Elly Konijn is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and Network Institute of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, holding the Fenna Diemer-Lindeboom Endowed Chair. As chair of the Media Psychology Amsterdam program, her work bridges media psychology, social robots, affective processing, and adolescent media use . Research Pillars : Relating to media figures, virtual humans, and social robots Media-based reality perceptions and moral standards Adolescent media effects (cyberbullying, video games, body image) Recent Publications explore emotional bonding with robots, narrative complexity in film, and media's impact on adolescent cognition. Her 2025 Communication Theory article introduces a framework for human-artificial others relationships. Scientific Recognition : KNAW/NWO Eurekaprijs (2015) Computable Award (2021) Network Institute Competitive Research Funding (2025) She supervises 16 PhD students and leads projects like ROBOT-BOND (ERC Advanced Grant 2025-2029) and Communicating with Social Robots (2020-2025). Her documentaries (e.g., Alice Cares ) translate research into public discourse.
Dr. Alicia Kulczynski is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Head of the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD in Management (Marketing) and undergraduate degrees in Forensic Science and Communication Studies. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, branding, and advertising, with emphasis on spokesperson characteristics, psycholinguistics in branding, and music concert attendance. She has published in top-tier journals like the Journal of Marketing and European Journal of Marketing, and was recognized as Associate Editor of the Year (2024) for the Journal of Consumer Behaviour. Her work bridges academia and industry through collaborations with organizations such as the NSW Ombudsman and Ultra Music Festival. Education - PhD in Management (Marketing), University of Newcastle (2014) - Bachelor of Science (Forensic), University of Newcastle - Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies), University of Newcastle Research Interests - Consumer behavior and decision-making - Branding and brand communication - Advertising strategies and spokesperson effectiveness - Psycholinguistics in brand naming and consumer priming - Music concert attendee behavior and motivations - Cause-related marketing and social impact initiatives Awards - Associate Editor of the Year (2024) - Multiple Best Paper Awards at ANZMAC (2015–2024) - Teaching Excellence Awards (2016–2024) - Industry Collaboration Recognition (e.g., Ultra Music Festival) Grants & Industry Work - Partnered with NSW Ombudsman to develop AI tools for complaint assistance. - Established an Industry Consultative Committee with Pacific Smiles, Newcastle Airport, and HMRI. - Collaborated on diabetes management system market research with a Swedish SME. Teaching & Mentorship - Teaches marketing research courses with industry-linked projects. - Supervised PhD students on topics like AI-driven pricing, post-purchase dissonance, and omnichannel consumer experiences. - Guided students to publish in top journals such as the Journal of Consumer Behaviour and European Journal of Marketing. Labs & Teams - Leads the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline. - Co-founded the Social Marketing Research Team for Youth (SMRTY) initiative.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sema Alaçam Doğan has been affiliated with Istanbul Technical University since 2014, serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture . She has held administrative roles including Deputy Head of Department and Erasmus Coordinator. Education : PhD in Informatics in Architectural Design (2008-2014), MS in Informatics in Architectural Design (2005-2008), and BS in Architecture (1999-2005) from Istanbul Technical University. Her research explores Computational Design , Artificial Intelligence in Architecture , and Sustainable Material Innovation . She investigates digital tools for heritage preservation, daylight optimization in BIM, and cognitive development in architecture students. Recent publications analyze AI-assisted design literacy , machine learning for Sinan mosques , and environmental comfort in Harran houses . Her work integrates algorithmic frameworks with sustainable practices. Scientific awards include multiple ITU Publication and Performance Awards (2021-2024), FABFEST Prizes , and the 2024 Artemis Educator Award from NASA. Active projects like "Physical Computation in Architectural Drawing" and "Robotic Fabrication with Recycled Wind Turbine Blades" demonstrate her leadership in computational and sustainable research.
