Danielle Ekman Ladru is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Child and Youth Studies at Stockholm University. Her research bridges childhood studies, human geography, and urban planning, focusing on children’s spatiality, mobility practices, and participation in public spaces. She leads the Formas-funded project Sustainable Vertical Childhoods? and co-led the research on The Whole City as a Preschool Yard , examining how dense urban environments shape children’s play and mobility. Research Interests : Spatiality, mobility, public space, urban planning, childhood geography Teaching : Lecturer in Child and Youth Studies master’s program Projects : Sustainable Vertical Childhoods? (2019–present) Learning in the City (funded by Vetenskapsrådet, 2015–2020) Her recent publications analyze urban inequalities during the pandemic, the role of materialities in mobile preschools, and national identity construction in Nordic curricula. She supervises doctoral students in childhood studies and collaborates with interdisciplinary networks on children’s geographies.
Catarina Tente is an Associate Professor at the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Her research focuses on Medieval Archaeology , particularly Rural Archaeology , Early Medieval Studies , and Landscape Analysis . She is affiliated with the Institute of Medieval Studies (IEM-NOVA FCSH) and has coordinated the Archaeology Degree Program since 2013. Research Interests span the analysis of medieval rural settlements, domestic material culture, landscape evolution, and the interplay between religious and secular power in urban contexts. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining archaeological records with historical documentation and geospatial analysis. Key Themes : Household goods and economic activities Post-Roman settlement continuity Social complexity in non-monumental contexts Recent Publications explore trends in European medieval rural life, the role of small cities in shaping medieval Europe, and the archaeology of 10th-11th century Portuguese settlements. She has co-edited volumes on topics like Medieval Ritual and Votive Deposits and Urban and Rural Power Dynamics . Projects & Leadership : DESPAMED (2013-2016): Social inequality in rural Iberia Do Império ao Reino (2018): Viseu’s transition from Roman to medieval territory RURALIA XIV Conference (2021): Household archaeology in Europe
Professor Akkelies van Nes is a leading Space Syntax expert at the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Business, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). She has chaired multiple International Space Syntax Symposia, including the 5th (2005) and 13th (2022) editions, and organized the first international online Space Syntax PhD Congress (2021). Key Affiliation: Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway Research Leadership: Chair of Space Syntax symposia Consultancy: Bergen Municipality's densification strategies Her research focuses on spatial analysis tools for understanding the relationship between urban form and socio-economic/energy dynamics. She applies Space Syntax across disciplines like Urban Geography Criminology Real Estate Development Strategic Planning and has led EU-funded projects including RUFUS (2008-2012), NODES (2012-2016), and SPACERGY (2016-2019). The article trends demonstrate her expertise in spatial analysis of urban environments, with recurring themes like Walkability and cycling infrastructure Urban crime patterns Historic urban morphology Transport energy efficiency Public space accessibility Densification strategies Her work spans theoretical development (e.g., modal logics in urban theory) to practical applications in cities like Bergen, Delft, Rome, and Istanbul. Current teaching activities include New textbook: Space Syntax in Urban Studies (Springer, 2020) Course leadership: Urban Transformation (BYG130), Theory and Methods of Science (MOA256), Urban Planning (MOA272), and MSc Thesis (MOA300) She has contributed to urban regeneration projects through spatial analysis tools and served as a reviewer for academic journals. Key research groups include Spatial Planning and Urban Studies Space Syntax in Norway Her consultancy work focuses on applying Space Syntax to Bergen's urban densification challenges, as documented in open-access publications.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Kuhnimhof is a Professor at the Chair of Urban and Transport Planning within RWTH Aachen University. His research focuses on Travel Surveys , Modelling Travel Behaviour , Electric Mobility , and Allocation of Urban Space . He leads the Institute for Urban and Transport Planning since 2019, following leadership roles at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and BMW Group's Institute for Mobility Research. Doctoral Degree (2002-2007): Institute of Transport Studies, Karlsruhe University MSc in Civil Engineering & Applied Cultural Science (Karlsruhe University/University of Connecticut, 1994-2001) His recent work examines bicycle parking economics , EV charging infrastructure , and autonomous transit systems , with publications in journals like Transportation Research Part A . Collaborators include David Kohlrautz (E-Bike studies) and Fabian Kühnel (public transport accessibility). He teaches courses on Transport Planning Methodology , Financing Transport Infrastructure , and Mobility Research . Key contributions include developing the German national PKT-Model and co-authoring studies on on-demand transit simulations in Aachen. His research emphasizes data fusion techniques to enhance survey accuracy and logsum analysis for infrastructure prioritization. Tobias Kuhnimhof's work bridges academic analysis with real-world urban mobility challenges.
