Harald Rohracher is a Professor at the Department of Theme (TEMA) , Linköping University , affiliated with the Theme Technology and Social Change (THEME) . His research focuses on sociotechnical transitions for climate-neutral cities , examining energy systems, digitalization, and governance strategies. Grants: Formas, Horizon Europe, Vinnova Labs: STRIPE (Sociotechnical Research on Infrastructures, Politics, and Environment), Biogas Solutions Research Center Students: Adam Svensson, Stella Huang, Gavin Nilsson Lewis, Giorgi Kankia Rohracher investigates how households , social movements , and policy frameworks interact in transformative processes. His recent work explores smart grid politics , decentralized energy systems , and urban food digitalization , emphasizing power dynamics and governance experiments. He leads projects on transdisciplinary education for climate governance, positive energy districts , and collective experimentation across Sweden and Spain. His scientific grants highlight institutional support for sustainability research, while his research teams bridge academic, governmental, and civil society actors.
John Nassour is a Researcher at the Technical University of Munich's School of Computation, Information and Technology, affiliated with the Chair of Cognitive Systems. He holds engineering degrees from Tishreen University (electronics), a Master's in intelligent systems from University of Cergy-Pontoise/École Nationale Supérieure de l'Électronique, and a joint PhD from University of Versailles/TUM. His interdisciplinary research focuses on computational cognitive systems applied to robotics, including wearable devices, humanoid robots, soft robotics, and robot learning for locomotion/manipulation. Before joining TUM in 2020, he was a lecturer/researcher at Chemnitz University of Technology. He teaches courses in cognitive systems, neuro-inspired engineering, and soft robotics.
Maiken H. Mikkelsen is the James N. and Elizabeth H. Barton Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University, with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics . Her research focuses on quantum nanophotonics , plasmonics , and light-matter interactions in nanoscale materials, aiming to advance optoelectronics, quantum science, and biomedical diagnostics. Education B.S. in Physics, University of Copenhagen (2004) Ph.D. in Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (2009) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley Her work explores nanophotonic engineering for quantum optics , spintronics , and ultrafast optoelectronics , with recent studies on nonlinear metasurfaces and plasmonic enhancement of immunoassays for point-of-care diagnostics. Publications highlight 2D semiconductor emission control , ultrafast single-photon sources , and metasurface-based photodetectors . Scientific Awards Maria Goeppert Mayer Award (2017) NSF CAREER Award (2015) Moore Inventor Fellow (2021) ONR/Air Force/Army Young Investigator Awards (2015-2017) Cottrell Scholar (2016) Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award (2021) She advises graduate students in Duke’s Electrical & Computer Engineering and Physics programs and leads the Mikkelsen Lab , which emphasizes ultrafast spectroscopy and quantum material development . The lab has graduated PhD students like Eunso Shin and Hengming Li (2025).
Dr. Sarah Bay-Cheng is Dean and Professor of Theatre & Performance Studies at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). Her research focuses on intersections between theatre, media, and digital technologies, with over 100 academic essays, lectures, and reviews. She authored or edited four books, including *Performance and Media: Taxonomies for a Changing Field* (2015) and *Mapping Intermediality in Performance* (2010). Prior to her role at York, she was Chair of Theater and Dance at Bowdoin College and Founding Director of the Techne Institute at the University at Buffalo. She holds a BA from Wellesley College and a PhD from the University of Michigan. Research Interests: Digital Humanities, intermediality, performance historiography, film studies, and technology’s role in contemporary performance. Awards include a 2015 Fulbright Senior Scholarship in Media and Cultural Studies. She serves on boards for Factory Theatre and StageView.com. Her work bridges historical and emerging digital practices, emphasizing how media shapes performance’s past, present, and future.
Guy Hoffman is Associate Professor and Associate Director of Undergraduate Affairs at Cornell University's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He holds faculty appointments in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Information Science, and Mechanical Engineering. Hoffman earned his Ph.D. in Human-Robot Interaction from MIT and M.Sc. in Computer Science from Tel Aviv University. His research explores computational, design, and social aspects of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), with focus areas including: Embodied cognition for social robots Anticipation and timing in HRI Nonverbal behavior in human-robot collaboration Robotics for performing arts Non-anthropomorphic robot design Publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work spanning social robotics, adaptive interfaces, inclusive design, and AI education. Recent articles explore shadow-based interaction privacy, emotional conveyance through shape-changing interfaces, and cultural aspects of robot morphology. Major recognitions include: Andrew P. Sage Best Transactions Paper Award (IEEE, 2020) Dennis G. Shepherd Teaching Award (Cornell, 2019) Best Paper Award, IEEE/ACM HRI Conference (2015) His research group develops robotic platforms like Blossom and investigates human-robot collaboration in workspaces, inclusive play for children with mixed abilities, and open-source educational tools for AI literacy.
