Vania Ceccato is a Professor at the Academy of Police Work, University of Borås, specializing in environmental criminology and situational crime prevention. She leads the international Nätverket Säkraplatser network, fostering collaboration between academia and practice for sustainable safety. Her research bridges urban design, rural criminology, and transit security, with a focus on inclusive safety measures. Her recent publications include studies on transit worker safety in Stockholm’s metro resilient urban design for climate and crime prevention LGBTQI+ safety in transportation rural-urban shooting patterns innovative survey methodologies Her work aligns with United Nations SDGs 9, 11, and 13, emphasizing how environmental criminology can drive sustainable, equitable urban development.
Dr. Michelle Gallant serves as Professor at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Law (Robson Hall), where she has taught continuously since 1999 and attained full professorship in 2014. She concurrently holds an Adjunct Professor appointment in the university's Peace and Conflict Studies Program since 2005 and is an Associate member of St. Paul's College. Her significant administrative roles include Manitoba Law Reform Commissioner (2012-2018), Deputy Commissioner of the Residential Tenancies Commission (2008-2011), and former Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) and Director of the Legal Research Institute (2004-2010). Her academic credentials feature a Doctor of Philosophy from King's College London (2000), preceded by a Master of Laws from the University of British Columbia (1996) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick (1990). Prior to doctoral studies, she practiced as Legal Counsel for the Federal Department of Justice in Halifax. Dr. Gallant's research centers on the governance of tainted finance, with primary expertise in Money Laundering, Terrorist Finance, and Taxation intersecting with Philanthropy and the Law. Her work critically examines civil forfeiture mechanisms, anti-money laundering regulations, and the tension between financial crime control and human rights protection. She employs empirical methodologies to evaluate regulatory effectiveness across Canadian and international contexts, with particular attention to banking sector vulnerabilities and cross-jurisdictional enforcement challenges. Analysis of her publication record reveals evolving scholarly focus from theoretical frameworks toward empirical studies of civil forfeiture and international regulatory cooperation. Recent work increasingly addresses the impact of financial secrecy jurisdictions on crime control efforts and explores innovative approaches to balancing security imperatives with fundamental rights protections in financial regulation. She maintains active scholarly engagement through presentations at premier international forums including the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime and Global Conference on Transparency Research, where she contributes expertise on civil forfeiture patterns, terrorist finance regulation, and philanthropy law applications.
Kerri Raissian is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Vanderbilt University (2002), an MPA (2008), and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Syracuse University's Maxwell School (2013). Her research focuses on child and family policy, particularly the intersection of public policy with fertility, family formation, and family violence. She has received the 2016 Vernon Memorial Prize for her JPAM paper analyzing the impact of gun control legislation on domestic homicides. Raissian's work bridges program evaluation, economic demography, and applied microeconomics. She has published in journals like the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Child Maltreatment, and the European Journal of Ageing. Her recent projects include studies on paid family leave policies, firearm ownership surveys, and pandemic-era child welfare dynamics. She actively collaborates with Connecticut agencies to address family violence and child welfare challenges. Teaching expertise includes financial management for public organizations, research methods, and social policy. She has been recognized by the UConn Provost’s Office for outstanding teaching evaluations. Raissian’s career includes prior roles in government and nonprofits serving abused children and adults, informing her applied policy research approach.
