Arian Mahzouni is a Research Fellow at the University of Oslo, affiliated with the cross-faculty initiative Technology and Sustainable Futures. His work focuses on energy transitions in urban environments, policy analysis, and institutional frameworks for sustainability. He holds a PhD in Urban Planning from the Technical University of Dortmund (2007), an MSc in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Stockholm, and a BSc in Business Administration from the same institution. His recent research includes contributions to the EMPOWER project, examining the environmental and social impacts of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. He is also a visiting research fellow at Graz University of Technology’s IAS-STS (2024–2025), exploring sector coupling through EV batteries. He has taught courses on sustainability transitions, energy efficiency, and urban climate planning at institutions including the University of Oslo and the University of Freiburg. Key research interests span sustainability transitions, institutional analysis, and electrification policies. His publications address urban energy systems, policy mixes, and socio-technical challenges in retrofitting urban infrastructure. Awards include the visiting fellowship at IAS-STS, recognizing his interdisciplinary contributions to sustainable futures research.
Monika Metykova is an Associate Professor in Media Communications/Journalism Studies at the University of Sussex's School of Media, Arts and Humanities. She previously held academic positions at Northumbria University, the University of Sunderland, and Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research focuses on journalism practices, media policies, and their relationship to democracy, with particular attention to European media landscapes, migration narratives, and media labor conditions. She has authored books like Diversity and the Media (2016) and contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed publications. Her work explores topics such as the autonomy of peripheral news workers, the impact of digital media on journalism, and the cultural implications of migration. Research interests include: Journalistic work and labor European media policy and governance Migrant identities and transnational practices Media representation of diversity Cultural memory and local journalism Teaching specialization spans undergraduate and postgraduate courses on journalism transitions, global news industries, and academic writing. Her publications span a decade of scholarship addressing both theoretical and practical dimensions of media systems, with a focus on Eastern/Central Europe and the Balkans.
Dr. Anuraag Shrivastav is a Professor at the University of Winnipeg's Department of Biology, affiliated with the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex. His research focuses on cellular signaling mechanisms linked to cancer development, particularly studying biomarkers and therapeutic targets for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. His lab also explores renewable energy materials, including perovskite solar cells and nanomaterials like zinc oxide buckyballs. Research Interests: Dr. Shrivastav investigates oncogenic pathways involving N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), mTOR signaling, and STAT3/AP1 interactions. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, developing diagnostic tools such as blood-based biomarker tests. Simultaneously, he pioneers advancements in energy materials through computational modeling and experimental synthesis of novel photovoltaic systems. Publications Trends: Over 2023-2025, his articles emphasize translational cancer research—identifying prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies—while maintaining a parallel focus on materials innovation for sustainable energy solutions. This dual focus reflects his interdisciplinary approach to scientific inquiry. Awards: No specific awards mentioned, though his extensive publication record indicates sustained research impact. He currently supervises graduate students and postdocs in both cancer biology and materials science domains. Lab/Team: His laboratory integrates molecular biology, computational modeling, and materials engineering, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Active projects include NMT-based cancer diagnostics and next-generation solar cell development.
Dr. hab. Anna Golejewska is a **Professor** at the **Department of International Economics and Economic Development**, part of the **Faculty of Economics** at the **University of Gdańsk**. Her work focuses on regional innovation systems, economic development, and the impact of EU policies on entrepreneurship and firm performance. Her research interests include analyzing innovation drivers in regions, tax policy effects on firms, and the role of metropolitan locations in fostering innovation. She has extensively studied Poland’s regional economies, Special Economic Zones, and the application of EU structural funds in supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Key themes in her work include the efficiency of regional innovation systems, the influence of urbanization on innovation, and the interplay between foreign direct investment and productivity spillovers. She has also explored competitiveness dynamics in the Visegrad Group countries and Eastern European regions. Her publications highlight empirical analyses of policy effectiveness, such as tax incentives and local government support for entrepreneurship. Recent work emphasizes the transformation of transportation infrastructure and the classification of regional innovation typologies in Poland. While no specific awards are mentioned, her prolific output demonstrates significant contributions to regional economic policy analysis and innovation studies.
