Dr. Jonghyuk Cha is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems and Project Management at Westminster Business School, University of Westminster. Previously, he worked as a Research Associate at the University of Manchester and held roles in software/IT consulting. He holds a PhD and MSc from Alliance Manchester Business School and a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering and Business Management from Yonsei University. He was also a Visiting Research Fellow at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute. His research focuses on digital transformation, digital government, organisational project management, and benefits realisation. Key publications explore owner challenges in major projects, digital transformation dynamics, and government transformation strategies. He has been awarded the 2021 JAIS Best Paper Honorable Mention, 2021 BAM Best Developmental Paper Award, and 2017 ICIS Best Paper-a-Thon Paper Award. Teaching modules include Digital Innovation, Project Management, Social Media for Business, and Web-enabled Business. He is part of the Centre for Digital Business Research, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on digital business and organisational transformation.
Richard K. Larson is a Distinguished Professor of Linguistics at Stony Brook University, specializing in syntax and semantics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1983). His research focuses on syntactic structures, quantification, clausal complementation, and cross-linguistic phenomena in languages like Warlpiri, Japanese, Turkish, and Mandarin. He is recognized for pioneering the Grammar as Science Project , developing educational software Syntactica and Semantica , which earned him the 1998 EduCom Medal. Education: Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1983 Research Interests: Larson’s work spans syntax-semantics interface, quantifier scope, NP adverbs, psych-verbs, and formal linguistic theory. He emphasizes scientific rigor in syntax, advocating for linguistics as an experimental science. Current projects include rethinking syntactic cartography and Ezafe constructions in Iranian languages. Awards: EduCom Medal (1998) MIT Graduate Council Teaching Award SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Stony Brook Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching Advising & Grants: Larson has advised numerous graduate students and contributed to NSF-funded initiatives like the Accelerated College Education (ACE) program. His grants focus on computational linguistics tools and language education outreach. Key Contributions: Authored foundational textbooks including Grammar as Science (2010) and Knowledge of Meaning (1995). His work on AP-de adverbs in Mandarin and Ezafe construction has reshaped syntactic analysis. Active in promoting linguistics education at secondary/higher education levels through AP Linguistics initiatives.
Gaofeng Jia is Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University's Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. He specializes in natural hazard risk assessment, infrastructure resilience, and uncertainty quantification. Research integrates simulation-based approaches with high-performance computing for assessing complex engineering systems. Core areas include infrastructure deterioration modeling, wave energy converter optimization, tsunami evacuation planning, and surrogate modeling techniques. Recent work emphasizes physics-informed machine learning for engineering applications. Publications demonstrate consistent methodological innovation in uncertainty quantification across domains including seismic engineering, coastal hazards, renewable energy systems, and structural reliability. Articles employ advanced computational statistics, Bayesian methods, and multi-fidelity modeling. Young Researcher Best Paper Award Best Student Paper Award
Dr. Alan Bale is a Professor in the Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics at Concordia University, specializing in semantics and syntax-semantics interfaces. His work integrates generative linguistics frameworks with experimental methods to explore grammatical representations of meaning, particularly focusing on number, comparison, and scalar competition across languages like Mi’gmaq, English, and Western Armenian. He investigates how conceptual development interacts with linguistic structures through both linguistic and non-linguistic meaning analysis. His research emphasizes teasing apart contributions from pure semantics, psychological categories, and pragmatic reasoning. Key topics include the mass-count distinction, scalar implicature, and experimental methodologies. He maintains a website and has published extensively on topics ranging from linguistic pragmatics to formal syntax. His CV provides additional details on his academic contributions. Bale's publications (2020–2025) reflect a sustained focus on scalar implicature mechanisms, mass-count distinctions, and cross-linguistic syntax-semantics interactions. Recent work explores how online experimental methods and cognitive load influence pragmatic reasoning. His research bridges formal linguistic theory with empirical cognitive science approaches.
