Dr. Hideko Hamada Bassett is an Assistant Professor at the School of Integrative Studies, George Mason University, specializing in child development, socialization, and interdisciplinary studies. Her research focuses on social-emotional development, emotion socialization, and school readiness in early childhood education. Education: Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology, George Mason University M.S. in General Psychology, University of Memphis B.A. in English, Kansai Gaidai University Her research emphasizes the interplay between executive functioning, emotional competence, and classroom behavior, with a particular interest in cross-cultural comparisons and teacher-child interactions. Recent publications explore themes such as emotion knowledge, self-regulation, and social information processing in preschoolers. Dr. Bassett’s work includes the development of assessment tools like the BRACE Coding System and the Preschool Self-Regulation Assessment, aiming to improve social-emotional learning frameworks. She has contributed to studies examining gender differences, socioeconomic risk factors, and the role of maternal emotion teaching in shaping preschoolers' developmental outcomes. Contact: hhamada@gmu.edu | Office: Enterprise Hall
Professor Philip Birch is a distinguished academic in Criminology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Faculty of Design & Society, School of International Studies & Education. With over 15 years of academic experience across British, American, and Australian university systems, he has established himself as a leading expert in policing, community safety, and criminal justice. His extensive practical background in criminology, including roles as a Specialist Crime Team Manager, Community Safety Research Manager, and Through Care Worker in UK correctional facilities, informs his applied research approach. Professor Birch's educational background includes a BSocSci. (Hons) in Social Policy (Crime & Justice) from the University of Manchester, multiple postgraduate qualifications from the Open University (including an MSc. in Social & Criminological Research Methods), a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice from the University of Huddersfield, and a PhD in Criminology from the University of New South Wales. He also holds a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy. His research centers on six key areas: Police & Policing; Community Safety & Crime Prevention; Prisons, Probation & Parole Policy & Practice; Assessment, Treatment & Management of Offenders; Gender & sexuality inclusive Domestic and Family Violence; and Sex Work, Sex Workers and Procurement. His work emphasizes the practical application of criminological research to real-world justice issues, with strong industry engagement across law enforcement and correctional services. Recent publications reveal a clear trend toward police mental health, aging in policing, hate crime identification, trauma-informed policing approaches, and digital community safety initiatives. His research employs diverse methodologies including qualitative case studies, Delphi methods, rapid evidence assessments, and comparative analyses across multiple jurisdictions. Teaching award (2019) from Australian College of Educators for outstanding contribution to education Literati Award (2019) for published work Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy Professor Birch has supervised numerous Honours, Masters by Coursework, Masters by Research and PhD students in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Policing, with several completions to date. He has secured over $1.3 million in research funding, including an ARC Linkage grant, and has acted as an external assessor for domestic and international funding bodies. His research projects address critical issues in criminology and policing, often with direct policy implications. He established the Crime & Security Science (CaSS) Research Group at UTS in 2022, a cross-faculty initiative connecting academia with industry to advance evidence-based criminology, criminal justice, policing, and community safety research. This group serves as a hub for collaborative projects addressing contemporary security challenges through translational research.
