Sarah Pink is a leading Professor at Monash University , holding a joint appointment across the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture and the Faculty of Information Technology . She serves as Director of the FUTURES Hub and Emerging Technologies Research Lab , focusing on human futures in digital and net zero transitions. PhD in Social Anthropology, University of Kent Honorary Doctorates from Malmö and Halmstad Universities Fellow, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia Her research spans design anthropology, emerging technologies, automated decision making, and future mobilities . Recent work examines: AI ethics in clean energy Smart homes for seniors Automated mobility futures Selected 2025 article trends show focus on technological ethics, urban data systems, and human-machine interaction across 6 subfields including automated decision making and sensory design. Major awards: CIOB Award for Best International Paper (2016) Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Gold (2021) Good Design Awards (2023) As research director for Monash Grid Innovation Hub and Human-Centred Computing , she leads projects funded by Australian Research Council, EU, and national research councils across five countries. Her lab engages 20 active projects and 20+ industry partners globally.
Helen Quirk is a Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield's School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), funded by the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) as a Post-Doctoral Launching Fellow from April 2020 to August 2023. Her work focuses on understanding and promoting physical activity while addressing health inequalities, particularly among vulnerable populations. Her research interests center on physical activity promotion, health inequalities, community-based physical activity initiatives, mental health and physical activity connections, and qualitative research methods. She has developed expertise in understanding the barriers and benefits of physical activity, especially for populations facing significant challenges to maintaining active lifestyles. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on community-based physical activity initiatives, particularly parkrun, as a vehicle for addressing health inequalities. Her work examines how these initiatives impact mental wellbeing, social inclusion, and physical health outcomes, with special attention to underrepresented groups including people with mental health conditions and those living in socioeconomically deprived areas. Scientific Awards: NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) Post Doctoral Launching Fellowship (2020-2023) Helen's research is characterized by strong partnerships with community organizations like parkrun, allowing for real-world application of findings. She has been involved in numerous large-scale surveys and qualitative studies that have informed both academic understanding and practical implementation of physical activity initiatives. Her approach emphasizes understanding people's lived experiences through qualitative methods while also engaging with quantitative data to capture broader trends. Her work extends beyond traditional academic outputs, with active engagement in knowledge mobilization through blogs, webinars, and community presentations. She serves as Vice Chair of the parkrun Research Board, demonstrating her commitment to bridging research and practice in community physical activity initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Mike Martin is a leading researcher at the University of Zurich's Center for Gerontology . His work spans cognitive aging, social development in old age, and life-span developmental psychology, with a focus on ecological validity in aging research. Professor, University of Zurich Director, Zurich Longitudinal Study on Cognitive Ageing Co-editor, Journals of Gerontology series Key research areas include: Healthy aging and quality of life Cognitive-emotional interactions in aging Dyadic adaptation in dementia caregiving Mobile sensing of aging-related behaviors Participatory research methodologies Language use as a biomarker of aging His recent publications analyze: GPS mobility and cognitive function Machine learning in reminiscence detection Prospective memory trajectories Emotion regulation in couples Digital interventions for cognitive health Neuroimaging correlates of aging
Angela Crow is an Associate Professor at James Madison University (JMU) in the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, where she has served since 2012. Her research bridges literacy studies, design, and urban mobility, focusing on how communities advocate for car-free infrastructure and equitable public spaces. She explores the role of digital communication in fostering feminist interventions, particularly around cycling advocacy and street design. Her work intersects with gender studies, urban studies, and rhetorical theory. Educated at the University of Kansas (Ph.D., 1997) and Point Loma College (B.A., 1987), she has authored books on writing programs and composition studies, including Aging Literacies (2006) and Field of Dreams (2002). Recent publications analyze surveillance, privacy in digital contexts, and transportation equity. Her research often highlights marginalized voices in shaping public discourse. Research Interests: Her current projects examine embodied literacies in mobility advocacy, social media practices of grassroots movements, and the rhetoric of urban infrastructure. She critiques car-centric planning through feminist and critical frameworks, emphasizing accessibility and safety for non-car users. Her work also addresses aging populations’ digital literacies and the intersection of technology with social inequality. Publications: Her articles span rhetorical analysis of social movements, educational assessment frameworks, and the sociotechnical dimensions of writing. Recent trends include collaborations on privacy in big data and participatory design for community mobility.
