Tara Callaghan is a Professor of Psychology at Saint Francis Xavier University, located in Canada. Her research focuses on symbolic and prosocial development, exploring how cultural environments shape these behaviors from infancy. She conducts studies in Canada, India, and Peru, emphasizing cross-cultural comparisons. Her work integrates developmental and cultural psychology to understand the origins of human symbolic representation and prosociality. Her research interests include the interplay between symbolic systems (e.g., pictorial symbols) and prosocial behaviors (e.g., sharing, helping), with a particular focus on cultural influences. She investigates how collaboration, fairness, and equity emerge in diverse societies, often involving refugee populations and rural communities. Recent articles highlight studies on third-party punishment in children across cultures, interventions for Rohingya refugee children, and the developmental roots of cooperative behaviors. Her work combines empirical field studies with computational models to analyze inequity aversion and moral decision-making. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided texts. Tara advises students on projects related to cultural developmental psychology, though specific student names are not mentioned here. Her lab (Annex 122A) supports studies on graphic symbol functioning and cross-cultural moral development.
Ralph Kober is a Professor of Management Accounting and Associate Dean Programs at Monash Business School, Monash University. He previously held roles at The University of Auckland and The University of Western Australia, where he completed his PhD. His research focuses on management control systems (MCS) and the not-for-profit sector, particularly addressing challenges during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been recognized with awards such as the CIMA Research Excellence Award (2021) and the SIMNA Collaboration Award (2023). Education background: PhD from The University of Western Australia, prior roles at The University of Auckland (3 years) and UWA (14 years). Research interests include MCS design, performance measurement in nonprofits, and accrual accounting in public/nonprofit sectors. His work explores how accounting systems aid nonprofits during crises, including financial resilience strategies and decision-making processes. Recent projects include longitudinal studies on refugee resettlement programs and food security in primary schools. He leads collaborative research with organizations like One Box Group Limited and the Australian Accounting Standards Board. Key awards: 2023 SIMNA Outstanding Collaboration Award 2021 CIMA Research Excellence Award 2020 CIMA Global Gold Teaching Excellence Award Teaching and supervision: Known for excellence in management accounting education, including ACF5080 courses. Supervision focuses on MCS and nonprofit sector challenges. Editorial roles include Associate Editor of Accounting & Finance and editorial boards for Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management. Professional involvement: Member of AASB Academic Advisory Board, CPA Australia Victorian Councillor, and Chief Examiner for CPA Australia’s Strategic Management Accounting module. Previously held leadership roles in organizations like the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability.
Ben Kuo is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Windsor, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. He specializes in multicultural counseling, refugee mental health, and acculturation processes. His work emphasizes culturally responsive clinical practices and community-based research, particularly with marginalized populations such as refugees and Black Canadians. He leads initiatives like the refugee-serving multicultural therapy practicum, fostering trainee competence through service. Key research interests include psychological help-seeking behavior across cultures, coping strategies in multicultural contexts, and the impact of acculturation stress on mental health. His interdisciplinary approach bridges counseling psychology with public health, addressing systemic barriers to equitable healthcare access. Awards: 2023 Canadian Psychological Association Award for Public Service and Social Justice 2019 Mary Lou Dietz Equity Leadership Award (Windsor University Faculty Association) Recognized for volunteering with frontline workers during the pandemic Dr. Kuo supervises student-led projects on immigrant youth mental health and collaborates with organizations like the Multicultural Council of Windsor-Essex. His lab, the Psychological Services and Research Centre, integrates clinical training with community outreach.
