Paul Huth is a Professor and Director of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM) at the University of Maryland, where he also serves as Editor of the Journal of Conflict Resolution. He earned his PhD in Political Science from Yale University in 1986. His research spans international relations with concentrated expertise in interstate armed conflict, territorial disputes, international law applications, deterrence theory, civil war dynamics, civilian impacts of warfare, and aid-conflict interactions. He employs rigorous statistical methodologies and develops original datasets for large-N empirical analysis, frequently collaborating with graduate students and faculty to advance theoretical frameworks in conflict resolution. Professor Huth actively integrates students into his research projects to bridge academic theory with practical methodology, emphasizing real-world relevance for undergraduates through current event applications while fostering advanced research skills among graduate students.
Abdi Aidid is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law , teaching Civil Procedure and First Year: Tort Law . He is also a Visiting Associate Professor at Yale Law School (2024–2025) and a Faculty Affiliate at the Centre for Ethics and the Future of Law Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of law and artificial intelligence. Education: LL.M, University of Toronto J.D., Yale Law School B.A., University of Toronto His research explores access to justice , legal ethics , and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in legal systems. He has published extensively on topics including AI regulation, procedural fairness, and the ethical challenges of integrating technology into legal practice. Recent publications span juridification , human-computer labor division , and generative AI in legal contexts, reflecting his focus on the convergence of law, ethics, and technology. His work has been recognized with awards such as the PROSE Award and a Donner Prize nomination. Scientific Awards: PROSE Award (Association of American Publishers) The Donner Prize (finalist)
George J. Mailath is the Walter H. Annenberg Professor in the Social Sciences and Professor of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, and an Honorary Professor at the Research School of Economics, Australian National University. He specializes in microeconomics, noncooperative game theory, repeated games, and the theory of reputations. His research explores pricing strategies, evolutionary game theory, and social norms. Mailath is a Fellow of prestigious institutions including the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the Econometric Society. He served on the Econometric Society Council (2013-2015, 2020-2023), Game Theory Society Council (2005-2011), and co-founded Theoretical Economics . His editorial roles include editorships at Econometrica , Review of Economic Studies , and others. His 2019 book Modeling Strategic Behavior provides graduate-level insights into game theory and mechanism design. Mailath’s articles focus on strategic interactions, reputation effects, and dynamic game theory. Notable works include analyses of trust in risk-sharing mechanisms and coalition-proof strategies under frictions. His research emphasizes long-term strategic behavior and institutional design.
Yuliya Chernykh is a Full Professor of Law at Inland Norway University and an Associate Professor II at the University of Oslo. She specializes in legal text interpretation (contracts and treaties), national-international law intersections, and fields like contract law, sports law, and comparative law. Her research focuses on arbitration practices in international law contexts. She holds qualifications as a Chartered Arbitrator (2013) and CEDR-accredited Mediator (2024). Chernykh leads the Legal Development research group and contributes to projects such as the COPIID initiative on investment dispute compliance. She has published widely, including her monograph Contract Interpretation in Investment Treaty Arbitration (2022, Open Access). Her work spans journals like European Journal of International Law and books with Oxford University Press and Brill. Education: PhD in International Investment Law and Arbitration (University of Oslo) LLM in International Commercial Arbitration (Stockholm University) LLB (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy) Postgraduate Diploma in International Trade Law (University of Turin) Research & Awards: Monograph: Contract Interpretation in Investment Treaty Arbitration (Brill, 2022) Key contributions to ISDS Academic Forum reports and international arbitration studies Recipient of Chartered Arbitrator and CEDR Mediation certifications Grants & Collaborations: COPIID project funded by Norway’s Research Council International Law Association Committee on ADR in International Law Advising: Supervises master’s and doctoral students in international law, comparative law, and dispute resolution.
