures. Research interests include far-right communication strategies, media populism's impact on democracy, critical discourse studies, and anti-gender movements. His work examines topics like far-right humor, online radicalization via platforms like X/Twitter Spaces, and the discursive construction of victimhood. He has published in journals such as Critical Discourse Studies , Television & New Media , and Communication Research and Practice . Professional roles include serving as NSW Representative for ANZCA and secretary of APSA’s Queer Caucus. Media engagements include commentary for The New York Times , The Guardian Australia , and The Sydney Morning Herald . His forthcoming monograph Far-Right Populism in Australia (Bloomsbury) explores communication and discourse strategies of Australian far-right groups.
Ahmed Al-Rawi is an Associate Professor of News, Social Media, and Public Communication at Simon Fraser University's School of Communication. Since 2019, he has served as Director of the Disinformation Project, whose findings have been featured nationally and internationally. His academic work bridges journalism, digital media studies, and public communication with a focus on disinformation, social media dynamics, and media's role in democratic processes. Dr. Al-Rawi's research interests span disinformation studies, social media analysis, news framing, computational journalism, and the intersection of digital communication with societal issues including racism and public health crises. His work examines how digital platforms shape public discourse, influence political processes, and frame critical societal issues like the opioid crisis in Canada. He approaches these topics through interdisciplinary lenses that combine media studies, political science, and sociology. His scholarly contributions reveal consistent focus on digital communication's impact on society, with recent work examining far-right movements, conspiracy theories, and mediated racism in Canadian contexts. Earlier research explored similar dynamics in Middle Eastern contexts, particularly during the Arab Spring and in conflict zones like Iraq. Shortlisted for Gertrude Robinson Prize (2022) Radio report nominated for US national award (2004) Teaching awards at Erasmus University As an academic leader, Dr. Al-Rawi has advised numerous graduate students, served on editorial boards for prestigious journals including Journal of Popular Communication and Digital Journalism, and reviewed over 220 research papers. His practical expertise extends to consulting for governmental bodies including the Canadian Senate, House of Commons, Public Order Emergency Commission, and Elections BC.
Dr Thomas Paul Colley holds dual roles as Senior Lecturer in Defence and International Affairs at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. His work bridges academic research and strategic policy application across multiple domains. Research Expertise Propaganda and strategic communication in conflict Strategic narratives in international relations Military strategy communication dynamics Insurgency and counterinsurgency frameworks Climate change strategic communication Social media analysis for defense applications Disinformation impact assessment Scientific Contributions 2022 : News Wars (book, with Martin Moore) 2021 : Book chapter on diplomatic engagement 2020 : Multiple high-impact articles on disinformation and insurgency Awards & Recognition Recipient of King’s College London’s Rising Star Teaching Excellence Award Featured expert in major UK media (BBC, The Times, The Independent) Consulting for UK government agencies (Home Office, Cabinet Office, DSTL) Teaching & Supervision Co-convenor of MA War Studies flagship modules PhD supervision on UK combatant memory of Afghanistan Global defense engagement training for international officers
Carlos Diaz Ruiz is an Associate Professor (tenure-track) at the Department of Marketing, Hanken School of Economics in Vasa, Finland. He holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from Finland and has held faculty positions at Hanken, Aalto University, KEDGE Business School (France), and the University of Auckland (New Zealand). His research focuses on market-shaping, consumer culture, and disinformation, particularly in digital advertising and social media contexts. He authored the book *Market-Oriented Disinformation Research: Digital Advertising, Disinformation and Fake News on Social Media* (2025) and received the 2025 Thomas C. Kinnear Award for his work on disinformation in social media echo chambers. Dr. Diaz Ruiz’s academic career includes roles as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, and prior to academia, he worked as a consumer insights consultant for Latin American companies, recognized in ESOMAR's Insights250 (2022, 2024). He is an Associate Editor at the *Journal of Marketing Management* and actively publishes in top journals like *Journal of Public Policy & Marketing* and *New Media & Society*. His teaching emphasizes bridging academic research with industry needs, offering courses in qualitative research, strategic branding, and consumer culture. Methodologically, he employs business anthropology and ethnography to study consumer-led marketing strategies. Key research themes include the intersection of disinformation, social media business models, and the performative role of market representations.
Dr. Reza Montasari is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Threats at Swansea University's Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law. He holds a BSc in Multimedia Computing and MSc in Computer Forensics from the University of South Wales, and a PhD in Digital Forensics from the University of Derby. His professional memberships include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). Montasari’s research focuses on Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, and Cyber Terrorism, with over 50 publications. He has authored/co-authored books like Cyberspace, Cyberterrorism and International Security (2024) and Countering Cyberterrorism (2023). His work bridges technical and legal aspects of cyber threats, addressing AI’s role in counterterrorism and national security. He has held roles such as External Examiner at the University of South Wales and leadership positions in cybersecurity initiatives. His expertise includes IoT forensics, dark web challenges, and digital policing strategies. Montasari also collaborates with law enforcement agencies like Cheshire Police and advises media on cybersecurity issues. Key contributions include editorial board memberships, conference presentations (e.g., ICGS3), and contributions to cybersecurity policy development. His research emphasizes ethical AI applications, privacy rights, and mitigating cyber threats in modern societies.
Jan Christoffer Andersen is a Research Fellow at the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law , University of Oslo. His research focuses on online radicalization, subcultural dynamics, and masculinity studies, particularly examining the incel community's narratives and social movements. He holds a Master's in Criminology from the University of Oslo, where his thesis on Islamic State propaganda was later published in Terrorism and Political Violence . Andersen has taught courses including KRIM1000, KRIM1100, and KRIM4104. His current PhD project, funded by the University of Oslo, investigates incels' worldview, radicalization processes, and gendered experiences. Methodologically, he employs netnography and qualitative interviews to analyze incel forums and offline experiences. His work challenges monolithic portrayals of incels by emphasizing nuanced narratives around stigma and masculinity. Key research themes include: Incel subculture's structural and individual factors (feminism, dating markets) Intersection of digital spaces and radicalization Counter-narratives in extremism prevention Recent publications explore methodological challenges in studying far-right groups, masculine identity negotiation, and symbolic boundary work within subcultures.