Professor Jonathan White is a leading scholar in political theory and European politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) . As Deputy Head of the European Institute , he explores themes such as democracy, emergency governance, technocracy, and populism. His work bridges theoretical rigor with empirical analysis of EU institutions and global political challenges. His research focuses on democratic theory , political partisanship , and future-oriented governance . He examines how climate change and crisis politics reshape democratic legitimacy, with a particular interest in the intersection of technology and transnational solidarity . Recent articles analyze WhatsApp governance , technocratic myopia , and the politics of long-termism . He has received prestigious awards including the 2017 British Academy Brian Barry Prize and best-article honors from European Journal of International Relations (2023) and Political Studies (2015). His influential books include The Politics of Last Resort (OUP 2019) and In the Long Run: the Future as a Political Idea (Profile 2024). White’s academic trajectory includes visiting positions at Harvard, Stanford, and Humboldt University. His interdisciplinary approach integrates democratic theory , social theory , and qualitative methods to address contemporary political challenges.
Dr. Christina Zdenek is a conservation biologist and herpetologist currently serving as a Casual Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science at the University of Southern Queensland. She also holds multiple roles including Nature Positive Coordinator at Brisbane Catchments Network, Associate Researcher with People For Wildlife (part-time, seasonal), Co-owner and Communications Officer of Australian Reptile Academy, and Inspiring Australia Queensland Ambassador for 2024-2025. Her educational background includes a PhD, MPhil, and BSc, with extensive field experience spanning 18+ years studying Palm Cockatoos, Death Adders, koalas, sea snakes, Macaws, and Little Penguins. She has 8 years of laboratory experience focusing on toxinology and venom research. Dr. Zdenek's research interests center on wildlife conservation, with particular expertise in snake behavior, human-snake conflict, Palm Cockatoo ecology, parrot vocalizations, and animal cognition. Her interdisciplinary work bridges conservation biology, herpetology, and science communication to address critical wildlife challenges. Her publication record includes 62 peer-reviewed papers (as of July 2025) across diverse fields including toxinology, animal behavior, and ecology. Her most impactful works include demonstrating that snakes respond to airborne sounds, documenting Palm Cockatoos as the first non-human animals to create rhythmic beats with tools, and developing methodologies for Palm Cockatoo conservation that led to the species' conservation status being elevated twice. Fulbright Fellow (2009) ABC's Top Five Scientist (2021) Rising Star for Faculty of Science at University of Queensland (2023-2024) Inspiring Australia Queensland Ambassador (2024-2025) National Geographic Young Explorer (2018) 8th most read author in The Conversation from UQ (2021-2022) Dr. Zdenek has been instrumental in securing $2.8M in research funding and has advised numerous film productions including BBC, NHK, ABC, and Netflix documentaries. She serves as Communications Lead for IUCN's Snake Specialist Group and is actively involved with Save the Snakes as a Scientific Advisory Member. Her #SciComm workshops have reached audiences nationally and internationally, and she has conducted over 50 radio interviews and 12 TV interviews in 2023 alone, reaching an estimated 4.1 billion people worldwide. Her ongoing projects include the Palm Cockatoo Project (operating since 2008), Death Adder Project, Sound Garden Project, Under the Snakefluence (studying human perceptions of snakes across 23 countries), and Beyond the Bite (quantifying human-snake conflict across Australia).
Douglas Kowalewski is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Lehigh University, joining in Fall 2025 after completing his Ph.D. at the University at Albany, SUNY. He holds a B.A. in Psychology & History from Gettysburg College and an M.A. in Psychology from SUNY Albany. Education: Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology (SUNY Albany), M.A. in Psychology (SUNY Albany), B.A. in Psychology & History (Gettysburg College) His research focuses on the intersection of social psychology, cognitive psychology, and music perception, exploring themes like motivation in music training, cross-modal aesthetic responses, and psychoacoustic factors in music preference. Recent work investigates consonance perception, harmony preference, and links between self-worth and cognitive performance in musical contexts. His publications span journals such as Musicae Scientiae , Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain , and Music Perception , covering topics from dyad sequences to tonal working memory. Collaborative efforts with researchers like Friedman, Song, and Vuvan highlight interdisciplinary approaches to music cognition.
