Dr. Jayaraj Sundaresan is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science . He teaches across urban studies, planning, and development domains while conducting research on vernacular governance, planning violations, and decolonial urbanism in India and London. PhD in Regional and Urban Planning Studies (LSE Geography) MSc in City Design and Social Science (LSE Cities) MArch in Urban Design and Planning (CEPT Ahmedabad) BArch in Architecture (CET Kerala University) His research focuses on urban politics, commoning practices, and planning illegalities through ethnographic methods. Key themes include: Decolonial urban theory Water governance and ecological transformations Corruption in land use planning Vernacular formations of power Participatory urbanism critiques Comparative global South urbanism Scientific contributions span 15+ years with notable work on Bangalore lake restoration dynamics, urban commons, and JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) digital governance. Awards include: UNESCO award for Arackal Palace conservation Fellow of the Higher Education Academy UK He has advised Kerala's Chittur-Thathamangalam Municipality on participatory planning (2022-2023) and contributed to London's Tall Buildings evidence Framework (2013). Current work involves a monograph on Indian planning violations.
Alexander W Kay, M.D., B.A., serves as Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine with specialized focus on Global Immigrant Health. Based full-time in Mbabane, eSwatini, he holds the position of Associate Director for the Global TB Program where he oversees clinical operations at the TB Centre of Excellence and directs clinical, translational, and operational research initiatives targeting pediatric tuberculosis and TB/HIV co-infection in high-burden settings. His academic foundation includes: BA from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States MD from University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, United States Residency at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, United States Fellowship at Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States Dr. Kay's research centers on advancing pediatric tuberculosis care through innovative diagnostics and implementation science. His current projects evaluate stool-based molecular assays for TB detection, investigate barriers to isoniazid preventive therapy uptake, and optimize active case-finding strategies. He maintains close collaboration with the eSwatini National TB Control Program to improve clinical management of children with complex TB and TB/HIV presentations, building on prior experience as a BIPAI physician in Lesotho. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in non-invasive diagnostic development—particularly stool-based molecular testing for pediatric and HIV-affected populations—and operational research addressing healthcare system challenges. His work spans diagnostic accuracy validation, cost-burden assessments, mathematical modeling of adolescent TB incidence, and implementation studies across Southern Africa, with concentrated efforts in eSwatini and Mozambique. Professional credentials include board certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Pediatrics (Certificate of Knowledge), alongside active membership in the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and American Academy of Pediatrics' Pediatric Infectious Diseases section. As Associate Director of the Global TB Program, Dr. Kay leads research initiatives likely supported by institutional and global health grants, though specific funding sources aren't detailed. His role involves mentoring within the TB Centre of Excellence framework, but no formal student advisement is documented. He previously contributed to BIPAI's work in Lesotho and maintains this partnership in eSwatini. Operating at the TB Centre of Excellence—a dedicated pediatric referral facility for complicated TB cases—Dr. Kay collaborates with national programs to implement evidence-based practices. His team focuses on translating research into improved diagnostic algorithms and treatment protocols for children, with ongoing projects examining stool-based qPCR implementation, cost-reduction strategies, and HIV/TB integrated care models.
Alex Ansong is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences. His research focuses on international trade law, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), dispute settlement mechanisms, and labor law in global supply chains. He examines the intersection of sovereignty, regional integration, and sustainable development goals in legal frameworks. Key research areas include: Dispute resolution under AfCFTA, child labor eradication in Ghana’s cocoa industry, and WTO institutional challenges. Recent publications explore legal enforcement strategies for SDG compliance and sovereignty dynamics in multilateral trade governance. His work bridges theoretical international law with practical policy solutions, addressing contemporary issues like privatization of trade regulation and the protection of traditional knowledge. Despite no listed awards or grants, his scholarship critically analyzes systemic challenges in global economic governance.
