Emily Hannum is a Professor of Sociology and Education at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences. She is affiliated with the Population Studies Center, Center for the Study of Contemporary China, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Development Research Initiative. Education: PhD in Sociology from University of Michigan (1998) Research Focus: Poverty and child welfare, gender and ethnic stratification, sociology of education Projects: Gansu Survey of Children and Families, climate-environment-childhood inequalities in LMICs Workshops: Co-organizer of Penn Education and Inequality Workshop Her research explores childhood poverty in China, demographic impacts on education systems, and climate risks affecting children's welfare. She investigates environmental hazards, educational disparities, and family separation effects across China, India, and low/middle-income countries. Recent publications analyze educational expansion in East Asia, climate crisis impacts on child health, and gender disparities in Latin America. She directs longitudinal studies on rural poverty and collaborates on cross-national projects related to environmental and educational equity. Scientific awards include the Stanley I. Sheerr Term Professorship in Social Sciences.
Professor Amy Maguire is a leading academic in human rights and public international law at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She holds roles as Deputy Head of the School of Law and Justice (2021-2024) and co-founder Director of the Centre for Law and Social Justice. Her research focuses on human rights accountability, Indigenous rights, climate change displacement, and refugee rights. She has secured over $2.7 million in grants, including an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowship (2024-2028) for national human rights reform initiatives. Maguire advises the Queensland Parliament on human rights compliance and collaborates with global institutions like the Australian Human Rights Commission. Her work has influenced policy, including Australia’s death penalty abolition strategy and Indigenous rights frameworks. She has been awarded multiple accolades for research and teaching excellence, including the 2020 Leadership Excellence Award and 2016 Early Career Researcher of the Year. Maguire’s education includes a BA, LLB (Hons), and PhD from the University of Newcastle. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges law and social justice, addressing issues like climate migration and legal responses to global crises. She leads projects such as the Hunter Region climate displacement study and the Human Rights Measurement System. Maguire’s public engagement includes over 70 articles for The Conversation, reaching 920,000+ readers, and expert media commentary globally. She advocates for inclusive education through initiatives like early entry programs for Indigenous and refugee students, earning a 2021 Senior Fellowship from Advance HE. Her research outputs span 60+ publications, with key works on MH17 litigation, climate justice, and Indigenous legal frameworks. Grants include a 2021 stimulus grant to establish the Centre for Law and Social Justice, supporting postdoctoral research and international collaborations. Maguire’s leadership extends to global networks, including the UN Human Rights Council evaluation project and the Human Rights for NSW Alliance. She remains committed to translating research into policy, education, and community impact through clinics, youth forums, and law reform advocacy.
Professor Siân Bayne is a leading academic in digital education at the University of Edinburgh , where she serves as Assistant Principal for Education Futures and directs the Centre for Research in Digital Education . Her work bridges critical theory and practical innovation in higher education. Interdisciplinary research on digital education and futures studies Leadership in the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Moray House School of Education and Sport Global impact through UNESCO collaborations and UKRI GCRF projects Bayne’s research explores higher education futures , utopian theory , and digital enhancement , with a focus on: AI’s role in teaching and learning Ethical implications of educational technologies Anonymous social media in academic spaces Speculative scenarios for educational systems Global South digital education models Augmented reality applications in assessment Her 15 most recent publications span 2017-2025 , covering critical perspectives on: Generative AI and educational innovation Utopian design in universities Data governance in learning analytics Augmented reality pedagogy Digital cultural heritage Scientific recognition includes: IASH Sabbatical Fellowship (2023) Bayne leads Higher Education Futures initiatives and partners with institutions worldwide, including: UNESCO Global Education and Technology Report World Bank collaborations European university leadership programs She also drives major research centers like: Centre for Research in Digital Education UKRI GCRF Urban Disaster Risk Hub
Vesna Terzic is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management at California State University Long Beach's College of Engineering. Her research specializes in seismic performance assessment, infrastructure resilience, and probabilistic risk analysis of structures. Education includes a PhD in Structural Engineering from UC Berkeley, MS in Earthquake Engineering from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, and BS in Structural Engineering from University of Belgrade. Research focuses on developing advanced computational frameworks for evaluating post-earthquake functionality of buildings and bridges. Her work integrates performance-based engineering with resilience quantification, emphasizing practical applications for seismic design and retrofitting. Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on functional recovery modeling, structural health monitoring, and optimization of protective systems. Research trends show progression from component-level analysis to regional recovery simulation frameworks. Major awards: ACI Chester Paul Siess Award for Excellence in Structural Research (2017) Popert Fellowship, UC Berkeley (2009) Professional service includes membership on FEMA P-58 project committees and contributions to OpenSees development. Current projects investigate soil-structure interaction effects on tall buildings and recovery-based design methodologies.
