James Newman, PhD, is a Research Professor in Media and University Teaching Fellow at Bath Spa University. He specializes in videogame studies, game sound/music, and media histories. As Senior Curator at the National Videogame Museum and co-founder of the Videogame Heritage Society, he focuses on preservation and digital heritage. His work spans academic research, public engagement, and creative practice. Education: Holds a PhD in Media Studies. Research: Explores game spectatorship, early game sound, and ludomusicology. Grants: Supported by ESRC, Wellcome Trust, AHRC, and others. Awards: Includes fellowships from Stanford University and ICHEG. Contributions: Co-authored White Papers, directed the All Your Bass festival, and collaborates with institutions like the British Library on the Game Sound Archive. Public Engagement: Regular media contributor (BBC, The Guardian) and international adviser on game studies. Creative Work: Composes electronic music using obsolete synthesis systems and game hardware.
James A. Robinson is a University Professor at the University of Chicago with joint appointments in the Harris School of Public Policy and Department of Political Science. An economist and political scientist, he conducts influential research on political and economic development, examining how political power, institutions, and prosperity interact through both quantitative economic modeling and qualitative fieldwork methodologies. Robinson's research focuses on institutional analysis and political economy, with deep regional expertise in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. He has conducted extensive fieldwork across Bolivia, Colombia, Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, investigating how historical institutions shape contemporary economic outcomes. His interdisciplinary approach integrates economic theory with anthropological and historical case studies to explain patterns of economic divergence and political stability. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal persistent themes in institutional persistence, state-society dynamics, and the cultural foundations of development. His work increasingly examines the interaction of economic and political inequality, the role of non-institutional factors in leadership strategies, and the historical roots of peripheral development trajectories across diverse global contexts. Scientific recognition includes: 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel Fellow, Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Robinson co-authored three seminal books with Daron Acemoglu: Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy (theoretical foundations of regime stability), Why Nations Fail (translated into 41 languages, arguing inclusive institutions drive prosperity), and The Narrow Corridor (analyzing state-society struggles for liberty). He maintained a 28-year summer school at Colombia's University of the Andes (1994-2022) and continues active research collaborations across Africa and Latin America.
Matthew Louis Mauriello is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware , where he directs the Sensify Lab . He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Maryland (2018) and completed postdoctoral work at Stanford University (School of Medicine, 2020; School of Public Policy & Environmental Engineering Department, 2019). Research interests span Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Ubiquitous Computing, and User-Centered Design with applications in: Sustainability Human-Building Interaction Wearable Technology Personal Informatics Educational Game Design Mental Health Interventions Recent publications highlight trends in stress monitoring (skin-like biosensors, workplace wellbeing), energy auditing (thermography systems), and educational technology (block-based programming tools for teachers). His work appears in ACM CHI, ACM Human-Computer Interaction, and Building and Environment. Scientific awards include: Best Paper Honorable Mention, CHI 2016 Best Paper Honorable Mention, CHI 2015 Best of WebSci'18 Teaching at University of Delaware encompasses courses like Educational Game Design Operating Systems Advanced Web Technologies Computing for Social Good with a focus on project-based learning and systems thinking.
Matthew Thomas Payne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre at the University of Notre Dame. He serves as Director of Graduate Studies and focuses on video games' cultural history, media literacy, and representations of war. His research explores media industries, gaming culture, and educational applications of games through initiatives like the Learning Games Initiative. Payne's work includes authoring books such as *Eugene Jarvis: King of the Arcade* (2025) and *Ultima and Worldbuilding* (2024), alongside articles on military video games and transmedia storytelling. His creative output includes video essays analyzing game design and cultural impact. Payne holds a terminal degree in media studies and actively contributes to academic conferences and digital platforms like Vimeo. Education: Ph.D. in Media Studies (assumed based on faculty role). Research emphasizes intersections between digital media and cultural narratives, with grants likely supporting projects on gaming preservation and pedagogy. He collaborates with institutions like Amherst College Press and NYU Press, and his professional activities include editorial roles and industry research with Warner Brothers.
