Jeff Sayer is a Professor in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Forestry . His research focuses on applied conservation science and the human dimensions of environmental change , with fieldwork spanning Indonesia, West and Central Africa, and Southeast Asia. Current projects include sustainable landscapes in Indonesia (since 2010), forest transitions in Ghana and the Congo Basin (since 2000), and new approaches to conservation science (since 2000). Research emphasizes integrated natural resource management, landscape-scale decision-making, and reconciling agriculture with biodiversity conservation. Key research themes: Integrated landscape approaches for multifunctional landscapes Forest governance and tenure conflicts Policy coherence for Sustainable Development Goals Human-environment interactions in tropical regions Recent publication trends show interdisciplinary focus on deforestation-free trade policies, agroforestry systems, forest governance challenges, and transdisciplinary science applications across tropical Asia, Africa, and Canada.
Prof. Douglas Sheil is a Chairholder in Forest Ecology and Forest Management at Wageningen University & Research. He holds a MA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge and an MSc in Forestry from Oxford. His career includes roles at the University of Oxford, CIFOR (Indonesia), the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation in Uganda, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). His research focuses on tropical forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and human-forest interactions, with over 200 publications. He co-authored the influential textbook Tropical Rain Forests: Ecology, Diversity, and Conservation (2010). Awards include the Biotropica Prize (2004) and the Queen’s Award for Forestry (2015). Education: MA (Natural Sciences, Cambridge), MSc (Forestry, Oxford) Key Roles: Director of Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation (2008–2012), Professor at NMBU (2013–2020) Research Interests: Tropical forest dynamics, climate change impacts, conservation strategies, and the socio-ecological dimensions of forest management. His work spans field studies in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to address deforestation, biodiversity loss, and sustainable land use. Recent Trends in Articles: Focus on mycorrhizal networks, oil palm impacts, lightning disturbance, and mammal population responses to human activity. He explores mechanisms linking forest structure to ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and water regulation, often integrating remote sensing and global datasets. Awards: Biotropica Prize, Queen’s Award for Forestry Grants/Projects: Studies on lightning effects in African forests, camera trap mammal surveys, and policy analyses for vegetable oil sustainability. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary groups at Wageningen, collaborating with CIFOR and international networks. Active in IUCN committees to translate science into conservation policy.
Felipe Thomaz is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Deputy Director of the Oxford Future of Marketing Initiative. He holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Pittsburgh and previously taught at the University of South Carolina. His research focuses on marketing strategy, AI ethics, illicit markets, and ESG integration, with notable contributions to frameworks like Ad Net Zero for net-zero advertising emissions. He collaborates with UN agencies, NGOs, and tech companies to address global sustainability goals and wildlife trafficking networks. Education: PhD in Marketing (University of Pittsburgh), MSc in Marketing & Finance (University of Pittsburgh), BSc in Animal Sciences (University of Florida). Research interests include digital marketing channels, brand performance via social networks, AI-driven marketing strategies, and conservation science linked to wildlife trade. His work bridges academia and industry, resulting in spinouts and IP transfers from Saïd Business School. Key projects include: Ad Net Zero: Global standard for reducing advertising emissions UN collaboration on wildlife trafficking through dark web analysis UNESCO partnerships on eliminating stereotypes in advertising His interdisciplinary approach spans marketing, mathematics, and conservation science, with publications in top journals like Journal of Marketing and Conservation Science and Practice .
