Dr. Gillian Sandstrom is an Associate Professor in the Psychology of Kindness at the University of Sussex's School of Psychology. She holds a BMath from the University of Waterloo, MA in Psychology from Ryerson University, and PhD from the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on minimal social interactions, kindness, and gender roles in prosocial behavior. She previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex before joining Sussex in 2022. Her research examines how brief social interactions with strangers or weak ties can enhance well-being and reduce social barriers. Notable contributions include studies on the impact of 'talking to strangers,' parasocial relationships, and gender stereotypes in prosocial behavior. She has secured grants such as the ESRC-funded project on improving difficult social interactions. Dr. Sandstrom is affiliated with the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness and teaches courses like 'Social Connection and Disconnection.' Awards include an Honorable Mention for Best Paper Award (Self & Identity, 2021). She actively promotes public engagement through media and social platforms like Bluesky, emphasizing everyday kindness and social connection.
Virginia Ferreiro Basurto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), where she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in psychology, with a strong focus on gender equality and gender-based violence. She is actively involved in postgraduate coordination, including the Chair of Gender Violence Studies and the Summer University of Gender Studies at UIB. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands Coordinator, Chair of Gender Violence Studies, UIB Coordinator, Summer University of Gender Studies, UIB Member, Gender Studies Research Group (ESTUDEGE), UIB Education: Degree in Pedagogy, University of the Balearic Islands Master’s in Inclusive Education, University of the Balearic Islands Doctoral Candidate in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, University of the Balearic Islands Dr. Ferreiro Basurto’s research centers on gender perspectives in the Information Society, with emphasis on ICT-related social-digital exclusion of women and sexist cyberviolence. Her work explores implicit and explicit attitudes toward gender-based violence, bystander intervention, street harassment, and the myth of romantic love as a justification for abuse. She has contributed extensively to academic discourse through publications and participation in national and international conferences. The trend in her recent scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on gender-based violence in both physical and digital environments. Her articles analyze youth perceptions of cyberaggression, the role of bystanders in intimate partner violence, and methodological advancements in measuring supportive attitudes toward violence. The interdisciplinary nature of her work spans psychology, sociology, gender studies, and digital humanities, often informed by empirical data from Spanish populations. Scientific Awards: No specific awards listed in the provided text. She has been involved in multiple research projects funded by national and international institutions, including the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, FECYT, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Fundación BBVA, and Instituto de la Mujer. These projects cover themes such as critical thinking development in education, citizen involvement in violence prevention, and intervention programs for abusers. She also advises and supervises master’s theses and final degree projects, particularly in gender-focused postgraduate programs. Dr. Ferreiro Basurto is a member of the Gender Studies Research Group (ESTUDEGE) at UIB, a consolidated R&D&I group dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on gender, violence, and digital society. Her collaborative work involves designing and evaluating gender-sensitive educational and intervention programs.
Ivan Franceschini is a Research Fellow at the Department of Asian and North African Studies, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Australian National University's Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. His work focuses on Chinese labor movements, civil society, and political transformations. University: Ca' Foscari University of Venice Department: Department of Asian and North African Studies Email: ivan.franceschini@unive.it Franceschini's research spans labor activism, NGO strategies, and historical narratives in China. His publications in journals like The China Quarterly and Pacific Affairs analyze state-labor relations, digital activism, and garment industry exploitation. He co-edits the Made in China Journal , exploring labor and civil society dynamics. Key article trends include comparative labor studies across China and Cambodia, legal mobilization by workers, and historical reinterpretations such as the Taiping Rebellion. His 2019 work on collective bargaining and 2018 comparative analysis of garment workers highlight systemic labor challenges.
Emily Buehler is an Assistant Professor of Interpersonal Communication and Social Media at the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University. Her work bridges interpersonal communication and computer-mediated communication, focusing on how personal and social media influence social support processes in relationships. Education: Ph.D. in Interpersonal Communication and Relationships (University of Iowa, 2018), M.A. in Communication (Wake Forest University, 2014), B.A. in English (Ohio Northern University, 2007). Her research explores online support-seeking, social media’s role in relationships, and the interplay between communication technologies and emotional support. Recent studies examine anonymity in digital support, contextual factors shaping message provision, and mediated communication’s impact on family well-being. Publications appear in Communication Monographs , Journal of Social and Personal Relationships , and Computers in Human Behavior . Awards: Purdue College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher (2023). She teaches courses on interpersonal communication, relationship technology, and privacy practices. As a mentor, she advises the Association for Women in Communication at Purdue and volunteers with HOBY leadership programs, fostering high school students’ leadership and community impact initiatives.
