Oliver Kessler is a Professor of International Relations at the School of Social Sciences , University of Erfurt. He leads the Promotionskolleg "De-Globalisierung und Globale Entkopplung (DeGlobE)" and contributes to interdisciplinary research at the intersection of constructivist theories, international political economy, and risk politics. His research focuses on: Constructivist theories of international relations International political economy Risk and uncertainty in global governance Politics of international law Recent publications analyze risk-race intersections in finance, contingency in constructivist thought, world society frameworks, and cyberwarfare legal status. He has edited special forums in journals like Millennium and Review of International Studies . As a project leader for DeGlobE, he explores processes of global decoupling. His methodological approach combines critical theory, practice theory, and systems theory.
Marcus V. A. B. De Matos is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Brunel University London , affiliated with the Brunel Law School within the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences. His career spans academia, legal consultancy, and human rights advocacy. PhD in Law , Birkbeck, University of London (2014) - CAPES Foundation Overseas Scholarship MRes in Human Rights and Arts , Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Bachelor of Laws (LLB) , UFRJ His research critically examines sovereignty , law and humanities , human rights , and digital democracy . Key projects include Human Rights & Religion (2021-2022), Living Avatars (2021-2022), and Human Rights, Religion and the Cold War (BRIEF Award 2023/2024). Recent work explores human rights and religion , digital avatars , and visual genealogies of sovereignty . His publications bridge law and film , sovereignty and aesthetics , and human rights in postcolonial contexts , with interdisciplinary focus on digital technology , religious movements , and historical memory . Notably, his 2021 monograph Imagens da América Latina (ABEU Prize winner) analyzes media and human rights in Latin America. BRIEF Award (2023/2024) HE Connects Grant (British Council) ABEU Prize for Best Monograph (2021) Honourable Mention (José Bonifácio Academic Foundation) Dr. De Matos serves as Deputy Director of Equality and Diversity at Brunel Law School, co-leads the Human Rights, Society and Arts and Living Avatars research groups, and contributes to international networks including ABEP-UK and RECAP (Brazilian legal advocacy network). He reviews for top journals like Law and Critique and Law and History Review .
Marco Venuti is a tenured researcher in English Language, Translation, and Linguistics at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania, where he teaches Statistics in Corpus Linguistics and English Linguistics and ESP. He previously held a research position at the University of Naples Federico II from 2006 to 2014. He is a founding member of the Interuniversity Research Center I-LanD (Identity, Language, and Diversity), the Center for Humanistic Computing (CInUm), and the Neurohumanities Research Center at the University of Catania. He serves as the Department's delegate for Digital Humanities and Digital Sociology and is a member of the Departmental Research Committee. His primary research interests include: Critical Discourse Analysis Corpus Assisted Discourse Studies News and Political Discourse Institutional Discourse Social Media in the Public Sphere Language and Gender His recent scholarly work focuses on the discursive construction of social and political events across media and cultures, particularly analyzing news values, identity representation, and evaluative language. His publications reveal a strong methodological consistency in combining corpus linguistics with critical discourse analysis, often in cross-cultural and multilingual contexts, examining topics such as same-sex marriage rulings, EU perception in media, and the linguistic framing of riots and political briefings. He has developed and analyzed major corpora, including the CompWHoB Corpus (White House Press Briefings) and the CorDis Corpus (Iraq War discourse). Scientific contributions and projects include: Principal Investigator (PI) of the interdepartmental research project on online journalism (2020–2024) Departmental PI of the project on Crisis in/of Democracy, focusing on populism and social media Co-development of linguistic corpora for political and media discourse analysis He actively mentors students, supervising theses on discourse analysis, media language, and gender. His research bridges linguistics, sociology, and digital humanities, contributing to both theoretical and applied understandings of language in public and institutional domains.
