Nicholas J. Marantz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy at the University of California, Irvine . His work bridges legal theory, urban planning, and empirical analysis to address housing affordability, land use regulation, and metropolitan governance. Education: Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology , J.D. from Harvard Law School . Research Interests focus on the intersection of law, politics, and planning, with emphasis on land-use regulation, environmental law, housing equity, and the socioeconomic impacts of zoning policies. His studies often employ spatial and quantitative methods to analyze disparities and governance frameworks. Selected Publications highlight trends in land-use regulation, housing affordability, climate policy, and metropolitan governance. His recent work examines state-level oversight of local planning, accessory dwelling units in California, and the role of legal materials in urban development.
Laurent DUPONT is a Research Engineer and Co-coordinator of the IUVTT Master’s program at ENSGSI (École Nationale Supérieure de Géologie et de Sciences Industrielles), part of the Groupe INP in Nancy, France. He also serves as Scientific Manager of the Lorraine Fab Living Lab. His work focuses on user-driven innovation, smart and sustainable territories, collaborative engineering, and immersive environments. He holds a PhD in Industrial Systems Engineering from INPL (2009), a DEA (2004), and a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering (2003) from ENSGSI. Research interests include innovation lab strategies, open innovation spaces, territorial resilience, and digital twin applications in manufacturing. He leads projects like INEDIT, exploring co-design frameworks and circular economy solutions. His articles highlight trends in collaborative innovation networks, systemic impact mapping, and the integration of extended reality in industrial contexts. Key contributions include frameworks for evaluating territorial resilience and tools for monitoring innovation lab networks. He has been involved in initiatives such as the DHDA Project for resilience assessment and the Smagrinet project on smart grid training. His work bridges academia and practice through participatory methods and cross-sector collaborations. Current projects emphasize Industry 5.0, open manufacturing, and community-driven innovation.
Ian Wilson is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) and a Professor of Policy Research and Evaluation at Sheffield Hallam University. He holds BA and MSc degrees, with over 20 years of expertise in applied policy research and evaluation, securing £15M+ in research funding. His work spans housing policy, urban regeneration, and social welfare, collaborating with government agencies like DLUHC, DWP, and Welsh Government. Education: BA, MSc (institutions unspecified) Roles: Deputy Director (CRESR), Professor of Policy Research and Evaluation Affiliations: Social and Economic Research Institute, College of Social Sciences and Arts Research Focus: Wilson's work centers on measuring policy impacts, housing affordability, and place-based interventions addressing social inequities. He pioneered methods like shadow pricing for regeneration outcomes and developed frameworks for valuing policy effects on communities. His expertise includes econometric analysis, cost-benefit evaluation, and innovative solutions for complex societal challenges. Grants & Projects: Key projects include evaluations of the Affordable Homes Programme (£10M agreement with DLUHC), Warm Home Prescription project, and Community Renewal’s Lifting Neighbourhoods Together initiative. He has led over 100 research outputs, including studies on housing benefit reforms, urban regeneration, and third-sector subcontractor roles in EU programs. Labs/Teams: Core affiliations with CRESR and the Social and Economic Research Institute, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on national and international projects.
Nick Abel is an Honorary Associate Professor at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University. With a distinguished international career spanning Africa and Australia, he has worked in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, Somalia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Australia. His academic credentials include a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc.(Hons.), reflecting a strong foundation in environmental sciences and complex systems thinking. Abel's research program centers on the critical challenge of human adaptation to climate change, with particular focus on why adaptation efforts are insufficient to prevent environmental and social tipping points. He critically examines Australia's role as the world's third largest exporter of fossil fuels while facing escalating climate impacts, investigating how fossil fuel companies have maintained influence over public policy. His work integrates social-ecological systems theory, resilience thinking, and practical governance frameworks to address climate adaptation challenges. His publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational work in rangeland management and complex adaptive systems toward urgent climate policy interventions. Early research established theoretical frameworks for understanding resilience in dryland ecosystems, while recent work focuses on transformation pathways, Indigenous engagement, and community-based adaptation strategies. A consistent thread throughout his career is the integration of diverse knowledge systems and the development of practical approaches for environmental governance in rapidly changing conditions. Abel has registered to supervise research students at ANU and participates in significant collaborative projects, including the current 'Partnering with local communities in regional Australia to increase resilience to flood events' (2022-2025). His high-impact publications, including the highly cited 'Resilience management in social-ecological systems' (1,120 Scopus citations) and 'From Metaphor to Measurement: Resilience of What to What?' (2,596 Scopus citations), demonstrate his foundational contributions to the field. Through his work with various research groups and projects, Abel has helped establish frameworks for understanding social-ecological systems and climate adaptation. His contributions to the Fenner School include advancing methodologies for integrating scientific and Indigenous knowledge systems, developing practical approaches to environmental governance, and critically examining the political economy of climate policy in Australia.
