Dhruv Jain is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Michigan , with affiliations in the School of Information and Michigan Medicine . He leads the Soundability Lab , focusing on transforming hearing into a programmable interface through human-centered AI systems. PhD from University of Washington MS from MIT Media Lab Formerly worked at Microsoft Research, Google, and Apple Research Interests intersect Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , Audio AI , Accessibility , and Hearing Health . His work develops systems like SoundWatch (smartwatch-based sound awareness) and HomeSound (IoT sound visualization) to expand auditory access for DHH individuals and other domains. Recent Publications (2023–2025) span top venues like CHI , ASSETS , and ICMI , with trends including generative AI for real-time captioning , adaptive soundscapes , and clinical communication tools . SIGCHI Outstanding Dissertation Award (2023) William Chan Memorial Dissertation Award (2023) Best Poster Award at ASSETS 2024 Google Academic Research Award (2024) NIH Grant ($450k, 2023) William Demant Foundation Grant ($740k, 2025) Teaching includes Accessible Computing (undergraduate) and Advanced Accessibility (graduate), alongside global DIY workshops in five countries. The Soundability Lab collaborates with neuroscientists, clinicians, and Deaf scholars to create deployable systems like clinical communication tools now at Michigan Medicine and features integrated into Apple devices.
Dr. Angela Siegel is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, Academic Outreach in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. She is actively involved in both academic leadership and research. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics (Combinatorial Game Theory), Dalhousie University, 2011 M.Sc. in Mathematics, Dalhousie University, 2005 B.Sc. in Mathematics & Marine Geophysics, 1997 Her research focuses on combinatorial game theory, graph theory, discrete mathematics, and number theory, with a strong emphasis on computer science education and inclusive teaching . She investigates the challenges students face when transitioning into computer science programs, aiming to improve pedagogical approaches and support systems. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics and practical educational innovation. The recent publications highlight a dual focus: theoretical contributions to combinatorial games (e.g., partizan games, placement games, geography variants) and applied research in computing education, particularly student transition and inclusive practices. Her interdisciplinary work spans mathematics, computer science, and educational theory. Scientific Awards: Dr. Siegel has supervised and collaborated with students and researchers on topics including student transition into higher education computing, LEGO-based pedagogy, and workplace readiness. While no specific grants are listed, her repeated presentations and publications suggest active research funding and scholarly engagement. She has contributed to major conference proceedings and book volumes such as Games of No Chance . She is associated with research teams focused on combinatorial games and computer science education innovation, often collaborating with scholars like Richard Nowakowski, Neil McKay, and Mark Zarb. Her work in inclusive teaching and student support reflects a commitment to building accessible and equitable learning environments in computing.
Andrés Cuervo-Rubio is a Part-time Lecturer at Parsons School of Design, The New School. They are an interdisciplinary artist, programmer, and HCI researcher based in Brooklyn. As a co-founder of Folk Computer, a research consultancy focused on tangible computing hardware/software and programming languages, they explore accessible interfaces and paper-based interaction systems. They advise the W3C Immersive Web Working Group (WebAR/VR/XR APIs) and have spoken at global JavaScript conferences since 2017. Education: BA in Computer Science, Oberlin College (2017) BA in Creative Writing, Oberlin College (2017) Research Interests: Focuses on material-based interaction design, bridging physical/digital systems through accessible technologies. Current work emphasizes tangible computing interfaces and inclusive design practices. Active in developing educational frameworks for dynamic content creation in design curricula. Teaching: Recently taught Core 1: Interaction (PUCD 2035) and Core 2: Interaction Studio (PUCD 2125). Upcoming courses include CD Foundations: Interaction (PSAM 1028) in Fall 2025 and CD Studio: Dynamic Content (PSAM 2090) in Spring 2026. Professional Engagement: Serves as technical advisor for immersive web standards and collaborates with industry on accessible XR solutions. Co-leads workshops on physical computing pedagogy.
