Ryan Sponseller is a Professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, and serves as Director of Studies. His research focuses on biogeochemical processes in boreal and Arctic ecosystems, particularly stream hydrology, riparian zone dynamics, and climate change impacts. He investigates how human activities, land use changes, and extreme climatic events affect carbon, nitrogen, and dissolved organic matter cycling in freshwater systems. Key research themes include: Carbon dioxide and methane dynamics in streams and lakes Effects of forest management and drought on biogeochemical fluxes Landscape controls on stream network functioning Long-term ecosystem responses to disturbances His work integrates field experiments, long-term monitoring (e.g., Krycklan Catchment Study), and interdisciplinary approaches to address global environmental challenges. Recent studies highlight browning trends, riparian zone heterogeneity, and the role of groundwater-stream interactions in regulating ecosystem processes. Publications emphasize methodological advances in measuring aquatic metabolism and greenhouse gas emissions, while also addressing policy-relevant issues like sustainable forest management and climate mitigation strategies.
Professor James Laurenceson serves as Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI) at the University of Technology Sydney, where he leads Australia's first and only dedicated research institute on Australia-China relations. His career spans academic appointments at University of Queensland (Australia), Shandong University (China), and Shimonoseki City University (Japan). Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Economics), University of Queensland (2001) Bachelor of Economics (Honours), University of Queensland (1994) Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education), University of Queensland (2003) His research focuses on Australia-China economic relations, trade policy frameworks, and the political economy of Asia-Pacific. Recent work examines geopolitical implications of the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism, critical minerals partnerships, and post-AUKUS strategic alignment. Key research trends include analysis of trade tensions, economic security frameworks, and institutional partnerships, with publications spanning journals like China Economic Review , Journal of Contemporary China , and Australian Journal of International Affairs .
Axel Polleres is a full professor at the Institute for Data, Process and Knowledge Management in Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien). He leads the department of Information Systems and Operations Management while maintaining active research in knowledge graphs, semantic web technologies, and ontology engineering. PhD and Habilitation from Vienna University of Technology Former positions at University of Innsbruck, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, DERI Ireland, and Siemens AG Co-chair of W3C SPARQL working group Editorial board member for Semantic Web Journal and IJSWIS His research focuses on: Querying and reasoning over ontologies Graph schema languages (SHACL, SPARQL) Wikidata constraint formalization Ontology reuse in collaborative platforms Crisis management knowledge graphs FAIR data principles implementation Recent publications analyze knowledge graph evolution, constraint validation methodologies, and semantic web standardization efforts. Key topics include: OWL/RDF interoperability solutions Unit conversion systems for Wikidata Partition-based query processing frameworks Network resilience analysis for urban planning Open data platform discovery tools Temporal analysis of collaborative knowledge graphs He has co-organized major conferences like ISWC2023 and ESWC workshops while maintaining active roles in European research projects. Current work involves spatiotemporal knowledge graphs for city resilience and semantic web infrastructure development.
Graham Butler is Full Professor of Law at the University of Southern Denmark (Syddansk Universitet) and also holds a professorship at Linnaeus University (Linnéuniversitetet) in Sweden. His academic career spans multiple European institutions with a focus on EU legal frameworks and international relations. Professor Butler's research interests center on EU Law, International Law, Competition Law, and Constitutional Law, with specific expertise in Banking and Capital Market Law, Company and Business Law, and International Trade. His scholarly work examines the intersection of legal theory with practical applications in EU external relations and internal market mechanisms. His recent publications demonstrate a trend toward analyzing the evolving jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union, particularly regarding the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and examining the legal implications of EU external actions. Butler's work frequently addresses contemporary challenges in European integration, including sanction regimes, institutional competences, and the balance between fundamental rights and security policies. Reinholdt W. Jorck og Hustrus Fonds Forskningspris 2022 (Shortlist) European Central Bank (ECB) Legal Research Programme Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Sapere Aude Research Leader Aarhus University Research Foundation Starting Grant Professor Butler actively supervises research and has participated in numerous grant-funded projects, including the significant 'Micro-states of Europe and the EU Legal Order' project and 'Moo-ving Toward Carbon Neutrality: The Bovine Tax Dilemma.' His involvement in the Independent Research Fund Denmark Sapere Aude program demonstrates his leadership in research initiatives. Butler serves as Director of the Nordic Institute of European Legal Studies and regularly contributes expert commentary to media outlets on complex EU legal matters. His institutional affiliations include active participation in the Centre on the Europeanisation of Norwegian Law and the Bergen European Law Research Group, reflecting his commitment to collaborative European legal scholarship across national boundaries.
