Find Academic Supervisors

Wolfgang MayerView profile

Professor

• Performative Practice
• Body Theory
• Poetics of the Performative
• +3 more

Wolfgang Mayer is a Professor for Performative Practice at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart , teaching collaborative artistic processes. He co-founded the art group Discoteca Flaming Star (DFS) in 1998 with Cristina Gómez Barrio, focusing on performative works that challenge memory and institutional frameworks. 1990–1995: Studied at Academy of Fine Arts Munich 1996–1997: DAAD scholarship at School of Visual Arts NYC 2005–2006: Whitney ISP participant Mayer’s research integrates performative practice , body theory , and collaborative art . His works interrogate memory , feminist narratives , and public space dynamics through sculptures , performances , and experimental music . Recent projects like Momentum:synthesize.r (2024) and Love Any Out of (90 Seconds) End (2023) explore temporal structures and emotional labor . Scientific honors include: 2013 Fundacion Estrenos Grant 2006–2007 Pollock-Krasner Scholarship 1993 Salzburg Summer Academy scholarship He emphasizes non-formalized artistic development through Sound & Body modules, public space interventions , and critical response protocols . Mayer’s DFS collective has shown globally at institutions like The Kitchen , Whitney Museum , and Tate Modern , often collaborating with figures like Rita McBride and Jeremiah Day.

Ava Fatah gen. SchieckView profile

Professor

• Media Architecture
• Urban Digital Interaction
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +7 more

Dr. Ava Fatah gen. Schieck is a Professor of Media Architecture and Urban Digital Interaction at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL) , where she has been affiliated since 2001. She teaches in the MSc Architectural Computation program, focusing on embodied interactions and urban digital experiences. Education: ATQ03 - Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow (UCL, 2008) Certificate in Learning and Teaching (UCL, 2007) Master of Science (UCL, 2001) Her research explores the intersection of architecture, digital media, and urban spaces. Key themes include: Mediated spatial experiences in museums and public environments Embodied interactions through dance, movement, and performative design Urban screens and community-centered digital installations Smart city critiques focusing on marginalized communities Pervasive computing's impact on social dynamics Her publication corpus (149+ outputs) predominantly addresses media architecture, HCI, museum technology, and sensory interactions , with recent work emphasizing olfactory interfaces, pandemic urbanism, and heritage digitization. Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA, 2023) Projects & Grants: As Principal Investigator for the EPSRC-funded 'Screens in the Wild' , she examines networked urban screens for community engagement. She previously led the 'SCREAM' project (UrbanBuzz program) and contributed to EPSRC's 'Urban Design and Pervasive Systems'. She reviews grants for EPSRC, UKRI, SNSF, and other international bodies. She directs research through UCL's Space Research Group and VR Centre for the Built Environment , collaborating globally. As program chair for the Media Architecture Biennale (2012-2020), she fosters interdisciplinary dialogue across architecture, HCI, and interaction design.

Gordon HughesView profile

Associate Professor

• Early 20th-Century European Modernism
• French Painting
• Abstract Art
• +6 more

Gordon Hughes is an Associate Professor of Art History in the Department of Art History at Rice University, specializing in early 20th-century European modernism with concentrated expertise in French painting and abstract art. His research significantly reinterprets foundational narratives of abstraction while extending into contemporary art and photographic history. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Art History from Princeton University (2004) M.A. from the University of Western Ontario (1996) M.F.A. in Studio Art from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1992) B.F.A. from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (1989) Professor Hughes' scholarship centers on re-examining abstract painting's origins through meticulous visual analysis, particularly focusing on Robert Delaunay's contributions to modernist vision. His work bridges pre-war European art with American conceptual practices from the 1960s-1980s, evidenced by influential publications on Fernand Léger, Georges Braque, Douglas Huebler, and Jenny Holzer. His theoretical approach integrates continental philosophy while prioritizing phenomenological engagement with artworks, reflected in his current book project Seeing Red: Murder, Abstraction, Machines which investigates intersections of art, technology, and violence. Analysis of his recent publications (2006-2022) reveals consistent scholarly engagement with French modernism's theoretical underpinnings while progressively incorporating contemporary critical frameworks. His work demonstrates evolving methodological sophistication through examinations of visual perception, medium specificity, and post-structuralist theory across diverse artistic movements from Cubism to Conceptual Art. His distinguished recognitions include: Getty Research Institute Scholar-in-Residence (2012-2013) Barr Ferree Foundation Publication Grant (2011) Terra Foundation for American Art support (2010) Professor Hughes mentors graduate students in Rice's Art History program with emphasis on close visual analysis and theoretical rigor. His research has received significant institutional support including Getty Research Institute residencies and major publication grants that facilitated his influential monograph Resisting Abstraction and editorial projects like October Files: Richard Serra .

