Joel Andreas is a Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University since 2003, serving as Program Director of the East Asian Studies Program. His research focuses on political contention, social inequality, and social change in contemporary China. He holds a PhD in Sociology from UCLA and teaches social theory, political sociology, and courses on Chinese society. He has held visiting positions at universities including the University of Sydney, Hong Kong University, and Ningxia University. His work examines labor movements, rural land policies, and class dynamics in China. Recent research includes analyses of staff-worker congresses, rural land dispossession, and the persistence of militarism in U.S. policy. He critiques market reforms and explores the legacy of the Cultural Revolution. Andreas has contributed to debates on China’s transition to capitalism and the decline of socialist systems. His publications span topics from urbanization to state coercion in rural development. He maintains an active role in academic exchanges and policy-relevant research on China’s socio-political landscape.
Sasha Su-Ling Welland is Chair & Professor in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies at the University of Washington, with an adjunct role in Anthropology and affiliation in China Studies. She holds a PhD (2006) and MA (1998) in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, and a BA (1991) in Ethnic Studies from Stanford University. Her research focuses on transnational visual culture, women of color, ecocriticism, and post-socialist gender dynamics. Current work explores embodied ecologies, nuclear colonialism, and racial capitalism in the Anthropocene. Welland’s scholarship bridges art, ethnography, and public scholarship. Her book Experimental Beijing (2018) won major prizes for its analysis of gender in Chinese contemporary art. Recent research intertwines military/medical histories with environmental justice in St. Louis. She curates feminist art exhibits in Asia and serves on the Journal of Visual Culture editorial board. Her awards include the 2019 Francis L.K. Hsu Book Prize and 2020 Joseph Levenson Prize. She advises graduate students and leads lab teams investigating transnational feminisms and environmental humanities. Resources include her CV and online office hours via the department’s website.
Esther Duflo is the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is also co-founder and co-director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), holds the Chaire, Pauvreté et politiques publiques at the Collège de France, and serves as President of the Paris School of Economics. Her research focuses on understanding the economic lives of people living in poverty to help design and evaluate social policies. Her work spans multiple domains including: Development Economics Poverty Alleviation strategies Health interventions Educational programs Financial inclusion initiatives Environmental policy Governance improvements Duflo revolutionized developmental economics by pioneering the use of randomized controlled trials to test poverty reduction measures. Her empirical approach has challenged conventional opinions about development and has helped improve the efficient use of resources in poverty alleviation programs worldwide. She co-authored the influential books "Poor Economics" and "Good Economics for Hard Times" with Abhijit Banerjee, demonstrating through field experiments how specific interventions (like providing lentils to mothers for child immunization) can dramatically improve social outcomes. Her notable scientific achievements include: Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (2019) Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2015) Infosys Prize (2014) John Bates Clark Medal (2010) MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship (2009) A.SK Social Science Award (2015) Duflo has established J-PAL as a global network of over a hundred affiliated professors who use scientific evidence to inform policy decisions in the fight against poverty. J-PAL has offices across Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and South and Southeast Asia. Her work has demonstrated the crucial importance of information in policymaking, with numerous field experiments showing how carefully designed interventions can have significant impacts on social outcomes across multiple domains including health, education, and economic opportunity.
Robert JOLIET is an Associate Professor of Finance at IÉSEG School of Management in France. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Management from HEC-ULg Management School (Belgium) and has held various academic leadership roles, including Director of Academic Development and Academic Director of the PGE (MSc in Management). His research focuses on finance, portfolio management, SRI (Socially Responsible Investing), and corporate finance, with a particular emphasis on international expansion, capital structure, and sustainable investment strategies. Education: 2008: Ph.D. in Economics and Management, HEC-ULg Management School, Belgium 2004: Master of Advanced Studies (DEA), Management Sciences (Finance), University of Liège, Belgium 2002: Master of Science in Business Engineering (Finance), University of Liège, Belgium Research interests span SRI fund dynamics, corporate social responsibility valuation, international debt policies, and market liquidity. Notable contributions include analyzing the impact of SRI mutual funds on corporate governance and environmental practices, and exploring the stability of sovereign debt structures in the Eurozone. Awards include the 2005 FORTIS Award (Third Prize) and the 2003 E.G. de Barsy Doctoral Fellowship. He has published extensively in journals like Economics Letters and Journal of Banking & Finance . Academic leadership roles include directing programs and departments at IÉSEG, alongside coordinating the Finance Track and managing academic development initiatives. His teaching focuses on financial data analysis, active portfolio management, and investment strategies in capital markets. He is a member of the LEM (Laboratoire d'Économie Moderne) research group and contributes to interdisciplinary research in finance and economics.
