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.
Nick Kapur is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Rutgers University–Camden, within the School of Arts and Sciences. He specializes in modern Japan and East Asia, with a focus on transnational perspectives, US-Japan relations, environmental history, gender, and cultural studies including literature and film. His educational background includes a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2011), an M.A. from Stanford University (2003), and a B.A. from Stanford University (2002). Kapur's research examines the intersections of political economy, culture, and international relations in modern Japan, particularly in the postwar era. His acclaimed book, Japan at the Crossroads: Conflict and Compromise after Anpo (2018), analyzes the 1960 protests and their lasting impact on Japanese society and US-Japan relations. He has also published extensively on the Japanese student movement, environmental policy, and Meiji centennial celebrations. His recent and forthcoming articles reflect a sustained engagement with Cold War Japan, dissent, nationalism, and transnational history. Kapur is known for innovative teaching methods, including historical simulations on Pearl Harbor and samurai-era Japan. He is the founder of the Modern Japan History Association and has contributed significantly to digital humanities through projects like the Digital Archive of Japan’s 2011 Disasters and the development of educational apps. His publications from the past decade show a consistent focus on political protest, cultural memory, and international relations in 20th-century Japan. His scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, translations, and book reviews in leading journals such as Diplomatic History , The Journal of Asian Studies , and The Asia-Pacific Journal . Kapur advises graduate students and teaches courses on Japanese, Chinese, and Korean history, World War II, and environmental history. He has played a leadership role in promoting Japanese studies globally and continues to be an active researcher with works forthcoming in 2025. His current projects include digital applications for historical education.
Lyubov Zhyznomirska is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Saint Mary's University, specializing in European studies, migration governance, and democratization processes. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Alberta (2012), with a focus on EU migration cooperation with Eastern neighbors. Her current research examines the reception of war-displaced Ukrainians in Canada, the UK, and Germany. She has held a Jean Monnet Post-Doctoral Fellowship and is active in research networks such as the European Community Studies Association-Canada and the Migration Research Network. Teaching focuses on comparative politics, European Union politics, and migration studies. Recent SSHRC-funded projects include studies on Ukrainian refugee integration in Nova Scotia and the impact of temporary status on newcomer youth. Awards include the Jean Monnet Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2011-2012). Research interests include forced displacement, post-war societies, and EU-Ukraine-Russia dynamics. She co-edited The Routledge Handbook of the Politics of Migration in Europe (2019) and publishes in journals such as Comparative European Politics . Professional roles include Treasurer of ECSA-Canada (2021-2024) and President of the Atlantic Provinces Political Science Association (2022-2023).
G. John Ikenberry is the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University, jointly appointed in the Department of Politics and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. He is Co-Director of the Center for International Security Studies and the Princeton Project on National Security. Ikenberry also holds the title of Global Eminence Scholar at Kyung Hee University and has held visiting fellowships at All Souls College and Balliol College, Oxford. His research centers on international relations, with a focus on the liberal international order, American foreign policy, institutional design, and post-war order building. Ikenberry’s work explores how power, legitimacy, and institutions interact to shape global governance. His scholarship bridges theory and policy, influencing both academic discourse and real-world strategy. The 15 most recent articles and books reflect a deep engagement with themes such as liberal internationalism, U.S. primacy, multilateralism, and the resilience of global institutions. His publications analyze historical patterns of order creation, contemporary challenges to the Western alliance, and the future of democratic governance in a shifting geopolitical landscape. Scientific Awards: Schroeder-Jervis Award (2002) from the American Political Science Association for best book in international history and politics ( After Victory ) Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Ikenberry has co-directed major research projects including the Princeton Project on National Security and has advised on U.S. foreign policy through roles on the State Department Policy Planning Staff and the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force. His work has been supported by prestigious academic and policy institutions, enabling broad scholarly and practical impact. Labs and Research Centers: Ikenberry is actively involved in leading research centers at Princeton, including the Center for International Security Studies and the Princeton Project on National Security, which bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to address pressing global challenges.
