Dr. Arleta NAWROCKA-WYSOCKA is a musicologist affiliated with the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź since 2004 and the Institute of Art of the Polish Academy of Sciences. She focuses on traditional music, folk religious music, and ethnomusicology, particularly within Polish-speaking Lutheran communities. Research Highlights: 2005-2008 Ministry of Science-funded project on Evangelical religious repertoire; 2015-2022 National Program for Humanities project on Oskar Kolberg's musical notations; 2022-2023 DARIAH-PL digital infrastructure collaboration. Awards: First prize in the Phonogram of Sources competition (2009 and 2018). Collaborations: Involvement with Poznań University of Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, and cultural institutions like the Center for Culture and Art in Kalisz. Service: Member of international organizations (IAH, ESEM), editorial board of "Etnomusicologia Polska", and juries for traditional music festivals.
Stephen Cottrell is Professor of Music at City, University of London, where he has held various leadership positions including Head of the conjoint Departments of Music and Culture & Creative Industries (2010-15) and Assistant Vice-President responsible for establishing the City Doctoral College (2019-22). Previously, he was Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Music at Goldsmiths College. His academic journey began with studies at the University of East Anglia, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Paris Conservatoire, followed by an M.Mus. in Ethnomusicology and PhD at Goldsmiths College, supported by a British Academy scholarship. His research spans ethnographic approaches to musicians and music-making within Western art music tradition, the study of musical instruments (particularly the saxophone), and musical performance analysis. Cottrell's scholarly output includes seven books, fourteen book chapters, twenty-nine conference papers, nineteen journal articles, twenty-nine performances, and thirteen other publications. His recent work includes the 2024 article 'Musical Instruments and Palimpsestic Identity' which explores the transtextual relationships between musical instruments through Gérard Genette's literary theory of palimpsests. Cottrell serves as a member of the AHRC Peer Review College and as an external assessor for the Hong Kong Research Grants Committee and the Irish Research Council. He has examined over 25 PhD theses and held external examiner appointments at multiple institutions. His research interests bridge ethnomusicology, organology, and performance studies, with a particular focus on the saxophone and Western art music traditions. Member of British Forum for Ethnomusicology executive committee (2005-2012) Member of Royal Anthropological Institute ethnomusicology committee Associate editor of Twentieth-Century Music (2008-13) Artistic advisor to Saxophone Classics record label As a supervisor, Cottrell has guided numerous PhD students through research on diverse topics including ethnographic studies of live classical music concerts, networked jazz performances, the history of the Hang/Handpan, and the Yehudi Menuhin School's legacy. His work demonstrates significant impact across academic, performance, and cultural sectors, with research that connects historical music practices with contemporary performance contexts.
Benton Gordon is a Cybersecurity Research Fellow at the Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington. He focuses on Taiwan’s global internet governance participation and the application of China’s Personal Information Protection Law in PRC courts. His research and advocacy span: Taiwan-China geopolitical dynamics Technology-enhanced authoritarianism Religious freedom and human rights in China Scientific awards include: IPI Cybersecurity Fellowship Liu Xiaobo Fellowship Gordon previously served as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant and International College Mentor in Taiwan, with academic roots in music performance from the Eastman School of Music.
Afroditi Psarra is an Associate Professor of Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) at the University of Washington, where she runs the DXARTS SoftLab. Her work bridges art, science, and technology with a focus on critical discourse in the creation of artifacts. She has presented her work at internationally renowned media art festivals such as Ars Electronica, Transmediale, CTM, Eyeo, Piksel, and WRO Biennale, as well as venues like Bozar, Onassis Stegi, EMST (Greek Museum of Contemporary Art), and Walker Art Center. Dr. Psarra's research centers on the art and science interaction with a critical discourse in the creation of artifacts. She is particularly interested in the use of the body as an interface of control, and the revitalization of tradition as a methodology of hacking existing norms about technical objects. Her practice builds on and extends the work of Cyber and Techno-Feminism(s) and the idea of female (and feminized) bodies as matrices of information. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (2014). Her recent publications and projects demonstrate a consistent exploration of wearable technology, e-textiles, physical computing, and sound art. Psarra's work often examines the intersections of technology with gender, embodiment, and cultural critique, particularly through her investigations of voice assistants, RF technologies, and bodily interfaces. She frequently collaborates with other artists and researchers across disciplines to create interactive installations and performances that challenge conventional technological paradigms. Dr. Psarra's scholarly output spans multiple domains including human-computer interaction, media art, performance studies, and critical technology studies. Her work consistently addresses themes of technological embodiment, materiality, and the politics of interface design across her various projects from voice assistant subversion to RF ecology explorations. 2019 Bergstrom Award for Art & Science Mellon Faculty Fellow 2019-20 As an educator, Dr. Psarra teaches courses in mechatronic art, material and cultural bias in algorithmic systems, and special topics in digital arts. She has mentored numerous students through their creative research projects and has been involved in various interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Washington, including collaborations with the Systems Biology program. Her teaching emphasizes hands-on experimentation, critical making, and the exploration of technology through artistic practice. Dr. Psarra leads the DXARTS SoftLab, which serves as a research space for exploring soft materials, electronics, and interactive systems. The lab supports projects that bridge traditional craft techniques with digital technologies, particularly focusing on e-textiles, wearable computing, and embodied interaction. Under her direction, the SoftLab has become a hub for interdisciplinary research that combines art, engineering, and cultural critique.