Ramsey McGlazer is an Associate Professor specializing in twentieth-century European and Latin American literature, film, and critical theory. His research engages with poetry, politics-aesthetics intersections, critical carceral studies, and feminist/queer/psychoanalytic frameworks. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Critical Theory from UC Berkeley (2015) and previously taught at the University of St Andrews and Brown University’s Pembroke Center. McGlazer’s work interrogates modernist critiques of progress, radical psychiatry movements, and the interplay between aesthetic practices and institutional critique. His acclaimed monograph Old Schools: Modernism, Education, and the Critique of Progress (2020) won the American Association for Italian Studies First Book Prize. Current projects include The Clinic and its Double , exploring mid-century radical psychiatry and avant-garde art. He serves as Senior Editor of Critical Times and Coeditor of Italian Culture , and has translated key works like Rita Segato’s The War Against Women . McGlazer’s writing appears in venues such as Los Angeles Review of Books and n+1 . Research interests span Surrealist provocations, Brazilian artist Lygia Clark’s propositions, and transnational feminist solidarities. His scholarship bridges literary analysis with critical engagements in carceral studies, postcolonial theory, and decolonial thought.
Sean Cao serves as Associate Professor (with tenure) at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, where he is Director and Co-founder of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research. He also holds an affiliation as professor at Harvard Business School's D 3 Institute. His academic journey began with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Cao's research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and capital markets, with particular expertise in how machine learning transforms financial analysis, corporate disclosure practices, and investment decision-making. His work examines the evolving relationship between human analysts and AI systems, blockchain applications in financial reporting, and the strategic adaptation of corporate communications for machine readership. He has pioneered research on the "AI divide" among investor groups and developed frameworks for human-AI collaborative stock analysis. His publication portfolio spans top journals including Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Accounting Research, and Management Science. The research demonstrates consistent thematic progression toward increasingly sophisticated AI applications in finance, with recent work exploring distributed ledger technologies for auditing, machine learning for extracting private information from disclosures, and the economics of greenwashing in ESG funds. His studies frequently combine textual analysis with traditional financial metrics to uncover novel market insights. Fama-DFA Prize from Journal of Financial Economics for best paper in capital markets and asset pricing Michael J. Brennan Award from Review of Financial Studies Deloitte Initiative for AI and Learning award for developing trustworthy AI for social equity PanAgora Asset Management's Dr. Richard A. Crowell Memorial Prize Multiple best paper awards from Midwest Finance Association, Global AI Finance Conference, and Asian Finance Association Dr. Cao has delivered over 200 invited research talks at major institutions including the Central Bank of Japan, Central Bank of Thailand, and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He serves as Guest Associate Editor for Management Science and has co-chaired Review of Financial Studies conferences on FinTech and Machine Learning. His educational initiatives include a widely adopted free AI textbook for finance and accounting that has been implemented at universities worldwide including Indiana University, UT Dallas, and University of Minnesota. As Director of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research, Dr. Cao leads a multidisciplinary team exploring practical AI applications in finance. The initiative has secured significant funding including a $150,000 grant from GRF CPAs & Advisors. His research group maintains strong industry connections through partnerships with regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and technology companies, facilitating the translation of academic research into practical financial applications.
Prof. Dr. Oktay KIZILKAYA is a full-time Professor at Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Economics , Turkey. He has held academic positions since 2004, including Associate Professor (2019-2024) and Assistant Professor (2012-2018). Education: PhD and MA in Economics (2007-2012, 2004-2007), BA in Economics (1999-2004) from Selçuk University. Research Areas: International Political Economy, International Trade, International Investments, and International Economic Theories. His research focuses on the interplay between economic policies, foreign direct investment (FDI), energy consumption, environmental sustainability, and growth dynamics. Key themes include panel data analysis , co-integration , and policy implications for Turkey and emerging economies like BRICS-T. Recent publications analyze topics such as pandemic-induced uncertainty on tourism demand, eco-innovation in Germany, and the impact of political institutions on FDI. His work often employs time-series econometrics and panel causality methods . Scientific Awards: Publication Encouragement Award (2023) Publication Encouragement Award (2020) Best Researcher Award (2017, International Conference on Strategic Research in Social Science and Education) Award of 2017 (Strategic Researches Academy) Key Projects: Led 13 research projects on FDI, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and energy policy, all as principal investigator.
