Eileen Klein is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Convener of the BSW Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey's School of Social Science and Human Services. Her work focuses on LGBTQ mental health treatment , community support systems , and policy reform for marginalized populations. Klein has presented extensively at international conferences on topics like cultural competency in social work education and LGBTQ health disparities . Ph.D., M.S., and M.S.W. from New York University and SUNY Buffalo Key research areas: LGBTQ Mental Health, Community Health Disparities, Forensic Social Work Published 15+ works (2013-2021) on topics ranging from polypharmacy to support programs for LGBTQ clients Active in professional development: Delivered presentations at conferences across the U.S. and Italy on topics including integrated treatment and supervision of student interns
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Andreas Georg Scherer is a Full Professor and Chair of Foundations of Business Administration and Theories of the Firm at the University of Zurich. His academic career began with studies at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, culminating in a Diplom-Kaufmann (1989), Dr. rer. pol. (1994), and habilitation (2000). Since 2002, he has held his current chair, focusing on business ethics, globalization, and organization theory. Affiliations: Member of University of Zurich’s Ethics and Sustainability Committees, Academic Advisory Board at Zeppelin University, and editorial roles in journals like Business Ethics Quarterly and Journal of Management Studies. Education: 1984–1989: Studies in Business Administration, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg 1989: Diplom-Kaufmann (Master equivalent) 1994: Dr. rer. pol. (PhD) 2000: Habilitation in Business Administration Research Interests: Scherer’s work bridges business ethics, globalization, and organization theory. Key themes include corporate political responsibility ( Political CSR ), digitalization’s societal impacts, and the role of multinational firms in global governance. His research emphasizes critical theory and discourse ethics frameworks. Publications: Over 60 journal articles and books, including Handbook of Research on Global Corporate Citizenship (2008) and Multinationale Unternehmen und Globalisierung (2003). Recent work explores dark sides of digitalization and responsible innovation governance. Awards: 2020: Dr.rer.pol.h.c. honorary degree (University of Hamburg) 2020: Best Paper Award (WK INT Committee) 2018: VHB Best Practice Paper Award 2012: OMT Best Published Paper Finalist Advising & Grants: Supervised over 10 doctoral students, including Dorothee Baumann-Pauly and Christian Voegtlin. Led Swiss National Science Foundation projects on corporate legitimacy, responsible leadership, and anti-corruption strategies. Labs/Teams: Heads the Foundations of Business Administration research group at the University of Zurich, focusing on ethical and political dimensions of corporate activity. Collaborates with global institutions like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Sharon Sassler is a Professor in the Department of Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University's Brooks School of Public Policy. She joined the Cornell faculty in 2005 and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology/Demography from Brown University (1995). Her research examines life course transitions of young adults across education, work, relationships, and parenthood, with critical attention to gender, race/ethnicity, and social class disparities. Education: Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Population Dynamics (1995-96) Ph.D. in Sociology/Demography, Brown University (1995) M.A. in Sociology/Demography, Brown University (1991) B.A. in English & American Literature and Politics, Brandeis University (1984) Professor Sassler's research spans two interconnected domains: family demography and STEM gender dynamics. In family studies, she investigates cohabitation, marriage, and non-marital childbearing through publications like Cohabitation Nation: Gender, Class, and the Remaking of Relationships (2017), which demonstrates how cohabitation patterns exacerbate family inequality. Her work reveals how union transitions affect maternal health, child educational outcomes, and relationship stability across racial and socioeconomic lines. Concurrently, she examines women's retention in STEM fields, analyzing gender wage gaps, occupational attrition, and the impact of family formation on career trajectories in science and engineering professions. Her 2022-2025 publications reveal intensifying focus on cross-national comparisons of union formation and STEM career dynamics, with growing attention to policy impacts. Notable trends include state abortion policy effects on pregnancy outcomes, the retreat from marriage among college-educated STEM professionals, and intersectional analyses of job search strategies. Her work consistently centers gendered power dynamics within cohabiting relationships while documenting how racial and class inequalities shape family formation and STEM participation. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in source materials Professor Sassler actively mentors through collaborative research projects like Collaborative Research: Early Career Transitions into STEM Employment (2014), indicating grant-funded work examining structural barriers for women in technical fields. Her extensive co-authorship network suggests significant graduate student supervision, though formal advisee lists aren't documented. She teaches core sociology courses including Population and Public Policy (SOC 2030) and Population Controversies in Europe (SOC 3620), connecting demographic theory with contemporary policy debates. Based in Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, she contributes to Cornell's interdisciplinary research ecosystem through affiliations with both the Sociology program and Policy Analysis and Management department, bridging demographic methods with public policy applications to address pressing social inequalities.