Dorothy L. Espelage is the William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, affiliated with the School of Education's Applied Developmental Science and Special Education (ADSSE) department. She holds joint appointments in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) and School Psychology, and leads the Diverse and Resilient Educators Advised through Mentorship (DREAM) initiative. Her research focuses on translating empirical findings into prevention programs targeting bullying, teen dating violence, and school safety. Dr. Espelage advises U.S. Congress on anti-bullying legislation and has secured over $15 million in external funding. Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (1997), Indiana University M.S. in Clinical Psychology (1993), Radford University B.S. in Psychology (1991), Virginia Commonwealth University Research Interests: Prevention science, social-emotional learning interventions, bullying and cyberbullying prevention, school-based suicide prevention, and addressing violence against educators. Her work emphasizes policy development and community engagement, with a focus on marginalized youth such as LGBTQ+ adolescents and students with disabilities. Key Contributions: Developed evidence-based programs like Sources of Strength and DIAL (Disability Anti-Bullying Training). Authored influential books including Bullying in North American Schools and Handbook of Bullying in Schools . Her recent studies explore racial disparities in bullying-suicidality links and violence against school staff. Awards & Recognition: Lifetime Achievement Award (APA Division 17, 2023) 2023 BRNET-WABF Career Award Invited speaker at White House Bullying Summit (2011) Advising & Grants: Mentor for early-career researchers through the DREAM program. Current grants focus on school climate improvement, anti-bullying teacher training, and mental health equity initiatives. Collaborates with CDC, NIH, and NIJ on dissemination efforts. Labs & Teams: Leads transdisciplinary teams at UNC and previously at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Gutgsell Professorship) and University of Florida. Engaged in global anti-bullying advocacy through organizations like the World Anti-Bullying Forum.
David Shepherd is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. He is a core member of the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime and actively supervises PhD students. His research focuses on white-collar crime, fraud, corruption, organizational compliance, and justice. He employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to study offender behavior, fraud measurement, and prevention strategies. His work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to justice and reduced inequalities. Recent research outputs reveal a strong trend in understanding fraud against vulnerable populations—especially older adults—and evaluating public policy responses. His work also explores economic espionage through social media and systemic fraud in public services. He frequently collaborates with Mark Button and other colleagues on interdisciplinary projects. Emerald Outstanding Paper Award (2018) David Shepherd has contributed to high-impact commissioned reports for the Ministry of Justice, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and charitable organizations such as Re-engage. He has secured multiple research and innovation grants, often as Co-Investigator, focusing on fraud measurement, victim support, and economic crime. He regularly advises on national policy and has presented findings to the Home Office, INTERPOL, and WIPO. He is actively involved in research dissemination through invited talks and media engagement, emphasizing the societal impact of white-collar crime and digital reintegration challenges for offenders.
Professor Helen Finch (University of Leeds) is a leading scholar in German Literature , with a focus on Holocaust Studies , Queer Memory , and German-Jewish Cultural Production . Affiliated with the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies and the Centre for Jewish Studies , she co-leads the LCS Queer Area Studies Network and contributes to equality initiatives through the LGBT+ staff network . Research: Holocaust representation in German works, queer identity in postwar literature, transnational memory studies, curriculum design in German studies Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) Academic Output : Her 15 most recent publications span Holocaust poetics , queer life writing , translation ethics , and Sebaldian intertextuality , with a particular focus on intersections between trauma , identity , and intergenerational testimony . Supervision : Currently guides PhD research on topics including transnational transphobia , queer art practices , and LGBTQ+ cross-cultural representation . Her students explore areas from German exile photography to postcolonial queer narratives .
Prof Clara Sandoval Villalba is an Honorary Professor at the Essex Law School, University of Essex. She is a qualified lawyer, a member of the Human Rights Centre, and Co-Director of the Essex Transitional Justice Network. Her work focuses on the Inter-American System of Human Rights, Transitional Justice, and the Right to Reparation. She is actively involved in research, teaching at the Geneva Academy's Master in Transitional Justice, and leading projects on victims' participation and reparation in transitional settings. Clara co-authored notable works such as Reparations for Victims of Armed Conflicts (CUP, 2020) and Doctrine, Practice, and Advocacy in the Inter-American Human Rights System (OUP, 2019). Her research projects include AHRC GCRF and ESRC-funded initiatives in Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru, analyzing reparation programs, victims' participation, and accountability mechanisms. Her recent publications address virtual hearings during the pandemic, gender-sensitive reparations, and the interplay between supranational bodies and state implementation of reparation orders. Clara has advised the ICC on reparation awards and contributed to UN Guidance Notes on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. She is also engaged in human rights litigation and capacity-building with organizations like REDRESS. Clara supervises PhD students in Human Rights and Law, including Paulina Jimenez Fregoso and Maria Delia Sanchez Del Angel, who explored intersectionality and victims' participation in transitional justice. She has secured grants from AHRC, ESRC, and the British Council for research on land restitution, structural inequalities, and transitional justice mechanisms. For academic inquiries, she can be reached via email at csando@essex.ac.uk by appointment at the Colchester Campus, University of Essex.
