Jukka Savolainen is a Professor at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, holding affiliations with the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Sociology. His research focuses on criminology, demography, cross-national crime comparisons, and societal violence mechanisms. He earned his Ph.D. from SUNY Albany and M.Soc.Sc. from the University of Helsinki. Teaching responsibilities include courses like Comparative Criminal Justice and Sociological Theory, reflecting his expertise in global crime analysis and social systems. His work interrogates systemic issues in criminal justice, policy impacts on marginalized groups, and societal structures influencing deviant behavior. Notable themes include Nordic welfare state paradoxes, racial disparities in policing, and hybrid security threats. Publications (2019-2025) explore policing reforms, immigration crime dynamics, adolescent victimization, and Nordic societal resilience. His recent work critiques academic integrity in sociology and links criminal behavior to health outcomes. Despite no listed awards, his scholarship addresses critical global issues like incarceration health risks and transnational crime adaptation. Research spans 40+ years, analyzing longitudinal data from birth cohorts to study life course criminology. Active in policy-oriented studies, he connects theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence, addressing both micro-level behavioral factors and macro-level structural inequities.
Rune Todnem By is a Professor of Leadership and UNESCO Chairholder on Leadership, Innovation and Anticipation at the University of Stavanger's Department of Leadership and Service Innovation. He leads Norway's first MTN Master's in Transformation and Innovation program and has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Change Management since 2008. His research focuses on reframing leadership theory to address 21st-century challenges through frameworks like the EPICally MAD model and the Telos Leadership Lens. Key themes include ethical leadership, organizational change, sustainability, and design thinking. He holds editorial roles in multiple journals and has authored/co-authored influential books on organizational change and leadership ethics. His work emphasizes collective purpose-driven leadership, stakeholder capitalism, and institutional renewal. Recent publications explore design thinking applications in change management and leadership's role in addressing climate challenges. By actively engages in public discourse through media contributions and open letters addressing institutional dysfunction in academia. His research spans interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare systems, generational dynamics in workplaces, and the ethical dimensions of leadership in higher education. By's academic-practitioner approach bridges theoretical insights with actionable strategies for organizations facing complex societal challenges.
Jennifer Murphy is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington, specializing in adolescent mental health service utilization and school-based interventions. Her research examines longitudinal impacts of mental health services, school social work practices, and interprofessional collaboration in educational settings. Education: PhD in Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University (2023) MS in Disaster Resilience Leadership Studies, Tulane University (2016) MSW in Social Work, Tulane University (2015) BS in Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (2014) Dr. Murphy's research focuses on critical intersections of child/adolescent mental health, service utilization patterns, and school-based interventions. Her work employs mixed-methods approaches to investigate barriers to mental health access, the role of school social workers, and impacts of adverse childhood experiences. Current projects examine longitudinal service utilization trajectories, campus food insecurity, and refugee mental health. Her publication trends reveal strong emphasis on adolescent mental health service systems (60%), school-based interventions (25%), and methodological innovation in mixed-methods research (15%). Recent work increasingly incorporates cross-cultural perspectives and pandemic-related service adaptations. Scientific Awards: Hans Falk Dissertation Award Scholarship, VCU School of Social Work (2022) RAACE Fellowship, VCU School of Social Work (2020) Dr. Murphy serves as thesis committee member for four Master's students and teaches graduate courses in social policy, research methods, and school social work. She actively reviews for journals including Journal of School Health and Children & Schools , while contributing to university committees on mental health and academic policy. Her professional service extends to the School Social Work Association of America and Society for Social Work and Research.
