Professor Lars Vinx holds the Chair in Jurisprudence at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Law and is a Fellow of Hughes Hall. His research specializes in legal philosophy, constitutional theory, and the history of political thought, with particular focus on justifying constitutional control mechanisms through appeals to popular sovereignty. His work critically examines legal theorists including Hans Kelsen and Carl Schmitt. Research Expertise: Vinx's scholarship analyzes democratic legitimacy under constitutional constraints, militant democracy defenses against authoritarian threats, sovereignty concepts in political theology, and republican freedom frameworks. His current projects investigate constitutional guardianship models and material foundations of democratic states. Education: PhD in Philosophy, University of Toronto MA in History/Philosophy/Political Science, University of Heidelberg
Professor Sharon Bessell is a leading academic and social policy expert at The Australian National University (ANU), where she holds dual roles as Professor and Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy. She directs the Children’s Policy Centre and co-hosts the Policy Forum Pod, a platform for policy analysis. Her work emphasizes rights-based approaches to social policy, particularly for children in poverty, and she has pioneered the Individual Measure of Multidimensional Poverty (IMMP/IDM), a groundbreaking tool assessing poverty’s gendered and individual impacts. Bessell is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has received ANU’s Teaching Excellence Award twice (2016 and 2023). Education: - BA (Hons 1st class, Tasmania) - PhD (Monash University) Research Interests: Sharon’s research focuses on three pillars: Social policy, child rights, and poverty reduction Gendered dimensions of poverty and innovative data collection methods Intergenerational relations and evolving childhoods She has conducted extensive studies in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji, and Southern Africa, collaborating with governments, NGOs, and international agencies to develop child-centered policy frameworks. Her methodologies prioritize ethical engagement with children, ensuring their voices shape policy outcomes. Grants and Projects: - More for Children : Paul Ramsay Foundation-funded research creating a child-centered poverty assessment framework. - IDM Program : Co-led an interdisciplinary team under an Australian Research Council Linkage grant, developing the IMMP/IDM. - Suara Anak (Children’s Voices) : ARC Discovery grant-funded research in Indonesia. Awards and Recognition: - 2019: Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence. - 2016/2023: ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Award for Teaching Excellence. Teaching and Advocacy: Bessell teaches Global Social Policy (POGO8044) and Development Theories and Themes (POGO8072) . Her courses address poverty, globalization, children’s rights, and gender analysis. She advocates for systemic policy reforms to end child poverty, emphasizing structural barriers and the role of social justice in economic policies. Her work challenges stigmatizing narratives around poverty and promotes inclusive, rights-based solutions.
Abbie Jones is a Professor of Nuclear Graphite Engineering at the University of Manchester's School of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering (MACE), serving as Research Area Lead for Nuclear Materials at the Henry Royce Institute. Her research focuses on nuclear graphite behavior in reactor systems, emphasizing irradiation damage, microstructural characterization, and waste management. She leads international collaborations through organizations like the IAEA and ONR, contributing to nuclear safety and decommissioning strategies. Education: BSc Hons, MSc, PhD, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Awards include a 2016 finalist for the Research Project of the Year Award. Research Interests: Irradiation damage in graphite, isotopic reduction (14C/3H), and advanced techniques like synchrotron tomography. Over £10M in grants secured as PI/Co-I, including a £2M National Nuclear User Group facility for molten salts. Holds a pending patent for graphite decontamination. Impacts: Improved UK nuclear reactor safety via independent graphite analysis for the Office for Nuclear Regulation. Active in global networks like the IAEA's GRAPA initiative. Labs/Teams: Leads the MACE Nuclear Materials Group and collaborates with industrial partners worldwide. Supervised 7 graduate students.
Dr. Tate Fegley is an Assistant Professor of Business and Economics at Montreat College, where he also chairs the Studies in Business and Economics program within the Faculty of Technology and Human Industry. His academic background includes a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Economics, an M.A. in Criminal Justice from Boise State University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University. His research focuses on institutional economics, libertarian philosophy, policing reforms, and property rights. Key themes include the analysis of community policing on American Indian reservations, the disutility of labor, and the interplay between police unions and officer privileges. He frequently engages with political economy topics like regulatory frameworks for healthcare and critiques of incarceration rates in industrialized nations. Dr. Fegley’s work often bridges theoretical frameworks (e.g., Austrian economics, contractualism) with real-world policy analysis. His publications span journals like Journal of Institutional Economics and Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics , addressing topics from gun control debates to economic calculation challenges in modern markets. His academic contributions also include book reviews critiquing criminal justice systems and decarceration policies. While no formal grants or lab affiliations are noted, his research demonstrates a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to public policy and institutional design.
