Find Academic Supervisors

Kati SormunenView profile

Lecturer

• 21st-century learning
• inclusive pedagogy
• digitally supported learning
• +6 more

Kati Sormunen is a Lecturer at the University of Helsinki's Department of Education, specializing in inclusive pedagogy, computational thinking, and maker education. She leads the Helsinki research community of special educational needs (SEN) Leadership in Educational Contexts research group and contributes to the CreaTE - Creative Technology Education initiative. Her work bridges school, university, and industry collaborations through the Innokas Network. Doctoral Programme Supervisor, School, Education, Society, and Culture EU Code Week Ambassador since 2018 Research Focus: Sormunen develops models for invention pedagogy and investigates 21st-century learning in inclusive educational environments. Her research spans computational thinking, digitally supported learning, and methodological approaches to large-scale educational projects. Recent work explores epistemic doubt in AI education and technological competence in maker projects. Collaborations: Active in international academic networks, including the ORCID profile and the ISLS Annual Meeting (2025). Engaged in cross-institutional research with Boston College's Lynch School of Education (2024). Publications and Projects: With over 65 research outputs and 20 projects since 2011, her notable initiatives include the Academy of Finland-funded Playful Learning Center (2022–2025) and the AI & Kids project (2014–2026). She has presented at conferences like CSCL 2024 and contributes to journals such as Journal of Computer Assisted Learning and Frontiers in Education .

• Educational Technology
• Digital Learning
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Gergana Vladova serves as a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Computer Science , Humboldt University of Berlin. Her work bridges Computer Science and Education , focusing on technology-mediated teaching, digital sovereignty, and Industry 4.0 applications in learning environments.

Daniel WagnerView profile

Lecturer

• Mathematics Education
• School-to-University Transition
• Mathematical Competency Development
• +2 more

Daniel Wagner serves as a lecturer at the University of Regensburg 's Faculty of Mathematics , Chair of Mathematics Education, since 2019. Concurrently, he is a senior teacher for mathematics and physics at the Johann-Andreas-Schmeller-Gymnasium in Nabburg since 2013, with prior experience as a research associate at the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) at Kiel University (2008-2011). Education: Master's in teaching mathematics and physics (University of Regensburg, 2008) Key Expertise: School-to-university transition challenges, formal abstract thinking in mathematics, competency modeling His research focuses on aligning mathematical competency requirements between secondary and tertiary education, emphasizing formal abstract reasoning. Publications since 2009 examine transition difficulties and curriculum continuity. Wagner also works as a timetable consultant and examiner for gifted students' assessments at the Bavarian Ministry of Education.

Shukla SikderView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Early Childhood Science Education
• STEM/STEAM Education
• Play-Based Pedagogy
• +5 more

Shukla Sikder is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Charles Sturt University's Faculty of Arts and Education. With nearly 14 years of multicultural teaching and research experience across Australia, Singapore, and Bangladesh, she specializes in early childhood science, technology, and play-based pedagogy. Her academic credentials include a BEd (Hons) and MEd from University of Dhaka, and a PhD in Early Childhood Science Education from Monash University. Dr. Sikder's research focuses on science learning through play and everyday practices across home and educational settings, digital technology as an innovative teaching method, children's learning and development (birth to eight years), and STEM/STEAM education. Her work employs cultural-historical theory to examine how children develop scientific concepts through family practices and play-based experiences. Current projects include the Children Draw Talking Project and research on culturally valued play-based practices for STEAM education. Analysis of her 49 research outputs (2015-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on cultural-historical perspectives in early childhood STEM education, with increasing output in recent years (17 publications in 2024 alone). Her work spans diverse formats including peer-reviewed articles, creative storybooks, conference presentations, and commissioned reports, demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches that bridge theory, practice, and children's voices. Monash Education Research Community Publication Award (A$500) Monash University Postgraduate Research Travel Grant (A$3,000) Monash University Faculty Research Fund (A$1,000) Australian Endeavour Postgraduate Award (A$234,500) Little Scientists Program Evaluation Grant (A$82,771) Dr. Sikder actively supervises research students and collaborates internationally through the Children's Voices Centre and STEM Education Research Group. Her current projects include evaluating how digital visual observations establish inclusive practices in early childhood research and developing frameworks for enhancing inclusive STEAM pedagogy. She serves as a key researcher in the Machine Vision and Digital Health (MaViDH) Research Group, focusing on innovative approaches to document children's learning processes.

