Katherine M. Graham is a Senior Lecturer in English (Theatre) at the University of Westminster. She co-directs the Queer London Research Forum and convenes the School of Humanities EDI Working Group , focusing on social justice and queer historiography. Education: PhD in Theatre Studies (Birkbeck/RADA, 2015); MA in Text and Performance Studies (KCL/RADA, 2012); MA in Cultural & Critical Studies (Birkbeck, 2010); BA Hons in English Literature (University of Westminster, 2007). Her research bridges queer theory and Early Modern drama , particularly exploring: Queer grief and non-linear narrative structures Queer temporalities in London's history Revenge tragedy's gendered and temporal disruptions Contemporary reworkings of Jacobean texts Recent publications include a chapter in the forthcoming Palgrave Handbook of Literary Memory Studies (2025) and contributions to edited collections like Sex, Time and Place (2016). Her work frequently appears in Early Theatre and Critical Survey . She integrates academic practice with theatre reviewing for The Morning Star and podcast contributions, maintaining a public-facing intellectual presence.
Chris P. Long is a Professor of Management at St. John's University's Peter J. Tobin College of Business and Director of the Executive-in-Residence Program. He holds a PhD in Management from Duke University, an MPP from Harvard University, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. Previously, he served as a faculty member at Georgetown University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Duke University. Education: PhD, Management, Duke University; MPP, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; BA (Hons), Political Science, University of Connecticut. His research focuses on leadership in complex business environments, organizational design, and the interplay between control systems, trust, and fairness. Recent work explores institutional contradictions, trust attractors, and multilevel control-trust dynamics, with applications in public sector organizations and human-automated systems. Professor Long has received multiple teaching awards, including Teacher of the Year at St. John's and Georgetown Business Schools. He was also named one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors in the U.S. by Poets & Quants (2022). His military service spans over 20 years as an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and Air Force Reserve, focusing on national defense operations and research. Key Awards: Teacher of the Year, St. John's University Business School Teacher of the Year, Georgetown University Business School Poets & Quants Top 50 Undergraduate Professors (2022)
Anne Cormier is a Full Professor at the School of Architecture within the Faculty of Planning at Université de Montréal, where she served as Director from 2007 to 2015. She is a founding member of Atelier Big City since 1987, an architectural studio focused on developing innovative intervention strategies and exploring the potential of public spaces through competitions, idea calls, exploratory studies, and direct commissions. Her work has earned numerous distinctions including the Prix de Rome from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Grand Prix d'Excellence from the Ordre des Architectes du Québec. She holds an architecture degree from McGill University and studied urban architecture under Jean-Louis Cohen at the Unité Pédagogique d'Architecture Paris-Villemin in France. Her professional experience includes teaching invitations at Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Toronto, and University of Calgary. She has served on the Bureau of the Ordre des Architectes du Quebec (1993-1995), editorial boards of journals ARQ (1993-present) and Trames (1990-95), and currently serves on the OAQ Competitions Committee (since 2009) and the Advisory Committee on Urban Planning, Design and Real Estate of the National Capital Commission (Ottawa) (since 2008). Cormier's research focuses on social housing as a space for creation, innovation, and criticism in Canadian city centers and contemporary architectural projects. Her work combines relevant thematic research with inventive use of materials and assemblies, guided by Atelier Big City's slogan 'Make architecture a public policy,' emphasizing architecture's public dimension. She is deeply involved in documenting and analyzing contemporary architectural design approaches, particularly in competition settings, with a focus on Canadian and Quebec cultural contexts. Her recent publications demonstrate consistent engagement with social housing, urban architecture, architectural competitions, and the relationship between architecture and public policy. The recurring themes across her work include the exploration of social housing as a creative space, the integration of architecture into urban environments, and the critical examination of architectural practice through competitions and design processes. Her publications span architectural theory, social housing, urban design, and architectural competitions, reflecting her commitment to making architecture a public policy. Her scientific recognition includes: Prix de Rome du Conseil de Arts du Canada Grand Prix d'excellence de l'Ordre des Architectes du Québec Prix Margolese National Design for Living (2017) Multiple Governor General's Medals Canadian Architect Excellence Awards Cormier has supervised PhD students including Shannon Pirie (2016) on 'Finding the idea of home,' and has secured significant research funding including SSHRC Partnership Grants for 'Quality in Canada's Built Environment: Roadmaps to Equity, Social Value and Sustainability' (2022-2028) and 'Potentiels de la qualité architecturale' (2022-2027). Her work bridges academic research, professional practice, and public engagement, contributing significantly to architectural discourse in Canada and internationally. She is actively involved with LEAP (Laboratoire d'étude de l'architecture potentielle), where her research focuses on social housing as a space for creation, innovation, and criticism in Canadian urban centers. The laboratory's work examines contemporary architectural projects through four research axes: reasoned digital documentation and analysis of architectural projects, critical history of contemporary Canadian architecture, development of research-creation works, and development of pedagogical devices for architectural design teaching and reflective practices in planning.
