Associate Professor Adrian Danks is a scholar of cinema studies and media at RMIT University. He holds roles including former Associate Dean of Media (2017–2019), Director of Higher Degree Research (2013–2016), and has led multiple departments within RMIT's Schools of Media and Communication. His research focuses on film history, authorship, technology, and cultural representation, with particular expertise in Australian, Iranian, and French cinema. Adrian co-curates the Melbourne Cinémathèque, a long-standing film society collaborating with ACMI, and edited Senses of Cinema (2000–2014). He has authored books like A Companion to Robert Altman and Australian International Pictures , and his work spans academic journals, film festivals, and media commentary. His teaching includes cinema studies and cultural theory at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Adrian's contributions include organizing film conferences, serving on selection committees (e.g., Melbourne International Film Festival), and editorial roles for Studies in Documentary Film and Found Footage Magazine . His research interests also encompass experimental cinema, home movies, and film restoration.
Elana Schlenker is a Lecturer in the Image Text Ithaca low-residency MFA program at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning since 2016. As principal of Studio Elana Schlenker (founded 2011), she leads a medium-agnostic design practice while co-running the cooperative studio Out of Office with Mark Pernice. Her work bridges academia and professional design through initiatives like Gratuitous Type magazine and the gender wage parity project Less Than 100. Schlenker's research centers on graphic design as a vehicle for social commentary, particularly gender equity in creative industries. She explores typographic innovation, visual identity systems for cultural institutions, and the intersection of image/text in digital and print media. Her practice demonstrates how design methodologies can address political and wellness themes through Visual identity , Branding , and Art direction projects. Recent publications (2021-2024) reveal a focus on modular design systems for art institutions and publishers, with heavy emphasis on interactive web experiences and context-specific typography . She frequently collaborates with photographers and galleries, translating complex narratives into visual communication frameworks that challenge traditional publishing formats. Awards received: Young Gun by The One Club for Creativity (2015) Print Magazine New Visual Artist (2013) In her academic role, Schlenker mentors MFA students in visual communication and design research. Her studio practice operates as a de facto research lab funded through high-profile client contracts with cultural institutions including Walker Art Center, Carnegie Museum of Art, and The New York Times. These projects serve as live case studies for her pedagogy. Schlenker directs Studio Elana Schlenker as her primary creative laboratory, with Out of Office functioning as a collaborative platform. She maintains long-term partnerships with specialists like Maria Adelaide (interactive design) and Élise Rigollet (editorial design), forming interdisciplinary teams for projects spanning academia, art, and technology sectors.
Jennifer Roberts is the Drew Gilpin Faust Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University, specializing in American and contemporary art. She serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies and has held the Slade Professorship at Cambridge University (2019) and delivered the 2021 Mellon Lectures at the National Gallery of Art. Her research bridges the arts, natural sciences, and material culture studies. Her scholarly work investigates the material intelligence of art and its creators, with a focus on the challenges of transmitting meaning across time and space. Current projects include a book co-authored with artist Dario Robleto (forthcoming 2026) analyzing the Voyager Golden Record's life-signature engravings, supported by the Sloan Foundation. She has also pioneered interdisciplinary courses integrating printmaking theory with studio practice alongside Matt Saunders. Roberts' research has shaped key themes in art history, including the intersections of printmaking, telegraphy, and visual communication. Her work explores how physical operations like reversal and transfer in printing influence artistic logic, as seen in her curated exhibition Jasper Johns/In Press and her forthcoming Contact book. She actively produces photography for scholarly contexts, including Harvard's astronomical glass plate collection. Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on materiality, from 18th-19th century American visual communication in Transporting Visions (2014) to early conceptualizations of time in Robert Smithson's work ( Mirror-Travels , 2004). The Minding Making Project at Harvard further underscores her commitment to artisanal knowledge as academic research methodology.
