Jenna Harris is a Tutor in the Centre for Jazz Performance at Dublin City University's School of Theology, Philosophy and Music. As a vocalist and composer specializing in jazz and improvised music, she leads the ensemble Berri and integrates live audio processing with reactive visuals. Harris founded the Gender Balance Awareness platform to address representation gaps in music education and co-directs Jazz Camp for Girls, an international program teaching improvisation to young students. Her pedagogical approach combines: Experimental vocal techniques and looping technology Historical analysis of jazz traditions Curriculum development for gender-inclusive music education Community outreach through improvisation workshops
Hugh O'Dwyer is a Teaching Professor at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) within the Department of Electronic Engineering, where he lectures on the M.Phil in Music and Media Technology (MMT) program. He holds a Ph.D. from TCD (2021) under Prof. Frank Boland, focusing on Machine Learning applications for audio, particularly Sound Source Localization and Virtual Testing of Binaural Audio. His doctoral work included objective/subjective headphone and ambisonic microphone evaluation, alongside machine learning-based localization methods. Education: He graduated from TCD's School of Engineering with a Biomedical Engineering degree (2015), researching EEG-based musical instrument perception in the brain through his thesis. During studies, he actively participated in Trinity Orchestra and Jazz Society roles, earning a lifetime honorary membership for his contributions. Research interests span spatial audio engineering, machine learning in acoustics, and music technology education. He has published extensively with the Audio Engineering Society (AES), presenting at conferences in Helsinki, Milan, and Dublin. His work includes VR audio recording techniques, sound projector calibration, and ambisonic microphone comparisons. Outside academia, he mentors young musicians through the Suburban Sounds program and developed a CPD course in music technology for over 100 teachers during the pandemic. As a musician/producer, he has collaborated with prominent Irish artists like Hozier and Saint Sister, and his band Spies' album 'Constancy' (2018) received critical acclaim.
Harry Nguyen (Hoang D. Nguyen) is a Lecturer and Programme Director for the MSc in Computing Science at University College Cork. Affiliated with the SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, he leads research in reliable AI systems for healthcare and sustainability. Research Focus: Develops robust ML models integrating graph networks and multimodal learning, with applications in medical diagnosis (e.g., COVID-19 detection via cough analysis) and environmental monitoring. Directs the Reliable Machine Intelligence research group. Advising: Mentors 15+ graduate students on projects spanning federated learning, sound-based diagnostics, and conversational AI for diabetes care. Secured funding from Science Foundation Ireland for CRT-AI initiatives.
Alexander Khalil is a Senior Lecturer in Music at University College Cork (UCC) and Visiting Senior Lecturer of Research at King’s College London’s Social Genetic Developmental Psychiatry Centre. His work bridges ethnomusicology, cognitive science, and neuroscience, focusing on the intersubjective experience of time in music. He holds a PhD in Music from UC San Diego (2009) and has held roles including Executive Director of the Center for World Music (1999-2003) and Postdoctoral Scholar at UCSD’s Temporal Dynamics of Learning Center (2010-2014). His research explores Byzantine chant, Middle Eastern music, and Balinese gamelan, with a focus on cultural cognition and group-level neural dynamics. Major projects include the SoundMind initiative (funded by the Tianqiao Chen Institute) investigating Audio Augmented Reality for dementia, and the Lullaby Exchange, a global crowdsourced lullaby archive. He has secured over €2.5M in grants including Irish Research Council and NSF funding. Teaching includes undergraduate courses in Middle Eastern music and cognitive ethnomusicology, alongside postgraduate modules in music perception and ethnomusicological theory. He supervises 15+ graduate students and chairs UCC’s Film, Music & Theatre Doctoral School. Awards include the IEEE Brain Initiative First Place Award (2016) and San Diego State University’s Alumnus of the Year (2013).
Yuansong (John) Qiao is a Research Fellow at the Software Research Institute (SRI), Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. His work spans cybersecurity, blockchain, and reinforcement learning, contributing to technologies like decentralized edge environments, intrusion detection systems, and immersive 360° video analytics. He supervises PhD students and actively explores applications in robotics, digital twins, and IoT. Recent publications highlight his focus on multi-view deep learning for anomaly detection , blockchain integration with AI , and ROS-based reinforcement learning . These works address challenges in cyber threat identification, decentralized finance, and smart manufacturing. His methodological innovations include knowledge graphs for security analytics and spatial audio analysis for VR environments. Qiao’s research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Quality Education (through supervised student projects) and Industry Innovation (via tools like Containerchain and UniROS). His collaborations span cybersecurity frameworks, decentralized robotics, and privacy-preserving systems for smart cities.
