Find Academic Supervisors

Caroline GottschalkView profile

Professor

• Community Engaged Research
• Environmental Rhetoric
• River Restoration
• +3 more

Caroline Gottschalk is the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor in the Department of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work bridges environmental rhetoric, community engagement, and river restoration, focusing on socio-ecological systems and cultural revitalization. She directs the Headwaters Lab, a transdisciplinary research group exploring human-environment relationships through storytelling and participatory methods. Education: Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison M.A., University of Illinois at Chicago B.S.W., University of Iowa B.A., University of Iowa Research Interests: Gottschalk’s work emphasizes community-based collaboration, place-responsive storytelling, and the ethical dimensions of environmental restoration. She examines how marginalized voices and nonhuman agencies shape ecological narratives and policy-making. Recent projects include flood resilience frameworks in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area and rethinking beaver-based restoration through Indigenous knowledge systems. Publications: Her recent work spans Geoforum, Environment and Planning E, and Duke University Press, analyzing topics like transdisciplinary river research, contested restoration practices, and feminist flood futures. These studies highlight tensions between ecological management and cultural values. Awards: Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Teaching and Outreach: Gottschalk teaches courses like ENGL 236 (Writing Rivers) and ENGL 706 (Community Engaged Praxis), integrating service-learning and public scholarship. She prioritizes ethical university-community partnerships, advocating for “positive barriers to access” that balance collaboration with accountability. Labs and Teams: The Headwaters Lab collaborates with ecologists, policymakers, and local communities on projects like the Driftless Area Flood Resilience Initiative. Current efforts include developing narrative-based tools for climate adaptation and recentering relational ethics in restoration science.

Natalie DavisView profile

Assistant Professor

• Learning Sciences
• Sociopolitical Development of Children
• Cultural Ecologies
• +5 more

Natalie R. Davis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Critical Studies in Education at the University of Michigan’s Marsal Family School of Education. Her work focuses on sociopolitical development of children from non-dominant communities, particularly Black children in urban environments, emphasizing culturally responsive pedagogies and community-engaged research. She holds a PhD in Educational Foundations from U-M, a B.A. from Columbia University, and an M.A. in Elementary Teaching. Her research explores teaching-learning relationships, cultural ecologies, and methodologies that center youth agency. She collaborates with museums, non-profits, and schools on projects like the Climate Justice Seed Project, integrating environmental justice and place-based learning. Key awards include National Academy of Education/Spencer and SRCD fellowships, NSF funding, and the AERA Division G distinguished dissertation award. Her grants include a 2023–2025 project on justice-oriented elementary teaching and a water literacy initiative along the Mississippi River.

Stefan ThomasView profile

Research Professor

• Participatory Research
• Citizen Social Science
• Social Work with Refugees
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Stefan Thomas is a Research Professor at the Institute for Applied Research – Urban Future within the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences . He holds a professorship in Empirical Social Research and Social Work since 2012 and has served as Head of the Master's program in Childhood Studies and Children's Rights (2016–2021). His work bridges academia and practice through participatory methodologies. Expert in citizen social science and participatory research with marginalized communities Recipient of major grants from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and EU Horizon 2020 for refugee education projects International collaborations with institutions in Barcelona , Vienna , and Berlin His research focuses on refugee integration in vocational training , multi-generational housing , and critical ethnography . He has developed innovative research forums as spaces for co-creative knowledge production. Current projects include PowerMii (empowerment for migrant girls) and laeneAs (rural refugee education). He serves as a reviewer for EU Horizon 2020 and trustee for the Hans-Böckler Foundation . Publications span participatory methods, refugee studies, and social theory.

