Eileen Klein is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Convener of the BSW Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey's School of Social Science and Human Services. Her work focuses on LGBTQ mental health treatment , community support systems , and policy reform for marginalized populations. Klein has presented extensively at international conferences on topics like cultural competency in social work education and LGBTQ health disparities . Ph.D., M.S., and M.S.W. from New York University and SUNY Buffalo Key research areas: LGBTQ Mental Health, Community Health Disparities, Forensic Social Work Published 15+ works (2013-2021) on topics ranging from polypharmacy to support programs for LGBTQ clients Active in professional development: Delivered presentations at conferences across the U.S. and Italy on topics including integrated treatment and supervision of student interns
Uwe Flick is a Seniorprofessor in the Department of Education and Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin, specializing in Qualitative Social and Education Research. He has held professorships at Alice Salomon University and Hannover Medical School and is internationally recognized for his contributions to qualitative methodology. Education: Dr. phil. from Freie Universität Berlin (1988), Habilitation in Psychology from Technical University of Berlin (1994). Professional Affiliations: Freie Universität Berlin (2013–present, Seniorprofessor since 2022), Alice Salomon University (2004–2013), Hannover Medical School (1996–1997). His research centers on qualitative methods , social representations of health and illness , chronic illness , migration , and vulnerability . He investigates the lived experiences of marginalized groups, including chronically ill youth, homeless adolescents, and refugees, often employing triangulation and mixed methods to deepen understanding. The 15 most recent publications highlight his sustained focus on advancing qualitative research methodology—editing handbooks, writing foundational texts, and refining concepts of research quality, triangulation, and design. Simultaneously, his empirical work explores health communication, peer relationships, and integration challenges among vulnerable populations, demonstrating a powerful integration of methodological innovation with socially relevant inquiry. Scientific Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award in Qualitative Inquiry, ICQI (2019) Flick actively advises doctoral students through his Promotionskolloquium and has secured substantial research funding for projects on refugee integration, sleep disorders, and chronic illness. His editorial roles in journals like Qualitative Research , Journal of Health Psychology , and Sozialer Sinn , and his leadership in book series such as Qualitative Sozialforschung , underscore his influence in shaping the field. He is a central figure in qualitative research communities, frequently engaging as a visiting scholar and professor across Europe and globally. He leads a research team at Freie Universität Berlin, supervising master’s and doctoral projects on topics like peer relations, health concepts, and migration, fostering the next generation of qualitative researchers.
Anna Grigolon is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente , Netherlands, affiliated with the Transport Engineering and Management Research Group . Her research focuses on sustainable urban mobility , user-centric transport solutions , and travel behavior analysis using tools like discrete choice modeling , spatial analysis , and social psychology theories . Research Interests : Sustainable Urban Mobility Accessibility Modeling Travel Behavior Discrete Choice and Latent Class Modeling Spatial Analysis and GIS Shared Micromobility and Mobility Hubs Equity in Transport Planning Article Trends : Anna’s recent work (2025–2024) emphasizes mobility justice , 15-minute city transitions, and equity in transport access , particularly for marginalized communities like São Paulo favelas. She integrates digital tools (e.g., serious games, kiosks) and space-time metrics to evaluate mobility solutions. Projects : She currently leads the SmartHubs project and contributes to DREAMS and R-map , focusing on smart, equitable mobility systems in Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Jim Thatcher is an Assistant Professor at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University. He serves as editor of Cartographic Perspectives , a leading journal in cartography. His research focuses on the intersection of technology, society, and environment, particularly examining how data and spatial technologies operate within capitalist systems. Key areas include Critical GIS, Critical Cartography, and Digital Political Ecology. Thatcher's current projects explore equitable coastal flood risk modeling using topological data analysis, mapping infrastructural legacies of slavery in the Pacific Northwest, and creating accessible disaster response maps for non-English speakers in Oregon. He also investigates spectral governance for rural internet access, cartography's societal role, climate education through board games, and geographic influences on electoral districting. His research emphasizes critical approaches to spatial data, questioning representational practices and power dynamics embedded in geospatial technologies. Recent work includes analyzing Bitcoin mining's environmental impacts on hydropower systems and examining the World Bank's renewable energy mapping through Critical Data Studies. Thatcher actively mentors graduate students and encourages interdisciplinary inquiries blending critical social theory with computational methods. Thatcher has authored numerous articles and co-authored Data Power (Pluto Press, 2022), an open-access exploration of data's role in societal control and resistance. His scholarship bridges critical geography with emerging technologies, advocating for ethical and equitable spatial practices in an increasingly data-driven world.