Julia GelshornView profile

Professor

• Contemporary Art (19th-21st centuries)
• French 18th-century Art and Theory
• Artistic Appropriation
• +5 more

Julia Gelshorn is a full professor of modern and contemporary art history at the University of Fribourg , Switzerland, since 2013. She specializes in strategies of appropriation, repetition, and translation in art, with a focus on 21st-century practices and 18th-century French art theory. Her research explores artistic subjectivity, realism, and the intersection of art, politics, and economy. Education: Art History, Theater Science, and Italian Literature at the Universities of Cologne and Bern. Key Roles: Post-doctoral fellow at the German Center for Art History (2006-2008); visiting professor at HfG Karlsruhe (2008-2010); professor at Universities of Vienna (2010-2011) and Hamburg (2011-2013). Research Interests center on: (1) artistic appropriation as a critical and affective tool; (2) realisms across historical contexts; (3) artist interviews as legible texts; (4) art’s engagement with political and economic systems; (5) theoretical frameworks for visual culture. Her current Real Abstractions project (2023-2027) rethinks realism through social abstractions like financialization and digital networks. Scientific Contributions include the Lazarus Prize from the University of Bern’s Faculty of Humanities (2003) for her dissertation on Richter and Polke. Her publications span books like Aneignung und Wiederholung (2012) and edited volumes on artists such as Jean Tinguely (2016), while her recent articles address Martin Kippenberger, Rosemarie Trockel, and Benjamin Buchloh’s historiography. Notable Projects include the completed SNSF-funded Cinema in Art and Literature (2016) and the ongoing Real Abstractions initiative, which also involves a traveling exhibition and interdisciplinary workshops.

Steven EastwoodView profile

Professor

• Film Practice
• Documentary Filmmaking
• Neurodiversity & Autism Representation
• +4 more

Professor Steven Eastwood is a Professor of Film Practice at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), leading Film Practice and directing the BLOC arts complex. He holds a PhD from UCL Slade School of Fine Art (2007). His work bridges film, installation, and co-creation with neurodivergent communities, palliative care professionals, and medical educators. Eastwood's research focuses on neurodiversity representation, end-of-life narratives, and fact-fiction hybrid practices. Key works include The Stimming Pool (2024, co-created with Neurocultures Collective), ISLAND (2017, hospice documentary), and Buried Land (2010, Bosnian archaeology film). His ISLAND educational toolkit is used by NHS Trusts for medical training. Awards include Wellcome Trust grants, BFI London Film Festival premieres, and Grierson Award nominations. Academic Leadership: Head of Film Practice, QMUL Centre for Film & Ethics founder Education: BA/PhD from UCL, prior roles at University of East London and SUNY Buffalo Grants: Wellcome Trust, AHRC, Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation Labs: BLOC cinema-lab complex with 4K Dolby Atmos facilities Research explores ethical filmmaking in sensitive domains like palliative care and autism advocacy. Recent projects include Autism Through Cinema (2018-2022) and Death and Dying studies through multiscreen installations. Supervision: 6 current PhD students focusing on documentary ethics, neurodiversity, and prison narratives External Examining: Practice-based film PhDs across UK institutions

Gabriella GiannachiView profile

Professor

• Performance and New Media
• Art and Technology
• Mobile Interpretation and User-Generated Documentation
• +5 more

Gabriella Giannachi is Professor of Performance and New Media and Director of the Centre for Intermedia at the University of Exeter's Faculty of Humanities, Department of English. She leads interdisciplinary collaborations between artists, academics, and scientists to advance research in performance and digital arts. Her educational background includes: BA in Modern Languages and Literatures from Turin University's Faculty of Letters and Philosophy PhD in English from Cambridge University, researching silence in modern European Drama with Trinity Hall scholarship Giannachi's research pioneers performance documentation in mixed reality environments, examining how digital archives function as mobile interpretation hubs for cultural engagement. She investigates mobile user-generated documentation's role in knowledge production, museum visitor dynamics, memory formation, and identity construction within ecological and heritage contexts, with significant focus on copyright and accessibility implications. Her publication trends reveal consistent exploration of presence theory across physical-digital boundaries, with award-winning CHI conference papers (2009-2013) and books like 'Performing Mixed Reality' (2011) establishing frameworks for understanding mixed reality performance, environmental art, and digital heritage preservation. Her scientific recognition includes: Three consecutive CHI Best Paper Awards (2009, 2012, 2013) Theatre Library Association Book Award nomination for 'Performing Presence' (2012) Royal Society of Arts Fellowship nomination (2012) While specific advisees aren't documented, her research partnerships demonstrate extensive collaborative supervision across institutions including Tate, Imperial War Museum, British Library, and Stanford Libraries, securing projects that integrate artistic practice with scientific research. As Centre for Intermedia Director, she cultivates experimental teams investigating how digital archives transform cultural engagement through mobile platforms, particularly in environmental contexts via partnerships with Met Office Hadley Centre and Ludwig Boltzman Institute.