Linda A. Hill serves as the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and is Faculty Chair of the Leadership Initiative. She is widely recognized as one of the top experts on leadership and innovation globally, with her work shaping how organizations approach creative problem-solving and organizational development. Dr. Hill earned her B.A. summa cum laude in psychology from Bryn Mawr College, followed by an M.A. and Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences from the University of Chicago. After completing a post-doctoral research fellowship at Harvard Business School, she joined the faculty where she has remained a prominent figure in organizational behavior research. Her research focuses on leadership development, building agile innovative organizations, implementing global strategies, and digital leadership. Hill is particularly known for her work on collective genius—the concept that innovation emerges from the right organizational conditions rather than individual brilliance alone. Her research has evolved to address scaling innovation across organizations and ecosystems, with increasing emphasis on digital leadership in contemporary business environments. Dr. Hill's scholarly output reveals consistent themes of practical leadership frameworks that help organizations navigate complex challenges while fostering creativity. Her recent work shows a progression toward understanding how innovation can be systematically scaled across organizational boundaries and through digital transformation initiatives. Thinkers50 top ten management thinker (2013, 2021) Thinkers50 Innovation Award (2015) Warren Bennis Prize for Excellence in Leadership (2015) Leadership Axiom Business Book Award Gold Medal (2015) #5 in Top 20 MIT SMR articles of 2020 Included in Thinkers50 since 2011 Named to Inc. 2025 Female Founders 500 List Shortlisted for 2025 Thinkers50 Innovation Award Beyond academia, Hill has extensive advisory and consulting experience with major global organizations including Google, Microsoft, IBM, and numerous Fortune 500 companies. She has chaired numerous Harvard Business School Executive Education programs and developed innovative online learning platforms for leadership development. Her practical experience spans leadership development, innovation strategy, global implementation, and diversity initiatives across multiple industries. Dr. Hill serves on the Board of Directors of Relay Therapeutics and the Board of Trustees of The Kresge Foundation, ArtCenter College of Design, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. She also serves on advisory boards for the American Repertory Theater, Aspen Institute programs, Calit2, and several other organizations, demonstrating her commitment to applying leadership principles across diverse domains.
Fabian J. Sting is a Full Professor and Director of the Department of Supply Chain Management - Strategy and Innovation at the University of Cologne since 2016. He also holds a tenured Associate Professorship in Operations Management at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University since 2014. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Productions Management (summa cum laude) from WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management in 2008 and postdoctoral work at INSEAD in 2008–2010. University of Cologne : Chair of Supply Chain Strategy and Innovation (2016–present) Rotterdam School of Management : Associate Professor (2014–present), Assistant Professor (2010–2014) Education : Ph.D. (2005–2008), M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics (2005–2007), Diploma in Management Science (2002–2005) Sting’s research bridges operations management, innovation strategy, and supply chain dynamics. Key areas include: Supply chain coordination under uncertainty Employee-driven process innovation and cognitive biases Strategic capacity planning and risk hedging Industry 4.0 implementation challenges Interdisciplinary integration of behavioral and technical elements in operations Recent publications focus on dual sourcing strategies, fairness in operational decisions, and employee mobility’s impact on innovation. He contributes to high-impact journals like Management Science and Production and Operations Management . Sting participates in institutional research initiatives such as: ECONtribute: Markets & Public Policy – a Cluster of Excellence addressing digital transformation, inequality, and market failures through interdisciplinary economics, political science, and law Excellent Research Support Programme (ERSP) – supporting collaborative projects like HPDnet (improving pediatric kidney disease care via health networks)
Maarten Renkema is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente, specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its intersection with Human Resource Management (HRM) , Healthcare , and Organizational Innovation . His research explores how AI transforms work design, employee autonomy, and HRM practices in formalized contexts. Key Research Themes: Algorithmic HRM and Digitalization Human-AI Collaboration in Healthcare Self-Managing Teams and Organizational Structures AI Literacy in Education Scientific Awards: Best Dissertation Award (2019) from the Dutch HRM Network Research Trends: His recent work focuses on AI adoption in HRM, ethical implications of algorithmic management, and redefining professional roles in AI-integrated environments. Articles from 2024-2025 highlight practical applications of AI in healthcare workflows, employee-driven innovation, and the evolving responsibilities of HR professionals. Collaborations: Active in cross-sector partnerships, including projects on AI literacy frameworks and talent management in sports. Regularly contributes to professional discourse through invited talks and media commentary on AI's societal impact.
