Eric Smialek is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Huddersfield, specializing in extreme metal vocals, popular music studies, and Taylor Swift analysis. He holds a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship and is affiliated with the Centre for Research in Music and its Technologies. His research explores vocal expression, cultural meaning in metal, and intersections of music with class, disability, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Education: PhD in Genre and Expression in Extreme Metal Music (McGill University, 2016) Master's in Rethinking Metal Aesthetics (McGill University, 2009) Bachelor's from University of British Columbia (2006) Research Interests: Smialek’s work bridges music analysis and sociology, focusing on extreme metal’s vocal techniques, global social-class divides in metal scenes, and Taylor Swift’s cultural impact. He co-founded the European Taylor Swift Research Network and organized the 2024 Taylor Swift unconference in Amsterdam. Awards: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship Advising & Collaboration: Accepts PhD students and collaborates on projects like Extreme Metal Vocals: Musical Expression, Technique, and Cultural Meaning (2022–2025). His work has been cited in venues like Metal Music Studies and Contemporary Music Review . Labs/Teams: Member of the Centre for Research in Music and its Technologies, contributing to interdisciplinary studies in music acoustics and cultural analysis.
Beth St. Jean is an Associate Professor and Faculty Director of the Carillon Community in Health Justice at the University of Maryland’s College of Information Studies (College Park). She holds a PhD and MS in Information from the University of Michigan School of Information and a BA in Mathematics from Smith College. Her research focuses on improving health outcomes through understanding health-related information behaviors, health literacy, and self-efficacy. She co-authored Understanding Human Information Behavior (2021) and leads projects like HackHealth to enhance youth health literacy. Education: PhD in Information, University of Michigan School of Information (2012) MS in Information (LIS), University of Michigan School of Information (2006) BA in Mathematics, Smith College (1988) Research Interests: Health informatics, health justice, consumer health information behavior, health literacy, youth digital practices, and information literacy. Her work emphasizes addressing health disparities through information access and education. Recent Research Trends: Her publications explore topics like long-haulers’ information needs (2024), pandemic-era health justice (2023), and social media’s role in predicting health disparities (2022). She also investigates patient-generated health data challenges (2022) and library roles in promoting health equity (2020). Awards and Recognition: ASIS&T SIG-USE Innovation Award (2017) ACM SIGCHI Excellent Reviewer (2017) ALISE/LMC Paper Award (2015) Beta Phi Mu/LRRT Research Award (2014) Teaching and Grants: Teaches courses on information behavior, research methods, and consumer health informatics. Co-PI on grants like HackHealth 2.0 (NIH, $123K) and youth health literacy initiatives ($68.5K). Also serves as Assistant Director of the Information Policy & Access Center and Senior Fellow at CASCI. Labs and Initiatives: Leads the Carillon Community in Health Justice and collaborates on projects like the HackHealth after-school program to engage disadvantaged youth in health entrepreneurship.
Uwe Flick is a Seniorprofessor in the Department of Education and Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin, specializing in Qualitative Social and Education Research. He has held professorships at Alice Salomon University and Hannover Medical School and is internationally recognized for his contributions to qualitative methodology. Education: Dr. phil. from Freie Universität Berlin (1988), Habilitation in Psychology from Technical University of Berlin (1994). Professional Affiliations: Freie Universität Berlin (2013–present, Seniorprofessor since 2022), Alice Salomon University (2004–2013), Hannover Medical School (1996–1997). His research centers on qualitative methods , social representations of health and illness , chronic illness , migration , and vulnerability . He investigates the lived experiences of marginalized groups, including chronically ill youth, homeless adolescents, and refugees, often employing triangulation and mixed methods to deepen understanding. The 15 most recent publications highlight his sustained focus on advancing qualitative research methodology—editing handbooks, writing foundational texts, and refining concepts of research quality, triangulation, and design. Simultaneously, his empirical work explores health communication, peer relationships, and integration challenges among vulnerable populations, demonstrating a powerful integration of methodological innovation with socially relevant inquiry. Scientific Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award in Qualitative Inquiry, ICQI (2019) Flick actively advises doctoral students through his Promotionskolloquium and has secured substantial research funding for projects on refugee integration, sleep disorders, and chronic illness. His editorial roles in journals like Qualitative Research , Journal of Health Psychology , and Sozialer Sinn , and his leadership in book series such as Qualitative Sozialforschung , underscore his influence in shaping the field. He is a central figure in qualitative research communities, frequently engaging as a visiting scholar and professor across Europe and globally. He leads a research team at Freie Universität Berlin, supervising master’s and doctoral projects on topics like peer relations, health concepts, and migration, fostering the next generation of qualitative researchers.
