Syed Hani Hassan Abidi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences , School of Medicine , Nazarbayev University , Kazakhstan. His research integrates virology , immunology , viral oncology , and bioinformatics , with a focus on HIV molecular epidemiology , viral evolution , and drug resistance . He has led international projects across Pakistan, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan, and is recognized for innovative teaching and MOOC development. Education: PhD in Virology and Immunology Research Interests: His laboratory employs bioinformatics (machine learning, AI), genomics , and proteomics to study HIV phylodynamics , viral co-infections , and oncogenic viruses like EBV in prostate cancer. He also explores microbiome-immunity interactions and designs antiviral drugs/vaccines . Recent Research Trends: His 2025 publications emphasize COVID-19 immunopathology , HIV/syphilis epidemiology in Pakistan , and particle physics contributions via ATLAS , showcasing interdisciplinary impact. Awards & Recognition: Outstanding Teachers Award (2019, Aga Khan University) Fellowship of Higher Education (UK, 2022) Teaching & Grants: He pioneered Pakistan’s first MOOC on Computer-Based Drug Discovery (2014) and received a 2022 SoTL grant for MOOC-based molecular biology education. His teaching integrates animations , films , and flipped classrooms . Collaborations & Labs: Leads projects on HIV drug resistance , HCV genomics in Kazakhstan , and AI-driven dementia diagnostics (Kazakh Brain Atlas). His lab collaborates with global institutions to advance viral disease surveillance and therapeutic innovation .
Professor Martin Doevenspeck is a distinguished scholar of Political Geography at the University of Bayreuth, where he holds a professorship in the Department of Political Geography within the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry & Earth Sciences. Since 2019, he has served as a Principal Investigator in the Cluster of Excellence "Africa Multiple" and as Spokesperson of the Research Section Mobilities. Previously, he was Managing Director of the Institute of Geography at the University of Bayreuth (2018-2022) and a member of the Executive Board of the Institute of African Studies Bayreuth. Professor Doevenspeck earned his "Diplom" in Geography from the University of Bonn and completed his PhD thesis entitled "Migration in rural Benin – Studies in social geography at an African border" at the University of Bayreuth in 2004. His academic journey includes positions as a Teaching and Research Assistant at the University of Bayreuth (2005-2011), Post-doc at the University of Bonn (2004), and various research and teaching roles focused on African geography and development. At the intersection of migration studies and political geography, Professor Doevenspeck's research focuses on (forced) im/mobilities, conflict, and border studies, with particular emphasis on African contexts. His current work centers on the project "Oil movements: the production and government of petro-(im)mobilities in East Africa" within the Bayreuth Cluster of Excellence "Africa Multiple," where he serves as Spokesperson of the Research Section Mobilities. His research spans West Africa (particularly Benin), Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda), and East Africa, examining how borders, conflicts, and resource extraction shape human mobility and territorial control. Analysis of Professor Doevenspeck's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on migration, borders, and conflict in African contexts, with increasing attention to environmental factors and resource extraction. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining political geography, migration studies, and African studies. Recent publications particularly emphasize petro-mobilities, terrorism impacts on education, and migration control in West African borderlands, reflecting evolving research interests in the interplay between infrastructure development, security concerns, and human mobility. Professor Doevenspeck has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, including Jaana M. Janßen, Fabian Liedl, Clemens Romankiewicz, Morgane Anziani-Vente, Muhire Blaise Mwanga, and Daniela Boß. His academic leadership extends to serving as Vice Dean of the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) from 2012-2021, where he played a significant role in shaping graduate education in African studies. As a Principal Investigator in the Cluster of Excellence "Africa Multiple," Professor Doevenspeck leads research initiatives examining diverse manifestations of "Africa" across the continent and diaspora. His work involves collaboration with researchers from multiple disciplines and institutions, focusing particularly on mobilities as a key research section within the cluster. This collaborative research environment has produced significant insights into migration patterns, border dynamics, and conflict resolution in African contexts.
