Astrid Gramstad is an Associate Professor at the Department of Health and Care Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, where she also serves as Vice Dean of Education. Her research focuses on occupational therapy in primary health care , rehabilitation practices , and learning environments in higher education . She supervises PhD students Morten Nikolaisen (main), Anniken Bogstrand, and Lina Forslund (co-supervision). University: UiT The Arctic University of Norway Department: Department of Health and Care Sciences Email: astrid.gramstad@uit.no Her recent publications examine topics such as study approaches in occupational therapy education , person-centered rehabilitation , and barriers in post-stroke care . She is affiliated with the Centre for Care Research North and leads the RehabLos project, focusing on co-innovation in rehabilitation service design. Key research areas include: Occupational therapy in primary health care Learning environment dynamics in health professions Rehabilitation models for acquired brain injury
Dr. Justin L. Benoit is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine. His work focuses on prehospital medicine, cardiac arrest resuscitation, and blood-based biomarkers, with a clinical emphasis on cardiovascular disease and airway management. He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Bachelor's Degree: University of Maryland, College Park (Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics) Master's Degree: University of Cincinnati (Clinical and Translational Research) Medical Degree: Case Western Reserve University Residency: University of Cincinnati (Emergency Medicine) Fellowship: University of Cincinnati (EMS and Clinical Research) His research spans sudden cardiac arrest, emergency airway management, and biomarker development, particularly in the context of OHCA and SARS-CoV-2. Recent publications highlight advancements in ECPR accessibility, cooling duration protocols, and ventilation practices. He leads multiple federally and privately funded grants, including NIH and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation projects. Dr. Benoit's work integrates emergency medicine, critical care, and public health, emphasizing data-driven improvements in resuscitation and pandemic response. Collaborations with international researchers and institutions underscore his impact on global clinical practices.
Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityUnited States
Núria Mas is a Full Professor of Economics at IESE Business School, where she holds the Jaime Grego Chair of Global Healthcare Management and serves on the Board of Directors. She teaches Economics and Healthcare Economics in MBA and Executive MBA programs and is the academic director of the IESE Healthcare Sector Conference. Education Ph.D. in Economics, Harvard University M.Sc. in Economics, Harvard University Bachelor's degree in Economics, Pompeu Fabra University Research Focus Her research centers on health economics, particularly the organization of health systems to achieve the Triple Aim: better population health, improved patient care, and rationalized spending. She analyzes how different health systems affect population health and how hospitals and physicians respond to incentive mechanisms, alongside evaluating public policies in healthcare and public economics. Publication Trends Recent work explores the relationship between housing wealth and health outcomes, globalization's impact on obesity, and geopolitical events' economic consequences. Her publications in journals like the Journal of Health Economics address critical healthcare system challenges and economic policy issues. Honors and Service Jaime Grego Chair of Global Healthcare Management She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Institut Guttmann Foundation and previously contributed to the Governing Council of the Bank of Spain and Catalonia's Healthcare System Advisory Council until 2015.
Jan Frich is a Professor at the Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, with concurrent appointments as Professor II (2019-present) and previous Professor I (2011-2018) positions. He served as Visiting Professor at Yale University (2013-2014) and currently serves as Editor of Michael (since 2023) and Associate Editor of BMJ Leader (since 2018). His academic interests span healthcare management, medical leadership, neurology, and global health. Specialist in Neurology (2008), University of Oslo dr.med. and Cand.med. (2008 and 1996), University of Oslo Master in Health Administration (2008) and Master of Science (2001) from Brunel University London Executive education at Harvard University (2019), SEI/INSEAD (2019), NHH Executive Board Program (2022), and NHH Board Program (2024) His research focuses on healthcare leadership development, prioritization criteria in clinical settings, and neurological disorders like Huntington's disease and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Recent publications examine rehabilitation technologies, healthcare cost forecasting, and leadership competency models. He contributes to healthcare policy discussions through editorships and has led projects on primary healthcare team evaluations, sepsis management improvements, and leadership development during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work appears in leading journals like BMC Medicine, BMJ Leader, and Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary applications.
Māris Jurušs is an Associate Professor and Director of Study Programs at the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (FEEM) of Riga Technical University . He oversees the study programs in "Customs and Tax Administration" and "Internal Security and Civil Protection." Additionally, he serves as a member of both the RTU FEEM Council and the FEEM Scientific Council. His research focuses on tax policy , customs administration , sustainability , and public administration . He has extensive experience in national and international projects, particularly in fiscal strategies for sustainable mobility and environmental taxation. Jurušs has worked in the Tax Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance and an international audit company . He is an expert of the Latvian Science Council and actively participates in academic conferences and Erasmus+ teaching exchanges. Selected projects include: "D2_DIGITAL2": State budget funding for RTU's digital governance development (2024). "LZP-2022/1-0306": Model development for sustainable last-mile delivery in Latvia (2023–present). ESF 01000-3.1.2.-e/118": Efficient university governance development (2018–2023). "CA21133 - GLITSS": COST Action on globalization, illicit trade, sustainability, and security (2023–). His publications address topics such as excise duty harmonization for tobacco products, environmental taxation in transport, digital transformation of tax systems, and sustainable fiscal strategies . These works often intersect with European Union policy , climate change mitigation , and economic regulation .