Dr. Jungmeen Kim-Spoon is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and Health Sciences at Virginia Tech's College of Science. She leads the JK Lifespan Development Lab and serves as Director of Virginia Tech's Developmental Science program, focusing on developmental psychopathology and neurocognitive mechanisms in adolescent risk behaviors. Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology (University of Virginia) M.A. in Developmental Psychology (Yonsei University) B.A. in Psychology (Yonsei University, Summa Cum Laude) Her research examines: Developmental pathways of psychopathology following child maltreatment Neurobiological substrates of risk-taking behaviors Protective factors in adversity: Self-regulation, cognitive control, religiousness Longitudinal neuroimaging studies of adolescent brain maturation Quantitative methods: Structural equation modeling, latent growth analysis Recent publications highlight: Neurocognitive control of substance use (2025) Maltreatment effects on emotion regulation (2024) Developmental impacts of socioeconomic disadvantage (2024) Family chaos and neural protective factors (2024) Delay discounting pathways in adolescent substance use (2024) Scientific recognition: Heilig-Meyers Professor of Psychology (2025–present) NIH-funded research projects (NIDA/NICHD/NIMH) Lab members include: Current graduate students: Claudia Clinchard, Celina Meyer, Sahar Hafezi Postdoctoral associates: Ya-Yun Chen, Ashlyn Murphy
Professor Steven J. Murdoch is a faculty member at the University College London (UCL) in the Department of Computer Science . He holds a Royal Society University Research Fellow position and leads the Information Security Research Group . He is affiliated with Christ’s College as a bye-fellow, and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the BCS . His work bridges security engineering , privacy-enhancing technologies , and legal-technical intersections . Academic Leadership : Program chair and general chair for major conferences like Privacy Enhancing Technologies Symposium and Financial Cryptography . Research Contributions : Notable for exposing vulnerabilities in EMV protocols , designing blockchain-based fair exchange protocols , and analyzing malware delivery ecosystems . Scientific Awards : Received the IRTF Applied Networking Research Prize 2020 for internet-wide scanning methodologies. Professional Impact : Active in Tor Project and critical infrastructure analysis, including the Post Office Horizon scandal . Email: s.murdoch@ucl.ac.uk .
Dr. Shweta Singh serves as an Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Management at Warwick Business School, University of Warwick. She concurrently holds prestigious appointments as a Fellow at the Warwick Institute for Global Sustainability Development (IGSD) and a Behavioral Data Science researcher at The Alan Turing Institute in London. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Information and Decision Sciences from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, complemented by dual Master's degrees in Computer Science and Applied Economics from the same institution. Ph.D. in Information and Decision Sciences, University of Minnesota Master's in Computer Science, University of Minnesota Master's in Applied Economics, University of Minnesota Dr. Singh's research centers on developing ethical and responsible artificial intelligence systems that address societal challenges. Her work specifically targets mitigating AI bias, creating explainable AI frameworks, and leveraging technology to combat societal injustice. She investigates how digital platforms, sharing economy models, and IT outsourcing create business value while ensuring these technologies promote sustainability and reduce inequalities. Her innovative approach combines technical AI expertise with deep social awareness, particularly focusing on gender equality and child protection in digital spaces. Her publication record demonstrates consistent high-impact contributions to Information Systems Research, International Conference on Information Systems, and related venues. The trajectory of her work shows increasing focus on practical applications of responsible AI, with recent projects addressing online child safety and human trafficking prevention. Her research increasingly intersects with policy development, as evidenced by her contributions to UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology briefs. Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, University of Minnesota McNamara Fellowship, University of Minnesota Social Impact Project of the Year shortlist (2023) Asian Women of Achievement Award finalist (2023) British Indian Awards finalist (2019) Top 5 Women in Tech for Good Award shortlist (2022) Inspiring 50 UK recognition (2025) Dr. Singh actively mentors students and has been recognized with the Staff Social Inclusion Award (2024) for her teaching excellence. Her advisory roles extend beyond academia to include the UN Women UK delegation for the Commission on the Status of Women and the Advisory Board of AI retail company 'Love the Sales'. She serves as an external collaborator for Boston Consulting Group's Henderson Institute, bridging academic research with industry applications. Through her leadership in the ISM-Analytics (ISMA) Group at Warwick, Dr. Singh fosters interdisciplinary collaboration focused on creating socially responsible technological solutions. Her work with the IGSD specifically targets UN sustainability goals related to reducing inequalities and promoting inclusive societies through responsible AI implementation.
