Andrew Byerley is a Senior Lecturer (Docent) at the Department of Human Geography , Stockholm University. His work focuses on urban geography, planning in the Global South, and the political dimensions of public space, with fieldwork centered on Uganda and Namibia. Research Projects: Led the 2016-2019 RJF-funded study on aging in African urbanities; participated in Sida-funded projects on urban imaginaries and postcolonial housing estates. Teaching: Coordinates the Global Development Program at Stockholm University, covering urban theory, political ecology, and methodological frameworks. Research Interests include: Colonial and post-colonial urban planning legacies Informal settlements and spatial governance Public space as a site of political contestation Historical urban infrastructure in East Africa His publications analyze how colonial planning rationalities persist in contemporary urban struggles, particularly in Jinja (Uganda) and Walvis Bay (Namibia), with methodological emphasis on ethnographic fieldwork and governmentality studies. Notable awards include the Wallander Stipendium (2006) for his doctoral thesis on Jinja's industrial urbanism.
Mariana Pestana is an Invited Assistant Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico and a researcher at the Interactive Technologies Institute (ITI). She holds a PhD in Architectural Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture (2019) and an MA in Narrative Environments from Central Saint Martins, UAL. Her roles include Co-PI and Arts & Culture Coordinator for the European project Bauhaus of the Seas Sails, focusing on climate neutrality and coastal cities. She is also Chief Curator at MAC/CCB in Lisbon, appointed in 2024. Her research spans architectural design, cultural programs, and exhibitions, emphasizing design's role in ecology and empathy. Affiliations: Instituto Superior Técnico, ITI, Bauhaus of the Seas Sails, MAC/CCB. Education: PhD (Bartlett), MA (Central Saint Martins), Architecture (FAUP, University of Porto). Her work explores intersections between design and ecology, including microbial river studies and blockchain-supported agroecology. Key projects include curating the 5th Istanbul Design Biennial ( Empathy Revisited ) and exhibitions like Eco-Visionaries and The Future Starts Here . She advocates for more-than-human empathy in design, addressing climate crises through interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent articles focus on multispecies ethnography, organizational frameworks for ecological cooperation, and AI-driven ecosystem representation. Her Bauhaus initiatives blend art, science, and community engagement to reimagine human-nature relations.
Bora Yasin Özkuş is a Researcher at the Faculty of Architecture , Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University , where he teaches Building Technology courses. His academic journey includes a PhD in Architectural Design (2018), MSc in History of Architecture (2007), and BS in Architecture (2003) from Istanbul Technical University . Research Interests : Urban design, architectural history, building technology, and interdisciplinary design practices. Recent Publications : Focus on urban modernity, architectural representation, and post-war spatial transformation. Scientific Awards : 12th International Compasso Volante Prize (2010) Multiple national awards for architectural design (2009, 2003) Academic Leadership : Has served as Head of the Department of Building Science (2021), Vice Dean for Academic Affairs (2022), and Department Chair at Doğuş University (2019). Currently contributes to TÜBİTAK research on soil-based construction materials in Aegean/Mediterranean regions.
Prof.dr.ir. K.M. Havik is a Professor of Methods of Analysis & Imagination at the Department of Architecture within the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Their research focuses on addressing societal challenges with spatial implications, advocating for inclusive, democratic, and site-specific approaches to urban design. Key interests include architectural imagination, creative methods in design, and interdisciplinary innovation across artistic disciplines. The Methods of Analysis & Imagination framework emphasizes linking cultural, spatial, and social analyses with visionary spatial solutions. Research explores how architectural creativity can shape new spatial realities, informed by both empirical analysis and imaginative exploration. No specific grants, awards, or lab affiliations are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Teddy Cruz is a Professor of Public Culture and Spatial Practice in the Department of Visual Arts at the University of California, San Diego. He is internationally recognized for his urban research in the Tijuana-San Diego bioregion, reimagining border neighborhoods as critical sites to rethink political economy, public space, and social practice. Cruz co-directs the UC San Diego Center on Global Justice and the cross-border Community Stations network, advancing collaborative research with grassroots organizations. His research interests lie at the intersection of architecture, urbanism, art, and political theory, with a focus on deepening social and economic inequality, migratory shifts, urban informality, climate change, border walling, and the erosion of public discourse. Cruz's work emphasizes participatory design, civic engagement, and the transformation of marginalized communities through spatial interventions and new models of inclusive urbanization. The trends in his scholarly and creative output reflect a sustained commitment to transdisciplinary inquiry, with strong emphasis on justice-oriented spatial practices, border epistemologies, and bottom-up urbanism. His projects consistently bridge theory and practice, integrating architecture with political theory and community action. Rome Prize in Architecture Ford Foundation Visionaries Award Architecture Award from the US Academy of Arts and Letters Global Award for Sustainable Architecture Vilcek Prize in Architecture Cruz has led major research initiatives including the UC San Diego Center on Global Justice and Estudio Teddy Cruz + Fonna Forman, a research-based practice that fosters collaborations between architecture, art, and civic life. Through the Community Stations project, he facilitates transborder educational and research programs conducted in partnership with grassroots organizations, enhancing community capacity for political action and redefining the role of art and architecture in confronting exclusion. While specific grant details are not listed, his work has been supported by major institutions and foundations recognizing innovative approaches to urban justice. Cruz co-leads Estudio Teddy Cruz + Fonna Forman and the UC San Diego Community Stations, a cross-border network of public spaces in migrant neighborhoods that serve as living labs for collaborative research, education, and civic innovation. These platforms integrate academic inquiry with community-driven initiatives to reimagine urban futures grounded in equity and inclusion.