Prasanna (Sonny) Tambe is a Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in the economics of technology and labor markets. His research explores AI’s impact on workforce dynamics, HR algorithms, and the gender wage gap in tech industries. Education: Ph.D. in Managerial Science and Applied Economics (Wharton, UPenn); S.B. and M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MIT). His work leverages internet-scale data from job platforms and patent databases to analyze trends in skill acquisition, remote work diversity, and algorithmic bias in hiring. Recent studies examine AI’s role in HR decision-making, the economics of emerging technologies, and labor market responses to IT innovation. Scientific Awards: Best Undergraduate Professors (Poets & Quants, 2020) Best Paper Awards (Management Science, Information Systems Research) ISS Sandra A. Slaughter Early Career Award (2016) Tambe co-directs Wharton Human-AI Research, focusing on ethical AI integration in organizations. His teaching includes award-winning courses on AI’s societal implications and data-driven business strategies.
Dr. Derek E. Daniels is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is a licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in stuttering therapy and psychosocial aspects of stuttering. His research focuses on identity, stigma, intersectionality, and culturally responsive practices, with a particular emphasis on qualitative methods and social justice. He leads Camp Shout Out, a therapeutic camp for children and teens who stutter, and serves as a former President of the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dr. Daniels holds a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University (2007), an M.A. from the University of Houston (2002), and a B.A. from Grinnell College (1998). His awards include the 2023 Professional of the Year Scholar and Service Award from the National Stuttering Association and the 2025 William T. Simpkins Service Award. He teaches courses such as 'Stuttering' and 'Normal Language Acquisition,' and his work emphasizes reducing stigma through education and advocacy. Dr. Daniels actively participates in professional organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and presentations globally.
Maher Elshakankiri is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Ain Shams University (Egypt), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Regina. His research focuses on IoT, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and pedagogical integration of technology and gaming. He has supervised over 100 student projects and authored a book on WSNs. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt M.Eng., B.Eng. in Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Regina, Canada Research Interests: IoT in healthcare, agriculture, and sports Active learning classrooms and technology in education Wireless communication protocols (V2V, UAV, RFID) Leadership & Grants: Director, Bachelor of Information (BI) Program (2024–present) Coordinator, Information Systems and Design (ISD) Concentration (2023) SSHRC Grant: 'Gaming in teaching towards a more inclusive class' (2022–2023) Professional Activities: Member, SCC IoT & Digital Twins Standards Committee Reviewer for journals including Wireless Networks , Telematics and Informatics , and Computational Intelligence Technical Program Committee member at multiple conferences Teaching: Courses include INF1340 (Programming for Data Science), INF1005/1006 (IoT Workshops), and INF452 (Information Design Coding).
Lauren A. Delisio is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Rider University's Department of Teacher Education. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in special education, inclusive practices, and assistive technology since 2015. Ph.D. in Exceptional Student Education (2015, University of Central Florida) Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (2012, University of Central Florida) M.S. in Teaching (2005, Pace University) B.A. in Communications (2000, Rider University) Her research focuses on universal design for learning (UDL) , assistive technology , and inclusive education practices for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities. She has explored trauma-informed instruction, STEM accessibility, and evidence-based practices in inclusive classrooms. Her recent publications analyze UDL implementation, video prompting for independence, and pandemic impacts on inclusive education. She has received grants through the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for Project LEAD and served as a doctoral intern with OSEP. Delisio has contributed to STEM research via video game integration for students with disabilities and supported alumni engagement through data collection. She collaborates with service providers, universities, and policymakers to improve educational outcomes for neurodiverse learners.
