Professor Karl Kaiser is affiliated with Texas A&M University at Galveston. His work focuses on environmental biogeochemistry, particularly dissolved organic matter (DOM) cycling, microplastic pollution, and climate-ecosystem interactions. Research spans terrestrial-aquatic interfaces, Arctic systems, and coastal regions like the Gulf of Mexico. Key areas: DOM dynamics, microplastic transport, climate impacts, and environmental toxicology Field expertise includes riverine systems (e.g., Mackenzie, Yukon), estuaries (Galveston Bay), and Arctic waters Techniques: fluorescence-based sensing, biomarker analysis, and modeling Recent studies address extreme weather effects on carbon cycling, wildfire impacts on black carbon, and historical plastic accumulation in biota. He investigates PFOS toxicity and microbial responses to environmental disturbances. Projects often integrate fieldwork with computational models. Grants & Collaborations: Collaborative NSF-funded research on CRAM molecules, Arctic DOM, and Gulf of Mexico microplastics. Involvement in post-disaster studies (e.g., Hurricane Harvey, ITC fire). Labs/Teams: Engaged in Texas A&M's coastal research initiatives, focusing on estuarine hydrology and pollution dynamics.
Olivier J. Walther is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Florida (UF) and Coordinator of the African Networks Lab. He holds the UF Research Foundation Professorship (2024-2027) and is affiliated with the Center for African Studies, the Sahel Research Group, and the Center for Global Islamic Studies. His research focuses on cross-border trade, transnational political violence, and social network analysis in West Africa, with a particular emphasis on the spatial conflict life cycle. He has conducted fieldwork in Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Ghana, Benin, and Mauritania, and his work has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, the OECD, and the European Commission. Walther’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Lausanne (2006), an M.S. in Development Studies from the University of Geneva (2004), and prior faculty roles at the University of Southern Denmark and Rutgers University. He currently coordinates the OECD’s West Africa research program, addressing political insecurity in the region. His editorial roles include Associate Editor of Political Geography and leader of the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE). His research explores how borders influence trade networks and violent extremism, with recent projects analyzing transport policies in Ghana and conflict dynamics across North and West Africa. Key awards include the UF Research Foundation Professorship and collaborative grants from NASA and the OECD. He advises current graduate students David Russell and Lacey Harris-Coble, and his work bridges geography, political science, and economics to address global challenges.
Sandra Parisi is a Professor of Global and Planetary Health at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences. She leads the Professorship of Global and Planetary Health and teaches in the areas of global health, planetary health, public health strategies, and population health challenges. Her work bridges academic research, clinical practice, and international public health initiatives. Education: PhD in Tropical Medicine, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2023) Master of Science in International Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin (2021) Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin (2014) MD, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen and Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (2010) Her research focuses on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), participatory and mixed-methods research, social and ecological determinants of health, planetary health education, and primary care. She has conducted fieldwork in Latin America, including Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, and Paraguay, and has led projects on Chagas disease, leprosy, and schistosomiasis. Her work emphasizes community engagement, peer support, and inclusive development. The trends in her recent publications show a strong commitment to planetary health education, with several studies evaluating curricula and student engagement in Germany. She also investigates patient and healthcare provider experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in primary care settings. Her scholarship combines qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to address global health inequities and improve health outcomes in marginalized populations. Scientific Awards and Recognition: While specific awards are not listed, her PhD, leadership in funded research projects, and publication record in high-impact journals reflect significant professional recognition. Advising and Grants: Dr. Parisi has co-supervised or collaborated with numerous researchers and students, particularly in interdisciplinary and international projects. She is involved in research grants related to Chagas disease (Corazón en Acción), planetary health education, and NTDs. Her work is often funded by public health institutions and international partnerships. Labs and Research Teams: She leads the research group on Global and Planetary Health at Fulda University of Applied Sciences and collaborates with teams at the University of Würzburg, Charité Berlin, and international institutions in Latin America. Her projects often involve community-based participatory research and interdisciplinary collaboration across medicine, public health, and social sciences.
