Pontificia Academy

Our Faculty

Pontificia Academy is proud to present a distinguished faculty, comprised of leading academics, seasoned professionals, and world-renowned experts. Our educators are not only masters of their respective disciplines but are also passionate mentors, dedicated to fostering a stimulating and supportive learning environment. Hailing from diverse backgrounds across Europe and beyond, they bring a wealth of real-world experience and cutting-edge research to the classroom, ensuring that our students receive an education that is both academically rigorous and globally relevant.

Applied Sciences & Engineering

Dr. Alistair Finch

  • Job Title: Professor of Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Biography: Dr. Finch holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Cambridge and is a Chartered Engineer with over two decades of experience in large-scale infrastructure projects across Europe. His research focuses on sustainable construction methods and resilient urban infrastructure. He is a frequent consultant for the European Commission on green building initiatives and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
  • Select Publications:
    • Finch, A. (2022). Resilient Infrastructure in an Era of Climate Change. Journal of Sustainable Engineering, Vol. 15(4), pp. 45-62.
    • Finch, A. & Petrova, E. (2020). The Role of Bio-materials in Modern Architecture. European Journal of Engineering Research, Vol. 8(2), pp. 112-128.
    • Publication ID: 978-3-16-148410-0

Dr. Petra Novak

  • Job Title: Associate Professor of Computer Science & AI
  • Biography: A native of Croatia, Dr. Novak completed her PhD at the Technical University of Munich. Her work lies at the intersection of machine learning and computational neuroscience, with a particular interest in developing AI systems that can learn and adapt in complex environments. Prior to joining Pontificia Academy, she served as a senior researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute, leading projects on ethical AI development and data privacy.
  • Select Publications:
    • Novak, P. (2023). Ethical Frameworks for Autonomous Decision-Making Systems. AI & Society, Vol. 38(1), pp. 79-91.
    • Novak, P. & Chen, L. (2021). Neuro-inspired Algorithms for Unsupervised Learning. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, Vol. 32(5), pp. 2105-2120.
    • Publication ID: 978-0-13-447547-4

Economics & Global Finance

Dr. Julian Thorne

  • Job Title: Professor of International Political Economy
  • Biography: Dr. Thorne, a distinguished academic from the UK, holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford. His research spans international finance, trade policy, and the political economy of global institutions. He has held visiting professorships at the London School of Economics and Columbia University. His recent book on post-Brexit trade relations has been widely acclaimed as a definitive text in the field.
  • Select Publications:
    • Thorne, J. (2023). The Geopolitical Consequences of Trade Bloc Formation. Journal of International Economics, Vol. 25(3), pp. 315-330.
    • Thorne, J. (2021). Fiscal Policy in the Eurozone: A Comparative Analysis. European Economic Review, Vol. 142, pp. 104256.
    • Publication ID: 978-0-415-34444-5

Dr. Sofia Vasileva

  • Job Title: Associate Professor of Financial Economics
  • Biography: Dr. Vasileva, originally from Bulgaria, earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago. Her expertise lies in behavioural finance and market microstructure. Before her academic career, she worked as a senior analyst for a major investment bank in Frankfurt, where she specialised in risk modelling and quantitative analysis. She frequently contributes to financial news outlets on market trends and investment strategies.
  • Select Publications:
    • Vasileva, S. (2022). Investor Behaviour in Volatile Markets: A Behavioural Finance Approach. The Quarterly Journal of Finance, Vol. 45(2), pp. 189-204.
    • Vasileva, S. & Rossi, M. (2020). Algorithmic Trading and Market Stability. Journal of Financial Markets, Vol. 12(4), pp. 411-428.
    • Publication ID: 978-1-118-29367-7

Business Administration & Management

Dr. Lars Knudsen

  • Job Title: Professor of Strategic Management
  • Biography: A Danish scholar with a PhD from INSEAD, Dr. Knudsen’s research focuses on corporate strategy, organisational change, and innovation management in multinational corporations. He has consulted for numerous Fortune 500 companies and is a sought-after speaker at global business conferences. He is known for his practical, case-study-based teaching approach that brings real-world business challenges into the classroom.
  • Select Publications:
    • Knudsen, L. (2023). Navigating Disruption: Strategic Agility in the Digital Age. Harvard Business Review, Vol. 101(4), pp. 55-68.
    • Knudsen, L. & Kim, J. (2021). Organisational Culture and Innovation Performance. Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 58(7), pp. 1420-1435.
    • Publication ID: 978-0-07-133644-4

Dr. Juliette Dubois

  • Job Title: Associate Professor of Marketing
  • Biography: Dr. Dubois, a French academic, holds a PhD from HEC Paris. Her specialisation is in digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and brand management. Her research is highly influential in understanding how social media and emerging technologies are reshaping the relationship between brands and consumers. She has worked with several global brands on their digital transformation strategies.
  • Select Publications:
    • Dubois, J. (2022). The Role of Influencers in Shaping Consumer Trust. Journal of Consumer Research, Vol. 49(1), pp. 89-102.
    • Dubois, J. & Santos, A. (2020). Brand Co-creation in Online Communities. Marketing Science, Vol. 39(5), pp. 887-903.
    • Publication ID: 978-2-212-55734-8

