Samuel Hayat is a CNRS-affiliated Research Fellow at the Center for Political Research (CEVIPOF) at Sciences Po, specializing in political representation and 19th-century revolutionary movements. His work intersects the history of ideas, historical sociology, and political theory. Current affiliation: Sciences Po (CEVIPOF) Visiting researcher: Maison Française d'Oxford (2020) Research focuses on: Political representation and embodiment 19th-century working-class movements Historical sociology of political concepts Democratic theory and participatory practices Recent publications explore: Yellow Vest Movement dynamics Working-class intellectual history Evolution of republican thought Conceptual history methodologies Co-editor of interdisciplinary works on: Democratic dispositifs Critical participation dictionary Political spokesperson roles
Alfred W. McCoy is the Harrington Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work spans modern empires, Philippine political history, global drug trafficking, and CIA covert operations. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale University, alongside an M.A. from the University of California-Berkeley and a B.A. from Columbia College. His research has produced seminal works such as The Politics of Heroin (1972), which exposed CIA complicity in drug trafficking, and To Govern the Globe (2021), analyzing imperial systems from the Black Death to climate crisis. His investigations into torture, surveillance, and Philippine military culture have won major awards, including the Wilbur Cross Medal (2012) and the Association for Asian Studies’ Kahin Prize (2011). McCoy has advised students like Christopher Hulshof and Daniel Jackson. His teaching focuses on Southeast Asian history, U.S. foreign policy, and imperial studies. Courses include The Vietnam Wars and CIA Covert Warfare . His contributions include exposing Marcos’s 'fake medals' in the New York Times and co-editing award-winning volumes on Philippine historiography. He currently holds the J.R.W. Smail Chair in History and has received the Hilldale Award for Arts & Humanities.
Heather Ferguson is an Associate Professor of History at Claremont McKenna College, specializing in Ottoman and Middle Eastern History. Her research focuses on early modern empires, archival practices, and legal/urban transformations in the Mediterranean. She holds a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. from UT Austin. Notable works include *The Proper Order of Things* (2018) and her current project on Ottoman-Habsburg archival dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in History, University of California, Berkeley M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, University of Texas at Austin Awards: American Council of Learned Societies Fellow (2014–2015) National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (2019) ACLS Burkhardt Fellowship (2020) Her research integrates comparative imperial studies, exploring how archives and legal frameworks shaped governance in Ottoman and Habsburg contexts. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, linking ethics, power dynamics, and urban development. Ferguson serves as Editor for the *Review of Middle East Studies* and Associate Editor for the *International Journal of Islamic Architecture*. Her publications trace themes of archival mobility, legal discourses, and Mediterranean identities. Current projects investigate 'last acts' in imperial courts and the interplay between statecraft and documentary practices. Grants and Fellowships: Extensive support from ACLS, NEH, Ford Foundation, and FLAS programs. Service: Claremont Faculty Leadership Program member and academic editor roles. Ferguson’s work bridges historical analysis with contemporary scholarly debates, advocating for multi-perspectival research in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.
Joshua Fairfield is the William Donald Bain Family Professor of Law and Director of Artificial Intelligence Legal Innovation Strategy at Washington and Lee University's School of Law. His expertise spans digital property, data privacy, cryptocurrencies, and virtual worlds regulation. He holds a BA from Swarthmore College and a JD from the University of Chicago. Professor Fairfield's research focuses on the intersection of law and technology, particularly in digital ownership, privacy rights, and emerging technologies like IoT and blockchain. He has authored influential books, including Owned: Property, Privacy and the New Digital Serfdom (2017) and Runaway Technology: Can Law Keep Up? (2021). His work critiques corporate control over digital devices and advocates for consumer rights in the digital age. Education: BA, Swarthmore College; JD, University of Chicago Key Achievements: Fulbright Grant (2012–2013), American Law Institute Member (2013) Consulting: Advises U.S. agencies like the White House Office of Technology and Homeland Security Privacy Office His recent articles address topics such as environmental AI ethics, NFT regulation, and smart contract governance. Fairfield emphasizes the need for updated legal frameworks to protect digital rights and ensure democratic control over technology. He directs the AI Legal Innovation Strategy initiative, focusing on integrating AI into legal systems while addressing ethical and regulatory challenges.
