Martin Grander is a researcher at the Department of Urban Studies, Faculty of Culture and Society, Malmö University. His work focuses on housing policy, welfare states, and urban development, particularly addressing socioeconomic segregation, housing inequality, and the evolution of public housing systems. Key Affiliations: Malmö University (current) SNS Förlag (book author) Formas-funded research projects European Union Citispyce project Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) collaboration Research Trends: Grander’s publications analyze housing as a welfare dimension, historical institutionalization of housing policies, and contemporary challenges like globalization and financial market integration. Recent articles explore social innovations, youth inequality, and housing market neutrality between ownership and rental. Scientific Awards: Recipient of Årets avhandling (Dissertation of the Year) for his PhD thesis on Swedish social housing. Collaborations: Engaged with stakeholders such as AFRY, Rädda Barnen, Stadsmissionen, Glokala Folkhögskolan, Seved Area Program, and Swedish housing policy actors (Fastighetsägarna Sverige, Sveriges Allmännytta, Hyresgästföreningen).
Devon Curtis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Cambridge, where she serves as Director of the MPhil in African Studies and a Fellow of Emmanuel College. Her work focuses on post-conflict governance, peacebuilding, and the role of international institutions in Africa. Current Role: Director of MPhil in African Studies Affiliations: Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), Centre of African Studies, Emmanuel College Her research explores power-sharing, transitional governance, and critical perspectives on peacebuilding, with fieldwork in the Great Lakes region of Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, DRC). She has held fellowships at Columbia and Stanford Universities and previously worked with the United Nations Staff College and the Canadian government. Recent publications analyze the politics of knowledge production in post-conflict settings, gender dimensions of reintegration, and the legacies of armed groups. She has contributed to journals like Security Dialogue and African Affairs , as well as edited volumes on African politics and global security frameworks. Scientific Awards: Saltzman Institute Fellowship (Columbia), CISAC Fellowship (Stanford) Devon Curtis supervises graduate research on African politics, rebel movements, and international engagement in post-conflict contexts. Her career bridges academic inquiry, policy consultancy, and institutional leadership in African studies.
Christine Trampusch is a Full Professor at the Chair of International Comparative Political Economy and Economic Sociology at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences , University of Cologne. She serves as a Liaison Professor to the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies and is actively involved in the ECONtribute Cluster of Excellence . Her work focuses on: Comparative Political Economy Financialization of states and markets Digitalization in capitalism Case Study Methodology Key research initiatives include: Leading DFG project on Municipalities and their Expectations on Pay-Offs of Swap Deals (since 2016) Co-director of GOVPET (Governance in Vocational and Professional Training) at St. Gallen (since 2015) Editorial board member of European Journal of Political Research and German Politics journals Her publications span topics from: Financialization of sovereign debt Migration impacts on occupational labor markets Institutional change in welfare states Power dynamics in digital capitalism Scientific recognition includes: Wolfgang-Enke-Price (2001) for outstanding dissertation She actively collaborates with: University of Edinburgh University of St. Gallen Max Planck Institute networks International socio-economic research communities
Tobias Harding is a Senior Lecturer at the University of South-Eastern Norway, specializing in Cultural Policy, Heritage Studies, and Civil Society . His research explores the intersection of Swedish cultural policy, secularization, and national identity , particularly focusing on the heritagization of religious architecture and the role of faith-based organizations in secular states. He teaches at the International Master’s Program on Cultural Policy at the University of Jyväskylä and has contributed to critical analyses of Sweden’s cultural canon and the politicization of heritage. Research Interests : Cultural policy, secularization, civil society, religious heritage, and democratic cultural practices. Key Publications : His work includes studies on the Church of Sweden’s transformation , cultural canon debates , and the impact of populism on Nordic cultural policies . Academic Roles : Senior Lecturer at University of South-Eastern Norway, with a docentship in Cultural Policy from the University of Jyväskylä (2017). Contact: tobias.harding@usn.no
Nils Hertting is a Professor at Uppsala University's Institute for Housing and Urban Research (IBF) and holds a concurrent position as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the Department of Government. His research centers on local governance, urban politics, and public sector evaluation practices, with specific expertise in deliberative and participative network governance, civil society dynamics, ethnic associations, public space, and policy implementation challenges across Swedish and European contexts. His primary research domains include Local Governance Urban Politics Network Governance Public Sector Evaluation Civil Society Ethnic Associations Public Space Implementation He critically examines how participatory mechanisms function within representative democracy, the role of ethnic associations in urban political integration, and the rationality behind halting implementation in participatory planning processes. Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals consistent thematic focus on participatory governance in urban settings, particularly neighborhood renewal programs and energy community development. His work demonstrates growing emphasis on equity dimensions, institutional dilemmas in collaborative governance, and the normalization of urban entrepreneurialism through subtle de-politicization tactics in city center developments. Hertting co-founded the Seminar for Qualitative Methods at Uppsala's Department of Government, significantly contributing to methodological development in qualitative political science research and advancing rationalistic generalization approaches from single-case studies.
