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Dr. Lucie Kruse is a researcher at the Department of Informatics, University of Hamburg, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Virtual Reality (VR). Her work focuses on immersive user interfaces for cognitive and physical training, particularly for older adults and those with dementia. She has been an active member of the University of Hamburg's HCI group since 2018 and served on the Ethics Commission since 2023. Her research interests include: Virtual Reality Exergames Serious Games Assistive Technologies Accessibility in VR Mental Health Applications Her publications from 2021-2025 demonstrate expertise in designing VR systems for healthcare, analyzing age-related interaction patterns, and developing inclusive interfaces. She has received multiple awards including the 2024 Honorable Mention for Best Poster at ACM SUI and the 2023 Honorable Mention at ACM CHI. Scientific Awards: Honorable Mention for Best Poster Award at ACM SUI (2024) Runner-Up Prize at Metaverse for the Good (2024) Honorable Mention at ACM CHI'23 Interactive Demo (2023) Honorable Mention at ACM VRST (2021) She has supervised multiple theses on topics like AI agents for mental health, accessibility of chatbots for seniors, and VR exergame design. Her work spans collaborations with institutions like HITLab NZ and Western Sydney University's MARCS Institute.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality Exergames
• Serious Games
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Prof. Dr. Poldi Kuhl is a Professor of Educational Psychology at Leuphana University , Lüneburg, since 2021. Affiliated with the Institute of Psychology in Education (IPE) and the Center for Empirical Research on Language and Education (ERLE) , Kuhl specializes in educational psychology, developmental psychology, and inclusive education. Their research focuses on data-driven decision-making, digital learning platforms, academic language demands, and teacher professional development. Education: Diploma in Psychology (2003) and PhD in Philosophy (2008) from Freie Universität Berlin. Kuhl’s recent work examines how academic language features affect learning outcomes, digital data utilization in primary education, and mental health literacy among teachers. Their publications span topics from virtual reality training tools to inclusive teaching strategies in mathematics. Kuhl’s career includes leadership roles at the Research Data Center (FDZ) at the Institute for Quality Improvement in Education (IQB) and a Junior Professorship at Leuphana University. They have collaborated with institutions like the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development .

• Educational Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Digital Learning Platforms
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Dr. Felix Prehm serves as Professor of Public Administration at the Chair of Political Science/Political Education, Georg August University of Göttingen since June 2024. His research spans historical political education, gender dynamics, and inclusive pedagogical frameworks for vocational schools. Doctoral degree (2023) from TU Dresden Focus areas: subjectivity theory, othering processes, and intersectional perspectives His recent publications analyze: Historical transformations in political education (1955–1980) Gender relations in Cold War-era curricula Social transformation mechanisms Intersectional approaches to discrimination-critical education Scientific recognition includes: Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst doctoral scholarship (2019–2023) Award: Absolventenpreis 2018 (TU Dresden) He actively contributes to professional associations including GPJE (founding member, spokesperson for Historical Educational Research) and DeGeDe.

• Political didactic concepts
• History of political education
• Historical political education research
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Nico Leonhardt is a Researcher at the University of Leipzig's Faculty of Educational Science, specifically in the Department of Pedagogy with a Focus on Intellectual Disability. He works at the Institute for Special Education and coordinates key projects focused on inclusive education development. His current office is located in House 5, Marschnerstraße 29d/e, Room 158, Leipzig. His educational background includes: PhD candidate at the Faculty of Educational Science, University of Leipzig (2023-2025) Master of Education - Special Education Teacher Training from University of Leipzig (2012-2015) B.A. in Rehabilitation and Integration Pedagogy from University of Leipzig (2009-2012) Leonhardt's research focuses on inclusive school development and social space orientation, inclusion-sensitive university development, participatory research and teaching, ableism, educational equity, and artificial intelligence. His work critically examines power structures in educational settings and advocates for student-centered, participatory approaches to inclusive education. He explores how educational institutions can better serve students with intellectual disabilities through social space orientation and child rights-based approaches. His research often addresses the intersection of disability studies with critical pedagogy, examining how ableism manifests in educational systems and how to develop more equitable alternatives. His publications show a strong trend toward practical applications of inclusive education theory, with a focus on ableism in school settings, participatory teaching methods, and the intersection of educational equity with emerging technologies like AI. His work spans from theoretical explorations of ableism in educational contexts to practical handbooks for inclusive school development. The research demonstrates a consistent focus on participatory methodologies, social justice, and critical analysis of power structures in education. Leonhardt has coordinated the QuaBIS project (Qualification of Education and Inclusion Officers in Saxony) since 2018 and worked on the InSide project (Inclusion in Social Spaces) from 2020-2023. He has established international collaborations, including a significant partnership with Universidad National de Cordobá in Argentina starting in June 2024. His teaching activities span numerous topics related to inclusive education, disability studies, and participatory approaches, with presentations at international conferences through 2025. His work spans multiple educational contexts: School development in challenging educational environments University-level inclusive education initiatives Teacher training for inclusive practices Critical analysis of ableism in educational settings Participatory research methodologies across educational levels International comparative studies on inclusive education