James R. Fienup is the Robert E. Hopkins Professor of Optics at the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, with additional appointments as Distinguished Scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Professor at the Center for Visual Science, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Affiliated Faculty at the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. His office is located at Wilmot 410, 275 Hutchison Rd., Rochester, NY. Education PhD in Applied Physics from Stanford University (1975) MS in Applied Physics from Stanford University (1972) BA in Physics & Mathematics (magna cum laude) from Holy Cross College (1970) Research Focus Professor Fienup's research specializes in imaging science , with emphasis on phase retrieval algorithms, unconventional imaging techniques, and wavefront sensing. His work spans computational methods for image reconstruction, sparse-aperture systems, and synthetic-aperture imaging. Recent innovations include applying machine learning to wavefront control and developing advanced digital holography techniques for 3D imaging through atmospheric turbulence. Publication Trends His recent articles (2018-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on computational imaging techniques, particularly phase retrieval algorithms applied to optical metrology and wavefront correction. Key themes include multi-plane digital holography, coronagraphic wavefront control for astronomical applications, machine learning-enhanced sensing, and novel approaches for segmented-aperture systems. His work consistently bridges theoretical optics with practical instrumentation challenges. Awards and Honors Lifetime Achievement Award, Hajim School of Engineering (2019) Emmett N. Leith Medal, Optical Society of America (2013) National Academy of Engineering Member (2012) Distinguished Visiting Scientist, JPL (2009) Fellow of OSA and SPIE International Prize in Optics (1983) Rudolf Kingslake Medal (1979) NSF Graduate Fellow (1970-1972) Professional Activities Professor Fienup has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Optical Society of America A (1998-2003) and held editorial roles at Applied Optics and Optics Letters . He consults for NASA (James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble), national laboratories, and aerospace companies, and holds five patents in optical systems design.
Susan Holmes is Professor at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where she joined as Reader in Television in 2007 and was appointed to Professor in 2018. She is an active member of several research groups including Media Equality, Film, Television and Media, Gender and Its Intersections Steering Committee, and HealthUEA. Her work spans television studies, celebrity culture, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Professor Holmes received her academic training at the University of Sussex (BA in English and Media Studies), followed by an MA in Film from the University of Southampton, and completed her PhD on British film and television in the 1950s at the same institution. Prior to joining UEA, she taught Media and Cultural Studies at the Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University) and television and film at the University of Kent. Her research focuses on several interconnected areas that challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries. In television studies, she has made significant contributions to understanding British television history, particularly through her books 'British TV and Film in the 1950s' and 'Entertaining TV: the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s,' where she challenges canonical ideas about early BBC television. Her work on reality TV examines historical development, generic labeling, and celebrity. Since 2014, she has conducted important empirical research on feminist approaches to eating disorders, analyzing media representations and working directly with people with lived experience. A key focus of this research examines how feminist approaches are neglected in contemporary eating disorder treatment, with implications for both clinical practice and cultural understanding. She co-founded the influential Celebrity Studies journal in 2010 and edited it for the first eight years of its publication. Analysis of Professor Holmes' recent publications reveals a clear trajectory where her expertise in media and television studies converges with her feminist scholarship on eating disorders. Her most recent work (2023-2025) increasingly focuses on cross-cultural applications of feminist approaches to eating disorders (including work in China), the use of innovative methodologies like Photovoice, and examinations of therapeutic alliance in treatment settings. Simultaneously, she continues to analyze contemporary media representations, particularly focusing on motherhood, true crime television, and reality TV through feminist lenses. This dual focus demonstrates how media representations shape cultural understandings of both celebrity and health conditions. Professor Holmes' significant contributions to academia have been recognized with several prestigious awards: Senior Fellowship from Advance HE (2024) UEA engagement award (2017) ALPSP award nomination for Celebrity Studies as best new journal (2011) She currently runs the Feminist Media Studies research cluster at UEA and is actively supervising postgraduate research in areas including popular television, television/film history, British TV history, stardom/celebrity, and feminist approaches to eating disorders. Her current major research project is the 'ALLIANCE study' (2024-2026), funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which aims to develop practice and policy recommendations to support effective therapeutic alliance in inpatient treatment for eating disorders. This builds on her earlier British Academy-funded research on 'Entertaining Television: British TV, the BBC and Popular Programme Culture in the 1950s' (2007-2008). Professor Holmes plays a significant role in the academic community through her editorial work, serving on the boards of journals including Archives of Psychology, Big Data & Society, and Critical Studies in Television, and previously as co-founder and editor of Celebrity Studies. She has also been active in media engagement, contributing expert commentary on topics ranging from Netflix's portrayal of eating disorders to Celebrity Big Brother.
