Dr. Guan H. Tang is a Reader in Commercial Law and Director of the Dual LLM in Commercial Law (London/Singapore) at Queen Mary University of London's School of Law. She also co-leads the Athena Swan Implementation Group. Previously, she held roles as Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader at Northumbria University and Associate Professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. Her academic journey includes a Master’s from Queen's University Belfast and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, focusing on intellectual property rights in China. Her research emphasizes comparative intellectual property law and technology governance, with a current focus on AI regulation. She teaches modules such as Chinese Business Law, International Copyright Law, and AI Regulation, employing student-centered pedagogy. Supervising six PhD students and mentoring visiting academics, her work bridges legal systems and cultural contexts. Dr. Tang has published extensively on topics including moral rights in China, WTO law, and AI governance. She actively engages in public discourse through conferences and media commentary on IP enforcement and trade mark protection in China. Her professional roles reflect her commitment to academic leadership and cross-border legal collaboration, particularly between the UK, China, and Singapore.
Associate Professor Catherine Chittleborough is an epidemiologist and Deputy Head of the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide, affiliated with the BetterStart Health and Development Research initiative. She holds a joint appointment in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Previously, she worked at SA Health for a decade and completed a postdoctoral position at the University of Bristol. Her research focuses on reducing health inequalities in child development, leveraging causal epidemiological methods and population data from longitudinal cohorts. She teaches undergraduate public health and epidemiology courses. Education: Postdoctoral training at the University of Bristol (2009-2011) Extensive prior experience at SA Health (1990s-2010) Research Interests: Child health equity, causal epidemiology, data linkage studies, early childhood development, and interventions targeting family support programs. Her work emphasizes identifying at-risk children to improve preventive strategies. Grants & Funding: EMPOWER Project (NHMRC AUD 2.4M, 2016-2020) SA Health Data Linkage Studies (NHMRC AUD 453K, 2013-2016) Child Maltreatment and School Outcomes (Channel 7 AUD 69K, 2016-2018) Teaching: Coordinator for PUB HLTH 1001, HLTH SC 3103, and other public health modules. Active in curriculum design and delivery across undergraduate programs. Professional Activities: Chair, School of Public Health Learning and Teaching Committee Member of multiple advisory boards and review panels Labs/Teams: Lead researcher in BetterStart Health and Development Research, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects to improve child health outcomes through policy and practice.
Dr Noemi Magugliani is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Kent's Kent Law School. Their work focuses on critical migration and border studies, queer theory applications to legal frameworks, and vulnerability constructs within anti-trafficking systems. Current research examines gendered protection barriers faced by trafficked adult men and challenges in international refugee law. Professional roles include Senior Legal Adviser to the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking and co-founder of de:border // migration justice collective addressing Mediterranean border externalization. Previously taught at University of Galway (International Migration Law/EU Law) Consultant with British Institute of International and Comparative Law Contributed UN reports on non-punishment principles and forced labor trafficking Research integrates interdisciplinary approaches to border policing regimes and movement control, emphasizing critical legal theory and socio-legal methodologies. Teaching includes undergraduate courses on Public Law, Immigration Law and foundational legal principles. Professionally affiliated with key organizations: British Institute for International and Comparative Law (Research Fellow), UN Special Procedures mechanisms, and migration justice collectives. Current strategic litigation focuses on exposing violence in externalized border controls.
Dr. Elizabeth G. Ferris is a Research Professor and Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Her work focuses on humanitarian action, refugee protection, and the intersection of climate change with displacement. She has held roles at Brookings Institution and the World Council of Churches, advising the UN on global migration frameworks like the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migrants. Ferris has authored ten books and numerous articles, emphasizing policy analysis and civil society’s role in displacement crises. Educational Background: Professorial roles at multiple U.S. universities Fulbright Professor at Universidad Autónoma de México Research Interests: Politics of humanitarian action Civil society’s protective role for displaced populations Climate-induced migration Global policy frameworks for displacement Publication Trends: Her work bridges academic research and policy, addressing climate migration, pandemic impacts on displaced groups, and durable solutions for IDPs. Key themes include advocacy for marginalized populations and evidence-based policy design. Labs/Teams: Leads ISIM, a research hub analyzing migration challenges globally.
