Senka Neuman-Stanivukovic is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen, specializing in Critical European Studies and migration politics. She holds positions including Secretary of the Cluster Board (2023–present) and co-leads the IMAGINE Migration Research Network. Her work focuses on EU foreign policy, citizenship, and engaged pedagogy. Education: PhD in Europeanization (2014), postdoctoral research on discursive practices Research interests span EU integration dynamics, infrastructural violence in Southeast Europe, and feminist activism. Recent work examines contested spaces in Central Asia and migration struggles archives. Publications (selected): Over 35 peer-reviewed articles and books on European Studies, including Europeanization as Discursive Practice (2017), and edited volumes on Euroculture's impact (2020). Articles analyze EU-Czech relations and Bosnia's 2014 protests. Awards: Not explicitly listed, but her work has received Scopus citations (7 for 2019 migration study). Advising/Grants: Supervises research on feminist strikes and migration. Member of Human Mobility and Migration Lab, European Democracy Lab, and Colours of a Journey collective. Labs/Teams: Active in DERM Research Network, Transitions & Social Justice group, and Euroculture program leadership.
Kevin Whitehead is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) , where he directs the Conversation Analysis Lab . He also holds a Visiting Associate Professor position at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Primary Affiliation: UCSB Sociology Department Secondary Affiliation: University of the Witwatersrand Lab: Conversation Analysis Lab Education: Ph.D. , University of California, Santa Barbara Whitehead's research focuses on the micro-dynamics of race and racism through ethnomethodological and conversation analytic frameworks. His work examines: How racial categories are produced/reproduced in everyday talk Violence emergence in institutional and public interactions Membership categorization practices in policing and South African contexts Conflict resolution mechanisms in video-recorded encounters Identity negotiation through interactional resources His methodological contributions include: Integrating conversation analysis with discursive psychology Advancing membership categorization frameworks Using video recordings as primary data Developing interactional theories for institutional settings Key publication trends show: 2025: Co-authored books on categorization practices and psychological science applications 2024: Research on emergency service interactions and comedy as anti-racist tool 2023-2020: Studies on police encounters , self-presentation , and post-apartheid categorization Teaching: Courses in SOC 136A/236 : Analysis of Conversational Interaction SOC 136C/236C : Social Categories in Interaction SOC 185E : Introduction to Ethnomethodology SOC 274 : Language, Interaction, and Social Organization
Olga Andreevskikh is a Lecturer at Tampere University's Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, specifically within the Language Studies department. Her work focuses on queer studies, gender dynamics, and media analysis in Russian cultural contexts. She actively engages with digital platforms to explore activism, identity politics, and non-heteronormative expressions. Research interests include the intersection of media, gender, and sexuality, particularly in Russia's socio-political landscape. Her recent studies analyze online activism by LGBTQ+ communities, media portrayals of masculinities, and the role of digital spaces in identity construction. Her publications (2018–2024) reveal a consistent emphasis on queer theory, digital activism, and the sociocultural implications of Russian media policies. Notably, she examines how global movements like #MeToo intersect with local discourses on gender and sexual orientation. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned. She has not listed advisees or students in available records.
José Igor Prieto Arranz is an Associate Professor at the University of the Balearic Islands , affiliated with the Department of Spanish, Modern and Classical Philology . He holds a European PhD in English Philology from the University of Oviedo (2002) and has served in leadership roles such as Director of Internationalization Promotion (2018-2021). His research spans cultural studies, identity formation, and second language acquisition, with a focus on British historical fiction and Brexit narratives. Research Interests : Dr. Prieto Arranz specializes in identity representation in cultural materials , postfeminist and postcolonial literature , and cross-linguistic influence in language learning . His work interrogates how historical fiction (e.g., Philippa Gregory and C.J. Sansom) and media (e.g., ITV’s Benidorm) shape national identity discourses, particularly in post-Brexit Britain. He also explores the role of the humanities in addressing contemporary European challenges like migration and gender inequality. Article Trends : His publications since 2005 highlight intersections between historical memory , tourism , and transcultural identity , often analyzing popular media and political narratives . Recent works (2023-2025) examine Ali Smith’s fiction and contemporary feminist portrayals of historical figures. Scientific Recognition : He has been awarded three research periods (six-year terms) for his contributions to cultural and linguistic studies. Academic Leadership : Beyond teaching, he has held key roles in academic governance, including Deputy Director of the Doctoral School (2015-2018), and has contributed to international collaborations through editing and co-authoring volumes.
