Professor Emma Widdis is a leading scholar at the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics at the University of Cambridge, specializing in the intersection of Soviet cinema, ideology, and cultural geography. Her work explores the reeducation of sensory perception through film, early Soviet urban spaces, and the construction of subjectivity via cinematic techniques. Teaches 20th-century Russian/Soviet literature, cinema, and film theory Focuses on sensory engagement, political avant-garde, and urban spatial representation Supervisor for MPhil and PhD students in Slavonic Studies Her recent book Socialist Senses (2017) examines how cinema shaped Soviet perceptions of reality. Her publications span topics like silence in sound film, set design materiality, and costume symbolism in early Soviet cinema. While no formal scientific awards are listed, her research has been supported through institutional grants and collaborations with centers like CRASSH and Cambridge Language Sciences.
Professor Gabriel Brostow is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science at University College London (UCL), where he leads research in Computer Vision and Human-Computer Interaction. He also serves as Chief Research Scientist and Senior Director of the R&D Team at Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO. His work bridges academic research and industry applications, focusing on developing AI systems that enhance human capabilities through what he terms 'Human in the Loop AI'—now commonly referred to as Human-Centered AI. Brostow completed his BS in Electrical Engineering at UT Austin, followed by a PhD with Irfan Essa at Georgia Tech. He then pursued postdoctoral research with Roberto Cipolla's Computer Vision & Robotics Group at Cambridge University as a Marshall Sherfield Fellow, and with Marc Pollefeys in ETH Zurich's CVG Group. His research explores how AI, particularly Computer Vision, can serve as 'super-tools' for professionals across various domains including filmmaking, architecture, robotics, and scientific research. Specific interests include assistive technology for everyday life, authoring systems that maximize user effort, 3D reconstruction, depth estimation, and vision-language models. His work often involves creating systems that are validated through real-world human interaction to ensure practical utility. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications of Computer Vision that directly interact with humans. His research spans 3D scene understanding, depth estimation, sketch-based interfaces, and multimodal AI systems. There's a clear emphasis on creating benchmarks and tools that facilitate human-AI collaboration, with applications in assistive technology, urban planning, filmmaking, and biodiversity monitoring. His work frequently appears at top conferences including CVPR, NeurIPS, ECCV, and CHI. Marshall Sherfield Fellowship Brostow actively mentors PhD students, with current advisees including Ross Murphy, Skanda Koppula, Gizem Unlu, Omiros Pantazis, and Jamie Watson. His alumni include numerous PhD graduates and MSc students who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. He emphasizes selecting students based on passion and potential rather than just academic credentials, valuing traits like helpfulness, drive, and hunger to learn. His research is supported through collaborations with major institutions and companies including DeepMind, MIT, and the University of Edinburgh. He leads a research group at UCL that collaborates closely with Niantic's R&D team, creating a unique bridge between academic research and industry application. His team's work frequently involves developing novel Computer Vision techniques that are validated through real-world human interaction, ensuring practical utility alongside technical innovation. The group explores blue-sky research problems with applications ranging from assistive technology to professional tools for filmmakers, architects, and scientists studying diverse environments.
Adam Drazin is a Tutor in the Department of Anthropology at University College London (UCL), specializing in design anthropology, material culture, and consumption. He works at the intersection of academia and public engagement, collaborating with NGOs, corporate clients, and research clusters such as the ‘Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology’ at the London College of Fashion. His research explores domesticity, care ethics, and material practices in Romania, Ireland, and the UK. Research Focus: Design anthropology, material culture, domestic consumption, and transnational home-making practices. Geographic Scope: Romania, Ireland, UK, with attention to Romanian diaspora communities. Editorial Roles: Co-editor of Home Cultures , former editor of Journal of Material Culture . Projects: Studio of Material Life, ethnographic consultancy via UCL’s Ethnographic Insights Lab. His recent work emphasizes textile innovation, care ethics in domestic spaces, and critiques of material cultures within design. Publications include Design Anthropology in Context (2021) and The Social Life of Materials (2015). He mentors postgraduate researchers and contributes to public anthropology through consultancy.
