Prof. Dr. Paul Mecheril is a Professor at the Faculty of Education , University of Bielefeld , Germany. His work focuses on Migrationspädagogik (Migration Education) and racism critique, analyzing how difference and inequality shape pedagogical and social practices. Research Interests : Structural features of professional action, moral-theoretical reflection on education, subjectivity and culturality in migration contexts, methodological aspects of understanding, and power-theoretical analyses. Projects : Project management roles in initiatives like Knowledge about Racism , Political Literacy in a Migration Society , and Informal Opportunities and Limits of Higher Education . Memberships : Permanent guest at Faculty Conference (FaKo), Deputy in Research and Young Academics Committee (FoKo) and Equal Opportunities Commission (GleiKo), Board member of the Specialized Language Center, and member of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Conflict and Violence Research. Editorial Work : Co-editor of anthologies on migration education, including Handeln in Organisationen der Migrationsgesellschaft and Regimes of Belonging – Schools – Migrations . Publications emphasize interpretive research paradigms and inquiry-based learning. Recent works explore refugee experiences in German universities, racism in educational institutions, and political speech in schools. His Handbuch Migrationspädagogik (2016) remains a foundational text. Academic Contributions link migration education to broader societal structures, advocating for critical pedagogy that addresses coloniality, epistemic power, and affective dimensions of political legitimacy.
Kurt Borchard is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK). His research spans critical criminology, qualitative methods, and experimental writing, with a focus on deconstructing positivist paradigms in social sciences. He teaches courses on sociological theory, criminology, and the Holocaust. Education: PhD (1998) and MA (1993) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and University of Colorado respectively; BA (1990) from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Key Research Interests: Ethnography, Homelessness, Critical Media Studies, Criminology, and Holocaust Studies. Borchard’s recent work employs conceptual writing to interrogate discursive constructions of categories like 'the criminal' and 'the girl of the period,' linking these to broader critiques of positivism and institutional legitimacy in criminology. His experimental approach combines artistic and academic methodologies, challenging traditional narrative forms. His publications engage with interdisciplinary trends, including: Deconstructing historical criminological texts (Havelock Ellis) and their ideological underpinnings. Reproductive rights and post-Roe societal shifts. Autoethnographic reflections on pandemic-era communication. Critical analyses of racism, militarism, and environmental derailment. Notable awards include multiple fellowships at Holocaust studies institutions and twice winning the UNK Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award. He has taught courses ranging from introductory sociology to specialized topics in criminology and Holocaust studies.
Katrin Hansing serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Baruch College's Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, City University of New York. Her academic career spans over two decades with continuous engagement in Cuban studies, evidenced by spring 2025 course offerings including Anthropology of Violence and Cuban Culture. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Social Anthropology, University of Oxford, St. Antony's College M.A. in Medical Anthropology, University of London, School of Oriental & African Studies B.A. in History & Anthropology, Georgetown University Study Abroad in African History & Anthropology, University of Zimbabwe Hansing's research centers on Cuban society's transformation, with particular focus on resurgent racial inequalities following economic reforms, migration dynamics including the current exodus, and transnational religious movements like Rastafari in Cuba. Her work employs ethnographic methods combined with policy analysis, examining how remittances, foreign citizenship, and market liberalization reshape social stratification. Recent scholarship documents Cuba's transition from revolutionary egalitarianism to emerging class divisions, with special attention to Afro-Cuban experiences. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on social inequality (appearing in 90% of works), migration/remittances (75%), and racial dynamics (70%). Her research evolved from religious transnationalism (2000s) to structural inequality analysis (2010s), culminating in current work on Cuba's demographic crisis and racial re-stratification. Methodologically, she combines ethnography with policy-oriented research, increasingly incorporating oral history approaches. Her scholarly recognition includes: National Endowment for the Humanities grant for 'Democratizing the Past: Cubans Remember the Angolan Civil War' Open Society Foundation fellowship for research on Cuba's economic reforms Re:work Fellowship at Humboldt University for youth studies Friedrich Ebert Foundation support for contemporary Cuban youth research Hansing directs significant research initiatives including 'Breaking the Silence: Cuban Memories from the War in Angola' (PSC-CUNY funded) and 'The Return of Race-based Inequalities' (German Research Council supported). She serves on multiple committees including Baruch College's DEI Committee and Global Studies Committee, while mentoring Cuba study abroad programs. Her policy impact is demonstrated through presentations at the Brookings Institution, European Union Parliament, and German Embassy events in Havana, alongside media contributions to The New York Times, Washington Post, and Deutsche Welle. Her research infrastructure includes extensive field networks in Cuba and Miami, with ongoing oral history projects documenting Angolan War experiences and racial inequality dynamics. Current work examines how migration patterns reshape Cuban society's demographic and racial composition, with implications for post-Castro Cuba's social fabric.