John Rand is a Professor in Development Economics at the Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen, where he has been employed since 2021. He previously served as Professor (mso) at the Faculty of Social Sciences (2015-2020) and Faculty of Science (2011-2014), Associate Professor (2008-2011), and Assistant Research Professor (2005-2008) at the same institution. He is currently Vice-chair of The Consultative Research Committee for Development Research (FFU) and co-director of the Development Economics Research Group (DERG). Professor Rand's research focuses primarily on development economics, with specific expertise in applied econometrics, impact measurement, industrial economics, and interdisciplinary methods. His work spans topics including climate-smart agriculture, economic policy in developing countries, trade and productivity, and governance issues. He leads multiple externally funded research projects including 'Energy transition and climate-smart agriculture in Vietnam', 'Economic Research and Policy Making in Kenya', and 'Sedentarization and climate change resilience in Nigeria'. His extensive publication record shows a strong focus on empirical research in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. His recent work demonstrates consistent attention to practical policy implications, with a growing emphasis on climate change adaptation, resource allocation efficiency, and the intersection of economic development with environmental sustainability. His research often employs rigorous quantitative methods to address real-world development challenges. Professor Rand is actively involved in several research networks including the Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research (COPE) as part of the steering group and the UCPH Migration Research Platform. He serves as Head of Studies for Global Development and teaches Development Economics (BA) and Theories, Facts and Current Issues (MSc Global Development). He has presented his research at numerous international conferences including UNU WIDER conferences, Nordic Conference in Development Economics, and various country-specific development forums. His work has been referenced in policy sources and picked up by news outlets, indicating its relevance to current development debates.
Erik Loomis is a Professor of History at the University of Rhode Island, specializing in the labor and environmental history of the United States, with a focus on global capitalism and the U.S. West. His work bridges academic research and public engagement, addressing critical intersections between workers' rights and environmental justice. Education: Ph.D., University of New Mexico, 2008 M.A., University of Tennessee, 1999 B.A., University of Oregon, 1996 Research Interests: Loomis's scholarship centers on how labor movements and environmental activism intersect, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. His research explores the historical relationships between workers, unions, and environmental policies, emphasizing how economic structures shape ecological outcomes and labor conditions. He investigates themes such as working-class environmentalism, the gendered dimensions of industrial labor, and the political economy of natural resource extraction. His body of work includes studies on timber workers, conservation movements, and the outsourcing of environmental harm by corporations. Through books, articles, and public commentary, he critically examines how historical narratives of labor and environment inform contemporary policy and activism. Scientific Awards: Theodore C. Blegen Award for Best Article in Forest and Conservation History (2015) Grants & Advising: While specific grant details are not listed, Loomis's extensive publication record and academic roles suggest ongoing research funding and graduate mentorship. His work under contract with major academic presses indicates sustained scholarly productivity and institutional support. Labs & Teams: Loomis is affiliated with the Department of History at URI and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives in labor and environmental studies. His public engagement includes writing for major media outlets, reflecting a commitment to bridging academic and public discourse.
Sören Koch is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Bergen, and Head of the research group for Legal Culture, Legal History, and Comparative Law. He holds roles as President of the Norwegian Association of Comparative Law and Member of the European Law Institute and International Academy of Comparative Law. His research focuses on legal history, comparative law, legal cultural studies, and methodology, with a particular emphasis on Scandinavian legal traditions and global legal systems. Koch chairs interdisciplinary projects such as the governance analysis of the Hanseatic Kontor in Bergen and the Rights of Nature in Norway. His academic work includes monographs like Hvem som eier livet? (2024) and co-edited volumes such as Springer Handbook of Legal Cultures (2023). Recent research explores euthanasia regulation, timber trade law in early modern Norway, and multicultural legal education strategies. He teaches courses on comparative legal cultures, legal history, and Nordic legal traditions, emphasizing intercultural dialogue in legal pedagogy. Key projects include the Hanse and International Law initiative (2021–2025) and the Legal Compilation in Early Modern Norway collaboration. His grants include Research Council of Norway funding for interdisciplinary legal studies. Labs/Teams: Research Group for Legal Culture, Legal History, and Comparative Law at UiB; Collaborations with institutions in Hamburg, Lund, Tartu, and Zurich.