Dr Isik Akin is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Bath Spa University and leads the Accounting Pathway. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Corporate Financial Management, and Quantitative Research Methods. Education: PhD in Accounting and Finance (Bath Spa University), PhD in Economics and Finance (Istanbul Gelisim University), MSc in Finance (University of the West of England), BSc in Mathematics (Trakya University) Professional Qualifications: Fellowship in Higher Education Academy, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) His research focuses on Behavioral Finance , FinTech , Credit Risk Management , and Sustainable Finance . Recent publications analyze: Enterprise valuation dynamics (FTSE 100) Metaverse asset valuation frameworks Interconnected financial markets (stocks, commodities, crypto) Green investments in real estate He has secured significant international funding including the Connect4Innovation UK-Turkey partnership grant (2021-2022, £50,000) and coordinated EU projects like the Life-Long Learning Programme (2016-2017). Scientific Awards & Roles: Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) certified Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Advisory Board Member: Izlek Academic Journal, Metropolitan Business Review Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Economics and Financial Research His career spans multiple institutions including Worcester University and University of Arts London, with expertise in international finance, quantitative methods, and financial globalization.
Maureen Meadows is a Professor of Strategic Management at Coventry University's Research Centre for Business in Society. Her work focuses on strategic decision-making, big data applications, privacy in business models, and M&A dynamics. She previously held leadership roles at the Open University and Warwick Business School, where she contributed to strategic management education and research. Education: PhD in Open University (2016) MSc in Management Science from University of Warwick (1987) Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics (Oxford University, 1986) Research Interests: Strategic management tools (e.g., scenario planning), customer data analytics, privacy implications of data sharing, and post-merger integration. She has co-led projects on surveillance society blurring and privacy in the digital economy, funded by Leverhulme and EPSRC. Key Projects: Leverhulme-funded 'Taking Liberties?' (surveillance society) EPSRC-funded 'Monetize Me?' (privacy and quantified self) Co-designing digital strategies for museums and education sectors Grants & Collaborations: Multiple internally-funded projects on board assurance frameworks, creative accounting, and hybrid business models in museums. Active in international conferences and professional bodies like BAM Council. Awards: While no specific prizes are listed, her h-index of 24 and 1,891 citations reflect significant scholarly impact.
Professor Dinusha Mendis is a leading academic in Intellectual Property and Innovation Law at Bournemouth University, where she serves as Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM). Her expertise bridges copyright law with emerging technologies like 3D printing, AI, blockchain, and the Metaverse, informed by extensive research and consultation with entities such as the European Parliament, UKIPO, and corporations like HP and Chanel. She holds a PhD from Edinburgh University and has authored seminal works on the intersection of technology and IP. BSc in Law from Aberdeen University LLM and PhD from Edinburgh University Called to the Bar of England and Wales Her research focuses on copyright challenges in immersive environments , AI-generated content regulation , and blockchain/NFTs . She led major studies for the European Commission and UKIPO , including the first peer-reviewed work on 3D printing and IP. Her 2019 co-edited book with Stanford and QUT scholars established foundational frameworks for additive manufacturing legal analysis. Recent publications highlight AI copyright disputes (2024 The Conversation ), NFT legal ambiguities (2022), and pandemic-era 3D printing (2020). Trends show increasing emphasis on decentralized IP systems and machine learning's impact on creative industries . Scientific Awards & Grants JSPS Visiting Professorship (2023) Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Grant (2024) EU Commission Research Funding (2020) AHRC Grant for 3D Jewellery Study (2017) As a PhD supervisor, she mentors researchers on AI copyright (Benjamin White), crypto-art (Bahar Dagli), and music creation law (Elizabeth Bailey). She contributes to global IP policy through the World Economic Forum's Metaverse Governance Team and EU IPR Enforcement Projects .