Juli Mansnérus is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Law, specializing in Medical and Biolaw. She serves as a Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Law and teaches across multiple legal disciplines including Medical and Biolaw, Intellectual Property Law, Consumer Law, and European Law. Her work bridges legal frameworks with emerging biomedical technologies and healthcare innovations. Dr. Mansnérus' research focuses on the intersection of law, medicine, and ethics, particularly examining regulatory challenges in genomic data, advanced therapies, and pharmaceutical products. Her work spans bioethics, intellectual property in life sciences, and European health data governance. She has made significant contributions to understanding off-label drug use, patient autonomy in innovative therapies, and the legal implications of AI in healthcare. Her publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with 30 research items spanning from 2012 to 2025, showing increasing focus on medical law and bioethics. Recent work reveals a growing emphasis on European regulatory frameworks, particularly regarding genomic data, advanced therapy medicinal products, and the balance between innovation and patient protection. Juridiska föreningen i Finlands litteraturpris (2016) Oikeusvaikuttajatunnustus/ Legal Influencer Award (2019) Dr. Mansnérus actively contributes to the academic community through multiple advisory roles and organizational memberships. She serves on the Upphovsrättsrådet (Copyright Council) from 2020-2024, previously served on the IPR University Center board (2020-2022) and Nuorten Tiedeakatemia (2019-2023), and was an expert for the Finnish Bar Association (2018-2020). She currently participates in the DECIDER research project (2021-2026) focused on overcoming chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer through data integration. Her work extends to public engagement through media appearances and invited talks, including discussions on the impact of EU regulations on advanced therapy medical products and legal perspectives on potency assays for stem cell therapies.
Dr. Can Liu is an Assistant Professor at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong, where she leads the ERFI Lab (Laboratory of Empirical Research for Future Interfaces). Her research focuses on designing future interfaces for ubiquitous technologies through empirical understanding of human cognition and behavior, with emphasis on multimodal interaction combining physical and digital elements. Education: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Université Paris-Sud (France), INRIA labs ex)situ and ILDA MSc in Media Informatics, RWTH Aachen University (Germany) Dr. Liu's research spans three primary domains: AI-assisted Input (using LLMs/NLP to enhance text manipulation and speech interfaces), Spatial Computing (multimodal interfaces for AR/VR and large displays), and Hybrid/Remote Collaboration (supporting intuitive remote interaction through understanding collocated collaboration). Her work integrates empirical user studies with real-world system deployments in public spaces. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends toward LLM-integrated interfaces, wearable computing applications, and novel interaction techniques for foldable devices. Her team consistently publishes at top venues including CHI, UIST, and CSCW, with increasing focus on practical AI integration for everyday tasks. Awards and Recognition: Best Paper Award at ACM CHI 2014 (top 1%) Honourable Mention at ACM CHI 2012 (top 5%) Dr. Liu actively mentors PhD students and researchers while securing substantial research funding including Google Faculty Research Awards, National Natural Science Foundation grants, and RGC Early Career Schemes. She serves on numerous program committees including ACM CHI (Associate Chair 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017) and co-organizes research initiatives like the HCIX Summer Research Program. Her laboratory ecosystem includes the ERFI Lab, affiliation with the Augmented Materiality Lab and Kowloon Interaction Center, and active participation in the Greater Bay HCI community, supporting both fundamental research and industry collaboration with partners including Google, Huawei, and Lenovo.
