Dr. Corey T. Callaghan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida . Based at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center , his research focuses on global change ecology using big data from citizen science platforms like eBird and iNaturalist, combined with geospatial analyses and macroecological theory . Ph.D. (2019) from UNSW Sydney M.S. (2015) from Florida Atlantic University B.S. + B.S. (2013) from Canisius College His work examines urban ecology , including how species traits influence urban tolerance across birds, amphibians, and butterflies. He develops adaptive sampling frameworks to optimize citizen science data collection while addressing biases. Current projects analyze human-nature interactions through citizen science participation, secondary data in photographs, and machine learning for biodiversity monitoring. He actively contributes to conservation strategies for urban biodiversity and data-driven restoration efforts . Recent publications highlight his expertise in cross-taxa comparisons , continental-scale analyses , and ecosystem service quantification . He leads the Global Ecology Research Group at the University of Florida, emphasizing collaborative science and open-source methodologies .
Joseph A. November is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the history of biomedical computing, distributed computing, and the intersection of technology and medicine. He holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University (2006), an M.A. from the University of Chicago (2002), and a B.A. from Hamilton College (1997). His work includes the award-winning book Biomedical Computing: Digitizing Life in the United States (2012), which explores the co-development of biomedicine and computing technologies. Current projects include Revolutions@home , examining distributed computing in protein folding research, and a biography of computing pioneer Robert S. Ledley. He has received grants from the NSF, NIH, and the Charles Babbage Institute. Teaching interests span the history of science and technology, including courses on the history of medicine, digital humanities, and the role of games in historical education. He actively contributes to professional organizations like SHOT and the History of Science Society. Awards include the Computer History Museum Prize (2013) and the National Institutes of Health DeWitt Stetten Fellowship (2007-2008). His research bridges historical analysis with contemporary issues in technology and biomedical ethics.
Darryl Jones is Professor at Griffith University's Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, specializing in behavioral ecology and human-wildlife interactions. His research examines urban ecosystems, wildlife conflict resolution, and conservation strategies, with particular emphasis on bird ecology and road infrastructure impacts. Professor Jones has authored influential books including 'Feeding the Birds at Your Table' and 'A Clouded Leopard in the Middle of the Road' that bridge scientific research and public engagement. His work explores: Wildlife responses to urbanization Bird feeding practices and consequences Road ecology and mitigation design Human dimensions of conservation Koala-vehicle collision patterns Recent publications document COVID-19's impact on global bird feeding behaviors, analyze 20-year trends in koala road mortality, and evaluate LED streetlight effects on urban wildlife. He leads research on dingo population viability in Fraser Island and develops innovative wildlife monitoring technologies like the open-source WildWID RFID system. Professor Jones collaborates extensively with government agencies on conservation policy and has secured funding for projects examining wildlife crossing infrastructure effectiveness. His research informs evidence-based approaches to human-wildlife coexistence in rapidly changing landscapes.
Paul Gölz is an Assistant Professor at Cornell University's School of Operations Research and Information Engineering (ORIE), with affiliations in Computer Science. His research focuses on computational social choice, algorithmic fairness, and AI ethics, addressing topics like democratic innovation, fair resource allocation, and AI systems for diverse users. Education: Undergraduate studies at Saarland University (Germany), PhD in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard University, UC Berkeley, and the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute. His work has been recognized with awards including the JPMorgan Chase AI Research Fellowship (2021) and honorable mentions for prestigious dissertation awards (Dantzig and ACM SIGecom). Research Highlights : Developed Panelot, a tool for selecting citizens' assemblies using state-of-the-art algorithms. His work on fair refugee resettlement and apportionment methods has been featured in Operations Research and Nature . Recent projects include AI alignment distortion analysis and generative social choice mechanisms. Teaching : Teaches Optimized Democracy (Spring 2025) and Mathematical Programming (Fall 2024). Supervises PhD students in ORIE, focusing on interdisciplinary applications of optimization and social choice. Awards & Grants : Received a $40K Structural Democracy Fellowship (Crankstart) and an OpenAI grant for Democratic Inputs to AI. Active in policy briefs (e.g., mini-public selection strategies). Labs/Tools : Co-developed Panelot.org , a nonprofit platform for fair citizen assembly selection. Active in open-source tool development for social choice applications.