Dr. Tolulope J. Falokun is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law . Her expertise spans Technology Law, International Law, and AI Ethics. She holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and top-tier degrees from Nigerian institutions, including a First Class Honors from the Nigerian Law School (top 1%). Education: LL.B., Obafemi Awolowo University (2017); B.L., Nigerian Law School (2018); LL.M., Harvard Law School (2020). Certifications: Introductory Certificate in Arbitration (Chartered Institute of Arbitrators). Her research focuses on blockchain, AI regulation, cross-border legal frameworks, and privacy law. She teaches courses like Blockchain & AI in Legal Systems and Private International Law in the Digital Era . Recent professional roles include presentations at Arizona State University and the University of Oklahoma, and judging the Canadian & American Transnational Law Moot.
Richard Caplan is Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR), University of Oxford, and an Official Fellow of Linacre College. His academic career spans several decades with significant contributions to the field of international relations, particularly in the areas of international organizations, conflict management, and peacebuilding. Professor Caplan holds an MA and PhD from the University of London. His academic journey has included visiting positions at prestigious institutions including the European University Institute (EUI), University of Konstanz, University of Pavia, Princeton University, and Sciences Po (Paris). Professor Caplan's principal research interests focus on international organizations and conflict management, with particular emphasis on peacekeeping and post-conflict peace- and state-building. His work explores critical questions about how international institutions manage conflicts, the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, and the complex processes of rebuilding societies after conflict. His research has significantly contributed to understanding the challenges of measuring peace, the dynamics of international administration in war-torn territories, and the recognition of new states in contested contexts. Professor Caplan has received considerable recognition for his scholarly contributions through fellowships and grants from leading organizations including the British Academy, the British Council, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Folke Bernadotte Academy, the John Fell OUP Research Fund, the Leverhulme Trust, the MacArthur Foundation, the Oxford Martin School, and the US Institute of Peace. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Professor Caplan has supervised numerous graduate students including Ishrat Hossain, Ebenezer Azamati, Michaela Coplen, Lucy Maycox, John Helferich, Gwendolyn Whidden, Alejandro Posada Téllez, Colm Trant, Salma Daoudi, Nadila Ali, and Katharina Engel. His current research focuses on the aftermath of UN peacekeeping operations through the ESRC-funded "After Exit" project, which investigates conditions in countries following the withdrawal of large-scale UN peacekeeping missions. Professor Caplan leads the "After Exit" research team, which includes collaborators from Oxford, Cornell University, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Previously, he contributed to the Oxford Martin Programme on Transboundary Resource Management, which explored cross-border cooperation on natural resource management in the eastern Nile River Basin and the Jordan River Basin.
Peter Gries is a Professor of Chinese Politics and the Lee Kai Hung Chair at the University of Manchester, serving as the founding Director of the Manchester China Institute. He previously held roles at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Colorado, Boulder. Born in Singapore, he holds degrees from Middlebury, the University of Michigan, and a PhD from UC Berkeley. His research focuses on political psychology, particularly U.S.-China relations and Chinese nationalism, with notable works including China’s New Nationalism and The Politics of American Foreign Policy . He leads initiatives like the UK-China International Photography Award and the UK-China Diplomatic Dialogue. His grants include funding from the Ford Foundation and Smith Richardson Foundation for projects on security dialogues and course development. He sits on editorial boards of The China Quarterly , Political Psychology , and Nations & Nationalism . Recent work explores racial stereotypes, intersectionality, and threat perception in international relations. Education : Bachelor's and Master's in Asian Studies from Middlebury and the University of Michigan PhD in Politics from UC Berkeley Research Interests : Political psychology of international affairs U.S.-China relations Chinese nationalism and foreign policy Public opinion dynamics Grants : $60,000 from Smith Richardson Foundation (2005–2006) Multiple grants from Ford Foundation and Mershon Center for Sino-American Security Dialogues $4,000 from Freeman Foundation for Chinese Foreign Policy course development Media Contributions : Expert commentary on BBC World News, NYT, and CGTN Discussions on U.S.-China trade wars, China’s Japan policy, and global perceptions of China Labs/Institutes : Manchester China Institute Former director of the Institute for US-China Issues at University of Oklahoma
Rosana Garciandia is a Senior Lecturer in Public International Law and Co-Director of the Centre for International Governance and Dispute Resolution (CIGAD) at The Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London. She holds a PhD in Law from the University of Navarra and previously taught at the University of Murcia. Her research focuses on international law responses to human rights abuses, including modern slavery, racial discrimination, and corruption, with an emphasis on state accountability and intersectionality. She is also a Research Leader at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law and a Fellow of the Macrocrimes Center. Education: PhD in Law (University of Navarra) Previous Positions: Secretary General of the European Law Institute, UNODC, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Her research interests include state responsibility, EU law, migration law, and the law of international organizations. She has published widely on topics such as inter-state communications in UN treaty bodies, domestic servitude, and human rights scrutiny in international trade policies. Recent work includes editing a special issue on inter-state communications (2024) and contributing to the Intersectional Rewrites project. She collaborates with the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War, exploring the slavery-war nexus. Her teaching and research address global challenges, linking legal frameworks to issues like modern slavery, corruption, and human dignity. She actively engages with international organizations and policy development.