Thierry Middleton is a Senior Lecturer in Sociocultural Studies at the University of Portsmouth's School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences. He holds a PhD from Laurentian University (2021) focusing on refugee youth and community sport programs. His research emphasizes psychosocial and cultural aspects of sport/physical activity, prioritizing community collaboration for impactful outcomes. Key awards include the 2021 Governor General Gold Medal (Canada) and the 2023 Outstanding Paper Award. Education: PhD: Interdisciplinary Culture & Society (Laurentian University, 2021) M.Sc.: Diagnostics & Interventions (Leipzig University) M.S.S.: Sport & Exercise Psychology (University of Jyväskylä) B.A. (Honours): Sport Psychology (Laurentian University) Research Focus: Interdisciplinary work on human development, social justice in sport, and inclusive program design. Current projects include migrant athlete mental health, youth-led recreational spaces, and climate adaptation through physical activity. He is assistant theme lead for Inclusion and Governance in the Culture, Behaviour, Inclusion & Governance Theme. Awards: 2021 Governor General Gold Medal 3× Canadian Academic All-Canadian (2009, 2012, 2013) APA/SSHRC/AASP Innovation Awards Grants & Projects: Lead PI on 4 active projects funded by ESRC, Portsmouth City of Sanctuary, and others. Topics include migrant integration through sport, elite athlete monitoring, and sauna effects on sleep. Collaborations span 6 countries. Labs/Teams: Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity at Portsmouth. Active in global sport psychology networks through editorial roles and keynote speaking.
Ivan Small is an Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Houston’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. His research focuses on trans-Pacific mobility, remittance economies, and Southeast Asian diasporas, with emphasis on Vietnam and the Vietnamese American community. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Cornell University and has been affiliated with institutions like the Yusof Ishak Institute and the Smithsonian. His work bridges sociocultural anthropology with economic analysis, examining how capital transformations, transportation systems, and financial technologies shape transnational communities. Dr. Small’s research explores the interplay between migration, consumption, and technology. He has conducted fieldwork in Vietnam and the U.S., analyzing remittance flows, automobility trends, and ethno-suburban development in cities like Houston. His recent projects investigate ASEAN trade agreements’ impact on transportation markets and Vietnamese-American community formations. He serves on the executive board of the War Legacies Project and actively participates in professional organizations such as the American Anthropological Association. Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology, Cornell University Research Interests: Transnational migration, financial inclusion, automobility, diaspora studies, urban development His publications include the award-winning monograph *Currencies of Imagination* (Cornell 2019) and co-edited volumes such as *Money at the Margins* (Berghahn 2018). His articles appear in journals like *Journal of Cultural Economy* and *TRaNS: Trans-Regional Studies of Southeast Asia*. He is currently on leave for 2024-2025.
Laura Mullen holds the W.R. Kenan Jr. Chair of Humanities in Literature and Creative Writing at Wake Forest University. A National Endowment for the Arts and MacDowell Fellow, her interdisciplinary practice spans poetry, experimental prose, hybrid texts, video, sound, performance, and literary translation. Her research engages feminism, Gertrude Stein studies, contemporary French writing, and theoretical discourse. Mullen's forthcoming book EtC (Solid Objects Press, 2023) continues her exploration of radical honesty and formal innovation. Her poetics investigates the entanglement of thought and feeling, challenging traditional mind/body distinctions while addressing social justice concerns. She has published eight collections that interrogate unstable meanings and reposition audiences as active participants in textual creation. Honors & Creative Practice: National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship MacDowell Fellowship Collaborative projects with visual artists, composers, and musicians Broadside publications through Poetry in Plain Sight program (2022)
Dr. Emmanuel Ndahayo is a Researcher in the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Siegen, affiliated with Faculty I (Social Sciences). He is part of Prof. Dr. Karin Schittenhelm’s research project analyzing asylum regimes and transnational families of refugees in Germany and France. His work intersects migration sociology, political sociology, and African studies with a focus on citizenship, naturalization, and postcolonial dynamics. Education PhD in Sociology (2018), University of Siegen Master's in Comparative Social Sciences (2010), University of Siegen (Hans Böckler Foundation Scholarship) Bachelor's in Social Sciences (2003), National University of Rwanda Research Interests Citizenship rights and naturalization processes among African migrants Transnational family dynamics under asylum policies Postcolonial structures in development cooperation African diaspora identities and Ubuntu philosophy Key Contributions Authored Citizenship - How Do Black People Become German? (2020) Edited Citizenship in the Tension Between Inclusion and Exclusion (2019) Presented at major conferences including the Conference of Europeanists (2022–2024) and the German Sociological Association (2020) Grants & Projects DFG Research Group FOR 5183: Cross-border Mobility and Institutional Dynamics Hans Böckler Foundation scholarships (2012–2016) Professional Activities Organized international conferences on citizenship (2015) and postcolonial development (2021) Active in public dialogues on migration, refugee rights, and African-European relations