Prof. Willemijn van Dolen is a Professor in the Section of Marketing at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, marketing strategies in digital environments, and the psychological impacts of communication in service encounters. She has extensively studied topics such as visual influence in consumer decisions, corporate greenwashing detection, and the role of humor in service interactions. Her academic career includes notable contributions to understanding online consumer behavior through multimodal datasets and AI frameworks. She has published widely on social media analytics, CSR communication, and child helpline effectiveness, bridging psychological insights with practical marketing applications. Prof. van Dolen’s work emphasizes empirical investigations into customer engagement, ethical consumption, and the interplay between digital platforms and human decision-making. Her research demonstrates a consistent focus on real-world applications, from optimizing brand posts on Instagram to analyzing CEO communication during global crises. Her studies often employ interdisciplinary methods, combining marketing theory with data science and behavioral economics. Despite her prolific output (over 50+ publications), no specific scientific awards are highlighted in the provided texts.
Dr. Anett Hoppe is a research staff member at the Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology (TIB) in Hannover, Germany, where she works in the Visual Analytics research group. Her research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, education technology, and information science, with particular emphasis on how people learn through search processes and educational video consumption. Dr. Hoppe completed her academic journey with: Ph.D. in Semantic Web technologies for online user profiles from the University of Burgundy, Dijon, France Her primary research interests span Search as Learning, software-based support for scientific reproducibility, and ethical considerations in computer-based decision making. She investigates how visual elements, reading sequences, and AI technologies impact knowledge acquisition during web search and educational video consumption. Her work bridges human-computer interaction, educational psychology, and information retrieval to create more effective learning experiences, with recent publications examining the role of large language models, vision-language models, and visual complexity in educational contexts. Analysis of her recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus combining computer science, educational psychology, and information science. Her research examines video-based learning effectiveness, knowledge gain prediction, educational resource discovery, and the impact of visual elements on learning outcomes. She consistently explores how AI technologies can be leveraged to enhance educational experiences while maintaining attention to ethical considerations and scientific reproducibility. Dr. Hoppe maintains active collaborations with researchers across multiple institutions, with frequent co-authorship patterns indicating strong research partnerships, particularly with Ralph Ewerth and other members of the Visual Analytics group at TIB. Her work supports TIB's mission to advance knowledge infrastructure and scholarly communication through innovative technological solutions while directly addressing practical challenges in educational technology and information retrieval.
Markus Prior is a Professor at Princeton University, holding dual appointments in the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and the Department of Politics. His research explores media's role in political engagement, polarization dynamics, and public opinion formation. Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Department of Politics Key research areas include: Political interest development across life cycles Media choice effects on democratic participation Measurement of news audience engagement Time horizons in policy evaluation Partisan bias mitigation through accuracy incentives His publications reveal consistent focus on: Media fragmentation impacts Visual vs. textual political knowledge Election campaign dynamics Democratic inequality mechanisms Survey methodological innovations Scientific recognition includes: 2024 Carnegie Fellow 2020 Robert E. Lane Award 2020 Alexander George Book Award 2009 Goldsmith Book Prize 2008 Emerging Scholar Award E. E. Schattschneider Dissertation Prize Markus Prior earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University's Department of Communication in 2004. Current research examines policy patience dynamics in political decision-making, supported by a Carnegie Fellowship to investigate partisan polarization through temporal preference analysis.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Skiera holds the first chair for electronic commerce in Germany at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main since 1999. He serves on the board of efl - The Data Science Institute and the Schmalenbach Society, while representing Germany at the European Marketing Community (EMAC). Chair of Marketing, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Board member, efl - The Data Science Institute National representative, European Marketing Community (EMAC) His research focuses on MarTech/SalesTech integration, customer value management, online advertising analytics, data-driven pricing models, and the economic implications of internet privacy regulations. He leads the ERC Advanced Grant project on cookie usage restrictions' economic consequences. Recent publications examine dynamic pricing in digital markets, competition visualization using big data, and AI applications in marketing analytics. The ERC Advanced Grant research has produced empirical analyses of GDPR impacts on advertising ecosystems. 2015 Journal of Marketing Best Paper Award 2013 International Journal of Research in Marketing Best Paper Award Multiple MSI/H. Paul Root Award recognitions He has mentored 17 doctoral students who became professors globally, including at London Business School and LMU Munich. His work bridges marketing analytics with financial valuation through customer equity modeling.
