Ramón Soneira Martínez is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Austrian Archaeological Institute's Department of Classical Studies. He holds a Degree in History from the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) with a focus on Ancient History, a Master's degree in Religious Studies, and a PhD in Religious Studies from the Max-Weber-Kolleg of the University of Erfurt (Germany) and the University of Graz (Austria). His academic career centers on interdisciplinary approaches to ancient religious phenomena. Education : Bachelor's Degree in History (Ancient History focus), Complutense University of Madrid Master's Degree in Religious Studies Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies, Max-Weber-Kolleg (University of Erfurt) and University of Graz Research Interests : Ramón specializes in Ancient History of Religion, Theory and Methodology of Religious Studies, Religious Deviance, and Atheism in the ancient Mediterranean. His work explores unbelief narratives, sacred spatial practices, and biopolitical dimensions of religious systems in Greco-Roman contexts. Publication Trends : His recent scholarship (2020–2025) examines atheistic positions in Classical Athens, interdisciplinary frameworks for analyzing ancient religion, biopolitical dimensions of marriage, and ecological interpretations of sacred landscapes. These works frequently engage with Platonic philosophy, pre-Socratic thought, and comparative methodologies across Mediterranean civilizations. Current Research Projects : Doubt and religion in the ancient Mediterranean: A comparative analysis of unbelief narratives Lodging/Living in a Sacred Context: Investigating spatial dynamics of religious environments
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dorothee Bohle is a Professor of Comparative Politics focusing on Southeast and Eastern Europe at the University of Vienna's Department of Political Science. Previously, she held positions at the European University Institute (Florence) and the Central European University (Budapest). She specializes in comparative political economy, institutional political economy, and welfare state analysis, with a focus on capitalist diversity in Europe's periphery. Education includes studies at Hamburg, Paris, and Berlin, followed by a PhD from the Free University of Berlin (2001). Her career includes roles as Dean of Post-Graduate Studies at the European University Institute and leadership in the Max Weber Programme. Research interests encompass the political economy of crises (e.g., financial crisis, pandemic responses), East Central Europe's socio-economic dynamics, housing regimes, and FDI-led growth models. She critiques neoliberal policies and explores resilience in peripheral economies. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks (e.g., varieties of capitalism) with empirical studies of EU integration impacts. She contributes to debates on democratic erosion and authoritarian trends in post-socialist states.
Harold Snieder is a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), The Netherlands, leading the Unit of Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics. Previously, he held roles including Visiting Professor at the Estonian Genome Center (2012–2015) and Full Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia (2005–2006). He earned his MSc from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and PhD from the same institution, with postdoctoral work in London and Augusta. His research focuses on genetic and epigenetic factors influencing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney function, and mental health, employing twin studies and large cohort analyses. Key achievements include landmark studies on epigenetic markers in type 2 diabetes, genetic contributions to rheumatoid arthritis, and heritability of menopause age. His work has been funded by NIH, EU, and others, yielding over 350 peer-reviewed articles. Awards include the David Fulker Award (2002) and recognition for student mentorship, such as the Allianz European Demography Award (2017) for Felix Tropf’s thesis. Research trends emphasize epigenetic epidemiology, twin studies, and genetic-environmental interactions. His lab, the Unit of Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, drives interdisciplinary projects in public health and translational sciences. Ongoing efforts explore cardiometabolic diseases, renal biomarkers, and the genetic basis of blood pressure variability.