Michael Goh serves as Professor and Campbell Leadership Chair in Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development, where he coordinates Graduate Programs in Higher Education. Previously (2017-2022), he held the systemwide position of Vice President for Equity and Diversity across the university's five campuses. His educational foundation includes: PhD in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology from the University of Minnesota MS in Counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University BA in Psychology and Sociology (double major) from Indiana University Goh's research centers on cultural intelligence (CQ) and intercultural competence development within higher education contexts, examining cross-cultural counseling practices, leadership for inclusive excellence, and culturally intelligent frameworks for mental health services. His interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, sociology, and educational leadership to address diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges in global academic environments, with particular focus on international student development and culturally responsive administration. His 2020-2025 publications reveal consistent exploration of intercultural competence in higher education internationalization, with strong emphasis on Asian case studies (Japan, Singapore) and practical applications for DEI leadership. Recurring themes include global citizenship education frameworks, equity-driven institutional transformation, and cross-cultural therapeutic expertise development, demonstrating both theoretical depth and practical implementation strategies across diverse educational settings. Notable recognitions include: Fellow of the American Psychological Association (2024) Commissioner for Midwestern Higher Education Compact (2021-2025) Senior Fellow at Minnesota Institute for Trauma Informed Education (2021-present) Pacific Circle Consortium Honors Recognition for cross-border scholarly work (2018) Exemplary Diversity Leadership Award from American Counseling Association (2010) Multiple distinguished teaching and mentorship awards from University of Minnesota His grant leadership includes NSF-funded Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance targeting underrepresented students in STEM fields, and NIH Partners in Research Grant developing culturally responsive children's mental health practices. Current projects focus on linguistic access to mental health services and multinational studies of expert counselors across Asia. Goh previously directed the University of Minnesota's Institute for Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA), fostering interdisciplinary equity research, and maintains connections with the Workforce Development and Research Lab through his focus on culturally intelligent leadership development.
Ain A. Grooms serves as an Assistant Professor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. Her research centers on K-12 educational equity, specifically examining access and outcomes for students of color and traditionally disenfranchised communities through the critical lens of race and place. She investigates how educational policies impact student achievement and leadership practices across school, district, and state levels. Her primary research domains include: Educational equity frameworks and implementation Race and place intersections in policy analysis Retention strategies for educators of color Equity-focused principal pipeline development Computer science education policy implementation Chronic absenteeism in marginalized communities Analysis of Dr. Grooms' recent publications reveals a consistent focus on dismantling systemic barriers through leadership development and policy innovation. Her work examines how educational leaders navigate racialized contexts, with particular attention to computer science equity, pandemic response adaptations, and the sustainability of equity-focused initiatives. Publications span high-impact journals including Educational Policy and Urban Education, demonstrating rigorous mixed-methods approaches to educational justice. Her scholarship connects theoretical frameworks with practical leadership applications, emphasizing community-engaged solutions to persistent educational inequities. Current projects investigate institutional responses to demographic shifts and the development of counterspaces for marginalized students and educators.
Jennifer Johnson-Hanks serves as Professor and Executive Dean of the College of Letters & Science at the University of California, Berkeley, holding a joint appointment in the Departments of Sociology and Demography. She currently chairs the Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate, demonstrating significant administrative leadership within the university structure while maintaining active scholarly contributions to demographic theory and methodology. Her educational background includes: BA in Anthropology from University of California, Berkeley MA in Anthropology from Northwestern University PhD in Anthropology from Northwestern University Johnson-Hanks' research examines the intersection of cultural anthropology and demography, with particular focus on how intentions shape family formation and fertility decisions in contexts of uncertainty. Her work integrates ethnographic evidence with demographic analysis to explore life course transitions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where she has conducted extensive fieldwork on educated women's motherhood timing. Central to her scholarship is the critique of methodological individualism in demographic research, emphasizing how material and schematic structures influence vital events. Analysis of her 2015-2022 publications reveals persistent thematic threads: methodological innovation in measuring intentions, the social construction of statistical norms, and the cultural embeddedness of demographic behavior. Her work consistently challenges assumptions about preference stability while developing frameworks like 'conjunctural action' to integrate social theory with demographic analysis. Regional expertise in African demographic systems informs broader theoretical contributions about how uncertainty shapes life decisions across diverse contexts. While specific advising relationships and grant funding details aren't documented in available sources, Johnson-Hanks' leadership roles and theoretical contributions indicate significant institutional influence. Her directorship of the College of Letters & Science positions her at the nexus of academic administration and demographic scholarship, where she shapes both research agendas and educational infrastructure.