Lukas Smas is an Associate Professor in Human Geography at Stockholm University, specializing in urban and regional planning. His research examines governance structures, policy-practice dynamics, and the political-economic dimensions of spatial planning, particularly in Nordic and European contexts. Current research projects include Regional Planning Cultures (2023-2025, Formas) and Democratic Governance for Climate Transformation (2020-2024, Norges Forskningsråd). Past projects span agreement-based Nordic planning models (Academy of Finland), megaprojects like the New Karolinska Solna Hospital , and comparative analyses of European spatial planning systems (ESPON COMPASS). His work emphasizes the role of policy mobility , institutional adaptation , and multi-purpose planning instruments in shaping sustainable urban futures. He has contributed to debates on depoliticization in planning and served on academic committees including Stockholm's Scientific Council and AESOP's Council of Representatives.
Svatopluk Sládeček serves as a Lecturer at Brno University of Technology's Faculty of Architecture within the Department of Experimental Design. His academic profile combines architectural practice with theatrical scenography, reflecting a dual engagement with spatial design across both built environments and performance contexts. His institutional roles include membership in the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Architecture and the Art, Design and Architecture Board at the university level. Sládeček's research interests span architectural design, experimental spatial interventions, and scenography, with particular focus on community-centered architecture and historic preservation. His work demonstrates consistent engagement with Czech regional contexts, evidenced by projects across Brno, Veverské Knínice, and other locations. The integration of theatrical set design with architectural practice forms a distinctive thread throughout his portfolio, suggesting cross-pollination between performance spaces and permanent structures. His publication and project portfolio reveals strong emphasis on community architecture (Sokolovna Veverské Knínice, Open House Fryšták), funerary architecture (Kolumbárium Mořice), and theatrical scenography (Zázrak v černém domě, Mechanický pomaranč). Recent works increasingly address historic preservation and adaptive reuse, including chapel reconstructions and museum exhibition designs. The consistent output across both realized projects and competition entries demonstrates active professional engagement alongside academic responsibilities. Sládeček teaches multiple courses including SCE-K Scenography, ZAR-A Basics of Architecture, and specialized studios focused on experimental design and master's thesis development. His educational role spans foundational instruction through advanced thesis supervision, with particular emphasis on experimental approaches within architectural education. The departmental focus on experimental design provides the framework for his pedagogical contributions, which integrate practical project experience with theoretical exploration.
Alexander Lewis, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Alvarez College of Business, University of Texas at San Antonio. His research focuses on leveraging market systems for economic and social value creation, with emphasis on entrepreneurship, economic sociology, and organizational theory. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from UTSA and a B.A. from Trinity University. His work critically examines entrepreneurship’s role in addressing systemic inequalities, postcolonial economic structures, and the intersection of social capital with ethnic diversity. Notable themes include marginalized groups’ market participation, crowdfunding dynamics across political cultures, and racialized entrepreneurship challenges. Teaching specialties include Entrepreneurship, Organizational Theory, and Strategy. His research has been published in top journals like Academy of Management Annals and Journal of Business Venturing . No specific awards or grants are listed in the provided materials.
Prof. Wolfgang Wackerl is a Professor at Alanus University, holding dual affiliations in the Department of Community-Oriented Project Development and the Department of Architecture. His career spans urban planning, strategic project development, and academic leadership. Key roles include: Founder of an independent urban planning office in Cologne (2012–present) Doctorate from RWTH Aachen University (2011) focusing on mixed-use district conflicts Project Manager for REGIONALE 2010, leading initiatives like ':gärten der technik' (2005–2011) Education: Masters in European Urban Studies at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (1999–2002) Landscape Architecture Diploma from TU Munich (1994–1999) Research focuses on: Regional spatial development frameworks Sustainable district regeneration strategies Public interest-oriented project management Recent projects include: Smart Recycling Factory development (Pohlsche Heide, 2018–) REGIONALE 2025 strategic planning (Bergisches Rheinland, 2017–) Innovationsregion Rheinisches Revier spatial concepts (2014–) Notable awards include the Peter-Schumacher Scholarship for European Urban Studies (2000).