Dr. Ana-Maria BOLBORICI is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences and Communication within the Faculty of Sociology and Communication at the University of Technical Education in Brașov (UNITBV). Her research focuses on International Relations, European Institutions, Migration Studies, and Education Policy, with notable contributions to topics such as EU foreign policy, child protection in crises, and intercultural dialogue. She has published widely on issues ranging from sustainable heritage management to civic education and hybrid warfare strategies. Her academic work bridges theoretical analysis with practical policy implications, addressing global challenges such as migration crises, human rights, and the digital transformation of education. Key themes in her research include the role of European Union institutions in conflict resolution, the impact of residence areas on family dynamics, and the ethical dimensions of online learning. Dr. BOLBORICI’s publications span peer-reviewed journals like Sustainability and Sociológia , as well as edited volumes on intercultural studies. Her recent work highlights interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary societal challenges, emphasizing the interplay between cultural heritage, education systems, and policy frameworks.
Dr. Sedique Popal serves as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for the MA TESOL program in the School of Education at the University of San Francisco, while also holding the position of President-Elect for the California Association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL). With extensive international teaching experience across seven countries spanning four continents, he has significantly contributed to applied linguistics education and teacher training globally. His academic credentials include: Ed.D in Education with Concentration on Second Language Acquisition from University of San Francisco (1992) MA in English with Concentration on TESOL from San Francisco State University (1985) BA in English Literature from Kabul University (1976) Dr. Popal's research integrates theoretical and practical dimensions of language education, with primary focus on Code-Switching and Code-Mixing in Bilingual Communities, TESOL methodology development, and Second Language Acquisition processes. His work emphasizes cross-cultural communication strategies and community engagement approaches to support diverse learner populations, particularly in multilingual contexts where linguistic identity intersects with educational access. His recent publications demonstrate consistent emphasis on practical classroom applications, with both books addressing foundational needs in teacher preparation. The 2022 publication on lesson planning provides structured frameworks for instructional design, while the 2021 grammar reference work targets pedagogical challenges in language instruction, collectively reflecting his commitment to bridging linguistic theory with classroom implementation. Recognition for his contributions includes: Ignatian Service Award (2022) from University of San Francisco Multiple teaching excellence awards from USF, College of Alameda, and UC Berkeley Distinguished service honors from Peralta Community Colleges and Noor Islamic and Cultural Community Center As MA TESOL Program Coordinator, Dr. Popal mentors graduate students in teacher education while maintaining active conference participation at TESOL, KOTESOL, CABE, and other major forums. His international teacher training initiatives have reached educators across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, emphasizing culturally responsive pedagogy and practical skill development. Through founding the Noor Islamic and Cultural Community Center (NICCC), Dr. Popal leads refugee resettlement efforts for Afghan communities and operates a K-12 after-school program addressing educational gaps. His dual academic-community leadership demonstrates integrated commitment to educational equity and cross-cultural understanding in both institutional and grassroots contexts.
Ainat Koren is a Professor and PhD Program Director at the Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing within the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She holds advanced credentials as a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and has earned a DNP from UMass Amherst (2020) and a PhD from UMass Lowell (2004). Education: PhD in Nursing, Health Promotion Studies (UMass Lowell, 2004) DNP in PMHNP (UMass Amherst, 2020) MA in Demography (Hebrew University Jerusalem, 1996) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Hebrew University Jerusalem, 1989) Research Focus: Her work spans maternal/child health, teen reproductive health, childhood obesity prevention, and point-of-care technology integration. Notable areas include reducing unintended pregnancies among high-risk populations, evaluating school-based tele-behavioral health programs, and leveraging technology for healthcare innovation. Grants & Awards: Lead investigator on NIH-funded RADx testing initiative ($10M+ contribution to pandemic response) Recipient of 2020 NAPNAP Scholarly Writing Award 2008 UMass Lowell Teaching Excellence Award Leadership Roles: Serves on UMass Lowell's M2D2 Executive Board and collaborates with organizations like APNA and APHA. Her work includes pioneering the Test Us Bank biorepository and community engagement projects addressing health disparities among immigrant populations. Current Projects: Expanding telehealth implementation, evaluating ostomy patient psychosocial needs, and exploring pandemic impacts on family caregivers. Active in curriculum innovation around entrepreneurial thinking in nursing education.