Marina Alberti is a Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Washington, affiliated with the Department of Urban Design and Planning. She directs the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Urban Design and Planning and leads the Urban Ecology Research Laboratory. Her expertise lies in studying the interactions between urban development patterns and ecosystem dynamics, focusing on resilience, socio-ecological innovation, and biocomplexity. Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to urban ecological problems, with a strong focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), land cover change, and environmental performance metrics. She has developed simulation models integrating urban development and ecological processes, supported by NSF, NOAA, and Washington state grants. NSF Biocomplexity Program Grant : Developing simulation models for urban-ecological integration. Washington State Department of Transportation Grant : Remote sensing for impervious surface estimation. NOAA/Washington Department of Ecology Grant : GIS analysis of land use and shoreline habitats. Her work spans urban planning, ecological assessment, and policy-making, with a methodological emphasis on GIS, remote sensing, and land use dynamics. She has contributed extensively to journals like International Regional Science Review , Urban Ecosystems , and BioScience , addressing topics such as urban gradients, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Alberti's teaching includes Urban Ecology, Environmental Planning, GIS, and advanced research design, reflecting her commitment to training the next generation of urban ecologists.
Zaur Gasimov is a Lecturer at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and currently serves as DAAD Departmental Coordinator and Co-Head at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Turkish-German University. He holds a habilitation in Modern History and Eastern European History, with a focus on Eastern European History, political science, and sociology. Education : B.A. in International Relations from Baku State University; M.A. from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt; Doctorate in Eastern European history Research : Concentrates on Russian-Turkish relations, nationalism in Eastern Europe, cultural transfer processes, and historical narratives. His habilitation thesis analyzed Polish-Turkish anti-Soviet alliances. Publications : Authored monographs on Prometheism, Azerbaijani historiography, and Russification policies. Collaborated on comparative studies of cultural transfer and Ottoman-Russian entanglements.
Axel Dreher is Professor of International and Development Politics at Heidelberg University’s Alfred-Weber-Institute for Economics. He is a leading scholar in political economy and development economics, with extensive affiliations including the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, CEPR, CESifo, KOF, AidData, and EUDN. He serves as Editor of the Review of International Organizations and Co-Director of the Center for European Studies (CefES) at the University of Milan-Bicocca. Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg (2011–Present) Georg-August University Göttingen (2008–2011) ETH Zurich (2005–2008) University of Konstanz (2004–2005) University of Exeter (2003–2004) University of Mannheim (2000–2003) His research centers on political economy , economic development , foreign aid , and globalization . He investigates how political institutions, leadership incentives, and geopolitical interests shape development outcomes and international financial flows. His work often employs empirical and geospatial methods to analyze aid allocation, corruption, migration, and the rise of emerging donors like China. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong focus on China’s overseas development finance , regional favoritism , and the political determinants of aid . Keywords span political economy, development economics, and international relations, with subfields including Chinese foreign aid, geospatial analysis, governance, institutional quality, and South-South cooperation. His recent book Banking on Beijing and award-winning paper Wedded to Prosperity exemplify his cutting-edge contributions to understanding the political economy of development. Scientific awards include: 2023 Best Paper Award, Political Economy of Aid Society (PEAS) 2023 Best New Dataset Award, International Political Economy Society International Geneva (IG) Award 2020 Excellence in Refereeing Award, World Bank Economic Review (2019) 2010 KfW Excellence Award for policy-relevant research Multiple DFG and Swiss research grants Dreher has advised over 30 PhD students on topics ranging from aid effectiveness to political violence and migration. He has received major research grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG), Swiss Network for International Studies (SNIS), European Commission, and VolkswagenStiftung. His leadership roles include organizing the annual Political Economy of International Organizations conference series and serving on editorial boards of top journals such as World Development and Defence and Peace Economics . He is actively involved in academic labs and research networks including the Courant Research Center on Poverty and Equity at Göttingen, AidData at William & Mary, and the Center for European Studies (CefES). His current work continues to explore the intersection of politics, development, and globalization, particularly through georeferenced data and natural experiments.
Prof. Dr. Mareike Kühne is a full-time Professor of Business Administration at the Department of Business and Management, Brandenburg University of Technology. With a unique interdisciplinary background spanning economics, business administration, philosophy, and neuroscience, she bridges affective dimensions with economic rationality to develop holistic decision-making frameworks. Doctorate in Economics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (1992-1997) Fulbright Scholar, San Diego State University (1997-1998) Studies in Philosophy, Humboldt University (2007-2011) Doctoral and Master’s in Neuroscience, Berlin School of Mind and Brain (2011-2013) Her research integrates insights from psychology and neuroscience into capital market-oriented corporate reporting, corporate governance, and normative rationality frameworks. She critiques current economic models for neglecting the embodied nature of cognition, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of rationality that incorporates lived experience. Her 15 most recent works span sustainability reporting (2025), neuroeconomics (2021), M&A disputes (2017), and IFRS standard evolution (2005-2012). These publications highlight her focus on reconciling traditional accounting principles with interdisciplinary approaches to decision-making. Fulbright Scholar (1997-1998) Prof. Kühne has taught at Humboldt University, HHL Leipzig, and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain. She actively participates in professional organizations including the German Society for Philosophy, European Accounting Association, and European Financial Reporting Advisory Group. Her work emphasizes the practical impact of neuroscientific findings on economic policy and standard-setting.