Dr. Barney Walsh is a Senior Lecturer in Security, Leadership and Development Education at the African Leadership Centre (ALC) within King's College London's School of Global Affairs, Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. He serves as programme convenor of the blended learning MSc Global Leadership and Peacebuilding and is the Managing Editor of the ALC Journal of Leadership and Developing Societies. Currently on sabbatical until December 2025, Walsh has been faculty at ALC-King's since completing his PhD there in 2016, where he was the program's first graduate. He also mentors various ALC Fellowship programmes. Education: BA in History and Sociology (international) from Leeds University MA in International Relations from King's College London PhD in Leadership Studies with reference to Security and Development from ALC-King's (2016, first graduate of program) Dr. Walsh's research focuses on African security dynamics, particularly examining leadership, political economy, and international relations in East Africa. His work explores China-Africa relations, Ugandan political economy, and regional security frameworks. He has conducted extensive field research in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Africa, bringing practical insights to his theoretical work on security complex theory and human security approaches in the East African context. His scholarship consistently examines African agency within international relations, challenging traditional narratives about external influence on the continent. Dr. Walsh's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on African security frameworks, with particular attention to East Africa and China-Africa relations. His work bridges theoretical approaches like Regional Security Complex Theory with practical case studies examining Ugandan foreign policy, China's role in African security, and women's contributions to state-building. A recurring theme is the examination of African agency within international relations, challenging traditional narratives about external influence on the continent. Dr. Walsh supervises PhD students in Leadership Studies, Global Leadership, China-Africa Relations, and East African Security. He has organized and overseen numerous academic conferences and symposiums, indicating successful grant acquisition for these activities. His research has involved fieldwork across multiple African countries, suggesting substantial research funding for these activities. Dr. Walsh is associated with the Chinese International Investments research group which examines how Chinese companies and government initiatives have made China a new source of large-scale capital investments and business activities in various sectors across Africa. He has also contributed to policy discussions through initiatives like the African-focused op-ed series on COVID-19 launched by the African Leadership Centre.
Professor Ali Wardak is a Professor of Criminology at the University of South Wales , affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences and Education and the Criminology, Policing and Security Research and Innovation Group . He serves as Vice President of the South Asian Society of Criminology and Victimization and has been an invited speaker at global conferences. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Consultant, Kabul (2006–2008) Collaborator with Professor John Braithwaite on Peacebuilding Compared Project Fieldwork in Bangladesh (2019) and Afghanistan Focus on displacement, hybrid justice, and SDG policy alignment Research Interests: Professor Wardak specializes in comparative criminology , state and non-state justice systems , and peacebuilding across conflict zones. His work spans Afghanistan , Bangladesh , and Myanmar , examining the intersections of displacement , legal reform , and sustainable solutions . Recent Publications: His 2025 work includes studies on poppy cultivation regulation in Afghanistan and restorative justice frameworks . Earlier research (2024–2022) explores hybrid justice implementation , Rohingya refugee camp dynamics , and comparative displacement solutions . Scientific Awards: 2017 University of South Wales Best International Impact Award 2018 THE Awards Nomination 2013 Radzinowicz Memorial Prize Collaborations: Professor Wardak’s research is funded by the British Academy and conducted with Dr. Palash Kamruzzaman from the Centre for Social Policy . He has organized the Jean Monnet Network on EU Counter-Terrorism (2020) and contributed to International Criminology journal as an editor.
Trisha Rajput is an Assistant Professor at the School of Business, Economics and Law , University of Gothenburg , where she teaches international trade law to both law and management students. Her research focuses on international economic law, with particular emphasis on trade facilitation, global value chains and the intersection of law and digital technology in international commerce. Education Doctor of Laws (PhD), University of Leeds, UK – thesis on WTO coordination with non-WTO regimes in public international law. LL.M. in European and International Business Law, University of Leeds, UK. LL.B., India – prior lecturing experience at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law. Research Interests Dr Rajput’s work lies at the nexus of international trade law , public international law and emerging digital technologies . Current projects investigate how digital infrastructures—ranging from AI-based transport systems to blockchain-enabled single-window environments—can enhance supply-chain finance for SMEs along the China-Europe railway corridors. Her scholarship also critically examines normative conflicts between WTO rules and other specialist international regimes. Publications Overview Spanning 2013-2024, her publications reveal a consistent focus on (i) trade-facilitation mechanisms (single-window reforms, paperless trade initiatives), (ii) regulation of risk in multimodal transport, and (iii) technology governance such as AI transparency in customs and blockchain adoption in export-oriented firms. Collaborative work with scholars from law, logistics and management disciplines underlines an interdisciplinary approach. Research Funding & Projects European Union funded project on trade facilitation and global value chains. Principal investigator, “Role of Digital Infrastructures in Financing SMEs” (2019-2022). Co-investigator, “Transition to AI-based Transport Systems” (2020-2021). Contact & Location Room C620, Department of Law, Vasagatan 1, SE-411 24 Göteborg, Sweden. Email: trisha.rajput@law.gu.se