Cecilia Bruzelius is a Professor of Comparative Social Policy and Migration at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, holding a chair since October 2024. Previously, she served as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen (2023–2024) and at the University of Tübingen’s Institute of Political Science from 2017 to 2023. She earned her DPhil from the University of Oxford (2018), MSc from the London School of Economics (2012), and BA from Uppsala University (2011). Her research focuses on comparative social policy, migration studies, political sociology, and socio-legal frameworks, with a particular emphasis on EU citizenship, social rights of migrants, and the governance of free movement. Key areas include the relationship between migration and welfare systems, EU integration challenges, and institutionalized exploitation of migrant workers. Bruzelius teaches courses such as International Migration and National Welfare States , Political Demography , and Global Labor Migration Politics . She has published extensively on EU social rights, emigration policies, and welfare chauvinism, with articles in prestigious journals like Journal of European Public Policy and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies . Her work bridges academic and policy realms, analyzing how states balance migration control with social protection. She leads the Research Unit on Comparative Social Policy and Migration at Tübingen, contributing to debates on EU citizenship’s socio-economic dimensions.
Christopher Carter is the John L. Nau III Assistant Professor of the History and Principles of Democracy in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia. He is also a Research Associate at the Center on the Politics of Development at UC Berkeley and a Fellow at the Governance and Local Development Institute, reflecting his broad scholarly engagement across institutions. Education: PhD in Political Science, University of California, Berkeley (2020) MPhil in Latin American Studies, University of Cambridge (Gates Cambridge Scholar) BA in Political Science and History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Morehead-Cain Scholar) Christopher Carter’s research focuses on the historical evolution of indigenous-state relations in Latin America, particularly how historical experiences with land and labor extraction shape contemporary demands for autonomy. His work sits at the intersection of comparative politics, historical political economy, and democratization, employing multi-method approaches including field experiments, natural experiments, archival research, and ethnographic interviews. He investigates themes such as national identity formation, party system erosion, communal property rights, and the legacies of colonialism. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward analyzing institutional legacies, state-society relations, and the political behavior of marginalized groups, especially indigenous populations. His work frequently uses innovative methodologies to uncover causal mechanisms in long-term political development, with a geographic focus on Peru, Bolivia, and broader Latin America. He contributes to top-tier journals such as American Journal of Political Science , American Political Science Review , and Comparative Political Studies . Scientific Awards: 2020 APSA Best Fieldwork Award 2021 Juan Linz Prize for Best Dissertation in the Comparative Study of Democracy Leon Weaver Best Paper Award (APSA Representation and Electoral Systems Section) Honorable Mention for the Sage Best Paper Prize (APSA Comparative Politics Section) Christopher Carter has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring. As a graduate student instructor at UC Berkeley, he taught courses in quantitative methods and African politics, receiving the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award. At UVA, he teaches courses such as Latin American Politics, Indigenous Politics in the Americas, and graduate seminars on ethnicity and democracy. He has also led math camps and workshops on natural experiments for PhD students. His research has been supported through fellowships including the Harvard Academy Scholar program and the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. He is currently finalizing a book contract with Princeton University Press titled The Long Shadow of Extraction: The Origins of Indigenous Autonomy Demands . He is affiliated with research centers including the Center on the Politics of Development (UC Berkeley) and the Governance and Local Development Institute, where he contributes to collaborative projects on governance, state expansion, and democratic inclusion.