Matthew Adams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire (2006) and M.S. (2012) and Ph.D. (2016) degrees in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University. His research focuses on sustainable construction materials, durability of infrastructure, and advanced cementitious systems. He is a Fellow of the American Concrete Institute and a member of ASTM International. Awards include the 2021 Excellence in Upper-Level Undergraduate Teaching Award (NJIT), 2020 Richard P. Nathan Fellowship (Rockefeller Institute), and 2019 ASTM Emerging Professional Award. His work emphasizes recycled materials, low-carbon concrete, and corrosion-resistant systems. Adams leads the NJIT Materials Lab (https://sites.google.com/njit.edu/njitmatslab/home), focusing on experimental and computational studies of material behavior under environmental and mechanical stresses. His research integrates numerical modeling, data-driven approaches, and sustainability principles to address challenges in civil infrastructure longevity.
Marco Molinari is an Associate Professor (Reader) at the University of Huddersfield, affiliated with the School of Applied Sciences and the Department of Physical and Life Sciences. He is a member of the Centre for Functional Materials and associate member of the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Centre and Structural, Molecular and Dynamic Modelling Centre. His research focuses on computational chemistry and materials science, particularly energy and environmental materials, surface science, and nanomaterials. Education: BSc from the University of Pavia (Italy, 2006), PhD in computational chemistry (2009) through a collaboration between the University of Pavia and Bath (UK). Postdoctoral research at the University of Bath, funded by the EPSRC, focused on surface science and materials chemistry. Research interests include computational modeling of mineral and oxide materials, surface adsorption and reactivity, nanoparticle morphology, and catalytic properties. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and environmental protection. He leads projects such as 'Computational Design and Engineering of Metal Oxide Nanozymes' (2018–2019) and 'NanoCeO2: Design of CeO2 Nanostructures with Enhanced Catalytic Properties' (2017–2017). Publications span over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with recent studies on cerium oxide nanoparticles, surface engineering, and computational methods like density functional theory. He actively participates in conferences and serves on committees like the EPSRC-funded Materials Chemistry Consortium and the RSC local section. Molinari supervises PhD students and collaborates on datasets and software tools like SurfinPy for phase diagram generation. His research bridges computational modeling, experimental validation, and real-world applications in energy storage, environmental remediation, and biomedical materials.
Stephen Hanessian is a Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Université de Montréal, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He joined the university in 1969 and has since mentored over 300 students and postdoctoral researchers. His primary research focuses on the total synthesis of biologically important natural products, medicinal chemistry, and the development of asymmetric synthesis methods. He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada and has held the Isis Pharmaceuticals Research Chair, contributing to drug discovery efforts including antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-leukemic agents. Affiliations: Member of GRUM (Groupe de Recherche Universitaire sur le Médicament) and CCVC (Centre en Chimie Verte et Catalyse). Education & Career: PhD from The Ohio State University. Joined Université de Montréal in 1969. Research Interests: His work spans organic chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. Key areas include synthesis of aminoglycosides, peptidomimetics, and bioactive compounds. He pioneered the Chiron Approach, a computational method for synthetic design, and developed methods like acyclic stereocontrol and constrained nucleosides. Awards & Honors: Recipient of the Urgel-Archambault Prize (1987), Marie-Victorin Prize (1996), Herzberg Medal (1996), Killam Prize (1997), and Officer of the Order of Canada (1988). His contributions have been recognized globally with over 20 prestigious awards. Grants & Projects: Lead researcher in NSERC/Servier Industrial Chair in Synthetic Organic and Chemical Biology, and core member of the CCVC. His projects include drug discovery, catalysis, and green chemistry initiatives. Recent grants focus on LC-MS instrumentation, NMR platforms, and flow chemistry training. Students & Advising: Supervised over 50+ theses, including recent works on tetrazole synthesis, constrained nucleosides, and enzyme inhibitors. Notable advisees include Benoît Deschênes-Simard (2024), Édouard Duchamp (2021), and Sofiane Hocine (2020). Labs & Teams: Active in CCVC and GRUM, collaborating with over 50 researchers. His lab integrates synthetic organic chemistry with biological applications, emphasizing drug design and catalytic methods.
