Professor Andreas Baas is a leading academic in aeolian geomorphology, holding a Professorship at King's College London's Department of Geography within the School of Global Affairs. His research focuses on dune dynamics on Earth and Mars, aeolian sand transport, and climate change impacts. He earned BSc/MSc from the University of Amsterdam and a PhD from the University of Southern California, supported by an NSF Research Award. Previously, he was an Adjunct Professor at California State University San Bernardino. Research interests include desert dune hazards, microplastics transport, and Martian dune bedforms. He has published 40+ peer-reviewed articles, 10+ book chapters, and his work has been cited over 3,500 times. His grants include funding from the Leverhulme Trust, Nuffield Foundation, and UK NERC. He supervises PhD students on topics like barchan swarms and Mars dune dynamics. His lab work includes developing tools like PyShoreVolume for shoreline change analysis. He is an associate editor for Earth Surface Dynamics and a member of the NERC Peer-Review College.
Ali Lashgari is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Aalborg University's Department of the Built Environment (Faculty of Engineering and Science). He holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from Semnan University (2019) and serves as a visiting researcher at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on seismic hazards, offshore energy infrastructure resilience, and probabilistic geotechnical analysis. Education: PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Semnan University (2019) MSc in Geotechnical Engineering, Semnan University (2013) BSc in Civil Engineering (not specified) Research Interests: Development of predictive models for geohazards (e.g., submarine landslides, liquefaction), offshore foundation resilience, and probabilistic analysis of seismic risks. His work integrates numerical modeling (e.g., DEM-FEM), machine learning, and big data analytics for hazard assessment frameworks. Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023) Grants & Projects: PRO-SLIDE: EU-funded project (2023–ongoing) for offshore energy infrastructure resilience against seismic submarine landslides (PI) EU-COST Action CA23155: Pan-European network on ocean tribology (participant) Professional Activities: Founder of Intelligent Environmental Risks Analyzers (2016) Membership in AGU, DFI, GEER, IGS, and IRCEO Lab/Team Affiliation: Risk, Resilience, Safety, and Sustainability of Systems Research Group at Aalborg University.
Sarah Goodwin is an academic affiliated with Monash University in Australia, specializing in data visualization, immersive analytics, and human-computer interaction. She holds a PhD in Visualisation for Household Energy Analysis from City University London (2015). Her research focuses on developing innovative visualization techniques for complex data, particularly in energy systems, healthcare, and geographic information. Key contributions include the Australian Cancer Atlas project (2024), which addressed geostatistical uncertainty visualization, and work on mixed-reality technologies embedding human values (2025). She collaborates extensively with researchers like Tim Dwyer and leads the Data Visualisation and Immersive Analytics Research Lab at Monash. Her publications span journals like IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics and conferences such as CHI and IEEE VAST. Research highlights include gaze analytics tools (VETA), tangible immersive systems (Uplift), and energy consumption visualization frameworks.
Vasco Ribeiro Santos serves as a Full Researcher at ISLA - Higher Institute of Management and Administration of Santarém, Portugal, affiliated with the Competitiveness, Innovation and Sustainability (CIS) research group. His scholarly profile is indexed in major academic databases including SCOPUS and Web of Science, reflecting active contributions to tourism and business management literature. Dr. Santos' research centers on tourism management , with specialized expertise in wine tourism , luxury branding , and sustainable practices . He investigates the transformative impact of digital technologies —including IoT, geospatial analysis, and AI—on consumer behavior and destination marketing. His work extends to employer branding , talent management , and innovation within hospitality sectors, consistently applying Portuguese case studies to global theoretical frameworks. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in sustainable tourism innovation and digital transformation . Key themes include metaverse applications in luxury branding, influencer marketing dynamics on social media, and geospatial approaches to urban resilience. These studies demonstrate methodological diversity—from systematic literature reviews to empirical case studies—while maintaining focus on Southern European tourism contexts. He actively contributes to the DSS-Lab (Decision Support Systems Laboratory) , developing analytical dashboards and policy tools for tourism management. His work within the CIS research group drives interdisciplinary investigations into competitiveness and innovation, particularly examining how sustainability initiatives intersect with economic development in regional tourism ecosystems.