David H. Barlow is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry at Boston University and founder of the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. His clinical research focuses on understanding anxiety/depression and developing treatments for emotional disorders. Education includes a PhD from the University of Vermont. Research interests center on transdiagnostic approaches to emotional disorders, neuroticism frameworks, and unified treatment protocols applicable across anxiety/depression spectrum disorders. Publications establish integrative models for psychopathology and evidence-based treatment manuals. Recent work explores neuroticism as core vulnerability factor and standardized protocols for comorbid conditions. Developed Unified Protocol for transdiagnostic treatment adopted internationally. Authored over 90 books and 650+ articles including foundational texts on clinical psychology and psychopathology.
Prof. Rita Bauer is a Senior Lecturer and Privatdozentin in Psychology at Technische Universität Dresden, Germany. She leads the Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy within the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus. Her academic journey includes a PhD (Dr. phil.) from the University of Regensburg (2010), postdoctoral habilitation in Psychology (2014), and a Habilitation in Medicine at TU Dresden (2014). Bauer specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, suicide prevention, caregiver burden, and e-mental health. She has pioneered research on digital tools in psychiatry and the impact of online support groups on bipolar disorder management. Education: Diploma in Theology (1994–2000), University of Regensburg Diploma in Psychology (1997–2003), University of Regensburg PhD in Psychology (2010), University of Regensburg Postdoctoral Habilitation in Psychology and Medicine (2014) Certified in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (2004–2007), Institut für Therapieforschung Bauer’s research focuses on the intersection of technology and mental health. Her work on caregiver burden and suicide prevention has earned her the Lilly Research Prize (2006) and a stipend for postdoctoral research (2010–2012). She co-founded the Werner-Felber-Institut for Suicide Prevention and chairs the Working Group on Family Therapy within the German Association for Psychiatry. Her publications analyze digital health applications, including psychiatrist use of technology, environmental influences on suicide risk, and online self-help forums. She also investigates palliative care and psychooncology, reflecting her roles as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist in Dresden since 2013. Awards: Lilly Research Prize (2006) Stipend for Postdoctoral Qualification (2010–2012) Bauer advises on suicide prevention training and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the Werner-Felber-Institut. Her clinical work integrates evidence-based practices with digital tools, enhancing mental health service delivery in Germany.
Rebecca Carey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Princeton University's School of Arts and Sciences, where she conducts research on social class as a cultural context that shapes psychological processes through relationships. Her work examines how social class influences close relationships and how these relationships either mitigate or exacerbate social disparities. Dr. Carey received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and maintains the Adversity and Relationships in Context Lab at Princeton. Her research addresses two central questions: how social class shapes the nature of close relationships, and what role close relationships play in mitigating or exacerbating disparities across social class. Her research interests focus on how economic inequality in the U.S. shapes people's experiences through social class, which determines health, happiness, and success. She examines how social class contexts foster different relational realities - with lower class contexts creating dense, interdependent networks that promote survival, and higher class contexts creating diverse, loosely connected networks that promote opportunity. Her work bridges psychology, sociology, and public policy to address social inequality. Dr. Carey's publications reveal a consistent focus on social class as a fundamental cultural context, with recent work examining first-generation college students, pandemic effects on inequality, and the role of cross-race and cross-class interactions in educational settings. Her research demonstrates how relational structures differ across class contexts and how these differences impact educational outcomes, health disparities, and social mobility. Scientific Awards: President's Award for Distinguished Teaching Dr. Carey advises several graduate students including Priscilla Diaz-Gonzalez, Nicole Columbaro Johnson, and Madeline Paxson. Her research has been supported by various grants focused on understanding social class disparities in educational and health contexts. She has developed innovative methodologies for conducting research with people in lower-socioeconomic-status contexts, emphasizing ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity. At Princeton, Dr. Carey leads the Adversity and Relationships in Context Lab, which brings together graduate and undergraduate researchers to investigate how social class shapes relationships and psychological processes. The lab focuses on both theoretical contributions to understanding class-based cultural models and practical applications for reducing inequality through relationship-focused interventions.
