Jerry Zee is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and the High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University. His research examines environmental emergence through political, meteorological, and geopolitical lenses, with focus on China's ecological transformations and transpacific entanglements. Publications analyze dust governance, aerosol politics, and racialized ecologies, employing interdisciplinary approaches from feminist STS and environmental humanities. Current work investigates planetary-scale infrastructural projects and necrotic politics.
Tamsin Barber is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the Oxford Brookes University , where she leads the Migration and Refugees Research Network. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Roehampton (2011), an MA in Social Science from Oxford Brookes University, and a BA in Sociology and French. Education PhD in Sociology, University of Roehampton (2011) MA in Social Science, Oxford Brookes University BA in Sociology and French Her research focuses on 'race', ethnicity, youth identity , and migration studies , particularly examining inclusion/exclusion dynamics and identity formation among UK Vietnamese and East/Southeast Asian communities. She has conducted extensive work on superdiverse contexts, racial categorization, and migrant agency. Recent research projects include: "Vietnamese migrants and UK bordering processes" (Leverhulme Trust Fellowship, 2024-2025) "New Labour Migrations Between Vietnam and the UK" (Newton Mobility Grant, 2016) "Becoming East Asian: Youth Politics of Belonging" (British Academy/Leverhulme Grant, 2017-2019) She has received recognition for her work including a BSA Philip Abrams Memorial Prize nomination (2016) for her monograph Oriental Identities in Super-Diverse Britain: Young Vietnamese in London . Her publications explore topics spanning: International education mobility regimes Migrant categorization in policy Transnational belonging Post-refugee generation identities Border politics and agency Racialized embodiment She supervises PhD projects on Vietnamese migration, refugee labor market transitions, and migrant vulnerability frameworks, with collaborations across Canada, France, Vietnam, and the UK.
Hakan Sandal-Wilson is an Assistant Professor of Gender, Peace and Security at the Department of Gender Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science. His research critically examines intersections of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, and conflict in the Middle East, particularly focusing on Kurdish queer/LGBTIQ+ politics and diasporic movements. He is also invested in creative-critical interdisciplinary research methods, co-editing a volume on politically engaged methodologies. Previously, he served at the University of Cambridge as a Teaching Associate and Affiliated Lecturer, and as Campaigns Officer for Amnesty UK’s LGBTI Network. Education : - PhD, University of Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies - MA in Cultural Studies, Istanbul Bilgi University Research Interests : - Queer Studies in Conflict Zones - Kurdish Social Movements - Diasporic Feminist and Queer Activism - Ethnography and Creative Writing Methodologies Publications Trends : His work bridges theoretical inquiries with activism, emphasizing marginalized queer voices in conflict-affected regions. Recent projects include monographs on Kurdish queer politics and co-edited collections on creative-critical interventions for social justice. Awards & Grants : No awards explicitly mentioned, but his work has been translated into multiple languages and featured in outlets such as openDemocracy and Jadaliyya. Advising & Mentorship : No listed advisees, but directs LSE’s MSc Gender and MSc Gender (Research) programmes, teaching courses like GI402 (Gender, Knowledge & Research Practice) and GI413 (Gender, Race & Militarisation). Labs & Collaborations : Co-convened 'Creaction' interdisciplinary workshops at UCL, fostering global creative-critical social justice research.
Dr. Alasdair King serves as Reader in Film at Queen Mary University of London , where he leads the Centre for Film and Ethics and contributes to the Finance Aesthetics research cluster. His work bridges film philosophy , critical political economy , and German cinema studies , with particular focus on financialization's impact on moving image aesthetics. DAAD Visiting Research Fellow (2015) Co-founder of CAPITAL FORMS (2020) graduate program in Economic Humanities PhD examiner at institutions including University of Warwick, University of Manchester, and University of Edinburgh He supervises doctoral projects on cinematic economics , AI media , and posthuman aesthetics , currently co-guiding two AHRC and LAHP-funded students. His 2023 monograph The Financial Image establishes frameworks for analyzing film's relationship to finance capital through works by Hito Steyerl , Harun Farocki , and Isaac Julien . A second monograph Hans Magnus Enzensberger: Writing, Media, Democracy (2007) remains foundational for understanding Frankfurt School media theory in West German context.
