Dr. Michelle Cannon is a Lecturer in Digital Arts and Media Education at the University College London (UCL) Institute of Education's Culture, Communication & Media department. She co-leads the Digital Storytelling module and serves as a dissertation supervisor for the MA Digital Media: Education program. Co-investigator, ESRC/AHRC-funded Play Observatory project Editorial board member: Film Education Journal, Learning, Media and Technology Executive Committee Member, Media Education Association International collaborations: British Film Institute, EU cultural agencies Her research explores digital media production in educational settings, focusing on film literacy, postdigital theory, and pandemic-related learning adaptations. Utilizing ethnographic and participatory visual methods, she investigates how children's creative practices intersect with social and cultural learning. Recent publications highlight her work on: Digital storytelling and transludic practices in pandemic contexts Ethnographic studies of postdigital play environments Critical media education frameworks Comparative analysis of European film literacy programs Scientific contributions include: ESRC/AHRC grant for children's play research International film literacy framework development Leadership in EU-funded scoping studies She trains teachers in digital media integration and has evaluated school film programs for the BFI. Her longitudinal study on lower-achieving children's learning experiences included documentary film production.
Aura Istrate is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Urban Planning & Sustainable Urbanism at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin (UCD). With an international background spanning multiple continents, she conducts interdisciplinary research on sustainable urban development, focusing on active mobility, nature-based solutions, and climate-neutral cities. She teaches GIS and urban planning modules while coordinating several significant research projects across European and Asian contexts. University College Dublin, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy Primary Coordinator of C-NEWTRAL (Horizon MSCA-DN 2024-2028) Co-Leader of REALLOCATE (Horizon Europe project 2023-2027) Principal Investigator for BIODIVERSA+ projects (NatureScape and NBS4AQUAMISSION) Educated at the University of Architecture and Urban Planning 'Ion Mincu' in Bucharest (BA and MA) and the University of Liverpool (PhD), Dr. Istrate further enhanced her teaching credentials with a Professional Certificate in University Teaching & Learning from UCD. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in architectural and urban planning principles combined with specialized expertise in sustainable urbanism. Dr. Istrate's research focuses on smart and sustainable urbanism, particularly examining active mobility, livable streets, green public spaces, and nature-based solutions in urban planning. Her work employs participatory, geospatial, and mixed methods to inform smart communities and the transition to climate-neutral cities. She has practical international experience in urban design and planning, with ongoing collaborations spanning European and Asian countries, currently teaching and researching across cultures in UCD and UCD's International Colleges (CDIC). Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on street vitality, urban heat adaptation, and nature-based solutions. The research demonstrates methodological diversity combining quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative community engagement approaches. Her work spans multiple geographic contexts, with particular expertise in Chinese urban environments and European cities, showing how urban planning concepts need to be contextualized for different cultural settings. The articles consistently address climate adaptation challenges through innovative approaches like urban nature games and fine-grained street classification systems. Dr. Istrate serves as a PhD thesis supervisor and is actively involved in major research initiatives including C-NEWTRAL (as Primary Coordinator), REALLOCATE (as Co-Leader), and BIODIVERSA+ projects (as PI for NatureScape and NBS4AQUAMISSION). Her grant portfolio includes Horizon Europe projects and other significant funding that supports interdisciplinary research on climate-neutral urban development. She has coordinated multiple teaching modules including Planning Design & Development, GIS & Planning, Intro to Spatial Planning, and Local Planning Studio. She leads international research collaborations and maintains active partnerships across various European and Asian countries. Her work bridges academic research with practical urban planning applications, particularly through her focus on research-by-design approaches and participatory methods that engage communities in the planning process. She has served as a lecturer, tutor, or teaching assistant across departments of Architecture, Planning, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Human Geography in Ireland, the UK, Czechia, Sweden, China, and Romania since 2010.