Dr. Emily Brayshaw is a Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney within the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building . Her work focuses on the visual culture of fashion and performance costume , with a particular interest in gender identities , sustainability , and costume design methodology from the 19th to 21st centuries . Research Interests: Performance Costume Fashion History (1890–1930) Knitting and Textile Practices Sustainability in Fashion Aesthetics (including Kitsch) Gender and Fashion Consumption World War I Studies Music Performance Dress Footwear Research Her publications explore topics like costume as psychological armor , Birkenstock's cultural impact , and vaudeville costumes . She has contributed to The Conversation and media commentary since 2020, reaching an audience of over 1 million. Emily also works as a costume designer for theatrical productions and as the principal viola of the Woollhara Philharmonic Orchestra.
Eva Skovlund is a Professor at the Department of Public Health and Nursing , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Her work bridges applied statistics with clinical research in cancer, obesity, and chronic disease management. Education : PhD in Medical Statistics, University of Oslo (1990) MSc in Pharmacy, University of Oslo (1985) Research Interests : Eva focuses on applied statistical methods , clinical cancer research , controlled clinical trials , and drug safety assessment . Her work spans hypertension management in Nepal, neuro-oncology, and metabolic effects of bariatric surgery. Publication Trends : Recent articles (2021–2025) emphasize brain metastases prognosis hypertension interventions in South Asia pharmacokinetic studies in obesity statistical modeling for multimorbidity maternal and child health risks Scientific Contributions : While no specific awards are listed, her extensive peer-reviewed publications in Cancers , BMJ Open , Clinical Pharmacokinetics , and Tidsskriftet underscore her impact.
Beate Schirrmacher is a researcher at Linnaeus University's Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Department of Film and Literature. Within the Linnaeus University Centre for Intermedial and Multimodal Studies (IMS) , she leads the board of the International Society for Intermedial and Multimodal Studies and contributes to doctoral school Multimodality and Intermediality for a Digital World (MIDWorld) funded by the Swedish Research Council. Her research explores intermediality – the interaction between literature and other media – with a focus on Music-literature relationships Truth claim dynamics in journalism Media transformation of legal trials Ambivalent cultural representations Digital media's impact on narratives Intermedial performance theories Recent publications examine truth manipulation in digital spaces, musical structures in fiction, and multimodal analytical models . She co-edited the 2024 volume Truth Claims Across Media and contributes to the Linnaeus Media Observatory (LiMO) research platform.
Maria Medby Tollefsen is a Senior Lecturer in Aural Education at the Conservatory of Music, UiT The Arctic University of Norway. She also serves as Course Leader in Audiology and Audiology Didactics, and is affiliated with the Master's program in Aural Education at Conservatorio Arrigo Boito, Parma. Her teaching includes Listening and Hearing for Bachelor's students in Music Performance, and Personal Skills and Aural Methodology for Master's students. Her research focuses on: National development projects for entrance exams in higher music education Digital learning resources and methodology for aural skills Collaborative projects like Notenett (UiT/UiB) and MusEd European network of Aural Education Pedagogues Recent article trends show expertise in tonal/non-tonal music theory, rhythm education, and digital curriculum development. She has created educational websites mariamedbytollefsen.com and Musicificum.no , focusing on aural methodology and music literacy.