Karen Panetta is a Professor at Tufts University School of Engineering with appointments in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Academic Services. She currently serves as Dean of Graduate Education for the School of Engineering and holds the title of Distinguished Professor. Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University B.S. in Computer Engineering, Boston University Dr. Panetta's research focuses on developing efficient algorithms for simulation, modeling, and signal and image processing for security and biomedical applications. Her work brings together artificial intelligence, machine learning, and visual sensing systems to create solutions for robot vision and biomedical imaging. She develops algorithms inspired by the human visual system to enable machines to 'see' like humans, with applications in homeland security, biomedicine, facial recognition, and search and rescue operations. Her research has significant humanitarian applications, addressing global challenges facing women and children. Dr. Panetta has received numerous prestigious awards including induction into the National Academy of Engineering (2023), the Presidential Award for Science and Engineering Education and Mentoring (2011), and the IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices (2013). She is a fellow of multiple prestigious academies including the National Academy of Inventors, European Academy of Sciences and the Arts, and IEEE. Member, National Academy of Engineering (2023) Presidential Award for Science and Engineering Education and Mentoring (2011) IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices (2013) Fellow, National Academy of Inventors Fellow, European Academy of Sciences and the Arts Fellow, Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association As an educator and mentor, Dr. Panetta founded the nationally acclaimed Nerd Girls program to promote engineering to young students, particularly women. She previously served as worldwide director for IEEE Women in Engineering and editor-in-chief of the IEEE Women in Engineering magazine. Her approach to graduate education emphasizes the importance of building strong collaborative relationships between faculty and students, with a focus on proactive communication and documentation of research progress. Dr. Panetta's humanitarian research applies engineering solutions to global challenges, including developing technology to help doctors find cancerous tumors, security screeners find concealed weapons, and law enforcement agencies find criminals and missing children. Her work demonstrates a commitment to 'Doing The Right Thing' by addressing issues affecting populations with limited resources or 'voice' in society.
Jacqueline Woerner is Associate Professor in Sociology and Psychology at the University of Central Florida, where she directs the Social Theory, Relationships, and Interpersonal Violence Exposure (STRIVE) Lab. Her research examines the intersection of gender-based violence, substance use, and health risk behaviors. Education includes: PhD in Social Psychology from Wayne State University BS in Psychology from Appalachian State University Her NIH-funded research investigates how violence victimization relates to health behaviors through motivational frameworks. Current projects examine technology-facilitated sexual violence on dating apps and alcohol's role in intimate partner cyber abuse. She employs diverse methods including surveys, experiments, and daily diaries. As member of the Violence Against Women Faculty Cluster, she develops prevention strategies addressing sexual violence and health disparities. Funded projects include NIJ grants examining transitional housing models for domestic violence survivors. Honors include Rising Star Award for undergraduate mentoring and multiple teaching awards. She serves on editorial boards for Psychology of Violence and leads NIH-funded projects on dating app-facilitated violence.
