Ram Cnaan is a Professor of Social Work and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with The Weitzman School of Design. He chairs the Doctoral Program in Social Welfare and directs the Program for Religion and Social Policy Research. His work focuses on faith-based social services, congregational welfare provision, and nonprofit management. Cnaan has authored influential books like The Invisible Caring Hand and serves on seven academic journal editorial boards. His research explores volunteerism dynamics, including pandemic impacts on donor retention, cross-national civic participation, and episodic volunteering at religious events. He investigates social entrepreneurship in public sectors and evaluates faith-based organizations' roles in reentry programs for ex-prisoners. Cnaan's recent studies address CSR innovations, donor-advised funds strategies, and prosocial behavior in diverse cultural contexts. Notable contributions include pioneering national studies on congregational social service provision and analyzing Israeli-Palestinian Muslim collaboration in aid work. His work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions for urban quality-of-life challenges.
Jennifer Minner is an Associate Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. She directs the Just Places Lab and is actively engaged in research on urban change, memory, and equitable development. Her affiliations span urban planning, regional science, and media studies, and she serves on the faculty advisory board of Cornell Cinema. Ph.D. in Community and Regional Planning, University of Texas at Austin M.U.R.P., Portland State University B.A. in Cultural Anthropology, University of Washington Her research centers on adaptive reuse, circular economies in cities, historic preservation, and social justice . She investigates how communities care for, preserve, and reimagine places through participatory planning and material reuse. Her work connects urban policy with climate action, embodied carbon, and the social legacies of mega-events such as the Olympics and World Expos. She uses spatial analytics, film, and community-based methods to explore equitable urban futures. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward environmental justice, circular construction, and urban memory . Topics include deconstruction policy, UAVs in preservation, and post-mega-event urban development. These works span disciplines including urban planning, sustainability, media studies, and public policy, with a consistent focus on equity and community engagement. Town and Gown Award (2024) for CR0WD network Climate Neutral Cities Alliance grant on embodied carbon and justice Atkinson Center Fast Grant for NYS circular construction policy NCPTT grant on reuse scenario planning with 3D modeling Mui Ho Center grant on scaling circular construction in NY Jennifer Minner mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers, co-founded the CR0WD network, and leads the CURTA-Y student club. She has secured multiple grants focused on deconstruction, policy design, and community engagement. Her teaching includes courses on circular cities, land use planning, and advanced planning theory, emphasizing participatory and justice-oriented methods. She leads the Just Places Lab , which fosters interdisciplinary research on urban care, memory, and equity. The lab collaborates with the Circular Construction Lab, Historic Ithaca, and community partners on exhibitions, walking tours, and policy initiatives. Projects like Deconstructing Demolition and Waste(d) Imagination Tour exemplify their community-engaged, creative approach to urban sustainability.
Andrew R. Meyer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at Baylor University, where he teaches courses in Sport Psychology and Religion and Sport. His academic work bridges the fields of sport sociology, cultural studies, and theology, with a particular focus on the enduring influence of muscular Christianity in American sports. His research interests include: Contemporary American Sport Culture and Religion Muscular Christianity and its modern manifestations Hero-celebrity athletes in popular culture Character development through sport and education Traditional and contemporary Indigenous sport cultures Sport's cultural impact on communities The themes across his publications reveal a consistent exploration of the moral, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of sport. His work analyzes how religious values, particularly those rooted in Christian traditions, shape athlete identity, media narratives, and public perception of sports figures. He has developed the Contemporary Muscular Christian Instrument (2017, 2020) to measure these values across global sport contexts. His articles appear in interdisciplinary journals spanning religion, sociology, public health, and cultural studies, reflecting the broad relevance of his research. Scientific awards and recognitions include: Baylor Teaching Fellow (2017) Dr. Meyer has been active in academic and public discourse, serving as a keynote speaker at international conferences on sport and Christianity and being featured on media outlets such as NPR and the Sport, Faith, Life podcast. His teaching emphasizes character formation in the classroom, aligning with his research on moral development through sport. While specific grant funding is not mentioned, his extensive publication record in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes indicates sustained scholarly productivity. He has contributed to discussions on mega-sport events, cycling culture, and the redemption narratives of fallen athletes like Lance Armstrong. He is affiliated with the College of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at Baylor University, contributing to both graduate and undergraduate education in sport studies.
