Haruka Nagao is an Assistant Professor at the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages within the University of Oregon . Their research focuses on health governance , Africa-China relations , gender dynamics , public opinion , soft power diplomacy , and East Asia . Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary trends: (1) Public Health and Health Governance (e.g., mental health in rural China, prenatal care, vaccine distribution), (2) Political Science and Policy Analysis (e.g., grassroots elections, women's leadership, immigration policy), and (3) International Relations and Diplomacy (e.g., China's global soft power, Africa-China collaborations). Their work integrates China studies with comparative analysis , addressing intersections between social networks , democratic understanding , and global health politics .
Dr. Ray Bobrownicki is a Lecturer in Sport Psychology and Co-Programme Director of the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science at the University of Edinburgh's Moray House School of Education and Sport. He holds affiliations with the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences (ISPEHS) and the Human Performance Science Research Group. As a chartered psychologist (BPS) and licensed athletics coach, his work bridges academic research and real-world sport practice. Educations: PhD (Sport Psychology and Coaching), University of Edinburgh MSc (Performance Psychology), University of Edinburgh AB (Psychology), Brown University PGCert (Academic Practice), University of the West of Scotland His research focuses on optimizing coaching instruction, motor learning, and performance under pressure. He explores how verbal instructions, analogies, and technology (e.g., VR) influence skill acquisition and athlete motivation. Secondary interests include the societal impacts of sporting policies on athlete welfare and identity. Recent work critiques traditional sport science methodologies and advocates for interdisciplinary, applied research. His publications span 2015–2025, emphasizing critical analysis of coaching practices, motor learning mechanisms, and systemic issues in sport. Key themes include instructional design, constraints-led approaches, and translational research validity. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society) Associate Fellow (British Psychological Society) Teaching responsibilities include programme leadership for BSc Applied Sport Science and contributions to MSc Performance Psychology modules. He currently supervises PhD student Tongyu Liu on esports support taxonomies and welcomes inquiries on coaching instruction, performance psychology, and athlete policy impacts. Dr. Bobrownicki’s career integrates athletic experience (Commonwealth Games finalist, high jumper) with coaching expertise (e.g., mentoring record-breaking athletes) to inform evidence-based practice in sport science.
Elias Dinas is a Full-time Professor in the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute (EUI). He holds the Swiss Chair in Federalism, Democracy, and International Governance. His research focuses on political socialization, authoritarian legacies, and research methodology. Dinas earned his PhD in Political Science from the EUI in 2010. His research interests include the impact of historical traumas on political attitudes, experimental methods, and the dynamics of norm change. He collaborates with institutions like the Graduate Institute in Geneva through seminars, conferences, and methodological workshops. Recent work explores topics such as ideology mapping via AI, the electoral effects of early voting experiences, and the interplay between migration crises and public policy. His research has been published in top journals like the American Political Science Review and highlighted in outlets like The New York Times. Received the Michael Wallerstein Award (2019) for his work on migration and hostility. Supervises 14 students researching memory politics, norm change, and intergroup relations. Leads projects on post-authoritarian ideologies, German political identity, and elite-driven norm erosion. His teaching and supervision emphasize causal inference, experimental design, and quantitative methods, reflecting his commitment to rigorous political analysis.
İbrahim Dağılma is a Lecturer in Zaza Language and Literature at Bingöl University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences since 2013. He holds a Master's (2017) and PhD (2021) in Zaza Language and Literature from Bingöl University's Living Languages Institute. He previously served as a Turkish Language teacher in the Ministry of National Education and authored/co-authored Zazaki textbooks for grades 5-8 published by MEB between 2018-2019. He currently chairs the Zaza Language and Literature department and teaches courses like Modern Zaza Literature and Comparative Literary Analysis. Education: Bachelor's in Turkish Education, Dicle University (1997) Uncompleted Journalism studies at Istanbul University (2010) Master's and PhD in Zaza Studies (2017-2021) Research focuses on Zaza language preservation, modern literary movements, folklore documentation, and comparative studies between Zaza and other languages. He has published 11 books including 'Edebiyato Modern ê Zazaki' and 'Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan', and frequently presents at international conferences on topics like Zaza cultural identity and migration narratives. His recent academic work explores linguistic comparisons between Zaza and Farsi, analysis of traditional Zaza texts, and the role of folklore in educational materials. He has advised 18 undergraduate theses and participated in numerous thesis juries. His research has been published in refereed journals like Bingöl Araştırmalar Dergisi and The Journal of Mesopotamian Studies.