Chia-Fang (Christina) Chung is an Associate Professor in Computational Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and health/well-being, focusing on ubiquitous computing and personal informatics to enhance relationships, motivate health behavior, and support clinical care. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor in Informatics at Indiana University Bloomington. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington under advisor Sean Munson, and an MBA/BBA in Information Management from National Taiwan University. Education: Ph.D. in Human-Centered Design and Engineering, University of Washington MBA and BBA in Information Management, National Taiwan University Christina's research explores technology's role in family wellness, chronic disease management, and patient-provider collaboration. Key projects include Supporting Healthy Eating in Families (NSF-funded), Sharing Lifelog Data with Healthcare Experts (AHRQ-funded), and Adoption of Blood Pressure Kiosks with UW Medicine. Her work emphasizes contextual inquiry, mixed-methods studies, and translational tools for societal resilience. Scientific Awards: BEST PAPER AWARD (TOP 1%) at CHI 2024 BEST PAPER HONORABLE MENTION (TOP 5%) at DIS 2018 BEST WORK-IN-PROGRESS AWARD at DIS 2023 Christina collaborates with institutions like Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reos Partners. Her students include Seung Wan Ha, Chun Han Wang, and Yu-Ling Chou. She holds patents for lifestyle progression models and health management frameworks, with media coverage in KION News and CNN.
Dr. Elizabeth M. Gillespie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration at the University of Memphis, where she joined in 2020. She is also an affiliate faculty member with the Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. Dr. Gillespie has established herself as a prominent researcher in nonprofit organizations and philanthropy, with a particular focus on women's philanthropy, women's grantmaking foundations, social change organizations, and nonprofit fundraising capacity. Her work bridges academic research with practical application through strong connections with the Memphis nonprofit community. Dr. Gillespie's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2015-2020) M.P.A. from Drake University (2013-2014) B.A. in History, with minors in French and English, from the University of Iowa (2000-2005) Dr. Gillespie's research centers on philanthropy, women's giving, nonprofit fundraising, grantmaking foundations and funds, and feminist and social change organizations. Her work often examines nonprofit and philanthropic approaches to social change, gender equality, and public administration, incorporating feminist theories and practices. Women's philanthropy forms a central theme in her scholarship, with specific attention to women's grantmaking for economic security, empowerment-focused philanthropy through women's funds, and girls' philanthropy in educational settings. Her research seeks to enhance understanding and advance effective strategies within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, fostering impactful social change. Analysis of Dr. Gillespie's publication record reveals a clear trajectory focusing on women's roles in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Her work spans theoretical explorations of feminist organizations, empirical studies of women's foundations and funds, and practical applications in community settings. A notable trend is her increasing focus on intergenerational philanthropy, particularly with her 2025 publication on girls' philanthropy in girls' schools. Her research consistently connects feminist theory with organizational practice, demonstrating how women-led philanthropic organizations can drive social change while addressing gender inequities. Through her professional activities, Dr. Gillespie bridges theory and practice in meaningful ways. She performs consultant work for nonprofits, specializing in resource development and capacity building through her role at the University of Memphis. Additionally, she writes grants for small to mid-sized nonprofits through her work with Change Granted. In 2025, she co-founded The Women's Giving Collective (WGC), a philanthropic women's giving circle dedicated to empowering women through collective giving. The WGC invests in causes that strengthen communities, transform lives, and advance gender and social equity through collaborative, values-driven philanthropy. Dr. Gillespie serves on the boards of The Memphis Challenge, Academic Women in Public Administration, and The Arc Mid-South, demonstrating her commitment to community engagement and leadership development. Her nearly decade of prior nonprofit leadership experience, beginning at the Women's Resource and Action Center during her undergraduate studies, informs her academic work and commitment to preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
Joshua Le Blanc is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Sciences within the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University. He holds a Ph.D. from the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph, a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from St. Lawrence University. Research Interests: Caregiving, career transitions, helicopter parenting, curriculum design, and workplace generational dynamics. Teaching Responsibilities: Leads courses such as 'Changing Trends in Employment', 'Digital Human Resource Management', and 'Organisational Behaviour'. Professional Activities: Active in academic committees, dissertation supervision, and peer review of research programs. His research focuses on understanding how informal caregivers navigate post-career transitions and the impact of parenting styles on career development. His work has been recognized with best paper awards at the Academy of Management and Administrative Sciences Association of Canada conferences. Awards : Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics Society of Excellence Induction (2019) Nomination for Governor's General Award (2019) Nomination for Management Student Society's Professor of the Year (2020) Oscar Nomination: Academic Community Award (2025) Advising & Grants : Supervises DBA, undergraduate, and MSc dissertations. Engaged in grant-related activities through collaborations and research programs. Labs/Teams : Associated with the CREWS research group, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to workplace well-being and education.
