David Beer is a Professor of Sociology at the University of York, specializing in the intersections of culture, media, politics, and data-driven societies. His research critically examines how technological and media transformations reshape social structures, with recent focus on the politics of data and metrics, as well as the future of social thought. Email: david.beer@york.ac.uk His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, including projects on algorithmic risk-profiling in housing and data ethics in the creative economy. He actively contributes to editorial boards for journals like Big Data & Society and Information, Communication & Society . Scientific Awards Shortlisted for the 2008 BSA Sage Prize for Innovation and/or Excellence
Vanessa Leonardi serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Methods and Models for Economy, Territory and Finance at Sapienza University of Rome. She teaches English language courses across multiple degree programs including Geographic Sciences and Technologies for the Environment and Health (3rd year), Modern Philology (2nd year), Sustainable Tourism Sciences (1st/2nd year), Literature Music Entertainment (1st year), and Linguistics (1st year). Her research centers on the ideological dimensions of language and translation, with particular emphasis on gender representation in legal and medical texts, corpus-based analysis of academic discourse, and pedagogical innovations for English language instruction. She investigates how power structures manifest in translated materials through linguistic choices and cultural adaptation strategies. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate sustained focus on corpus-driven legal translation studies, intralingual translation in children's literature, and digital communication challenges including emoji translation. Her work consistently examines the intersection of gender ideology with translation practices across diverse text types from EU legal documents to children's books. Dr. Leonardi maintains Wednesday office hours by appointment and is contactable at vanessa.leonardi@uniroma1.it . No scientific awards or student advising information appears in the available records.
Rachel Foulk, PhD is a Professor of Art History at Ferris State University , where she serves as the Advisor for the Art History Minor within the College of Arts, Sciences and Education. Her research focuses on Roman art, public art engagement, and ecocritical approaches to cultural landscapes. Contact: RachelFoulk@ferris.edu . Education: PhD, MA (Emory University); BA (University of Texas at Austin) Research Interests include: Roman art and archaeology Public art documentation Ecocritical interpretations of classical landscapes Community-based curation in Michigan Conference Contributions span topics like Roman tomb iconography, garden symbolism, and political dissent in ancient art, presented at venues such as the College Art Association and Archaeological Institute of America conferences. Exhibitions highlight collaborations with students, notably Gwen Frostic: Art and Nature in Michigan (2023) and Roman Landscapes: Visions of Nature and Myth (2023).
Angela Viora is a Lecturer in European Languages at Monash University, Faculty of Arts, within the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics. She specializes in Italian Studies, integrating language education with interdisciplinary research in performance, migration, and art. Her teaching spans Italian language, culture, and European studies, and she actively contributes to curriculum innovation, particularly in decolonizing language education. She is based in Melbourne, Australia, and holds a PhD from Monash University in Theatre and Performance. PhD in Theatre and Performance, Monash University (2019) MA in Visual and Performing Arts, Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti di Torino (2012) Academic Diploma (Hons) in Fine Arts and Art History, Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti di Torino (2007) Her research centers on performance studies, migration, embodiment, and space, with a strong emphasis on practice-as-research. She explores identity, belonging, and the socio-political dimensions of art through site-specific and socially engaged performances. Her creative work often addresses the Italian diaspora, domestic space during lockdowns, and the body as a political and emotional site. Her recent publications and artistic outputs show a consistent focus on interdisciplinary performance, pedagogical innovation, and migration narratives. The 2025 monograph The Ecology of the Performance Art Process synthesizes years of practice-led inquiry into fragmentation, union, and reconfiguration in art. Other works like The P.R.omised Land and B.O.D.Y. The Bureau of Domestic Yearning reflect on migration and domesticity through embodied performance. ACIS Publishing Grants Scheme Award (2024) Decolonising and Indigenising European Languages at Monash University: Professional Development of Educators (2024) LLCL Education Funding - Recruiting and retaining students in European Languages (2024) Angela Viora supervises PhD students and is an active researcher in multiple collaborative projects, including the PhotoVOICE initiative with Monash and the University of Padua. She is a member of the Brimbank Arts Advisory Committee and participates in working groups focused on student engagement and decolonizing curricula. Her artistic projects often involve community collaboration and public engagement, reflecting her commitment to socially responsive scholarship.
