Prof. Johannes Bauer is a Professor of Computer Science at Cooperative State University Mannheim (DHBW Mannheim) since 2022. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (2016), focusing on cost-effective security measures for embedded systems. His research spans applied cryptography, vulnerability assessment, side-channel analysis, and hardware security modules (HSMs). Professional Experience: 2022–Present: Professor at DHBW Mannheim 2018–2021: Principal Designated Engineer for cybersecurity standards at Underwriters Laboratories 2016–2018: Product Security Officer at Robert Bosch Smart Home GmbH Research Interests: Embedded systems security Physical-layer attacks and covert channels Cold-boot attacks and memory forensics Hardware-software co-design for security Smart grid cybersecurity Publications Highlight: His 2016 Ph.D. thesis introduced novel methods for timing side-channel detection and anti-EMI feature abuse. Recent work includes analyzing demand response capabilities in smart grids (2019). Labs/Teams: Active in cybersecurity research groups, contributing to standards like ETSI EN 303 645 and UL MCV 1376. Collaborates with industry partners on embedded system hardening.
Dr Tracy Kirk is a Lecturer in Child & Family Law at the University of Stirling, Scotland. She holds a 1st class LLB from the University of Stirling (2011) and a PhD from Northumbria University, focusing on children’s rights frameworks that align with neurobiological development. Tracy’s work emphasizes international children’s rights, particularly in education, and she actively contributes to policy through advisory roles with the Scottish Government’s Children’s Rights Implementation Group and the subgroup on Speech Language Communication needs. Her research promotes accessible rights implementation, including child-friendly parliamentary consultations. Tracy is affiliated with the Child Well-being and Protection Centre and the Centre for Policy, Conflict and Co-operation (CPCCR), focusing on global security and resilience. Her publications explore legal interpretations of children’s rights, youth justice, and modern slavery responses, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches to legal and societal challenges. Education: LLB (1st class), University of Stirling (2011) PhD, Northumbria University (focus: children’s rights and neurodevelopment) Research Interests: International children’s rights frameworks Children’s rights in education systems Youth justice and legal autonomy Child protection mechanisms in transitional societies UNCRC implementation and policy Labs/Teams: Active member of the Child Well-being and Protection Centre and the Centre for Policy, Conflict and Co-operation (CPCCR), contributing to projects on global security and resilience. Grants/Advising: Advisory roles in Scottish Government initiatives, with a focus on children in conflict with the law and speech-language needs.
Chia Youyee Vang serves as Professor of History and Affiliated Professor of Urban Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she also holds the administrative position of Faculty Vice Chancellor for Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity. Her academic career centers on Hmong diaspora studies, refugee migration, and transnational community formation, with significant contributions to Asian American and Southeast Asian American scholarship through interdisciplinary research and community engagement initiatives. Her educational foundation includes a PhD in History from the University of Minnesota (2006), an MA in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs (1996), and a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College (1994). This interdisciplinary background informs her approach to examining historical and contemporary refugee experiences. Professor Vang's research focuses on 20th century US-Asia relations, Cold War politics, and the reconstruction of community in diaspora, with particular emphasis on Hmong history and culture. She investigates how refugee communities navigate identity, cultural preservation, and political agency across national borders, challenging victimhood narratives through documentation of human resilience and resistance. Her scholarship bridges historical analysis with contemporary refugee studies, highlighting transnational connections and generational change within diasporic communities. Analysis of her recent publications (2018-2024) reveals sustained engagement with Hmong and Southeast Asian diaspora studies alongside expanding interdisciplinary collaborations. While maintaining her core focus on refugee experiences and transnational identity, her work has increasingly addressed diversity initiatives in higher education, disability studies in STEMM fields, and mindfulness programming, demonstrating responsiveness to evolving social justice concerns within academic and professional contexts. No specific scientific awards or major fellowships are documented in the available materials. However, her leadership as Director of the Hmong Diaspora Studies Program represents significant institutional contribution through community-academic partnerships and scholarship advancement. In her teaching capacity, Professor Vang mentors students through courses including Hmong American History, Culture and Contemporary Life; Exploring Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (short-term study abroad); The Vietnam War; and Globalization of America-The Asian American Experience. Her advising focuses on Asian American history, refugee studies, and transnational community dynamics, preparing students for research and community engagement with diasporic populations. As Director of the Hmong Diaspora Studies Program, Professor Vang leads initiatives connecting academic research with community needs across multiple national contexts. The program facilitates transnational dialogue, supports community-based scholarship, and documents evolving Hmong experiences globally through oral history projects, public events, and collaborative research with Hmong communities in Southeast Asia, North America, and South America.