María Arquero de Alarcón is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning , where she teaches Physical Planning and Design , Global and Comparative Planning , and Climate-Related Urbanism . She leads MAde Studio , a research-based design practice focusing on socio-spatial strategies for urban transformation in conditions of scarcity. Research Focus: Her work combines architecture , landscape urbanism , and social justice to address urban development challenges, particularly in informal settlements and resource-constrained environments. Projects span São Paulo's urban peripheries , Detroit's riverfront , and Lithium extraction territories , emphasizing collaborative processes with local communities. Scientific Awards: ACSA Collaborative Practice Award (2019) AIA Michigan Design Awards (2013-2015) BSA Award Citations (2013-2014) ACSA Faculty Design Award (2012) Publications include contributions to The Third Coast Atlas , Mapping Detroit , and journals like Sustainability and Michigan Journal of Sustainability . Her exhibitions include the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Biennale and Eli Broad Art Museum. Education: Professional Degree in Architecture (Madrid Polytechnic University), Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture (ETH Zurich), Master of Landscape Architecture in Urban Design (Harvard University). Recipient of the Fellowship for Postgraduate Studies “Obra Social La Caixa” for US studies.
Dr. Fatih Nayebi is a Faculty Lecturer in Information Systems at McGill University while also serving as Vice President of Data & AI at the ALDO Group. He bridges academic research with enterprise innovation, focusing on data science, machine learning, and AI systems. Academic Background: Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from École de technologie supérieure M.Sc. in Software Engineering from Boğaziçi University B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Boğaziçi University Dr. Nayebi's research interests include: Information Systems Data Science Machine Learning Engineering & MLOps Deep Learning Agentic AI Human-Computer Interaction AI in Retail His recent publications focus on AI for retail, mathematical foundations of AI, information integrity in democratic systems, and best practices for technical documentation. Dr. Nayebi also teaches graduate courses at McGill University including: Enterprise Data Science Machine Learning in Production Introduction to AI and Deep Learning Applications and Architectures of Deep Learning Designing and Developing Agentic AI Systems As an active speaker and thought leader, Dr. Nayebi has participated in events such as: World Summit AI Americas RETHINK Retail NRF Nexus 2025 Supply Chain Research Forum JOPT2025 - Annual Conference of Optimization Days He is also the founder of Gradient Divergence, an advisory studio focused on advanced AI solutions for retail and consumer brands.
Megan Parsell is an Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Adrian College and teaches Music History at Jackson College. She holds a master’s degree from Wayne State University and an undergraduate degree from Adrian College. Her saxophone training includes studies under Professor Shannon Ford and Dr. Matthew Younglove. She serves as Assistant Director of the Zebra Marching Band at Wayne Memorial High School, Saxophone Specialist at Hartland Consolidated Schools, and Instrumental Specialist at Wayne-Westland Schools. Additionally, she operates a private lesson studio in Ann Arbor. Education: Bachelor’s degree from Adrian College Master’s degree from Wayne State University Her research interests focus on contemporary music performance, having premiered works by composers Joo Won Park and Pete Ford. She is actively involved in marching band education, notably guiding the Zebra Marching Band to its first MCBA State Championships qualification. Megan’s teaching spans institutional and private settings, emphasizing instrumental development and music history. She has performed at prestigious events including the International Saxophone Symposium and Dakota Chamber Music Festival.
