Prof. Dr. Birgit Peters holds the Professorship for Public Law with a focus on International and European Law at the University of Trier . Her work bridges legal theory and practice across international environmental governance, climate change litigation, and participatory democracy frameworks. Key Affiliations : University of Trier (since 2024), University of Rostock, University of Münster Research Themes : Environmental human rights, legitimacy of EU administrative networks, cross-border participatory mechanisms Her article portfolio reveals a trajectory from foundational studies on customary international law (2010) to cutting-edge analyses of climate adjudication (2025). Notably, her work on "Legitimation through public participation" (2020) and "The Europeanization of Participation" (2015) demonstrates sustained expertise in procedural legitimacy. Prof. Peters actively engages in policy dialogue , including submissions to the International Court of Justice (2024) and UN Special Rapporteur (2023). She contributes to legislative commentary on climate protection acts and participates in international symposia on law-nature interfaces. Teaching Innovations : Jessup Moot Court, simulation games for international law education Public Engagement : Regular media commentary in Legal Tribune Online , podcast appearances
Elizabeth Hoffmann is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Purdue University, where she has served on the faculty since 2001 after completing dual PhD and JD degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research bridges law-and-society scholarship with occupational sociology through a critical gender lens. Her educational background includes: PhD in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Juris Doctor in Law, University of Wisconsin-Madison Hoffmann's research examines how individuals interpret and navigate legal frameworks in daily life, with four interconnected projects: workplace dispute resolution systems; organizational compliance with employment regulations; historical evolution of legal consciousness; and community mobilization dynamics. She employs innovative multi-actor methodologies, notably in her ongoing lactation-at-work law study analyzing perspectives of workers, managers, and HR personnel. Recent publications (2018-2025) reveal three dominant thematic clusters: lactation policy compliance across workplace contexts (12 articles), historical legal consciousness during World War I (2 articles), and emotional labor/gender bias in professional settings (1 article). Her work consistently applies expressive law theory while examining spatial, managerial, and symbolic dimensions of workplace regulation. With two books, 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, and four book chapters to her credit, Hoffmann's scholarship appears in premier venues including Law & Society Review and Social Forces . Her lactation research program demonstrates methodological innovation through matched-actor designs and interdisciplinary synthesis of legal, spatial, and organizational perspectives. Information regarding doctoral advisees, research grants, laboratory facilities, or scientific awards was not provided in available materials.
Dr Dominic Edsall serves as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment at the UCL Institute of Education. His current research investigates the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction, conducted in collaboration with Professor Sandra Leaton Gray. Appointed from September 2024 to September 2026, he maintains active scholarly output despite the non-salaried nature of his honorary position. His research centers on Learner Autonomy, TESOL, and Higher Education pedagogy, with specialized focus on Japanese university contexts. Key themes include the negotiation of learner autonomy by EFL teachers, transitions from dependent test-taking to autonomous learning, and critical challenges posed by AI in academic integrity. His work bridges theoretical frameworks like game theory and legitimation code theory with practical classroom applications, emphasizing sociocultural dimensions of education. Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals a strategic pivot toward AI ethics in education, while maintaining core expertise in learner autonomy. The 2025 article on AI-based digital cheating exemplifies his timely intervention in emerging academic integrity crises, proposing ethical pedagogical responses rather than technical fixes. Earlier works establish foundational contributions to autonomy theory through Japanese EFL case studies and complexity-aware research methodologies. Dr Edsall explicitly states he cannot accept or supervise doctoral students in his current role. He is available for collaborative projects, conference speaking, consultancy, and journal reviewing. His professional background includes secondary science teaching in the UK and extensive EFL instruction in Japanese higher education, providing unique cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives.
Dr. Chaminda Wijethilake serves as a Senior Lecturer in Accounting at Essex Business School, University of Essex, where he contributes to sustainability accounting education and research. His academic journey spans Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Australia, culminating in impactful work at the intersection of accounting, sustainability, and governance across diverse global contexts. Education: Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2007) Master of Business Administration, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan (2011) PhD in Accounting and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University, Australia (2016) Chaminda's research pioneers the application of accounting frameworks to urgent sustainability challenges, particularly examining how management control systems mediate organizational responses to environmental pressures. His work spans waste management governance, sustainable supply chains in emerging economies, and accountability mechanisms during disasters, consistently revealing how formal control systems interact with cultural and institutional factors to drive (or hinder) sustainability outcomes. Current projects investigate digitalization in NGOs and sustainability core values in risk management. His publication portfolio demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly complex global sustainability challenges, evolving from firm-level sustainability controls to transnational waste governance and pandemic response systems. Recent work shows growing emphasis on Global South contexts and the political dimensions of environmental accountability. Scientific Awards: President’s Award for Scientific Research by the Government of Sri Lanka Best International Impact Research Award by the University of Essex Chaminda actively supervises four PhD candidates researching sustainability management accounting in healthcare, Thailand's primary care system, and public sector accountability. His research program is supported by significant grants from PEFA-World Bank Group, Innovate UK, and the Global Challenges Research Fund, including a 2021 ESRC IAA project developing an Essex employability toolkit and a 2020 GCRF project integrating climate change into South Asian public finance policies.