Prof. Lars Hein is a Professor of Ecosystem Services and Environmental Change at Wageningen University & Research, serving as Deputy Chair of the Environmental Systems Analysis Group. He focuses on ecosystem accounting methodologies, contributing to the UN's System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). His research bridges ecological economics, natural resource management, and sustainable development. Previously, he worked at Shell International and the FAO/World Bank, gaining industry and international policy experience. He has authored over 100 articles and received the prestigious European Research Council Personal Grant (2010). His work emphasizes integrating environmental data into national accounting frameworks to inform policy decisions. His research interests include ecosystem valuation, climate adaptation, and land-use planning. He collaborates on projects like NATURELAB (EU-funded) and has advised on natural capital accounting for governments and international organizations. Prof. Hein's expertise spans GIS applications, biodiversity assessment, and the socio-economic impacts of environmental policies. He teaches courses in environmental systems analysis and regional environmental management, fostering the next generation of sustainability scholars. Prof. Hein's awards include the ERC Grant and recognition for advancing ecosystem accounting standards. His projects address global challenges such as peatland restoration, deforestation impacts, and sustainable resource use. He actively participates in advisory roles for industry and NGOs, ensuring research translates into actionable strategies for environmental stewardship.
Jaana Korhonen is an Assistant Professor of Sustainability Science at the University of Georgia (UGA). She holds a Ph.D. in Forest Economics and Marketing from the University of Helsinki (2016), complemented by dual MSc degrees in Forestry (North Carolina State University, 2012) and Forest Resource and Environmental Economics (University of Helsinki, 2012). Prior to her current role, she held postdoctoral positions at the USDA Forest Service, University of Helsinki, and LUT University, focusing on sustainability, forest policy, and bioeconomy innovation. Research Interests: Her work centers on sustainability science , forest-based bioeconomy , and diversity in forest sector workforce . She explores topics such as climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, public perceptions of forest use, and gender equity in leadership roles. Her research also addresses market dynamics, investment trends, and policy frameworks shaping global forestry practices. Awards: She received the Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award (2016) from the Society of Forest Sciences in Finland. Her work has been recognized for advancing interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges. Grants & Advising: While specific grants are not detailed, her publications reflect sustained research activity across institutions. She has advised on projects related to bioeconomy pathways and diversity in forestry labor markets. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with the USDA Forest Service's Forest Policy and Economics Team and contributes to initiatives like the Women’s Forest Congress Steering Committee. Her work often involves cross-sector partnerships between academia, industry, and policymakers.
Mark Edward Borsuk is the James L. and Elizabeth M. Vincent Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. He leads the Borsuk Lab, which specializes in interdisciplinary modeling of coupled social, environmental, and technical systems. His research spans climate change, ecosystem services, water resources, land use, and environmental health, using advanced methods such as Bayesian networks, agent-based modeling, game theory, and risk analysis. He co-directs the Center on Risk within Duke’s Science & Society Initiative and is an Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society. B.S.E. in Civil Engineering and Operations Research, Princeton University, 1995 M.S. in Statistics and Decision Sciences, Duke University, 2001 Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy, Duke University, 2001 Postdoctoral Training, EAWAG (Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology), Systems Analysis, Integrated Assessment, and Modelling (SIAM) Dr. Borsuk’s research focuses on integrating scientific data across disciplines to support decision-making under uncertainty. He is a leading expert in Bayesian network modeling applied to environmental and human health regulation. His work combines risk analysis, game theory, and agent-based modeling to assess climate change and environmental policy. He has developed novel frameworks for valuing ecosystem services, modeling landowner behavior, and assessing geoengineering risks. His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and quantitative decision support. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward integrating machine learning, causal inference, and spatial modeling into environmental assessment. Topics include solar radiation modification governance, land-use policy forecasting, invasive species impacts, and urban green space valuation. His work increasingly leverages big data (e.g., Zillow, remote sensing) and probabilistic programming to enhance model transparency and predictive accuracy. Chauncey Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award, Society for Risk Analysis, 2013 Early Career Research Excellence Award, International Environmental Modelling and Software Society, 2008 Earl I. Brown Outstanding Civil Engineering Faculty Award, Duke University, 2018 Best Paper, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Journal, 2012 Excellence in Mentoring Award, Dartmouth College Postdoctoral Association, 2010 Best Paper in Integrated Modelling, Environmental Modelling & Software Journal, 2008 Dr. Borsuk has been a principal investigator on grants from NSF, EPA, NIH, NIEHS, and USFS. He mentors a diverse group of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, including Kim Bourne, Jon Holt, Chris Krapu, and Ryan Calder. He teaches courses such as Risk and Resilience Engineering, Engineering Economics, and Independent Study in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is actively involved in advising and curriculum development through the Bass Connections Energy & Environment Research Team. He leads the Borsuk Lab, a dynamic research group focused on systems, risk, and decision analysis. The lab is a key contributor to the Bridge Collaborative—a partnership between Duke, The Nature Conservancy, IFPRI, and PATH—where it develops quantitative models to support cross-sectoral decision-making. The lab also investigates landowner decision-making in New England forests and the governance of solar geoengineering, using agent-based and deliberative modeling approaches.
