Karl Gustafsson is a Professor at Stockholm University within the Department of Economic History and International Relations. His work bridges security studies , collective memory , and digital research methods in international relations. Current Role: Professor of International Relations, Stockholm University Previous Positions: Post-Doc at Lund University, Researcher at Swedish Institute of International Affairs Visiting Appointments: University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Keio University, Academia Sinica, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies Research Focus: Karl specializes in memory politics , ontological security , and anxiety-driven international dynamics , particularly in Sino-Japanese relations and digital platforms . His studies explore how historical narratives and online memory construction influence state identity and policy. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the Wang Gungwu Prize (2014) and Stockholm University Association’s award (2011). Holds Swedish Research Council and Marianne & Marcus Wallenberg Foundation grants for projects on apologies in international politics and digital memory in East Asia . Publications: His work appears in journals such as International Studies Quarterly , European Journal of International Relations , and Memory Studies , addressing topics like narrative power in East Asia, anxiety’s role in policy change , and digital humanities applications in IR.
Magnus Ferguson is a Collegiate Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Chicago and a Harper-Schmidt Fellow in the University of Chicago Society of Fellows. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from Boston College (2023) and a BA in Religion from Columbia University (2014). His academic career focuses on ethics, 20th-century European philosophy, and social epistemology. PhD in Philosophy, Boston College (2023) BA in Religion, Columbia University (2014) His research explores responsibility, social interpretation, and emotion through pluralist philosophical frameworks. Key areas include: Ethics and moral psychology 20th-Century European philosophy Social epistemology and political philosophy Feminist philosophy and hermeneutics History of philosophy (phenomenology, ancient, and early modern traditions) Recent publications analyze normative fear in Hans Jonas/Aristotle, emotional accountability in social institutions, and hermeneutical frameworks for gendered embodiment. His work often engages Hannah Arendt’s political theory and participatory democracy models. Scientific awards include: Harper-Schmidt Fellowship, University of Chicago Society of Fellows Magnus teaches courses in phenomenology, ethics, and historical philosophy, emphasizing figures like Husserl, Heidegger, Arendt, and Sartre. His advising focuses on social/political philosophy and philosophical hermeneutics.
Richard Walsh is Professor in the Department of English and Related Literature at the University of York, where he leads the Interdisciplinary Centre for Narrative Studies and founded the British and Irish Association for Narrative Studies. His research bridges literary theory, cognitive science, and complex systems, examining narrative as a fundamental mode of human cognition. His research focuses on three interconnected domains: The rhetorical theory of fictionality and its cultural manifestations Interdisciplinary approaches to narrative cognition and sensemaking Complexity science applications to narrative structures across media This work extends to innovative fiction, digital narratives, and cross-cultural storytelling. Analysis of Walsh's recent publications reveals strong emphasis on narrative cognition, interdisciplinary methodologies, and emerging topics in AI storytelling. Thematic clusters include: Foundational studies in fictionality and rhetorical frameworks Complexity theory applications to narrative dynamics Interdisciplinary intersections with cognitive science and digital media His scholarly recognition includes the distinguished Institute of Advanced Study Research Fellowship at Durham University (2016) Walsh directs multiple research groups including the Narrative and Complex Systems Group (NarCS) and supervises doctoral projects on narrative theory. He leads collaborative initiatives like the RIDERS project on emergent narrative and the Threshold Worlds project on dream cognition.
Professor David Sarpong is a leading academic in Strategy and Organisation at Aston Business School, part of Aston University's College of Business and Social Sciences. He currently serves as Head of the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Department and Director of Research for the Marketing and Strategy Subject Group. His research focuses on strategy-as-practice, relationalism, innovation management, and temporality in organizational processes. He holds adjunct roles at KNUST Business School and Bristol Business School, and is actively involved in professional organizations like EURAM and CABS. His work employs qualitative methods including ethnographic interviews and microstoria approaches. Professional Activities: He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Strategy and Leadership, and on editorial boards for Technology Analysis & Strategic Management and European Management Journal. His external roles include UK Country Representative for EURAM and Board Membership at The Milestones Trust. He has held prior academic leadership positions at Brunel University London and visiting roles at HSE Moscow and University of KwaZulu-Natal. Research Interests: Prioritizes cross-level management problems using Heideggerian-Wittgensteinian frameworks. Key themes include second-order technology management, business tournament rituals, strategic foresight, and discursive practices in European cosmopolitan marketplaces. Methodologically innovative in combining narratives, digital datasets, and performative routines analysis. Collaborations: Active in global research networks with scholars across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Recent work addresses mining-industry partnerships, gender dynamics in extractive economies, and ethical dimensions of corporate governance. His research outputs number over 110 publications in top journals like Technovation and Journal of Business Research. Awards/Affiliations: Recognized through editorial leadership roles and visiting professorships. His research has policy implications for sustainable development, innovation ecosystems, and organizational resilience in global contexts.