Dr. Elaine T. Jurkowski serves as Professor in Social Work at Southern Illinois University's College of Health and Human Sciences, holding multiple leadership roles including Graduate Program Director (2021-present) and Program Director for Gerontology Programs (2020-present). She maintains cross-appointments as Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine's Family Practice Residency Program and Professor in the Department of Health Education, demonstrating her interdisciplinary impact. B.S.W. (Industrial Social Work), University of Manitoba, Canada M.S.W. (Policy and Administration), University of Manitoba, Canada Ph.D., Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago M.B.A., Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2022) Dr. Jurkowski's research program centers on health disparities, access to mental health services, aging, and disability issues, with particular focus on rural populations. Her work bridges public health, social work, and gerontology through innovative approaches to program evaluation, technology-enhanced teaching, and culture change in long-term care settings. She has developed expertise in international health planning and inter-professional collaboration across diverse cultural contexts. Her publication portfolio shows consistent thematic development across decades, with recent work focusing on medical tourism during the pandemic, rural-urban health disparities, and technology applications in gerontology education. These publications reflect her commitment to addressing healthcare access challenges for vulnerable populations through both scholarly inquiry and practical interventions. Great Cities Research Fellow in Health Provost Faculty Fellow (2018) Provost Assessment Fellow (2016) Student Hotspotting certification (2018-present) A.P.M. Assessment Academy certification (2016, 2017) Dr. Jurkowski has successfully secured over $1 million in research funding from agencies including Health Resources and Services Administration, The Hartford Foundation, and Administration on Aging. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained commitment to improving services for older adults and people with disabilities, particularly in rural settings. She has served as Graduate Program Director twice (2003-2014, 2021-present), mentoring numerous social work students through their academic and professional development. Her professional activities extend beyond campus through international consulting in West Africa, Hong Kong, India, China, Russia, and Egypt, and community engagement via the "Dare to Care" radio show and board service with Caring Counseling Ministries, Supporting People in Need, and UNA/USA Southern Illinois Chapter.
Craig Davis is a Professor and holds the Bollenbach Chair in Wildlife Management at Oklahoma State University's Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management. He has been a faculty member since 2001, advancing from Assistant Professor (2001-2007) to Associate Professor (2007-2012), and has served as Bollenbach Chair since 2014. Davis earned his PhD in Wildlife Science from Texas Tech University (1996), an MS from Iowa State University (1991), and a BS from Ohio State University (1988). He is also a Certified Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. His research focuses on avian ecology, wetland restoration, and gamebird management, with specific interests in fire-grazing interactions, invertebrate communities, and climate change impacts on ecosystems. Key areas include grassland bird survival, wetland classification systems, and the effects of anthropogenic development on wildlife habitats. Davis actively collaborates with conservation organizations and agencies, addressing challenges like invasive species management and water infrastructure resilience. Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate courses on Wildlife Management Techniques and Wetland Ecology, as well as graduate courses like Advanced Wetland Ecology. His grants emphasize wetland restoration outreach, climate adaptation strategies, and studies on northern bobwhite and wild turkey populations. Notable projects include evaluating cellular transmission technology in wildlife monitoring and assessing the impact of extreme weather on gamebird survival. Grants (Selected): Expansion of potential wetland restoration opportunities in Oklahoma (2024-2027) Linking Research and Stakeholder Engagement for Wetland Conservation (2024-2026) Effects of Extreme Weather and Hunting on Northern Bobwhite (2023-2025) Research Themes: Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 15 (Life on Land), 13 (Climate Action), 6 (Clean Water), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 14 (Life Below Water), and 9 (Industry/Infrastructure).