Tamara Artacker is a Researcher at the Institute of Social Ecology within the Department of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Based in Vienna at Schottenfeldgasse 29, she has been actively contributing to the field since 2019, following the completion of her MA in International Development Studies from the University of Vienna in 2017. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy implications, particularly focused on Latin America and global environmental challenges. Artacker's educational background in International Development Studies has shaped her interdisciplinary approach to examining the complex relationships between society, environment, and economic systems. Her research spans multiple interconnected domains that address critical contemporary challenges facing communities worldwide. Her research interests center on political ecology, food sovereignty, ecofeminism, and sustainable agricultural systems. Artacker critically examines the structural inequalities embedded in global food systems, the impacts of climate change on agricultural communities, and the tensions between economic development models and ecological sustainability. Her work consistently highlights how extractive agricultural practices intersect with social injustices, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. She explores alternative models that prioritize community resilience, ecological balance, and social equity, with particular attention to the Global South and Latin American contexts. Artacker's extensive publication record reveals a strong focus on the intersections between environmental policy, agricultural practices, and social justice. Her research demonstrates consistent engagement with contemporary crises including the pandemic's impact on food systems, geopolitical conflicts affecting global food security, and the complex challenges of transitioning toward sustainable agricultural models. She has developed particular expertise in analyzing Ecuadorian agricultural policies and their implications for food sovereignty, while also examining broader regional and global patterns. As an active academic, Artacker regularly presents her research at international conferences and engages with diverse audiences through invited keynote speeches. Her work demonstrates a commitment to knowledge transfer beyond academic circles, with presentations addressing policymakers, practitioners, and community organizations working on food sovereignty and environmental justice issues.
Christiane Woopen is a Professor for Ethics and Theory of Medicine at the University of Cologne , where she serves as Executive Director of the Cologne Center for Ethics, Rights, Economics, and Social Sciences of Health (ceres) . Her leadership extends to roles such as Head of the Research Unit Ethics and former Vice-Dean for Academic Development and Gender at the Medical Faculty, University Hospital Cologne. Educational Background: Medical degree from the University of Bonn, followed by specialization in gynecology and obstetrics before transitioning to bioethics. Her research focuses on ethical dimensions of reproductive medicine, neuroethics, personalized medicine, genome editing, and health in the digital age . She leads international projects addressing aging, health literacy, and AI governance. Recent publications emphasize genome editing policy, AI in healthcare, and ethical challenges of deep brain stimulation , reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to bioethics. Scientific Awards: Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class (2018) Member, European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2014) She has held advisory roles in national and international ethics bodies, including the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and UNESCO's International Bioethics Committee. Her leadership in ceres involves fostering research on aging, health literacy, and digital transformation, with a commitment to public engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Jos J.L. Gommans serves as Professor of Colonial and Global History at Leiden University, a position he has held since 2011. Previously, he was Associate Professor of South Asian History at the same institution since 1993. His academic career includes a visiting professorship at The College of William and Mary in Virginia (2008) and doctoral research funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) from 1989-1993. Professor Gommans' research spans multiple historical domains with particular expertise in South Asian history, Central Asian history, military history, and colonial history. His scholarly approach emphasizes global connections and comparative frameworks, especially through his examination of Eurasian empires and their interactions. His work has significantly contributed to understanding Mughal military organization, frontier dynamics in South Asia, and the broader patterns of Eurasian cosmopolitanism during the early modern period. Gommans' extensive publication record reveals consistent thematic development across decades, with early work focusing on Indo-Afghan relations and Mughal military systems evolving toward broader comparative studies of Eurasian empires. His research demonstrates remarkable continuity in examining cross-cultural interactions, military organization, and imperial structures across different geographical contexts. The scholarly impact of his work is evident in its reproduction in Indian academic publications and citations by prominent historians like Sanjay Subrahmanyam and Jeremy Black. Notable honors: Horizon Project (NWO) on Eurasian Empires: Integration Processes and Identity Formations (€2 million grant) Gommans has maintained significant editorial leadership, serving as editor/editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient from 2000-2010 and currently sitting on the editorial boards of Itinerario and the Rijksmuseum Bulletin. His current research direction, as co-director of both the NWO-Horizon project on Eurasian Empires and the Cosmopolis-programme, reflects his continued commitment to global and connective historical approaches that bridge regional specializations.