Christine Limb is an Associate Professor in the Department of Music at Lincoln University since 2009, with prior roles at Anna Maria College, Towson University, and Santa Monica College. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) at the University of Southern California (Horn Performance and Music History) and Masters/Bachelors of Music at West Virginia University (Music Education, Music Theory, and Composition). Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), University of Southern California (Horn Performance and Music History) Master of Music, West Virginia University (Music Education) Bachelor of Music, West Virginia University (Music Theory and Composition, double major in Music Education) Her research focuses on Music Education and Music Theory , particularly pedagogical strategies for classroom assessment, student teaching internships, and equitable access to instrumental programs in under-resourced schools. Her 2014–2012 publications highlight innovations in music education, while earlier works (2001–2004) examine foundational teaching methods and curriculum design. Christine has served as a conductor for the Lincoln University Operas and Musicals (2010–2017) and held leadership roles in professional organizations like the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society and International Horn Society . She has presented extensively on topics including rehearsal techniques, rhythm cognition in elementary students, and professional development for educators.
Cole M James (They/Zi/She) is an Assistant Professor in the Animation Department at Otis College of Art and Design, where they received a Teaching Excellence Award (2022-23) and multiple Faculty Development Grants. James holds an MFA from Claremont Graduate University in Installation & Digital Media and a BA from California State University at San Bernardino. James identifies as an interdisciplinary artist whose work uses figurative and abstract images, sound, and scent to explore perception, time, and the intersections of identity. Their practice navigates the African Diaspora, queerness, and womanhood through the lens of digital production and analog collection of lived experiences. James describes themselves as "a negotiator, navigating the African Diaspora, circling the expanse of queerness and traversing through womanhood." James's recent artistic output shows a clear trajectory toward community-centered, socially engaged practice with increasing focus on transformative justice, somatic abolition, and environmental advocacy. Their work consistently addresses race, gender, and class through multimedia formats including video, installation, performance, and community workshops. Precipice Fund Grant Recipient-Portland Institute of Contemporary Art Teaching Excellence Award - Otis College of Art 2022-23 Faculty Development Grants from Otis College of Art (2020-2022) Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation Fellow 2015 Human Rights Leadership Fellow – Amnesty International 2014 James serves as a Somatic Abolition Communal Consultant and is on the Development Team for Artist Infrastructure Initiative at Now Be Here. They are also part of the Collective Abayomi facilitated by Bayo Akomolafe. Their community collaborations span numerous organizations including artworx LA, Liberated Justice Coalition, UCLA, California African American Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and many others focused on restorative justice and environmental advocacy throughout Los Angeles. James has developed several notable community engagement initiatives including Books That Breathe at the California African American Museum and Design Empathy workshops at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Their Paletas SAMO project created space for community members to express ideas about public art through a gift economy model distributing sustainable popsicles while gathering community input for city council presentations.
Mitchell Akiyama is an Assistant Professor of Visual Studies at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto. His practice spans scholarship, composition, and art, addressing themes of perception, history, and sensory experience through interdisciplinary lenses. He co-founded MAYB Studio, an art/design collective exploring experimental intersections between media and environment. Education includes a PhD in Communications from McGill University and an MFA from Concordia University. His research investigates sound studies, metaphors, and media technologies. Key projects include installations for Gendai Gallery, performances at venues like Long Winter Toronto, and collaborations with Raster-Noton Records and Sonar Music Festival. Recent works like Drown Variations (2016) and Tacit Inscription System (2016) exemplify his focus on procedural scores and site-specific soundscapes. His output challenges conventional frameworks through experimental formats and material investigations.