Dr. Leanne F. Alarid is a Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at The University of Texas at El Paso, College of Liberal Arts. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and focuses on gender and crime, corrections policy, and mental health intersections with the justice system. Research Focus: Gender-specific analysis of criminal behavior, correctional treatment strategies, and mental health policy Current Project: Lead Evaluator for Bureau of Justice Assistance grant on jail-based reentry programs Editorial Roles: Member, Corrections: Policy, Practice and Research , Women and Criminal Justice , and Criminal Justice Policy Review Her recent publications emphasize community corrections , prison reentry , and gender dynamics in criminal justice , with a focus on implementation science and policy evaluation. She has contributed to journals like Justice Quarterly and The Prison Journal , alongside authoring major textbooks such as Community-Based Corrections and Corrections . Scientific Awards: 2011 Founder’s Award, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Dr. Alarid teaches courses including Correctional Systems, Community Corrections, Criminology, and Study Abroad programs in London. She actively evaluates correctional interventions and contributes to public policy discussions on decarceration and mental health diversion.
Laura Korhonen is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Linköping University , serving as Head of Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV) and leading the national knowledge center Barnafrid . She is affiliated with the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience (CSAN) and actively contributes to research on child mental health, trauma, and violence prevention. Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Head of Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Director of Barnafrid National Knowledge Center Active in Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience Teaching roles in medical and psychotherapy programs Her research focuses on psychotic symptoms in children , biomarkers for mental illness , and mental health in refugee populations . She examines the impact of trauma, digital media use, and violence on child development, advocating for early interventions and cross-sector collaboration. Recent publications highlight her work on refugee youth mental health , challenges in ICD-10 coding for child maltreatment , and associations between digital media usage and adolescent well-being . Her team applies mixed-methods approaches to understand non-suicidal self-injury cessation and participatory research methods across Europe. Scientific Awards: Co-investigator in SEK 30 million Forte Council grants (2022) Laura leads Barnafrid , Sweden's national center for child violence prevention, and collaborates internationally through networks like COST Action 19106 . Her work informs European policy guidelines and crisis response frameworks for children in conflict zones.
Prof Kath Albury is an ARC Future Fellow and Professor at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. She leads the Digital and Data Capabilities for Sexual Health Policy and Practice project (2022-2026) and co-leads Swinburne's Platform Society + Digital Economy program. Her research focuses on digital technologies' impact on sexual health, LGBTQ+ communities, and data literacy. She co-authored Everyday Data Cultures (2022) and Data for Social Good (2023). Awards include the Swinburne Vice-Chancellor's Research Excellence Award (2022). She collaborates internationally, including with Sweden on digital sexual health projects. Her grants include funding from ARC, VicHealth, and the eSafety Commissioner. She advises on health policy and serves on committees for organizations like ACON Health and Family Planning NSW. Research interests span digital sexual health, platform governance, and inclusive AI. Recent work addresses sextech, LGBTQ+ safety online, and youth digital practices. She is unavailable for PhD supervision in 2026 due to leave. Key collaborations include the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADMS) and the Swedish/Australian Digital Sexual Health project. She advocates for data justice and community-centred digital practices in health and disaster preparedness.
Dr. Sally A Kuykendall is a Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Saint Joseph’s University, where she has served since 2004 (holding roles including Department Chair from 2011–2015). A former critical care nurse with multidisciplinary academic training (PhD in Health Studies from Temple University, MS in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University, and BSc in Chemistry/Biology from the University of Plymouth), her work spans bullying prevention, scientific misconduct analysis, and trauma-informed care. She led a nine-year bullying prevention study and authored seminal works like Skewed Studies (2020), exposing flaws in health/psychology research. Her research also examines family violence, adverse childhood experiences, and firearm-related youth behavior. Professional experience includes clinical roles at SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and Abington Hospital, alongside adjunct/visiting professorships at Temple University and Saint Joseph’s University. She has secured over $3 million in grants for initiatives like the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program implementation and Healthy Lessons for Urban Youth. Awards include the Teaching Excellence Award (2003) and Crystal Community Impact Award (1996). Her recent focus includes creative problem-solving research and book projects addressing institutional responses to whistleblowing. Key contributions include evidence-based bullying prevention frameworks, trauma-informed care protocols, and critiques of unethical research practices across health and psychology disciplines.