Sean Lauer is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on urban sociology, community studies, immigrant integration, and friendship dynamics through social infrastructure. Current SSHRC-funded projects explore friendship formation in community organizations Co-author of Neighbourhood Houses: Building Community in Vancouver (2021) with Miu Chung Yan Collaborator with Carrie Yodanis on marriage institutional analysis Key community-university partnerships including UBC Centre for Migration Studies His work examines how cosmopolitan social infrastructure enables cross-ethnic friendships, with recent publications analyzing immigrant network diversity and community organization participation effects. Lauer's research combines longitudinal and treatment effects methodologies to address selection biases in social network studies. As Community Liaison at UBC, he developed equitable collaborative research frameworks through UBC Centre for Migration Studies and established community advisory mechanisms for institutionalized community engagement.
Prof. Dr. Adrian Vatter is a full Professor of Political Science (Swiss Politics) at the Institute of Political Science , University of Bern, since 2009. He previously held professorships at the University of Konstanz (2003–2007) and the University of Zurich (2008–2009). His research focuses on Swiss political institutions, federalism, direct democracy, consociational democracy, subnational governance, and comparative public policy. PhD and Habilitation in Political Science, University of Bern Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Los Angeles (1993–1994) Research Fellow, ETH Zurich and University of Basel (1994–1998) His scholarly output spans empirical democracy research, institutional analysis, and federalism studies, with publications in leading journals such as British Journal of Political Science , European Journal of Political Research , and Swiss Political Science Review . He has edited major works including The Handbook of Comparative Political Institutions (2024) and The Oxford Handbook of Swiss Politics (2024). Recent articles highlight institutional impacts on policy processes, economic performance of long constitutions, and crisis resilience of consensus democracies during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work on bicameralism, electoral systems, and subnational democracy has shaped debates on Swiss political reform. Third Prize, Fritz Thyssen Foundation (2008) Second Prize, Fritz Thyssen Foundation (2003) He supervises ongoing dissertations on topics like intercantonal family policy, cantonal legislative functions, and federal reform. His team includes postdocs, scientific collaborators, and student assistants.
Jiao Luo is an Associate Professor and Andrew Van de Ven Faculty Fellow in the Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship department at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. She holds a Ph.D. in Management from Columbia Business School (2012), an MPA in Public and Economic Policy from London School of Economics/Columbia University (2005), and a B.S. in Economics from Renmin University of China (2002). Education Ph.D., Management (Columbia Business School, 2012) MPA, Public & Economic Policy (London School of Economics & Columbia University, 2005) BS, Economics (Renmin University of China, 2002) Her research sits at the intersection of organization theory and non-market strategy, focusing on how corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and collective governance arrangements impact firm performance and societal outcomes. She examines questions about the strategic value of non-market actions, the comparative efficiency of organizational forms in social goods provision, and the institutional dynamics of market governance. Recent publications in Strategic Management Journal and Administrative Science Quarterly explore topics like philanthropy's role in reputation insurance, CSR in employee governance, comparative governance models for public services, and institutional failures in financial systems. Her work combines theoretical rigor with empirical analysis across diverse contexts including petroleum industries, internet provision, and banking sectors. Scientific Awards Strategic Management Society (SMS) Best Conference Paper Prize (Honorable Mention) Academy of Management Meeting STR Division Distinguished Paper Award (Winner) Alliance of Research in Corporate Sustainability Outstanding Paper Award (Winner) Carlson School of Business Awards (Research, Teaching, Service) As Associate Editor of Strategic Management Journal and editorial board member at multiple top-tier outlets, she plays significant leadership roles in academic governance. Her teaching includes MBA and PhD courses on sustainability strategy and non-market strategy.
Johan Samuelsson is a Professor of History at Karlstad University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies. He holds a PhD in History from Uppsala University (2005) and has conducted extensive research on educational history, progressive pedagogy, and 20th-century Swedish institutional development. His research focuses on the history of education systems, particularly examining progressive education reforms, funding mechanisms, and policy transitions from the 19th century to contemporary times. Key themes include the interplay between national identity, historical narratives, and educational curricula, with a special emphasis on Sweden’s educational policies during the Cold War era. Recent work includes co-authored studies on the evolution of educational governance in Sweden (2025), Cold War preparedness education (2024), and the material and ideological foundations of progressive teaching practices (2021). His analyses often bridge historical scholarship with contemporary debates about educational equity and societal transformation. Samuelsson has contributed to edited volumes on comparative pedagogical theory, historical didactics, and the role of teachers as agents of educational reform. His interdisciplinary approach integrates archival research, policy analysis, and qualitative studies of educational actors.