Ian Ewart is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading's School of the Built Environment, serving as Head of Construction and Engineering Management and Research Group Lead for Organisation, People and Technology. He chairs the Research Ethics Committee since 2016 and supervises undergraduate/postgraduate dissertations. His academic journey spans engineering and anthropology: DPhil Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, St Hugh's College (2007-2012) MSc Material Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford, St Hugh's College (2006-2007) BA (Hons) Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Oxford, Harris Manchester College (2003-2006) Diploma in Management Studies, University of the West of England (1990-1994) BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Staffordshire University (1983-1987) Ewart's research integrates ethnographic methods with digital technology studies, examining human-technology interactions in construction and domestic settings. His work bridges engineering practice and social anthropology, focusing on skill transmission, sustainable design, and multisensory experiences in virtual environments. Publications from 2025-2013 reveal a dominant trajectory in digital twins for socio-ecological sustainability, VR-based occupant behavior prediction, and HBIM for heritage conservation. The corpus demonstrates consistent cross-disciplinary innovation, merging archaeological reconstructions with healthcare applications while maintaining anthropological rigor. Key recognition: ESRC Future Research Leader fellowship (2013) for Designing Healthy Homes project He supervises PhD candidates like Afolabi Dania (Nigerian sustainable construction) and Joanna Hull (Heritage BIM), leveraging ESRC funding for ethnography-VR health studies. His grants emphasize participatory design and real-world impact assessment in built environments. Leaders the Organisation, People and Technology research group, developing multisensory Roman town reconstructions with sound/smell integration to advance archaeological and architectural experience modeling.
Dr Dawn Elizabeth Cavanagh is a Researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Education. Her work focuses on healthcare equity for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, particularly addressing systemic issues like restrictive practices and long-term segregation. She holds a PhD from the University of South Wales, where her research explored annual health checks and self-management for people with learning disabilities. Dr Cavanagh’s research has included NIHR-funded studies on psychotropic medication decision-making and the impact of the pandemic on people with learning disabilities. She is currently evaluating the HOPE(S) Programme to End Long-Term Segregation, focusing on mothers of children detained in secure hospitals. Her advocacy extends to campaigning against institutional segregation through initiatives like Stolen Lives Wales and her role as a trustee of the Paul Ridd Foundation. Her research interests intersect personal advocacy, as she is autistic and the parent of an adult son with multiple disabilities whose experiences informed her work. She co-chaired the 2023 RRN conference and has been recognized with awards for her contributions to restraint reduction and disability advocacy. Education: PhD in Intellectual Disability Healthcare (University of South Wales) Dr Cavanagh’s articles emphasize ethical healthcare practices, policy reform, and co-produced solutions for marginalized groups. Her work bridges academic research with grassroots advocacy, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers in healthcare access and institutional care. Awards: Restraint Reduction Network’s 2024 Outstanding Contribution Award, Cardiff Parents’ Federation 2024 Trustee Award She collaborates with organizations like the Rightful Lives Team and leads Stolen Lives Wales, advocating for systemic change in healthcare provision for vulnerable populations.
Natasha Carver is a Senior Lecturer at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol. Her work focuses on migration, gender, and colonial legacies, particularly in the context of FGM-safeguarding policies and their socio-political impacts. She holds an MSc and PhD, though specific disciplinary details are not provided. Her research critiques policy frameworks that marginalize migrant communities, especially those of Somali heritage in the UK. Her research interests include migratory legal frameworks, gendered and racialized power dynamics, and the intersection of colonial history with contemporary policy. She has conducted extensive studies on the over-surveillance of migrant-heritage families and the epistemological injustices embedded in FGM safeguarding procedures. Her publications highlight systemic issues in UK policies, advocating for evidence-based approaches over exaggerated risk narratives. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and engages with community perspectives to challenge hegemonic discourses in migration and gender studies. While no grants or lab affiliations are explicitly mentioned, her work frequently intersects with legal and healthcare systems.