Alessia Melegaro is a Full Professor of Demography and Social Statistics at Bocconi University's Department of Social and Political Sciences, and a Research Associate at the Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics and Public Policy. She holds a Ph.D. in Quantitative Epidemiology from the University of Warwick, UK. Her work bridges demography, epidemiology, and public health, focusing on policy modeling, vaccine strategies, and healthcare economics. She directs Bocconi's Master in Data Science and Business Analytics and leads the Bocconi Covid Crisis Lab, a multidisciplinary initiative analyzing the pandemic's societal impact. As Principal Investigator of an ERC Consolidator Grant, she studies human behavior's role in infection spread. Her research explores optimal vaccination programs, demographic-behavioral interactions, and AI-driven health resource allocation. Notable contributions include analyzing social contact patterns during the pandemic, vaccine acceptance dynamics, and global health equity in vaccine distribution. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, combining mathematical models with real-world data to inform public health policies. Recent studies highlight behavioral interventions for mask-wearing and influenza vaccination uptake among corporate workers.
Dr. Sreedhevi Iyer is a Lecturer in the School of Media & Communication at RMIT University. Her research focuses on creative writing practices, postcolonial studies, and literary discourse analysis. She has authored influential works like *Authenticity and the Public Literary Self* (Routledge, 2024) and *The Tiniest House of Time*, which explores diasporic identities and memory. Her work bridges global literary trends, with notable presentations at festivals including the Melbourne Writers Festival and George Town Literary Festival. Dr. Iyer's creative and scholarly outputs address cosmopolitanism, cultural hybridity, and transnational narratives. She has supervised projects on topics ranging from seventeenth-century Dutch art to queer textual spaces. Her academic awards include Pushcart Prize nominations and a shortlisting for the Penang Monthly Book Award. Research interests include authenticity in authorship, cosmopolitan pedagogies, and decolonizing literary practices. She has guest-edited special issues on the Umbrella Revolution and collaborates internationally on creative writing initiatives. Dr. Iyer is open to supervising Masters and PhD students in creative writing and related interdisciplinary fields.
Jeffrey W. Rubin is an Associate Professor of History and Research Associate at the BU Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA) at Boston University. His research focuses on Latin American history, particularly the historical and cultural origins of grassroots activism and its role in strengthening democracy. He earned an A.B. from Harvard College and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Rubin’s scholarly work combines ethnographic and interdisciplinary methods to explore democratic possibilities in Latin America. He co-authored Decentering the Regime (1997) and Sustaining Activism (2013), and co-edited volumes such as Enduring Reform (2015) and Beyond Civil Society (2016). His current project, Seeing and Not Seeing , examines the interplay of democracy and violence in Latin America through fragmented, evolving frameworks. Rubin has held fellowships from prestigious institutions including the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the Institute for Advanced Study. His collaborative projects involve international scholars studying social movements, religion, and participatory democracy. He has also contributed to special issues like Lived Religion and Lived Citizenship (2014).
