Julien Warnan is a researcher at the Catalysis Research Center (CRC) of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). He leads a multidisciplinary research group focusing on renewable energy, particularly artificial photosynthesis and photocatalytic systems for fuel production. His work emphasizes molecular dyes, catalysts, polymers, and hybrid materials to transform CO2 and water into value-added chemicals. He holds the title of Researcher and is actively involved in academic leadership, including co-editing special issues and organizing international conferences like the ECAT conference. His research has been recognized with awards such as the TUM Chemistry Supervisory Award 2021. Recent activities include visiting scientist roles at Imperial College London and collaborations with groups at TUM and other institutions. Research interests encompass MOF-based photocatalysis, biohybrid systems, and sustainable energy conversion. Key achievements include pioneering studies on metal-organic frameworks for CO2 reduction and solar fuel production. His team has published extensively in high-impact journals like Angewandte Chemie and Advanced Materials , with a focus on functional hybrid materials and electrochemical systems. PhD supervision: Nadine Schmaus, Philip Stanley, Johanna Eichhorn, and others Notable collaborations: Shustova Lab, Rieger Group, Fischer Group Labs: Catalysis Research Center (CRC)
Dr. Qingbo Sun is a researcher at the Department of Materials Physics, Australian National University, specializing in advanced materials for energy and electronic applications. His work focuses on defect engineering, dielectric materials, and photovoltaic effects in nanocrystalline systems. Research interests include: Defect-driven local symmetry breaking Colossal dielectric permittivity Photocatalytic heterojunctions High-pressure material transformations Doping strategies in semiconductors Nonlinear electric polarization Research trends from his publications highlight innovations in TiO2-based photocatalysts, SnO2 dielectrics, and ferroelectric heterostructures. Collaborations span materials synthesis, computational modeling, and international experimental studies. His work is cited extensively in Scopus with 294 citations.
Thomas Michael Sattich is an Associate Professor at the University of Stavanger , affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Department of Media and Social Studies . His research focuses on geopolitical implications of sustainability transitions, particularly energy policy interdependence and EU-China relations. PhD in Political Science and Economics Expertise in qualitative methods, mixed methods (cluster analysis), and data visualization Lead researcher on EU-funded digital climate negotiation simulation projects His recent publications examine renewable energy geopolitics, industrial policy competition, and sustainability education frameworks. Methodologically, he specializes in Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and network analysis, contributing to debates on energy security and regional cooperation.
Dr. E. Keith Smith is a Lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, affiliated with the Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS). His research focuses on sociopolitical dimensions of climate change, particularly climate change attitudes, behaviors, and social tipping processes. He holds PhD from Colorado State University and master’s degrees from KU Leuven and University of British Columbia. His work explores why individuals engage—or disengage—in climate action, emphasizing factors like political polarization, religious beliefs (especially evangelical Protestantism), and trust in institutions. Smith's research employs quantitative methodologies and addresses challenges in environmental policy implementation, such as equitable air quality monitoring and global supply chain regulations. He contributed to the DominoES project on social tipping dynamics and has published in journals like Global Environmental Change and Nature Scientific Reports . His recent studies analyze public support for climate policies across Europe and the U.S., emphasizing how procedural inclusiveness and transparency can build trust in environmental governance. He also explores mobility policies in Switzerland, including road pricing and public transport expansion, using experimental methods to gauge citizen preferences. Smith’s work bridges environmental science and social science, aiming to identify pathways for transformative societal shifts toward climate action. His current projects focus on social tipping mechanisms and the interplay between climate risk anticipation and policy demand.
Jessica Jewell is a Professor in Technology and Society at Chalmers University's Department of Space, Earth and Environment. She holds additional roles including Professor at the Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (University of Bergen), Guest Research Scholar at IIASA, and Senior Fellow at the Breakthrough Institute. Her research focuses on climate action feasibility, energy transitions, and the political economy of decarbonization. She leads projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), Norwegian Research Council, and EU initiatives like CINTRAN. Key achievements include an ERC Starting Grant and membership in the Swedish Young Academy. Her work spans interdisciplinary approaches to quantify energy transition dynamics, assess coal phase-out strategies, and analyze carbon capture deployment. She serves on editorial boards for journals like Energy Research and Social Science and Oxford Open Energy . Jewell’s recent articles highlight themes like climate justice in energy transitions, feasibility of rapid decarbonization, and global coal reduction pathways. Her research bridges technical, socio-economic, and political dimensions to inform actionable climate policies.