Edmund Malesky is a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. He also serves as Director of Graduate Studies and Director of the Duke Center for International Development. His research focuses on authoritarian political institutions, foreign direct investment, and political-economic development in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam. Malesky holds a Ph.D. from Duke University (2004). His work explores three core themes: (1) consequences of authoritarian institutions, (2) political influence of multinational corporations, and (3) links between political systems and business formalization. He has authored/co-authored over 150 publications, including articles in top journals like American Political Science Review and Journal of Politics . Awarded the Gabriel A. Almond Award (2005) and Best Paper from the International Political Economy Society (2012), Malesky has led major grants such as the South East Asia Research Group (SEAREG) and USAID-funded studies on China's economic slowdown. He teaches courses on authoritarian institutions, political risk analysis, and Southeast Asian politics. Key contributions include the Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index , measuring governance for private sector development, and field experiments on legislative transparency. His research bridges theory and policy, influencing debates on governance, corruption, and development in non-democratic regimes.
Prof. Heike Krebber is a Professor for Molecular Genetics at Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany. Her research focuses on mRNA quality control and non-coding RNA functions, using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae. She has held positions at the DKFZ (Heidelberg), Harvard Medical School, and Philipps-Universität Marburg. Her work addresses how mRNA processing defects contribute to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Education & Positions: PhD (1996), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heisenberg Fellow (2006) Habilitation in Molecular Biology (2005) Professor since 2010 at Georg-August University Research Interests: Her lab investigates: RNA quality control mechanisms ensuring proper mRNA maturation and export Functions of non-coding RNAs (e.g., lncRNAs in iron metabolism and telomerase) Ribosome assembly and translation termination pathways Stress-induced bypass of mRNA quality control Awards: Heisenberg Fellowship (2006) Grants & Teams: Leads the Molecular Genetics group at the Institute for Microbiology and Genetics. Collaborates with the IMPRS Molecular Biology and GZMB (Molecular Biology of Cells) programs. Labs & Affiliations: Her group is part of the GGNB network, focusing on Microbiology and Biochemistry. The lab’s work spans fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational disease relevance.
Brett Carter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Southern California and a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He is also a faculty affiliate at Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) and was previously a CDDRL Visiting Scholar (2020-2021). He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University, where he was a fellow at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. His academic journey includes previous fellowships at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies and Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law. Carter's research focuses on politics in the world's autocracies, with particular expertise in Chinese and African authoritarian regimes. His work examines how autocratic governments maintain power through propaganda, digital repression, and strategic responses to international pressure. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to study sensitive political topics in closed societies, including experimental designs to measure public opinion in China. His research bridges comparative politics, international relations, and methodology, with a focus on understanding the evolving tactics of authoritarian governance in the 21st century. Carter's recent publications analyze China's export of surveillance technology, the concealment of political opposition in authoritarian contexts, and the survival strategies of African autocrats in the post-Cold War era. Carter's scholarly contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards. His book Propaganda in Autocracies received the International Journal of Press/Politics Hazel Gaudet-Erskine Best Book Award. The work also earned Honorable Mention for the Luebbert Award for the Best Book in Comparative Politics and Honorable Mention for the APSA Democracy & Autocracy Section's Best Book Award. These accolades reflect the significant impact of his research on understanding authoritarian information control and propaganda strategies. His research has been generously supported by major funding organizations including the National Science Foundation, United States Institute of Peace, Social Science Research Council, Guggenheim Foundation, Smith Richardson Foundation, the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation, the Center for International Studies at USC, the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, and the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University. These grants have enabled extensive field research and methodological innovation in studying autocratic politics. Carter is actively engaged with policy communities and public discourse. He contributes to the National Endowment for Democracy's Power 3.0 project, African Arguments, and Africa is a Country. His research has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times and NPR's Radio Lab, demonstrating the real-world relevance of his scholarly work on authoritarianism and democratic resilience. He is also an occasional contributor to Political Violence at a Glance and maintains an active scholarly presence through his work with academic journals such as the Journal of Politics , British Journal of Political Science , and Journal of Democracy .