Paul A. Harris is a Professor in the Department of Political Science within Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts. He joined as an adjunct faculty member in 2008, earned tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in 2010, and became a full Professor in 2015. He served as Department Chair from January 2019 to August 2022. Education: PhD, Auburn University MPA, Georgia Southern University BA, Excelsior College Research Focus: Harris specializes in comparative immigration policy with emphasis on U.S.-Germany comparisons, refugee and asylum systems , and post-WWII reconstruction through the lens of U.S. Army occupation in Germany. His recent work expands into environmental governance , examining climate resilience in water infrastructure. His scholarship bridges historical analysis and contemporary policy challenges, often incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives from political science, sociology, and history. Publication Trends: Harris maintains a consistent output of high-impact scholarship, evolving from localized case studies (e.g., Dalton, Georgia's immigration response) to broader transnational analyses. His 2024 co-authored article on water infrastructure signals a strategic expansion into environmental policy, while maintaining core expertise in migration studies. Publications frequently address policy implementation gaps and cultural dimensions of governance across governmental levels. Scientific Recognition: H. George Frederickson PA Times Best Article Award (2008) for 'Dalton, Georgia’s Response to Immigration' Mentorship & Service: As a graduate faculty member, Harris serves on doctoral dissertation committees. His prior role as University Honors College Associate Director involved intensive mentoring for national scholarship competitions including Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Truman, and Goldwater awards. He has taught diverse courses spanning American Government, immigration policy, and interdisciplinary programs like the Human Odyssey. Professional Background: With over two decades of teaching experience, Harris previously taught at Augusta State University (1998-2008) and held a Friedrich Ebert Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Germany's Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster (1997-1998). His editorial contributions include encyclopedia entries on Monuments Men figures and Jewish diaspora communities.
Professor Patrick Minford is a distinguished academic specializing in macroeconomics and trade modeling at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. With a prolific research career spanning several decades, he has established himself as a leading expert in dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) modeling and macroeconomic policy analysis. His work frequently addresses contemporary economic challenges including Brexit impacts, monetary policy frameworks, and international trade dynamics. Minford's research interests focus on macroeconomic and trade modeling, with particular emphasis on the application of DSGE models to real-world policy questions. His work consistently bridges theoretical economic frameworks with practical policy implications, examining how monetary and fiscal policies affect economies in both closed and open contexts. Recent research has expanded to include analysis of pandemic economic impacts, Brexit consequences, and the evaluation of alternative monetary policy frameworks including Modern Monetary Theory. His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to top economic journals including Journal of International Money and Finance, Open Economies Review, and Applied Economics. Minford's methodological expertise in indirect inference techniques for model validation has been particularly influential in the field of applied macroeconomics. His research often involves international collaborations, reflecting the global nature of contemporary economic challenges. As an educator, Minford teaches macroeconomics to MSc and PhD students at Cardiff Business School and is available for postgraduate supervision. His teaching complements his research focus, ensuring students receive cutting-edge instruction in macroeconomic modeling and policy analysis.
