Dr. Markus Pauli is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Dublin City University (DCU), affiliated with the School of Law and Government under the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. He has previously held positions at Yale-NUS, the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Management University (SMU), and Heidelberg University. His academic journey includes studies at the Free University Berlin and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). His research spans global governance, collaborative governance, climate change policies, microfinance, survey experiments, and the political dynamics of India and the European Union. He has published extensively on topics such as the external dimensions of the European Green Deal, international public opinion on world government, EU climate legislation, India's foreign policy evolution, and sustainable development strategies. Recent publications include a 2025 article on the external dimensions of the European Green Deal, a 2024 international survey experiment on world government support, and a 2023 book on Indian statecraft and foreign policy. His work intersects with initiatives like the RETOOL Horizon Europe project and GreenDeal-NET, focusing on democratic climate governance and policy innovations. Dr. Pauli actively engages with academic networks, including calls for papers at conferences like UACES and collaborations with institutions such as the Brussels School of Governance and the University of Oslo. He also promotes educational resources, including open-access books and MOOC modules on the European Green Deal.
Csaba Nikolenyi is a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies at Concordia University. His academic roles include editorial positions such as Series Editor of the McGill-Queen’s-Azrieli Institute Series in Israel Studies, former Co-Editor of the Canadian Journal of Political Science, and current Board member of the Israel Studies Journal and Contemporary Review of the Middle East. He has held visiting professorships at institutions including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Australian National University, and has served on significant committees like the SSHRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship Selection Committee. Education: PhD in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. Research focuses on comparative politics with emphasis on legislative studies, electoral systems, and party systems in Israel, Eastern Europe, and India. Specific interests include anti-defection laws, minority governments, and institutional design in post-communist democracies. Recent work examines party switching in Israel and coalition dynamics in parliamentary systems. Grants: Recipient of multiple SSHRC grants and other research funding. International collaborations include work with institutions in India, Hungary, and Australia. Current service roles include Vice-President of the Association for Israel Studies and Board member of the Association for Israel Studies. Teaching: Offers courses on the Israeli political system, comparative party systems, post-communist societies, and game theory. Oversees the Azrieli Institute’s academic programs integrating Israel studies with interdisciplinary research.
Francesca Scala is a Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Concordia University's Faculty of Arts & Science. She holds a PhD from Carleton University, an MPPA from Concordia, and a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University. Her research focuses on gender and public policy, with specialties in reproductive politics, work-care reconciliation, and the role of expertise in policy-making. Current research includes SSHRC-funded projects on work-care reconciliation programs and menstrual equity activism, as well as collaborative work on Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) in Canada. She has authored/co-authored articles in journals like the Canadian Journal of Political Science and Policy Sciences, and her 2019 book *Delivering Policy* explores assisted reproductive technologies in Canada. Recipient of the 2018 Faculty of Arts and Science Dean's Award for Excellence in Academic Service Teaches courses including POLI 498 Gender and Public Policy, POLI 600 Public Policy Processes, and POLI 636 Theories of Public Policy Dr. Scala collaborates extensively with scholars like Dr. Stephanie Paterson on projects analyzing feminist policy frameworks and digital governance. Her work bridges academic research with public outreach, addressing contemporary issues such as the 'tampon tax' campaign and pandemic-era policy learning through social media.
Mayur Suresh is a Senior Lecturer in Law and Student Experience Tutor at the School of Law, Gender and Media at SOAS University of London since 2015. He holds a BA LLB (Hons) from the National Law School of India University (2004), an LLM from Columbia Law School (2006), and a PhD from Birkbeck, University of London (2017). His research focuses on anti-terror laws, law and anthropology, and gender/sexuality in South Asia. He is a Fellow at the Centre for Liberal Arts and Science Pedagogies, emphasizing writing-based teaching practices. Research highlights include his book Terror Trials: Life and Law in Delhi's Courts (2023), exploring ethnographic fieldwork in terrorism trials, and the Leverhulme Research Leadership Award (2023) for studying the Indian state's use of law in authoritarian contexts. He has co-edited The Shifting Scales of Justice: The Supreme Court in Neo-liberal India (2014) and published widely on legal anthropology and socio-legal processes. PhD Supervision: Currently guiding research on institutional legal consciousness, sexual consent in Indian law, family courtroom emotions, and socio-legal analysis of sex crimes. Awards: Leverhulme Research Leadership Award (2023). Contact: Email ms148@soas.ac.uk , Tel: +44 (0)20 7898 4646. Mayur’s work bridges legal theory and practice, with a focus on marginalized voices in legal systems and the anthropological study of judicial processes.