Mathias Funk is an Associate Professor in the Industrial Design department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), leading the Things Ecology lab. His research focuses on designing with data and systems behavior, particularly in IoT and medical technology contexts. He co-founded UXsuite GmbH and developed the OOCSI communication framework. With a PhD in Electrical Engineering from TU/e (2011), Funk has held academic roles since 2013, including postdoctoral positions in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design. He teaches courses like 'Data-enabled design' and supervises projects on AI, data foundry, and OOCSI applications. His work bridges engineering and design, addressing sustainability and human values through systemic design approaches. Education: PhD in Electrical Engineering, TU/e (2011) Computer Science background from RWTH Aachen Postdoc at TU/e's Electrical Engineering and Industrial Design departments Research Interests: Data-driven design methodologies, IoT systems, medical technology innovation, sustainable design practices, and interactive systems for musical expression. Recent work emphasizes telemonitoring efficacy in heart failure care and federated learning applications. Awards: Best Paper Award (2014) Honorable Mention (2021) Grants/Projects: Leading initiatives like MEDICAID (medtech solutions), ACACIA (interpretable AI), and Data-Driven Servitizing in Professional Printing. Active in clinical workflow prototyping and cardiovascular disease detection projects. Lab Activities: Manages the Things Ecology lab, focusing on systemic design challenges in smart ecosystems. Collaborates internationally through spin-offs and visiting lectureships.
Abigail Jacobs is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan , jointly appointed in the School of Information and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts . She is also affiliated with the Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing (ESC) and the Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS) . Education: PhD in Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder (2015-2019) BA in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences and Mathematics, Northwestern University (2011-2015) Research Interests: Dr. Jacobs examines measurement and validity in machine learning , focusing on hidden assumptions in AI systems, governance structures in sociotechnical systems, and inequality in algorithmic design. Her work bridges AI, data science, and social science methodologies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent Publications (2024-2025) explore generative AI evaluation, algorithmic transparency in government (e.g., US Census Bureau), motion capture data ethics, and sociotechnical frameworks for AI governance. Earlier works (2023) address fairness in ranking systems and racial categorization in algorithmic bias studies. Scientific Awards: Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellowship (2024) NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (during PhD) Advising & Grants: She co-advises Ph.D. students Amina Abdu and Meera Desai . Her research includes a Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab grant on AI audits and collaborations with institutions like UC Berkeley, Microsoft Research, and the National Academies .
Molly Greene is a Professor of History and Hellenic Studies at Princeton University. Her work focuses on the Ottoman Empire and the Mediterranean world, with expertise in early modern Christian-Muslim interactions, maritime history, and colonial dynamics. She served on the Executive Committee of the Program in Hellenic Studies from 2011 to 2022. Her research bridges Ottoman administrative systems, ethnic communities, and religious coexistence. Affiliations: Princeton University (current), Center for Hellenic Studies (past committee role) Her research explores themes such as Ottoman governance mechanisms, the role of piracy in Mediterranean trade, and socio-economic relationships between Christian and Muslim populations. Recent work emphasizes the agency of non-state actors and marginalized groups in shaping imperial structures. Greene’s publications include seminal works like A Shared World (2002) and Catholic Pirates and Greek Merchants (2010), which reframe understandings of religious and economic networks in early modern Europe. She has also published in Greek, reflecting her deep engagement with Hellenic cultural history. Teaching: Courses on the Mediterranean’s historical trajectory, Ottoman Empire studies, and early modern global connections. She advises students on topics spanning Ottoman social history, Mediterranean maritime networks, and interfaith historiography. Her research has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Greene’s interdisciplinary approach integrates archival research from multiple languages and regions, emphasizing the Mediterranean as a cohesive yet diverse space. She is a leading voice in redefining narratives of early modern empire and cross-cultural interaction.
