Sarah Billington is the UPS Foundation Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. Her research program focuses on sustainable building design, human wellbeing, and ethical supply chain practices. Education: PhD, University of Texas at Austin, Structural Engineering (1997) MSE, University of Texas at Austin, Structural Engineering (1994) BSE, Princeton University, Civil Engineering & Operations Research (1990) Her lab employs interdisciplinary methods to study how built environments impact human physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Current projects include developing tools to quantify nature exposure in buildings, exploring affordable housing's role in wellbeing, and using AI to assess forced labor risks in material supply chains. While no longer active in this area, her group previously pioneered research on sustainable construction materials like bio-based composites and ductile cement-based composites. Her recent publications address topics such as nature integration in architecture, workplace design optimization, and health impacts of building materials. The Billington Lab at Stanford fosters collaborative team science, welcoming partnerships to advance occupant-centric engineering solutions.
Bridget Buoniconti serves as Dean of Students, Chief Conduct Officer, and Title IX Deputy Coordinator at Regis College. She joined the institution in 2014 as Assistant Director of Residence Life, later advancing to Director of Residence Life and Associate Dean of Student Affairs before assuming her current leadership roles. A graduate of Boston College with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and higher education, she earned her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Regis College in 2023. Education: Bachelor’s in English and Secondary Education, Boston College Master’s in English Literature and Higher Education (Student Affairs concentration), Boston College Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, Regis College (2023) Her work focuses on fostering student development through academic, social, and spiritual support systems. As a member of the First-Year Seminar faculty, she combines teaching and advising to enhance student retention and engagement. She actively develops campus programs, supervises the Department of Residence Life, and champions inclusivity as a Pride Fan. Bridget’s leadership extends to crisis management, including overseeing temporary on-campus housing initiatives for commuter students during exams and participating in institutional updates to public health protocols.
Jeff Alstott is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, serving as the Director of RAND's Center for Technology and Security Policy (TASP) . He holds a concurrent role as a Senior Information Scientist at RAND and directs a program on technology forecasting and improving R&D investment returns at the National Science Foundation. Previously, he held leadership roles in the U.S. government, including the White House as Director for Technology and National Security at the National Security Council and Assistant Director for Technology Competition and Risks at the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Prior to that, he was a program manager at IARPA, focusing on AI, biosecurity, and science forecasting, and has held academic and research positions at MIT, Singapore University of Technology and Design, the World Bank, and the University of Chicago. Education : Doctorate in complex networks from the University of Cambridge; MBA and bachelor's degrees from Indiana University. Alstott's research spans artificial intelligence , technology forecasting , complex networks , and science and technology policy . His recent publications focus on AI security , existential risk from advanced technologies , and collaborative frameworks for AI safety , reflecting his expertise in balancing technological innovation with national and global security. He has contributed to understanding AI model weight protection , cybersecurity challenges , and policy implications of emerging technologies . Alstott has received recognition for his work, including being part of an award-winning team on technology counterintelligence . His policy recommendations and technical research have informed federal strategies for responding to advanced technologies , emphasizing the need for proactive governance and cross-sector collaboration.