Shannon Neibergs is an academic professional at Washington State University (WSU), serving as Director of the Western Center for Risk Management Education and Extension Specialist in the School of Economic Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University (1993), an M.A. in Agricultural Economics from WSU (1987), and a B.S. in Animal Science from WSU (1983). Her research focuses on livestock production economics, auction market dynamics, and agribusiness employment strategies, with significant contributions to risk management education and sustainable agriculture. Notable honors include NACAA National and Regional Finalist awards for team newsletters (2010, 2008), a Faculty Member of the Year Award (University of Louisville, 1997), and multiple annual evaluation awards for service and research excellence. Her work bridges academic research with practical extension programs, addressing challenges in beef production systems, genomic selection tools, and rangeland management. Risk Management Education: Leads initiatives to help farmers navigate market uncertainties and policy changes. Livestock Economics: Specializes in production costs, crossbreeding impacts, and disease management economics. Regional Agriculture: Analyzes economic contributions of Washington's beef and dairy sectors through input-output models. Her advisory and collaborative efforts include managing the Western Center for Risk Management and contributing to the Beef Risk Control (BRD CAP) project. She collaborates with ranchers and policymakers to enhance agricultural resilience. Active in interdisciplinary teams such as the IMPACT Center and Transportation Research Group, her work emphasizes translating research into actionable solutions for agricultural stakeholders.
Amrisha Vaish is the Pamela Feinour Edmonds and Franklin S. Edmonds, Jr. Discovery Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, where she conducts research on the development of moral emotions and behaviors in children. She is affiliated with the Early Social Development Lab and the Child Development Laboratories at UVA. Research Interests: Dr. Vaish's work centers on the emergence of moral emotions such as sympathy, guilt, and forgiveness in early childhood, as well as prosocial behaviors like helping and sharing. She investigates how children evaluate moral actions and enforce norms, and more recently has explored uncooperative behaviors such as cheating and reputation management. Her research also includes infant social referencing, theory of mind development, and the negativity bias in emotional development. Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications focus on gratitude, fairness perception, upstream reciprocity, and forgiveness in young children, published in leading journals including Developmental Psychology , Child Development , and Emotion Review . These works reflect a consistent emphasis on experimental approaches to understanding moral development and social cooperation. Scientific Awards: All-University Teaching Award (2019) Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions, Association for Psychological Science (2018) Rising Star, Association for Psychological Science (2015) Division 7 Dissertation Award, American Psychological Association (2012) Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, Society for Research in Child Development (2011) Advising and Grants: While specific advisees and grant details are not listed, Dr. Vaish leads an active research program and mentors students through her lab. Her recognition with early career and teaching awards suggests strong engagement in both research mentorship and educational excellence. Labs and Teams: Dr. Vaish directs the Early Social Development Lab and is part of the Child Development Laboratories at the University of Virginia, where she conducts experimental studies with infants and young children to understand the foundations of human morality and cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lutz is a Full Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Trier, Germany. He also serves as Director of the Outpatient Clinic and Postgraduate Clinical Training. Additionally, he holds an Adjunct Professor position at the University of Western Australia and is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS). Dr. Lutz's research focuses on advancing clinical psychology and psychotherapy through precision mental health care, treatment personalization, and feedback-informed psychological therapy. His work emphasizes using data-driven approaches to optimize treatment outcomes, with particular attention to depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. He has pioneered the development of the Trier Treatment Navigator (TTN), a system for feedback-informed treatment that helps match patients to the most effective therapeutic approaches. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on integrating technology and artificial intelligence into psychotherapy research and practice. This includes developing algorithms for personalized therapy, using large language models to analyze therapy sessions, and implementing routine outcome monitoring systems. His research shows how temporal dynamics in therapy processes affect outcomes and how clinical microskills can predict therapeutic alliance and success. Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS) Editor of Psychotherapy Research He leads initiatives to develop a European Psychotherapy Consortium (EPoC) to standardize outcome measurement across countries and promote cooperation in psychotherapy research. His laboratory focuses on precision mental health care, developing tools for treatment personalization, and investigating the mechanisms of change in psychotherapy.
