Min Zhou is a Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Asian American Studies at UCLA, and Director of the UCLA Asia Pacific Center. She holds the Walter & Shirley Wang Endowed Chair in U.S.-China Relations and Communications. A member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, her work focuses on migration studies, race and ethnicity, and Chinese diasporas. She previously directed the UCLA Asian American Studies Department (2001-2005) and served as Tan Lark Sye Chair Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2013-2016). Her research explores transnationalism, immigrant entrepreneurship, ethnic supplementary education, and China’s internal migration dynamics. Notable publications include Chinatown (1992), The Asian American Achievement Paradox (2015), and Contemporary Chinese Diasporas (2017). She has received major awards such as the 2017 ASA Distinguished Career Award and the 2016 Bourdieu Prize for sociology of education. Education: Ph.D., Sociology, State University of New York at Albany Key Grants: Russell Sage Foundation grants (2005-09), Singapore Ministry of Education Tier 2 grant (2016-21) Labs/Teams: Directs the UCLA Asia Pacific Center; collaborates with global scholars on projects like 'Immigration and Integration in the Pacific Rim'
John C. Butler is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Finance Department at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin. He holds leadership roles as Academic Director of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center, Director of the MS Finance Program, and Director of the Energy Management Minor. His academic journey includes a PhD in Management Science and Information Systems from UT Austin (1998) and a BBA from Texas A&M University (1991). His research focuses on applications of decision analysis across domains including operations, finance, and information systems. Key areas include risk analysis, optimization, multi-attribute utility theory, and energy finance. His work integrates theoretical modeling with empirical validation to address complex decision-making challenges in both public and private sectors. Butler's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on decision modeling methodologies, with recent work emphasizing risk quantification and utility theory applications. His articles frequently intersect operations research, behavioral economics, and systems optimization, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to solving managerial and policy problems. Awards and Honors: MBA Applause Award (2008, 2011) Finalist, INFORMS Franz Edelman Award (2004) INFORMS Decision Analysis Society Practice Award (2000) Fred Moore Teaching Award Dean's Research Fellowship, Ohio State University (2004) Leadership & Advising: Butler has supervised 11 PhD students to completion and secured significant grants including DOE funding for nuclear terrorism risk analysis. He directs multiple energy finance initiatives and serves on editorial boards for Decision Analysis and previously Decision Support Systems . Centers & Programs: As Academic Director of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center, he leads interdisciplinary energy research. He also developed the Energy Finance concentration and redesigned the MS Finance curriculum to incorporate quantitative energy market analysis.
Meg Rithmire serves as the James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration within the Business, Government, and International Economy Unit at Harvard Business School. She holds concurrent faculty affiliations at Harvard's Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Fairbank Center for East Asian Studies, and Harvard Faculty Committee on Southeast Asia, where she convenes the Chinese Economy Seminar. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Government from Harvard University, establishing her expertise in comparative political economy with regional specialization in China and Southeast Asia. Education: PhD in Government, Harvard University Professor Rithmire's research investigates the volatile intersection of concentrated political power and market mechanisms within authoritarian contexts. She pioneers analysis of mutual endangerment dynamics where distrust between business and political elites—coupled with financial liberalization—creates destabilizing relationships, as documented in her award-winning book Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia . Her scholarship spans Chinese land politics, outward investment patterns, and the geopolitical risks threatening US-China economic interdependence. Recent work increasingly focuses on business risk management frameworks for navigating national security threats in global operations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a sharp pivot toward geopolitical risk governance, with 60% of her 2022-2025 output addressing business resilience in deteriorating US-China relations. While maintaining deep historical analysis of China's political economy, her contemporary work integrates security studies frameworks, reflecting the securitization of economic policy. This evolution demonstrates how authoritarian capitalism's global expansion forces multinational corporations to develop sophisticated risk assessment protocols beyond traditional market analysis. Awards & Honors: 2023 HBS Student Association Faculty Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Elective Curriculum 2020 Greenhill Award for Outstanding Service to the HBS Community 2015 Charles M. Williams Award for Teaching Excellence 2015 HBS Student Association Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Required Curriculum Professor Rithmire advises executive education programs on geopolitical risk management while co-chairing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Geopolitical Risk and Resilience initiative. Her research receives institutional support through Harvard's Fairbank Center and Weatherhead Center affiliations, with editorial leadership roles at The China Quarterly and The China Journal amplifying her influence. Current grant activities focus on developing corporate risk assessment frameworks for national security threats, particularly regarding Chinese market operations. She leads the Business Geopolitical Risk and Resilience initiative with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, convening multinational executives and policymakers to develop practical risk management protocols. Through the Fairbank Center's Chinese Economy Seminar, she facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue among economists, political scientists, and area specialists examining China's evolving economic governance structures. These platforms bridge academic research with real-world business and policy challenges in an era of strategic competition.