Shigehiro Oishi is the Marshall Field IV Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023). He holds a B.A. from International Christian University (Tokyo), Ed.M. from Columbia University, and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to UChicago, he taught at the University of Minnesota (2000–2004), Columbia University (2018–2020), and the University of Virginia (2004–2018; 2020–2022). His research explores culture, social ecology, and well-being, focusing on questions like “What is a good life?” and how socio-ecological factors like income inequality and residential mobility impact well-being across cultures. His lab uses diverse data sources, including surveys, GIS, and experimental methods. Key awards include the 2017 Society of Experimental Social Psychology Career Trajectory Award, the 2018 Carol and Ed Diener Award, and the 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award for Advancing Cultural Psychology. His work bridges psychology, sociology, and cultural studies, with a global focus on understanding human thriving. The Oishi Lab at UChicago continues this mission, welcoming new Ph.D. students and hosting prominent social psychology talks.
Flavio Vasconcellos Comim is a Full Professor at IQS School of Management in Barcelona, Spain, holding the Chair of Ethics and Christian Thought (intercenter). His research focuses on the intersections of Sustainability, Economics, and Ethics. Fields of Interest : Human Development, Capability Approach, Social Exclusion, Regional Development, AI Ethics, Poverty Stigma (Aporophobia), Sustainable Development, Social Welfare, Justice, and Happiness. Recent research includes publications on youth HDI in Spain (2025), AI bias against the poor (2024), and critiques of Sen's social choice theory (2024). He leads projects like Big data applied to the study of aporophobia and Population Medicine and Sustainable Development collaborations with China. His academic output spans journals like Regional Studies , AI and Society , and Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society , with keywords spanning Economics, Machine Learning, Human Development, and Social Justice. No formal students or awards are listed in available records.
Patrizia Riganti is a Professor in Tourism at the University of Glasgow's School of Interdisciplinary Studies. She holds an MPhil in Urban Design, MSc in Urban Planning, and PhD in Economic Valuation Methods in Heritage Conservation. Affiliations include ICCROM (Fellow) and ICOMOS International Scientific Committees (Economics of Conservation, Energy & Sustainable Development). Her research focuses on heritage-led sustainable development, cultural tourism policies, and non-market valuation techniques. She has secured over €8.5M in research grants from RCUK, EU, and World Bank. Notable projects include the CAVEAT Project on cultural heritage valuation and the Scoping Culture and Heritage Capital Report for UK government. She chairs international conferences on Culture, Economics, and Cities with Prof David Throsby. Her work spans urban regeneration (e.g., Milan’s Navigli, Syracuse’s Ortigia), smart cities integration with heritage conservation, and post-pandemic blue economy recovery. Over 58 peer-reviewed articles and 28 invited speeches highlight her contributions to cultural heritage economics and sustainable development.
Yochai Benkler is the Berkman Professor of Entrepreneurial Legal Studies at Harvard Law School and faculty co-director of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. He specializes in Law and Political Economy, Technology Law and Policy, Communications Law, and Access to Knowledge. His work bridges academia and activism, focusing on the intersection of technology, collaboration, and societal structures. Benkler's research emphasizes decentralized collaboration, information commons, and the impact of technology on democracy. He has advised governments and international organizations on innovation policy and telecommunications. His notable works include The Wealth of Networks (2006), which explores social production in the digital age, and Reconstructing Class Analysis (2024), co-authored with Talha Syed, which rethinks class dynamics within capitalism. He has received numerous awards, including the Oxford Internet Institute Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), Ford Foundation Visionaries Award (2011), and Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award (2007). His work is publicly accessible at benkler.org . Benkler serves on the boards of the Open Society Foundations and the Freedombox Foundation. His research spans law, political economy, and technology, addressing issues like fake news, network propaganda, and the role of the internet in governance.