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.
Bénédicte Savoy (born May 22, 1972 in Paris) is a renowned French art historian and Professor of Modern Art History at the Technical University of Berlin since 2009. Since 2016, she has also held positions at the Collège de France in Paris (2016-2021) and in November 2024 was appointed to the 'Cátedra del Prado' visiting professorship at the Prado Museum in Madrid. She is internationally recognized as a leading expert on cultural property restitution, particularly regarding colonial-era art theft and looted artifacts. Her research focuses on the complex histories of cultural displacement, with particular emphasis on European museums' colonial collections. Savoy has pioneered critical approaches to provenance research and has been instrumental in reshaping global debates about museum ethics and restitution practices. Her work bridges art history, postcolonial studies, and cultural policy, challenging traditional museum narratives and advocating for more transparent and ethical approaches to cultural heritage. Savoy's publications form a cohesive intellectual trajectory examining how cultural property has been transferred, often forcibly, across borders and continents. Her recent work increasingly focuses on African cultural heritage in European collections, with detailed case studies of Cameroon and broader analyses of restitution politics. The themes of historical justice, museum transparency, and decolonization of cultural institutions run consistently through her scholarship. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2016), Germany's most prestigious research award TIME 100 most influential people in the world (2021) Ritterin der französischen Ehrenlegion (2022) Deutscher Kulturpolitikpreis (2022) Berliner Wissenschaftspreis (2023) Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing (2024) Prix Européen de l'Essai 2025 (2025) As co-author of the groundbreaking 2018 report on African cultural restitution commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron, Savoy has significantly influenced international policy. Her work has secured major research funding, including collaborative projects with African scholars. She has led influential research teams examining colonial collections, most notably the seven-member team that produced the 'Atlas der Abwesenheit' documenting Cameroonian cultural heritage in Germany. Her advocacy continues to shape museum practices worldwide, pushing institutions toward greater accountability regarding their colonial-era acquisitions.
Thomas Rüde is Universitätsprofessor for Hydrogeology at RWTH Aachen University , Germany, where he leads the Hydrogeology group within the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering. Holding the chair since 2005, he also serves as Managing Director of the Vereinigung Aachener Geowissenschaftler e.V. and has previously been Vice-President (2008-2014) and Executive Council member (2000-2008) of the International Mine Water Association (IMWA). Education 2004 – Privatdozent (Dr. rer. nat. habil.), University of Munich 1995 – Dr. rer. nat., University of Karlsruhe 1991 – Diplom-Geologe, University of Karlsruhe Research focus Professor Rüde’s work centres on understanding and modelling flow and reactive transport in complex aquifer systems . Key themes include: Contaminant hydrogeology – behaviour of geogenic arsenic and uranium in groundwater Groundwater protection and remediation – risk assessment and mitigation strategies Mine-water management – acid mine drainage, dewatering-well clogging, post-mining landscapes Tracer and hydraulic testing – field experiments to quantify subsurface heterogeneity Numerical modelling – high-performance simulation of multi-aquifer systems and karst His research spans Europe (Germany, Austria, Netherlands), Latin America (Mexico, Indonesia) and South-East Asia, frequently in close collaboration with local universities and industry partners. Publication trends Since 2010, Rüde has published extensively on geogenic contamination (As, U, F) in sedimentary and volcanic aquifers, mine-water impacts , and karst hydraulics . Recent work (2022-24) highlights advanced environmental tracers (gadolinium), transboundary groundwater issues, and the sustainable management of post-mining landscapes under climate change. Numerical models range from site-scale dewatering optimisation to catchment-scale coupled flow-transport simulations. Scientific awards & recognition Best Teaching Award 2010 – RWTH Aachen University Best Teaching Award 2012 – RWTH Aachen University Best Teaching Award 2014 – RWTH Aachen University Supervision & academic service Since 1998 he has taught hydrogeology through lectures, seminars, laboratory and field courses, and computer-based modelling labs. To date he has supervised: 13 PhD candidates 34 Diploma students 57 MSc students 63 BSc students He is Chairman of the Study Commission for the BSc programme in Georesources Management at RWTH Aachen, ensuring curriculum development and quality assurance. Laboratory & field infrastructure His group operates modern hydrochemical laboratories for trace-element analyses and maintains field stations for tracer experiments in Germany, Mexico and Indonesia. High-performance computing resources (in collaboration with the Jülich Supercomputing Centre) enable large-scale groundwater modelling and Monte-Carlo uncertainty assessments.