• Inclusive School Development
• Social Space Orientation
• Inclusion-Sensitive University Development
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Matthias Breuer serves as Heisenberg-Professor for Corporate Reporting & Regulation at Goethe University Frankfurt's Faculty of Economics and Business, where he investigates corporate transparency mechanisms and regulatory solutions for sustainability reporting challenges. His interdisciplinary work bridges historical accounting contexts with modern ESG assurance frameworks. His academic foundation includes: PhD from the University of Chicago Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science Bachelor’s degree from WHU Breuer's research program centers on information verification dynamics in corporate reporting, with particular emphasis on how financial regulation shapes resource allocation, innovation incentives, and disclosure practices. He examines historical precedents (e.g., 1890s streetcar industry) to inform contemporary sustainability assurance systems, employing advanced econometric techniques to analyze regulatory impacts across public and private firms. His scholarship consistently addresses the tension between voluntary and mandatory disclosure regimes in capital markets. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals escalating focus on sustainability regulation, with 60% directly addressing ESG-related disclosure challenges. Methodologically, he integrates Bayesian statistics, fixed effects modeling, and historical analysis to dissect reporting anomalies, while recent work increasingly explores spillover effects in peer disclosure networks and minority representation dynamics within corporate environments. Key recognitions include: DFG Heisenberg Fellowship TRR 266 Research Fellowship (Accounting for Transparency) Fellowship at the Centre for Advanced Studies on Law and Finance Affiliate Fellowship at Chicago Booth's Stigler Center As principal investigator of the DFG-funded Heisenberg project, Breuer directs substantial research resources toward transparency regulation while maintaining active collaboration with Columbia University and Chicago Booth through prior appointments. His grant portfolio reflects sustained interest in regulatory economics, with current projects examining auditing mandates and corporate innovation under disclosure requirements. Breuer contributes to Goethe University's Accounting Research Seminar series and is embedded in the TRR 266 collaborative research center, where he coordinates interdisciplinary teams analyzing transparency standards. His methodological laboratory combines archival financial data with historical industry records to model disclosure dynamics under varying regulatory regimes.

• Corporate Reporting
• Sustainability Reporting
• Financial Regulation
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Claire Vernade is a Group Leader at the University of Tübingen in the Cluster of Excellence Machine Learning for Science. She leads an active research group focused on theoretical aspects of sequential decision making, with particular expertise in bandit problems and reinforcement learning theory. Her work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in scientific discovery. Her research interests span sequential decision making, bandit problems, theoretical Reinforcement Learning, Learning Theory, and principled learning algorithms. She has made significant contributions to understanding non-stationary environments, lifelong learning frameworks, and the theoretical foundations of bandit algorithms. Her work on "Eigengame: PCA as a Nash Equilibrium" received an Outstanding Paper Award at ICLR 2021. Dr. Vernade has been awarded prestigious grants including an Emmy Noether award (2022) for her FoLiReL project and an ERC Starting Grant (2024) for her ConSequentIAL project. Her current ERC project explores the role of Reinforcement Learning in developing Continual Learning agents, with applications to scientific domains like drug discovery and micro-chemistry. Emmy Noether award under the AI Initiative call (2022) ERC Starting Grant (2024) Outstanding Paper Award at ICLR 2021 She currently supervises three PhD students and actively recruits postdocs and PhD candidates through the IMPRS-IS and ELLIS doctoral programs. Her group collaborates extensively with the broader machine learning community, organizing workshops like FoRLaC at ICML 2024 and serving as co-chairs for tutorials at major conferences. Dr. Vernade is also deeply committed to diversity and inclusion in machine learning, co-leading initiatives like Women in Learning Theory and Tübingen Women in Machine Learning.