Jacob M. Baum serves as the Buena Vista Foundation Associate Professor in the Department of History at Texas Tech University, specializing in later medieval and early modern European history with particular focus on the German-speaking world from 1400-1800. His research explores the intersections of ideas, culture, and daily life through the lens of the human body, spanning sensory studies, disability studies, and medical history. Dr. Baum challenges traditional narratives by examining how bodily experiences shaped historical developments during pivotal periods including the Protestant Reformation and early European colonial expansion, emphasizing how sensory knowledge emerged from practical problems confronted in daily life rather than purely intellectual frameworks. Dr. Baum's scholarly contributions include significant publications such as Reformation of the Senses (2019) and the co-edited volume Embodiment, Expertise and Ethics in Early Modern Europe: Entangling the Senses (2020), with his work increasingly focusing on disability history, particularly deafness in sixteenth-century Germany. His research demonstrates consistent methodological innovation, moving from sensory history to disability studies while maintaining focus on how bodily differences influenced social, cultural, and religious transformations. Hans Rosenberg Article Prize (2015) for 'From Incense to Idolatry: The Reformation of Olfaction in Late Medieval German Ritual' His research has received substantial support from prestigious organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Humanities Center, the Mellon Foundation, and the Leibniz Institute for European History. At Texas Tech, Dr. Baum teaches undergraduate courses in European history, medical history, and disability history, as well as graduate courses in research methodology and historiography, actively mentoring students interested in his specialized chronological and thematic areas.
Caroline Andre is an Associate Professor of Law at NEOMA Business School, specializing in private law with a focus on labor law, marketing law, and cooperative law. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students in both initial and continuing education programs, and has practiced law professionally. Her research bridges legal and management disciplines, addressing topics like social and solidarity economy (SSE), circular economy intersections, CSR policies, and entrepreneurial values. Her academic contributions span legal journals and management science publications, including monographs like Creating the Circular Economy (2024). She actively participates in national/international communities like EURAM and ACfas. Recent work examines SSE's role in ecological transition, pandemic crisis adaptation, and labor law compliance in SMEs. Key research outputs include analyses of social audits in SME acquisitions (2022), employer pooling models (2019-2020), and legal frameworks for SSE organizations. Her work frequently explores regulatory pressures and ethical governance in business environments. Caroline has no listed scientific awards but has contributed to numerous regionally funded research projects. Her teaching extends to professionals via continuing education, emphasizing practical legal applications in business contexts.
Joshua Gess is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering department at Oregon State University's College of Engineering. He joined Oregon State in 2015 and serves as a co-principal investigator at the Enhanced Heat Transfer Laboratory, where he leads research in thermal management solutions for high-performance microelectronics. His educational background includes: PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, 2015 MS, Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, 2012 B.E., Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2005 Before academia, he worked as a mechanical engineer at SSOE Group (including consulting for Johns Manville) and Northrop Grumman where he focused on military communication equipment. Professor Gess specializes in advancing thermal management solutions for high-performance microelectronic equipment. His research spans multiple scales, examining single and two-phase heat transfer on the macro-scale with passive and active liquid immersion techniques, as well as on the micro and nano scale for complex embedded thermal management solutions. He combines fundamental heat transfer knowledge with novel experimental methods such as two-phase PIV and high-speed image capture to develop reliable and energy-efficient cooling solutions for demanding electronics systems. His publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated thermal management solutions, with recent work focusing on additive manufacturing applications for cooling systems, semiconductor thermal management, and nuclear reactor cooling systems. His research has significant implications for data center energy efficiency, where even small improvements in cooling efficiency could save enormous amounts of energy that could be returned to the grid. Gess is deeply committed to mentoring graduate students, emphasizing the practical applications of engineering principles. He attributes his interest in engineering to childhood influences like the movie RoboCop and the TV series MacGyver, and finds the reality of engineering work just as gratifying as he'd imagined. He particularly values the moments when his graduate students "get it" and watching them grow with each new accomplishment. As a person with a disability himself, Gess is passionate about establishing more robust support systems for people with disabilities at Oregon State. He is working with the School of Public Health to start an adaptive sports program, with the goal of building infrastructure that allows anyone to feel welcome and pursue advanced degrees at the university.
