Zebo Kuldasheva | Economic Growth | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Zebo Kuldasheva | Economic Growth | Women Researcher Award 

Associate Professor at Tashkent State University of Economics | Uzbekistan 

Dr. Zebo Kuldasheva is an accomplished economist and academic professional from Uzbekistan, recognized for her contributions to international economic development, regional trade analysis, and sustainable growth studies. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Tashkent State University of Economics and as a Visiting Scholar at Gonzaga University in the United States. Her academic journey has been marked by excellence, earning a Doctor of Science in Economics and a Ph.D. in Regional Economics from Wuhan University, where her research explored the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Central Asian trade and economic growth. Throughout her career, Dr. Kuldasheva has demonstrated a strong commitment to education, research, and international collaboration. She has taught a range of economics courses and supervised numerous graduate students whose research achievements have gained recognition in international competitions. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes fostering analytical thinking and global awareness among students through interactive learning, research engagement, and exposure to international academic environments. Dr. Kuldasheva has held academic positions at renowned institutions such as the London School of Economics ISEF Foundation and Universities Pendidikan Indonesia in Tashkent, where she played key roles in curriculum development, academic coordination, and cross-cultural program facilitation. Her earlier professional experiences include serving as a People and Cultural Advisor at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in China, where she promoted intercultural understanding through educational and cultural initiatives.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | Linked In | ResearchGate 

Featured Publications :

Ma, Q., Mentel, G., Zhao, X., Salahodjaev, R., & Kuldasheva, Z. (2022). Natural resources tax volatility and economic performance: Evaluating the role of digital economy. Resources Policy, 75, 102510.

Tufail, M., Song, L., Umut, A., Ismailova, N., & Kuldasheva, Z. (2022). Does financial inclusion promote a green economic system? Evaluating the role of energy efficiency. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 35(1), 6780–6800.

Huang, Y., Kuldasheva, Z., Bobojanov, S., Djalilov, B., Salahodjaev, R., & others. (2023). Exploring the links between fossil fuel energy consumption, industrial value-added, and carbon emissions in G20 countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(4), 10854–10866.

Huang, Y., Kuldasheva, Z., & Salahodjaev, R. (2021). Renewable energy and CO₂ emissions: Empirical evidence from major energy-consuming countries. Energies, 14(22), 7504.

Balbaa, M., Ismailova, N., & Kuldasheva, Z. (2021). The impact of innovation and digitalization on service sector at post-pandemic era. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Future Networks and Distributed Systems (ICFNDS 2021) (pp. 1–7). ACM.

Christos Lemonakis | Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr Christos Lemonakis | Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof. Dr. Christos Lemonakis, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece

Dr. Christos Lemonakis is an Associate Professor at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (EL.ME.PA.), Department of Management Science & Technology, located in Agios Nikolaos, Crete. Since November 2022, he has been leading courses in banking management, operations, risk analysis, and financial systems. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor (2018–2022) in the same department and held roles as Internal Auditor at Pancretan Cooperative Bank and academic positions at TEI of Crete, TEI of Western Macedonia, Neapolis University Cyprus, and the University of Portsmouth (UK). A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and member of various professional bodies (such as AICPA, IIA, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation), he brings nearly three decades of experience integrating academic scholarship with practical expertise in banking, auditing, and SME management.

👨‍🎓 Profile

google scholar

orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Lemonakis’s academic formation is grounded in quantitative and management disciplines. He earned his Diploma in Production Engineering & Management and a Masters in Business Administration from the Technical University of Crete in 1996 and 1999, respectively. In 2001, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Crete. His pinnacle academic achievement came in 2011, with a PhD from the Technical University of Crete on “Efficiency and credit risk of banks in the Eurozone,” combining DEA, SFA, and econometric models – his thesis is accessible online. He further advanced his knowledge with an MSc in Business Economics, Finance & Banking from the University of Portsmouth and TEI of Crete.

💼 Experience

Dr. Lemonakis has a robust career spanning academia and finance. At Hellenic Mediterranean University, he progressed from Assistant to Associate Professor, teaching core modules like Banking Management, Total Quality Management, and SME governance. His professional trajectory includes serving as an Internal Auditor at Pancretan Cooperative Bank (2014–2018), where he conducted risk assessment and compliance audits. Earlier, he contributed as Research Associate at TEI of Crete, TEI of Western Macedonia, Neapolis University Cyprus, and University of Portsmouth, supervising postgraduate theses and delivering courses in Operations Management and Finance. His applied industry experience complements his academic roles, providing students with insights grounded in real-world best practices.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Lemonakis’s primary research areas focus on banking efficiency, credit & operational risk, internal audit, SME performance, and financial crises. He extensively explores Greek, Cypriot, and Eurozone banking, focusing on credit risk, Basel frameworks, ALM, and financial stability. His empirical studies utilize DEA, SFA, and econometric techniques. He also investigates SME competitiveness, technology adoption, exports, and innovation management. Further, his interests include anti–money laundering frameworks and internal audit effectiveness, especially in Greek hotels and commercial banks.

