Dr. Ilya Inishev is a Professor at the Academic Department of Social Sciences, European Humanities University. His work focuses on hermeneutics, phenomenology, film theory, and media studies. He is also a prolific scholar with publications spanning philosophy, cultural theory, and interdisciplinary studies. Research interests include the interplay of materiality and interpretation in Gadamer’s hermeneutics, Heidegger’s influence on Russian philosophy, and the role of visual perception in contemporary culture. His recent work explores distributed imagery, speculative media, and cultural practices. Publications highlight themes like the material dimension of interpretive experience, existential analysis, and comparative philosophy. His interdisciplinary approach bridges aesthetics, technology, and historical studies, as seen in works on AI origins and church-state dynamics under Catherine the Great.
Savin Ivan is an Associate Professor of Quantitative Analytics at ESCP Business School's Madrid Campus, where he teaches Advanced Statistics, Machine Learning, and Innovation and Business Ideas courses. He also directs the Master in Management (MiM) specialization in 'AI and Robotics,' contributing significantly to the school's quantitative analytics curriculum and research initiatives. Education: PhD in Economics (2011) from Justus Liebig University of Giessen (Chair of Econometrics) Habilitation (2017) at KIT with thesis titled 'Applications of Evolutionary Optimization and Modelling in Economics' Savin Ivan's research spans multiple interconnected fields at the intersection of economics, environmental policy, and computational methods. His primary focus centers on the economics of innovation, where he examines how technological change and creative processes drive economic development. He has made significant contributions to environmental economics, particularly regarding climate policy effectiveness and implementation challenges. His work on complex systems applies evolutionary and agent-based modeling approaches to understand economic dynamics that traditional models cannot capture. His research on evolutionary economics explores how economic systems evolve through processes analogous to biological evolution, with particular attention to innovation diffusion and technological trajectories. His methodological expertise in machine learning and computational linguistics enables sophisticated analysis of large datasets related to climate policy and economic behavior. His recent publications reveal a clear trend toward interdisciplinary climate policy research that combines computational linguistics with environmental economics. A significant portion of his work analyzes the content of international climate commitments using text mining techniques. He increasingly investigates the social dimensions of climate policy, examining public opinion, cultural factors, and behavioral responses to different policy instruments. His research also demonstrates growing interest in the intersection of AI and climate policy, including comparing expert recommendations with AI-generated advice. Many of his papers employ agent-based modeling to simulate complex policy scenarios that traditional economic models cannot adequately address. Savin Ivan has built a substantial research portfolio with over 75 articles published in JCR-indexed international journals, including prestigious outlets such as Nature Sustainability, Nature Communications, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and numerous field-specific journals in innovation economics and climate policy. His work appears consistently in Q1 and D1 ranked journals, demonstrating both academic rigor and relevance to pressing societal challenges. Prior to joining ESCP, Ivan held postdoctoral positions at ICTA-UAB working on the ERC project EVOCLIM, where he studied climate policy effectiveness using public and expert surveys combined with artificial intelligence methods. He previously contributed to the KIT-BETA project on general-purpose technologies, creativity, and sustainability, and served as a postdoctoral researcher at Friedrich Schiller University in the Graduate College 'The Economics of Innovative Change.'
Professor Pat Healey is a prominent academic in Human Interaction and Communication Technologies, holding a professorship at Queen Mary University of London's School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. He leads the Centre for Human-Centred Computing, focusing on how digital technologies transform human communication. His research integrates psychological theories with computational models to understand interaction dynamics in diverse contexts, including healthcare, robotics, and creative collaboration. He teaches modules such as Design for Human Interaction and Creative Group Project , emphasizing practical application of communication theories. His work spans theoretical studies (e.g., repair phenomena in dialogue) to applied projects (e.g., smart wearable sensors for social behavior analysis). Key grants include studies on mental health communication, internet standards, and human-robot interaction. Recent publications highlight his focus on organizational communication, gesture analysis, and AI-driven recommendation systems. He collaborates internationally, addressing challenges in healthcare delivery, computational linguistics, and social robotics. His research bridges cognitive science, computer science, and design to create technologies that align with human social and cognitive needs.