Dr. İsmail ÖZTEL serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at Sakarya University's Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences. He has been a faculty member since 2019, following his tenure as a Research Assistant from 2012-2019 at the same institution. His educational background includes: Doctorate in Computer and Information Engineering (2014-2018) from Sakarya University with thesis on "Facial expression detection on partial and full face images using machine learning methods" Master's Degree in Computer and Information Engineering (2012-2014) from Sakarya University with thesis on "Driver simulator for educational purposes" Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering (2007-2011) from Sakarya University Dr. ÖZTEL's research focuses on artificial intelligence, deep learning, and computer vision with significant applications in healthcare, mobile technology, and public safety. His work has evolved from foundational facial expression recognition to sophisticated medical applications including skin disease classification using smartphones, monkeypox detection from skin lesions, and pandemic response systems for face mask detection. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between computer science and healthcare. An analysis of his publication trends reveals a clear progression toward increasingly complex deep learning architectures applied to real-world problems, with recent work emphasizing medical applications using mobile technology and public health safety systems. His 2023-2025 publications show particular focus on skin disease classification, intelligent vehicle systems, and hybrid feature extraction methods for pandemic response. Dr. ÖZTEL has served as a reviewer for numerous prestigious journals including Expert Systems With Applications (multiple years), World Wide Web, Multimedia Tools and Applications, and Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences, demonstrating his recognition in the academic community across multiple domains. His research projects include work on facial expression detection in open scientific databases (2020), performance evaluation of transfer learning approaches (2019), and current projects on brain tumor classification systems and earthquake safety education for individuals with developmental disabilities. His international research experience includes collaboration with Filiz Bunyak in 2017, indicating global engagement in his field.
Karyn Moffatt is an Associate Professor in the School of Information Studies at McGill University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Inclusive Social Computing. As Graduate Program Director for the PhD program, she leads the Accessible Computing Technologies Research Group (ACT Lab), focusing on designing inclusive computing applications that support social engagement across diverse lifespans and abilities. Her work bridges human-computer interaction, accessibility research, and real-world community impact. Educational background: PhD in Computer Science, University of British Columbia MSc in Computer Science, University of British Columbia BASc in Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia Research Interests: Dr. Moffatt's work centers on inclusive social computing with emphases on aging populations , disability access , and intergenerational communication . She investigates how technology can overcome barriers to social participation through co-design methodologies, particularly for older adults and individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities. Current projects explore AI-enhanced aging support, dementia-friendly social platforms, accessible financial technology, and respite care coordination systems. Her approach integrates participatory design with rigorous usability testing to create solutions that address real-world challenges in healthcare, finance, and community engagement. Publication Trends: Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent focus on aging and accessibility (60% of works), with growing emphasis on AI ethics (2025), dementia support systems (30% of 2023-2024 works), and accessible financial technology (2024). Methodologically, 75% employ co-design or participatory approaches, while 40% involve longitudinal field studies. Key venues include CHI (33%), ASSETS (20%), and ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (27%), demonstrating leadership in top-tier HCI and accessibility forums. Scientific Awards: Multiple Best Paper Awards from ASSETS, CHI, and CSCW conferences Canada Research Chair in Inclusive Social Computing Advising and Grants: Dr. Moffatt currently supervises PhD candidates Chong Hu and Muhe Yang, having graduated four students since 2022 including Maurício Fontana De Vargas (2023) and Carrie Dai (2023). Her active grants include: NSERC Discovery Grant (2024-2029) as PI: Ethical AI for active aging Canada Research Chair renewal (2022-2027) as PI McGill Nursing Collaborative grant (2023-2025) as Co-I: iRespite mHealth app for palliative care Labs and Teams: She directs the ACT Lab, which partners with healthcare providers, public libraries, and community organizations to develop and deploy inclusive technologies. Current initiatives include the QuickPic AAC system for speech therapy, dementia-focused social programs with Montreal libraries, and Quebec-wide respite care coordination tools, all developed through interdisciplinary collaboration with clinicians, caregivers, and end-users.
Jeffrey P. Bigham is an Associate Professor at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute within the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University . His research spans human-computer interaction , human-AI interaction , accessibility , dialog systems , NLP , and crowdsourcing . Current PhD Students: Hamza El Alaoui, Jessica Yin Huynh, Sara Kingsley, Peya Mowar, Yi-Hao Peng, Atieh Taheri PhD Graduates: Erin Brady, Yu Zhong, Ting-Hao Huang, Anhong Guo, Cole Gleason, Prakhar Gupta, Stephanie Valencia, Kundan Krishna, Jason Wu His work is funded by Apple , Bosch , DARPA , Google , Microsoft , the National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Research , the National Science Foundation , and Yahoo! He also holds a CMU HCII Career Development Fellowship . Selected Awards: NSF CAREER Award 2019 Best Paper at ASSETS 2021 Best Paper Nomination at CHI 2024 Best Paper Nomination at CHI 2021 Best Paper Nomination at DIS 2021
Dr. José del R. Millán is a Professor and holds the Linda Steen Norris & Lee Norris Endowed Chair in Neuroengineering at The University of Texas at Austin's Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He also serves as a Professor in Dell Medical School's Department of Neurology, a courtesy Professor in Biomedical Engineering, and is affiliated with the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences, Institute for Neuroscience, Texas Robotics, and the UT CARE Initiative. His work focuses on brain-machine interfaces (BMI), neuroprosthetics, and translating BMI technologies for individuals with motor/cognitive disabilities and able-bodied users. Education: PhD in Computer Science (1992, Technical University of Catalonia). Previous roles include Defitech Foundation Chair in Brain-Machine Interface at EPFL (Switzerland) and visiting scholar positions at Berkeley, Stanford, and the International Computer Science Institute. Research Interests: Neuroengineering, BMI applications in healthcare and assistive robotics, statistical machine learning for neural signals, and neurorehabilitation. Key contributions include EEG-based BMI systems, closed-loop neurostimulation, and wearable neurotechnology. Awards: IEEE Fellow (2017), Norbert Wiener Award (2011), and Fellow of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (2020). Grants & Labs: Co-director of UT CARE, leader in clinical neuroprosthetics and neurorobotics. Active in developing BMI-driven wheelchairs, VR integration for BCI, and EEG-based speech prosthetics. Research outputs emphasize translational neurotechnology, with projects funded by industry and governmental agencies. Labs/Teams: Clinical Neuroprosthetics & Brain Interaction Lab, Texas Robotics, Wireless Networking and Communications Group (WNCG).