Gregory Paradis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Forestry. His research focuses on sustainable forest management, integrating operations research, mathematical optimization, and systems modeling to address complex interactions between ecosystems, industries, and society. He works with the FRESH Lab and collaborates with the Integrated Remote Sensing Studio, emphasizing ecological and economic integration in forest planning. Sustainable Forest Management Operations Research Forest Economics Data Science Risk Assessment GIS-based Methods His research spans forest inventory optimization, climate change adaptation strategies, wildfire risk modeling, and decision support systems for invasive species. He develops computational frameworks to enhance wood supply planning, carbon management, and ecological resilience. Recent work includes machine learning applications for fire safety in timber structures and automated road planning tools for wildlife conservation. Paradis’s publications highlight trends in applying optimization methods to sustainable forestry, with a focus on biodiversity, climate adaptation, and value chain innovation. He advocates for interdisciplinary approaches that bridge silviculture, industrial engineering, and data science to tackle emerging challenges in forest ecosystems. As an educator, he seeks motivated students with quantitative and creative problem-solving skills. His lab collaborates on remote sensing integration, risk assessment models, and policy-relevant forest management strategies, ensuring plans account for uncertainties like insect infestations or windthrow events.
Mohammad Amir Anwar is a Senior Lecturer in African Studies and International Development at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science. He leads the UKRI-funded Planetary AI project and has held senior research roles at the British Institute for Eastern Africa and the University of Johannesburg. His work bridges digital economies, labor studies, and African political economy. Research Interests: His scholarship focuses on globalization, digital economies, platform labor, and the political economy of AI, with specific attention to inequality, social movements, and the future of work in African contexts. He employs digital ethnography and interdisciplinary frameworks to analyze technology's impact on marginalized communities. Publications & Projects: He is author of The Digital Continent (Oxford University Press, 2022) and has over 20 peer-reviewed publications. Current projects include studies on AI labor chains, platform economies in African cities, and pandemic impacts on informal workers, funded by UKRI, Royal Society of Edinburgh, and British Academy. Public Engagement: Anwar regularly contributes to media outlets like The Conversation and African Arguments, translating academic insights into public debates around digital labor, gig economy dynamics, and South-South cooperation.
Nina Pavcnik is the Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences and the Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies at Dartmouth College, where she has served as a Professor of Economics since 2009. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University. Her research focuses on the intersection of international trade, development, and industrial organization, examining how globalization impacts workers, households, and firms in developing economies. Education: B.A. in Economics, Yale University (1994); Ph.D. in Economics, Princeton University (1999). Her research interests include international trade policy, trade and development, child labor, and the structural transformation of economies. Pavcnik’s work analyzes the effects of trade liberalization on inequality, labor markets, and firm dynamics in low-income countries. She has contributed to understanding how globalization reshapes economic landscapes and influences poverty reduction strategies. Her awards include the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2022–2023), the Best Coeditor Prize from the Journal of International Economics (2018 and 2019), and the Dean of Faculty Award for Outstanding Mentoring and Advising at Dartmouth (2017). She has also held editorial roles at leading journals like the Journal of Economic Perspectives and the World Bank Economic Review. Pavcnik has advised numerous students and mentees, including undergraduates and junior researchers in economics. Her grants and fellowships include funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, and the World Bank. She actively contributes to policy discussions on trade, development, and globalization through her advisory roles at institutions like the IMF and the Inter-American Development Bank. Her research has been disseminated through prestigious journals and books, with a focus on topics such as informal employment, firm dynamics, and the distributional effects of trade policies. Pavcnik’s work emphasizes the need for evidence-based policies to address the challenges and opportunities posed by globalization.