Rachel Marion Scott is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Religion and Culture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, within the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. She is also affiliated with ASPECT (Alliance of Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought), reflecting her interdisciplinary engagement with political and ethical theory in Islamic contexts. Her research centers on Islamic political thought, modern Islamic law, constitutional development in Muslim-majority countries, and personal status law. She has made significant contributions to understanding the interplay between religion and the nation-state, particularly in Egypt. Her scholarly work explores how religious authority is negotiated in constitutional frameworks, the evolution of Islamic legal thought, and the role of institutions like al-Azhar and the Muslim Brotherhood in shaping political discourse. Professor Scott’s publications reveal a sustained focus on the dynamics of Islamic law in modern governance, with a particular emphasis on Egypt’s constitutional history and legal reforms. Her work bridges religious studies, political science, and legal theory, addressing themes such as secularism, religious pluralism, citizenship, and hermeneutics. The articles show a trajectory from broader studies of political Islam to more nuanced analyses of constitutionalism, gender, and religious authority. She has authored two major monographs: The Challenge of Political Islam: Non-Muslims and the Egyptian State (Stanford University Press, 2010) and Recasting Islamic Law: Religion and the Nation State in Egyptian Constitution Making (Cornell University Press, 2021), both of which are central to contemporary scholarship on Islam and governance. While no formal list of awards is provided in the text, her publications with leading academic presses indicate recognition and scholarly impact in her field. Rachel M. Scott advises graduate students and contributes to academic mentorship through her leadership roles. As department chair, she oversees curriculum development, faculty collaboration, and interdisciplinary initiatives. There is no explicit mention of external grants, but her research output suggests engagement with funded scholarly projects or institutional support. She is affiliated with research initiatives related to Islamic studies, political thought, and constitutional law, particularly through her work with ASPECT and the Department of Religion and Culture. These affiliations support collaborative scholarship on ethics, cultural thought, and the role of religion in public life.
Marios Koutsias is a Senior Lecturer at Essex Law School, University of Essex, specializing in EU Commercial Law, Company Law, and Data Protection. He holds an LLB from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, an LLM in EU Law from the University of Essex, an MA in Politics and International Relations from King's College London, and a PhD in Law from the University of Essex. Prior to his academic career, he practiced as a lawyer on Greek Law and European Union Law in Thessaloniki and Brussels, and remains a member of the Thessaloniki Bar Association, Greece. His educational background includes: LLB from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece LLM in EU Law from University of Essex MA in Politics and International Relations from King's College, London PhD in Law from University of Essex Dr. Koutsias' research focuses on Company Law, Corporate Governance, Comparative Company Law, European Union Law with a special emphasis on the Internal Market, and Privacy and Data Protection. His work critically examines shareholder primacy versus stakeholder theory, the influence of national cultural identities on corporate governance frameworks, and the evolving landscape of data protection regulations in the digital economy. He has made significant contributions to understanding how Brexit might reshape European corporate governance paradigms and the tensions between commercial interests and privacy rights in global trade. His publication record reveals a strong interdisciplinary approach, connecting theoretical legal concepts with practical commercial applications. The research trends show increasing focus on post-Brexit regulatory alignment, stakeholder governance models, and data protection challenges in international commerce. His most recent 2025 article argues that Brexit should not sever UK-EU privacy regulatory connections to protect both trade interests and human rights. Dr. Koutsias supervises PhD students in Law with expertise in corporate governance frameworks across different jurisdictions. His current supervisees include Tioluwani Comfort Tioluwani and Iman Abdulrahman M Alfaraj, while he has successfully guided seven PhD students to completion since 2016, including Christina Gkampitsaki (awarded January 2024) and Tioluwani Comfort Tioluwani (awarded December 2023). His teaching responsibilities encompass Company Law (LW225), Law of the European Union (LW302), Final Year Research Project (LW304), Introduction to the Law of the European Union (LW430), Industry Placement (LW811), and Data Protection Law in the Digital Age (LW656). He has secured research funding including the 2019 Mondaq KTP 2 grant from Innovate UK. Dr. Koutsias has co-authored three significant books: 'Company Law in the New Europe' and 'The Nature of Corporate Governance: The Significance of National Cultural Identity' (both Edward Elgar Publishers), and 'Company Law' by Palgrave with Professor Janet Dine, which is considered one of the leading textbooks in the field. He also serves as a Specialist Contributor to Gore Brown on EU Company Law publications, demonstrating his recognized expertise in this specialized area.