Nicholas Ward is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick, with a secondary affiliation to the Digital Media and Arts Research Centre. His work bridges computer science, digital media, and music technology, focusing on interactive systems, gesture analysis, and sound engineering. Research interests include: (1) Digital Musical Instruments (DMIs) and collaborative agency in live performance, (2) Hyper-compression effects in audio mastering, (3) Biometric measurement of movement through Laban Analysis and electromyography, and (4) Tangible interfaces for embodied interaction. His work spans theoretical studies and creative installations, with notable projects like the Gestroviser DMI system and sound installations involving light planes and multi-channel audio. Publications (2007-2019) explore topics ranging from listener perception studies to gesture-based interface design, with a focus on real-time systems and user-centric innovations. His research has been presented at venues like TEI, NIME, and the Audio Engineering Society conferences. Current activities include exploring agency in human-machine collaboration, sound quality dimensions in compressed audio, and movement analysis frameworks for interactive systems design.
Jurgen Bauer is a Lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at South East Technological University (formerly Waterford Institute of Technology). He holds a Diplom-Ingenieur (Architecture) from Braunschweig Technical University and has professional experience in architectural offices across Germany, Switzerland, and Ireland. His research focuses on architectural acoustics, soundscape design, and sustainable urban development, particularly in the context of climate adaptation and resilient design. He coordinates initiatives like the ‘Building Change 2022–2025’ project, which aims to integrate climate resilience into architectural education. Bauer is a chartered member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the German Chamber of Architects (AKH/AKSH). Education: 1986–1993: Architectural Studies at Braunschweig Technical University, Germany, and ETH Zurich, Switzerland 1993: Diplom-Ingenieur (Architecture) from Braunschweig Technical University 2001: Certificate in Building Energy Consulting from Kassel University Research Interests: Soundscape design and its application in architectural projects Climate-resilient urban development and circular economy strategies Acoustic awareness in architectural education and design processes International collaboration in architectural education and sustainable design Bauer’s publications explore topics like ISO standards for soundscape, acoustic design tools for architects, and the integration of hearing into design education. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities (SDG 11), climate action (SDG 13), and quality education (SDG 4). He has held visiting roles at institutions like Chalmers University of Technology and UNAM (Mexico), and actively engages in professional organizations such as the Acoustical Society of America and the German Society of Acoustics.
Dr. David Sinclair is an Associate Professor and Year Head in the School of Computing at Dublin City University, affiliated with the Dependable Systems, Software Engineering, and Security research groups. His research spans formal methods, distributed systems, real-time systems, and AI applications in strategic games. Teaching responsibilities include foundational and advanced courses: CSC1018 Logic CSC1048 Computability & Complexity CSC1098 Compiler Construction CSC1141 Concurrent Programming CSC1049 Third Year Project supervision His publications demonstrate strong focus on real-time systems, motion prediction, and immersive technologies, with recent work exploring AI-driven virtual environments and light field processing. Research consistently addresses computational efficiency and formal verification challenges.
Jacqueline Walker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland. She is affiliated with the Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science and the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems. Education: Bachelor of Engineering (University of Western Australia, 1993) B.A. (University of Western Australia, 1988) Research Interests span telecommunications synchronization, nonlinear signal processing, and higher-order statistics with applications in biomedical, speech, and music domains. Key areas include: Satellite and network timing transfer Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems Musical sound synthesis and transcription Biomedical signal reconstruction (EMG/MEAP) Jitter analysis and metastability Recent Publications highlight trends in SDR for offshore energy networks (2023), direct-sequence spread spectrum (2021), and cross-disciplinary work in music processing (2014–2003) and biomedical signal analysis (2005–2001). Her work integrates spectral modeling, genetic algorithms, and bispectrum techniques. Labs & Teams: Active in the Centre for Research Training in Foundations of Data Science and Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, focusing on data-driven and robotic applications.
Adrielle Nazar Moraes is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering at the Technological University of the Shannon. Her PhD research (2024) examined the impact of distractors on auditory localization in VR environments. She holds a PhD from TU Shannon (2024). Research specializes in VR-based cognitive studies, particularly: Effects of multisensory distractions on attention Gender differences in VR task performance Gaze behavior analysis during auditory tasks Her work uses physiological metrics like skin conductance and eye-tracking to assess cognitive load and performance in immersive environments. Publications appear in IEEE ISMAR and QoMEX conferences.
Brendan Rooney is an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at University College Dublin (UCD) and Director of the Media and Entertainment Psychology Lab. He also serves as Director of the UCD Psychology Graduate Research Programme. Previously, he held roles at institutions like Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Columbia University as a Visiting Scientist. His research focuses on social cognition, visual perception, and the interplay of cognitive/emotional processes in media, arts, and entertainment contexts. He has collaborated with interdisciplinary teams across creative industries, computer science, and cognitive neuroscience. Key contributions include founding the Psychological Society of Ireland's Special Interest Group for Media, Arts & Cyberpsychology and his fellowship in the Society for the Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image (SCSMI). Rooney holds a BA, MLitt, and PhD from UCD. He has received awards such as the UCD Teaching Award for excellence in pedagogy, emphasizing innovation and student engagement. His teaching philosophy prioritizes active learning, transferable skills, and community-building. He coordinates modules like Advanced Psychology Seminars and Research Methods & Statistics. His grants include a 2023-2025 study on psychosocial needs in neuromuscular disorders and a German-funded project on narrative features influencing empathy. Over 127+ publications span topics like VR defusion techniques, music's role in pain management, and cinematic close-up effects on cognition.