Giuseppe Contissa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Legal Sciences, University of Bologna. His work focuses on Legal Informatics, AI & Law, Legal Theory, and Law & Technology, particularly in robotics and automated systems. He holds a PhD in Legal Informatics from the University of Bologna and has extensive experience in research projects like ALIAS (air traffic management liability) and CLAUDETTE (AI-driven contract analysis). He is affiliated with ALMA Ai (Human-Centered AI Institute) and ARCES (Electronic Systems Research). Education: PhD in Legal Informatics (2006, University of Bologna), Master's in Legal Informatics (2002), Laurea in Jurisprudence (2001). Research Interests: Computable legal reasoning, AI ethics in healthcare, liability frameworks for autonomous systems, socio-technical systems governance, and automated vehicle regulation. He leads projects on AI certification in aviation and consumer protection through AI systems. Key Projects: CrossJustice (digital criminal procedure rights), SAFELAND (air traffic safety), and COMPULAW (computable law models). He advises the Council of Europe on AI ethics in justice systems. Labs/Teams: CIRSFID (Computer Law Research), ALMA Ai, and collaborations with CodeX (Stanford).
Professor Jonathan Parry is a leading anthropologist at the London School of Economics (LSE), specializing in South Asian studies, sociology of Hinduism, caste systems, industrialization, and labor anthropology. He holds a full-time position in the Department of Anthropology, focusing on fieldwork in India, including studies on rural caste dynamics, rituals surrounding death in Banaras, and industrial labor in Bhilai. His research bridges ethnography with theoretical inquiries into inequality, industrialization, and exchange systems. Parry's work spans decades, with early studies in Kangra (1979), followed by seminal works like Death in Banaras (1994) and analyses of industrial labor in Chhattisgarh. Recent contributions address ethics of humanitarian intervention, just war theory, and the moral implications of military and police actions. His interdisciplinary approach integrates anthropological fieldwork with philosophical debates on authority, harm, and legitimacy in conflict scenarios. His publications on war ethics, including analyses of lethal force, private interests in research, and the morality of intervention, reflect a shift toward contemporary global challenges. Despite no listed awards, his academic stature is evident through his influence on anthropological and ethical discourses. Parry’s advising and grants are not detailed here, but his fieldwork in labor colonies and industrial zones underscores his commitment to socio-economic anthropology.
Alasdair Cochrane is a Professor of Political Theory at the University of Sheffield's School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations. He holds a First Class BA from the University of Sheffield (2000), followed by an MSc, PGCHE, and PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE). Previously, he served as Fellow in Human Rights and Lecturer in Human Rights at the LSE before returning to Sheffield in 2012 as Lecturer in Political Theory. His research focuses on contemporary political theory, rights theory, human rights, environmental ethics, animal ethics, and bioethics. Notable projects include exploring global inter-species justice, the ethics of imprisonment, and cosmopolitan approaches to animal rights. He co-directs the Sheffield Animals Studies Research Centre (ShARC) and has been recognized with the AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker (2014) and a Leverhulme Research Fellowship (2014-15). His publications include Sentientist Politics: A Theory of Global Inter-Species Justice (2018), Animal Rights Without Liberation (2012), and An Introduction to Animals and Political Theory (2010). He teaches modules on contentious political issues like minority rights, euthanasia, and humanitarian intervention, emphasizing critical thinking and argumentation. Cochrane advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to animal ethics, integrating political theory with environmental and bioethical concerns. His recent work addresses solidarity with animals, food justice, and hate speech protections for non-humans. He actively engages in public discourse through radio appearances (BBC Radio 4) and academic conferences.
Professor Sunniva Cristina Bragdø-Ellenes holds a Professorship in Administrative Law at the Department of Law, University of Agder (UiA). Her expertise spans administrative law, comparative administrative law, child welfare law, constitutional law, civil procedure, and legal cultures. She completed her PhD on 'Review of administrative decisions in Norway, Sweden and France' at the University of Oslo in 2009. Research & Teaching: Focuses on administrative law mechanisms, legal cultures, and comparative legal systems. Her work emphasizes Nordic legal traditions and cross-border legal comparisons. She advises on public sector legal reforms and chairs the Visual Artists' Aid Fund (2023–present) and the Council for Confidentiality and Research (2014–present). Key Publications: Includes Handbook on Legal Cultures (2023, Springer), Comparing Legal Cultures (2020, Fagbokforlaget), and articles on child welfare law, environmental administrative decisions, and competition law appeals. She has contributed to NOU policy reports on university law and competition boards. Awards & Recognition: While no specific awards are listed, her extensive advisory roles and prolific publication record highlight her influence in legal academia and policy-making. Grants & Labs: Engaged in research funded by UiA and external bodies like Oxford Research. Her work often intersects with policy implications, such as legal frameworks for universities and child welfare systems.