Aleksandra Lewicki is a Reader in Sociology (Sociology and Criminology) at the University of Sussex , affiliated with the School of Law, Politics and Sociology , the Sussex European Institute , and the Sussex Centre for Migration Research . She also serves as the Director of Research and Innovation in her school and as Co-Director of the Sussex European Institute. Her academic journey includes a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Freie Universität Berlin and a Research Associate position at the University of Bristol, where she also earned her PhD in Sociology and an MA in Politics. Her research focuses on boundary-making, structural inequalities, and racialisation in post-colonial Europe. Key areas include institutional racism, political mobilisation, citizenship politics, and the gendered dimensions of racialisation, particularly concerning 'Eastern Europeans' and Muslim populations in Germany and the UK. She critically examines how categories of difference are produced and institutionalised, shaping social hierarchies and life trajectories. Her recent publications in journals like Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies , The Sociological Review , and International Political Sociology explore themes such as the ambiguous racialisation of Eastern Europeans, the material effects of Whiteness in the German welfare state, and the coloniality of post-Brexit borders. Her work consistently highlights the geopolitical, legal, and economic dimensions of racism beyond individual prejudice. Lewicki has secured competitive research funding from the British Academy , the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency , and the Research Council of Norway . Her projects include studies on discrimination in the labour market, political subjectivities after East-West migration, and transnational anti-immigration movements in Europe. Co-Director, Sussex European Institute Director of Research and Innovation, School of Law, Politics and Sociology, University of Sussex In-House Associate Editor, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies Co-Chair, Ethnicity, Race, and Diverse Societies Research Network She supervises undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations and welcomes PhD students working in de/postcolonial sociology, the sociology of race and racism, and migration studies. Lewicki is actively engaged in public scholarship, contributing to policy debates and public discourse on migration, racism, and citizenship.
Dr. Thomas V. Caprio is a Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center across multiple departments including Medicine (Geriatrics/Aging) , Dentistry , Psychiatry , Public Health Sciences , and SON Faculty . He serves as the Chief Medical Officer for UR Medicine Home Care and the Hospice Medical Director . A national leader in geriatrics and palliative care education, he directs the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center and has transformed age-friendly healthcare systems through workforce development and policy innovation. Key Research Areas: Aging and Geriatric Care End-of-Life Care Home Health Services Dementia and Caregiver Support Health Disparities Deprescribing and Medication Safety Scientific Awards & Recognitions: 2023 Faculty Academic Mentoring Award 2023 Walter M. Beatty Jr. Distinguished Membership Award 2023 Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America 2017 Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 2015 Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society 2013 Dean's Teaching Fellowship His publications focus on optimizing care transitions, reducing hospitalizations in nursing homes, improving oral health for dementia patients, and advancing age-friendly clinical practices. Current work emphasizes system-level transformation for age-friendly care, addressing health equity, and enhancing quality of life for older adults and their caregivers.
Prof. Dr. Sybille Bauriedl is Professor in the Department of Integrative Geography at the University of Flensburg, serving as Head of the Study Program for the Interdisciplinary Institute for Environmental, Social and Human Sciences and Deputy Institute Spokesperson. Her institutional roles position her at the intersection of critical geography, environmental justice, and social transformation. Her research spans: Urban political ecology with focus on metabolic urbanism and climate justice Feminist critiques of platform capitalism in care and urban services Decolonial methodologies in mapping and spatial memory practices Gendered dimensions of climate adaptation and urban governance Critical analyses of smart city discourse and platform urbanism Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals a concentrated focus on the platformization of urban life, particularly examining how digital platforms transform care work, urban metabolism, and spatial justice in European cities. Her work consistently integrates feminist and post-colonial perspectives into critiques of techno-capitalist urban restructuring, with growing attention to climate-resilient rural-urban cooperation models. While no formal advising relationships or scientific awards are documented in the provided materials, her institutional leadership roles suggest significant administrative and educational contributions. Her departmental focus on Integrative Geography reflects her commitment to transdisciplinary approaches addressing environmental and social crises.