Alejandro Saavedra Nieves is an Assistant Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis and Optimization. He is a core member of the MODESTYA research group (Optimization, decision, statistical models and applications) and an active researcher at the Galician Mathematical Research and Technology Center (CITMAga). His doctoral thesis, completed in 2019 at the University of Vigo, focused on contributions to cooperative game theory and its applications, supervised by Dr. Gloria Fiestras Janeiro and Dr. Ignacio García Jurado. His research interests span cooperative game theory, operations research, statistical modeling, network analysis, and computational game theory. He specializes in applying game-theoretic frameworks to solve real-world problems such as cost allocation, network centrality, and risk analysis in covert networks. His work often intersects with interdisciplinary fields like transportation economics, sustainability metrics, and political science. Recent publications highlight his focus on methodological advancements in cooperative game theory, including the estimation of power indices (e.g., Banzhaf, Deegan-Packel), network analysis using position values, and optimization approaches to coalition formation in inventory and transportation problems. He has also contributed to the development of R packages like IndexNumber and GameTheoryAllocation , which provide tools for calculating indices and allocations in game theory contexts. His research has addressed topics ranging from SDG composite indices to risk assessment in terrorist networks, demonstrating a commitment to both theoretical rigor and practical applications. Collaborations with institutions like CITMAga and interdisciplinary projects underscore his role in advancing mathematical methodologies for societal challenges.
James Pattison is a Professor of Politics at the University of Manchester, where he has been employed since 2009 and was promoted to full professor in 2014. His scholarly work focuses on ethical issues in global peace and security, with expertise in humanitarian intervention, the responsibility to protect (R2P), Just War Theory, private security, and alternatives to war. His educational background includes a PhD from Newcastle University in 2006, followed by a position as Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of the West of England, Bristol (2007-2009). He has served as Director of Research and Politics REF coordinator for the 2021 REF, during which Manchester climbed to 8th place from 19th. Professor Pattison's research interests span several critical areas in international ethics: Ethics of war and humanitarian intervention Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Private military and security companies Alternatives to war (sanctions, nonviolence) Ethics of global prioritization Democratic backsliding and authoritarianism His recent work has focused on ethical challenges posed by rising global authoritarianism and the ethics of global prioritization. He has published four books with Oxford University Press, including "Prioritizing Global Responsibilities" (2024, with Luke Glanville), "The Alternatives to War: From Sanctions to Nonviolence" (2018), "The Morality of Private War" (2014), and "Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect" (2010). His scholarly contributions have been recognized with: Notable Book Award for "Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect: Who Should Intervene?" (2011) Sir Ernest Barker Prize for Best Dissertation in Political Theory (2008) Professor Pattison serves on the University Senate, has served on the Governing Council of the ISA, and co-convenes the International Political Theory section of the ECPR. From 2025, he will be co-Lead Editor of the Journal of Global Security Studies, and he currently co-edits a book series on "War, Conflict, and Ethics" for Routledge.
