Jacobus (Kobus) Kok is Professor and Chair of New Testament Studies at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit (ETF) Leuven, with additional appointments as Professor Extraordinarius at the University of Pretoria. His multifaceted research integrates exegetical analysis with social identity theory, focusing on early Christian community formation. Education Ph.D. Theology: Religious Studies and Missiology, University of Pretoria (2017) Ph.D. Theology: New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria (2008) M.Th. New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria (2004) M.Div., University of Pretoria (2003) B.Th., University of Pretoria (2001) Kok's scholarship explores boundary dynamics in early Christianity, examining how texts like 1 Peter and Johannine literature navigated inclusion/exclusion tensions. Recent works employ social identity complexity theory to analyze community formation amid persecution. He maintains active collaborations across European universities and contributes to international theological dialogues. His extensive publications in venues like Mohr Siebeck and Brill analyze power dynamics, missional ethics, and decolonial interpretations of scripture, particularly focusing on Pauline and Johannine corpora. Kok serves on editorial boards for several theological series and participates in academic societies including SNTS, EABS, and NOSTER, promoting interdisciplinary engagement between biblical studies and social sciences.
Yoshiko Matsumoto is the Yamato Ichihashi Professor in Japanese History and Civilization and Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Linguistics. She has been a faculty member at Stanford since 1992, progressing from Assistant Professor to her current distinguished position. Matsumoto also serves as coordinator of the Japanese Language Program and has held significant administrative roles including Chair of the Department of Asian Languages (2003-2005) and Interim Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (2016). Matsumoto earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley (1989), following M.A. degrees in Linguistics from UC Berkeley and General and Applied Linguistics from the University of Tsukuba, an M.I.A. in American Studies from the University of Tsukuba, and a B.A. in English Language & Literature from Japan Women's University. Professor Matsumoto's research focuses on linguistic pragmatics from cross-linguistic perspectives, with particular expertise in Japanese language. Her work spans structural and sociocultural aspects of language in use, including noun-modifying clause constructions, honorifics, discourse markers, and the intersection of language with gender and aging. She has pioneered research on conversational narratives of older adults, examining how ordinary framing strategies help individuals navigate difficult experiences. Her current projects explore intergenerational communication through haiku, communicative abilities of people with dementia, and noun-modifying constructions across Eurasian languages. Matsumoto's scholarship consistently bridges theoretical linguistics with practical applications for understanding human communication in diverse social contexts. Matsumoto's recent publications reveal a growing focus on practical applications of linguistic research for social benefit, particularly in intergenerational communication and dementia care. Her work increasingly integrates arts-based approaches, especially haiku poetry, to bridge generational divides and enhance communication with elderly populations. The research shows a consistent trajectory from theoretical linguistic frameworks toward applied, human-centered language studies that address real-world challenges in aging societies, with particular attention to how ordinary language practices help individuals navigate life transitions and difficult experiences. Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching, School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford University (2000) Richard E. Guggenhime Faculty Scholar, Stanford University (2000-2003) Violet Andrews Whittier Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2019-2020) Faculty Research Fellow, Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research (2014-2015) Research Fellow, Japan Foundation (2002) Internal Fellow, Stanford Humanities Center (2005-2006) Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities, Stanford University (2009-2011) Professor Matsumoto has mentored numerous students through her teaching in Japanese language and linguistics courses, including specialized offerings on language and aging, points in Japanese grammar, and haiku-based communication. Her research has been supported by prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Japan Foundation, and Stanford's Presidential Fund for Innovation in the Humanities. She has served on multiple editorial boards including the Journal of Pragmatics since 1992, demonstrating long-standing leadership in her field. Matsumoto has also advised students through individual studies and thesis projects in East Asian Languages and Cultures. Matsumoto leads several collaborative research initiatives including the 'Sharing Conversations' project which examines intergenerational communication through haiku, and research on communicative abilities of people with dementia. Her work often involves interdisciplinary teams spanning linguistics, gerontology, and creative arts, with fieldwork conducted in both Japan and the United States. The 'Noun-Modifying Constructions in Languages of Eurasia' project represents a major international collaboration examining linguistic structures across cultural boundaries. She also directs the 'Language, Old Age and Gender in Japan' project supported by the Stanford University/Japan Foundation, and the 'Difficult Conversations Continue: Memories of the 3.11 Disaster and Bereavement Narratives' project focused on post-disaster communication.