Professor Symeon Dagkas serves as Head of the School of Psychology & Life Sciences at the University of East London, specializing in the intersection of physical education, social inclusion, and superdiverse communities. His research critically examines barriers to sport participation among marginalized groups, particularly focusing on Muslim women, ethnic minorities, and youth from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in East London contexts. His primary research interests center on physical education inclusion , superdiverse health equity , and critical pedagogies for diverse classrooms . Through Bourdieusian frameworks, he investigates how race, religion, and social class intersect to shape physical culture experiences. Key projects include the Newham Every Child a Sport Person (NECaSP) initiative and Schools on the Move intervention, examining family structures, pedagogical practices, and institutional barriers affecting youth physical activity. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on intersectional exclusion mechanisms in sport settings, with increasing emphasis on superdiversity theory and decolonizing physical culture . His work bridges academic research and practical interventions, documenting discrimination patterns among Asian European footballers while developing inclusive pedagogical models for culturally diverse classrooms. Professor Dagkas has led significant funded projects including: Youth Sport Trust's 'Schools on the Move' evaluation Newham Borough's Every Child a Sport Person program BASS Project on Muslim girls' participation His scholarly contributions include edited volumes like 'Families, Young People, Physical Activity and Health: Critical Perspectives' (Routledge, 2016), establishing him as a key voice in critical sport pedagogy. His research teams frequently collaborate with East London community organizations, focusing on: Racialization in physical culture Family health pedagogies Religious inclusion frameworks Urban youth engagement models Current work examines superdiverse adolescents' activity patterns through mixed-methods approaches, developing context-specific inclusion strategies for London's multicultural schools.
Zoë Corwin is a Research Professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, affiliated with the Pullias Center for Higher Education. Her work focuses on college access and success for at-promise students, pathways for students with foster care experiences, and the role of digital tools in educational equity. PhD in Sociology from University of Southern California MA in Spanish from Saint Louis University BA in Sociology from University of California, Los Angeles Her research integrates games and social media into postsecondary pathways and explores the social impact of skateboarding . She emphasizes ecological validation as a method to support marginalized students through holistic institutional practices. Recent publications address systemic institutional reform via professional learning communities, digital strategies for student well-being, and terminology in at-promise student research. Grants include a $5.6M award from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and NIH funding for LGBTQ+ student support. 2023 USC Joint Educational Partnership Community Engaged Teaching and Research Award 2017 USC Rossier Mentoring Award Spencer Foundation and Haynes Foundation fellowships Corwin collaborates with practitioners to create accessible outputs like games , monographs , and practitioner briefs , bridging academic research with community needs. She is a founding board member of the New Los Angeles Charter Middle School.
Tahseen Shams is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania , specializing in the intersections of race, religion, and geopolitics among immigrant communities. Her groundbreaking research examines how South Asian Muslim immigrants in Canada navigate interracial and interfaith dating/marriage through both personal and societal lenses. Current affiliation: University of Pennsylvania Research focus: Complex religion framework, transnational identity, and geopolitical influences on intimate relationships Methodology: In-depth interviews and digital ethnography with 50 South Asian Muslim participants in Canada Her work challenges conventional race-centric analyses by demonstrating how sect, national origin, and global political consciousness equally shape identity boundaries. Key findings reveal: Racialized Muslims actively negotiate religious authenticity through conversion timelines and motivations South Asian "brown solidarity" is undermined by historical ethnonational conflicts (e.g., Bangladesh-Pakistan tensions) Colorism and linguistic hierarchies persist within co-ethnic Muslim communities Global geopolitics (especially Israel-Palestine) inform personal romantic boundaries The project involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary RRR research team of undergraduate and graduate students, analyzing 130 interviews across five participant groups. Her publications include empirical studies in Sociology of Religion , Qualitative Sociology , and Ethnic and Racial Studies , with a forthcoming monograph at Stanford University Press .