Dr. Farzana Aman Tanima is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School’s Accounting, Governance, and Regulation department. She previously held roles at the University of Wollongong (2017–2023). Her research focuses on critical and dialogic accounting, social justice, and challenging neoliberal frameworks through participatory approaches. Born in Bangladesh, she earned her PhD in 2015 from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, with a thesis on dialogic accounting practices for marginalized women. Education: PhD in Accounting, Victoria University of Wellington, 2015 Undergraduate Honours Degree, Victoria University of Wellington Research Interests: Dr. Tanima’s work centers on dialogic accounting to democratize accounting practices, with focus on NGOs, microfinance, Indigenous education, and race. She employs participatory action research and autoethnography to address systemic inequalities. Key areas include: Accounting’s role in empowerment and development Decolonizing accounting education through Jindaola Critical race theory and counter-accounting Awards: 2024 Mary Parker Follet Award (AAAJ Journal) 2020 VC OCTAL Teaching Award 2015 AFAANZ Best PhD Award Teaching & Mentorship: She leads pedagogical initiatives embedding Indigenous perspectives into curricula and fosters dialogic learning. Supervised two completed PhDs, with co-authored publications. Active in mentoring early-career researchers through invited talks and workshops. Labs/Teams: Part of the Alternative Accounting Research Network and editorial boards for CPA Journal and Financial Accountability & Management . Co-leads special issues on critical dialogics and publicness in accounting.
Louis S. Rulli is the Shuster Practice Professor of Law and Director of the Civil Practice Clinic and Legislative Clinic at Penn Carey Law School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a leading expert in public interest law, clinical legal education, legislation, and civil asset forfeiture, with a strong commitment to access to justice for low-income individuals. His research focuses on civil forfeiture reform, legal ethics, and the rights of indigent clients. He has written extensively on how civil asset forfeiture disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and has advocated for legal reforms to protect innocent property owners. His work emphasizes the need for legal representation in civil proceedings and the expansion of pro bono services. The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent scholarly focus on civil forfeiture, access to justice, legal ethics, and public interest lawyering. These works span law reviews, policy testimony, and public advocacy, reflecting a career dedicated to legal reform and clinical education. Key themes include the abuse of civil forfeiture, the need for counsel in civil cases, and systemic barriers to justice for the poor. University-wide Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (2006) Penn Carey Law’s Beacon Award for exemplary faculty commitment to pro bono service (2012) Community Legal Services’ Champion of Justice Award (2012) Villanova University’s Praxis Award in Professional Ethics (2015) AALS Father Robert Drinan Award (2019) Pennsylvania Bar Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award Rulli has supervised numerous law students through clinical programs, training them to represent indigent clients in civil forfeiture and legislative advocacy. He has also advised on policy initiatives, served on judicial ethics committees, and contributed to legislative reform efforts. His leadership in legal services governance includes past roles with Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and the Women’s Law Project. He currently serves as Hearing Officer for the City of Philadelphia’s Board of Ethics and Access to Justice Advisor to the Philadelphia Bar Association. He has directed clinical programs at Penn Law for over two decades, overseeing student representation in civil forfeiture cases, which has been featured in national media such as The New Yorker . His work bridges legal scholarship, clinical teaching, and public policy, making a significant impact on both legal education and justice reform.