Kirstin HallmannView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Sport Management
• Sustainability
• Athlete Development
• +4 more

Kirstin Hallmann is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sport Economics and Sport Management at the German Sport University Cologne. Her research focuses on sport management, sustainability, athlete development, and event management. She holds a PhD and has contributed to over 211 publications since 2017, including studies on dual career facilitators for elite athletes, paralympic marketing communication, and climate-resilient tourism strategies. Her work explores intersections between sport and society, with notable projects such as 'Social functions and social responsibility of formal sports organizations' and 'Mega-sporting events and their capability of meaning-making'. She serves on editorial boards for journals like Event Management and European Sport Management Quarterly . Education: PhD in Sport Management, German Sport University Cologne Key Research Areas: Dual career systems, sport sustainability, volunteer dynamics, and heritage event authenticity Dr. Hallmann has received awards including the 2024 Elite Best Reviewer for the Journal of Travel Research and the AIEST Best Contribution Award (2018, 2021). Her interdisciplinary approach bridges sport management theory with practical applications in tourism, policy, and athlete well-being.

Daniel HarrisonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Digital Health
• Inclusive Technology Design
• +3 more

Dr. Daniel Harrison is an Assistant Professor in the School of Design, Arts, and Creative Industries at Northumbria University, where he serves as EDI and Athena SWAN Co-Lead and leads the HCI+Design Research Group. His academic journey includes a PhD from UCL's Interaction Centre (UCLIC) and research at Georgia Institute of Technology and Microsoft Research Cambridge. His work focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), digital health, and inclusive technology design, particularly in sports and wellbeing. Education: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, UCL Interaction Centre (2020) MSc (2012), BSc (Hons) (2010) Research Interests: Intersection of technology, inclusivity, and sports (SportsHCI) Participatory methods (co-design, ethnography) Developing inclusive technologies for underrepresented groups Recent Projects: Co-authored Grand Challenges in SportsHCI Initiatives for inclusive sports technology Design of wellbeing-focused digital tools Advising: Mentors three PhD students researching topics such as neurodivergent workers, financial technology for international students, and gamified sports participation. Labs/Teams: HCI+Design Research Group at Northumbria University.

Joel HartterView profile

Professor

• Sustainability
• Climate Action
• ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)
• +7 more

Joel Hartter is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado, where he also served as the founding director of the Masters of the Environment and Outdoor Recreation Economy programs. With dual BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and German from the University of Michigan, an MS in Forest Engineering from Oregon State University, and a PhD in Geography from the University of Florida, his expertise bridges sustainability science, policy, and practice. His research focuses on private sector engagement in sustainability, ESG frameworks, climate action, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular attention to net-zero strategies, bioeconomy implementation, and nature-based solutions. Dr. Hartter’s work emphasizes stakeholder engagement, inclusive decision-making, and bridging science with practical applications in conservation, climate resilience, and economic development. He has led projects globally in Africa, South America, and the US, addressing challenges such as wildlife conservation, sustainable supply chains, and community-based natural resource management. As a National Geographic Explorer and advisor to Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, and governments, he integrates sustainability into organizational strategies to drive innovation and competitive advantage. His teaching reaches over 20,000 students annually through courses on sustainability leadership and workforce development. Dr. Hartter’s interdisciplinary approach combines geospatial analysis, participatory methods, and behavioral science to address complex socio-ecological issues. His research spans topics like climate migration, household vulnerability, and the impact of conservation policies on communities. Notable projects include studying land-use changes in Uganda’s Albertine Rift and evaluating the effects of oil exploration on protected areas in Murchison Falls Conservation Area. Dr. Hartter collaborates closely with communities, governments, and international organizations to create equitable, actionable sustainability solutions.