Melissa Connor is a Professor of Forensic Anthropology at Colorado Mesa University in the Department of Anthropology within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She serves as Director of the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS), a leading facility for decomposition research, and advises both the forensic anthropology minor and the Forensic Science Club. Education: PhD in Geography, University of Nebraska-Lincoln MA in Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison BA in Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Her research centers on forensic taphonomy, conflict archaeology, and transitional justice, with extensive fieldwork in post-conflict regions including Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria. She specializes in mass grave investigations and applies archaeological methodologies to forensic contexts. Her early work on the Little Bighorn Battlefield laid the foundation for integrating battlefield archaeology with forensic science practices. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in bridging archaeological techniques with forensic investigation, particularly in decomposition studies, crime scene protocols, and interdisciplinary education. Her work emphasizes regional taphonomic variation and the development of standardized forensic excavation methods. Professional Contributions: Author of Forensic Methods Excavation for the Archaeologist and Investigator (2007) Co-author of Archaeological Perspectives on the Little Bighorn and They Died with Custer Presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences on emerging forensic disciplines Melissa Connor brings over 30 years of archaeological experience and 15 years in federal forensic service into her academic role. She mentors students through hands-on research and advocates for ethical standards, teamwork, and problem-solving in forensic education. She integrates assessment as an ongoing dialogue across academic and professional domains to ensure graduates meet industry needs. Her leadership in FIRS provides students with real-world training in human remains detection and recovery. She leads the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS), which conducts controlled studies on human decomposition to advance forensic recovery techniques and taphonomic understanding in semi-arid environments.
Prof. Dr. Erdmute Alber is Chair of Social Anthropology at the University of Bayreuth , focusing on the interplay between kinship and politics in West Africa. She leads the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies and serves on multiple editorial boards. Research areas: kinship politics, generational relations, middle-class dynamics, literacy studies, and neoliberal impacts on family structures. Active in field research in Benin, Andean regions, Togo, Ghana, and Kenya. Scientific Awards: Frobenius Society research prize (1998) DFG award for outstanding achievement (2007)
Prof. Dr. Iris Clemens is a full Professor at the Chair of General Educational Science within the Faculty of Cultural Studies at the University of Bayreuth , where she has held a permanent position since 2014. She previously served as Acting Professor of Intercultural Education at Bundeswehr University Munich (2012-2013) and worked at Free University Berlin and German Institute for International Educational Research Frankfurt. Habilitation: General Educational Science as Cultural Science (2013) Doctorate: Education-Semantic-Culture (2005) Diploma: Media Discourse and Pedagogical Reflection in India (2000) Her research establishes relational educational frameworks through network theory applications, particularly focusing on knowledge transformations in globalized societies , postcolonial educational analysis , and non-Western learning processes . She has conducted sustained fieldwork in India since 1998 and Benin, examining global educational concept circulation , identity formation through networks , and epistemological decolonization . Her recent publications analyze networked livelihood creation in Africa, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation influence on education, and spatial learning dynamics . She co-organizes Digital Workshop for Doctoral Candidates (DGNet) and serves as Deputy Chair of the German Society for Network Research. The 2025 articles in Springer and Palgrave Macmillan demonstrate her continued leadership in relational educational theory.
Dr. Branwen Spector serves as a Lecturer (Teaching) in Anthropology at University College London, specifically within the Department of Anthropology. Her appointments include roles in Social Anthropology and Material Culture and Social Anthropology, with a focus on contemporary ethnographic methodologies and digital research practices. Her research centers on mobility and infrastructures in Palestine and among Israeli settlers, drawing from three years of ethnographic fieldwork in the Occupied Palestinian West Bank. She examines how road, internet, and human infrastructures shape mobilities for Palestinian refugees and Israeli settlers, while exploring social media's role in mediating navigation, mapping, and surveillance. Her work addresses occupation, colonialism, security, and methodological innovation in the Levant region, with particular emphasis on dating applications as research tools. Dr. Spector co-founded The New Ethnographer project, producing resources on inclusive fieldwork ethics, and the Digital Ethnography Collective hosting workshops on digital research methods. Her 2024 book 'Inclusive Ethnography' establishes frameworks for safer, healthier fieldwork practices, reflecting her commitment to transforming anthropological research pedagogy at UCL.
Jason P. Briner is a Professor in the Department of Geology at the State University of New York at Buffalo, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on Quaternary and glacial geology, paleoclimatology, and arctic environmental change. Education Ph.D. in Geological Sciences, University of Colorado (2003) M.S. in Geology, Utah State University (1998) B.S. in Geological Sciences, University of Washington (1996) Briner studies glacial and lacustrine records to understand ice sheet processes, past climate changes, and glacial landscape evolution using cosmogenic exposure dating and paleolimnologic techniques. His work provides insights into Arctic climate change over Pleistocene and Holocene timescales. His recent research involves developing open-source tools through Ghub for ice sheet modeling, NSF-funded projects on climate change, and fieldwork in Alaska, Greenland, and Norway. He teaches courses including Climate Change, Glacial Geology, and Quaternary Dating Methods. Briner leads the Paleoclimate Lab at UB, mentoring graduate students and conducting fieldwork across glacial regions. He is a member of the Geological Society of America, American Quaternary Association, and American Geophysical Union.
