Peter Conti-Brown is the Class of 1965 Associate Professor of Financial Regulation at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Nonresident Fellow at The Brookings Institution. His work bridges legal studies, financial regulation, and political history, focusing on central banking, the Federal Reserve, and the intersection of law, ethics, and finance. Education: PhD in History from Princeton University (financial and political history subfields), JD from Stanford Law School, AB from Harvard College (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) Research Interests: Administrative law, central banking, financial history, political history, and public finance. His scholarship explores the Federal Reserve’s governance, monetary policy, and the political economy of financial regulation. Scientific Awards: Wharton Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2017) Stephen M. Kellen Term Member, Council on Foreign Relations (2015-2020) John R. Irwin Fellowship, Princeton University (2014-2015) Junior Faculty Scholarship Prize, GW Law School (2013)
Professor Maurice Skolnick is a distinguished academic at the University of Sheffield , serving as the Professor of Condensed Matter Physics in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences since 1991. His career spans postdoctoral research at the Max-Planck-Institute (1975–1978), leadership at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (1978–1991), and pivotal roles in EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies and ERC Advanced Investigator Grant projects. Research Interests : Skolnick's work focuses on semiconductor nanostructures , quantum dot physics , polariton physics , and photonic structures . His studies explore light-matter interactions, quantum coherence, and topological effects in photonic systems, with over 700 publications and an h-index of 75. Scientific Awards : EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship (2001) Mott Medal and Prize (2002) Fellow of the Royal Society (2009) Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2011) ERC Advanced Investigator Grant (2012) Publications highlight advancements in quantum photonics , polariton condensation , and chiral light-matter interactions , with recent works on electrostatic control of polaritons and topological waveguides . His collaborations span institutions in the UK, EU, and beyond, emphasizing nano-photonic device fabrication and quantum information applications.
Jonathan Aldrich is a Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University in the School of Computer Science , jointly appointed in the Software and Societal Systems Department and the Computer Science Department . He is an internationally recognized expert in programming languages, software engineering, and verification, with a strong emphasis on human factors and usability in language design. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington (2003) B.S. in Computer Science, Caltech Research Interests: Prof. Aldrich's research lies at the intersection of programming languages and software engineering , focusing on how language design affects software quality and developer productivity. His work spans: Gradual verification and type systems Ownership and typestate checking Security and information flow control Usability of advanced type systems Domain-specific languages for blockchain and IoT Recent Work Trends: His recent publications emphasize gradual verification techniques, which allow developers to incrementally verify software correctness. He has also explored liquid types , information flow control , and usability barriers in advanced type systems. His work often combines formal methods with empirical studies to ensure practical impact. Awards & Recognition: NSF CAREER Award (2006) Dahl-Nygaard Junior Prize (2007) ICSE Most Influential Paper Award (2012) DARPA Computer Science Study Group Leadership & Service: Prof. Aldrich has held numerous leadership roles in the academic community, including: Director, CMU Software Engineering Ph.D. Program (2013–2019) General Chair, SPLASH 2015 Program Chair, OOPSLA 2017 Steering Committee Chair, SPLASH (2017–2019) Member, ACM Publications Board Industry Engagement: He is the Chief Technology Officer of Noteful , a startup he co-founded during his 2022 sabbatical, focused on music education through interactive apps.
Ineke Mennen is Professor of Applied English Linguistics at the University of Graz, where she heads research in phonetics and bilingualism. She previously held the Chair of Bilingualism and Linguistics at Bangor University and positions at Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Queen Margaret universities. Her research investigates intonation systems across languages, examining how differences emerge in speech production, perception, and acquisition. Current FWF-funded project 'When your native language sounds foreign' explores L1 phonetic attrition. Her work combines acoustic analysis with perceptual experiments to understand bilingual speech patterns. Dr. Mennen has secured funding from ESRC, AHRC, FWF, and British Academy. She supervises doctoral research on L1 attrition, bilingual acquisition, and sociophonetic variation. Recent publications examine plasticity of native intonation in migrant populations.