Cecilia O. Alm is a Professor in the Department of Psychology within the College of Liberal Arts at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where she serves as the Artificial Intelligence Program Director. She holds multiple leadership roles including Director of the Center for Human-aware AI and Director of the Computational Linguistics and Speech Processing Lab (CLaSP). Her institutional affiliations span the School of Information, Ph.D. Programs in Cognitive Science and Computing and Information Sciences, Department of Computer Science, and MS in Data Science program. Dr. Alm earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on human-centered artificial intelligence with particular emphasis on linguistic and multimodal sensing, affective computing, and natural language processing. She investigates how AI systems can better understand and respond to human communication through multimodal dialogue processing, with applications in accessibility, education, and healthcare. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward developing inclusive AI systems, particularly through projects addressing Deaf community needs (MULTICOLLAB-ASL), subtle emotion recognition (FUSE corpus), and bias mitigation in NLP. The work consistently integrates multimodal data streams (speech, gaze, gesture) to create more responsive human-AI interaction frameworks. Current research directions emphasize diversity in AI education, visual prosody in sign languages, and human-in-the-loop AI development. Dr. Alm leads several significant NSF-funded initiatives including the AWARE-AI program, IRES AI-PROWIL international research experience, and collaborative projects with Gallaudet University focused on Deaf scientist-centered AI research. She has secured over $2.5 million in external funding for her work on human-aware AI systems. She directs the CLaSP lab which provides research opportunities for PhD, MS, and undergraduate students, with graduates employed at major technology companies including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook. The lab focuses on real-world AI applications in accessibility, human-robot interaction, and multimodal communication systems.
Eric J. Gangloff is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU). His research focuses on understanding how organisms adapt to environmental changes, particularly in reptiles and amphibians, using integrative approaches combining field studies, lab experiments, and molecular techniques. He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from the University of Denver, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Dr. Gangloff leads a lab investigating physiological and ecological adaptations in species such as the common wall lizard, garter snakes, and red-backed salamanders. Notably, his work on Ohio’s invasive wall lizards has been funded by the NSF, exploring their evolutionary success in urban environments. Collaborations span institutions worldwide, including France, Canada, and Australia. His recent studies examine how temperature, oxygen availability, and urbanization influence lizard physiology, behavior, and survival. Key themes include thermal biology, ecological traps, and resilience to pollutants like lead. The lab actively involves undergraduate students in field and lab research, emphasizing hands-on learning. Gangloff’s lab website (https://glare-owu.wixsite.com/glare) showcases ongoing projects and publications. His work bridges basic science and applied conservation, addressing global challenges in biodiversity and climate change.
Lesley Gourlay is a Professor of Education at the IOE - Culture, Communication & Media , part of University College London . She has held leadership roles including Director of the Academic Writing Centre (2010-2020) and Head of the Department of Culture, Communication and Media (2014-2018). Research Focus: Science and Technology Studies in Education, Posthuman Theory, Sociomaterialism, Digital Engagement Awards: Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship (2021-2025) for 'The Datafied University' Her publications explore postdigital education, algorithmic governance, and digital performativity. Recent work includes the open-access monograph The University and the Algorithmic Gaze (2025) and co-editing the Palgrave Handbook of Science and Technology Studies in Education . She is currently working on two forthcoming monographs: The University and the Writing Machine and Weave: The Making of Meaning . Lesley's scientific contributions analyze digital education through postphenomenological, sociomaterial, and posthumanist lenses. Key themes include learning analytics, AI's role in education, and the materiality of digital practices. Her work challenges binary distinctions between online/campus education and human/nonhuman agency. Collaboration Network: Extensive co-authorships with scholars like Petar Jandrić, Clara O’Shea, and Martin Oliver. She co-organizes the UK-wide Digital University Network and contributes to journals such as Postdigital Science and Education and Educational Philosophy and Theory .