Dr. Dahlia El-Manstrly is an Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Marketing and Director of Research for the Marketing and Creative & Cultural Industries (MCCI) group at the University of Sheffield Management School. She previously served as Co-Director of the Center for Service Excellence at the University of Edinburgh. Her expertise spans services marketing, with a focus on service recovery, customer loyalty, and international marketing. Education: BSc (First Class Honours) MSc (Huddersfield University) MRes PhD (Glasgow University) AHEA (Advanced HE Academy) Research Interests: Service Recovery and Complaint Management Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction International Marketing in Services Transformative Services and Well-being Tourism Services and Online Travel Communities Awards and Recognition: Highly Recommended Paper Award (AMA SERVSIG, 2014) Three Teaching Excellence Awards (University of Edinburgh) Grants and Supervision: Supervises PhD students on topics like sustainability in fashion and elderly adoption of self-service technology. Recipient of grants including the British Academy Quantitative Skills Award and ESRC Seminar Series funding. Labs/Teams: Leads the MCCI research group at the University of Sheffield Management School.
Dr. Liyun Ma is an Assistant Professor in Advanced and Intelligent Textiles at the Hamlyn Centre and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London. She also holds a Visiting Researcher position at the University of Oxford's Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. Imperial College London Hamlyn Centre Institute of Global Health Innovation University of Oxford Her research spans intelligent wearable devices, functional textiles, biomedical systems, and AI-assisted engineering. Key areas include closed-loop diagnostics, renewable energy harvesting, and large-scale textile fabrication. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and holds 22 patents. L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK & Ireland Rising Talents Award (Highly Commended, 2024) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Dr. Ma supervises PhD, postdoctoral, and visiting scholar positions. She actively participates in editorial and peer-review activities. Her work bridges seven academic departments, including Textiles, Mechanical Engineering, and Materials Science.
Professor Phil Purnell is a Professor of Materials and Structures at the School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds. His expertise spans materials science, infrastructure systems, circular economy, and interdisciplinary research. He leads projects addressing decarbonization, waste-to-resource systems, and sustainable construction materials. His roles include Deputy Head of School and advisor to UKRI, DEFRA, and the UK Government’s Circular Economy Taskforce. He holds visiting positions at the Royal College of Art and University of Cambridge. Education: PhD, BEng (Civil), and teaching qualifications (PCPCE, ACTLHE). His research focuses on circular economy applications in textiles, offshore wind, and foundational industries. Notable projects include the Textiles Circularity Centre, Yorkshire Circular Economy Living Lab, and Complex Value Optimisation for Resource Recovery (C-VORR). He advocates for systemic approaches to sustainability, integrating economic, technical, and environmental values. Research outputs emphasize decarbonization pathways, material lifecycle assessments, and robotics in infrastructure management. Collaborations with industry and policy bodies drive practical solutions for resource efficiency. His work bridges engineering, economics, and environmental science to address global challenges like waste management and climate change.
Barbara Penner is Professor of Architectural Humanities at University College London's Bartlett School of Architecture, where she serves as Co-Director of the MA Architectural History program and supervises PhD students. Her academic appointments include Senior Lecturer positions at UCL since 2000 and previous roles at University of East London, Middlesex University, and Chelsea College of Art. Her educational background comprises a PhD from Birkbeck College (2003), MSc from University College London (1996), and BA from McGill University (1994). Penner's research focuses on the social and cultural dimensions of everyday spaces, examining how domestic environments, urban infrastructure, and commercial architecture shape social identities. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates architectural history with anthropology, literary theory, and cultural studies, particularly exploring gender dynamics in spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, hotels, and housing. Her publications reveal consistent engagement with themes of gender, domesticity, and infrastructure across historical periods. Key works include Bathroom (2013), Newlyweds on Tour (2009), and co-edited volumes on public toilets and gender. Recent scholarship examines social scientific research in home design, urine diversion systems, and historical housing models. RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding University-Located Research (2014) Leverhulme Major Fellowship (2021-2023) Provost Teaching Award, UCL (2013) Council of Editors of Learned Journals Best New Journal Award (2009) Penner actively supervises doctoral research on topics including Billy Butlin’s holiday camps and Gulf female shoppers' impact on London retail. She has completed twelve PhD supervisions and examined nearly thirty theses internationally. Her professional activities include serving on the Architectural Association Publications Committee, as North American Editor for Architectural History, and as External Examiner at University College Dublin. She participates in the 'Insurgent Domesticities' research group at Columbia University and contributes to Places Journal as a contributing editor.