Dr. Sarah Foley is a Lecturer in Applied Psychology and Human-Computer Interaction at the School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork (UCC). Her research focuses on healthcare technology, qualitative methodologies, and dementia care. She completed her PhD in 2019, examining design and technology in dementia care, and currently leads projects on women’s health and pluralistic qualitative research. She is a member of the Irish Network for Pluralism in Qualitative Research (INPQR) and a Principal Investigator (PI) in the Lero Centre for Software Engineering. Education: PhD in Applied Psychology (2019), University College Cork. Research interests include HCI in healthcare, qualitative mixed-methods approaches, and technology design for vulnerable populations. Notable areas are intergenerational engagement in dementia care, maternal healthcare for autistic adults, and the role of social media in mental health and fitness. Her work emphasizes ethical research practices and participatory design in sensitive settings. Recent articles explore themes like online support networks for pregnancy loss, nature-based mental health interventions, and challenges in adapting mental health care for autistic individuals. Her studies highlight digital health innovations and systemic healthcare inequities. Scientific Awards: Lero Impact Award 2024 NUI Early Career Award 2020 Teaching responsibilities include modules on Research Methods, User-Experience Design, and Social Computing. She coordinates the User-Experience Design undergraduate module and contributes to postgraduate courses on Designing in Workplaces. Labs/Teams: Active in the INPQR and Lero Centre for Software Engineering, collaborating on projects that bridge technology and healthcare ethics. Current initiatives include participatory design frameworks for dementia care and digital tools for cervical self-sampling.
Ebba Högström is a Professor at the Umeå School of Architecture, part of Umeå University in Sweden. Her work focuses on the intersection of architecture, urban planning, and mental health geography. She leads the research group Infrastructures of Care: Architecture, Livable Lives and Just Environments , active from 2022 to 2027. Her research explores topics such as social infrastructure development, mental health spaces, and aging-friendly environments. Key projects include the Routledge Handbook on Spaces of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2025), analyzing institutional and post-institutional spaces. She also investigates urban renewal challenges related to military land repurposing and designs caring living arrangements for aging populations. Her recent publications address topics like community planning in Helsingborg and critical approaches to mental healthcare spaces. Högström actively contributes to academic journals like Plan: tidskrift för planering , where she serves as a lead editor. She has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects, including the CollAge initiative exploring aging in transforming societies. While no formal awards are listed, her extensive publications and research leadership highlight her contributions to spatial justice and architectural design for wellbeing.
Associate Professor Melissa Carey is affiliated with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Edith Cowan University (ECU) and holds an Honorary Research Fellow position at the University of Auckland. Her research focuses on Indigenous health methodologies, end-of-life care, cultural safety, and interprofessional practice. She has held academic roles across multiple institutions in Australia and New Zealand. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (2016), Queensland University of Technology Research Interests: Her work emphasizes Kaupapa Māori research, autoethnography, and decolonizing health measurement. She explores cultural identity in healthcare, voluntary assisted dying, and palliative care equity. Recent studies include analyzing New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Act and evaluating immersive technology in medical education. Awards: Te Tohu Rapuora Medal (Royal Society Te Apārangi) Health Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020) Outstanding Doctoral Thesis (QUT, 2016) Grants & Projects: Leading the Keteparaha community framework for Māori ageing and end-of-life care, and the A different grief project on assisted dying support groups (Health Research Council-funded, 2025–2026). Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Te Arai Palliative Care Research Group (University of Auckland) and the Voluntary Assisted Dying Research Network (Victoria University of Wellington).
Dr. Abenaa Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University, where she holds the Ann Atherton Hertzler Early Career Professorship. As director of the Addiction, Sex, and Infectious Diseases (ASID) Lab, her research focuses on the syndemic of substance use disorders, violence, sexual risk behaviors, and HIV/STIs, particularly among marginalized and criminal justice-involved women. B.S., 2012, Public and Community Health, University of Maryland Ph.D., 2016, Epidemiology, University of Florida Her work examines racial disparities in opioid overdose training, naloxone administration, and treatment access, with a focus on gender-specific interventions for criminal justice-involved women. She evaluates structural and behavioral strategies to reduce substance use harms, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and trauma-informed care integration. Dr. Jones’ research emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to addiction, intersecting with social determinants like housing instability and incarceration stigma. She has secured significant funding, including an NIDA K01 Career Development Award and NIH T32 training grant, to develop interventions that address systemic barriers to recovery. Scientific awards include: Ronald E. McNair Scholar’s Program (2009) McKnight Doctoral Fellowship (2012) NIDA Diversity Scholar (2019) Bloomberg American Health Initiative Travel Award (2019) She mentors PhD students in Human Development and Family Studies and collaborates across institutions, including the Consortium to Combat Substance Abuse and the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center. Her lab integrates expertise from epidemiology, demography, and clinical practice to address addiction and infectious disease intersections.