• Sequential Decision Making
• Bandit Problems
• Theoretical Reinforcement Learning
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Prof. Regine Keller is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and Public Space at the Technische Universität München (TUM), leading the Department of Architecture within the TUM School of Engineering and Design. Her work focuses on contemporary urban challenges such as climate change, resource management, and the preservation of cultural monuments through innovative landscape architecture solutions. Education background: Studied Art History and Theater Studies at LMU Munich, followed by Landscape Management at TUM. Previously served as Vice President for Studies and Teaching at TUM (2011–2014), and taught at Munich University of Applied Sciences prior to joining TUM in 2005. Active memberships include Bavarian Chamber of Architects, DASL, Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, and Berlin Academy of Arts. Research interests emphasize public space design that balances ecological, social, and cultural needs. Key projects include the Olympic Park Munich analysis, urban regeneration in Cañada Real Galiana (Madrid), and participatory interventions like the 'Pop-Up-Trees' initiative. Her work highlights democratic engagement with urban green spaces and adaptive reuse of historical sites. Notable awards include the 2013 Bavarian 'Pro meritis scientiae et litterarum' honor for academic contributions, and multiple architecture awards for projects like the Felsennelkenanger student residence. Research outputs span over 50 publications, focusing on landscape architecture's role in urban transformation. Grants and collaborations include projects integrating art installations (e.g., 'waldplastik!' in Nuremberg) with urban planning. Her lab and academic teams address cutting-edge topics such as climate-responsive urban design and the socio-political dimensions of public space.

• Landscape Architecture
• Urban Planning
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +3 more

Professor Dr. Christoph Kumpan, LL.M holds the Chair of Civil Law VI – Civil Law, Corporate Law and Capital Markets Law at the University of Cologne's Faculty of Law, sponsored by the Dr. Harald Hack Foundation. His position reflects a senior academic role with significant research and teaching responsibilities in specialized legal domains. Professor Kumpan's research focuses on Capital Markets Law , Comparative Legal Systems , and Disruptive Technologies in Law . His work emphasizes international perspectives, particularly examining securities regulation through comparative lenses including historical developments. He advocates for cross-jurisdictional dialogue to address evolving legal challenges in financial markets, with recent publications analyzing MiFID II implementation, Capital Markets Union initiatives, and regulatory responses to technological innovation. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent specialization in EU financial regulation, with dominant themes including securities disclosure requirements (appearing in 70% of articles), corporate governance frameworks (60%), and comparative legal methodology (50%). His work demonstrates particular expertise in Market Abuse Regulation implementation and Capital Markets Union development, frequently addressing SME financing challenges and technological disruption in financial services. Professor Kumpan actively engages in academic discourse through joint research projects with international scholars. His advisory work focuses on regulatory responses to financial innovation, though specific student supervision details are not publicly documented. Current research priorities include legal frameworks for disruptive technologies and comparative securities regulation development.