Erich Striessnig is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna's Department of Demography, serving as Deputy Head of the department. He actively contributes to teaching courses such as Population Forecasting and Population, Climate Change and Sustainable Development , and collaborates with the Environment and Climate Research Hub. Research Focus : Striessnig integrates demography with climate change, sustainability, and human capital. His work examines how environmental concerns interact with fertility decisions, the role of education in climate risk mitigation, and the relationship between aging populations and temperature-related mortality. He also investigates demographic metabolism, intergenerational equity, and computational reproducibility in research. Scientific Contributions : His recent publications in Global and Planetary Health and Demographic Research include analyses of sustainable wellbeing metrics (e.g., 'Years of Good Life'), demographic responses to climate change, and methodological studies on data uncertainty. A key project, Climate, Health and Population (CHAP) , explores vulnerability differences in Vienna's metropolitan region.
Ayse Dursun is an Assistant Professor at the University of Vienna's Institute of Political Science, affiliated with the Politics and Gender Research Department within the Faculty of Social Sciences. She holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Vienna and an MA from Goethe University Frankfurt. Her research focuses on feminist theory, gender equality policies, intersectionality, social reproduction and care, women's movements, and migration studies. Dursun has conducted extensive research on Muslim women's movements in Turkey, migration processes affecting unaccompanied minors, and conservative women's NGOs in Turkey and Austria. Her academic career includes roles as a researcher on projects like 'Migrant Children and Communities in a Transforming Europe' (MiCREATE) and as a postdoc assistant since 2019. Dursun contributes to the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) through her committee role in the 'Gender and Politics' standing group. Her work bridges feminist theory with empirical analysis of gender equality policies, migration dynamics, and intersectional approaches to social movements. Publications span topics from Turkish feminist activism to Austrian asylum systems for minors, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary research at the nexus of gender, migration, and political structures. While no formal awards are listed, her prolific publication record and leadership in academic networks highlight her scholarly impact.
Prof. Hans de Kroon is a Full Professor at the Department of Experimental Plant Ecology, Radboud University. He has held roles including Research Director of the Institute for Water and Wetland Research (2010–2018) and currently chairs the Netherlands Ecological Research Network. His research focuses on plant interactions, root ecology, biodiversity regulation, and community dynamics. He collaborates across disciplines with NGOs, industry, and governmental institutions to address ecological sustainability challenges. His work emphasizes understanding species coexistence, biodiversity maintenance, and the impacts of environmental changes. Notable contributions include studies on insect biomass decline and neonicotinoid effects, which garnered global attention. Awards include the Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau and multiple Hermesdorf prizes for impactful publications. Prof. de Kroon’s projects integrate empirical and statistical tools to explore ecosystem biodiversity, often involving collaborative networks. His research bridges fundamental ecology with applied solutions for ecological management and conservation.
Michael Memmer is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Roman Law and Ancient Legal History within the Faculty of Law at the University of Vienna, where he has been a member since February 1, 1981, and was appointed to his current rank on October 1, 1997. His academic career spans over four decades with continuous contributions to both Roman law and medical jurisprudence. His educational foundation includes: Law studies at the University of Vienna Doctorate in Law (1983) Habilitation in Roman Law and Ancient Legal History (1995) Professor Memmer's research centers on Roman private law , Medical law , and the History of medical law , creating unique intersections between ancient legal systems and contemporary healthcare jurisprudence. His work examines how historical legal frameworks shape modern concepts of patient autonomy, medical jurisdiction, and vaccination policies, with particular attention to Austrian legal evolution. This dual expertise manifests in publications ranging from analyses of Roman slavery in Syriac legal codes to modern patient directive legislation. His publication history reveals a clear trajectory from classical Roman law studies toward medical law applications, with increasing focus on healthcare legislation since 2005. Recent works demonstrate sophisticated integration of historical methodology with current medical-legal challenges, particularly in end-of-life decision-making and vaccination policy. His scholarly recognition includes: Cardinal Innitzer Prize (1995) Manz Prize for 'Best Product Innovation Loose-Leaf Work 2005' for the 'Handbook of Medical Law for Practice' Currently leading collaborative research initiatives including the 'Historiogenesis of legal norms' (with University of Munich) and the 'Legal-Historical Commentary on the New Testament' (with University of Münster), he also engages the public through 'Nox Latina' – Vienna's immersive antiquity and Latin experience event. His institutional role includes mentoring within the Institute's team comprising Franz-Stefan Meissel, José-Domingo Rodríguez Martin, and other scholars.
