Cinzia Albanesi is a Full Professor in Social and Community Psychology at the Department of Psychology 'Renzo Canestrari', University of Bologna. She holds leadership roles, including Head of the Community Psychology Lab since 2014, and has served as Past President of the European Association of Community Psychology (ECPA). Her academic journey includes roles as Associate Professor (2014–2021) and Assistant Professor (2005–2021), with a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Bologna (2001) and a Master's in Psychology (1996). Her research focuses on health promotion, LGBTQIA+ rights, civic engagement, participatory methods, and community-university partnerships. Notable projects include leading the CATCH-EyoU initiative (2015–2018) and coordinating the Master's program in School and Community Psychology (2018–2024). She is actively involved in service-learning initiatives, emphasizing social justice and equity. Her work spans community development, youth participation, and policy impact, with contributions to global projects like Rural 3.0 and UNICORN. She has advised multiple European-funded projects and serves on boards of organizations such as EASLHE and CSGE. Her teaching integrates theory with practice, fostering students' civic competencies through experiential learning.
Dr. Calla Hummel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Faculty of Arts. Their research focuses on marginalized communities' political organization, particularly trans and informal workers in Bolivia, Brazil, and the U.S. They hold a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin (2017) and authored *Why Informal Workers Organize* (Oxford UP, 2021), which won the 2023 Riker Prize in Political Economy. Their current projects examine trans rights expansion globally, supported by grants from NIH, NSF, and the APSA. Research Highlights: Trans rights activism, informal labor movements, comparative political economy, and public health policy. Teaching: Courses include '2SLGBTQIA+ Politics and Policy,' emphasizing activist-driven policy changes in Latin America and beyond. Grants: Funding from NIH, NSF, U.S. Department of Education, and American Political Science Association. Dr. Hummel uses ethnographic, statistical, and computational methods, collaborating with trans NGOs and street vendor unions. Their work appears in *British Journal of Political Science*, *Lancet Global Health*, and *Comparative Political Studies*.
Abbey Mann is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Lafayette College, located in Easton, Pennsylvania. She holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Her work focuses on LGBTQ+ health disparities, minority stress, and healthcare access in rural Appalachian regions. Dr. Mann is particularly engaged in improving medical education for transgender health and addressing structural stigma impacting sexual and gender minorities. Her research integrates public health, psychology, and sociology to explore how geographic, cultural, and institutional factors influence marginalized communities' mental and physical health. This includes studies on rural healthcare provider training, pandemic response in Appalachian areas, and the psychological impacts of political shifts on LGBTQ+ populations. Key research themes include transgender health education, minority stress theory application in rural settings, and the intersection of religion with sexual minority mental health. She has collaborated on international surgical outcomes research and systematic reviews of LGBTQ+ medical curricula. Dr. Mann's work emphasizes actionable solutions to healthcare inequities through interdisciplinary approaches. Her recent publications (2021–2024) reveal a focus on Appalachian health challenges, transgender patient care, and the societal impacts of stigma. She has contributed to policy-relevant studies on provider perspectives, pandemic transmission patterns, and substance use disorder treatment in Tennessee.
Cassandra Crone is a non-binary Lecturer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences. Their research integrates social psychology with virtual reality, focusing on equity, gender identity, and bias reduction. They hold degrees including a Master of Research in Psychology and dual Bachelor degrees in Human Sciences and Contemporary Dance Performance. Education: Master of Research, Psychology (Macquarie University, 2022) Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (2020) Bachelor of Human Sciences (Human Movement) (Macquarie University, 2019) Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Dance Performance, Honours) (2011) Research Interests: Gender, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, virtual embodiment, computational social science, and DEI frameworks. Key projects include VR-based studies on reducing bias against transgender/non-binary individuals and investigating intergroup dynamics through embodied interactions. Awards: 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Education Award (Highly Commended) Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy recognitions (2021–2022) Teaching & Leadership: Teaches Advanced Social Psychology and guest lectures on VR and human-machine interaction. Advocates for inclusive pedagogy, emphasizing DEI integration in classroom practices.