Dr. Michael Jensen is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra, affiliated with the Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society and the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis. His research focuses on digital communication technologies' impact on political organization, electoral processes, and democratic institutions. He has published extensively on topics such as foreign interference in elections, online political behavior, and misinformation dynamics. Jensen has contributed evidence to Australian parliamentary committees addressing foreign influence and election security, emphasizing the role of social media in shaping public discourse. His work spans global case studies, including analysis of Russian and Chinese state-sponsored troll activities in the U.S. and Australian political contexts. Key projects include the Regional Perspectives Project on disinformation resilience and investigations into the 2020 Taiwan election's foreign influences. Jensen collaborates internationally, with publications in journals like the Journal of Information Warfare and Issues and Studies . Research interests encompass digital media's role in democracy, political participation, and the evolution of campaign strategies in the digital age. His articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding fake news, social media governance, and the intersection of technology with governance structures. Grants & Projects: RPP: Regional Perspectives Project (2023) Weaponized Narratives: PRC Interference in the 2020 Taiwan Election (2020) Realising Democracy Amid Communicative Plenty (2015–2017) Advisory Contributions: Australian Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference (2020) Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (2018) Jensen leads the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, fostering interdisciplinary research on governance challenges in the digital era. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical policy recommendations to address emerging threats to democratic processes.
Joshua Tucker is the Julius Silver, Roslyn S. Silver, and Enid Silver Winslow Professor of Politics at New York University’s College of Arts & Science. He also serves as an affiliated professor in Russian and Slavic Studies and Data Science. As Director of the Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia and Co-Director of the NYU Center for Social Media and Politics (CSMaP), his research spans comparative political behavior, post-communist politics, and the intersection of digital media with politics. His work explores topics like social media’s role in elections, misinformation, and AI’s impact on political science. Education: BA (Harvard, 1993), MIS (University of Birmingham, 1994), MA and PhD (Harvard, 2000). Research Interests: Tucker’s early work focused on mass political behavior in post-communist states. Recently, he has pioneered studies on social media’s influence on political polarization, online protest dynamics, and AI ethics. His research has been published in top journals like Science , Nature , and American Political Science Review . Awards: Emerging Scholar Award (2006), Clarivate Top Cited List (2024), and recognition for his blog The Monkey Cage (Blog of the Year, 2010; Top 25 Blog, 2012). Labs & Collaborations: Leads the SMaPP Lab and co-founded CSMaP. He has advised numerous grants from NSF and philanthropic foundations, focusing on digital trace data and election integrity. His work includes collaborations with Facebook/Instagram on election studies and algorithmic transparency. Media Presence: Regular contributor to outlets like The Washington Post, CNN, BBC, and Brookings Institution. His research on Russian bots, election interference, and AI’s political implications has garnered global attention.
Dr Sarah Lonsdale is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the Department of Journalism, School of Arts and Social Sciences, City St George's, University of London. She joined the university in 2013 and holds a PhD from the University of Kent, an MA and BA from the University of Cambridge, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. She teaches on the BA Journalism program and supervises PhD research. Her educational background includes: PhD in 'The Representation of Journalists and the Newspaper Press in British Literature 1900 - 1939', University of Kent (2013) MA in Modern and Medieval Languages (French and Italian), University of Cambridge (1987) BA (Hons) in Modern and Medieval Languages, University of Cambridge PGCHE, University of Kent (2010) Dr Lonsdale's research centers on the history of journalism, particularly from 1880 to 1920, the intersection between journalism and literature, the portrayal of journalists in film and novels, and environmental journalism with a focus on climate change. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and academic books. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in historical media analysis, especially concerning gender and journalism, British literary journalism, and food media during wartime. She frequently contributes book reviews to outlets like Social History and TLS , often focusing on war correspondents, mid-century literature, and media history. Book Review: Last Call at the Hotel Imperial (2024) The ‘awkward’ squad: British women foreign correspondents during the interwar years (2022) Patriotic Hens, Tomato Turbans and Mock Fish (2023) She currently supervises a PhD student researching climate change coverage since the Copenhagen Summit and welcomes postgraduate students in environmental journalism and journalism-literature intersections. Though no formal grants are listed, her sustained publication record and book contracts with academic presses indicate active research support. Dr Lonsdale is also the author of several academic books: The Journalist in British Fiction and Film: Guarding the Guardians from 1900 to the Present (Bloomsbury, 2016) Rebel Women Between the Wars: Fearless Writers and Adventurers (Manchester UP, 2020) Wildly Different: how five women reclaimed nature in a man's world (forthcoming, Manchester UP, 2025) She previously worked as a journalist for over thirty years, contributing to major UK publications including the Observer , Financial Times , Daily Telegraph , and Sunday Times , and was a weekly environmental columnist for the Sunday Telegraph from 2006 to 2014.