Professor Siân Bayne is a leading academic in digital education at the University of Edinburgh , where she serves as Assistant Principal for Education Futures and directs the Centre for Research in Digital Education . Her work bridges critical theory and practical innovation in higher education. Interdisciplinary research on digital education and futures studies Leadership in the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Moray House School of Education and Sport Global impact through UNESCO collaborations and UKRI GCRF projects Bayne’s research explores higher education futures , utopian theory , and digital enhancement , with a focus on: AI’s role in teaching and learning Ethical implications of educational technologies Anonymous social media in academic spaces Speculative scenarios for educational systems Global South digital education models Augmented reality applications in assessment Her 15 most recent publications span 2017-2025 , covering critical perspectives on: Generative AI and educational innovation Utopian design in universities Data governance in learning analytics Augmented reality pedagogy Digital cultural heritage Scientific recognition includes: IASH Sabbatical Fellowship (2023) Bayne leads Higher Education Futures initiatives and partners with institutions worldwide, including: UNESCO Global Education and Technology Report World Bank collaborations European university leadership programs She also drives major research centers like: Centre for Research in Digital Education UKRI GCRF Urban Disaster Risk Hub
Jino Distasio is a Professor and Acting Dean of Science at The University of Winnipeg, Department of Geography. He teaches Urban Geography, Cultural Geography, and Social Geography, with courses like GEOG-3413 Urban Revitalization and GEOG-3430 Housing and Neighbourhood Planning . His research focuses on housing and neighborhood development, city planning, urban revitalization, homelessness, mental health, and urban transportation. Teaching Areas : Urban Geography, Cultural Geography, Social Geography Key Collaborations : Institute of Urban Studies (U. of Winnipeg), Housing First initiatives, interdisciplinary teams in public health and social policy His recent publications highlight Housing First interventions, urban policy impacts on homelessness, and social determinants of health. Scientific awards and honors were not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Pinchuan Ong is an Assistant Professor in the Strategy and Policy Department at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees from NUS (B.Eng. and B.Soc.Sci.) and a Ph.D. in Economics from Northwestern University. Prior to academia, he worked as an economist at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. His research focuses on labor economics, public economics, and applied microeconomics. Key areas include labor supply disincentives from child support obligations, taxation effects on labor participation, automation’s impact on labor markets, and the socioeconomic consequences of energy pricing on health outcomes. He has investigated winter mortality linked to heating costs and housing market risks influencing labor demand. Recent research trends emphasize policy-relevant analyses of taxation, automation, and public goods provision. His work bridges theoretical economic frameworks with empirical policy evaluation, often addressing labor market dynamics and welfare outcomes. Ong’s upcoming speaking engagements include the Hong Kong Labor Symposium (June 2024), ROCKWOOL Foundation visits in Berlin, and the BSE Summer Forum in Barcelona. He is open to collaborations during these travels. His full CV and publications are accessible via his personal webpage.
Alexander Manevitz is an Assistant Professor at the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, Baruch College (City University of New York), specializing in African American history, 19th-century U.S. history, and historical memory. His research explores urbanism, race, and capitalism, particularly through the lens of Seneca Village, a free Black community displaced during Central Park’s creation. Education: Ph.D., U.S. History, New York University (2016) B.A., History, Trinity College (Hartford) His research focuses on the intersection of race, property regimes, and urban development in antebellum New York City. He is currently finalizing a book manuscript with Cornell University Press titled The Rise and Fall of Seneca Village: Remaking Race and Space in Nineteenth-Century New York City , analyzing how marginalized communities navigated systemic discrimination and urban transformation. Manevitz’s recent publications and media contributions examine themes like urban capitalism, Reconstruction’s legacy, and archival recovery. His 2022 article in the Journal of Urban History investigates racial and economic inequalities in 19th-century New York City, while his 2020 Washington Post piece connects Reconstruction-era failures to contemporary racial justice issues. Scientific Awards: Robert Friedman Professor of American History (2024) Faculty Fellowship Publication Program (CUNY, 2023) Bernard and Irene Schwartz Postdoctoral Fellow (2019) Junior Faculty Research Fellowship (Trinity College, 2017) Bessie and George Levy Award for Excellence in American History (2014) Manevitz teaches courses in American history, African American history, and urban capitalism, employing interdisciplinary methods to amplify diverse voices. He has collaborated with institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New-York Historical Society, emphasizing public scholarship and community engagement.
