David Ashmore is a Lecturer in Engineering Economics at the University of Southampton, specializing in transport sector reform, infrastructure procurement, service contract franchising, and public policy. He has over 30 years of international experience working with engineers, policymakers, regulators, and multilateral donors across the UK, Europe, India, the Americas, Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions. Transport Economics Infrastructure Procurement Public-Private Partnerships Policy Analysis His recent research explores sustainable mobility transitions, including ride-hailing dynamics in Indian cities, hydrogen truck adoption in Australia, and equitable infrastructure systems amid rapid urbanization. He emphasizes multistakeholder collaboration and policy innovation in transport reforms. Key publication trends focus on zero-emissions transportation, PPP challenges, automated planning tools, and formal-informal sector integration in developing countries. Articles span conference proceedings, journal articles, and policy-oriented outputs. David serves as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Technical University of Dresden and holds memberships in the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Institution of Transportation Engineers. He actively supervises PhD students and leads global transport policy research initiatives.
Kaveri Medappa is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Geography at the University of Oxford's Department for Continuing Education and a Junior Research Fellow at Kellogg College. She contributes to a multi-institutional ESRC-funded project, 'Trucking Lives: Making Space for People in Truck Driving Work', focusing on UK HGV drivers' work-life conditions. Formerly associated with the University of Sussex, where she earned her PhD in International Development (2022), and St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru. Doctoral research on app-based workers in Bengaluru under Prof Geert De Neve and Dr Rebecca Prentice Teaching experience in Anthropology and Social Work across UK and India Previous role as Research Associate in 'Speculative Urbanism' project Her expertise spans labour anthropology , critical mobility studies , and feminist political economy , examining intersections of digital technologies, financialisation, and social movements. Recent publications highlight gig economy dynamics, platform worker rights, and speculative finance impacts. Key trends in her research include: Digital labor platform governance (2020–2023) Comparative truck driving work (2024) Financialisation and social reproduction (2022–2025) Urban displacement and affective landscapes (2020) Scientific recognition includes: DSA 'Highly Commended' PhD Thesis Prize (2023) Adam Weiler Doctoral Research with Impact Award (2022) Chancellor’s International Research Scholarship (2018–2021) Her work connects academic research with public scholarship through policy briefs, media contributions, and podcast appearances.
Professor Emma Murphy is a leading scholar in the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University , holding the Chair of Political Economy . She is also a Senior Fellow in the Global Policy Institute and a member of the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies . Her research focuses on the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa , with particular emphasis on ICTs, youth policy, food security, economic liberalization, and Arab-Israeli relations . Recent work explores youth exclusion and inclusion in the MENA region, Africa, and Europe, and gendered transport systems in African cities. Her publications (2025-2009) span gendered mobility practices , ICTs and democratization , economic reforms in Tunisia, and youth activism across the Mediterranean. She co-edits the journal Mediterranean Politics (IF 0.722) and has served on the HEFCE Research Excellence Framework Sub-Panel . Honors : Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturing (FRSA) Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences (ACSS) International Election Observer, Tunisia (2011) Doctoral students supervised include Abdullah Al-Maani and Saleh Albulayhi. Her work intersects with social policy, gender studies, and urban mobility , with recent projects analyzing COVID-19 impacts on youth .
Professor Catherine Easton serves as Professor in Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law at Lancaster University's School of Law, with additional affiliations at Security Lancaster and the Centre for Law and Society. Her work bridges legal scholarship with practical technology implementation, focusing on digital inclusion and governance frameworks. Her research centers on internet governance, domain name regulation, intellectual property law, and accessibility for disabled users. She examines how legal frameworks interact with human-computer interaction systems, particularly in crisis response scenarios and educational technology. Her scholarship consistently addresses the tension between regulatory compliance and genuine digital inclusion, with special attention to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Her recent publications reveal growing emphasis on autonomous systems regulation, particularly regarding disability access in driverless vehicles, and ethical frameworks for cloud-based disaster response. The scholarly trajectory shows evolution from foundational website accessibility analysis toward complex systems governance in emerging technologies. Higher Education Academy International Scholarship recipient MMU Promising Researcher Fellow (2011) Co-chair of UN Internet Governance Forum's Internet Rights and Principles Dynamic Coalition Treasurer of British and Irish Law, Education and Technology Association Guest editor for Web Journal of Current Legal Issues Disability Special Edition Professor Easton actively develops legal education technologies, having created interactive teaching resources for major textbooks and pioneered clicker technology applications in law classrooms. She leads initiatives like the National Law Student Forum and has presented extensively on MOOCs and legal pedagogy. Her Security Lancaster affiliation connects her work to broader research on information transparency and crisis response ethics, where she examines big data's implications for inclusion and human rights.