Adam Reed is an Associate Professor in Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, School of Philosophical, Anthropological & Film Studies. His research spans multiple interconnected fields including legal anthropology, urban studies, literary anthropology, and the anthropology of ethics. With extensive fieldwork experience in Papua New Guinea, the UK, and Australia, Reed has developed a distinctive approach to understanding social phenomena through ethnographic engagement with diverse communities. His research interests form five interconnected strands: Legal Anthropology focusing on cultures of incarceration in Papua New Guinea Anthropology of the City examining London through walking tour guides and digital journal keepers Anthropology and Literature studying literary societies and reading practices Anthropology of Ethics investigating animal welfare campaigning in Scotland Anthropology of Migration analyzing Papua New Guinean experiences in Western Australia Reed's recent publications reveal a strong trajectory toward ethical subjectivity and human-animal relationships, with numerous 2023-2025 works exploring moral dilemmas in animal protection, silence practices in zoos, and character theory. His work increasingly bridges anthropology with literary studies, philosophy, and environmental science, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach while maintaining ethnographic depth. His scientific recognition includes prestigious awards such as the Junior Research Fellowship at Clare College, Cambridge (1997), Emslie Horniman Award from the Royal Anthropological Institute (1994), and multiple early-career funding awards. Reed has led three major research projects including 'Listening to the Zoo' and 'Compatriot Sociality' focusing on Papua New Guinean migrants. As an active academic, Reed has supervised 9 postgraduate students, participated in 59 scholarly activities including conference organization and invited talks, and maintains strong engagement with both theoretical debates and practical applications of anthropological knowledge, particularly regarding sustainable development goals related to ethical practices and cultural understanding.
Florian Zemmin is a Professor at Freie Universität Berlin's Institute of Islamic Studies , serving as Co-Director of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS). His research focuses on Islamic reformism , Middle Eastern conceptual history , and Arabic sociologies of religion within broader debates about modernity and secularity . Current affiliations: Freie Universität Berlin (since 2020) Previous affiliations: Universität Bern (2010-2020), Universität Leipzig (2015-2021) His research interests examine how Islamic traditions intersect with modern secular concepts through: Historical conceptual analysis in Arabic and Ottoman contexts Comparative secularisms beyond Western frameworks Postcolonial critiques of Eurocentric theory Sociological approaches to Islamic knowledge production Current projects include: Das soziokulturelle Leben soziologischer Konzepte – creating a critical lexicon of 60 sociological terms in Arabic Global Secularity: A Sourcebook – co-editing a 7-volume series on secular formations across regions Arabic Sociologies of Religion – challenging Eurocentric sociology through Arabic theoretical work Key publications address: Conceptual transfers in Islamic modernism Secularism in Islamic intellectual history Arabic sociology of religion Ottoman conceptual transformations Islamic responses to global social theory
Dr. Julia Morley is an Associate Professor (Education) and MSc Programme Director in the Department of Accounting at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She specializes in social impact measurement, financial reporting regulation, and organizational decision-making. Her research explores biases in group decision-making and the emergence of norms in performance measurement, particularly in social sector organizations. She holds a PhD from LSE and previously worked in finance, media, and consulting before transitioning to academia. Education includes a degree in Economics from Pembroke College, Cambridge, an MSc in Philosophy of the Social Sciences from LSE, and a PhD in Accounting. Her work bridges sociology, social psychology, and philosophy, analyzing issues such as fair value accounting, social impact bonds, and regulatory outcomes in standard-setting bodies like the IASB. Dr. Morley has published extensively on topics including subgroup influence on boards, elite networks in social investment, and the ethical implications of social impact measurement. She has contributed to policy through roles like Commissioner on the Alternative Commission on Social Investment and governance positions with Capella House School and the Valence Mary Trust. Teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Accounting for Managerial Decision-Making and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. She leads MSc programs in Accounting and Finance, and Accounting, Organisations and Institutions.