Simo Vehmas is Professor of Special Education at Stockholm University's Department of Special Education. He is currently on research leave for the academic year 2024-2025 at the Paris Institute for Advanced Study, with plans to resume departmental activities from July 2025. His academic work spans theoretical and empirical approaches to disability studies, with particular focus on profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Professor Vehmas's research interests center on theoretical and ethical issues related to disability, examining the ontological formation as well as the moral and political significance of disability. His work bridges philosophical inquiry with practical educational concerns, particularly regarding persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Recent publications demonstrate his commitment to exploring the intersection of language, identity, and rights within disability contexts. His scholarship engages deeply with questions of personhood, moral status, and the social construction of disability, while also addressing practical implications for education and policy. Analysis of Vehmas's recent publications reveals a consistent thematic trajectory exploring the philosophical foundations of disability while increasingly incorporating empirical research methods. His work spans multiple disciplines including philosophy, ethics, linguistics, education, and social policy, with particular attention to Swedish disability contexts. The publications demonstrate growing engagement with interdisciplinary approaches to disability studies, moving from purely theoretical frameworks toward more applied research on music therapy, educational interventions, and everyday experiences of people with profound intellectual disabilities. Vehmas has made significant contributions through book publications including 'Narrowed Lives: Meaning, Moral Value, and Profound Intellectual Disability' (2021), 'Vaikeasti kehitysvammaisten arki ja ihmisyys' (2022), and co-editing the 'Routledge Handbook of Disability Studies: Second Edition' (2020). His scholarly output reflects deep engagement with both international disability scholarship and specifically Nordic approaches to disability. While specific grant information is not provided in the available materials, Professor Vehmas's research leave at the Paris Institute for Advanced Study indicates active engagement with international research networks. His collaborative work with researchers like Riitta Mietola suggests participation in research teams focused on profound intellectual disabilities. His publications suggest ongoing work in developing pedagogical interventions and theoretical frameworks for understanding disability experiences.
Prof. Dr. Heinz Streib is Professor of Practical Theology/Religious Education at the University of Bielefeld, affiliated with the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology and Department of Theology and Diaconal Studies. He directs research at the Research Center for Interdisciplinary Religious Studies specializing in Biographical Religious Studies, and is recognized as an expert in fundamentalism, religious psychology, spirituality, youth religion, and biographical approaches to religious experience. 1995: Habilitation (Venia Legendi in Practical Theology), University of Frankfurt 1989: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Emory University, Atlanta 1984: Master of Sacred Theology (STM), Yale University, New Haven 1980: 2nd Protestant Theological Service Examination, Church of Württemberg 1977: 1st Protestant Theological Service Examination, University of Tübingen 1970: Abitur Streib's research centers on empirical studies of contemporary religion and spirituality, xenophobia and inter-religious prejudice, religious development theory, religious styles and schemata, psychology of religion, biographical analysis, deconversion, and deinstitutionalized religion. His work uniquely bridges theological inquiry with psychological and sociological methodologies, emphasizing longitudinal and mixed-method approaches to understanding religious transformation across the lifespan. He has developed influential frameworks for analyzing religious styles and faith development trajectories. Analysis of Streib's 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on deconversion processes, religious style transformation, and the psychological dimensions of xenophobia/xenosophia. His work increasingly employs mixed-method and longitudinal designs, combining quantitative analysis with in-depth biographical interviews. Recent research demonstrates particular attention to refugee attitudes, mystical experience measurement, and the developmental pathways between egocentric and xenocentric religious orientations. Editor-in-Chief, International Journal for the Psychology of Religion (since 2017) Former Editor-in-Chief, Archive for the Psychology of Religion (2008-2016) Member, American Psychological Association (APA) Member, International Association for the Psychology of Religion (IAPR) Member, International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV) Member, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (SSSR) Streib's academic leadership extends through his editorial roles and professional memberships. His research methodology emphasizes biographical approaches combined with quantitative analysis, particularly through faith development interviews. The Research Center for Interdisciplinary Religious Studies serves as the primary hub for his ongoing investigations into religious transformation, with particular attention to deconversion trajectories and the psychological dimensions of religious openness. His current work increasingly addresses contemporary social challenges related to migration and interreligious understanding.