Professor Mirella Yani-De-Soriano is a Professor of Marketing at Cardiff Business School , where she also serves as Pathway Convenor for the MSc Social Science Research Methods (SSRM) in Management and Business Studies. Her academic career follows significant management and consultancy experience at international corporations. Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University MSc Social Science Research Methods (SSRM) Pathway Convenor Her research focuses on Transformative Consumer Research , particularly examining online addiction behaviors, cross-cultural consumer dynamics, and emotional responses in retail environments. She has published extensively in leading journals like European Journal of Marketing , Journal of Business Ethics , and Computers in Human Behavior . Notable projects include analyzing facial expression impacts on Airbnb bookings and macro-social marketing interventions for public health. Recent work includes modeling gaming addiction in eSports (2025) and cross-cultural co-creation outcomes (2019). Her research consistently explores emotional drivers , trust mechanisms , and ethical consumption across diverse markets. Supervision: Actively supervises PhD and MSc students, including Edward Davies. Contact: Yani-De-SorianoM@cardiff.ac.uk
Amir Jina is an Assistant Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, where he has been serving since 2017. He is also a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (2018-present), an EPIC Scholar at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth at the University of Chicago (2017-present), and a Fellow at the Climate Impact Lab (2014-present). Additionally, he serves as Chair of Technical Panel for Weather at AIM for Scale (2024-present), Co-Director of the Human-Centered Forecasts Initiative (2024-present), and Co-PI of AI for Climate at the University of Chicago (2024-present). Dr. Jina's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Sustainable Development from Columbia University in the City of New York (2009-2014) M.A. in Climate and Society from Columbia University B.A.s in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from Trinity College, Dublin Amir Jina's research focuses on the role of the environment in shaping how societies develop, combining economics with methods from climate science and remote sensing to understand the impacts of climate change. His work has involved extensive fieldwork on climate change adaptation with communities in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Uganda. As a founding member of the Climate Impact Lab, he researches the socioeconomic impacts of climate change around the world and serves as a scientific advisor to the Innovation Commission on Climate Change, Food Security, and Agriculture—promoting the use of weather services for climate change adaptation in low-income countries. Jina's scholarly output reveals consistent focus on the intersection of climate science and economics, with particular attention to quantifying the economic damages of climate change, understanding adaptation mechanisms in developing countries, and analyzing the distributional impacts across different populations. His research often employs interdisciplinary methods combining economics, climate science, and remote sensing data to provide rigorous evidence on climate impacts. Dr. Jina is actively engaged in policy-relevant research and communication. He serves as Co-Director of the Human-Centered Forecasts Initiative and Co-PI of AI for Climate at the University of Chicago, focusing on translating scientific findings into actionable policy insights. His approach emphasizes direct policy impact, and he regularly engages with media and policymakers to communicate climate economics research to broader audiences. Dr. Jina leads or co-leads several research initiatives including the Climate Impact Lab, the Human-Centered Forecasts Initiative, and AI for Climate at the University of Chicago. His research team conducts fieldwork across multiple continents, particularly focusing on climate adaptation in South and Southeast Asia, with projects in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, and Uganda. The team combines economic analysis with climate science methodologies to produce policy-relevant research on climate impacts and adaptation strategies.
Alice Fothergill is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Vermont's College of Arts and Sciences. She joined UVM in 2003 and has been a faculty member at the University of Akron earlier in her career. Her primary research focuses on disaster sociology, with an emphasis on children, youth, gender, and inequality. She has conducted groundbreaking studies on disaster impacts through qualitative methods, including a 7-year study on children affected by Hurricane Katrina (published as Children of Katrina in 2015), which earned the ASA Children and Youth Section’s Outstanding Scholarship Award in 2016. Dr. Fothergill holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder (2001). Her work spans disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the 2011 Vermont Tropical Storm Irene recovery, and the 2015 Nepal earthquake. She has served as an editor for the seminal textbook Social Vulnerability to Disasters (2010, 2013). In 2017, she was a Fulbright Scholar at New Zealand's Joint Centre for Disaster Research, studying childcare preparedness. Her current research examines pandemic impacts on children, youth, and older adults under grant funding. Her teaching integrates service learning, notably post-Irene recovery projects. Notable publications include Heads Above Water (2004) on gender and disaster recovery, and over 50 peer-reviewed articles. Awards include the 2017 Fulbright Fellowship and ASA recognition. She collaborates internationally on disaster vulnerability frameworks and ethical research practices.
Dr. Wei Shao is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Tourism and Marketing at Griffith University, affiliated with the Griffith Asia Institute and Griffith Agribusiness. She holds a PhD in Marketing from Griffith University (2007) and a Bachelor of Business from Tianjin Foreign Studies University (1997). Her research bridges traditional marketing with emerging technologies like VR retailing and AI-enabled consumer engagement, focusing on digital marketing strategies, cross-cultural communication, and tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. She has secured grants totaling over $45,000, including projects on women’s empowerment in tourism and consumer choice behavior. Education: PhD in Marketing, Griffith University, 2007 Bachelor of Business, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, 1997 Research Interests: Dr. Shao explores technology-driven marketing innovations, including VR retail environments, AI applications in customer service, and the role of memes and social media in brand-building. Her work emphasizes inclusive marketing practices, intercultural dialogue, and leveraging digital media to amplify marginalized voices. Grants & Projects: "Empowering Sulawesi Women in Tourism: Innovation and Sustainable Business" ($35,000, 2025–2026) "Fun or Function: The Impact of Affect and Cognition on Consumer Choice" ($10,514, 2008–2010) Advising: Dr. Shao supervises doctoral research on topics including NFT marketing, AI chatbots in service recovery, and authentic brand experiences on social media. She has guided over 11 PhD candidates since 2009. Labs & Groups: Member of the Griffith Asia Institute and Griffith Institute for Tourism, focusing on collaborative research initiatives strengthening industry-academia ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
