Lillie Padilla is an Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics at Sam Houston State University's Department of World Languages and Cultures. Holding a Ph.D. and M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana, her research explores interdisciplinary connections between: Afro-Latinx representation in educational materials Discourse analysis and language ideologies Sociolinguistic studies in Equatorial Guinea Critical race theory applications in language teaching Her work focuses on Spanish subject pronoun expression patterns in multilingual contexts and curriculum development for inclusive pedagogy. Recent publications examine: Representation gaps in Spanish language textbooks Methodological challenges in Equatorial Guinea research Critical discourse analysis of Netflix's Elite series Intersectional representation of Afro-Latinx women Scientific achievements include: Finalist for American Association of Linguistics 2025 award for co-edited volume Representation, Inclusion and Social Justice in World Language Teaching Padilla's research continues to shape conversations about linguistic diversity and marginalized voices in language education through both empirical studies and theoretical frameworks.
Ameil Joseph is an Associate Professor at McMaster University's School of Social Work, where they contribute to critical scholarship at the intersection of mental health, race, and social justice. Their work examines how ideas about difference, normalcy, sexuality, eugenics, race, ability and mental 'illness' cohere and perform within policy, law and practice, with over a decade of professional experience in mental health settings including supportive housing, settlement services, crisis respite, and forensic community treatment. Education: Ph.D in Social Work, York University (2009-2014) MSW, Wilfrid Laurier University (2005-2007) BA in Psychology, University of Waterloo (1998-2003) Dr. Joseph's research engages with critical mental health, postcolonial theory, critical race theory, and critical disability studies to examine the historical production of ideas about difference. Their scholarship particularly focuses on how these ideas manifest in mental health systems, immigration policy, and criminal justice, with attention to issues of social justice, violence, ethics, and confluence. Their work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implications, addressing the complex interplay of colonialism, racism, sanism, and eugenics in contemporary social systems. Analysis of Dr. Joseph's recent publications reveals a sustained focus on colonial and eugenic violence within mental health, immigration, and criminal justice systems. Their scholarship consistently examines how racism, sanism, and ableism intersect to produce particular forms of state violence, particularly against racialized immigrants with mental health conditions. Recent work has expanded to address temporal dimensions of oppression, data colonialism, and community responses to grief and loss during the pandemic, demonstrating both theoretical sophistication and practical relevance to current social issues. Scientific Awards: University Scholar 2025 - Recognized for research leadership and impact among eight McMaster professors honored as University Scholars Dr. Joseph has secured significant research funding, including nearly $75,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for community-engaged projects addressing social justice issues. Their teaching portfolio includes advanced courses on critical mental health perspectives, race and colonialism in Canadian society, and social justice theory. While specific graduate students aren't listed in available materials, their extensive co-author network suggests active mentorship and collaboration. Dr. Joseph contributes to community-based initiatives in Hamilton addressing racism in healthcare and mental health systems, connecting academic scholarship with practical community responses to systemic issues. Dr. Joseph maintains an active presence in community responses to contemporary challenges, particularly through initiatives addressing grief during the pandemic and systemic racism in healthcare. Their work exemplifies the integration of scholarly rigor with community engagement, demonstrating how academic research can inform and be informed by real-world social justice efforts.
Elaine Chun is an Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature at the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin (2007) and an A.B. in Linguistics from Stanford University (1995). Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin (2007); A.B. in Linguistics, Stanford University (1995). Research Interests Dr. Chun specializes in sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology, with a focus on language, race, gender, and sexuality. Her work examines how language practices traverse racial and national boundaries, particularly in contexts like Asian American YouTube commentary, K-pop fandom, and U.S. public spaces. She investigates ideologies of race and gender, collaborative interpretation in social media, and anti-racist strategies. Publication Trends Her recent publications emphasize language in digital media, racial ideologies, and sociocultural identity. Topics include racism in public discourse, transnational social media analysis, racial parody, and the intersection of language with race and gender. Her work spans journals like American Speech , Language in Society , and Discourse & Society .