Amelia Fletcher CBE is a Professor of Competition Policy at Norwich Business School (University of East Anglia) and Deputy Director at the Centre for Competition Policy. She holds memberships in the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) and the Responsible Business Regulation Group. She has served as a Non-Executive Director for key UK regulatory bodies, including the Competition and Markets Authority (2016–2023) and Financial Conduct Authority (2013–2020). Her research focuses on competition policy, consumer policy, and sector regulation, with an emphasis on behavioral economics and digital markets. Education : Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Economics, Nuffield College, University of Oxford (1991–1994) Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economics, University of Oxford (1989–1991) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, University of Oxford (1985–1988) Research Interests : Behavioral economics, digital markets regulation, competition policy design, sector-specific regulation (e.g., energy markets), and the application of economic principles to consumer protection. Her work bridges academic research and practical regulatory frameworks, particularly in the EU context. Key Projects : "Beyond the Horizon: A Human-Friendly Deployment of AI" (Horizon Europe, 2025–2027) "CCP Horizon: Trusted Data-Driven Products" (EPSRC, 2020–2025) Awards : OBE (2014), CBE (2020). Grants & Editorial Roles : Editor of the Journal of Competition Law and Economics ; led projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Advised HM Treasury’s Digital Competition Expert Panel (2019), influencing the UK’s Digital Markets Act (2024). Labs/Teams : Active in the Centre for Competition Policy and the Responsible Business Regulation Group, collaborating on EU merger studies and consumer behavior research.
Prof. Robert Meißner is a Professor at the Department of Surface Physics and Technology at TUHH. His research focuses on molecular simulation techniques applied to corrosion processes, energy storage systems, and nanomaterials. He develops computational tools like ELECTRODE and i-PI for electrochemical and advanced molecular dynamics simulations. His work addresses challenges in magnesium battery performance, structural health monitoring of composite materials, and interfacial phenomena in nanoscale systems. Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but his professional trajectory reflects extensive academic and industrial experience in materials science. Research interests span from fundamental studies (e.g., water imbibition in nanopores, magnetite oxidation dynamics) to applied innovations (e.g., corrosion protection via layered double hydroxides, data-driven electrolyte design). His recent publications highlight trends in data-driven materials discovery, structural health monitoring via vibro-acoustic methods, and computational prediction of corrosion inhibitors. He collaborates on projects involving graphene-based supercapacitors, epoxy resin curing dynamics, and peptide-surface interactions. Advising and grants: While student names are not listed, his research group actively explores corrosion engineering, battery technology, and nanomaterials. Projects include EU-funded initiatives and industry partnerships. Technical expertise includes ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, molecular dynamics, and machine learning for sparse data scenarios. He leads teams focused on surface science and energy storage, maintaining lab facilities for in situ electrochemical analysis and advanced computational modeling. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in materials durability and energy systems.
Bao Lian Su is a researcher at the University of Namur, affiliated with the Namur Institute of Structured Matter and the Unit of Nanomaterials Chemistry. They hold a Doctor of Science degree from Université de Paris VI, specializing in catalysis and nanomaterial characterization. Their research focuses on photocatalytic systems, energy storage materials, and sustainable technologies, with notable contributions to battery innovation and environmental remediation. Key research interests include nanostructured materials, titanium oxide-based catalysts, and hierarchical porous materials for CO2 conversion and wastewater treatment. They lead projects like Single Atom Catalysis for CO2-to-methanol conversion and DeCOVskite for VOC oxidation. Over 765 publications and 93 projects highlight their prolific output, including advancements in lithium-sulfur batteries, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, and membrane technologies. Recent articles emphasize breakthroughs in Zn2+ storage chemistry, MXene-based battery interfaces, and AI-driven material discovery. Their work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, addressing clean energy and pollution control. Supervising 117 research works, they collaborate globally on topics like slow photon enhancement in inverse opal photocatalysts and battery longevity innovations.