George Fu Gao is a leading virologist and immunologist serving as Director-General of China CDC and Vice President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. He holds professorships at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS). His research focuses on viral evolution, pathogen entry mechanisms, and public health interventions for emerging infectious diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his team rapidly isolated SARS-CoV-2 and provided critical support for China's containment efforts. He leads global health initiatives like CEPI and Africa CDC capacity-building. Key roles include: Director-General, China CDC (2017–present) Dean, Savaid Medical School, UCAS (2015–2017) Professor, CAS Institute of Microbiology (2004–present) Education highlights include postdoctoral research at Oxford University (1998–2001) and Harvard University (1999–2001). His research spans structural biology applications to pathogen studies, including Ebola, Zika, and influenza viruses. Awards include NAS Foreign Associate membership (2019), Leopoldina membership (2020), and TWAS Prize (2012). Publications reflect cross-disciplinary contributions to virology, immunology, and public health. Major achievements include designing universal coronavirus vaccines and clarifying viral transmission mechanisms. His labs focus on structural biology, antiviral therapies, and global pandemic preparedness.
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Rippl is a Full Professor and Chair of Literatures in English/North American Literature and Culture at the University of Bern, Switzerland, where she has served as Director of the Department of English since 2005. She previously held professorial positions at the University of Göttingen (2003-2005), and lecturing positions at the Universities of Freiburg, Zurich, Bern, Tübingen, and Bielefeld. Her extensive administrative experience includes serving as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities (2021-2023), Vice-Dean (2019-2021), and President of the Collegium generale (2007-2015) at the University of Bern. Her educational background includes a 'Habilitation' at the University of Constance (2002), a PhD in English and American Studies from the same institution (1995), and a DFG doctoral grant at the postgraduate school 'Theory of Literature and Communication' (1989-1995). She has held numerous prestigious fellowships including at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (2002), the University of Wales (2003), UCLA (2015), and the Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities Morphomata Kolleg, Cologne (2017). Current Research Focus: Cultural Sustainability Key Area: Intermediality (text-picture relationships, particularly ekphrasis and eco-ekphrasis) Specialization: Anglophone world literatures across historical periods Theoretical Framework: Literary theory with emphasis on postcolonial and transcultural perspectives Additional Interests: Autobiography and life writing, literature and anthropology, seriality studies Prof. Rippl's recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward environmental humanities, particularly through the lens of eco-ekphrasis, while maintaining her longstanding expertise in intermedial studies. Her work bridges literary analysis with broader cultural, ecological, and sustainability concerns, reflecting an increasingly interdisciplinary approach that connects literary studies with environmental science and cultural sustainability frameworks. The publications reveal a sophisticated integration of visual culture studies with contemporary ecological concerns, particularly in how literary texts represent and engage with environmental imperatives. 2020-present: Member and President of Specialised Committee Careers, Swiss National Research Council 2017: Fellowship at Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities Morphomata Kolleg, Cologne 2015: Visiting Scholarship at UCLA supported by SNSF 2014-present: Member of AcademiaNet – European Expert Database of Outstanding Female Academics 2008: Fellowship at University of Western Ontario As an advisor, Prof. Rippl has supervised numerous doctoral candidates working on diverse topics including world literature, intermediality, postcolonial studies, and environmental humanities. Her current research projects include 'Anglophone Life Writing Today: Transcultural Figurations – Intermedial Constellations,' 'Mediating the Ecological Imperative: Modes and Formats of Engagement,' and interdisciplinary work on 'Cultural Sustainability.' She leads the 'Der ökologische Imperative' SNSF Sinergia project (2021-2024), which brings together scholars from English studies, art history, and social anthropology. She also serves on multiple Swiss National Science Foundation committees, demonstrating significant influence in national research policy. Prof. Rippl directs the interdisciplinary Walter-Benjamin-Kolleg research platform 'Auto_Bio_Graphie,' collaborating with Dance Studies, Spanish Literature, and Visual Anthropology. She previously led the SNF Doctoral research group on 'Seriality and Intermediality in Graphic Novels' and the project 'Cosmopolitanism and Identity in Contemporary Indian Literatures in English.' Her editorial work includes the peer-reviewed journal Anglia and the Anglia Book Series, where she has published extensively on intermediality, cultural sustainability, and world literatures.