Matthew Dunbabin is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Chief Investigator at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision (ACRV). His expertise spans environmental robotics, with a focus on vision-based autonomous systems for marine conservation, water quality monitoring, and greenhouse gas management. He holds a PhD from QUT and a BEng (Aerospace) from RMIT. Dunbabin has led projects at CSIRO and QUT, developing robots like COTSBot and RangerBot to combat marine pests and promote reef restoration. His work has earned national and international awards, including the 2019 Australian Water Association Award and 2016 Google Impact Challenge. Education: PhD in Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (Queensland, Australia) BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Australia) Research Interests: Environmental robotics and autonomous systems Vision-based perception and classification Marine habitat restoration and pest control Greenhouse gas monitoring via autonomous vehicles Cooperative robotics and sensor networks Awards & Recognition: 2019 Australian Water Association Award (SAMMI Project) 2019 Good Design Award - Sustainability (RangerBot) 2016 Google Impact Challenge People’s Choice Award (RangerBot AUV) 2010 Australian ICT Industry Association National iAward (iSnet) 2006 Queensland Engineering Excellence Innovation Award (Starbug Project) Grants & Projects: ARC Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision (ACRV): Leading robotic vision research (2014–present) Revolutionising Protection Against Air Pollution: Air quality monitoring networks (2015–present) Establishing Advanced Networks for Air Quality Sensing: Sensor development for urban environments (2017–present) Labs & Collaborations: ACRV at QUT Institute for Future Environments (QUT) CSIRO Autonomous Systems Laboratory (2001–2013)
Mariana Resener is an Assistant Professor in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU). She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (2016) from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, alongside M.Sc. (2011) and B.Sc. (2008) degrees in the same field. Her research focuses on optimizing power systems, particularly in distributed energy resources, energy storage, and volt/var control. She teaches courses like Power Electronics and Power Systems Analysis & Design. Her work emphasizes sustainable development in grid planning and energy infrastructure. As a Senior Member of IEEE and an Associate Editor for the Energy Systems Journal (Springer), she contributes to advancing smart grid technologies and renewable integration. Her research spans metaheuristic optimization, stochastic modeling, and grid resilience strategies for distributed systems. Recent projects include hybrid renewable energy systems for substations, EV charging station optimization, and fault analysis in unbalanced grids. She collaborates with industry on practical solutions for grid modernization and reliability enhancement.
James T. Enns is a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar in the Department of Psychology within the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia. His research primarily focuses on the role of attention in human vision, with secondary interests in developmental psychology and human-machine interaction. Dr. Enns' research interests span perception, attention, vision, cognition, development, and human-machine interaction. His work explores how the human mind selects information, with particular emphasis on visual attention mechanisms. His laboratory research investigates the fundamental processes of visual perception and how attention modulates these processes across different contexts and developmental stages. Analysis of Dr. Enns' publication record reveals consistent engagement with visual perception, attentional mechanisms, and cognitive processing. His research demonstrates expertise in both theoretical frameworks and experimental methodologies related to visual attention, with applications spanning basic cognitive science to potential implementations in human-computer interaction systems. His work often bridges theoretical cognitive psychology with practical applications. Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science Donald O. Hebb Distinguished Contribution Award (2013) Distinguished University Scholar, UBC (2004) Robert E. Knox Master Teaching Award (2004) Royal Society of Canada Fellow (2002) Killam Faculty Research Prize (1994) Killam Faculty Research Fellowship (1993) Society of Experimental Psychology Fellow Dr. Enns has served as Editor for the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, and as Associate Editor for Psychological Science, Consciousness and Cognition, and Visual Cognition. His research has been supported by grants from NSERC, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Australian Research Council, BC Health, and Nissan. He has authored textbooks on perception, edited research volumes on the Development of Attention, and published numerous scientific articles on vision, attention, and cognitive science. Dr. Enns is currently accepting graduate students and continues to mentor the next generation of cognitive scientists. Dr. Enns leads the UBC Vision Lab, which focuses on how the human mind selects information. The lab conducts research on visual attention, perception, and cognitive processes using a variety of experimental methodologies.
Adam Finkelstein is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Princeton University, where he has been a faculty member since 1997. He holds a PhD and Master's in Computer Science from the University of Washington and a dual degree in Physics and Computer Science from Swarthmore College. Finkelstein is renowned for his interdisciplinary work at the intersection of computer graphics, audio processing, and machine learning, and he co-organized the Art of Science exhibition at Princeton. Education: PhD, Computer Science, University of Washington MS, Computer Science, University of Washington BA, Physics and Computer Science, Swarthmore College His research spans audio processing (e.g., speech enhancement, voice conversion, audio metrics), computer graphics (e.g., line drawing algorithms, stylized rendering, image manipulation), and machine learning (e.g., self-supervised learning, differentiable programming). His work often bridges technical and creative domains, exemplified by collaborations at Pixar and Adobe Creative Technologies Lab. Recent publications highlight advancements in audio super-resolution and voice conversion using deep learning frameworks, as well as stylized line rendering for animated 3D models. His contributions to perceptual audio metrics and shader optimization further underscore his impact on human-centric computational systems. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Finkelstein has secured foundational grants for his research and actively mentors students, though no specific advisees are listed. He also explores collaborative tools for internet music performance, reflecting his broader interest in distributed systems and user interfaces.