Thomas Tran is a Full Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the University of Ottawa. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo (2004) and a B.Sc. (Double Major in Mathematics and Computer Science) from Brandon University (1999). His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Commerce, Multi-Agent Systems, Trust and Reputation Modeling, and Recommender Systems. He has published over 80 refereed papers and supervised 27 graduate students (4 PhDs and 23 Masters). Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Waterloo (2004) B.Sc. (Double Major in Mathematics and Computer Science), Brandon University (1999) Research Interests: AI Applications in E-Commerce and Mobile Business Trust Establishment Models in Multi-Agent Systems Recommender Systems and Deep Learning Clinical Data Analysis for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awards: Governor General's Gold Medal (2004) NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS A/B) AAAI Doctoral Consortium Participant (2002) Advising and Grants: Supervised 27 graduate students Recipient of multiple research grants (details unspecified) Labs/Teams: Active in AI and E-Commerce research groups within EECS.
Mary Frank Fox is the Dean's Distinguished Professor at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, part of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is a leading scholar in gender studies within academic and scientific organizations, focusing on equity, work-life balance, and institutional transformation. Her roles include Co-Director of the Center for Study of Women, Science & Technology and original Co-PI of Georgia Tech's NSF ADVANCE grant. She holds a Ph.D. and B.A. in Sociology from the University of Michigan. Dr. Fox's research explores how social and organizational environments influence scientists' performance and participation, with a focus on gender disparities. Her work has shaped science policy and inclusivity initiatives globally. Awards include the AAAS Fellowship (2017) and the Ivan Allen College Distinguished Research Award (2017). She serves on advisory boards for organizations like the National Center for Women and Information Technology. Her publications emphasize gender equity in STEM, academic careers, and international collaboration. She has advised on policies to foster diversity, including work-life inclusion strategies and global science networks. Her contributions bridge sociology, science policy, and organizational behavior.
Catherine Hafer is an Associate Professor of Politics at New York University's College of Arts & Science, Department of Politics. Her work focuses on formal political economy, property rights, conflict, communication, lobbying, and applied game theory. She holds a B.S. in Economics from the California Institute of Technology (199?) and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Rochester (2001). Her research examines institutional incentives, including property rights in weakly institutionalized settings, lobbying dynamics, and communication strategies in political contexts. Recent articles address electoral competition, political capital, and argumentation strategies in conflict scenarios. She has published in top journals such as the American Political Science Review and American Journal of Political Science. No scientific awards are listed in the provided materials. Her advising and grants activities are not detailed here, but her extensive publication record reflects sustained engagement with theoretical and applied political economy questions. She is affiliated with NYU's Department of Politics and maintains a personal academic website.
Anne Katrine Bang is a Professor of History at the University of Bergen, affiliated with the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion. She is a prominent scholar in the fields of Islamic studies, East African history, and colonialism, with a focus on the Western Indian Ocean region. Her research explores themes such as Sufi networks, Islamic modernity, and the intersections of religion, trade, and colonial administration. Her key works include the 2024 monograph Zanzibari Muslim Moderns , analyzing Muslim scholars' adaptation to modernity in interwar Zanzibar, and the 2003 study Sufis and Scholars of the Sea , examining family and religious networks in East Africa. She has also contributed to edited volumes on topics ranging from Swahili Islamic authority to global Islamic traditions. Bang is affiliated with the Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, reflecting her expertise in trans-regional Islamic intellectual history. Her research often bridges historical, anthropological, and cultural approaches, emphasizing the mobility of scholars, ideas, and networks across colonial and postcolonial contexts.
Daan van Knippenberg is the Houston Endowed Professor of Management in Organizational Behavior at the Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University. Previously, he held academic positions at Drexel University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Amsterdam, and Leiden University, where he earned his Ph.D. His expertise spans leadership dynamics, diversity and inclusion strategies, team performance optimization, and creativity/innovation mechanisms. He focuses on understanding how leadership styles influence team effectiveness, particularly in diverse and crisis-prone environments. Research emphasizes: leadership authenticity and integrity, paradoxical leadership approaches, knowledge diversity impacts, and intergroup relational dynamics. He explores how organizational structures and leadership rhetoric affect collective creativity and innovation processes. His work bridges social psychology and management theory to address real-world organizational challenges. Recent articles highlight themes like leader behavior consistency, team voice dynamics, and innovation under constraints. Findings often reveal counterintuitive outcomes, such as how perceived leadership flaws can paradoxically boost certain team behaviors. No specific awards listed in current profile data. His advisory and grant activities remain unreported here. Active in advancing social identity theory applications to leadership contexts, emphasizing leader group prototypicality effects on team cohesion and performance.
