Zhanwei Wang is an Unpaid employee at the Department of Applied Mechanics and the Federated labs AI and Robotics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research focuses on soft robotics, self-healing materials, fluid dynamics, and vacuum technology. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from VUB (2024), focusing on encoding physical intelligence into soft robotics via smart materials and continuum mechanics. Prior degrees include a Master's in Chemical Process Equipment (Northeastern University, China, 2020) and a Bachelor's in Process Equipment and Control Engineering (Northeastern University, China, 2017). His work emphasizes interdisciplinary innovation in robotics, sustainability, and material science. Key Research Areas: Self-healing robots, 3D printing for robotics, fluid dynamics in soft systems. Recent Collaborations: Peer reviews for Sensors Journal, IEEE Robotics & Automation Letters, and the 2025 IEEE/RSJ IROS conference. His publications explore adaptive robotic systems, sensor integration, and sustainable material solutions. He participated in the IMEC ITF World 2024 conference and contributed to media discussions on self-locking suction cups for robots.
Pieter Ballon is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Director of imec-SMIT, part of the Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology (SMIT) research group. He holds dual affiliations in Communication Sciences and SMIT. His roles include leadership in interdisciplinary research projects and academic administration. Research expertise focuses on Smart Cities, Digital Platforms, and ICT business models. Key interests include platform urbanism, data ecosystems, and algorithmic systems' societal impacts. He has supervised 122 academic works, including 8 master’s theses listed here. Notable awards include the 1st Brussels Smart City Ambassador (2016-2017) and multiple Best Paper Awards. His work spans over 300 publications and 75 research projects, with active grants like SHALGO (2024-2028) and AMAI 5 (2025-2026). He frequently engages in public debates, academic conferences, and media discussions on topics like algorithmic governance and smart city technologies.
Philip Dutré is a full professor at the Department of Computer Science , Faculty of Engineering Science , KU Leuven. He leads the Computer Graphics Research Group and chairs the Human-Computer Interaction division . His teaching portfolio includes courses on algorithms, data structures, and computer graphics fundamentals. Research Focus : Rendering algorithms, photo-realistic and image-based rendering, perceptual-based rendering, material models, and intuitive controls for computer animation. He explores deep learning applications in global illumination and uses quantum field theory for efficient light transport in participating media. Publications : Recent work includes advancements in temporal coherence for light transport (2017–2023), functional integrals for scattering models (2025), and optimization of spatial data structures (2019). Teaching Innovations : Advocate for ungrading (feedback-only assignments), flipped classroom techniques, and interactive learning. His approach emphasizes conceptual understanding over rote memorization, with structured, self-contained lessons and active student engagement. Leadership : Serves on multiple academic councils and committees including the Commission on Research Integrity and Student Services Council .
Imke Baetens is a Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences and the Department of Psychology. Her research focuses on self-injurious behavior, mental health in adolescents and older adults, and resilience-building interventions. She leads multiple projects addressing mental health challenges in schools, elderly populations, and marginalized groups like transgender individuals. Key initiatives include the PRISM network for mental health innovations and the SMARTS project enhancing resilience through schools. Baetens collaborates internationally, with studies on cross-national self-injury trends and personality risk factors for self-harm in older adults. She actively engages in public discourse on mental health via media contributions and hosts academic visitors to advance collaborative research. Education: Not explicitly stated in text; inferred doctoral training via research roles. Research interests prioritize bridging clinical practice and population health, with a focus on preventive mental health strategies. Over 97 publications since 2009 reflect her expertise in psychology, gerontology, and public health. Notable datasets include longitudinal studies on self-harm risk and cross-country comparisons of mental health interventions. Media engagements highlight her role as a public mental health expert, addressing topics like pandemic impacts on youth and elderly self-harm trends. She supervises numerous academic works, though specific student names are not listed.
Martijn Van Heel is an Assistant Professor in Psychology at Brussels University, affiliated with the Consultation Center. He specializes in adolescent mental health, focusing on parenting practices, emotion regulation, and non-suicidal self-injury. His work integrates cross-cultural comparisons and digital media's impact on youth development. He leads and co-leads several projects, including the PRISM network (Psychology, Research, and Innovations for Mental Health) and the SMARTS initiative (Strengthening Mental health and Resilience Through Schools). He also contributed to the 'Good Game' project promoting mental health in esports and research on online communication's effects on adolescents. Van Heel’s research emphasizes cultural differences in parenting, the role of digital platforms in mental health, and developing school-based interventions. His recent studies include benchmarking mindfulness therapies, analyzing emotion regulation across Belgium and Iran, and evaluating the Psychological Referral Optimization (PRO) app for adolescent mental health screening. He collaborates extensively with researchers in Iran, Vietnam, Tanzania, and South Africa, exploring topics like aggression norms, attachment styles, and pandemic impacts on self-injury. His work is disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and international conferences, with notable contributions to Current Psychology and Cognitive Therapy and Research .