Dr. Olga Vysotska is a Researcher affiliated with the Professorship for Robotic Systems at ETH Zurich's Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Her work focuses on advancing robotic systems through research in sensor-based navigation, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), and autonomous systems. She holds a doctoral degree and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Her email is olga.vysotska@inf.ethz.ch. Research Interests: Olga's research spans robotics, computer vision, and autonomous navigation. She specializes in LiDAR-based place recognition, SLAM algorithms, and cross-modal localization using 3D scene graphs. Her work addresses challenges such as environmental changes, sensor fusion, and data association in dynamic environments like agriculture and underground exploration. Key themes include robust localization, loop closure detection, and adaptive algorithms for real-world robotic applications. Publications Overview: Olga's recent work emphasizes diffusion-based LiDAR place recognition (2025), 4D spatial-temporal mapping for agricultural robots (2023), and SceneGraphLoc for cross-modal localization (2024). Her research trends highlight innovation in sensor integration, algorithmic robustness, and practical applications in challenging environments. Earlier contributions include exploration of catacombs with mobile robots (2013) and SLAM enhancements using public map data (2017). Grants & Advising: While specific grants or student advisement details are not listed, her active publication record suggests involvement in funded research projects. Her work often collaborates with industry and academic partners to advance robotic autonomy in complex scenarios. Labs/Teams: As part of the Robotic Systems Professorship, she likely contributes to ETH Zurich's robotics labs focused on SLAM, sensor systems, and autonomous navigation. Her projects may intersect with the Department's broader initiatives in mechanical and process engineering.
Jeremy Brown is a Professor in the Department of History at Simon Fraser University. He specializes in the social and political history of the People’s Republic of China, with a focus on urban-rural dynamics, Maoist-era policies, and the Tiananmen protests. His research integrates oral histories and grassroots sources to challenge state-centric narratives. Brown earned his PhD from the University of California, San Diego (2008), and has held editorial roles for Cambridge Studies in the History of the People’s Republic of China (2014–2021). He is a recipient of the SFU Excellence in Teaching Award (2017) and multiple SSHRC grants. His books include June Fourth: The Tiananmen Protests and Beijing Massacre of 1989 (2021) and Maoism at the Grassroots (2015). He currently supervises graduate students in Asian history and oral history. Education: PhD in History, UC San Diego (2008); Language training at Harbin Institute of Technology (1997) and Tsinghua University (2000–2001). Key Research Themes: Maoist ideology, urban-rural divides, Cultural Revolution, memory studies, and political repression. Grants: SSHRC Standard Research Grant (2010–2013), Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship (2014–2015). His work often examines everyday life under Maoism, including resistance to state policies, grassroots agency, and the legacies of trauma in modern China. Brown is also active in teaching innovation, such as using Wikipedia to engage students with contested historical events.
Zakia Salime is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2005). Her research focuses on intersections of gender, globalization, and postcolonial theory, with a regional specialization in Morocco and North Africa. Research Interests: Examining global-local dynamics of human rights frameworks and Islamic legal systems Gendered spatial politics during Arab Spring uprisings Neoliberal land governance and peasant resistance in Morocco Sociolegal analysis of citizenship and resource privatization Current Projects: Her upcoming book manuscript, Seeing like a Woman: Land and Extractive Governance in Morocco , centers rural women's perspectives in land privatization struggles. This ethnographic work explores legal barriers to land access, economic transformations, and grassroots resistance movements. Media Engagement: New York Times coverage (2017): 'In a Fight for Land: A Women’s Movement Shakes Morocco' Analysis of Moroccan cultural politics featured in Monkey Cage blog (2016) Affiliations: Member of SAS Gender Studies Program Research collaborations with Middle East studies initiatives Office: Davison Hall 137, New Brunswick campus
Bonar Buffam is an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Sociology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. He is affiliated with the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and serves as a graduate student supervisor in the Power, Conflict and Ideas theme of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program. His work focuses on race, empire, socio-legal studies, religion, and urban geographies. Buffam holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), an MA from the University of Alberta, and a BA from Simon Fraser University. His research explores intersections of law, race, and state power, including projects such as the SSHRC-funded study on religious minorities in Western Canada (2018–2021). His publications analyze topics like legal regulation of Sikh gurdwaras, racial dynamics in criminal justice systems, and the sociological implications of public celebrations like Vaisakhi. He teaches courses such as Foundations of Sociological Thought, True Crime Sociology, and the Sociology of Religion, with a focus on critical theory and empirical case studies. Buffam supervises graduate research on themes including religion and secularism, cultural criminology, and social theory. His collaborative projects include work on 'Aesthetic Sociologies' with Heidi Bickis and Ondine Park. His interdisciplinary approach bridges historical analysis with contemporary socio-legal challenges.