Jason Pierceson is a Professor in the School of Politics and International Affairs at the University of Illinois Springfield. He specializes in public law, LGBTQ rights, and political/legal theory. His research explores intersections of sexuality, gender, and the law, with notable contributions to understanding judicial precedents like Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins and their impact on LGBTQ policies. Pierceson holds a Ph.D. in Politics from Brandeis University (2011). He served as a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in American Studies at the University of Alberta and has provided expert testimony in federal civil rights cases. His work appears in major media outlets including The New York Times , The Washington Post , and National Public Radio . Research interests include LGBTQ legal frameworks, transgender rights jurisprudence, and the role of courts in shaping public policy. His scholarship bridges theoretical analysis with practical legal outcomes, emphasizing how legal systems address marginalized communities. Pierceson's publications span monographs, encyclopedias, and peer-reviewed articles, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to political and legal studies. Awards: Fulbright Visiting Research Chair (2011) Expert Contributions: Federal civil rights litigation testimony, media commentary Key Themes: Employment discrimination, transgender rights, judicial decision-making
Prof. Jakob Edler holds dual roles as Executive Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) since 2018 and Professor of Innovation Policy and Strategy at the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIoIR, University of Manchester). He previously led MIoIR (2011–2018) and served in multiple leadership roles at Fraunhofer ISI, including Department Head (2006). His research focuses on governance and policy in science and innovation, with emphases on public procurement of innovation, mission-oriented policies, and technology sovereignty. He leads EU-funded projects like SIPER (evaluation practices in innovation policy) and contributes to the Norwegian OSIRIS initiative on science-society impact. Education: PhD in Political Science (University of Mannheim, summa cum laude ), two Masters degrees (Business Administration/Political Science/Economic History), and a Dartmouth College exchange year. Completed an EU Commission internship during his PhD. Affiliations: Member of German National Academy for Science and Engineering (Acatech), German Council of Science and Humanities, Royal Society for the Arts, and Innovate UK’s Innovation Caucus. Chairs the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research and previously led the Eu-SPRI Forum (2016–2021). His work addresses policy impacts, socio-technical governance, and intangibles-driven innovation. He advises governments globally, with funding from UK Research Councils, EU, OECD, and others. Notable recognition includes an Outstanding rating from the UK’s Research Evaluation Framework (2014). Key contributions: Over 150 publications, including works on technology sovereignty, mission-oriented policies, and responsible innovation. Leads Fraunhofer’s resilience framework development and collaborates with international organizations like the Norwegian Research Council and the OECD.
Dr Gabrielle Golding is a Senior Lecturer at the Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide, and serves as Associate Dean of Law (Learning and Teaching). She specializes in employment and contract law, focusing on the intersection of legal norms and workplace realities. Her research has influenced Australian legislation, including amendments to the Fair Work Act, and been cited in federal court rulings. Golding holds a PhD in employment and contract law (awarded the Bonython Prize) and has held roles at Monash University, the Federal Court of Australia, and international law firm Minter Ellison. Affiliations: Adelaide Law School, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics Education: PhD (University of Adelaide), LLM (ANU), B.Laws (Honours) & B.A. (Politics) Research Interests: Implied contract terms, right to disconnect, procedural fairness in disciplinary processes, and statutory unconscionability. Her book Shaping Contracts for Work (Oxford UP, 2023) was shortlisted for the prestigious Peter Birks Prize. Golding engages widely with media (BBC, ABC, The Guardian) and advises organizations like the International Labour Organization and Australian unions. Awards include the Barbara Kidman Women's Fellowship (2022) and multiple teaching/research nominations. Grants: Over $100,000 in funding from Adelaide Law School, the Law Foundation of SA, and external bodies like the Solidarity Center. Teaching includes courses on contract law, employment law, and legal research. Lab/Team: Coordinates the South Australian Chapter of the Australian Labour Law Association and collaborates with global networks like the Labour Law Research Network.
Charles Tien is a Professor of Political Science at Hunter College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY). His research focuses on American politics, congressional dynamics, quantitative methods, and representation of minorities and women in U.S. Congress. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Iowa in 1997. Tien was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award (1999-2000) to teach American politics at People’s University in Beijing, China. He has contributed to major journals such as Polity , Public Choice , and Public Opinion Quarterly , and co-edits Polity , a flagship journal in political science. His work emphasizes election forecasting, particularly in turbulent political environments, and explores how minority and gender representation shape legislative processes. Tien’s research often bridges statistical analysis with sociopolitical realities, offering insights into electoral behavior, institutional decision-making, and policy outcomes. He has engaged in public discourse through media contributions, including analyses of the 2024 presidential election’s economic dimensions and the contested 2023 U.S. House Speaker election.