Tim Van de Cruys is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts, KU Leuven, serving as Head of the Centre for Computational Linguistics (CCL). He maintains significant affiliations with LECTIO (KU Leuven Institute for the Study of the Transmission of Texts, Ideas and Images), Leuven.AI (KU Leuven Institute for Artificial Intelligence), and LILI (KU Leuven Interdisciplinary Language Institute). His work bridges computational linguistics, artificial intelligence, and humanities research with practical applications across multiple disciplines. Dr. Van de Cruys specializes in computational semantics and creative language generation, with particular expertise in applying NLP techniques to historical and classical texts. His research spans multiple domains including: Natural Language Processing for ancient languages (Latin, Ancient Greek) Computational approaches to lexical and compositional semantics Large language models and their applications in humanities research Creative language generation and human-AI collaboration Named entity recognition and disambiguation in historical contexts Non-autoregressive modeling for sequential generation tasks His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying cutting-edge NLP techniques to humanities challenges, particularly in processing ancient languages. He frequently employs transformer models to address named entity recognition, word sense discrimination, and semantic analysis in low-resource language contexts. His work consistently bridges formal linguistic theory with practical computational applications, creating valuable tools for digital humanities scholars. As promotor and co-promotor on numerous research projects extending through 2029, Dr. Van de Cruys supervises PhD students working at the AI-humanities intersection. His current major projects include "Living Corpora" (exploring human-AI collaboration in digital humanities), "Stochastic processes and non-autoregressive models for sequential generation," and "NIKAW" (exploring knowledge networks from classical antiquity). These projects demonstrate his commitment to advancing both theoretical understanding and practical applications of computational linguistics. He teaches various courses including Computational Linguistics, Scripting Languages, Programming for Humanities, Computational Creativity, and AI for Humanities, training students to work at this critical interdisciplinary crossroads. His leadership of the Centre for Computational Linguistics positions him at the forefront of computational linguistics research in Belgium, where he continues to expand the boundaries of what's possible at the intersection of language, computation, and humanistic inquiry.
Gizem Kayişoğlu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering at Istanbul Technical University. Her research focuses on cybersecurity challenges in maritime systems, human error probability, and risk assessment methodologies. She actively explores vulnerabilities in shipboard systems such as ECDIS, VDR, and radar while emphasizing regulatory compliance and maritime safety standards. Her work integrates frameworks like CORAS, Fuzzy FUCOM, and SLIM to address cybersecurity dynamics and human factors in maritime operations. Key collaborations involve analyzing ransomware threats, AIS system vulnerabilities, and port infrastructure protection through interdisciplinary approaches. Her articles highlight trends in maritime cybersecurity, including ransomware mitigation, cyber hygiene practices, and critical infrastructure protection. She has contributed to developing risk assessment tools and checklists tailored for maritime environments, emphasizing both technological and human aspects of safety. No scientific awards have been explicitly mentioned. She has not listed formal advisees, and her professional activities focus on advancing maritime cybersecurity through academic and applied research.
Claudio Canizares is a University Professor and Hydro One Endowed Chair in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He also serves as Executive Director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE). With a career spanning over 30 years, his research focuses on power systems stability, smart grids, microgrids, and renewable energy integration. He has secured nearly $118 million in grants and supervised 180+ researchers/students. Education: PhD (1991) and MSc (1988) in Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison; Electrical Engineering Diploma (1984) from Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ecuador. Research Interests : Nonlinear systems theory, FACTS/HVDC applications, energy storage systems, microgrid stability/control, renewable integration in remote communities, and smart grid analytics. His work emphasizes bridging academic research with industrial applications through collaborations with utilities and tech firms. Key Achievements : IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid Editor-In-Chief; multiple IEEE Fellowships (IEEE, Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering); 2017 IEEE PES Outstanding Educator Award; 2016 IEEE Canada Electric Power Medal. His publications (370+) include landmark papers on microgrid stability definitions and control frameworks, cited over 29,000 times. Teaching: Recently taught ECE 140 (Linear Circuits), ECE 467 (Power Systems Analysis), and graduate courses ECE 6601PD/ECE 6613PD on power systems modeling and analysis.