Joanne Lee is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Italian Studies at the University of Warwick. She holds a PhD from the University of Bristol and has taught at Cardiff University and Bristol University prior to joining Warwick in 2008. Her administrative roles include Head of Italian Studies until September 2024 and Co-head of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (SMLC) starting January 2025. BA in Italian and Language Studies (Cardiff University, 1999) MA in Literature in European Cultures (Cardiff University, 2003) PhD (University of Bristol, 2008) Her research spans travel writing , Italian emigration/immigration , post-war women writers , and Italy's colonial memory . Recent work examines decolonizing urban spaces through Igiaba Scego's works and sustainable travel in Paolo Rumiz's pedestrian journeys. She explores ethical dimensions of travel writing, including sustainability and cosmopolitan ethics, with a focus on globalization's impact on migration narratives. Selected publications include analyses of Laura Pariani's migration novels, Soviet-Italian Cold War travel discourses, and postcolonial memory in Italian literature. She has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects addressing slow travel , virtual tourism , and post-pandemic tourism patterns. Awards include Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and Fellowship of the Warwick International Higher Education Academy.
Elizabeth Blake is an Associate Professor of Russian and Division Coordinator in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Saint Louis University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on 19th-century Russian literature, particularly Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, with emphases on empire studies, exile cultures, and religious dialogues between Russian Orthodoxy and Polish/French Catholicism. She has published two major books: *Dostoevsky and the Catholic Underground* (2014) and *Travels from Dostoevsky’s Siberia* (2019). Her work bridges literary analysis with historical context, examining themes like human rights, cultural mobility, and gender roles. Blake teaches courses ranging from language proficiency to advanced topics in Russian literature and cinema, including *Russian and Soviet Cinema* and *Dostoevsky Through the Centuries*. She has received numerous grants including Mellon and Fulbright-Hays awards for research in Russia and Poland. Her academic career includes extensive reviews for journals like *Slavic Review* and *Canadian Slavonic Papers*, alongside professional involvement with organizations such as the North American Dostoevsky Society. Blake’s teaching excellence is recognized through awards like the Spirit of the Billiken Award (2016), reflecting her impact on both scholarship and student mentorship.
Laura Maria Lojo Rodriguez is a Professor in the Department of English and German Philology at the University of Santiago de Compostela , specializing in British literature and modernist/postmodernist fiction. She leads the Discourse and Identity research group (GI DI-1924), focusing on English language, literature, and culture through interdisciplinary frameworks. Her work intersects with the Humanities Research Institute (iHUS) . Her research spans: Gender and identity in Woolfian studies Migration narratives in contemporary short fiction Postcolonial themes in British-Irish literature Ecocritical and posthuman anxieties in Johnson's works Recent publications examine border politics, maternal discourses, and cross-cultural literary bonds. She has also contributed to translation studies, particularly Woolf's Spanish reception. Her academic output bridges literary theory with socio-political analysis.
Professor Nguyen Van Chinh is a distinguished scholar in anthropology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University (VNU-USSH), specializing in the Department of Anthropology and Religious Studies. With a PhD from the University of Amsterdam and extensive international research experience including a postdoctoral fellowship at the National University of Singapore, he has established himself as a leading expert in Southeast Asian anthropology, migration studies, and ethnic relations. His academic career spanning over four decades includes numerous visiting professorships at prestigious institutions worldwide. Professor Chinh's research interests encompass Anthropology Research Methods , History of Anthropology , Migration and Poverty Studies , Ethnic Identity , and Cross-border Ethnic Groups in Southeast Asia. His scholarly work demonstrates a particular focus on the intersection of economic development, cultural preservation, and social transformation in Vietnamese and Southeast Asian contexts. Through extensive fieldwork and theoretical contributions, he has shaped contemporary understanding of ethnic minorities, migration patterns, and socio-economic changes in the region. His extensive publication record shows a clear evolution toward contemporary issues including China's growing influence in the Mekong region, ethnic Chinese migration, and the challenges of poverty reduction in Vietnam. The research demonstrates increasing engagement with transnational phenomena, border studies, and the impact of China's economic expansion on Southeast Asian societies. His most recent work addresses pressing contemporary issues such as disability rights, academic publishing challenges, and urban migration dynamics. Distinguished PhD dissertation awarded by NVMC (Netherlands Association of Social Sciences and Cultural Sciences), 2000 Certificate of Merit from the President of National University for outstanding achievements, 2007 Asian Leadership Fellow (ALFP) awarded by the Japan Foundation, 2004 Asian Public Intellectual Fellow (API) awarded by the Nippon Foundation, 2010 Multiple research grants from prestigious foundations including Toyota, Rockefeller, and Japan Foundation Professor Chinh has served as an independent consultant for numerous national and international development projects implemented in Vietnam. His advisory work spans multiple sectors including labor, health, agriculture, and ethnic minority affairs, working with organizations such as WHO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP, DFID, IUCN, UNICEF, and UNESCO. His expertise in ethnographic research methods and understanding of Vietnamese society has made him a valuable resource for policy development and implementation across multiple domains.