Gavin Schwarz is a Professor and Head of School at the School of Management and Governance within the UNSW Business School . He specializes in organizational change , organizational failure and inertia , and the dynamics of virtual teams , with a focus on how organizations fail during change processes and how to develop applied strategies for change management . His work spans diverse sectors including healthcare, technology, and education, with publications in leading journals such as Academy of Management Learning and Education and Administrative Science Quarterly . Education : PhD in Management (University of Queensland), MPhil (Hons) in Management (University of Auckland), BA in Management and English (University of Auckland). Grants : 2020 Brock University grant for "University communication in times of COVID-19" , 2020 UNSW Medicine grant for "Translation and change: Embedding effective change management in health" , and earlier Australian Research Council and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship awards. His research explores the development of knowledge in organizational theories , with an emphasis on collective responses to change , HR management during crises , and technology strategy . He has contributed to understanding organizational communication , team innovation , and structural inertia . His 15 most recent publications cover topics from AI’s role in organizational change to pandemic-driven research adaptation, with keywords spanning management science , behavioral economics , and digital transformation . Scientific Awards 2021-2023 : Outstanding Reviewer Awards (Academy of Management Review) 2017-2020 : Best Reviewer Awards (Journal of Organizational Behavior) 2019, 2013, 2011 : Best Paper Finalist/Awardee (Academy of Management divisions) 2007, 2006 : Editorial Board Excellence (Academy of Management Journal) and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship As an active supervisor in organizational change and HR development , his work supports healthcare innovation and digital transformation. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science and is on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Review , Journal of Management , and Journal of Organizational Behavior . Contact: g.schwarz@unsw.edu.au
Prof. Thomas Szanto is a Professor of European Political Philosophy at Europa-Universität Flensburg since 2024. He holds a dual affiliation as Recurrent Visiting Professor at the Center for Subjectivity Research (University of Copenhagen). His research bridges social/political philosophy with phenomenology and emotion theory, focusing on normative political emotions, collective agency, and epistemic justice. He earned his PhD (2010) and MA (2004) from the University of Vienna. Affiliations: Europa-Universität Flensburg, University of Copenhagen (CFS), Carlsberg Foundation Project "Who are We?" Education: PhD in Philosophy (University of Vienna, 2010), MA in Philosophy (University of Vienna, 2004) Research Interests: Political emotions (hatred, solidarity), collective intentionality, critical phenomenology, climate change ethics, feminist epistemology, group agency dynamics. His work combines continental and analytical approaches, engaging social science findings from sociology, political psychology, and social movements research. Grants & Projects: Led FWF-funded project "Antagonistic Political Emotions" (€386k), Marie Curie Fellowship (SHARE project, €212k). Current projects include collaboration on group-based affective mechanisms and political cohesion. Editorial Roles: Associate Editor of Emotion Review , Editorial Board member of Philosophy and Society . Reviewed for 70+ journals including Mind and ERC. Key Contributions: Pioneered analysis of epistemically exploitative bullshit (2023), developed taxonomy of political resentment types (2024), authored monograph Bewusstsein, Intentionalität und mentale Repräsentation (2012). Supervised 6+ doctoral theses across European institutions.
Professor Qing Cao is Professor, Director of Studies, and Director of the Centre for Comparative Modernities at Durham University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures. His research examines Chinese media, communication, and modern intellectual history through three interconnected strands: the role of media in China's modernization, the impact of media language on social perceptions, and mutual China-West representations shaping identity politics. His research interests encompass China's modern intellectual history, Chinese politics, mass media dynamics, Western reporting on China, Chinese linguistics, and translation studies. Current projects include a book on Chinese state media's construction of alternative modernity and editorial work for the Routledge Research Encyclopaedia on Chinese Studies. Previously funded by AHRC and British Academy, his work explores the discursive transformation of Chinese society. Professor Cao's publications demonstrate sustained focus on discursive constructions of modernity and identity across historical periods, with recent work examining late Qing intellectual transformations through linguistic analysis. His supervision includes PhD students researching Western media representations of China, diplomatic language, and gender discourses in Chinese newspapers.