Andrew Friedman is The John R. Coleman Associate Professor of History at Haverford College, specializing in U.S. empire, race and migration, and transnational histories. His research examines the intersections of spatial history, national security, and decolonization through the lens of suburban development in Northern Virginia and its global connections. Education: Ph.D., M.Phil., M.A., Yale University MFA, Iowa Writers' Workshop B.S., Northwestern University Research Interests: Friedman's work interrogates how U.S. imperial power manifests in domestic spaces, focusing on the built environment's role in shaping imperial citizenship during post-WWII suburbanization. His scholarship traces connections between Cold War security institutions, migration patterns, and the creation of political spaces that both reflect and critique American foreign policy. Publication Trends: His publications demonstrate consistent engagement with themes of Cold War spatial politics, racialized labor systems, and transnational connections between U.S. suburbs and global decolonization movements. The research spans cultural geography, architectural history, and diplomatic studies. Scientific Awards: Stuart L. Bernath Book Prize, Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations Spiro Kostof Book Award Honorable Mention, Society of Architectural Historians Chronicle of Higher Education Best Scholarly Book of the Decade Teaching: Friedman teaches courses on international U.S. history, the built environment, global WWII impacts, archive theory, and racial politics in foreign policy, including unique offerings like Walter Benjamin on Lancaster Avenue that bridge theory with local urban studies.
Louise Wright is a Professor in the Department of Architecture at Monash University , specializing in sustainable architecture, residential design, and urban planning. Her work emphasizes environmental impact mitigation, landscape integration, and equitable urban development, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities and communities. Australian Institute of Architects' National Architecture Awards (2017): National Commendation for 'Rose House' Victorian Architecture Awards (2017-2019): Multiple recognitions for residential and small project architecture Recent research focuses on urban sprawl, climate-responsive design, and biophilic architecture, exemplified by publications like Buildings & Living Things: Garden House (2023) and collaborative projects addressing land use inequality. She actively engages in public lectures and design events, advocating for innovative approaches to domestic and urban spaces. Key collaborations include work with architects such as M. Baracco , C. Murphy , and N. Bertram , with recent projects highlighted in international media outlets like DOMUS and Architecture & Design.
Dr. Marc Schramm serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics within the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University. His academic work spans International Macroeconomics, New Economic Geography, and Economic History, with particular focus on German cities, strategic bombing impacts, and urban development patterns. Based at Adam Smith Hall (Kriekenpitplein 21-22, Room 1.01) in Utrecht, he maintains active research and teaching responsibilities. His research interests encompass International Macroeconomics, New Economic Geography, Economic History, Urban Economics, and German Economic Development. Schramm has made significant contributions to understanding city growth patterns, particularly examining how institutions and geography influence long-term urban development as seen in his work on Italian cities from 1300-1861. His recent research investigates the impact of real interest rates on green investment and the economic dimensions of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Schramm's publication record shows a progression from historical economic analysis (bombing effects on Germany, female employment patterns) to contemporary issues (green investment, Belt and Road economics). His work bridges theoretical economic geography with empirical applications, often focusing on European contexts while increasingly incorporating global perspectives. He maintains strong connections between academic research and practical economic policy. His editorial service for journals like Regional Studies and CESifo demonstrates his standing in the academic community. Schramm has also contributed significantly to economics education in the Netherlands, chairing committees that advise on high school economics curricula and examinations. In teaching, Schramm has been involved with Macroeconomics courses and has provided expert input on economics education standards for Dutch secondary schools. His work with the College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE) shows his commitment to connecting academic economics with practical educational frameworks.
Dr. INAGAKI Tsutomu is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam National University-Hanoi, since 2016. Previously, he served as Professor (1998-2016), Dean (2003-2007), and Associate Professor (1987-1998) at Rikkyo University's College of Tourism. His career includes visiting professorships at Thammasat University (Thailand), University of Hawaii, and Virginia Polytechnic and State University. He is the first graduate student in tourism studies in Japan (1976). Education: 1976: MA in Social Relations, Rikkyo University 1973: BA in Tourism, College of Social Relations Dr. Inagaki's research focuses on sociological analysis of tourism's cultural dimensions, particularly the historical evolution of hill stations and formation/transformation of tourist enclaves in Southeast and South Asia. Recent works examine post-colonial reclamation of hill stations, cultural continuity in tourism spaces, and socioeconomic impacts of enclave tourism. Collaboration activities at USSH include leading Southeast Asian domestic tourism research with JSPS KAKENHI grants (until 2019) and ongoing successor projects. He provides thesis guidance for international graduate students and has developed cross-border educational programs through the Asia Jinzai Program (2006-2007). His work emphasizes international student exchange and virtual reality applications in cultural dissemination.