Sofia Wanström is a Project Researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, Psychology and Theology, Åbo Akademi University, working within the Department of Culture, History and Philosophy. She is currently leading the postdoctoral research project "Singleness. Young women's experiences of being single in Swedish-Finland," funded by the Swedish Cultural Foundation (2025–2028). Her research is deeply rooted in feminist theory and activism, with a strong focus on gender, violence, power, and storytelling. She explores how narratives shape identity and how cultural beliefs influence women's experiences, particularly in contexts of silence, trauma, and resistance. Her work critically engages with issues such as #MeToo, sexual violence, ableism, and epistemic injustice. The analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent thematic focus on narrative analysis, feminist epistemology, and the politics of voice. Her research bridges philosophy, cultural studies, and social sciences, emphasizing qualitative and ethnographic methodologies to understand lived experiences. She frequently contributes to academic discourse through articles, book reviews, and edited volumes, often situating her work within Nordic feminist contexts. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Sofia Wanström is actively involved in academic advising and research leadership as the principal researcher of her funded project. She has organized and presented at international conferences, participated in editorial work, and engaged in collaborative research networks. While no direct mention of students or grants beyond her current project is made, her trajectory suggests emerging mentorship and grant-writing activities. She is involved in collaborative research networks, particularly in Nordic feminist and cultural studies. Her participation in organizing events like "Nordic 2.0 and beyond" highlights her role in building academic communities focused on gender, media, and cultural identity.
Stacey Philbrick Yadav is Professor of International Relations and Chair of the International Relations Department at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS). She joined the faculty in 2007 and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Her academic leadership includes teaching and research in comparative politics of the Middle East and North Africa, with a regional focus on Yemen. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania M.A., University of Pennsylvania B.A., Smith College Her research centers on civil society under conflict and post-conflict conditions, particularly in Yemen. She examines how civil actors pursue justice amid war, drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and focus groups. Her scholarship explores the dynamics of cross-ideological alliances, especially between Islamist and leftist parties, and the role of knowledge production and peacebuilding as forms of civil action. Her publications appear in leading journals such as International Journal of Middle East Studies and Terrorism and Political Violence . Her most recent book, Yemen in the Shadow of Transition: Pursuing Justice Amid War (2022), analyzes three decades of justice claims in Yemen across authoritarian rule, uprising, transition, and war. Her earlier work, Islamists and the State: Legitimacy and Institutions in Yemen and Lebanon (2013), investigates institutional and discursive strategies of Islamist political alliances. Her scholarly contributions are supported by prestigious grants from the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, the H.F. Guggenheim Foundation, and the American Institute of Yemeni Studies. She has taught at Harvard University and Mount Holyoke College as a visiting professor. American Political Science Association (Chair, MENA Politics section) American Institute of Yemeni Studies (Treasurer) Project on Middle East Political Science (Advisory Board) Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (Advisory Board) Middle East Studies Association She actively contributes to public service by providing pro bono expert testimony in political asylum cases involving Yemeni applicants in the U.S. and Canada. She has also collaborated with organizations such as Chatham House, the Atlantic Council, and Carnegie Endowment on workshops with Yemeni youth and opposition activists. Her teaching includes courses on comparative politics, political violence, and qualitative research methods, and she mentors students through global education programs in Jordan and Tunisia.
Hande Eslen Ziya is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Stavanger, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Media and Social Sciences. She also holds an Honorary Research Associate position at the Gender Justice, Health and Human Development unit, Durban University of Technology, South Africa. Her research spans critical areas including gender studies, digital violence, populism, and the emotional dynamics of academic and political life. Her research focuses on the sociology of gender, digital harassment, post-truth politics, emotional politics, masculinities, and discursive governance in Turkey and Europe. She investigates how online environments shape activism, harassment, and knowledge production. Her work critically examines the gendered impacts of populism, the emotional toll on academics, and the structural inequalities embedded in digital platforms. The 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent thematic trajectory centered on gender, power, and digital discourse. They span journals in feminist media studies, political sociology, and gender studies, highlighting interdisciplinary engagement. Key trends include the analysis of online gender-based violence, emotional labor in academia, discursive strategies of populist regimes, and the role of social media in protest and resistance. Her research combines qualitative discourse analysis with sociological theory, often focusing on Turkey and comparative European contexts. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Advising and Grants: While no formal list of advisees is provided, her frequent collaborations suggest a strong mentoring role, particularly with early-career researchers like Ezgi Pehlivanli Kadayifci. Her current research on online harassment of academics is funded by the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), indicating active grant leadership. She has co-edited major volumes and published extensively, demonstrating sustained research productivity and leadership. Labs and Research Teams: She is part of a collaborative network including scholars such as Alberta Giorgi, Margunn Bjørnholt, Umut Korkut, and Itir Erhart. Her work on the Gezi protests and digital activism suggests involvement in interdisciplinary research collectives focused on media, protest, and gender. She contributes to international scholarly dialogues through co-authored publications and edited volumes.