Patrick Le Galès is a CNRS Research Professor at Sciences Po's Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE), where he contributes to research on urban governance, public policy, and European political sociology. He was the founding Dean of the Sciences Po Urban School (2015–2022) and remains an active faculty member, teaching and leading research groups on urban transformation and state restructuring. His research interests span urban sociology, comparative public policy, political economy, and the governance of European cities. He investigates themes such as financialization of housing, digital cities, urban inequalities, and the reconfiguration of the modern state. His work combines sociological and political science approaches to analyze how cities and states adapt to economic and social change. The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent focus on urban governance, state transformation, and European integration. These works span subfields including smart cities, policy instruments, metropolitan conflict, and institutional change, with keywords in political science, sociology, and urban studies. His research often adopts a comparative framework across European and global cities. Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) Member of Academia Europaea CNRS Silver Medal (2018) Stein Rokkan Prize (2002) Regional Studies Association Best Paper Award (2017) CNRS Bronze Medal (1996) GRALE CNRS Prize (1991) Mattei Dogan Foundation Award of Excellence (2007) Le Galès has supervised numerous PhD candidates and junior researchers, though specific advisees are not listed. He has led and participated in multiple funded research projects, including European, national, and international contracts. He has served on ERC panels and editorial boards of leading journals such as British Journal of Political Science , Socio-Economic Review , and European Urban and Regional Studies . He co-edits book series on Governance (Presses de Sciences Po) and Urban and Social Change (Wiley/Blackwell). He is involved in the 'Cities are back in town' and 'Restructuring the state' research groups at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics. He also contributes to the Transversal Seminars and thematic seminar series on urban and policy transformations. His ongoing project LAC-EU (2024–2028) explores Latin American challenges in the 21st century, expanding his comparative urban research globally.
Maxwell (Max) Boykoff is a Professor in the Environmental Studies department at the University of Colorado Boulder and a Fellow in the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). He holds a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz (2006) and an MBA from the University of Colorado Boulder (2023), complementing his BS in Psychology from The Ohio State University. His research focuses on two primary arenas: the cultural politics of science, climate change and environmental issues, examining how attitudes and behaviors shape action possibilities; and transformations of carbon-based economies, with emphasis on science-policy interfaces and decarbonization politics. His work explores how climate science finds meaning in everyday life and feeds back into policy decisions. Boykoff's publications demonstrate consistent focus on climate communication, media representations, policy conflicts, and societal transformations. His recent work emphasizes digital communication strategies, climate health connections, countermovement analysis, and creative engagement methods. Article trends show increasing attention to social media dynamics, global comparative studies, and interdisciplinary approaches spanning environmental studies, communication, and political science. Awards & Recognition: CU Excellence in Leadership Program (2022) Contributing Author to IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Deputy Editor at Climatic Change journal (over a decade) He leads significant research initiatives including the Media and Climate Change Observatory (MeCCO) monitoring global climate coverage across 82 sources in 40+ countries, Inside the Greenhouse (creative climate communication project), and the Colorado Local Science Engagement Network . He serves on the Independent Science Panel for New Zealand's Deep South Challenge. Boykoff teaches courses including Climate Change Politics & Policy, Creative Climate Communication, Political Economy and the Environment, and Science & Environmental Communication. He mentors through the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre Internship Program and integrates research with teaching and service commitments.