Josette Gevers is a Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where she co-chairs the Human Performance Management group within the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences. She is affiliated with the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI), contributing to both the EAISI Foundational and Human Performance Management research lines. Her research centers on the drivers of effective teamwork and performance across diverse team types — including project teams, action teams, science teams, and sports teams — and collaboration forms such as interdisciplinary, inter-organizational, and human-robot collaborations. A central theme is the impact of time-related demands and characteristics on team processes, particularly regarding creativity, innovation, and adaptation. Her work explores intersecting themes like team self-regulation, motivation, cognition, leadership, and learning. She investigates how workplace interventions — such as management practices and technology — can support teams by fostering shared understanding of goals, roles, processes, and identity to enhance integrative and adaptive performance. Her recent publications span high-impact journals and conferences in cognitive science, ergonomics, and environmental innovation. Key trends include the use of real-time coordination measures in human-autonomy teams, multi-level analysis of medical team training, leadership dynamics in emergency management, and governance for energy transition. These works reflect a strong interdisciplinary approach, integrating psychology, engineering, and policy. She is an associate editor of Small Group Research and consulting editor of Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology . Josette Gevers advises students and collaborates on funded research projects such as ORAKLE (supported by the Dutch Research Council), which focuses on organizing knowledge and learning for regional energy transition. She has delivered workshops and talks to help teams improve collaboration. Her research group, Human Performance Management, is embedded in a larger ecosystem of innovation and AI research at TU/e. Her lab and team focus on human performance in complex, dynamic environments, with applications in healthcare, emergency response, energy governance, and human-technology collaboration. She leads a research group that combines experimental, observational, and computational methods to study team coordination and effectiveness.
Mary Pietrowicz is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences at the University of Illinois and a Senior Research Scientist at the Illinois Applied Research Institute. Her interdisciplinary research integrates computational methods with health sciences, focusing on acoustic and behavioral signal analysis for conditions like ALS, schizophrenia, and depression. She earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, an M.S. in Computer Science from Florida Atlantic University, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. Her research explores computational modeling of human expression through speech, movement, and creativity to develop scalable health assessment tools. Key areas include: Machine learning for disease state detection via vocal and kinetic biomarkers Deployable telehealth systems using ubiquitous devices (phones, sensors) Cross-disciplinary applications in neurology, psychiatry, and addiction science Cultural computing through interactive art and sonic installations Her publications reveal a consistent focus on acoustic signal processing applied to neurodegenerative/psychiatric disorders, with innovations in laughter analysis, verbal fluency testing, and real-time health monitoring. Trends include machine learning refinement for clinical diagnostics and multimodal data fusion. She contributes to patented technologies in sensor security, geolocation systems, and speech characterization. At the Illinois Applied Research Institute, she develops deployable health-assessment frameworks and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects bridging engineering, medicine, and digital art.
Dr Catherine Menon is a Reader in the Department of Computer Science, School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. She specialises in the ethics, safety, security and trustworthiness of AI-enabled systems, particularly assistive and rehabilitative robotics, and contributes actively to international robotics standards. Research Interests Menon’s work sits at the intersection of computer science, philosophy and engineering. She investigates how ethical hazards emerge in public-facing AI and how rigorous design can mitigate them. Her recent focus is the interplay between safety, security, ethical and trust requirements in assistive robots used in health and social care. She also explores creative approaches to assurance arguments for safety-critical autonomous systems. She has applied these interests in defence, nuclear and healthcare domains and holds leadership roles on several British and international standards committees (BSI AMT/10, ISO/TC 299, IEEE P7009, IET Safety & Security Code of Practice). Grants & Projects STRAWMAN (PI) – UKRI-funded scoping study for an industry safety standard for assistive robots in health and social care (2024-2025). CuPick (Co-I) – Innovate UK / Glinwell joint project developing robotic cucumber harvesting systems (2019-2022). SocCred (PI) – 5-month feasibility study on safety and social credibility of assistive robots (2019). Standards & Professional Service Member, BSI AMT/10 & AMT/10/1 – UK expert input to ISO/TC 299 (robotics standardisation). Member, IEEE P7009 Working Group – fail-safe design of autonomous systems. Founding member, Safety of Autonomous Systems Working Group. Programme Committee member, International Cross-Industry Safety Committee. Dr Menon has authored over 45 peer-reviewed articles and is regularly invited to speak on AI ethics and safety.
Brian Gill is a Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Mathematics Department at Seattle Pacific University (SPU) since 1999. He teaches probability, statistics, real/complex analysis, differential equations, and vector calculus, while integrating Christian values into a liberal arts framework. PhD in Mathematics (complex analysis) from University at Albany (1999) MS in Biometry and Statistics from University at Albany (1999) MA in Mathematics from University of Kentucky (1994) His research bridges geometric function theory with applied statistics in social sciences and health sciences. Recent work focuses on human-robot interaction (HRI) and human-computer interaction (HCI) , funded by National Science Foundation grants through partnerships with University of Washington labs. Key themes include: Moral accountability of robots Privacy in public spaces Security for implantable medical devices Technologically mediated natural experiences Publications span ACM/IEEE conferences, environmental psychology journals, and mathematical journals like Complex Variables . Outside academia, Dr. Gill prioritizes family life and outdoor activities, aligning with his emphasis on 'God’s creation.'