Gregg M. Garfin is a Professor and Specialist in Climate, Natural Resources, and Policy at the University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and Deputy Director for Science Translation and Outreach at the Arizona Institute for Resilience. He holds a Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (2003), an M.S. in Geology and Geography from the University of Massachusetts (1997), and a B.S. in Geology and Geography from the same institution (1993). His work bridges science and societal decision-making, focusing on climate adaptation, drought management, and climate services. He directs the Water, Society, and Policy M.S. Program and has led interdisciplinary projects on climate resilience, including contributions to the Fourth National Climate Assessment. Roles: Professor, Deputy Director, Program Director Affiliations: Arizona Institute for Resilience, School of Natural Resources and the Environment Research Interests His research emphasizes climate adaptation strategies, climate policy, and the co-production of knowledge between scientists and decision-makers. Key areas include: Climate impacts on water resources and ecosystems Extreme heat and drought resilience in urban and border communities Climate change communication and education Awards & Recognition Garfin has received multiple accolades, including AAAS Fellowship (2020), University of Arizona Service Awards (2020, 2015), and the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) Visiting Fellowship (2018). His work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and media outlets, emphasizing actionable science for climate resilience. Grants & Contributions He has led federal and transnational projects, including binational climate resilience initiatives in the U.S.-Mexico border region and flood risk assessments in Seoul, South Korea. His work integrates participatory governance approaches to enhance community preparedness.
Steven I-Jy Chien serves as Professor and Director of the Transportation Program within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). His career spans academia, government, and industry with significant contributions to transportation engineering research and practice. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of Maryland-College Park (1995) M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of Maryland-College Park (1991) B.S. in Civil Engineering from Tamkang University (1983) Professor Chien's research focuses on transportation system resilience, sustainable transit operations, and advanced traffic modeling. His work addresses critical challenges in urban rail networks, demand-responsive transit services, and energy-efficient transportation systems. He employs sophisticated computational methods including genetic algorithms, machine learning, and Bayesian approaches to solve complex transportation problems involving network vulnerability, passenger behavior, and infrastructure optimization under uncertainty. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong emphasis on transportation resilience against cascading failures, sustainable operations for electric transit systems, and pandemic-responsive aviation scheduling. His research spans diverse geographic contexts including major Chinese metropolitan areas and U.S. transportation networks, demonstrating global applicability of his methodologies. His professional recognition includes: 2024 Keynote Speaker at Union-Tech Lecture, National Taiwan Ocean University 2022 Keynote Speaker at International Conference of Chinese Institute of Transportation 2022 Best Poster Award from New Jersey Department of Transportation Professor Chien has secured research funding from federal agencies including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) where he contributed to CORSIM traffic simulation software development. His industry experience with China Engineering Consultants Inc. and Information Dynamic Inc. informs his practical approach to transportation challenges. As Transportation Program Director, he oversees curriculum development and industry partnerships that prepare students for transportation sector careers. He maintains active collaboration with transportation agencies globally, particularly through his leadership in the Transportation Program at NJIT which serves as a hub for innovation in urban mobility solutions.
David Stradling is the Zane L. Miller Professor of Urban History and Interim Director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Cincinnati. He has held academic positions since 1999, progressing from Assistant Professor to his current full professorship. His research focuses on urban and environmental history, with notable works including Where the River Burned and The Nature of New York . Stradling earned his PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1996) following degrees from Colgate University. His research interests span urban development, environmental policy, and Cincinnati's historical narrative. He co-authored a global history of dredging and has explored topics like climate justice, sustainability frameworks, and the interplay between cities and natural systems. Stradling actively participates in interdisciplinary projects, including a 2024 NSF-funded conference connecting Earth and health scientists. His scholarship emphasizes historical analysis of environmental challenges, from air quality regulation to modern sustainability strategies. Recent work addresses urban resilience, equitable development, and the moral dimensions of environmental decision-making. Stradling’s academic leadership includes roles in faculty governance and institutional reform initiatives.
