Find Academic Supervisors

• Deception Psychology
• Behavior Psychology
• Risk Assessment
• +3 more

Mariëlle Stel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology within the Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social Sciences at the University of Twente. Her research focuses on deception detection, risk assessment, and social behavior dynamics, with significant contributions to understanding how physiological and environmental cues influence human judgment. Her primary research interests include deception psychology (particularly nonverbal cues in online and offline contexts), risk-taking behavior in adverse environments, and prejudice reduction interventions. Notable work examines speciesism reduction through prejudice-based approaches and the role of facial cues in social decision-making. She employs diverse methodologies including eye-tracking, virtual reality simulations, and structural equation modeling. Her publication record shows consistent output since 2008 with 59 research outputs including 39 articles, 8 reports, and 4 abstracts. Recent work demonstrates increasing focus on digital deception (online reviews) and sustainability-related behavior change. Her research spans interdisciplinary applications in consumer behavior, health psychology, and environmental decision-making. Stel actively contributes to academic discourse through conference presentations, including recent work on virtual reality investigations of environmental harshness effects (2023) and early adversity impacts on health behaviors (2021). She collaborates extensively within the University of Twente and with international researchers, evidenced by multi-institutional datasets. Her research group maintains three significant datasets on physiognomic beliefs, facial cue influences in peer markets, and social decision-making mechanisms. These resources support ongoing work in behavioral prediction models and intervention development. Current projects focus on translating deception detection research into practical applications for digital platforms and sustainability initiatives.

Mark NunesView profile

Professor

• New Media Studies
• Digital Culture
• Cyberculture
• +5 more

Dr. Mark Nunes serves as a Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Appalachian State University, where he contributes to the academic exploration of digital culture and new media. His position bridges multiple disciplines, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his scholarly work which examines how digital technologies reshape contemporary social experience. Dr. Nunes earned his interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Emory University's Graduate Institute of the Liberal Arts, with additional Master of Arts degrees in English from the University of Virginia and Psychology from Columbia University. This diverse educational background informs his cross-disciplinary approach to studying digital culture. His research focuses primarily on the cultural impact of new media on contemporary society, with particular attention to how digital spaces reconfigure our understanding of public and private life, local and global connections. Dr. Nunes explores how networked technologies transform everyday experience, examining concepts like digital agency, spatial theory in virtual environments, and the philosophical implications of living in a networked society. His work often engages with critical theory, particularly drawing on thinkers like Baudrillard to analyze contemporary digital phenomena. The trajectory of Dr. Nunes' publications reveals a consistent engagement with evolving digital landscapes, from early explorations of cyberculture in the 1990s through contemporary analyses of social media and digital representation. His work spans theoretical examinations of digital space, critical analyses of social media platforms, investigations into digital errors and disruptions, and studies of regional digital representation as seen in his work on Appalachian visual culture. This breadth demonstrates his ability to adapt theoretical frameworks to emerging digital phenomena while maintaining a critical perspective on technology's societal impact. While specific awards aren't documented in the available materials, Dr. Nunes' scholarly contributions include significant monographs and edited collections that have shaped discourse in new media studies. His book Cyberspaces of Everyday Life (2006) and edited volume Error: Glitch, Noise, and Jam in New Media Cultures (2011) represent substantial contributions to the field. Dr. Nunes maintains active scholarly engagement through ongoing publication and likely contributes to academic service within his department and university. His research demonstrates sustained commitment to understanding the complex relationship between digital technologies and human experience across multiple dimensions of social life.

Lubomir IvanovView profile

Professor

• Natural Language Processing
• Authorship Attribution
• Virtual Reality
• +3 more

Lubomir Ivanov is a Professor of Computer Science and current Chair of the Computer Science Department at Iona University, where he also serves as Game Development Coordinator and primary contact for all undergraduate programs. He joined Iona in 1999 after completing his academic training at Stevens Institute of Technology and has established himself as a versatile educator teaching courses ranging from computer architecture to virtual reality development. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Stevens Institute of Technology M.S. in Computer Science, Stevens Institute of Technology B.S. in Computer Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology Dr. Ivanov's research demonstrates exceptional interdisciplinary breadth, with dual pillars in Natural Language Processing and Applied Virtual Reality . His NLP work pioneers authorship attribution techniques using linguistic features from phonetic patterns (alliteration, assonance) to semantic dimensions (abstractness/concreteness), particularly for historical texts like Thomas Paine's writings. Simultaneously, his VR research creates impactful educational tools, including anti-bullying simulators with facial-expression recognition and mental health applications for non-suicidal self-injury assistance, reflecting strong collaborations with psychology departments. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2016-2024) reveals an evolving trajectory: early work focused on phonetic features for authorship analysis, progressively incorporating semantic and sentiment features, while his VR research matured from basic environments to sophisticated systems integrating real-time facial recognition and user experience optimization. Both strands consistently address real-world problems through computational methods. Scientific Awards: None mentioned in source material. Dr. Ivanov actively mentors students on research projects including the 'Bully' virtual environment and NSSI assistance software, securing collaborative grants with psychology departments. His leadership extends to university governance through the Faculty Senate and previous department chairmanship (2006-2009), alongside curriculum development for game development courses targeting non-CS majors. He directs a cross-disciplinary research ecosystem centered on the Game Development concentration, integrating computer science with education and psychology to create socially impactful technologies through ongoing VR and NLP innovation.

