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James Weeks serves as Associate Professor of Composition in the Department of Music at Durham University, a position he assumed in October 2017 after previously serving as Associate Head of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. An accomplished composer and conductor specializing in new music, his work is performed and broadcast worldwide with four portrait discs released to date. Weeks' research focuses on composition with particular emphasis on contemporary music performance, contemporary vocal music, experimental music, microtonality, and new music aesthetics. His compositional approach typically centers on music for soloists or small ensembles, exploring pared-down 'primary' musical syntaxes and systems. He demonstrates particular interests in modality, microtonality, modularity and indeterminacy, creating works that balance structural rigor with expressive freedom. His recent publications reveal a sustained exploration of vocal and chamber music forms, with increasing attention to spatial composition techniques and the relationship between music and visual elements. The 15 most recent works show consistent development of modular compositional systems, flexible instrumentation approaches, and innovative textural explorations that challenge conventional performance practices. As an educator and mentor, Weeks supervises postgraduate students including Chris Massa. He maintains an active conducting career, having founded EXAUDI in 2002 with soprano Juliet Fraser, now recognized as one of the world's leading vocal ensembles for new music. His professional activities extend to extensive work with amateur musicians through CoMA (Contemporary Music for All), where he has been closely associated since 2014 and is editing the CoMA Partsong Book. Weeks maintains a busy international schedule as both composer and guest conductor, working with ensembles including Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBCSSO, London Sinfonietta, musikFabrik, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and L'Instant Donné. His professional network spans both professional and community music contexts, reflecting his commitment to expanding access to contemporary musical practices.

• Composition
• Contemporary music performance
• Contemporary vocal music
• +3 more

Arnold Hunt is a Lecturer in Early Modern Palaeography at Durham University. Previously, he served as Curator of Manuscripts at the British Library from 2005 to 2015. His research focuses on early modern religion, the book trade, and manuscript studies, with a current project entitled Bibliomania: A History (forthcoming from Princeton University Press). His publications explore themes such as preacher-audience dynamics in early modern England and the role of gesture in religious practices during the Reformation. While no academic awards are explicitly mentioned, his work bridges historical methodologies with cultural analysis. No information about grants or advising students is provided. His professional trajectory reflects a blend of academic research and institutional curation, contributing to both scholarly and public understanding of early modern textual cultures.

• Early Modern Religion
• Book Trade History
• Manuscript Studies
• +3 more

Human Esmaeili is a Lecturer in Games Development at Staffordshire University's School of Digital, Technology and Innovation. With expertise in 3D modeling, photogrammetry, and virtual reality, his research focuses on digital heritage preservation, sustainable design, and immersive storytelling through VR applications. PhD in Creative Multimedia (Multimedia University, Malaysia) BSc in Chemical Engineering (Tehran Azad University, Iran) His work bridges engineering and creative multimedia, emphasizing: Cultural heritage digitization via scanning/modeling techniques VR applications for environmental awareness and education Collaborations with the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development Development of immersive virtual museums and serious games Recent research explores VR user experience in digital heritage contexts, including: 2019 VR recycling game at UN event in Malaysia Exhibitions at Digital Heritage 2018 International Congress Grants awarded (2017-2021): MYR25,000 for immersive VR cultural heritage projects MYR10,000 for household waste management technology MYR5,000 for VR behavioral studies Teaching includes: 3D modeling foundations Real-time game development Digital reconstruction techniques

• Digital Heritage
• Virtual Reality
• Sustainable Design
• +5 more

Rebecca Howard serves as an Assistant Professor of Art History and Coordinator of Graduate Studies at the University of Memphis. She holds a Ph.D. in Early Modern Art History from The Ohio State University (2017), where she was a Presidential Fellow, alongside an M.A. from Ohio State and a B.A. from Christopher Newport University (2008). Her research focuses on portraiture, expressions of identity, memory studies, early modern anatomical inquiry, word-image theory, and global cultural exchanges. She is currently editing her book Portraiture and Mnemonics in Renaissance Italy: Commemoration through Body and Brain , under contract with Amsterdam University Press. Her work often examines how Renaissance artists engaged with Egyptian symbolism, early modern garden designs, and the intersection of art with neuroscience. Howard’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in 2008, followed by a Master of Arts in 2011 and a Ph.D. in 2017, all from prestigious institutions. Her doctoral fellowship at Ohio State underscores her academic excellence. Her research interests span diverse topics: the role of portraiture in memory preservation, the influence of ancient Egyptian art on Renaissance Italy, and the socio-cultural dimensions of early modern anatomical studies. She explores how physical spaces like gardens and designed landscapes function as mnemonic devices within Renaissance contexts. Her pedagogical work includes contributions to interdisciplinary teaching resources like Teaching Race in the European Renaissance . Her publications consistently engage with themes of commemoration, cross-cultural interactions, and the body’s symbolic role in art. Recent works emphasize the interplay between Renaissance artistic practices and emerging scientific thought, particularly in anatomy and cognitive studies. Awards: Presidential Fellow at The Ohio State University In her advisory role, Howard oversees graduate studies in the Department of Art and Design. While no specific grants are listed, her book project and pedagogical contributions reflect sustained academic engagement. She collaborates within the department’s scholarly community, contributing to its interdisciplinary research environment. Though not explicitly stated, her work likely intersects with university research centers focusing on Renaissance studies or art history. Her research trajectory suggests a focus on integrating global cultural histories with material culture analysis.