Nana Osei Quarshie is an Assistant Professor at Yale University, affiliated with the Department of History, Program in the History of Science and Medicine, Yale School of Medicine’s History of Medicine Section, and the Department of Anthropology. His research focuses on the intersection of psychiatry, social stratification, and colonial/postcolonial histories in West Africa. Education: BA from University of Toronto (2011), MSc from LSE (2012), MA from Columbia University (2013), PhD from University of Michigan (2020) Research interests include global histories of psychiatry, African systems of thought, and decolonizing historical methodologies. His book project An African Pharmakon examines psychiatric care’s role in shaping social hierarchies and identities in West Africa. Publications span topics like mass expulsion policies, psychiatric nursing conspiracies, and confinement practices in colonial contexts. His work has been supported by prestigious fellowships including the Chateaubriand Fellowship and SSRC IDRF. Teaching: Courses on global psychiatric history, African intellectual traditions, and archival methodologies
Sean Lauer is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on urban sociology, community studies, immigrant integration, and friendship dynamics through social infrastructure. Current SSHRC-funded projects explore friendship formation in community organizations Co-author of Neighbourhood Houses: Building Community in Vancouver (2021) with Miu Chung Yan Collaborator with Carrie Yodanis on marriage institutional analysis Key community-university partnerships including UBC Centre for Migration Studies His work examines how cosmopolitan social infrastructure enables cross-ethnic friendships, with recent publications analyzing immigrant network diversity and community organization participation effects. Lauer's research combines longitudinal and treatment effects methodologies to address selection biases in social network studies. As Community Liaison at UBC, he developed equitable collaborative research frameworks through UBC Centre for Migration Studies and established community advisory mechanisms for institutionalized community engagement.
Dr. Christine Drew serves as Assistant Professor in Auburn University's College of Education within the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling. She coordinates the Graduate Transition Certificate Program and advises the EAGLES Program, leveraging her expertise in behavior analysis for intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her academic foundation includes a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, M.Ed. in Special Education from Texas State University, and B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas. Educational background: Ph.D. in Special Education from University of Oregon M.Ed. in Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis concentration from Texas State University B.A. in Economics with minor in secondary social studies education from University of Texas Dr. Drew's research pioneers intersections of behavior analysis, sexuality education, and IDD support through parent collaboration. Her work advances telehealth interventions for challenging behavior and inclusive practices for neurodiverse populations, with growing emphasis on social justice dimensions like LGBTQIA+ inclusion and racial equity in autism services. Methodologically, she integrates single-case designs with community-based participatory approaches to address systemic barriers. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals three dominant trajectories: (1) Practical skill-building interventions for daily living and menstrual health, (2) Telehealth adaptations for family-implemented behavior support across generations, and (3) Critical examinations of equity gaps in disability research and incarceration systems. Her scholarly impact extends through editorial contributions to the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions . Professional recognition includes Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) status achieved in 2019, though no formal scientific awards are documented. Her editorial board service demonstrates peer acknowledgment of expertise. As EAGLES Program Faculty Research Advisor, Dr. Drew mentors transition-focused projects while coordinating graduate certificate training. Her telehealth research during the pandemic suggests NIH or IES grant involvement, though specific funding isn't detailed. Current work emphasizes sustainable activism models for behavior analysts. Dr. Drew leads Auburn's EAGLES Program research initiatives, developing inclusive higher education frameworks for students with IDD. Her telehealth case studies involve multi-stakeholder teams including grandparents, parents, and school personnel, reflecting her commitment to ecological intervention approaches.