Patricia J. Hilleren is an Associate Professor of Biology and current Department Chair at Skidmore College , Saratoga Springs, NY. Her research focuses on nuclear mRNA quality control systems and gene expression accuracy in eukaryotic cells, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics from the University of Minnesota (1997) and completed postdoctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Arizona (1997-2003). Education: B.S., Microbiology (1987), St. Cloud State University Ph.D., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics (1997), University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Research (1997-2003), Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Arizona Courses Taught: Liberal Sciences I Molecular Cell Biology (BI 242) Chromatin Structure, Maintenance and Function (BI 360) mRNA Synthesis, Processing, and Turnover (BI 363) Research Interests: Hilleren investigates nuclear quality control systems that ensure accurate gene expression, focusing on how defective pre-mRNAs are recognized, retained at transcription sites, and removed in eukaryotic cells. Her work addresses fundamental cellular mechanisms through yeast genetics and molecular biology approaches. Publication Trends: Her research spans RNA biology, gene expression regulation, and mRNA surveillance systems. Key themes include nuclear RNA processing errors, cytoplasmic degradation pathways, and molecular mechanisms of mRNA quality control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Contact: Office: Biology Department - CIS 210A Phone: (518) 580-8301 Email: phillere@skidmore.edu Office Hours: Tuesdays 10:30am-12noon, Thursdays 2:15pm-3:30pm
E. Wesley F. Peterson is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. His research spans agricultural development, public policy, and international trade with emphasis on global food systems and economic inequality. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, 1981 M.A. in Economics, Michigan State University, 1980 Master in Public Affairs (Major: economic development), Princeton University, 1973 B.A. in Anthropology (honors program completed with great distinction), University of California, Berkeley, 1967 Dr. Peterson's research examines agricultural policy impacts, trade dynamics, and demographic-economic interactions. His work addresses contemporary issues including global food crises, pandemic trade disruptions, and population policy consequences. He connects theoretical frameworks with real-world applications in agricultural economics and development. His 15 most recent publications (2023-2010) reveal evolving research trajectories from irrigation economics and trade policy to inequality analysis and demographic studies. The corpus demonstrates consistent engagement with pressing agricultural challenges while adapting to emerging global events like trade wars and pandemics.
Piotr Witkowski is a Professor at the Department of World Economy and European Integration, Faculty of Economics, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin. He holds a habilitation degree in humanities (political science, 2017) and has taught at multiple institutions since 2004, including the University of Entrepreneurship and Administration in Lublin and the University of International Relations and Social Communication in Chełm. Education: Master's in Political Science (1986), Inter-university Institute of Political Sciences, UMCS Postgraduate studies in Administration and Management (1997), Faculty of Law and Administration, UMCS PhD in Political Science (2001), UMCS Postgraduate studies in Transport-Forwarding-Logistics (2014), University of International Relations and Social Communication in Chełm His research focuses on customs policy , international trade , and EU integration , particularly analyzing Poland's customs strategies post-1989, Schengen Agreement implications, and transnational logistics. He has published extensively on topics like EU customs law, border control, and economic security. Key article trends include customs procedures (EU-Ukraine trade regulations), logistics frameworks , and cross-border cooperation . His work bridges law , political science , and economics , emphasizing practical trade facilitation and policy harmonization. He has organized conferences on Schengen challenges, EU customs code harmonization, and transnational security, including roles in academic councils and Senate memberships. Collaborations with institutions like the Polish Customs Chamber and Frontex-related studies highlight his policy-oriented contributions.
Marijana Joksimović is a Full Professor at Alfa BK University's Faculty of Finance, Banking and Auditing, specializing in International Banking, International Economics, and Finance. She holds a PhD in Economic Sciences from the Faculty of Business Studies, Megatrend University (2010). Her career includes roles such as Dean of the Faculty, Head of Doctoral Studies, and Rector of Alfa BK University since April 2021. She has also served at institutions like the Faculty of Business Studies in Belgrade and the University of Priština. Joksimović chairs multiple national academic committees, including the Serbian National Accreditation Body and serves on editorial boards of journals like Megatrend Review and Ecologica . Her research focuses on banking regulation, financial risk management, and international trade dynamics. She has authored over 75 papers and received accolades including the Best Dissertation Award from Zadužbine Andrejević (2010). Education: PhD in Economic Sciences (2010), MSc in Economics (2008), BSc in Management of Financial Services (2005) Research Interests: International Financial Systems, Capital Adequacy Standards (Basel III), Cryptocurrency Risks, Pandemic Economic Impacts, and Agri-Food Trade. She explores how emerging technologies like blockchain reshape insurance ecosystems and commodity trading. Her work bridges macroeconomic trends with micro-level financial management. Professional Achievements: Recipient of the 2010 Best Dissertation Award for her work on Basel Committee standards in Serbian banking. Her 2021 study on banking capital adequacy during the pandemic highlighted sector resilience strategies. Over her career, she has advised on financial reporting reforms and fraud detection using Benford's Law. Leadership Roles: Since 2020, she leads doctoral studies at Alfa BK and chairs national academic quality control bodies. Previously, she served as Pro-Dean for Academic Programs at the Faculty of Business Studies (2014–2017).