David Prytherch is a Professor in the Department of Geography at Miami University, specializing in urban planning, sustainability, and the intersection of law with urban spaces. He holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Arizona. His research focuses on urbanization dynamics, spatial justice, and the politics of planning landscapes. He has authored/co-authored numerous publications on topics like mobility justice, right-of-way law, and regional planning in Spain and the U.S. Education: B.S. Geography, Pennsylvania State University (1992) M.A. Geography, University of Arizona (1999) Ph.D. Geography, University of Arizona (2003) Research Interests: Dr. Prytherch explores how urban landscapes reflect socio-political tensions and how planning can create equitable cities. Key themes include mobility justice, land use law, and the role of sustainability frameworks. He has studied urbanization in diverse locations like Valencia, Spain, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, emphasizing how planning navigates between development and place preservation. Teaching & Advising: He teaches courses in urban geography, planning, and sustainability, emphasizing hands-on projects with local communities. He advises M.A. students on topics like regionalism and land use, collaborating on peer-reviewed publications. Notable collaborations include work with graduate students L. DePriest-Hricko and M. Zabik. Awards: 2008 Miami University Associated Student Government Professor of the Year Community Engagement: As Miami’s Sustainability Coordinator and Chair of the City of Oxford Planning Commission, he connects academic work to real-world challenges like trail systems and urban design. His projects include Safe Routes to School initiatives and the Oxford Area Trail System. Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary urban planning projects, often involving students in community-based research. His work bridges academic research with local policymaking, fostering collaborative problem-solving.
Neema Kudva is a Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP). She is currently on leave but remains actively involved in research and academic leadership. She serves as Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, House Professor and Dean at Becker House, and co-chair of the AAP Council for Diversity & Inclusion. She is also a faculty affiliate of the South Asia Program, a fellow at the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, and a field member in public affairs, Asian studies, development sociology, and visual studies. Education: Dip.Arch., School of Architecture CEPT, Ahmedabad, India (1989) M.Arch./M.C.P., University of California–Berkeley Ph.D., University of California–Berkeley (2001) Neema Kudva’s research centers on equitable planning, institutional structures for development, small cities in the Global South, and participatory planning. Her work emphasizes community-based engagement, sustainability, and social policy, with significant focus on South Asia. She leads the Nilgiris Field Learning Center in Kotagiri, India, a transdisciplinary collaboration between Cornell and the Keystone Foundation, fostering engaged learning and research. Her pedagogical innovations include citizenship and sustainability planning experiments. Her recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus on urban transformations, land dispossession, conservation, and justice. Themes across her work include spatial equity, decolonial planning, informal urbanism, and NGO roles in development. She explores how everyday practices and exceptional events shape just and sustainable urban futures. Scientific Awards and Fellowships: Kendall S. Carpenter Memorial Advising Award, Cornell University (2015) Senior long term research fellow, American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), Chicago and Delhi (2017) Neema Kudva has secured multiple grants for engaged research and curriculum development, particularly through Engaged Cornell and the Mario Einaudi Center. She has advised numerous students, recognized through her advising award, and collaborates extensively across disciplines and institutions, including Syracuse University and the Keystone Foundation. Her leadership in academic affairs and residential education underscores her commitment to holistic student development. She is deeply involved in transdisciplinary labs and teams, especially through the Nilgiris Field Learning Center, which integrates education, research, and practice in conservation and spatial justice. This field-based collaboratory exemplifies her commitment to community-engaged scholarship and sustainable development.
Dr. Ava Fatah gen. Schieck is a Professor of Media Architecture and Urban Digital Interaction at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL) , where she has been affiliated since 2001. She teaches in the MSc Architectural Computation program, focusing on embodied interactions and urban digital experiences. Education: ATQ03 - Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow (UCL, 2008) Certificate in Learning and Teaching (UCL, 2007) Master of Science (UCL, 2001) Her research explores the intersection of architecture, digital media, and urban spaces. Key themes include: Mediated spatial experiences in museums and public environments Embodied interactions through dance, movement, and performative design Urban screens and community-centered digital installations Smart city critiques focusing on marginalized communities Pervasive computing's impact on social dynamics Her publication corpus (149+ outputs) predominantly addresses media architecture, HCI, museum technology, and sensory interactions , with recent work emphasizing olfactory interfaces, pandemic urbanism, and heritage digitization. Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA, 2023) Projects & Grants: As Principal Investigator for the EPSRC-funded 'Screens in the Wild' , she examines networked urban screens for community engagement. She previously led the 'SCREAM' project (UrbanBuzz program) and contributed to EPSRC's 'Urban Design and Pervasive Systems'. She reviews grants for EPSRC, UKRI, SNSF, and other international bodies. She directs research through UCL's Space Research Group and VR Centre for the Built Environment , collaborating globally. As program chair for the Media Architecture Biennale (2012-2020), she fosters interdisciplinary dialogue across architecture, HCI, and interaction design.