Jason Brownlee is a Professor in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on comparative politics, democracy, and authoritarianism, with a regional emphasis on the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Ph.D., Princeton University Contact: brownlee@austin.utexas.edu Research Interests : Brownlee investigates the persistence of authoritarian regimes, the political economy of repression, and the impact of foreign intervention on domestic politics. His work often analyzes Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Key Publications : Authoritarianism in an Age of Democratization (Cambridge, 2007) Democracy Prevention: The Politics of the U.S.-Egyptian Alliance (Cambridge, 2012) The Arab Spring: Pathways of Repression and Reform (Oxford, 2012, co-authored with Tarek Masoud and Andrew Reynolds) Teaching : Brownlee offers courses such as "War/Freedom in South Asia/Middle East" and "Issues & Policies in American Government," delivered both in-person and online.
Alexander B. Downes is a Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at The George Washington University, serving as Director of the Institute for Security and Conflict Studies within the Elliott School of International Affairs. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. His research focuses on international security with expertise in civilian victimization during war, foreign-imposed regime change, military effectiveness, coercion, nuclear weapons, and civil war. He has authored two influential books: Targeting Civilians in War (2008) and Catastrophic Success: Why Foreign-Imposed Regime Change Goes Wrong (2021). Downes has received major recognition including the Joseph Lepgold Prize (2008), Emerging Scholar Award (2016), Michael E. Brown Research Prize (2022), and Harry Harding Teaching Prize (2020). His work has been funded by the Department of Defense Minerva Initiative, Carnegie Corporation, and others. He has held fellowships at Harvard's Belfer Center and Stanford's CISAC. Teaching responsibilities include courses on international security, modern warfare theory, and coercion strategies. His research emphasizes policy-relevant analysis of global security challenges, combining historical case studies with contemporary strategic dilemmas.
John T. Sidel Summary Professor John T. Sidel is the Sir Patrick Gillam Chair in International and Comparative Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), holding joint appointments in the Government and International Relations Departments. He is also Director of the Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre. His career spans over three decades of research on Southeast Asia, with a focus on the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Education B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from Yale University Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University Research Interests Sidel specializes in Southeast Asian politics, including local power dynamics, comparative historical sociology, Islam in politics, reform advocacy campaigns, and infrastructure politics. Key themes include: Local Politics: Analysis of political bossism, dynasties, and subnational governance in the Philippines and beyond. Comparative History: Long-term patterns of state-building, nationalism, and colonial legacies in Southeast Asia. Islam & Politics: Study of religious violence, political mobilization, and transnational Islam in Indonesia. Reform Advocacy: Advising development initiatives like the Philippines' Coalitions for Change program. Infrastructure Politics: Urban transport reforms and their socio-political implications in Metro Manila. Key Publications Major works include Republicanism, Communism, Islam: Cosmopolitan Origins of Revolution in Southeast Asia (2021), Riots, Pogroms, Jihad (2006), and Capital, Coercion, and Crime (1999). His recent research explores transport policy reforms and the political economy of development in the Philippines. Teaching Sidel teaches courses on Southeast Asian politics, comparative historical sociology, and Islam in world politics at LSE. Notable courses include GV4D3 (Local Power in Globalization) and IR461 (Islam in International Relations). Public Engagement He advises international organizations such as The Asia Foundation and UNHCR, contributing reports on Indonesia's refugee policies and Philippine development initiatives. Active in public lectures and podcasts, he promotes Southeast Asian studies through platforms like the LSE's 'Dialogues on Southeast Asia' series.
Jampel Dell'Angelo is an Associate Professor with ius promovendi in Water Governance and Politics at the Department of Environmental Policy Analysis, Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds concurrent roles as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley's Ecohydrology Lab, and an Environmental Governance Affiliate Scholar at SESYNC, Maryland. His research focuses on multilevel dimensions of water governance, climate adaptation in African irrigation systems, and transnational land investments' impacts. He leads the EU-funded NEWAVE project, coordinating 15 Early Stage Researchers across 10 institutions. Educated with a dual PhD in Environmental Science (Autonomous University of Barcelona) and International Cooperation (Sapienza University), he also holds advanced degrees from the LSE, Sapienza, Curtin, and the University of Siena. As Editor-in-Chief of World Development , he promotes interdisciplinary research on socio-environmental systems. His work contributes to UN SDGs related to clean water, sustainable cities, and responsible production. Research interests span water grabbing dynamics, socio-ecological resilience, and policy frameworks for equitable resource management. Recent projects address Mediterranean water scarcity solutions and the socio-political implications of global land rushes. He supervises PhD candidates exploring themes like water democracy, agrifood transitions, and environmental justice. Key contributions include pioneering analysis of 'water commons grabbing' and documenting the Global Water Grab Syndrome. His documentary work complements field research, such as Working Together: Research and Water Governance on Mount Kenya . Current projects emphasize innovative governance models and climate-resilient water management in transboundary contexts.