Prof. Israel Nelken is a Full Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, affiliated with the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences. His research focuses on auditory neurophysiology, specifically the neural mechanisms underlying sound processing, perception-action loops, and statistical learning in audition. He has contributed significantly to understanding how the brain detects deviant sounds and encodes complex auditory information across multiple temporal and spectral scales. Affiliations: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences Roles: Full Professor, Principal Investigator of the Israel Nelken Lab Research Interests Prof. Nelken’s work explores the transformation of sensory signals into meaningful representations in the auditory system. Key areas include: Neuronal responses to complex sounds and their behavioral relevance Stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) and prediction error detection Integration of auditory information across cortical and subcortical regions Role of auditory cortex in rhythmic motor synchronization and statistical learning Key Contributions His studies on deviance detection in auditory cortex have advanced our understanding of mismatch negativity (MMN) and predictive coding. Recent work highlights rats’ ability to synchronize movements with auditory rhythms, challenging assumptions about species-specific musicality. He has also developed innovative tools like the Rat Interactive Foraging Facility (RIFF) to study neural-behavioral interactions in real-time. Awards & Honors Rector’s Prize for Excellence in Research and Teaching (2015) Landau Prize for Sciences and Research (2015) Michael Bruno Memorial Award (2008) ERC Advanced Grant (2013) Grants & Collaborations Recipient of prestigious grants including the ERC Advanced Grant for studying auditory processing in natural environments. Active collaborations include work on cortical dynamics in Alzheimer’s models and computational frameworks for attentional blink phenomena. Labs & Teams Leads the Israel Nelken Lab, which integrates electrophysiology, computational modeling, and behavioral experiments to dissect auditory processing. The lab collaborates widely, contributing to projects like the dense cortical microcircuit simulations for understanding surprise responses.
Stephanie Borrie is a Professor in the Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Utah State University, where she also holds the title of Emma Eccles Jones Dean’s Scholar and directs the Human Interaction Lab . Her work bridges speech perception, motor speech disorders, and human interaction to advance understanding and treatment of dysarthria and other communication challenges. Education PhD, Speech and Language Therapy, University of Canterbury, 2011 — Dissertation: Perceptual Learning of Dysarthric Speech Additional qualification, Speech-Language Therapy, University of Canterbury, 2005 Research Focus Professor Borrie’s program explores how listeners perceive and adapt to disordered speech and how conversational partners entrain their speech behaviors . Spanning speech acoustics, cognitive psychology, and clinical intervention, her investigations target motor speech disorders (especially dysarthria from Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury), listener training paradigms, and the social-cognitive factors that modulate communicative success. Recent work delves into developmental trajectories of perceptual learning in adolescents and the impact of motivation on therapeutic outcomes. Article Landscape Across more than 50 peer-reviewed publications since 2007, her scholarship reveals three dominant threads: (1) perceptual learning —how listeners attune to dysarthric speech and generalize that learning across talkers and contexts; (2) conversational entrainment —the rhythmic, prosodic, and lexical alignment that occurs during dialogue and its disruption in clinical populations; and (3) clinical translation —developing evidence-based tools (e.g., Autoscore software) and training protocols to improve intelligibility and reduce listening effort. The 2022–2024 output intensifies focus on developmental perspectives, motivation, and novel signal-processing techniques to enhance real-world communication. Scientific Awards & Honors While no named awards are listed in the provided text, Professor Borrie’s designation as Emma Eccles Jones Dean’s Scholar signifies a high-level research distinction within the college. Advising & Grant Activity She has mentored numerous master’s and doctoral students in Speech & Hearing Sciences, including Samantha Budge, Taylor Hepworth, Camille Wynn, Elizabeth Josephson, Kiersten Pope, Michelle Parker, Kristen Jensen, Christine Delfino, and Elizabeth Fall. Although specific grant details are not provided, her prolific publication record and sustained mentoring imply active federal or foundational funding. Labs & Teams Professor Borrie directs the Human Interaction Lab at Utah State University, a research environment devoted to experimental and translational work on speech perception, entrainment, and motor speech disorders.