Mark Blaschitz is a Professor of Residential Construction, Fundamentals and Design in the Department of Architecture at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart. He has held this position since 2010, following an acting professorship in 2009. His academic career spans multiple institutions including TU Graz, Joanneum University of Applied Sciences Graz, and the Free University of Sarajevo. Blaschitz's research interests focus on the integration of built and media spaces, sustainable architecture (particularly his pioneering work on algae bioreactor facades), and the re-evaluation of ornamental surfaces in architecture. His teaching philosophy emphasizes student autonomy while providing foundational knowledge, with a focus on transdisciplinary architectural education. His most notable project is the BIQ – Das Algenhaus (The Clever Treefrog), the world's first building with a bioreactor facade, developed in cooperation with SPLITTERWERK, Arup, and Bollinger und Grohmann for the International Building Exhibition in Hamburg. This project represents his interest in the interweaving of built and media spaces, where surfaces become the primary architectural element rather than carriers of space. Ehrenurkunde der Internationalen Bauausstellung (IBA) Hamburg (2013) AIT Office Architecture Award (2012) Eternit Architekturpreis (2011) contractworld.award (2009) creative: graz award (2008) World Building of the Year Shortlist, World Architecture Festival Barcelona As co-founder of SPLITTERWERK, Blaschitz has exhibited internationally at prestigious venues including the Venice Biennale, Sao Paulo Biennale, Documenta in Kassel, and the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. His work exemplifies the expanded definition of art, spanning architecture, installation, painting, urban planning, and new media. He has published extensively, with his most recent work focusing on Las Vegas architecture and innovative residential design approaches.
Steve Pearson serves as Professor of Studio Art and Chair of the Art Department at McDaniel College, where he has taught since 2004 while directing the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery since 2005. His naval service following high school graduation informs his artistic focus on structural order within abstraction. Education M.F.A. in Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art (1997) B.S. in Studio Art, The College of Saint Rose (1994) A.A. in Fine Art, Fulton-Montgomery Community College (1992) Pearson's research centers on contemporary abstract and non-objective practices, investigating narrative construction through compositional frameworks, color theory applications, and material innovation. His work evolved from narrative figuration through still-life exploration to pure abstraction during residencies at Vermont Studio Center (2003) and Ragdale Foundation (2005), consistently maintaining structural discipline reflective of his naval background. He actively contributes to art pedagogy through presentations on foundational drawing and design curriculum development. Exhibition trends reveal consistent exploration of temporal layers, material experimentation, and non-representational narrative across his recent solo and curated shows. His works demonstrate sophisticated engagement with compositional order while pushing boundaries of abstraction through iterative processes and conceptual depth. Scientific Awards Faculty Creativity Award, McDaniel College (2007, 2010, 2012, 2018) Semifinalist, Bethesda Painting Award (2013) Semifinalist, Janet and Walter Sondheim Prize (2012) Individual Artist Grant, Maryland State Arts Council (2010) Pearson's grant portfolio includes the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Grant supporting his painting practice. Student testimonials highlight his effective mentorship in studio courses like Printmaking and Drawing, where he emphasizes technical skill development within conceptual frameworks. As Director of the Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, he cultivates regional artistic exchange through exhibitions featuring McDaniel students and Mid-Atlantic emerging artists, establishing the gallery as a vital creative hub for experimental contemporary work.
