Dr. Sol Gamsu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Durham University and Director of the MSc Sociology Programme. His work bridges sociology, geography, and history, focusing on spatial and temporal dimensions of educational inequality. PhD in Geography, King’s College London (2017) Masters and undergraduate degrees in interdisciplinary studies (sociology, history, geography, French/German) His research spans elite education, spatial inequality, and educational policy, using mixed methods, GIS, and critical theory. Recent publications examine class/racial disparities in UK schooling, neoliberal university reforms, and colonial legacies in elite institutions. 2021: Editorial Board, British Journal of Sociology of Education 2020: SAGE Prize for Sociological Research Online 2000: Invited speaker at international conferences He supervises PhD students in educational inequality and collaborates with organizations like the University and Colleges Union. His policy work critiques meritocracy, private school integration, and marketization of universities.
Christopher Cox is a President’s and Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures, University of California, Los Angeles. He holds a Ph.D. in Egyptology from Brown University, with a dissertation focusing on Kushite Royal Art, advised by Professor Christelle Alvarez. His research explores Nubians as colonial subjects of ancient Egyptian empires and analyzes Greco-Roman anti-black racism in historical and modern contexts. Education: B.A. in History and Classics (Whitman College), M.A. in Africana Studies (Brown University), Ph.D. in Egyptology (Brown University) Cox’s work bridges ancient and modern discourses on ethnicity, colonialism, and cultural identity. His recent publications examine Kushite royal art and anti-black racism in Greco-Roman antiquity. Scientific Awards: President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship
Dr. Huamei Han is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on language learning, multilingualism, and socioeconomic inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly in contexts of globalization. She investigates intersections between Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Anthropology, and Migration Studies, with a focus on immigrant communities in Canada and trade migration between China and Africa since 2009. Key research areas include: (1) Grassroots multilingualism in China-Africa trade hubs like Namibia and South Africa, (2) Intra-group dynamics among Chinese communities in Canada, and (3) Language practices in minority religious institutions. Her work often employs ethnographic methods to examine identity formation, settlement challenges, and the role of religion in immigrant integration. Dr. Han has conducted extensive fieldwork since 2007, producing studies that bridge linguistic analysis with sociocultural contexts. Her collaborative multi-year project on Chinese-Canadian community relations explores social inclusion/exclusion mechanisms through a linguistic lens. She maintains active service roles in academic and community settings.
Jennifer J. Manly, PhD is a Professor of Neuropsychology at Columbia University, with joint appointments in the Department of Neurology, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain. Her research focuses on structural and social determinants of cognitive aging disparities, particularly among Black and Latinx communities. Education: Doctorate from University of California San Diego, Internship at Brown University/Miriam Hospital Leadership: MPI of Columbia Interdisciplinary Research Center on Alzheimer’s Disparities Service: Member of National Advisory Council on Aging (2021-present), HHS Alzheimer's Advisory Council (2011-2015) Her work examines how educational opportunities, discrimination, and socioeconomic inequality across the lifecourse affect cognition and brain health later in life. She has developed culturally adapted cognitive assessments and investigates the relationship between literacy and brain function in low-literacy populations. Recent publications analyze Tau PET imaging patterns, dietary interventions for cognitive decline, and harmonization of global cognitive assessment protocols. Her team employs multi-ethnic community studies, familial risk factor analyses, and neuroimaging biomarker validation. Scientific Awards: Tony Wong Diversity Award (2014) International Neuropsychological Society Career Mentoring Award (2020) Irving Institute Senior Mentor of the Year (2022) Dorathe Frick Memorial Award (1994) APA Division 40 Early Career Award (2003) National Academy of Neuropsychology Early Career Award (2006) Dr. Manly's research has received continuous NIH funding and Alzheimer’s Association support. She mentors early-career scientists from minoritized backgrounds and contributes to national policy through advisory council memberships.
Rasha Diab serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts, holding a Ph.D. in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009). Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Composition and Rhetoric, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2009 Diab's research traverses rhetorical theory, critical discourse analysis, transnational rhetoric, and rhetorics of reconciliation with emphasis on Arab-Islamic traditions. She examines how rhetorical practices operate across cultural boundaries in political discourse, peacemaking contexts, and multilingual writing environments, frequently employing qualitative methodologies to analyze power dynamics in communication. Her work bridges composition studies with postcolonial theory and religious rhetoric. Her 15 most recent publications (2017-2025) reveal three dominant trajectories: 1) Transnational religious rhetorics (particularly Arab-Islamic traditions in legal and peacemaking contexts), 2) Ethical accountability in writing pedagogy and institutional practices, and 3) Feminist and human rights discourses intersecting with microaggression interventions. The scholarship consistently applies cross-cultural rhetorical analysis to contemporary sociopolitical issues while recovering marginalized rhetorical traditions. Diab teaches advanced courses including Transnational Rhetorics (E 387M/RHE 391), Feminist Rhetoric (RHE 330D), and Peacemaking Rhetoric (RHE 330E) across multiple semesters through Fall 2025, demonstrating sustained engagement with her research areas in pedagogical practice.