Prof. Dr. Lisa Schipper is Professor of Development Geography at the University of Bonn since 2023. Her research focuses on understanding vulnerability to climate change in the Global South and the barriers and enablers for adaptation. She has extensive experience working across Central and South America, East Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Her educational background includes: BSc in Environmental Science (1997) from Brown University MSc in Environment and Development (2000) from the University of East Anglia PhD in Development Studies (2004) from the University of East Anglia Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the International Water Management Institute in Colombo, Sri Lanka (2005-2007) Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (Oxford, 2021) Prof. Schipper's research centers on socio-cultural dimensions of vulnerability to climate change, including gender, culture, and religion, as well as structural issues related to power, justice, and equity. Her work has demonstrated how understanding underlying development factors driving vulnerability is vital for identifying effective adaptation strategies, yet this knowledge is often absent in adaptation planning. She has made significant contributions to understanding maladaptation - when adaptation efforts inadvertently increase vulnerability rather than reduce it. Her research also explores how religious beliefs influence hazard perceptions and adaptation actions. As Co-ordinating Lead Author of Chapter 18 ("Climate Resilient Development Pathways") for the IPCC Working Group II Sixth Assessment Report, she has helped shape global understanding of how adaptation and mitigation must be integrated with sustainable development efforts. Prof. Schipper's scientific contributions have been recognized with several honors, including: Winner of Emerald Literati Network Award for Outstanding Paper (2017) Selected as one of Climate Policy's "Top 20 Papers" Ida Pfeiffer Visiting Professor appointment (2022/23, declined) She is actively engaged in mentoring and welcomes students interested in supervision, particularly those with research questions related to climate change adaptation and development. Prof. Schipper serves on the editorial boards of Climate and Development (where she is Co-Editor), World Development Perspectives, and Global Transitions - Health. She also participates in several advisory roles including the Science Committee of the Adaptation Futures Conference 2023 and the CLARE Advisors Group. Prof. Schipper leads the AG Schipper research group at the University of Bonn, which focuses on three main areas: Adaptation and Development (examining how development projects can best promote transformative climate change adaptation), Equity and the Politics of Knowledge (understanding how knowledge informs climate resilient development decisions), and Culture and Risk (exploring how clashing worldviews create barriers for policy making and knowledge sharing).
Elisa Morgera is a Professor of Global Environmental Law at the University of Strathclyde and the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights (2024–present). She previously directed the UKRI GCRF One Ocean Hub (2019–2024), a transformative ocean governance initiative spanning 22 institutions globally. Her research focuses on international environmental law, human rights, equity, and oceans governance, with particular attention to Indigenous peoples, small-scale fishers, and climate justice. Education includes a PhD in International Law from the European University Institute and an LLM in Environmental Law from University College London. She also holds an adjunct professorship at the University of Eastern Finland. Research interests integrate environmental law with human rights, equity, and sustainability, addressing topics like benefit-sharing in natural resources, marine biodiversity, and corporate accountability. She has advised UN agencies, governments, and NGOs, and contributed to Scottish human rights frameworks, including recommendations for a legal right to a healthy environment. Key awards include election to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2022). Her work spans over 180 publications, including articles on climate governance, ocean defenders' rights, and BBNJ Agreements. She leads interdisciplinary projects funded by UKRI, the EU, and global partnerships. Elisa has advised on over 30 international initiatives, including contributions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment. Her advisory roles include the Scottish Government’s Human Rights Leadership Task Force (2018–2020), shaping national human rights legislation. Her One Ocean Hub and other collaborations emphasize equity and inclusion in ocean policy, involving communities in decision-making processes.