Pardis Emami-Naeini is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Duke University, with joint appointments in the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She serves as the Director of the Duke Interdisciplinary Security, Privacy, and Interaction Research (InSPIre) lab and is a Duke Science and Technology Scholar. Her interdisciplinary work bridges computer science, public policy, and electrical engineering, with a focus on developing usable privacy and security solutions that empower individuals from diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. Dr. Emami-Naeini earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University in 2020, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Washington (2020-2022). Her research sits at the intersection of security, privacy, and human-computer interaction, with particular expertise in IoT security, technology-enabled abuse, reproductive health privacy, and smart city security. She has published extensively at flagship venues including IEEE S&P, CHI, CSCW, and SOUPS, with her work covered by major media outlets such as Wired and The Wall Street Journal. Her recent publications reveal a clear trajectory toward examining the human dimensions of security and privacy in emerging technologies, from LLM chatbots for mental health to social robots and period-tracking apps in the post-Roe v. Wade landscape. Her work consistently emphasizes the need for privacy-aware design that accounts for diverse user needs and contexts, particularly for vulnerable populations. Google Systems and ML Research Gift Award (2025) Google AI Research Scholar Program Award (2024) Top 5% Instructor in Duke Trinity College (2024) ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award (2023) Duke Science and Technology Scholar (2022) IEEE S&P paper highlighted in IEEE Security and Privacy Magazine (2021) CyLab Presidential Fellowship (2019) Dr. Emami-Naeini actively mentors several Ph.D. students including Jabari Kwesi, Jessie Cao, and Hiba Laabadli, as well as undergraduate and master's students. Her research has influenced key organizations including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Consumer Reports, and the World Economic Forum in creating usable security and privacy labels for smart devices. She serves on numerous program committees including USENIX Security and CHI, and has participated in NSF grant review panels, demonstrating her growing leadership in the security and privacy community. Her InSPIre lab conducts user-centered research to uncover security and privacy needs of diverse stakeholders, with a particular focus on marginalized communities. The lab's work spans multiple domains including intimate partner violence, reproductive health, virtual reality, and smart cities, always with a strong emphasis on translating research findings into practical tools and policy recommendations.
Prof. M. Danish Shakeel is a Professor and Director of the E. G. West Centre for Education Policy at The University of Buckingham, UK. He is also a Research Fellow at Harvard University's Program on Education Policy and Governance. His research focuses on K-12 education policy, particularly in the U.S., with expertise in systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and the political economy of education. Key areas include civic outcomes of private schooling, social capital, charter schools, and non-cognitive traits. His work has been featured in prestigious journals like Journal of School Choice and Education Next , and widely cited in media outlets such as Wall Street Journal and Washington Post . He collaborates globally, presenting at conferences like the American Political Science Association and Association for Education Finance and Policy. Prof. Shakeel advises prospective doctoral students on rigorous quantitative methods and policy-oriented research. His guidance includes structured abstracts, empirical methodology focus, and policy implications. Students pursuing a PhD must demonstrate advanced econometric skills and secure their own funding. His research has influenced philanthropic investments and policy discourse, highlighting gains in U.S. student achievement and the role of charter schools in improving outcomes for marginalized groups.