Yang LiView profile

Associate Professor

• spatial statistics
• spatio-temporal processes
• network analysis
• +2 more

Yang Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where they have served since 2021, initially as Assistant Professor (2021-2024) before promotion to Associate Professor (2024-present). Prior to FAU, Dr. Li held faculty positions at the University of Minnesota Duluth as Assistant Professor (2013-2019) and Associate Professor (2019-2020). Their educational background includes a dual PhD trajectory: a PhD in Statistics from Iowa State University (2013) and a PhD in Physics from the University of Minnesota (2006), complemented by a BS in Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China (2001). Dr. Li's research spans multiple interconnected domains with particular emphasis on spatial statistics , spatio-temporal processes , network analysis , machine learning , and statistical computing . Their work demonstrates a unique interdisciplinary approach that bridges theoretical statistical methodology with practical applications, particularly in environmental science and plant biology. The publication record reveals two primary research streams: one focused on environmental applications (particularly plant responses to heavy metal toxicity and remediation strategies using nanoparticles and other treatments), and another centered on network science and statistical methodology development. Recent publications (2023-2025) show continued productivity across both streams with significant contributions to understanding plant-metal interactions and advancing network analysis techniques. As an educator, Dr. Li teaches across the statistics curriculum at FAU, from introductory courses like STA 2023 (Introductory Statistics) to advanced graduate courses including STA 6444 (Mathematical Probability) and CAP 5768 (Introduction to Data Science). They have also taught numerous mathematics courses including calculus sequences. Dr. Li actively mentors graduate students, currently advising PhD candidates Deepak Bastola and Samith Kuruppu, along with several MS students in Mathematics and Data Science. Their advising portfolio includes over 20 graduate students across their career at both FAU and University of Minnesota Duluth, plus multiple undergraduate research projects.

Kevin FortnerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Teacher Effectiveness
• Teacher Persistence
• Peer Effects
• +3 more

Kevin Fortner is an Assistant Professor of Research, Measurement and Statistics in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at Georgia State University's College of Education & Human Development. He teaches graduate courses in research methodology, education policy, and educational evaluation. His research examines teacher effectiveness, persistence, peer effects on student outcomes, and program evaluation. Publications demonstrate strong focus on quantitative analyses of educational policies, including teacher specialization impacts, kindergarten entry timing, and university mergers. Recent work (2020-2023) analyzes teacher workforce stability and organizational changes in higher education. Earlier studies (2016-2019) investigated data-driven teacher preparation improvements and early childhood policies. No awards or advising relationships are documented. Fortner collaborates with Georgia’s Bright From the Start Pre-K program and urban debate leagues, focusing on practical policy applications.

Emily JensenView profile

Assistant Professor

• Control Systems
• Power Systems
• Robotics
• +3 more

Emily Jensen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She specializes in the analysis and control of spatially-distributed systems with applications in power grids, satellite constellations, and bio-inspired robotics. Her work focuses on developing theoretical frameworks to optimize system performance under constraints such as communication limitations and nonlinear dynamics. Education: B.S. in Engineering Mathematics & Statistics, UC Berkeley, 2015 M.S./Ph.D. in Electrical & Computer Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, 2020 Professional Appointments: Postdoctoral Researcher at UC Berkeley (2022-2023) Postdoctoral Researcher at Northeastern University (2021) Her research interests center on optimal distributed control, system-level synthesis, and the interplay between system structure and controller design. Key projects include multi-timescale power network control, nonlinear wave dynamics in engineering systems, and distributed parameter systems with limited communication. Dr. Jensen has delivered invited talks at high-profile venues such as the International Symposium on Mathematical Theory of Networks & Systems (2024) and the System Level Synthesis Workshop (2022). She currently advises a team of graduate and undergraduate researchers, including Addie McCurdy, Andy Gusty, and Matt Baughman (co-advised with Prof. Hodge). Awards: UC Regents’ Graduate Fellowship (2016) Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship (2019) IFAC Conference Young Author Award Honorable Mention (2022) She teaches ECEN 3300 (Linear Systems) and ECEN 5738 (Nonlinear Control Systems) at CU Boulder. Her work has been published in IEEE journals and conferences, emphasizing theoretical contributions with practical engineering relevance.