Kirsten Weld is a Professor of History at Harvard University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her work focuses on modern Latin America, particularly struggles over inequality, justice, historical memory, and social inclusion. She holds a BA from McGill University and a PhD from Yale University. Her research has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the WOLA-Duke Human Rights Book Award (2015) and the Latin American Studies Association’s Best Book Award (2016). Her first book, *Paper Cadavers: The Archives of Dictatorship in Guatemala* (2014), examines the role of archives in shaping historical narratives during Guatemala’s civil war. Her current project, *Ruins and Glory: The Long Spanish Civil War in Latin America*, explores the war’s legacies in the Americas. She teaches courses on Latin American history, U.S.-Latin American relations, archival theory, and historical methods. Weld’s publications span journals like *Hispanic American Historical Review* and *Dissent Magazine*, addressing topics such as Cold War dynamics, memory politics, and surveillance. Her work bridges historical scholarship with activism, emphasizing archives as tools for justice and accountability. Her awards reflect her contributions to human rights scholarship and historical methodology. Weld’s research often intersects with contemporary issues, including post-conflict justice and the ethical use of archival materials.
Mike M. Mochizuki is an Associate Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs , The George Washington University, specializing in Political Science and International Affairs . He holds the Japan-U.S. Relations Chair in Memory of Gaston Sigur and has directed the Sigur Center for Asian Studies (2001–2005). His research focuses on Japanese politics, U.S.-Japan relations, and East Asian security dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University Research Interests: Professor Mochizuki’s work explores the intersection of Japanese foreign policy, strategic alliances in the Asia-Pacific, and regional security challenges. His scholarship addresses historical reconciliation, military basing rights (notably in Okinawa), and the geopolitical implications of U.S.-Japan-China triangular relations. He co-directs the Memory and Reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific project and contributes to journals like Foreign Affairs and International Security . Publications: His notable works analyze the U.S.-Japan alliance’s role in East Asian security, including edited volumes on Okinawa, China-Taiwan relations, and nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. He is currently finalizing a book on the U.S.-Japan alliance and China’s rise, alongside a co-edited volume on historical reconciliation in East Asia.
Professor Aileen Mcharg is a leading academic in Public Law and Human Rights, holding a professorship at Durham Law School since 2019. Previously, she held chairs at Strathclyde, Glasgow, and Bristol Universities. Her research focuses on UK and Scottish constitutional law, devolution, and administrative law. She co-edits Public Law and serves on committees like the UK Constitutional Monitoring Group and the Scottish Government’s Expert Panel on Environmental Charges. Her research interests emphasize the UK’s territorial constitution, devolution dynamics, and Brexit’s legal implications. Notable contributions include analyses of the Miller Case, the Sewel Convention, and the UK Internal Market Act 2020. She frequently engages in interdisciplinary work, exploring energy law and policy post-Brexit. Recent publications include Constitutional change and territorial consent: The Miller Case and the Sewel Convention (2024) and The Silence of Constitutions (2024). She also contributes to blogs and journals on topics like the 2024 UK General Election’s constitutional implications and Scottish independence pathways. Her esteem indicators include roles as Research Excellence Framework panel member (2020), co-chair of the British-Irish Chapter of the International Society of Public Law (2018), and editorial board positions for Public Law and Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law . Professor Mcharg advises PhD students and collaborates on grants exploring devolution, Brexit, and constitutional resilience. She is affiliated with Durham’s legal research networks and contributes to interdisciplinary projects on energy policy and constitutional futures.
Jim Rogers is an Associate Professor and Chair of PhD Studies at the School of Communications, Dublin City University. His research focuses on media and cultural industries, music, and copyright, with an emphasis on the digital transformation of the music industry, global strategies, and policy implications. He has authored and edited multiple books and articles on topics such as the evolution of performing rights organizations, the audio-visual nexus, and Ireland's music industry success. Rogers has presented at international conferences across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, engaging with issues like intellectual property, creative destruction, and cultural policy. His work bridges academic theory and industry practice, addressing the intersection of technology, law, and cultural production.
Gabriele de Seta is a researcher at the University of Bergen's Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies, leading the ALGOFOLK project funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation (2024-2028). A sociologist by training with a PhD from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, he previously served as postdoctoral fellow at Academia Sinica (Taipei) and on the ERC-funded Machine Vision in Everyday Life project. Department of Ethnology, Academia Sinica (postdoctoral fellow) Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies, University of Bergen (researcher) His research focuses on algorithmic folklore, synthetic ethnography, and Chinese digital culture. He examines how digital technologies and creative practices mutually shape each other, particularly in China's sociotechnical landscape. Key areas include platform governance, machine vision, algorithmic accountability, and digital vernaculars. Recent publications analyze TikTok/Douyin's infrastructural role, deepfakes, QR codes as globalized gateways, and Chinese internet vulgarity. His work combines theoretical frameworks from STS, media studies, and digital anthropology with fieldwork on Chinese digital practices. Trond Mohn Foundation Starting Grant ERC-funded research As educator, he designed the Machine Vision module for Bergen's Critical Approaches to Technology and Society course and taught Key Theories in Digital Culture. He supervises multiple MA/PhD students including co-supervision of Hanna Lauvli. Through his blog and podcast, he promotes public engagement with digital research.