Kyoko Iwaki is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Literature of the University of Antwerp, with a focus on Japanese theatre, performance studies, and post-catastrophe narratives. She actively engages in collaborative research and holds internal governance roles, including membership in the Departmental Council for Literature and the Education Committee for the Educational Master in Languages. Her research explores Japanese contemporary theatre's intersections with ethics, digital performance, and nuclear trauma. Key themes include collaborative methodologies, liminality, and the philosophical implications of post-Fukushima art. Her work spans classical adaptations, avant-garde practices, and interdisciplinary approaches to performance. Recent publications analyze experimental Japanese theatre (Okada Toshiki, Sankai Juku), post-disaster memory, and the politics of digital pandemic spaces. She contributes to global discourse through interviews with practitioners and critiques of institutional frameworks in theatre and academia.
Juliette Ferry-Danini is a researcher at the Centre de recherche Science & Philosophy in Namur, University of Namur, Belgium, holding a PhD in Philosophy from Sorbonne Université (awarded 2019). Her work critically examines narrative medicine, medical ignorance, and the biopsychosocial model, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals in education and health equity through interdisciplinary scholarship bridging philosophy and medical sciences. Her academic background includes: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Philosophy, Sorbonne Université (2019) Ferry-Danini's research interrogates foundational assumptions in medical practice, with core interests in narrative medicine's capacity to foster clinical empathy, historical epistemologies of medical ignorance, and gendered biases in pharmaceutical treatments. She critically analyzes humanism in medicine through phenomenological frameworks while investigating 19th-century anatomical collections and contemporary grassroots innovation models. Her scholarship consistently challenges biomedical reductionism by integrating humanities perspectives to advocate for more reflective, patient-centered healthcare systems that acknowledge medicine's social and historical dimensions. Analysis of her 2021-2024 publications reveals three dominant thematic trajectories: (1) Deconstruction of narrative medicine's limitations in generating genuine empathy, (2) Historical investigations into medical knowledge production (particularly anatomical practices and pharmaceutical controversies), and (3) Critical examinations of ignorance as an active epistemological force in medical practice. Her book 'Pilules roses' exemplifies this approach by exposing how gender bias perpetuated the use of Spasfon for 60 years, while her PLoS Biology collaboration advocates for democratizing biomedical research through community-driven innovation. No scientific awards were explicitly documented in the source material. Ferry-Danini's scholarly impact manifests through media engagement rather than formal student supervision, as evidenced by expert commentary in major outlets like L'Express regarding pharmaceutical controversies. Her research collaborations—particularly the international PLoS Biology project—suggest participation in grant-funded interdisciplinary initiatives focused on transforming biomedical research ecosystems, though specific funding sources remain unreported. As a core member of Namur's Science & Philosophy Research Centre, she operates within an interdisciplinary collective examining medicine's conceptual foundations. Her work connects with global networks through Scopus-indexed publications and media interventions, positioning her at the intersection of academic research and public discourse on medical ethics. Current activities indicate ongoing exploration of medical ignorance frameworks and historical continuities in clinical epistemology.
Sandy Claes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Science at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences. She serves as a researcher in the Media Culture & Policy Lab and is a member of the DigiSoc – KU Leuven Digital Society Institute. Her roles include Co-Promotor and Promotor in various research projects, and she is an invited member of the Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Claes’ work focuses on public displays, Human-Computer Interaction, interactive storytelling, participatory design, and media design. Her research projects span topics like environmental data visualization, participatory design for science engagement, and the role of mixed reality in fostering community. Notable projects include 'Designing Interactive Data Stories to Uncover Uncertainty' and 'Aerial and Airing: Mapping Environmental Data'. Claes’ publications highlight themes such as uncertainty communication in science, immersive dome experiences, and co-creating public spectacles. She actively contributes to conferences like the EGU General Assembly and Design Research Society events. Her advising and grants involve leading multiple projects with roles as Promotor or Co-Promotor, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. She is part of the Media Culture & Policy Lab and the Digital Society Institute, exploring intersections between technology, culture, and policy.