Heather D. Gautney is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Fordham University, where she teaches courses in Social Movements, Transnational Social Movements, Sociological Theory, Inequality in America, Political Sociology on Film, International Sociology, and Introduction to Sociology. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the CUNY Graduate Center and maintains an office at Lowenstein 923B on Fordham's Lincoln Center campus. Dr. Gautney has extensive experience bridging academic scholarship with political engagement, having served as a senior policy advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders during multiple campaigns and in the US Senate Budget Committee. She was co-chair of the President Biden-Sen. Sanders Education Task Force, a senior researcher on Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign, and served on Democratic Party platform committees in both 2016 and 2020. From 2012-2013, she was the ASA/AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow in Sanders's Senate office. Her research focuses on social movements, political sociology, inequality, globalization, and political theory. Dr. Gautney's scholarly work examines how grassroots movements interact with formal political institutions, with particular attention to power structures in contemporary society. Her publications reveal consistent themes of analyzing elite power structures, social inequality, and strategies for progressive political change. Dr. Gautney has authored several influential books including Crashing the Party: From the Bernie Sanders Campaign to a Progressive Movement (Verso, 2018), Protest and Organization in the Alternative Globalization Era (Palgrave Macmillan), Democracy, States, and the Struggle for Global Justice (Routledge), and Implicating Empire (Basic Books). Her most significant recent work, The New Power Elite (Oxford University Press, 2022), provides a contemporary analysis of power structures in the neoliberal era. Bernie Sanders campaign policy advisor (2015-2016) Co-chair, Biden-Sanders Education Task Force Democratic Party platform committee member (2016, 2020) Executive Director of Our Revolution Dr. Gautney regularly contributes opinion pieces to major publications including The Nation, Washington Post, New York Times, and CNN, focusing on economic inequality, political movements, and democratic reform. Her work demonstrates a consistent commitment to connecting scholarly analysis with practical political engagement.
Vicky McArthur is an Associate Professor at Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication, specializing in Media Production and Design with cross-appointment in Communication and Media Studies. She co-directs the MARVEL Lab, a leading facility for mixed/augmented reality and virtual environments research. Research Interests : Her work bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with game design, digital humanities, and immersive storytelling. Key areas include: Augmented and Virtual Reality systems Avatar-mediated communication Cultural analysis of digital media Visual language learning frameworks Funding & Collaboration : Currently supported by SSHRC, NSERC, and CFI grants, her research involves international partnerships like the 2024 Nara Institute collaboration in Japan. Her lab features optical tracking, MoCap suits, and HMD fleets for cutting-edge experiments. Scientific Recognition : Awards include: Young Network Investigator (2014, GRAND-NCE) Research Achievement Award (2021) Research Excellence Award (2022) Multiple ACM Best Paper honours Publication Diversity : Publishes in ACM CHI, IEEE Visualization, Frontiers in Psychology, and cultural studies venues like ISEA and Replaying Japan, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach.
Elgin Cleckley is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Undergraduate Program Director at the University of Virginia's School of Architecture, leading _mpathic design—a multi-award-winning pedagogy, initiative, and professional practice focused on creating inclusive spaces through community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Education: Princeton University, Master of Architecture Fontainebleau School of Visual Arts, Fontainebleau, France University of Virginia, Bachelor of Science in Architecture His research pioneers empathic design methodologies that bridge architecture, social justice, and health. Key areas include inclusive spatial design, museum innovation (e.g., Weston Family Innovation Centre), and architectural pedagogy that integrates health equity and racial justice. Collaborations span UVa’s School of Medicine, Equal Justice Initiative, and global institutions, emphasizing co-creation with marginalized communities. Scientific Awards: UVa’s Alumni Board of Trustees Teaching Award (highest honor for Assistant Professors) UVa’s School of Architecture Research + Scholarship Award ACSA Award for Creative Achievement, Diversity Achievement, and Faculty Design (x2) Dumbarton Oaks Mellon Fellowship at Harvard University MacDowell, Loghaven, Art Omi, Anderson Center, and Good Hart Fellowships US Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award AIA Virginia Award Cleckley directs _mpathic design’s grant-funded projects, including an NEA Grant for his book Empathic Design: Perspectives on Creating Inclusive Spaces (Island Press). His practice advises UVa students while partnering with Dartmouth, Farmers Footprint, Albemarle County Public Schools, and the City of Charlottesville on the Memorial for Peace and Justice. Current grants support permanent installations at the Royal Museum Greenwich and upcoming projects at the Charles Wright African American Museum. _mpathic design operates as a transdisciplinary lab, with works exhibited at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and Toronto Metropolitan University. The initiative maintains active teams collaborating with UVa’s Center for Community Partnerships and international design boards, focusing on future projects through 2029 including the Royal Museum Greenwich’s National Maritime Museum expansion.