Dr. Siobhan Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Edge Hill University, specializing in Public International Law, International Human Rights Law, and Criminal Law with a focus on the right to education during armed conflicts. She previously held academic positions at Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Manchester, and the University of Salford. Her research explores the intersection of education, cultural rights, and humanitarian law, particularly in conflict contexts. She completed an ESRC-funded PhD at Lancaster University and an internship with the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack. Education: LLB (Hons) in Law, Lancaster University (2012) LLM in International Human Rights Law and Terrorism, Lancaster University (2013) PhD in International Law, Lancaster University (2019) Research Interests: Dr. Smith focuses on the right to education in armed conflicts, international humanitarian law, and criminal justice system reforms to address human rights issues. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and justice. Awards: William Charnley Prize for Best Third Year Law Student (2012) Professional Affiliations: Member of Lincoln's Inn and contributor to the International Justice and Human Rights Research Centre.
Dr. Elena Abrusci serves as Senior Lecturer in Law at Brunel Law School within Brunel University London's College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences, joining in 2021 after impactful roles including Policy Advisor on Digital Regulation at the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Senior Research Officer at the University of Essex's ESRC-funded 'Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project'. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges law and politics with significant contributions to modern slavery research through the Rights Lab and Walk Free Foundation. Her academic credentials feature a PhD in Law from the University of Nottingham (awarded Vice-Chancellor Scholarship for Research Excellence), Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Politics from Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Honor Fellow), MA in International Relations from the University of Florence and Sciences-Po Paris, and BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Pisa. Dr. Abrusci's research critically examines regional human rights systems alongside technology's impact on fundamental rights, with particular focus on AI governance, online disinformation/misinformation, hate speech regulation, and digital platform accountability. Her work consistently analyzes how emerging technologies challenge traditional human rights frameworks while proposing regulatory solutions for democratic participation. Analysis of her 2017-2024 publications reveals evolving scholarly attention from judicial convergence in regional human rights systems toward contemporary digital governance challenges, with increasing emphasis on automated decision-making, content moderation frameworks, and cross-jurisdictional regulatory comparisons between EU/UK legislation. Scientific recognition includes: Vice-Chancellor Scholarship for Research Excellence (University of Nottingham) Honor Fellow designation at Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies She actively supervises PhD candidates in regional human rights systems, human rights technology intersections, and AI governance, while contributing to major research initiatives including the ESRC-funded 'Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project' and Walk Free Foundation's Global Slavery Index. Her consultancy for UN agencies (WHO, UNESCO, OHCHR), governments, and tech companies demonstrates real-world policy impact. At Brunel, she co-leads the Human Rights, Society & Arts research group and serves as SLS Council Member, building on prior affiliations with Nottingham's Rights Lab and Essex's Human Rights Project to advance interdisciplinary human rights scholarship in digital contexts.
Marcus V. A. B. De Matos is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Brunel University London , affiliated with the Brunel Law School within the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences. His career spans academia, legal consultancy, and human rights advocacy. PhD in Law , Birkbeck, University of London (2014) - CAPES Foundation Overseas Scholarship MRes in Human Rights and Arts , Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Bachelor of Laws (LLB) , UFRJ His research critically examines sovereignty , law and humanities , human rights , and digital democracy . Key projects include Human Rights & Religion (2021-2022), Living Avatars (2021-2022), and Human Rights, Religion and the Cold War (BRIEF Award 2023/2024). Recent work explores human rights and religion , digital avatars , and visual genealogies of sovereignty . His publications bridge law and film , sovereignty and aesthetics , and human rights in postcolonial contexts , with interdisciplinary focus on digital technology , religious movements , and historical memory . Notably, his 2021 monograph Imagens da América Latina (ABEU Prize winner) analyzes media and human rights in Latin America. BRIEF Award (2023/2024) HE Connects Grant (British Council) ABEU Prize for Best Monograph (2021) Honourable Mention (José Bonifácio Academic Foundation) Dr. De Matos serves as Deputy Director of Equality and Diversity at Brunel Law School, co-leads the Human Rights, Society and Arts and Living Avatars research groups, and contributes to international networks including ABEP-UK and RECAP (Brazilian legal advocacy network). He reviews for top journals like Law and Critique and Law and History Review .
