Elias Dinas is a Full-time Professor in the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute (EUI). He holds the Swiss Chair in Federalism, Democracy, and International Governance. His research focuses on political socialization, authoritarian legacies, and research methodology. Dinas earned his PhD in Political Science from the EUI in 2010. His research interests include the impact of historical traumas on political attitudes, experimental methods, and the dynamics of norm change. He collaborates with institutions like the Graduate Institute in Geneva through seminars, conferences, and methodological workshops. Recent work explores topics such as ideology mapping via AI, the electoral effects of early voting experiences, and the interplay between migration crises and public policy. His research has been published in top journals like the American Political Science Review and highlighted in outlets like The New York Times. Received the Michael Wallerstein Award (2019) for his work on migration and hostility. Supervises 14 students researching memory politics, norm change, and intergroup relations. Leads projects on post-authoritarian ideologies, German political identity, and elite-driven norm erosion. His teaching and supervision emphasize causal inference, experimental design, and quantitative methods, reflecting his commitment to rigorous political analysis.
Andreas Kalyvas serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Politics at The New School for Social Research, where he teaches courses on liberalism, oligarchy, and political thought. Previously, he taught at Columbia University and the University of Michigan, and has held visiting positions at institutions across Spain, Chile, Germany, Poland, and South Africa. His academic credentials include: PhD in Political Science, Columbia University (2001) MA in Political Science, Columbia University (1994) BA in Political Science and Public Administration, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens (1990) Professor Kalyvas's research explores democratic theory and political thought from ancient to contemporary contexts, focusing on sovereignty, constituent power, tyranny, and citizenship. His work bridges jurisprudence, history, and politics with particular emphasis on emergency rule, oligarchic power, and migration. He is currently finalizing Tyranny Legalized: Republicanism, Dictatorship, and the Enemy Within , examining the normalization of authoritarian practices within legal frameworks. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a sustained investigation into democratic foundations amid contemporary crises. His scholarship consistently connects historical political concepts to modern challenges, especially regarding constituent power, democratic breakdowns, and the tension between legal norms and political emergencies. This trajectory demonstrates increasing engagement with postcolonial perspectives and global democratic struggles while maintaining deep roots in classical political theory. His scholarly recognition includes: Laurance S. Rockefeller Visiting Fellowship at Princeton University (2009-2010) Polity Prize for best journal article (2006) Leo Strauss Award for doctoral dissertation excellence (2002) Professor Kalyvas actively mentors graduate students through dissertation supervision and independent studies, with research supported by prestigious fellowships like the Rockefeller award. His teaching portfolio reflects his research expertise, featuring courses on liberalism in crisis, oligarchy, and political thought that examine historical and contemporary power structures. While no formal lab structure is mentioned, his international collaborations and edited volumes with scholars like Federico Finchelstein demonstrate extensive scholarly networks across political theory and continental philosophy.
Anastasia Semykina is a Professor of Economics and Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) at RMIT University's School of Economics, Finance & Marketing. She holds a PhD from Michigan State University (2006) and previously served as Charles and Joan Haworth Professor of Economics at Florida State University. Her expertise spans theoretical and applied econometrics, with a focus on panel data models, missing data estimation, and their application in labor economics, education economics, transition economies, and economic psychology. She teaches advanced econometrics and microeconomics courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Research Interests: Theoretical and Applied Econometrics Labor Economics Economics of Education Transition Economies Economics and Psychology Health Economics Her recent publications address topics such as panel data methodologies, healthcare cost-effectiveness analysis, and educational policy evaluation. She is actively involved in supervising PhD and Master's research students in econometrics and applied economics.