Professor Gülten Küçükbasmacı is a distinguished academic at Kastamonu University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Turkish Language and Literature. With a career spanning over 25 years at the institution, she has progressed from Instructor to her current position as full Professor since 2025, while also serving as Director of the Research and Application Center (2016-2020, 2023-present) and Department Head (2012-2020). Her academic journey began with a BA in Turkish and Social Sciences Education from Gazi University (1997), followed by an MA (2000) and PhD (2009) in Turkish Folk Literature from the same institution. Her scholarly focus centers on Turkish Folklore, particularly Sufi Turkish Folk Literature and Anonymous Turkish Folk Literature, with significant contributions to Turkish Mythology and Cultural Continuity studies. Professor Küçükbasmacı's research demonstrates remarkable consistency in examining oral traditions, folk healing practices, and cultural memory. Her recent publications reveal a sophisticated interdisciplinary approach, bridging folklore studies with ethnography, linguistic anthropology, and religious studies. Notably, her work on menakıpname literature, Ashik traditions, and regional folklore (particularly Kastamonu and surrounding areas) establishes her as a leading authority in Anatolian cultural studies. As a dedicated educator and mentor, she has supervised 13 graduate theses and taught numerous courses including Turkish Mythology, Folk Literature Research Methods, and Sufi Folk Literature. Her administrative contributions include directing research projects on traditional celebrations in Kastamonu and editing several academic journals focused on folklore studies. Her laboratory and research environment centers around the Documentation and Research Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage at Kastamonu University, where she has pioneered initiatives to preserve and analyze regional folk traditions through systematic documentation and community engagement.
Lauren Ristvet is the Robert Dyson Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania. She specializes in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern history and archaeology, focusing on archaic state formation, landscape archaeology, environmental disasters, and ancient imperialism. Her fieldwork includes long-term excavations at Tell Leilan, Syria (ancient Shehna/Shubat-Enlil) since 1999 and co-directing the Naxcivan Archaeological Project in Azerbaijan. Associate Director of Excavations at Tell Leilan, Syria Co-Director of the Naxcivan Archaeological Project, Azerbaijan Author of In the Beginning: World History from Human Evolution to the First States (2007) Her research explores political complexity, ritual practices, and imperial dynamics through case studies in Mesopotamia, the Caucasus, and the Levant. Recent projects examine cultural imperialism, environmental collapse, and fortified settlements. Key article trends include interdisciplinary approaches to state formation, imperial frontiers, and human-environment interactions during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Current publications focus on political performance, settlement dynamics, and archaeological methodologies. She works extensively with international teams at Oğlanqala (Azerbaijan) and Tell Leilan (Syria), employing technologies like magnetic gradiometry for site mapping.
Professor Eamonn McKeown is a distinguished academic at City St George's, University of London , where he has worked since 2006. Currently serving as Head of the Department of Global, Public & Population Health & Policy (established 2025), he leads strategic academic development for the School of Health & Medical Sciences management team. His career spans roles including Associate Dean for Postgraduate Studies (2021-2025) and Head of Health Services Research & Management Department (2014-2021). Qualifications: PhD in Social Anthropology, Queen's University Belfast BA (Hons) in Social Anthropology, Queen's University Belfast PGDip in Academic Practice, City University London As an interdisciplinary researcher, McKeown specializes in equality and diversity issues across health and education sectors, employing qualitative methodologies . His fieldwork includes studies in Papua New Guinea on literacy patterns and in the United States on migration/ethnic identity. Recent research focuses on educational research aligned with EDI (Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) agendas to improve student experiences. His 15 most recent articles (2024-2006) demonstrate sustained contributions to Mental health interventions in higher education Nursing clinical practice Public health policy Sexual health research Qualitative methodology development Digital health solutions Scientific Recognition: Fellow of Royal Society for Public Health Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy Fellow of Royal Anthropological Institute Recognised Research Supervisor, UK Council for Graduate Education As an educator, McKeown teaches NM3270 Using Research Knowledge (BSc) HRM020 Foundations in Research Methods (Masters) HRM001 Introduction to Research Methods (Masters) and has mentored 10 PhD/MRes students to completion.