Dr. Mary Lacity is a Distinguished Professor of Information Systems at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, and holds the David D. Glass Endowed Chair. She is also a Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics for Spring 2025. Director of Walton College’s Blockchain Center of Excellence (2014-2019) Former Curators’ Distinguished Professor at University of Missouri Holds visiting positions at MIT, Washington University, and Oxford University Senior Editor for MIS Quarterly Executive Contributing Editor for Journal of the British Blockchain Association Her research focuses on enterprise adoption of emerging technologies, particularly blockchain, metaverse, service automation, and ethical technology use. She has conducted extensive case studies and surveys on automation and Web3 implementation across hundreds of organizations globally. Recent publications include books like Human Privacy in Virtual and Physical Worlds (2024) and Blockchain Fundamentals for the Web 3.0 (2022). She has over 30 books and 26,300 Google Scholar citations (h-index: 68). 2014: Inducted into IAOP’s Outsourcing Hall of Fame 2024: Recognized as top 2% scholar in Business and Management (Stanford) 2024: Top 1% scholar in Business and Management (ScholarGPS) Fellow of the Association of Information Systems She actively contributes to blockchain standards via the Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) of the Global Blockchain Business Council and the Linux Foundation’s Trust over IP (ToIP). Her work bridges academic research and practical applications in enterprise technology adoption.
Associate Professor Samantha Schulz is a sociologist of education at The University of Adelaide's School of Education, within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. She specializes in educational justice, focusing on First Nations education, race critical theory, affect studies, and gender equity. Her work spans international contexts including Kenya, India, China, and Australia's APY Lands. She is co-convenor of the Pedagogies for Justice Research Group, affiliated with CRESI and the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender. As Program Director for the Master of Teaching program, she emphasizes socially engaged pedagogies. Recent research includes the ARC-funded 'Culturally Responsive Schooling' project (2022-24) and studies on gender-based violence in educational settings. Her publications explore decolonial methodologies, critical race theory, and the intersection of affect and pedagogy. Her grants include leadership roles in projects addressing Indigenous sovereignty in education, culturally responsive curriculum design, and restorative practices. Notable collaborations involve UniSA and Open University of Cyprus. She co-edits the Routledge 'Local Global Issues in Education' series and actively publishes on topics ranging from toxic masculinity in academia to anti-racist policy frameworks. Her advising focuses on fostering critical scholarship in Masters and PhD candidates, with research supervision emphasizing justice-oriented educational practices. She leads initiatives like 'Teaching in an era of digital influence' and has contributed to policy discussions on preventing violent extremism in schools. Her work bridges theoretical rigor with practical advocacy for marginalized communities in education systems globally.
Andrea Armstrong is the Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and a 2023 MacArthur Fellow. She joined the faculty in 2010 and is a leading expert on prison and jail conditions, certified by the U.S. Department of Justice as a Prison Rape Elimination Act auditor. J.D., Yale Law School, 2007 M.P.A., Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs, 2001 B.A., New York University, 1996 Her scholarship focuses on the constitutional dimensions of prisons and jails, particularly prison labor practices, the intersection of race and incarceration, public oversight of detention facilities, and healthcare disparities. She integrates law with history, public policy, and the arts to highlight the human costs of incarceration, advocating for systemic reforms through environmental justice and anti-discrimination frameworks. Andrea’s research includes 15 recent articles, spanning public health in prisons, constitutional challenges to labor practices, and environmental justice analyses of death row conditions. Her work emphasizes transparency, government accountability, and the systemic failures in carceral healthcare. Scientific Awards: 2023 MacArthur Fellow 2019 Interdisciplinary Research Leader, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Armstrong has testified before Congress on prison labor and deaths in custody, served on Louisiana legislative committees, and collaborated with museums and foundations to make incarceration law accessible. She founded IncarcerationTransparency.org and leads grant-funded projects requiring IRB approval.
Andrew Neal is a Professor of International Security and Director of Postgraduate Research Programmes at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science. His research focuses on critical security studies, parliamentary security politics, and the evolution of security discourse. He leads the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (1987–2024), analyzing global security priorities across 119 countries. Education: BA (Hons) in Politics from Lancaster University PhD in Politics from Keele University Research Interests: Security policy communication and transparency Non-traditional security threats Global North-South security dynamics Parliamentary roles in security governance Grants & Projects: Funded by the Scottish Council on Global Affairs, BA/Leverhulme, and FCDO Current projects include a history of security threats and green energy transition challenges Labs/Teams: Directs the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset project, a collaborative open-access resource.