Ueli Grossniklaus is an Ordinary Professor at the University of Zurich within the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbiology . His work focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly epigenetic and genetic mechanisms governing reproduction and adaptation. Key Courses: Epigenetics, Plant Biology Workshop, Group Seminars on Current Research Laboratory Techniques: Advanced methods in plant cell mechanics, transcriptomics, and genome editing Research Interests span plant epigenetics, reproductive biology, and the interplay between environmental stress and genetic regulation. He investigates: Mechanistic control of gametogenesis and fertilization Epigenetic contributions to plant adaptation Evolutionary implications of asexual reproduction Biophysical forces in plant cell growth Publication Trends (2025–2018) reveal expertise in: Arabidopsis and fern model systems Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone dynamics) Apomixis and hybrid seed failure mechanisms Biomechanics of pollen tubes and carnivorous plants Genome editing tools (CRISPR) and long-read sequencing Scientific Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects on: Microfluidic devices for plant cell analysis Gene drive ecology and ethics 3D imaging of plant reproductive structures Advising and Grants focus on mentoring through research internships in developmental biology, genetics, and systems biology. His lab engages in: Epigenetic response to environmental stress Cell wall mechanics in reproduction Computational modeling of plant growth Laboratory Teams integrate plant biologists, bioengineers, and computational scientists to study: Mechanistic gene regulation Evolutionary developmental biology Microrobotics for cellular force measurement
Peter B. Zinoman is a Professor of History at the University of California, Berkeley specializing in Southeast Asian history with primary focus on Vietnam. His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to colonial and revolutionary Vietnamese history. His educational background includes a PhD from Cornell University and a BA from Tufts University, establishing foundational expertise in historical methodology and Southeast Asian studies. Zinoman's research centers on Vietnamese colonial history, prison systems, literary history, and Cold War-era political movements. His work critically examines French colonial structures, revolutionary intellectual networks, and the interplay between literature and political dissent. He is renowned for his revisionist interpretations of key historical events including land reform movements and intellectual purges. His publication record spanning 1995-2016 reveals persistent engagement with primary source analysis and interdisciplinary methodology. Articles consistently explore themes of colonial incarceration, literary resistance, and political transformation, with increasing focus on Cold War dynamics and memory politics in later works. His scholarly recognition includes: Association of Asian Studies, Harry J. Benda Prize for Southeast Asia Studies (2003) American Historical Association, John King Fairbank Award for East Asian History (2001) Professional service demonstrates deep institutional commitment through co-editing the Journal of Vietnamese Studies since 2005, co-directing the UC Berkeley History-Social Science Project since 2003, and former leadership roles including Chair of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies (2003-2008) and Resident Director of the UC Education Abroad Program in Vietnam (2001). No public records indicate graduate student advising or grant-funded research projects. His work operates primarily through editorial and institutional frameworks rather than laboratory settings, with significant influence through academic journals and Southeast Asia research centers.
Shakirah Hudani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina, with an affiliation in the Department of African, African American, & Diaspora Studies. She holds a PhD in City and Regional Planning from UC Berkeley. Her work centers on African urbanism, post-conflict urban change, and spatial politics in East Africa. Key research focuses include Rwanda's post-genocide urban reconstruction, Nairobi's peripheral development, and Luanda's oil-driven transformations. Her research examines how urban spaces reflect and reshape social dynamics, particularly around memory, identity, and governance. Recent projects analyze commemoration practices in Rwanda, land disputes in Nairobi, and carceral architectures. She critiques master planning processes and explores grassroots urban agency in marginalized communities. Publications span urban studies, critical geography, and postcolonial theory, with a focus on decolonizing urban narratives. Her work bridges academic analysis with practical urban policy debates, emphasizing equity and participatory planning in transitional societies.
Wesley Willett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary, holding the NSERC CRC II Chair in Visual Analytics. His primary research focuses on information visualization, human-computer interaction, and new media applications. He leads the Data Experience Lab and Interactions Lab, exploring innovative methods for data representation and interaction in augmented/virtual reality environments. Education includes a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado (2006) and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley (2012). His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design principles, emphasizing ethical considerations in data visualization and inclusive representation. Key research contributions include: spatial visualization techniques for large environments, gesture-based interfaces for AR/VR, and physical data representations through projects like Cetonia (swarm robotics visualization) and Data Embroidery. His work has been recognized with Best Paper awards at CHI 2015 and Pervasive 2010. Current research emphasizes immersive analytics, wearable visualization systems, and demographically diverse anthropographics. He collaborates with urban designers, neurologists, and environmental scientists to apply visualization in diverse domains like epilepsy surgery planning and air quality monitoring.