Sally M. Reis is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Connecticut, holding the title of University Teaching Fellow and previously occupying the Letitia Neag Chair. With over four decades of academic leadership, she has shaped national and international practices in gifted education through her co-development of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM). Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Educational Psychology of the Gifted and Talented from the University of Connecticut (1981) B.A. in English and Psychology from Chatham College (1973) Professor Reis's research pioneers strength-based approaches for twice-exceptional learners , particularly students with autism spectrum disorder, while addressing systemic issues like the achievement gap and gender disparities in gifted identification. Her Schoolwide Enrichment Model Reading Framework (SEM-R) revolutionized literacy instruction by integrating student interests with academic rigor, as evidenced in her 250+ publications spanning curriculum compacting, enrichment clusters, and talent development for vulnerable populations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a decisive shift toward evidence-based strategies for neurodiverse gifted learners, with 60% of 2023-2025 work focusing on autism spectrum disorder in twice-exceptional students. Her scholarship consistently bridges theory and practice, emphasizing student agency through interest-driven learning and systemic equity in talent development frameworks. Her scientific impact is recognized through: Early Leader Award (NAGC, 1985) Distinguished Service Award (NAGC, 1988) University Teaching Fellow (UConn, 1998) Distinguished Scholar Award (NAGC, 2003) Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor title Fellowship in the American Psychological Association Professor Reis secured a landmark $2.95 million IES grant for SEM-R implementation while directing nationwide professional development initiatives. As past-president of the National Association for Gifted Children and editorial board member of Gifted Child Quarterly, she has mentored generations of scholars through workshops across 48 U.S. states. Her current research examines college transition barriers for twice-exceptional students, funded through ongoing IES collaborations. Through the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development, she leads international SEM implementations including Italy's three-year national study, while pioneering the Enrichment Clusters framework for real-world student-driven learning across 12,000+ global classrooms.
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.
Professor Holly Thorpe is a Professor of Sociology in Te Huataki Waiora / School of Health at the University of Waikato, specializing in Sport and Human Movement. She serves as Associate Dean Research in the Division of Health PVC Office and is an internationally recognized sociologist of sport, physical culture and gender whose work has earned prestigious fellowships and awards including Fulbright, Leverhulme, and Royal Society honors. Her educational background includes a PhD from the University of Waikato and Papa Reo Level 1 certification from Te Wananga o Aotearoa, reflecting both academic excellence and cultural engagement with Māori language and knowledge systems. Professor Thorpe's research centers on equity and inclusion in sporting cultures, with particular attention to women's health and wellbeing, sport and gender, and the impact of social media on athletic experiences. She employs critical and feminist theoretical frameworks with expertise in qualitative methods to examine how sport, physical activity, and health intersect in rapidly changing social landscapes. Her work spans gender studies, feminist methodologies, sports science, sociology of health, and digital media studies within sporting contexts, with a strong commitment to community-engaged research. Her extensive publication record reveals consistent thematic focus on contemporary issues including menstruation in sport, digital technologies and athlete experiences, pandemic impacts on wellbeing, and the gendered dimensions of mega-sport events. Her work frequently employs intersectional analysis and collaborates across disciplines to address complex questions about embodiment, identity, and social change in sporting cultures, particularly as they relate to women and marginalized communities. Professor Thorpe's significant scholarly recognition includes: Royal Society Early Career Research Excellence Award for Social Sciences (2018) Fellow of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (2018) Royal Society James Cook Fellowship for a two-year project focused on women's wellbeing through and beyond pandemic (2021) She actively supervises students and has secured substantial research funding including the Te Punaha Matatini CORE Research Institute project 'Youth Wellbeing in Uncertain Times: The Voices of Rangatahi from Flood-Effected Tairāwhiti Gisborne' (2023-2025). Professor Thorpe collaborates extensively with international and national sports organizations including the International Olympic Committee, High Performance New Zealand, Sport New Zealand, Skateistan, and Voice in Sport to ensure her research has real-world impact on policy and practice. She serves as Series co-editor for 'New Femininities in Digital, Physical and Sporting Cultures' and maintains active media engagement through The Conversation and other outlets. Professor Thorpe leads several significant research initiatives including 'Reimagining Fields of Play' (2023) and co-organized the 'Gender, Health and Wellbeing Symposium' (2022), demonstrating her commitment to creating spaces for critical dialogue about sport, gender, and health while advancing culturally responsive methodologies that center Indigenous and diverse perspectives.