Mette Andersson is a Professor at the Department of Sociology and Social Geography, University of Oslo. She holds a PhD from the University of Bergen (1995-99) and has held visiting fellowships at Goldsmiths College, University of London (2000) and Yale University (2003). Previously, she served as Professor of Sociology at the University of Bergen (2009-2014), where she taught migration, race, transnationalism, and social movement theory. Her research focuses on cultural/political sociology, migration, ethnicity, social movements, globalization, and sport. Current projects include an antiracism study examining generational divides in activism and identity dynamics within Norwegian social movements. She employs qualitative methods like interviews, focus groups, and web-ethnography. Key contributions include analyzing racialization processes, public sphere debates on multiculturalism, and the role of sport in integration. Her work bridges theoretical conceptualization and empirical case studies, emphasizing comparative research and policy relevance. Notable collaborations include a multi-authored book chapter on antiracism dilemmas in Norway and research on Polish migrant workers' racialization. She actively engages in public debates on migration and racism through media contributions and policy-oriented research.
Michael Qizhe Shieh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS), affiliated with the Tree and Rock AI Lab (TRAIL). He holds a PhD and Master's from Carnegie Mellon University (Machine Learning and Language Technologies) and a Bachelor's from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's ACM Class. His research focuses on Large Language Models, Deep Learning, and Natural Language Processing, with notable contributions to semi-supervised learning techniques like Noisy Student and UDA, and the RACE benchmark for reading comprehension. Education: PhD in Machine Learning, Carnegie Mellon University (2020) Master's in Language Technologies, Carnegie Mellon University (2018) Bachelor's in Computer Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2016) His research explores robustness, safety, and scalability of AI systems. He has served as Area Chair for top conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, and ICLR. Current research directions include adversarial robustness, LLM self-evaluation, and alignment mechanisms. His lab, TRAIL, emphasizes foundational AI research. Selected contributions include: Developing UDA and Noisy Student techniques for semi-supervised learning Creating the RACE benchmark for exam-based reading comprehension Advancing methods for LLM safety and adversarial defense Prospective students are encouraged to apply to NUS's PhD program for collaborative research opportunities.
Dr. David Wright is a Professor in the Department of English and Technical Communication at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). He joined the faculty in 2007 after prior roles at NASA’s Education Project, Oklahoma state government, and the software industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Technical Communication (Oklahoma State University, 2007), an M.S. in Higher Education Administration (1996), and a B.S. in Organizational Psychology (1993), all from Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on smart home technology and artificial intelligence, particularly examining human-AI interaction through usability and user experience (UX) testing. He also explores technology diffusion, technical communication practices in emerging technologies, and educational methodologies for technical fields. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, blending engineering, sociology, and computer science. Recent publications highlight his contributions to IoT usability, smart home adoption challenges, and the intersection of AI ethics with virtual assistants. He has also authored studies on knowledge graph design, technical documentation in software development, and educational initiatives in computer science and healthcare. Dr. Wright teaches courses in technical writing, usability studies, and web-based communication. His academic service includes curriculum development and advising on technical communication pedagogy. While no specific awards are listed, his extensive publication record reflects sustained scholarly impact in his fields.
Anupam Joshi is the Acting Dean of the College of Information Technology and Engineering and Oros Family Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He also directs UMBC’s Center for Cybersecurity and leads the National Cybersecurity FFRDC for the University System of Maryland. His research focuses on networked computing, AI-driven cybersecurity, privacy-preserving technologies, and policy-driven security frameworks. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University (1993), an M.S. (1991), and a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (1989). Dr. Joshi’s work spans over 400 publications with 32,650+ citations (h-index 92) and nine patents. His grants include funding from NSF, DARPA, NASA, NIST, and industry partners like IBM and Northrop Grumman. Key contributions include developing CAPD frameworks for IoT security, FABULA for automated threat intelligence, and KiNETGAN for intrusion detection through synthetic data. He is an IEEE Fellow and pioneer in applying AI to secure critical infrastructure, smart grids, and healthcare systems. His research trends emphasize AI-empowered cybersecurity, privacy compliance in data sharing (e.g., agriculture, healthcare), and mitigating attacks on smart systems. Notable projects include combating fake cybersecurity reports using provenance analysis, securing EV charging infrastructure, and enhancing smart farming resilience through policy-driven access control. Awards: IEEE Fellow Grants: Over $30M from NSF, DoD, NASA, and industry collaborations Labs/Teams: Director of UMBC Center for Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Knowledge Graph initiatives Future work includes advancing neurosymbolic AI for cybersecurity, semantic data extraction from scientific literature, and AI ethics in healthcare applications.