• Art History
• Early Modern Studies
• Memory Studies
• +8 more

Dr. Dewa Wardak is a Senior Lecturer in Business Educational Development at the University of Sydney Business School. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and has affiliations with organizations like HERDSA and the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education. Her research focuses on higher education pedagogy, networked learning, and object-based learning. She leads initiatives in curriculum development and sustainable leadership education, emphasizing SDG-driven approaches. Notable awards include the 2024 Dr. John Yu Fellowship and multiple teaching awards. Her work spans co-design of educational programs, leveraging technology and collaborative practices. Recent projects include partnerships with museums to enhance leadership education and scaling educational innovations during the pandemic. She advises on undergraduate research through ACUR and mentors faculty via Share Sessions professional development programs. Key grants include a Medical Research Future Fund grant ($799k) for adolescent health research and a student transition support grant. Her research outputs emphasize networked learning, curriculum innovation, and ethics in postdigital education. She actively participates in conferences like ASCILITE and Networked Learning Conference, contributing to transformative educational practices.

• Higher Education Pedagogy
• Networked Learning
• Postdigital Education
• +5 more

Dr. Sergio Davies serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computing and Mathematics at Manchester Metropolitan University, leveraging extensive experience from both academic research and industry leadership. His career spans the University of Manchester's SpiNNaker project, the European Human Brain Project, and strategic roles in hardware/software development before returning to academia in 2019. His educational foundation includes an MSc-equivalent in Telecommunication Engineering from the University "Federico II" in Naples and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Manchester (2012). MSc-equivalent: Telecommunication Engineering, University "Federico II", Naples Ph.D.: Computer Science, University of Manchester (2012) Davies specializes in spiking neural networks and neuromorphic computing, with pioneering work on the SpiNNaker architecture. His current research focuses on applying these technologies to computer network security and robotics, developing event-driven systems for real-time applications like gesture recognition and intrusion detection. This work bridges theoretical neuroscience with practical engineering challenges, emphasizing low-power, real-time operation. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2012-2025) reveals a clear evolution from foundational SpiNNaker development toward applied security and robotics. Recent work integrates event-based vision with neuromorphic hardware for multi-object tracking and gesture recognition, while maintaining core contributions to learning algorithms like STDP. The consistent thread is practical implementation on neuromorphic platforms for security-critical applications. Professional recognition includes: Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (MIEEE) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) His industry experience as an IT consultant at KPMG and subsequent leadership of hardware/software teams informs his applied research approach. Though specific student advisees aren't listed, his work involves mentoring through the SpiNNaker ecosystem and Human Brain Project collaborations. Current projects focus on neuromorphic security solutions developed through university-industry partnerships. Davies operates within Manchester Metropolitan University's neuromorphic computing research group, maintaining active ties to the original SpiNNaker team at Manchester and the Human Brain Project consortium. His lab focuses on translating theoretical neural models into deployable security and robotics systems using SpiNNaker hardware.

• Spiking Neural Networks
• Neuromorphic Computing
• Computer Network Security
• +3 more

Dr. Katharina Hogrefe is an Associated Researcher at the Institute of Phonetics and Speech Processing (IPS) at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Her research focuses on neurogenic speech and language disorders, particularly exploring nonverbal communication strategies in individuals with aphasia and other cognitive-communication impairments. She leads the development of diagnostic tools like the Nonverbal Semantics Test (NVST), which evaluates semantic processing deficits post-brain damage. Her work integrates neuroscience, linguistics, and clinical practice to advance understanding of gesture-speech interactions and rehabilitation strategies. Key research areas include multimodal communication in neurological disorders, semantic processing deficits, and the application of neuropsychological assessment methods. Her studies often involve collaborations with interdisciplinary teams to explore gesture production dynamics, executive function in aphasia, and cross-cultural adaptations of clinical tools. Publications highlight her contributions to aphasia rehabilitation, including analyses of gesture efficacy, semantic assessment methodologies, and cognitive communication disorders. Current projects focus on standardizing NVST for diverse patient populations, emphasizing its utility in aphasia and dementia evaluation. Her work bridges theoretical insights with practical clinical applications, aiming to enhance communication support for neurologically impaired individuals. Lab affiliations include the IPS lab at LMU, where she collaborates on projects investigating motor cognition, gesture production, and semantic processing. While no formal advising roles are listed, her research impacts training in clinical linguistics and speech pathology.