ALİ GÖK is an Associate Professor at Gaziantep University , affiliated with the Islahiye Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences in the Department of Public Administration and Management Sciences . His research spans Security Studies , Intelligence , Terrorism , and War Studies , with a focus on Hybrid Warfare , Cybersecurity , and Political Economy . Doctorate (2014-2019) : Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, International Security and Terrorism Master’s (2010-2012) : War Academy Command, Strategic Research Institute, Intelligence Licence (2004-2009) : Çukurova University, International Relations His research interests include Hybrid Warfare , Cyber Threats , Intelligence Operations , and Proxy Conflicts , informed by extensive participation in security conferences and military analysis . Publications address topics like Terrorist Use of Social Media , Competitive Intelligence , and Border Security , reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with Political Science , Technology , and Geopolitics . Administrative roles include Vice Dean (2023–), Deputy Head of Department (2017–2019), and Erasmus Coordinator (2014–2017). He has taught Political Psychology , International Organizations , and Security Strategies since 2014, with a focus on Turkish Political Life and Social Media . Non-academic experience includes serving as a Reserve Officer in İzmir in 2013–2014.
Bekim Nuhija is a Full-Time Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law , South East European University (SEEU) in Tetovo and Skopje, Macedonia, since May 2001. He holds a Doctor of Science (2008–2013) and Master of International Law (2002–2005) from Maastricht University and St Cyril and Methodius University, respectively, and a Graduated Lawyer (1995–2000) from the University of St Cyril and Methodius. Education Doctor of Science (Faculty of Law), Maastricht University, Netherlands (2008–2013) Master of International Law (Faculty of Law), St Cyril and Methodius University, Macedonia (2002–2005) Graduated Lawyer (Faculty of Law), St Cyril and Methodius University, Macedonia (1995–2000) His research interests span International Law , Space Law , Nuclear Geopolitics , and Property Rights , with a focus on legal frameworks for Nuclear Disarmament , EU Policy Compliance , and Postwar Legislative Analysis . His recent 2025–2024 publications examine Nuclear Geopolitics , FMCT Treaty Impacts , and Space Law intersections with Solar Geoengineering . 2023–2022 works address Customary International Law , Migration Policy , and Space Diplomacy .
Maja Janmyr is a Professor of International Migration Law at the Department of Criminology and Sociology of Law, University of Oslo. She holds a PhD in International Law from the University of Bergen (2012) and became a Full Professor at the University of Oslo in 2018. She currently leads the ERC-funded BEYOND project (2021-2026) examining international refugee law beyond states parties to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Janmyr also serves as Senior Visiting Fellow at the Lebanese American University in Beirut and holds memberships in the OSCE List of Experts and the Advisory Board of the Gerda Henkel Foundation's Program on Forced Migration. Her research focuses on Lebanon and the broader Middle East through historical and socio-legal approaches to international law. She examines how refugees and migrants engage with legal norms and institutions, and how international refugee law is interpreted in local contexts. Her work spans refugee protection in Lebanon, UNHCR's human rights responsibilities in refugee camps, Norway's readmission agreements, and Nubian activists' mobilization for recognition in Egypt. Janmyr's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on non-signatory states to the 1951 Refugee Convention, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia. Her work demonstrates how international refugee law 'happens' even in countries that haven't formally ratified the convention, examining UNHCR operations, domestic legal frameworks, and refugee agency in these contexts. She has pioneered visual storytelling approaches to refugee research, notably through her graphic novel Cardboard Camp: Stories of Sudanese Refugees in Lebanon (2023). Scientific Awards: Fridtjof Nansen medal of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (2022) University of Oslo's Award for Young Researchers (2021) Chr. Michelsen Prize for outstanding development research (2018) Meltzer Prize for Young Researchers (2014) Janmyr has secured substantial research funding including an ERC Starting Grant (€1.5M) for the BEYOND project and participation in multiple Horizon 2020 and Research Council of Norway projects. She serves on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Refugee Law and regularly reviews for international funding institutions including the ERC. Her scholarly engagement extends to public commentary through op-eds in major international outlets and active participation in global refugee governance forums including the OSCE and the Global Compact on Refugees process.