Dr. Kris Stoddart is an Associate Professor of Cyber Threats at Swansea University's School of Social Sciences, affiliated with the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law and the Cyber Threats Research Center (CYTREC). He previously served as a Reader at Aberystwyth University and Deputy Director of the Center for Intelligence and International Security Studies. His research focuses on cybersecurity, cyber warfare, nuclear weapons, and international security. Notable projects include a £1.2M study on cybersecurity lifecycles (2014–2017) and EU-funded work on hybrid warfare resilience. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has advised UK policing ethics panels. His recent publications include works on Russia's cyber campaigns in Ukraine and cyber threats to critical infrastructure. Research interests span cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, and the intersection of technology with global security. He has authored/co-authored five books and over 25 articles, including Cyberwarfare: Threats to Critical Infrastructure (2022). Media engagements include BBC Radio and NATO cybersecurity forums. Awards include recognition from the Higher Education Academy and Royal Historical Society. Current supervision includes PhD candidates exploring crypto-crimes and humanitarian intelligence analysis. Grants include EU Jean Monnet funding (€30K) and leadership in SCADA cybersecurity projects.
Anne Stafford is a Professor of Accounting and Finance at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. She holds a prominent role in critical and historical analyses of institutions and accountability, particularly focusing on public policy, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and public sector governance. Her research has significantly influenced national and international debates on PPPs' costs, accountability, and governance. Previously, she served at UMIST and Birmingham City University, with over 30 years of experience in lecturing and industry as a management accountant. She has contributed to professional bodies like the ACCA’s Global Forum for the Public Sector and CIGAR network. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing economic and societal impacts. Research interests include financial analysis of PPPs, corporate governance, and the interplay between professional accounting education and practice. Key areas of focus are the UK’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and the evaluation of infrastructure projects' affordability and value for money. Her 2019 Miriam Hederman O’Brien prize acknowledges her impactful research in fiscal policy and PPPs. She has also explored the implications of AI on accounting education and the challenges of accountability in hybrid governance structures. Her work has generated economic and political impacts, such as influencing infrastructure financing policies and public sector accountability frameworks. She actively participates in thought leadership initiatives, including the ‘On Infrastructure’ report, addressing climatic change and infrastructure sustainability.
Will Hughes is a Professor in the School of Construction Management and Engineering at the University of Reading, UK, where he has been a central figure in construction management research for decades. His work focuses on procurement, contract management, risk in bidding, and organizational dynamics in construction projects. His research interests include Construction Management, Construction Procurement, Contract Management, Risk Analysis in Construction, Performance-Based Contracting, and Organizational Behavior in Construction. He has extensively studied how contractors price risk, the role of formal and informal elements in project conflicts, and the evolution of professional institutions in the built environment. The most recent articles show a consistent focus on performance-based contracting, risk allocation, role conflict, and client engagement in construction. His work combines theoretical frameworks like actor-network theory with practical case studies across international contexts, including the UK, Australia, and Ghana. Professionalism and professional institutions in times of change Best practice in dispute board appointments Weather-aware planning tools He has supervised several PhD students, including S. Laryea and S. Kabiri, and has collaborated with leading scholars such as Stephen Gruneberg and Patricia Hillebrandt. His editorial roles in major journals and conference proceedings underscore his leadership in the academic community. He has also contributed to policy discussions through reports for organizations like Transport for London and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He is affiliated with research groups and initiatives focused on construction innovation, West Africa built environment research, and sustainable procurement, indicating a commitment to global and interdisciplinary impact.
Iqbal Hamiduddin is an Associate Professor in Transport Planning and Housing at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London , with appointments spanning since 2009. His work bridges transport planning and housing policy , focusing on social and environmental sustainability in urban neighborhoods and smaller settlements globally. PhD in Urban Planning (UCL, 2013) BA in Geography (Durham, 1999) Research spans rural development , land-use planning , and Global South urban studies , including projects on car-free living in Europe, rural exception sites in England, and mobility patterns in Mongolia's capital. Recent publications address affordable housing viability, pandemic-induced rural housing market shifts, and biodiversity recovery strategies. Scientific awards include fellowship at the Royal Geographical Society (1998), recognition as Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (2015), and UCL Student Choice Award shortlisting (2025). He serves on the editorial board of Sustainability and has consulted for the UK Cohousing Network and Ikea . Teaching interests include directing UCL's MSc Housing & City Planning program and teaching modules on housing project management, transport consultancy, and rural urbanism. He has guest-lectured at multiple London universities and was a Visiting Scholar at University of Wuppertal (2015).