Michael O'Dea is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of York, United Kingdom. He has held previous academic positions at York St John University, Beijing University of Technology, University of Hull, and Waikato Institute of Technology, bringing extensive international experience in computer science education. He is actively engaged in pedagogical scholarship and leadership in higher education innovation. Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of York Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, York St John University Lecturer in Software Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, China Lecturer in Computer Science, University of Hull Lecturer in Information Technology, Waikato Institute of Technology, NZ Dr. O'Dea earned his Ed.D. in Computer Based Learning from the University of Leeds. His research centers on the integration of artificial intelligence into educational practices, with a strong emphasis on AI literacy, the effectiveness of generative AI in teaching and learning, and the evolving landscape of technology acceptance in higher education. He investigates how AI tools can enhance student learning, faculty development, and institutional policy. His recent publications span topics such as AI literacy assessment, the future of online and blended learning, the application of machine learning in earthquake prediction, and international study abroad effectiveness. These works reflect a broad interdisciplinary approach, combining computer science, educational theory, and policy analysis. His scholarship is increasingly focused on the transformative potential of generative AI in academic settings, as evidenced by his leadership in special journal issues and funded research projects. Dr. O'Dea holds significant editorial responsibilities as Associate Editor and Lead Guest Editor for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice and as Guest Editor for a special issue in Education Sciences on generative-AI-enhanced learning. He is also an Invited External Academic Affiliate at the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence, King's College London. Associate Editor - Special Issues, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice Lead Guest Editor, Special Issue on Technology Acceptance Models, JUTLP (2024) Guest Editor, Special Issue on Generative-AI-Enhanced Learning, Education Sciences Principal Investigator, QAA Collaborative Enhancement Project on Graduate Attributes in the Era of GenAI (2025) He has delivered numerous invited talks and workshops at institutions such as the University of York, Queen Mary University of London, and international conferences including the Academy of Management and the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education. His work bridges research, practice, and policy in higher education, with a strong commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching methodologies.
Professor Paolo Fornasiero is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Trieste, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where he has worked since 1998. He serves as Deputy Director of the department since 2021 and Scientific Responsible of the CNR Research Unit associated with the Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM) since 2008. His career spans EU projects, bilateral collaborations with China, India, and Argentina, and leadership roles in journals like ACS Catalysis (Executive Editor since 2021). Full Professor (2016–present) Associate Professor (2006–2016) Assistant Professor (1998–2006) Post-Doc, University of Reading (1996–1997) His research focuses on multi-functional metal-oxide nanosystems for energy and environmental catalysis, including green hydrogen production , CO2 valorization , and methane emission control . He pioneered core-shell catalysts and single-atom systems for stability and selectivity. His work extends to solid oxide fuel cells and photocatalytic water depollution . Recent publications highlight trends in photothermal catalysis , single-atom catalysts , and CO2 electroreduction . His 280+ papers (3 in Science , 2 in Nature Communications ) reflect expertise across Environmental Catalysis , Nanomaterials , and Green Energy . 2022 Malatesta Medal 2021 European Academy of Sciences member 2017 Edoardo Kramer Award 2016 Heinz Heinemann Award 2013 Chiusoli Gold Medal He oversees PhD/postdoc advising and participates in global capacity-building via UNIDO and World Academy of Sciences . His lab collaborates with institutions like KAUST , Czech Academy of Sciences , and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics .
Dr. Prabodh Bajpai is a Professor in the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor at the same department from July 2022 to December 2022, and before that at the Electrical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur from July 2014 to June 2022. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at IIT Kharagpur from June 2008 to July 2014. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems) from IIT Kanpur (2008), M.Tech in Energy Studies from IIT Delhi (2001), and B.E. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Roorkee (1997). Dr. Bajpai's research spans renewable energy integration, power system operation and control, microgrid technologies, and smart grid applications. His work focuses on practical implementation of sustainable energy solutions with emphasis on power electronics, energy storage, and grid stability. He has made significant contributions to the fields of distributed generation integration, protection schemes for renewable-rich systems, and energy management in microgrids. His recent publications show a strong focus on DC microgrids, multi-port power converters, and advanced control strategies for renewable integration. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in power electronics applications for sustainable energy systems, with particular emphasis on practical implementations for commercial and agricultural applications. Dr. Bajpai actively mentors graduate students, currently supervising seven students across PhD and M.Tech programs. His teaching portfolio includes core courses in electrical power engineering, renewables-integrated smart power systems, and energy systems modeling and analysis at IIT Kanpur, building on his extensive teaching experience at IIT Kharagpur where he developed several new courses in renewable energy systems. His research group maintains a Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid test facility and has developed a Renewable Hybrid Energy Power Plant for stand-alone applications, demonstrating his commitment to translating theoretical research into practical implementations.