Diana D'Amico Pawlewicz, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Educational Foundations and Research Program at the University of North Dakota (College of Education & Human Development). She serves as Director of the Doctor of Education Degree Program and founded the Initiative for Rural Education, Equity, & Economic Development (I-REEED). Ph.D., New York University Research/Areas of Interest : History of Education and Social Policy Politics of Education School Reform and Education Policy Teacher Unions, Preparation, and Policy Race, Equity, and Social Justice Her research focuses on education as a social good intertwined with community health, economic development, and social justice. She examines how institutions address or perpetuate inequality through historical and interdisciplinary frameworks. Her publications analyze teacher blame, labor dynamics, and policy failures in American education from the Progressive Era to the present. Recent work includes the book Panic at the Schoolhouse! How the Politics of Fear Shaped American Public Education and Polarized the Nation, 1945 to the Present and a co-edited volume on school safety. Her scholarship has appeared in History of Education Quarterly , Harvard Education Review , and national outlets like TIME and Washington Post . Scientific Awards: Chester Fritz Distinguished Faculty Lecture (2020) B.C. Gamble Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research or Creative Activity, and Service (2024) She has received funding from the Spencer Foundation and other organizations. I-REEED, which she directs, produces actionable research for rural educators and communities.
Lauren M. Cramer is an Assistant Professor in the Cinema Studies Institute at the University of Toronto, affiliated with Innis College. Her work focuses on the aesthetics of Blackness, hip-hop visual culture, and spatial practices, with a particular emphasis on digital visual culture. She is a founding member of the liquid blackness research collective and co-editor of the liquid blackness: journal of aesthetics and black studies (Duke University Press). Her current book project explores hip-hop visual culture and Black spatial practices. Dr. Cramer’s research has been published in Journal of Cinema and Media Studies , Black Camera , and Los Angeles Review of Books , among others. She has co-edited special journal issues including “Close-Up: Contemporary Black Horror” (2023) and “ Modes of Black Liquidity: Music Video as Black Art” (2020). Her writing critically examines topics such as racial representation in cinema, anti-Black violence, and the intersections of art and Black studies. Awards include the 2020 Connaught New Researcher Award. She holds a PhD from Georgia State University, an MA from Emory University, and a BA from Villanova University. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges film studies, cultural theory, and visual arts, with a focus on Black creative practices and their socio-political dimensions.
Dr. Tom Buckley is an Associate Professor in International Business (Strategy and Marketing) at the University of Sussex Business School. He joined Sussex as a Senior Lecturer in 2022 after serving as a Lecturer in International Business Strategy at the University of Sheffield Management School from 2018 to 2022. His academic background includes a PhD from the University of Reading (2012–2016), an MA from Durham University (2009–2010), and a BA from Newcastle University (2006–2009). He holds a PGCert from the University of Sheffield. Buckley’s research focuses on International Business History, Contemporary and Historical Philanthropy, the Retail Industry, and the Strategic Management of Multinational Companies. Current projects include studying European philanthropy and the international history of retail. He co-edits a special issue of the Journal of Business Ethics on Responsible and Irresponsible Business in Times of Conflict. His work explores intersections between business practices, cultural dynamics, and historical contexts. He has published extensively on topics ranging from pharmaceutical industry histories to family firm identity work and cashless payment transitions. His recent work highlights themes such as techno-nationalism, cultural policy, and global supply chain strategies. Buckley is actively involved in professional activities, including membership in the Economic History Society, the Business History Conference, and roles on committees like the Krooss Dissertation Prize Committee and the ABH Council.