Johanna Ihalainen is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences , University of Jyväskylä. Her work focuses on the intersection of sports physiology and female athlete health, with particular emphasis on hormonal influences on performance and recovery. Co-leader of the FemInnovation research group Collaborator in interdisciplinary projects like MENSA and i3-INSHAPE Key contributor to understanding hormonal contraceptive effects on athletic adaptation Research interests center on female physiology , endurance training , environmental adaptations , and technology-driven sports innovations . Current projects examine hormonal impacts on cortico-reticular motor function and sedentary lifestyle interventions via digital tools. Her publications span topics including mental health interventions , infrared sauna recovery , menstrual cycle effects , and exercise-induced inflammation in female athletes. She employs rigorous methodologies like randomized controlled trials and longitudinal analyses. Research group affiliations include: Sound Science Lab (music-brain interactions) WellbeingDataLab (synthetic exercise data) BRAIN-BALANCE (aging and balance training)
Víctor Martínez de Albéniz is Full Professor of Operations, Information and Technology at IESE Business School, University of Navarra, where he has served as Department Chair and Director of the Research Division. He currently leads the IESE Initiative for Social Development, focusing on data-driven public-policy research. Education Ph.D. in Operations Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineering Degree, École Polytechnique, France Research Interests His research integrates operations management with strategic questions in supply chains and retail. Early work optimized inventory, purchasing and supplier portfolios to balance cost, innovation and flexibility. He then turned to fashion retail, leveraging big-data analytics to forecast trends, react to demand shocks and enhance in-store experiences. Most recently he has applied these methodologies to improve education systems and public management. Scientific Awards European Research Council (ERC) Grant Sabadell Herrero Prize for Economic Research (2015) MSOM Young Scholar Prize (2018) Service & Entrepreneurship He has served as Area Editor for Management Science (2018-2025) and on the editorial boards of Manufacturing & Service Operations Management and Production and Operations Management . From 2015-2019 he founded and chaired the annual Fashion Operations Conference held in Barcelona, Istanbul, New York, Montreal and London. He co-organizes the EURO Working Group on Retail Operations (2019, 2025 editions). He is co-founder and CTO of retail-analytics start-ups Datactions and Robinbrick. Teaching & Outreach He teaches operations management, operations strategy, logistics and new-product development in IESE MBA and executive programs, and has taught at MIT, MDE (Ivory Coast) and the Indian School of Business.
Conner Leigh Shaw serves as a Lecturer of Music at Western Colorado University within the School of the Arts and Music Program. His teaching responsibilities include Music Industry, Music Technology, History of Rock 'n Roll, Guitar Performance, Jazz Ensemble, and Pop Ensemble courses. Shaw's educational background includes: M.M. in Music Composition from University of Southern California (2021) B.M. in Jazz Studies from University of Northern Colorado (2019) B.M. in Music Composition from University of Northern Colorado (2019) B.A. in Music with Classical guitar emphasis from University of Northern Colorado (2019) Shaw's creative work spans multiple genres and formats, reflecting his diverse interests in contemporary composition. His formative experiences in Colorado's landscapes and responses to global events inform his distinctive style described as "simultaneously haunting and beautiful." He has composed for classical chamber ensembles, created film scores, and performs across genres including bluegrass, folk, jazz, ambient, and industrial rap metal. His work often blends traditional instrumentation with experimental approaches, creating unique sonic landscapes that reflect both personal and collective experiences. Shaw's recent compositions demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly ambitious multimedia projects, with his 2024 opera "A Date With Reality" representing a significant milestone. His work shows consistent exploration of emotional depth through musical narrative, with recurring themes of alienation, connection, and transformation. The integration of technology with traditional composition techniques is a hallmark of his approach, evident in both his academic teaching and professional creative output. As an educator, Shaw brings his professional experience to the classroom, connecting theoretical concepts with practical application. His industry experience spans multiple musical domains, providing students with valuable insights into diverse career paths within the music field. While specific grant information isn't publicly documented, his active performance schedule and composition output suggest ongoing professional development and creative exploration. Shaw maintains active professional affiliations including the Shaw Zimola Music Company (a professional bluegrass and folk duo with Aaron Zimola), the Millennium Composers Institute, and the Greeley Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. These connections bridge his academic work with professional performance and composition opportunities, enriching his teaching practice with current industry perspectives.