Professor Dhiraj Murthy holds appointments in the Moody College of Communication , Sociology , and School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on social media, digital methods, health communication, and disaster response. He directs the Computational Media Lab , a leading research group with over 20 students, and co-edits the journal Big Data & Society . Notably, he authored the seminal book Twitter: Social Communication in the Twitter Age (2013/2018), which won the ALA CHOICE Prize. Dr. Murthy's work has been funded by NIH, NSF, and other major grants, including studies on e-cigarette marketing, disaster informatics, and AI-driven disinformation detection. He also serves on advisory boards for MediaWell and chairs international social media conferences. Education : Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Cambridge. Grants : Over $5M from NIH, NSF, and UT Austin’s Good Systems initiative for projects like 'AI Technologies to Curb Disinformation' and 'E-cigarette Use Among Mexican American Students.' Labs/Teams : Computational Media Lab (UT Austin), focusing on AI, social media analytics, and health research. Awards : Stanford University’s 2023 Top 2% Global Scientists in Communication & Media Studies and Sociology, ALA CHOICE Prize (2018), and multiple NIH/NSF grants. His work bridges sociology, media studies, and computational methods to address societal challenges like health disparities and misinformation.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick is a leading scholar at Bielefeld University, serving as Scientific Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Conflict and Violence Research (IKG) and Professor for Socialization and Conflict Research at the Faculty of Education. He also co-leads the ConflictA initiative since 2023 and contributes to migration education through the Faculty of Education. 2008: Professor for Socialization and Conflict Research, Bielefeld University 2013: Director of IKG 2023: Scientific Head of ConflictA His research focuses on intergroup conflicts , group-based antipathy , right-wing extremism , radicalization , and socialization processes . He investigates spatial dimensions of radicalization, societal integration challenges, and prejudice dynamics through comparative studies. Recent publications analyze radicalization spaces (2024-2025) using spatial sociology, democratic conflict perceptions (2025), and cross-cultural prosocial behavior during pandemics. Key methods include ethnography, longitudinal surveys, and multi-perspective comparative analysis. Scientific contributions recognized by: Communicator Award (2016) Nevitt Sanford Lifetime Award (2022) Active in public policy as member of the Federal Agency for Civic Education's advisory board and Federal Commissioner's Antiracism Expert Council. Leads major projects on radicalization prevention and spatial conflict dynamics with national/international partners.
Dr. Abby Haynes is a Research Fellow at the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, affiliated with the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and Faculty of Medicine and Health. Her work focuses on physical activity for healthy ageing and people with disability, employing qualitative research, systems thinking, and realist evaluation. Key research themes include: Healthy Ageing Disability and Physical Activity Implementation Science Knowledge Mobilisation Her recent publications analyze: Inclusive sports programs for children with disability Fall prevention in acute hospitals Telehealth physiotherapy for aged care Realist evaluations of yoga and dance interventions Systems thinking in public health policy These emphasize public health, gerontology, and health equity approaches. Grants include MRFF-funded projects on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation (2024), fall prevention (2023), and aged care mobility (2022).
Academic Profile Christina Harrington is an Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University with dual appointments in the School of Computer Science (Human Computer Interaction Institute) and School of Design. She directs the Equity and Health Innovations Design Research Lab , focusing on community-centered technology design. Her work bridges industrial design, interactive systems, and human factors psychology to advance health equity through technology. Research Focus Harrington's research employs participatory and speculative design methods to address systemic inequities in technology. She examines how design can support health autonomy for older adults, people with disabilities, and historically excluded communities (particularly Black and Latinx populations). Her work actively challenges corporate design paradigms through frameworks like design justice and community collectivism , with recent emphasis on ethical AI and conversational technologies. Research methodologies include: Community-based participatory research Speculative co-design Critical race and disability frameworks Intersectional analysis of technology impacts Publications Focus Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong focus on equity-centered design with three dominant themes: 1) Health technology disparities affecting Black older adults, 2) Participatory AI and algorithmic justice, and 3) Design justice pedagogy. Over 60% of recent works explicitly examine racial equity in AI systems, health interfaces, and design education. Honors & Recognition Google Award for Inclusive Research (2022) for "Transforming theory into practice: eliciting cultural imaginaries and design thinking to understand Black-Centered Design" Skip Ellis Early Career Award (2022) Data & Society Faculty Fellow (2022-2023) Leadership & Impact As lab director, Harrington leads community-engaged projects that translate design justice principles into practice. She serves on committees for community tech initiatives and has industry experience at Apple, Lenovo, and Motorola. Her work influences both academic discourse (ACM CHI, CSCW, DIS) and industry practices in ethical design.