Cecilio Angulo Bahón is a full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), affiliated with the Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB) and the Department of Systems, Automatics and Industrial Informatics Engineering . He leads research in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics , with significant contributions to healthcare data analytics, digital twins, and human-robot collaboration. His research spans machine learning for medical data harmonization, generative adversarial networks in health informatics, and evolutionary algorithms for control systems. Recent publications focus on synthetic healthcare data generation, climate-resilient agriculture , and UMAP-based data analysis . His work bridges AI theory with practical applications in industrial and healthcare domains. Scientific awards include the Sant Jordi 2023 Digital Polytechnic Initiative Award . He has supervised doctoral candidates like Carlos Flores-Vázquez and N. Raya, with key collaborations at the IDEAI-UPC Intelligent Data Science and AI Research Group and the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (CSIC-UPC).
Joanne Morra is Professor of Art and Culture at University of the Arts London , specifically Central Saint Martins. She has dedicated 25 years to teaching fine art students and pioneering research at the intersection of art, psychoanalysis, and feminist theory . Her editorial work includes founding the Journal of Visual Culture and co-founding Parallax . PhD, University of Leeds MA, University of Leeds MA, University of Toronto BA Hons, University of Toronto Joanne’s research explores psycho-social dimensions of art , focusing on: Psychoanalytic practices in contemporary art Site-responsive and autobiographical art Art’s role in mental health and political discourse Transdisciplinary collaborations between art and therapy Her recent publications and conferences (2017-2021) examine: Intimacy, trauma, and transference in art Memory reconstruction and institutional critique Psychoanalytic techniques like potential space and afterwardsness Auto-theoretical/-historical/-fictional methodologies Research funding includes grants from Leverhulme Trust, Arts Council England, and SSHRC Canada . She supervises PhD candidates in topics ranging from feminist horror art to participatory intimacy. Her collaborative projects include Intimacy Unguarded and Creative Practices and Wellbeing networks.
Mara Scanlon is a Professor of English at the University of Mary Washington , with a focus on poetry, literature of the First World War, ethics and literature, women's studies, digital humanities, and modern poetry . Her academic journey began with a B.A. from the University of Virginia and continued with M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison . Education: B.A., University of Virginia M.A., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Scanlon’s research explores dialogic poetry, ethical engagement in literature, and the intersection of digital humanities with literary tourism . Her published works analyze topics such as gender identity in Rebecca West’s The Return of the Soldier , Bakhtinian theory in H.D. and Walcott , and postcolonial identity in Sara Suleri’s Meatless Days . Recent publications include an investigation into Walt Whitman’s influence on digital age tourism and a reevaluation of beauty in Mary Borden’s World War I poetry . Her scholarship has appeared in The Journal of Modern Literature, College Literature, and World Literature Today , among others. Scientific Awards and Grants: Scanlon has received the Donald Glover Award for Excellence in Teaching in English (2021-2023) and the Grellet C. Simpson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2014) . She co-edited a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant for the Looking for Whitman digital humanities project.
Dr. George Fitzmaurice is a Research Fellow at Autodesk, leading the Human Computer Interaction and Visualization Research group. With over 120 publications and 95 patents, his work spans 25 years of innovation in interactive systems, focusing on technology-assisted learning , 3D visualization , and novel input techniques . His notable contributions include the Maya 1.0 UI and SketchBook Pro design, as well as pioneering Graspable UIs and Spatially-Aware Displays . Education : MIT (B.Sc. Math/CS), Brown (M.Sc. CS), Toronto (Ph.D. CS) His research explores immersive visualization and generative AI applications in design workflows, with recent work focusing on VR/AR tools like TimeTunnel for motion editing and WhatIF for AI-assisted narrative design. Current projects examine the intersection of large language models , 3D design systems , and collaborative environments . Key article themes include: Generative AI integration (3DALL-E, WorldSmith) Immersive motion analysis (AvatAR, VideoPoseVR) Creative workflow optimization (MoodCubes, Immersive Sampling) Privacy-aware VR systems (Vice VRsa) Scientific Recognition: 2019 - Inducted into ACM CHI Academy 2024 - Awarded ACM Fellow for computing contributions He has developed foundational interaction techniques like ViewCube™ and SteeringWheels™ , and his work continues to shape modern 3D UI paradigms and spatial computing approaches through projects like DreamSketch and Tesseract.