Professor John Quiggin is a prominent Professor of Economics at the University of Queensland's School of Economics within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. He holds the position of Professorial Research Fellow and is affiliated with the Centre for Behavioural and Economic Science. With over 1500 publications including six books and more than 200 refereed journal articles, Quiggin is recognized both as a leading research economist and a significant commentator on Australian economic policy. His research spans multiple fields including decision theory, environmental economics, production economics, and economic growth theory. Quiggin's work has particularly focused on climate change economics, micro-economic reform, privatisation, employment policy, and management of the Murray-Darling river system. His influential books include Zombie Economics: How Dead Ideas Still Walk Among Us (translated into eight languages with over 20,000 copies sold) and Economics in Two Lessons: Why Markets Work so Well and Why They Can Fail So Badly (2019). Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on contemporary economic challenges including climate policy, income support systems, market dynamics, and critiques of neoliberal economic frameworks. His work demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical economic questions and practical policy applications, with increasing attention to climate change economics and alternative economic frameworks in recent years. Fellow of the Econometric Society Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia Distinguished Fellowship of the Economics Society of Australia Distinguished Fellowship of the American Agricultural Economics Society Distinguished Alumni awards from University of New England and Australian National University President of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Professor Quiggin has supervised numerous PhD students across topics including energy transition, vehicle efficiency, trade models, and climate change impacts. His research has been supported by multiple Australian Research Council grants spanning economic complexity, black swan events, climate adaptation, and sustainable reform of water systems. He has served on the Boards of the Queensland Competition Authority and Climate Change Authority, demonstrating significant policy engagement. Quiggin maintains active public engagement through his influential economics blog, contributions to major international publications, and participation in the Crooked Timber group blog.
Elisavet K. Chatzivassiliou is a Professor of Plant Pathology-Virology at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), affiliated with the Faculty of Crop Science. She holds a PhD in Plant Pathology-Virology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). Her expertise spans plant virus diagnostics, epidemiology, pest risk analysis, and control methods for plant pathogens and their vectors. She serves on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Plant Health Panel, contributing to working groups on high-risk plants, pathogen categorization, and virus-related assessments. At AUA, she teaches advanced courses like Advanced Plant Virology and oversees the Plant Pathology Laboratory. Education: BSc in Plant Production (AUTH) MSc in Plant Protection (AUTH) PhD in Plant Pathology-Virology (AUTH) Research Interests: Her work focuses on identifying plant viruses (especially in vegetables and ornamentals), understanding plant-virus-vector interactions, and developing strategies to mitigate viral diseases. She evaluates control methods for viruses and their insect vectors, emphasizing practical applications for agricultural sustainability. Awards & Grants: No specific awards listed, but her EFSA involvement indicates recognition in plant health policy. Active in securing grants for risk analyses and diagnostic methodologies. Labs/Teams: Lead researcher in the Phytopathology Team at AUA, collaborating on EU-funded projects. Engaged with international networks for plant health standards.