Nadine Engels is a Professor and Head of the Teacher Education Department at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). She holds additional roles including Chair of the Evaluation Board for the Professional Development Program of beginning university teachers, and Chair of the Teacher Education Commission of the Flemish Interuniversity Council. Her career began at VUB in 1985, and she earned her PhD in 1994 with research on teacher burnout in secondary education. Her research focuses on professional learning of educators, inquiry-based collaborative learning, and diversity in education. She leads projects like the EU-supported 'JEZZ' initiative and 'COLIBRU' on school leadership. Engels has supervised over 77 PhD projects and contributed to 221 research outputs. She actively participates in academic activities, including 280 conference presentations and media engagements. Engels also serves as a scientific advisor to The Dutch Research Council and sits on the jury for FWO (Research Foundation - Flanders). Her work emphasizes inclusive education, gender equity, and democratic school cultures. She promotes collaborative research networks like the 'Collaborative Research Schools' in Brussels.
Florian Trauner is a Professor of Political Science and Dean of the Brussels School of Governance at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). He specializes in EU migration, asylum, and internal security policies, with a focus on governance dynamics and external policy impacts. He co-founded the VUB's Brussels Interdisciplinary Research centre on Migration and Minorities (BIRMM), uniting over 100 researchers across 11 disciplines. His work bridges academic research and policy, including ERC-funded projects on coercive EU mobility rules and EU-West African migration cooperation. Education: PhD (2008, Vienna and Copenhagen) and Habilitation (2015, Political Science). He has held visiting positions at institutions like the College of Europe (Warsaw) and University of Renmin (China). His research appears in journals like West European Politics and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies , addressing topics such as EU deterrence messaging, bureaucratic migration politics, and the impact of crises on asylum systems. Key projects include analyzing EU migration cooperation with West Africa and the role of supranational institutions in Justice and Home Affairs. He has advised the European Commission, Parliament, and IOM, contributing to policy debates on return policies, border management, and the rule of law. Recent media engagements address Frontex oversight, Greek pushbacks, and EU migration hubs. Teaching includes EU immigration policy at the College of Europe. Supervised student theses include analyses of EU-Turkey cooperation, economic sanctions, and China’s diplomatic strategies. His awards include the EU Consent PhD Award (2007) and recognition for special issue curation (2011).
Geert Vandermeersche is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Educational Sciences , Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium). He holds a PhD in Educational Sciences (UGent, 2013) and a Master’s in Languages and Literature (UGent, 2006). Education: Master in Languages and Literature (UGent, 2006); PhD in Educational Sciences (UGent, 2013) His research focuses on: (1) Culture and Arts Education , including the impact of arts on educational practices in film, music, and performing arts; and (2) Digitalization in Youth Culture , exploring how technology reshapes cultural engagement. He also investigates co-creative research methodologies and their societal implications. Recent publications address digital museum education , urban learning spaces , and musicking in prisons . These works highlight intersections between arts, technology, and social justice, often through empirical and theoretical lenses. As a member of the Brussels Research Centre on Innovation in Learning and Diversity , he leads projects like: FWOTM1216: Critiquing participation paradigms in arts education EUPOM153 (SEEDLING): Climate justice and arts-based youth work OZR3758: Digital transformations in cultural education Vandermeersche has served on PhD committees, presented at international conferences (e.g., on sound-art, crip theory in museums), and contributed to datasets on classroom learning environments and museum education. His work emphasizes experiential knowledge and collaborative practices.
Herman Tournaye is a Physician Scientist at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). With over 760 research outputs and an h-index of 86 , his work spans Reproductive Medicine , Andrology , and Stem Cell Research , focusing on fertility preservation and pregnancy complications . Education : Limited details provided, but inferred MD/PhD in Clinical Sciences. Research Trends : Recent articles emphasize AI in reproductive clinics , testicular stem cell transplantation , and pre-eclampsia biomarkers . His work bridges basic science (spermatogenesis, stem cells) with clinical applications (IVF, embryo transfer, surgical interventions). Scientific Awards : 2008 Fellowship from BSRM Central Office - Orga-med Advisory Role : Supervised 10+ theses, including studies on genetic infertility , IVF outcomes , and testicular fibrosis models . Grants & Projects : Led initiatives like SRP89 (spermatogonial stem cells) and FWOAL1141 (testicular tissue cryopreservation), funded by VUB and FWO. Media Engagement : Frequent expert commentator on fertility topics, appearing in De Morgen , Radio 1 , and Le VIF .