Carolina Matos is a Professor at City, University of London's School of Communication & Creativity, specializing in media studies, gender politics, and communications research with a particular focus on Brazil and Latin America. Her scholarly work bridges academic inquiry with practical advocacy, especially in the areas of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), feminist media studies, and democratic processes in the Global South. Dr. Matos's research interests span several interconnected domains: Gender politics and feminist media studies, with particular attention to Brazilian and Latin American contexts Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) communications and advocacy across global contexts Media democratization and public service broadcasting in Brazil and Latin America Digital activism and online networks for social change and gender equality Health communication in the age of misinformation, particularly regarding women's health in politically polarized environments Journalism's role in democratic processes and political transitions Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a clear trajectory toward examining how marginalized communities, particularly women in the Global South, navigate complex media landscapes around reproductive health. Her methodology frequently employs focus group research designed to empower participants while gathering insights on media consumption and interpretation. She has conducted significant research in partnership with NGOs like Reprolatina in Brazil and Open Arms in Florida, examining how disadvantaged communities process health communications in contexts of political polarization and misinformation. Dr. Matos has made substantial theoretical contributions through both foundational and recent works: Her book "Globalization, gender politics and the media" (2016) examines changing media representations in relation to feminist movements globally Her seminal work "Journalism and Political Democracy in Brazil" (2009) analyzes media's critical role in Brazil's democratization process following the military dictatorship She has conducted extensive comparative research on how NGOs communicate about SRHR across the Global North and South Her research on "New Brazilian feminism and online networks" (2017) documents the emergence of digital feminist activism in Brazil Her methodological approach consistently combines rigorous academic frameworks with practical applications, often utilizing mixed methods including content analysis, discourse analysis, and participatory research techniques designed to center marginalized voices while advancing scholarly understanding of media, gender, and power dynamics.
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.
Dr. Shushu Chen is an Associate Professor in Sport Policy and Management at the University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, and also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Capital University of Physical Education & Sports in China, demonstrating her strong international academic presence. Education: PhD in Sport Policy and Management, Loughborough University (Centre for Olympic Studies & Research) MSc in Sport Management, Loughborough University BSc in Bioengineering Her research expertise lies in sport policy analysis and evaluation, particularly the legacy and societal impact of major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. She investigates how these events influence social inclusion, urban development, and public policy, with a strong focus on both the UK and Chinese contexts. Her methodological strengths include realist evaluation and meta-evaluation, applied to complex policy environments. Dr. Chen’s recent work centers on high-impact projects related to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, analyzing their legacies for disadvantaged communities and policy development. Her publications span top journals like the Journal of Sport Management and Sport Management Review , covering themes such as event leveraging, volunteering, policy development in China, and Olympic education. Her research consistently bridges academic rigor with practical policy relevance. Scientific Awards: British Academy Innovation Fellow Dr. Chen actively contributes to the academic community as an editorial board member for journals including Event Management , International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics , and Sport in Society . She supervises PhD students on topics such as women in sport in China, social integration through sport, and mental health. She has secured significant research grants from the British Academy, ESRC, World Anti-Doping Agency, and China National Social Science Foundation. Her work has been featured in major media outlets including the BBC, Financial Times, and The Guardian, highlighting her public engagement and policy influence. She is currently an Academic Advisor to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and a Discipline Expert for Sport Management Digest. Her prior role as a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Inclusive Social Development further underscores her global impact in shaping inclusive sport policy.