Professor Andrew Hudson-Smith is the Director of the Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) at University College London (UCL), where he holds the title of Professor of Digital Urban Systems. He leads UCL's academic and applied research in smart cities, digital twins, and urban informatics. His roles include Editor-in-Chief of the Future Internet Journal and academic lead for the Smart Queen Elizabeth Park project. He contributes to strategic initiatives such as the Greater London Authority Smart London Board and EPSRC Digital Economy Programme Advisory Board. Education: PhD (2003), MSc (1996) from UCL; BSc in Geography from the University of Plymouth (1992). Research focuses on digital urban systems, IoT applications, sustainable urban planning, and cyberphysical systems. Notable projects include urban heat island monitoring, participatory planning platforms, and metaverse-driven urban design. His work bridges technology, art, and public engagement, exemplified by initiatives like Tales of Things and the Haggle-O-Tron. Recent publications emphasize digital twins, metaverse urbanism, and IoT integration in urban environments. Awards include a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts. His work addresses SDGs 3 (Good Health) and 11 (Sustainable Cities), with a focus on equitable smart city development and public space innovation.
Sheila Jasanoff is the Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she founded and directs the STS Program. Previously, she was the founding chair of the STS Department at Cornell University. She holds AB, JD, and PhD degrees from Harvard University, along with honorary doctorates from the Universities of Twente and Liège. Current Position: Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies (2002-present) Previous Position: Professor of Science Policy and Law at Cornell University (1991-1998) Education: AB (Mathematics) from Radcliffe College, PhD (Linguistics) and JD from Harvard University Professor Jasanoff's research explores the role of science and technology in the law, politics, and policy of modern democracies, with particular attention to environmental and biotechnology regulation in Europe and the U.S. She is a pioneer in the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS), having authored over 130 articles and chapters and written or edited more than 15 books, including The Fifth Branch , Science at the Bar , Designs on Nature , The Ethics of Invention , and Can Science Make Sense of Life? Her recent scholarly work focuses on climate communication, genome editing ethics, and the integration of STS perspectives into engineering and public policy. Jasanoff's publications demonstrate a consistent engagement with how different societies conceptualize scientific knowledge and incorporate it into governance structures, with particular attention to sociotechnical imaginaries and civic epistemologies. Holberg Prize (2022), often dubbed the 'Nobel Prize for social science and humanities' SSRC's Hirschman Prize Humboldt Foundation's Reimar-Lüst Award Guggenheim Fellowship Ehrenkreuz from the Government of Austria Foreign memberships in the British Academy and the Royal Danish Academy Jasanoff has served on the AAAS Board of Directors and as President of the Society for Social Studies of Science. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Her sponsored projects include the Global Observatory on Genome Editing funded by the John Templeton Foundation and Belmont Forum Collaborative Research on Governance of Sociotechnical Transformations funded by the National Science Foundation. She has held distinguished visiting appointments at leading universities worldwide and serves on numerous scientific advisory boards including at the Holberg Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, and University of Cambridge.
Deval Desai serves as Reader in International Economic Law at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh Law School, a position he has held since 2020 after serving as Lecturer from 2020-2023. His academic career includes research positions at Harvard Law School and the Geneva Graduate Institute. Dr. Desai also brings extensive practical experience from a decade working with the World Bank on rule of law and governance in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as advising the United Nations on rule of law issues. Dr. Desai's educational background includes an MA in History and French Literature from Oxford University, followed by legal training at City University/BPP Law School (PGDipL and PGDipLP), and advanced law degrees (LLM and SJD) from Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he held prestigious fellowships including the Byse Fellowship, Program on Negotiation Next Generation Fellowship, and Institute for Global Law and Policy Fellowship. MA (Oxon), History and French Literature PGDipL, PGDipLP, City University/BPP Law School LLM, Harvard Law School SJD, Harvard Law School Dr. Desai's research centers on law and development, administrative law and regulation, theories of the state, and patterns of knowledge and authority across the Global North and South. His work examines institutional reform processes, particularly how expertise and knowledge operate within rule of law initiatives. His