Heather Congdon Fors is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Gothenburg (2006), an M.A. in Economics from the University of Waterloo (1999), and a B.A. (Honours) in Economics from the University of Manitoba (1997). Her research focuses on development economics, education, child labor, and political economy. She has led the research project 'Child labor and school attendance in India' (2014–2018) and serves as a reviewer for journals such as the European Journal of Political Economy and Economic Inquiry. Her teaching expertise includes macroeconomics, statistics, institutional economics, and international economics. She has completed pedagogical training programs including HPE201 to HPE103. Her work explores topics such as the impact of globalization on education, land certification on schooling in Ethiopia, and the persistence of harmful cultural norms like female genital cutting in Africa. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and authored reports on child labor policies, institutional change in post-colonial states, and gender biases in education. Fors has contributed to interdisciplinary projects, including analyses of bureaucrats' use of cost-benefit analysis in environmental policy and the long-term impacts of colonial missions on cultural practices. Her research bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies, addressing global challenges such as sustainable development goals and educational inequalities. She is based at Vasagatan 1, Gothenburg, and can be reached at heather.fors@economics.gu.se.
Rahul Mukherji is a Professor at the Department of Political Science, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University. He has held visiting positions at institutions including the University of Goa, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Fudan University. His research spans Indian politics, political economy, international relations, and climate policy. Education: PhD in Political Science, Columbia University (1999) M.Phil and MA in South Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (1992, 1990) Bachelor in Economics (Honours), Delhi University (1988) Mukherji examines democratic backsliding , climate governance , and political economy of reforms in India. His recent work explores the intersection of COVID-19 and authoritarian trends , alongside state capacity in welfare delivery. Scientific Awards NUS Award for Research Excellence (2014, 2012) President’s Fellow, Columbia University (1997-1999) Ambedkar Overseas Fellow in International Relations (1993-1996) Mukherji serves on the editorial boards of journals like India Review , Pacific Affairs , and Governance . He is series editor for Oxford Institutions and Development in South Asia and editor of Indian Politics and Policy .
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Abby Innes is an Associate Professor of Political Economy at the European Institute, London School of Economics , where she has been a faculty member since 1997. Her academic career includes a Visiting Fellowship at MIT (1995–1997) and a Jean Monet Fellowship at the European University Institute (2001–2002) . She has received multiple teaching awards , including the LSE Teaching Prize and European Institute Departmental Teaching Prize, and currently serves as the Teaching Chair of her institute. Research Interests : Dr. Innes specializes in the political economy of Central Europe , neoliberalism , and materialist utopias . Her work explores state capture , systemic transitions , and comparative capitalism , with a focus on the UK’s neoliberal transformation. Recent research addresses the political economy of the green transition and neoliberal institutional failures . British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship (2017-2018) LSE Teaching Prize (2002) LSE/ASRC Excellence in Education Award (2020) European Institute Departmental Teaching Prize (2011, 2013, 2015) Nominee for LSE Student-Led Teaching Excellence Awards (2014, 2020) Publications : Her 2023 book Late Soviet Britain: Why Materialist Utopias Fail argues that UK neoliberalism parallels Soviet economic dogma, leading to institutional rigidity , democratic erosion , and governance crises . She has published in journals such as The Review of International Political Economy and Comparative Politics , alongside frequent contributions to LSE Blogs and The London Review of Books .
Eduardo Araral is an Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. With over 30 years of experience in academia and government, he holds a PhD in Public Policy from Indiana University-Bloomington under Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom. His research focuses on collective action, institutions, and water governance, with publications in Nature Human Behaviour , Public Administration Review , and World Development . He has held fellowships at Stanford University and centers associated with Coase, Ostrom, and Stigler. Research Interests : Collective action, institutional analysis, water governance, digital technologies in public policy, political economy, and socio-ecological systems. Scientific Awards : Ostrom Prize for the Governance of the Commons, Fulbright PhD Scholarship, and Presidential Award for Outstanding Overseas Filipinos. Leadership Roles : Vice Dean for Research, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, and Co-Director of the Institute of Water Policy (2016-2022) at LKYSPP. Global Engagement : Advised 20+ international organizations including ADB, World Bank, UNDP, and Fortune 500 companies, while lecturing to 7,000+ government officials across 50+ countries.