Bryan Pardo is a Professor of Computer Science at Northwestern University and head of the Interactive Audio Lab. He co-directs the Northwestern Center for Human Computer Interaction + Design and chairs the Computer Science Diversity Committee. He teaches courses in Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Generative Modeling, and Digital Music Instrument Design. PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, University of Michigan MMus in Jazz and Improvisation, University of Michigan MS in Computer Science, Ohio State University BMus in Jazz Composition, Ohio State University His research focuses on machine understanding and manipulation of sound, particularly in music and speech domains. Key areas include Machine Learning (e.g., automated gradient clipping), Signal Processing (e.g., Multi-scale Common-fate Transform), and Human Computer Interaction. Applications involve inclusive audio interfaces, audio search engines, source separation, natural language-controlled audio effects, privacy-preserving adversarial attacks on voice recognition, and music co-creation tools. Recent publications highlight advancements in neural watermarking (MaskMark), masked acoustic modeling (VampNet), and real-time adversarial privacy systems for speech. His lab's work has been applied in Adobe's AI-powered audio editor and Lexie B2 hearing aids. Scientific Awards: $1.8 million NSF Future of Work award $440K NSF grant for accessible music programming $200K Toyota grant $100K Sony grant TorchCrepe pitch tracker: 20 million+ downloads Bryan Pardo advises PhD student Max Morrison and collaborates with researchers like Patrick O'Reilly, Zeyu Jin, and Prem Seetharaman. His lab develops technologies for blind and visually impaired audio creators, including HaptEQ and Eyes-free tools.
Professor Emma Moore is a leading sociolinguist at the School of English, University of Sheffield . Specializing in the social dimensions of language, her work integrates methodologies from anthropology and sociology to investigate how linguistic variation constructs identity and social affiliations. Research focus: Sociolinguistic style, dialect contact, youth language, identity negotiation, and community-based fieldwork Key projects: Adolescence and grammar (1999-), Isles of Scilly dialect (2008-), language and inequality (2014-), language perception software (2016-) Educational background : PhD in Sociolinguistics, University of Manchester Stanford University (USA) during PhD research Research trends across her 2021-2025 publications reveal interdisciplinary exploration of: Socio-syntactic variation Clinical linguistics (2025 MDS-UPDRS studies) Digital discourse post-pandemic Indexicality and cognitive representations Dialect contact in insular communities Educational policy implications Scientific recognition : British Academy Mid-Career Fellow (2019-2020) Elected Fellow, Royal Anthropological Institute (2014) AHRC/BA funded research projects (1999-2015) Research group leadership : Mentored 9 PhD students (2004-2024) and supervised 3 undergraduate SURE projects, including analyses of: Gender in rap performance Language style and workplace inequality Oral history digitization Professional contributions : Editorial Board: Language in Society (2015-), Gender and Language (2011-2017) External Examiner: Lancaster University MA in English Language (2013-2017) Collaborative software development for dialect perception testing
Kimberly A. Whitler serves as the Frank M. Sands Sr. Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. With nearly 20 years of industry experience in general management, strategy, and marketing roles within CPG and retailing sectors, she brings practical expertise to her academic work. Her career includes significant positions at Procter & Gamble, Aurora Foods, David's Bridal, and PetSmart, where she helped build $1B+ brands including Tide, Bounce, Downy and Zest. Dr. Whitler's educational background includes: B.A. in psychology and business administration from Eureka College MBA from the University of Arizona, Eller School of Business M.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business Whitler is an authority on marketing strategy, brand management, and marketing performance, with particular expertise in understanding how a firm's marketing performance is affected by its C-suite and board. Her research focuses on C-level marketing management challenges, digital marketing transformation, employer branding, and the emerging field of athlete branding through NIL (Name, Image & Likeness). She has authored over 350 articles as a Forbes senior contributor and published in top journals including Harvard Business Review, Journal of Marketing, and Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. Her award-winning publications demonstrate a consistent progression from traditional brand management topics toward more strategic considerations of marketing's role at the executive and board levels. Recent work examines digital transformation, brand purpose, and the evolving CMO role, reflecting her deep understanding of how marketing strategy intersects with organizational leadership. Whitler has received numerous professional accolades: Ranked as a Top Influencer of CMOs Named Favorite Professor of Top MBA Students in Poets and Quants Winner of Darden's Morton Award in 2018 and 2021 Finalist for Journal of Marketing's 2018 MSI/Paul H. Root Award Winner of 2017 Robert D. Buzzell Best Paper award Winner of 2020 Sheth Foundation Award As an active consultant and speaker, Whitler has worked with numerous C-level organizations including Coca-Cola, McDonald's, U.S. Department of Defense, and Gartner. She has been cited over 3,600 times in major media outlets including Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Bloomberg, establishing herself as a leading voice in marketing strategy. Her industry experience informs her teaching and research, creating a valuable bridge between academic theory and practical application. Whitler leads research initiatives focused on marketing leadership and brand strategy, often collaborating with industry partners to ensure practical relevance of her work. Her recent projects include examining the impact of marketers on corporate boards and developing frameworks for effective marketing technology implementation, positioning her at the forefront of strategic marketing research.