Stephanie McMillen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Syracuse University, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on language and literacy development in bilingual children, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. She holds a PhD from the University of Memphis (2017) and has extensive experience in assessing multilingual populations with developmental language disorders. McMillen has received notable awards including the ASHA Innovator (2023) and NIH Loan Repayment Program Award (2020-2022). She leads initiatives like the SOAR program to improve healthcare access for refugees and co-developed the ALIGN program enhancing graduate student success. Her work emphasizes equitable practices in speech-language pathology, with a focus on Bahamian Creole English and Spanish-English bilingualism. Education: PhD, Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Memphis (2017) MA, Speech Language Pathology, University of Memphis (2014) BA & BS, Spanish and Psychology, University of Evansville (2011) Research Interests: Bilingual language development, developmental language disorder, culturally responsive assessment, and the impact of language exposure on cognitive and linguistic skills. Recent studies explore morphological development in bilingual children and the role of nonverbal cognitive skills in grammatical performance. Grants & Service: Co-PI of the NIH-funded SOAR initiative and recipient of multiple research grants. Active in professional service roles including ASHA Pathways Program, NIH grant cohorts, and academic committees. Serves as a consultant for organizations like Partners in Learning and Catholic Charities. Teaching: Courses include Language Disorders in School-Age Children, Sociocultural Bases for Communication, and Development of Speech and Language. Supervises independent studies and honors projects.
Austin Kocher is a Research Assistant Professor at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Geography. His research focuses on the political and policy dimensions of U.S. immigration systems, including immigrant policing, detention, deportation, and the intersection of immigration with political polarization. He also serves as a research fellow at American University’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and is affiliated with Syracuse’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship. Kocher earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Ohio State University, with teaching experience at Syracuse, George Washington University, and the University of Michigan. Education: Ph.D. in Geography, Ohio State University Research Interests: Kocher’s work bridges legal and political geography to analyze how immigration enforcement shapes marginalized communities. Key themes include: Geographies of federal/state/local immigrant policing Technological bordering mechanisms (e.g., CBP One) Policy impacts on immigrant youth and families Critical engagement with sanctuary city dynamics Public scholarship linking research to policy advocacy Publications Trends: Recent work critiques Migrant Protection Protocols, digital asylum systems, and ICE’s pandemic-era strategies. Articles emphasize spatial analysis of enforcement and intersectional policy impacts. Advising & Grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Kocher collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and non-profits in Washington D.C. His work often involves policy engagement and media partnerships. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with CLALS and Syracuse’s Immigration Policy Lab, contributing to transnational research networks.
