Lucas Chancel is an Associate Professor of Economics at Sciences Po, affiliated with the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS) and the Department of Economics. He is Co-Director of the World Inequality Lab at the Paris School of Economics (PSE), a Research Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), and Senior Advisor at the European Tax Observatory. He has held visiting positions at the London School of Economics (2021) and Harvard Kennedy School (2022). His research focuses on global income and wealth inequality , climate change , and tax policy , with a particular interest in the interplay between ecological transitions and social justice. He uses tax data, household surveys, and national accounts to analyze inequality trends across countries and over time. His recent publications span high-impact journals such as Nature Climate Change , Nature Sustainability , and the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics . Leading reports like the World Inequality Report (2018, 2022) and Climate Inequality Report (2023) reflect his role in shaping global discourse on inequality and sustainability. His work increasingly explores carbon inequality, wealth taxation, and climate finance, especially for the Global South. Selection of best books in economics – Financial Times (for 'Unsustainable Inequalities') Selection of best science books – Nature (for 'Unsustainable Inequalities') He supervises PhD students including Eulalie Saïsset, Philipp Bothe, and Yannic Rehm. His research is supported by collaborations with institutions like PSE, IDDRI, and the European Tax Observatory. He regularly contributes to public debate through op-eds in Le Monde and Time , and participates in international forums such as the World Economic Forum.
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 .
Kathleen R. McNamara is Professor of Government and Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where she also co-founded the Global Political Economy Project with Professor Abe Newman. Her work centers on the European Union, globalization, and the cultural and political foundations of market authority. Her research interests include the political economy of the European Union, monetary politics, culture and identity in global markets, institutional change, and the democratic legitimacy of supranational governance. She examines how ideas, norms, and collective identities shape economic integration and state formation, especially in Europe. Her recent publications (2020–2024) reveal a strong focus on the EU’s geopolitical turn, industrial policy transformation, the impact of crises like COVID-19 on globalization, and the interplay between democracy and populism. These works reflect a deep engagement with both theoretical and policy-relevant dimensions of contemporary European and global political economy. International Studies Association 2018 Distinguished Scholar in International Political Economy ISA 2020 SWIPE Award for Mentoring Women in International Political Economy German Marshall Fund Fellow Fulbright Fellow Simone Veil Fellow at the European University Institute (2023) McNamara has been a visiting scholar at the Russell Sage Foundation, taught at Princeton University and Sciences Po (Paris), and advised the US National Intelligence Council. She is active in public scholarship, writing for Foreign Affairs , Foreign Policy , and The Washington Post . She is a founding figure in the Global Political Economy Project, which aims to reframe the study of global markets through interdisciplinary and critical lenses.
Deval Desai serves as Reader in International Economic Law at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh Law School, a position he has held since 2020 after serving as Lecturer from 2020-2023. His academic career includes research positions at Harvard Law School and the Geneva Graduate Institute. Dr. Desai also brings extensive practical experience from a decade working with the World Bank on rule of law and governance in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as advising the United Nations on rule of law issues. Dr. Desai's educational background includes an MA in History and French Literature from Oxford University, followed by legal training at City University/BPP Law School (PGDipL and PGDipLP), and advanced law degrees (LLM and SJD) from Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he held prestigious fellowships including the Byse Fellowship, Program on Negotiation Next Generation Fellowship, and Institute for Global Law and Policy Fellowship. MA (Oxon), History and French Literature PGDipL, PGDipLP, City University/BPP Law School LLM, Harvard Law School SJD, Harvard Law School Dr. Desai's research centers on law and development, administrative law and regulation, theories of the state, and patterns of knowledge and authority across the Global North and South. His work examines institutional reform processes, particularly how expertise and knowledge operate within rule of law initiatives. His interdisciplinary approach draws from legal and social theory, development studies, international relations, and performance studies, as evidenced in his monograph Expert Ignorance (Cambridge University Press). His recent work focuses on fiscal sociology, administrative law in the Global South, and the politics of social welfare provision. Dr. Desai's publications span leading journals in law, political science, and development studies, revealing a consistent focus on the intersections between legal institutions, governance, and development. His work demonstrates increasing engagement with comparative methodologies and critical perspectives on knowledge production in global governance. Recent