• Neurogenic Language Disorders
• Multimodal Communication
• Neuropsychological Disorders
• +4 more

Alexia Fawcett is a Visiting Professor of Linguistics at Bennington College, specializing in community-based language documentation and revitalization of Indigenous languages of the Americas. She focuses on the linguistic encoding of space, place, and landscape in Wao Terero (Ecuadorian Amazon), utilizing innovative multimodal methods like GoPro video to analyze spoken language, gesture, gaze, and body position in situ. Education: BA in Anthropology and Linguistics (Bryn Mawr College), MA in Linguistics (University of California, Santa Barbara), Ph.D. candidate at UCSB Her research bridges discourse-functional linguistics with community-driven methodologies, emphasizing marginalized phenomena like ideophones and multimodal communication. At Bennington, she teaches courses including Linguistic Field Methods and Advanced Projects in Linguistics (2024–2026), covering sociolinguistics, language documentation, and cultural studies.

• Community-based language documentation
• Indigenous languages of the Americas
• Spatial language
• +3 more

Rena Stroud is an Associate Professor of Education at Merrimack College's School of Education and Social Policy. She specializes in STEM education, early algebra development, and the integration of technology in teaching. Her research focuses on quantitative methodologies, including hierarchical linear modeling and structural equation modeling, and she explores how children develop mathematical knowledge through innovative instructional strategies. Dr. Stroud holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a B.A. in Psychology from Saint Anselm College. Her expertise includes educational technology, math pedagogy, and teacher preparation. Her research interests emphasize early algebra interventions, particularly in K-5 settings, and the role of tools like balance scales and gestures in fostering algebraic reasoning. She has published extensively in top-tier journals such as the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education and presented at conferences like AERA and NARST. Key contributions include studies on the persistence of early algebra knowledge post-intervention and strategies to enhance students' understanding of mathematical equivalence and parity concepts. Her work bridges cognitive development theory with practical classroom applications.

• STEM Education
• Early Algebra
• Mathematics Pedagogy
• +3 more

Brian Norcross is the Senior Director of Instrumental Music & Conducting Studies and Senior Teaching Professor of Music at Franklin & Marshall College. He leads the Franklin & Marshall Orchestra, Philharmonia, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, while also serving as Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Lancaster. He is Artistic Director of Allegro, a professional chamber orchestra, and founder of Allegretto Youth Chamber Orchestra. His career spans over 30 years, emphasizing new music premieres and community engagement. Education: PhD (DMA) from Catholic University of America (1992), M.Music Ed. from New England Conservatory (1986), B.S. Music Ed. from University of Massachusetts (1981). Research focuses on music conducting pedagogy, orchestral performance innovation, and community music programs. He has arranged and conducted ten benefit concerts for the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and authored One Band that Took a Chance . His articles explore conducting techniques and ensemble dynamics. Awards: Most Influential Professor (2004, 2008), Lowell Mason Award (1985), Volunteer of the Year (2006). Clinical Work: Guest conductor for Pennsylvania Music Educators All-State Orchestra, Lancaster-Lebanon County Wind Ensemble, and OperaLancaster. Labs/Teams: Directs multiple ensembles and oversees Allegro's 18th-century-to-21st-century performance fusion model.

• Music Conducting
• Orchestral Performance
• Music Education
• +3 more

Toby Carter is an Associate Professor and Course Leader for Ecology and Conservation in the School of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University. He holds a BSc and PhD in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen. His roles include University Teaching Fellow and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has held management roles in Learning and Teaching and led research groups in Applied Ecology and Behavioural Ecology. Education: BSc Zoology, University of Aberdeen PhD Zoology, University of Aberdeen Research Interests: Fish welfare in aquaculture Human-animal interactions in fisheries Technology-enhanced Learning and Teaching methodologies Teaching Areas: Animal and Environmental Biology modules (e.g., Quantitative Tools, Population Ecology) Ruskin Module 'Do Numbers Lie?' on Data Storytelling His research supervision includes studies on honey bee impacts, fish welfare, invasive species, and Antarctic penguin foraging. Recent publications focus on marine mammal behavior and farmed fish welfare. Awards include the University Teaching Fellowship (2011) and Linnean Society Fellowship. He contributes to editorial roles for Nature in Cambridgeshire .

