Professor Bonnie Buchanan is the Director of the Sustainable and Explainable FinTech (SAEF) Center and a Professor of Finance at the University of Surrey's Surrey Business School (SBS). She previously served as Head of the Department of Finance and Accounting (2019–2023). Her affiliations include fellowships at the University's Center for Sustainability, the Center for AI, and the Centre for Digital Economy (CoDE). Professor Buchanan holds a BSc (Hons), MAppSc, and PhD. Her research focuses on FinTech, AI in financial services, securitization, CSR, and synthetic/alternative data. Notable projects include work on biodiversity in FinTech and regulatory frameworks for financial technologies. Recent grants include a 2020–2022 grant from the Liikesivistysrahasto in Finland (€200,000). She actively supervises PhD students in FinTech, AI, securitization, CSR, and law-related finance topics. Teaching roles include courses on FinTech (MANM493), Banking and Money (MAN3124), and historical financial crises. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing environmental and social impacts. Key publications explore sustainability in private investing, creditor governance, and AI's role in UK financial services. Current initiatives include promoting biodiversity-friendly FinTech solutions and advising the Bank of England-FCA consortium (2025).
Pedro Oliveira is a leading academic and administrator with diverse roles across institutions. He currently serves as Dean at Nova School of Business and Economics , where he holds the Cascais Chair in Operations, Technology, and Innovation Management . Additionally, he is a Professor MSO at Copenhagen Business School , Academic Fellow at Cornell University , and Adjunct Professor at MIT Sloan School of Management . He also founded the Patient Innovation platform and co-founded PPL Crowdfunding . Education: Ph.D. in Operations, Technology, and Innovation Management (2004), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill M.Sc. in Operations Research and Systems Engineering (2000), Instituto Superior Técnico Licenciatura in Naval Engineering (1996), Instituto Superior Técnico Research Focus: Pedro Oliveira's work centers on Open and User Innovation , Patient Innovation , and Social and Impact Innovation , with a strong emphasis on Service Operations Management and Artificial Intelligence in Innovation . His studies often bridge Technology Strategy with Healthcare and Financial Services , exploring how users can drive innovation in resource-constrained environments. Publication Trends: His recent works emphasize collaborative innovation in public and semi-public domains , patient-driven healthcare solutions , and user innovation in digital finance . He has also published extensively on knowledge commons and innovation during crises , such as the COVID-19 pandemic . Leadership and Advisory Roles: Pedro has held significant administrative roles, including Senior Associate Dean for Faculty & Research and Director of the Research Unit in Business and Economics . He has advised the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education and served on the Environment & Sustainability Council at EDP Energias de Portugal . He is also the President of the Open and User Innovation Society and a counselor on the National Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation (CNCTI) and Economic and Social Council (CES) in Portugal. Labs and Teams: As founder of Patient Innovation , he has established a global platform for user-driven healthcare solutions. His work also includes collaborative digital health initiatives , such as the Saúde.Come Senior program addressing food insecurity in elderly populations through TV-based eHealth interventions.
Emir Hrnjic is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance at NUS Business School, where he also serves as Academic Director of the UCLA-NUS EMBA program and Head of FinTech Training at the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF). He holds a PhD in Finance from Tulane University (2005) and has held prior academic positions at Tulane University and Virginia Tech. Research Interests: Banking, finance, investment, and commercial services with specialization in FinTech applications Blockchain technology and digital currency ecosystems Corporate finance, behavioral economics, and emerging markets Aviation finance, debt restructuring, and capital market innovations His publications demonstrate strong focus on practical finance applications, with 38 case studies covering corporate finance dilemmas, digital assets, and emerging market challenges. Recent works (2024-2025) show concentrated research in blockchain applications, CBDCs, and aviation industry financing, while earlier contributions emphasized behavioral finance and IPO strategies. Awards: TEC Case Impact Award for "Alibaba Bonds: Timing, Location, and Pricing" Leadership & Service: Developed FinTech training programs and digital asset curricula for MBA/EMBA Revamped UCLA-NUS EMBA curriculum and digital learning integration Provides expert commentary for media and industry conferences Conducted consulting projects in blockchain and litigation finance
Associate Professor Benjamin Loos is a finance academic specializing in fintech, behavioral finance, and household finance. He holds positions at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Business School, School of Banking and Finance) as Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Financial Technology. He is also a tenured W3 Professor of Digital Finance at Technical University of Munich (TUM School of Management), Director of the Master in Finance and Information Management (FIM), and has held roles at institutions like University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Mannheim Business School. His research focuses on solutions to individual investor mistakes through financial advice innovations, ETFs, and digital tools. Publications appear in top-tier journals like Management Science , Review of Finance , and Journal of Financial Economics . Awards include the 2021 TUM School of Management Best Teaching Award and the 2017 PhD Thesis Award. Teaching spans behavioral finance, investment strategies, and digital finance across undergraduate and executive education programs. He advises on fintech industry partnerships and directs academic programs integrating technology with finance education.