Emma Gilligan is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. She is also a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of State's Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ), where she co-founded the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) for Ukraine, a multilateral initiative involving the U.S., UK, and EU in response to war crimes following Russia's invasion. Her work bridges academia and high-level policy, focusing on human rights, war crimes, and post-conflict justice. Her research interests include: War crimes in Chechnya and Ukraine International human rights movements Contemporary Russian studies Humanitarian intervention and R2P (Responsibility to Protect) Post-conflict justice and moral harm Domestic litigation of international crimes Gilligan’s recent publications reflect a deep engagement with legal, moral, and historical dimensions of war, particularly in the Russo-Chechen conflicts and Ukraine. Her work analyzes war crime litigation, propaganda, collective punishment, and the role of international law in holding states accountable. She frequently contributes to mainstream media and has been featured on MSNBC, NPR, Al Jazeera, and Voice of America. Her scientific awards include: U.S. Secretary of State Performance Award (2022) for founding the ACA Best Book Award from the Institute for the Study of Genocide (2012) for Terror in Chechnya Kennan Fellow (2018–2019) at the Woodrow Wilson Center Franklin Fellow at the U.S. Department of State (2019–2020) Gilligan has held significant advisory and leadership roles, including Task Force Member for Afghans-at-Risk during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021), and former Director and Associate Director of the Human Rights Institute at the University of Connecticut (2011–2016). She has also been a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Chicago. Her grants and policy work are primarily tied to U.S. government initiatives and international human rights advocacy. She teaches courses on human rights history, international law, genocide, and global institutions. She is actively involved in research teams and initiatives related to the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group and collaborates with civil society, prosecutors, and international bodies on strategic litigation and capacity-building in Ukraine.
Dr. Robert L. Bing III is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at The University of Texas at Arlington, where he has served since 1994. He holds a Ph.D. in Criminology from Florida State University and has played a foundational role in shaping the department, serving as its first Chair from 1994 to 2006 and again as Interim Chair in 2014–2015. He is also a CAAS Faculty Fellow and has held leadership roles in diversity and inclusion initiatives at the university. Ph.D., Criminology, Florida State University, 1987 M.S., Criminology, Florida State University, 1976 B.A., Sociology, College of the Holy Cross, 1975 Dr. Bing’s research centers on race, crime, and justice, with a focus on plea bargaining, corrections, sentencing disparities, and the role of race in criminal justice education. He has extensively explored issues such as the militarization of police, day fines, and pretrial detention. His scholarly work reflects a deep commitment to equity and social justice within legal and educational institutions. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on racial disparities, legal policy, and institutional reform. His work spans topics such as stand-your-ground laws, mentoring in criminal justice, and the criminogenic potential of healthcare systems. These articles reflect interdisciplinary engagement with public policy, victimology, and organizational behavior. Faculty Excellence Award, AAFSA (2019) Unsong Hero Award, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (2018) Becky Tatum Excellence Award, ACJS (2010) Outstanding Service Award, African American Faculty and Staff (2016) Dr. Bing has advised numerous master’s students, chaired theses and comprehensive exams, and mentored early-career faculty. He has received research funding, including a $100,000 grant for the 'Community Courts Initiative.' He has served on multiple university and professional committees, including the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), where he was Chair of the Section on Minorities and Women and currently serves as Trustee-at-Large. He is actively involved in community service, including the MLK Celebration Committee and Mothers Against Teen Violence. He has presented widely at national conferences such as ACJS and the American Society of Criminology, addressing topics like police-community relations, diversity in education, and sentencing reform.