Dr. Andrea S. Carlini is an Assistant Professor of Materials in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Her research focuses on structurally dynamic biomaterials and devices, aiming to bridge biochemical signals with soft materials for smart biomedical applications. She holds a PhD from UC San Diego and completed a postdoc at Northwestern University’s Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics. B.S. in Chemistry & Biological Sciences (Virginia Tech, 2012) M.S. in Chemistry & Biochemistry (UC San Diego, 2014) Ph.D. in Chemistry & Biochemistry (UC San Diego, 2018) Her research is organized into three core areas: (1) stimuli-responsive materials for disease monitoring, (2) 4D shape-changing peptides/polymers, and (3) soft wearable devices for quantitative health feedback. Recent work includes thermal sensors for vascular access and enzyme-responsive biomaterials for tissue engineering. Published articles span bio-electrochemical systems, wearable sensors, and smart hydrogels. Her NSF GRFP Fellowship supported early work on myocardial tissue engineering. The Carlini Group collaborates broadly across UCSB’s interdisciplinary environment. Labs/Teams: Carlini Group (UCSB) Focus: Bioelectronics, biomedical devices, and dynamic materials
Holger Straßheim is Professor of Political Sociology at Bielefeld University, affiliated with the Faculty of Sociology, Department 4 – Politics and Society. He also holds leadership roles as co-director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies of Science (ISOS) and the Institute for World Society Studies, and is an elected member of the university’s Senate. He coordinates the MA program in Political Communication and serves on multiple examination and ethics committees. University: Bielefeld University School: Faculty of Sociology Department: Department 4 – Politics and Society Research Institutes: ISOS, Institute for World Society Studies Administrative Roles: Program Coordinator MA Political Communication, Member of BA/MA Examination Boards, Habilitation Committee His research centers on the interplay between science and politics, particularly the role of expertise and evidence in public policy. Key areas include behavioral public policy, climate and consumer policy, Arctic geopolitics, and the temporal dimensions of governance. He investigates how knowledge is produced, legitimized, and used in policy-making across transnational contexts. The most recent publications reflect a strong focus on evidence cultures, ethical expertise in crises, and the global spread of behavioral governance. These works analyze how expert advice functions under uncertainty, the paradoxes of evidence-based policy, and the institutionalization of ethical guidance during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research often employs comparative and interdisciplinary methods, engaging with science and technology studies, political sociology, and policy analysis. Best Dissertation Award, University of Tübingen (2011) Visiting Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School (2014) Visiting Research Fellow, Collège d’études mondiales, Paris (2018) Visiting Research Fellow, University of Bologna (2022) Straßheim has supervised and advised in various research projects and PhD initiatives, particularly through his leadership in DFG and ESRC-funded programs. He has secured significant third-party funding, including projects on Arctic knowledge co-production and ethics in crisis governance. He is actively involved in academic service, reviewing for major journals and research councils, and shaping policy discourse through editorial roles in Critical Policy Studies and the Advances in Critical Policy Analysis book series. He leads the Straßheim Research Group, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on science-policy interfaces. He is a key figure in research networks such as the Science and Democracy Network (Harvard) and the International Arctic Science Committee. His work bridges academic inquiry with real-world policy challenges, emphasizing democratic accountability, epistemic pluralism, and the ethical dimensions of expertise.
Sophie Dubuisson-Quellier is a CNRS Research Professor and Director of the Centre for the Sociology of Organisations (CSO) at Sciences Po. Her research bridges economic sociology, environmental governance, and public policy, focusing on how markets, social movements, and governments shape consumer behaviors. She is a member of the French High Council on Climate and Sciences Po’s Scientific Advisory Board. Research Themes: Economic sociology, sustainable consumption, market intermediation, political consumption, and public policy governance Projects: Everyday Life in a Pandemic (2023), CRISIS Lab Editorial Roles: Co-Director of the Presses Universitaires de la Sorbonne “economic sociology” collection; Member of the Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy editorial board; Co-Director of Consumption and Society Her work explores the intersections of affluent consumption regimes, environmental policies, and social mobilizations. Recent studies analyze socio-material disruptions in food practices during the pandemic, the role of prices in sustainable consumption, and the symbolic governance of markets through eco-labeling. She contributes to debates on behavioral economics, market regulation, and the political dimensions of consumer activism. Scientific Contributions: Key publications include analyses of market mediation strategies, the governance of consumer behaviors, and the integration of social dimensions into environmental foresight. Her book La consommation engagée (translated into English and Chinese) examines political consumption dynamics.
Mark D. Gross is a Professor of Computer Science and Director of the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on modular robotics, tangible interaction design, digital fabrication, and computational design. He co-founded Modular Robotics and Blank Slate Systems, leveraging his expertise in educational technology and maker culture. Education: PhD in Design Theory & Methods from MIT. Academic history includes roles at Carnegie Mellon University and University of Washington Seattle. His work spans architecture, robotics, and human-computer interaction. Research Interests: Modular robotics and computationally enhanced construction kits Tangible interaction and e-textiles Shape-changing interfaces and swarm robotics Sketch-based interaction and digital fabrication Publications highlight advancements in collaborative AR systems, shape-changing interfaces (e.g., LiftTiles, ShapeBots), and accessible technologies like FluxMarker. His work bridges computational tools and creative design processes. Advising: Guided students such as Ryo Suzuki (PhD '20). Entrepreneurial ventures include companies spun off from research. Labs/Teams: Leads projects at the ATLAS Institute, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in robotics, design, and human-centered computing.