Jacqueline Avanthay-Strus serves as a Regular teacher at the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Saint-Boniface, where she teaches multiple nursing courses including Interpersonal Relations and Collaborative Practice, Community Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Perinatal Family Care, and Introduction to Nursing. With a PhD and M.Sc.Inf. credentials, she is a Registered Nurse through the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, bringing substantial clinical experience to her academic role. Dr. Avanthay-Strus's research focuses on critical contemporary issues in nursing and healthcare, with particular expertise in perinatality and transition to parenthood, sexuality and harm reduction, vulnerable populations, Indigenous health, and planetary health. Her work increasingly addresses the intersection of climate change and healthcare, especially regarding perinatal health and equity considerations. She has developed significant expertise in consensual non-monogamous parenting couples' experiences and the implications for healthcare providers during the transition to parenthood. Her scholarly output reveals a growing emphasis on planetary health and climate change impacts on healthcare systems, with numerous accepted and in-press publications examining how nurses can contribute to sustainable healthcare practices. Her research also consistently addresses issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly regarding LGBTQ2S+ populations and Indigenous health perspectives. This dual focus on planetary health and social justice represents a distinctive and increasingly important contribution to nursing scholarship. Manitoba Training Program for Health Service Research Fellowship ($22,500) – refused (2020-2021) Francofonds Scholarship ($1,500), Manitoba Community Foundation (2020-2021) Community Health Bursary ($1,800; $3,500), University of Ottawa (2020-2021; 2021-2022) Excellence Scholarship, University of Ottawa ($36,000) (2020-2025) Francofonds Scholarships ($1,500; $750; $1,500), Manitoba Community Foundation (2020-2021; 2021-2022; 2022-2023; 2023-2024) CSO ($15,000), Province of Ontario (2022-2023) Sigma Theta Tau International Doctoral Award, Canadian Nurses Foundation ($2,000) (2021-2022) Tylenol® Fund to Advance Diversity in Nursing and Health Equity Research Scholarship, Canadian Nurses Foundation ($20,000) (2023-2025) SSHRC scholarship ($60,000) (2023-2025) Dr. Avanthay-Strus actively contributes to the advancement of nursing through multiple externally funded research projects, including the Planetary Health Nurses Fellowship ($500,000) as Principal Investigator, and several Health Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research projects focusing on planetary health assessment tools, radon gas awareness, and environmental racism education for nurses. She serves as President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment (2019-2021) and participates in the Canadian Nurses Association's Canadian Network of Nursing Specialties (2020-2023) and Baby Friendly Manitoba Community Committee (2010-present), demonstrating significant leadership in the nursing community. Her professional background includes extensive clinical experience as a Public Health Nurse at North Eastman Health Association and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and as a Community Health Nurse and Registered Nurse at Saint-Boniface Hospital and Health Centre from 2004-2014, providing a strong foundation for her current academic and research work in community and population health nursing.