Reiland Rabaka serves as Professor of African, African American, and Caribbean Studies in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder's College of Arts and Sciences. He is Founder and Director of the Center for African & African American Studies and holds a Research Fellowship at the University of South Africa (UNISA). His academic leadership spans critical race scholarship, Africana studies, and decolonial theory. Rabaka's research focuses on African and African American history, politics, and social movements , with specialized expertise in Black feminist theory, Black sexuality studies, and Black popular music . His work bridges critical race theory with decolonial frameworks, examining cultural production as resistance across eras from the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary hip hop. Key contributions include reconstructing Du Bois's intersectional sociology and analyzing music as liberation praxis. His 19 books and 100+ publications reveal consistent engagement with W.E.B. Du Bois's theoretical legacy Black radical traditions Music as political expression Decolonial epistemologies Recent works like The Funk Movement (2025) demonstrate evolving focus on gendered cultural production within liberation movements. Scientific recognition includes: National Endowment for Humanities/Arts/Science funding Eugene M. Kayden Book Award Cheikh Anta Diop Book Award National Council for Black Studies’ Distinguished Career Award Rabaka's media presence spans NPR, BBC, CNN, and The New York Times , translating scholarship into public discourse. His community engagement includes distinguished teaching awards and service citations, while his creative work as poet and musician informs his interdisciplinary approach to Black cultural studies.
Monika Milewska is an Adjunct Professor at the Division of Polish Ethnology and Anthropology of History within the Faculty of History, University of Gdańsk. A scholar of history and anthropology, her work bridges academic rigor with literary creativity, focusing on traumatic historical experiences, political myths, and ideological constructions. University of Warsaw (PhD in History, 2000) School of Social Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences (2000) École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris (1996-1997) Her research interrogates the anthropology of history , particularly the French Revolution and Napoleonic era , through lenses of totalitarian ideology , personality cults , and political mythology . Recent publications explore symbolic representations of power, state-controlled narratives, and the cultural underpinnings of historical trauma. Milewska's scholarly output intersects with her literary achievements. Her radio play Podróż na Księżyc received Sopot Festival's Grand Prix (2015), while the novel Latawiec z betonu won the Pomeranian Literary Award 'Wiatr od morza' (2019). She has held prestigious scholarships from the Mellon Foundation, French government, and the Polish Ministry of Culture. Fellow, American Academy in Rome POLITYKA scholarship recipient Nike Literary Award nominee Over twenty poetry/drama competition laureate Milewska operates at the intersection of historical anthropology and literary historiography , producing works that simultaneously analyze and embody the cultural mechanisms she studies.
Maria Rita Pais is an architect, researcher, and educator affiliated with Universidade Lusófona and FAUL . She holds a PhD in Architecture and focuses on the intersection of architecture with media and hard heritage, particularly Cold War bunkers. She coordinates two research projects, including a Marie Curie Action (SOSClimateWaterfront), and supervises seven PhD candidates. PhD in Architecture (FAUTL, 2012) Master in Construction (IST, 2004) Degree in Architecture (FAUTL, 1999) Her research bridges architectural heritage, climate resilience, and curatorial practices, emphasizing adaptive reuse of military structures. Recent work analyzes art as historical documentation and waterfront sustainability. She has published extensively on bunkers, climate adaptation, and gender studies, with 2024 articles like Plan Barron: A Future for Super-Resistant Structures and Sustainable Strategy and Cultural Heritage . Her output highlights cross-disciplinary trends in architecture and environmental design. FAD Award 2020 for Thoughts and Critics Archdaily 2011 The Plan Award 2015 Honorable Mention Prémio Távora 2023 As an educator, she teaches courses like 'History of Contemporary Architecture' and 'Research Methods in Architecture' at Universidade Lusófona. She has supervised over 30 master's theses and contributes to international academic committees.