Chang-kyu Kwon serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership within the College of Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Learning, Leadership & Organization Development from the University of Georgia (2019), an M.A. in Organizational Behavior & Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University (2015), and a B.A. in Education from Korea University (2013). Professor Kwon's research is fundamentally informed by critical systems thinking with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and the role of learning in promoting whole-person inclusion. He investigates leadership and organizing principles that cultivate 'safe to be vulnerable' learning spaces where individuals across power divides can collaborate and develop as teams, organizations, and communities. His work critically examines ableism and disability inclusion in educational and workplace settings, with international recognition for his scholarship and advocacy in countries including South Korea, Japan, Peru, and Taiwan. Currently, he leads a U.S.-based project focused on promoting disability employment in small- and medium-sized manufacturing contexts. His scholarly output demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly impactful work at the intersection of critical human resource development, disability studies, and transformative learning. The publications reveal a progression from foundational theoretical work to applied research with practical implications for organizational change, particularly in creating inclusive environments for people with disabilities. His recent work shows growing emphasis on generative pedagogy, dialogic organization development, and the practical application of critical HRD principles in real-world settings. Early Career Scholar Award, Academy of Human Resource Development (2025) Richard A. Swanson Research Excellence Award, Academy of Human Resource Development (2022) Cutting Edge Award, Academy of Human Resource Development (2019) Professor Kwon teaches courses in diversity, adult learning, leadership, and organization development, with a focus on helping students develop an adaptive learning mindset to strengthen relationships and lead inclusively. His EPOL 470 course covers principles of human resource education, while EPOL 474 examines diversity in workplace environments and strategies for harnessing the power of diversity and inclusion. His teaching philosophy emphasizes genuine humility and curiosity as essential components of effective leadership in global workforce contexts. His research is characterized by a strong commitment to bridging theory and practice, with particular attention to the practical implementation of critical ideas in organizational settings.
Professor Steve Simpson is a leading marine biologist and fish ecologist at the University of Exeter's Biosciences department. He serves as Professor of Marine Biology & Global Change and leads a dynamic research group focused on understanding marine ecosystems, particularly in the context of climate change and human impacts. His work has been prominently featured in Blue Planet II and he actively engages with industry, policy makers, and the public through media appearances and outreach activities. Education PhD, University of York, UK (2000-2004) MRes Marine & Coastal Ecology & Environmental Management, University of York, UK (1998-1999) BSc Marine Biology (Hons), University of Liverpool, UK (1995-1998) Professor Simpson's research centers on the behavior of coral reef fishes, bioacoustics, and the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems. His approach uniquely combines fieldwork in remote environments with laboratory experiments, data-mining, and computer modeling. He has pioneered new methods for listening to ocean soundscapes and understanding fish communication, revealing how anthropogenic noise disrupts natural behaviors and ecological processes. His work on climate change impacts examines shifting fish distributions and their implications for fisheries management and conservation. Analysis of Simpson's recent publications reveals two dominant research themes: the impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine life and climate change effects on fisheries. His work demonstrates how underwater noise from boats and industrial activities impairs fish hearing, disrupts predator-prey relationships, and affects reproductive success. Simultaneously, his climate change research tracks how warming seas are altering fish distributions, creating 'mackerel wars' and requiring fisheries adaptation. These research strands converge in his innovative work on developing solutions like bubble curtains to mitigate noise impacts. Scientific Awards FSBI Medal (2016) NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellowship (2011-2014) NERC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2004-2007) Royal Society International Fellow (2007-2008) EPHE Postdoctoral Fellow (2007-2008) Professor Simpson leads a thriving research group of approximately 10 postdocs, PhD, and Masters students. His grant portfolio includes major NERC funding for projects on marine noise impacts and climate change effects on fisheries. He has developed strong industry partnerships through a Knowledge Exchange Fellowship, working with Cefas, the Met Office, Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd, and HR Wallingford Ltd. His research has directly informed policy through contributions to Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership reports and presentations to European Parliament. Simpson has also created innovative knowledge exchange initiatives including the 'Vision of Sustainable Fisheries in 2050' thinktank. Simpson has developed specialized research infrastructure including a mobile lab with Ecocean in Montpellier for assessing marine noise impacts, and has conducted large-scale acoustic experiments in dry docks. His work on underwater acoustics was prominently featured in Blue Planet II, and he maintains active engagement with media through TEDx talks, BBC appearances, and public lectures to schools and community groups. He serves on the International Quiet Ocean Experiment Science Committee, helping shape global research on ocean noise.