René Westerholt is a Juniorprofessor (Assistant Professor) at the Department of Spatial Planning of TU Dortmund University, Germany. His research focuses on statistical methods for spatiotemporal and place-based analysis, including spatial autocorrelation, hotspot detection, and spatial regression. He also specializes in formalizing place-based information and its integration with urban analytics. Education : Ph.D. in Geography (2013-2018), Heidelberg University M.Sc. Geoinformatics (2010-2012), Osnabrück University B.Sc. Geoinformatics (2007-2010), Osnabrück University Research Themes : Spatial analysis (user-generated data, spatial weights, autocorrelation) Place-based formalization (perception, geometric footprints) Empirical geographical studies (urban heat exposure, mobility services) Teaching : Digital Geographies, Spatial Statistics, Computer Science for Planners, and Urban Analytics at TU Dortmund University. He has also taught nationally and internationally in German and English. Awards : Dissertation Award Geoinformatics (2019) CDRC Data Challenge First Prize (2018) Young Researchers Award (2014) Contact : Office at TU Dortmund University, Room GBIII/318. Email: rene.westerholt@tu-dortmund.de
Sonia Arbaci Sallazzaro is an Associate Professor in Spatial Planning at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. Her academic career spans both education and professional practice in urban planning across multiple countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and USA (New York). She has held academic positions at UCL since 2003 and was previously a Marie Curie Research Fellow at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. Current Position: Associate Professor, The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL (2013-present) Previous Positions: Marie Curie Research Fellow (2012-2014), Lecturer (2006-2013), Teaching Fellow (part-time, 2003-2006), Visiting Lecturer (part-time, 2003-2006) Education: PhD from University College London (2007), Master of Architecture from Politecnico di Milano (1995) Sonia's research focuses on international comparative studies of urban processes, particularly in Southern European cities. Her work examines the role of the state in producing urban inequality and ethnic residential segregation through the lens of European housing systems and welfare regimes. She investigates how urban policies and regeneration programs impact mechanisms of redistribution and marginalization, with specific attention to gentrification, peripheralization, and the financialization of social housing. Her current research includes leading a UK-European collaborative project on 'ReHousIn: Contextualized pathways to reduce housing inequalities in the green and digital transition' (2024-27), funded by UKRI/EU-Horizon RIA Programme. Her scholarly contributions demonstrate consistent engagement with Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Her publication record shows an evolving research trajectory from early work on ethnic residential segregation in European cities to more recent studies on housing financialization, with particular attention to Southern European contexts including Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with policy-relevant analysis, often challenging conventional wisdom about urban regeneration and social mixing policies. Commendation - Sir Peter Hall Award for Research Excellence (2020) UCLU Student Choice Awards for Inspiring Teaching Delivery (2018, 2017) UCLU Student Choice Awards for Excellent Personal Tutoring (2017-2018) Sonia has been actively involved in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, currently serving as Director of the MSc in International City Planning at the Bartlett School of Planning. She has developed and taught courses on strategic planning projects, production of the built environment, and comparative housing studies. Her professional activities include extensive conference presentations, keynote speeches, and editorial roles, demonstrating her leadership in the field. She has collaborated with numerous European universities through international research networks including EU URBAN INNOVATIVE Action, COST Action, and Horizon programs.