Dr. Antonia Ivaldi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University, where she has been a faculty member since 2010. She holds a BSc (Hons) in psychology with music, and completed her MSc and PhD in music psychology at Keele University's Unit for the Study of Musical Skill and Development. As a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she brings extensive expertise to her academic role. Her educational background includes: BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Music MSc in Music Psychology from Keele University PhD in Music Psychology from Keele University ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring Dr. Ivaldi's primary research focuses on the social psychology of music and social interaction , with particular attention to conversation analysis in musical contexts. Her work explores how people engage with music, develop musical identities, and interact in performance settings. More recently, she has expanded her research to examine coaching psychology and the role of natural environments in promoting wellbeing and personal development. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, music education, and outdoor therapy. Her publication record shows a clear evolution from early work on musical identity and role models among young musicians toward more recent investigations of conversation dynamics in musical settings and the therapeutic potential of nature-based coaching. This trajectory reflects her growing interest in applied psychological interventions that connect music, social interaction, and wellbeing in both educational and therapeutic contexts. Dr. Ivaldi has received recognition for her contributions to the field: Music Psychology award (2013) Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (C.Psychol) Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring Throughout her career at Aberystwyth University, Dr. Ivaldi has held significant administrative roles including Director of Learning and Teaching and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Psychology (2010-2016). She established and chaired the department's learning and teaching committee, contributed to university committees, and played a key role in securing BPS accreditation in 2013. Her externally funded research includes a Royal Society project on 'Creating and experiencing restorative spaces at work' (2020-2021) examining wellbeing among NHS staff. Dr. Ivaldi serves as Associate Editor for the online journal Music Performance Research and previously chaired the Music, Identity and Social Interaction Conference at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Her professional activities demonstrate a commitment to building scholarly communities around her interdisciplinary research interests.
Mitchell Akiyama is an Assistant Professor of Visual Studies at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto. His interdisciplinary work bridges sound art, urban studies, and sensory experience, engaging with themes of activism, media theory, and cultural history. Akiyama holds a PhD in Communications from McGill University and an MFA from Concordia University. Education: PhD in Communications, McGill University MFA, Concordia University His research explores sound as a medium for interrogating urban environments, technological ethics, and sensory perception. Notable works include installations challenging conventional historiography and compositions addressing noise activism. Articles published in venues like Leonardo Music Journal and ISEA reflect his focus on sonic narratives and data sonification. His artistic practice spans film scores, sound installations, and exhibitions at institutions like Raster-Noton Records and Gendai Gallery. Current research interests include the politics of frequency in urban space and the role of sound in mediating cultural memory.
Alan Chen is the Thompson G. Marsh Law Alumni Professor at the Sturm College of Law , University of Denver. He specializes in Constitutional Law, First Amendment Law, and Public Interest Law. Chen holds a JD from Stanford University (1985) and a BA from Case Western Reserve University (1982). He has authored influential books, including TRUTH AND TRANSPARENCY (2023), and co-authored FREE SPEECH BEYOND WORDS (2017). His research focuses on free speech doctrine, federal courts, and civil rights litigation. Chen has received the 2024 James A. Tankard, Jr. Book Award and is an elected member of the American Law Institute. His work includes high-profile cases challenging police misconduct, Ag-Gag laws, and lethal injection practices. He balances academic leadership as Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship with active litigation and pro bono advocacy. Chen’s scholarly contributions address qualified immunity, constitutional torts, and free speech boundaries. His recent publications analyze undercover investigations, compelled speech, and digital media’s impact on democracy. He collaborates with institutions like the Constitutional Rights & Remedies Program and the Knight First Amendment Institute.
Erik Ljunggren is an Associate Professor at the Department of Popular Music at the University of Agder (UiA). His work focuses on electronic music composition, sound art, and interdisciplinary performance practices. He has collaborated extensively with artists and institutions to create innovative soundscapes and experimental music projects. Research interests include the intersection of technology and music performance, spatial audio design, and the application of sound in cultural spaces. Notable projects include the Global Tour - Simple Minds and Satyricon + Munch , which explore collaborative art and genre fusion. Publications from 2022-2024 reflect his expertise in live performance sound design, experimental music composition, and interdisciplinary art practices. He has no listed awards but maintains active involvement in Norway's contemporary music scene.