Lara Modica is a Full Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Palermo, specializing in contract law and consumer protection. Her academic career spans over two decades with numerous publications focusing on banking regulations, over-indebtedness, and contractual remedies. She maintains regular office hours on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM via Teams and can be contacted at lara.modica@unipa.it or +3909123892150. Professor Modica's research interests primarily center on Contract Law , Consumer Protection , Banking Regulations , and Over-indebtedness Solutions . Her work critically examines the intersection of civil law principles with financial regulations, particularly focusing on how contractual formalities impact consumer rights and financial stability. She has made significant contributions to understanding the legal frameworks governing bank guarantees, consumer default procedures, and peer-to-peer lending platforms. Her 2023 philosophical exploration 'The Contract, Kant and the Platypus' reveals an interdisciplinary approach connecting legal theory with broader philosophical frameworks. Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a consistent focus on contemporary challenges in financial regulation and consumer protection. There's a clear trajectory examining how traditional contract law principles apply to modern financial instruments and digital platforms. Her work on the MiCA regulation shows engagement with emerging technologies in finance, while her series of articles on specific regulatory articles indicates deep expertise in Italian financial legislation. The thematic continuity in her work, particularly around consumer protection in financial contexts, demonstrates sustained scholarly focus with evolving applications to new technological and regulatory landscapes. While specific information about research grants and advising is not provided in the available materials, her extensive publication record suggests active research supervision and significant scholarly contribution to the field of jurisprudence. Her career shows progression from foundational work on contract formalism to contemporary analyses of digital financial platforms and emerging regulations.
Zhu Yan serves as Professor at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management, Department of Management Science and Engineering. He concurrently holds leadership positions as Dean of Tsinghua's Internet Industry Research Institute, Director of the Advanced Information Technology Business Application Laboratory, and Executive Deputy Director of the Medical Management Research Center. Education: Postdoctoral Fellow (1998-2000) and Ph.D. in Nuclear Energy Technology (1994-1998) at Tsinghua University, Bachelor's in Engineering Physics (1989-1994) Professional Experience: Professor (2010-present), Associate Professor (2002-2010), Lecturer (2000-2002); Visiting Scholar at MIT Sloan, CUHK, and Lancelot Institute Professor Zhu's research spans digital transformation , industrial blockchain , and digital production relations , with emphasis on practical applications in healthcare, construction, and finance. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with industry implementation, particularly in China's digital economy evolution. Current projects focus on industrial internet integration and digital finance systems. His 15 most recent publications demonstrate strong interdisciplinary focus, connecting information systems with healthcare analytics (40%), industrial digitalization (35%), and economic policy (25%). The research shows increasing emphasis on AI-driven diagnostic systems and pandemic-responsive economic strategies since 2020. Beijing Philosophy and Social Sciences Excellent Achievement Award (2020) China Petroleum and Chemical Automation Association Science and Technology Progress Award (2010) Multiple Beijing Science and Technology Progress Awards (2001, 2005) Tsinghua University Outstanding Teaching Award (1999) As academic advisor to national initiatives, Professor Zhu leads the China Technology Economics Society's Blockchain Division and serves as Chief Academic Officer for Chengdu University of Information Technology's Blockchain Industry College. His industry partnerships include SAP Global HR Advisory role since 2000 and CCTV Financial Commentary position since 2015. Current research funding focuses on digital infrastructure development through the Industrial Digital Finance Technology Application Laboratory. He directs the Advanced Information Technology Business Application Laboratory, which develops enterprise digital transformation frameworks, and co-leads the Medical Management Research Center's AI diagnostic initiatives. Current projects include national blockchain infrastructure development and pandemic-resilient supply chain systems.