Richard Nephew is a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy within the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). He returned to Columbia on July 1, 2024 after serving as the inaugural U.S. Coordinator on Global Anti-Corruption at the Department of State (2022-2024), during which time he was also elected President of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption. His professional journey includes significant government service as Deputy Special Envoy for Iran (2021), Principal Deputy Coordinator for Sanctions Policy at the Department of State (2013-2015), and Director for Iran at the National Security Council (2011-2013), with additional senior civil service roles from 2003-2011. Nephew's research focuses on the critical intersection of geopolitics and energy markets, with particular expertise in sanctions policy, nuclear issues, and Middle Eastern energy dynamics. His work examines how international relations shape global energy systems and how economic tools like sanctions can be effectively deployed in foreign policy contexts. He has published extensively on these topics, including his notable book 'The Art of Sanctions: A View from the Field' (Columbia University Press, 2018). His recent publications through late 2025 demonstrate continued engagement with pressing energy geopolitics issues, particularly regarding Russian oil markets, Iran sanctions, and secondary sanctions enforcement mechanisms. These works consistently analyze the practical implications of policy decisions on global energy security and market stability. Bernstein adjunct fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania Consultant at Go Beyond Compliance LLC Senior advisor at Horizon Engage Nephew holds a Masters in Security Policy Studies and a Bachelors in International Affairs from The George Washington University. His consulting work through Go Beyond Compliance complements his academic research, maintaining a practical connection to real-world applications of sanctions policy and geopolitical risk assessment in the energy sector.
Professor Chaoyang Jiang serves as Faculty Coordinator for Graduate Programs and Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of South Dakota. His research program focuses on nanostructured materials for anti-counterfeiting and sensing applications, with particular expertise in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and plasmonic nanomaterials. He directs an active research group supported by multiple NSF grants and state-funded initiatives targeting illicit economy disruption. PhD, Inorganic Chemistry, Nanjing University (2000) BS, Chemistry, Nanjing University (1996) Dr. Jiang's research centers on developing multifunctional nanomaterials for security applications. His group pioneers SERS-based anti-counterfeiting technologies using gold nanostars and luminescent germanate phosphors, creating covert molecular tags detectable through portable Raman scanners. Recent work emphasizes inkjet-printed QR codes and multimodal security labels combining plasmonic and luminescent properties. The research bridges fundamental nanomaterial synthesis with real-world applications in pharmaceutical authentication and supply chain security. Analysis of recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strategic shift toward applied security technologies, with 80% of papers focusing on anti-counterfeiting implementations. Key trends include increased collaboration with law enforcement agencies, development of field-deployable detection methods, and integration of machine learning for spectral analysis. The work spans fundamental plasmonics to commercial prototype development. President's Awards for Research Excellence (University of South Dakota, 2013) Dr. Jiang currently supervises 5 graduate students and 3 undergraduates, with recent graduates securing positions at NIST and security technology firms. His research is supported by $2.8M in active funding including an NSF MRI award (2025-2028) for advanced XRD instrumentation and the $1.2M NSF REU Site: C3 (2024-2027) focused on crime-combating research. The group collaborates with South Dakota law enforcement through the Governor's Office-funded Center for Understanding and Disrupting the Illicit Economy (2021-2026). The research group operates specialized facilities for nanomaterial synthesis and characterization, including electrospinning stations, Langmuir-Blodgett troughs, and plasmonic sensor development labs. Recent instrumentation upgrades through NSF MRI grants have established USD as a regional hub for nanoscale security technology development, with particular strengths in SERS substrate engineering and luminescent material fabrication.