Katrin Bromber is a German Researcher at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, where she has led the research group "Progress and its Discontents: Ideas, Practices, Materiality" since 2014. Her career spans senior research roles at ZMO and academic teaching positions at the University of Vienna. Nationality: German. Language skills: Native German, fluent English/Swahili, moderate Amharic, good reading knowledge in French/Russian, basic Tigrinya. Habilitation (2009–): African Studies, University of Vienna PhD (1993): African Linguistics, University of Leipzig MA (1988): Swahili Studies, University of Leipzig Katrin Bromber's research interrogates intersections of body politics , sports history , Swahili linguistics , and Ethiopian modernity . Her work traces how physical culture, media representation, and colonial/imperial narratives shape national identities across Africa and Asia. Current focus: "Progress" as contested concept in Ethiopian and Gulf urbanism. Key article trends reflect her translocal methodology: 2017 studies on Ethiopian stadiums and fitness culture ; 2014-2013 publications analyzing East African military press , sports branding in the Gulf , and Swahili poetry ; 2007-2000 works on colonial linguistic politics , Indian Ocean slavery , and German colonial Swahili promotion . Recurring sub-fields: body as political text, translocal modernity, media historiography. Scientific Awards: Research Grant of the Berlin City Council (1999-2000): Gendered Slavery study Service to the Scientific Community: Chairwoman, Academic Association for Horn of Africa Studies (2012–) Editorial Advisory Board - Stichproben. Vienna Journal of African Studies (2015–) Editorial Advisory Board - Studies of Department of African Languages and Cultures (2015–) Teaching Experience: Textlinguistics, Mediacommunication, African Linguistics, Swahili (elementary/advanced), Swahili Literature, Swahili in Arabic Script at Leipzig, Humboldt-Berlin, Free Berlin, and Vienna universities Anthropology of the Body at Mekelle University Summer School Field Research: Tanzania (1993-2003): Swahili Poetry, Intellectual History Kenya (2005): Indian Ocean WW2 UAE/Bahrain (2009): Sports and Body Cultures Ethiopia (2009-2015): Sports, Body Politics
Michael Cottingham is an Associate Professor of Sport Administration in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He serves as the Director of Adaptive Athletics at UH, leading a comprehensive disability sport program and research lab that has produced over 50 publications and secured more than $1.3 million in external funding. Dr. Cottingham teaches senior-level undergraduate classes and is involved in the Sport Administration graduate program. B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Sociology at The University of Arizona, 2002 M.S. in Recreation Administration at The University of Southern Mississippi, 2008 Ph.D. in Human Performance concentration Sport Management at The University of Southern Mississippi, 2012 Dr. Cottingham's research focuses on disability sport, particularly examining perceptions of athletes with disabilities, spectatorship and sponsorship in disability sport, and broader topics in sport consumer behavior. His work explores promotional strategies in sport and how these apply specifically to disability contexts. He has conducted extensive research on wheelchair rugby, power soccer, and wheelchair tennis, examining consumer motivations, marketing approaches, and the experiences of athletes and spectators in these sports. Analysis of Dr. Cottingham's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on disability sport consumer behavior across multiple disciplines including sports marketing, psychology, rehabilitation science, and sociology. His research spans both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, with particular attention to how disability sport programming impacts Latinx populations with mobility impairments. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers in community health, rehabilitation, and sport management fields. As Director of Adaptive Athletics at UH, Dr. Cottingham oversees a program that hosts large-scale disability sport events including the annual Cougar Open wheelchair tennis tournament. The program partners with The Institute for Research and Rehabilitation and runs the Community Healthcare Worker Model Study, which examines the impact of disability sport programming on Latinx with mobility impairments. Through Adaptive Athletics, Dr. Cottingham has developed programs for wheelchair rugby and adaptive tennis, with plans to expand to power soccer and wheelchair basketball. The program has received funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and has established partnerships with organizations including Houston Parks and Recreation, United States Quad Rugby Association, United States Tennis Association, Halliburton Charitable Foundation, and One Step Closer Foundation.