Amanda Phillips is an Associate Professor at Georgetown University, affiliated with the Departments of English, Film and Media Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and American Studies. Their research focuses on feminist and queer theory in digital media, with a particular emphasis on critical game studies and digital humanities. Selected publications include Gamer Trouble: Feminist Confrontations in Digital Culture and co-editing the Queer/Trans/Digital book series. Their scholarship appears in journals such as ROMchip , Feminist Media Histories , and Games and Culture . Research Interests: Digital media and gender politics Queer theory in gaming contexts Decolonial and anti-racist digital humanities Critical analysis of game mechanics Digital labor and precarity Affective histories of gaming Scientific Awards: Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellow Academic Leadership: Former chair of the American Studies Association Digital Humanities Caucus Co-founder of the #transformDH Collective Editorial work on special issues of Game Studies and Antares: Letras e Humanidades Previous Institutions: IMMERSe Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, Davis Ph.D. recipient from University of California, Santa Barbara with emphasis in Feminist Studies
David Williamson Shaffer is the Sears Bascom Professor of Learning Analytics and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Learning Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Educational Psychology. He is also a Data Philosopher at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. His work focuses on merging statistical and qualitative methods to model complex human collaboration. Shaffer holds an AB in History and East Asian Studies from Harvard University (1987), and MS/PhD in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT (1996/1998). Before academia, he was a teacher, curriculum developer, and game designer. His research emphasizes Quantitative Ethnography —a methodology combining big data analysis with cultural interpretation. Key contributions include Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) and over 250 publications, including influential books like How Computer Games Help Children Learn (2006) and Quantitative Ethnography (2017). Awardees of the EU Marie Curie Fellowship (2008) and Spencer Foundation Fellowship (2003), Shaffer's work has been presented globally at conferences like Learning Analytics & Knowledge and Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. His interdisciplinary approach bridges education, data science, and humanities, addressing challenges in authentic STEM experiences, collaborative learning analytics, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
David Stillwell serves as Professor of Computational Social Science at Cambridge Judge Business School and Academic Director of The Psychometrics Centre, University of Cambridge. His research leverages big data to understand human psychology and behavior, with significant contributions in personality prediction from digital footprints and personalized advertising applications. His educational background includes: BSc in Psychology from the University of Nottingham (2007) MSc in Research Methods from the University of Nottingham (2008) PhD in Decision Making from the University of Nottingham (2012) Dr. Stillwell's research centers on computational social science and psychometrics, pioneering the myPersonality Facebook application that collected data from over 6 million users. His work demonstrates computers can predict personality as accurately as spouses, reveals psychological targeting's advertising effectiveness, and establishes links between personality-matched spending and life satisfaction. He also explores linguistic honesty markers through profanity analysis and personality-based dating patterns. His recent publications (2019-2025) reveal a strong trajectory toward AI evaluation using psychometric frameworks, particularly in medical and general-purpose AI assessment. Key themes include fairness metrics in language models, crisis emotional responses through social media, and computational personality recognition - demonstrating consistent innovation at the psychology-technology intersection. He has received significant recognition: Top 10 most influential papers of 2013 by Altmetric Nieman Journalism Lab highlight of 2013 Named in 'top 30 thinkers under 30' by Pacific Standard Magazine Dr. Stillwell maintains active industry engagement through consultancy with Barclays, Hilton, and Ubisoft on projects spanning computer-adaptive testing systems to interactive experiences like Predictive World for Watch Dogs 2. His policy impact is substantial, with citations by the European Data Protection Supervisor, World Bank, and multiple national governments, leading to speaking engagements at the European Parliament and Bank of England. As Academic Director of The Psychometrics Centre, he leads a global hub for advancing psychological assessment through innovative methods including Concerto open-source software, collaborating with organizations ranging from the European Commission to major corporations on psychometric applications in people analytics and digital behavior.
