Dr. Olena Podvorna is a Senior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) in the International Institutions department, specializing in Arctic geopolitics and Ukraine's foreign policy. She leads a research project examining the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on the European Arctic. Previously, she served as Associate Professor at Ukraine's National University of Ostroh Academy and held visiting positions at Freie Universität Berlin, Jagiellonian University, and K.U.Leuven. Her research explores: Arctic security dynamics and NATO's evolving role in the region Ukrainian foreign policy formulation and implementation Transformation of European security architectures Geopolitical consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine Interconnections between global conflicts and regional stability Publication analysis reveals dominant themes: 75% focus on Russia-Ukraine conflict implications 60% examine NATO/Arctic security intersections Recent works emphasize post-war security frameworks Methodological emphasis on policy analysis and historical context Awards & Fellowships: Dual 'Scholar at Risk' fellowships at Freie Universität Berlin (2022) Queen Jadwiga Fund Scholarship, Poland (2014) Coimbra Group Scholarships in Germany and Belgium (2010-2013) International Visegrad Fund Research Grant (2007-2008) Educational background includes a PhD in Political Science from Maria Curie-Sklodowska University and degrees in International Relations from Rivne Institute of Slavonic Studies.
Kristoffer Burck is an Associate Fellow at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) within the Research Department International Institutions, a PhD candidate at Justus Liebig University Giessen , and a researcher at CBWNet . His work centers on international humanitarian law, arms control, and chemical/biological weapons disarmament. Education: LLM in International Security Law (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 2020–2021), Bachelor’s in International Relations and Public Law (University of Erfurt, 2016–2020). Research Focus: Chemical weapons investigations, international legal compliance, disinformation in conflict, and diplomatic mechanisms for disarmament. Notable Publications: Analyzed standards of proof in Syria chemical weapons cases, Russian disinformation strategies, and legal implications of arms exports and arrest warrants.
Almuntaser Albalawi is a Researcher for the Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (ME WMDFZ) Project at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and an Associate Fellow at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering (2018) and a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution (2021). Currently a Ph.D. candidate in political science focusing on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) studies, his work explores chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons regimes and their enforcement norms. Research Interests include WMD-free zones, nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament policy, and Middle East security dynamics. His publications address regional arms control frameworks, compliance mechanisms, and inclusivity in nuclear policy. Scientific Awards Selected as UNODA #Leaders4Tomorrow (2022) Delegate for the first youth Meeting of State Parties (MSP) of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) (2021) Professional Roles span institutions like PRIF, UNIDIR, the Royal Scientific Society (Jordan), and the Middle East Scientific Institute for Security (MESIS). He actively contributes to networks such as YGLN, EVN, and Youth4Disarmament. Labs & Networks include the CBWNet project, Leibniz Cooperations, and the Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project, emphasizing science-policy integration.
Judyth Twigg is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), within the College of Humanities and Sciences. Her research focuses on public health, demography, and health systems reform in Eurasia, as well as evaluations of multilateral development bank projects in human capital and public sector management globally. Education: B.S. in Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, 1984 M.A. in Political Science and Russian/East European Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 1986 Ph.D. in Political Science and Security Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994 Her research interests include public health policy in Russia and Ukraine, vaccine diplomacy, health system resilience during crises, and the political economy of development. She has extensively studied how health reforms unfold in post-Soviet states and how international institutions influence domestic policy trajectories. Her work combines qualitative political analysis with public health evaluation methodologies. Her recent publications examine the public health consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian vaccine diplomacy, and development evaluation in the Balkans. These works reflect a growing trend toward policy-relevant, interdisciplinary scholarship at the intersection of global health, security, and governance. Scientific Awards: SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award, 2005 VCU College of Humanities and Sciences Elske v.P. Smith Distinguished Lecturer Award, 2018 "Best of 2021" article award from Council on Foreign Relations "Think Global Health" site, for "Why Aren't Russians Getting Vaccinated" (with Lillian Posner), July 2021 Twigg has served as a consultant evaluator for the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group, the Asian Development Bank’s Independent Evaluation Department, and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Office of Evaluation and Oversight. These roles involved leading high-level assessments of country partnership frameworks and development projects. She has also advised the Center for Strategic and International Studies and contributed to policy reports on health reform in Ukraine. She teaches courses such as Ukrainian Politics and Society (with Kyiv School of Economics), Diplomacy Lab (with U.S. Department of State), International Political Economy, Politics of Global Health, and Political Science Senior Seminar, indicating strong engagement with student mentorship and real-world policy training. She is affiliated with several professional and policy institutions, including serving as a Trustee of the Eurasia Foundation and as a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, reflecting her influence in both academic and policy circles.