Professor Amy C. Smith is a classical archaeologist at the University of Reading , where she serves as Curator of the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology. Her work bridges Greek iconography, ceramics, digital museology, and pedagogy. Current PhD students: Ilaria Truzzi, Adel Ternovacz, Summer Courts, Nancy Antonellis Key collaborations: Katerina Volioti, Armand Leroi, Katherine Harloe Projects: Testing Beazley, Modern Argonauts educational program Research Focus : Smith specializes in Greek vase iconography, particularly political and religious themes, and digital approaches to museum collections. She explores personifications, festival ware ecology, and the reception of classical antiquity in medieval Britain. Her work combines fieldwork (excavations in Greece and Spain), editorial experience ( American Journal of Archaeology ), and curatorial practice at Yale and Reading. Publication Trends : Her recent articles analyze political symbolism through vases, digital replication methods, and textile contexts. Collaborations with Volioti emphasize cultural education and material studies. The 2016–2024 timeline shows sustained focus on reception studies, museum technology, and interdisciplinary pedagogy. Scientific Awards : Recipient of ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2023–2025) R.D. Milns Professorship (2022) British Academy funding Visiting Fellow at Australian National University (2017) Advising & Grants : Smith supervises doctoral research through University of Reading International Studentships and South West & Wales DTP. She leads study tours to Athens and Rome and co-directs ASCSA Summer Sessions. Labs & Networks : As Ure Museum curator, she pioneered 3D printing applications. Founding member of Pottery in Context Research Network and International Network of Classical Archaeology University Collections.
Chiara Levato is a Research Fellow at the Department of Mining Archaeology, Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, affiliated with Ruhr-Universität Bochum where she pursues doctoral studies. Her academic foundation includes an MA in Humanities from Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (2012), specializing in prehistoric iron oxide mining. She maintains active fieldwork involvement, notably with the Grotta della Monaca Research Mission in Italy. Her research examines Paleolithic mining practices through archaeometric approaches. Primary interests include: Ochre extraction methodologies in prehistoric Europe Functional analysis of macrolithic mining tools via use-wear traces Iron oxide/hydroxide exploitation in Mediterranean contexts Paleolithic technological systems in mining contexts Publications consistently address prehistoric mining archaeology, focusing on Italian and Greek sites. Her work integrates microscopic analysis, archaeological survey data, and comparative studies of mining techniques across Mediterranean cultures, establishing patterns of resource exploitation from the Copper Age to the Upper Paleolithic. Current projects include the functional analysis of tools from Tzines (Thasos, Greece), employing experimental archaeology to reconstruct Paleolithic hematite mining processes. She collaborates with international teams, including UMR 8215 – Trajectoires at Nanterre, France.
Kristina Lyons is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities (PPEH) at the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds affiliations with the Center for Experimental Ethnography (CEE) and the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies (CLALS). Her research is situated at the interfaces of socio-ecological conflicts, social studies of science, and legal studies in Latin America. She has conducted extensive fieldwork across laboratories, greenhouses, forests, and farms in Bogotá and the Andean-Amazonian department of Putumayo, Colombia. Her book Vital Decomposition: Soil Practitioners and Life Politics (Duke University Press, 2020) explores the work of state soil scientists and small farmers attempting to cultivate alternatives to commercial coca crops. Dr. Lyons' recent publications reveal a strong focus on environmental justice, socio-ecological memory, and climate change adaptation. Her work spans multiple disciplines including anthropology, environmental studies, and legal studies, with particular attention to Colombia's post-conflict context. She has been particularly active in researching innovative water management approaches such as ice stupas as responses to melting cryospheres and water scarcity. Her scholarly contributions demonstrate a commitment to decolonial approaches and hemispheric perspectives in environmental humanities, with significant attention to bilingual and digital storytelling methods for environmental justice. Dr. Lyons is currently leading research projects including "Just Energy Transition Debates and Practices in Colombia's Critical Mineral Belt" (2025) and "Engineering Nature-Based Buffers to Address Climate Change and Water Scarcity in the Andes" (2022).
Dr. Laura Otto ist Juniorprofessorin für Anthropologie des Ländlichen an der Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Philosophische Fakultät, seit dem Wintersemester 2023/24. Sie forscht zu Umwelt- und Klimaanthropologie, Multi-Species-Ethnografie und Fluchtforschung, mit Schwerpunkt auf Mensch-Natur-Beziehungen, Verantwortungsethik im Anthropozän und ländlichen Produktionsökonomien. Ausbildung: Promotion an der Universität Bremen (2020, Summa cum laude) Forschung: Projekte zu Sargassum-Algen in Mexiko/Barbados (DFG), AquaNaturenKulturen (Stillgewässer-Anthropologie), Governance in Küstenregionen Ihre ethnografischen Arbeiten zu Algenblüten, Flucht- und Migrationsprozessen und ländlichen Räumen zeigen sich in über 15 jüngeren Publikationen in führenden Zeitschriften wie Maritime Studies oder Cultural Analysis . Die Verbindungen zwischen Tourismus, Küstenschutz und Klimawandel in karibischen Regionen prägen ihre aktuellen Forschungstrends. Auszeichnungen: Augsburger Wissenschaftspreis für interkulturelle Studien (2021) Zertifikat Hochschullehre (2020) Deutscher Studienpreis Finalistin (2020) Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Stipendium (2016–2019) Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs Award (2008)