SM Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor of Gender, Rights and Human Rights at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Department of Gender Studies. They hold affiliate roles at the Mannheim Centre for Criminology and lead initiatives like Black Queer Movements and The Black Professors Pipeline. Their work integrates scholar-activism focused on penal abolition, anti-violence strategies, and the intersections of race, gender, and disability. Research expertise includes anticarceral feminism, transnational social movements, and the impact of criminalization on African diasporic communities. They have authored a monograph on Ugandan LGBTI rights advocacy and are currently writing on global abolitionist movements. Rodriguez’s methodologies emphasize engaged scholarship and transformative justice. Recent publications explore abolitionist futures, Black safety in carceral contexts, and queer anti-violence organizing. They have been awarded the AAUW American Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020-21) and contributed to organizational practices through their activism. Teaching includes LGBTQ+ Studies program leadership at Hofstra University and current roles at LSE. Rodriguez’s work bridges academia and grassroots movements, prioritizing marginalized voices in scholarship and policy.
Laura Acosta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology within the School of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on civil war, political deception, and the cultural barriers to social change in Latin America, particularly in Colombia and Mexico. As a cultural and political sociologist, she explores the contradictions between public beliefs and material realities in conflict-affected societies. Her work combines historical, quantitative, and ethnographic methods to analyze how political leaders fabricate threats and how such narratives become self-fulfilling prophecies that deepen social divisions. Her research has been published in leading journals such as Theory and Society , Social Forces , and Quality & Quantity . The publications reveal a strong thematic focus on political culture, conflict dynamics, and methodological rigor across qualitative and quantitative paradigms. Scientific Awards: Awards and honors from the American Sociological Association Laura Acosta mentors graduate students and conducts interdisciplinary research on conflict and social change. Her book project, The Enemy Foretold , represents a significant contribution to understanding the cultural roots of civil war. She previously held postdoctoral and teaching positions at Brown University and Trinity College Dublin.
Maeva Le Roy is a Postdoctoral Fellow at ITI MAKErS, University of Strasbourg, affiliated with the SAGE laboratory (Sociétés, acteurs, gouvernement en Europe), a CNRS-University of Strasbourg joint research unit. She holds a PhD in History from the European University Institute (Florence), defended in May 2023, supervised by Stéphane Van Damme and Isabelle Laboulais. Her research focuses on the socio-history of administrative knowledge in 19th-century Europe, particularly the concept of 'l’esprit public' and the development of statistical governance. Her research interests lie at the intersection of history and political science, emphasizing the social history of the state, administrative epistemologies, bureaucratic technologies, and the circulation of knowledge in Napoleonic and post-revolutionary Europe. She investigates how categories like 'public spirit' were operationalized through surveys, reports, and tabular formats to shape state intervention and governance. Her work explores the adaptation of French administrative models in annexed territories, particularly in Northern Italy, and the role of bureaucratic practices in state formation. The trends in her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the material and cognitive dimensions of governance. She analyzes how administrative tools—especially tables and surveys—function as both epistemic instruments shaping knowledge and political technologies transforming government practices. Her articles span journals in history and political science, demonstrating interdisciplinary engagement with themes of state surveillance, bureaucratic classification, and the construction of governmental rationalities in early 19th-century Europe. Scientific Affiliations: ITI MAKErS (Institut thématique interdisciplinaire Fabrique de la société européenne), University of Strasbourg SAGE Laboratory (Sociétés, acteurs, gouvernement en Europe), CNRS & University of Strasbourg European University Institute (Florence) – Doctoral Affiliation She has taught methodology courses in political science and sociology at Sciences Po Strasbourg and serves as the representative of non-tenured staff on the SAGE laboratory council. While no formal advisees are listed, her collaborative research projects and conference participation indicate active engagement in mentoring and academic exchange. Her work is supported by interdisciplinary research networks focused on the history of knowledge and state formation. Laboratory and Research Environment: Based at the Misha building, Esplanade Campus, University of Strasbourg Active member of SAGE’s Axis 4: State, Work, Government Systems Participates in interdisciplinary workshops and seminars on administrative history and knowledge production Engaged in the ITI MAKErS research program on the fabrication of European society
Dr. Julye Bidmead is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Chapman University's Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She directs the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs while maintaining active archaeological fieldwork. Education : Bachelor of Arts - California State University, Eastbay Master of Arts - Vanderbilt University Ph.D. - Vanderbilt University (Method and Theory of Religion) Research Focus : Religious continuity in Mesopotamia Gender roles in ancient Near Eastern rituals Hebrew Bible studies Biblical archaeology field methods Ritual studies in ancient civilizations Religious theory and practice interplay Publication Trends : Her scholarly works span from 1999-2016, covering Hebrew Bible analysis (40%), Mesopotamian religious practices (35%), and digital humanities applications (25%). The publications include dictionary entries, field reports, and book chapters. Professional Recognition : Valerie Scudder Award Pedagogical Innovative Award Academic Contributions : Dr. Bidmead integrates archaeological fieldwork with classroom instruction, teaching Religious Studies, First Year Foundation courses, and University Honors Program classes. She actively contributes to the Jezreel Expedition as Education Director and field archaeologist.