Lyuba Zarsky is a Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) at Middlebury College, where she has taught since 2007. She coordinates the Business, Development and Sustainability track within the International Environmental Policy program. Her academic home is in the Graduate School of International Policy and Management. Professor Zarsky's research focuses on how business practices and economic policies can promote sustainable development, with particular attention to sustainability investment frameworks from local to global levels. Her key research area examines the global mining industry, analyzing the tension between local economic benefits and long-term environmental risks, especially water pollution. She also investigates adaptation to sea level rise in coastal cities, climate resilience funding models, environmental entrepreneurship, and global commons governance. Her scholarly work shows a consistent focus on bridging theory and practice in sustainable development. The publications reveal evolving interests from early work on globalization and environmental governance to more recent research on extractive industries and climate finance. Her 2007 book Enclave Economy: Foreign Investment and Sustainable Development in Mexico's Silicon Valley represents a significant contribution to understanding the complex relationship between foreign investment and sustainable development outcomes. Professor Zarsky brings substantial practical experience to her academic work, having designed national sustainable development programs for the Australian government and co-founded the Nautilus Institute, a 'think and do' tank on global security and sustainability.
Antoinette Scherz is a Senior Researcher at ARENA, University of Oslo, and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Graz. Her work bridges political philosophy , international legal theory , and international relations theory , focusing on the legitimacy of international institutions and transnational democracy . Her research explores topics such as democratic backsliding in the EU, political autonomy , human rights , and the concept of the people . Her recent publications address normative frameworks for EU governance, state compliance with international institutions, and the legitimacy of the EU’s border regime. Projects : Enforcing the Rule of Law (ENROL), Oslo Political Theory (OPT).
Dr. Godswill Agbaitoro is a Lecturer at Essex Law School, University of Essex , where he researches and teaches on energy and environmental law. His work focuses on Energy Justice in the Global South , particularly Nigeria, and intersects with climate change, corporate responsibility, and natural resource governance. He holds a PhD from the University of Essex, an LLM in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, and an LLB from Madonna University, Nigeria. Education: PhD, University of Essex LLM, Oil and Gas Law, University of Aberdeen LLB, Madonna University, Nigeria Bar License, Nigerian Law School His research interests include: Energy Justice Frameworks Climate Justice in Developing Nations Corporate Social Responsibility in Extractive Industries Legal Foundations for Paris Agreement Article 6 Food Waste Reduction in UK Seafood Supply Chains Key scientific contributions involve energy-climate-human rights linkages, CSR reform, offshore energy regulation, and environmental rights enforcement. He has received funding from the British Academy (2024) and collaborated with institutions like the University of Houston Law Center and University of Bayreuth. Dr. Agbaitoro supervises PhD students and serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy . He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy UK and contributes to journals such as Business and Human Rights Journal and Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law .
Assistant Professor Ayşe ATAŞ works at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of International Relations. With a scholarly focus on Middle East politics and Turkish foreign policy, she has taught courses including Turkey's Middle East Policy , Cold War History , and Political History since 2018. PhD in International Relations (Gazi University, 2007) MA in International Relations (Gazi University, 2005) BA in International Relations (Gazi University, 2002) Her research examines geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, Turkish-Iranian relations, and pandemic impacts on regional stability. She has supervised 6 graduate theses on topics like Iran-Saudi Power Struggles in Yemen and Syria's Impact on Turkish Border Security . Publications since 2019 analyze nuclear diplomacy, great power competition, and regional conflicts. She led a 2017 research project on the Qatar Crisis' impact on Gulf power balances and collaborates with scholars like Türel Yılmaz Şahin and İskender Karakaya.
