Work with thought leaders and academic experts in political science international relations

Christos A. Makridis holds academic appointments at Columbia Business School, Stanford University, Baylor University, University of Nicosia, and Arizona State University. He is also an adjunct scholar at the Manhattan Institute, senior adviser at Gallup, and senior adviser at the National AI Institute in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Christos is the CEO/co-founder of [Dainamic](https://www.dainamic.ai/), a technology startup working to democratize the use and application of data science and AI techniques for small and mid sized organizations, and CTO/co-founder of [Living Opera](https://www.livingopera.org/), a web3 startup working to bridge classical music and blockchain technologies. Christos previously served on the White House Council of Economic Advisers managing the cybersecurity, technology, and space activities, as a Non-resident Fellow at the Cyber Security Project in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, as a Digital Fellow at the Initiative at the Digital Economy in the MIT Sloan School of Management, a a Non-resident Research Scientist at Datacamp, and as a Visiting Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Christos’ primary academic research focuses on labor economics, the digital economy, and personal finance and well-being. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed research papers in academic journals and over 170 news articles in the press. Christos earned a Bachelor’s in Economics and Minor in Mathematics at Arizona State University, as well a dual Masters and PhDs in Economics and Management Science & Engineering at Stanford University.

Dr. Umud Shokri is a distinguished authority in energy strategy and foreign policy, boasting a Ph.D. in International Relations that underpins his unparalleled expertise in global energy dynamics, climate change, clean energy technologies, energy security, and complex geopolitics. With over two decades of experience in energy security and Geopolitical Risk Intelligence, he has contributed significantly to international relations. As the author of "US Energy Diplomacy in the Caspian Sea Basin: Changing Trends Since 2001," his contributions are substantial.   Dr. Shokri's extensive knowledge encompasses diverse areas. He conducts pioneering research on the energy transition landscape, examining policies, technologies, and market dynamics driving the shift toward clean and renewable energy sources. Additionally, he focuses on the role of critical minerals in renewable energy technologies and the associated geopolitics and supply chain challenges.   At George Mason University, he serves as a senior visiting fellow, sharing his wisdom with future energy and foreign policy leaders. Driven by his passion for renewable energy, he advocates for its transformative potential in addressing climate change. His research also extends to electric vehicles (EVs), where he explores policies, infrastructure, and market dynamics crucial for global EV adoption and sustainable transportation. Beyond energy and climate, Dr. Shokri delves into geopolitics. He analyzes Iranian regional and foreign policy, trade, security, military relations with neighbors, and regional rivalries in the Middle East, offering valuable insights into the impacts of these rivalries across the region.   Furthermore, he provides valuable perspectives on U.S. relations with the Caucasus, Central Asia, GCC, and MENA, enhancing our understanding of global politics and energy security. Dr. Shokri's writings cover various topics, from analyzing politics and economics in oil-rich nations to advocating sustainable urban development and the global transition to clean energy. His influence extends to major news outlets, including The New York Times, Al Jazeera, Liberation, Asharq News, and CNN Arabia.   Driven by the urgency of an energy transition and climate change, he tirelessly promotes clean energy adoption and a sustainable future. In conclusion, Dr. Umud Shokri's legacy is poised to shape clean energy adoption, climate action, and international relations. Through his groundbreaking research, analyses, and unwavering dedication, he paves the way for a greener and more prosperous tomorrow. His impact resonates across academia, policy, and the global community, driving transformative change for years to come.

I'm an Assistant Professor of Geography in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware, and faculty in the Minerals, Materials, and Society Program. My recently released book, "Rare Earth Frontiers: From Terrestrial Subsoils to Lunar Landscapes" with Cornell University Press, is based on five years' research in the capitals and borderlands of China, Brazil, and the USA. It recently received the Meridian Book Award from the American Association of Geographers for its "unusually important contribution to the art and science of geography." Full professional fluency in Mandarin and Portuguese. Worldwide research, consulting, and negotiation experience.

Shadi Bartsch-Zimmer works on Roman imperial literature, the history of rhetoric and philosophy, and on the reception of the western classical tradition in contemporary China.  She is the author of 5 books on the ancient novel, Neronian literature, political theatricality, and Stoic philosophy, the most recent of which is Persius: A Study in Food, Philosophy, and the Figural (Winner of the 2016 Goodwin Award of Merit).  She has also edited or co-edited 7 wide-ranging essay collections (two of them Cambridge Companions) and the “Seneca in Translation” series from the University of Chicago. Bartsch’s new translation of Vergil’s Aeneid was released from Random House in 2021; in 2022, she is publishing a monograph on the contemporary Chinese reception of ancient Greek political philosophy.  Bartsch has been a Guggenheim fellow, edits the journal KNOW, and has held visiting scholar positions in St. Andrews, Taipei, and Rome. Starting in academic year 2015, she has led a university-wide initiative to explore the historical and social contexts in which knowledge is created, legitimized, and circulated.

Anne Jobin is a Swiss sociologist and researcher who specializes in the areas of science, technology, and society (STS). She holds a Doctor of Social Sciences from Université de Lausanne, and has been a visiting research scholar at Tufts University and Cornell University. She is currently a researcher at the (ETH) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Jennifer Aaker is a marketing professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business and the author of several books on the topic, including The Dragonfly Effect: Quick, Effective, and Powerful Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Social Change. She has also conducted research on the psychology of happiness and self-regulation.