Scott Rettberg is a Professor of Digital Culture at the University of Bergen's Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies. He leads the Center for Digital Narrative and has directed major projects like ELMCIP, funded by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations. Contact: scott.rettberg@uib.no. Research Focus: Electronic literature, AI-generated narratives, digital humanities infrastructure. Recent Work: Explores AI writing practices, pandemic-themed digital art, and cyborg authorship models. His publications analyze intersections between generative algorithms and literary form, with a strong emphasis on digital ethics and pedagogy. Awards include the Robert Coover Award (2016) and N. Katherine Hayles Award (2019). Key Contributions: Co-founder, Electronic Literature Organization Director, ELMCIP Electronic Literature Knowledge Base Author, Electronic Literature (Polity, 2018)
Dr. Judith Riegert is a Research Associate at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education, working at the Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences in the Department of Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities. She has been in this position since October 2016, with previous experience as Research Associate and Program Coordinator at the same institution. Her academic journey includes serving as Deputy Professor at Leibniz University Hannover (2016-2018) and as a Visiting Professor at Humboldt University (2019). 1997-2002: Studies at Justus Liebig University of Giessen and Heidelberg University of Education 2003-2004: Traineeship at Seminar for Didactics and Teacher Training Heidelberg 2004-2006: Special education teacher at Carl Orff Special School 2012: Completed doctorate (Dr. phil.) at Humboldt University Dr. Riegert's research focuses on educational theory questions in intellectual disability contexts, trans- and intermediality in inclusive literature teaching, pedagogical professionalization for inclusive subject teaching, and participation of adults with severe disabilities. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical classroom applications, examining how to create meaningful learning experiences across subject areas while maintaining academic rigor. She investigates the tension between educational standards and individualized instruction, particularly in German, history, and mathematics education. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on participation frameworks for people with severe disabilities, inclusive teaching methodologies across subject areas, and the development of pedagogical approaches that bridge educational theory and classroom practice. Her work consistently addresses the challenge of maintaining subject integrity while adapting instruction to diverse learning needs. November 5, 2014: Prize for Good Teaching 2014 from Humboldt University's Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education February 16, 2016: Honorary certificate from Polytechnische Gesellschaft Foundation for the 'Animals in Numbers' project Dr. Riegert provides academic advising for special education and primary school teaching students (surnames He to Z), supervises bachelor's and master's theses, and offers consultation hours both in person and via Zoom. Her advising focuses on supporting students in the M.Ed. program, particularly addressing application concerns and transcript issues. As a member of the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE), she contributes to research teams examining inclusive education methodologies and implementation of inclusive practices across educational settings.
Michela Deni is a University Professor of Semiotics and Director of the PROJEKT research team at the University of Nîmes. She holds an HDR (2015) and a PhD from the University of Bologna (supervised by Umberto Eco). Her research focuses on semiotics, design methodology, and educational strategies in design. She co-leads the Master's program 'Design, Innovation, Society' (DIS) and chairs the 'Epistemology of Design/Ethics and Methodology' cross-disciplinary axis within PROJEKT. Her academic roles include membership in the University Council, Doctoral College, and International Relations Commission. She has supervised numerous theses and co-authored influential works like Oggetti in azione (2002), widely used in Italian design curricula. Her recent publications explore semiotic applications in social innovation, risk communication, and user integration strategies, available via HAL. She has held teaching positions across Italian and French universities, including the ISIA Florence and Politecnico di Milano. Her editorial roles include co-coordinating Ocula.it and contributing to Design Arts Médias .
Herbert Eagle is an Associate Professor in the Arts and Ideas in the Humanities Program at the University of Michigan's Residential College, with additional affiliations in Screen Arts and Cultures, Slavic Languages & Literatures, and CREES. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1973. His research spans Russian and East European cinema, film semiotics, poetry, and dissident literature under communist regimes. Research interests focus on: Semiotic analysis of cinematic narratives Eastern European directors (e.g., Eisenstein, Polanski, Kundera) Socialist realism and its subversion Structural innovation in avant-garde film Publications consistently explore cinematic semiotics, narrative disruption in Soviet-bloc art, and interdisciplinary cultural analysis, with works examining Polish, Czech, and Ukrainian filmmakers through theoretical frameworks like formalism and structuralism. Awards include: Teaching excellence honors from Purdue University (1975, 1976) University of Michigan's Excellence in Education Award (1991) Early-career recognition: Borden Prize (1960) and Michigan Society of Fellows (1970-73)