Maxim Kontsevich has been a permanent professor at the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHÉS) since 1995, holding the AXA-IHES Chair for Mathematics . He is also Professor at Rutgers University (one month per year since 1997) and was Professor at University of California, Berkeley (1993–1995). Born 25 August 1964 in Khimki, former USSR, he became a French citizen in 1999. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of Bonn, March 1992. Research Interests: Prof. Kontsevich’s work lies at the intersection of algebraic geometry , mathematical physics , and quantum theory . He introduced revolutionary ideas in mirror symmetry , non-commutative geometry , and deformation quantization , creating new algebraic structures that have found applications far beyond their original contexts. His current ERC Synergy Grant “ReNew Quantum” (2019-2025) explores recursive and exact new quantum theory . Publications & Trends: Across more than 50 influential papers, Kontsevich has consistently pushed the boundaries of enumerative geometry , motivic integration , and topological field theory . His recent work delves into symplectic aspects of homological algebra , motivic Donaldson-Thomas invariants , non-archimedean geometry , and integrable systems , revealing deep connections between geometry, algebra, and physics. Scientific Awards & Honors: Fields Medal (1998) Crafoord Prize (2008) Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences (2012) Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2012) Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics (2014) ERC Synergy Grant “ReNew Quantum” (2019) AMS Moore Prize (2025) Doctor Honoris Causa: Aarhus University (2014), Universität Wien (2015), Syddansk Universitet (2023) Member of Académie des Sciences, Institut de France, Academia Europaea, National Academy of Sciences (foreign), London Mathematical Society (honorary) Grants & Leadership: As Principal Investigator of the ERC Synergy Grant “ReNew Quantum” (€10 million, 2019-2025), Kontsevich coordinates an international team advancing exact methods and resurgence in quantum field and string theories. Editorial Service & Community Roles: He serves on the editorial boards of Compositio Mathematica , Publications Mathématiques IHÉS , Journal of Noncommutative Geometry , and several other leading journals, shaping the direction of contemporary mathematical research.
Ben Livneh is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder , affiliated with both the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) . As Director of the Western Water Assessment , he bridges academic research with regional climate resilience initiatives. Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Hydrology), University of Washington (2012) MESc in Civil Engineering, University of Western Ontario (2006) His research explores hydrologic responses to climate and land-cover changes , focusing on snowpack dynamics, wildfire impacts on water quality, sediment transport, and drought predictability. Key projects include simulations of montane snowpack for wolverine habitat preservation and post-fire landslide susceptibility analysis . Recent publications highlight continental-scale hydraulic geometry datasets , climate-energy nexus challenges , and global lake level reconstructions using satellite data. His work has been recognized by the AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award (2022) and NASA New Investigator Program (2018) . Scientific Awards AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award (2022) NASA New Investigator Award (2018) Symposium Scholar, DISCCRS VIII (2013) CIRES Visiting Fellowship (2012) Ben leads interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like the University of Alaska Southeast and NOAA , addressing climate-water-energy-food nexus challenges through advanced modeling and remote sensing techniques.
Karsten Lambers is Professor of Digital and Computational Archaeology at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, where he leads research and teaching in the application of computational methods to archaeological data. His work integrates machine learning, remote sensing, text mining, and citizen science to advance archaeological prospection and heritage management. He is affiliated with the Department of Archaeological Sciences and plays key roles in research groups and university-wide initiatives such as SAILS and ARCHON. His research interests span Digital Archaeology , Machine Learning in Archaeology , Remote Sensing , Geoarchaeology , and Human-Environment Interaction . He investigates how computational tools can extract meaningful archaeological information from large datasets, including LiDAR imagery and excavation reports. His fieldwork spans Central Europe and Latin America, with a focus on prehistoric landscapes and cultural heritage. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward automated detection using deep learning (e.g., R-CNN, WODAN), named entity recognition in archaeological texts (e.g., ArcheoBERTje), and citizen science integration for data validation. His work bridges archaeology with computer science, geomatics, and environmental science, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and methodological rigor. His scientific awards include: Best Thesis Award (University of Zurich, 2005) EUROPA NOSTRA Award (2020, 2022) Membership in the German Archaeological Institute (since 2022) Lambers actively supervises students and leads major research projects such as ABMA, EXALT, and Heritage Quest. He has secured substantial research funding and collaborates widely with computer scientists, geophysicists, and palaeoecologists. His teaching includes digital methods, modeling, and simulation, often linked to ongoing research. He has also contributed to open educational resources and digital textbooks in archaeology. He leads or participates in several research labs and teams, including the Digital Archaeology Research Group (which he chairs), the Heritage Quest citizen science project, and interdisciplinary teams focusing on alpine terraces and Iraqi prospection. His work emphasizes the integration of digital tools into practical archaeological workflows, advocating for complementary human-computer strategies.