Mary Simonson holds the Daniel C. Benton ’80 Endowed Chair in Arts, Creativity, and Innovation and serves as Professor of Film and Media Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Colgate University, where her work bridges historical performance studies with media analysis. Education: Doctorate in Critical and Comparative Studies in Music, University of Virginia Research Focus: Professor Simonson specializes in performance across media during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with particular emphasis on American filmic, musical, and cultural contexts. Her scholarship investigates the interplay between live performance and mediated forms in early entertainment cultures, including musicals, dance, and silent cinema. Current research examines vocal technologies in 1920s American silent films, while her foundational work explores intermediality in pre-1917 entertainment. Key methodologies integrate gender studies, musicology, and film history to analyze how performance knowledge circulated across emerging media platforms. Professional Leadership: She serves on the Council of the American Musicological Society and chairs the Society for American Music’s Music, Sound, and Media Interest Group. Previously, she led the New York State-St. Lawrence Chapter of the American Musicological Society as president and co-founded the Mellon Humanities Corridor Performance/History Faculty Working Group. Educational initiatives include directing Colgate’s Film and Media Studies New York City Study Group and co-organizing an immersive Cannes Film Festival program with the Gotham Film & Media Institute.
Giulia Calabretta is an Associate Professor at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), affiliated with the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering and the Department of Design, Organisation and Strategy. Her research focuses on strategic design, design thinking, sustainability, and innovation management. She actively contributes to courses such as 'Strategic Value of Design' and supervises graduation projects. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly in areas like circular economy, sustainable business models, and design-led organizational transformation. Key contributions include studies on consumer co-creation processes, the role of digital technologies in design thinking, and frameworks for addressing sustainability challenges. Giulia’s research emphasizes the integration of design methodologies into innovation strategies, with notable projects exploring the implementation of tactical sustainability tools and the impact of creative practices during organizational crises. She collaborates with academic and industry partners to advance strategic design practices and has published extensively in top-tier journals. Her office is located in room 32.B-4-050 at TU Delft.
Fortune Nwaiwu is a Researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath. He holds a PhD in Economics and Management from Tomas Bata University, an MBA from Nyenrode Business University, and a Master's in Security and Risk Management from the University of Leicester. His research focuses on digital transformation, Industry 4.0/5.0, ICT for Development (ICT4D), and sustainable energy transitions in Africa. He is part of the Made Smarter Innovation Centre, collaborating with UK manufacturing companies to study digital technology adoption metrics. Education: PhD in Economics and Management, Tomas Bata University (2017–2021) MBA in International Business Administration, Nyenrode Business University (2014–2015) MSc in Security and Risk Management, University of Leicester (2013–2015) Research interests include digital technologies' societal and industrial impacts, sustainable development, and policy frameworks for digitalization. His work contributes to UN SDGs related to sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and innovation. He has authored over 16 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on digital transformation metrics, Industry 4.0 success factors, and ICT policy in developing regions. Collaborations include the Made Smarter Innovation project, funded by EPSRC, which explores people-centric digital success metrics in manufacturing. His research bridges academic theory and industrial practice, emphasizing human-centric approaches to digitalization.
Dr Nicole Canham is a Lecturer in classical performance and career development at Monash University, with dual expertise as a musician and academic. She specializes in musicians' career development, precarious work, and gender equity in the arts. Her research bridges vocational psychology and music careers, informed by her experiences as a performer, festival director, and educator. Canham holds a PhD from the University of Queensland and has presented globally at ISME and Reflective Conservatoire Conferences. Education PhD, University of Queensland (2016) Prix de Perfectionnement, CNR de Versailles (2003) Graduate Diploma in Careers Education, RMIT University (2019) Research Interests Canham's work focuses on self-directed career strategies for artists, gender diversity in jazz, and the impact of precarious work on creative industries. She has pioneered frameworks connecting music careers with vocational psychology, emphasizing hope action theory and narrative approaches to professional development. Awards 2024 QS Reimagine Education Silver Finalist 2016 Peggy Glanville Hicks Lecture State finalist, Telstra Young Businesswoman of the Year Canberra Critic's Circle Award Grants & Projects Chief Investigator on ARC-funded Gender Diversity in Australian Jazz (2021-2025). Co-authored Preparing Musicians for Precarious Work (Routledge, 2022). Former Artistic Director of Canberra International Music Festival (2005-2008), achieving record attendance and critical acclaim. Professional Practice Freelance orchestral musician (Sydney, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras), chamber musician, and certified Hope Action Theory practitioner. Active in new music advocacy, having premiered over 30 works by contemporary composers.