articles show particular attention to fiscal policy, welfare systems, and responses to global crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, with comparative studies between India and European contexts. Dame Muriel Spark Medal (2024, Royal Society of Edinburgh) Chancellor's 'Rising Star' Award (2023, University of Edinburgh) Member of the Young Academy of Scotland Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe Dr. Desai has secured significant research funding from diverse international sources, including a £2.1 million Swiss National Science Foundation Sinergia grant titled 'Reversing the Gaze: Towards Post-Comparative Area Studies' where he serves as PI. He also leads projects funded by the British Academy, University of Edinburgh's Big Ideas Accelerator, Scottish Funding Council, and Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. His commitment to mentoring is evident through his recognition with the Susan Manning Award for Inspiring Mentor and his leadership in establishing programs like the Global Scholars' Academy at the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Global Justice summer school at CEU. As editor-in-chief of the Cambridge University Press book series 'Elements in Legal Theory and the Global South' and serving on multiple editorial boards, Dr. Desai plays a significant role in shaping scholarly discourse. His current research projects examine 'loss' in legal institutions guiding transitional processes, constitutional implications of fiscal arrangements in fragile contexts, and social welfare provision in India and Italy.
Pawan Adhikari is a Professor of Accounting at Essex Business School, University of Essex , where he serves as Director of Impact and Enterprise and Director of Essex Accounting Centre . He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management and a Executive Board Member of the Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research Network (CIGAR) . Previously, he led accounting reforms at Nepal’s Accounting and Auditing Standards Board and lectured at Nord University, Norway. PhD, Nord University Business School Fellow of the Higher Education Academy His research focuses on public sector accounting in developing countries, particularly accounting reforms , public value creation , and climate accountability . He explores how accrual accounting and participatory budgeting can enhance transparency in South Asian and African contexts. His work has influenced policy-making in Nepal and is recognized with the 2023 Best International Research Impact award by the University of Essex. Recent publications analyze wellbeing economies (2025), NGO accountability in disasters (2024), and climate budgeting (2023). He collaborates with institutions like the World Bank , European Commission , and British Academy , focusing on projects related to financial resilience , circular economy , and health sector accountability . Supervising 8 current PhD students, his advisees have produced work on topics like accrual accounting in Bangladesh and NGO accountability in Palestine . World Bank/PEFA Research Award African Accounting and Financial Association (AAFA) Award ESRC IIA Impact Fund GCRF and SeNSS Grants 2019 Best Postgraduate Supervisor (Essex)
Yuhua Wang serves as the Ford Foundation Professor of Modern China Studies within Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Government. His scholarly work establishes him as a leading authority on Chinese political development, state capacity, and historical institutional analysis across imperial and contemporary contexts. His academic foundation includes: B.A. from Peking University Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Professor Wang's research program integrates comparative politics with Chinese studies through core interests in bureaucracy , institutions , judiciary and public law , political economy & development , political geography , and state-society relations . He employs a methodological triad of historical , qualitative , and quantitative approaches to analyze China's political evolution. His work uniquely bridges macro-historical patterns with contemporary governance challenges, particularly examining how historical legacies shape modern state capacity and institutional resilience in authoritarian contexts. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on state development mechanisms, with increasing sophistication in comparative historical methodology. Recent work demonstrates expanded geographic scope beyond China while maintaining analytical depth in imperial political economy. His research shows growing integration of cross-national datasets with deep historical case studies, reflecting broader trends in political science toward mixed-method designs for complex institutional analysis. His distinguished recognition includes: 2023 Lubbert Best Book Award in Comparative Politics from the American Political Science Association for The Rise and Fall of Imperial China Harvard College Professor appointment (2025) Professor Wang maintains active research leadership through extensive publication in premier journals including American Political Science Review and Comparative Political Studies , with significant contributions to theoretical frameworks like State-in-Society 2.0. His work generates substantial policy-relevant insights on corruption, judicial review, and urban governance in China. As a core faculty member in Harvard's Government Department, he contributes to the university's intellectual ecosystem through cross-disciplinary collaboration and participation in research initiatives focused on Asian political development, though specific lab affiliations are not documented in available sources.