Tya Collins serves as Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa, leveraging 20 years of multifaceted experience across preschool, elementary, secondary, ESL/FSL, special education, and university contexts. Her interdisciplinary work bridges education, sociology, critical youth studies, Black studies, and disability studies to dismantle systemic barriers in educational pathways for marginalized youth. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Education from Université de Montréal SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at McGill University Professor Collins' research investigates critical intersections of Blackness, disability, language, and systemic trauma through Black-affirming theories and methodologies. She positions youth as knowledge producers while examining special education placement processes, postsecondary outcomes, and resistance to structural inequalities. Her francophone-anglophone bilingual research uniquely addresses Quebec's linguistic minority context, emphasizing racial justice and decolonial approaches in educational spaces. Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals consistent application of Disability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) to expose how special education systems perpetuate anti-Black racism and ableism. Her work demonstrates increasing focus on immigrant student experiences, postsecondary transitions, and methodological innovation through counter-narrative and ethnographic approaches. These contributions advance critical scholarship in educational equity, disability justice, and community-centered research within North American minority contexts. Her scientific recognition includes: SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Professor Collins actively partners with community organizations including the Observatoire des communautés noires du Québec, Réseau de recherche sur les communautés québécoises d’expression anglaise, Avenues (supporting minority youth transitions), and serves as Ontario representative on Desjardins Foundation’s Research Advisory Council. Recent institutional announcements confirm her involvement in nationally funded projects as reported by the University of Ottawa in August 2024. She advises graduate students while teaching core courses including Introduction to Research in Education (EDU 5190), Inclusive and Special Education (EDU 5113), and Equity in Education: Theory and Practice (PED 3124).
Dr. Yari Perez Marin is an Associate Professor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University. She holds affiliations with the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies and the Institute for Medical Humanities. Her research focuses on contemporary Latin American cinema and 16th-17th century Hispanic literature, particularly the history of science in transatlantic contexts. She teaches undergraduate modules on colonial gender studies, race in cinema, and postgraduate courses in translation and cultural studies. Her work is supported by grants from the Mellon Foundation and Social Science Research Council. She contributes to Durham's Zurbarán Centre for Spanish and Latin American Art, delivering lectures on colonial medical history and Latin American cultural representation. Education: BA in Romance Languages and Literatures (Harvard), MA and PhD in Hispanic Studies (Brown University). Teaching responsibilities include convening final-year modules on colonial Latin America and co-teaching race/gender in cinema. She supervises three PhD students researching colonial and contemporary cultural topics. Recorded talks include discussions of her book Marvels of Medicine and presentations on colonial medical literature at ARTES and Complutense University of Madrid.
Subini Ancy Annamma is an Associate Professor at Stanford University's Graduate School of Education, specializing in the intersections of racism, ableism, and educational equity. Her work critically examines the criminalization of marginalized youth in urban schools and youth prisons, emphasizing student narratives as tools for pedagogical innovation. Ph.D. in Educational Equity & Cultural Diversity, University of Colorado Boulder (2013) M.A. in Special Education & English as a Second Language, University of Colorado Boulder (2008) B.S. in Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2002) Her research focuses on DisCrit (Disability Critical Race Theory) , investigating how systemic oppressions shape educational trajectories. Recent publications explore prison schooling, abolitionist praxis, and color-evasive educator discourse. She has co-edited special issues advancing DisCrit as a methodological lever for equity. Dr. Annamma has received prestigious awards, including the AESA Critic’s Choice Book Award (2019) for The Pedagogy of Pathologization , Ford Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018-2019), and AERA Division G Early Career Award (2017-2018). She mentors doctoral students like Ruben Gonzalez and Alexandros Orphanides. As a scholar-activist, she collaborates with the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and SHIPS (School of Humanities, Interpretation, and Policy Studies) program, advocating for policy reforms to elevate marginalized voices in education.