Frank L. Hammond III serves as Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech's Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering since April 2015, directing the Adaptation Robotic Manipulation (ARM) Laboratory. A Carnegie Mellon PhD graduate, he previously held postdoctoral positions at MIT and Harvard as a Ford Fellow. His interdisciplinary work bridges mechanical engineering, biomedical applications, and computational design. Education Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University Hammond's research pioneers adaptive robotic manipulation (ARM) systems that operate in unstructured human environments through bioinspired computational design. His lab develops xenomorphic (non-biomorphic) robots using soft pneumatic actuation, flexible electronics, and machine learning to achieve biological-level versatility. Key application domains include wearable human augmentation devices , haptic-enabled surgical teleoperation , and autonomous soft platforms for medical and industrial use. The ARM methodology integrates empirical biomechanics characterization with simulation-driven optimization and rapid prototyping. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant trends: (1) Medical rehabilitation breakthroughs through intention-driven exoskeletons with soft bioelectronics, (2) Novel locomotion strategies for soft robots in complex environments (sand, water, cluttered spaces), and (3) Advanced haptic feedback systems leveraging multimodal sensory substitution for proprioceptive restoration. These works consistently bridge biomechanics, control theory, and human factors. Awards Ford Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Harvard School of Engineering Hammond actively mentors graduate researchers including PhD candidates Lucas Tiziani (soft actuators) and Bangyuan Liu (earthworm robotics), and Master's student Alex Hart (pediatric haptics). His lab secures research funding for projects like tunable mechanical interfaces for neuropathy treatment and cognition-focused wearable devices, with strong industry and clinical partnerships evident in co-authored medical device publications. The ARM Lab maintains robust collaborations across Georgia Tech's robotics, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering communities. The Adaptation Robotic Manipulation Laboratory operates from Whitaker Building Room 4102, housing specialized facilities for soft robot fabrication (3D printing, shape deposition manufacturing) and biomechanics testing. Current projects include pediatric haptic feedback displays, biomimetic swimming robots, and kirigami-skinned earthworm robots for subsurface locomotion. The lab emphasizes translational research with multiple pending medical device patents and active participation in K-12 STEM outreach programs.
Ashli Owen-Smith is a behavioral scientist affiliated with the School of Public Health at Georgia State University , where her research focuses on mental health disparities, suicide prevention, and integrative/complementary approaches for complex mental-physical health conditions. She works with underserved populations including refugees/immigrants, incarcerated individuals, and LGBTQ+ communities through community-based participatory research and mixed-methods frameworks. Her current projects are funded by CDC , DBHDD , and DPH . Education: Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences (Emory, 2009), S.M. in Public Health (Harvard, 2005), B.A. in Psychology (Smith College, 2001) Her research spans mental health , trauma , suicide prevention , and mindfulness-based interventions . Recent work examines telehealth adaptations for chronic pain and mental health, vaccine hesitancy in refugee communities, and social determinants of suicide . She leads studies on gender-affirming care and health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations. Key article trends include epidemiological analysis of suicide risk factors, COVID-19 impacts on mental health, ICD-10 coding for autism, and complementary medicine in trauma recovery. Subfields span telehealth , health equity , mental-physical comorbidity , and community engagement . Students she has mentored include C.A. Scarlett , T. Griner , and M.M. Sesay . Her work integrates public health policy , clinical research , and health systems analysis .
Miyuki Hino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from Stanford University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University. Her research focuses on climate hazards, governance, and public policy , with emphasis on equitable adaptation to climate change. Key areas include sea level rise impacts, flood risk on property markets, and managed retreat strategies. She has conducted extensive work on floodplain development policies, household relocation programs, and community resilience frameworks. Dr. Hino's interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental science, urban planning, and social equity . She collaborates with academic and municipal partners, such as the Center for Urban and Regional Studies and Annapolis, MD local governments, to develop actionable solutions for climate adaptation. Her work bridges technical analyses (e.g., sensor networks, machine learning) with policy design to ensure both effectiveness and justice in climate responses. Recent projects emphasize preventing future 'trapped households' by analyzing zoning policies and market dynamics that drive risky development. She advocates for climate-smart growth strategies to balance economic needs with environmental safety, while addressing disparities in vulnerability across communities. Her research has been featured in Science Advances , Nature Climate Change , and interdisciplinary journals. She actively engages with policymakers to translate findings into practical measures, such as equitable buyout programs and floodplain management reforms.