Professor Ashley Braganza serves as Dean of Brunel Business School at Brunel University London and holds the Chair in Business Transformation. He founded and co-directs Brunel's interdisciplinary Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (established 2018), which includes a dedicated AI Lab and forms part of Brunel's broader AI Ecosystem. His leadership secured £3.5 million in grants during the 2022/23 academic year and a recent €5.8 million ELOQUENCE EU project (2024-2027). His academic qualifications include a PhD in Organisational Change and Information Systems from Cranfield University and an MBA in Strategic Management Responsibility from the University of Strathclyde. Professor Braganza's research centers on artificial intelligence, big data, change management, strategy implementation, process and knowledge management, and transformation-enabled information systems . His practice-based approach stems from over 40 major consultancy projects with global organizations including BT, Microsoft, McDonald's, Astra Zeneca, and UN agencies. He champions interdisciplinary experiential learning and rigorous academic research with real-world applications. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in applying AI and digital technologies to healthcare supply chains, blockchain governance, and socioeconomic challenges like digital poverty. His work consistently bridges operations management, information systems, and social sciences while examining human-organizational impacts of technological transformation. His distinguished recognition includes: Election to the British Academy of Management College of Fellows for 25+ years of scholarly contribution and community service Professor Braganza has directed significant research initiatives including the British Academy-funded digital poverty study in Margate, UK-India collaborative projects on AI in healthcare productivity, and curriculum development for special needs trainers. His consultancy assignments with major corporations have co-created practical frameworks for implementing complex organizational change programs. He founded and chairs the British Academy of Management Special Interest Group in Transformation, Change and Development, and directs Brunel's AI: Social and Digital Innovation Research Centre, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration through the Operations and Information Systems Management Research Group (OISM).
Philippe Aghion is a Professor at the College de France holding the chair in Economics of Institutions, Innovation and Growth, and a Professor at INSEAD. He also serves as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics. His academic work has established him as a leading figure in growth economics, particularly through his development of the Schumpeterian Growth paradigm. Professor Aghion's research focuses on the economics of growth, innovation, productivity, and income mobility. He has pioneered the Schumpeterian Growth theory with Peter Howitt, which examines economic growth through the lens of "creative destruction" - where innovation drives progress by replacing outdated technologies and business models. His work analyzes the design of growth policies, the role of competition and industrial policy, the relationship between innovation and inequality, and solutions to the "secular stagnation" observed in developed economies. A recurring theme in his research is understanding how institutions shape innovation and growth dynamics. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on innovation economics, environmental sustainability, and the relationship between technological change and economic outcomes. His work spans theoretical developments in growth models and empirical investigations using firm-level data, particularly from France. Key trends include examining how market competition affects innovation, the dynamics of green technology adoption, the impact of globalization on firm behavior, and the relationship between automation and labor markets. His research consistently connects theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence to inform policy design. Professor Aghion has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to economics: 2001: Yrjo Jahnsson Award (best European economist under age 45) 2009: John Von Neumann Award March 2020: BBVA "Frontier of Knowledge Award" (shared with Peter Howitt) Fellow of the Econometric Society Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences As the holder of the Economics of Institutions, Innovation and Growth chair at the College de France (established in 2015), Professor Aghion leads a research team comprising more than twenty researchers. His chair focuses on cutting-edge research examining the economics of innovation, environmental sustainability, productivity dynamics, and household income mobility. His influential books, including "Endogenous Growth Theory" (1998), "The Economics of Growth" (2009), "Competition and Growth" (2006), and "The Power of Creative Destruction" (2021), have shaped the field of growth economics and provided frameworks for understanding modern economic challenges.
Christopher S. Tang is a UCLA Distinguished Professor and Edward W. Carter Chair in Business Administration at the Anderson School of Management , where he researches global supply chain management with a focus on social innovation in developing countries . He also serves as Senior Associate Dean for Global Initiatives and Faculty Director of the Center for Global Management . Education: Ph.D. in Management Science (1985, Yale University) M.Phil. in Administrative Science (1983, Yale University) M.A. in Statistics (1983, Yale University) B.Sc. in Mathematics (First Class Honors, 1981, King’s College, University of London) His research explores the intersection of corporate responsibility and supply chain innovation , addressing topics like microfinancing , mobile platforms for developing economies , direct agricultural procurement , and disaster response logistics . He emphasizes visibility, integrity, and agility in uncertain environments. Recent work highlights AI adoption benefits for supply chains , strategies to reduce forced labor risks , and policy impacts on ride-sharing platforms . His research bridges operations management and social justice , advocating for environmental stewardship alongside business growth. Scientific Awards: Salzberg Medallion (2017) Lifetime Fellow, INFORMS (2011) Responsible Research in Management Award (2017) Teaching Excellence Award (multiple years, UCLA-NUS) Dean’s Excellent Service Award (2014) As an influential adviser and consultant , Tang has worked with Amazon, HP, IBM, Nestlé, GKN , and Accenture . He has taught at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology , and served as visiting professor at Cambridge University and the Institute of Advanced Study at HKUST .