Dr. Jonathan Bright is a Senior Research Fellow and Associate Professor at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford , specializing in computational approaches to the social and political sciences. His research explores how digital technologies reshape political participation and how new data sources enhance governmental decision-making. Research Interests: Focused on social media, political behavior, computational social science, and big data , Bright’s work addresses digital governance, algorithmic bureaucracy, and the dynamics of political fragmentation online. His empirical studies span open government data usage, crowdsourced geographical information, and the impact of neighborhood effects on data completeness. Scientific Contributions: Leading studies on algorithmic governance in UK local authorities (2020) Investigating geodemographic biases in crowdsourced platforms like OpenStreetMap (2018) Mapping political fragmentation in social media ecosystems (2018) Grants & Collaborations: Funded by UK taxpayers, ESRC, and Google, his work intersects with projects on vaccine misinformation, hate speech monitoring, and digital economies. Formerly held positions as Research Fellow and Research Associate at OII from 2013 to present.
Professor Andrew Hudson-Smith is the Director of the Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) at University College London (UCL), where he holds the title of Professor of Digital Urban Systems. He leads UCL's academic and applied research in smart cities, digital twins, and urban informatics. His roles include Editor-in-Chief of the Future Internet Journal and academic lead for the Smart Queen Elizabeth Park project. He contributes to strategic initiatives such as the Greater London Authority Smart London Board and EPSRC Digital Economy Programme Advisory Board. Education: PhD (2003), MSc (1996) from UCL; BSc in Geography from the University of Plymouth (1992). Research focuses on digital urban systems, IoT applications, sustainable urban planning, and cyberphysical systems. Notable projects include urban heat island monitoring, participatory planning platforms, and metaverse-driven urban design. His work bridges technology, art, and public engagement, exemplified by initiatives like Tales of Things and the Haggle-O-Tron. Recent publications emphasize digital twins, metaverse urbanism, and IoT integration in urban environments. Awards include a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts. His work addresses SDGs 3 (Good Health) and 11 (Sustainable Cities), with a focus on equitable smart city development and public space innovation.
Professor Christopher Carman is the Stevenson Professor of Citizenship at the University of Glasgow, holding a PhD from the University of Houston. He has served in leadership roles including Head of Subject (Politics & International Relations), Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences, and Deputy Head of the School. His research focuses on political representation, electoral processes, public opinion, and Scottish politics, with notable contributions to studies on the Scottish Parliament and rural-urban political divides. Carman has led the Scottish Election Study (SES) since 2011 and co-leads the NORFACE-funded RUDE project on European rural-urban dynamics. He also contributes to the Glasgow-Nankai Joint Graduate School and the Stevenson Trust, fostering citizenship education and democratic research. Education: PhD in Political Science, University of Houston (2000). Previous academic roles include professorships at the Universities of Strathclyde and Pittsburgh. Research Interests: Political representation alternatives (e.g., public petitions systems), electoral behavior, Scottish and UK politics, direct democracy, and comparative legislative politics. Recent work addresses rural-urban divides in Europe and political compromise in democratic systems. Key Projects: Scottish Election Study (SES), Rural and Urban Divide in Europe (RUDE), and studies on political scandals and multilevel governance. His publications span electoral studies, comparative politics, and political behavior, with a focus on institutional trust and democratic engagement. Grants and Funding: ESRC and NORFACE grants support his research. The Stevenson Trust supports his work on citizenship education and public lectures.