Dr. Andrea R. English is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Education at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. She holds significant academic leadership roles, including President-Elect of the John Dewey Society and Editor-in-Chief of IMPACT: Philosophical Perspectives on Education Policy . Her research focuses on productive struggle in learning, dialogic pedagogy, and decolonizing education. She earned her doctorate from Humboldt University Berlin and has taught globally, including at Mount Saint Vincent University and Humboldt University Berlin. Dr. English leads the Productive Struggle Lab and the Listening Study Group, emphasizing anti-oppressive and democratic educational approaches. She coordinates teacher education initiatives and supervises PhD students exploring critical thinking, inclusive education, and decolonization. Her work bridges philosophy and practice, addressing how teachers foster student resilience through pedagogical listening, particularly in STEM education. She actively contributes to Scotland’s anti-racist curriculum project and collaborates internationally on transformative learning and ethical teaching practices. Dr. English’s teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including courses on critical thinking, inclusive pedagogy, and John Dewey’s educational philosophy. Her funded research explores AI tools for identifying student struggle and the role of negativity in transformative learning. She frequently presents at global conferences, advocating for dialogic teaching and moral education reform.
Dr. Julie N.L. Albert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Tulane University, holding the Robert and Gayle Longmire Early Career Professorship. She is affiliated with the School of Science and Engineering and serves as co-director of the SMART REU NSF-funded program. Her research focuses on engineering nano- and micro-structured polymeric materials for energy, health, and environmental applications, emphasizing self-assembly processes in block copolymers and polymer blends. Key areas include nanoporous membranes, biocompatible surfaces, and stimuli-responsive materials. Dr. Albert earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida (2005) and her Ph.D. from the University of Delaware (2012). She conducted postdoctoral research at North Carolina State University. Her work has been supported by prestigious grants, including the NSF CAREER Award and a Gulf Research Program Fellowship. Her research group explores topics like polymer crystallization, polyorganosiloxanes, and block copolymer architectures. Notable achievements include developing methods for controlling polymer morphology via solvent vapor annealing and surface chemistry gradients. She advises numerous graduate and undergraduate students and mentors organizations like the Society of Women Engineers. Education: B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 2005 Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 2012 Research Interests: Self-assembly of block copolymers, nanoporous membranes, biocompatible materials, and energy applications. Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Gulf Research Program Early-Career Fellowship, AIChE Travel Award. Dr. Albert’s lab houses advanced facilities such as AFM, spectral reflectometry, and GPC, enabling cutting-edge polymer characterization. Her contributions bridge polymer science, materials engineering, and environmental sustainability, addressing challenges in energy recovery and biomedical technologies.
Benjamin J. Keys is a Research Associate at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School within the Public Economics program. His work focuses on public economics, environmental economics, and financial risk management with particular emphasis on housing markets and climate change impacts. University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School Public Economics Department His research explores: Climate risk capitalization in housing markets Mortgage insurance moral hazard Consumer credit card payment behaviors Emergency credit systems Regional economic redistribution through mortgages Email: benkeys@wharton.upenn.edu Scientific awards include: Fellowships on Consumer Financial Management
Harry R. Lloyd is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, serving as Core Faculty for the PPE Program and Research Affiliate at the Center for AI Safety. He joined UNC Chapel Hill in Fall 2025 after completing his PhD at Yale University, where his dissertation examined moral uncertainty and bargaining under Shelly Kagan. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Yale University (2020-2025) and a first-class B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall (2016-2019), where he graduated top of his cohort and won multiple prizes including the Hicks/Webb Medley Prize and Uehiro Essay Prize. He attended Monmouth Comprehensive School (2009-2016), becoming the first comprehensive school student to win Trinity College Cambridge's Philosophy Essay Prize. Lloyd's research integrates Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of AI through innovative frameworks for moral uncertainty and bargaining theory. His work bridges abstract theory with urgent real-world applications in AI alignment, distributive justice, and urban policy. He critically examines how normative disagreement should be resolved in AI systems, challenges conventional views on gentrification's moral dimensions, and develops resource-rational approaches to contractualism in animal ethics and intergenerational