Dr. Pammla Petrucka is a Professor at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Nursing and affiliated with the School of Public Health. A USask graduate with degrees in Nursing (BScN, MN, PhD), she focuses on marginalized populations' health through innovative methodologies like qualitative and mixed methods. Her research emphasizes Women’s Health, Global Health, Menstrual Hygiene Equity, and One Health initiatives. Current projects include improving healthcare accessibility in developing regions and addressing menstrual hygiene disparities. She teaches courses on leadership in nursing, rural nursing practices, and evidence-based health care. Dr. Petrucka’s work has been nationally and internationally funded, supporting collaborative research teams across disciplines. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications addressing global health challenges and cultural barriers to healthcare access. Her honors and fellowships reflect recognition for advancing nursing science and public health equity. Grants & Funding: Successfully secured funding at local, provincial, national, and international levels for research projects. Advising: Mentors a large cohort of graduate and undergraduate students in nursing and public health. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary groups focused on global health equity and maternal-child health interventions. Her sabbatical (July 2024–June 2025) will likely expand her work on One Health innovations and menstrual hygiene advocacy.
Dr. Theresa Jedd is an Environmental Policy Specialist and Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Department of Environmental and Climate Policy , Technische Universität München , since 2019. Previously, she worked at the National Drought Mitigation Center (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2015-2019) and the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (Colorado State University, 2015). Her work spans drought policy analysis, transboundary conservation, and participatory governance methods across diverse regions including Montana, Nebraska, and the Middle East/North Africa. Current Affiliation: Technische Universität München (2019-present) Prior Roles: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2015-2019), Colorado State University (2015) Research Focus: Combines qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, workshops) with physical drought indicators to analyze policy frameworks at multiple governance levels (local, national, international). Key themes include: Climate risk governance Water allocation mechanisms Drought early warning systems Transboundary environmental policy Civil society engagement Ethics of environmental crises Publication Trends: Recent work highlights polycentric governance challenges, drought resilience limitations, and participatory monitoring approaches. Her research spans environmental policy, water resource management, and climate adaptation.
Fulong Wu holds the prestigious Bartlett Chair of Planning at University College London's Bartlett School of Planning since 2011. This distinguished position has previously been held by notable figures including Sir Patrick Abercrombie, Sir William Holford, Lord Richard Llewelyn-Davies, Sir Peter Hall, and Mike Batty FRS. Professor Wu's appointment represents a significant moment for the school to redefine planning discipline in global terms for a new generation. Wu received his BSc and MSc degrees from Nanjing University and completed his PhD at the University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining UCL, he taught at the Universities of Southampton and Cardiff. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to urban planning scholarship with a specific focus on Chinese urban contexts. BSc, Nanjing University MSc, Nanjing University PhD, University of Hong Kong Professor Wu's research centers on urban development in China and its social and sustainable challenges. His work critically examines the Chinese model of urban governance, state entrepreneurialism, and the financialization of Chinese cities. He has made significant contributions to understanding migration patterns, spatial inequalities, suburbanization, neighborhood governance, and urban poverty in Chinese cities. His research provides valuable insights that challenge Western-centric planning theories while enriching global urban studies with Chinese perspectives. His recent publications reveal a clear trend toward analyzing the evolving relationship between statecraft and urban governance in China, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery and financialization processes. A significant portion of his recent work examines how Chinese cities manage crises, with several studies focusing on the Shanghai lockdown experience. His ERC-funded project on rethinking China's model of governance serves as an intellectual anchor for much of this research, demonstrating how Chinese urban governance represents both a distinctive model and a critical lens for understanding global urban transformations. Professor Wu's scholarly recognition includes: Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2016) ESRC 2013 Outstanding International Impact Award Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2002) British Academy Fellow As Principal Investigator of a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant project titled 'Rethinking China's Model of Governance,' Professor Wu leads significant research funding that supports his team's work. He co-founded and coordinates the China Planning Research Group (CPRG) at UCL with Professor Fangzhu Zhang, which has become an influential research cluster generating substantial impact within and beyond the university. His mentorship extends to supervising PhD students and collaborating with early-career researchers on China-focused urban studies. The China Planning Research Group (CPRG), jointly coordinated by Professor Wu and Professor Zhang, serves as a vital hub for research on Chinese urban development. This group has produced influential work on topics including rural migrants in urban China, Chinese land and housing development, urban neighborhoods, and regional governance systems. The CPRG's research output has significant policy implications and contributes to global debates about alternative urban development models beyond neoliberal paradigms.