Panos Constantinides is a Professor of Digital Innovation at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. He holds a PhD from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, and is a Fellow of the Cambridge Digital Innovation Centre. A co-founder of the European Digital Platforms Research Network (EU-DPRN), his research focuses on human-AI collaboration and digital platform governance. He has secured grants from the British Academy, Innovate UK, and UKRI, with publications in top-tier journals like Information Systems Research and MIS Quarterly . Education: PhD in Business (2005), Judge Business School, Cambridge MPhil in Business (2002), Judge Business School, Cambridge BSc in Computer Science (2000), New York University Research Interests: Exploring ethical and governance frameworks for AI integration in healthcare and autonomous systems Designing platform ecosystems resilient to crises like pandemics Advancing digital health through ecosystem approaches Studying innovation dynamics in decentralized systems Key Contributions: Authored Digital Transformation in Healthcare: An Ecosystem Approach (2023) Host of the Digital Podcast on YouTube/Spotify Advisor to corporations and policymakers on digital strategy Grants & Projects: Leading the £1.2M Applied AI and Quantum Technology in the Port Environment project (2024-2026) Recipient of British Academy grants (2015-2016) Co-PI on digital resilience research (2023) Labs/Initiatives: Principal Investigator at the Digital Futures Beacon Member of Christabel Pankhurst Institute Editorial roles at MIS Quarterly (2016-2025)
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)United Kingdom
Nuno F. da Cruz is a Senior Associate at LSE Cities, London School of Economics and Political Science, where he conducts interdisciplinary research on urban governance, public administration, and sustainability. He previously served as an Assistant Professorial Research Fellow at LSE Cities and currently teaches in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme, convening the Public Management (PP403) course. He is also Field Editor of the Journal of Public Policy and actively involved in research leadership and policy engagement. His research focuses on urban and metropolitan governance, local government transparency, strategic planning, and sustainable urban development. He has extensive experience leading international research projects funded by the ESRC, the British Academy, and various NGOs, and has collaborated with organizations such as UCLG, Metropolis, UN-Habitat, and Transparency International. His advisory work includes engagements with the World Bank and the European Committee of the Regions. His recent publications explore networked governance, urban transport, emergency governance, and the socio-political dimensions of infrastructure. His work employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including social network analysis, and appears in leading journals such as Urban Affairs Review , Government Information Quarterly , and Cities . He is a key contributor to policy initiatives like the European Cities Programme and the Emergency Governance Initiative, focusing on innovation and resilience in city governance. His research trends emphasize multilevel governance, the integration of technology in urban services, and the democratic implications of governance structures, particularly in rapidly urbanizing contexts. His work bridges academic inquiry with practical policy applications, aiming to enhance the effectiveness, transparency, and inclusiveness of urban governance. Senior Associate, LSE Cities Field Editor, Journal of Public Policy Member, LSE Research and Policy Staff Committee Member, LSE Middle East Centre’s Academic Committee Class Teacher, Public Management (PP403), MPP Programme He has advised on governmental initiatives and consulted for international institutions. His grants include funding from the ESRC and the British Academy. He leads and contributes to research teams such as the Emergency Governance Initiative and the European Cities Programme, fostering collaboration across academic, policy, and civic sectors. LSE Cities serves as his primary research lab, focusing on urban innovation, governance reform, and crisis response. His future work is expected to deepen the understanding of emergency governance, urban sustainability transitions, and the role of local institutions in shaping democratic urban futures.
Dr. Stefano Gasparri is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Business and Management within the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). He joined UWE in September 2018 after spending four years as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Warwick. Prior to that, he was a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the ILR School, Cornell University during 2013/14. He holds a PhD in Employment Relations Studies from the University of Milan and has served as a visiting scholar at the University of Ljubljana, University College Dublin, and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. Dr. Gasparri's educational background includes: PhD in Employment Relations Studies from the University of Milan Dr. Gasparri's research focuses on critical issues in contemporary employment relations and labor studies. His primary areas of expertise include employee voice and trade unions, workplace sexual harassment, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), employee benefits, work in the retail sector, work and digitalization, comparative employment relations and HRM, and labor markets and social policy reforms. His work often examines how traditional labor institutions adapt to contemporary challenges such as digital transformation, neoliberal organizational practices, and evolving workplace dynamics. Through his research, Dr. Gasparri explores the intersection of theoretical frameworks with practical workplace issues, particularly focusing on Italian contexts while maintaining comparative perspectives with other countries. His recent publications reveal several key trends in his scholarly work. There is a strong focus on how trade unions are adapting to the digital age, particularly examining union responses to digitalization in retail sectors across Italy and Spain. Another significant thread explores the relationship between employee benefits and workplace regimes, with particular attention to historical and contemporary perspectives on company welfare in Italy. More recently, his work has expanded to examine EDI initiatives within trade unions and the gendered dimensions of employment benefits, including explorations of egg freezing as an academic employment benefit. His research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of specific workplace contexts. Dr. Gasparri is an active member of the HRWE (Human Resources, Work and Employment) research group at UWE Bristol, for which he has contributed blog posts on industrial relations in the digital world of work and employee benefits provision. His office hours are Thursday 14:00-15:00 (in person) and Friday 13:30-14:30 (on Teams).