Federico Fabbrini is a Professor at the School of Law and Government of Dublin City University (DCU) . He serves as founding director of the DCU Brexit Institute and the Dublin European Law Institute, and leads multiple EU-funded research initiatives, including BRIDGE, REBUILD, and EXPRESS2. Education : B.A. from University of Trento (2006), J.D. from University of Bologna (2008), Ph.D. from European University Institute (2012) Former judicial clerk at Italian Constitutional Court (2010-2011), qualified attorney in Italy (2011) Prior roles: Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Assistant Professor at Tilburg Law School (Netherlands) with tenure His research interests span EU law and policy , with focus on fundamental rights , economic governance , defense integration , and post-Covid-19 reforms , often employing comparative analysis with the United States . He has authored four monographs on Oxford University Press, addressing topics like EU fiscal capacity post-Covid-19 and Brexit's constitutional implications. Recent peer-reviewed publications explore EU fiscal responses to the Ukraine war, defense union dynamics, and recovery facility legal technologies. His work intersects constitutional law , international economics , and crisis governance . Scientific Awards : Young European Leader 2022 Knight (Cavaliere) for high scientific merits by President of Italy (2021) DCU President's Research Award (2021) Charlemagne Prize fellowship (2019-20) Advising and Grants : Supervises doctoral students (e.g., Havva Yesil, Elettra Bargellini) and secures EU funding for projects like REGROUP and EXPRESS2. He provides evidence to European Parliament committees and national governments, while authoring reports for the Irish Ministry of Finance and Eurogroup Presidency .
Witold J. Henisz serves as Vice Dean and Faculty Director of the Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, holding the Deloitte & Touche Professorship in Management. His research centers on political and social risk identification, ESG impact materiality, and corporate diplomacy frameworks that transform stakeholder relationships into strategic assets. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Business and Public Policy from UC Berkeley's Haas School and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Henisz has served as Departmental Editor at Journal of International Business Studies and Associate Editor at Strategic Management Journal , reflecting his scholarly influence. Research interests converge on geopolitical risk quantification, stakeholder engagement optimization, and sustainable business model innovation. His work demonstrates how political hazards materially impact firm valuation and how corporate diplomacy can mitigate conflict through strategic stakeholder alignment. Recent publications leverage massive media datasets (4+ billion articles) to model populism dynamics, indigenous land conflicts, and ESG-credit risk linkages. Award highlights include the Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020), Iron Prof recognition (2019), and Academy of International Business Fellowship. His geostrategy framework Geostrategy by Design (2024) provides executives with actionable methods for navigating geopolitical volatility. Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020) Iron Prof recognition (2019) Academy of International Business Fellow (2014-present) Multiple Wharton Excellence in Teaching Awards (2006-2021) Industry Studies Association Best Paper Award (2019) Henisz consults through PRIMA LLC for multinational firms (Rio Tinto, Shell), financial institutions (Eaton Vance, World Bank), and NGOs. His executive education programs train leaders in ESG integration and geopolitical risk management, while his KEROVKA crisis simulation develops real-time strategic response capabilities. Media frequently cites his expertise on ESG controversies, with 50+ major publications featuring his analysis since 2022 including Financial Times , Bloomberg , and Wall Street Journal .