Eliana J. Schonberg serves as Professor of the Practice and Director of the TWP Writing Studio in Duke University's Thompson Writing Program within Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Her leadership encompasses writing center administration, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary collaboration across Duke's academic units. Education Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, 2006 Schonberg's research investigates student writing dispositions, self-efficacy, and knowledge transfer with particular focus on writing center dynamics. Her scholarship addresses anti-racist pedagogy implementation, multilingual writer experiences, and technology's impact on writing support, reflecting commitment to equitable educational practices. Recent work examines cross-institutional variations in writing center operations and consultant training. Analysis of her 2013-2023 publications reveals sustained investigation into writing center efficacy through mixed-methods approaches. Key trends include comparative studies of L1/L2 student experiences, assessment of digital writing platforms like WCOnline, and exploration of 'stealth' writing program integration. Her editorial work on The Writing Center Journal's 40th-anniversary issues highlights historical perspectives and transnational collaborations in the field. Grants 2021: Lead investigator for Duke Office for Faculty Advancement Seed Grant 'Increasing Racial Equity in the TWP Writing Studio,' funding anti-racist theory seminars for Writing Studio consultants Schonberg mentors students through independent studies (PSY/WRITING 293/393/394) and Literacy, Writing, Tutoring courses (EDUC/WRITING 255S), training future writing consultants while researching tutoring methodologies. Her professional service includes Duke's Faculty Curriculum on Anti-Racism (2021) and National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity's Faculty Success Program (2024). The TWP Writing Studio operates as Duke's central writing support hub under Schonberg's direction, employing faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates who provide discipline-specific writing consultation across all academic levels. The studio's focus on knowledge transfer and anti-racist pedagogy shapes its evolving consultation model.
Medhanie Gaim is an Associate Professor at the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE), Umeå University. He holds a Docent (higher doctorate) and is a Recognised University Teacher. His primary affiliation is within the Department of Business Administration and Management, focusing on organizational paradoxes and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Research interests include managing contradictions in organizations, startup-corporate collaboration strategies, refugee entrepreneurship, and innovation ecosystems. He leads the 'Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and New Venture Creation' research group and has secured grants from Forte and Handelsbanken. Notable achievements include the USBE Scientific Awards 2020. Key contributions address paradox persistence in projects (e.g., Sydney Opera House), Volkswagen's emissions scandal analysis, and pandemic-driven organizational adaptations. His work spans interdisciplinary dialogues, cultural management (Ubuntu case), and design thinking applications in creative industries. Publications emphasize frameworks for synthesizing paradoxical tensions, ecosystem orchestration strategies, and routines balancing stability/innovation. Current projects include refugee entrepreneurship studies and interactive spaces for venture creation support.
Naho Matsuda serves as a Senior Research Fellow at Northumbria University within the School of Design Arts and Creative Industries, focusing on critical design practices that bridge art, technology, and social justice. Her academic credentials include: BA in Information Design from Tama Art University (awarded 2014) MA in Other Courses (awarded 2014) Matsuda's research interrogates more-than-human ecosystems through eco-feminist lenses , specializing in multispecies design methodologies and public art interventions . Her work challenges anthropocentric urban frameworks by developing participatory tools for reimagining food systems and smart cities, often employing sensory ethnography and critical making to expose hidden power structures in technological environments. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a concentrated trajectory toward artistic activism in ecological crises , with recurring motifs of pig symbolism, urban regeneration, and feminist technoscience. These works consistently deploy collaborative design workbooks and site-specific installations to facilitate community-driven reimagination of sustainable futures, particularly within London's financial districts and food infrastructure. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. Matsuda's advisory and grant activities remain unspecified in available records, though her collaborative projects demonstrate significant external engagement with cultural institutions and academic networks. She operates within Northumbria's Interaction Research Studio, co-developing the More-than-Human Smart Cities design framework through projects like SOW—a public art commission generating discourse across X, Bluesky, and academic platforms—with collaborators including Ella Gladkova, Bill Gaver, and the Nature Scenes collective.