Prof. Dr. Michael Schramm serves as an Extraordinary Professor of Classical Philology at the University of Göttingen's Faculty of Humanities. His academic journey spans prestigious institutions including Heidelberg, Jena, Leipzig, and Bielefeld, with doctoral and habilitation degrees establishing his expertise in ancient philosophical traditions. Research interests center on Neoplatonism, Greek tragedy reception, and Late Antique political-religious dynamics, particularly focusing on Julian the Apostate's theological works and Euripides' influence in imperial philosophy. His publications demonstrate rigorous engagement with textual criticism, philosophical exegesis, and intercultural dialogue between pagan and early Christian thought. Current research includes DFG-funded projects on Julian's religious philosophy (2015-2019) and Euripidean tragedy's relationship to providence (2020-2021), alongside a Gerda Henkel Foundation research fellowship (2020-2021). His editorial leadership in volumes like Euripides-Rezeption in Kaiserzeit und Spätantike (2020) shapes contemporary scholarship in classical reception studies. Advisory roles include postdoctoral mentoring through DFG research groups, with institutional service comprising temporary professorships at Bamberg, Bonn, Tübingen, and Jena since 2012. His methodological approach integrates philological precision with philosophical analysis across monographs, critical editions, and interdisciplinary handbooks.
David Darts is a Global Network Associate Professor of the Arts at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. He directs the Laboratory of the Future Present, an artistic research studio exploring speculative design and societal issues through interactive media. His work spans installations, curatorial projects, and public interventions addressing themes like personal space, environmental interaction, and decentralized digital collaboration. Education details are not explicitly provided, but his professional roles and projects indicate extensive involvement in academic and creative spheres. Research interests include interactive technology, public art, and speculative design. His notable projects include the Personal Space Suit (2024), PirateBox (2011–2019), and the Nomad Lab exhibition (2020). His exhibitions and projects have been featured in venues like Alserkal Avenue (Dubai), NYU Abu Dhabi, and the Conflux Festival (New York). Awards or grants are not mentioned, but his work has received international media coverage in outlets like New Scientist and Wired Italia . Advising and grants: While no formal advisees are listed, Darts has curated exhibitions and collaborative projects involving artists and researchers. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams, such as the Playable Sculpture project with multiple artists. Labs/Teams: Directs the Laboratory of the Future Present and collaborates with institutions like Baltan Laboratories and NYU Abu Dhabi.
Professor James Im serves as Professor of Materials Science in the Departments of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics at Columbia University, with an office at 1106 S.W. Mudd (Mail Code 4701). His academic career spans over three decades at Columbia, where he progressed from Assistant Professor (1991-1994) to Associate Professor (1995-2002), and ultimately to full Professor (2002-present), including a tenure as Chair of the Materials Science and Engineering Program (2002-2014). His educational background includes a B.S. with Distinction in Materials Science from Cornell University (1984) and a Ph.D. in Electronic Materials from MIT (1989), followed by postdoctoral research at Caltech (1989-1991). Cornell University: B.S. Materials Science (1984) MIT: Ph.D. Electronic Materials (1989) Caltech: Postdoctoral Scholar (1989-1991) Im's research centers on ultra-rapid phase transitions in beam-irradiated thin films, specifically focusing on laser crystallization of silicon films , energy-beam-induced melting and solidification , and nucleation in discontinuous phase transitions . His work employs experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to develop innovative semiconductor materials for advanced displays, solar cells, and integrated circuits. Notably, his invention of Sequential Lateral Solidification (SLS) technology has been licensed to major display manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Sharp) and implemented in products by Apple, Blackberry, and Nokia. Current research focuses on advancing the Spot-Beam Crystallization (SBC) platform using fiber lasers for next-generation microelectronics. His publication record spans environmental aerosol studies (2019-2024), oilfield operations technology (2002-2014), and foundational atmospheric research (1980s), reflecting interdisciplinary expertise bridging materials science, environmental engineering, and petroleum technology. The most recent works emphasize low-cost sensor development and aerosol monitoring. Professional recognition includes membership in prestigious societies: Bohmisch Physical Society Sigma Xi Alpha Sigma Mu Materials Research Society American Physical Society Im's research group maintains strong industry connections through technology licensing and collaborative projects, particularly in display manufacturing. His leadership as former department chair demonstrates administrative commitment alongside scientific innovation. The laboratory leverages state-of-the-art laser systems and beam delivery optics for materials development, with recent focus shifting toward environmental monitoring applications while maintaining core semiconductor research.