International Politics & Global Affairs

Dr. Antonin Dufour

  • Job Title: Professor of European Union Law & Policy
  • Biography: A native of Belgium, Dr. Dufour earned his PhD from the College of Europe in Bruges. He is a leading expert on European integration, human rights law, and geopolitical challenges facing the EU. Before his academic career, he served as a legal advisor for the European Parliament, giving him a unique insider’s perspective on the complexities of European governance. His research is frequently cited in policy documents.
  • Select Publications:
    • Dufour, A. (2023). The Rule of Law in the European Union: A Crisis of Confidence?. European Journal of International Law, Vol. 34(2), pp. 345-360.
    • Dufour, A. (2021). EU-China Relations: A New Era of Strategic Competition. Foreign Affairs, Vol. 100(4), pp. 89-102.
    • Publication ID: 978-0-19-959820-2

Dr. Elena Rossi

  • Job Title: Associate Professor of Conflict & Security Studies
  • Biography: Dr. Rossi, an Italian scholar, holds a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics. Her research focuses on the dynamics of post-conflict reconstruction, humanitarian intervention, and the role of non-state actors in international security. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in conflict zones and regularly advises international organisations on peace-building strategies.
  • Select Publications:
    • Rossi, E. (2022). Peace-building from the Ground Up: A Comparative Study of Post-Conflict Societies. International Security, Vol. 47(1), pp. 98-115.
    • Rossi, E. & Schmidt, F. (2020). The New Face of Warfare: Non-state Actors and Global Security. World Politics, Vol. 72(4), pp. 675-698.
    • Publication ID: 978-0-8047-6881-8

Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Henrik Jonsson

  • Job Title: Professor of Data Science & Machine Learning
  • Biography: A Swedish national, Dr. Jonsson received his PhD in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology. His research interests include large-scale data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and their application in urban planning and smart city development. He has led several significant projects funded by the European Union and is a respected voice in the data science community.
  • Select Publications:
    • Jonsson, H. (2023). Predictive Modelling for Urban Traffic Flow Management. Journal of Urban Technology, Vol. 30(2), pp. 88-105.
    • Jonsson, H. & Patel, A. (2021). Federated Learning for Privacy-Preserving Data Analysis. Communications of the ACM, Vol. 64(10), pp. 45-56.
    • Publication ID: 978-1-292-16223-2

Dr. Clara Schwarz

  • Job Title: Associate Professor of AI Ethics & Social Implications
  • Biography: Dr. Schwarz, a German scholar, holds a PhD in Philosophy of Technology from the Technical University of Berlin. Her work critically examines the societal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence, including issues of bias, transparency, and accountability. She is a member of the EU’s High-Level Expert Group on AI, contributing to policy recommendations on responsible AI development.
  • Select Publications:
    • Schwarz, C. (2022). Algorithmic Bias and its Societal Impact: A Philosophical Inquiry. Ethics and Information Technology, Vol. 24(4), pp. 423-435.
    • Schwarz, C. & O’Connor, P. (2020). Towards Transparent AI: Explanations and Interpretability. Philosophy & Technology, Vol. 33(3), pp. 455-472.
    • Publication ID: 978-3-540-75176-6

Architecture & Urban Design

Dr. Marc van der Velde

  • Job Title: Professor of Sustainable Urbanism & Planning
  • Biography: Dr. van der Velde, a Dutch architect and urban planner, earned his PhD from TU Delft. His research and practice focus on creating resilient, environmentally-friendly, and socially equitable urban spaces. He has worked on major urban renewal projects in Amsterdam and Copenhagen and is a strong advocate for public-private partnerships in urban development.
  • Select Publications:
    • van der Velde, M. (2023). Designing for Resilience: A Case Study of Climate-Adaptive Urbanism. Journal of Urban Design, Vol. 28(1), pp. 55-70.
    • van der Velde, M. & Guedes, I. (2021). Social Equity in Public Space Design. Urban Planning Review, Vol. 9(2), pp. 112-125.
    • Publication ID: 978-1-119-75896-1

Dr. Isabella Santos

  • Job Title: Associate Professor of Architectural History & Theory
  • Biography: Originally from Portugal, Dr. Santos holds a PhD from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-La Villette. Her work explores the intersection of historical architecture, cultural identity, and contemporary design. She has published extensively on the conservation of historical buildings and the use of traditional materials in modern contexts. She is a frequent guest lecturer at prestigious architectural schools across Europe.
  • Select Publications:
    • Santos, I. (2022). The Echoes of History: Reviving Traditional Portuguese Architecture. Architectural Theory Review, Vol. 27(3), pp. 315-330.
    • Santos, I. & Pahlavi, R. (2020). Beyond the Façade: Cultural Identity in European Urbanism. Journal of Architectural History, Vol. 15(4), pp. 401-415.
    • Publication ID: 978-1-4963-0669-0