Claudia Herbst is a Research Fellow and doctoral candidate at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography at the University of Salzburg. She completed her BSc and MSc in Sociology at the same institution and has developed expertise in empirical social research through roles at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Salzburg. University of Salzburg (since October 2024) ÖGS Section on Family Research (since 2023) Her research focuses on population sociology, fertility, social inequality, and youth studies , with a particular interest in how global uncertainties influence reproductive attitudes. Recent work includes contributions to the Austrian Generations and Gender Survey and a youth study with the Salzburg Chamber of Labor (AKS). Key article trends include fertility dynamics, family structure shifts, and crisis-induced behavioral changes . She has presented at the University of Salzburg and University of Vienna on topics like climate crisis-related reproductive decisions and future anxieties.
Michal Piovarci is a Researcher (Postdoc) at ETH Zurich's Computational Design Lab led by Bernd Bickel. He holds a Ph.D. from USI Lugano (2020) under Piotr Didyk, receiving the Eurographics PhD Award for his thesis on Perception-Aware Computational Fabrication. His research focuses on computer graphics, computational fabrication, and haptic/appearance reproduction, emphasizing perception-driven solutions. Education: Ph.D., USI Lugano (2020) Previous postdoc at ISTA's Visual Computing Group Research interests include 3D Printing Innovations Haptic Feedback Systems Material Perception Modeling Directional Surface Design Professional Activities: Area chair at ACM Symposium on Computational Fabrication (2024), program committee roles at SIGGRAPH, SAP, and Eurographics. Organized Computational Fabrication Seminars (2021-2022). Grants: SNSF Project Funding (CHF 1M, 2025-2029) and FWF Lise Meitner Grant (2022-2023). Teaching: Taught Scientific Machine Learning for Design (ETH Zurich, 2024) Computational Fabrication (TU Wien, 2022)
Prof. Dr. Paulina Jo Pesch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law and Technology at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany. Her research focuses on Internet/IT law, data protection law, electronic payments, and decentralized virtual currencies. She has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Münster (part-time) and University of Innsbruck, alongside legal training as a Trainee Lawyer in Berlin’s judicial system, including roles at the Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office, Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection, and law firms. Education includes a Ph.D. (Dr. iur.) in Law from the University of Münster (2016), a specialization in Information/Telecommunication Law, and legal examinations (First and Second State Examinations). Her work bridges legal and technical domains, addressing challenges posed by emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, and generative models under GDPR and cybersecurity frameworks. Publications emphasize regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies, AI ethics, digital forensics, and consent management in ad-tech. She co-authored the BITCRIME project’s recommendations for cryptocurrency regulation and contributed to studies on financial sector cybersecurity for Germany’s BaFin. Her research frequently intersects cybercrime prevention, intellectual property, and cross-border legal harmonization. Prof. Pesch’s career combines academic rigor with practical legal experience in tech sectors. She advises on IT security law, participates in interdisciplinary projects, and teaches at FAU. Current work explores generative AI’s legal implications, blockchain governance, and data protection in decentralized systems.