Dr. Christopher Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in Intelligence Studies at the University of Salford's School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies, where he has taught since 2006. He is affiliated with the Politics & Contemporary History Research Centre and has established himself as a specialist in British intelligence history. His research interests focus on the history of the British intelligence community, particularly the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II. His expertise spans intelligence history, security studies, and the evolution of the British security state. Dr. Murphy's publications reveal a consistent focus on SOE operations, intelligence analysis methodologies, and the historical development of intelligence institutions. Dr. Murphy's publication record shows a clear progression from early work on SOE's foreign currency transactions and origins in France to more recent comprehensive works on British intelligence history and contemporary intelligence analysis. His research demonstrates increasing breadth from specific WWII operations to broader examinations of the intelligence community's evolution through the Cold War to the present day. Vice Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award (2016) Dr. Murphy actively supervises PhD students in British intelligence history and contemporary intelligence studies. His current research includes the 'Ensemble' project which applies AI to intelligence analysis. He convenes multiple modules across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, directly integrating his research expertise into teaching. His laboratory work focuses on historical intelligence analysis methods and their application to contemporary security challenges.
Eugene Howard Spafford (known as Spaf) is a Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University's College of Science. He is a renowned computer security expert who founded and served as the first director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) at Purdue University in 1998. Professor Spafford advises U.S. government agencies and corporations on security matters and has testified before Congress on cybersecurity issues. His educational background includes a PhD and Masters in Information and Computer Science from Georgia Tech and a Bachelors in Mathematics and Computer Science from SUNY Brockport. Professor Spafford's research spans computer security, intrusion detection, digital forensics, and software vulnerability analysis, with recent focus on deception techniques in security defense. Analysis of his publication record shows a consistent focus on practical security solutions, beginning with early work on the Internet Worm of 1988 and evolving to modern concerns about password security, deception techniques, and the balance between privacy and surveillance. His highly cited work on Tripwire established foundational approaches to file integrity checking that remain relevant today. Ranked #408 in Computer Science worldwide according to AcademicInfluence.com Ranked #230 in USA for Computer Science Ranked #1452 in Database worldwide Professor Spafford has supervised numerous students and researchers through CERIAS, contributing to the development of the next generation of security professionals. His work on security education has helped shape curriculum standards in the field. The Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) continues to be a major hub for interdisciplinary security research under his foundational influence. His laboratory, CERIAS, maintains an active research agenda in information security and can be accessed at http://www.cerias.purdue.edu/.
Camille Pellerin is a Researcher at Uppsala University's Department of Political Science, where she conducts research on state-society relations, democratisation, political reform, public administration, and urban conflict in the Horn of Africa. She is also an affiliate researcher at the French Center for Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa. Dr. Pellerin holds a PhD in Development Studies. Her academic journey has focused on understanding political dynamics in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Her research interests center on state-society relations and democratization processes in authoritarian contexts, with particular emphasis on the Horn of Africa region. She explores how civil society operates under repressive regimes, examining forms of civic activism , public administration , and urban conflict . Her work investigates the complex interplay between political reform, communal violence, and bureaucratic structures in transitional political environments. Dr. Pellerin's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on Ethiopian politics and authoritarian governance . Her research examines how citizens navigate political repression, with particular attention to urban spaces and civil society organizations. A recurring theme is the analysis of "public silence" and covert forms of resistance under authoritarian rule. Her work bridges political science, development studies, and urban geography, offering nuanced insights into democratization processes and state-society relations in Africa. Dr. Pellerin co-coordinates the courses "Introduction to Development Studies" (Bachelor level) and "The Politics of Development" (Master level) at Uppsala University. She is actively involved in multiple research projects funded by prestigious organizations including the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development and the Swedish Research Council. Her current projects examine bureaucracy's role in democratization processes, environmental policy during political transitions in Ethiopia, and state-labour relations in India and Ethiopia. As an affiliate researcher at the French Center for Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa, Dr. Pellerin maintains strong research connections with Ethiopian academic and policy institutions. Her collaborative work with scholars like Karin Leijon, Emma Elfversson, and others demonstrates her engagement with interdisciplinary research teams focused on governance, democratization, and political transitions in Africa.