Jack Bowman is a Teaching Fellow in Modern History at the University of Warwick, School of Arts, Department of History. He teaches modules such as "Britain in the Twentieth Century" and "Race, Racism, and Resistance in Modern Britain," and serves as an Academic Writing Adviser and Teaching Representative for the Social Inclusion and Diversity Committee. PhD in History, University of Warwick (2019–2023) MA in Modern History, University of Warwick (2018–2019) BA (Hons) in History, University of Warwick (2015–2018) His research focuses on anti-colonial print cultures, particularly within the British Empire and the Pan-African movement. He specializes in book history, global histories of empire, queer histories, and visual media. His work explores the role of political publishing in anti-colonial activism and the intellectual networks of figures like V. K. Krishna Menon and Ras T. Makonnen. The recent publications and presentations reflect a strong engagement with transnational anti-colonial movements, Black radicalism, and the material culture of print. His work spans historical biography, archival research, and critical reviews of scholarship in visual culture, decolonization, and global knowledge systems. He frequently contributes to public history through outreach and digital media. University of Warwick, History Department Doctoral Scholarship (2019–2023) Jack Bowman advises undergraduate students and contributes to academic governance through committee roles. He is also involved in public engagement, including outreach to school children as the historian for George Padmore and creating educational resources for GCSE and A-Level students. He is a Convenor of the Modern British History Reading Group and a member of the Global History and Culture Centre and Manuscript and Print Cultures Research Group at Warwick. He is currently working on a new book project on the League Against Imperialism and maintains an active public presence through Twitter (@DrJackBowman) and podcast contributions, such as with Shoga Films on the Harlem Renaissance.
Alison Ledgerwood is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Davis, and Principal Investigator of the Attitudes and Group Identity Lab. Her research examines how social context shapes attitudes and preferences, with a focus on open and inclusive scientific practices. Ph.D., Social Psychology, New York University (2008) M.A., Psychology, New York University (2006) B.A., Psychology, Amherst College (2003) Her research explores psychological distance , framing effects , and system justification theory , while methodologically advancing preregistration , collaborative science , and equity in publishing . She also investigates group identity dynamics and implicit/explicit bias measurement . Recent publications highlight her work on racial bias methodology , open science reform , and contextual framing . Awards include the 2024 Distinguished Service to the Society award, 2021 UC Davis Advising and Mentoring Award, and 2017 SPSP Service to the Field award. 2024 Distinguished Service to the Society, SPSP 2021 UC Davis Graduate Advising and Mentoring Award 2017 Service to the Field, SPSP Hellman Fellowship (2010-2011), UC Davis UC Davis Chancellor's Fellow APS Fellow SESP Fellow Ledgerwood advises on scientific integrity through roles like Chair of the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) II Guidelines Task Force and Anti Colorism and Eurocentrism in Methods and Practices (ACEMAP) Task Force. Her lab fosters contextual evaluation studies and psychological distance frameworks .
Ryuko Kubota is a Professor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Education, since 2009. Her research spans critical applied linguistics , race and language education , and decolonial pedagogies . She has contributed extensively to understanding language ideologies , multicultural education , and critical literacies . Education: BA in English Linguistics, Rikkyo University (1980) MAT in TESOL, School for International Training (1987) PhD in Education, OISE/University of Toronto (1992) Her research interests focus on the intersection of race, language policies, and critical pedagogies. She examines neoliberal paradoxes in language learning, translingual practices , and antiracist engagement in global contexts. Her work addresses systemic inequities in English language education and immersion programs . Recent publications highlight critical approaches to World Englishes , AI-assisted writing , and raciolinguistic hegemony . These studies span interdisciplinary sub-fields including critical race theory , decolonial education , and language teacher identity . Scientific awards include the DSSA Award 2020 . She supervises graduate students like Charu Gupta (PhD) and collaborates with institutions such as the Language Sciences Institute at UBC. Her teaching includes courses on critical multicultural education and language politics .