Dr. Daisy Chou is an Associate Professor at the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. Previously, she held academic roles at the University of Otago (New Zealand), University of Bath (UK), and La Trobe University (Australia). She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from Queen's University Belfast, UK. Her research focuses on corporate governance, executive compensation, board behavior, and M&A activities in Asian and U.S. markets. She has published widely in top journals such as the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis and Journal of Corporate Finance . Her work explores topics like executive pay disparity, board meeting attendance impacts, and institutional overconfidence effects. Recent studies include analysis of FinTech innovations and corporate governance practices in emerging markets. Dr. Chou is actively engaged in supervising research projects on CSR, climate risk, corporate sustainability, and global financial market dynamics.
Subodha Kumar is the Paul R. Anderson Distinguished Chair Professor of Statistics, Operations, and Data Science at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He also serves as Founding Director of the Center for Business Analytics and Disruptive Technologies and holds a secondary appointment in Information Systems. With prior faculty roles at the University of Washington and Texas A&M University, he has been recognized with prestigious awards including the INFORMS ISS Distinguished Fellow Award (2023) and POMS Fellow (2019). His research focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, fintech, and cybersecurity, with over 240 publications in top journals and two books. He actively contributes to academic leadership as Deputy Editor of the Production and Operations Management Journal and Founding Executive Editor of Management and Business Review. Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Blockchain Fintech Healthcare Analytics Social Media Analytics Supply Chain Analytics Awards: INFORMS ISS Distinguished Fellow Award (2023) POMS Fellow (2019) Changjiang Scholars Chair Professorship (China) Namesake Award: The Subodha Kumar and Geoffrey G. Parker Award for Digital Transformation Research Grants & Advising: Secured NIH grants, advises PhD students in Operations & Supply Chain Management, and oversees the Center for Business Analytics. His editorial roles include multiple top journals and conference leadership (e.g., POMS Annual Conference 2018). Labs/Teams: Leads the Center for Business Analytics and Disruptive Technologies, fostering innovation in analytics and tech-driven business strategies.
Dr. Shweta Singh serves as an Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Management at Warwick Business School, University of Warwick. She concurrently holds prestigious appointments as a Fellow at the Warwick Institute for Global Sustainability Development (IGSD) and a Behavioral Data Science researcher at The Alan Turing Institute in London. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Information and Decision Sciences from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, complemented by dual Master's degrees in Computer Science and Applied Economics from the same institution. Ph.D. in Information and Decision Sciences, University of Minnesota Master's in Computer Science, University of Minnesota Master's in Applied Economics, University of Minnesota Dr. Singh's research centers on developing ethical and responsible artificial intelligence systems that address societal challenges. Her work specifically targets mitigating AI bias, creating explainable AI frameworks, and leveraging technology to combat societal injustice. She investigates how digital platforms, sharing economy models, and IT outsourcing create business value while ensuring these technologies promote sustainability and reduce inequalities. Her innovative approach combines technical AI expertise with deep social awareness, particularly focusing on gender equality and child protection in digital spaces. Her publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions to Information Systems Research, International Conference on Information Systems, and related venues. The trajectory of her work shows increasing focus on practical applications of responsible AI, with recent projects addressing online child safety and human trafficking prevention. Her research increasingly intersects with policy development, as evidenced by her contributions to UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology briefs. Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, University of Minnesota McNamara Fellowship, University of Minnesota Social Impact Project of the Year shortlist (2023) Asian Women of Achievement Award finalist (2023) British Indian Awards finalist (2019) Top 5 Women in Tech for Good Award shortlist (2022) Inspiring 50 UK recognition (2025) Dr. Singh actively mentors students and has been recognized with the Staff Social Inclusion Award (2024) for her teaching excellence. Her advisory roles extend beyond academia to include the UN Women UK delegation for the Commission on the Status of Women and the Advisory Board of AI retail company 'Love the Sales'. She serves as an external collaborator for Boston Consulting Group's Henderson Institute, bridging academic research with industry applications. Through her leadership in the ISM-Analytics (ISMA) Group at Warwick, Dr. Singh fosters interdisciplinary collaboration focused on creating socially responsible technological solutions. Her work with the IGSD specifically targets UN sustainability goals related to reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive societies through responsible AI implementation.