Gareth Hall is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Aberystwyth University's Department of Psychology, where he has been an established member since the department's founding in 2007. He holds a PhD from Glamorgan University and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His academic career includes significant administrative roles such as Examinations Officer (2007-2014, 2016), Senior Tutor (2014), and Acting Director of Admissions and Recruitment (2009, 2011). Dr. Hall's research focuses on social psychology with particular expertise in social identity theory applied to real-world contexts. His work spans sport psychology, examining sport for development programs, intergroup behavior in fandom, and well-being in physical culture communities like CrossFit. He has pioneered research testing laboratory theories in real-world settings, challenging traditional experimental paradigms through creative methodologies that incorporate digital technologies and interdisciplinary approaches. His publication record shows consistent output since 2006, with significant contributions in 2019-2023 focusing on sport psychology applications in Brazil, forensic psychology, and educational technology. His work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in sport for development contexts and the application of social identity theory to complex social issues. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Teaching and Learning Improvement Award from Aberystwyth University (2011) Active editorial roles including for Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2021) and Bulletin of Latin American Research (2019) Dr. Hall has secured research funding from prestigious organizations including the Economic and Social Research Council (2018) and British Council (2015). His external engagements include committee membership with the British Psychological Society's Undergraduate Education Committee (2015-present), AQU Catalunya (2022-2023), and visiting researcher positions at the University of Padua (2017-2018). His work contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to social development and inclusion.
Dr. Davies Banda is a Lecturer in Sport Policy and Deputy Director of the Academy of Sport at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. He holds a PhD in Sport Policy and Political Science Analysis from Loughborough University, alongside certifications in academic practice and teaching methodologies. His research focuses on sport-for-development interventions, youth social inclusion, and legacy strategies from sport mega-events. Notable projects include his role as Academic Advisor to FIFA's Generation Amazing Foundation during the 2022 World Cup and leadership in curriculum development partnerships with Zambian universities. He has secured significant grants, including £298,000 from Comic Relief for child miner education projects in Burkina Faso and £60,000 via the British Council's DelPHE initiative. Banda supervises PhD students exploring topics such as SDP in South Africa, Paralympic governance, and sport policy in Indonesia. His teaching spans sport management, policy analysis, and advanced research methods at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Dr Jung Woo Lee is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Leisure Policy at Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. He serves as Deputy Director of Research, Engagement and Impact at Moray House (2025–present), Research Director of the Scottish Centre for Olympic Research and Education (SCORE), and Guest Module Leader at the German Sport University Cologne’s MA Olympic Studies Programme. His roles include editorial board memberships for journals like International Journal of Sport Communication and Palgrave’s Sport in Asia series. Lee’s research focuses on sport diplomacy, mega-events, nationalism, media, and cultural studies, with particular attention to Korean Peninsula dynamics and East Asian geopolitics. His research interests span sport mega-events’ socio-political impacts, Olympic diplomacy, intercultural connections via sport (e.g., Gaelic games in East Asia), and sport nationalism. He leads projects funded by the British Academy, University of Edinburgh, and Korean/Taiwanese governments. Lee is affiliated with Edinburgh Critical Studies in Sport (ECSS) and actively engages in international conferences, addressing topics like North Korean women’s football, Sino-US-Qatari dynamics in the 2027 FIBA World Cup, and post-colonial sport cultures in Taiwan/South Korea. Lee has received prestigious fellowships from the Academy of Korean Studies (2022) and Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018). His work bridges academia and policy, emphasizing sport’s role in diplomacy, identity formation, and global cultural politics.
Prof. Anke Hagemann holds a guest professorship at TU Berlin's Habitat Unit since 2021, focusing on urban-rural transformations and global production networks. She earned a doctoral degree (summa cum laude) from HafenCity University Hamburg in 2023, exploring Istanbul's clothing industry networks. Her academic journey includes interim professorships at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and teaching roles at ETH Zurich, TU Stuttgart, and HafenCity University. Her research spans global commodity production, urban mega-events, and holiday architectures. Notable projects include the DFG-funded 'Transnational Production Spaces' (2016–2019) and BMBF-funded 'Urban Rural Assembly' in China. She has published widely on spatial constellations of global production, including works on Bulgarian post-socialist tourism and Ethiopia's garment industry. Awards include her thesis distinction and grants like the DFG scientific network on global production spaces. Her teaching spans urban design studios and seminars on topics like 'Feeding the City' and 'Global City Local Spaces.' She co-curated exhibitions like 'Shrinking Cities' and contributed to initiatives like the 'Urban Rural Assembly' to address sustainability challenges.