Jeffrey Weeter is a Professor at the School of Music and Theatre, University College Cork (UCC), with a transdisciplinary focus on music composition, audio engineering, and interactive technology. As an Emmy Award-winning audio engineer and co-investigator of the IRC-funded 'Loop Love' project, he bridges traditional composition with cutting-edge digital innovation through his Cork Audio Visual Ensemble (CAVE). His research spans Interactive new media composition Digital musical instrument design Live audio-visual performance systems Guerrilla sound techniques Sound installation art Performance dynamics with IoT devices Jeffrey's work analyzes audience-performer-technology relationships through 100+ international compositions, including collaborations with DJ Kate Simko for world tours and the 2018 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award-winning 'Concert' project. His peer-reviewed publications in IEEE Transactions on Haptics and Organised Sound examine haptic feedback mechanisms in musical contexts. Scientific recognition includes 2009 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement 2017 UCC CACSSS Visiting Scholar Award Multiple Daytime Emmy nominations (2006-2010) 1999 Sherman Conaway Academic Excellence Award 2003 William H. Macy Scholarship He advises doctoral students in music and media technologies and serves on UCC's Academic Development Committee, IT Committee, and Research Committee. As founder of CAVE, he develops custom instruments for electronic performance.
Kevin Casey is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science , Faculty of Science & Engineering , Maynooth University , associated with the Hamilton Institute . Since 2015 he has taught and researched at Maynooth, focusing on computational thinking education, learning analytics, virtual-machine interpreters, and educational technology innovation. Education PhD in Computer Science – Trinity College Dublin MSc (by Research) Computer Science – University College Dublin BSc (Hons) Computer Science – University College Dublin Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Training and Education – Griffith College Dublin Diploma in Training and Education – Griffith College Dublin Research Interests Dr Casey’s research integrates computer-science education with advanced analytics and systems design. He investigates how computational-thinking curricula can be co-created with teachers and scaled across diverse communities, from primary schools to nursing homes. He employs eye-tracking and keystroke analytics to model learner behaviour and predict academic performance, and explores immersive virtual-reality environments for collaborative programming. On the systems side, he optimises virtual-machine interpreters and studies the impact of JVM configuration on performance and energy efficiency. Projects & Funding CoCoA II (2023–2024) – Principal Investigator, €299,976 SFI Discover Programme Mob-programming in an Immersive VR Environment (2016–2017) – Co-supervisor, €96,000 Eye See, You Understand – Co-supervisor, €96,000 (eye-tracking analytics) InSPECT – Collaborator, €272,895 (computational-thinking outreach to DEIS schools) Professional Service Local Organising Committee Member, ITiCSE 2022 Steering Committee Member, International Conference on Engaging Pedagogy (ICEP) 2008–2018 Joint-publication Chair, ICEP 2015–2016
Behnam Faghih is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Science & Engineering at Maynooth University, specializing in Computer Science with a focus on music technology. His work bridges traditional audio signal processing and modern machine learning approaches for audio/musical analysis. A professional Santoor player with over 12 years of private music study, he brings unique interdisciplinary expertise to his academic role. Education PhD in Singing Signal Analysis, Maynooth University MSc in Information Technology (e-commerce) Bs in Software Development With teaching experience since 2007, he focuses on music programming, software development modules, and has founded two successful software startups. His research combines computational approaches with musicology, evidenced through two published books and multiple peer-reviewed publications.
Arun Sankar MS is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Electronic Engineering and Communications at SETU Carlow. He holds an ORCID identifier (0000-0002-2798-9846) and is currently accepting PhD students. His research focuses on cybersecurity, speech/image processing, deep learning, and AI applications in healthcare and VLSI process analysis. He co-supervises two PhD students and serves as a reviewer for journals/conferences. He is an active IEEE member, delivering invited talks and organizing conferences. Research Interests: Arun Sankar’s work spans designing AI-driven systems for sepsis classification, cybersecurity (e.g., voice assistant jamming), and VLSI hotspot detection. He applies GANs for AI advancements and explores secure authentication techniques. His projects include embedded device voice recognition systems and medical AI applications to enhance patient care. Recent collaborations involve researchers globally, with a focus on denial-of-service attacks and deepfake detection. Grants & Awards: While no specific grants are listed, his contributions include peer-reviewed publications (h-index 10, 2 citations). He has contributed to conferences like RAICS and PerCom Workshops, addressing topics such as CNN-based hotspot detection and voice spoofing. Labs & Teams: Collaborations are emphasized, but specific lab affiliations are not mentioned. He actively seeks partnerships for expanding research in AI, cybersecurity, and medical applications.