Andrea McCloughen is an Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing and Director Academic Education at the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney. She holds a PhD from University of Western Sydney and is a respected researcher and clinician in mental health nursing, with expertise in Open Dialogue, emotion regulation, and healthcare education. Her leadership roles include Director Postgraduate Advanced Studies and Coordinator of Mental Health Nursing programs. She is a Fellow of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and Senior Fellow of Advance HE. Education: PhD (UWS), MN (Mental Health) (UWS), BN (UWS) Certifications: Credentialled Mental Health Nurse, Open Dialogue Therapist, Mental Health First Aid Instructor Research focuses on Open Dialogue practices, mental health service innovations, and healthcare student education. Key projects include implementing Open Dialogue in schools and mental health systems, and examining physical health management in mental health populations. Teaching contributions span undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programs, emphasizing recovery-oriented care and advanced practice roles. She has led multiple educational grants totaling over $100k, including innovations in clinical debrief models and cooperative learning with mental health consumers. Awarded over a dozen honors including the Makers and Shapers Award (2023) and multiple Best Paper awards. Supervised 12+ HDR students, with active projects on emergency nursing protocols and Open Dialogue impacts. Collaborates internationally, particularly with Danish researchers on physical health in schizophrenia.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and ScienceUnited States
Vanessa E. Torbenson, M.D., is a Gynecologist at Mayo Clinic, affiliated with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Rochester, Minnesota. With certifications from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2003) and roles in national organizations, she focuses on Medical Education , Maternal-Fetal Medicine , and Healthcare Quality Improvement . Her work spans Teleobstetrics , Second Victim Experience , and Severe Maternal Morbidity reduction. Education: MD from University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (1996) BS from University of Chicago (1992) Residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital (2000) Her research highlights Obstetric Safety Bundles , Postpartum Recovery , and Telemedicine Implementation . Key trends include Machine Learning in Labor Outcomes , Patient-Centered Care , and Simulation-Based Training . Scientific Awards & Honors: 2020 Faculty Award, The Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology 2019 Bobbie Gostout Staff Award 2017 National Faculty Award, ACOG Council on Residency Education 1993 NIH Student Summer Research Award 1991 Howard Hughes Summer Research Award She actively contributes to Medical Education through committee roles in the Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists and Mayo Clinic Blood Management Subcommittee . Her leadership in In Situ Simulation and TeamSTEPPS Training underscores her commitment to Perinatal Safety and Healthcare Innovation .
Lütfi Erden is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. He also served as an Adjunct Lecturer at TOBB University of Economics and Technology and the Police Academy. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. from Florida State University and M.Sc. from the University of Colorado at Denver. He specializes in applied econometrics, macroeconomics, and international trade/finance. Education: Bachelor's, Econometrics, Uludağ University (1993) M.Sc., Economics, University of Colorado at Denver (1997) Ph.D., Economics, Florida State University (2002) Research Interests: Focus on econometric modeling of macroeconomic phenomena, public and private investment dynamics, exchange rate pass-through, and regional efficiency analysis. His work often employs panel data techniques and cointegration analysis. Grants & Projects: TÜBİTAK Grant: Effects of Investment Subsidies and Public Investment on Provincial Efficiency (2008–2010) TÜBİTAK Grant: International Transmission of Business Cycles (2011–2012) Awards: Ministry of Education Scholarship for Overseas Graduate Studies. Advising & Teaching: Supervised six Master's theses and teaches courses like Econometrics I/II and Macroeconomics. Active in academic service, including roles as Department Chair and instructor. Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary projects on regional economics and international macroeconomics, leveraging TÜBİTAK collaborations.
Chandrika Devarakonda is an Associate Professor at the University of Chester, UK, within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Her academic role includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules on inclusion, international early childhood perspectives, leadership, and work-based learning. She co-chairs the Research Development Community (RDC) on Social Justice, Equity, and Diversity at the Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE). She has delivered keynote speeches globally and supervised doctoral students, including Commonwealth Scholar Dr. Krishna Duhan. Her research focuses on inclusion, diversity, and social justice in early childhood education, with a particular emphasis on cultural contexts and policy analysis. Education: BSc, Sri Padmavathi College, Tirupati, India (1981–1984) MSc, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India (1984–1987) MPhil, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India (1987–1989) PhD, University of Manchester, UK (1998–2005) SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2018–2019) Research Interests: Chandrika’s work examines inclusion, diversity, and equity in early childhood education through a global lens. She investigates cultural and structural barriers to inclusion, migrant children’s roles as linguistic/cultural brokers, and the impact of policies on marginalized groups. Her research also explores ethical practices in child-centered research and post-pandemic parent empowerment strategies. Professional Contributions: She serves on the scientific committees of European organizations, reviews for journals like Power and Education and European Early Childhood Education Research Journal , and leads the Early Years, Children, and Families Research Interest Group at her university. Her funded projects include initiatives to support early years recovery post-Covid (Department for Education grants, 2022). Teaching Collaboration: She collaborates with institutions like the University of North Florida and Susquehanna University (USA) to organize international placements for early childhood students.