Dr. Silvia Baiocco serves as Assistant Professor at University of Rome Tor Vergata, teaching entrepreneurship, tourism management, and marketing courses across Bachelor and Master programs including 'Creation of Enterprises and Entrepreneurship' (Master), 'Fundamentals of Service Management' (Bachelor), and 'Tourism and Cultural Management for Sustainability' (Bachelor). Her institutional affiliation centers on Business Economics (sector ECON-07/A) with research rooted in co-evolutionary theory. Her research critically examines sustainable business model innovation through three interconnected lenses: (1) tourism-destination co-evolution in historic villages and Alberghi Diffusi, (2) university-industry knowledge exchange for sustainable spin-offs via PNICube Observatory frameworks, and (3) technology integration in smart tourism through AI-driven destination management. She emphasizes context-specific adaptation in both high-income (Italy) and low/middle-income settings (Ghana), with strong focus on social impact and heritage preservation. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals accelerating focus on digital tourism transformation (AI applications, smart city integration) and resilience-building in accommodation firms. Her work consistently applies co-evolutionary frameworks to decode organizational adaptation, particularly in sustainable entrepreneurship contexts. The PNICube Observatory reports highlight her policy-relevant contributions to university research valorization. As educator, Dr. Baiocco actively shapes future business leaders through courses spanning startup creation to sustainable destination management. Her research trajectory indicates deepening engagement with technology-mediated sustainability solutions and cross-sectoral innovation ecosystems, particularly through ongoing PNICube Observatory initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Elisa Marie Hoven is a professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Leipzig, specializing in German and foreign criminal law, criminal procedural law, and commercial/media criminal law. She works at Burgstraße 21, Room 1.10, Leipzig. Education: Law at Free University Berlin, Radboud University Nijmegen, and University of Cambridge Professional Background: Legal clerkship in Berlin and at the International Criminal Court; visiting roles at Berkeley, Harvard, Sydney, and others Her research focuses on: Corporate criminal law (particularly corporate sanctions) Media criminal law and digitalization (hate speech) Sentencing law reform Anti-doping legislation Animal welfare criminal law Current third-party funded projects: "Gerechte Strafzumessung" (DFG-funded, analyzing sentencing practices and proposing reforms) "Hate Speech im Internet" (funded by German Federal Ministry of Justice, interdisciplinary collaboration with media studies and sociology) Scientific awards: Habilitation award from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Dissertation prize from the Free University of Berlin She leads the "Legal Lab Hate Speech" and founded the national Moot Court Strafrecht. Her work spans legal education, empirical research, and public science communication.
Angela Book is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Brock University. She holds a Ph.D. from Queen’s University and specializes in Forensic Psychology, with a focus on psychopathy and its relationship to victim selection, emotion perception, and deceptive behavior. Her research explores how psychopathic traits influence vulnerability judgments and social manipulation. She is affiliated with Brock’s Psychology Department and has contributed extensively to forensic assessment methodologies and youth psychopathy research. Education: Ph.D. in Psychology, Queen’s University Research Interests: Forensic Psychology, psychopathy, emotion perception, victim selection, deception detection, vulnerability assessment. Grants & Advising: No specific grants or advisee records explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Labs/Teams: Not explicitly detailed in the text, though her work aligns with forensic and clinical psychology research groups at Brock.
Claire Zalc is a CNRS Research Director and Director of Studies at École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), with affiliations to the Institute of Modern and Contemporary History (IHMC), the Centre de Recherches Historiques (CRH), and the GLOBAL department at the Institut Convergence des Migrations. Her work bridges migration history, Holocaust studies, and quantitative methodologies. Her research focuses on the intersection of migration and persecution in the 20th century, particularly through prosopographical studies like Face à la persecution (2010) and Dénaturalisés (2016), which examine administrative interactions under the Vichy regime. She also explores the use of quantitative methods in historical research, co-authoring Quantitative Methods. An Introduction (2019). Recent projects, such as the ERC Consolidator LUBARTWORLD (2019–2025), analyze transnational mobilities and persecution through case studies in Lubartów and other locations. Key themes in her publications include Vichy-era denaturalization , Polish Jewish migrations , and microhistories of the Holocaust . Her work often integrates spatial analysis and relational data frameworks, as seen in contributions to sequence analysis and social network studies. Scientific Distinctions : Bronze Medal of the CNRS (2013) Prix Malesherbes d’histoire de la Justice (2017) Finalist, Eugen Weber Book Prize (2022) Prix André Conquet for Melting Shops (2010) She co-edits the journal Revue d’histoire de la Shoah and previously co-directed the Histoire-Repères collection at La Découverte (2008–2021). Her methodological expertise has shaped training programs at EHESS and collaborative research initiatives like PERSI (Internet Social Networks Study Program) and relational data analysis.