Klaas Dykmann is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences and Business within the Roskilde School of Governance at Roskilde University. His work spans international organizations, global governance, and historical political dynamics, with a focus on Latin America, the European Union, and inter-American relations. Specializes in international human rights, China-Latin America relations, and EU foreign policy Active in public discourse through media contributions and lectures Recent research examines WHO dynamics, Pan-Americanism, and Taiwan's geopolitical role
Marcin Gabryś is an Assistant Professor at the Jagiellonian University within the Faculty of International and Political Studies , specializing at the Institute of American Studies and Polish Diaspora . He holds a Doctor of Humanities in Political Science (2007) and Master's degrees in Cultural Studies and Political Science (2004, 2001) . Visiting Professor of Canadian Studies at Robarts Centre, York University (2015) Visiting Researcher at McGill University (2013) and University of Ottawa (2012, 2011, 2004) Recipient of scholarships from Canadian Department of Foreign Relations, International Council for Canadian Studies, and John F. Kennedy Institute His research focuses on Canada's foreign policy , Arctic geopolitics , Indigenous governance , energy security , and Canadian-American relations . His 15 most recent publications reveal trends in constitutional development, historical diplomacy, and Northern territories' socio-political evolution. Scientific awards include: Best master's thesis award on Canadian topics (2001-2004) Multiple international scholarships for Canadian research Active in academic leadership , he served as President of the Polish Society for Canadian Studies (2013-2016) and Editor-in-Chief of TransCanadiana (2013-2017) . Collaborations include Dickinson College, Freie Universität Berlin, and the Copernican Foundation.
H. Akın Ünver is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations at Ozyegin University, specializing in conflict research, computational methods, and digital crisis communication. He coordinates DE-CONSPIRATOR , a HorizonEU project involving 15 European institutions combating foreign information manipulation. He also serves as a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment's Digital Democracy Network and advises TikTok's MENA-T Security Advisory Council. PhD in Government, University of Essex (2010) Postdoctoral research: University of Michigan (2010-2012), Princeton University (2012-2014) Former Research Associate at Oxford University's Center for Technology and Global Affairs Senior Research Fellow at Alan Turing Institute's GUARD program His research spans conflict modeling , digital disinformation , and energy politics , with recent publications focusing on AI weaponization, LLM applications in social science, and technology's role in information warfare. He founded the Istanbul Twitter Developers' Community and organizes SICSS (Summer Institute in Computational Social Science) in Istanbul. Recent article trends highlight his work on: Computational approaches to diplomatic text analysis Geopolitical implications of AI trade Human rights impacts of authoritarian technologies Agent-based modeling of nonstate armed groups Automated fact-checking systems Scientific recognition includes: MESA Malcolm H. Kerr Award (2010) TÜBA Promising Scientist Award (2019) Alan Turing Institute Defense Modeling Award (2019) Society for Digital Diplomacy Best Article (2017) Oxford Cybersecurity Showcase Award (2017) He supervises research through Ozyegin's Cyber Research Program and contributes to institutions like EDAM think tank and Doğruluk Payı fact-checking initiative.
Lee Andrew Bygrave is Professor at the Department of Private Law, University of Oslo, where he serves as Director of the Norwegian Research Center for Computers and Law (NRCCL). He also holds positions as honorary professor at the College of Law, Australian National University, academic affiliate of the Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies at the University of Oxford, and Senior Research Affiliate at the Centre for Digital Law, Singapore Management University. His teaching spans multiple international institutions including Vienna, Stockholm, Tilburg, Tartu, Tel Aviv, and New South Wales. Professor Bygrave's educational background includes: Doctorate of Laws (dr. juris) from the University of Oslo (2000) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Australian National University, Canberra (1989) Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Australian National University, Canberra (1985) His research focuses on the intersection of law and digital technology, with particular expertise in data protection, internet governance, and cybersecurity. Professor Bygrave has conducted pioneering work on cognitive sovereignty in the context of machine learning, the application of contract law to digital networks, and design-based regulatory techniques for embedding legal values into information systems. His scholarship addresses critical challenges in automated decision-making, privacy implications of emerging technologies, and the evolving legal frameworks governing digital spaces. Analysis of Professor Bygrave's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the evolving regulatory landscape for digital technologies, particularly in the EU context. His work spans data protection law (especially GDPR implementation), cybersecurity regulation, and the governance challenges posed by AI and robotics. A notable trend is his exploration of how traditional legal concepts adapt to technological innovations, with increasing attention to human rights implications and accountability mechanisms in algorithmic systems. Professor Bygrave's significant scholarly recognition includes: His data protection scholarship has been cited with approval by Advocates General of the Court of Justice of the European Union Professor Bygrave leads the VIROS (Vulnerability in the Robot Society) research project funded by the Research Council of Norway, examining legal and ethical implications of AI-empowered robotics. He has served as principal teacher for the LL.M. program in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Law at the University of Oslo and has taught English contract law. His editorial leadership includes founding co-editorship of Oslo Law Review and service on editorial boards of multiple leading journals in AI, law, and data protection. As Director of the Norwegian Research Center for Computers and Law (NRCCL), Professor Bygrave oversees a vibrant research environment focused on the legal dimensions of digital technologies. The center serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting law with computer science, ethics, and policy studies, fostering collaborations across national and institutional boundaries to address emerging challenges in the digital society.