Elisabeth Lund Engebretsen is Professor of Gender Research in the Department of Media and Social Sciences at the University of Stavanger, Faculty of Social Sciences. She serves as Study Programme Co-ordinator for Gender Studies and Director of both the Research Group on Populism, Anti-Gender and Democracy and the National Research School in Gender Studies. Her academic journey includes prior appointments at McGill University, Shandong University, University of Oslo, Duke University, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, and the International Institute for Asian Studies at Leiden University. PhD in Social Anthropology, London School of Economics (2008) MSc in Gender Studies and Anthropology, London School of Economics BA in Anthropology and Chinese Studies, University of Oslo and Sichuan Union University Certificate in Advanced Chinese, Xiamen University Engebretsen's research focuses on ethnographic analyses of gender and sexual diversities, intersectional inequalities, and political activism in China, East Asia, Nordic Europe, and transnational contexts. Her expertise spans queer and feminist theory, anti-gender movements, Pride politics, climate justice, and lesbian/queer history. She has co-edited key volumes such as Feminist Activism in the Post-2010s Sinosphere (2024) and is currently working on Pride på Norsk , a book on queer rights, democracy, and humanity. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward analyzing transnational anti-gender politics, queer climate justice, and methodological innovation through a Sino-Nordic lens. She frequently publishes on academic freedom, media representation, and the violent potentials of disinformation campaigns targeting LGBTQ+ communities. Her work bridges empirical ethnography with critical theory-building. Editor-in-Chief, Lambda Nordica (2020–2025) Editorial Board, Feminist Anthropology Editorial Board, The Cambridge Journal of Anthropology Co-Editor, Theorizing Ethnography: Concept, Context, Critique book series (Routledge, 2018–2024) Engebretsen supervises PhD candidates across Nordic and European institutions and has led nationally funded research projects such as QUEERDOM (Research Council of Norway, 2021–2026) and a study on working conditions for queer academics. She co-founded the Nordic Feminist Theory Workshop and is actively engaged in public scholarship, regularly contributing to media and policy debates on gender, sexuality, and democracy. She leads or participates in research teams including the Research Group on Populism, Anti-Gender and Democracy and the National Research School in Gender Studies, fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transnationally oriented gender research.
Andrey Makarychev is a Professor of Regional Political Studies at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu. He holds a Doctor's Degree in Political Science from Nizhny Novgorod State University (1999). His research focuses on international relations, geopolitics, biopolitics, and post-Soviet studies, with a particular emphasis on Russia, Eastern Europe, and regional security dynamics. He has led numerous projects funded by the EU, Estonian government, and international bodies, addressing topics like hybrid threats, diaspora geopolitics, and pandemic governance. His research interests include critical heritage studies, governmentality, and the intersection of politics and health. Notable projects include analyzing Russia's war in Ukraine's spatial repercussions and examining Estonia's reactive re-bordering strategies. He has published extensively in journals like International Journal of Heritage Studies and Security Journal , exploring themes such as necropolitics in authoritarian regimes and the biopolitical dimensions of pandemic responses. Education: Nizhny Novgorod University (1982–1988) Key Projects: ELI's Eastern Partnership Democracy Initiative (2023–2026) Venemaa Uuringute Uurija-Professuur (2023–2024) Combatting Disinformation Among Estonian-Russian Speakers (2022–2024) Grants: Over €750,000 in research funding from EU, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and U.S. Embassy. His work bridges political theory and empirical analysis, contributing to debates on authoritarian resilience, post-Soviet identity politics, and the evolving post-liberal international order.
Dr Melissa-Ellen Dowling is a Senior Lecturer at Flinders University's College of Business, Government and Law, where she serves as a Full Member of the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies. Her academic career spans research and teaching focused on the intersection of digital technologies and democratic governance, with particular expertise in countering extremist ideologies and disinformation campaigns. Her research interests center on how liberal democracy can be challenged, sustained, and enriched in a digitizing world. This encompasses investigations into extremist ideologies, political violence, disinformation ecosystems, and foreign interference operations. Her work employs interdisciplinary approaches drawing from political science, international relations, and cyber policy frameworks to address contemporary security challenges facing democratic societies. Dr Dowling's publication record shows significant momentum, with six publications in 2025 alone including the edited volume Digital (Dis)Information Operations: Fooling the Five Eyes and multiple journal articles examining far-right populism, information operations, and media co-optation by extremist groups. Her research demonstrates consistent focus on practical applications for intelligence and policy communities, as evidenced by her leadership of nationally funded research grants. National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grant 2024 (Chief Investigator) for 'Digital pathways to violent extremism in young Australians' National Intelligence Postdoctoral Grant 2021 (Chief Investigator) for 'Modelling Digital Ideological Extremism' As an active researcher within the Jeff Bleich Centre, Dr Dowling contributes to Australia's academic and policy discourse on digital democracy challenges. Her work connects theoretical frameworks with practical security applications, positioning her at the forefront of research addressing how digital technologies impact democratic resilience and vulnerability.