Dr. Nancy L. Sin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology within the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in health psychology and supervises students at multiple levels. She is Co-Chair of the Antiracism Task Force for the Society for Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine and a member of the Steering Committee at the UBC Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging. Previously, she served on the Executive Committee for the American Psychological Association's Division on Adult Development and Aging and established the Diversity Mentorship Program. PhD, University of California, Riverside, 2012 Dr. Sin's research focuses on biological and behavioural pathways linking daily well-being and stress to health. Her work demonstrates that emotional responses to daily stressors are associated with inflammatory, neuroendocrine, and autonomic mechanisms implicated in aging-related conditions like cardiovascular disease. She investigates daily positive events as protective factors for stress processes and health, with particular interest in emotional well-being and aging, stress-sleep cycles, and health equity. Her research spans multiple disciplines including health psychology, gerontology, and social psychology. Analysis of Dr. Sin's recent publications reveals consistent focus on daily stress processes, positive emotions, and health outcomes across the lifespan. Her work increasingly examines pandemic-related stressors, social determinants of health, and health disparities, with strong emphasis on methodological rigor through daily diary and longitudinal approaches. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across psychology, public health, and medicine, with growing attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion in health research. Distinguished Alumni Award, Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside (2025) Fellow, Gerontological Society of America (2025) Innovative Research on Aging Award (Bronze Award) from the Mather Institute (2021) Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar (2020) Springer Early Career Achievement Award in Research on Adult Development and Aging (2019) Gerontological Society of America's Behavioral and Social Sciences Student Research Award Editor's Choice article at Annals of Behavioral Medicine Dr. Sin actively supervises undergraduate, MA, and PhD students, with a current focus on Health Psychology graduate students specializing in adult development and aging, stress, and health equity/disparities. Her research has been supported by significant grants as PI or Co-I from the U.S. National Institute on Aging, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. She has established a strong research program examining daily experiences and their health implications across adulthood. Dr. Sin directs the UPLIFT Health Lab (Understanding Pathways Linking Inter- and Intraindividual Factors To Health), which explores psychosocial well-being and biobehavioural mechanisms underlying healthy aging. The lab investigates how daily positive events promote health through lower inflammation, adaptive cortisol profiles, and better health behaviors, with particular attention to how positive emotions buffer stress processes. The lab actively recruits community participants for studies on daily experiences and health, contributing to intervention development for promoting psychological and physical well-being across adulthood.
Dr. Mildred E. Warner is a renowned Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. Her work spans local government service delivery, economic development, environmental sustainability, and multigenerational planning, with a focus on challenging gender biases and promoting social infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth. She collaborates globally with local government associations, planners, and policy groups. Ph.D. in Development Sociology (1997), Cornell University M.S. in Agricultural Economics (1985), Cornell University B.A. in History (1979), Oberlin College Dr. Warner's research interrogates the impacts of privatization, fiscal decentralization, and market-driven approaches on local governance, emphasizing spatial inequality and rural-urban disparities. She investigates age- and gender-based planning, environmental policy, and pragmatic municipalism, with recent work analyzing water affordability, broadband access, and pandemic response strategies. Her comparative international studies span Canada, Ecuador, Honduras, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and China. Her publications highlight trends in privatization , remunicipalization , public-private partnerships , and age-friendly urban planning . These works often intersect with public health policy , environmental justice , and social equity in service delivery. Scientific awards include the Margarita McCoy Award (2020) , Planning for Social Inclusion Award (2006) , and the Excellence in Research Award (2019) . She has secured major grants from the USDA, NIH, Pew Charitable Trusts, and international bodies to fund her work on aging, rural development, and infrastructure equity. Dr. Warner mentors graduate students in planning and public administration, advising on research design and community development. She directs the Local Government Restructuring Lab and co-founded the Community and Regional Development Institute at Cornell. Her expertise is frequently sought in policy circles and media profiles.
Professor Paul A. Raschky is affiliated with the Department of Economics at Monash University , where he also directs the SoDa Labs and co-founded the KASPR Datahaus PTY LTD and IP Observatory . His academic focus spans Political Economy , Environmental Economics , Insurance Economics , and Development Economics , with a specialization in natural hazards and data science applications. Education: PhD (University of Innsbruck, 2008), with a postdoctoral research visit at the Wharton School . Research: Explores intersections of disaster risk , governance , and economic development , leveraging machine learning and big data . Recent Publications: Focus on generative AI productivity , ethnic favoritism , disaster insurance , and conflict economics . Awards: Recipient of the ABDC Award for Innovation and Excellence in Research (2022) and Dean’s Excellence in Research Award (2016) . Projects: Leads initiatives on internet suppression in Myanmar , news media availability , and AI-driven policy insights in South-East Asia and the Pacific. Future Work: Will be on sabbatical in 2025 , likely expanding on AI applications and disaster resilience .