Alexander Budzier is a Research Fellow in the Department of Technology and Operations Management at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He specializes in managing projects across IT, infrastructure, energy, and mega-events, with a focus on risk mitigation and systems thinking. His roles include teaching on the MSc for Major Programme Management, MBA, and the Major Project Leadership Academy. Education: PhD from Saïd Business School (2014). Prior experience includes roles at T-Mobile International and McKinsey's Business Technology Office in Düsseldorf and Chicago, advising on IT and operations strategy. Research interests center on IT-enabled change, project setups, and risk analysis. Notable contributions include work on cost overruns in IT projects, the uniqueness trap in project management, and sustainable development via mega-events like the Olympics. Publications span journals like Harvard Business Review , iScience , and Event Management , with a focus on megaprojects, risk, and digital transformation. He has advised governments and corporations on infrastructure investments and project governance, emphasizing evidence-based decision-making.
Dr. Lucas Roorda is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International and European Law at Utrecht University's Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. He is also a researcher at the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL). His academic work focuses on the intersection of international law, human rights, and corporate accountability, particularly examining how national and international legal systems interact in addressing corporate human rights violations. Dr. Roorda received his doctoral degree in 2019 from Utrecht University with his dissertation titled "Jurisdiction over foreign direct liability claims against transnational corporations in EU Member States: Increasing access to remedy for victims of corporate human rights violations." His research interests center on the complex relationship between international corporations and human rights law. Dr. Roorda examines how legal boundaries blur between international and national spheres, and how public and private interests intertwine in holding multinational corporations accountable for human rights violations. His work particularly focuses on access to justice for victims of corporate misconduct, transnational liability cases, and the evolving legal frameworks that govern corporate behavior across borders. He regularly analyzes current developments and court rulings in cross-border liability cases, contributing to ongoing academic and policy debates in this field. Dr. Roorda's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on corporate accountability within international legal frameworks. His publications reveal growing attention to sports mega-events and human rights, climate change accountability, and the practical implementation of business and human rights frameworks. The research shows progression from foundational work on jurisdictional issues toward more applied analyses of specific cases and emerging legal instruments, reflecting the evolving nature of business and human rights law as a field. Dr. Roorda actively contributes to academic discourse through teaching and public engagement. He coordinates the Master's course General Course: Public International Law and has previously taught the Bachelor's course IER and Capita Selecta: International Humanitarian Law. His academic service includes editorial work and participation in conferences focused on international law and human rights. He also engages with media outlets to discuss relevant legal issues, particularly regarding human rights concerns in international contexts such as the Qatar World Cup. As a member of the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL), Dr. Roorda contributes to this research group's mission of examining accountability mechanisms across various legal contexts. His work within this center focuses specifically on how legal systems can provide effective remedies for victims of corporate human rights abuses through innovative applications of jurisdictional principles and liability frameworks.
Dr. Judith Grant Long is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and Sport Management at the University of Michigan with a joint appointment. She holds a PhD in Urban Planning from Harvard University, where she previously directed the Urban Planning Program. Her research focuses on strategic investments in sport venues and tourism infrastructure, examining public-private partnerships, mega-event legacies, and host city outcomes. Dr. Long's work spans Olympic Games infrastructure, NFL stadium development, and sport district planning. She is a certified city planner with over 20 years of academic and industry experience, including board roles at Juego de Pelota and Coliseum. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and HUD. Dr. Long teaches courses on sport real estate development and Olympic infrastructure planning, mentoring students through collaborative projects. Education: PhD in Urban Planning (Harvard University, minor in Economics) MDes in Real Estate Development (Harvard Graduate School of Design) Undergraduate degrees in Economics and Urban Planning Research Interests: Dr. Long bridges sport management and urban planning to address challenges in venue financing, post-event infrastructure utilization, and urban development through sport-driven initiatives. She emphasizes cost-effectiveness and long-term success for host cities, leveraging data from over 120 major league venues and Olympic projects. Grants & Awards: Funded by NSF, HUD, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BBC Radio. Student Collaboration: Leads teams of researchers investigating Olympic venues, sport districts, and former major league facilities. Current and former students include Sarah Perrigo (MURP '22), Stephanie Gerretson (PhD '20), and Robert Sroka (PhD '21).