Daniela Lai is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London. She holds a PhD from Royal Holloway (2017), a MRes (distinction) from UCL, and degrees from the University of Bologna. Her research focuses on war-political economy linkages, transitional justice, and peacebuilding, with a particular emphasis on socioeconomic justice frameworks. Current projects include studies on the global politics of steelmaking. Her work integrates critical and feminist traditions in IR/IPE, informed by extensive fieldwork in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She has published widely, including a 2020 monograph with Cambridge University Press titled Socioeconomic Justice: International Intervention and Transition in Post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina . Teaching responsibilities include modules on peace and justice post-conflict (UG), research methods (PG), and international politics analysis (PG). She contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through her research on justice and economic equity. Professional affiliations include the European International Studies Association and British International Studies Association, focusing on international academic collaboration. Recent activities include policy submissions on UK economic security and participation in global IR pedagogy initiatives.
Simone Wisotzki is a Senior Researcher and Board Member at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). She holds a doctoral degree (PhD 2001) and a habilitation (2021) from Technical University Darmstadt. Her primary affiliation is the International Security Research Department at PRIF, where she has been since 2001. She is also a founding member of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) since 1998. Education: Doctorate (Dr. habil.) in Political Science PhD thesis on British/French nuclear weapons policy Studies in Political Science (Frankfurt/Southampton), English Literature, and Modern History Research Focus: Humanitarian arms control (landmines, cluster munitions), gender perspectives in peace research, arms export policies, and multilateral treaty negotiations. Her work bridges theoretical research with policy advocacy, emphasizing the intersection of gender justice and security governance. Key Activities: Chair of German Society for Peace Research (since 2021) Co-chair of GKKE Rüstungsexporte Working Group Lead researcher on UNPoA, feminist foreign policy impact analysis, and EU arms control Awards: Ernst-Otto Czempiel Award for outstanding contributions to peace research. Lab/Team: Coordinates PRIF's International Security research group, collaborating with global networks like CBWNet and EDP Network.
Ümit Akcay is a Professor of Economics at the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR Berlin) and a researcher at the Institute for International Political Economy (IPE Berlin) since 2017. He previously held academic positions at Istanbul Bilgi University, Atılım University, and METU in Turkey (2016–2017), New York University’s Department of Politics and MEIS (2012–2015), and Ordu University’s Department of Economics (2009–2012). He earned his PhD in Development Economics from Marmara University, Turkey. Research Interests: His work focuses on the political economy of growth regimes, financialization of emerging markets, authoritarian neoliberalism, and the interplay between power blocs and macroeconomic policies. He critically examines Turkey’s economic transformations under the AKP, Poland’s post-neoliberal shifts, and global South dynamics. Publications: Akcay’s recent studies explore authoritarian neoliberalism in Turkey, dependent financialization in emerging economies, and export-led growth strategy transitions. His 2024 article in the Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies analyzes the AKP’s initial decade through a political economy lens, while his 2023 Cambridge Journal of Economics study introduces the concept of 'dependent financialization' in Turkey. Contact: Email: uemit.akcay@hwr-berlin.de , Office: Building E, Room E 1.30, Campus Schöneberg, Berlin.
Professor Alex Kreit is an Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Center on Addiction Law & Policy at Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He is a leading expert in illegal drug and cannabis law , with a focus on federal-state conflicts, criminal justice reform, and public health approaches to addiction policy. Kreit has authored multiple casebooks and over twenty law review articles, frequently appearing in media outlets like The New York Times and WIRED as a policy commentator. Education : Juris Doctor from University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College His research spans drug law , cannabis policy , and criminal justice reform , with particular emphasis on safe injection sites , drug-induced homicide statutes , and pretextual stops in marijuana enforcement. Kreit's work systematically analyzes the legal tensions between state-level legalization efforts and federal prohibition frameworks. As a National Law Journal Trailblazer in Cannabis Law (2019) , Kreit has received grants from the Hayek Fund and Institute for Humane Studies. He serves on Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee and previously chaired San Diego's Medical Marijuana Task Force . Scientific Awards : National Law Journal Trailblazer in Cannabis Law (2019) Hayek Fund for Scholars Grant (2019) Institute for Humane Studies Faculty Partnership Grant (2015) San Diego Daily Transcript Top Attorneys in Academics (multiple years) San Diego News Network 35 Under 35 Community Leader (2010) Kreit maintains active practice as a court-appointed attorney with Appellate Defenders Inc. in California and has taught as visiting faculty at Boston College and Ohio State University. He has presented research at over 40 academic conferences and symposia globally, including in China, Canada, and the UK.