Christine Gustafsson is a Professor in Health Care Sciences at Sophiahemmet University's Department of Nursing. With over 25 years of academic experience, her research focuses on health and welfare technology (HWT) from user perspectives, particularly addressing aging populations and individuals with intellectual disabilities. She leads projects like iHACT, PROTECT, IN-AGE, and UPSCALE, emphasizing technology's role in enabling independent living and safe aging. Professional roles include Nordic Welfare Technology Research Network management, Forte Research Council board membership, and advisory roles to Sweden's Minister of the Elderly and Demensfonden. Education: Not explicitly detailed in provided texts Her research explores HWT implementation challenges in sparsely populated Nordic regions, emphasizing governance structures and user-centered design. Key projects like IN-AGE develop evaluation instruments for technology-supported independence. She co-created the robotic cat JustoCat and authored influential books on pedagogical approaches in care and welfare technology. Recent work analyzes cost-consequence studies of digital assistive technologies and explores FLASH radiotherapy dosimetry challenges. She consistently bridges clinical practice, policy, and technology through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Guillermo Trejo is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and Director of the Violence and Transitional Justice Lab (V-TJ Lab) at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. His research focuses on political/criminal violence, social movements, human rights, and transitional justice in Mexico and Latin America. He co-authored Votes, Drugs, and Violence: The Political Logic of Criminal Wars in Mexico and authored Popular Movements in Autocracies . His work has been published in journals like the American Political Science Review and British Journal of Political Science. Key research agendas include transitional justice mechanisms’ impact on criminal violence reduction, indigenous resistance to narco rule, and ecosystems of local violence in Mexico. He advises human rights NGOs and victim collectives. Awards include the Gabriel Almond, Mancur Olson, and Charles Tilly Awards, among others. Trejo’s affiliations include the Kellogg Institute, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, and Klau Center for Civic and Human Rights. He combines qualitative and quantitative methods to address complex socio-political issues in Latin America.
Professor Zoe Davies is a Professor of Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Kent, affiliated with the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE). She holds roles including Senior Associate Editor for Conservation Letters , Chair of the British Trust for Ornithology Board of Trustees, and member of Natural England committees. Her research focuses on conservation policy, biodiversity-human wellbeing relationships, urban ecology, and rewilding, emphasizing empirical data for management and policy. She has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students, contributing to over 117 publications in conservation science. Notable contributions include frameworks for global conservation area coverage and studies on tropical deforestation impacts. Education: BSc Zoology (Royal Holloway, University of London), PhD (University of Leeds). Professional memberships include the British Ecological Society. Her work addresses conservation challenges through interdisciplinary approaches, including participatory research and robotics for biodiversity monitoring. Publications highlight her expertise in urban green spaces' mental health benefits, tropical forest degradation thresholds, and stakeholder-driven conservation strategies. Awards include DICE’s 2019 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education (institutional). Advising spans rewilding, deforestation, and urban biodiversity, with grants supporting global projects in Guyana, Indonesia, and Kenya. Labs/teams: Active in the Biodiversity and Macroecology Group (BIOME) and robotics for environmental sustainability initiatives. Collaborates internationally on projects like the BIO-WELL wellbeing scale and Wallacea conservation efforts.
Weiwei Lei is a full Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at RMIT University's School of Science (STEM College). His research focuses on nanomaterials for sustainable water and energy solutions, with over 230 publications and $20M in grants. He leads interdisciplinary collaborations globally, mentoring 29 students and 6 postdocs. Research & Impact: Specializes in functional nanomaterials for energy conversion/storage and water purification. His work has garnered 500+ media mentions (BBC, ABC) and industry partnerships (e.g., UK Highways, AquaPure). Key contributions include nanomaterial synthesis routes and energy-water nexus solutions. Awards: ARC Future Fellowship (2022), DECRA (2014), TechConnect Innovation Award (2015). Leadership roles include Research Theme Leader and ERA Engineering Deputy Cluster Leader. Grants: Secured $12.2M as lead CI across ARC grants, IMCRC, and federal funding. Active in industry partnerships for applied research. Mentoring: Supervised 17 primary PhD/Master’s students, many now professors/industry leaders. Postdoc mentorship includes 2 ARC DECRAs. Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives like 'Plasma coating for sustainable future' and 'Advanced nanomaterials for energy harvesting'. Collaborates with global researchers (Asia/Europe/Americas) on 75% of publications.
Brendan Dyett is a Research Fellow at RMIT University, supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award. His research focuses on nanoscale dynamics at interfaces using microscopy and scattering techniques. He investigates lipid nanoparticle-cell interactions, non-wetting thin films, and surface nanobubbles/droplets, with applications in overcoming biological barriers for therapeutic delivery. He is affiliated with RMIT’s Research & Innovation Portfolio and teaches courses such as CHEM1015 (Environmental Chemical Issues) and ONPS2186 (Applied Science Project). His research interests span colloid and surface chemistry, nanomedicine, and modeling/simulation. He contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Recent projects include developing lipid nanocarriers for mRNA delivery and antimicrobial peptide encapsulation. Awards: Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award Grants: ARC-funded research on lipid nanoparticle mechanistic studies Collaborations: Industry projects and media inquiries welcomed His work bridges fundamental materials science with biomedical applications, emphasizing nanostructured systems for drug delivery and disease treatment.