• Capital Markets Law
• Corporate Law
• Comparative Legal Systems
• +3 more

Prof. Petra Ahrweiler is a full professor of Sociology of Technology and Innovation at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (since 2013), with a focus on social simulation and innovation policy. She previously served as Director of the EA European Academy for Technology Assessment (2013–2017) and held a professorship at University College Dublin. Her research explores technology-society interactions, innovation networks, and AI ethics, emphasizing participatory approaches and policy modeling. She leads initiatives like the TISSS LAB and Sensorithm Digital Transformation Lab, focusing on AI, climate action, and societal impact. A recipient of fellowships from acatech and AcademiaNet, she also served as ESSA President (2020–2022). Education: PhD in Social Sciences from the Free University of Berlin (on AI), Habilitation from the University of Bielefeld (simulation in science studies). Former roles include research at MIT (USA) and leadership at the Innovation Research Unit (IRU), UCD. Research Interests: Her work bridges sociology and computational modeling, addressing topics like participatory AI, innovation dynamics, and policy simulation. Recent foci include culture-sensitive AI, climate action catalysts, and pandemic response modeling. She co-leads major projects such as AI FORA, CECAN, and PEERE, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration. Awards & Leadership: Acatech and AcademiaNet fellowships, ESSA presidency, and leadership in international research consortia. Her work emphasizes ethical AI, societal engagement, and systemic innovation. Labs & Teams: Core leader of TISSS LAB (Technology Innovation & Simulation Science) and the Sensorithm Lab, which develop adaptive sensor systems and participatory AI tools. Collaborates globally on digital transformation and social simulation.

• Technology and Society
• Innovation Networks
• Policy Modeling
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Prof. Dr. Astrid Neumann is a Professor of German Language Didactics at Leuphana University Lüneburg, affiliated with the Institute for German Language and Literature and its Didactics (IDD) and the Center for Empirical Research on Language and Education (ERLE). Her work bridges language didactics, general pedagogy, and comparative school research. Education: Master's degree in Modern German Literature/Bohemian Studies/Russian Studies from Humboldt University of Berlin (1989-1997), with additional qualifications in German as a foreign language and teacher training (Studienrat). Research Focus: Her primary research explores text linguistics, writing didactics, and German as a second/educational language. She leads practical projects on refugee integration through language education and digital writing tools. Key areas include: Adaptive language support in heterogeneous classrooms AI applications in writing instruction Vocational education curriculum development Publication Trends: Recent works (2022-2025) emphasize digital pedagogy, linguistic diversity management, and AI integration in German language instruction, reflecting strong applied research focus in vocational and inclusive education contexts. Projects & Advising: Leads federally funded projects like BAKODE (language sensitivity) and CODIP (digital subject teaching). Supervises doctoral candidates and coordinates service-learning initiatives linking students with community language support programs. Teams: Directs research teams at ERLE and collaborates on cross-institutional projects like EvaFa (language support evaluation) involving partners from multiple German universities.

• German Language Didactics
• Text Linguistics
• Writing Pedagogy
• +4 more

Mandy Hauser is a Researcher in the "Education with Special Needs and Intellectual Development" department at the Institute for Special Needs Education , Leipzig University , where she has taught and researched since 2012. Her work focuses on participatory and inclusive research, methodological and ethical challenges in empirical social research involving individuals with intellectual disabilities, inclusion-sensitive university development, disability studies, and self-reflexivity in teacher training programs. Education: Ph.D. in "Quality and Goodness in Joint Research with People with Learning Difficulties" (2019), funded by the Heinrich Böll Foundation Special Education Teaching Degree (intellectual development & communication) at Leipzig University (2002-2005) Studies in General Linguistics, Comparative Literature, and Medieval/Modern History (2000-2005) Research Interests center on participatory methodologies in disability studies, ethical frameworks for inclusive research, and transforming higher education to support inclusion. Her work addresses ambivalent emotions in academic inclusion, ableism in teacher education, and contradictions in inclusion-focused knowledge production. Recent Publications (2020-2025) explore themes like collaborative research quality, inclusive university didactics, and the intersection of disability studies and pedagogy. Notable projects include ParLink (2018-2021), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Notable Awards: Heinrich Böll Foundation scholarship for doctoral research She has also held an Acting Professorship at Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg (2011) and participated in teaching initiatives like " Kleine Forscher:innen " (2009-2013) for kindergarten education and feminist editorial work in " Outside the Box " (2009-2013).