Isabelle Mejean serves as Professor in the Department of Economics at Sciences Po, specializing in international macroeconomics and international trade. Her prior academic appointments include Ecole Polytechnique, CEPII (Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales), and the IMF Research Department. Education: PhD in Economics, University of Paris 1-Panthéon-Sorbonne (2006) Mejean's research explores micro-foundations of global trade systems, emphasizing firm-level adaptations to geopolitical shifts, environmental regulations, and supply chain disruptions. Her work bridges macroeconomic phenomena with granular trade data, investigating how carbon taxes reshape supply networks, how trade fragmentation affects economic security, and how labor market structures influence volatility resilience. This approach reveals critical mechanisms behind inflation transmission and policy spillovers across borders. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications shows consistent focus on empirical trade dynamics using French manufacturing datasets and global firm networks. Key trends include quantifying carbon leakage through supply chains, mapping shock propagation in firm-to-firm trade, and evaluating de-risking strategies amid geopolitical tensions. Her research directly informs contemporary debates on climate-trade policy coherence and energy security. Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source material. Advising and Grants: Doctoral supervision activities and research funding sources remain unspecified in available records. Labs and Teams: Affiliation with specific research collectives or laboratories is not referenced in current institutional profiles.
Roberto Mora Cortez serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Business and Sustainability at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Kolding campus, with a primary focus on Business-to-Business (B2B) marketing research and instruction. His academic contributions span teaching, publication, and industry engagement within the global B2B domain. His research expertise centers on B2B Marketing , Market Segmentation , and Quantitative Methods , with significant extensions into Sales , Trade Shows , Customer Journey mapping, and DEI in B2B contexts. His methodological approach combines systematic reviews, survey research, and empirical analysis, emphasizing practical applications for businesses across diverse economic environments including Chile and Peru. Key investigations address segmentation efficacy, digital transformation of trade shows, and the integration of diversity principles into B2B selling frameworks. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2022-2025) reveals dominant trends toward digitalization, sustainability, and inclusivity in B2B practices. His work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with actionable implementation strategies, particularly in global and emerging markets. Notable thematic clusters include AI-driven business processes, relationship marketing resilience during economic fluctuations, and social media's role in B2B engagement. No scientific awards, prizes, or fellowships are documented in the available records. Mora Cortez has supervised at least one bachelor thesis student (Catherine Scheck) and teaches courses including Business-to-Business Marketing, Advanced Quantitative Analyses, and Scientific Research Processes. His academic service includes peer reviewing for the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing and participation in conferences such as the AMA Winter Academic Conference. International collaborations with Georgia State University and the University of Chile indicate active research networking. His departmental work within SDU's sustainability-focused business unit involves media engagement on mining industry marketing in Latin America, including contributions to Peruvian business media on value propositions and trade show ROI. Current research trajectories emphasize digital transformation, sustainable innovation, and DEI integration within evolving B2B landscapes.
Kusum L. Ailawadi is the Charles Jordan 1911 TU'12 Professor of Marketing at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She has established herself as a leading expert in marketing channel strategy, brand equity, and multi-channel distribution systems. Her research examines the strategic interaction and distribution of power between manufacturers and their distribution channel partners, with particular focus on how store brands, promotions, and brand equity affect performance. Education: PhD, University of Virginia, 1991 MBA, Indian Institute of Management, 1984 BSc (Honors), St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, 1982 Professor Ailawadi's research spans two primary streams: the first focuses on manufacturer-retailer relationships and channel strategy, examining how power dynamics affect brand performance; the second investigates how marketing actions influence consumers' health status and the nutritional quality of grocery shopping. She has pioneered research showing how warehouse club shopping affects consumer behavior, revealing that club store shoppers spend more, shop more frequently, and consume more calories than non-club shoppers. Her work on multi-channel distribution has been synthesized in her influential 2020 book Getting Multi-Channel Distribution Right , which provides practical guidance for managing brands across physical and digital channels. Her extensive publication record in top marketing journals like Journal of Marketing , Journal of Marketing Research , and Marketing Science demonstrates consistent scholarly impact. Analysis of her recent work shows a strong focus on the evolving retail landscape, with particular attention to private label brands, multi-channel strategies, and the behavioral economics of consumer shopping patterns. Her research increasingly bridges marketing theory with practical applications in retail strategy and consumer health. Notable Awards: Winner, Paul H. Root Award for Significant Contribution to the Advancement of the Practice of Marketing (2018) Distinguished Alumni Award, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (2020) Winner, John D.C. Little Best Paper Award, Marketing Science (2005) Winner, First William Davidson Award for Best Contribution to Theory and Practice in Retail Marketing (1997) Multiple finalist positions for Paul E. Green Award across various years Professor Ailawadi serves as president of the INFORMS Society for Marketing Science and has held editorial positions at major marketing journals including Journal of Marketing , Journal of Marketing Research , and Marketing Science . She teaches the highly regarded MBA elective on Multi-Channel Routes to Market and has consulted with companies across consumer goods, retailing, consulting, and financial services sectors. Her expertise has also been sought in legal cases related to distribution, brand equity, and promotions, where she has served as both consulting and testifying expert. Her research has been widely covered in media outlets including Harvard Business Review , Wall Street Journal , Forbes , and Advertising Age , demonstrating the practical relevance of her academic work. Her TEDx talk 'Outsmarting the Marketers' further illustrates her ability to translate complex marketing concepts for broader audiences.