Dr. Elaine M. Maccio is an Associate Professor and Associate Director at the School of Social Work , Louisiana State University (LSU), College of Human Sciences & Education. She holds a PhD in Social Welfare (2004) and an MSW (1998) from the University at Buffalo, and a BS in Psychology/Sociology (1996) from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Education: PhD, MSW, BS Academic Rank: Associate Professor Key Research Areas: LGBTQ+ Studies, Homeless Youth, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Dr. Maccio’s work focuses on LGBTQ+ populations, particularly runaway/homeless youth and postpartum mental health in lesbian/bisexual mothers. She developed the Better Futures grant-funded project to enhance post-secondary access for foster care alumni. Her scholarship includes publications in top journals like Journal of Homosexuality and Social Service Review , with recent articles examining protective factors for LGBQ youth and systemic intersections of child welfare and trafficking. She has received prestigious awards including the University at Buffalo’s Distinguished PhD Alumni Award and LSU’s Torchbearer Award for IT Leadership. With over 36 speaking engagements in five years, she collaborates with organizations like the National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections. Her teaching portfolio spans 23 courses across 18 content areas, including mental health diagnosis and social work practice. Key Scientific Awards University at Buffalo Distinguished PhD Alumni Award LSU Torchbearer Award for IT Leadership Media Engagements Featured in The Advocate , Baton Rouge Community Radio, and MTV’s True Life Appearances in national podcasts like inSocialWork
Gregory D. Smithers is a Professor of American History in the Department of History at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), recently holding a British Academy Global Professorship hosted at the University of Birmingham. With teaching experience across California, Hawaii, Scotland, and Ohio, his scholarship bridges Indigenous and African American histories from the eighteenth century to contemporary climate justice movements. His educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Davis. Smithers' research centers on Cherokee history, Two-Spirit identities, and the environmental consequences of settler colonialism, examining how Indigenous and African American communities have navigated ecological disruption and cultural survival. His work consistently connects historical analysis to present-day struggles for racial equity, gender justice, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge systems in climate adaptation. His publications reveal a profound engagement with marginalized histories, particularly through award-winning works like 'Reclaiming Two-Spirits' (2022) and 'Native Southerners' (2019), which document Indigenous resilience against colonial erasure. Recurring themes include the weaponization of scientific racism, the gendered violence of slavery, and the reclamation of sovereign narratives through cultural renewal. Major recognitions include: 2023 PROSE Award in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology for 'Reclaiming Two-Spirits' British Academy Global Professorship supporting 'Native Ecologies' research At VCU, Smithers mentors graduate students in historical methodology while securing competitive fellowships for projects like 'The Water Carriers,' examining Cherokee relationships with river systems. His public scholarship extends through media collaborations with The Washington Post and Bloomberg News, translating academic research into accessible commentary on racism and environmental policy. Current initiatives include the 'Treatied Spaces' research cluster at Birmingham focusing on Indigenous climate solutions, alongside completion of 'The Water Carriers: A Journey Through Cherokee History and the Secret Life of Rivers' (Pegasus Books).
Dr. Yuan Shu is a Professor in the Department of English at Texas Tech University's College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in American Literature and Comparative Literature with a focus on transpacific studies, globalization, and Asian American literature. He holds a Combined Ph.D. in English and American Studies from Indiana University at Bloomington and has established himself as a leading scholar in transnational American studies through extensive publications and international collaborations. His educational background includes: Combined Ph.D. in English and American Studies, Indiana University at Bloomington Dr. Shu's research explores the intersections of technology, race, and geopolitical discourse in transpacific contexts, with particular emphasis on post-9/11 American literature, Vietnamese American narratives, and Chinese diaspora experiences. His work bridges literary analysis with critical theory to examine how globalization reshapes cultural production and identity formation across the Pacific Rim. Key thematic threads include the technological empire's impact on racial formation, eco-critical perspectives on transpacific literature, and the rehabilitation of marginalized historical narratives. His publication trajectory reveals a sustained focus on transpacific literary and cultural studies, evolving from early work on digital communities and Asian American subjectivities toward contemporary analyses of geopolitical representation, human rights discourse, and oceanic epistemologies. Recent scholarship demonstrates increasing engagement with indigenous knowledge systems and planetary consciousness within American studies frameworks. His scientific recognition includes: Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award (2017-2018) Global Vision Award on Faculty International Scholarship (2016) President's Excellence in Diversity and Equity Award (2011) Inclusive Excellence Award (2011) Integrated Scholar designation (2017) NEH Summer Institute Fellowship (2023) Dr. Shu has secured significant research funding including U.S. Department of State grants ($24,000), Henry Luce Foundation awards ($27,000), and multiple Texas Tech University grants totaling over $75,000. His service includes founding the TTU Chinese Faculty and Staff Association (2009-2011) and directing the Comparative Literature Program (2006-2010). Current projects include a book under contract titled Negotiating the Technological Empire: Technology, Racial Formation, and Transpacific Chinese American Life Writing , reflecting his ongoing commitment to theorizing technology's role in transpacific cultural production. As an international educator, Dr. Shu has delivered lectures at Oxford University, Doshisha University, National University of Singapore, and institutions across Asia, fostering global dialogue on American studies in the post-American era through initiatives like the Stanford University Chinese Railroad Workers Project (2012-2016).