Rafał Gajewski serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Spatial Studies within the Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management at the University of Gdańsk's Faculty of Social Sciences. His academic work centers on metropolitan governance, spatial planning, and socio-economic transformation in Polish urban contexts, with particular focus on the Tri-City metropolitan area (Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot). His research interests span urban geography, metropolitan governance structures, climate change adaptation strategies, and the legal frameworks for metropolitan cooperation. He has conducted extensive case studies on institutional forms of inter-municipal collaboration, metropolitan area delimitation, and resilience planning in Polish cities undergoing post-socialist transformation. His work bridges theoretical approaches like strategic-relational geography with practical policy analysis. Analysis of his publication record (2016-2024) reveals consistent thematic focus on metropolitan governance mechanisms in Central Europe. Key contributions include examinations of metropolitan union formation, boundary delimitation policies, and adaptation strategies for climate resilience. His research demonstrates strong regional specialization in Polish metropolitan development while incorporating comparative perspectives, notably through analysis of Canadian metropolitan governance models. The work consistently addresses the tension between theoretical spatial concepts and practical administrative implementation in post-socialist contexts.
Ewa Danuta Skowronek is a Professor at the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska (UMCS) , Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, Department of Regional Geography and Tourism. She has been actively involved in research on cultural landscape transformations, tourist landscape analysis, and sustainable regional development in Eastern Poland, particularly focusing on the Lublin and Roztocze regions. Research Interests: Cultural landscapes, tourist landscape theory, sustainable tourism, cross-border cooperation, and regional product development Projects: Participated in international initiatives like 'Eastern European Pearls' and 'Bike Like Roztocze', contributed to Biosphere Reserve documentation, and developed tourism concepts for Lublin region Leadership: Board member of PECSRL (since 2023), former editor-in-chief of Annales UMCS sec. B (2019-2023), and active in UMCS Senate committees Publication Trends: Recent articles focus on rural landscape evolution, sustainable tourism models, geocultural site development, and pandemic impacts on pilgrimage tourism, with strong emphasis on cross-border cooperation and heritage utilization. Collaborations with researchers like T. Brzezińska-Wójcik and A. Tucki demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches.
Assoc. Prof. Aşkım ÖZDİZBAY is an Assistant Professor at Istanbul University, Faculty of Literature, Department of Classical Archaeology , Turkey. With a doctorate in Classical Archaeology (2008) and extensive fieldwork experience, her research focuses on urban development in ancient Anatolia, particularly in Pamphylia and Rough Cilicia regions. Specializes in Romanization processes, settlement patterns, and epigraphic studies Active in excavation projects (Perge 2020-2024) and academic service (ICOMOS-Turkey, ARIT) Research Trends : Analysis of Roman provincial architecture (Perge, Issos), epigraphic documentation, and rural-urban dynamics in Anatolia. Her 15 most recent articles span 2002-2023, emphasizing Roman influence on local settlements. Thesis Advisory : Supervised 14 theses across Ph.D. and Master's levels, including projects on trade routes, Hellenistic cults, and architectural transformations.