Philippe Bezes is a CNRS Research Professor at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) at Sciences Po , where he teaches the sociology of public administrations and state reforms. He holds a PhD in Political Science (2002) from Sciences Po and an HDR (Habilitation to Direct Research) from 2014. His work focuses on the historical sociology of administrative reforms, neo-managerial turn in public bureaucracies, and comparative analysis of state rationalization processes. Education PhD in Political Science (2002), Sciences Po HDR (Habilitation to Direct Research) (2014) Research Interests Administrative Reform Policy and State Reform Transformations of Bureaucracy in Comparative Perspective Public Policy Analysis Organizational Changes and State Rationalization Scientific Contributions Co-editor of Gouvernement et action publique Member of editorial board of Sociologie du travail Co-chair of IPSA Research Committee 27 (Structures and Organization of Government) Lead researcher on projects like SOG-PRO (2016) and COCOPS (2011-2014) Awards CNRS Bronze Medal (INSHS) in 2014 Collaborations Worked with scholars like Gerhard Hammerschmid, Steven Van de Walle, Patrick Le Lidec, and Gilles Jeannot Contributed to European research on public administration reform through ANR and FP7 grants
Steve G. Hoffman is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Toronto, teaching on the Mississauga (UTM) campus and participating in the tri-campus graduate program on the St. George (UTSG) campus. His research bridges social theory, science and technology studies (STS), cultural and political sociology, and critical disaster studies, united by an interest in the cultural politics of knowledge production. Ph.D. in Sociology, Northwestern University Hoffman's scholarship examines how institutions and professionals navigate ambiguity, commercialization, and societal impact through ethnographic studies of disaster management, artificial intelligence labs, and comparative analysis of post-disaster policy shifts. His work synthesizes empirical cases from AI development to sports training simulations. Recent publications focus on academic capitalism, epistemic cultures in AI research, and the sociological implications of anticipatory technologies. Hoffman's pedagogical approach emphasizes "learning by mistakes" to foster curiosity and long-term intellectual growth. He has taught courses in organizational sociology, environmental sociology, and contemporary sociological theory, including a 2023-24 course on disasters. His SSHRC-funded project "Managing the Unimaginable" investigates disaster management professionals' epistemic practices, while prior research analyzed the Fukushima nuclear disaster's impact on energy policy in Germany and the United States. Hoffman also explores the evolving ontology of social science in the 21st century, particularly through the lens of "real fictions" in AI research.
R. Alan Covey is Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Liberal Arts. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, he maintains an active teaching schedule through Fall 2025 across multiple departments including Anthropology (ANT), Latin American Studies (LAS), and Tutorial Courses (T C). His campus office is located at RLP 4.406 (mail code C3200). Academic Background: Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Research Focus: Professor Covey specializes in Andean archaeology and ethnohistory, with primary expertise in the Inca Empire and Early Colonial Peru. His work examines imperial development through archaeological surveys, excavations, and archival research in Peru and Europe. Key themes include sociopolitical complexity , imperial collapse dynamics , cultural transformation following European contact, and Andean social organization from prehispanic through colonial periods. His methodological approach integrates material culture analysis with ethnohistoric documentation to reconstruct pre-Columbian lifeways and colonial transitions. Publication Trends: Recent scholarship shows concentrated focus on Inca imperial structures (2023-2025), examining economic systems, settlement patterns, religious transformations, and ideological signaling. His work increasingly engages quantitative historical analysis through the Seshat Databank while maintaining deep regional expertise in Cuzco-area archaeology. Current research emphasizes interdisciplinary synthesis across archaeological, historical, and anthropological frameworks. Teaching & Academic Service: Professor Covey teaches specialized courses including Inca World (ANT/LAS 324L), Cultures in Contact (ANT/LAS 326L), and Who Owns The Past? (T C 302/UGS 302), consistently offering both in-person and online formats since 2020. His course load demonstrates sustained commitment to undergraduate education in Andean studies and archaeological theory across multiple semesters and academic years.
