Janine O'Flynn is the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University (ANU) since 2023. Previously, she held the position of Professor of Public Management at the University of Melbourne and served as a visiting professor at institutions like City University Hong Kong and Fudan University. Her research focuses on public management reform, governance relationships, and ethical policy-making. Notable contributions include work on public value creation, performance management systems, and positive public administration. She has authored over 75 publications, including Pathways to Positive Public Administration (2024) and co-edited the Research Handbook on Public Management and COVID-19 (2024). O'Flynn has received prestigious awards such as the National Academy of Public Administration Fellowship (2022) and the Best Book Award at the Academy of Management (2013). She actively advises governments globally and chairs research committees for organizations like the Centre for Public Impact. Education: PhD (Melbourne), Bachelor of Commerce (Hons., Melbourne). Key Roles: Editorial Board Member: Public Administration , Public Management Review , and others Board of Directors, Public Management Research Association Advisory Board, Victorian Public Sector Commission Research Focus: Public sector reform, governance ethics, policy complexity, and agile government frameworks.
Joshua D. Angrist is the Ford Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he has been a faculty member since 1996. He is also a co-founder and director of MIT's Blueprint Labs and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Angrist shares the 2021 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences with David Card and Guido Imbens for their methodological contributions to the analysis of causal relationships. Angrist received his B.A. from Oberlin College in 1982 and completed his Ph.D. in Economics at Princeton University in 1989. Prior to joining MIT, he taught at Harvard University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His academic journey began somewhat unconventionally, as he left high school early after 11th grade, worked for over a year, and only later discovered his passion for economics through an inspiring teacher at Oberlin. Angrist's research focuses on developing and applying innovative econometric methods to answer important economic questions using natural experiments. His work spans labor economics, education economics, and causal inference methodology. He is particularly known for his contributions to instrumental variables methods and the Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) framework developed with Guido Imbens. His research explores the economics of education and school reform, the impact of social programs on labor markets, and the effects of immigration and regulation. His recent publications reveal a continued focus on causal inference methods applied to education policy questions, labor market issues, and health economics. The trend shows increasing sophistication in research design, with particular attention to addressing selection bias and developing methods for external validity. His work spans theoretical econometric contributions alongside empirical applications in education, labor markets, and health. Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (2021) Fama Prize for Graduate Education (2018) Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow of the Econometric Society Angrist is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring. He has developed influential econometrics textbooks including 'Mostly Harmless Econometrics' and 'Mastering Metrics' with Jörn-Steffen Pischke. At MIT, he teaches courses including Labor Economics I (14.661), Econometric Data Science (14.32), and Labor Economics and Public Policy (14.64). He emphasizes selecting UROP students who have mastered foundational economics through courses like 14.64 and 14.32. Beyond MIT, Angrist co-founded Avela, a software startup using cutting-edge research to help schools improve enrollment and operations. Angrist co-founded and directs MIT's Blueprint Labs, which brings together researchers from economics, computer science, and education to develop innovative solutions for educational challenges. Through Blueprint Labs and Avela, his work bridges academic research with practical applications in education policy and technology.
Anette Mikes is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and a Hertford College Fellow. She specializes in risk management, corporate governance, and sustainability, with a focus on the intersection of ethics and organizational control systems. Her research explores how risk frameworks shape corporate decision-making, particularly in climate change and decarbonization contexts. Education: PhD in Accounting from the London School of Economics (2005) Pre-doctoral work in the City of London (2006–2007) studying Chief Risk Officer roles Research Interests: Behavioral approaches to risk management Management control systems for sustainability Ethics in corporate governance Decarbonization strategies in heavy industries Her 2012 Harvard Business Review article (with Robert Kaplan) on risk frameworks remains influential, while her documentary on the Kursk submarine disaster highlights crisis management failures. Awards: 2025 Honorary Doctorate from Uppsala University 2017 ACA Prize for Risk Management Contributions 2014 Global Risk Forum Film Award Key Contributions: Co-developed Harvard’s Risk Management executive program Leads research on ‘Values at Risk’ and corporate purpose Published widely on climate risk governance and ethical leadership Her recent work emphasizes decarbonization strategies and moral accountability in business, bridging accounting practices with environmental and ethical imperatives.