Gabriele Baratto is an Assistant Professor of Criminology at the Faculty of Law, University of Trento, where he is also a senior researcher in the eCrime research group and a member of the Centre for Security and Crime Sciences (CSSC), a joint initiative with the University of Verona. He teaches courses including Digital Criminology, Transnational Organized Crime, Urban Security, and Financial Crime, and serves as an academic specialist for the UNICRI-UPEACE LL.M. in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity. PhD in International Studies (Criminology), University of Trento (2019, cum laude) Master’s Degree in Law, University of Trento (2013, 110/110 with honors) LL.M. in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law (cum laude), UNICRI-UPEACE-CSSC Scientific High School Diploma, Giorgio Dal Piaz, Feltre (2006) His research focuses on the intersection of crime and digital society, with expertise in cybercrime, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, hate speech, counterfeit goods, urban security, and financial crime. He investigates how digital technologies transform criminal behaviors and how law enforcement and prevention strategies can adapt. His work emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches combining criminology, law, and information science. Baratto has led and contributed to numerous EU-funded research projects such as qAID (Asset and Interest Disclosure), EU CYBER VAT (VAT fraud), HATEMETER (online anti-Muslim hate), and www.surfandsound.eu (human trafficking). His recent publications and conference presentations explore deepfake pornography, conversational AI for victim support, digital human trafficking, and organized cybercrime. His work bridges academic research with practical policy and law enforcement applications. Best Workshop Presentation 2018, Italian Society of Criminology He has advised government bodies and law enforcement, including the Trento Public Prosecutor, Guardia di Finanza, and EUROPOL. He has delivered guest lectures at universities in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK, and conducted training for police, public officials, and educators on topics like cyberbullying, human trafficking, and digital crime. He serves as a reviewer for journals such as Trends in Organised Crime and Humanities & Social Sciences Communications , and was a guest editor for a special issue on cybercrime. Baratto is actively involved in public engagement and knowledge transfer, participating in seminars, workshops, and public events on restorative justice, prison reform, and digital risks. Through his startup Intellegit, he applies research to real-world security challenges. His work consistently emphasizes the societal impact of digital crime and the need for innovative, interdisciplinary solutions.
Katerina Zlatkova-Doncheva is an Associate Professor at the University of Veliko Tarnovo within the Faculty of Education , specializing in Pedagogy . Her research focuses on at-risk children , emotional and behavioral disorders , and inclusive education , with a particular emphasis on Bulgarian community-based mentorship programs . Key Research Areas: Special Education Social Pedagogy Behavioral Intervention Child Psychology Inclusive Education Projects: 2025: Coordinator for "Stimulating publication and research activities of young scholars in Vratsa branch" 2024: Participant in "International scientific symposium on pedagogical education" 2023: Focus on improving practical training for pedagogical students 2022: Advocate for "Methodological and classical trends in pedagogical research" Publications: Authored 15+ works on aggression reduction , anxiety management , and mentorship efficacy in at-risk youth Developed frameworks for multisensory learning in dyslexia education Contributed to international discussions on Vygotsky's theories in inclusive education
Dr. Lee Slocum is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on police-citizen relations, developmental criminology, and environmental influences on criminal behavior. Specializes in longitudinal analysis of youth-police interactions Key contributor to the UMSL Comprehensive Safe Schools Initiative Recipient of Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant Research interests span: Procedural justice and police legitimacy Environmental strain and criminal behavior School safety and disciplinary practices Victimization reporting dynamics Policy impacts on juvenile justice Recent publications examine: Racial disparities in pretrial detention Community-centered safety metrics Cyclical patterns in probation violations Long-term effects of police contact on youth Historical trends in urban policing Contact: slocuml@umsl.edu | Office: 340B Lucas Hall