Robert Zatorre is a Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine. He is a leading expert in auditory neuroscience and music cognition, with significant contributions to understanding brain plasticity and reward mechanisms related to music. Zatorre co-founded the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound (BRAMS) in 2006 - a multi-university consortium focused on cognitive neuroscience of music. Key Research Areas Functional and structural properties of the auditory cortex Hemispheric specialization in auditory processing Neural mechanisms of musical emotion and reward Brain plasticity from sensory loss or training Advanced neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MEG, EEG) Scientific Achievements 2011 IPSEN Foundation Prize in Neuronal Plasticity 2013 Knowles Hearing Science Award 2017 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Advising Directed PhD research on auditory prediction mechanisms (2023) Publication Trends show consistent focus on music's neurobiological basis, with recent work exploring cortical rhythmic activity in Parkinson's disease, speech-in-noise perception, and neural correlates of singing. His research combines experimental neuroscience with theoretical frameworks in cognitive science.
Dr. Leah Reid is an Assistant Professor of Composition at the University of Virginia , where she teaches courses in composition and technology. Her work bridges music composition , electroacoustic music , and sound art through explorations of timbre, space, and perception. D.M.A. and M.A. in Music Composition, Stanford University B.Mus, McGill University Reid’s research focuses on the perceptual modeling of timbre and its applications in creating immersive soundscapes. She has developed a multidimensional timbre model to explore relationships between reverberant space and timbre , often using interactive sound installations and electroacoustic techniques . Her recent articles/compositions emphasize spectral density , timbral transformation , and spatial audio design . Reid is a Vice President of the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM), Vice President for Programs and Projects for the Society of Electroacoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS), and Artistic Director of the Boston New Music Initiative (BNMI). She has received commissions from ensembles including Accordant Commons , Jack Quartet , and Yarn/Wire , with presentations at international festivals such as ICMC , ManiFeste , and Tilde New Music Festival . 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship American Prize in Composition Pauline Oliveros Award (IAWM) Fellowships from MacDowell, Yaddo, and Copland House Her collaborative projects and educational outreach highlight her engagement with emerging composers and technology-driven music . Reid’s works are published by Ablaze Records, New Focus Recordings, and BabelScores, reflecting her influence in contemporary acousmatic and electroacoustic circles.
Dr. Carolina Labbé is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Geneva , affiliated with the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences and working in the Multimodal Modelling of Emotion & Feeling laboratory . She previously worked in the NEAD laboratory and completed her PhD on music-induced emotion mechanisms. Educational Background: Master's in Cognitive and Affective Psychology (2010) Doctorate in Music Entrainment and Emotion (2015) Her research focuses on emotion regulation mechanisms , particularly through musical entrainment , virtual reality applications , and EEG-based biomarker identification for mood disorders. Recent publications highlight developmental aspects of emotional prosody recognition and neural correlates of musical rhythm perception. Current work involves collaborative research between University of Geneva and Paris West University Nanterre La Défense through Prof. Isel's MoDyCo laboratory , integrating computational models with neurophysiological measurements.