Professor Jacqueline Manuel is a Professor of English Education and Curriculum Coordinator for Secondary English at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD (UNE), DipEd (UNE), and BA (Hons I) from the University of New England. Her research focuses on secondary English education, curriculum history, teacher development, and teenage reading practices. She coordinates the English curriculum methodology for the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program and advises multiple PhD students. Current projects include co-editing volumes on English teacher development and leading international collaborations like the Professional Lives of English Language Arts Teachers Project. She has held significant roles in curriculum committees and boards, including chairing NSW Board of Studies committees and serving on AITSL panels. Key research interests span educational history, teacher professional identity, creativity in arts education, and early career teacher support. Notable publications include Reimagining Shakespeare Education (2023) and Teenagers and Reading (2012). Awards include the 2018 Alan Laughlin Award for Educational Leadership and 2016 Outstanding Service Award. Professor Manuel collaborates with institutions like the International Federation for the Teaching of English (IFTE) and chairs multiple editorial boards. Her work integrates international perspectives, emphasizing English as an emancipatory subject promoting social justice.
Dr. Roham Alvandi is Associate Professor of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he also serves as Director of the Iranian History Initiative and Master's Programme Director. He is affiliated with the Phelan United States Centre and the Middle East Centre at LSE, and is a Fellow of the British Institute of Persian Studies, the Royal Historical Society, and the Royal Asiatic Society. Dr. Alvandi earned his DPhil and MPhil from the University of Oxford, where his doctoral thesis won the Foundation for Iranian Studies’ Dissertation Prize and the Pavry Memorial Prize. He also holds degrees from the University of Sydney, where he received the University Medal, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. His research focuses on modern Iranian history, U.S. foreign relations, and the Global Cold War, with current work exploring human rights activism and the origins of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. His scholarship has been published in leading journals such as Diplomatic History , Cold War History , and Iranian Studies . He is the author of Nixon, Kissinger, and the Shah: The United States and Iran in the Cold War (Oxford University Press, 2014), selected by the Financial Times as one of the best history books of the year, and editor of The Age of Aryamehr: Late Pahlavi Iran and its Global Entanglements (2018). His recent media commentaries and articles—appearing in The New York Times , The Guardian , The Wall Street Journal , and The Washington Post —reflect a consistent focus on Iran’s political trajectory, nuclear ambitions, and societal resistance. The articles highlight themes such as the fragility of the Islamic Republic, the role of historical memory, and the persistent desire for secular democracy among Iranians. Financial Times Best History Book of 2014 Foundation for Iranian Studies’ Dissertation Prize University of Oxford’s Pavry Memorial Prize University Medal, University of Sydney LSE Excellence in Education Promotion Prize (2015) LSE Excellence in Education Award (2018) Dr. Alvandi has supervised PhD students including Jack Roush and Jean-Baptiste Ollieric, and has received LSE teaching awards in recognition of his excellence in education. He has held visiting appointments at the University of Tehran and Columbia University, and previously worked on the strategic planning staff for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He is also a frequent contributor to documentaries by HBO, BBC, and Manoto, serving as a historical consultant on projects such as Hostages and Hoveyda .
Jennifer Edmond is Associate Professor of Digital Humanities and co-director of the Trinity Center for Digital Humanities at Trinity College Dublin, where she also directs the MPhil in Digital Humanities and Culture. She holds a PhD in Germanic Languages and Literatures from Yale University and specializes in applying advanced methods and infrastructures for arts and humanities research. Her research focuses on Digital Humanities, Research Infrastructures, Open Science, Cultural Heritage, and Knowledge Technologies. She has developed significant expertise in European research policy, having coordinated the €6.5m CENDARI FP7 project and participated in numerous EU initiatives including PARTHENOS, Europeana Cloud, and the Computational Literary Studies Infrastructure (CLS Infra). Dr. Edmond maintains an active publication record exploring digital scholarly editing, privacy in literary texts, open science practices, and cultural heritage narratives. Her recent work demonstrates a strong focus on the intersection of technology and democracy, digital ethics, and innovative methodologies for humanities research. Awards and Honors: Named one of Ireland's five 'Champions of EU Research' (2012) She served as President of DARIAH-EU's Board of Directors (2018-2022) and represented the organization on the European Commission's Open Science Policy Platform. Dr. Edmond has contributed to strategic developments at national and institutional levels, while actively promoting public outreach through various media formats and art installations.