Afshin Mosahebi serves as an Honorary Professor in the Department of Surgical Biotechnology at University College London (UCL), where he maintains an active research profile despite his non-salaried academic appointment. His work bridges surgical innovation with biotechnology applications, focusing on evidence-based improvements in plastic and reconstructive surgical outcomes while addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare sustainability and patient safety. Primary Affiliation: Department of Surgical Biotechnology, UCL Academic Status: Honorary (non-salaried) faculty position Research Scope: Clinical and translational surgical research with global health implications Professor Mosahebi's research program demonstrates exceptional breadth across surgical disciplines, with concentrated expertise in DIEP flap breast reconstruction techniques, melanoma management, and sustainable surgical practices. His methodology frequently employs systematic reviews, bibliometric analyses, and eco-audits to evaluate surgical efficacy and environmental impact. Key specialties include peripheral nerve imaging advancements, aesthetic medicine evidence assessment, and psychological outcomes in cosmetic surgery patients. The work consistently addresses unmet needs in surgical oncology, reconstructive microsurgery, and resource optimization within healthcare systems. Analysis of his 330+ publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Technical refinement in breast reconstruction (particularly venous augmentation to prevent fat necrosis), (2) Sustainability quantification across surgical pathways (breast, abdominal, microtia), and (3) Critical appraisal of evidence in aesthetic medicine (botulinum toxin, regenerative therapies, patient psychology). His collaborative approach spans oncology, dermatology, psychology, and environmental science, evidenced by multi-disciplinary co-authorship patterns. The temporal concentration of 2025 publications indicates ongoing high productivity in surgical innovation research. While no specific awards are documented in available records, Professor Mosahebi's extensive publication record—including leadership in high-impact systematic reviews and novel eco-audit methodologies—demonstrates significant scholarly contribution. His supervisory role is evidenced by thesis editorial involvement (e.g., FRAME project) and frequent student co-authorship, though formal student lists remain unspecified. Collaborative networks prominently feature researchers like Wong ZY and Faderani R across multiple projects, indicating sustained research partnerships. Current work shows particular emphasis on environmental impact assessment and evidence-based protocol development for surgical safety.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Klee serves as Honorary Professor for Geography at Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg since 2015 and Lecturer at its Institute of Geography and Geology since 2010. He concurrently holds the position of Head of Central Department and Deputy Secretary General at the Academy for Spatial Development in the Leibniz Association (ARL) in Hanover since 2003. Previous academic appointments include Acting Professor for Spatial and Environmental Planning at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2014-2016) and lectureships at Technical University Munich, LMU Munich, and Halle University. His educational background features: Diplom-Geograph in Geography (Urban and Regional Development) from Universities of Trier, Portsmouth (UK), and Bayreuth (1988-1995) Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) from University of Bayreuth (2001) on spatial dimensions of urban lifestyles Prof. Klee's research centers on Spatial Planning , Planning Law , and Spatial Development Policy , with particular focus on demographic change impacts, historical evolution of planning systems, and lifestyle-space interactions. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical policy analysis, emphasizing regional development challenges in Bavaria and Germany. Notable contributions include critical assessments of state-level planning relevance and sustainable spatial ordering frameworks. His publication trajectory reveals consistent engagement with spatial governance challenges, evolving from demographic change analyses (2009-2010) toward contemporary sustainability and institutional issues (2021-2022). Key thematic clusters include mentoring in planning professions (2012-2015), climate adaptation strategies (2008), and historical-institutional studies of spatial research bodies. Collaborative work with ARL demonstrates strong institutional linkages between academic and policy spheres. No scientific awards are documented in available sources. Prof. Klee has co-developed mentoring initiatives for female spatial planning practitioners through ARL and FRU programs, focusing on career advancement and professional networking. His 2012-2015 publications evaluate program effectiveness and identify systemic barriers for women in the field. No specific research grants are mentioned in source materials. He operates within the Chair of Human Geography at Würzburg University's Institute of Geography and Geology, contributing to the Faculty of Philosophy's research profile. His dual affiliation with ARL positions him at the science-policy interface, influencing national spatial development discourse through both academic outputs and institutional leadership in Hanover.
Christian von Wissel is a Professor of Urban Theory at the School of Architecture Bremen and Scientific Director of the Bremen Centre for Building Culture (b.zb) . His work bridges critical urban theory, climate resilience, and participatory design, with a focus on Latin American urban experiences. Academic Affiliations: Member of the spokesperson team for the "Healthy City Bremen" research cluster (since 2023), and part of the German Academy for Urban and Regional Planning (DASL) (since 2020). Research Themes: Climate and environmental justice, dwelling urbanism, relational planning, and urban knowledge production from the Global South. Key Projects: Led "Architecture for All?!" (2022-2023), examining gender equality in architecture, and contributes to "Healthy City Bremen" (2023-present), integrating health and urban planning. His work on "Dwelling Urbanism" reimagines cities through bodily practices in Mexico City's peripheries. Publications: Authored monographs like Dwelling Urbanism (2019) and edited volumes such as Architecture for All?! (2022). His essays explore topics like "Social Urban Sustainability" and "Peripherization" in Mexico City. Education and Experience: Holds a PhD (2016) from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a diploma in Architecture (2002) from TU Berlin. Previously held roles at TU Braunschweig, TU Munich, and co-founded the urban research collective Citámbulos.