Efrén O. Pérez is a Full Professor of Political Science and Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he directs the Race, Ethnicity, Politics, and Society (REPS) Lab. His interdisciplinary work bridges political science and psychological frameworks to examine societal dynamics. His academic foundation includes a doctoral degree from Duke University. Ph.D., Duke University Professor Pérez specializes in political psychology, with core research examining how language shapes implicit political cognition, racial and ethnic identity formation, and public attitudes toward gender/LGBTQ equality. His methodology emphasizes experimental and cross-linguistic approaches to uncover subconscious political processes, particularly in multicultural contexts where linguistic structures influence policy perceptions and social cohesion. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory exploring language-politics interfaces: early work established links between linguistic structures and time perception affecting policy support (2017), while 2019 studies demonstrated how language directly shapes mass opinion on gender equality and ethnic identity. His research consistently employs rigorous experimental designs across diverse populations, with growing emphasis on marginalized communities and identity-based political behavior. His scholarly contributions have been recognized through significant academic honors. Award-winning book for 'Unspoken Politics: Implicit Attitudes and Political Thinking' As REPS Lab director, Pérez oversees a collaborative research ecosystem investigating systemic inequities through mixed-methods studies of race, ethnicity, and political participation. The lab serves as an intellectual hub for advancing critical discourse on identity politics in democratic societies.
Michael Cholbi is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and has authored influential works such as Suicide: The Philosophical Dimensions and Grief: A Philosophical Guide . His research focuses on ethical theory, the philosophy of death and dying, Kantian ethics, and the ethics of work and labor. Cholbi currently serves as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and holds editorial roles in journals like Journal of Applied Philosophy and Philosophical Quarterly . Research Interests: Cholbi's work explores suicide, assisted dying, grief, Kantian ethics, moral concern for the self, and the ethical implications of work. His recent projects address post-work futures, racial inequality in capital punishment, and the moral obligations arising from procreation. Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD students researching topics like meaningful work, political dissent, and death in Japanese philosophy. Past advisees include Chad M. Stevenson (meaning in life). Active in academic leadership, founding the International Association for the Philosophy of Death and Dying. Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives through the International Association for the Philosophy of Death and Dying, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on mortality-related issues. Collaborates with institutions like the Hastings Center and University of Copenhagen.
Sofía Ugarte is a social anthropologist and Research Fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE), Department of Anthropology. Her work focuses on care, racism, migration, and the life course in Chile and Latin America. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge, where she was an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow and Teaching Associate before joining LSE in 2023 as a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow. Her research explores intersections of gender, kinship, and state formation in postcolonial contexts. Notably, her doctoral study examined Haitian migrant women in Santiago, Chile, revealing how state and economic systems perpetuate racial and gendered inequalities. She is currently completing a book, ‘States of Care: Affective Labor and Racism in Migrant Chile,’ and launching a new project on care, intimacy, and politico-economic crises in urban Chile. Expertise: Chile/Latin America, care/gender, racism, migration, capitalism, decolonial methods Language Proficiency: English, French, Haitian Creole, Spanish Awards: British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship, ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Her recent work analyzes retirement insecurity's impact on household economies in Chile, using ethnographic methods and audio-visual storytelling to explore aging, care, and capital in the cost-of-living crisis.
Richard Cleminson is a Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Leeds, affiliated with the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. His academic career includes roles as External Examiner for Catalan studies at Queen Mary University of London (2010–2014) and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Granada (2003–2004). He holds a BA (Hons) and PhD. His research focuses on intersections between Gender and Sexuality Studies and History, particularly in Iberia. Key areas include the cultural and scientific construction of male homosexuality, hermaphroditism, eugenics, anarchism, and anticolonialism. He has led AHRC-funded projects on anarchism-eugenics dialogues and colonial eugenics in Portugal. Current collaborations include the Spanish Ministry-funded 'Ciudadanía social, estado del bienestar y género en España' and the Portuguese FCT-funded 'Photo Impulse' project. Research outputs include over 150 publications, with recent works analyzing LGBTQ+ movements in 1960s Spain, anarchist anticolonial thought, and eugenic theories in Portugal. His book Anarchism and Eugenics: An Unlikely Convergence, 1890–1940 (2019) explores transnational anarchist engagement with eugenics. Current supervision topics span LGBTQ+ histories in Iberia, cultural studies, and anarchist theory. He serves as Associate Editor of Anarchist Studies and on editorial boards of journals like Dynamis and International Journal of Iberian Studies . Awards include AHRC and Wellcome Trust fellowships. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary debates on race, gender, and colonialism.