Emily Hannum is a Professor of Sociology and Education at the University of Pennsylvania's College of Arts & Sciences, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Social Sciences. She is affiliated with the Population Studies Center, Center for the Study of Contemporary China, Graduate School of Education, and Penn Development Research Initiative. Education: PhD in Sociology from University of Michigan (1998) Research Focus: Poverty and child welfare, gender and ethnic stratification, sociology of education Projects: Gansu Survey of Children and Families, climate-environment-childhood inequalities in LMICs Workshops: Co-organizer of Penn Education and Inequality Workshop Her research explores childhood poverty in China, demographic impacts on education systems, and climate risks affecting children's welfare. She investigates environmental hazards, educational disparities, and family separation effects across China, India, and low/middle-income countries. Recent publications analyze educational expansion in East Asia, climate crisis impacts on child health, and gender disparities in Latin America. She directs longitudinal studies on rural poverty and collaborates on cross-national projects related to environmental and educational equity. Scientific awards include the Stanley I. Sheerr Term Professorship in Social Sciences.
Dr. Kyla Walters is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Sonoma State University. Her research focuses on gender, labor, and education policy, particularly exploring issues of inequality in retail work, sexual harassment in industries, and resistance to charter school expansion. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Current research includes an interview-based study on beauty appraisals during pregnancy and childbirth, conducted with Sonoma State sociology students. Her work has been published in journals like Sociology of Race and Ethnicity and Hospitality & Society , as well as in the book Walking Mannequins (University of California Press, 2022). She has also contributed to policy analyses on teacher union resistance to educational reforms.
Abhijit Banerjee is the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at MIT and Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). A 2019 Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences, his research focuses on development economics, political economy, and poverty alleviation. He co-authored influential books like Poor Economics and Good Economics for Hard Times , emphasizing evidence-based policies and randomized controlled trials. Banerjee’s work addresses global challenges such as education, health, and social welfare, with notable contributions to microfinance, public health interventions, and anti-poverty programs. He holds leadership roles in global initiatives like the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel and has advised governments worldwide. His research spans topics from police resource allocation in India to the impact of information during crises like demonetization and the pandemic. Education: Bachelor’s in Statistics, Presidency College, Kolkata M.A. in Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University PhD in Economics, Harvard University Key Contributions: Co-founder of J-PAL, promoting evidence-based poverty reduction strategies. Pioneer in using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for policy evaluation. Research on microfinance, education reforms, and health interventions in developing countries. Awards: Nobel Prize in Economics (2019), Infosys Prize in Social Sciences (2009), Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2020). Grants/Advisory Roles: Collaborations with institutions like the World Bank, UN, and governments on poverty, health, and education policies. Labs/Teams: J-PAL global network, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab.
Prof. Dr. Frank Ulbrich is a Lecturer and Programme Director for the BSc Business Administration at the Lucerne School of Business (HSLU). He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics. His academic career spans roles at universities in Sweden, the UK, Canada, and Switzerland, alongside IT & Management consulting experience. Research focuses on management education, project management, information management, and organizational change. He has published extensively in areas like shared services, digital transformation, and curriculum development. Notable awards include multiple Emerald Literati Awards and a Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. Education: PhD in Business Administration (Stockholm School of Economics) Affiliations: Institute of Business and Regional Economics at HSLU Teaching Subjects: Academic Methods, Higher Education Management, Project Management, Digital Transformation Recent presentations include discussions on bridging academia-industry gaps, curriculum integration of SDGs, and data-driven learning strategies. His work emphasizes aligning education with labor market needs and advancing evidence-based teaching practices.
Dr. Soohyun Lee is a Senior Lecturer in Korean and East Asian Political Economy at King's College London, based in the Department of European & International Studies within the School of Politics & Economics. She holds a BSc from Ewha Womans University (South Korea), an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. Affiliations: European Politics and Society Research Group King’s Korea Initiative Her research focuses on the comparative political economy of welfare states, particularly in East Asia and Europe, with an emphasis on labor market dualization, social policy reforms, and family policies. She has explored how countries address welfare challenges and the conditions for successful welfare state reforms. Her work has been published in leading journals such as World Politics , Comparative Political Studies , and Journal of Contemporary Asia . Dr. Lee teaches courses on the political economy of East Asian development, welfare state models, and capitalism. She supervises PhD students on topics related to welfare states, labor markets, and East Asian political economy. Grants & Projects: Learning to Reform the Welfare State and Labour Market: Korean Labour Market and Social Policy-Making in Comparative Perspective (Korea Foundation, 2020–2022) Welfare Reform and Social Progress in South Korea: Effective Social Policies for a Low-Fertility and Ageing Society (Korea Foundation, 2019–2020) Welfare States in Transition: International Policy Lessons for South Korea (Korea Foundation, 2018–2019) Recent News & Events: Her work on economic insecurity and right-wing populism was highlighted in news outlets (2024). Contributed to discussions on fertility and job security (2023). Presented at the SASE Annual Conference (2022).