Carey D. Balaban is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh with joint appointments across multiple departments including Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Neurobiology, Communication Science & Disorders, and Bioengineering, reflecting his highly interdisciplinary research profile. His work bridges biomedical sciences, engineering, and clinical applications with significant contributions to vestibular neuroscience and related disorders. Dr. Balaban earned his BA in History from Michigan State University, PhD in Anatomy from the University of Chicago, and completed postdoctoral training at the University of Tokyo. His educational background uniquely informs his dual expertise in historical medicine and contemporary neuroscience. His research focuses on mathematical and heuristic modeling of neurological and psychological features in balance disorders, migraine, and anxiety. He has pioneered translational approaches examining co-morbid aspects of vestibular disorders and developed novel methodologies including mass spectrometric imaging of histological materials. Current work extends these models to mild traumatic brain injury and acoustic trauma. Dr. Balaban's publications reveal consistent contributions to vestibular neuroscience, with recent work (through 2025) focusing on third window syndromes, vestibular migraine, and neuro-otological aspects of anxiety disorders. His research demonstrates strong translational impact with patented technologies for assessing situational awareness and cognitive engagement. He teaches core courses for the National Preparedness and Homeland Security certificate program, Medical Neurobiology, undergraduate History of Medicine, and graduate Intellectual History of Neuroscience, demonstrating remarkable breadth across scientific and humanities disciplines. His authorship of two books on seventeenth century medicine further highlights this unique interdisciplinary perspective. Dr. Balaban maintains active research collaborations across multiple institutions, with frequent co-authorship patterns indicating strong partnerships in neuro-otology, particularly with researchers at military medical centers given his work on posttraumatic dizziness and mass casualty response systems.
Folker Hanusch is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication within the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). With a prolific publication record spanning from 2003 to 2019, his research has significantly contributed to the field of journalism studies, particularly in specialized areas that have expanded traditional journalism research boundaries. His primary research interests include journalism culture, lifestyle journalism, travel journalism, and Indigenous journalism, with particular focus on Maori journalism in New Zealand. Hanusch has pioneered research in niche areas such as the geography of travel journalism and the cultural dimensions of reporting on death and disaster. His work often takes a comparative approach, examining journalistic practices across different national contexts and cultural settings. Analysis of his most recent publications reveals a clear trajectory from traditional journalism studies toward more specialized subfields. His work has evolved from examining basic journalism culture and international news flows to exploring nuanced topics like web analytics in journalism, lifestyle journalism's commercial influences, and the intersection of development journalism with traditional watchdog roles. The geographic scope of his research has expanded from primarily Australian contexts to include global comparative studies across dozens of countries. As an academic leader, Hanusch has edited significant volumes including Travel Journalism: Exploring Production, Impact and Culture (2014) and Lifestyle Journalism (2013), establishing these areas as legitimate fields of scholarly inquiry. His research methodology frequently involves large-scale surveys of journalists and journalism students across multiple countries, demonstrating strong collaborative research skills. His work has appeared in top-tier journals including Journalism Studies , Journalism , and Media, Culture and Society , with several publications receiving significant citations (notably his 2011 article 'Mapping journalism cultures across nations' with over 2,500 citations). His research bridges theoretical frameworks from cultural studies, sociology, and communication theory to advance understanding of contemporary journalism practices in a globalized media environment.