Jonathan Levine is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he has been faculty since 1991. His work focuses on transportation planning, housing and equitable development, and land use and environmental planning, with a particular emphasis on shifting from mobility-based to accessibility-based planning paradigms. Levine's educational background includes: Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley M.C.P. in City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley M.S. in Engineering (Civil Engineering-Transportation focus) from the University of California, Berkeley B.S. in Political Economy of Natural Resources from the University of California, Berkeley His research centers on the potential and rationales for policy reform in transportation and land use. Levine argues that a shift in the transportation and land-use planning paradigm from a mobility to an accessibility basis is compelled by transportation theory and would be transformative to planning practices. His current work includes sponsored projects and the book "From Mobility to Accessibility: Transforming Urban Transportation and Land-Use Planning" (Cornell University Press, 2019), co-authored with Joe Grengs and Louis Merlin. He previously authored "Zoned Out: Regulation, Markets, and Choices in Transportation and Metropolitan Land Use" (Resources for the Future, 2006), which argued for policy reform based on expanding households' effective range of choices. Levine's recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward accessibility-based evaluation of transportation systems and land-use planning. His articles explore topics such as comparing bus rapid transit and light rail, project-level accessibility analysis, overcoming the last-mile problem, and the effects of automated transit systems. His work consistently challenges traditional transportation planning paradigms and advocates for approaches that prioritize access to destinations rather than mere mobility. Levine's contributions to the field have been recognized with several prestigious awards: 2010 Chester Rapkin Award for best paper in the Journal of Planning Education and Research 2011 Residential Fellowship at the Rockefeller Foundation Center in Bellagio, Italy 2001 Excellence in Urban Policy Scholarship Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 1996 Best of Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Award Levine has led significant research projects including Implementation of Accessibility-Based Evaluation for Transportation and Land-Use Planning funded by NEXTRANS, Sustainable Transportation for a 3rd Century addressing the last mile problem, and Accessibility Evaluation from Laboratory to Practice. His teaching portfolio includes Transportation and Land-Use Planning, Public Economics for Urban Planning, Research Design, and the MUP Capstone studio, where he guides students through real-world planning challenges. As a thought leader in urban planning, Levine regularly contributes to public discourse on zoning policies, housing diversity, and transportation planning. He has been featured in numerous media outlets discussing how land use policies impact sustainability, affordability, and racial justice, emphasizing that "zoning is behind all of it, and is not only the cause, but exacerbates it." His insights on the historical role of single-family zoning in perpetuating racial segregation have been particularly influential in contemporary housing policy debates.
Dina Verdín serves as Assistant Professor in Engineering Education Systems and Design at Arizona State University's Polytechnic School, where she leads research on broadening participation in engineering through critical analysis of access and persistence barriers for first-generation, minoritized, and women students at intersectional identity junctions. Her educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Purdue University M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University B.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from San José State University Verdín's research program employs asset-based frameworks to examine how funds of knowledge and identity development influence engineering pathways. Her access strand investigates high school exposure barriers through culturally responsive activities that foster engineering interest and agency, while her persistence strand analyzes undergraduate institutional structures affecting identity negotiation and degree completion. This work centers intersectional methodologies to redefine engineering identity beyond traditional norms. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveals consistent focus on first-generation Latinx students, classroom belonging mechanisms, and funds of knowledge applications. Her work predominantly utilizes mixed-methods approaches within Hispanic Serving Institutions, with growing emphasis on migratory student populations and critical engineering agency development. Her accolades include: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship IEEE Frontiers in Education Best Diversity Paper Award College of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award AGEP Distinguished Scholar Award AERA Division D Top 3 In-Progress Research Verdín currently directs multiple NSF-funded initiatives including SAFE Teams (Student Asset-based Approach to Equitable Teams) and Reconceptualizing Community Cultural Wealth in engineering design. Her grants portfolio exceeds $1.3 million as PI/Co-PI, focusing on mastery learning implementation, engineering discipline disparities, and migratory student empowerment through gamified curricula. She teaches core courses in engineering statistics and research methods while mentoring graduate researchers. Her work actively shapes engineering education through community-engaged scholarship that centers student assets and challenges deficit-oriented paradigms in STEM persistence research.