Douglas Abbey is a Lecturer in Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business since 2005, specializing in real estate investment and urban development. He co-founded IHP Capital Partners, AMB Property Corporation (now Prologis), and Swift Real Estate Partners, contributing to industrial real estate and affordable housing sectors. Abbey holds an MCP from UC Berkeley and a BA from Amherst College. His research and teaching focus on real estate investment strategies, land use policies, and their socio-economic impacts. He emphasizes how market forces, demographics, and regulations shape housing affordability and urban integration. Abbey has authored multiple case studies analyzing real estate projects and development challenges. Education: MCP, UC Berkeley, 1979 BA, Amherst College, 1971 Abbey has served on boards of prominent organizations, including the Urban Land Institute (past Global Board member, Chairman of the ULI Foundation), Bridge Housing Corporation (emeritus after 20 years), and the Nantucket Yacht Club. He supports the Abbey Master in Real Estate Development + Design at UC Berkeley. His academic service includes teaching GSBGEN 306: Real Estate Investment and advising students on career paths in real estate. His case studies explore diverse topics like hotel development, distressed asset management, and industrial REIT strategies.
Mazdak Nik-Bakht is an Associate Professor at Concordia University's School of Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering. His work bridges construction engineering with digital innovation, focusing on smart infrastructure and sustainable development. PhD, Construction Engineering & Mgmt., University of Toronto PhD, Structural Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology MASc & BASc, Structural and Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology His research integrates Artificial Intelligence and Social Network Analysis into construction management systems. Key areas include: Smart infrastructure and urban computing Deconstruction and circular economy principles Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twinning Process mining in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry Decision models in construction project management Semantic computing and computational linguistics applications Recent publications show a focus on BIM analytics , urban resilience , and social media's role in infrastructure planning . Papers often combine AI and network theory to solve complex construction challenges. 2015 Outstanding paper award - Built Environment Project and Asset Management journal He teaches courses on: Big Data Analytics for Smart City Infrastructure Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Construction Building Economics Project Cost Estimating
Dr. Dicky Tsang is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law , The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He holds degrees from Georgetown University (S.J.D.), Columbia University (LL.M., J.D.), University College London (LL.M.), and the University of Hong Kong (LL.B., PCLL). His practice experience includes corporate finance law at Linklaters and Shearman & Sterling across New York, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. Admitted to practice in New York, England & Wales, and Hong Kong Research Interests : Dr. Tsang specializes in Private International Law and Company Law , focusing on cross-border corporate liability, veil-piercing, arbitration agreements, and FRAND litigation. His work bridges empirical legal analysis with comparative law frameworks. Publication Trends : His recent scholarship examines jurisdictional conflicts, enforcement of foreign judgments, and regulatory challenges in global corporate law. Publications span journals like Virginia Journal of International Law and Journal of Private International Law . Scientific Awards : Outstanding Research Impact Award 2022-23 CUHK Research Excellence Award 2019-2020 CUHK Teaching Excellence Award 2016-2017 Grants : He has led multiple RGC-funded projects, including empirical studies on China’s choice-of-law regime and foreign judgment enforcement. Collaborative grants explore corporate governance and legal education in Asia.