James S. Fishkin is the Janet M. Peck Professor of International Communication at Stanford University, holding dual roles as Professor of Communication and Professor of Political Science (by courtesy). He directs the Deliberative Democracy Lab and is a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. His work focuses on revitalizing democracy through deliberative processes, most notably developing Deliberative Polling® – a methodology used globally to inform public decision-making. Fishkin is also affiliated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, and Trinity College, Cambridge. Education: B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) in Political Science from Yale College (1970), Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale (1975), and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge (1976). Research Interests: Fishkin's pioneering work explores how deliberative methods can transform democratic participation. He investigates how informed citizen deliberation affects policy preferences, reduces polarization, and enhances governance in diverse contexts like China, Uganda, and Texas. His theories address democratic renewal, the role of technology in deliberation, and cross-cultural applications of deliberative democracy. Awards: Recognized as a Guggenheim Fellow and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Fishkin's contributions to democratic theory have earned global acclaim. His work bridges academic and practical realms, influencing policy design and institutional reforms worldwide. Grants & Advising: Fishkin has led major projects in over 28 countries, collaborating with governments and NGOs to implement deliberative practices. His lab designs innovative consultation frameworks, including online platforms for scalable deliberation. He advises on institutionalizing deliberative methods in legislative and civic systems. Labs/Teams: The Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford develops cutting-edge methodologies, from AI-moderated forums to randomized deliberative experiments. His global network includes collaborators in 100+ Deliberative Polling projects across continents.
Dr. Emily Postan serves as Senior Lecturer and Chancellor's Fellow in Bioethics at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh Law School, where she also holds the position of Deputy Director of the Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences and the Law with lead responsibility for policy engagement. Her academic leadership extends to Director of Postgraduate Academic Guidance within the Law School. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2017), LLM (Distinction), MA(Hons), and MLitt by research in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh and University of Stirling. Prior to her academic career, she spent a decade in policy management at the Scottish Government. Postan's research centers on the intersection of biomedical technologies, personal information, and identity formation, with particular focus on how health informatics shapes our self-conception. Her work critically examines ethical governance frameworks for bioinformation, emphasizing the narrative dimensions of identity. She explores how AI-driven health data classification impacts belonging and social categorization, particularly through her current project 'Identity by Algorithm: Ethical Impacts of Categorisation by Health AI'. Her scholarly output reveals consistent engagement with neuroethics, genomic regulation, and AI ethics, with publications spanning from foundational identity theory to practical policy recommendations. The trajectory shows increasing focus on algorithmic governance in healthcare, culminating in the 2025 international consensus paper on AI trust frameworks. 2018 Rising Star lecture at International Neuroethics Society Annual Meeting Project leadership for Nuffield Council on Bioethics’ 2013 Novel Neurotechnologies report Key contributions to Scottish policy through Mason Institute submissions on organ donation, human tissue legislation, and Adults with Incapacity Act reforms As a doctoral supervisor, she mentors researchers in bioethics and medical law, currently guiding Gokce Kolukisa's work on 'Genome Editing in International Law'. Her Wellcome Trust-funded project 'Confronting the Liminal Spaces of Health Research Regulation' (2017-2021) established her as a leading voice in health research governance. Postan actively engages with media and policymakers on bioethics issues, bridging academic research and real-world application through the Mason Institute's policy portfolio.
Helén Örnemark Hansen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Law, Lund University. Her work focuses on criminal law, legislative analysis, and regulatory frameworks with particular emphasis on fraud prevention, penal policy, and social welfare legislation. She actively contributes to Swedish legal reform processes through consultation responses and scholarly publications. Her research interests align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically addressing justice reforms and legal protections. Notable contributions include analyses of sentencing laws, pretrial detention practices, and international conventions against pharmaceutical fraud. She has collaborated on over 19 research outputs including policy consultations and legal reports. While no specific awards are listed, her engagement in high-impact legal consultations demonstrates significant professional recognition. She has supervised one documented academic work, reflecting her commitment to legal education and mentorship. Her publications consistently address contemporary legal challenges in criminal justice systems, emphasizing evidence-based legislative improvements and human rights considerations within penal frameworks.