Dr. Sarah Benson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Disability, Inclusion and Special Needs at the University of Birmingham, based at the Dubai Campus. She serves as Programme Lead for the Inclusion and Special Education Needs PGCert and Masters in both the UK and Dubai, and is affiliated with the School of Education. Educational Background: PhD in Special Education, University of Virginia, 2020 MA in International Education, The George Washington University, 2010 BA in English and Special Education, James Madison University, 2002 Her research focuses on inclusive education policy and practice, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. She explores teacher development, inclusive science curriculum for primary students, and autism support in Gulf countries. Her work is deeply informed by cross-cultural experiences, including Peace Corps service in Jordan and a Fulbright year in Norway. Dr. Benson's recent publications reveal a strong trend in inclusive teaching strategies, policy analysis in Jordan and the UAE, and the integration of science education with special needs pedagogy. Her research emphasizes practical implementation, teacher preparedness, and equity in educational access. Scientific Awards and Honors: Fulbright Scholar (2013) President, Curry School of Education and Human Development (University of Virginia) Dr. Benson is actively involved in research leadership, serving as Principal Investigator for the ESRC-GCRF Bhutan Inclusive Employment and Social Participation Project and Co-Investigator on the Disability Under Siege Network and a study on teachers' perceptions of autism in Ras Al-Khaimah. She currently supervises PhD candidates and contributes to international scholarly communities such as the Council for Exceptional Children and the Comparative International Education Society. She is also engaged in commissioned research, including a report on autism teaching preparedness in Ras Al-Khaimah, and teaches modules on cross-cultural special education, inclusion, and policy analysis.
Margarita Boenig-Liptsin is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Ethics, Technology and Society at ETH Zurich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, a position she has held since September 2022. Trained in Science, Technology and Society with dual PhDs from Harvard University (History of Science) and Université Paris-Sorbonne (Philosophy), she brings interdisciplinary expertise to examining the relationship between technology, power, democracy, and ethics. Her research spans several interconnected areas focusing on transformations to human identity and citizenship in relation to information technologies across time and cultures. She investigates the social and political aspects of digital technologies, identity and selfhood in technological societies, ethics of technology, and comparative cultures of innovation. Her work uniquely bridges historical analysis with contemporary ethical concerns, examining how concepts like human dignity evolve alongside technological developments from punch cards to AI governance frameworks. Her recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a strong focus on AI ethics, data justice, and the philosophical implications of algorithmic systems. These works demonstrate her consistent interest in how technology shapes democratic processes, citizenship, and ethical frameworks. Her research shows progression from historical studies of computer literacy programs to contemporary analyses of generative AI's impact on knowledge production and everyday ethics. Her scientific recognition includes: NSF funding for her collaborative project on Silicon Valley's innovation imaginary Mozilla Foundation Responsible Computer Science Challenge grant (2018-2021) Academic Data Science Alliance support (2020-2022) Sorbonne Université's Paris IAS Chair on 'Major Changes' (2021-2022) At ETH Zurich, she leads research and teaching initiatives that build connections between engineering and social sciences. Previously at UC Berkeley, she directed the Human Contexts and Ethics Program, developing the Human Contexts and Ethics component for data science education. Her work consistently emphasizes translating social science theory for diverse audiences and connecting scholarly work to community needs in Zurich, Switzerland, and Europe. She teaches courses including 'Artificial Intelligence and Human Values' and 'Research in Ethics, Technology and Society' for the Fall 2025 semester.
Gail E. Joseph is a Professor in the College of Education at the University of Washington, with affiliations in Early Childhood & Family Studies and Learning Sciences & Human Development. She teaches courses, advises students, and conducts research on early care and education, focusing on child care quality, social-emotional learning, teacher education, and technology integration. Ph.D., University of Washington Her research projects include statewide surveys on early childhood workforce conditions, studies on digital professional learning tools like Circle Time Magazine, and evaluations of coaching interventions (e.g., FIND in Childcare) to improve teacher-child interactions. She co-created resources such as Teacher Time and the EarlyEdU Alliance, which aims to enhance early childhood education through accessible bachelor’s degrees. Her publications span topics like social-emotional curricula, behavioral interventions, and inclusive education frameworks. She has held leadership roles as Principal Investigator (PI) of the Head Start Center for Inclusion and Co-PI of the National Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (NCQTL). 2018 David R. Thorud Leadership Award (University of Washington) She currently serves as Executive Director of Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, advancing professional development and quality improvement initiatives nationwide.