Aaron MaxwellView profile

Associate Professor

• Geospatial Science
• Remote Sensing
• Machine Learning
• +6 more

Aaron Maxwell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University (WVU). He serves as the principal investigator of West Virginia View, a member of AmericaView, and director of the WV GIS Technical Center. His research focuses on spatial predictive modeling, geohazard mapping, machine/deep learning applications in remote sensing, and thematic map accuracy assessment. He holds degrees from Alderson Broaddus University (B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science) and WVU (M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology), with a GIS Professional (GISP) certification. Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science – Alderson Broaddus University Master of Science in Geology – West Virginia University Doctor of Philosophy in Geology – West Virginia University Research Interests: Dr. Maxwell’s work emphasizes computational methods to extract insights from geospatial data. Key areas include: Deep learning for geomorphic feature extraction (e.g., LIDAR-based semantic segmentation) Machine learning applications in forest fuel load estimation and slope failure modeling Best practices for assessing deep learning outputs in remote sensing Synthetic data generation for predictive modeling Community flood resiliency and participatory GIS Publications: His recent work highlights advancements in geospatial deep learning (e.g., the geodl R package), accuracy assessment metrics for imbalanced datasets, and modeling post-mining landscape evolution. Articles often blend theoretical frameworks with applied case studies across environmental and geotechnical domains. Grants & Funding: Supported by NSF (CAREER Award) and AmericaView, his work trains students and develops open-source geospatial tools. Current projects include synthetic forest stand modeling and flood resiliency initiatives. Labs & Teams: Leads WV View, fostering remote sensing education and data sharing. Collaborates on geospatial workforce development and open-source software initiatives (e.g., GIScience courses, ArcGIS Pro labs).

Hürrem Tezcan-GüntekinView profile

Professor

• Public Health
• Healthcare Equity
• Intersectional Healthcare
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hürrem Tezcan-Güntekin is a Professor of Interprofessional Approaches with a Focus on Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health at Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin (ASH Berlin), affiliated with the Berlin School of Public Health (BSPH) at Charité. She holds dual doctorates in Public Health and Sociology from Bielefeld University, and a Master's in Sociology and Education from TU Berlin. Her work bridges academia and practice, focusing on healthcare equity, intersectional perspectives, and marginalized populations. Research Interests: Racism in healthcare, dementia caregiving among migrants, gender disparities in care work, diversity-sensitive healthcare, transnational healthcare practices, and ethical dimensions of patient care. Roles: Member of the Federal Government’s 9th Aging Report Commission, Diversity Steering Committee at ASH Berlin, and editorial board member for multiple journals. Leads projects on reducing racial discrimination in healthcare and developing culturally sensitive caregiver support tools. Her research emphasizes qualitative methods and participatory approaches, addressing systemic inequities in healthcare access and professional training. Notable projects include analyzing racial discrimination in hospitals and developing an online self-help program (Diversity-On) for Turkish caregivers of dementia patients. Prof. Tezcan-Güntekin teaches courses on public health, interprofessional care, and diversity-sensitive practices. She has received awards including the Cäcilia Schwarz Prize (2017) and the German Alzheimer Society Research Prize (2016).

Nuala FloodView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Urban Design
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Participatory Design
• +4 more

Nuala Flood is a Senior Lecturer in the Sustainable Built Environment department at Queen’s University Belfast, combining architectural practice with pedagogical innovation. Her work focuses on participatory design methods, climate change adaptation, and urban regeneration. She leads the award-winning Public CoLab initiative, a week-long workshop fostering collaboration between students and communities to address spatial challenges in Northern Ireland. Key areas of expertise include ecotopian design fictions, temporary urban interventions, and codesign for climate resilience. Flood has pioneered climate literacy programs within her institution, integrating sustainability into architectural education curricula. She actively engages in interdisciplinary projects like the Future Island-Island initiative exploring coastal adaptation. Notable achievements include the 2022 Fulbright/Environmental Protection Agency Scholarship and multiple teaching awards. Research interests span urban interventionist practices, architectural pedagogy, and place-based climate solutions. Her publications address topics ranging from extreme heat risks in sports infrastructure to seaweed-based urban symbiosis. Flood has presented at global events such as the Reach’24 Arts & Sustainability Festival and contributed to media discussions on Belfast’s water quality and flood resilience. She supervises PhD research in codesign methodologies and participatory urbanism, reflecting her commitment to bridging academic inquiry with community-driven action. Education: Architectural practice background with ARB registration Grants: Co-investigator on the Future Island-Island project (2024–present) Labs/Teams: Public CoLab, Sustainable Built Environment research group Future Work: Scaling climate adaptation pedagogy, exploring bio-based materials