Prof. Dr. Sabrina Zajak serves as Head of the Consensus & Conflict Department at the Deutsches Zentrum für Integrations- und Migrationsforschung (DeZIM-Institut) and holds an adjunct professorship at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum. A founding member of the Institute for Protest and Movement Research (ipb), she also serves on the board of Research Committee 47, 'Social Movements and Social Classes,' of the International Sociology Association. Her academic trajectory includes significant positions at Humboldt University Berlin, the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies Cologne, and the Social Science Center Berlin (WZB). Zajak's research centers on political sociology with dual emphases on consensus and conflict dynamics in plural societies. Her consensus research examines civil society engagement, refugee assistance networks, alliance formation, and everyday solidarity practices, while her conflict research analyzes protest movements, diversity challenges, and discrimination patterns. She has pioneered studies on transnational civil society alliances, particularly examining how social movements navigate national boundaries and build cross-border solidarity. Her recent publications reveal a decisive shift toward analyzing intersectional dynamics of race, migration, and social movements in European contexts. With significant attention to the Black Lives Matter movement's reception in Germany, her work demonstrates how global racial justice movements are adapted to local contexts. Her research increasingly addresses civil society responses to refugee crises, examining both supportive engagement and exclusionary practices, while also investigating structural barriers to diversity in German federal administration and cultural institutions. As a prolific academic leader, Zajak has served as (co-)editor for special journal issues including Development and Change (2017), Industrial Relations (2018), Social Movement Studies (2021), Competition and Change (2020), Moving the Social (2020), and European Cultural and Political Sociology (2022). Her department currently manages over 20 active research projects spanning discrimination experiences in Saxony, diversity in federal administration, Muslim youth association work, and violence protection in refugee accommodations, demonstrating the breadth and policy relevance of her research agenda.
Prof. Dr. Dirk Holtbrügge is a Professor and Holder of the Chair of Business Administration, especially International Management at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). He serves as Dean for International Affairs of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences and is jointly responsible for the department's MBA program design. His academic journey began at the University of Dortmund where he studied economics and social sciences from 1983 to 1989, earning his doctorate in 1995 and habilitation in 2000. Prof. Holtbrügge's research focuses on management in multinational corporations, intercultural management research, management in emerging markets (particularly China, India, and Russia), international human resource management, and corporate social and environmental responsibility. His work demonstrates a strong emphasis on practical applications through numerous case studies of German multinational corporations operating globally. His recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a growing focus on sustainability in international business, corporate social responsibility in challenging contexts, and the complexities of internationalization strategies across diverse industries. The research shows particular attention to German companies expanding into emerging markets and navigating cultural differences. Listed in Handelsblatt rankings of 2010, 2012, and 2014 as one of the leading business economists in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Listed in Wirtschaftswoche rankings of 2019 and 2022 as one of the leading business economists Listed as one of the top 2% most cited scientists in 2020 in Stanford University's Top 2 Percent Scientists list Prof. Holtbrügge maintains strong connections with industry through numerous case studies and collaborative research projects. His position as Dean for International Affairs reflects his commitment to fostering global academic partnerships and developing international business education programs. He has undertaken numerous teaching and research visits worldwide, including in China, France, Great Britain, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, and the USA, enriching his practical understanding of international business challenges.