Dr. Ioannis Kaparias is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton and Honorary Lecturer at Imperial College London. His expertise spans transport engineering, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), and sustainable mobility solutions. He holds a MEng from Imperial College London (2004) and a PhD in reliable dynamic in-vehicle navigation (2008). His research focuses on traffic management, active travel, public transport optimization, and the integration of new technologies like CAVs and MaaS. He leads the Transportation Research Group (TRG) at Southampton and has contributed to projects funded by the EU, UK authorities, and industry partners like BMW. Key areas include network reliability, cyclist safety, and land use-transport interaction. He is Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the IET Intelligent Transport Systems journal and serves on TRB committees. Teaching includes Highway & Traffic Engineering modules at Southampton and他曾指导过多个研究生项目。他精通希腊语、英语、德语、法语和意大利语。
Hachem Kassem is a Lecturer in Ocean Engineering at the University of Southampton, affiliated with the School of Ocean and Earth Science. He specializes in coastal hydrodynamics, sediment dynamics, and nature-based solutions to climate-mediated geohazards. His current roles include leading the MSc Programme in Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience and managing coastal research laboratories equipped with flumes and sediment analysis facilities. Education and Career: Hachem holds a PhD and MSc in relevant fields, and has been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His career includes: 2022–present: Lecturer in Ocean Engineering, University of Southampton 2017–2021: Teaching and Research Fellow in Coastal Morphodynamics 2015–2017: Part-time Teaching Fellow in Coastal Morphodynamics and GIS 2010–2012: Lecturer in Civil Engineering at The London College Research Interests: Focus on coastal engineering, flow-structure interactions, and adaptive solutions for hazards like erosion and flooding. Key projects include Environment Agency-funded work in Pevensey Bay using X-band radar and autonomous systems, and collaborations on eco-reefs and subsea cable protection with industry partners. Teaching: Coordinates modules on coastal sediment dynamics and applied oceanography. Contributes to geoscience curricula and supervises student projects on coastal processes and engineering. External Roles: Serves as consultant for projects involving scour protection, seagrass health, and tidal interactions at nuclear sites. Leads the Nature-based Ocean Solutions Special Interest Group under the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. Labs & Infrastructure: Oversees coastal teaching/research labs with flumes and field monitoring equipment. Collaborates on geospatial data projects for nature-based solutions in Studland Bay.
Dr. Christine Gerber is a Research Fellow at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, specializing in the sociology of work and digitalization. She leads research in the group 'Globalization, Work, and Production,' focusing on platform work, labor processes, and Industry 4.0. Her recent projects include 'Generative AI in the world of work (GENKIA)' (2024–2026) and 'Automation, digitization and virtualization in the world of work during the pandemic' (2021–2023). Education: M.A. in International Relations (Free University Berlin/Humboldt University Berlin/University of Potsdam, 2011–2014); B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences (University College Maastricht/Santiago de Chile, 2007–2010). Dissertation: 'Platform work and the future of work' (defended January 2023). Research interests include digitalization's impact on labor, precarious work dynamics, and the transformation of work processes through algorithmic systems. Key topics: platform economy, wearable technologies in manufacturing, and post-pandemic labor market shifts. Collaborations: Extensive co-authorship with Martin Krzywdzinski and colleagues on digital labor studies. Key publications address AI's role in workplace change, pandemic-driven digitalization trends, and comparative analyses of platform work in Germany and the U.S. Her work bridges social theory and empirical research, emphasizing policy implications for digital labor markets. Current projects explore generative AI's societal impact and labor control mechanisms in crowdwork platforms.
Dr. George Raber is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Southern Mississippi. His expertise spans Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial modeling, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He holds a PhD from the University of South Carolina (2003), an MS from the same institution (2001), and a BS from Brigham Young University (1999). His research focuses on applying geospatial techniques to environmental challenges, particularly in coastal regions, with technical strengths in web mapping, spatial programming, and UAV-based remote sensing. Key research areas include coastal hazard exposure analysis, coral reef restoration, and the integration of machine learning with remote sensing data. His work emphasizes practical applications such as marine habitat mapping, risk assessment for coastal communities, and low-cost monitoring technologies like small unmanned surface vehicles (sUSVs). Dr. Raber's publications reflect a trend toward interdisciplinary solutions, combining geospatial technologies with environmental conservation and urban studies. Notable contributions include studies on UAV-LiDAR accuracy in marsh ecosystems and the socioeconomic impacts of environmental policies. He teaches courses ranging from foundational GIS and cartography to advanced topics like spatial programming and environmental remote sensing. His office is located in Walker Science Building 226.