Kyung-Ho Cha serves as Junior Professor of Modern German Literature at the University of Bayreuth's Faculty of Languages & Literature within the Department of New German Literature. His academic journey includes studies at Bonn, Oxford, and Columbia University, followed by doctoral work at Technical University Berlin completed in 2010. His research centers on three interconnected domains: literature-science intersections with focus on evolutionary biology and Walter Benjamin's writings; literary representations of migration; and human rights discourse in contemporary literature. This tripartite framework informs his critical analysis of authors like Elfriede Jelinek and Fatih Akin. Cha's publications reveal consistent engagement with transnational themes, particularly examining German-Turkish cultural dynamics, refugee narratives, and ethical dimensions of literary representation. His work demonstrates methodological rigor in bridging literary analysis with philosophical and scientific discourse. German National Merit Foundation Fellowship DAAD Fellowship ICI Berlin Institute Fellowship DFG Fellowship Volkswagen-Foundation Support Harvard Mahindra Humanities Center Fellowship (2011-2012) Cha has directed significant research projects including the DFG-funded 'Seelenwanderung und literarische Kommunikation' at Freie Universität Berlin and contributed to the DFG Graduiertenkolleg 'Körper-Inszenierungen'. His editorial work on human rights literature demonstrates leadership in establishing interdisciplinary scholarly dialogues. Current research continues to explore migration narratives within the 'Future Migration' initiative at Bayreuth.
Benedict King is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Linguistic and Cultural Evolution at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, where he contributes to the Comparative Oceanic Linguistics (CoOL) team. His research focuses on constructing phylogenetic trees of language relationships using Bayesian methods to explore language origins, spread, and evolutionary dynamics. He holds a BA in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge (UK), a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from Flinders University (Australia), and previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Netherlands). King’s research interests bridge evolutionary biology, paleontology, and linguistics. He investigates evolutionary transitions in early vertebrates (e.g., placoderms, coelacanths) and applies computational models to study language evolution. His work emphasizes improving phylogenetic methodologies and integrating fossil evidence with statistical frameworks. Notable projects include analyzing Philippine language migrations and reconfiguring actinistian phylogenies through Devonian fish fossils. His publications reflect interdisciplinary strengths, combining vertebrate paleontology with linguistic phylogenetics. Recent work supports rapid Austronesian expansions and hybrid Indo-European language origins. Awards include the Oxford University Press Prize for Biosciences and recognition for his PhD publication. King actively engages in public science communication through platforms like The Conversation and GitHub repositories.
Stephan Conermann serves as Professor of Islamic Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Bonn, where he has held continuous academic appointments since 2003. His institutional leadership includes directorship of the Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg (2010-2022), Bonn Center for Transcultural Narratology, and significant administrative roles culminating in his current deanship since 2023. Academic Background: Doctorate in Oriental Philology/Islamic Studies (Kiel University, 1996, magna cum laude) Magisterstudium in Asian History, Oriental and Slavic Philology (Kiel University, 1992) Conermann's research examines pre-modern Islamic societies through narrative strategies in historiography, with specialized focus on Mamluk Sultanate governance (1250-1517), Delhi Sultanate/Mughal transitions, and Transottomanica mobility dynamics. His work uniquely connects asymmetrical dependencies (particularly slavery systems), power structures, and global entanglements across South Asia, Middle East, and Eastern Europe. His extensive publication portfolio shows consistent thematic evolution toward comparative frameworks analyzing slavery beyond Eurocentric models, narrative construction of power across cultures, and mobility as historical catalyst. Recent scholarship increasingly integrates transcultural methodology with digital humanities approaches. Academic Leadership: Supervised 290+ theses (59 PhD, 96 Magister, 47 Master, 88 Bachelor) Acquired ~9 million euros in third-party funding (DFG, BMBF, DAAD) Editor of 15+ publication series including Mamluk Studies and Dependency and Slavery Studies Conermann directs the Bonn Center for Transcultural Narratology and co-leads the EXC 2036 'Beyond Slavery and Freedom' cluster, fostering interdisciplinary research on pre-modern dependency systems through international collaborations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Eugenia R. Romero is an Associate Professor of Iberian Studies at The Ohio State University's Department of Spanish and Portuguese, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on Galician and Spanish cultural production, migration, memory, and transatlantic connections. She joined the department in 2004 and has authored a book and numerous articles, with current research exploring sanctuary rites and Galician identity. Education: Ph.D. in Spanish, Emory University B.A. with Honors in Journalism, University of Texas at El Paso Research Interests: Romero examines cultural and literary representations of identity, emigration, and memory in Galicia and Spain. Her work bridges literature, music, film, and material culture, emphasizing modern Spain and Galicia's peripheral regions. She explores themes like Francoism's legacy, human rights, and the interplay between history and fiction. Teaching: She has taught courses on Iberian history, memory studies, gender in literature, and regional cultures. Undergraduate courses include studies on Francoism and contemporary Spain's gender roles. Graduate courses address narrative, transition periods, and peripheral regional narratives. Research & Projects: Her book Contemporary Galician Culture in a Global Context: Movable Identities (2011) analyzes migration's impact on Galician culture. Current projects involve sanctuary rites and memory practices in Galicia. She conducts fieldwork in Galicia and the U.S.-Mexico border region. Engagement: Romero frequently travels to El Paso/Cd. Juárez (family ties) and Santiago de Compostela (Galician language and research). She integrates interdisciplinary approaches and community encounters into her academic work.