Dr Paula McGrath is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin. She has been a core faculty member since 2013, initially as an Occasional Lecturer and promoted to Assistant Professor/Lecturer in 2021. She currently serves as Acting Head of Creative Writing and coordinates multiple modules including Craft of Creative Writing, Life Writing, and Literary Editorship. Her academic home is UCD, where she earned her MA and MFA, and she completed her PhD at the University of Limerick as a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellow. BA (Hons) in Single Honour English Language and Literature – Trinity College Dublin MA in Women’s Studies – University College Dublin MFA in Creative Writing – University College Dublin PhD in Creative Writing – University of Limerick Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning – University College Dublin Her research and teaching focus on creative writing, contemporary fiction, environmental writing, and women’s writing. She supervises creative practice and narrative theory, with a particular interest in trauma representation and intergenerational storytelling. Her novels, Generation (2015) and A History of Running Away (2017), have been published internationally and translated into French and German, with critical acclaim from Joseph O’Connor, John Boyne, and others. Her recent publications include journal articles, book reviews, and media commentaries on feminism, literature, and Irish society. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent engagement with narrative innovation, feminist themes, and psychological depth across fiction, translation, and criticism. Her work spans creative output and scholarly review, often intersecting personal history with broader cultural questions, particularly around gender, migration, and belonging. She frequently contributes to public discourse through The Irish Times and literary journals. Arts Council literary bursary (2016) Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellowship Irish Writers Centre/St. Mark’s English Church Writer in Residence in Florence (2016) Dr McGrath has supervised doctoral research under Joseph O’Connor at the University of Limerick and has taught creative writing across levels at UCD. She has not publicly listed her students, but she has coordinated the MFA module Pedagogic Strategies for Creative Writing (2019–2022), indicating a strong mentorship role. She has received research funding from the Arts Council and the British Academy. Her teaching philosophy is student-focused and research-led, emphasizing a supportive, creative environment. She is actively involved in curriculum development and creative writing pedagogy. She is a member of the academic and literary community, with affiliations to the Irish Writers Centre, participation in international literary events, and contributions to public intellectual life through media and translation. Her work bridges creative practice and academic scholarship, positioning her as a leading voice in contemporary Irish literature and creative writing education.
Raphaela Stadler is a Professor of Tourism and Event Management at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Austria, where she has held the position since May 2024. Previously, she served as an Associated Professor (2022–2024) at MCI and held senior academic roles at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, including Senior Lecturer (2015–2022) and Lecturer (2013–2015). Her academic journey includes a PhD in Tourism and Event Management from Griffith University (2013) and dual master’s degrees from the University of Innsbruck (International Economics and Musicology). Her research focuses on event management, tourism, and the intersection of events with mental health, neurodiversity, and family well-being. She has led/co-investigated projects like Stress Matters UK (2021–present) on event industry well-being and Neurodiversity and Tourism (2020–present). Key awards include the 2024 Emerald Literati Awards for her work on event industry employees’ wellbeing strategies and the 2023 Surrey Conference Best Paper Award. Dr. Stadler teaches courses in event marketing, tourism sociology, and interdisciplinary research methods. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and actively contributes to academic journals like the International Journal of Event and Festival Management . Her work emphasizes ethical tourism practices, inclusive event design, and sustainable human resource management in the events sector.