Kent A. Ono is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, where he has held faculty appointments since 2012. Previously, he served as Department Chair (2012-2017) and has held leadership positions including Director of Asian American Studies at UIUC (2002-2007) and Director of Cultural Studies at UC Davis (1999-2002). He earned his PhD in Rhetorical Studies from the University of Iowa (1992), MA from Miami University (1988), and BA from DePauw University (1987). Professor Ono's research examines critical media analysis through frameworks of race, gender, sexuality, and nation. His work spans rhetorical theory, intercultural communication, and cultural studies, with emphasis on: Representations of Asian Americans in media Immigration discourse and border rhetoric Postcolonial media criticism Critical race methodologies Transnational cultural flows His recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on immigration rhetoric, racial representation in media, and critical intercultural communication. Thematic analysis reveals consistent engagement with power structures, identity negotiation, and resistance narratives across 30+ years of scholarship, with emerging work on K-pop globalization and digital culture. Awards & Honors: Presidential Citation, National Communication Association (2024) Fellow, International Communication Association (2021) Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar (2018) Distinguished Scholar Awards from NCA (2015, 2022), WSCA (2020) Teachers on Teaching Award, NCA (2015) He has held editorial leadership positions including Editor of Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies and co-editor of NYU Press's Critical Cultural Communication series. As NCA President (2020), he advanced equity initiatives and disciplinary transformation. Ono founded the Asian American Cultural Politics Research Cluster at UC Davis and secured grants including 'Portraits of Courage: Photographs by Shane Sato' (2019). He teaches graduate seminars in Rhetorical Studies and International Communication.
Monica Bell is a tenured Professor of Law and Associate Professor of Sociology at Yale University, holding joint appointments across Yale Law School and the Department of Sociology. Her office is located at 127 Wall Street, New Haven, CT. As the first Black woman to serve as a junior faculty member and the second Black woman to receive tenure at Yale Law School, she is deeply committed to advancing diversity in academia. Education: B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, Furman University (Truman Scholar) M.Sc. in Equality Studies, University College Dublin (Mitchell Scholar) J.D., Yale Law School Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy, Harvard University Bell's research examines structural inequality through interdisciplinary lenses, focusing on policing, legal estrangement, housing segregation, welfare policy, and racial-spatial dynamics. She employs qualitative methodologies to analyze how marginalized communities experience legal institutions, with emphasis on urban poverty and systemic exclusion. Her conceptual framework of 'legal estrangement' redefines understandings of community-law enforcement relationships. Her publications consistently engage with themes of racial justice, institutional reform, and community agency. Recent work demonstrates a strong focus on reimagining policing systems, analyzing residential segregation patterns, and developing democratic approaches to poverty governance. Articles frequently intersect law, sociology, and urban studies while incorporating critical race theory. Awards and Honors: Jane Addams Article Award (American Sociological Association) Derrick A. Bell, Jr. Award (AALS) Yale Law Women Faculty Excellence Award Russell Sage Foundation Visiting Scholar Fellowship Truman Scholarship & Mitchell Scholarship Bell teaches Constitutional Law and Law & Sociology, exploring governmental power structures and sociological applications to legal analysis. She previously clerked for Judge Cameron McGowan Currie (U.S. District Court) and served as an Arthur Liman Fellow at Legal Aid Society of D.C., focusing on TANF policy. No current grants, labs, or student advisees are detailed in available materials.
Stephanie Creary is an Assistant Professor of Management at The Wharton School , University of Pennsylvania. She serves as the Faculty Director of the Relationships Across Differences (RADs) Roundtable , a collaborative initiative with Harvard Business School, INSEAD, and NYU Stern. Research Focus: Identity, diversity and inclusion, emotional dynamics, and leadership in diverse organizations. Teaching: Offers courses on leading across cultural and relational differences (MGMT2240, MGMT6240) and advanced organizational effectiveness (MGMT8920). Key Contributions: Conceptualizes DEI work through emotional ambivalence transformation and workplace allyship frameworks (LEAP). Her work appears in top journals like Academy of Management Review , Organization Science , and Harvard Business Review . Scientific Awards: Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2023 NACD Directorship 100 Award Dorothy Harlow/McGraw Hill Best Paper Award (2023) Phillips and Nadkarni Outstanding Paper Award (2022) Multiple Best Reviewer Awards Additional Roles: Visiting Faculty Fellow at Harvard Business School (2022-2024) Host of Knowledge at Wharton Leading Diversity at Work Podcast (4 years)
Judi Mesman is a Professor of the Interdisciplinary Study of Social Challenges at Leiden University, where she also holds the position of University Professor of Societal Responsibility and Impact since 2024. She is affiliated with the School of Governance and Global Affairs and the Department of Education and Child Studies. Previously, she served as Dean of Leiden University College The Hague from 2016 to 2022 and as Scientific Director of the Institute of Education and Child Studies from 2012 to 2016. Mesman's research focuses on social (in)justice, particularly intergenerational issues at individual and institutional levels. Her work examines how social and cultural norms in children's upbringing and education influence their self-image and worldview, with special attention to how children perceive and internalize norms regarding sexuality, ethnicity, and gender. She investigates how parents and educators unintentionally transfer prejudices to children through subtle messages and implicit stereotyping. Mesman's research program has significant societal impact, as demonstrated by her receipt of the prestigious Stevin Prize in 2021, the highest award in the Netherlands for researchers who effectively translate knowledge into societal benefits. Her work has influenced educational publishers, teacher training programs, and diversity initiatives. She has conducted studies on implicit stereotyping in schoolbooks and developed interventions to promote anti-racist education. Stevin Prize (2021) Member of Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2018) Member of Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities Recipient of NWO Veni, Vidi, Vici grants Recipient of ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants Mesman has supervised 26 PhD students to completion and teaches Intercultural Pedagogy in the Bachelor's program in Educational Sciences. She has developed the minor 'The (Un)Just Society' and created a podcast series on working with youth in a multicultural society, for which she received a teaching award. Her current research focuses on how norms and values about gender, ethnicity, and sexuality are transferred among professionals who work with children, including in teacher training programs.