interdisciplinary approach draws from legal and social theory, development studies, international relations, and performance studies, as evidenced in his monograph Expert Ignorance (Cambridge University Press). His recent work focuses on fiscal sociology, administrative law in the Global South, and the politics of social welfare provision. Dr. Desai's publications span leading journals in law, political science, and development studies, revealing a consistent focus on the intersections between legal institutions, governance, and development. His work demonstrates increasing engagement with comparative methodologies and critical perspectives on knowledge production in global governance. Recent articles show particular attention to fiscal policy, welfare systems, and responses to global crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, with comparative studies between India and European contexts. Dame Muriel Spark Medal (2024, Royal Society of Edinburgh) Chancellor's 'Rising Star' Award (2023, University of Edinburgh) Member of the Young Academy of Scotland Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe Dr. Desai has secured significant research funding from diverse international sources, including a £2.1 million Swiss National Science Foundation Sinergia grant titled 'Reversing the Gaze: Towards Post-Comparative Area Studies' where he serves as PI. He also leads projects funded by the British Academy, University of Edinburgh's Big Ideas Accelerator, Scottish Funding Council, and Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. His commitment to mentoring is evident through his recognition with the Susan Manning Award for Inspiring Mentor and his leadership in establishing programs like the Global Scholars' Academy at the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Global Justice summer school at CEU. As editor-in-chief of the Cambridge University Press book series 'Elements in Legal Theory and the Global South' and serving on multiple editorial boards, Dr. Desai plays a significant role in shaping scholarly discourse. His current research projects examine 'loss' in legal institutions guiding transitional processes, constitutional implications of fiscal arrangements in fragile contexts, and social welfare provision in India and Italy.
Professor Andrew Chadwick is a leading scholar in political communication and digital media studies at Loughborough University, where he directs the Online Civic Culture Centre (O3C). He holds a BSocSc from Birmingham, MSc and PhD from the London School of Economics. His research focuses on hybrid media systems, disinformation dynamics, and digital politics. Key contributions include conceptualizing hybrid media events and analyzing misinformation in personal messaging platforms. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the APSA Best Book Award. He supervises numerous PhD students exploring topics like social media influence, public opinion, and digital disinformation. Current projects include the Leverhulme-funded Everyday Misinformation Project examining numerical disinformation on messaging apps. His media engagements span BBC Radio 4 to The Washington Post. Research highlights include studies on misinformation warnings' ineffectiveness, vaccine hesitancy, and the role of celebrities in political representation. O3C serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on digital civic culture. Chadwick’s academic leadership includes roles in editorial boards for top journals and international conference keynotes.
Kathleen R. McNamara is Professor of Government and Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where she also co-founded the Global Political Economy Project with Professor Abe Newman. Her work centers on the European Union, globalization, and the cultural and political foundations of market authority. Her research interests include the political economy of the European Union, monetary politics, culture and identity in global markets, institutional change, and the democratic legitimacy of supranational governance. She examines how ideas, norms, and collective identities shape economic integration and state formation, especially in Europe. Her recent publications (2020–2024) reveal a strong focus on the EU’s geopolitical turn, industrial policy transformation, the impact of crises like COVID-19 on globalization, and the interplay between democracy and populism. These works reflect a deep engagement with both theoretical and policy-relevant dimensions of contemporary European and global political economy. International Studies Association 2018 Distinguished Scholar in International Political Economy ISA 2020 SWIPE Award for Mentoring Women in International Political Economy German Marshall Fund Fellow Fulbright Fellow Simone Veil Fellow at the European University Institute (2023) McNamara has been a visiting scholar at the Russell Sage Foundation, taught at Princeton University and Sciences Po (Paris), and advised the US National Intelligence Council. She is active in public scholarship, writing for Foreign Affairs , Foreign Policy , and The Washington Post . She is a founding figure in the Global Political Economy Project, which aims to reframe the study of global markets through interdisciplinary and critical lenses.