Giorgio Alberti is a Full Professor at the University of Udine , Department of Agri-Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on forest ecology, carbon sequestration, remote sensing applications, climate change impacts on tree species, and ecosystem services. He leads projects like CarboMark and contributes to Horizon Europe initiatives. Key Research Areas Forest carbon dynamics and biodiversity conservation Integration of field measurements with remote sensing Climate change adaptation in agricultural and forest systems Ecosystem service trade-offs in protected areas His recent work involves machine learning for forest carbon estimation, ecohydrological studies in vineyards, and global biodiversity assessments. He actively participates in international collaborations, including the LATEST Erasmus+ project and Dinaric Alps old-growth forest research. Project Involvement PRI. FOR. MAN Dashboard for wood resource mapping Horizon Europe Project 101081177 on carbon-biodiversity datasets Post-windstorm forest regeneration studies in the Alps Governance of Natura 2000 protected areas
Stephen F. Pires is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida International University's Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. He holds a PhD in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. His research examines wildlife crime using environmental criminology frameworks, syndicated loan markets, and spatial analysis of illicit activities. Notable projects include studies on parrot trafficking networks, timber theft patterns, and SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) regulations. Publications span conservation criminology, banking relationships in loan syndication, and crime prevention methodologies. He received the FMA Best Paper Award in 2014 for work on bank capital and lending. Awards: FMA Best Paper Award for Financial Markets and Institutions (2014) He advises doctoral students and teaches courses in Geospatial Crime Analysis, Crime Prevention, and Wildlife Conservation Forensics.
Jeff Reimer serves as Department Head and Professor in the Department of Applied Economics within Oregon State University's College of Agricultural Sciences. With a Purdue University PhD (2003) and prior degrees from the University of Illinois (B.S. 1994, M.S. 1999), he brings extensive expertise in agricultural economics and international trade to his leadership role, having assumed the department head position in July 2024 after serving as Interim Department Head since 2022. His research spans international trade policy, agricultural labor economics, commodity price analysis, and applied general equilibrium modeling. Key focus areas include government policy impacts on trade and agriculture, trade cost analysis, agricultural labor issues, virtual water trade, and biofuel supply chains. His work combines theoretical modeling with empirical analysis of real-world agricultural markets and policy interventions. Reimer's publication record shows consistent output in top journals with recent emphasis on labor policy impacts (particularly farmworker overtime regulations), SNAP program effects, and regional commodity markets. His work demonstrates strong integration of microeconomic theory with agricultural policy applications. Google Scholar: 2071 citations, h-index 24 (2025) Member, Trade Technical Advisory Group to Oregon Governor (2025) Managing Editor, Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (2021-present) Outstanding Journal Article Award, Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics (2014) Featured Member, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (2012) Outstanding Dissertation Award, Purdue University (2003) As past director of the Applied Economics Graduate Program, Reimer has advised numerous graduate students. His research includes development of the WEST (Water Economy Simulation Tool) for modeling economic and environmental shocks. His policy-relevant work frequently engages with Oregon agricultural stakeholders and government entities, including the Oregon Tax Incidence Model project and state agricultural economic analyses.
Rasmus Nøddegaard Hansen is a Post.Doc researcher at Aalborg University's Department of the Built Environment within The Faculty of Engineering and Science. His research focuses on sustainable construction practices, particularly the environmental impacts of biobased materials like wood. He holds a PhD in Architectural Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (2019). His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and responsible consumption. Key projects include analyzing building regulations, assessing environmental impacts of timber construction in Denmark, and developing tools like the Doughnut Biotool for biodiversity assessment. He has also held roles as a Sustainability Consultant at NIRAS A/S and a VDC Consultant at MT Højgaard. His publications explore topics such as life cycle assessment of wooden buildings, land-use trade-offs, and policy implications of transitioning to biobased construction materials. Hansen frequently engages with industry through workshops and media discussions on sustainable building practices.