Anna Mansson McGinty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and the Department of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she bridges spatial analysis with gender and religious studies to examine Muslim communities in Western contexts. Education: PhD in European Ethnology, Lund University, Sweden (2002) MA in European Ethnology, Lund University, Sweden (1996) BA in European Ethnology, Lund University, Sweden (1994) Her research centers on Muslim geographies, feminist methodology, and identity formation, with emphasis on how gender, religion, and political contexts shape lived experiences of Muslim communities in America. She investigates conversion narratives, youth cultures, and resistance to Islamophobia through an intersectional lens, particularly in Milwaukee's diverse urban landscape. Analysis of her 12 publications (2006-2023) reveals consistent focus on embodied Muslim identities in the U.S., evolving from conversion studies toward spatial analyses of Islamophobia and collaborative community research. Key thematic clusters include racialized urban spaces, gendered religious expression, and discursive battles over citizenship, all grounded in ethnographic approaches that prioritize Muslim voices and agency. As Lead Faculty Advisor at UWM's Center for 21st Century Studies, she directs the multiyear Muslim Milwaukee Project with Caroline Seymour-Jorn and Kristin Sziarto, fostering academic-community partnerships that inform her ongoing study of competing Muslim identity representations in American political discourse.
Dr. Matteo Montecchi is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Marketing at King’s Business School, King’s College London, where he also serves as Theme Lead for Sustainable Consumption at the Centre for Sustainable Business and Programme Director for the Strategic Marketing (Open Executive) programme. He teaches core modules such as Consumer Behaviour, Digital Marketing, and Research Methods, and leads executive education initiatives. Previously, he was a Senior Lecturer at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, and has held visiting positions at Milan Politecnico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Università Federico II. Montecchi earned his PhD in Marketing from King’s College London, an MRes in Marketing from Birkbeck College, an Executive Master in Marketing and Sales from SDA Bocconi and ESADE, and a Bachelor’s in Business Economics from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. He also holds a PgCert in Academic Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research focuses on the digital transformation of marketing, particularly the role of artificial intelligence and blockchain in enhancing transparency and trust. He investigates ethical engagement with diverse consumer groups, inclusion, and corporate responsibility, with a special interest in marginalized communities. His work integrates consumer behavior, digital interactions, and decision-making with technological innovation, offering actionable insights for sustainable and responsible business strategies. The most recent 15 publications reflect a strong trend in AI in retail, brand transparency, consumer trust, ethical data use, voice technologies, and social sustainability. His research spans journals in marketing, psychology, interactive marketing, and business ethics, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact. Scientific Awards: KingsCAT: Capture and Analysis Tool for Social Media Research at King’s College London (2024) – Recognized as part of a collaborative team for advancing digital research infrastructure and media analysis. Montecchi is actively involved in PhD supervision and is accepting new students. He has led research projects using social media analytics (KingsCAT) and has contributed to strategic debates on grand challenges in marketing. His work connects academic research with real-world managerial applications, particularly in digital strategy and ethical innovation. He is a key contributor to interdisciplinary research through tools like KingsCAT, which supports collaborative social media analysis, and his publications often involve co-authorship with experts in data science, psychology, and organizational behavior.
Øyvind Gjerstad is an Associate Professor of French Linguistics in the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Bergen. His academic work focuses on the intersection of language, narrative, and climate change discourse, with particular emphasis on comparative analyses between French and Norwegian contexts. As a core member of the LINGCLIM research group (Language, Climate and Lifestyle), he contributes to interdisciplinary investigations of how linguistic structures shape public understanding of environmental issues. Gjerstad's research interests center on linguistic polyphony, narrative analysis, and discourse structures as applied to climate communication. His work examines how narratives about climate change are constructed linguistically, how different voices are represented in climate discourse, and how narrative frameworks influence public perception and willingness to act. He has developed methodological approaches that combine narrative analysis with polyphonic theory to reveal complex storylines in climate-related texts, particularly focusing on how negation, reported speech, and rhetorical devices function in climate communication. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output examining climate narratives across various text genres including political documents, media coverage, and public surveys. Recent work has increasingly focused on the combination of narrative and polyphonic analysis ('polynarrativity') to uncover intersecting storylines in climate discourse. His research spans both descriptive analyses of existing narratives and explorations of how normative narratives might be constructed to motivate climate action. Gjerstad has supervised graduate students, including Taran Marie Hoel Stabell's Master's thesis on French temporal prepositions. His research has been supported by funding from the Research Council of Norway (projects 220654 and 301103), indicating sustained institutional support for his work on climate discourse analysis. He actively participates in academic conferences across Europe, presenting his findings to both linguistics and climate studies audiences. As part of the LINGCLIM research group, Gjerstad collaborates closely with Kjersti Fløttum and other colleagues on projects examining how language shapes climate perceptions and actions. His work bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications in climate communication, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts to understand and address the climate crisis through the lens of language and narrative.