Dr. Matthew Jones is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Swinburne University of Technology’s School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. With a career spanning institutions in the UK and Australia, Matthew’s research bridges interdisciplinary domains including policing, sociology, law, and organizational studies. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, emphasizing evidence-informed pedagogy and curriculum innovation. Affiliation: Swinburne University of Technology (2022–Present) Previous Roles: The Open University (2017–2022), Northumbria University (2014–2017), Cardiff Metropolitan University (2013–2014). Research Themes: Matthew’s work focuses on three core areas: Policing: Police visibility, digital strategies, occupational culture, diversity, and leadership. LGBTQI+ Criminology: Workplace discrimination, hate crimes, community-police relations, and victimology. Digital Criminology: Technology’s role in policing, crime prevention, and digital victim support systems. Publications: His 15 most recent articles highlight evolving trends in digital policing, police visibility, academic standards in policing education, and LGBTQI+ workplace experiences. These works span qualitative studies, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary collaborations, reflecting his commitment to visual criminology and semiotics. Scientific Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2013) Professional Activities: Matthew served as Chair (2019–2022) and Board Member (2013–2019) of the British Society of Criminology’s Policing Network. He led curriculum development for police apprenticeships (2017–2019) and contributed to the first UK Subject Benchmark Statement for Policing (2022). He supervises PhD students on topics like community policing, child maltreatment resilience, and crime drama narratives. Education: He holds an LLB in Law, an MSc in Social Science Research Methods, a PhD in Socio-Legal Studies, a PGCert in Higher Education pedagogy, and an MBA in Leadership Practice.
Douglas C. Ligor is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy and Director of the Management, Technology, and Capabilities Program at RAND's Homeland Security Research Division. He holds dual roles as a Senior Behavioral Scientist and academic researcher, specializing in homeland/national security law, immigration policy, space governance, and international legal frameworks. Education: J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law (2000s) and B.S. in Economics from U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1990s). Prior to RAND, he served in federal legal roles including Deputy Chief Counsel at USCIS and Assistant District Counsel at DOJ/ICE. Research focuses on border security, asylum processing, outer space regulation, and federal-state-local coordination. His work frequently addresses intersections between statutory compliance and operational realities in domains like immigration enforcement and space traffic management. Notable contributions include policy analyses on Title 42 immigration restrictions, ISIS prisoner management in Syria, and frameworks for international space traffic governance. He regularly engages in public commentary through podcasts and op-eds on topics like U.S. border policy and emerging space law challenges.
Professor Alisdair Gillespie is a faculty member at Lancaster University in the School of Law . His primary academic role is as a Professor , and he also serves as the University Academic Dean . Cybercrime Child Sexual Exploitation Legal Systems and Evidence Covert Surveillance Sexual Offences Professor Gillespie’s research focuses on cybercrime , particularly child sexual exploitation , including child pornography , grooming , and solicitation . His work extends to covert surveillance and legal systems , emphasizing evidence law and criminal justice . He has acted as an expert advisor to the UN, Council of Europe, EU , and UK government bodies , influencing policy on child protection and cybercrime . Projects like Designing a Model of Restorative Justice for Victims of Online Child Abusive Images (2021–2023) and Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation (2013) highlight his practical engagement. His PhD supervision interests cover Criminal Law, Sexual Offences, Covert Policing , and Criminal Justice (including Evidence ). Contact details include email : a.gillespie@lancaster.ac.uk and office : D23, D - Floor, University House .