Dr. Giulio Santori is a Reader in Chemical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering. He holds a PhD in Energy (2009) and an MSc in Mechanical Engineering (2004) from Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy. His research focuses on thermal energy storage, adsorption-based cooling and desalination systems, low-grade heat utilization, and advanced materials like ionic liquids and ionogels. He is a member of the Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre and the UK Carbon Capture Research Centre. Teaching: Chemical Engineering laboratories, design courses, and research projects. Research interests include optimizing sorption strategies for heat storage, developing sustainable adsorption heat pumps, and exploring applications of 3D-printed components in thermal systems. Current projects involve structured ionic liquids for vapor sorption and ionogels for desalination using low-grade heat. Recent publications highlight advancements in thermal storage technologies, adsorption cooling systems, and CO2 capture. Open PhD projects focus on ionic liquid-based sorption and hydrochar applications.
Dr. Dirk Oudes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning at Wageningen University. His research focuses on the intersection of renewable energy transitions and landscape transformation, particularly solar power plants and agrivoltaics in the Netherlands. He explores how solar energy systems interact with agricultural landscapes, urban planning, and policy frameworks, emphasizing sustainable land use and climate adaptation. Recent trends in his publications highlight spatial analysis of solar infrastructure, regulatory challenges in energy projects, and circular economy principles in agrivoltaics. His work often bridges academic research with practical implementation, as seen in reports and media engagements addressing landscape aesthetics, public acceptance, and policy-relevant findings. Dr. Oudes collaborates with researchers like Sven Stremke and actively participates in workshops, keynote speeches, and expert consultations. He supervises PhD projects on landscape-inclusive energy transitions and spatial quality frameworks, contributing to both academic discourse and professional practice in sustainable design.
Mark Jaccard is a Professor at Simon Fraser University's School of Resource & Environmental Management (REM). He has served as REM's Director and developed the Energy and Materials Research Group (EMRG), Canada's leading applied academic team in energy-economy-emissions (EEE) modeling. His work focuses on assessing climate policies through EEE models like CIMS-Urban, gTech, and CIMS. Developed EEE modeling frameworks for national and provincial climate policy analysis Advises political leaders globally on climate strategy Active media commentator and public speaker on climate economics Research Highlights Specializes in energy system decarbonization pathways Advocates for flexible regulations over carbon pricing Focuses on federal-provincial policy alignment Develops strategies for grid interconnection and energy storage Examines social license for large hydro and nuclear expansion Integrates political feasibility with economic modeling Scientific Contributions Co-developed gTech model with former students Authored The Citizen's Guide to Climate Success (2019) Recipient of Royal Society of Canada fellowship Advises international bodies like IPCC and CCICED
Anomadarshi Barua is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering at George Mason University, leading the System Design and Security research group. His work spans hardware-software co-design for securing cyber-physical systems (CPS), robotics, and sensors. Prior Affiliation: PhD from University of California, Irvine (2023) Industry Experience: Intel Corporation, Solidigm, Nordic Semiconductor, IDEAS Research Themes: Focuses on multimodal system security (audio, visual, electromagnetic data), analog-digital signal integrity, and quantum-inspired defenses in CPS. Key applications include healthcare systems, smart grids, and industrial control systems (ICS). Recent ACSAC 2024 paper acceptance Best Paper Award at ACSAC 2022 NSF panel reviewer (2024) Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with University of Louisville on robotics and works on Commonwealth-funded UG research (2024). Publications in ACM CCS, USENIX, CHES, and IEEE Transactions (TDSC, TIFS).