Richard Chan is an Associate Professor at the College of Business, Stony Brook University, specializing in the intersection of psychology, technology, and entrepreneurial finance. His work explores how cognitive processes and computational methods influence entrepreneurial opportunity evaluation and funding success. Ph.D. in Management & Organization with Minors in Technology Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Decision Theory, and Research Methods (University of Washington) B.A. in Psychology (University of California, Berkeley) Chan's research investigates entrepreneurial cognition, focusing on how individual differences and environmental factors shape funding outcomes. Recent work applies computational linguistics and computer vision to analyze crowdfunding pitches, venture narratives, and investment decision-making. His studies span venture capital, startup innovation, and behavioral finance. His publications emphasize artificial intelligence and machine learning in entrepreneurship, examining semantic progression, speech act dynamics, and visual communication. He has also contributed to understanding benefit corporations, franchising strategies, and reproducibility in empirical research. 2024 Dean's Distinguished Scholar Award 2023 Emerald Literati Outstanding Reviewer 2020 KSG Entrepreneurship Research Award 2013 William H. Newman Award 2007 Best Student Paper Award 2003 Betty Nesvold Award Chan serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Business Venturing and the Journal of Management, bridging psychological theory with technological innovation in entrepreneurship research.
Lilah Fowler is a British-Japanese artist and Associate Professor at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, where she has taught Fine Art Sculpture across undergraduate, MA, and PhD levels since 2010. She is also an external examiner for BA(Hons) Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London, and has served as a visiting lecturer at institutions including Wimbledon School of Art, University for the Creative Arts, UCL's Department of Mathematics, and Hong Kong Baptist University. As a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy since 2014, she bridges academic rigor with contemporary art practice. Fowler's research explores the intersection of digital, analogue, and organic methods, moving fluidly between hand-weaving, ceramics, algal growths, and bespoke image-generating software. Her work investigates the geopolitics of hyper-landscapes, focusing on how infrastructure shapes our environment and experience. She examines the potential for abstraction inherent in any medium and the possibilities of translation between materials along the spectrum from plastic to pixel. Her practice is deeply collaborative, frequently engaging with researchers from diverse fields including mycology, plant science, biochemistry, quantum physics, computer programming, mathematics, and traditional weaving. Analysis of Fowler's recent exhibitions reveals consistent themes of material transformation, cultural hybridity, and the relationship between digital systems and physical landscapes. Her work often draws on Japanese arts and crafts traditions while addressing contemporary issues of identity, colonial legacies, and environmental change. The progression from early explorations of spatial perception to more recent large-scale public commissions demonstrates an evolving focus on community engagement and the political dimensions of public space. Fowler's teaching and practice are characterized by a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and experimental methodologies. She has developed significant partnerships with institutions including Meta (for the 'Cloudbursts' commission), Firstsite Colchester, and various public spaces across the UK. Her public artworks, such as 'Migrations' in Cambridge (2024), 'Commonplace' in London (2017), '14537/9431' in Bristol (2017), and 'Lantern Forest' at Whipps Cross Hospital (2020), demonstrate her ability to create meaningful interventions in diverse urban contexts. Her studio practice operates at the intersection of traditional craft techniques and cutting-edge digital technologies, creating installations that challenge viewers' perceptions of space, materiality, and cultural identity. Fowler's work frequently explores the imprint of time on objects and how this influences our relationship to both physical and digital environments. Through her teaching and practice, she continues to push the boundaries of contemporary sculpture and installation art.
Julian Smiles is a Senior Lecturer in Cello at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, part of the University of Sydney. He holds prestigious roles in Australian classical music, including former Principal Cello of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and frequent guest principal with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He is a core member of the Australia Ensemble (UNSW) and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Goldner String Quartet. His performances span soloist engagements with major orchestras, chamber music festivals, and premieres of Australian contemporary works. Ensembles: Goldner String Quartet, Australia Ensemble UNSW Performance Venues: Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre, Townsville Civic Theatre Repertoire Focus: Classical chamber works, Australian compositions, and international contemporary pieces Research interests include chamber music interpretation, performance practice, and pedagogy rooted in his studies with Nelson Cooke and Janos Starker. He regularly collaborates with composers like Mark Isaacs and Carl Vine, premiering new works. Teaching emphasizes linking technical mastery with artistic expression through historical and contemporary repertoire. Recent performances include the 30th anniversary season of the Goldner Quartet at Sydney Conservatorium, Hyperion Records releases, and international tours to New Zealand and India. His 2024 recording Bird Spirit Dreaming explores Australian musical identity through contemporary compositions. Grants and collaborations involve Musica Viva Australia, Huntington Estate Music Festival, and the Australian World Orchestra. His pedagogical work includes masterclasses at Four Winds Festival and mentoring emerging chamber musicians. Labs/Teams: Goldner String Quartet (30-year partnership), Australia Ensemble UNSW (since 1991), Sydney Conservatorium Cello Studio.