Dr. Rebecca Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich. Her academic career spans over 15 years, with a focus on social psychology. She specializes in teaching and research related to ostracism, rape myth acceptance, and homeless stigmatization, while also contributing to gender equality studies. Her work bridges theoretical and applied research in human behavior. PhD (Psychology), University of Dundee MA (Psychology), University of Dundee Research Interests: Dr. Smith’s work explores the psychological impacts of social exclusion, the cultural and cognitive underpinnings of rape myth acceptance, and societal biases toward marginalized populations like the homeless. She integrates these themes with broader social psychology frameworks. Article Trends: Her recent publications span social psychology (e.g., ostracism, homeless stigma) and interdisciplinary topics like IVF outcomes, galaxy dynamics, and West Nile virus surveillance. This reflects a diverse collaboration network across medical, astrophysical, and public health domains. Advising: Dr. Smith supervises PhD and EdD students in social psychology and gender equality, fostering research in human behavior and societal structures. She previously served as Deputy Head of Department (2015-16) and TMC Link Tutor (2009-13).
Jason Jeffrey Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Institute for Advanced Computational Science at Stony Brook University. He earned his Ph.D. from UC San Diego in 2011 and directs CSSERG (Computational Social Science of Emerging Realities Group), a research team focused on cross-disciplinary computational methodologies to study emerging social phenomena. His research interests center on computational social science, with specific expertise in online experiments, social networks, high-throughput text analysis, and machine learning. Dr. Jones is particularly known for pioneering work in "Ipseology" - the scientific study of how individuals describe themselves, especially through digital platforms. His work examines humans' perceptions of themselves and the developing role of artificial intelligence in society, with recent focus on measuring identity trends through social media platforms like Twitter. Dr. Jones' research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals including Nature, PLOS ONE, and Sociological Science, with work cited thousands of times. His findings have received significant media attention, appearing in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Sports Illustrated, and the Washington Post. His recent publications track LGBTQ visibility on Twitter, political identity expression, occupational identity evolution, and public attitudes toward AI. Stereotypical gender associations in language have decreased over time Effectiveness of virtual reality in evoking empathy Dynamics of gender stereotypes in language over decades Temporal trends in personally expressed identity Dr. Jones has also conducted notable research on social influence and political mobilization, including a landmark 61-million-person experiment during the 2012 US presidential election. His work on the relationship between political-party affiliation and behavior on dating sites like Ashley Madison has generated significant academic discussion. He is the author of the recently published book "Ipseology - A New Science of the Self" and maintains an active research presence through his website and social media channels.
Andrew Scherer is the Pierre and Patricia Bikai Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Brown University, where he also serves as Director of the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World. His work focuses on Mesoamerican (particularly Maya) archaeology, integrating bioarchaeology, landscape analysis, and political studies to examine Classic Maya polities along the Usumacinta River. Co-directs interdisciplinary projects in Mexico/Guatemala (Lacanja Tzeltal, Piedras Negras, Tikal, El Zotz, Yaxha) Research themes: mortuary archaeology, ritual practice, warfare, political organization, and diet/subsistence Selected Publications : As the Gods Kill: Morality and Social Violence among the Precolonial Maya (2025), Mortuary Landscapes of the Classic Maya (2015), and co-edited volumes including Substance of the Ancient Maya (2024) and Embattled Bodies, Embattled Places (2014). Research Funding : Multiple NSF grants (2003-2015) National Geographic Society support (2009) Wenner-Gren and Heinz Trust grants Academic Affiliations : Society for American Archaeology, Dental Anthropology Association, Dumbarton Oaks (as Pre-Columbian Fellow 2008-2009) Teaching : Courses on human evolution, bioarchaeology, Maya violence studies, and archaeological principles at Brown University.
Ana Dyreson is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University and Associate Research Director at the Center for Innovation in Sustainability & Resilience (CISR). She leads the Great Lakes Energy Group, focusing on climate change impacts on electric power systems , energy transitions in cold climates , and thermal power plant modeling . Her work bridges solar photovoltaic design , electricity grid operational modeling , and the energy-water nexus . Education : PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2018) MS in Mechanical Engineering, Northern Arizona University (2014) BS in Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin–Madison (2011) Research emphasizes climate-resilient energy systems , particularly solar energy in cold climates and grid-scale modeling . Her 2025-2022 publications investigate snow mitigation on PV panels , heat pump adoption , floating solar-hydropower hybrids , and climate stressor impacts on thermoelectric plants . She develops inclusive teaching methods and advises on renewable energy deployment through initiatives like the Tech Forward Initiative on Sustainability and Resilience . Her team collaborates on multisector dynamics and energy-water-climate research in the Great Lakes region.