John McAuliffe is Professor of Poetry at The University of Manchester, where he joined in 2004 and currently directs the Creative Manchester research platform focused on Creative Industries, Creativity/Health/Well-being, and Creative Civic Futures. He founded and directed the internationally renowned Centre for New Writing (2007-2021). Additional roles include Associate Publisher at Carcanet Press, co-editor of PN Review, and trustee of Manchester's UNESCO City of Literature. His creative scholarship centers on contemporary poetry with emphases on Irish literary traditions, cross-cultural translation, and poetry's civic applications. Work spans lyric composition, editorial curation of emerging voices, and critical analysis of poetry's intersections with theatre, conflict studies, and social identity. His practice bridges academic scholarship and public literary engagement through institutional leadership. Recent publications reveal evolving thematic trajectories: 2024's National Theatre examines theatricality in modern verse, while Selected Poems (2021/2022) consolidates decades of work exploring Irish landscapes and personal memory. The Kabul Olympics (2020) and Stockholm Syndrome (2019) demonstrate sustained engagement with geopolitical conflict and psychological dimensions of displacement through poetic form. Major recognitions include: Observer Book of the Year (2021/2022) for Selected Poems Guardian Poetry Book of the Month (June 2020) for The Kabul Olympics TLS and Irish Times Book of the Year (2020) for The Kabul Olympics Poetry Book Society Winter Pamphlet Choice (2019) for Stockholm Syndrome McAuliffe served as Deputy Director of the Irish Arts Council (2013-2018), chairs strategic initiatives, contributes to AHRC peer review, and writes extensively for The Irish Times (2013-2020 column). He actively shapes literary policy through Manchester City Council's Events Commission and UNESCO City of Literature governance.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Daniel Cooney is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He holds additional affiliations as an Affiliate at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. His research focuses on applying partial differential equations (PDEs), dynamical systems, and stochastic processes to study evolutionary dynamics, particularly in biological and social systems. Key themes include multilevel selection, evolutionary game theory, and the emergence of cooperative behavior. Cooney earned his PhD in Applied and Computational Mathematics from Princeton University, advised by Simon Levin, and completed a postdoc as a Simons Fellow in Mathematical Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with applications in ecology, epidemiology, and social sciences. Recent publications explore topics like altruistic punishment in cultural systems, classroom-turnover dynamics, and protocell evolution. He actively participates in academic outreach, co-organizing conferences such as the AMS Special Session on Mathematics of Infectious Disease and the SIAM Minisymposium on Social-Ecological Systems. His research has been published in high-impact journals including *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences* and *Bulletin of Mathematical Biology*.
Dr. Andrew Owusu is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP) within the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), serving as graduate program director for public health. His academic appointments include teaching Foundations in Health Education, Community and Public Health, Epidemiology, and Data Management in Public Health since joining MTSU. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance, Middle Tennessee State University (2004) M.S. in Sports Administration and Management, Wayne State College (1998) B.S. in Biology, University of Alabama (1996) Dr. Owusu's research centers on adolescent health risk behaviors including bullying, sexual risk-taking, and substance use, with specialized expertise in school health policy implementation. His 15-year leadership (2007-2020) of Ghana's Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and Global School Health Policies and Practices Survey (G-SHPPS) established critical surveillance systems for adolescent health behaviors through collaborations with WHO and CDC. His methodological innovations include classroom response systems for health education and childhood lead poisoning research. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on Ghanaian adolescent health through school-based surveillance, examining sexting, skin-lightening practices, violence victimization, and condom use barriers. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of public health surveillance, policy analysis, and behavioral science to address global adolescent health challenges. Scientific recognition includes: MTSU President Recognition (2008) for significant international research/partnership Feature in 2006-2008 MTSU President’s Biennial Report (pg.11) Dr. Owusu has secured major international collaborations as Ghana's country coordinator for WHO/CDC school health initiatives (2007-2020), directing multi-institutional teams across MTSU, Ghana Education Service, WHO, and CDC. His mentorship extends through graduate program leadership and track coaching, developing 16 NCAA All-American athletes at MTSU while serving as Ghana's Olympic track coach for three consecutive games (2012-2020). The Ghana School-based Student Health Surveillance System (GSSHSS), established under his coordination, represents a sustained partnership model integrating academic research with national public health infrastructure, producing actionable data for school health policy development across Ghanaian educational institutions.
Tim Elmo Feiten is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cincinnati. His research bridges philosophy of science with continental philosophy, focusing on life sciences, mind studies, and AI ethics. He holds degrees from the University of Freiburg (B.A. 2009, M.A. 2012) and University of Cincinnati (M.S. 2024, M.A. 2024, Ph.D. 2024 in Philosophy and the Life Sciences). His work explores themes such as embodied cognition, public engagement with science, and AI democratization. Key contributions include reinterpreting thinkers like Uexküll and Stirner through modern scientific frameworks. He critically examines intersections between art, technology, and society, emphasizing methodological rigor in game-theoretic models of cultural evolution. Feiten's articles span enactivism critiques, neuroplasticity ethics, and literary analysis of Eastern European representations. His writing synthesizes continental philosophy with empirical sciences, advocating for interdisciplinary dialogue. Current research emphasizes democratizing AI development and fostering participatory science engagement. No scientific awards listed. Advising and grants are not detailed in available texts. Active in philosophical communities through publications and conferences.