Dr. Maria A. Martin has been affiliated with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) since 2008, initially as a doctoral student and later transitioning to a post-doctoral researcher. Since 2014, she has served as a Research Analyst within the Scientific Directors' Staff department. Her academic background includes a physics degree from the University of Potsdam and Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie in Paris, where her doctoral thesis focused on synchronization in quantum-optical resonators. At PIK, she co-developed the Parallel Ice Sheet Model and conducted pioneering research on Antarctic ice-flow dynamics using numerical modeling techniques. Dr. Martin's research interests span climate modeling, glaciology, and environmental science, with a particular emphasis on understanding the mechanisms driving ice-sheet dynamics and their implications for sea-level rise. Her work integrates advanced computational models with observational data to address critical questions in climate science. Beyond technical contributions, she has engaged in science communication through initiatives like the children's podcast Pinselohr . Her professional network and collaborations are reflected in her participation in interdisciplinary projects at PIK, including contributions to policy advice and software development related to climate impact research. She holds an ORCID identifier (0000-0002-1443-0891) and maintains active involvement in academic discourse through peer-reviewed publications and institutional outreach activities.
Piper R. Gaubatz is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is also a Faculty Affiliate in the Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning. Her research focuses on urban geography, with an emphasis on urban transformation, environmental planning, and public space in China, Japan, and the United States. Position: Professor and Department Head Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst Department: Department of Geosciences Affiliation: Faculty Affiliate, Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Dr. Gaubatz holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (1989), an MA in Geography, and an AB in Sociology from Princeton University. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in over 18 cities across China, Japan, and the U.S., and her interdisciplinary research integrates geography, urban planning, sociology, and environmental studies. Her research interests include urban form, urban change, urban ecology, social justice, and regional inequality. She critically examines how power, policy, and culture shape urban spaces, particularly in the context of globalization and post-socialist transformation. Her work often compares urban development patterns between core and peripheral regions in China. The recent publications of Dr. Gaubatz reveal a strong focus on the transformation of public space in Chinese cities, particularly large squares modeled after Tiananmen Square. Her research also explores environmental sustainability, urban-rural interactions, and socio-spatial segregation, especially in rapidly urbanizing third-tier cities. Themes such as commercialization, globalization, and the redefinition of socialist urban legacies are central to her scholarly output. Scientific Awards and Honors: Fulbright Scholar Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship National Academy of Sciences Committee on Scholarly Communication with China National Geographic Society Grant Luce Foundation Grant Association of American Geographers Grant UMass Interdisciplinary Studies Institute Grant Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grant Chinese Academy of Sciences Collaboration Dr. Gaubatz has advised several graduate students, including PhD candidate Sainan Lin. She has received grant funding from numerous prestigious institutions to support her field research. She teaches a wide range of courses including Urban Geography, Urban Environmental History, and field methods, emphasizing hands-on, experiential learning. She has also contributed to academic service through editorial roles in journals such as Cities , Urban Morphology , and The Geographical Review . Her research is supported by interdisciplinary collaborations with geographers, planners, architects, and historians. She leads ongoing projects on public space in Chinese cities, environmental history in Inner Mongolia, and regional inequality in urban development. Her long-term goal is to develop accessible theoretical and methodological frameworks for understanding urban transformation in both academic and professional contexts.
Stephen Helms Tillery is a professor at Arizona State University (ASU), holding the Lincoln Chair in Neural Engineering and Ethics. He is affiliated with the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering and the Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor control, particularly how the brain integrates sensory inputs to guide movement. He also leads ethical discussions on aligning research with societal benefit. Education: B.S. in Psychology (ASU), neuroscience studies at University of Minnesota (under John Soechting and Tim Ebner), postdoctoral work at SUNY Syracuse (under Peter Strick), and neuroprosthetics research at ASU with Andrew Schwartz. Research interests include brain plasticity, cortical neurophysiology, and neural prosthetics. His work combines human and nonhuman primate studies, with contributions to tactile feedback systems, cortical mapping, and neuroethical frameworks for translational research. Key research trends in his articles emphasize sensory integration, neuroprosthetic design, and ethical considerations in neural engineering. He has developed novel methods for non-invasive cortical mapping and advanced haptic feedback systems for prosthetics. He participates in the Global Futures initiative as a Senior Global Futures Scientist, addressing long-term societal impacts of neuroscience research. His work bridges technical innovation with ethical responsibility, ensuring technologies benefit broader communities.
