Speakers
Speakers | ICOSS 2026
The International Conference on Social Sciences (ICOSS 2026) brings together world-renowned scholars, practitioners, and innovators who are shaping the future of social sciences. Our speakers represent diverse disciplines and regions, offering insights into social inclusion, empowerment, and peacebuilding in today’s turbulent world. From keynote addresses to interactive panels, each session is designed to inspire dialogue and drive actionable change.
Keynote Speakers
Our keynote speakers are internationally recognized experts who will share transformative ideas on inclusive policies, sustainable development, and global peace initiatives. Expect thought-provoking perspectives that challenge conventional approaches and open new pathways for collaboration.
Prof. Anthony Clayton
Keynote Speaker - Virtual
Professor
Caribbean Sustainable Development
University of the West Indies
Anthony Clayton is the Professor of Caribbean Sustainable Development at the University of the West Indies, Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey and Affiliated Scholar at Florida International University. He was formerly a Visiting Professor at the University of Edinburgh, Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology (Jamaica), and an International Associate at the University of St Andrews. He is a Fellow of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and Distinguished Fellow of the Caribbean Association of Eastern European Trained Professionals. He has over thirty years of international experience in policy development in national security and policing, energy security, environment and resources, and planning and development. He is the Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica. In 2015 he was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander.
Dexter R. Voisin, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Keynote Speaker - Physical
Dean
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Case Western Reserve University
USA
Dexter R. Voisin, Ph.D., LCSW is Dean of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. A licensed psychotherapist and nationally recognized scholar, he brings more than 30 years of experience spanning research, clinical practice, teaching, and academic leadership. He previously served as dean at University of Toronto and spent two decades on the faculty at University of Chicago.
His research examines structural inequities and health outcomes among minoritized populations and has attracted more than $16 million in extramural funding. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles and the book America the Beautiful and Violent: Black Youth and Neighborhood Trauma in Chicago. His scholarship has informed public policy, and he is recognized among the top 2% of global scholars in his field. He is a Fellow and former board member of the Society for Social Work and Research and currently serves as President of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work.
Prof. M. Niaz Asadullah
Keynote Speaker - Physical
Senior Fellow (Visiting),
Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Malaysia
Theme Leads
Our Theme Leads are the backbone of this year’s Social Science Conference, driving conversations across eight key tracks focused on inclusion, empowerment, and peace. These accomplished scholars and practitioners bring deep expertise—from economic empowerment to governance and human rights—ensuring every session is insightful and impactful. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and curating diverse perspectives, they create a space where ideas spark action and innovation leads to real-world solutions.
Prof. Deepak Kumar
theme lead
Former Professor
History of Science and Education
Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Theme Lead for “History and Anthropology”
Deepak Kumar has worked, taught and published on science and society issues in the context of colonial India for almost five decades. He is known for his books Science and the Raj (OUP,2006), The Trishanku Nation (OUP,2016), and Science and Society in Modern India (CUP, 2023). Recently he has established a Society for the History of Science in Kolkata. His most recent work titled Medical knowledge and Public Health in Colonial India will be published by Routledge in 2026. Currently he is Honorary Professor in the Department of History, MANUU, Hyderabad.
Dr. Mercy Karuniah Jesuvadian
theme lead
Asst Head, Psychology, and Child and Human Development Department
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Theme Lead for “Technology, Ethics, and Human Society”
Mercy currently teaches pre-service and in-service courses in educational psychology. She also designs and teaches Masters courses in the Early Childhood Master’s program. She is the course designer and course coordinator for the in-service course: Engaging Parents: A Practical Approach. She also works with in-service pre-school teachers on parent-school partnerships. Her formal training and experience as a classroom teacher had inspired her interest in learning more about the social and emotional development of young children. Her Master’s dissertation (2007) explored children’s criteria in selecting peers in a local preschool. Her PhD dissertation (2016) explored parent-child relationships in impoverished single mother homes in Singapore. Her other research interests include matters of social justice, diversity and multiculturalism as practiced in the local context. She continues to research within the qualitative paradigm.
Prof. M. Niaz Asadullah
theme lead
Senior Fellow (Visiting),
Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Malaysia
Theme Lead for “Development Studies and Social Transformation”
Emeritus Professor Carlyle A. Thayer
theme lead
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The University of New South Wales
Canberra, Australia
Theme Lead for “International Relations and Security Studies”
Carlyle A. Thayer is Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales. He was educated at Brown (BA, Political Science), Yale (MA, Southeast Asia Studies) and PhD (International Relations, Australian National University. Thayer is a Southeast Asia regional specialist with special expertise on Vietnam. He was appointed a Distinguish Visiting Professor at the School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University in 2005 and at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Ohio University in 2008. In 2025, ScholarGPS ranked Thayer 25th globally for his life time contribution to Southeast Asian Studies. He is currently Director of Thayer Consultancy.
Dr. Martha Tri Lestari
theme lead
Vice Dean, Academic Affairs & Research Support
School of Communication & Social Sciences
Telkom University
Indonesia
Theme Lead for “Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods”
Dr. Martha Tri Lestari is a communication scholar and lecturer at Telkom University in Bandung, Indonesia, where she serves in the Digital Public Relations Study Program within the Faculty of Business Communication. She holds a Doctorate in Communication Studies from Padjadjaran University and has extensive experience in both teaching and research. Dr. Lestari’s expertise encompasses digital public relations, communication management, social media monitoring, public opinion research, and integrated marketing communication. Her scholarly work explores how organisations engage with digital media platforms to manage public perception and communication strategies in an increasingly networked world. She also leads the Research Group for Public Relations and Marketing Communication at Telkom University and has published in reputable national and international journals. Dr. Lestari’s academic profile reflects a strong commitment to advancing knowledge in digital communication and media practices.