Jinsoo Hwang is a Professor in the Department of Foodservice Management at Sejong University's College of Hospitality & Tourism Management, where he has served since 2016 with progressive promotion to full Professor in 2022. He concurrently holds leadership roles including Head of the Graduate Program of Foodservice Management (2024) and previously led Sejong University's Graduate School of Tourism (2019-2022). Education: Ph.D. in Hospitality Management, Kansas State University (2011) M.S. in Hospitality Management, Florida International University (2007) M.B.A. in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sejong University (2005) B.L. in Law, Cheongju University (2003) His research centers on service marketing dynamics and technology adoption in hospitality contexts, with particular expertise in consumer innovativeness, brand loyalty, and rapport building. Recent work examines emerging technologies including robot food delivery, facial recognition payments, and smart farm restaurant systems through cross-cultural lenses. His studies frequently apply theoretical frameworks like UTAUT, TAM, and social penetration theory to analyze consumer behavior in airline, restaurant, and golf resort settings. Publication trends reveal consistent high-impact output with 192 SSCI-indexed papers through 2025, averaging 20+ annual publications since 2019. His work predominantly appears in Q1 hospitality journals like International Journal of Hospitality Management (IF=11.7), focusing on technology-service intersections and cross-national consumer behavior comparisons. Key awards: 2024 Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science) Sejong University Distinguished Professor (2023-2025) Research.com Top 4 Business Scientist in Korea (2024) SciVal Top 3 Author in Korean Business Research (2018-2023) Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) Hwang directs the Gwang603 Laboratory and serves as Head of Sejong University's Smart FM Track under the LINC+ industry-university cooperation program. His leadership extends to editorial roles in major hospitality journals where he frequently reviews submissions on technology adoption and consumer behavior. Current research initiatives focus on human-robot service interactions and sustainable foodservice innovations.
Benjamin Marx is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Boston University and an affiliated researcher at Sciences Po's Department of Economics. He is also affiliated with CEPR, NBER, BREAD, J-PAL, and AALIMS. Marx holds a PhD in Economics from MIT (2018). His research focuses on political economy and development, with a particular emphasis on elections, religion, and state-building in global and historical contexts. He explores how political institutions, cultural factors, and historical processes shape economic development, including topics like democratic accountability, religious politics, and urban poverty. Education: PhD in Economics, MIT, 2018 Research Interests: Political Economy of Elections and Democracy Religion and Political Institutions Historical State-Building Ethnic Favoritism and Discrimination Urban Poverty Dynamics Awards: Oliver Williamson Best Conference Paper Award (SIOE 2022) Grants & Collaborations: Co-author on projects funded by J-PAL, NBER, and the French National Research Agency (ANR) Collaborations with institutions like Sciences Po, Harvard, and MIT His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies, often leveraging historical and global datasets to analyze institutional and cultural drivers of development.
Nada Eissa is Associate Professor of Public Policy and Economics at Georgetown University and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). She is a Responsive Policy Advisor for the International Growth Centre (IGC), where she leads research on tax policy, fiscal decentralization, and labor markets in developing countries. She has held prior academic positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and served in the U.S. Department of the Treasury as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy. Her research focuses on the intersection of tax policy, labor markets, and public finance, particularly in fragile and developing states. She examines how tax and transfer systems influence individual behavior, including work and family decisions, and how these insights can guide more effective program design. Her work spans sub-Saharan Africa, including Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, and Ghana, addressing issues such as VAT compliance, electronic billing machines, presumptive taxation, and civil service reform. Her recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on empirical evaluation of fiscal policies, with a trend toward randomized field experiments, policy briefs, and real-world impact assessments. She frequently collaborates with governments and international institutions to evaluate tax administration reforms and improve revenue mobilization. National Tax Association’s Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Government Finance and Taxation (1995) Member of the National Academy of Social Insurance Nada Eissa has supervised and co-led numerous research projects, often involving policy evaluation and technical advising. She has collaborated with institutions such as the Rwanda Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance in Uganda. Her work has been supported by grants and institutional funding through IGC and NBER. She has contributed to capacity-building initiatives in post-conflict states, focusing on labor markets and state institution development. She is involved in multiple research teams and labs associated with the IGC and Georgetown University, particularly those focused on development policy, tax administration, and state capability building. Her projects often involve interdisciplinary teams and field-based data collection, including mystery shopper studies and firm-level audits.