Henry MelkiView profile

Lecturer

• Design Theory
• Character Design
• 3D Modelling
• +5 more

Dr. Henry Melki serves as a Lecturer in Animation and VFX at the Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, where he co-directs the undergraduate animation course. With extensive industry experience working with studios across Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Beirut on graphic design and 3D modeling projects for television and advertising, he brings practical expertise to his academic role. His office is located in Room BA-03-020 at 2-24 York Street, Belfast campus. Henry completed his PhD in 2019 with research developing models to enhance creative processes in generating believable characters for film and VFX. His academic journey progressed from lecturing at the University of Balamand to his current position at Ulster University, reflecting a deepening commitment to animation education and research. His research focuses on character design and development, 3D modeling techniques, photorealism, virtual production, and visual effects, with particular interest in how perception theory and aesthetic principles influence character believability. His work bridges technical innovation with creative practice, exploring how digital tools can enhance artistic expression while maintaining authenticity. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward applied research in virtual production pipelines, particularly for theater applications, and digital heritage projects. His work increasingly integrates high-performance computing, digital twins, and real-time rendering technologies with creative practice, demonstrating a commitment to interdisciplinary research that connects digital arts with environmental and cultural concerns. Best Poster Award (May 2018) Henry actively contributes to curriculum development in animation and supervises student projects. He participates in significant research initiatives including the AHRC-funded Green Transition Ecosystem: Future Island-Island project and leads the EPSRC-funded Development and Full Integration of VP Pipelines Adapted for Theatre Affordances. His grant portfolio demonstrates successful collaboration across arts, humanities, and technology disciplines. He maintains strong community connections through outreach initiatives like 3D Dojo, which teaches computer animation basics, and Toody Threedy, a local animation community group. His recent workshop on IAA Maritime Trail 3D Scanning demonstrates his commitment to sharing digital skills with broader audiences beyond the university setting.

Bob De SchutterView profile

Professor

• Game Design
• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +3 more

Bob De Schutter is a Professor at Northeastern University with a joint appointment in Khoury College and the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD), where he coordinates the Game Science and Design program. As founder of Lifelong Games, he pioneers gerontoludic design—a framework challenging ageism in gaming by creating meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences for older adults that prioritize playfulness over utilitarian 'brain training' applications. De Schutter holds a PhD in Communication Science and a Master's degree in Arts. His educational journey began with childhood game development, leading to groundbreaking work that bridges academic research and practical design. His formal training informs his player-centered approach, emphasizing iterative design with diverse aging populations to create inclusive gaming experiences. His research revolutionizes game design for aging populations through three core pillars: gerontoludic design (extending the MDA framework with age-specific aesthetics), AI-supported accessibility (adapting interfaces to physical/cognitive needs), and gaminiscing—using games to evoke personal memories and foster intergenerational connection. He challenges the gaming industry's youth-centric focus by demonstrating how games preserve cultural heritage (e.g., Brukel's WWII narratives) and support cognitive/social well-being in later life through immersive storytelling. De Schutter's publication history reveals a consistent trajectory from foundational theory (2011-2016) to applied innovation (2015-2017), with increasing emphasis on virtual reality and procedural generation. His work consistently argues that games for older adults must prioritize emotional depth and meaningful play rather than reductionist 'cognitive training,' while addressing systemic ageism in game development pipelines and industry practices. His scientific recognition includes: Gold medal at the Serious Play Awards for Brukel De Schutter actively mentors students through Northeastern's co-op program and project-based courses, integrating real-world development into education. As coordinator of the Game Science and Design program, he shapes curriculum that blends technical skills with creative design, emphasizing portfolio development. His advocacy extends to industry leadership through the International Game Developers Association and IndieCade, where he promotes inclusive design standards. He leads Lifelong Games, a research lab producing award-winning titles like Brukel and Cardistry. The lab collaborates with students (e.g., Brandon Lyman, Reina Chan) and faculty like Prof. Chris Barney on projects merging machine learning with storytelling to create personalized memory-driven games. Current initiatives include Restless (procedural generation for diverse narratives) and scaling Cardistry's AI-generated 'gaminiscing' cards, with plans to expand the lab's capacity for student hires and game production.

• Digital Art
• Computer Graphics
• Visual Perception
• +4 more

Alistair Burleigh serves as a Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff Metropolitan University's Cardiff School of Art & Design. He is a multi-disciplinary professional with expertise spanning art, design, research, technology, and entrepreneurship, bringing significant commercial experience from the digital media and audio-visual industries. Burleigh's research centers on the fusion between physical and digital spaces, visual perception mechanisms, and the development of virtual technologies that authentically replicate human experience. His work bridges artistic creativity with scientific rigor, particularly in the field of fovography - a naturalistic imaging approach that better matches human visual perception. His publications demonstrate consistent exploration of how humans perceive spatial relationships, object properties, and visual fields across different media formats. As an entrepreneur, Burleigh co-founded Wrap3, a projection mapping company that delivered projects for high-profile clients including James Bond Quantum of Solace, Chanel, and the United Arab Emirates Pavilion Expo 2010. His second venture, Fovotec, emerged from research conducted within Cardiff Metropolitan's Fovolab, developing the FovoRender technology that led to the university's first spin-out company, now partnered with Unity3D. Burleigh serves as the technical architect for Cardiff Metropolitan University's Perceptual Experience Laboratory. Since 2018, he has been seconded to Fovotec as Co-Founder and Technical Director, demonstrating his ability to translate academic research into commercially viable technology solutions that push the boundaries of visual computing.