Joanna Gonsalves is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Salem State University, specializing in cognitive and social development in youth and college students. With a strong focus on civic engagement, she has also served on the Woburn City Council for eight years and co-directs the Salem's Next Leaders youth mentoring program. Recent courses: Business Honors Thesis, Honors Seminar, Foundations of Psychology, Research Methods, Cognitive Psychology, Internships Her research spans two decades, combining developmental psychology with practical applications in education and community service. Key areas include service-learning pedagogy, outdoor orientation programs, and strategies to enhance student retention and empowerment. Publications trend toward civic engagement impacts (60% of articles) and foundational language development studies (40%). Recent work explores anti-racist frameworks and institutional debt effects on education, while earlier studies focus on linguistic modality and cognitive reasoning. Awarded no explicitly documented scientific awards, she maintains active roles in academic governance as part of the MSCA Executive Committee and Equity and Engagement Consortium. Her mentorship through the Salem's Next Leaders program demonstrates ongoing commitment to student development.
Benoît Grévin is a CNRS Research Director at the Centre de Recherches Historiques (CRH) , École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS). His work focuses on the historical, philological, and comparative study of language formalization in Western and Mediterranean medieval societies, with emphasis on Latin rhetoric ( ars dictaminis ), linguistic contacts between Islamic/Christian cultures, and textual form comparison. He contributes to medieval southern Italy history, medievalism , and translation studies. Research Themes : Medieval power rhetoric Linguistic hybridity Comparative textual cultures Medieval Latin and Arabic interactions Editorial Roles : Member, Arnos journal editorial committee Co-editor, Collana Regna series Editorial board, Global Perspectives on Medieval and Early Modern Historiography Scientific Awards : 2015 Second Gobert Prize 2012 CNRS Bronze Medal Collaborative Work : Engaged with teams like AHLoMA (Historical Anthropology of the Long Middle Ages) and LaMOP (Western Medievalism in Paris), he bridges historical linguistics, political communication, and transcultural studies.
Ishani Maitra is a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she has held a faculty position since January 2012. Prior to her appointment at Michigan, she taught at Rutgers University (Newark and New Brunswick campuses) and Syracuse University. Her academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to multiple philosophical disciplines. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2002) A.B. in Philosophy from Harvard University (1995) Professor Maitra's research primarily focuses on Philosophy of Language, Feminist Philosophy, and Philosophy of Law, with substantial work in Epistemology and Social and Political Philosophy. She has pioneered critical analyses of assertion, testimony, silencing mechanisms, pornography, and free speech rights. Her scholarship consistently examines how linguistic practices intersect with power structures and social justice, particularly regarding marginalized groups. Current research explores the philosophical dimensions of lying and deception within social contexts. Her publication record demonstrates sustained engagement with speech act theory and legal philosophy over the past 20 years. Key thematic trends include the epistemic dimensions of silencing, the ethical boundaries of free speech, and the contextual nature of linguistic meaning. Her work frequently bridges analytic philosophy with feminist and critical race perspectives, revealing how speech practices can perpetuate social subordination while challenging traditional free speech absolutism.
Matthieu Gillabert is a Full Professor at the University of Fribourg , affiliated with the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences and the Department of Contemporary History . As Director of the Interfaculty Institute of Central and Eastern Europe , he specializes in Cold War history, cultural diplomacy, and student migration studies. Bilingual PhD in History and Philosophy (University of Fribourg, 2006-2011) SNSF Fellowships in Paris, New York, and Warsaw His research focuses on: Cold War cultural diplomacy and soft power Student internationalism and university policies Colonization-decolonization dynamics Postcolonial museum practices Transnational academic networks Based on 15 recent publications (2020-2025), his work spans student movements, geopolitical heritage, and Cold War educational exchanges. He leads FNS-funded projects on Neuchâtel's colonial connections and student internationalism to Erasmus . Collaborative efforts include international exhibitions and digital humanities initiatives. Scientific contributions include: 2025: Analyzed global student movements and cultural diplomacy 2024: Explored postcolonial museum ethics and academic internationalism 2023: Investigated neutrality laws and educational decolonization 2022: Studied francophone academic networks and Eastern European student experiences He chairs the traverse journal committee and participates in multiple research groups including GERME and Zurich Center for Eastern European Studies . His teaching emphasizes contemporary history, Central Europe, and colonial legacies.