Michelle D'Arcy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on state capacity, property rights, taxation, and development in Africa and early modern Europe. She leads projects such as 'Credible Enforcement before Credible Commitment' and 'Devolution and Local Democracy in Kenya,' funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy. Her work explores institutional sequencing, democratic governance, and the impact of historical state structures on modern policies. Education: Details not explicitly provided in the text. Research Interests: Dr. D'Arcy investigates how historical institutional frameworks shape contemporary political and economic outcomes. Key themes include state-building, taxation systems, devolution processes, and gender dynamics in state formation. Her work bridges comparative politics, development studies, and historical analysis. Publications: Her recent work emphasizes cadastres' role in economic growth, gender in early modern state formation, and taxation in sub-Saharan Africa. These studies highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining historical data with contemporary case studies. Awards: Trinity Creative and Visual Arts Fund Award (2020) Equality Fund Award (2018) Political Science Association of Ireland Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2016) Grants: Swedish Research Council (2014-2018), Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (2013-2015) Dr. D'Arcy collaborates on initiatives to improve local democracy and accountability in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya. Her research underscores the interconnectedness of historical governance structures and modern socio-economic challenges.
Patryk Pawlak serves as a Part-time Professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, and functions as Project Director for the Global Initiative on the Future of the Internet (GIFI), a two-year project funded by the European Union. Dr. Pawlak earned his PhD in Social and Political Sciences from the European University Institute, establishing the academic foundation for his expertise in digital governance. His educational background complements his practical experience in international cyber policy development and implementation. His research concentrates on global governance of digital and cyber issues, examining how technology impacts foreign and security policy and analyzing the European Union's evolving role in cyber and digital diplomacy. Dr. Pawlak specifically investigates how cyber and digital policies are reshaping the multilateral system, with particular attention to frameworks for responsible state behavior in cyberspace and operational approaches to cyber capacity building. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent thematic focus on accountability mechanisms in cyberspace, EU cyber strategy development, and practical frameworks for international cyber cooperation. His work spans cybersecurity, international relations, and digital policy domains, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary cyber governance research. Dr. Pawlak advises governments, international organizations, and EU initiatives on cyber diplomacy matters. His leadership of the EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative (EU Cyber Direct) from 2018-2022 secured significant funding and shaped EU engagement on cyber diplomacy worldwide. He has coordinated numerous EU Cyber Consultations with countries including Brazil, China, India, South Korea, Japan, and the United States, demonstrating extensive international collaboration. Actively engaged in multilateral cyber processes at the United Nations, Dr. Pawlak also serves as a Visiting Scholar at Carnegie Europe. His previous affiliations include the European Parliamentary Research Service, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, and the Centre for European Policy Studies, reflecting his established position in both academic and policy circles.
Brett Carter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Southern California and a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He is also a faculty affiliate at Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) and was previously a CDDRL Visiting Scholar (2020-2021). He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University, where he was a fellow at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. His academic journey includes previous fellowships at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies and Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law. Carter's research focuses on politics in the world's autocracies, with particular expertise in Chinese and African authoritarian regimes. His work examines how autocratic governments maintain power through propaganda, digital repression, and strategic responses to international pressure. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to study sensitive political topics in closed societies, including experimental designs to measure public opinion in China. His research bridges comparative politics, international relations, and methodology, with a focus on understanding the evolving tactics of authoritarian governance in the 21st century. Carter's recent publications analyze China's export of surveillance technology, the concealment of political opposition in authoritarian contexts, and the survival strategies of African autocrats in the post-Cold War era. Carter's scholarly contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards. His book Propaganda in Autocracies received the International Journal of Press/Politics Hazel Gaudet-Erskine Best Book Award. The work also earned Honorable Mention for the Luebbert Award for the Best Book in Comparative Politics and Honorable Mention for the APSA Democracy & Autocracy Section's Best Book Award. These accolades reflect the significant impact of his research on understanding authoritarian information control and propaganda strategies. His research has been generously supported by major funding organizations including the National Science Foundation, United States Institute of Peace, Social Science Research Council, Guggenheim Foundation, Smith Richardson Foundation, the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation, the Center for International Studies at USC, the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, and the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University. These grants have enabled extensive field research and methodological innovation in studying autocratic politics. Carter is actively engaged with policy communities and public discourse. He contributes to the National Endowment for Democracy's Power 3.0 project, African Arguments, and Africa is a Country. His research has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times and NPR's Radio Lab, demonstrating the real-world relevance of his scholarly work on authoritarianism and democratic resilience. He is also an occasional contributor to Political Violence at a Glance and maintains an active scholarly presence through his work with academic journals such as the Journal of Politics , British Journal of Political Science , and Journal of Democracy .