Taina Bucher is a Professor at the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo, specializing in algorithmic studies, digital infrastructure, and human-machine communication. She leads the Screen Cultures research group and serves as Principal Investigator for HumAIn , a five-year humanities hub reimagining AI (2024-2029). Research Focus: Her work examines Algorithmic power and politics Cultural imaginaries of digital technology Temporalities of algorithmic media Feminist epistemologies in digital contexts Monitorial citizenship in platform societies Publications: Bucher has authored two monographs: Facebook (Polity Press, 2021) and IF…THEN: Algorithmic Power and Politics (Oxford University Press, 2018). Her recent articles explore facial recognition systems, algorithmic temporality, and digital divides. Academic Background: PhD in Media Studies (University of Oslo, 2012), MSc in Culture & Society (London School of Economics, 2007), with visiting scholar appointments at The New School, Ryerson University, and New York University. Teaching: She supervises and teaches topics including Digital infrastructure Algorithm studies Screen cultures Media theory Critical data studies Digitalization of public sectors Editorial Roles: Active on editorial boards for Journal of Communication , New Media & Society , and Information, Communication & Society .
Archon Fung is the Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. His research focuses on policies and institutional designs that enhance democratic governance, particularly in areas of public participation, deliberation, and transparency. He co-directs the Transparency Policy Project and leads democratic governance programs at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. Fung has authored five books, including Full Disclosure: The Perils and Promise of Transparency and Empowered Participation: Reinventing Urban Democracy , and over fifty articles. He holds degrees from MIT: two S.B. degrees in philosophy and physics, and a Ph.D. in political science. Affiliations: Director of the Ash Center, Faculty Associate of the Ethics Center, Member of the Faculty Committee since 2009. Research Interests: Democratic innovation, participatory governance, transparency in public policy, and institutional design for equitable decision-making. His recent work explores democratic erosion, AI's impact on elections, and inclusive governance frameworks. Fung teaches courses on participation, ethics, and social innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School. He co-founded Participedia, a global platform documenting participatory governance practices. Sponsored projects include initiatives on institutional antiracism, transparent engagement, and sustainable governance reforms. His work emphasizes bridging theory and practice to strengthen democratic institutions globally.
Thomas Piketty is a Professor of Economics and Economic History at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the Paris School of Economics. He is co-director of the World Inequality Lab and the World Inequality Database, and a leading scholar on economic inequality and historical political economy. Born on May 7, 1971, in Clichy, France. PhD in Economics from EHESS and LSE (1990–1993). Professor at MIT (1993–1995), Research Fellow at CNRS (1995–2000), and Director of Studies at EHESS since 2000. His research focuses on the interplay between economic development, wealth distribution, and political institutions. Key works include Capital in the 21st Century (2014), Capital and Ideology (2020), and A Brief History of Equality (2022). Piketty has pioneered methods to measure long-term inequality using historical data. Publications span articles in top journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Journal of Political Economy, and American Economic Review. His work emphasizes fiscal policies, wealth taxation, and global inequality trends. He co-founded the World Inequality Database (WID.world) to track income and wealth disparities worldwide. Distinctions include the Yrjö Jahnsson Prize (2013), CNRS Bronze Medal (2001), and Best Young Economist Award (2002). He has advised governments and contributed to policy debates on tax reform, climate justice, and European democratization.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Noah Nathan is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology , with faculty affiliation at MIT’s Global Diversity Lab . He previously taught at the University of Michigan and earned his PhD in Government from Harvard University (2016) . Research Interests: Political economy of development Comparative political behavior Urban politics State-building Distributive politics and clientelism Political parties African political systems Article Trends: His recent work integrates urban built environments into political behavior analysis, with empirical studies across African cities. Key themes include state-building legacies in inequality, clientelist electoral systems, and architectural impacts on political engagement. Earlier work (2013-2020) focused on ethnic politics, leadership dynamics, and institutional design. Scientific Awards: 2024 William Riker Award for Best Book in Political Economy 2024 African Politics Conference Group Best Book Award 2023 Foreign Affairs Best Books recognition 2015 Heinz I. Eulau Award (APSR) 2024 Political Ties Best Paper Award (APSA) Advising & Grants: He has advised multiple published studies in top journals and secured research funding for field experiments in Ghana. Current work explores vernacular architecture’s political impact and state capture mechanisms. Labs & Teams: Affiliated with MIT’s Global Diversity Lab and collaborative networks across African politics research institutions.
