Meet our diverse roster of international experts, thought leaders, and practitioners. Discover the unique insights and experiences each guest brings to our discussions on global risk, security, and geopolitics.
Ka Lok Wong (Steve) is an economist at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, where he works on macro-financial issues, including economic growth, fiscal policy and sovereign debt. His research focuses on public finance in emerging markets, particularly sovereign borrowing patterns and the conditions under which governments access domestic and…
Marquita Bradshaw is a nationally recognized environmental justice advocate, organizer, and public servant whose lifelong dedication to building healthier, safer, and more equitable communities has made her a powerful force for change across Tennessee and beyond. Her leadership is rooted in decades of grassroots activism, community organizing, and a deep commitment to social justice. As…
Dr. Sophie Schmalenberger is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. Her research focuses on the German New Right, with particular expertise in the communication and mobilization strategies of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Drawing on qualitative and interdisciplinary approaches, her work examines how far-right actors engage in memory politics and…
Shaharzad Akbar is an Afghan human rights defender and the founder and executive director of Rawadari, an independent organisation that documents human rights violations in Afghanistan and advocates for accountability and justice. She previously chaired the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), where she took on abuses by all parties to the conflict and pushed…
Anders Sannerstedt is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Lund University. He earned his PhD in 1979 and has spent his career studying Swedish politics. His research covers public opinion and electoral behavior, political negotiations (especially in the Swedish parliament), the law-making process, populism, and local politics. His 1992 book, Förhandlingar…
Maryanne Wolf is a cognitive neuroscientist and child development scholar who studies how the brain learns to read. She is a distinguished fellow and visiting professor at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, where she directs the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice, and she previously founded the Center for Reading…
Alex Tarascio is an international pollster and strategist with expertise in political parties, democratic institutions, and civil society organisations. The Director of Policy and Political Strategy at Cygnal, his career began within conservative grassroots political organisation. He ran campaigns in over 12 U.S. States. Alex later went on to be a Senior Staff Assistant in…
Sarah Logan is a lawyer and economist with over 15 years’ experience in mining and energy law, policy, investment, and private sector development in African countries and fragile contexts. Her work focuses on the economics and local capabilities of mining and mineral processing operations, the legal and policy frameworks governing mining, and the industrial policy…
Simeon de Brouwer is a digital policy researcher and policy adviser specialising in privacy, data protection, artificial intelligence, human rights, and the regulation of digital platforms. He is currently a Policy Advisor at European Digital Rights (EDRi), where he works on the protection of minors online, including debates around age verification, platform responsibility, and users’…
Dr. Holly Bell is an economist and author whose work sits at the intersection of economics, international security, and geopolitical risk. A former professor and academic administrator at the University of Alaska Anchorage, she studies the economic vulnerabilities of resource-rich states and the risks posed by foreign investment in critical infrastructure. She is the author…