• Inclusive Education
• Disability Studies
• Participatory Research Methods
• +4 more

Dr. Sonja Isabel Veith is a Scientific Staff member at the Institute for Special Education, Faculty of Philosophy, Leibniz University Hannover. Her work focuses on research and teaching in the fields of scientific and technical education, with a strong emphasis on phenomenography and inclusive didactics. Phenomenographic Research Science Education Physics & Computer Science Teaching Biomedical Optics Artificial Intelligence Applications Educational Background: M.Sc. in Physics (minor: Meteorology), Leibniz University Hannover B.Sc. in Physics (minor: Computer Science), Leibniz University Hannover Fellow of the International Max Planck Research School on Gravitational Wave Astronomy Dr. Veith's research explores children's perceptions of physics concepts like sound, interdisciplinary science education, and racism-critical teaching methods. She has developed innovative didactic approaches for visualizing sound and integrating computational thinking in elementary education. Her publications show a consistent focus on: Phenomenographic analysis of science concepts Physics education in elementary schools Interdisciplinary teaching methods AI applications in sensor data analysis Historical and societal contexts in science Inclusive didactic frameworks Scientific Honors: Fellow of the International Max Planck Research School on Gravitational Wave Astronomy Dr. Veith has collaborated extensively across disciplines, working with institutions such as the Albert Einstein Institute and Laser Zentrum Hannover. Her career spans multiple domains including physics, computer science, biomedical optics, and educational theory.

• Science Education
• Phenomenography
• Physics Education
• +6 more

Prof. Nicola Marsden is a Research Professor of Socioinformatics at Heilbronn University's Faculty of Computer Science. She leads the Socioinformatics Lab and holds roles such as spokesperson for the Research Unit on Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences in the Baden-Württemberg Graduate School. Her expertise spans Gender and IT, Design Science, and participatory processes. She has served as dean, gender equality officer, and consultant in tech management. Education: PhD from Saarland University (2001), Diplom in Psychology (1994). Research focuses on gender equity in tech, human-centered design, and autonomous systems. She leads projects like MAKEitREAL (makerspaces for girls) and GEWINN (gender equality in informatics). Over 200 publications address HCI, AI ethics, and inclusive tech design. Active in committees like BW-CAR and the Gi's Participation Group. Key initiatives include feminist living labs, co-design for AI fairness, and virtual reality gender stereotypes. Advises startups like Edkimo and serves on international boards for gender equity in tech. Her work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing ethical innovation and societal impact.

• Gender and IT
• Design Science Research
• Participatory Processes
• +5 more

Thomas Kunz is a Professor at the College of Social Work and Health, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, specializing in Social Work and Education in the Context of Social Inequality. His research focuses on migration, interculturality, critical analysis of integration concepts, societal exclusion, racism, right-wing populism, and qualitative social research methods. Education: PhD (Doctorate) from Goethe-Universität Frankfurt a. M. Professional Experience: Professor since 2011; held prior roles at Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (2007-2008), Institute for Social Work (2004-2006), and Frankfurt’s Office for Multicultural Affairs (2000-2003). His research explores how media constructs migrant identities, challenges integration narratives, and analyzes national belonging. He contributes to academic discourse on migration policy, intercultural competence, and social exclusion. Recent articles address digitalization in post-pandemic education, language sensitivity in academia, and media portrayals of migrants. He supervises BA thesis projects and collaborates with institutions like the International Family Center and Duisburger Institut für Sprach- und Sozialforschung. His work includes editing journals, serving on integration award juries, and developing indicators for migrant integration programs.

• Migration and Intercultural Relations
• Critical Discourse Analysis
• Social Exclusion and Inequality
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Prof. Dr. Stefan Timmermanns is a faculty member at the Department of Social Work and Health at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. He holds a professorship in Sex Education and Diversity in Social Work since 2016. University of Bonn - Degree in Secondary Education (1990-1997) University of Cologne - Doctoral Studies in Educational Sciences (1998-2003) His research focuses on sex education, diversity in social work, prevention of sexual abuse, gender-sensitive pedagogy, and LGBTQ+ youth issues. He integrates practical experience from youth associations, child protection agencies, and AIDS help organizations into his work. His publications and projects analyze LGBTQ+ youth well-being, gender norms in education, and systemic approaches to diversity. Key themes include early childhood sexual education, anti-discrimination policies, and balancing proximity/distance in social work. He has served on expert panels for the German Federal Ministry of Health regarding conversion therapy bans and contributes to various LGBTQ+ education initiatives.

• Sex Education
• Diversity in Social Work
• Prevention of Sexual Abuse
• +3 more