• Mathematics Education
• Teacher Professional Development
• Student Learning Strategies
• +4 more

Anne Roche is a Casual Academic and past researcher associated with the School of Education within the Faculty of Education and Arts. Her work focuses on mathematics education, particularly in areas such as teacher professional development, student learning strategies, and pedagogical content knowledge. She has extensively studied topics like fractions, decimals, task-based learning, and teacher noticing across international contexts, including Australia, China, and Germany. Her research emphasizes the importance of contextualized tasks and challenging mathematical problems in fostering student engagement and conceptual understanding. She has contributed to projects aimed at improving teacher knowledge, such as the 'Early Numeracy Research Project' and studies on mathematics middle leaders' aspirations for classroom learning. Roche's work also explores teacher decision-making processes, the use of visual tools like decimats for decimal place value, and strategies to build student persistence in problem-solving. Her findings have been disseminated through peer-reviewed journals such as ZDM Mathematics Education, Mathematics Education Research Journal, and The Journal of Mathematical Behavior. While her articles highlight collaborative efforts with institutions worldwide, her academic contributions lack explicit mentions of awards or grants listed in the provided texts. Her publications span over two decades, reflecting sustained engagement with foundational and applied aspects of mathematics education.

• Mathematics Education
• Natural Sciences Education
• Physical Education
• +3 more

Geir Kirkerud is an Assistant Professor at the University of Inland Norway, affiliated with the Faculty of Teacher Education and Pedagogy and the Department of Mathematics, Science and Physical Education. His position is located at the Hamar campus in Room 2N1294. He contributes to the Future-oriented education in science and physical education (FUNK) research group. Phone: +47 62 51 78 97 Visiting Address: Biohuset, Holsetgata 22, N-2317 Hamar, Room 2N1294 Postal Address: Postboks 400 Vestad, 2418 Elverum, Norway His research and teaching focus on disciplines related to mathematics, natural sciences, and physical education pedagogy, reflecting his department's mission to prepare educators in these fields. No specific research awards or publications are listed in the provided texts.

• Economic Inequality
• Income Risk
• Lifecycle Hypothesis
• +4 more

Dr. C. Rashaad Shabab is a Reader in Economics at the University of Sussex Business School, specializing in applied microeconomics with a focus on household inequality, income risk, lifecycle theory, and migration. He holds a PhD and MSc in Economics from the University of Sussex and an AB in Economics and Mathematics from Vassar College. As Associate Dean for Education and Students, he leads pedagogical innovation and serves as an Academic Coordinator for Professional Placements in Economics. Education : PhD in Economics (University of Sussex, 2017), MSc Economics (University of Sussex, 2012), AB Economics and Mathematics (Vassar College, 2005) His research bridges economic development, migration studies, and pedagogical reform. Recent work examines mathematics anxiety in economics education and curriculum design for responsible management. He has authored publications in Oxford Economic Papers , Review of Development Economics , and Teaching Mathematics and its Applications , while also contributing to policy reports on migration and sustainability in Bangladesh. Dr. Shabab integrates teaching with social impact, co-authoring a foundational textbook Statistics for Economics, Accounting and Business Studies and initiating campus programs like virtual running groups to address student stress. His collaborations span institutions such as the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit and Swiss Development Cooperation.

Li HanView profile

Professor

• Data Science
• Computational Biology
• Protein Dynamics
• +2 more

Li Han is Professor of Computer Science at Clark University's Becker School of Design and Technology, where she also directs the Data Science program. She holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and M.S./B.S. degrees from Xi'an Jiaotong University. Her research spans computational protein studies, data science, and robotics, with current focus on protein dynamics and allosteric mechanisms. Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on computational approaches to biological systems, particularly protein dynamics, folding mechanisms, and conformation analysis. Recent work (2022) examines allosteric pathways in ubiquitin ligases using advanced simulation techniques. Methodological contributions include dimensionality reduction for protein conformation spaces and novel algorithms for molecular simulation. She teaches diverse courses including Introduction to Data Science, Algorithms, and Robotics, and advises student computing organizations. Her research has received funding from NSF and NIH.