Gale M. Sinatra is a Professor at the Rossier School of Education and jointly appointed in the Psychology Department at the University of Southern California . Her research focuses on conceptual change learning , science education , and public understanding of science , particularly around controversial topics like climate change and evolution. PhD, MS, BS in Psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst Her recent publications explore refutation texts , epistemic emotions , and sustainability education , with a 2021 co-authored book Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It . Awards include National Academy of Education membership (2022), AERA Sylvia Scribner Award (2020), and Fellowships in APA and AERA. She has served as President of APA Division 15 and Associate Dean for Research at Rossier. NSF Grant (2018) for Augmented Reality in Paleontology Education Mattel Children’s Foundation Grant (2014) for Speedometry Program SSHRC Grant (2014) for Epistemic Belief Change Research
Dr. Pieter van Oel is an Associate Professor in the Water Resources Management group at Wageningen University & Research, focusing on sociohydrology and addressing water crises in South America and Africa. His expertise spans civil/hydraulic engineering, environmental management, hydrology, irrigation systems, and drought diagnosis. He teaches courses like Design in Land and Water Management and supervises PhD students such as Louise Cavalcante and Daniel Wiegant. His research emphasizes societal dimensions of water challenges, including drought impacts, agent-based modeling, and serious gaming for community engagement. Projects include analyzing drought policies in Brazil, improving water governance in Kenya, and evaluating groundwater vulnerability in Ethiopia. He collaborates on initiatives like the Diagnosing Drought project and Socio-hydrological Simulation tool development. Key contributions include critiques of drought monitoring systems' alignment with local realities and frameworks for sustainable agroforestry management. His work bridges science and policy, advocating for interdisciplinary solutions to water scarcity and climate resilience.
Prof. Jacco van Ossenbruggen is a Full Professor in Intelligent Information Systems at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), affiliated with the Network Institute. He serves on the Management Board of ODISSEI, a national research infrastructure for social sciences and economics. His academic background includes a PhD in Computer Science (2001) from VU’s Faculty of Science, focusing on hypermedia processing. Research Interests: His work centers on cultural AI, FAIR data principles, ontology engineering, and semantic web technologies. Key areas include inclusive cultural heritage metadata, bias mitigation in AI systems, and knowledge discovery via linked data. Recent projects involve leveraging large language models (LLMs) for metadata enrichment and ontology construction. Key Contributions: He leads initiatives like the Cultural AI Lab, exploring AI applications for cultural heritage. His research bridges technical innovations (e.g., semantic integration of restricted-access data) with societal impacts (e.g., ethical AI frameworks for public-sector applications). Developed frameworks for evaluating entity alignment in knowledge graphs Pioneered FAIR-aligned data management plans for scientific communities Designed tools like Alter Heritage for collaborative metadata curation Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator of the ODISSEI Portal project (2020–2024), advancing open data infrastructures. Active in funding initiatives promoting reproducible research and ethical data practices. Labs/Teams: Cultural AI Lab at VU, focusing on AI-driven solutions for cultural heritage preservation and accessibility.
Professor Liz Stephens is a faculty member at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology, specializing in flood forecasting, climate variability, and disaster risk management. Her work focuses on improving hydrological and meteorological models to enhance flood preparedness and climate adaptation strategies globally. Research Interests: Probabilistic flood forecasting Climate impacts on extreme events Enhancing forecast communication for decision-makers Applications in data-scarce regions like Kenya and Uganda Key Projects: Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) World Weather Attribution studies Probabilistic forecast evaluation frameworks Her research bridges academic analysis with practical implementation, collaborating with international organizations like ECMWF and humanitarian agencies to translate scientific insights into actionable disaster preparedness measures.
Hui Zhang is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on data-driven networking systems, video streaming optimization, and network control frameworks. He has contributed to innovations in adaptive resource allocation, real-time analytics, and sustainable strategies for resource utilization. Key research themes include time-state analytics, network anomaly detection, and integrating machine learning for enhanced performance. His work addresses challenges in content delivery networks (CDNs), peer-to-peer systems, and environmental applications like waste management. Recent publications (2021–2024) highlight advancements in neural network-based prediction, timeline frameworks, and sustainable material science innovations. No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text. His research emphasizes practical solutions for improving video quality of experience (QoE), network efficiency, and cross-disciplinary applications.