Morten SøndergaardView profile

Associate Professor

• Sound Art
• Media Art
• Curatorial Studies
• +3 more

Morten Søndergaard is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University’s Department of Communication and Psychology, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. He is part of the Art, Aesthetics & Health Research Laboratory and the MASSHINE initiative. His research focuses on sound art, media art curation, and transdisciplinary practices, emphasizing the exclusion mechanisms in 20th-century art systems and unarchived avant-garde movements. Søndergaard has curated exhibitions globally, including at Kiasma and ZKM, and co-founded the POM conference series and ISACS symposia. He leads the Erasmus Master of Excellence in Media Arts Cultures, collaborating with institutions in Austria, Poland, and Hong Kong. His work bridges art, science, and technology, with recent projects exploring sonic archives and participatory curatorial frameworks. Key collaborations include roles with the European NeMe network, SUNY College New York, and the Momentum Biennial. He has organized over 20 projects since 2008, including the 2025 Momentum Biennial as head curator. His teaching spans media art theory, sound art practices, and curatorial methodologies at both bachelor and master levels. Søndergaard’s research outputs include over 145 publications, with a focus on sound art’s theoretical and practical dimensions. His current projects emphasize ‘uncurating’ methodologies and the reactivation of marginalized avant-garde practices. Notable activities include editorial roles, international conference organization, and advisory roles in art and science networks. His work has been featured in media outlets like Artdaily and the Biennial Foundation, highlighting his contributions to contemporary art discourse and curatorial innovation.

• Cinema Studies
• Sound and Music in Media
• Philosophy of Film
• +3 more

Serge CARDINAL is a Full Professor at the Department of Art History, Cinema, and Audiovisual Media at Université de Montréal. His research focuses on the intersections of sound, music, and cinema, blending philosophical inquiry with creative practice. He leads projects exploring musicality in film, interdisciplinary analysis methods, and the legacy of cinema through installations and exhibitions. Education: The text does not explicitly detail his formal education, but his extensive academic output and professorial role suggest advanced degrees in cinema studies and related fields. Research Interests : Musicality in film, research-creation, Deleuzean philosophy applied to cinema, actor studies, and interdisciplinary audiovisual practices. His work bridges theory and practice, using soundscapes, installations, and performances to analyze cinematic material. Recent Projects : Includes installations like Tombeau de Gilles Groulx (2019) and The Political Glenn Gould (2024), as well as collaborative research networks like the OICRM. He has explored digital tools for cinematic analysis (Numalyse, 2025) and sound transcription in intermedia contexts (Studio Glenn Gould, 2021). Grants & Funding : Recipient of grants from FRQSC and SSHRC for projects on sound in Quebec cinema, research-creation methodologies, and interdisciplinary music-cinema studies. Leads teams in strategic research programs and individual creation grants. Labs/Teams : Member of the Observatoire interdisciplinaire de création et de recherche en musique (OICRM) and the research-creation lab La création sonore: cinéma, arts médiatiques, arts du son .

Bart J. HengeveldView profile

Assistant Professor

• Internet of Things (IoT) Interaction Design
• Sound Design
• Tangible Interaction
• +3 more

Bart J. Hengeveld is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Industrial Design department within the Faculty of Industrial Design. He leads the Future Everyday research cluster, focusing on the intersection of sound design and IoT systems. His work explores how embedded technologies can communicate through sound and tangible interaction in ways that enhance human experience. Education: BSc/MSc in Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology (2003) PhD in Industrial Design, TU/e (2011), with concurrent training in double bass at Codarts Conservatory Research Interests: Acoustic communication in IoT systems Tangible interaction design Social implications of ubiquitous computing Sound as a medium for human-technology interaction Recent Research Trends: Focus on multimodal interfaces combining sound/light/haptics Studies on sound design for healthcare and smart living environments Investigations into ethical and inclusive IoT soundscapes Awards: Two Teacher of the Year awards at TU/e, reflecting his commitment to pedagogical excellence. Advising & Projects: Supervised 113 student projects including interactive installations like 'Naktis' and 'Sonostapp' Leading the €1.5M 'Role of Sound in Hybrid Work Environments' project (2023–2026) Organized TEI 2016 conference and serves on its steering committee Teams/Labs: Core member of TU/e's Future Everyday cluster, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on embodied interaction research.