Dr Bela Bonita Chatterjee is a Senior Lecturer in Law at Lancaster University School of Law , with a focus on teaching and scholarship since 2020. Her work bridges cyberlaw , artificial intelligence , robotics , and gender/sexuality in legal contexts. She has received multiple teaching accolades, including the 2023 Blue Plaque Award and the 2018 FASS Dean’s Senior Teaching Award . Dr Chatterjee’s research interrogates the interdisciplinary intersections of law and technology , particularly cybercrime , AI and criminal law , and widening participation in legal education . Her recent scholarship explores robotics in criminal law and business attire/fashion as legal subjects. 2025 : 'The Speakeasy' conference paper 2023 : Invited discussant on child sex dolls/robots 2022 : Workshops on assessment design and audio-visual feedback 2020 : Decolonizing the curriculum and digital teaching practices 2019 : Robotics in family law, child protection, and Lex Robotica 2018 : Robotics and sexual violence Scientific Awards: 2023 Blue Plaque Award 2022 Highly Commended Award 2018 FASS Dean’s Senior Teaching Award 2006 Sir Alistair Pilkington Prize Nominee/Shortlisted for HEA NTFS and OUP Law Teacher of the Year Awards Dr Chatterjee has supervised and examined numerous PhD and LLM dissertations , served on editorial boards of journals like Frontiers of Legal Research , and co-organized conferences such as the British Association for Canadian Studies Legal Studies Group Annual Conference . She contributes to committees including the CREST Security Research Ethics Committee and EPSRC Fellowship Advisory Board .
Dr Leon Davis is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Events Management at Teesside University International Business School. He holds a PhD in Sports Event Sociology from Teesside University (2020), an MA in Sport, Culture and Community from Sheffield Hallam University (2012), and a Bachelor’s in Sports Sociology (2007). His research focuses on fandom, sports marketing, live event management, and prosumption. Notable projects include critical analysis of fan roles at PDC darts events and the impact of digital technologies on live spectacles. He has also explored EDI provisions at events and accessibility in sports venues. Recent publications (2023-2025) examine topics like fan engagement policy reforms, sportswashing in elite sports, and accessibility innovations at live events. His work has been published in journals like Managing Sport and Leisure and Cultural Trends . Leon is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and has extensive teaching experience across modules including Strategic Marketing and Research Methods. He supervises PhD, DBA, and postgraduate research projects.
Dr. Matteo Montecchi is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Marketing at King’s Business School, King’s College London, where he also serves as Theme Lead for Sustainable Consumption at the Centre for Sustainable Business and Programme Director for the Strategic Marketing (Open Executive) programme. He teaches core modules such as Consumer Behaviour, Digital Marketing, and Research Methods, and leads executive education initiatives. Previously, he was a Senior Lecturer at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, and has held visiting positions at Milan Politecnico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Università Federico II. Montecchi earned his PhD in Marketing from King’s College London, an MRes in Marketing from Birkbeck College, an Executive Master in Marketing and Sales from SDA Bocconi and ESADE, and a Bachelor’s in Business Economics from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. He also holds a PgCert in Academic Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research focuses on the digital transformation of marketing, particularly the role of artificial intelligence and blockchain in enhancing transparency and trust. He investigates ethical engagement with diverse consumer groups, inclusion, and corporate responsibility, with a special interest in marginalized communities. His work integrates consumer behavior, digital interactions, and decision-making with technological innovation, offering actionable insights for sustainable and responsible business strategies. The most recent 15 publications reflect a strong trend in AI in retail, brand transparency, consumer trust, ethical data use, voice technologies, and social sustainability. His research spans journals in marketing, psychology, interactive marketing, and business ethics, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact. Scientific Awards: KingsCAT: Capture and Analysis Tool for Social Media Research at King’s College London (2024) – Recognized as part of a collaborative team for advancing digital research infrastructure and media analysis. Montecchi is actively involved in PhD supervision and is accepting new students. He has led research projects using social media analytics (KingsCAT) and has contributed to strategic debates on grand challenges in marketing. His work connects academic research with real-world managerial applications, particularly in digital strategy and ethical innovation. He is a key contributor to interdisciplinary research through tools like KingsCAT, which supports collaborative social media analysis, and his publications often involve co-authorship with experts in data science, psychology, and organizational behavior.
