Academic Editor
Dr Lars Cornelissen joined the ISRF in October 2018. As Academic Editor, Lars is responsible for assisting the Director of Research in academic matters, editing the termly Bulletin, assisting in the academic management of competitions and commissioning and producing content for the Foundation’s website. One of his key tasks is to encourage and facilitate the wide dissemination of research funded by the ISRF. To this end, he works closely with The Conversation.
Lars received his PhD from the University of Brighton in May 2018. His thesis discusses the philosophical foundations of neoliberalism, preparing the ground for a new critical approach to the history of neoliberal thought.
Academic & Administrative Assistant
Despoina Livieratou joined the ISRF in November 2021. As Academic and Administrative Assistant, Despoina works closely with the other members of the Executive Team, and is the first point of contact for all general enquiries. She supports the academic activities of the Foundation, assisting in Bulletin editing, data management, website & social media content management, and providing support at conferences and workshops.
Despoina completed her MSc at UCL in History and Philosophy of Science. Her academic interests include Aristotle’s philosophy and theory of mind and the History of Psychology. Her MSc thesis analysed how Aristotle is considered to be the first scientific psychologist and his influences on current psychological theories.
Director of Research
Professor Chris Newfield joins the ISRF after 31 years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, most recently as Distinguished Professor of Literature and American Studies.
His academic work has focused on critical university studies, American literature since 1990, California culture and society, quantification studies, and the status of literary knowledge.
Publications include Ivy and Industry: Business and the Making of the American University, 1880-1980 (Duke University Press, 2003); Unmaking the Public University: The Forty Year Assault on the Middle Class (Harvard University Press, 2008); and The Great Mistake: How We Wrecked Public Universities and How We Can Fix Them (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2016).
Intern
Mila Ortega Smith works closely with the Director of Research, Academic Editor and Administrator, assisting with archiving, communications, database administration, and publication distribution, as well as general office assistance.
Administrator
Stuart Wilson oversees the general administration of the ISRF’s operations. He supports the Director of Research in the implementation of the Foundation’s funding strategy and activities.
He is an experienced administrator whose previous employers include University College London and King’s College London. He Has a BA in History from Goldsmiths, University of London (2007).
Away from the ISRF, Stuart is Executive Director & Editor of todolist.london.