Dr. Jundong Chen is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the School of Applied Sciences, Dickinson State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Computational Analysis and Modeling from Louisiana Tech University, alongside multiple master's degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Engineering from Louisiana Tech and Qingdao University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on biometric systems, social network analysis, game theory, sentiment analysis, and privacy in online networks. He was promoted to IEEE Senior Member in 2022. Dr. Chen’s academic journey includes a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering from Qingdao University of Science and Technology, followed by advanced degrees at Louisiana Tech University. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications, such as robotics competitions for STEM education and privacy-preserving mechanisms in social networks. His recent publications emphasize multi-stage biometric verification systems, evolutionary game theory modeling of social network dynamics, and sentiment analysis correlations in Twitter interactions. His contributions to continuous authentication via creative writing and enhanced multi-biometric fusion architectures highlight interdisciplinary innovation. Dr. Chen has been recognized for his IEEE Senior Member status, reflecting his scholarly impact. His research portfolio includes over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2004, spanning cybersecurity, signal processing, and educational technology.
Stuti Thapa is an Assistant Professor of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Tulsa, specifically within the Department of Psychology under the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on workplace well-being, emotion dynamics, and cross-cultural approaches to organizational behavior. She holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University, alongside an M.A. and B.A. from Purdue University and St. Olaf College, respectively. Her work employs advanced methodologies such as multilevel modeling, text mining, and machine learning to study temporal variations in individual and organizational outcomes. Notable contributions include exploring personalized happiness metrics, cross-cultural linguistic differences in emotion expression, and the implications of social media on work environments. Dr. Thapa has been recognized with the John and Joyce Schaeuble Award (2023) and Joseph Tiffin Award (2023) for her quantitative research excellence. Her research interests extend to psychometrics, experience sampling methods, and the ethical evaluation of human-machine interactions in moral dilemmas. Beyond academia, she engages in creative activities like painting, crocheting, and gardening, alongside caring for her cat, Moon.
Marc Bravin is a Lecturer at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in the Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology, affiliated with the Digital Business Lab. He is also the Co-Founder & CTO of Gopf AG since 2023. Bravin holds a PhD in AI and Business from the University of Lucerne, alongside Master and Bachelor degrees in Computer Science from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, with an apprenticeship in Computer Science at Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. PhD in AI and Business, University of Lucerne Master of Science in Engineering, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts Apprenticeship in Computer Science, Berufsbildungszentrum Sursee His research focuses on Data Science, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, NLP, Self-Supervised Learning, and Digital Marketing . Key projects include CIRRNET, Health Innovation Transfer Study, Recommender Systems for Food and Telecom, and AI-based Employer Attractivity Benchmarking. He has also contributed to innovative ventures like AI Ice Cream and automated beer recipe generation. His publications span topics such as social media trend analysis, AI creativity, and machine learning applications. Notable works include studies on TikTok content prototypicality and minimal hand pose estimation for touchable systems. Best Poster Video Award (2022) for 'Minimal Hand Pose Estimation' Best Paper in AMA Conference Track (2022) for work on social media creativity Bravin’s career includes roles as a Data Scientist, Research Associate, and Software Developer in firms like Jaywalker Digital AG and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. He collaborates with industry partners such as Prepress Media AG and Betty Bossi, applying AI to real-world challenges. He leads the Digital Business Lab’s initiatives in AI-driven innovation and maintains active involvement in academic-industry partnerships through projects like the Health Innovation Transfer Study.
Hugh Jack is the Cass Balleneger Distinguished Professor at Western Carolina University, serving in the School of Engineering + Technology within the College of Engineering and Technology. He holds a Ph.D. and B.S. in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, respectively, from The University of Western Ontario. His work bridges advanced manufacturing, automation, and innovative pedagogy. Teaching focuses include design, project management, control systems, PLCs, industrial automation, robotics, and mechatronics. Research emphasizes Industry 4.0, IoT, AI in robotics, embedded systems, and PBL methodologies. He pioneered individual lab kit systems for electronics education and led global initiatives like the Fulbright US Scholar Project in Bulgaria. Recent articles highlight his contributions to chatbot integration in engineering education, IoT-driven PBL, and pandemic-era teaching strategies. He actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through service-learning projects and travel courses, fostering sustainability competencies and cultural awareness. As department director, he applies engineering analysis tools to administrative challenges, enhancing program efficiency. His Maker-oriented projects, such as PLC trainers and 3D-printed motorsports components, reflect a commitment to hands-on innovation and accessible learning resources.