justice. His publication trajectory reveals a cohesive intellectual project: advancing bargaining-theoretic solutions to moral uncertainty while applying these frameworks across AI safety, political philosophy, and bioethics. Recent work in Philosophical Studies and Ergo establishes novel connections between moral uncertainty and collective decision-making, while his Journal of Urban Affairs article redefines gentrification's ethical analysis beyond displacement metrics. Awarded significant fellowships and prizes including the Rocky Mountain Ethics Congress Young Ethicist Prize (2024) and Global Priorities Institute Essay Prize (2021), his honors demonstrate impact across multiple domains: Institute for Humane Studies Junior Fellowship (2025) Forethought Foundation Global Priorities Fellowship (2022-2024) Rocky Mountain Ethics Congress Young Ethicist Prize (2024) Global Priorities Institute Early Career Conference Programme (2022) Research funding includes the Global Priorities Fellowship (2022-2024) and Institute for Humane Studies Junior Fellowship (2025). He actively shapes academic discourse through peer review for journals including Philosophical Studies and Journal of Applied Philosophy, and co-organizes the Yale Moral Philosophy Working Group. Though newly appointed, his teaching portfolio spans Environmental Ethics, PPE Capstone, and Philosophy of Technology, building on Yale teaching experience where he served as primary instructor for Philosophy and Technology. Lloyd maintains active research affiliations with the Center for AI Safety and previously contributed as a Resident Fellow at Yale's Information Society Project (2023-2025). His collaborative networks extend to the Global Priorities Institute at Oxford and Happier Lives Institute, driving interdisciplinary work at the AI-society interface through regular presentations at PPE Society meetings and ethics conferences.
Christine Mahoney is a Professor of Public Policy and Politics and Chief Innovation Officer at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She also serves as Director of the Tadler Program in Impact Investing in Appalachia, the UVA Environmental Institute-funded Climate Collaborative on Appalachian Renewable Energy & Resilience, and the EPA-funded Community Change project for economic development in Appalachia. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University and Director of the Center for European Studies and the Maxwell EU Center. Dr. Mahoney earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University in 2006, with fields of study in American politics, Comparative politics, and Research Methods & Statistical Analysis. She also completed her M.A. (2003) and B.A. (2001) in Political Science and International Politics, respectively, at Pennsylvania State University. Professor Mahoney specializes in social justice advocacy, activism, and direct action through social entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on how advocates shape public policy, with particular attention to lobbying strategies in powerful political systems like the United States and the European Union. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in seven conflict zones across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, studying the rights of forcibly displaced people and proposing innovative solutions through social entrepreneurship. Her work bridges political science with practical applications in impact investing and refugee integration, creating tangible pathways for social change through entrepreneurial approaches. Professor Mahoney's scholarly output reveals an evolution from comparative studies of advocacy systems to practical applications of social entrepreneurship for forcibly displaced populations. Her early work established foundational knowledge about lobbying in transatlantic political systems, while her more recent research has shifted toward actionable solutions for global displacement crises and sustainable community development. This trajectory demonstrates her commitment to translating academic insights into real-world impact, particularly through the lens of social entrepreneurship and impact investing. Fulbright Fellow Visiting Scholar at Oxford National Science Foundation grant recipient Emerging Scholar award from the American Political Science Association UVA's Public Impact-Focused Research Award Through Social Entrepreneurship at UVA (SE@UVA), which she founded and led for a decade (2011-2021), Professor Mahoney has mentored over 80 student social enterprise teams and supported more than 100 social entrepreneurs with over 38,400 hours of pro-bono consulting. She has secured $37.7 million in funding for programs addressing social and environmental challenges, including the Tadler Program in Appalachia that has made significant strides in advancing rural policy and economic development. Her work demonstrates a consistent commitment to connecting academic research with practical applications that address pressing social problems. Professor Mahoney leads several significant initiatives including the Refugee Investment Network, where she serves as fellow and advisor, and multiple UVA-based programs focused on social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and community development. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together policy experts, social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and community stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to complex social problems, particularly in the areas of refugee integration and rural economic development in Appalachia.