Audrey Lyndon is the Executive Vice Dean and the Vernice D. Ferguson Professor in Health Equity at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She holds a PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, and is a renowned expert in maternal health equity, patient safety, and nursing workforce development. Her leadership and research have significantly advanced understanding of nurse-sensitive outcomes and disparities in maternal care. Her educational background includes: PhD, University of California, San Francisco MS, University of California, San Francisco BA, University of California, Santa Cruz Prof. Lyndon's research centers on maternal health equity, community health engagement, and nursing workforce development. She has pioneered studies on patient safety in maternity and neonatal care, including clinician-parent communication, nurse-sensitive outcomes, and severe maternal morbidity. Her work on the CMQCC Obstetric Hemorrhage Toolkit has set national and international standards. She investigates how neighborhood disinvestment, rurality, and systemic inequities affect maternal outcomes, and she leads community-driven initiatives to support survivors of severe maternal morbidity. Her research consistently emphasizes qualitative and health services methodologies to address women's health disparities. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on reducing cesarean birth rates through improved nurse staffing, understanding racial disparities in peripartum cardiomyopathy, enhancing interprofessional teamwork via simulation training, and addressing mental health screening gaps during pregnancy. Her work spans epidemiology, health policy, clinical practice, and community engagement, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to maternal health equity. Her scientific honors include: Vernice D. Ferguson Professor in Health Equity (2021) PhD Program Mentor of the Year, UCSF (2019) Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2012) Award of Excellence in Research, AWHONN (2011) Prof. Lyndon is actively mentoring future nurse scientists and clinicians from underserved communities, aiming to build equitable pathways into nursing and clinical specialties. She leads major research projects such as Holistic Care Partners , a Black woman-led nurse navigation program, and investigations into racial-ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity. Her work is supported by agencies like the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and she collaborates across disciplines to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. She is a key member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Nursing, American Nurses Association, and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), and serves as an Educational Affiliate of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Her research has been widely covered in media outlets, highlighting the impact of adequate nurse staffing on cesarean rates and the urgent need for Black midwives in the U.S.
Naiomi Metallic, an Associate Professor of Law at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law , is the Chancellor's Chair in Aboriginal Law and Policy and Aboriginal Law Certificate Coordinator . A member of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation, she focuses on advancing Indigenous self-determination through legal frameworks. Education: BA, Dalhousie University LLB, Dalhousie University LLL, University of Ottawa LLM, Osgoode Hall Law School PhD (in progress), University of Alberta Research Interests: Constitutional and administrative law in Indigenous contexts Equality and human rights law for Indigenous peoples Revitalization of Indigenous legal traditions Diversity in legal education and the judiciary Recent Publications (2022–2023): Focus on UNDRIP implementation, Mi’kmaq language and legal methods, and systemic racism in justice systems. These works emphasize practical applications of Indigenous law and policy reform. Scientific Awards: Chancellor's Chair in Aboriginal Law and Policy Service & Supervision: Co-chair of Dalhousie’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Committee and member of multiple Indigenous advisory boards. Supervises research in constitutional law, Indigenous governance, and Aboriginal law.
Ziying You serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair of Chinese Studies and East Asian Studies at The College of Wooster where she teaches courses spanning Chinese language advanced literature and cultural studies including specialized topics like Anti-Asian Racism Women and Gender in China and Food and Religion in China. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures from The Ohio State University (2015) an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Folklore from University of Oregon (2009) an M.A. in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature from Peking University (2005) and a B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature Education from Henan Normal University (2002). Professor You’s research bridges Chinese oral traditions contemporary folklore and public health with a focus on grassroots responses to cultural heritage preservation. Her work examines how communities navigate state-led intangible cultural heritage initiatives particularly in rural Shanxi Province where she documents flood narratives ritual practices and mythological adaptations. She actively explores intersections between digital media ethnographic filmmaking and folk performance while addressing gender dynamics through Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies frameworks. Recent scholarship analyzes memorialization practices during the COVID-19 pandemic examining virtual tributes to Dr. Li Wenliang and community resilience among Chinese immigrant groups. Her publication trends reveal consistent engagement with contested cultural narratives shifting from classical myth analysis (e.g. Yao and Shun stories) toward urgent contemporary issues including pandemic responses online activism and heritage politics. This evolution demonstrates her commitment to applying folklore methodologies to rapidly changing social landscapes while maintaining deep roots in Chinese ethnographic traditions. College Citizen Award The College of Wooster (2022) Faculty Connection of the Year Division of Student Affairs (2018-2019) Tien-Yi Li Award for Outstanding Academic Performance The Ohio State University (2014) Dan Crowley Memorial Student Essay Prize American Folklore Society (2010) Archie Green Student Travel Award American Folklore Society (2009) Professor You has advised numerous independent studies on topics ranging from China’s three-child policy impacts to Indigenous activism in Taiwan and expatriate experiences during the pandemic. Her mentorship extends beyond traditional academic supervision into fostering cross-cultural understanding as evidenced by her New Books Network interviews promoting scholarly dialogue. While not leading formal laboratories her ethnographic approach involves immersive fieldwork and digital documentation techniques that function as dynamic research teams engaging community participants as co-creators of knowledge.