Jennifer Pontius is a Senior Lecturer and serves as Director of the Environmental Sciences Program and Geospatial Technologies Program at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont. She is also Assessment Coordinator for the Rubenstein School and Principal Investigator for the Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative (FEMC). Her work focuses on integrating geospatial tools like remote sensing and GIS to address forest health challenges across scales, collaborating with USDA Forest Service, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and others. She holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Ecosystem Science from the University of New Hampshire and dual B.A. degrees in Environmental Science and Spanish from the University of Virginia. Research Expertise: Her research emphasizes scaling field observations to landscape-level insights using remote sensing and GIS, particularly in detecting forest decline caused by invasive species, climate change, and nutrient depletion. Current projects include novel forest structure mapping techniques and decision support tools for sustainable forest management in the northeastern U.S. Education: Ph.D. 2004 (University of New Hampshire), M.S. 1998 (University of New Hampshire), B.A. 1993 (University of Virginia). Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator on high-impact projects like the Regional Forest Health Monitoring Program (1992–present), Climate Change Exposure Mapping (2021–2024), and Vermont Forest Health Monitoring Program. Active in EPSCOR initiatives and fragmentation risk assessments. Labs/Teams: FEMC collaborator and leader in geospatial technology development. Directs Environmental Sciences program with curricula in forestry, sustainability, and policy.
Sarah Mander is an Associate Professor at the Manchester School of Management , University of Manchester, specializing in Climate Change and Renewable Energy Technologies. She has been a key member of the Tyndall Centre since 1999, integrating public and stakeholder perspectives with technical assessments to advance renewable energy deployment and social responses to climate change. Education & Career: Sarah began as a Chemical Engineer in the industry before transitioning to academia. Her PhD research (Manchester School of Management) focused on wind energy penetration in the North West. She has extensive experience in community activism, including founding the Homes for Change Housing Co-operative and promoting urban sustainability projects. Research Interests: Her work emphasizes innovative climate engagement strategies, such as collaborating with artists to reach diverse audiences, and addressing barriers to renewable energy adoption. Key areas include industrial decarbonisation, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and community energy financing. Projects & Grants: She leads/co-leads projects like Decarbonising International Transport (active) and UK Energy Research Centre Phase 3 (2017–2019), focusing on energy transition, policy, and climate mitigation. She has contributed to impactful studies on aviation policy, local carbon budgets, and shipping emissions reduction. Awards & Recognition: While no specific awards are listed, her work has been cited in major outlets like Nature Energy and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , and she serves on the Research Council of Norway as an academic expert. Lab/Teams: She collaborates widely with interdisciplinary teams at the Tyndall Centre, Manchester Environmental Research Institute, and other global partners to address climate challenges through integrated approaches.
Professor Nan Jiang is a Professor and Head of the Department of Computing and Informatics at Bournemouth University (BU), where he has been a faculty member since 2010. He leads research and teaching in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), digital health, and usability engineering. He co-founded the Bournemouth University Human-Computer Interaction (BUCHI) research group in 2012, contributing significantly to the university’s research excellence in REF 2021. MSc in Advanced Methods, Queen Mary, University of London (2002) PhD in Web Usability, Queen Mary, University of London (2009) His research focuses on data-driven usability evaluation, with recent emphasis on digital health applications, explainable AI (XAI), and accessible technologies. He investigates how user interactions can be optimized for health services on mobile devices, particularly for chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis and mental health. His work bridges technical innovation with user-centered design principles. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in human-AI interaction, digital health interventions, and accessibility. Key themes include trust calibration in AI systems, co-design of health technologies, and the development of assistive tools using smartphone sensors. His research spans both technical AI modeling and deep user experience evaluation. Active reviewer for top HCI conferences and journals Reviewer for UKRI research councils and SBRI External Examiner at Kingston University and University of East London Member of W3C China Former public expert for W3C HTML Working Group Professor Jiang has secured significant research funding from the European Commission (H2020), ERDF, HEIF, and Innovate UK. He has supervised six PhD students to completion and continues to mentor graduate researchers. He has led major projects such as the FACETS digital toolkit for MS patients and Authentibility Pass for accessible authentication. He also contributes to public engagement through workshops and media appearances on digital addiction and CAPTCHA design. He co-founded and co-chaired the HCI Research Group at BU from 2015 to 2023 and has led initiatives in gamified learning, e-recruitment modeling, and intelligent interfaces. His team, often collaborating with Dr. Huseyin Dogan and Dr. Shamal Faily, focuses on real-world applications of HCI in healthcare, security, and social computing.