Ananta Addala is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Endocrinology) at Stanford University, focusing on addressing access disparities in pediatric type 1 diabetes management and outcomes. She combines expertise in pediatric endocrinology, epidemiology, and behavioral health to evaluate systemic barriers to diabetes technology adoption. Board Certified in Pediatric Endocrinology (2021) and Pediatrics (2016) Fellowship at Stanford University (2020) Her research highlights worsening socioeconomic disparities in pediatric T1D care, provider bias against public insurance, and the adverse impact of interrupted diabetes technology access on glycemic outcomes. She leads recruitment initiatives in clinical trials and co-chairs TrialNet's Recruitment Engagement Committee. Recent studies analyze psychosocial impacts of early CGM adoption, equitable recruitment strategies for underserved populations, and cross-state comparisons of diabetes outcomes in California vs Florida. Her work emphasizes cultural competency and structural funding solutions to overcome barriers. Clinical Science Research Award (Stanford, 2023) Young Investigator Award (ISPAD, 2022) Advocacy Award (Stanford, 2021)
Professor Susan Arndt is a distinguished academic at the University of Bayreuth, serving as Professor of English Studies and Anglophone Literatures since the summer term of 2010. Her academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions including Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/Main and Humboldt-Universität Berlin, where she held temporary professorships in New English Literatures and Cultures, and African Literature and Gender Studies respectively. She also serves as Liason Lecturer for Hans-Böckler-Stiftung since 2018. Arndt's research interests form a cohesive intellectual framework centered on postcolonial theory, critical whiteness studies, and African literature. Her work critically examines the intersections of race, gender, and power structures, particularly focusing on how colonial legacies continue to shape contemporary discourse and knowledge production. She has pioneered research in Critical Whiteness Studies within the German context, exploring how whiteness functions as an unmarked norm that structures social relations and knowledge systems. Her publication record reveals a consistent focus on the relationship between language and power, particularly how racial categories are constructed and maintained through linguistic practices. The most recent publications demonstrate an evolving interest in futurity studies, examining how African and diasporic literatures imagine alternative futures that challenge colonial temporalities. Her work connects historical analysis with forward-looking perspectives, creating a unique scholarly contribution at the intersection of memory studies and futurism. Extensive publications on racism in German language and society Foundational work in Critical Whiteness Studies in Germany Editor of multiple influential collections on African literature and postcolonial theory Regular contributions to public discourse on racism and language Professor Arndt has been instrumental in organizing the BIGSAS Festival of African and African-Diasporic Literature at the University of Bayreuth, creating important platforms for scholarly exchange. Her academic leadership extends to supervising numerous BA and MA theses, mentoring the next generation of scholars in postcolonial and critical race studies. Through her teaching, research, and public engagement, she continues to shape important conversations about race, language, and power in German academia and society.
Dr. Roshanak Mehdipanah serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where her research investigates urban health dynamics including gentrification, housing policies, and their impacts on health inequities across racial, socioeconomic, and age demographics. Her academic credentials include: PhD, University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain (2014) MS, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada (2010) HBS, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (2008) Dr. Mehdipanah's work centers on urban health equity , employing innovative methodologies like realist evaluations and concept mapping to dissect complex relationships between built environments and health outcomes. She examines how housing instability, neighborhood renewal, and systemic racism manifest in disparities across aging populations, cognitive health, and chronic disease burdens, with significant fieldwork in Detroit and Barcelona. Her publication portfolio reveals intensifying focus on housing as a social determinant of health, with recent work analyzing eviction impacts, mortgage discrimination consequences, and pandemic-era housing insecurity. Articles increasingly integrate spatial analysis with community-engaged approaches to expose structural drivers of inequity. As Director of the Housing Solutions For Health Equity initiative and co-lead of Public Health IDEAS for Creating Healthy and Equitable Cities, she directs interdisciplinary teams securing substantial funding including a $5 million CDC grant for Flint community partnerships and NIH support as part of a national health equity research hub. Her leadership extends to community-based participatory research across greater Detroit, where she collaborates with residents and service providers to address intersecting housing and mental health inequities through policy-relevant frameworks.