Dr. Neil Loughlin is a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics at City, University of London, within the Department of International Politics, School of Arts and Social Sciences. He serves as the Programme Director for the BSc Politics programme and teaches core modules including Puzzles in Comparative Politics, Authoritarianism and Democracy in the 21st Century, and Comparative Asian Politics. He also contributes to postgraduate qualitative research methods. Education: PhD in Politics, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (2019) Prior academic training at the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, University of Sydney, and University of Copenhagen Neil's research centers on authoritarian politics and the political economy of development, with a strong regional focus on Southeast Asia. His work explores themes such as post-conflict state-building, patronage networks, authoritarian developmentalism, land dispossession, and resource extraction. He has extensive professional experience in human rights and development, having worked with local and international NGOs and consulted for USAID and DEFRA. His recent monograph, The Politics of Coercion: State and Regime Making in Cambodia (Cornell University Press, 2024), and his publications in journals like Comparative Politics , Democratization , and Third World Quarterly reflect a consistent focus on the interplay between coercion, development, and regime resilience. His current research investigates the political implications of Chinese investment through the Belt and Road Initiative and the rise of transnational organized crime, particularly cyber scams, in Southeast Asia. Scientific Engagement and Recognition: Associate Fellow, Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV) Contributor to international media including Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, Global Post, The Guardian, The Nikkei, The Observer, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America Neil has advised on research projects and contributed to policy discussions through consultancy work. His teaching and research are deeply informed by his field experience in Southeast Asia. He has previously taught at the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, and held fellowships at the University of Sydney and University of Copenhagen. His academic work bridges rigorous scholarship with real-world policy and human rights concerns. Laboratories and Research Groups: While not affiliated with a formal laboratory, Neil is actively engaged in collaborative research networks focused on Southeast Asian politics, authoritarianism, and development. He contributes to interdisciplinary academic communities through his fellowships and publications.
Dr. Jennifer S. Hunt is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber and Security Studies at Macquarie University's School of International Studies and an active member of the Data Horizons Research Centre. She specializes in national security implications for critical systems including cyber and energy infrastructure, with extensive media commentary experience across ABC, BBC, SBS, and international forums like the Shangri-la Security Dialogue and NATO's CyCon. Her research centers on Cyber Conflict , Disinformation and Influence Operations , and Research Methods , with current projects examining cyber-enabled information operations, foreign interference in electoral security, and cross-terrain disinformation tracking. This work bridges technical cybersecurity frameworks with sociopolitical dimensions of national security threats. Analysis of her 2021-2023 publications reveals dominant trends in cyber-national security intersections, emphasizing disinformation campaigns against critical infrastructure and evolving threat landscapes requiring international cooperation. Her output combines theoretical rigor with actionable policy frameworks addressing real-world security challenges. Defence Strategic Policy Grant ($300,000): Foreign Interference and Cyberwar Tracking Disinformation Across Terrains ($70,000) Though unavailable for student supervision in 2024, Dr. Hunt maintains significant research leadership through the Data Horizons Research Centre, driving initiatives on cyber resilience and international threat response. Her professional engagements extend to NATO collaborations and global forums shaping cybersecurity policy for emerging threats.
Dr. Maciej Herbut serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Threats, Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wrocław. He teaches undergraduate courses including Energy Security, Conflict and Security in Cyberspace, and Terrorism and Counterterrorism for Applied Political Science students, with scheduled consultations for winter semester 2025 confirming his active status. His research spans International Relations and Security Studies, with concentrated expertise in Russian Foreign Policy, Cybersecurity, Terrorism, Central and Eastern European Politics, and Turkish Politics. He investigates contemporary security challenges through the lens of Russian expansionism, the Ukraine war's geopolitical ripple effects, and energy/cyber conflicts, emphasizing theoretical frameworks like neorealism and role theory. Analysis of his 2022-2024 publications reveals critical engagement with hegemony-neorealism compatibility, Moldova's neutrality during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Poland's non-military security evolution. His work consistently addresses U.S.-Russia dynamics under Trump, Russian policy objectives toward Georgia/Moldova, and theoretical contributions to structural realism, reflecting urgent responses to evolving geopolitical crises in Eastern Europe.
Elisabeth Heiszenberger is a researcher at the University of Vienna , Department of Romance Studies, and PhD student at the University of Vienna and University Grenoble Alpes . Her academic work focuses on French phonology and phonetics , particularly the acquisition of French liaison consonants in monolingual and bilingual contexts, with emphasis on orthographic influence and cross-linguistic interference. Her research includes: Longitudinal studies on French liaison development in school-age learners Corpus-based analysis of phonological representations Empirical investigations of German-French bilingual language acquisition Acoustic analyses of sociolinguistic variation Key scientific achievements include: First Jury Prize and Audience Prize at MT180 2024 National Competition (Austria) , and representation in the international final in Ivory Coast. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented at major phonology conferences. Her teaching portfolio includes linguistics seminars for French teacher candidates at all academic levels, covering corrective phonetics , phonological variation , and corpus linguistics . She actively collaborates with the Austrian Academy of Sciences' Acoustics Research Institute and participates in educational initiatives like the Young Science Ambassadors program.