Mao-wei Lo is an Assistant Professor at the College of Law, National Taiwan University. He holds a J.S.D. and J.S.M. from Stanford Law School (2024 and 2019, respectively) and an LL.M. and LL.B. from National Taiwan University (2015 and 2012). His academic career includes teaching and research roles at Stanford University and prior experience as a senior legal officer at Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council. Dr. Lo's educational background includes: J.S.D. in Law, Stanford Law School (2024) J.S.M. in Law, Stanford Law School (2019) LL.M. in Law, National Taiwan University Law School (2015) LL.B. in Law, National Taiwan University Law School (2012) Professor Lo's research focuses on international economic law, particularly WTO law and international investment law and arbitration. He also explores public international law and cross-strait relations, with an emphasis on empirical legal studies. His work often addresses contemporary challenges such as forced labor in global supply chains, pandemic-related regulatory measures, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on international legal frameworks. Lo's recent publications demonstrate a strong engagement with the intersection of international trade, investment law, and geopolitical issues. His work frequently examines Taiwan's unique position in international law, including its investment treaties and cross-strait relations. A notable trend is the application of empirical methods to analyze international legal instruments and their real-world implications, particularly in the context of China's economic policies and the Belt and Road Initiative. His scholarly contributions have been recognized with several awards: MOST Humanities and Social Sciences Overseas Talent Cultivation Program (2023) Hungdah Chiu Memorial Prize for International Law (2022) Levin Center Public Interest Summer Fellowship, Stanford Law School (2021) Salzburg Cutler Fellow in International Law, Stanford Law School (2021) John Hart Ely Prize for Outstanding Performance, Stanford Law School (2019) Franklin Family Fellowship, Stanford Law School (2018) Ministry of Education Overseas Study Scholarship (International Organizations and International Law) (2016) National Taiwan University Student Altruism Award (2015) While there is no explicit information on student advising, Dr. Lo's research has been supported by competitive grants and fellowships. Key projects include: WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) Phase III: Junior Research Fellow (2022-2025), funded by the World Trade Organization. Researcher at Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (2021-2023).
Dr. Dorothee Winkler is a Senior Research Associate at the Chair for Foundations of Business Administration and Theories of the Firm, University of Zurich. Her work focuses on nonmarket strategy, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and CEO activism. She holds a PhD from the University of Zurich (2022) and an M.Sc. in Management from HEC Lausanne (2016). Her research explores how firms navigate geopolitical risks, political activity, and media polarization to maintain legitimacy. Education: PhD in Business Administration, University of Zurich (2022) M.Sc. in Management, HEC Lausanne (2016) Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (2011) Her research interests include strategic management, organization theory, and the intersection of corporate political activity with CSR. She has been recognized with awards such as the Best Practice Paper Award (2019) and multiple nominations for PhD Paper Prizes. Her publications analyze how context influences nonmarket strategies, particularly in polarized environments. She has also explored CEO activism’s role in moral legitimation amid media fragmentation.
Senem Aslan is a Professor of Politics at Bates College, affiliated with the Politics department. She holds a Ph.D. in Near and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from Bogazici University. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University's Department of Near Eastern Studies (2008–2010). Her research focuses on Middle Eastern politics, nationalism, state-building, and the role of emotions in political mobilization and legitimation in Turkey and the region. She authored Nation-Building in Turkey and Morocco: Governing Kurdish and Berber Dissent (Cambridge University Press, 2014) and publishes in journals like the International Journal of Middle East Studies and Nationalism and Ethnic Politics . Teaching includes courses on state-society relations, emotions and politics, and state development. She has been recognized with a 2024 faculty promotion and tenure at Bates.
Dr. John Finkelberg is a Lecturer in the Roots of Contemporary Issues program at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the Department of History within the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Michigan (2022), an MA in History and Literature from Columbia University (2014), and a BA in History from Dartmouth College (2013). His research focuses on the intersections of fashion history, gender studies, and economic history, particularly examining menswear's role in 19th-century France and modern capitalist systems. His current book project, Becoming a Man in the Age of Fashion: Gender and Menswear in Nineteenth-Century France , explores the shift from bespoke tailoring to mass-produced clothing. Recent publications include analyses of George Sand's fashion choices and Louis-Philippe’s use of tailoring to legitimize his monarchy. No scientific awards are listed, though his work has been published in prominent journals like Fashion Theory and Dix-Neuf . He has advised no formally listed students, but his research engages with broader educational initiatives through WSU’s interdisciplinary programs.