Ian Greer is a Research Fellow at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labour Relations , with a career focused on marketisation , industrial relations , and transnational solidarity . He holds a PhD from Cornell University and has previously studied at Bard College. His work examines labor dynamics in globalised industries , welfare states , and multinational corporations , often through qualitative comparative methods . Education : BSc (Bard College), MSc/PhD (Cornell University) Greer's research spans marketisation of employment services , social movement unionism , and labour policy in crisis situations . His publications include studies on European welfare-to-work schemes , healthcare privatisation , and labour migration . He is associated with the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) at the University of Leeds. Greer's recent work analyses precarious labor and project-based employment in social services across Slovenia and France. He also contributes to debates on social dumping , work-first welfare states , and activist labor strategies in sectors like healthcare and automotive manufacturing. He has no listed scientific awards. His work often involves collaboration with scholars like Marco Hauptmeier , Charles Umney , and Nathan Lillie , though no formal advisees are named in the provided text. His email is icg2@cornell.edu .
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Atsuko Tanaka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on labor markets, health economics, and public policy, particularly examining topics such as female labor supply, skill investment, and pension reforms. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013), alongside advanced degrees from Cornell University and the University of Tokyo. Education Ph.D. Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013) M.S. Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2010) M.S. Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University (2007) B.A. Agricultural Economics, University of Tokyo (2004) Research Interests Tanaka’s work explores how health shocks, financial constraints, and policy interventions influence labor market outcomes. She investigates topics such as post-educational skill accumulation via college loans, strategic medical treatment choices under reimbursement reforms, and the macroeconomic effects of pension system transitions. Her research combines rigorous econometric methods with real-world administrative data to inform evidence-based policy. Awards and Grants SSHRC Connection Grant (2022, co-PI: Apostolos Serletis) National Science Foundation Extreme Science Grant (2021) SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2016) Susan Jane Blake Kocin Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011) Grants and Collaboration Her research has been supported by major grants, including SSHRC and NSF funding. She collaborates with scholars on projects like analyzing physician behavior under reimbursement reforms, auditing firm dynamics, and international aid allocation strategies. Her work bridges theoretical models with empirical evidence to address complex socio-economic challenges.
Professor Shaun Larkin is a part-time academic at the School of Public Health , University of Sydney, specializing in Health Policy and Financing . He is affiliated with the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data and a member of the Charles Perkins Centre . With a career spanning executive roles at HCF and non-executive directorships in health startups, his work bridges academia and industry. Education : Harvard Business School alumnus with a HlthScD, MBA, MHSc, and BHA. His research focuses on health economics , health policy , and health services management , emphasizing: Translational research in healthcare financing Trends in private-public healthcare partnerships Price transparency in private health insurance Leadership in health systems Chronic disease management Quality use of medicines His publications reveal a trajectory from foundational work in: Psychiatric services data standardization (2000) Heart disease and diabetes management (2013-2015) Telehealth interventions (2017-2018) Private sector policy frameworks (2019-2020) Saudi Arabian health reforms (2022-present) Private equity in healthcare (2025) As an advisor, he currently supervises research students on topics including: Quality use of medicines in Saudi Arabia Sustainable financial models for private hospitals Patient-reported outcome measures in Australia He also contributes to the Leeder Centre and engages with global health startups as an investor and advisor.
Wei Xiong is the Hugh Leander and Mary Trumbull Adams Professor in Finance and Professor of Economics at Princeton University, affiliated with the Department of Economics and Bendheim Center for Finance. His research centers on behavioral finance and capital market imperfections with a focus on China's financial system and commodity markets. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Finance from Duke University (2001) B.S. in Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (1993) Research Interests: Professor Xiong's work fundamentally explores behavioral finance and capital market imperfections , pioneering studies on speculative bubbles , heterogeneous beliefs in asset pricing , and financing frictions . His recent scholarship critically examines the financialization of commodity markets , belief distortions during financial crises , and the unique institutional dynamics of China's hybrid economy , where state and market forces interact. Publication Trends: Xiong's 48 publications in top-tier journals reveal an evolving trajectory from classical behavioral finance (2001-2013) toward contemporary China-focused systemic analysis (2017-2025). Recent works integrate cryptocurrency economics, real estate risk management, and policy design in emerging markets, demonstrating methodological rigor through structural modeling and empirical analysis of large-scale financial datasets. Scientific Awards: 2012 Smith Breeden Award (first prize) for the best non-corporate finance paper published in Journal of Finance 2013 NASDAQ OMX Award for the best asset pricing paper presented in Western Finance Association Meetings Professional Activities: As NBER research associate and former Management Science finance editor (2009-2011), Xiong bridges academia and policy. He co-founded VoxChina.org to foster China-world economic dialogue and co-edited The Handbook of China’s Financial System (Princeton University Press). His keynote addresses at major conferences—including the 2024 Chinese Economists Society meeting on “Information Discovery in a Hybrid Economy”—demonstrate sustained policy influence. Labs and Initiatives: Xiong leads Princeton's Bendheim Center for Finance research initiatives and directs VoxChina.org, which produces influential policy analyses on China's economy. His recent work includes the NBER-commissioned study on commodity market risks and ongoing projects examining big tech lending models and data privacy impacts on digital finance.