Toby Jia-Jun Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, where he leads the SaNDwich Lab. He also serves as the Director of the Human-Centered Responsible AI Lab in the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society and is a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI). Previously, he was affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) and GroupLens Research. Dr. Li's research spans the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), End-User Software Engineering, Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP), with recent work focusing on addressing societal challenges in the future of work through human-AI collaborative approaches. His work has resulted in over 40 publications at premier venues including CHI, UIST, CSCW, ACL, and ICSE, with 8 papers winning Best Paper or Honorable Mention awards. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on human-AI collaboration across various domains, including code understanding, privacy, accessibility, and creative tools. The work shows a trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of human-centered design with AI capabilities, particularly using large language models to enhance human productivity and address societal challenges. Google Research Scholar Award recipient Recipient of Yahoo! Fellowship ($100,000/year) Best Paper Award at UIST 2020 Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at CHI 2021 Best Paper Award at CSCW 2024 Best Paper Award at CHI 2025 Dr. Li actively mentors Ph.D. students and has established collaborations with Google, Microsoft Research, IBM Research, Adobe, Verizon, and J.P. Morgan. His research has been supported by NSF, Google Research Scholar Program, AnalytiXIN Initiative, Yahoo! InMind project, and J.P. Morgan. He is currently recruiting Ph.D. students and undergraduate researchers for his SaNDwich Lab, which focuses on developing interactive systems to empower individuals to create, configure, and extend AI-powered computing systems.
Professor Michael C.L. CHAU serves as Professor and Deputy Area Head of Innovation and Information Management at The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Business and Economics. He also holds the position of Associate Director at the HKU HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, and serves on the HKU Senate and Court. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona and a B.Sc. in Computer Science (Information Systems) from the University of Hong Kong. Dr. Chau's research spans business analytics, artificial intelligence, web mining, fintech, smart health, and security informatics. His work focuses on applying data/text/web mining techniques to business, education, and social domains. He leads the Artificial Intelligence Research Group at HKU Business School, which has secured significant funding from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Food and Health Bureau, and other agencies for projects including 'The Invisible Hand in Crowdfunding' and 'Factors Moderating the Predictive Power of Social Media Sentiment on Stock Returns'. His publication portfolio includes over 150 articles in premier journals like MIS Quarterly, JMIS, and IEEE Transactions, with recent work exploring large language models, hate speech detection, and disaster-related social media analysis. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections across computer science, information systems, and business applications. INFORMS ISS Design Science Award (2020) IEEE ITSS Leadership Award in Intelligence and Security Informatics (2020) AIS Sandra Slaughter Service Award (2016) HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2014) Faculty Research Postgraduate Supervision Award (2020 & 2025) Cited over 9,400 times (h-index = 47) Dr. Chau actively mentors doctoral students and has supervised numerous PhD graduates who now hold academic positions at institutions including Fudan University, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and the University of Maryland. His research grants portfolio demonstrates sustained funding success across diverse areas including blockchain, mental health applications, and social media analytics. The Artificial Intelligence Research Group he leads maintains strong industry connections through projects with Hong Kong Red Cross and the Hospital Authority.
Prof. Anya Belz is Full Professor of Computer Science at Dublin City University's School of Computing and Science Lead at ADAPT Research Centre. A leading NLP researcher with PhD-level expertise, she specializes in natural language generation, evaluation methodologies, and multimodal systems. Recipient of multiple best paper awards and NAACL Test of Time Award nomination. Research innovations include foundational work on statistical language generation (deployed in weather forecasting systems), comparative evaluation frameworks, vision-language integration, and reproducibility quantification. Current EPSRC-funded ReproHum project coordinates 20 global labs studying evaluation consistency. Achievements : Developed industry-deployed generation systems for accessibility applications Pioneered cross-modal alignment techniques for image description Authored 100+ publications spanning generation, evaluation, and reproducibility