Eva EhningerView profile

Professor

• History and Theory of Photography
• Modernism
• Colonialism and Postcolonialism
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Eva Ehninger is a leading academic at the Institute for Art and Visual History at Humboldt University of Berlin , holding the Professorship for Modern Art History . Her research bridges photography theory, modernism, postcolonial studies, and transcultural methodologies , with a focus on visual media’s role in constructing social order. Education: Heidelberg, University of Michigan, Frankfurt/Main Doctoral thesis: Vom Farbfeld zur Land Art (2011, Benvenuto-Cellini Prize) Her research explores how photography, media, and art mediate social, political, and cultural dynamics. Current projects include the Käte Hamburger Kolleg inherit-heritage in transformation and Art Education Between Heritage Making and Critical Transregionality , analyzing entanglements between South Asian and European art education histories. Publications like The Modern Dream of Order (2025) and Ed Ruscha’s Streets of Los Angeles contributions examine Los Angeles as a site of visual critique and urban documentation. Her scholarly output spans 15 recent works addressing topics such as Victorian photography’s social imagination , biological metaphors in Smithson’s art , and dialogue in Nauman’s practice , reflecting interdisciplinary intersections of art history, media theory, and critical studies . She has received prestigious support from institutions like the Getty Research Institute and Terra Foundation for American Art . Scientific awards: Benvenuto-Cellini Prize (for dissertation) Grants: Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, Fulbright Commission, BMBF Ehninger supervises 10 ongoing PhD projects and co-edits journals like kritische berichte and Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte . She is a Vertrauensdozentin (Trusted Academic Advisor) for the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, demonstrating her commitment to academic mentorship.

Henrik von ColerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Music Technology
• Spatial Audio Systems
• Live Electronics
• +3 more

Henrik von Coler is an Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Music within the College of Design. His work bridges engineering, electronic music, and empirical research, focusing on spatial audio systems, live electronics, and human-computer interaction in musical contexts. He joined Georgia Tech in 2023 after serving as director of the TU Studio for Electronic Music at Technische Universität Berlin from 2015 to 2023, where he founded the Electronic Orchestra Charlottenburg (EOC) to explore live electronic ensembles in multichannel environments. His research emphasizes the integration of sound, space, and HCI to enhance compositional and performative expressiveness. Notable projects include immersive audio installations, virtual instrument design, and AI-assisted composition. Coler has performed globally on immersive audio systems and curated international concerts. His technical contributions span spatial sound synthesis algorithms, networked music systems, and real-time signal processing tools. Key areas of exploration include volumetric music performances in metaverse environments, hybrid spatial interaction via ARCube, and statistical models for spectral synthesis. He has developed open-source systems like Orchestra (for metaverse performances) and SPRAWL (for ensemble interaction). Coler’s work often combines empirical research with artistic practice, aiming to redefine the boundaries of live electronic music through technological innovation. His academic output spans over 30 peer-reviewed articles since 2011, with recent focus on metaverse applications, AI-human collaboration, and immersive audio design. While no formal awards are listed, his leadership roles and project outcomes highlight significant contributions to music technology and spatial audio engineering.

Erika TanView profile

Associate Professor

• Postcolonial Studies
• Transnational Art
• Decolonial Theory
• +4 more

Erika Tan is a Reader in Contemporary Art Practice and Course Leader of MA Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. With a multidisciplinary background spanning social anthropology, archaeology, and film directing, her research-led practice investigates postcolonial narratives, transnational identities, and decolonial methodologies through moving image, archival interventions, and curatorial projects. Education includes: M.A Fine Art - Central Saint Martins (1997) B.A (Hons) Social Anthropology and Archaeology - University of Cambridge (1991) Advanced Diploma in Film & Video - Central Saint Martins (1995) Film Directing - Beijing Film Academy (1994) Her research focuses on three primary domains: postcolonial museum practices examining colonial collections and restitution; transnational material histories exploring cultural exchange and identity formation; and decolonial methodologies challenging canonical art histories through archival reexamination. Current projects include SOAS-led research on Southeast Asian restitution paradigms and AHRC-funded work on decolonizing national collections through machine learning applications. Publication trends reveal sustained engagement with archival reinterpretation, particularly through the recurring 'Forgotten Weaver' project examining Malayan craft histories. Recent works demonstrate increased focus on participatory sound installations (e.g., Sonic Soundings ) and feminist knowledge-sharing frameworks like Slideshow Party developed for Singapore Biennale 2023. Significant recognitions include: Arts Foundation Digital Arts Fellowship (1998) ACME 5-year Fire Station Residency (2001) Samsung Digital Art Plus Prize Nomination (2012) Stanley Picker Fine Art Fellowship (2018-2020) As Research Associate with UAL's Decolonising Arts Institute, she contributes to major grants including the AHRC's 'Transforming Collections' initiative. She leads the Moving Image research group and has curated geo-locational projects like Sonic Soundings across international contexts.