Harry Nelson is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) within the Faculty of Forestry , specifically the Department of Forest Resources Management . His work focuses on natural resource policy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable forest management in Canada. Research Themes : Ecosystems and Climate Change, Sustainable Forest Management, Indigenous Governance Key Interests : Climate change impacts on forestry, ecosystem services, policy development Nelson’s research explores the structural transformation of the forest sector under changing markets and public expectations. He investigates ecosystem services as a business model for Indigenous forest management in BC and analyzes global climate adaptation strategies. Recent publications highlight cross-border forestry challenges, wildfire risks, and socio-economic dynamics in forest enterprises. His 15 most recent articles (2019–2025) span interdisciplinary topics such as climate change adaptation, Indigenous governance, bioeconomy, and global forest policy. These works emphasize the integration of ecological and economic frameworks to address sustainability. Scientific awards and recognitions: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. Nelson’s email address ( harry.nelson@ubc.ca ) and research areas are publicly available. No student advisement details or grant information is provided in the scraped data.
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Professor Haijiang Li is a Chair in BIM for Smart Engineering at Cardiff University's School of Engineering. His roles include leading the Computational Mechanics and Engineering AI Research Group, directing the BIM for Smart Engineering Centre, and overseeing the BIM MSc programme. He holds editorial roles for journals like Construction Innovation and Automation in Construction , and chairs the European Group of Intelligent Computing in Engineering (EG-ICE). Research focuses on smart computational engineering platforms integrating BIM, AI, and big data for sustainable infrastructure. Key areas include digital twins, disaster management, and resilient urban systems. He has secured £40M in research funding, including £9M as PI, and led over 70 research staff and students. Prof. Li is a Standards Committee Technical Executive at buildingSMART, driving international BIM standards. His work includes co-authoring a book on BIM standards across China, the US, and the UK. Awards include Fellowships from the British Computer Society (FBCS) and the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research outputs span over 250 publications, covering topics like AI-driven bridge maintenance, ontology-based decision-making, and energy-efficient urban systems. Collaborations with industry and global partners emphasize practical applications of BIM and smart technologies.
Cathryn Carson is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of California, Berkeley. Her work bridges the philosophical, cultural, and political dimensions of 20th-century science, with a focus on theoretical physics, nuclear history, and the integration of social sciences and humanities into engineering education. Education: AB in History and Philosophy of Science from University of Chicago (1990) AM in Physics from Harvard University (1993) PhD in History of Science from Harvard University (1995) Her research explores the interplay between science and philosophy, particularly in Germany and the U.S., alongside the institutionalization of data science. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, including Berkeley’s Data Science major’s Human Contexts and Ethics of Data course. Scientific Awards: Berkeley Collegium Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education (2017) Distinguished Service Award, Division of Social Sciences (2014) Carol D. Soc Distinguished Graduate Student Mentoring Award (2014) Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the American Physical Society Mellon New Directions Fellowship NSF CAREER Award Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship Member, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton Carson has served in multiple leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Social Sciences, founding Interim Director of the D-Lab (Social Science Data Laboratory), and Faculty Lead of Berkeley’s Data Science Education Program. She is currently accepting students for advising and contributes to campus governance through roles in the Academic Senate.