Anujit Chakraborty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Davis . His research bridges Economic Theory , Behavioral Economics , and Experimental Economics , focusing on decision-making under risk and time constraints, procrastination, and present-biased behavior. Education : Ph.D. in Economics (University of British Columbia, 2017), M.S. in Quantitative Economics (Indian Statistical Institute, 2011), B.E. in Electronics Engineering (Jadavpur University, 2009) His work explores procrastination , present bias , prosocial behavior , and interpersonal uncertainty , often using experimental methods to analyze anomalies in economic preferences. Recent publications investigate democracy measurement , news source diversity , and peer-grading systems . Dr. Chakraborty teaches Intermediate Economics (ECN 100B) and Behavioral Economics at both undergraduate and Ph.D. levels.
Matteo Bonotti is an Associate Professor of Politics & International Relations at Monash University, previously teaching at Cardiff University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on democratic theory, political liberalism, linguistic justice, free speech, civility, and food justice, addressing ethical pluralism and cultural diversity in modern societies. He has published in journals like the American Political Science Review and authored/co-authored books including Partisanship and Political Liberalism in Diverse Societies (Oxford UP, 2017) and Healthy Eating Policy and Political Philosophy: A Public Reason Approach (Oxford UP, 2022). Bonotti leads projects on disinformation in Southeast Asia, linguistic justice among Italian-Australians, and civic education. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to justice, peace, and sustainable consumption. Education: Previous academic roles at Cardiff, Queen’s Belfast, and Edinburgh universities. Research Themes: Ethical pluralism, democratic legitimacy, public reason, and policy narratives. Recent Projects: ASEAN Disinformation Index, Language & Political Participation in Australia, and Civic Virtue in Polarized Societies. His articles explore topics like civility in environmental politics, far-right network dynamics, and gastrospaces as ethical spaces. Collaborations span international scholars across political theory, sociology, and philosophy. Bonotti actively engages with public discourse through media commentaries on civility, pandemic narratives, and free speech debates.
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUnited States
Song Kim is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Faculty Affiliate at the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). He holds a Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University, where he was awarded the Harold W. Dodds Fellowship (2012-2013). His research focuses on International Political Economy, Formal and Quantitative Methodology, and Big Data analysis of international trade. He is particularly known for his work on firm-level political incentives in trade liberalization, which earned him the 2015 Mancur Olson Award and the 2018 Michael Wallerstein Award for best published article in political economy. Kim develops computational methods for analyzing trade data, including dimension reduction and visualization techniques. He maintains two key databases: LobbyView (tracking firm lobbying efforts) and TradeLab (for trade policy analysis). His research has been published in top journals such as the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, and International Organization. Educations : Ph.D. in Politics (Princeton University), B.A. not explicitly stated. His research interests include the dynamical evolution of lobbying networks, strategic links between political donations and lobbying, and the political origins of trade regulations. He also contributes methodological innovations, such as two-way fixed effects models and matching methods for causal inference with panel data. Awards : Mancur Olson Award (2015) Michael Wallerstein Award (2018) Harold W. Dodds Fellowship (2012-2013) Advising & Grants : No listed advisees. His work is supported by MIT’s IDSS and institutional funding. He collaborates on software tools like the 'wfe' and 'concordance' R packages, advancing computational social science. Labs/Teams : Associated with MIT’s Political Science Department and IDSS, focusing on interdisciplinary projects in trade, lobbying, and quantitative methods.