Madeline Toubiana is a Full Professor of Strategy and Organization and the Desmarais Chair in Entrepreneurship at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa . Her research explores how emotions, stigmatization, and entrepreneurship intersect to influence social change within institutions, organizations, and communities. B.B.A. (Macquarie University, International College of Management) M.Ed. (Queen's University) Ph.D. (Schulich School of Business, York University) Her research spans extreme contexts such as the sex trade , cannabis use , and unemployment , with a focus on amplifying voices of marginalized groups like women , LGBTQ+ individuals , immigrants , and seniors . She examines how stigma hierarchies and emotional dynamics create barriers or pathways for social innovation. Recent work highlights stigma-exploiting entrepreneurship as a mechanism for challenging institutional norms, particularly in taboo industries. Her publications in top journals like Administrative Science Quarterly and Academy of Management Journal demonstrate interdisciplinary rigor bridging sociology, ethics, and organizational theory. Scientific awards include the Southam/Edmonton Journal Faculty Fellowship (2018). She currently holds SSHRC grants totaling over $270,000 for research on perimenopause and career transitions and stigma-exploiting entrepreneurship .
Sheila Wildeman is an Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Law , Dalhousie University, and serves as the Director of the Dalhousie Health Justice Institute . She holds a BA (Toronto) , MA (Columbia) , LLB (Dalhousie) , and LLM (Toronto) . Research focuses on Administrative Law , Mental Health Law , Disability Law , and Prison Justice , emphasizing human rights and deinstitutionalization . Key themes include legal capacity reform , anti-carceral critiques , and equal access to social determinants of health . Recent publications explore intersections of disability justice , prison reform , and judicial accountability , with a focus on Bill C-9 and decarceration strategies . Scientific awards: Nova Scotia Human Rights Award (Group Category, Bill 59 Alliance, 2017) Dalhousie Student Union Award for Teaching Excellence (2006) Service contributions include Vice-Chair of the East Coast Prison Justice Society , membership in the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice , and board roles in the Canadian Mental Health Association - Nova Scotia Division .
Giulia Cappellaro is Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Political Sciences at Bocconi University, with affiliations at CERGAS and DONDENA research centers. She holds a PhD in Management Studies from the University of Cambridge. Her interdisciplinary research examines collaborative governance, institutional change, and ambiguity in public sector organizations, particularly in healthcare contexts. Cappellaro's publications investigate how organizations navigate complex policy environments, with recent focus on public-private hybrids, COVID-19 physician experiences, and technology implementation in healthcare. Her methodological expertise includes ethnography and qualitative analysis of organizational phenomena. Bocconi Research Excellence Award (2024, 2021, 2020) ABCD Award - OMT Division, Academy of Management (2017, 2015, 2012) EGOS Best Student Paper Award (2012) Best Young Researcher Award, Italian Health Economics Association (2012)
Ebba Högström is a Professor at the Umeå School of Architecture, part of Umeå University in Sweden. Her work focuses on the intersection of architecture, urban planning, and mental health geography. She leads the research group Infrastructures of Care: Architecture, Livable Lives and Just Environments , active from 2022 to 2027. Her research explores topics such as social infrastructure development, mental health spaces, and aging-friendly environments. Key projects include the Routledge Handbook on Spaces of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2025), analyzing institutional and post-institutional spaces. She also investigates urban renewal challenges related to military land repurposing and designs caring living arrangements for aging populations. Her recent publications address topics like community planning in Helsingborg and critical approaches to mental healthcare spaces. Högström actively contributes to academic journals like Plan: tidskrift för planering , where she serves as a lead editor. She has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, including the CollAge initiative exploring aging in transforming societies. While no formal awards are listed, her extensive publications and research leadership highlight her contributions to spatial justice and architectural design for wellbeing.