Kerstin MayrbergerView profile

Professor

• Digital Transformation
• Higher Education
• Media Didactics
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Mayrberger is a Professor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Education, specializing in Media Didactics at the Hamburg Center for University Teaching and Learning (HUL). She focuses on Digital Transformation in Higher Education, Agile Educational Leadership, and Open Educational Practices (OEP). Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing participatory approaches and institutional agility. Educationally, she holds a Dr. phil. from Hamburg University (2006) and has held academic positions since 2009, including roles at the Universities of Augsburg and Mainz. She is currently Chair of the BMBF's OER Strategy Advisory Board and has led major projects like the Hamburg Open Online University (HOOU). Her research explores digital didactics, open education, and leadership in education. Key interests include Ambidextrous Agile Educational Leadership (AAEL), which integrates stability and innovation in educational contexts. She has authored influential books such as Partizipative Mediendidaktik (2019) and Agile Educational Leadership (2021). Awards include the GEW Förderpreis (2000) for academic excellence. She advises on national education policies and chairs committees for OER strategies. Her work spans grants from BMBF, DAAD, and European initiatives, emphasizing digital equity, teacher professionalization, and educational innovation. She leads the HUL, coordinates international collaborations, and contributes to initiatives like the United Nations' Education 2030 agenda. Her labs and teams focus on OER development, digital pedagogy, and educational leadership frameworks.

• Agricultural Development
• Seed Systems
• Plant Genetics
• +3 more

Conny Almekinders is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Knowledge Technology and Innovation at Wageningen University & Research, focusing on seed systems, agricultural development, and participatory research approaches. His work bridges plant genetics, socioeconomics, and institutional dynamics to enhance crop seed systems globally. Key areas include potato and cassava seed systems, gender-responsive agricultural practices, and disease management strategies in developing countries. Research emphasizes seed degeneration, stakeholder collaboration in breeding programs, and policy analysis for resilient seed systems. He has co-supervised 25 PhD projects, including studies on decentralized seed multiplication in Kenya, hybrid potato breeding models, and community-driven development in Ethiopia. Notable contributions include developing diagnostic tools for root/tuber seed systems and evaluating farmer willingness-to-pay for quality planting materials in Southeast Asia. Almekinders has published over 168 peer-reviewed articles, datasets, and reports addressing seed systems' technical and social dimensions. His projects often involve international collaborations, such as the CRRIsP initiative on climate-resilient potato innovations and the RTB Seed System Toolbox. He actively participates in lectures and workshops promoting inclusive seed system transformation.

• Design Research
• Participatory Design
• Co-Design
• +5 more

Elizabeth (Liz) Sanders, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at The Ohio State University (OSU) since 2011. She is a globally recognized social scientist and pioneer in participatory and co-design methodologies, advocating for democratizing design through collaborative, human-centered approaches. Her work emphasizes involving stakeholders in shaping their own futures, particularly in healthcare, education, and technology. Alongside her academic role, she founded MakeTools, LLC, to explore co-design landscapes and develop tools for collective creativity. Sanders holds degrees from Miami University (BA in Psychology and Anthropology, 1975) and The Ohio State University (MA, 1977; PhD, 1981). She has been honored with prestigious awards including Phi Beta Kappa and membership in Sigma Xi. Her research focuses on transdisciplinary co-design, collective dreaming, and speculative design. Notable projects include reimagining healthcare spaces, designing interventions for diabetes management, and fostering creativity through playful probes. Sanders has collaborated with major companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Procter & Gamble, bridging academic and industrial design practices. She co-authored Convivial Toolbox: Generative Research for the Front End of Design , a seminal text in co-design education and practice. Awards and recognitions include Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, and a University Fellowship from OSU (1975–1979). She actively contributes to university initiatives, such as the Reimagining Teaching and Learning Initiative, and advises student organizations like Paranormal Investigations at OSU. Her work explores emerging technologies like VR/AR/AI to accelerate co-design and collective creativity in envisioning future living systems.