Sai Ravela is a Principal Research Scientist in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on nonlinear stochastic dynamics, coherent fluid systems, uncertainty quantification, and autonomous observing technologies. He specializes in developing data-driven methodologies for natural hazard detection, climate change impacts, and environmental risk assessment. Ravela’s work integrates computational science with geophysical applications, including storm surge modeling, extreme rainfall analysis, and geothermal exploration. He pioneers techniques like neural dynamical systems and adversarial learning to improve predictive accuracy in nonstationary climate regimes. His contributions span environmental monitoring systems, autonomous aircraft resilience frameworks, and policy-informed climate vulnerability assessments. Key research areas include: Coastal flood risk in Bangladesh and Vietnam Dynamic data-driven applications systems (DDDAS) Machine learning for geosciences and environmental systems Uncertainty quantification in complex fluid dynamics He leads interdisciplinary projects at MIT’s Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) program, advancing methods for data assimilation, surrogate modeling, and real-time environmental observatories. His innovations bridge theoretical frameworks with practical solutions for climate adaptation and disaster resilience.
Arman Eshraghi is a Professor of Finance and Investment at Cardiff Business School , with 15 years of academic and industry experience. He founded the Cardiff Fintech Research Group , leads the Digital Transformation Innovation Institute 's fintech theme, and co-directs the Behavioral Finance Working Group . He serves as Editor-in-Chief of International Review of Economics and Finance and Senior Editor in multiple journals. Key academic appointments: Cardiff University (2018–present), University of Edinburgh (2013–18) International fellowships: Development Bank of Japan, University of Canterbury (New Zealand), UCL Industry engagement: Federal Reserve Bank (NY), Alan Turing Institute, CFA Society UK, CityUK Research Focus: Behavioral finance, corporate finance, financial technology, and interdisciplinary accounting. His work examines retail investor psychology, fund manager behavior, CEO decision-making, and fintech impacts on financial markets. He has published in Review of Financial Studies , Harvard Business Review , and Financial Times . Scientific Contributions: EFMD Global, Emerald Literati, and European Financial Group awards Keynote speaker at global conferences (New York, London, Mumbai, Frankfurt) Media citations in Financial Times , BBC , Forbes , and Bloomberg Teaching & Leadership: Delivers award-winning MSc/MBA/PhD courses in UK, Europe, and Asia. Holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and Fellow of AdvanceHE. Designed executive programs for firms including Aetna CVS Health and Scottish Widows. Research Leadership: Co-organizes international conferences like the Cardiff Financial Technology Conference and European Financial Management Association Meeting . Supervises PhD students on topics spanning fintech, behavioral finance, and CEO lifestyle impacts.
Benjamin Schoefer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at UC Berkeley , where he teaches courses in macroeconomic theory and labor economics. He serves as Director of the Macro Labor Center for the Study on Aggregate Labor Markets, Policies, and Institutions, collaborating with the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) . Editorial Roles: Associate Editor, Journal of Monetary Economics Affiliated Institutions: NBER (Research Associate), IWH Halle (Senior Research Fellow), Bundesbank (Research Professor), CEPR (Research Affiliate), IZA (Research Fellow), CESifo (Affiliate Member) His research focuses on Labor Economics , Macroeconomics , and Public Economics , with recent work examining: Wage rigidity and efficiency wage models Labor market effects of employer subsidies Collective bargaining institutions across countries Firm growth through input substitution Employment protection policies Financial constraints in wage setting Key findings include documenting how market power and monopsony influence labor shares, and how decentralized wage setting affects employment dynamics. His collaborative work spans institutions in Norway , Finland , and Italy . As a NBER Working Paper author, he has published on topics like: Minimum wage impacts and misallocation Congestion theory in unemployment German industrial relations models Employer subsidies and hysteresis Payroll tax effects in Sweden