Lola Akin Ojelabi is an Adjunct Professor at La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University, Australia. She is admitted to legal practice in Victoria, Australia and Nigeria, and is a Nationally Accredited Mediator. Her research focuses on access to justice, conflict resolution, and justice in international cooperation, particularly examining how legal processes meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Research Focus: Access to justice for vulnerable communities Ethical standards in dispute resolution Cultural and dignity considerations in mediation Online dispute resolution effectiveness Education: PhD, La Trobe University LLM, Lagos State University LLB (Honours), Obafemi Awolowo University LLB, La Trobe University PDLP, Monash University
Professor Raylene Cooke is a distinguished academic at Deakin University, serving in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science Engineering and Built Environment. As Course Director for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology), she champions experiential learning through field studies, work-integrated opportunities, and global mobility programs. Her leadership extends to faculty working groups focused on enhancing work-integrated learning and student global engagement. Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin University Bachelor of Education, Deakin University Bachelor of Science, Deakin University Professor Cooke's research passion centers on wildlife conservation, particularly focusing on how disturbance processes like urbanization, rodenticides, fire, and invasive species impact ecosystems and wildlife. Her pioneering work with powerful owls has transformed understanding of how apex predators adapt to urban environments. She employs spatial modeling and GPS tracking technologies to study predator movements and habitat use across urban-forest gradients. Her recent research investigates rodenticide prevalence in native wildlife across Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and she contributes to long-term studies on fire and climate change impacts on small mammals in the Grampians National Park. Professor Cooke's publication record reveals a strong focus on apex predator ecology, particularly powerful owls, across urbanizing landscapes. Her work integrates spatial ecology, toxicology, and conservation biology to address pressing environmental challenges. Recent publications highlight increasing concern about rodenticide exposure in native wildlife, urban habitat fragmentation effects on predators, and climate change impacts on small mammal communities. Her research consistently bridges theoretical ecology with practical conservation applications, often involving multi-institutional collaborations and field-based approaches. 2020 Australian Award for University Teaching - National Programs Award for Programs that Enhance Learning 2017 Vice Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence 2016 Nancy Millis Award for Science in Parks 2015 Vice Chancellors Award for Outstanding Contributions to Global Experiences 2007 Carrick Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (National award) 2005 Vice-Chancellors Award for Distinguished Teaching 2005 Deakin University Award for Teaching Excellence Professor Cooke maintains an active supervision portfolio with multiple current doctoral and masters students investigating topics ranging from rodenticide impacts to climate change refugia. Her extensive grant portfolio demonstrates strong industry and government partnerships, with recent projects funded by Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water Corporation, and various local councils. These grants support field research on powerful owl ecology, post-fire small mammal recovery, and rodenticide exposure across diverse Australian landscapes. Her research team includes honors students and postgraduates working collaboratively on urban processes, raptor ecology, invasive species, and conservation ecology. Professor Cooke leads a dynamic research group focused on wildlife conservation biology, with particular emphasis on apex predators in changing landscapes. Her team collaborates with Parks Victoria, local councils, and environmental organizations to translate research into practical conservation management. The group maintains long-term monitoring programs in the Grampians National Park and across Melbourne's urban fringe, employing cutting-edge technologies including GPS tracking, spatial modeling, and ecotoxicology to address contemporary conservation challenges.
Kevin DeLuca is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University and a Resident Fellow at the Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS). He is also a Faculty Affiliate at the Center for the Study of American Politics (CSAP). His research focuses on political institutions, the political economy of media, and election laws, particularly examining the role of local newspapers in shaping political outcomes. DeLuca holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University (2023), an M.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin (2015), and a B.A./B.S. in Economics and Psychology from the same university (2014). He teaches courses such as 'Data Analytics for Redistricting and Voting Rights' and 'Regulating Elections: Voting Rights and Election Law.' His work intersects with computational methods in redistricting analysis and the influence of media on electoral processes. Previously, he collaborated with institutions like the MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) and the Stanford-MIT Healthy Elections Project. His research emphasizes methodologies like Bayesian geocoding for redistricting validation and explores partisan dynamics in gerrymandering solutions. He has contributed to groundbreaking studies on candidate quality measurement via media endorsements and the impact of top-tier elections on down-ballot races.
Dr Daniel Peart is a Reader in American History at Queen Mary University of London, part of the School of History. He holds a BA and PhD from University College London (UCL) and an MSc from the Institute for the Study of the Americas (University of London). His research focuses on the relationship between Americans and their government in the early United States, with notable works including Era of Experimentation and Lobbyists and the Making of U.S. Tariff Policy . He has been awarded grants from institutions such as the QMUL Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Virginia Historical Society, and the Library Company of Philadelphia. Peart’s current research includes a project on Speakers of the US House of Representatives and a digital humanities initiative analyzing legislative output from 1789–1861. He has contributed to editorial roles for Reviews in History and engages in public outreach through podcasts and documentaries. His teaching and supervision expertise spans 18th- and 19th-century US history, particularly in politics, policymaking, and democracy.