Naomi Murakawa is an Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University, School of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the reproduction of racial inequality in American politics, particularly in the realms of crime policy and the carceral state. Her scholarly work bridges political science, critical race theory, and legal studies. Key areas of interest include mass incarceration, racial liberalism, the historical development of crime control, and the paradoxes of reform within the criminal justice system. Her research, reflected in publications such as The First Civil Right: How Liberals Built Prison America and numerous journal articles, reveals how ostensibly progressive policies have contributed to the expansion of the prison system. Themes across her work include the racialized foundations of state power, the limitations of liberal reform, and the structural persistence of racial inequality in law and governance. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Fellowship from Columbia Law School’s Center for the Study of Law and Culture Fellowship from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Policy Research Program Professor Murakawa has advised graduate students and contributed to major scholarly and public conversations on race and justice. Her work has been supported by significant research grants and fellowships, enabling deep historical and theoretical analysis of the American carceral state. She is a leading voice in interdisciplinary debates on decarceration, abolition, and transformative justice. She is affiliated with research initiatives focused on race, law, and inequality, contributing to collaborative teams examining the intersections of policy, history, and social movements. Her ongoing scholarship continues to challenge conventional narratives about crime, punishment, and racial progress in the United States.
Professor Holly Thorpe is a Professor of Sociology in Te Huataki Waiora / School of Health at the University of Waikato, specializing in Sport and Human Movement. She serves as Associate Dean Research in the Division of Health PVC Office and is an internationally recognized sociologist of sport, physical culture and gender whose work has earned prestigious fellowships and awards including Fulbright, Leverhulme, and Royal Society honors. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Waikato and Papa Reo Level 1 certification from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, reflecting both academic excellence and cultural engagement with Māori language and knowledge systems. Professor Thorpe's research centers on equity and inclusion in sporting cultures, with particular attention to women's health and wellbeing, sport and gender, and the impact of social media on athletic experiences. She employs critical and feminist theoretical frameworks with expertise in qualitative methods to examine how sport, physical activity, and health intersect in rapidly changing social landscapes. Her work spans gender studies, feminist methodologies, sports science, sociology of health, and digital media studies within sporting contexts, with a strong commitment to community-engaged research. Her extensive publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on contemporary issues including menstruation in sport, digital technologies and athlete experiences, pandemic impacts on wellbeing, and the gendered dimensions of mega-sport events. Her work frequently employs intersectional analysis and collaborates across disciplines to address complex questions about embodiment, identity, and social change in sporting cultures, particularly as they relate to women and marginalized communities. Professor Thorpe's significant scholarly recognition includes: Royal Society Early Career Research Excellence Award for Social Sciences (2018) Fellow of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (2018) Royal Society James Cook Fellowship for a two-year project focused on women's wellbeing through and beyond pandemic (2021) She actively supervises students and has secured substantial research funding including the Te Punaha Matatini CORE Research Institute project 'Youth Wellbeing in Uncertain Times: The Voices of Rangatahi from Flood-Effected Tairāwhiti Gisborne' (2023-2025). Professor Thorpe collaborates extensively with international and national sports organizations including the International Olympic Committee, High Performance New Zealand, Sport New Zealand, Skateistan, and Voice in Sport to ensure her research has real-world impact on policy and practice. She serves as Series co-editor for 'New Femininities in Digital, Physical and Sporting Cultures' and maintains active media engagement through The Conversation and other outlets. Professor Thorpe leads several significant research initiatives including 'Reimagining Fields of Play' (2023) and co-organized the 'Gender, Health and Wellbeing Symposium' (2022), demonstrating her commitment to creating spaces for critical dialogue about sport, gender, and health while advancing culturally responsive methodologies that center Indigenous and diverse perspectives.