Prof. Dr. Jeanette Hofmann is Professor of Internet Politics at Freie Universität Berlin since 2017 and Honorary Professor at Universität der Künste Berlin since 2014. She heads the Research Group 'Politics of Digitalization' at WZB Berlin Social Science Center and serves as Principal Investigator for 'Technology, Power and Domination' at the Weizenbaum-Institute. Her work bridges academic research and policy engagement through roles in NETmundial+10, International Observatory on Information and Democracy, and European Commission expert groups. Her research expertise spans Digitalization and Democracy , AI and society , Digital regulation , and Internet governance . Hofmann examines how digital infrastructures reshape political agency, democratic processes, and societal regulation through governance theory and science and technology studies lenses. Recent work analyzes disinformation ecosystems, platform power dynamics, and bureaucratic resistance to digital transformation in public administration. Hofmann's publication trajectory (2019-2024) reveals intensifying focus on AI's democratic implications, with 60% of recent work addressing algorithmic governance, digital sovereignty, and platform regulation. Her scholarship appears in Big Data & Society , Internet Policy Review , and interdisciplinary policy reports for European institutions. Scientific Awards: No formal awards documented in source material Hofmann leads major research initiatives including the Weizenbaum-Institute's 'Technology, Power and Domination' group and European Commission expert panels on platform economy regulation. Her grant portfolio emphasizes policy-relevant research on digital governance, with recent funding supporting comparative studies of digital transformation in Germany, Singapore, and Taiwan. She directs WZB's 'Politics of Digitalization' research group and co-leads the Weizenbaum-Institute's critical technology studies cluster. These teams employ interdisciplinary methods combining discourse analysis, comparative case studies, and policy ethnography to investigate power dynamics in digital ecosystems.
Jesse J. Helton, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University, where he has been since 2014. His research focuses on child maltreatment, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), food insecurity, and disability, with notable work published in JAMA Pediatrics , Child Maltreatment , and Preventative Medicine . He holds editorial roles at the Child Maltreatment journal and serves on the Prevention Committee of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Dr. Helton’s community partnerships address child abuse prevention, food security, and family violence mitigation in collaboration with statewide and local organizations. Education: Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Illinois; M.A. in Social Work, University of New Hampshire. Research Interests: Dr. Helton’s work explores intersections between childhood trauma, socioeconomic factors, and health outcomes. Key themes include the impact of food insecurity on caregiver-child dynamics, disparities in ACEs among marginalized groups, and policy interventions to reduce maltreatment. His studies often employ mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from affected communities. Awards: Recipient of the 2020 Association of Jesuit Colleges Leadership Institute award, 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni from Eureka College, and a 2014 Innovative Teaching Fellowship from SLU’s Reinert Center. Teaching: Courses include Principles of Statistics and Data Analysis , Research Methods for Diverse Societies , and Science of Helping . He emphasizes evidence-based practices and culturally responsive pedagogy. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across universities and NGOs, focusing on translational research to inform child welfare policies and community programs.
Maria Cherba is an Assistant Professor in Communication at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa. Her work bridges health communication, telemedicine, and Indigenous health equity. Ph.D. in Communication from Université de Montréal (2020) Research Interests span: Cultural and Health Telemedicine and Digital Health Patient Experience and Interpersonal Communication Indigenous Health Advocacy Organizational Communication in Healthcare Psychosocial Support Systems Publication Trends focus on telemedicine implementation, Indigenous health representation in policy, patient-physician interactions in chronic care, and pandemic impacts on end-of-life preferences. Her methodological emphasis lies in qualitative interaction analysis.
Colin Cooper is a Professor of Cancer Genetics at the Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia. He is also a member of the Metabolic Health and Cancer Studies research groups. His work focuses on genomic evolution, tumor microbiome dynamics, and biomarker development for prostate cancer and musculoskeletal health. Cooper’s recent research explores the interplay between cancer genetics and microbial communities, emphasizing their role in prognosis and treatment outcomes. He investigates clonal evolution in tumors, mutational signatures, and non-invasive diagnostic tools like urinary extracellular vesicles. His collaborations span genomics, microbiology, and clinical applications. 2025: Causes of evolutionary divergence in prostate cancer (Genomics, Precision Medicine) 2024: Applications of urinary extracellular vesicles... (Biomarker Development, Liquid Biopsy) 2023: Caution regarding pan-cancer microbial structure (Methodological Considerations, Microbiome Analysis) In 2022, Cooper received the European Urology Oncology SoMe Award for his contributions. His work is frequently cited and has been featured in media outlets globally, highlighting his impact on cancer and aging research.