Jonathan Levine is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he has been faculty since 1991. His work focuses on transportation planning, housing and equitable development, and land use and environmental planning, with a particular emphasis on shifting from mobility-based to accessibility-based planning paradigms. Levine's educational background includes: Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley M.C.P. in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley M.S. in Engineering (Civil Engineering-Transportation focus) from the University of California, Berkeley B.S. in Political Economy of Natural Resources from the University of California, Berkeley His research centers on the potential and rationales for policy reform in transportation and land use. Levine argues that a shift in the transportation and land-use planning paradigm from a mobility to an accessibility basis is compelled by transportation theory and would be transformative to planning practices. His current work includes sponsored projects and the book "From Mobility to Accessibility: Transforming Urban Transportation and Land-Use Planning" (Cornell University Press, 2019), co-authored with Joe Grengs and Louis Merlin. He previously authored "Zoned Out: Regulation, Markets, and Choices in Transportation and Metropolitan Land Use" (Resources for the Future, 2006), which argued for policy reform based on expanding households' effective range of choices. Levine's recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward accessibility-based evaluation of transportation systems and land-use planning. His articles explore topics such as comparing bus rapid transit and light rail, project-level accessibility analysis, overcoming the last-mile problem, and the effects of automated transit systems. His work consistently challenges traditional transportation planning paradigms and advocates for approaches that prioritize access to destinations rather than mere mobility. Levine's contributions to the field have been recognized with several prestigious awards: 2010 Chester Rapkin Award for best paper in the Journal of Planning Education and Research 2011 Residential Fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation Center in Bellagio, Italy 2001 Excellence in Urban Policy Scholarship Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 1996 Best of Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Award Levine has led significant research projects including Implementation of Accessibility-Based Evaluation for Transportation and Land-Use Planning funded by NEXTRANS, Sustainable Transportation for a 3rd Century addressing the last mile problem, and Accessibility Evaluation from Laboratory to Practice. His teaching portfolio includes Transportation and Land-Use Planning, Public Economics for Urban Planning, Research Design, and the MUP Capstone studio, where he guides students through real-world planning challenges. As a thought leader in urban planning, Levine regularly contributes to public discourse on zoning policies, housing diversity, and transportation planning. He has been featured in numerous media outlets discussing how land use policies impact sustainability, affordability, and racial justice, emphasizing that "zoning is behind all of it, and is not only the cause, but exacerbates it." His insights on the historical role of single-family zoning in perpetuating racial segregation have been particularly influential in contemporary housing policy debates.
Professor Masooda Bano serves as William Golding Senior Research Fellow at Brasenose College and Professor of Development Studies at the University of Oxford's Department of International Development. She leads the five-year ERC-funded Changing Structures of Islamic Authority (CSIA) project examining Islamic scholarly debates and their societal impacts. Her academic credentials include an MPhil in Development Studies from Cambridge and a DPhil from Oxford. These qualifications underpin her expertise in development theory and field research methodologies. Bano's research centers on the interplay between ideas, beliefs, and material incentives in development processes . She investigates how psycho-social factors shape individual choices and collective outcomes, with particular focus on Islamic authority structures, female education movements, and aid effectiveness. Her work combines large-scale comparative studies using ethnographic and survey data across Muslim-majority contexts. Recent publications reveal a concentrated focus on education policy in developing nations , especially Pakistan, Nigeria, and Indonesia. Key themes include decentralized education planning, low-fee private tuition markets, community participation models, and Islamic education systems. The research consistently examines religion-development intersections and institutional responses to social change. Her scientific recognition includes: Two competitive ESRC Fellowships A 1.4 million euro ERC Starting Grant for the CSIA project ESRC Best Social Science Impact award for Nigeria education interventions Bano supervises MPhil/DPhil theses at Oxford and has advised major development agencies, notably designing DfID's education reforms in northern Nigeria. Her CSIA project coordinates a multinational team conducting textual analysis, surveys, and ethnographic fieldwork to map evolving Islamic authority structures.