Professor Mary O'Mahony is a Professor of Applied Economics at King's Business School, King's College London, and serves as Research Director at the Productivity Institute. She previously held a professorship at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on productivity measurement, technology impacts, human capital formation, and public service performance analysis. She has led major EU-funded projects like SERVICEGAP and INDICSER, and coordinates the EU KLEMS initiative. Her work bridges economic theory with policy, emphasizing accurate data measurement for evidence-based decisions. Her research explores how intangible assets (e.g., R&D, organizational capital) drive productivity across sectors, particularly in Europe. Notable contributions include analyzing the digital economy's effects, labor market dynamics, and regional disparities in creative industries. She collaborates with institutions like NIESR and contributes to policy frameworks through projects addressing skill mismatches and regional inequality. Recent publications examine aircraft pollution's health benefits, IoT productivity impacts, and labor share declines due to capital heterogeneity. She has secured funding from the European Commission and ESRC, leading projects such as the Arkwright & Bright Institute for Productivity. Her work is cited in policy reports and contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to economic growth and infrastructure. Professor O’Mahony’s advisory roles include visiting fellowships and collaborations with statistical agencies to improve economic data methodologies. Her research emphasizes the importance of accurate measurement in guiding investments and policies for productivity growth in the digital age.
Dr Jason Monios is an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and The Built Environment , Edinburgh Napier University, affiliated with the Transport Research Innovation Centre (TRI). His work focuses on transport policy , port governance , intermodal transport , and institutional analysis , with particular interest in the interplay between formal and informal governance structures in public transport systems. 2018: Analysis of formal-informal institutional dynamics in public transport governance 2017: Research on competitive strategies for intermodal terminals 2015: Studies on port competitiveness, virtual joint ventures in transport, and hinterland integration Research Trends : His publications examine institutional frameworks in transport policy, intermodal terminal lifecycle strategies, port competitiveness, and sustainable freight solutions. Key themes include governance theory , maritime logistics , and urban freight policy . Grants & Projects : • ENRICH (2013-2017): £53,909 • GreenCorr (2012-2015): £222,345 • Dryport (2009-2012): £581,250
Dr. Nicole Cocolas is a Lecturer in Transport Management at the University of Surrey, affiliated with the Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management department and the Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy. She joined the university in 2021 and contributes to modules on Land Transport Systems, International Transport Planning and Policy, Cruise Industry and Sea Transport, and Sustainability in Aviation. Her research focuses on the intersection of climate change, tourism, and transport, with particular emphasis on consumer behavior, climate communications, and policy interventions to reduce transport emissions. She holds a PhD exploring the impact of persuasive climate communications on air travel attitudes and has collaborated with organizations like UNWTO and the Adventure Travel and Trade Association (ATTA). Her Honours thesis examined market variability in Australian ski resorts due to climate-driven snow cover changes. Nicole serves as the SHTM Admissions Officer and Widening Participation and Outreach Coordinator, reflecting her commitment to educational equity and institutional governance. Her work bridges academia and industry, addressing both theoretical and practical challenges in sustainable tourism and transport systems. Her publications analyze topics such as airline marketing strategies, consumer attitudes toward flying, and behavioral adaptations to climate change. While no awards are explicitly mentioned, her research has contributed to critical debates on aviation’s climate impact and sustainable mobilities.
Mahinda Yapa Mudiyanselage is an Associate Professor at the Business School , Edinburgh Napier University , and Programme Leader for the MBA in Business Leadership & Practice. He teaches and supervises in areas including supply chain and logistics, operations management, and management research, with a focus on international student engagement and work-based learning projects. Research interests span transport pricing, econometric modeling in maritime and port economics, sustainable development goals (SDGs) in transport, logistics management, and transport infrastructure investment appraisal. His work connects theoretical frameworks with practical applications in global port systems, railway reform, and international transport policy. Recent publications emphasize econometric forecasting for transshipment hubs, SDG barriers in seaports, and the psychological dynamics of road traffic. Collaborative research addresses CSR in airports, maritime museum evolution, and innovative MBA pedagogy for diverse student cohorts. Young Colin Relf Award (2008) : Recognizing early-career contributions to rural transport research. Australian Development Scholarship : Supporting postgraduate research at the University of Tasmania. As an Editorial Member of Maritime Technology and Research and Journal of Maritime Logistics , he shapes discourse in maritime and logistics studies. He also reviews for journals including Transport Policy and International Journal of Logistics Research . Supervision roles include Director of Studies for Maximilian Eisenmenger’s PhD on circular economy in recycled cement supply chains and advisory roles for doctoral candidates in Singapore’s private education sector, children’s rights in Malaysia/Scotland, and workplace waste reduction in Saudi Arabia.