Beth Simmons is the Andrea Mitchell University Professor in Law, Political Science, and Business Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, holding appointments in the School of Arts and Sciences and Penn Carey Law. Her research focuses on international political economy, policy diffusion, and the impact of international law on human rights. She has authored seminal works including Who Adjusts? (1994) and Mobilizing for Human Rights (2009), both recipients of the APSA Woodrow Wilson Award. Simmons has served as director of Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, president of the International Studies Association, and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Education: PhD, Harvard University (Government) M.A., Harvard University (Government) M.A., University of Chicago (International Relations) B.A., University of Redlands (Political Science and Philosophy) Research Interests: Simmons’ current projects examine global performance assessments, international border dynamics (including 'thickening' borders and border crossings), and transnational crime. She has developed a satellite-derived database of global border crossings and studies public sentiment toward borders as spaces of opportunity or threat. Her work bridges legal frameworks, policy analysis, and geopolitical strategies. Awards and Recognition: 2018 Andrew Carnegie Fellow Woodrow Wilson Award (APSA, 1994 and 2009) Elected to National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Arts and Sciences Best Book Awards from American Society for International Law, ISSC, and ISA (2010) Advising & Grants: Simmons advises on global governance initiatives and has secured grants for research on border infrastructure and human rights compliance. Her work at Perry World House and collaborations with international organizations reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary policy engagement. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Perry World House and global research networks on projects like the border crossings database and studies of international criminal justice frameworks.
Patrick Coy is a Research Professor at the School of Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University. He serves as the Director of the Center for Applied Conflict Management (CACM) and has contributed extensively to nonviolent action theory and conflict resolution through publications, research, and organizational collaboration. Roles: Director of CACM, Research Professor Key Affiliation: Kent State University, School of Peace and Conflict Studies Research Interests Coy’s work focuses on nonviolent accompaniment , unarmed civilian protection , and constructive conflict management . His scholarship examines the intersections of international peace teams , radical politics , and social justice , with a particular emphasis on Peace Brigades International and Christian Peacemaker Teams . He analyzes identity dynamics , privilege in peace interventions , and democratic practices within peace movements. Article Trends Coy’s publications span from 2022 to 1982, with recent work emphasizing nonviolent accompaniment , unarmed protection , and conflict transformation . His research bridges political activism , peace pedagogy , and organizational analysis , often critiquing power structures and advocating for intersectional praxis in peacebuilding. Labs & Teams He collaborates with organizations like Peace Brigades International and has studied nonviolent intervention in regions such as Sri Lanka. His work involves comparative analyses of international peace teams and their impact on human rights and political space .
Prof. Dr. Sabine Panzram is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Humanities, affiliated with the Department of History. Her academic trajectory includes a Staatsexamen from Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg and Universitat de Barcelona (1996), and a doctorate from Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (2001) on Roman urban elites. She completed her habilitation at Universität Hamburg (2013) examining early Christian institutionalization in Hispania. Research interests center on: Urban transformations in Late Antique Iberia/North Africa Social power dynamics through historical anthropology Religious-political intersections in the Western Mediterranean Digital methodologies in ancient studies Reception of antiquity in early modern Europe Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on urban continuity/change, ecclesiastical power structures, and transregional comparisons between Hispania and North Africa, utilizing archaeological, epigraphic, and textual evidence. Awards and leadership roles include: Marie Curie Senior Fellowship (Casa de Velázquez, Madrid) Alexander von Humboldt Scouting recognition Corresponding Member of the German Archaeological Institute Director of DFG-funded centers: RomanIslam (comparative empire studies) and ATLAS (late antique urban atlas project) Extensive advising includes supervision of 8+ doctoral dissertations and 25+ master's theses on Roman urbanism, religious history, and provincial administration. Secured major grants from DFG, ANR/DFG, and Fritz Thyssen Stiftung supporting international collaborations. Leads research networks like Toletum for Iberian antiquity studies and coordinates interdisciplinary teams across European universities.
Andrea Griesebner is a University Professor of Modern History at the Institute of History, University of Vienna , with a career spanning over three decades. Her research focuses on feminist perspectives in cultural, legal, and gender history of the early modern period, particularly examining matrimonial jurisdiction, divorce practices, child custody, and property division from the 16th to 19th centuries. She leads the cross-faculty research group Contexts of Marriage and Divorce and has coordinated numerous projects, including the Doing Divorce initiative (2019–2023) and the Marriages at Court web portal.