David T. Mitchell is a Professor of English and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English at George Washington University's Columbian College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on disability representation in literature, film, and cultural studies, with particular emphasis on disability history, biopolitics, neoliberalism, and posthumanism. Mitchell has authored/co-authored over six scholarly books and numerous articles. A central theme of his work is how disability embodiment challenges normative ethics and societal structures. Education: Ph.D. in American Culture (University of Michigan), M.A. in English (University of New Hampshire), B.A. in English (University of New Hampshire) His research interests span disability cinema, eugenics history, and the biopolitical dimensions of disability. Mitchell's recent projects include the film Disposable Humanity , exploring Nazi mass murders in psychiatric institutions. He has held academic roles at institutions like Temple University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and has organized international conferences on disability studies. His work bridges interdisciplinary domains, influencing fields from medical ethics to queer theory. Articles highlight his exploration of topics like disability memorialization, neoliberalism's impact on disability rights, and transhumanist critiques. Mitchell's contributions include editing major works like Cultural Locations of Disability and the Encyclopedia of Disability . He has also engaged in public advocacy through documentaries and lectures on topics such as disability representation in media and education.
Professor Jo Edson Ferrie is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the School of Social & Political Sciences and the Department of Sociological & Cultural Studies. She holds the title of Principal Fellow of Recognition of Excellence in Teaching (RET) and serves as Associate Dean of Skill and Method. Her work focuses on enhancing research methods education and advancing human rights through participatory methodologies. Education: Completed her PhD in the Centre for Disability Research at the University of Glasgow (2008). Research Interests: Research Methods Education: Pioneered quantitative skills training through Glasgow Q-Step, influencing national postgraduate training guidelines. Focuses on integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, research integrity, and interdisciplinary learning. Human Rights and Disability Rights: Active in disability rights advocacy, serving on the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s Research Advisory Group. Collaborates on projects in Ukraine and Scotland to advance human rights-based approaches. Grants & Awards: Principal Fellow of RET (2023) for Excellence in Teaching. Lead on major grants including ESRC-funded data-driven research (2020–2021) and Nuffield Foundation-supported Glasgow Q-Step (2013–2021). Advising & Training: Mentored 13 PhD/Master’s students and led initiatives such as the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences. Spearheaded training programs addressing postgraduate skill gaps, contributing to £2.4M in UK-wide training funds. Labs/Teams: Q-Step Centre: Transformed quantitative education in social sciences. Curricula 4 Life: Develops interdisciplinary courses addressing sustainability and SDGs.
Professor Christine Bigby is a leading academic and researcher at La Trobe University, where she serves as Director of the Living with Disability Research Centre within the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. She has held significant leadership roles, including Chair of the Academic Board from 2016 to 2022. Her work is deeply collaborative with disability support and advocacy organizations, focusing on improving social inclusion and quality of life for adults with intellectual disabilities. Her research interests span intellectual disability, supported decision-making, ageing and disability, social inclusion, active support, organizational culture in disability services, and disability policy. She has pioneered work on supported accommodation practices and community participation, applying concepts like 'encounter' to understand inclusion. Her research has led to the development of widely used, freely available online training resources for frontline workers and practice leaders across the disability sector. The 15 most recent publications reflect a sustained focus on supported accommodation, active support, organizational culture, inclusion, and decision-making support. They demonstrate interdisciplinary engagement across social work, health services, policy, and community participation, often involving longitudinal and qualitative methodologies. Her work frequently addresses systemic challenges, including findings from the Disability Royal Commission, and emphasizes participatory and rights-based approaches. Christine Bigby has received significant recognition for her contributions: Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to people with intellectual disabilities, social welfare, inclusion research, policy, and tertiary education. Four-time recipient of the Research Award from the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability. She has led major research initiatives, securing over $18 million in competitive and industry funding. Her projects include longitudinal studies on supported accommodation quality since 2009 and research on supported decision-making since 2015. She is the founding editor of the journal Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and has served as President of the Australasian Society of Intellectual Disability since 2022. She was also a member of the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts from 2019 to 2023. Her work is organized through the Living with Disability Research Centre, which collaborates extensively with disability service providers across Australia.