Clemente Jesus Navarro Yañez is a Professor at Pablo de Olavide University , affiliated with the Centre for Urban Political Sociology and Policies and the SPL-UPO Political Sociology and Local Policies Research Group . He contributes to Political Sociology , Urban Sociology , and Comparative Politics through extensive publications and international collaborations. Key research domains include: Urban Regeneration: Methodological frameworks for evaluating urban policy impacts, notably in Andalusia Cultural Scenes: Analyzing how cultural consumption patterns drive local development Political Contention: Comparative studies of protest mechanisms in Southern Europe and Latin America His methodological expertise spans: Quasi-experimental area comparisons Multivariate regression analysis Protest event analysis protocols Cluster analysis of temporal dynamics Scientific contributions appear in Political Studies , European Urban and Regional Studies , and Social Forces , with a focus on: Political participation mechanisms Creative class localization Contextual determinants of municipal governance Comparative housing regime analysis
Professor Sophia Psarra is a faculty member at The Bartlett School of Architecture within University College London . Her research and teaching focus on the interplay between spatial configuration, architecture, and sociopolitical dynamics, particularly in parliamentary buildings and urban environments. She directs the Architectural and Urban History and Theory PhD Programme and has authored significant works including Architecture and Narrative (2009) and The Venice Variations (2018), along with co-editing Parliament Buildings: The Architecture of Politics in Europe (2023). PhD in Architecture from University College London (1997) MSc in Architecture (Research) from University College London (1986) Diploma in Architecture from National Technical University of Athens (1985) Her research spans transdisciplinary fields such as architectural history and theory , space syntax , urban morphology , and social/political philosophy . Recent work examines parliamentary architecture and its role in political culture, supported by collaborations with the UCL European Institute and international conferences. Her publications highlight spatial cognition, power dynamics, and the impact of digital media on urban design. Key trends in her recent articles include: Spatial modeling of parliamentary buildings and political culture Space syntax applications in museums and urban environments Interdisciplinary analysis of architecture, language, and institutions Urban resilience strategies during pandemics Scientific recognition includes: First prizes in EUROPAN architectural competitions Parliament Buildings (2023) shortlisted for the Colvin Prize University College London Publication Award (2003) She has supervised 11 PhD students to completion and served as external examiner for 19 PhDs internationally. Her work has received funding from the Leverhulme Trust , NSF (USA) , Onassis Foundation , and UCL Grand Challenges . She collaborates with institutions like the Natural History Museum and Museum of Modern Art to explore spatial design impacts on human experience.
Dr. Philippe Morel is an Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture , University College London, where he directs the MSc in Architectural Computation. He previously held academic positions at École nationale supérieure d'architecture Paris-Malaquais, The Berlage Institute, and Architectural Association School of Architecture, establishing himself as a leading figure in computational architecture. Doctor of Design, Florida International University (2024) Co-founder, EZCT Architecture & Design Research Founding CEO, XtreeE (2015-2017) His research focuses on computational architecture , artificial intelligence , and radical design theories , exploring intersections between digital technologies, architectural theory, and socio-economic models. Key contributions include Disruptive Technologies: The Convergence of New Paradigms in Architecture (2023) and Computational Politics and Architecture (2017). Recent publications analyze 3D printing economics , parametric design , and AI-driven architectural production . He has received the Pierre Cardin Prize (2007) and joined Phi Kappa Phi (2024). Supervised PhDs at ETH Zurich, EPFL, and Université Paris-Sud Developed curriculum on algorithmic urbanism and machine learning in architecture
Sean Hanna is a Professor of Design Computing at The Bartlett School of Architecture , University College London , and a member of the UCL Space Syntax Laboratory . His interdisciplinary work bridges architecture, computational modeling, and machine learning.
Martha Tsigkari serves as an Associate Professor at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL), where she bridges architectural practice with cutting-edge computational research. Her position situates her at the forefront of digital transformation in the built environment, with institutional affiliations spanning UCL's Faculty of the Built Environment and direct contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 11 (Sustainable Cities), and 13 (Climate Action). Her research program critically examines the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cognitive psychology into architectural design processes. Key investigations include spatial and visual connectivity analysis, XR-enhanced collaborative design environments, and AI-driven optimization of building performance. She explores how digital tools reshape creativity, professional identity, and sustainability outcomes in architecture, with particular focus on data commoditization, skills evolution, and human-AI collaboration in design workflows. Her interdisciplinary approach connects architectural theory with computational neuroscience and industrial digitalization trends. Tsigkari's publication trajectory reveals a clear evolution from computational structural analysis (2012-2017) toward AI ethics and professional transformation (2022-2024). Early work established foundations in performance-driven facades and material systems, while recent output confronts existential questions about architectural practice in the AI era. Her scholarship consistently addresses the tension between technological capability and human-centered design values, with growing emphasis on sustainable development frameworks and educational implications. Scientific Awards: No major awards are documented in the available records. Advising and Grants: While specific supervisees and funding mechanisms aren't detailed in current sources, her extensive collaborative network across 30+ publications indicates active mentorship and research leadership. Co-authorship patterns suggest involvement in multi-institutional projects addressing AECO industry digitalization, with potential ties to UK research councils and industry partnerships like RIBA. Labs and Teams: Tsigkari operates within The Bartlett's digital research ecosystem through recurring collaborations with Kosicki, Tarabishy, and Psarras. Her work manifests in experimental toolsets including Glaucon (XR design environment), HYDRA (optimization framework), and SandBOX (conceptual design system), indicating leadership in UCL's computational design labs focused on human-AI interaction and sustainable building technologies.