Nicolas Fréry is the Astra Foundation Research Fellow in Textual Scholarship at the Voltaire Foundation and a Junior Research Fellow at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford . He holds a PhD from the Sorbonne (2022) and previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Strasbourg. His research explores intersections between fiction and philosophy in the French Enlightenment, focusing on intertextuality and representations of reading. Education : Ecole Normale Supérieure (Paris), agrégation de lettres modernes, PhD in French Literature (Sorbonne, 2022) Fréry's research examines how Enlightenment authors navigated philosophical and literary discourses, particularly through intertextual dialogues (Pascal-Marivaux-Rousseau) and reading practices. He has contributed critical editions like Voltaire's Anti-Pascal and articles analyzing Marivaux, Prévost, and Rousseau. Recent publications address Rousseau’s therapeutic reading concepts, Marivaux’s reworking of Racine, and 18th-century representations of feminine poverty. His work bridges close textual analysis with broader Enlightenment intellectual currents. Scientific Awards : Prix solennel de thèse (Chancellerie des Universités de Paris, 2023) Prix Jeune Chercheur (Fondation des Treilles, 2022) Fréry co-organized events including the conference 'Imposteurs, faussaires et charlatans' (2023) and a workshop on Pascal's literary reception (2020).
Yoshiko Matsumoto is the Yamato Ichihashi Professor in Japanese History and Civilization and Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Linguistics. She has been a faculty member at Stanford since 1992, progressing from Assistant Professor to her current distinguished position. Matsumoto also serves as coordinator of the Japanese Language Program and has held significant administrative roles including Chair of the Department of Asian Languages (2003-2005) and Interim Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (2016). Matsumoto earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley (1989), following M.A. degrees in Linguistics from UC Berkeley and General and Applied Linguistics from the University of Tsukuba, an M.I.A. in American Studies from the University of Tsukuba, and a B.A. in English Language & Literature from Japan Women's University. Professor Matsumoto's research focuses on linguistic pragmatics from cross-linguistic perspectives, with particular expertise in Japanese language. Her work spans structural and sociocultural aspects of language in use, including noun-modifying clause constructions, honorifics, discourse markers, and the intersection of language with gender and aging. She has pioneered research on conversational narratives of older adults, examining how ordinary framing strategies help individuals navigate difficult experiences. Her current projects explore intergenerational communication through haiku, communicative abilities of people with dementia, and noun-modifying constructions across Eurasian languages. Matsumoto's scholarship consistently bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications for understanding human communication in diverse social contexts. Matsumoto's recent publications reveal a growing focus on practical applications of linguistic research for social benefit, particularly in intergenerational communication and dementia care. Her work increasingly integrates arts-based approaches, especially haiku poetry, to bridge generational divides and enhance communication with elderly populations. The research shows a consistent trajectory from theoretical linguistic frameworks toward applied, human-centered language studies that address real-world challenges in aging societies, with particular attention to how ordinary language practices help individuals navigate life transitions and difficult experiences. Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching, School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University (2000) Richard E. Guggenhime Faculty Scholar, Stanford University (2000-2003) Violet Andrews Whittier Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2019-2020) Faculty Research Fellow, Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research (2014-2015) Research Fellow, Japan Foundation (2002) Internal Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2005-2006) Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities, Stanford University (2009-2011) Professor Matsumoto has mentored numerous students through her teaching in Japanese language and linguistics courses, including specialized offerings on language and aging, points in Japanese grammar, and haiku-based communication. Her research has been supported by prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Japan Foundation, and Stanford's Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities. She has served on multiple editorial boards including the Journal of Pragmatics since 1992, demonstrating long-standing leadership in her field. Matsumoto has also advised students through individual studies and thesis projects in East Asian Languages and Cultures. Matsumoto leads several collaborative research initiatives including the 'Sharing Conversations' project which examines intergenerational communication through haiku, and research on communicative abilities of people with dementia. Her work often involves interdisciplinary teams spanning linguistics, gerontology, and creative arts, with fieldwork conducted in both Japan and the United States. The 'Noun-Modifying Constructions in Languages of Eurasia' project represents a major international collaboration examining linguistic structures across cultural boundaries. She also directs the 'Language, Old Age and Gender in Japan' project supported by the Stanford University/Japan Foundation, and the 'Difficult Conversations Continue: Memories of the 3.11 Disaster and Bereavement Narratives' project focused on post-disaster communication.
