Natalie Phillips is a Professor at Concordia University and holds the Concordia University Research Chair (Tier 1) in Sensory-Cognitive Health in Aging and Dementia. She is affiliated with the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Science and collaborates with institutions like the Lady Davis Institute. Her research integrates behavioral and electrophysiological (ERP) measures to study cognitive aging and dementia. Research Themes : Cognitive aging, bilingualism, sensory-cognitive interactions, Alzheimer's disease, and executive function assessment. Awards : Recipient of the CIHR-Institute of Aging Age Award Collaborations : Involved in major initiatives like the COMPASS-ND study on dementia. Publications highlight her work on bilingualism’s role in cognitive reserve, sensory-cognitive tradeoffs in aging, and neurophysiological markers for early dementia detection. Her research bridges auditory neuroscience, neuropsychology, and clinical applications.
Yannis Ioannidis is a Professor at the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His research spans interdisciplinary areas including database systems, virtual reality applications, and cultural heritage technology. He leads projects integrating technology with education, art, and social sciences, such as VR environments for urban planning (ARSINOE VR) and AI-driven scientific discovery frameworks. His work emphasizes collaborative tools for digital storytelling and participatory cultural experiences. Ioannidis has contributed to advancements in database query optimization, text exploration through SQL extensions (DETEXA), and indexing techniques for data lakes. His recent focus includes exploring the intersection of tabletop role-playing games with historical education and ethical AI-human coevolution. He actively participates in initiatives like the EBRAINS infrastructure for brain research and the MagicARTS social VR project. Notable research trends in his publications include leveraging VR for immersive learning, designing hybrid museum kits, and applying AI to support UN Sustainable Development Goals. His work bridges technical innovation with societal impact, addressing challenges in education, art preservation, and ethical technology use.
Lisa Hale is an academic professional at Oxford Brookes Business School (Oxford Brookes University) with expertise in e-learning, educational technology, and student-teacher collaboration. She serves as Associate Dean for Student Experience and Programme Lead for Pathways Programmes. MA in Online and Distance Education RSA Dip TEFLA Her research focuses on technology-enhanced feedback systems, collaborative learning, and integrating Environmental Social Development (ESD) into educational frameworks. She has pioneered initiatives like strategic LTSE projects and Peer Observation Champions. Hale's recent work emphasizes digital pedagogies, multimodal feedback techniques, and interdisciplinary approaches to education. She actively collaborates with international students across diverse cultural contexts. Key professional affiliations include: BALEAP IATEFL University Pathways Alliance She has presented extensively on topics spanning from audio-visual feedback to social bookmarking tools, demonstrating a commitment to pedagogical innovation.
Shawn Decker is a Professor in the Sound and Art and Technology Studies departments at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). His work bridges music composition, visual arts, and performance, employing electronic and physical media to explore natural and unnatural worlds. Notable collaborations include partnerships with Jan Erik-Andersson, Anne Wilson, and Jan Tichy. His installations have been exhibited globally at venues like the Kiasma Museum (Helsinki), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), and the Chicago Cultural Center. Decker's teaching and artistic practice are interconnected, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods. His research focuses on environmental soundscapes, bioacoustics (particularly birdsong), and merging traditional folk music with modern technology. Key projects include the Prairie installation and the Bird’s Nest collaboration with Jan-Erik Andersson, exploring historical and contemporary sound contexts in architectural spaces. His recent works include immersive installations like The Night Sounds and Sauna-stereo , reflecting ongoing investigations into natural systems and urban environments. Exhibitions frequently integrate multi-channel soundscapes and interactive elements, showcasing his expertise in both technical and conceptual artistry.