Roberto Baiocco is a Full Professor of Developmental Psychology at Sapienza University of Rome, affiliated with the Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology and the School of Medicine and Psychology. He holds leadership roles, including Director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity since 2010, and President of the Master's Program in 'Developmental and Atypical Development Psychology'. His research focuses on sexual minority adolescents, coming out processes, and same-sex parenting, with over 300 international publications. Education: Clinical and Community Psychology degree, PhD in Psychology, both from Sapienza University, and a Master's in Family Psychotherapy from Scuola Romana di Terapia Familiare. Research Interests: Risk/protective factors in adolescents, LGBTQ+ mental health, family dynamics in same-sex parent families, and minority stress. Notable projects include studies on sexting, cyber dating violence, and resilience in marginalized communities. Grants & Awards: 2024 Fondazione Francesco De Sanctis Salute Sociale Award for 'Mental Health in Gender Disorders'. Active in institutional roles, including President of Sapienza’s Equality Committee and Director of the Centro Interuniversitario per la ricerca sulla genesi e sviluppo delle motivazioni prosociali e antisociali. Labs/Teams: Leads the 'Homoparenting' research group and the 'Well-being of LGBTQ+ Individuals' initiative. Affiliated with the clinical service '6 come sei' for gender and sexual orientation research/intervention.
Jessica Pistella is a Researcher (Ricercatore a Tempo Determinato Tipo B) at the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a PhD in Developmental and Social Psychology from Sapienza and is a systemic-relational-symbolic-experiential family psychotherapist. Her primary affiliation is with the 'Be as You Are' Clinical and Research Center, focusing on LGBTQ+ well-being. Her research interests span parenting dynamics, family functioning, coming out processes, homophobic bullying, sexual stigma, and LGBTQ+ mental health. She has led and contributed to over 20 national and international research projects, including studies on nonbinary identities, LGBTQ+ inclusion in education, and minority stress. Dr. Pistella teaches courses like 'Developmental Psychology for Inclusion' and has published extensively in journals such as Journal of Homosexuality , Sexuality Research and Social Policy , and Frontiers in Psychology . Her work emphasizes intersectional approaches to LGBTQ+ issues, with a focus on resilience and policy advocacy. Key grants include the 2024 project on microaggressions in nonbinary populations (€40k) and the 2022 PRIN-funded study on LGBTQ+ university students' mental health (€210k). She actively reviews for 20+ journals and serves on editorial boards, including Gender, Sex and Sexuality Studies . Her clinical work involves supervising cases at the '6 come sei' clinical service and co-facilitating the A.ge.d.o support group. She advocates for inclusive language and anti-discrimination policies in healthcare and education.
Elijah Salzer is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the College of Health Professions, Pace University, New York City. He has over 30 years of clinical experience in obstetrics and gynecology and maintains active practice at Eastchester Medical Associates and as a sexual assault forensic examiner at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Education: DMSc, Advanced Professional Practice, Obstetrics and Gynecology — University of Lynchburg Postgraduate Certificate, Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants — Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center MA, Religion — Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary BS, Physician Assistant Studies — Summa cum laude, Long Island University Artium Baccalaureus, Religion and Biblical Literature — Smith College Dr. Salzer's research and clinical interests center on obstetrics and gynecology, with a strong focus on cervical neoplasia, reproductive justice, and the care of gender and sexual minority patients. His work emphasizes inclusivity, health equity, and evidence-based clinical practice. He is a guest lecturer for numerous PA programs and has presented nationally and internationally on topics including transgender healthcare and intrapartum emergencies. His recent publications span reproductive health in gender minority populations, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, placental pathology, and postpartum depression. These works reflect a consistent commitment to advancing clinical knowledge and improving care for underserved populations. Scientific Awards and Honors: Paul Lombardo, MPS, PA-C Emeritus Educator of the Year award, NYSSPA, 2025 Elected to Fellowship, New York Academy of Medicine, 2020 Lydia Martinez Collaboration Award nominee, 2009 Alpha Eta and Pi Alpha Honor Society memberships Multiple teaching and clinical excellence awards from Long Island University and Montefiore Medical Center Dr. Salzer is actively involved in academic service, serving as chair of the College of Health Professions Clinical Faculty Promotions Committee and the Department of PA Studies Faculty Search Committee. He contributes to curriculum development, admissions, and diversity initiatives. He also serves on interprofessional education and collaborative health informatics committees. His grants and funding sources are not explicitly mentioned, but his leadership in curriculum and national test item writing indicates significant scholarly engagement. He is affiliated with key clinical and academic teams, including the Sexual and Violence Intervention Program at Mount Sinai and the LGBT PA Caucus, where he serves as president-elect. His leadership in professional organizations and editorial boards underscores his national influence in PA education and women’s health.