Atreyi Kankanhalli is a Professor at the National University of Singapore, specializing in Information Systems with a focus on knowledge management, healthcare IT, and digital innovation. Their research spans over three decades, with prolific contributions in top journals like MIS Quarterly, Journal of AIS, and Information & Management. They have co-authored over 150 papers addressing topics such as crowdsourcing, online communities, and the impact of AI on scholarly practices. Notable work includes studies on user adherence to health apps, innovation in public sector data utilization, and the ethical challenges of generative AI in peer review. Kankanhalli has also led research on global virtual teams and digital technologies' role in social justice, reflecting a commitment to both technical and societal dimensions of information systems. Education & Background: While specific degree details are not provided, their extensive publication history and academic roles imply advanced qualifications in Information Systems or related fields. They have collaborated with global researchers across institutions like NUS, University of Illinois, and Singapore Management University. Research Themes: Core areas include digital health interventions (e.g., fitness app adherence), organizational innovation via open data and crowdsourcing, and the socio-technical challenges of AI in academia. Their work often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, such as healthcare decision support systems and policy-driven technology adoption. Impact & Influence: As an editorial board member and frequent conference contributor (e.g., ICIS, PACIS), Kankanhalli shapes the field's research agenda. Their recent focus on generative AI's implications highlights proactive engagement with emerging technologies' ethical and methodological challenges.
Prof. Dr. Michael Gröschel is a Professor of Business Informatics at the Faculty of Computer Science, Mannheim University of Technology. His expertise spans Business Process Management (BPMN, Process Mining), Digital Transformation, and innovative Business Models. He teaches courses on BPM, project management, and e-business, often collaborating with industry clients through student projects. As a consultant, he specializes in BPMN training and IT-driven business strategy. His work emphasizes practical applications of IT tools like RPA and low-code platforms. Recent publications focus on RPA bot performance evaluation, AI in automotive trade, and business model-IT alignment. Prof. Gröschel’s research bridges academic insights with real-world challenges, particularly in leveraging technology for business innovation. He has authored books and articles on business intelligence tools, mobile business strategies, and digital customer care. His consulting services include executive coaching for academic career advancement and enterprise IT management best practices. Office: Building A, Room 007c | Phone: +49 621 292-6764 | Professional website available for further engagement opportunities.
Bilal Farooq is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Engineering in Interdisciplinary Engineering (MEIE) at Toronto Metropolitan University, holding the Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services within the Department of Civil Engineering. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Toronto (2011), MASc from Lahore University of Management Sciences (2004), and BSc from the University of Engineering and Technology (2001). Dr. Farooq's research pioneers disruptive transportation solutions through cyber-physical systems, AI/machine learning applications, behavioral modeling, and optimization techniques. His work specifically targets on-demand multimodal systems, sustainable urban transportation, urban air mobility, automated vehicles, and extended reality applications, addressing critical urban mobility challenges with human-centered approaches. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward quantum-enhanced computational methods, privacy-preserving federated learning frameworks, and sustainability-focused decarbonization strategies across transportation domains, with increasing emphasis on human factors and real-world implementation. Notable scientific awards include: Ontario Early Researcher Award (2018) Canada Research Chair (2017) MassMotion Academic Pedestrian Modelling Project of the Year (2016) Québec Early Researcher Award (2014) Dr. Farooq actively supervises graduate students and secures significant research funding through his Canada Research Chair position and Early Researcher Awards. He directs the Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans), which develops interdisciplinary solutions integrating mathematics, engineering, computer science, and economics to address emerging transportation challenges. LiTrans focuses on disruptive transportation technologies, complete streets design, cyber-physical systems, pedestrian dynamics, resilience, and climate change impacts, collaborating with industry and government partners to translate research into practical urban mobility innovations for smart cities worldwide.