Kamran Khan is a Research Fellow at the Open University of Catalonia in Barcelona. His academic work focuses on citizenship testing, linguistic border policies, and the intersection of language with racism, security, and Islamophobia. He authored the book Becoming a Citizen: Linguistic Trials and Negotiations (Bloomsbury, 2021), which explores these themes through a sociolinguistic lens. Research Focus: Citizenship testing, language policy in migration, and critical discourse analysis. Geographic Scope: United Kingdom, Catalonia, and Australia. His research examines how language requirements create barriers for migrant families, particularly in the context of Australia's 2020 policy changes that introduced language mandates for partner visas. This work contributes to broader debates on linguistic citizenship and exclusionary practices in national security discourses.
Vera Williams Tetteh is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University, supervised by Distinguished Professor Ingrid Piller. Her research intersects sociolinguistics, migration studies, and African diasporic identities. Current focus on language learning and settlement experiences of African migrants Interdisciplinary collaborations with Sociology, Business, and Marketing Community engagement through African-Australian development projects Her work explores trauma narratives , youth voices , and cultural identity among diasporic communities. Publications highlight racism in Australian contexts , linguistic adaptation , and transnational naming practices . She contributes to public discourse through AfrOzcentric and guest blog posts.
Grete Mehus is Professor of Health Sciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway's Institute of Health and Care Sciences (IHO) in Hammerfest, where she serves as Research Group Leader for Rural and Remote Nursing and Healthcare. Her work integrates academic research with practical nursing to address healthcare disparities in Northern Norway's remote regions, with particular focus on Sámi populations and rural communities. Her research centers on culturally safe healthcare practices, examining challenges in health, living conditions, and quality of life for Northern Norway's residents—especially Finnmark's population and Sámi patients' healthcare experiences. Key areas include Sámi nursing, indigenous nursing education, and rural healthcare delivery, utilizing qualitative methods to explore cultural safety, language barriers, and traditional knowledge integration. Her work addresses systemic issues like interpreter access, cultural load on indigenous staff, and mobile population care needs. Mehus leads the Rural and Remote Nursing and Healthcare research group and contributes to the Sami Nursing I, II, and III projects, which develop national guidelines for Sámi nursing education. Her recent publications reveal strong thematic trends: 71% focus on Sámi healthcare (language rights, cultural safety, indigenous knowledge), 57% address rural/remote challenges (acute care, palliative services, municipal coordination), and 43% explore cultural interventions (yoik therapy, informal caregiving). She actively investigates inter-municipal collaboration for reindeer-herding Sámi and promotes decolonizing approaches in nursing education. Based in Hammerfest, Mehus teaches scientific theory and qualitative research methods for the Nursing BSc program while maintaining clinical connections through her prior intensive care nursing experience in Finnmark. Her research directly informs policy development for indigenous healthcare services across Sápmi.
Ann Warner-Ault is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) . Her work focuses on Latin American literature, avant-garde studies, community-engaged learning, digital humanities, and intercultural competence in language education. Education: Ph.D. in Spanish (Columbia University, 2007), M.A. in Hispanic Studies (Columbia University), B.A. in Plan II Honors Program and Spanish (University of Texas, 1998), Secondary Teaching Credential (St. Edwards University, 2000) Currently pursuing an M.A. in Counselor Education at TCNJ. Her research emphasizes innovative pedagogical approaches, including the integration of multimedia resources, synchronous video exchanges, and collaborative community documentary projects. She leads initiatives to develop Spanish for the Professions certificates in Law, Justice, Counseling, and Human Services, aligning language training with social justice goals. Recent scholarly outputs include analyses of avant-garde legacies in Mexican literature, digital humanities applications in language classrooms, and community-based oral history projects. She received the New Jersey Manufacturers Urban Innovation Grant (2018–2019) and the 1619 Education Network Project Grant (2021) for collaborative documentary work with Trenton’s Latinx communities. Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Dissertation Fellow (Columbia), New Media Fellow (Columbia), Teaching Fellow (Columbia) Ann also serves as a faculty advisor for TCNJ’s Mexican Students Association (Mexsa) and Saathiya Indian Fusion Dance Team, and contributes to institutional anti-racism and global engagement initiatives.