Dr. Ciarán Hanley is a Lecturer in Structural Engineering at University College Cork (UCC), specialized in bridge and infrastructure systems. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from UCC (2017), following a BEng (Ord) and BE (Hons) in Civil Engineering (2010–2012). His research focuses on performance-based design, structural safety, and sustainable infrastructure, with contributions to bridge management systems and life-cycle assessment. He serves as a technical reviewer for journals like Structure and Infrastructure Engineering and ICE - Bridge Engineering , and is a board member of the Civil Engineering Research Association of Ireland. Education: BEng (Ord) Civil Engineering, UCC, 2010 BE (Hons) Civil Engineering, UCC, 2012 PhD Civil Engineering, UCC, 2017 Professional Memberships: Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Fédération Internationale du Béton (FIB) International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) His research interests emphasize probabilistic design, structural reliability, and resilience of infrastructure. Key themes include multivariate analysis of bridge networks and the integration of sustainability into infrastructure management. He has contributed to EU projects like TU1406 and serves as Rapporteur for EuroStruct. His publications span over a dozen peer-reviewed articles in journals like Journal of Structural Integrity and Maintenance and Proceedings of the ICE . Dr. Hanley’s teaching includes courses on structural mechanics, prestressed concrete, and design studios. He was a finalist for Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year (2019) and actively engages in consultancy for bridge and marine structure design.
Nicholas Rolinski serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame's School of Architecture, teaching ARCH 71321 -- Urban Conservation Studio within the Master of Science in Historic Preservation program. He concurrently holds an Adjunct Instructor and Academic Advisor position at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (B.M.E.) and Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton, complemented by a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. Rolinski's research centers on timeless, human-scale architectural stewardship through the reclamation of historic models, with specific emphasis on long-term sustainability, housing access/dignity, and community-oriented placemaking in Great Lakes Region communities—particularly Western Michigan's lakeshore areas. He operates a "teaching office" practice integrating built work execution, scholarly inquiry, and experiential public engagement to advance lovable place development. Professionally active in civic governance, Rolinski previously served on Holland, Michigan's Historic District Commission and currently holds a Board of Trustees position at the Holland Museum. He resides in Holland with his wife and four children, maintaining dual academic appointments while contributing to regional preservation discourse as evidenced by media coverage like the April 3, 2025 feature "Small Homes, Big Impact".
Kristina Cranfeld is an artist filmmaker and Visiting Lecturer at Loughborough University since 2014. Based at the Royal College of Art (RCA), she is affiliated with the School of Communication and works with the Information Experience Design program. She holds a BA (Hons) in Design from Goldsmiths and an MA in Design Interactions from RCA, and joined the RCA’s Master of Fine Arts program in 2024. Her practice merges fiction and reality to address social, political, and environmental themes through film, photography, and performance. Education: BA Goldsmiths, MA RCA Design Interactions Roles: Visiting Lecturer (Loughborough), RCA MFA candidate Research focuses on landscape, walking, and speculative narratives. She creates boundary-pushing moving image works that engage audiences through humor and criticality. Outside academia, she runs her own video production studio, collaborating with NHS, Moovel Lab, and Design Science. Notable projects include the Voices of Trees residency in Uzbekistan (2024) and the long-running Manufactured Britishness series exploring cultural identity. Awards include LSFF (2015) and Bideodromo (2013). Labs/Teams: Operates an independent video production studio; affiliated with CW+charity as producer/director.