• Fish welfare
• Human-animal interactions
• Data and technology in Learning and Teaching
• +3 more

David Calabro is a cultural historian and faculty member in the Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He also holds an affiliation with the University of Chicago in Near Eastern Languages. His research focuses on the intersection of language and culture in the Near East, emphasizing nonverbal communication, sacred space, religious narrative transmission, and language change. He explores Restoration scripture's historical insights and contributes to interdisciplinary studies in Egyptology, Semiotics, and Historical Linguistics. Key research interests include analyzing gestures in ancient rituals, studying the ideology of sacred spaces like Abydos, and investigating linguistic shifts in Semitic languages. His work bridges textual analysis with cultural history, often leveraging digital tools for lexicography and manuscript analysis. Recent publications address Syriac amulets, hand gestures in the Hebrew Bible, and the etymology of Northwest Semitic terms. Publications span academic journals and encyclopedic entries, including contributions to the Encyclopedia of Ancient History and The Interpreter Foundation. While no formal awards are listed, his extensive peer-reviewed output reflects scholarly recognition. Teaching focuses on ancient Near Eastern texts and scriptural studies, reflecting his expertise in integrating textual and cultural methodologies.

• Cultural History
• Near Eastern Studies
• Nonverbal Communication
• +7 more

Alessandra Giorgi is a Full Professor at the Department of Linguistics and Comparative Cultural Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She specializes in theoretical linguistics with a focus on syntax, pragmatics, and cross-linguistic comparison. Her research integrates formal syntactic theory with empirical studies on languages such as Italian, Armenian, and Romance varieties. Research Interests: Syntax-Pragmatics Interface, Tense and Aspect, Discourse Structure, and Language Typology. Expertise: Comparative linguistics, morphosyntactic analysis, and syntactic theory within the Minimalist Program. Her work bridges syntactic formalism with discourse-functional perspectives, particularly in analyzing expressions of surprise, question types, and evaluative morphology. She has conducted extensive studies on Eastern Armenian syntax and Romance languages, contributing to the understanding of V2/V3 phenomena and information structure. Giorgi serves on editorial boards for journals like Italian Journal of Linguistics and Rivista di Grammatica Generativa . She collaborates in international projects such as the Rethinking, Understanding Modal Particles (RUM) initiative funded by PRIN 2022. Her research also involves interdisciplinary approaches to digital cultural heritage through the Research Institute for Digital and Cultural Heritage at Ca' Foscari.

• Linguistics
• Syntax
• Pragmatics
• +3 more

Philipp Wacker is an academic alumni from RWTH Aachen University's Media Computing Group, where he served as a researcher and deputy head until late 2022. His work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly in Augmented Reality (AR), mid-air interaction techniques, and 3D modeling. He holds a PhD (2021) and M.Sc. (2015) in Computer Science from RWTH Aachen. Education: PhD in Computer Science (2021), RWTH Aachen University; M.Sc. in Technical Communication (2015), RWTH Aachen University. Research Interests: Philipp’s research spans AR interfaces, mobile interaction, and tangible computing. He has developed systems like ARPen for mid-air 3D modeling and FLApp, an AR-based tour guide. His work emphasizes user-centered design in wearable and handheld AR applications. Publications: His recent work includes studies on textile sliders (CHI 2022), AR menu techniques (MobileHCI 2020), and mid-air pen visualization (CHI 2020). These contributions highlight innovations in interaction design and usability evaluations. Teaching & Advising: Philipp supervised over 15 student theses on topics like ARPen accuracy and AR menu interfaces. He taught courses on iOS development and HCI at RWTH Aachen. Labs/Projects: He contributed to labs like the Future Lab Aachen (FLApp) and the Personal Photonics project, advancing photonics-based interaction tools for non-engineers.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Augmented Reality
• 3D Modeling
• +3 more

Jelena Krivokapic is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her research focuses on the interplay between prosodic structure and motor control in speech and body gestures, employing advanced kinematic measurement techniques. She co-authored a groundbreaking 2017 study published in LabPhon , examining how prosodic prominence and boundaries manifest in articulatory and manual gestures. This work introduced a novel method combining electromagnetic articulometry and motion capture to study speech and body movement simultaneously. Her research highlights how prosodic elements like phrase-level prominence and phrasal boundaries affect the temporal properties of both vocal tract and manual gestures, demonstrating that manual gestures exhibit boundary lengthening akin to speech. This contributes to understanding the integration of speech and body movements under prosodic control. Dr. Krivokapic’s work is affiliated with the Linguistics Department at the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Her laboratory employs cutting-edge methods to explore speech production and perception, with implications for fields ranging from linguistics to speech therapy.

• Phonetics
• Phonology
• Prosody
• +4 more