Thilo Fehmel is a Professor of Social Administration and Social Policy at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences and serves as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Social Sciences . His academic career spans institutions like the University of Leipzig (habilitation in sociology) and Cooperative State University Gera. Research Focus: Social policy, welfare state theory, European sociology, labor sociology, and sociological theory (conflict, autonomy, deviance). Projects: Led research on Citizen Participation in the Digital Society (2019-2021, funded by Saxony) and Social Policy by Collective Agreement (2015-2019, funded by Hans Böckler Foundation). Publications: Over 25 monographs and edited volumes, including Tarifsozialpolitik (2021) and Sicherungsbewahrung (2013). Academic Leadership: Contributed to journals like Traverse and Soziologie , and edited special issues on welfare state transformation. His work bridges theoretical sociological analysis with practical policy implications, emphasizing the role of collective bargaining and institutional frameworks in shaping social security systems across Europe.
Jessica Wiseman is a Researcher in the Department of Law at the European University Institute, where she has been affiliated since cohort 2020. Her scholarly work critically examines power dynamics in international legal frameworks governing cultural property and heritage protection. Research Focus Wiseman's research spans International human rights law, Global and colonial history, Cultural heritage studies, and Discourse analysis. She investigates how Eurocentric perspectives shape international legal discourse around antiquities and cultural property, with particular attention to power structures in heritage governance. Her work explores the intersections of cultural transfers, intellectual networks, and legal frameworks in post-colonial contexts. Current Research Trajectory Wiseman's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the politics of expertise in cultural heritage protection. Her collaborative work with Raghavi Viswanath critically examines how heritage protection initiatives intersect with economic inequality and development paradigms, while analyzing the construction of expert authority in transnational heritage governance mechanisms like Italy's Unite4Heritage taskforce. Research Affiliations Expert Knowledge and Authority in Transformative Times (Ongoing) Cultural Heritage Working Group (Ongoing) Decentering Eurocentrism (Completed) Doctoral Research Under the supervision of Sarah Nouwen, Wiseman is completing her doctoral thesis titled 'Whose loot is it anyway? Politics and power in the legal discourse around the looting of antiquities,' which investigates the political and power dynamics embedded in international legal frameworks governing cultural property restitution and protection.
Professor Donna M. Gitter is a faculty member in the Department of Law at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, City University of New York. She holds a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a BA in Government from Cornell University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude . Her research focuses on the intersection of technology and ethics, particularly in comparative intellectual property law with emphasis on biotechnology patenting and biomedical ethics in the United States and European Union. Education : BA, Cornell University (Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude); JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School Professor Gitter’s work spans biotechnology patent law, genetic data privacy, pharmaceutical regulation, and bioethics. She has presented internationally in Europe, Asia, and the United States, addressing topics like computational genomics and open-source biotechnology. Her recent articles focus on experimental use exemptions for gene patents, genetic data privacy enforcement, and post-Dobbs reproductive regulation. She has received significant recognition, including the Fulbright-SyCip Distinguished Lecturing Award , Zicklin Excellence & Innovation in Teaching Award , and multiple research grants from PSC-CUNY. Her teaching includes courses like Fundamentals of Business Law and honors seminars on New York City’s demographics. Scientific Awards : Fulbright-SyCip Distinguished Lecturing Award (2016), Zicklin Excellence & Innovation in Teaching Award (2022), Community Partnership Award (2020), Outstanding Honors Teaching Award (2017) Professor Gitter serves on committees like the Zicklin School of Business Executive Committee and mentors students in entrepreneurship competitions. Her work bridges legal, ethical, and technological domains, with a focus on policy solutions for emerging biotech challenges.
Peter Szigeti is a Collegium Researcher at the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (2024-2027) and an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law. He holds multiple advanced legal degrees, including an SJD and LL.M. from Harvard, and has held postdoctoral positions at NYU, McGill, and the European University Institute. Education: SJD, Harvard Law School (2015) LL.M., Harvard Law School (2008) Master 2 Recherche, Université Paris-1 (2006) dr. iur., ELTE University (2005) Research Interests: His work bridges property law and environmental protection, jurisdictional sovereignty in international law, and comparative immigration/citizenship frameworks. At TIAS, he is developing an environmentally sustainable model for private law systems. Scientific Awards: Collegium Fellow, Turku Institute for Advanced Studies Postdoctoral Fellow, New York University (2017-2018) Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University (2016-2017) Postdoctoral Fellow, European University Institute (2015-2016) Teaching & Mentorship: He has taught Property Law, Citizenship & Immigration Law, Jurisprudence, and Digital Law, and coached the University of Alberta Jessup international law moot court team for five years.