John Van Reenen holds the Ronald Coase School Professorship at the London School of Economics (LSE), serves as a Digital Fellow at MIT, and directs the Programme for Innovation and Diffusion (POID). His primary academic affiliation remains with LSE where he maintains an active research profile with publications extending into 2025. Van Reenen's research centers on innovation economics, labor markets, and productivity with deep expertise in management practices and firm dynamics. His work examines resource misallocation effects in developing economies like Mexico, structural transformation impacts on labor concentration, and spillover mechanisms from superstar firms. Key contributions span industrial organization, development economics, and technology policy, often utilizing firm-level data to analyze innovation diffusion and organizational resilience. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal consistent focus on management-productivity linkages, structural economic transformation, and innovation systems. His research increasingly addresses climate-related business resilience, military innovation dynamics, and cross-border spillovers from foreign direct investment. Methodologically, he combines rigorous econometric approaches with subjective expectation data and firm-to-firm transaction analysis. Major recognitions include: 2009 Yrjö Jahnsson Award (European equivalent of Bates Clark Medal) 2014 European Investment Bank Prize for Excellence in Economic and Social Research 2017 Order of the British Empire (OBE) 2022 Honorary Foreign Membership in the American Economic Association No specific student advising or grant information appears in the source material, though his POID leadership implies research coordination responsibilities. As Director of the Programme for Innovation and Diffusion, Van Reenen oversees a research initiative investigating innovation drivers and diffusion mechanisms across global firms and economies, fostering collaboration between LSE, MIT, and international policy institutions.
PD Dr. Jannis Lennartz is a Senior Lecturer in Public Law at Humboldt University Berlin, specializing in constitutional law, administrative law, and digital legal issues. He holds a habilitation (2022) and has held visiting professorships at Göttingen and Cambridge. His research focuses on intersections of law and technology, fundamental rights in the digital age, and legal theory. He has published extensively on AI copyright challenges, algorithmic governance, and constitutional limits in administrative contexts. Education: BA Political Science (Erfurt, 2008), dual法学博士 (Göttingen/Berlin, 2013-2017), habilitation (Berlin, 2022). Key awards include the Leibniz Prize. Teaching includes Constitutional History (10 006), New Developments in Law (10 603), and General Administrative Law (10 450). Research highlights: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles since 2015 across constitutional law, intellectual property, and digital governance. Notable works include Chancellor Democracy (2023) and Forbidden Fruits? (2025), examining AI's impact on artistic creation and copyright frameworks. Recent publications address algorithmic filtering, digital trust mechanisms, and AI-generated content regulation. Awards: Leibniz Prize (specific details not provided but denotes Germany's top academic recognition). Active in interdisciplinary projects like LLCon and OSAIC initiatives. Serves as associated scientist under Prof. Möllers' chair, contributing to constitutional law research and academic leadership.
Dr. Benjamin Baumann is an Assistant Professor at Heidelberg University's Institute of Anthropology since April 2020, where he coordinates the MA program in Sociocultural Anthropology. Previously, he served as lecturer and research associate at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin's Department of Southeast Asian Studies for a decade. His research integrates Anthropology Religious Studies Cultural Studies Media Studies with focus on Rural Thailand-Cambodia border regions Human-Nonhuman relationships Termite mound cults Queer ritual specialists Social ontology in the Global South . Recent publications analyze Chthonic coexistence in Thailand Decolonial translation practices Development narratives in Southeast Asia Spirit possession professionalization Gender and enchantment in religious contexts . His work appears in Thailand Review , South East Asia Research , and edited volumes like Stone Masters and Monsters: A Companion . Scientific recognition includes 2018 Humboldt-Prize for Excellence in Teaching 2017 Harvard Society of Fellows nomination 2010 Rudolf Virchow Prize nomination
Prof. Dr. Jonas Schützeneder is a Professor of Digital Journalism at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, where he serves as Deputy Chair of the Examination Board. He holds a doctorate in Sports Journalism and Sports Communication and completed his habilitation in Innovation Communication. His academic responsibilities include teaching digital journalism in the Management and Media program (BA/MA), with a focus on data journalism, social media strategies, and online formats. Schützeneder's research explores transformative trends in journalism, with core interests in: Artificial intelligence applications in newsrooms Social media's impact on journalism practices Innovation communication and media evolution Podcast formats and audio storytelling strategies Ethical dimensions of digital journalism His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on journalism's digital transformation, particularly examining how emerging technologies like AI and social platforms are reshaping content production, distribution, and ethical frameworks across European media landscapes. His scientific recognitions include: University Teaching Award from Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (awarded twice) Multiple nominations for Teaching Award at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences Schützeneder leads the podcast project 'Held:innen von Magdeburg' where students research and produce content about contemporary and historical figures. Since 2018, he has served on the editorial board of Communicatio Socialis, an academic journal on media ethics, where he manages peer review processes. Since 2024, he co-heads the DGPuK Journalism Section, a 400-member organization within the German Society for Journalism and Communication Studies.