Dr. Wai Kiong Oswald Chong is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, with a dual affiliation as Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas-Austin, MSc and BSc in Building from the National University of Singapore, and focuses on integrating artificial intelligence with sustainable engineering systems. PhD (2005): Civil Engineering, University of Texas-Austin MSc (1999) & BSc (1997): National University of Singapore His research bridges lunar construction with Earth-bound sustainable systems, covering topics like: Space habitat modularization Resource circularity systems AI-enhanced building codes Climate-resilient infrastructure Advanced energy modeling Construction supply chain optimization Publications demonstrate consistent focus on: Semiconductor facility HVAC optimization Building energy consumption anomalies Life cycle assessment frameworks Construction risk management Deconstruction and material reuse AI-driven system modeling Current research projects include: Lunar MVI (Moon Village Initiative) Semiconductor fab design optimization Human-AI knowledge interfaces Thermal insulation systems for extreme environments Smart grid energy modeling
Mansour Javidan is the Najafi Chair Professor in Global Mindset and Digital Transformation at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, and Executive Director of the Najafi Global Mindset Institute. His work focuses on global leadership, cross-cultural management, and large-scale cultural studies. He has led the GLOBE research program, a 20+ year multi-national study involving over 400 researchers and 60,000+ participants across 144 countries. Education: Ph.D. & MBA – Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering – Sharif University, Tehran Research Interests: Cross-cultural leadership effectiveness Global mindset development Cultural dimensions impacting mergers & acquisitions Trust dynamics in global teams Leadership in politically polarized environments Key Contributions: Architect of GLOBE 2020 project ($1.5M funded) Authored/co-authored award-winning books on leadership and culture Developed Global Mindset Inventory (GMI) assessment tool Advisory roles with World Bank, NASA, & United Nations Awards: 2023 ILA Lifetime Achievement Award Top 2% Cited Business Scholar (Stanford, 2020-2023) SIOP M. Scott Myers Award (2004) Marquis Who’s Who recognition (2024) Professional Activities: Former GLOBE Project President & Board Chair Editorial leadership for Journal of World Business & Academy of Management Perspectives Consulted for 50+ global organizations including NASA, ExxonMobil, & Chevron Designed executive leadership programs in 40+ countries Labs/Initiatives: Najafi Global Mindset Institute GLOBE Research Network (426 global researchers) TransCanada strategic transformation project ($15B merger)
William Akoto is an Assistant Professor of Global Security in the Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security at the School of International Service, American University, and serves as Director of Research at the Center for Security, Innovation, and New Technology (CSINT). Previously, he taught at Fordham University, the University of South Carolina, and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. Education: PhD in Political Science, University of South Carolina, 2019 Research Interests: Dr. Akoto's work centers on interstate cyber conflict dynamics , examining how states weaponize cyber capabilities for national security objectives. His research extends to the political economy of aid and trade , analyzing debt relief mechanisms and trade-sanction interactions, and military coups , investigating coup triggers and consequences through complex systems theory. He develops microfounded theoretical models to explore institutional and preference-based drivers of state behavior. Publication Trends: His 2020-2024 publications reveal a decisive shift toward cyber conflict research, with 80% of recent work focusing on state-sponsored cyber attacks, economic espionage, and cyber-proxy warfare. This builds on earlier expertise in trade-politics linkages (2013-2020), demonstrating consistent application of political economy frameworks across security domains. His methodology increasingly integrates complex systems science to analyze large-scale behavioral patterns. Scientific Awards: SIS Collaborative Research Award (June 2024) Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award (April 2019) Adam Smith Fellow, Mercatus Center (August 2016–July 2017) Thurmond-Atwater Fellowship (July 2015–May 2016) IAAR Research Fellow (August 2014–July 2015) Advising and Grants: Dr. Akoto has secured competitive research funding including the 2024 SIS Collaborative Research Award and Mercatus Center fellowship. His teaching excellence was recognized with the 2019 Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award. While specific advisees aren't documented, his course designs emphasize analytical skill development through constant feedback mechanisms, debate, and current events integration across undergraduate international relations curricula. Labs and Teams: As CSINT Director of Research, he leads interdisciplinary initiatives examining emerging technology-security intersections, with current focus on cyber warfare economics, satellite cybersecurity, and AI governance frameworks through structured collaboration between academic researchers and security practitioners.