Sara Nabil is an Assistant Professor at Queen's University's School of Computing within the Faculty of Arts and Science. She leads the HCI Design Studio and previously held a postdoctoral position at Carleton University's Creative Interactions Lab. Her research focuses on integrating interior design, fashion, and product design with interactive technologies, emphasizing e-textiles, smart materials, and shape-changing interfaces. She holds a PhD from Newcastle University and prior experience as an HCI Lecturer, interior designer, and senior software developer. Education: PhD in Computing, Newcastle University (2019) MSc in Computing BSc in Computing Research interests include designing computational spaces, wearable technology, and e-textile interactions. Her work explores sustainable fabrication methods, user-centered design for smart environments, and bridging traditional crafts with digital technologies. Notable projects include exhibitions like 'Living with Adaptive Architecture' and 'Persuasive Pharmacy Space,' showcasing interactive wearables and spaces. Her recent articles (2023–2025) emphasize e-textile innovations, sustainable design, and human-building interactions. Key themes include smart materials in fashion, modular wearables, and community-driven interaction systems. Awards: None explicitly mentioned. Advising/Grants: No details provided. Labs/Teams: Head of HCI Design Studio and part of iStudio Lab, focusing on interioraction design.
Trysh Travis is an Associate Professor of Women’s Studies at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on the gendered history of medicine, therapeutic cultures, and recovery movements. She earned an MA from the Bread Loaf School of English and a PhD in American Studies from Yale University. Her work has been supported by the Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She co-founded the translational humanities project Points with UF colleague Joseph Spillane and serves as Managing Editor Emerita. Key publications include The Language of the Heart: Twelve-Step Recovery from Alcoholics Anonymous to Oprah Winfrey (2009) and co-editing Rethinking Therapeutic Culture (2016). Her articles explore topics ranging from opioid treatment legacies to feminist critiques of drug policy. Education: PhD in American Studies (Yale University), MA in English (Bread Loaf School of English) Grants: Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities Key Projects: Co-founder of Points blog, author/co-editor of influential books on recovery culture Travis’s research bridges literary history and cultural analysis, emphasizing intersections of gender, medicine, and therapeutic practices. Her work critiques historical and contemporary recovery narratives, interrogating how therapeutic frameworks shape identities and social norms. Recent scholarship addresses opioid policy legacies and the role of whiteness in cultural discourse.
Dr. Rong-Hao Liang is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with both the Future Everyday Group (Department of Industrial Design) and the Signal Processing Systems Group (Department of Electrical Engineering). His research bridges intelligent sensing systems and user interface technology for ubiquitous computing and embodied human-computer interaction . He co-organized international ACM conferences (CHI, UIST, DIS) and has over 70 peer-reviewed publications and 10 patents. PhD in Computer Science (2014) and MSc in Electrical Engineering (2010) from National Taiwan University Founded GaussToys Inc. in 2015, focusing on magnetic-field sensors Cross-appointed to Electrical Engineering in 2021 His research explores intelligent sensing systems , tangible user interfaces , and physiological sensors for real-world challenges. Key trends in his work include ubiquitous health monitoring (e.g., preterm infants), wearable technology , and innovative interaction design . Articles like GaussBits and NFCStack demonstrate his focus on magnetic and RFID-based tangible systems . Scientific awards include the ACM CHI 2013 Best Paper Award , 2014 Honorable Mentions , and the ACM SIGGRAPH Asia 2012 Emerging Technologies Prize . He mentors passion-driven projects in user interface design and embedded systems , emphasizing technical rigor and creativity. His STRAP project (2020–2025) addresses heart disease prevention via big data and AI . Labs and teams include the Future Everyday Group and Signal Processing Systems Group , with collaborations across healthcare , education , and technology startups . His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals , particularly good health and well-being .
Eric Chalfant is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Film and Media at Queen’s University. He has previously taught at Elon University and Portland Community College. He earned his PhD from Duke University (2016), MA from Wake Forest University (2011), and BA from Whitman College (2008). Research Interests: Intersections of media studies, religious studies, and affect theory; material media analysis; sound culture studies; interface studies; algorithmic and network culture. Key Projects: A book-length study on media archaeology of North American atheist media (print, broadcast, digital) and another project exploring media, religion, and affect studies through the lens of 'noise' and divination. Media Archaeology: Examines how changing media forms (print, radio, digital) shaped atheist subjectivity, from 19th-century openness to Reddit's networked speed. Advising: Serves as MA and PhD Co-Supervisor.