Chloé Farrer is a CNRS researcher affiliated with the Cognition, Languages, Ergonomics (CLLE) laboratory at Université de Toulouse. As a core member of the Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CERCO) , she investigates motor inhibition mechanisms and cognitive control across developmental stages. Université de Toulouse (CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) CLLE - UMR 5269 (Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès) CERCO - Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition Research Focus : Neural basis of motor inhibition in discrete vs rhythmic movements Developmental trajectories of executive function in preschoolers Theta oscillations and cognitive control Ecological validity in cognitive training programs Agency and self-monitoring mechanisms Scientific Contributions : 2022 Journal of Experimental Child Psychology - Pretend play interventions for cognitive control 2019 Human Movement Science - Motor inhibition dissociation 2018 Human Movement Science - Social coordination mechanisms Current Affiliations : Université de Toulouse CLLE Laboratory CERCO (Neuroscience & Psychology) IRIT - Computer Science Institute
Mauro Botelho is an Associate Professor of Music at Davidson College with a joint appointment in Latin American Studies. Based in Sloan Music Center 106, he can be contacted at mabotelho@davidson.edu or 704-894-2355. His educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and both Master of Music (M.M.) and Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degrees from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Early musical training began at age five in Brazil, where he served as principal bassoonist for the São Paulo Municipal Youth Orchestra and São Paulo State Youth Orchestra during middle and high school. Dr. Botelho's research centers on late baroque and classical period music with specialized focus on rhythmic structures. His interdisciplinary work includes a recent collaboration with Psychology Professor Greta Munger on bitonality perception. He actively presents research internationally across the United States, Brazil, and Europe, while incorporating Latin American and specifically Brazilian musical traditions into his scholarly framework. His teaching portfolio spans core music theory courses (MUS 201, MUS 202, MUS 302), foundational studies (MUS 101, MUS 110), and specialized offerings including MUS 241 (Music of Latin America), MUS 246 (Music of Brazil), and MUS 401 (Senior Seminar). He has also developed special-topic courses such as Nationalism and Music (2008) and Allusion, Borrowing, and Collage: Appropriation Techniques in Twentieth-Century Music (2002).
Inger Vinther Damsholt serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Arts and Cultural Studies at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Humanities. Her academic profile includes active research output, teaching responsibilities, and public engagement through media contributions. Contact details list phone +4535333093 and email idams@hum.ku.dk, with institutional affiliation at Karen Blixens Vej 1, 2300 Copenhagen S. Her research centers on choreomusicology —examining dance-music relationships—with seminal publications including "Identifying 'choreomusical research'" (2018) and "The Dance" (2020). She has pioneered studies in Nordic social dance communities post-1950, culminating in the 2020 Dance Research Journal special issue "In and Out of Norden." Her 2018 book Viden om Dans: En grundbog establishes foundational dance science frameworks, while her work bridges historical analysis with contemporary performance practices across Denmark and Scandinavia. Recent publications (2018-2020) reveal three dominant scholarly trajectories: (1) Nordic cultural identity through dance (e.g., "Brudevals', 'Danishness' and Lived Reality"), (2) migratory dance phenomena (special issue co-editorship), and (3) somatic-creative movement interfaces. These intersect with anthropology, sound studies, and cultural heritage preservation, demonstrating methodological diversity from ethnographic analysis to theoretical framework development. Damsholt actively supervises and teaches musicology with dance specialization, covering dance theory, analysis, and history. Her public scholarship extends through 28 media engagements including Politiken commentary (e.g., 2013 "Harlem Shake cultural appropriation" analysis) and P1 radio features on dance anthropology. She has delivered invited lectures on Danish dance history from medieval times to contemporary practice, highlighting applied research impact beyond academia.
Meike Britt Hübner is a Professor at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, actively engaged in the university's Children's University outreach program where she delivers lectures on rhythm and music. Her academic work bridges artistic practice and educational innovation through bodily expression. Her research investigates the transformation between sound and movement, treating the human body as a fundamental musical instrument. She explores how rhythmic patterns emerge from physical gestures and how auditory perception shapes kinesthetic response, with applications in music pedagogy and inclusive performance practices. This work emphasizes accessibility—demonstrating that musical creation requires no external tools beyond one's own physiology. Prof. Hübner contributes significantly to public scholarship through the Children's University, designing interactive lectures that inspire children to discover music-making through bodily play. Her approach draws from childhood experiences of sonic exploration via radio, framing music as a universal collaborative game where children's innate playfulness becomes central to artistic discovery.