Allen S. Weiner is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School and directs three major programs: the Stanford Program in International and Comparative Law, the Stanford Humanitarian Program, and the Stanford Center on International Conflict and Negotiation. His expertise spans international security, conflict resolution, and humanitarian law. Weiner holds a BA from Harvard University (1985) and a JD from Stanford Law School (1989). Prior to joining Stanford in 2003, he served in the U.S. State Department, advising on international law and representing the U.S. in international tribunals. His research focuses on international law’s application to contemporary security threats, including cyber warfare, nuclear doctrine, and online misinformation in conflict zones. Notable works include co-authoring the leading textbook International Law (8th ed., 2023) and analyzing historical cases like the Hiroshima bombing’s legal implications. Weiner’s policy work includes projects with INTERPOL to combat transnational crime and rethinking its governance models. Scientific awards are not explicitly listed in the provided texts, though his contributions to legal scholarship and policy are widely recognized. He teaches courses on conflict resolution, humanitarian law, and ethics in warfare. His advising and grants include policy practicums addressing global security challenges.
Associate Professor Mariah Zeisberg researches constitutional theory and American political development at the University of Michigan's Department of Political Science. Her work examines constitutional interpretation by non-judicial branches, executive authority in national security contexts, and democratic legitimacy. Her award-winning book 'War Powers: The Politics of Constitutional Authority' developed a relational theory of constitutional interpretation for elected branches. Current projects investigate antislavery constitutionalism, including Frederick Douglass's constitutional thought and the role of abolitionist family networks in shaping constitutional change. Teaching includes courses on constitutional politics, war powers, and legal theory. Her research bridges political theory, legal studies, and American political development to understand how political actors maintain constitutional fidelity outside judicial channels.
Michael D. Smith is a Professor of Information Technology and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, with joint appointments at Heinz College and Tepper School of Business. His research employs economic and statistical methods to analyze digital markets, focusing on firm and consumer behavior in online environments. Education: B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Summa Cum Laude), University of Maryland M.Sc. in Telecommunications Science, University of Maryland Ph.D. in Management Science and Information Technology, MIT Research Interests: Professor Smith investigates the economics of digital information markets, consumer behavior in online platforms, and policy implications of technological disruption. His work spans copyright enforcement, digital advertising, and the impact of piracy on legal media consumption. Publications: His recent studies examine AI’s role in copyright policy, effectiveness of anti-piracy measures, and market dynamics in digital streaming. Articles often bridge economics, computer science, and public policy. Awards: National Science Foundation CAREER Award Multiple Best Teacher Awards at CMU Recognized as a Top 100 Emerging Engineering Leader (NAE, 2020) Best Paper Runner-Up (Information Systems Research, 2006) Editorial and Industry Roles: Served as Senior Editor at Information Systems Research and Associate Editor at Management Science . Prior to academia, he worked in telecommunications at GTE and Booz Allen Hamilton, earning a patent for AI applications in network design. Contact: mds@cmu.edu | Office: 4800 Forbes Avenue, Hamburg Hall 2204, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Dr. Howard Lavine is Professor of Political Science and Political Psychology at the University of Minnesota, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts. He holds the Arleen C. Carlson Professorship and directs the Center for the Study of Political Psychology. His research examines the psychological foundations of political behavior, including personality, identity, attitude formation, and authoritarianism. Lavine has authored influential books including 'Open versus Closed: Personality, Identity and the Politics of Redistribution' and 'The Ambivalent Partisan: How Critical Loyalty Promotes Democracy'. He has received the Erik Erikson Early Career Award (2004) from the International Society of Political Psychology and serves as editor of the journal Political Psychology. His current work investigates status threat dynamics in reactionary politics.