Arturo Chicano Jiménez is an Associate Professor and Industrial Designer at the School of Architecture and Design, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile. He holds a PhD from PUC Rio de Janeiro and serves as Director of the Master's Degree in Architecture and Design program. With a career spanning over three decades since his academic degree in 1966, Professor Chicano has established himself as a prominent figure in design education and research in Latin America. PhD, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC Rio) Professor Chicano's research focuses on the philosophical and epistemological foundations of design, with particular emphasis on techné (craft knowledge), the relationship between objects and society, and sustainable design practices. His work explores how design can serve as a vehicle for social innovation and cultural expression, particularly through South-South perspectives that challenge dominant Western design paradigms. He investigates the temporal dimensions of design through projects examining time perception, memory, and cyclical phenomena, while maintaining strong connections to practical design applications in sustainable packaging, interaction design, and architectural interventions. His recent publications reveal a consistent trajectory exploring the philosophical underpinnings of design practice, with increasing focus on social innovation and Latin American perspectives. The 2022-2023 works on "Techné and World" demonstrate his continued engagement with Heideggerian philosophy applied to contemporary design challenges, while "From South to South" represents his contribution to decolonial design discourse. His research shows a progression from object-focused studies to broader sociocultural examinations of design's role in society, particularly evident in his 2018-2023 publications that connect design theory with social innovation in Latin American contexts. Professor Chicano has supervised numerous undergraduate and graduate students through thesis projects focusing on sustainable packaging, interactive objects, public space design, and social innovation. His teaching spans foundational design courses, epistemology seminars, and specialized workshops on kinetic algorithms and expressive machines. He has directed the Master's Degree program while maintaining an active research agenda focused on design's role in social and technological innovation in Latin America, as evidenced by his 2018-2023 research project "Actions for social and/or technological innovation in Latin America." With over 30 "Travesías" (educational journeys) completed between 1990 and 2024, Professor Chicano has developed an extensive experiential pedagogy that connects classroom learning with real-world contexts across Latin America. These journeys serve as catalysts for developing collective competencies among students and have informed his research on design education methodologies, particularly his 2009-2010 project "The Journey as a Training Action Triggering the Development of Collective Competencies."
Hui Fang 'Angie' Su is a Professor and Lead Faculty of Mathematics Education at Nova Southeastern University's Fischler College of Education. She created Project MIND - Math Is Not Difficult®, a K-12 mathematics enhancement program implemented in hundreds of classrooms globally. Su was recently named one of Chapter 23's Positive Change Makers in the World 2023 and contributed to Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Mathematics. Su's research focuses on innovative mathematics education approaches, STEM engagement strategies, and specialized methods for teaching mathematics to autistic students and gifted learners. Her Project MIND initiative has transformed mathematics instruction through creative pedagogical approaches that build conceptual understanding and reduce mathematics anxiety. Her publications demonstrate extensive work in mathematics education innovation, with recent articles examining arts integration in STEM, collaborative distance learning tools, geometry education games, and specialized mathematics instruction for autistic learners. Her research spans educational technology integration, special education adaptations, and curriculum development. Honors include: Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Governor's Points of Light Award Mathematics Teacher Educator of the Year (2009) Distance Learning Visionary Award (2013) Sun-Sentinel Community Service Award (2007) Su currently serves as President of the Florida Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators and has been recognized through the dedication of The Dr. Hui Fang Angie Su Neighborhood School House in 2015.
Keith Martel is a Professor of Higher Education, Sociology, and Humanities at Geneva College, where he also coordinates the Sociology and Community Development programs. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science (Geneva College, 1997), an M.A. in Higher Education (Geneva College, 2003), and a Ph.D. in Philosophy (Duquesne University, 2011). His teaching spans the Master of Arts in Higher Education program, Core Studies Department, and undergraduate courses in sociology and urban design. Dr. Martel’s research integrates environmental phenomenology, twentieth-century philosophy, and reformational thought to explore the intersection of learning and place. He investigates how institutions and governance structures shape higher education, particularly through Dooeyweerd’s modal aspects and the cosmonomic idea. Current projects include a multidisciplinary study on the impact of academic fields on Beaver Falls’ urban environment. His publications and presentations address topics like place-based education, institutional ethics, and pedagogical innovation. Notable works include Reimagining the Student Experience (2019) and the keynote address Narrative and Place (2021). Awards include Geneva College’s Excellence in Teaching (2023) and Excellence in Scholarship (2021) honors. His work emphasizes collaborative projects and community development, reflecting his commitment to faith-informed scholarship and urban revitalization efforts in Beaver Falls.
Markus Wilsing is a Professor at İzmir University of Economics (IUE), Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design. He has held roles including Department Head (2004–2010, 2017–2022) and academic leadership in curricular development. His career began in Germany and Italy, with a PhD from the Università degli Studi di Firenze, before joining Bilkent University as a Visiting Assistant Professor (1996) and later as a full-time Assistant Professor (1998). Education: PhD in Architecture, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy (1995) Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy Research Interests: Architectural and Design Education Visionary and Future-Oriented Design Design Philosophy Integration of Yacht Design into Academic Programs Space Representation and Communication Body-Space Relationships through Movement Studies Academic Contributions: Pioneered the Interior Yacht Design Studies curriculum at IUE, leading to a Master's program in 2010. Coordinated interdisciplinary courses such as 'Introduction to Art and Culture' and 'Visionary Future Environments.' Played a key role in establishing IUE's Department of Architecture in 2004. Professional Activities: Organized exhibitions, lectures, and international conferences on design education and futuristic design. Participated in architectural competitions and developed projects in Germany and Turkey.