Elizabeth Boskey is a prominent researcher at Boston Children's Hospital, where she serves as Co-Director of Research in the Division of Gynecology and co-chair of the Social Work Research Committee. She is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and actively collaborates across departments including Gynecology, Gender Multispecialty Service, Endocrinology, and Adolescent Medicine. Education: Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University (2000) Graduate: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (2001) Graduate: University of Louisville (2015) Fellowship in Bioethics: Harvard Medical School (2019) Her research centers on sexual and reproductive health, particularly among sexual and gender minority populations. She investigates gender-affirming care, ethical considerations, fertility, mental health, and surgical outcomes for transgender and gender-diverse youth and adults. Her work emphasizes health equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered approaches. Dr. Boskey's recent publications reveal a strong focus on transgender health, including hormone therapy, surgical outcomes, reproductive counseling, and the impact of policy and legislation. Her research spans clinical gynecology, bioethics, public health, and psychosocial factors, often using survey, cohort, and qualitative methods. Scientific Awards: Fellowship in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School (2019) She is dedicated to mentoring researchers across disciplines and advancing social work research within clinical settings. Dr. Boskey leads institutional efforts to improve research infrastructure and equity, including establishing health equity review processes. She collaborates extensively with clinicians and researchers to translate findings into improved care for vulnerable populations. Her work contributes significantly to the evidence base for gender-affirming care, particularly in pediatric and adolescent settings, and addresses critical gaps in knowledge, policy, and clinical practice.
Henrik Björklund is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Umeå University. His research focuses on natural language processing , formal languages , and mitigating social bias in large language models . Primary affiliation: Umeå University Department: Computing Science Role: Faculty member Research interests include: Detecting and mitigating gender bias in NLP systems like ChatGPT Foundational studies in formal languages and automata theory Developing language technology for Swedish, particularly nonbinary pronouns like 'hen' Publication trends show: Recent work (2023-2024) on intersectional bias analysis in LLMs 2017-2023 studies on hyperedge replacement grammars and DAG language transduction 2013-2017 contributions to XPath evaluation and tree pattern queries Contact : henrik.bjorklund@umu.se
Professor Ann Phoenix is Professor of Psychosocial Studies at the Social Research Institute, University College London (UCL), where she has established herself as a leading scholar in intersectional and psychosocial approaches to identity, social relations, and cultural processes. Her work spans multiple European contexts with specific expertise across Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Her research interests encompass: Intersectionality as theoretical framework and methodological approach Psychosocial dimensions of racialization and identity formation Gender studies, particularly masculinities and feminist theory Family studies and childhood research Transnational families and migration experiences Qualitative research methodologies with emphasis on narrative approaches Professor Phoenix's recent publications reveal a sustained commitment to examining how gender, race, class, and migration status intersect to shape individual experiences. Her work on boys and schooling provides nuanced understandings of masculinities in educational contexts across multiple European countries, while her research on translocational belongings explores complex identity navigation across multiple spaces. She has made significant contributions to understanding children's rights in conflict zones, sexual harassment experiences over time, and diversity in family practices. As a Co-Investigator on the ESRC-funded Behavioural Research UK project, she bridges academic research with policy relevance. Her teaching focuses on identities, qualitative research methods, intersectionality, family lives, and childhood studies. Professor Phoenix is available for supervision of research degrees, collaborative projects, external examining, and grant application assessment.
M. Killian Kinney, PhD, MSW (they/them) serves as Assistant Professor and Online Advanced Standing MSW Associate Director at Pacific University's Claire Argow Social Work Program. They also hold appointments as Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work and Clinical Research Coordinator at Indiana University School of Medicine. As Co-Director of the Queer Social Work Lab, Dr. Kinney leads community-driven research initiatives focused on LGBTQ health equity. Dr. Kinney's research specializes in transgender and nonbinary wellbeing through participatory action research methodologies. Their work includes legal epidemiology tracking LGBTQIA-related legislation across all 50 states and D.C., PhotoVoice studies examining community belonging, and development of practical tools like the Transgender Equity Impact Assessment. This research consistently follows the 'by, with, and for the community' ethos to ensure community-centered knowledge production. Recent publications demonstrate strong output in both academic journals and practical resources, including the 2025 authored book 'Gender identity and expression' and the award-recognized 2020 edited volume on transgender healthcare. Their scholarly work shows increasing impact with Google Scholar citations reaching 343 and an h-index of 9. Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University School of Social Work Alumni Association (2022) Postdoctoral fellowship at Wayne State University School of Social Work (2021-2022) Honorable mention for the 2022 SSWR book award Excellence in Teaching from Indiana University School of Social Work (2018) Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Fellowship (2017-2018) Dr. Kinney actively mentors students through research projects and serves as a bridge between academic research and clinical practice. Their dual roles as Clinical Research Coordinator at Indiana University School of Medicine and academic faculty enable direct translation of research findings into healthcare practice. The Queer Social Work Lab provides students with hands-on experience in community-based participatory research while addressing critical gaps in LGBTQ healthcare provision.