Elisabeth R. Gerber serves as the Jack L. Walker, Jr. Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, where she also holds a courtesy appointment as Professor of Political Science and serves as inaugural Faculty Director of the Online Master of Public Affairs program launching in January 2026. She is a Faculty Associate at the Center for Political Studies, Institute for Social Research. Her educational background includes a PhD (1991) and MA (1989) in political science, and a BA (1986) in political science and economics—all from the University of Michigan, with her undergraduate degree earned with High Honors and High Distinction. Gerber's research examines regional governance structures through lenses of intergovernmental cooperation, sustainable development, and urban climate adaptation. Her work analyzes transportation policy, community-economic development linkages, and mechanisms for enhancing local fiscal capacity and political accountability in metropolitan contexts. She investigates how institutional design influences policy outcomes across fragmented governance landscapes. Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on urban political economy, with recurring themes of institutional incentives in transportation policy, mayoral leadership effects, and cooperative governance models. These works bridge political science, public administration, and urban studies through empirical analysis of regional planning and intergovernmental dynamics. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Gerber co-leads the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS), a longitudinal public opinion survey of Detroit residents, and founded ViewPoint—a software platform for educational role-play simulations. She actively contributes to Poverty Solutions, the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), and the Program in Practical Policy Engagement (P3E), leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to address urban governance challenges.
Professor Wei Cui is a distinguished scholar at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, where he joined the faculty in 2013. His expertise spans tax law and policy, international taxation, and Chinese legal studies, with significant contributions to understanding the intersection of tax policy, climate change, and global economic governance. Professor Cui's educational background includes a BA from Harvard College, an MA in Philosophy from Tufts University, a JD from Yale Law School, and an LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law. He maintains strong institutional affiliations with the Centre for Asian Legal Studies, Centre for Chinese Research, and Centre for Business Law at UBC. Professor Cui's research focuses on tax law and policy with particular emphasis on international taxation, carbon pricing mechanisms, Chinese fiscal systems, and the relationship between tax policy and development. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in tax administration, examining how tax systems function in different political and economic contexts. He has made significant contributions to understanding China's tax system and its implications for developing countries, as well as analyzing innovative approaches to carbon pricing and digital taxation. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward addressing contemporary challenges in tax policy, particularly the intersection of taxation with climate change mitigation and digital economy regulation. Professor Cui's research on carbon contracts for difference, output-based pricing systems, and digital services tax reflects his engagement with pressing policy questions facing Canada and the international community. Insight Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Insight Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Professor Cui has engaged in significant scholarly supervision and research collaboration, with his work supporting numerous graduate students and research projects. His professional background includes over 10 years of tax law practice with global law firms in New York and Beijing, service as Senior Tax Counsel at the China Investment Corporation (2009-2010), and consultancy roles with China's National People's Congress, Ministry of Finance, State Administration of Taxation, and the United Nations. Professor Cui maintains active research laboratories and teams focused on comparative tax systems, with particular attention to China's fiscal development and its implications for global tax governance. His current research projects examine the evolution of international tax design as part of the post-WWII international economic order and tax/subsidy policies designed to combat climate change and support innovation.
Johannes Spinnewijn is a Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), affiliated with STICERD and multiple research centers. He holds a PhD in Economics from MIT (2009), following an M.A. from Université Libre de Bruxelles and B.A. from KU Leuven. His research focuses on Public Economics , Behavioral Economics , and Economic Theory , with emphasis on unemployment insurance design, tax compliance, health inequalities, and labor market policies. Notable contributions include analyzing optimal unemployment benefit timing, risk-based selection in insurance, and behavioral nudges in tax systems. Spinnewijn has received prestigious awards such as the ERC Starting Grant (2017-2022) , Wiley Prize (2015) , and Austin Robinson Memorial Prize (2013) . He serves as Director of the CEPR Public Economics Program and co-director of STICERD's Public Economics Program. His editorial roles include the American Economic Review , Review of Economic Studies , and Journal of Public Economics . He has advised over 15 PhD students, including those at top institutions like MIT, Chicago, and Edinburgh. His grants include €1.5 million from the ERC and £200K from the ESRC. Recent work explores health disparities, mental health determinants, and socioeconomic impacts of chronic diseases. Spinnewijn has held visiting roles at Columbia University, UC Berkeley, MIT, and KU Leuven. His teaching spans public economics, contract theory, and microeconomics at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Susan Helper is the Frank Tracy Carlton Professor of Economics at the Weatherhead School of Management , Case Western Reserve University . She also holds the title of Professor in the Department of Economics at the same institution. Beyond academia, she served as Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of Commerce (2013–2015) and as Senior Economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers (2012–2013). She is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Co-Chair of the National Academy of Sciences. Education: PhD in Economics, Harvard University (1987) BA in Economics, Government, and Spanish, Oberlin College (1979) Research Focus: Susan Helper's research centers on the globalization of supply chains , manufacturing revitalization , and the interplay between technology, work systems, and policy . She explores how organizational structures, relational contracts, and digital transformation influence innovation, productivity, and job quality. Her work spans both theoretical and empirical studies, with a strong emphasis on policy implications for U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Scientific Awards & Honors: Becker Friedman Fellow , University of Chicago (2018) Women of Achievement Award , Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, CWRU (2009) Professional Service & Impact: Helper has held influential roles such as Program Organizer for the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (2019–2024), Editorial Review Board Member for the Strategic Management Journal (2008–present), and Member of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Technical Advisory Committee. Her advisory work bridges academic research and federal policy, shaping strategies for industrial innovation and workforce development.