Willy E. Rice is a tenured Professor of Law and Englehardt Research Fellow at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a postdoctoral fellowship from Johns Hopkins University. His career includes roles as a Visiting Public-Law Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, a Scholar-In-Residence at The American Bar Foundation, and a legal expert/statistician for law firms globally. Rice specializes in Insurance Law, Consumer Litigation, Contract Law, and Legal Practice Technology. His research focuses on empirical analyses of judicial decisions, particularly in insurance disputes and consumer rights litigation. Notable works include Legal Practice Technology and Law (2017) and Consumer Litigation and Insurance Defense (2011), which critically examine legal frameworks and industry practices. His awards include the Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005–2006) and recognition for scholarly contributions to law and economics. Rice’s expertise bridges legal theory and statistical analysis, influencing both academic discourse and practical legal strategies in insurance litigation and regulatory compliance.
Weijia Rao is an Associate Professor of Law at Boston University School of Law, located at 765 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. With a robust scholarly profile evidenced by 12 published papers with over 2,150 total downloads and 5 total citations, Professor Rao maintains an active research agenda in international legal studies. Professor Rao's research focuses primarily on international investment law, with particular expertise in investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms, bilateral investment treaties, and international arbitration. Their work examines the intersection of domestic politics and international investment law, the effects of foreign investors' challenges to domestic regulations, and the role of national security considerations in international legal frameworks. A significant portion of their research analyzes China's engagement with international investment law and WTO frameworks, as well as the dynamics of arbitrator behavior in ICSID proceedings. The scholarly output demonstrates a clear trend toward examining the practical implications of international investment law on domestic regulatory sovereignty, with recent work increasingly focusing on national security dimensions of international law. Professor Rao's research employs empirical methodologies to analyze how international legal frameworks interact with domestic political processes and economic outcomes, contributing valuable evidence-based insights to ongoing debates about reforming international investment law systems. Professor Rao has established productive research collaborations with scholars from institutions including University of Chicago Law School, University of Miami, and Brigham Young University. Their publications appear in prestigious venues such as the Harvard International Law Journal, Yale Journal of International Law, and Journal of Legal Studies, reflecting the high quality and impact of their scholarship.
Cassidy R. Sugimoto is the Tom and Marie Patton Professor and School Chair at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology. She previously held a professorship in Informatics at Indiana University Bloomington (2010–2021) and served as Program Director for the Science of Science and Innovation Policy at the National Science Foundation (2018–2020). Her research focuses on knowledge production systems, equity in STEM, scientific collaboration dynamics, and research evaluation metrics. She holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill including a B.Mus. in Music Performance, M.S. in Library Science, and Ph.D. in Information and Library Science. Research interests include: Structural inequities in science and technology Ethical authorship practices Global scientific collaboration patterns Open science initiatives Gender and diversity in academic careers Notable awards include the 2020 Bicentennial Service Award from Indiana University and 2014 Trustees Teaching Award. Her recent work examines intersectional disparities in science, AI ethics, and systemic barriers to equity in academic publishing. Key contributions include co-authoring Equity for Women in Science (2023) and foundational scholarship on alternative metrics beyond citation counts. She advises on science policy matters related to institutional equity and open access publishing.
Professor Amnon Aran is a leading academic in the School of Policy and Global Affairs at City St George's, University of London . His career spans roles at the London School of Economics and Political Science and extensive contributions to Middle East policy forums including the European Union's Middle East Peace Task Force and Oxford Analytica . He provides media commentary for BBC, Bloomberg, and CCTV . Research Focus: International relations of the Middle East, Arab-Israeli conflict, foreign policy analysis, feminist foreign policy, and regional power dynamics. Key Publications: Authored Israeli Foreign Policy since the End of the Cold War (Cambridge University Press, 2021) and co-authored works on foreign policy analysis with Oxford University Press. PhD Supervision: Guided 8 doctoral candidates in topics spanning Israeli peace activism, intercultural dialogue, and Middle Eastern foreign policy shifts. Professional Contributions: Participated in high-level policy discussions with institutions like the European Union and RUSI , and advised on Middle East peace processes. His 15 most recent articles (2011–2025) examine evolving Israeli foreign policy paradigms, including feminist approaches, energy diplomacy, and shifts from adverse asymmetry to equivalence in Turkey relations. He challenges conventional narratives about regional power dynamics and foreign policy frameworks.