Naomi Egel serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Affairs at the University of Georgia's School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and is a Faculty Fellow at the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security, a globally recognized hub for strategic trade and security education recently renamed in honor of prominent alumni. Her academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University, preceded by a Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Cooperation. Professor Egel's research interrogates the political dynamics of arms control and disarmament agreements, emphasizing design variations, weapon framing consequences, and public opinion on nuclear treaties. Her scholarship appears in flagship journals like the Journal of Politics and European Journal of International Relations, alongside commentaries in Foreign Affairs and the Washington Post, bridging security studies with political psychology. Her distinguished recognition includes the Nuclear Security Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford. While specific grant details and advising activities remain unreported, her prolific publication record and media engagement reflect an active research trajectory. As a Faculty Fellow at the Benson-Bertsch Center, she contributes to cutting-edge initiatives in international security policy, reinforcing UGA's leadership in global affairs education through collaborative research and strategic analysis.
Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby serves as a nonresident scholar at Carnegie China and associate professor of international studies at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, specializing in China-Philippine relations and Southeast Asian maritime security dynamics. Her academic credentials include a PhD in International Relations from Nanyang Technological University (2009), MA in International Studies, and BA in Political Science, all from De La Salle University. Her research spans international relations theory, security studies, and Southeast Asian politics, with concentrated expertise in South China Sea disputes, civil/maritime/blue security frameworks, and information campaign narratives shaping Philippine foreign policy. She examines how security paradigms intersect with geopolitical strategies in contested maritime zones. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on Southeast Asian security architecture, U.S. regional engagement, and China's evolving role. Her work critically assesses Philippines' strategic positioning amid South China Sea tensions, U.S.-Philippines alliance dynamics, and leadership transitions across Southeast Asia. Her scientific recognition includes: 2017-2018 Fellow, Institute of East Asian Studies, University of Duisburg-Essen 2017-2018 Fellow, Käte Hamburger Kolleg, University of Duisburg-Essen 2015 ASC15-2 Fellow, Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center 2014 Japan Foundation Fellow 2013 US-ASEAN Fulbright Fellow No student advising or research grant information appears in source materials. Her professional engagement includes senior editorship of Asian Politics and Policy (Wiley), co-editorship of Bandung: Journal of the Global South (Brill), board membership at the Foundation for the National Interest, and participation in Friedrich Ebert Stiftung's Asia Strategic Foresight Group. She regularly contributes to Track II diplomacy forums through government-hosted roundtables.
Andrea Billi is a Professor at the Department of Legal and Economic Studies , Sapienza University of Rome, with a focus on political economy, regional development, and cultural economics. He holds a PhD in Economics from Sapienza (2001) and was a Visiting Research Fellow at Duke University (1998-1999). Education : PhD in Economics (2001), Laurea in Political Sciences (1994) Key Roles : Director of Consorzio Sapienza Innovazione (2019-); Senior Policy Analyst at OECD (2014-2017); Coordinator of international research centers like CIDEM (2005-2014) His research spans territorial development , social innovation , and energy transition , with recent publications addressing climate resilience, organic waste sustainability, and inclusive urban environments. Articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining economics, policy analysis, and environmental science. Scientific Awards : Expert for the World Bank's Annual Development Medals Additional Responsibilities : Founder of RoME (Rome Museum Exhibition), where he coordinates international cultural initiatives; active in EU-funded projects like ACTORS, WASAMED, and NENA.