Dr James Herbert-Read is an Associate Professor and Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. He serves as Deputy Head of Department (Postgraduate Education) and leads the Marine Behavioural Ecology Group. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly marine organisms, collect and process information from their environments to make behavioral decisions, with emphasis on social interactions, adaptation mechanisms, and ecological constraints. His group employs theoretical frameworks, controlled experiments, and quantitative field studies to investigate behavioral diversity in marine species. Key themes include collective behavior, predator-prey dynamics, camouflage strategies, and the impacts of environmental stressors on animal decision-making. Recent publications highlight work on lionfish vocalization mechanisms, cuttlefish camouflage, citizen science applications in marine research, and behavioral responses to visual and acoustic noise. Scientific awards and affiliations include: Whitten Lecturer in Marine Biology Associate Professor, University of Cambridge He has supervised research projects on topics such as: Social attraction in invasive fish species Evolution of coordinated movement Neurophysiological basis for leadership in shoals Maternal effects on offspring exploration
Mei-Po Kwan is a distinguished academic holding multiple roles at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). She serves as the Head of Chung Chi College, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Geography and Resource Management, Director of the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science, and Professor at The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care. Her research focuses on geospatial health, urban mobility, environmental health, and innovative GIS methods, emphasizing individual-level environmental exposure and social disparities. Education: Ph.D. Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara (1994) M.A. Urban Planning, University of California, Los Angeles (1989) B.SoSci. Geography, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (1985) Research Interests: Dr. Kwan’s work bridges health, transport, and environmental geography, leveraging cutting-edge GIS and mixed-methods approaches. Key themes include: Uncertain Geographic Context Problem (UGCoP) and Neighborhood Effect Averaging Problem (NEAP) GIS-based analysis of greenspace, air/noise pollution, and mobility Geospatial AI and real-time sensing technologies Health disparities in urban environments Grants & Awards: She has secured over $68 million in research funding, including recent grants from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council and Innovation and Technology Commission. Notable awards include Fellowships from the American Association of Geographers, Royal Geographical Society, and multiple Highly Cited Researcher recognitions (2019, 2021). Professional Service: Editor of Annals of the American Association of American Geographers , founder of the International Geospatial Health Research Network, and member of prestigious editorial boards and advisory councils. Labs & Teams: Leads the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science and collaborates on projects like the 15-minute city framework, carbon monitoring systems, and geospatial health analytics.
Stephanie Wilson is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at City St George's, University of London, and Co-Director of the Centre for HCI Design (HCID). She co-founded the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Diversity in Data Visualization (DIVERSE CDT) and contributes to the Institute for Creativity and AI. Her research emphasizes inclusive interaction design, data visualization, co-design, and innovative digital technologies for healthcare, particularly for people with aphasia. She has supervised 17 PhD students to completion and led significant projects like EVA Park and INCA, which explore accessible virtual worlds and digital tools for aphasia. Her work has earned multiple awards, including ACM SIGCHI Honorable Mention Awards and the Tech4Good Accessibility Award Finalist. Stephanie has secured over £10 million in research funding, including grants from EPSRC and Innovate UK, and actively contributes to academic governance through roles like Chair of the Research Degrees Committee and establishing the Women++ group. She advocates for participatory design and ethical research practices in healthcare technology.