Anthony KeysView profile

Associate Professor

• Information Systems
• Business Process Modeling
• Simulation Optimization
• +3 more

Dr. Anthony Keys serves as Associate Professor in the Business Communication and Information Systems Department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's College of Business. His teaching focuses on information systems in business contexts, systems development methodologies, and business analytics programming. PhD in Mathematics (Virginia Tech) MBA (Shenandoah University) BSc (Reading University) His research examines simulation optimization techniques, AI applications in business problem-solving, and pedagogical innovations in information systems education. Recent publications analyze ERPsim's impact on learning outcomes and curriculum alignment with liberal education objectives.

Gizem Ates VenåsView profile

Associate Professor

• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
• Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs)
• Gamified User Training
• +4 more

Gizem Ates Venås is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. She leads research in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), focusing on intuitive human-robot cooperation through inertial measurement units (IMUs), gamified training systems, and teleoperation. Her work emphasizes safety and natural interaction in collaborative robotics applications. Education: Bachelor's in Electronics and Communication Engineering (2010-2015), Izmir Institute of Technology Master's in Mechanical Engineering (2015-2018), Izmir Institute of Technology PhD in Computer Science (Software Engineering, Sensor Networks) (2018-2023), Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Research interests include: IMU-based motion estimation for cooperative manipulation Design of gamified training systems to improve HRI proficiency Medical robotics applications in teleoperated surgical systems Sensor fusion and real-time data processing for collaborative robots Teaching focuses on robotics fundamentals: ROS programming, embedded systems (Arduino), and robot control Courses: ELE306 Robotics, DAT160 Intelligent Robots, ADA526 Applied Robot Prototyping Labs/Teams: Core member of HVL Robotics Lab, developing open-source robotics education materials and simulation tools.

Moussa P. BlimpoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Development Economics
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Energy Policy
• +5 more

Moussa P. Blimpo is an Assistant Professor of Economic Inequality and Societies at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. He is a Faculty Affiliate at Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and a Global Labor Organization (GLO) Fellow. His expertise spans development economics, Sub-Saharan Africa, energy policy, climate change, education economics, and digital development. He previously served as Senior Economist in the Africa Chief Economist Office at the World Bank, contributing to reports like Electricity Access in Sub-Saharan Africa (2019) and Digital Africa (2023). Education: Ph.D. in Economics (institution unspecified), M.A. in Political Science (New York University), B.Sc. in Mathematics (University of Pau). Research focuses on the interplay between energy systems, climate resilience, and economic development in Africa. Notable work includes examining the impacts of education policies, infrastructure investments, and digital technologies on socioeconomic outcomes. His recent articles analyze climate change adaptation strategies, electricity access barriers, and unintended consequences of entrepreneurship programs. Teaching includes courses on global development, applied economics, and experiential learning. No scientific awards explicitly listed, though his World Bank affiliations suggest significant institutional recognition. Active in policy research with multiple World Bank publications and collaborative projects with organizations like IZA and RISE.

János GyőriView profile

Professor

• Intercultural Education
• Shadow Education Systems
• International Student Motivation
• +3 more

János Győri is a Professor at the Institute of Intercultural Psychology and Education at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. His roles include serving as a lecturer in the Relation between Shadow and Public Education Research Group and as an Alternate Member of the Credit Transfer Committee. He specializes in intercultural education systems, shadow education dynamics, and international comparative studies in teacher education and language learning motivation. His research spans multiple countries including Japan, Singapore, the Czech Republic, and Myanmar, with a focus on educational policies and student motivation across different cultural contexts. Dr. Győri’s work emphasizes cross-cultural pedagogical comparisons, particularly analyzing how informal educational structures (shadow education) influence formal schooling systems. He has conducted extensive studies on international students' language learning motivations, teacher identity formation, and gifted education programs across global contexts. His research bridges educational theory and practice, often employing both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore complex educational phenomena. Notable themes in his publications include examining motivational frameworks for language acquisition among international populations, analyzing systemic differences in teacher education between nations, and evaluating the societal impacts of supplementary educational systems. His recent work highlights emerging trends in global talent development strategies and the evolving role of non-formal educational interventions. While no specific awards are listed, his prolific publication record indicates sustained academic contribution to educational sciences. His advisory activities and committee roles reflect engagement with institutional educational reforms and cross-border educational collaborations.