Professor Chee Yew Wong is a leading academic in supply chain management at Leeds University Business School (LUBS), where he holds the position of Professor and serves as Director for Research & Innovation in the Analytics, Technology and Operations department. He previously held a Chair in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Hull University Business School and has served as a visiting professor in Thailand and China. His work bridges academia and industry, with over nine years of professional experience in operations and supply chain roles across multinational corporations and SMEs. His educational background includes a PhD in Supply Chain Management from Aalborg University, Denmark; an MSc in Manufacturing Management from Linköping University, Sweden; a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Technology, Malaysia; and a PG Certificate in Higher Education from Hull University, UK. Professor Wong's research centers on intelligent, responsible, and sustainable solutions for global supply chains. Key interests include digital supply chains, supply chain analytics, green logistics, human rights in supply chains, resilience, and circular economy models. He leverages technologies such as blockchain, machine learning, and IoT to enhance transparency, integration, and performance in complex supply networks. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward digital transformation, sustainability, and ethical governance in supply chains. His work increasingly emphasizes data-driven decision-making, environmental and social risk assessment, and the role of technology in enabling responsible global sourcing. Many projects focus on real-world applications in industries such as healthcare, fashion, retail, and manufacturing, often through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with industry leaders. Best Reviewer Award, Operations and Supply Chain Management Division, Academy of Management Conference, Chicago, USA (2018) Prof. Xiande Zhao's Best Paper Award, International Conference on Operations and Supply Chain Management, Kaifeng, China (2017) Finalist for the Jack Meredith Best Paper Award, Academy of Management Conference, Anaheim, USA (2016) Emerald Best Paper Award, Supply Chain Management: an International Journal (2006) Professor Wong has successfully supervised 10 PhD students and 4 post-doctoral researchers, and has examined over 15 PhD dissertations internationally. He leads multiple research grants, including projects funded by Innovate UK, UKRI, ESRC, and the British Council, focusing on digital transformation, human rights, and green supply chain innovation. His collaborations span academia, government, and industry, demonstrating a strong commitment to impactful, applied research. He is actively involved in the Centre for Operations and Supply Chain Research, the Adaptation Information Management and Technology group, and the Centre for Decision Research at LUBS. These research groups support interdisciplinary work in analytics, digital technologies, and sustainable operations, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange across sectors.
Professor Daniel Miller is a leading anthropologist at University College London (UCL), specializing in digital anthropology and material culture. He directs the Centre for Digital Anthropology and teaches the MSc in Digital Anthropology. His groundbreaking research on social media and smartphones has produced extensive comparative studies across nine countries through projects like Why We Post and The Anthropology of Smartphones and Smart Ageing (ASSA). PhD in Anthropology and Archaeology from Cambridge University (1983) Pioneered global ethnographic studies on digital media's societal impact Miller's research examines how technology shapes everyday life, with particular focus on smartphones, digital health (mHealth), and transnational relationships. His work bridges anthropology with philosophy, exploring concepts like eudaimonia (the good life) through ethnographic storytelling. His publications explore digital media's role in reconfiguring family dynamics, communication, and material culture. Recent projects include analyzing color and print trends in Western fashion, and investigating how digital technologies mediate relationships in diverse cultural contexts. Miller contributes to public anthropology through accessible writing and open-access scholarship, with his work receiving over 1.8 million downloads. His ethnographic approach combines academic rigor with narrative empathy, making complex social phenomena relatable.
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