Satu Venäläinen is a University Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ) and Social Psychologists Studying Intergroup Relations (ESSO). She holds a Docent title (2023) and a Doctor of Social Sciences degree (2017). Her research focuses on gender, sexual harassment, intersectionality, violence, and digital environments, employing discursive psychology, affect theory, and creative qualitative methodologies. Key research interests include young people’s resistance to sexual harassment, affective dynamics in activism, and intersectional analysis of gendered violence. She leads projects such as “The affective dynamics and experiences of human and more-than-human anti-violence online activism” (2024–2026) and co-leads the IMAGINE project (2022–2025) addressing youth mental health and inclusion. She has supervised doctoral theses and actively participates in academic activities, including organizing conferences and peer-reviewing journals. Her work has been recognized with awards like the 2012 Gender studies prize for an outstanding master's thesis. Media engagements include commentary on gender, violence, and societal issues in Finnish and international outlets.
Ville Laakkonen is a Doctoral Researcher in the Doctoral Program in Social Studies, focusing on migrant disappearances, border studies, and forensic anthropological approaches to migration governance. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to migration and multiculturalism. Key research areas include forensic bordering practices in Fortress Europe, the temporalities of containment in migration systems, and the socio-political dynamics of multicultural integration spectacles in Finnish urban contexts. His work combines ethnographic fieldwork with critical analyses of border violence, migrant mortality, and the material traces of disappearances. Recent publications include studies on Greek border militarization, migrant disappearability as deterrence technology, and the socio-spatial transformations in Finnish suburbs. He has actively participated in international conferences and peer review processes for journals like Political Geography and the Nordic Journal of Migration Research . Laakkonen's research methodologies emphasize contextual approaches to migration crises, integrating historical analysis with contemporary case studies from Niger, Kenya, Greece, and the Philippines. His interdisciplinary work bridges anthropology, political geography, and sociology to address systemic issues in global migration governance.
Dr. Hendrik Simon is an Associate Fellow at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) and Principal Investigator/Site Coordinator at the Research Institute for Social Cohesion, Goethe University Frankfurt. His work bridges international law, norms, and transnational solidarity. PhD (2022, summa cum laude) and double degree in Political Science (Dipl.-Pol.) and Public Law/History (M.A.) from Goethe University Frankfurt (2015). Simon investigates the historical and contemporary interplay between international law, war justification, and socio-ecological conflicts. His research emphasizes normativity, trust, and the critique of legal frameworks in global politics. Recent publications focus on the Russian war against Ukraine, transnational labor solidarity, and critical international law. His 15 most recent works span 2025–2016, including monographs (e.g., A Century of Anarchy? ), edited volumes, journal articles on legal theory, and transfer publications addressing socio-ecological transformation conflicts. Key themes: war norms, trust in conflict, transnational labor networks, and critique of international legal order. Simon received the Helmuth James von Moltke Prize. He has contributed to media and political education, including podcasts and interviews.
Raisa Jurva is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Tampere University's Unit of Social Research within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her work is funded by the Kone Foundation for the period 2025-2027, focusing on the intersection of gender equality legislation and affective dynamics. Doctoral Research: Completed under Academy of Finland funding (2015-2019), exploring women's experiences in heterosexual relationships through critical heterosexuality studies. Research Focus: Examines how experiential knowledge shapes legal frameworks, particularly analyzing Finland's Trans Act (2023) and Equality Act (2015). Investigates affective tensions, queer temporalities, and structural inequalities in intimate relationships. Current research analyzes legislative documents, parliamentary proceedings, and international regulations. Her methodological expertise includes qualitative analysis, discourse theory, and narrative research. She has contributed to publications on gender equality policies, pandemic economic decision-making, and affective politics in healthcare contexts. Scientific Awards: Kone Foundation Grant (2025-2027) Academy of Finland Funding (2015-2019)
Jeffrey Murer is a Senior Lecturer in Collective Violence at the School of International Relations, University of St Andrews. He serves as Deputy Head of School and is affiliated with multiple research centers, including the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence. His work intersects sociology, politics, and psychoanalysis to examine identity formation through violence and political conflict. Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1999) B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison (1988) Research focuses on collective violence, political psychology, and identity dynamics in post-communist Europe, the Balkans, and immigrant communities in the UK. His recent publications analyze symbolic violence against Romani women and border theories in multimodal art. Scientific awards include the Annual Graduate Dissertation Prize (University of Illinois at Chicago, 2000), Founding Scholar of the British Psychoanalytic Council (2016), and Fellowships at Cambridge and Paris VII. He has supervised 13 advisees and led projects funded by the British Council and Carnegie Trust.