Christophe Mues is a Professor of Data Science and Information Systems at the University of Southampton's School of Management, within the Department of Decision Analytics and Risk. His research focuses on credit scoring, consumer credit risk modeling, and applications of predictive analytics, including machine learning techniques for credit risk assessment. He leads the Information Systems & Business Analytics section and supervises multiple PhD students in Business Studies and Management. His work spans advanced statistical methods for predicting Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD), and loan profitability. He is actively involved in the academic community, serving on the organizing committee for the Credit Scoring and Credit Control conference. His teaching includes topics in information systems and business analytics. Contact: C.Mues@soton.ac.uk. Research Interests: Credit Scoring and Consumer Credit Risk Modelling Predictive Analytics in Finance Machine Learning Applications (Deep Learning, Graph Neural Networks) Non-Traditional Data Integration Credit Model Transparency and Fairness Debt Collection Optimization PhD Supervision: Currently guiding four students in Business Studies & Mngt: Kameswara Rao Korangi, Sarthak Gurnani, Pablo Casas, and Nora Agyei-Ababio. Professional Activities: Leads research groups and contributes to international conferences. His work bridges academic research with practical financial risk solutions, emphasizing ethical AI and regulatory compliance in credit modeling. Biography: Holds a PhD in Applied Economics from KU Leuven (Belgium). Joined the University of Southampton in 2004, advancing from researcher to his current leadership role in Decision Analytics and Risk.
Frank Van Gansbeke is an Executive Scholar in Residence at Middlebury College, where he teaches finance courses integrating sustainability and global finance. He holds an MBA from the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), a CFA charter, and certifications in FinTech (MIT) and Impact Investing (Oxford Said Business School). His professional experience spans over 30 years in corporate finance and capital markets. Founder & Managing Partner of Goose Creek Ventures (advising early-stage FinTech and sustainable development companies) Co-founder of the Beyond Bretton Woods (BBW) global think tank, analyzing international financial architecture Launched BBW initiative at COP26 and co-curated its 2024 conference at Middlebury His research interests focus on sustainable finance mechanisms, digital finance innovation, and global economic policy frameworks. He regularly contributes to Forbes on topics blending finance, sustainability, and geopolitics. Frank teaches courses such as Sustainable Finance , Capital Markets , and Beyond Bretton Woods , emphasizing project-based learning and innovative financial solutions. He also serves as a board member for multiple global ventures and advises on impact-driven investments.
Dr Maria Balta is a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Kent Business School, University of Kent. She serves as the Departmental Research and Innovation Lead and has held leadership roles including Director of the MSc in Human Resource Management, TEF Coordinator, and Chief Examiner. PhD in Management Studies (Brunel University London, funded by Leventis Foundation) MSc in Human Resources and Employment Relations (Brunel University London) Maria Balta’s research focuses on digital technologies in business model pivoting, human resource management systems, climate change adaptation, and leadership styles in supply chain management. Her work aims to develop organizational resilience and effective crisis response strategies through empirical studies in diverse sectors. Her recent publications highlight trends in supply chain agility amid geopolitical shocks, digital transformation in SMEs during crises, and the role of big data analytics in sustainability. She has secured significant funding from organizations like ESRC, Innovate UK, and the European Commission. Graduate and Researcher College Prize for Programme Academic Lead (University of Kent, 2023) Nominated for Brilliant Research-Based Education Award (Kent Union, 2023) Maria supervises PhD students in topics spanning organizational change, entrepreneurship, talent management, and supply chain dynamics. She has acted as an external examiner for PhD/DBA programs at King’s College London, Brunel University, and others.
Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-InstitutGermany
Stephan A. Jansen serves as Professor of Management, Innovation & Finance and Director of the Center for Philanthropy & Civil Society (PhiCS) at Karlshochschule in Karlsruhe, alongside holding a professorship in Urban Innovation – Health, Mobility, Digitization at the College of Fine Arts Berlin. He concurrently acts as founding coordinator of the Digital Urban Center for Aging & Health (DUCAH) and associated researcher at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet & Society (HIIG). His academic foundation was established at the University of Witten/Herdecke where he completed studies in 1997 and earned his doctorate in 2003 under Prof. Dr. Dirk Baecker, Prof. Dr. Birger Priddat, and Prof. Dr. Rudolf Wimmer. This institution also hosted his founding of the Institute for Mergers & Acquisitions (IMA), recognized as University Innovation of the Year. Operating through sociological systems theory and behavioral organization theory frameworks, Jansen's research critically examines organizational networks, digital transformation, and urban innovation systems. His current work pioneers intersections between health infrastructure, sustainable mobility solutions, and digital citizenship in aging societies, emphasizing practical applications for resilient city design and post-digital humanism. This manifests in initiatives like DUCAH's technology-integrated aging environments and analyses of mobility-as-a-service ecosystems. His recent publications reveal a concentrated exploration of post-pandemic urban restructuring, particularly examining how digital tools reshape aging experiences and mobility patterns. Key thematic clusters include human-centered digital evolution (Humanism 5.0), health-oriented urban mobility systems, and resilient supply chain reconfiguration - all demonstrating his commitment to translating theoretical frameworks into tangible urban solutions. Notable recognitions include: University Innovation of the Year award from Federal Minister Edelgard Buhlmann German Bicycle Award 2020 for corporate mobility innovation Inclusion in Thinkers 50 global ranking since 2016 His advisory ecosystem spans federal policy (Federal Chancellor's Innovationsdialog, Federal Ministry of Education and Research's Forschungsunion), corporate strategy (AUDI, BASF, Bayer), and nonprofit leadership (Caritas, GIZ). Supported by two decades of scholarship funding from Herbert Quandt-Foundation, Fullbright, and German Academic Exchange Service, he mentors emerging scholars through institutional frameworks while directing PhiCS's philanthropic research agenda. Jansen anchors his operational infrastructure through DUCAH's interdisciplinary aging-tech research hub and co-founded "Das 18te Kamel & Komplizen GmbH" (The 18th Camel & Accomplices), which implements digital-social transformation projects across Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna for major clients including Lufthansa and Otto Group. His BICICLI Holding GmbH venture operationalizes urban mobility concepts through award-winning corporate bike-sharing systems.
Dr. William Segal is an Adjunct Professor at NYU Tandon, specializing in Finance and Risk Engineering. He is also the Founder and CEO of Ipso Facto Solutions, a fintech startup focusing on data analytics, model development, and financial risk management. Previously, he held senior roles at Fannie Mae, Capital One, and the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency. Dr. Segal earned a BA from Harvard University and a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. His research interests include mortgage delinquency transition modeling and investment portfolio optimization, reflecting his expertise in financial risk and data-driven solutions. His industry experience spans housing finance, credit risk management, and anti-financial crime analytics.
Shuting Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Paul H. Chook Department of Information Systems and Statistics at Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business. With a PhD in Management Information Systems from Temple University and prior degrees in Operations Management and Logistics Management, her research focuses on social media risks, fake news detection, and digital health platforms. PhD: Temple University (Management Information Systems) MSc: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (Operations Management) BSc: Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (Logistics Management) Her expertise spans Big Data Marketing , Social Media Analytics , Technology Strategy , and Digital Health . Current research examines: Fake news mitigation through multimedia elements Telemedicine accessibility via SMS technology Social media's impact on business reputation FinTech startup success factors Psychological impacts of digital appearance Cybersecurity effects on startup funding Key Scientific Awards : Research Cluster Interdisciplinary Incentive Grants (2025) Eugene M. Lang Fellowship (2021) Presidential Fellowship at Temple University (2014) Full Tuition Scholarship at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (2009) Active in teaching roles including Data Mining for Business Analytics and Database Management, she has received grants from the National Science Foundation and CUNY Central Office. Her work has been featured in outlets like NPR and Campaign US.