• Occupational Health
• Work Engagement
• Health Promotion
• +7 more

Marit Christensen is a Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Psychology. She is affiliated with the Centre for Health Promotion Research and has led several Nordic and EU-funded projects, including the H2020 project 'H-work' focusing on mental health interventions in SMEs and public workplaces. Her research focuses on occupational health, work engagement, organizational interventions, and psychosocial working environment tools like the ARK program. She holds a doctoral degree from NTNU (2012) on work demands/resources and health. Key projects include developing the ARK program for university psychosocial environment mapping, leading the H2020 H-work initiative, and cross-cultural studies on healthy workplaces with UC Berkeley and the University of Sheffield. She collaborates with international institutions like the University of Tampere and Han University of Applied Sciences. Her research emphasizes mental health promotion, leadership impact, and work-life balance, particularly during crises like the pandemic. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, focusing on burnout assessment (BAT tool), multilevel interventions, and workplace adaptation strategies. Her work addresses organizational challenges in healthcare sectors, academic environments, and SMEs, advocating for participatory health promotion strategies and evidence-based practices. She has contributed to policy recommendations for sustainable workplace interventions.

Diane M. StyersView profile

Associate Professor

• Remote Sensing
• Geospatial Analysis
• Climate Adaptation and Resilience
• +5 more

Diane M. Styers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her work integrates geospatial technologies with community engagement to address global climate resilience challenges through human-centered research approaches. Her educational qualifications include: Postdoctoral Research in Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis, University of Washington Ph.D. in Forest Ecology, Auburn University M.A. in Geography, Georgia State University B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Dr. Styers specializes in public participatory GIS (PPGIS) to incorporate local landscape knowledge into climate adaptation strategies. Her technical expertise spans LiDAR data analysis, object-based image analysis (OBIA), MODIS/Landsat time series, multi-sensor integration, forest ecology, and dendroecology. She investigates how social-ecological processes drive landscape changes affecting Earth's resources, with particular focus on community resilience against climate-related risks. Her publication record reveals strong thematic trends in applying geospatial methods to socio-ecological systems, with increasing emphasis on rivercane conservation, forest community dynamics in Appalachia, biodiversity education using NEON data, and vector-borne disease mapping. Recent works demonstrate sophisticated integration of remote sensing with community-based adaptation frameworks. Dr. Styers actively mentors students through co-authored publications and teaches diverse courses including Introduction to Geospatial Analysis, Remote Sensing, GIS applications, and field-based programs like Sustainability in Costa Rica. Her instructional approach emphasizes authentic science engagement using big data resources.

Caner SayanView profile

Lecturer

• Environmental Politics
• Water Security
• Environmental Justice
• +6 more

Dr. Caner Sayan is a Lecturer in Policy Analysis at Swansea University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, within the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and International Relations. He previously held roles as a Research Fellow in Water and Resilience at Cranfield University, Postdoctoral Fellow in Water Security at UNU-INWEH, and Research Associate at the University of Dundee. His research focuses on environmental politics, water security, and transboundary water governance, with a regional emphasis on the Middle East, Turkey, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Key themes include environmental justice, political ecology, and the intersection of water infrastructure and regional policy. Recipient of the 2015 Dundee University Students' Association Teaching Award, Dr. Sayan is dedicated to innovative pedagogy and has contributed to modules on global development, environmental justice, and water politics. He actively supervises PhD and MA/MSc theses, emphasizing fieldwork design and participatory methods. His publications span journals such as International Affairs , Water Alternatives , and Energy Research & Social Science , addressing topics like energy transitions, NGO capacity, and peacebuilding through water security frameworks. Engagements include opinion pieces on African water projects and invited lectures on transboundary water governance.