Dr. Sara Caputo is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science and an Affiliated Lecturer at the Faculty of History, University of Cambridge. She serves as Director of Studies in History, History and Politics, and History and Modern Languages at Magdalene College. Her research spans transnational maritime history, the history of medicine, cartography, and imperial history. Education: PhD in History from the University of Cambridge (Robinson College), MSc in History from the University of Edinburgh, BA (Hons) in History from Cardiff University. Career Highlights: Lumley Junior Research Fellow (2019–2022), Senior Research Fellow (2022–present) at Magdalene College, Scouloudi Fellow (2018–2019), Lewis-AHRC Scholarship (2015–2018), Honorary Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar (2015–2018). Research Focus: Dr. Caputo explores maritime mobilities, knowledge exchange, and the instability of national boundaries in the British and European navies. Her work integrates transnational perspectives into the study of a quintessentially national institution, challenging notions of Britishness and foreignness. She combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies to analyze legal, social, and cultural contexts of naval service and cartographic practices. Notable Articles: Recent publications include studies on British naval medicine, the evolution of ship tracks into surveillance tools, and the transnational dimensions of naval exploration. Her articles span journals like Past & Present , English Historical Review , and Social History of Medicine , with chapters in edited volumes on transport history and postwar naval recruitment. Scientific Awards: Royal Historical Society Whitfield Prize (2024) British Commission for Maritime History Boydell & Brewer Prize (2020) Fachverband Medizingeschichte wissenschaftlichen Förderpreis (2022) International Committee for History of Technology Maurice Daumas Prize (2021) Scottish History Society Rosebery Prize (2020) Teaching and Outreach: Dr. Caputo teaches courses on the Global Eighteenth Century, Union and Disunion in Britain, and Mediterranean history. She actively participates in outreach programs with the Cambridge University Admissions Office and The Brilliant Club, focusing on widening participation in history education.
Marianna Patrick is a Research Fellow at the School of Education, Learning and Communication Sciences (SELCS), University of Warwick. She holds a PhD in Intercultural Communication (2025), MA in Global Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (2013), and BA (Hons) in Politics and International Studies from Warwick University (2012). Her research focuses on generative AI in academic writing, migration narratives, and intercultural communication. She leads a Leverhulme Trust-funded project on AI chatbots' impact on academic writing practices, collaborating with the University of Edinburgh and Sophia University Tokyo. Research & Education: Her doctoral work explored language and place construction in serial migration narratives, supervised by Prof. Stephanie Schnurr and Prof. Steve Mann. She also contributed to Monash-Warwick Alliance projects on multicultural cricket team inclusivity. She teaches professional skills and research methods across Computer Science and Applied Linguistics departments, supervising MSc dissertations in intercultural communication. Awards & Engagement: Received the People's Choice Prize at the Warwick Research Festival. Actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through initiatives like the Social Sciences Research Exchange Group (co-founder) and chairs the Applied Linguistics PGR Student-Staff Liaison Committee. She also contributed to EDI efforts as part of the Athena Swan team and served as Assistant Director of Student Experience and Progression for the Faculty of Arts.
Dr. Qing Zhou is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of the Culture and Family Study Lab. He received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University and specializes in understanding how cultural context, family dynamics, and temperament influence children's socio-emotional, academic, and executive function development, with a focus on immigrant families. Key research interests include: Developmental psychopathology Temperament and emotion regulation Family socialization and parenting Impact of bilingualism on child development Cultural values and migration effects on adjustment His work employs multi-method approaches, including questionnaires, behavioral observations, and neuropsychological testing, with ongoing projects like the NICHD-funded longitudinal study on dual language learners and the Chau Hoi Shuen Foundation-supported grandparent involvement research. Collaborations include scholars at UC-Davis, UC-Merced, Wellesley College, and institutions in France and Taiwan. Dr. Zhou has trained numerous students, including current doctoral candidates Xinyi Chen, Erika Roach, and Christopher Gys, as well as alumni at institutions like Harvard, Stanford, and UCSF. His lab's publications emphasize cross-cultural comparisons, longitudinal designs, and intervention implications for immigrant youth.