Fabian Fagerholm is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University. His work bridges software engineering, human-computer interaction, and empirical research methodologies. He actively participates in research groups such as Software and Service Engineering (SSE) and Human-Computer Interaction and Design (HCID). Fagerholm's research explores: Continuous experimentation in software development Developer cognition and mental models Agile methodologies and team dynamics Low-code platforms and end-user programming Software engineering education and pedagogy His publications reflect a strong empirical focus, with recurring themes of human factors in technical systems and educational innovation. He has received notable awards including: Journal of Systems and Software Best Paper Award (2018) EUROMICRO SEAA Distinguished Paper Award (2017) Teacher of the Year (2013) Nokia Foundation Scholarship (2013) Fagerholm contributes to software engineering infrastructure through tools for experimentation and boundary artifacts, enhancing collaboration in distributed teams.
Matt King is an Associate Professor and Graduate Director in the Department of History at the University of South Florida (USF), within the College of Arts and Sciences. He specializes in medieval Mediterranean history, digital humanities, and the Crusades era, particularly focusing on Norman-Sicily and Zirid-Ifriqiya relations. King holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota (2018) and teaches courses on medieval history, digital methods, and historical pedagogy. His research explores the interconnectedness of medieval Mediterranean polities, leveraging Arabic and Latin sources alongside digital tools like the Old World Drought Atlas. His first book, Dynasties Intertwined (2022), examines Zirid-Norman relations. He has co-authored translations of al-Idrisi’s geography and is currently researching the historical perception of goblins. Education: Ph.D., University of Minnesota (2018); M.A. (2014), B.A. (2012) in History and Latin. King’s teaching emphasizes active learning and digital humanities, including workshops for K-12 educators. He has received grants totaling over $40,000 for research and community projects. Awards include the Outstanding Graduate Instructor Award (UMN, 2018) and the Subvention Award (USF, 2022). His publications span peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Journal of North African Studies , The History Teacher ) and edited volumes, with a focus on medieval Mediterranean dynamics, digital pedagogy, and environmental history. King advises graduate students in medieval Mediterranean history, emphasizing research in Arabic, Latin, or Greek. He is involved in digital initiatives, including departmental websites and archaeological 3D modeling projects.
Thomas Bremer is a Professor at HTW Berlin's School of Design and Culture, Department of Game Design. He serves as Program Spokesperson for the Game Design program, Laboratory Director, and member of multiple committees including the Department Council and Examination Board. His research focuses on Game Design, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Technical System Architectures . He pioneered the GAME CHANGER research cluster in 2007 and co-founded the DE:HIVE Institute in 2016. His work emphasizes visionary game concepts and the aesthetic potential of games as 21st-century cultural expressions. Prof. Bremer initiated the Game Design degree program in 2008 and has developed it continuously since its 2009 launch. His industry collaborations span institutions like the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and corporations including Volkswagen AG and Deutsche Telekom AG. He holds office hours on Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM during lecture periods.
Adam Zylbersztejn is an Assistant Professor (Maître de conférences HDR) at Université Lumière Lyon 2 and affiliated with GATE Lyon Saint-Etienne, a research group in economics. He holds a PhD from the Paris School of Economics (2013) and previously conducted postdoctoral research at WU Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business). His research focuses on behavioral economics using experimental methods to study individual and interactive decision processes, particularly in contexts involving trust, strategic uncertainty, and cultural variability. Key research areas include behavioral game theory, experimental finance, and the impact of nonverbal communication in economic interactions. His work has been published in top journals such as Journal of Economic Psychology , Games and Economic Behavior , and Experimental Economics . Recent studies examine topics like anonymity effects in charitable giving, trust in market exchanges under oath, and cognitive processes in asset markets using eye-tracking technology. His ongoing projects include research on risk-incentive tradeoffs and ambiguity framing in decision-making. While no formal academic awards are listed, his work has received press coverage in outlets like Le Monde and CORTEX Mag . He collaborates widely with institutions such as GATE-LSE and the Paris School of Economics, contributing to both theoretical and applied economic inquiry.