Laia Becares is a Professor of Social Science and Health at King's College London, part of the School of Global Affairs and the Department of Global Health & Social Medicine. She previously held roles at the University of Sussex (2018-2022) and the University of Manchester (2010-2018), where she maintains an Honorary position. She serves as an Editor of Sociology of Health and Illness and on the Academic Reference Group of the NHS Race and Health Observatory. Her work is funded by organizations such as the Nuffield Foundation and the Health Foundation. Laia holds a PhD in Social Epidemiology from University College London (UCL) and a Master's in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health. Her research employs an interdisciplinary approach, collaborating with sociologists, psychiatrists, geographers, and demographers to understand how discrimination and marginalization perpetuate social and health inequities. Key areas include racism, homophobia/heterosexism, LGBTQ+ inequalities, and the impact of systemic oppression across life stages. She co-developed the Queerantine Study on pandemic impacts on LGBTQ+ communities and leads the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, fostering student mentorship in health inequality topics. Her scientific awards include ESRC/MRC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2010-2012), Hallsworth Research Fellowship (2012-2016), and ESRC Future Research Leader Fellowship (2012-2015). Recent work focuses on ethnic healthcare disparities in multimorbidity and longitudinal studies of racism's effects on health outcomes. Ongoing projects include LGBTQ+ policymaking networks and the GHSM Anti Racism Steering Group, addressing structural inequities in academia and healthcare. Laia’s grants include Nuffield Foundation funding for ethnic inequalities in later life and Health Foundation support for healthcare equity studies. She advocates for integrating lived experiences into research design, particularly through the Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS). Her lab affiliations include Queer@King’s and the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, emphasizing collaborative, community-driven approaches.
Professor Jonathan Goodhand is a distinguished academic in the Department of Development Studies at SOAS University of London, where he has established himself as a leading expert on conflict, peacebuilding, and political economy in fragile and post-conflict states. His work focuses on the complex interplay between illicit economies, borderland dynamics, and political settlements in South and Central Asia, with particular expertise in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. As a prolific researcher and supervisor, he has shaped the field through both theoretical contributions and empirical studies grounded in extensive fieldwork. Professor Goodhand's research interests span several interconnected domains: Conflict and peacebuilding dynamics in post-war contexts Political settlements and statebuilding processes Borderland and frontier studies, particularly the role of brokers Illicit economies, especially drug economies and their relationship to conflict The intersection of development and security in fragile states Humanitarian action and its political implications in conflict zones His recent publications reveal a sophisticated analytical framework that connects spatial dimensions of conflict with political economy approaches. Goodhand has pioneered research on "frontier brokers" who operate in the margins between state and non-state authority, examining how these figures shape post-war transitions. His work on the "drugs-development-peacebuilding trilemma" has gained significant traction in policy circles, challenging conventional approaches to drug policy in conflict-affected regions. The Drugs & (dis)order research project, which he leads, represents a major contribution to understanding how illicit economies can be transformed into peace economies. Professor Goodhand has supervised numerous doctoral students whose work extends his research agenda into new contexts including Afghanistan, Colombia, South Sudan, and Myanmar. His influence extends beyond academia through policy engagement with international organizations working on conflict resolution and development.
Angela Crow is an Associate Professor at James Madison University (JMU) in the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, where she has served since 2012. Her research bridges literacy studies, design, and urban mobility, focusing on how communities advocate for car-free infrastructure and equitable public spaces. She explores the role of digital communication in fostering feminist interventions, particularly around cycling advocacy and street design. Her work intersects with gender studies, urban studies, and rhetorical theory. Educated at the University of Kansas (Ph.D., 1997) and Point Loma College (B.A., 1987), she has authored books on writing programs and composition studies, including Aging Literacies (2006) and Field of Dreams (2002). Recent publications analyze surveillance, privacy in digital contexts, and transportation equity. Her research often highlights marginalized voices in shaping public discourse. Research Interests: Her current projects examine embodied literacies in mobility advocacy, social media practices of grassroots movements, and the rhetoric of urban infrastructure. She critiques car-centric planning through feminist and critical frameworks, emphasizing accessibility and safety for non-car users. Her work also addresses aging populations’ digital literacies and the intersection of technology with social inequality. Publications: Her articles span rhetorical analysis of social movements, educational assessment frameworks, and the sociotechnical dimensions of writing. Recent trends include collaborations on privacy in big data and participatory design for community mobility.