Wing-Chi E. Kwok is an Associate Professor of Imaging Sciences at the University of Rochester since 1990. His work focuses on MR safety, RF coil development, and advanced MRI techniques for clinical and research applications. Ph.D. in Physics (1990), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute M.S. in Physics (1988), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute B.S. in Physics (1984), Hong Kong - Non-Medical School His research spans MRI technology innovation , including high-resolution imaging, water/fat separation, and diffusion-weighted MRI. He has pioneered RF coil designs and pulse sequences for clinical systems, with patents in chemical-shift correction and quantum coherence methods. Recent publications highlight applications in RF interference correction MRI-induced heating risk assessment Chronic compression injury modeling Multimodal spine imaging Scientific Recognition : Cum Laude Award (2020) Roadie Award (2019) Magna Cum Laude Merit Award (2012) Certificate of Merit Citation (1999) Student Fellowship (1985–1989) Full Tuition Scholarship (1982–1983) Kwok holds six U.S. patents and supervises MRI quality assurance across multiple hospitals. He serves on the URMC MRI Safety Committee and is certified as an MR Safety Expert (2016). His clinical responsibilities include protocol optimization and safety evaluation for implants/foreign objects.
Steven Van Hecke is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences of KU Leuven , affiliated with the Public Governance Institute . He serves as program director for Political Sciences and leads multiple research projects on European political parties, EU institutions, and European integration history. Expertise in European political foundations and campaign finance Active in EU institutional analysis and administrative capacity-building Research spans digital campaigning, party think tanks, and MEP behavior Publications (2025 highlights) focus on EU governance challenges, campaign finance in referendums, and geopolitical implications of the Ukraine war. His projects include Summitry of European Political Parties (2024-2028) and Administrative Capacity-building in the European Parliament . Labs & Teams : Skills Lab: Europa en governance and Leadership Team Political Sciences at KU Leuven.
Kimberly Marten is a Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University, and holds affiliations with the Harriman Institute for Russian and East-Central European Studies and the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies. Her research focuses on international relations, security studies, and Russian foreign policy, with particular emphasis on the Arctic's geopolitical transformation and the role of paramilitary groups like the Wagner Group. She frequently engages in policy discussions on Russia’s strategic actions, NATO dynamics, and Eurasian security challenges. Her academic contributions span analyses of Russian security strategies, NATO expansion impacts, and the evolving Arctic landscape. Marten has been a prominent voice in media and policy circles, addressing topics such as the Wagner Group’s trajectory, Putin’s governance, and Russia’s involvement in global conflicts. Her work bridges scholarly research with real-world policy implications, emphasizing the interplay between state actors and non-state entities in contemporary conflicts. Marten’s publications reflect a focus on Russia’s foreign policy decisions, paramilitary utilization, and the geopolitical consequences of Arctic resource competition. She has participated in high-profile panels at institutions like the Brookings Institution and contributes insights to platforms like the Beyond the Scoop podcast. Her research often intersects with current events, providing timely analysis of crises in Ukraine, Hamas-Israel dynamics, and Russian-African relations. Contact: km2225@columbia.edu , Milstein Center 1106, Barnard College.
Ben Goldsmith is a Professor at the School of Politics & International Relations, Australian National University (ANU). He specializes in international relations, comparative foreign policy, and atrocity forecasting. His research has been supported by grants from the Australian Government’s Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Fund and the Australian Research Council (ARC), including an ARC Future Fellowship (2015–2018). Goldsmith holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan (2001) and an MA in Russian Area Studies from Georgetown University (1995). His research focuses on international conflict, genocide prevention, democratic backsliding, and US foreign policy. Notable publications include the book *Imitation in International Relations: Observational Learning, Analogies, and Foreign Policy in Russia and Ukraine*, and articles in top journals like the *American Political Science Review* and *World Politics*. He is also the founding President of the Australian Society for Quantitative Political Science and serves on editorial boards of journals such as the *Japanese Journal of Political Science*. Recent work examines the global impacts of democratic erosion, public diplomacy, and Russian interference in elections. Goldsmith’s articles frequently bridge theoretical insights with policy-relevant forecasting, such as predicting mass atrocities and analyzing geopolitical tensions in East Asia. His awards and editorial roles reflect his influence in both academic and policy circles.