• Sound and Music Computing
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Human-Centered Computing
• +6 more

Dr. Sam Ferguson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a multidisciplinary background in music performance, cognitive science, and psycho-acoustics. His research explores the intersection of sound, music, and human experience through creative coding, machine learning, and interactive systems. Key Research Areas: Sound and Music Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Creative Coding, Cognitive Science, Installation Art, and Acoustics. Current Projects: ARC Linkage project on creative coding and multiplicitous media; industry collaborations on IoT-based audiovisual systems. Recent Publications: Focus on spatial audio complexity, gestural interaction with networked sound, music emotion recognition frameworks, and robotic performance through genre-based cultural platforms. Leadership Roles: Director of Teaching & Learning Engagement; former Deputy Head of School (Teaching and Learning); active in ACM Creativity and Cognition Steering Committee. Teaching: Courses like Digital Media Studio , Prototyping Physical Interaction , and Data Processing using R within UTS's interdisciplinary Software Development Studio.

Kieren ReedView profile

Professor

• Sculpture
• Performance Art
• Installation Art
• +5 more

Kieren Reed serves as Professor of Fine Art and Slade Professor at University College London's Slade School of Fine Art, where they hold multiple leadership roles including Director of Studies for Undergraduate Programmes and Head of Undergraduate Sculpture. Their academic career at UCL spans over a decade with continuous appointments since 2010. Reed's research explores the conceptual space between form and functionality through sculpture, performance, and installation art. Their practice investigates the duality of artworks serving both utilitarian purposes and aesthetic functions, creating dynamic negotiations between the real and fabricated. Key themes include situated practice in art and architecture, social sculpture, and the relationship between public engagement and artistic production. Reed's work consistently connects to specific sites and situations, transforming functional structures into platforms for discourse. Recent artistic output demonstrates significant engagement with public space and community interaction through projects like Gather , Raising the Sittingbourne Barn , and The Beautifullest Place On Earth . Their publications span performance documentation, exhibition catalogues, and theoretical explorations of nonhuman agency in art practice. Reed's work has been presented at major institutions including Tate Britain, Gasworks, Chisenhale Gallery, and Camden Arts Centre. As an educator, Reed has developed significant expertise in art pedagogy, holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. Their academic leadership includes shaping undergraduate programmes and contributing to research on art education transitions and widening participation in the arts.

Minna ValjakkaView profile

Academic

• Art History
• Contemporary Art
• Environmental Art
• +8 more

Minna Valjakka is a Senior Researcher at the University of Helsinki , affiliated with the Department of Cultures and the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria) . She also holds a Professor position at Leiden University (2022–2023) and has served as a Docent in East Asian Studies at the University of Turku and in Art History/Asian Studies at the University of Helsinki. Education: PhD in Art History, University of Helsinki (2011) MA in East Asian Studies, University of Helsinki (2005) Docent (Habilitation) titles in East Asian Studies and Art History Teaching: Designed courses on interculturality, urban creativity, and environmental art at Leiden University Promotes critical pedagogy, sociocultural learning, and decolonial frameworks Research Focus: Explores urban creativity , environmental art , and civil society in East and Southeast Asia. Highlights include analyzing art-science collaborations for sustainability, gendered dimensions of urban art, and transcultural dynamics in public space. Publications: Her work spans topics like ecological citizenship , urban resilience , and artistic responses to censorship , with a strong emphasis on decolonial and interdisciplinary frameworks. Scientific Recognition: Awarded the Kanava Award (2016) for her contributions to art and gender studies. Supervision: Mentored 13+ MA theses and served as a co-supervisor for PhD candidates at Leiden and Helsinki universities. Projects: Leads EcoConjunctions (2024–2028), examining art-science collaborations for civil society, and Shades of Green (2020–2022) on environmental art in Asia.