Dr. Peter C Y Yau Dr. Peter C Y Yau is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow's Singapore campus. He holds a DBA from the University of Newcastle, Australia, focusing on Financial Technology adoption, alongside an MA in Law and an MMgt in Financial Management. His research spans Web Development, Cloud Computing, IoT, Fintech, and Ethical AI in Education. Roles: Assistant Professor, Amazon AWS Cloud Ambassador, ABET Programs Evaluator Education: DBA (University of Newcastle), BSc (CUHK), MA Law (uLaw), MMgt (MGSM) Research & Teaching His work emphasizes applied learning, including an unmanned smart-tech lab in Hong Kong and Fintech projects using machine learning. He teaches courses like CSC3010 (Information Retrieval) and MEC3361 (Industrial IoT & Data Analytics). Publications & Awards Over 35 publications in journals/conferences since 2020. Notable awards include Microsoft MVP (2024). Active in editorial roles for the Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data . Key Projects First unmanned smart-tech lab in Hong Kong for education Fintech automation project using social sentiment analysis GenDatr: probabilistic medical data visualization
Dr. Debbie Meharg is an Associate Professor at the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment of Edinburgh Napier University. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, management, and research, she serves as Head of Applied Informatics, co-directs the Centre for Creative and Social Informatics , and leads Edinburgh Napier’s iSchools initiatives. Her work focuses on student transitions, digital literacy, and participatory research methods. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) SICSA Education Director Research interests include information science , inclusive education , and digital technology , with a focus on marginalized student populations and graphical methods like photovoice. Her recent publications examine: Transitional barriers for direct-entry students Transactional distance in online learning STEM engagement through co-designed educational tools Key projects include: Library of Inspiration (PI, Royal Academy of Engineering, 2024–2025): A £99,711 initiative providing technology kits to underrepresented 12–13-year-olds Associate Student Project (Scottish Funding Council, 2014–2023): Building FE-HE partnerships for advanced entry computing students Advising : Supervises doctoral research on topics like social robots for well-being and adaptive sound design in video games .
Dr. Başak Aydemir is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences , Faculty of Science, Utrecht University. She works in the Software Production Group , focusing on applying Natural Language Processing , Machine Learning , and Artificial Intelligence to Requirements Engineering problems. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Trento in 2016 and previously worked at Bogaziçi University (2018-2024) before rejoining Utrecht University. Software Development Requirements Engineering Conceptual Modeling Natural Language Processing Life Sciences Her research explores Requirements Engineering through NLP and AI, with recent work on Large Language Models for domain model generation, Robotic Tutors for interview training, and Creativity Techniques in requirements workshops. She investigates ethics-aware systems and multi-agent planning , emphasizing software quality and empirical validation. Recent publications span IEEE RE , REFSQ , and Empirical Software Engineering journals. Key trends include NLP-driven requirement analysis , interactive training systems , and gamified platforms for change management. She co-organized the AIRE 2024 and NLP4RE 2021 workshops. She teaches courses in Method and Model-Driven Engineering , contributes to Business Informatics programs, and is available at Room 5.82, Buys Ballot Building, Utrecht.
Dr. Lakshmi Prayaga is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cybersecurity and Information Technology at the University of West Florida, part of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. She is based in Building 4, Room 437, and can be reached at lprayaga@uwf.edu . Education: Ed.D. in Instructional Technology, University of West Florida M.S. in Software Engineering, University of West Florida MBA, Alabama A&M University M.A. in Philosophy, Bangalore University, India B.A. in Liberal Arts, Osmania University, India Dr. Prayaga's research focuses on the integration of advanced technologies—such as robotics, augmented reality, 3D printing, data visualization, game programming, and computer-mediated simulations—into educational and workforce training contexts. Her work aims to enhance comprehension, develop cognitive skills, and make technology accessible through innovative platforms like tele-robotics. She emphasizes practical, hands-on learning experiences that bridge theory and application in instructional and applied technologies. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in using interactive and immersive technologies to transform education and training. Topics include game-based learning, web development pedagogy, data visualization in social media, and the use of 3D printing and robotics in curricula. These works span disciplines such as computer science education, cognitive development, workforce technology, and instructional design, demonstrating a multidisciplinary approach to educational innovation. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Dr. Prayaga is actively involved in curriculum development and teaching graduate-level courses such as Information Engineering Technology, Exploring the Internet, Web Server Technologies, and Game Programming 2 (3D Game Studio), most of which she designed. She has co-authored books on robotics, Android app development, game programming, and web technologies. While specific grant funding and advisees are not mentioned, her extensive publication record and course leadership indicate a strong commitment to academic mentorship and research leadership. She contributes to advancing accessible and inclusive educational technologies, particularly through her tele-robotics platform, which reduces infrastructure costs and broadens access to robotics education. Her interdisciplinary work connects computer science, education, and cognitive science, positioning her as a key contributor to technology-enhanced learning environments.