Alena Ledeneva is a Professor of Politics and Society at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) at University College London (UCL). She holds a PhD in Social and Political Theory from Cambridge University (1996) and has been at UCL since 1999. Her research focuses on informal governance systems, corruption, and networks in post-Soviet societies, particularly in Russia and Southeast Europe. She leads major EU-funded projects like ANTICORRP.eu and MARKETS, and founded the UCL FRINGE Centre and Global Informality Project. Education: PhD in Social and Political Theory, University of Cambridge (1996) MPhil, University of Cambridge (1992) BA, Novosibirsk State University (1986) Research interests include informal institutions, blat networks, systemic corruption (sistema), and cross-cultural informality. She has authored landmark books such as How Russia Really Works and Can Russia Modernize? , and edited the Global Encyclopedia of Informality series. Her work bridges political science, sociology, and organizational behavior. Key contributions include analyzing the 'dark and bright sides' of informal networks, modeling costs of informal practices in the Western Balkans, and critiquing global corruption paradigms. She advises on anti-corruption strategies and runs interdisciplinary research hubs. Labs/Teams: FRINGE Centre for Social and Cultural Complexity Global Informality Project (in-formality.com) Her art explores sociopolitical themes, displayed at alenaledeneva.com/art .
Elizabeth Ooi is a Senior Lecturer of Finance at the UWA Business School, University of Western Australia. She holds a PhD from Monash University and has extensive experience in financial literacy and personal finance research, including consulting for the OECD. Her research focuses on superannuation governance, financial education, and corporate governance, with notable contributions to policy reports and peer-reviewed journals. She has secured over $140,000 in research grants and co-founded the UnderstandingSuper initiative to enhance financial literacy. Education: BA, BCom, PGradDipEc&Com (Monash University), PhD (Monash University). Research interests include financial literacy measurement, gender disparities in financial knowledge, superannuation fund governance, and socially responsible investing. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to economic empowerment and financial inclusion. Grants and funding include projects with CPA Australia, Industry Superannuation Australia, and the NSW TechVoucher grant. She has supervised multiple PhD and honours students, contributing to academic and policy discussions on financial systems reform. Professional roles include Deputy Director of External Engagement (2018-2022), seminar series coordinator, and board memberships. She has presented globally at institutions like the OECD and the United Nations, and her media engagements include contributions to The Conversation, The Australian, and Sydney Morning Herald.
Dr Jonathan Baker is a Senior Lecturer in Strategy at the Adelaide Business School , part of the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics at the University of Adelaide. He previously served as Director of the Yunus Centre for Business, Sustainability & Social Impact (2022-2023) and has held academic positions at Auckland University of Technology, University of Auckland, and guest professorship at University of Bayreuth. His research focuses on Interdisciplinary intersections of markets, strategy, and social impact Market-shaping strategies Sustainability and circularity transitions UN Sustainable Development Goals (9, 11, 12) Systemic business model perspectives Dr Baker's work appears in top journals including Industrial Marketing Management , Journal of Business Research , and Marketing Theory . He serves on the Editorial Review Board of Industrial Marketing Management (ABDC A*). Scientific Awards Excellence Early Career Researcher Award (ANZAM-European Management Journal, 2023) Emerging Career Researcher Award (Adelaide Business School, 2023) As a principal supervisor, he welcomes PhD/MPhil candidates interested in market shaping, sustainability transitions, or social entrepreneurship. His methodology emphasizes qualitative research and ecosystem-level analysis.
Prof. Bettina van Hoven holds the Aletta Jacobs Chair in 'Place, Social Change and Collaborative Research for Wellbeing and Justice' at University College Groningen (University of Groningen). She earned her PhD in 1999 from the University of Plymouth with research on post-socialist rural societies in Germany. Her work focuses on participatory methodologies addressing marginalized groups' spatial experiences, including disability, aging, migration, and environmental challenges. She advocates 'slow science' emphasizing ethical collaboration and community co-creation. Education: PhD (University of Plymouth, 1999), studies in Biology and Physical Geography (University of Osnabrück and Plymouth). Research: Integrates visual methods, community partnerships, and arts-based dissemination to produce inclusive knowledge. Key themes include urban wellbeing, disability inclusion, and participatory resilience-building. Teaching: Project-based learning focused on bridging theory and real-world challenges. Advising: Supervised 9 PhD students since 2013, including works on climate action, Syrian refugee masculinities, and aging-in-place. Labs/Teams: Leads the Aletta Jacobs Chair research group, collaborating with organizations like 'This Abled City' to improve urban accessibility. Serves on editorial boards for Emotion, Space and Society and Journal for Undergraduate Ethnography .