Wilfried Swenden is a Professor of South Asian and Comparative Politics at the University of Edinburgh , School of Social and Political Science . He hails from Belgium, having earned a D.Phil in Politics from the University of Oxford and prior academic qualifications from KULeuven and ULBruxelles. Research Focus : Comparative federalism, territorial party politics, majoritarian nationalism in South Asia, intergovernmental relations, and governance in divided societies. Active Grants : Recent British Academy-GRCF collaborative grant (2021-2023) on COVID-19 and the South Asian State , Leverhulme International Network (2014-2017) on Indian federalism, and support from the Economic and Social Research Council, Edinburgh Global Innovation Fund, and Hayter Fund. Supervision : Accepts PhD proposals on territorial party politics in India, constitutional reform in multi-level states, and conflict regulation via federalism/regionalism in South Asia. Recent Publications (2021-2025) address federalism's resilience during crises, majoritarian nationalism in India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka, and intergovernmental relations. Key journals include Publius: The Journal of Federalism , Contemporary South Asia , and Regional & Federal Studies . Scientific Awards : Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) postdoctoral fellowship
Guillermo Toral is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at IE University and a Faculty Affiliate at MIT GOV/LAB. He holds a PhD from MIT (2020), an MPhil from the University of Oxford (2011), and a Licenciatura from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (2009). His research focuses on comparative politics, political economy, and governance, with a regional emphasis on Latin America and Southern Europe. He examines relationships among state actors, anti-corruption policies, and their impact on public service delivery and human development. His academic experience includes tenure-track roles at IE University (2022–present) and Vanderbilt University (2020–2022). He previously worked at the World Bank (2011–2014) on education policy and human development programs. His research has been published in top journals like the American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Politics , earning awards such as the AJPS Best Article Award and APSA Health Politics Best Paper Award. Key research areas include bureaucratic accountability, political budget cycles, and the political uses of public employment. His book project explores how lame-duck governments disrupt bureaucracy and service delivery. Teaching evaluations highlight his expertise in comparative politics and political economy at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Awards: Harold D. Lasswell Award, AJPS Best Article Award, APSA Health Politics Best Paper. Grants: Ramón y Cajal fellowship (IE University). Labs/Teams: MIT GOV/LAB Affiliate.
Juan Wang is an Associate Professor at McGill University, specializing in the study of the Chinese state, its institutional dynamics, and interactions between state and non-state actors. His research focuses on China's political economy of development, legal systems, and authoritarian governance. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and teaches courses on Chinese politics, contentious politics, and judicial systems. Research interests emphasize the construction of bureaucracy, local governance patterns, and epistemology of state power. Methodologically, he uses qualitative and historical approaches to explore topics like judicial corruption, police evolution, and cadre discipline. Recent work examines authoritarian cue effects and comparative citizen categorization systems in China and North Korea. His publications span journals such as American Journal of Political Science and China Law and Society Review , analyzing themes like state repression mechanisms, legal mediation practices, and subnational court empowerment. He has contributed a seminal book The Sinews of State Power (2017) on rural governance dynamics. Advising and grants information is not explicitly detailed in the provided text.