Detlef F. Sprinz is a Senior Scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Potsdam, Germany. During 2024-2025, he leads the project "AMaReNa - A Market for the Restoration of Nature" , focusing on carbon removals. His academic background includes a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in Economics from the University of the Saarland. Research Interests: Climate policy at multiple levels, long-term policy design, evaluation of international/national institutions, European/international environmental policy, and modeling political decisions for sustainability. Notable Projects: Tandem Fellowship (2020-2022) for interdisciplinary course development, Visiting Researcher at University of Lund (2022-2023), and coordination of research at the Käte Hamburger Kolleg (2017). Publications emphasize climate cooperation under the Paris Agreement, effectiveness of environmental regimes, and predictive modeling for climate negotiations. His work spans empirical analyses of acid rain regulation, Kyoto Protocol implementation challenges, and bioenergy accounting errors. Scientific Awards & Memberships: Tandem Fellowship (German Stifterverband) Member, European Academy Co-founder, Ecologic Institute Teaching includes courses on global climate governance, political decision modeling, and environmental policy at the University of Michigan, Yale, University of Oslo, and University of Potsdam. He has contributed to IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report as a Lead Author. Advisory Roles: Chairmanship of the European Environment Agency’s Scientific Committee (2009-2012), Senior Research Fellow at CICERO (2011-2013), and consultancy for governments, corporations, and think tanks.
Samantha J. Harris, PhD, MPA, is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her primary appointment is with the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative, where she leads state-level evaluations in Kentucky and New Mexico, focusing on overdose prevention and implementation of harm reduction policies. Institution: Johns Hopkins University School: Bloomberg School of Public Health Department: Department of Health Policy and Management Position: Assistant Scientist Education: PhD in Health Policy, University of Georgia, 2021 MPA in Health Policy, University of Kentucky, 2016 BA in Arts Administration, University of Kentucky, 2014 Postdoctoral Training, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Samantha Harris's research centers on improving access to mental health and substance use treatment, particularly through public insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Her work applies mixed-methods approaches to evaluate policies related to harm reduction, overdose prevention, and service delivery within the criminal legal system. She has a strong interest in aging and health, opioid and alcohol use disorders, and equitable access to care. Her recent publications highlight trends in Medicare coverage for methadone and buprenorphine, implementation of syringe services programs, and attitudes toward decriminalization policies. Her work spans qualitative and quantitative methods, often focusing on policy impact and implementation barriers at the state level. Scientific Contributions: Lead researcher on rapid-cycle evaluations of overdose prevention programs Co-Investigator on NIH, SAMHSA, and privately funded projects Frequent collaborator with interdisciplinary teams and state agencies Harris has served in policy-focused fellowship placements and contributes to high-impact journals such as Health Affairs and Drug and Alcohol Dependence . She advises on policy evaluation and health services research but no formal students are listed. She is actively involved in the Bloomberg Overdose Prevention Initiative, working closely with Dr. Brendan Saloner and Dr. Sachini Bandara. Her lab or team is embedded within this initiative, conducting real-time assessments of innovative state policies to reduce fatal overdoses.
Hisham Zerriffi is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry. He also serves as Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. His research intersects technology, energy, and the environment, focusing on rural areas in the Global South. Affiliation: BioProducts Institute Affiliation: Clean Energy Research Centre Affiliation: Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability His research examines institutional factors in technology diffusion, household energy choices, and welfare impacts of energy use. Current projects include analyzing forest density's ecological impact, clean cooking transitions in India, and decentralized energy systems. Recent publications address just transitions, biomass energy economics, and policy misalignments in Indigenous communities. He has authored works on climate change mitigation via forest carbon credits and rural electrification strategies. Scientific Award: Ivan Head South/North Research Chair As a PhD supervisor, he has guided Natalie Payer on urban energy poverty in the U.S. He collaborates on interdisciplinary grants and leads the Energy Resources, Development and Environment Lab (ERDELab).