Dr. Andre A. Pekerti is an Associate Professor in International Management at The University of Queensland Business School (UQBS), specializing in multiculturalism, cultural intelligence (CQ), and servant leadership. A naturalised New Zealander and Australian of Indonesian-Chinese heritage, his research bridges personal multicultural identity with organizational effectiveness. He teaches in MBA programs and consults for institutions like BiasSync, focusing on unconscious bias solutions. Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Canterbury Masters (Research), University of Canterbury Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Auckland His research explores n-Culturals —individuals synthesizing multiple cultural identities—and their impact on trustworthiness, acculturation, and cognitive complexity. He develops multi-method CQ assessment tools and investigates servant leadership’s role in ethical workplace dynamics. Andre’s recent publications analyze gender disparities in global business, emotional memory effects in mergers, and sociocultural adaptation mechanisms. His work has informed training programs for organizations like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Human Factors AS Norway. Grants and Supervision: He has secured funding for projects on servant leadership (2012-2016), cultural intelligence (2004-2005), and Indonesian SME digital transformation (2020-2021). Currently supervising four PhD students on topics like post-merger cognition and digital change. Initiatives: Founder of UQBS’s Rapid Acculturation Mateship Program (RAMP), now expanded into Global Mates and BEL Buddies, which supports international student adjustment through peer mentoring.
Sadé Lindsay is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Sociology at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. Her work bridges criminal justice, public policy, and racial inequality, focusing on systemic consequences of incarceration and policy reform. Education: The Ohio State University (BA, MA, PhD) Her research examines how criminal justice policies—such as drug laws, collateral sanctions, and prison education programs—shape racial disparities in social mobility, employment, and health equity. She employs mixed-method approaches, including qualitative analysis of institutional practices and quantitative studies of state-level policy impacts. Recent publications in Criminology and Social Problems explore: Racialized labor market outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals Media framing of mass violence through racial lenses Intersectional risks for LGBTQ+ and trans prisoners She has been recognized with awards from the American Sociological Association, American Society of Criminology, and Society for the Study of Social Problems. Supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Justice, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Lindsay also serves as a W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow and Health Equity Scholar.
Renee Luthra is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Essex, serving as Director of the Essex Centre for Migration Studies and Assistant Director of the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change. Her research expertise spans international migration, social stratification, education, and quantitative methods, with current investigations focusing on: Migration-driven inequalities in parenting, education, work, and health Second-generation immigrant integration and educational trajectories Policy impacts on migrant communities (including Brexit consequences) Immigrant health paradox mechanisms and mental health outcomes Political socialization in transnational families Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals methodological consistency in quantitative analysis of large-scale datasets like Understanding Society, with thematic emphasis on contextual factors shaping migrant integration. Her work consistently examines how structural forces—particularly discrimination, family dynamics, and policy environments—mediate outcomes across generations. She leads strategic research initiatives through the Essex Centre for Migration Studies and ESRC Research Centre, directing teams that investigate contemporary migration patterns and their societal implications across European contexts.