🏅 Awards & Honors

 Dr. Lemonakis’s extensive professional certifications underscore his recognized expertise: Certified Public Accountant (FCPA, F5131), Certified Management Accountant (CMA, 18-014), membership in the Chartered Institute of Taxation (ADIT reg. 225108), and the American Institute of Internal Auditors (HIIA code 1255, AIIA 1476637). His status as a Fellow CPA attests to his outstanding contribution in accounting and auditing. His published scholarly work in ABS-ranked journals further illustrates academic achievement and scholarly recognition.

📚 Publications Top Notes

Machine learning applications for accounting disclosure and fraud detection

Competitiveness and profitability: The case of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics

Relationship between ESG and corporate financial performance in the energy sector: empirical evidence from European companies

Environmental, social and corporate governance framework for corporate disclosure: a multicriteria dimension analysis approach

Default avoidance on credit card portfolios using accounting, demographical and exploratory factors: decision making based on machine learning (ML) techniques

National Forest Parks development through Internet technologies for economic perspectives

The effect of Baltic Dry Index, gold, oil and usa trade balance on dow jones sustainability index world

How narrative reporting changed the business world: Providing a new measurement tool

Analytical techniques in the assessment of credit risk

Crisis Management and the Public Sector: Key Trends and

Visualizing operational effects of ERP systems through graphical representations: current trends and perspectives

Benja Fagerland | Corporate Social Responsibility | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Benja Fagerland | Corporate Social Responsibility | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Benja Fagerland, University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway

Prof. Benja Stig Fagerland is a globally award-winning strategist, system architect, and transformational thought leader in leadership, innovation, and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging). Renowned for reshaping governance structures and inspiring inclusive innovation across the globe, she is the visionary mind behind the Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™) model and founder of SHEconomy®. Her groundbreaking IMSD Framework, co-developed with Stanford University, is now redefining ESG frameworks by integrating adaptive leadership and social sustainability. A dynamic keynote speaker, she has inspired global audiences at Stanford, UN Women, Google HQ, and more. With features in The New York Times, BBC, and Le Figaro, Benja stands as a prominent voice in future governance and gender equity worldwide. 🌍✨

👩‍💼 Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Fagerland has pursued rigorous academic training that mirrors her forward-thinking leadership style. She holds an Executive Master of Management from BI Norwegian Business School (2016), equipping her with strategic and leadership acumen. In 2019, she completed pedagogical training at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), earning credits in education in the digital era and assessment in higher education—reinforcing her commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching practices. 📚🎓

💼 Experience

With an illustrious career spanning academia, business, and global advisory roles, Prof. Fagerland currently serves as a Full-Time Associate Professor at the USN School of Business. She is also a board member at GoForIT and a researcher at Copenhagen Business School’s ESG Think Tank. Her previous academic positions include assistant professorships at OsloMet, BI Norwegian Business School, Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College, and Campus Kristiania. In the corporate and policy spheres, she has held strategic roles at Oracle, Telenor, NHO, and MarkUp Consulting. As a trusted advisor, she has consulted for UN ILO, Nordic ministries, and international chambers of commerce, championing board diversity and gender equity. 🧠🌐

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Fagerland’s research is deeply rooted in inclusive governance, sustainable transformation, gender equity, and ESG leadership. She is a pioneer in institutional foresight and systemic innovation, often working at the intersection of leadership education, DEIB strategy, and adaptive systems thinking. Her recent research efforts have focused on embedding inclusive leadership within institutional frameworks via projects like ST3AM, SUSTAIN-DI, and the IMSD Framework—driving resilient, people-centered change in education and policy. 🧭🔍

🏆 Awards & Honors

Prof. Fagerland’s groundbreaking work has earned her global acclaim and multiple prestigious recognitions. She was named “Woman Inspiring Europe” by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), and received the UN Women Global Shining Star award. Her advocacy has also garnered honors such as Highly Commended Campaigner of the Year (European Diversity Awards), Norway’s Most Impressive Women, and finalist positions for Society Builder of the Year and Norway’s Best Lecturer. Her voice and leadership are widely respected across the academic, policy, and corporate arenas. 🏅🌟

📄 Publication Top Notes

Leadership transformation through inclusive foresight frameworks. Journal of Inclusive Policy & Governance.

Embedding ESG in academic governance: A case study approach. International Journal of Educational Strategy,

Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™): Rethinking equity in organizational leadership. European Review of Social Innovation,

Fagerland, B.S., & Johansen, M. (2021). The SHEconomy effect: Driving gender equity in policy and business. Journal of Gender Economics,