Tom DE LEYN is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at Hasselt University's School of Social Sciences, where he contributes to the Capacity group Social Sciences and the Research group Research for Digitalisation, Diversity and Democracy. His work bridges media studies, sociology, and digital anthropology with a focus on youth experiences in technology-mediated environments. Based at Campus Hasselt in the Faculty of Law building, he actively engages in interdisciplinary research examining the societal implications of digital transformation. His research centers on Digital Media, Media and Communication, and the Sociology of Youth, with particular emphasis on Privacy and Surveillance dynamics across diverse cultural contexts. He investigates how children, adolescents, and ethno-religious minorities navigate digital spaces, parental mediation, and mobile technologies through qualitative and ethnographic approaches. Key themes include digital disconnection practices, intimate surveillance, and the socio-cultural construction of technology use, often comparing Global North and South contexts like Belgium and Liberia. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a cohesive trajectory examining digital harms assessment scales, children's perspectives on surveillance, and the paradoxes of digital disconnection policies. His work consistently employs innovative methodologies like the 360° interview technique while addressing critical gaps in understanding racial, gendered, and age-based digital inequalities. This scholarship demonstrates strong thematic continuity across media sociology, youth studies, and critical technology assessment. No scientific awards were mentioned in available sources. Tom DE LEYN actively contributes to academic training as a coordinating lecturer for courses including Media and Communication Studies I, Digital Media and Civil Society, and Qualitative Research Methods. He currently leads the 'Environmental analysis digital skills' research project (2025) focused on community service learning contexts, demonstrating practical engagement with digital inclusion initiatives. Within Hasselt University's research ecosystem, he operates through the Research group Research for Digitalisation, Diversity and Democracy, which examines technology's societal impacts through lenses of diversity, democratic processes, and digital transformation. This affiliation positions his work at the intersection of theoretical innovation and real-world policy relevance, particularly regarding youth digital rights and inclusive technology design.
Wim Van Lancker is an Associate Professor in Social Work and Social Policy at KU Leuven's Faculty of Social Sciences, specifically within the Education Policy, Sociology department. He is affiliated with the Centre for Sociological Research (CESO) and holds multiple leadership positions including programme director of POC Sociologie and membership on the Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Van Lancker is also active in several research institutes including KIES – KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society and L-C&Y - KU Leuven Child & Youth Institute. His research focuses on the welfare state, examining the interaction between the design of, public attitudes towards, and outcomes of social policies and social work interventions. Van Lancker's work spans critical contemporary issues including poverty, inequality, family policy, social investment, climate transition impacts, and welfare state measurement. His research employs diverse methodologies from qualitative inquiries to advanced regression methods and randomized controlled trials, addressing challenges such as climate change, migration, digitalization, and aging populations. Van Lancker has published extensively in top-tier journals including American Sociological Review, Journal of European Social Policy, and Social Science Research. His publications reveal a consistent focus on comparative welfare state analysis, with particular attention to poverty measurement, family policy effects, and social inequality patterns across European countries. World's Top 2% scientists (Stanford University) Member of the Young Academy of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and Arts Co-editor of The Palgrave Handbook of Family Policy Recipient of European Research Council funding for the rEUsilience project Van Lancker actively supervises students and contributes to policy debates through frequent media appearances and parliamentary testimony. He leads numerous research projects funded through Horizon Europe, national research councils, and institutional grants, with a current focus on understanding poverty cycles, climate transition social impacts, and welfare system responsiveness. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, notably through the Permanente Vorming Armoede & Participatie educational program for poverty policy professionals. As part of the rEUsilience project consortium, Van Lancker contributes to developing innovative measurement tools for family resilience across European welfare states. His work with the Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy and other European research networks demonstrates his commitment to comparative analysis of social policy effectiveness across different institutional contexts.
Lesley De Cruz is a Research Fellow at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Electronics and Informatics department within the School of Electronics and Computer Science, with concurrent research affiliation at the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium since 2012. Current projects include climate-resilient urban modeling through BRGEOZ464 and flood prediction systems under FWOAL1127. Research focuses on AI-driven climate modeling with expertise in nonlinear dimension reduction (DIRESA framework), urban climate resilience, and renewable energy meteorology. Key methodologies integrate deep learning with environmental physics for applications including real-time flood prediction offshore wind farm optimization LEGO-based urban climate prototyping regional climate downscaling Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong trends in geospatial AI for environmental systems, with 64% focusing on climate change impact analysis, 54% on urban applications, and 51% on control measure development. The DIRESA framework represents a significant contribution to nonlinear dimension reduction in climate informatics. Awards include: Matìère Grise Science Communication Trophy (2024) Major media recognition for breakthrough rainfall prediction model (2021) Supervises multiple PhD candidates and leads public engagement initiatives including CurieuCity and Dag Van de Wetenschap. Current grants total 12 active projects (2021-2029) with €2.8M+ funding, primarily focused on climate adaptation and sustainable technology development. Labs and teams include the Climate Informatics Group at VUB and collaborative networks with Ghent University and the Flemish Institute for Carbon-Aware Technologies.