Pavel Kireyev is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research explores quantitative marketing strategies in digital marketplaces using modern analytics methods. Kireyev holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, an MA in Statistics from Yale University, and a BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics from LSE. His research focuses on: Coordination of pricing and advertising across platforms Leveraging crowd intelligence and data analytics Market design in multi-sided digital platforms Innovative marketing technologies Kireyev's publications examine driver misconduct in delivery systems, ideation contest design, multichannel pricing strategies, and digital advertising attribution. His work bridges quantitative methods with practical business applications.
Birgitte Skar is an Associate Professor and Collection Manager for the Stone Age and Bronze Age at the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, NTNU Science Museum. Her research focuses on Mesolithic and Neolithic adaptations, biomolecular studies, submerged landscapes, and cultural heritage protection. She leads the SCAPES project (2025-2028), funded by RCN FRIPRO, exploring social complexity through biomolecular data. Her work integrates archaeology with genetics and isotopic analysis, addressing topics such as migration patterns, dietary practices, and social stratification in prehistoric societies. Key contributions include studies on Scandinavian Neolithic pathogens, Viking Age genetic diversity, and Mesolithic mobility in Fennoscandia. She advises numerous master’s students and collaborates with institutions like the University of Bergen and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Publications span high-impact journals like Nature and Cell , alongside museum exhibitions and policy-oriented reports on heritage management. Her research often bridges natural sciences and humanities, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human-environment interactions.
Prof. Dr. Andrea Walter is a Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the Hochschule der Polizei und Verwaltung Nordrhein-Westfalen (HSPV NRW), based at the Dortmund campus. She is affiliated with the Department of General Administration / Pension Insurance and specializes in Social Sciences, particularly civil society, local governance, and civic engagement. University: Hochschule der Polizei und Verwaltung Nordrhein-Westfalen School: Faculty of Public Administration Department: Department of General Administration / Pension Insurance Academic Rank: Professor Email: andrea.walter@hspv.nrw.de Location: Hiltropwall 4-12, 44137 Dortmund, Room A.1.14 She earned her PhD in Political Science from the University of Münster in 2014 with scholarships from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and FAZIT-Stiftung. Prior to her professorship, she worked as a project manager at Bertelsmann Stiftung and as a research associate at WWU Münster, contributing to third-party funded projects. She has held visiting researcher positions at WU Wien, Stockholm School of Economics, and Georgetown University. Her research centers on civil society, local democracy, civic engagement, volunteerism, gender in nonprofit organizations, and social innovation. She investigates how civil society actors interact with public administration, the governance of local services, and the sustainability of volunteer-based institutions. Her work emphasizes participatory governance, informal decision-making, and gender equity in nonprofit leadership. Her recent publications span topics such as volunteer firefighters, civic engagement during the pandemic, local integration, and the value of civil society. These works reflect a strong focus on empirical social research applied to public administration and policy, often in collaboration with practitioners and policymakers. Her research combines qualitative and policy analysis methods, contributing to both academic discourse and practical governance improvements. Scientific awards and recognitions include the Carl Goerdeler Prize for her municipal science dissertation (2016). She has also been actively involved in academic and public service, including: Co-Editor of Voluntaris - Zeitschrift für Freiwilligendienste und zivilgesellschaftliches Engagement (since 2023) Member of the Research Commission at HSPV NRW (since 2019) Deputy Program Director of the Master of Public Management (MPM) at HSPV NRW (2020–2024) Reviewer for BMBF, BMEL, Stiftung Mercator, and journals such as Voluntas and Bristol University Press She supervises research projects and advises on policy, including serving on the advisory board of the Kompetenzzentrum Bürgerbeteiligung, the jury for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and the Forum Zivilgesellschaftsdaten. She is also active in networks such as DVPW, ISTR, and the BBE Berlin working group on civil society research. Prof. Walter leads the BMBF-funded project SROI – Stärkung des Ehrenamts für die Sicherung lokaler Daseinsvorsorge (2021–2024) in collaboration with Kreis Lippe and WWU Münster. She has coordinated and contributed to numerous EU and national research projects on civil society, social innovation, and public administration. Her work bridges academic research and practical policy application, fostering collaboration between municipalities, citizens, and civil society organizations.