Clio Andris is an Associate Professor at Georgia Tech, jointly appointed in the School of City and Regional Planning and the School of Interactive Computing. She directs the Friendly Cities Lab, focusing on mathematical models of social networks applied to urban planning, transportation, and geography. Her work integrates spatial analysis with visualization, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Education and Career: Andris earned a PhD in Urban Information Systems from MIT (2011), where she was an NDSEG Fellow. She held postdoctoral positions at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology and the Santa Fe Institute. Prior to Georgia Tech, she was a faculty member at Penn State’s Department of Geography, affiliated with the GeoVISTA Center. Research Focus: Her research bridges social networks, geovisualization, and urban informatics. Key areas include spatial social network analysis, GIS applications for urban policy, and the impact of digital tools on civic engagement. She has developed innovative visual analytics tools like SNoMaN and ROBIN to democratize spatial data exploration. Awards: She received the NSF CAREER Award (2021) and NDSEG Fellowship (2011). Her lab is affiliated with the Center for Spatial Planning Analytics and Visualization (CSPAV) and the Information Visualization Lab. Labs and Collaborations: The Friendly Cities Lab focuses on socially just urban design through computational methods. Her work addresses issues like food security networks, pandemic impacts on biodiversity, and community mapping for activism. Grants and Outreach: Her NSF-funded projects emphasize public good applications, such as real-time pandemic risk communication and educational tools for migration data. She actively collaborates with non-profits and policymakers to translate research into actionable urban strategies.
Yvonne Rogers is a Professor of Interaction Design and Director of the UCL Interaction Centre (UCLIC), with a joint appointment as Deputy Head of the Department of Computer Science at University College London. She joined UCL in 2011 after holding professorships at the Open University (2006-2011) and Indiana University (2003-2006). Her pioneering work spans ubiquitous computing, interaction design, and human-computer interaction, with a current focus on human-centered AI. She co-authored the definitive 'Interaction Design' textbook (6 editions, 300,000+ copies) and serves as CTO of LetThink.com. Research interests center on designing technologies that enhance human cognition and daily activities: Ubiquitous Computing: Augmenting learning/work activities through pervasive technologies Human-AI Interaction: Developing AI systems that enhance human decision-making Health Technologies: Creating VR therapies and ADHD support systems Community Resilience: Designing tools for environmental monitoring and sustainable practices Publication analysis reveals three dominant trends: (1) VR applications for mental health (emotion regulation, ADHD support), (2) AI systems for cognitive augmentation, and (3) community-centered tools for healthcare/environmental challenges. Recent work demonstrates strong emphasis on vulnerable populations including children with ADHD, older adults, and postoperative patients. Major scientific recognition includes: International Member, National Academy of Engineering (2024) ACM SIGCHI Lifetime Research Award (2022) Royal Society Robin Milner Medal (2022) Royal Society Fellowship (2022) Microsoft Outstanding Collaborator Award MRC Suffrage and Science Award (2020) Triple Fellow status (ACM, BCS, CHI Academy) Advises PhD students including Leon Reicherts, Sheena Visram, and Tu Duong. Secured major grants including EPSRC Dream Fellowship on ageing/computing and led the Intel Collaborative Research Institute on Sustainable Connected Cities (2012-2018). Directs UCLIC research center and previously established the Pervasive Interaction Lab at Open University.
Prof. dr. Nico Van de Weghe is a full Professor of GIScience at the University of Ghent (UGent), affiliated with the CartoGIS research unit. His work bridges computer science, social science, and natural science through geospatial information studies, focusing on enabling machines to reason spatially (GeoAI). Since 2004, he has specialized in knowledge-based AI, particularly spatiotemporal reasoning and moving object analysis, with applications in animal behavior, criminology, healthcare, mobility, and sports. Van de Weghe's research emphasizes hybrid GeoAI systems combining knowledge-driven and data-driven approaches. Keywords include GeoAI, GIScience, Spatiotemporal Analysis, Moving Objects, and Data Mining. Recent publications highlight urban road network analysis, hybrid trajectory modeling, BIM semantic enrichment, and cycling safety studies using virtual reality.