Lily Hsueh is an Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy (with tenure) at the School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University (ASU), and a Visiting Scholar at the Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University. She is affiliated with multiple research centers, including the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the Center for Environmental Economics and Sustainability Policy, the Center for Organization Research and Design, and the Political Economy Working Group at ASU. She earned her Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from the University of Washington, an M.S. in Economics from University College London, and a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a Senior Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Dr. Hsueh’s research focuses on the intersection of economics, politics, and governance in environmental policy. She investigates how alternative governance systems—such as voluntary programs and market-based mechanisms—affect policy outcomes in areas like climate change, toxic chemicals, and marine resources. Her work emphasizes the role of firms, institutions, and governments in shaping environmental governance and social equity. Her recent publications explore trends in corporate climate disclosure, sustainable public procurement, participatory budgeting, and the health impacts of environmental disasters. These studies employ rigorous econometric methods and contribute to both academic and policy debates on sustainability and governance. Recipient of the 2020–21 AAUW American Fellowship Two-time winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award at ASU (2016–17, 2021–22) Recipient of the 2023 Professor of Impact award (student-initiated) Elected to the APPAM Policy Council (2024–2028) Editorial board member of PLOS Climate Dr. Hsueh has secured research funding from NOAA, the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation, and ASU. She actively mentors students and junior scholars and is currently completing a book with MIT Press titled Corporations at Climate Crossroads . She also leads curriculum development in economics and public policy at ASU and teaches across undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. She is involved in several research teams and initiatives, including the Political Economy Working Group and the Sustainable Procurement Research Group at ASU, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at Stanford on climate governance research.
Dr Vera Axyonova is an Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham's Department of Political Science and International Studies within the School of Government. Holding a PhD from the University of Bremen and Jacobs University Bremen, she has held prestigious positions including Marie Skłodowska-Curie REWIRE Fellow at the University of Vienna and Hurford Next Generation Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. PhD: University of Bremen & Jacobs University Bremen (2013) MA: Fulda University of Applied Sciences (2008) Diploma: East Kazakhstan State University (2006) Her research focuses on international crisis management, cross-border norm transfer, and knowledge production in conflict environments. Recent projects examine European normative engagements in Eastern Europe and academic freedom challenges during forced migration. Her publications appear in top-tier journals like Peacebuilding and European Security . Notable awards include the Marie Skłodowska-Curie REWIRE Fellowship and Carnegie Endowment's Hurford Next Generation Fellowship. She co-chairs the ECPR Research Network on Statehood and Sovereignty and has held visiting positions at European University Institute, Freie Universität Berlin, and George Washington University.
Professor Louis Appleby is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manchester, where he serves in the Division of Psychology & Mental Health. He holds the prestigious position of Director of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health and leads England's National Suicide Prevention Strategy. His work has positioned him as one of the UK's foremost experts in suicide prevention and mental health safety. Professor Appleby's research focuses on suicide prevention across diverse populations including mental health patients, children and young people, individuals with prior self-harm, and offenders. He leads the Centre for Mental Health and Safety, recognized as the largest research unit in suicide prevention globally. The Centre has developed a UK-wide database of over 100,000 suicides that informs evidence-based policy and practice. His research examines risk factors that increase suicide vulnerability and identifies protective factors and effective intervention points across different populations. Recent publications demonstrate his continued leadership in the field, with studies examining suicide in veterans, self-harm patterns in children and women, and suicide risk among patients with psychosis. These works reflect his commitment to translating research into practical interventions that save lives across multiple demographic groups. CBE (2006) RCPsych Lifetime Achievement Award (2021) Knighted in the 2023 New Year Honours Making a Difference Award, University of Manchester (May 2019) Outstanding Benefit to Society Through Research (2015) Professor Appleby has secured substantial research funding totaling £25 million from organizations including the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council, and Department of Health. His leadership extends to numerous doctoral students and early-career researchers in suicide prevention. He has held significant government roles including National Director for Mental Health (2000-2010) and National Clinical Director for Health and Criminal Justice (2010-2014), demonstrating his impact on national mental health policy. As Director of the Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Professor Appleby oversees multiple research programs including the National Confidential Inquiry, the Manchester Self-Harm Project (MASH), bereavement support research, offender health initiatives, and international epidemiological collaborations with Danish colleagues. His work continues to shape suicide prevention strategies at local, national, and international levels.