Associate Professor Kathleen Mee is a cultural geographer at the University of Newcastle, where she serves as Associate Dean for Equity Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. She is a member of both the Discipline of Geography and Environmental Studies and the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, with over two decades of academic experience. An award-winning educator, Mee has received multiple teaching honors including the University of Newcastle Excellence in Teaching Award (1998), Faculty of Science and IT Excellence in Teaching Awards (2008, 2017), and the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence and Contribution to Student Learning (Science) (2017). Her research program focuses on three interconnected themes: (i) the changing nature of social vulnerability in urban and regional areas, (ii) housing for socially vulnerable groups, and (iii) the diverse workings and practices of urban regeneration. Mee employs cultural geography frameworks to examine how places are understood, represented, valued, and experienced across different scales. Her current work utilizes assemblage theory to investigate urban regeneration processes, with particular attention to the role of care in housing transitions from public to community-managed models. Her research methodology combines theoretical analysis with community engagement, producing both academic publications and practical resources for industry partners. Mee's scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory toward understanding care infrastructures within urban contexts, particularly examining housing as a fundamental component of social support systems. Her recent work has increasingly focused on shadow care infrastructures that sustain marginalized populations in post-welfare cities, with significant attention to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on community support networks. This research bridges housing studies, urban geography, and social policy, contributing to theoretical frameworks while maintaining practical relevance for policymakers and community organizations. Scientific Awards and Recognition: University of Newcastle Excellence in Teaching Award (1998) Faculty of Science and IT Excellence in Teaching Award (2008) Faculty of Science and IT Excellence in Teaching Award (2017) Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence and Contribution to Student Learning (Science) (2017) Urban Studies Fellowship, University of Glasgow (2007) As an academic supervisor, Mee has guided 5 PhD students to completion and currently mentors 6 doctoral candidates. Her research program has secured over $1.3 million in competitive funding, including multiple ARC Discovery and Linkage Projects that have fostered strong regional engagement with state agencies in the Hunter and Central Coast regions. These projects have examined public housing management, interagency collaboration, and urban regeneration processes in Newcastle. Mee has also made significant contributions to curriculum development, particularly through her work as Program Convenor of the Bachelor of Development Studies, where she has led efforts to Indigenise the curriculum—a project recognized as best practice both at the University of Newcastle and across the higher education sector.
Ana Beduschi is a Full Professor of Law and Co-Director of Research and Impact (Funding) at the University of Exeter Law School. She also serves as the Strategic Lead on Fair and Inclusive Society at the University of Exeter's Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI). Her expertise spans international human rights law, technology governance, data protection, and migration law. Beduschi holds a PhD in Law from the University of Montpellier (2011) and an LLB from UNESP (2000). She has held visiting fellowships at the Max Planck Institute and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law. Beduschi's research focuses on AI governance, migration management, digital identity, and the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies. Her work examines how digital technologies intersect with human rights frameworks, including privacy, non-discrimination, and refugee protection. She has supervised PhD students exploring topics such as AI policy, migration law, and data ethics. Her academic career includes roles as Lecturer (2012-2016), Senior Lecturer (2016-2019), and Associate Professor (2019-2022) at Exeter. She is affiliated with the Routes@Exeter network (Migration, Mobility, and Displacement) and contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation) and 16 (Peace, Justice). Her recent publications address synthetic data regulation, extended reality privacy, and AI's role in humanitarian crises.
Abdülkerim Tunç serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema at Beykent University's Faculty of Fine Arts, specializing in Turkish and Middle Eastern cinematic traditions. His research bridges film theory with cultural politics through semiotic and psychoanalytic frameworks. His academic foundation includes a doctorate from Marmara University (2018) with thesis “Mars” in science fiction cinema, preceded by master’s studies at the same institution (2016) and undergraduate training at Galatasaray University’s Faculty of Communication (2010). Tunç’s scholarship critically examines national identity formation through cinema, with particular focus on Palestinian resistance narratives , Israeli state-building mythology , and Turkish cinematic modernity . His methodological approach integrates semiotic analysis of visual symbolism with investigations into subconscious representations, as demonstrated in works like The Subconscious of Visual Images (2020). Current projects analyze political correctness in Hollywood remakes and punk subculture in transnational cinema. Recent publications reveal three dominant trajectories: (1) geopolitical cinema studies of the Middle East, (2) science fiction’s engagement with planetary consciousness, and (3) psychoanalytic examinations of trauma and identity. His 2025 book Turkish Cinema Research Vol.2 represents the culmination of ongoing national cinema analysis. Beyond academia, Tunç maintains active creative practice as director of award-winning short films including “Where are you?” (2010) and “7 8 Musab Oguz” (2014), alongside content creation for Chalk Circle (2019) and participation in international art symposia like the Made By Artist Symposium in Tbilisi (2024).