Vincent E. Price serves as President of Duke University and holds the Walter Hines Page Distinguished Professorship in Public Policy and Political Science. He is a Professor of Public Policy in the Sanford School of Public Policy and Professor of Political Science at Duke University. Dr. Price earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1987, an M.A. from Stanford in 1985, and a B.A. from Santa Clara University in 1979. His academic background forms the foundation for his leadership in higher education policy and university administration. Price's research interests center on public policy, political science, and higher education leadership. His work examines university strategic planning, innovation policy, and the role of research universities in society. As president, he has focused on developing Duke's strategic vision for its second century, emphasizing a 'people-first' approach to institutional investment that prioritizes faculty, students, and staff over physical infrastructure. His recent publications and speeches address critical issues facing higher education, including innovation policy, research funding, university governance, and the future of academic institutions. Price has been particularly active in advocating for full funding of the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen American leadership in critical technology fields. Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2020) President Price has been actively involved in guiding Duke through significant challenges, including the pandemic, while advancing strategic initiatives in faculty recruitment, student financial aid, campus sustainability, and anti-racism efforts. He chairs the ACC Board of Directors and has overseen Duke's expansion of global partnerships, including Duke Kunshan University in China. His leadership emphasizes community building, strategic investment in people, and preparing Duke for its second century of impact.
Dr Ben Gidley is a Professor of Sociology and Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, within the School of Social Sciences. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of London and has conducted interdisciplinary research on migration, urban sociology, and racialization. His work focuses on contemporary forms of racialization, intercultural encounters in urban contexts, and the sociology of British Jewry. Education: BA Anthropology, MA Urban Studies, PhD Sociology (University of London). Research Interests: Urban diversity, antisemitism and Islamophobia, diasporic belonging, Jewish-Muslim encounters, fascism studies, and East/Southeast London ethnography. His recent projects include comparative studies on Muslim-Jewish relations in Europe (ENCOUNTERS) and a study of liminal waterway countercultures (LIMINALWATER). Publications include books such as Turbulent Times (2010) and journal articles exploring urban multiculturalism, antisemitism, and diaspora spaces. He supervises doctoral students on topics like Italian migrant whiteness, Kurdish diaspora, and carceral geographies. Teaching: Modules on racism, antisemitism, and urban studies. He is Director of Research and Sociology REF lead at Birkbeck.
Joe Feagin is the Ella C. McFadden Professor and Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University, College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (1966) and has held prominent roles such as President of the American Sociological Association (1999-2000). His research focuses on systemic racism, racial and ethnic relations, and anti-racist education. Feagin has authored over 30 books and numerous articles, including seminal works like White Racism: The Basics and The White Racial Frame . He has received prestigious awards such as the W.E.B. Du Bois Career of Distinguished Scholarship Award (2013) and the Arthur Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award (2013). Feagin's academic journey includes positions at the University of Texas, University of Florida, and Texas A&M. He served as Scholar-in-Residence at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (1974-1975). His courses at Texas A&M include the Sociology of African Americans, Classical Social Theory, and Racism and Anti-Racism. His research spans racial discrimination, gender relations, urban sociology, and systemic racism’s impacts. He has pioneered theories like systemic racism and the white racial frame. Feagin’s work emphasizes societal transformation through critical sociology and anti-racist practices. Key awards and recognitions include the Cox-Johnson-Frazier Scholarship Award (2018), Soka Gakkai International Social Justice Award (2012), and multiple fellowships. His grants and administrative roles include leadership in diversity initiatives at Texas A&M and national sociological organizations. Feagin’s legacy includes fostering anti-racist education, leading interdisciplinary research teams, and advocating for social justice. His work continues to influence policy, education, and public discourse on race in the U.S. and globally.