Professor Emily So serves as Deputy Head of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Cambridge and directs the Cambridge University Centre for Risk in the Built Environment (CURBE). A chartered civil engineer with extensive field experience, she holds leadership roles in the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership and chairs the Faculty EDI Committee. Her research focuses on urban risk and resilience , particularly in earthquake-prone regions. Combining structural engineering with epidemiological approaches, she develops innovative casualty estimation models and engages directly with affected communities worldwide. Her work spans seismic safety, disaster epidemiology, and remote sensing applications for rapid damage assessment. Professor So's publication trends reveal strong emphasis on machine learning for disaster risk modeling , with recent work featuring graph neural networks, deep clustering for urban morphology, and LSTM-based population forecasting. Her research bridges engineering, social sciences, and data science to address resilience in developing nations. 2010 Shah Family Innovation Prize (Earthquake Engineering Research Institute) Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) member advising UK government As Director of CURBE, she leads interdisciplinary collaborations with EEFIT, Global Earthquake Model (GEM), World Bank, and USGS. Her field investigations following major earthquakes inform practical solutions for vulnerable communities, notably contributing to the 2017 World Building of the Year design in China. Current work includes sabbatical research for 2025-2026 focused on decolonizing architectural approaches to disaster resilience. Professor So maintains active roles in professional organizations and international disaster response frameworks, with her CURBE team developing methodologies now implemented globally for seismic safety improvements.
Alena Thiel is an Associate Professor at the Centre of African Studies within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. Her research examines digital technologies' impact on state formation and knowledge systems across Africa, with primary field sites in Ghana, Senegal, Botswana, and Kenya. Her core research areas include: State knowledge systems (biometric ID, census histories, DHIS2 health records) Digital governance (addressing systems, payment solutions, disaster risk datafication) African/feminist AI development and implementation Anthropology of the state through Science and Technology Studies (STS) frameworks Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal concentrated analysis of health data infrastructures in Ghana, trust dynamics in Africa's global networks, and critical sociological examinations of digital identification. Her work consistently bridges anthropological theory with practical governance challenges in African contexts. As an active member of the Centre of African Studies, she maintains interdisciplinary collaborations across multiple African countries and European institutions, with particular emphasis on Ghanaian research partnerships and editorial leadership for Africa Spectrum journal.
Maher Elshakankiri is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Ain Shams University (Egypt), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Regina. His research focuses on IoT, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and pedagogical integration of technology and gaming. He has supervised over 100 student projects and authored a book on WSNs. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt M.Eng., B.Eng. in Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Regina, Canada Research Interests: IoT in healthcare, agriculture, and sports Active learning classrooms and technology in education Wireless communication protocols (V2V, UAV, RFID) Leadership & Grants: Director, Bachelor of Information (BI) Program (2024–present) Coordinator, Information Systems and Design (ISD) Concentration (2023) SSHRC Grant: 'Gaming in teaching towards a more inclusive class' (2022–2023) Professional Activities: Member, SCC IoT & Digital Twins Standards Committee Reviewer for journals including Wireless Networks , Telematics and Informatics , and Computational Intelligence Technical Program Committee member at multiple conferences Teaching: Courses include INF1340 (Programming for Data Science), INF1005/1006 (IoT Workshops), and INF452 (Information Design Coding).
Megan S. Ryerson holds the UPS Chair of Transportation and serves as Associate Chair of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Previously, she was Associate Dean for Research (2018–2023), demonstrating sustained leadership in academic administration while maintaining an active research profile focused on transportation systems integration. Her educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley (2010) B.Sc. in Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (2003) Ryerson's research pioneers the integration of intercity transportation into urban planning frameworks, with foundational work in aviation infrastructure planning , airline demand forecasting , and transportation resilience . She investigates airport competition dynamics across megaregions, airline disaster recovery protocols, and fuel-efficient flight planning methodologies. Her scholarship actively bridges civil engineering and urban planning disciplines to design transportation systems that are inherently safe , efficient , and resilient against disruptions. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a pronounced shift toward transportation equity since 2022, particularly examining driver education accessibility ('driver training deserts') and bikeshare infrastructure allocation. This equity focus coexists with continued aviation research, while pandemic-era studies on transportation behavior (2020–2023) demonstrate methodological adaptability through quasi-experimental designs and real-world crisis response analysis. Her scientific recognition includes: UPS Chair of Transportation (prestigious endowed professorship) Dr. Ryerson has significantly expanded urban planning pedagogy by incorporating megaregional transportation systems into core curricula. Her leadership as former Associate Dean for Research reflects active engagement with funding agencies and research administration, though specific grant details aren't documented in source materials. Current work emphasizes translating research into equitable policy frameworks, particularly for vulnerable transportation populations.