Dr. Keerty Nakray is an academic, researcher, administrator, consultant and author specializing in the sustainable development goals (SDGs); the environment; social governance; diversity, equality, and inclusion; comparative welfare and social policies; gender and social policy; and children and disability. She has edited and authored over 40 evidenced-based publications on a wide variety of those topics. She has extensive expertise in evidence-based research and feminist approaches to preventing gender-based violence and public health. She has developed and implemented intervention training for healthcare providers on identifying and referring victims of violence and abuse. Specifically, her work serves hard-to-reach groups (survivors of violence and abuse, child brides, impoverished populations) using mixed methods, quantitative surveys, and participatory community/action, research, and feminist approaches. Keerty received her PhD from Queens University, Belfast. Among her many publications, she is co-editor of Social and Economic Transitions in China and India: Welfare and Policy Changes; Social Science Research Ethics for a Globalising World: Interdisciplinary and Cross- Cultural Perspectives (Routledge Advances in Research Methods); and Gender-Based Violence and Its Impact on Public Health: International Perspectives on Budgets and Policies.

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Lauren Duncan received a doctorate in personality psychology and a graduate certificate in women’s studies from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Southern California. She is currently working with Smith students to understand why some people become politically active whereas others remain inactive. Some recent projects include the development of measures of group consciousness or politicized group identities—specifically feminist consciousness and queer consciousness. She is also working on a psychobiography of Gloria Steinem to try to explain how she became a feminist icon. Most recently, she has been collecting and translating oral histories of Italian feminist and queer activists in Italy. <br>

Dr. Abiodun (Abbey) Alao holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town and is a dedicated researcher and teaching fellow with a strong academic background. Her passion for research is evident, and she currently serves as a research associate at the University of Johannesburg. Throughout her career, Abiodun has actively mentored and supervised projects spanning diverse fields such as Management Information Systems, Information and Communication Technology for Development, Sustainable ICT, Development Communication, Innovative Management, Health Informatics, Information Learning, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL). She has made significant contributions to academia through her publications, which include journals, chapters, and conference papers. Her approach is characterized by a multidisciplinary investigative perspective, with a focus on Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a catalyst for information and knowledge management. Her work addresses various social implications of ICT, and organization development with a particular emphasis on their impact on the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

Dr. Troy Smith is a distinguished figure in the intersection of cybercrime and online behaviours, with an impressive career in national security spanning over 15 years. His expertise has not only been instrumental in advancing research within these fields but has also significantly contributed to the development of strategic policies and frameworks at both national and international levels. His work is deeply rooted in understanding the complexities of cybercrime, cyberwarfare, and the psychological impacts of social media use, making him a pivotal contributor to initiatives aimed at enhancing digital and space domain collaboration across regions. With a solid foundation in cybercrime and the nuances of online behaviours, Dr. Smith's scholarly output includes a wealth of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presentations that explore the depths of intelligence, cybercrime victimization, terrorist activities in cyberspace, online behaviours and maladaptive social media use landscape. Dr. Smith's role extends beyond research; he is actively involved in shaping the future of cybersecurity education and policy-making. He has played a crucial role in committees focused on developing graduate programs in cybercrime, sector mapping, and establishing national occupational standards. His expertise has also been recognized in international circles, as evidenced by his participation in the Organization of American States Cybersecurity publication and his recent involvement in Working Group 7 of the CYBERSPACE project funded by the European Union. As a contributor to the peer review process for several international journals, including the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, BMC Psychiatry, and Cyberpsychology, his insights have propelled forward the discourse on cybersecurity and online behaviour assessment. Dr. Smith's scholarly and professional achievements are further recognized through awards and participation in prestigious programs, such as the Executive MBA program in Spain and the EU Cyber Diplomacy Fellowship Programme. His extensive experience and ongoing contributions to cybersecurity and national security sectors underscore his standing as a leading expert and advocate for international collaboration and policy development in the fight against cybercrime. <br>

Martin Dietrich Brauch is a Lead Researcher at CCSI. He leads economic and legal research, training, and advisory work, with a focus on legal and policy frameworks and practices for sustainable investment to achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation goals—including through decarbonization and a just transition to net-zero emission energy systems and economies—along with other SDGs.

I am an academic thought leader, author, internationally recognized expert and consultant on transitional justice, genocides, reparations, and truth commissions. I have travelled to Ghana, South Africa, Cambodia, and Armenia and across the US and Canada presenting on the Armenian genocide, reparations for slavery and Native American genocides. I have written several articles, book chapters and co-edited volumes on truth commissions, restorative justice, genocides and reparations. I have also authored two books in grief and loss. I am currently Associate Professor and Chair of the African and African American Studies Program at New Jersey City University. I was previously Associate Director of the Centre for Caribbean Thought and Lecturer of Transitional Justice in the Department of Government, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona (2007-2016). I attended the distinguished Calabar High School ( Jamaica) from 1989 -1996. I received his B.Sc. in Political Science and International Relations (First Class Honours) in 1999 and M.Sc. (2002) from The University of the West Indies, Mona. I was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Graduate Fellowship between 2000-2002. I later earned his M.A. (2002) and Ph.D. in Political Science in 2006 from Brown University. For stellar contributions to academia, in 2021 I was awarded The UWI Pelican Award, the highest accolade commended by the UWI Alumni Association to a fellow alumni for global distinction in his field of expertise. In December 2021 I awarded the Distinguished Educator Award by the Union of Jamaican Alumni Association USA for stellar contributions to the field of education in the diaspora. I have a passion for education, social justice, and mentoring. And I help to mold the lives of many young men at Calabar, UWI and across Jamaica. I serve as Academic Affairs Coordinator for the Calabar Old Boys’ Association in Jamaica and the Director of Academic Enrichment for the Calabar Alumni NY Chapter. I am 2nd Vice President of the Community Education Council of District 29 in New York City. I am Chairman of the Each One Reach One Foundation. I am a frequent contributor to current affairs programmes in Jamaica, the UK, Canada, Armenia, and the United States