Nicol Nixon Augusté serves as Professor of Liberal Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) since 2009, following prior appointments including Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina, Lancaster (2007-2009) and Lecturer at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro (2004, 2006-2007). Her two-decade academic career spans multiple institutions across the United States with a consistent focus on interdisciplinary humanities. Her educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in English from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, an M.A. in English from Western Carolina University, and a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Marietta College, establishing her expertise at the intersection of literature, religion, and cultural studies. Dr. Augusté's research centers on Religious Studies with emphases in Christian Literature and Female Saints, where she examines gendered religious experiences through poetic and scholarly lenses. Her work actively bridges Women's Studies and Native American Studies, particularly in analyzing syncretic religious identities like Chippewa-Catholic traditions. This manifests in both academic publications and creative outputs, including her poetry collection 'Rome’s Female Saints: A Poetic Pilgrimage to the Eternal City' which explores sacred geography through verse. Her methodology consistently integrates literary analysis with theological inquiry and cultural anthropology. Analysis of her 2016-2019 publications reveals a cohesive trajectory exploring female sanctity across cultural contexts, with increasing attention to indigenous religious experiences and pedagogical innovation. The corpus demonstrates interdisciplinary rigor through encyclopedia contributions on Christian theology, poetic explorations of pilgrimage, and visual/audio projects examining teaching methodologies in art education contexts. Her scholarly recognition includes: Research sabbatical for 'Women of the Way: Writing the Camino do Santiago' in France and Spain (2019) Affiliated fellowship at the American Academy in Rome for 'Verbum Eius: Versing the Biblical Female Voice' (2016) SCAD Professional Development Stipend (2013) SCAD Presidential Fellowship for 'Renowned Catawba Potters' project (2011) As an active member of the Academy of American Poets and Conference on Christianity and Literature, she has chaired numerous panels at national conferences including CCCC and Southeast Regional Conference on Christianity and Literature. Her presentations consistently address intersections of faith, literature, and art education, while her current projects suggest continued exploration of Catawba cultural heritage and poetic forms of theological expression.
Wang Zhaoxia is an Associate Professor of Computer Science (Practice) at the School of Computing and Information Systems, Singapore Management University. Her expertise lies in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Machine Learning with a focus on Natural Language Processing (NLP), Sentiment Analysis, and Knowledge Graphs. She holds a PhD from Nankai University (2004). Research Interests: Her work spans AI-driven solutions for sentiment analysis, maritime risk management, audio-to-music conversion, and social media analytics. Recent projects include leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) for tasks like logical reasoning, translation optimization, and risk assessment. Publications: Recent work highlights include developing metrics for LLM performance (RAP), emotion analysis in images, and automated music transcription. Her research demonstrates cross-disciplinary applications of AI in fields like finance (ICO success prediction) and health (disease surveillance). Awards: No awards explicitly listed Advising: Supervises 3 PhD/Master students including HUANG Donghao and Nicole Anne Hui Ying TEO Contact: zxwang@smu.edu.sg | +65 68261347
Devon Ward is an Assistant Professor at Auburn University's School of Industrial and Graphic Design within the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. He holds a Master of Biological Art from the University of Western Australia and a Bachelor of Graphic Design from the University of Florida. His research focuses on the expanding field of design, emphasizing interdisciplinary, future-oriented, and inclusive approaches across biological design, motion graphics, and speculative practices. Devon teaches courses such as Introduction to Graphic Design and Advanced Interactive Media, mentoring students who have achieved notable recognition including Graphis New Talent Awards. He has advised students like Jay Denning, Emma Burns, and Lavens Maginnis whose projects received accolades for their innovative designs. Education: Master of Biological Art, University of Western Australia Bachelor of Graphic Design, University of Florida Research Interests: Devon explores intersections between biological systems and design education, advocating for creative practices that address contemporary societal and environmental challenges. His work integrates speculative design, critical pedagogy, and emerging technologies. Student Achievements: Jay Denning (silver award, Munich logo design) Emma Burns (honorable mention, Guangzhou logo) Ally Mathis (honorable mention, Hanoi logo) Lavens Maginnis (honorable mention, digital ID app) Carly DeSimone (honorable mention, noise detection app) Grants & Recognition: His work has been supported by Auburn University's College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) Seed Grant program. Students under his guidance have been highlighted in Graphis New Talent Awards and GDUSA 'Students to Watch' listings.
Dr. Melody Moh is a Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Computer Science at San Jose State University, where she has been a faculty member since 1993. Her research focuses on cloud computing, mobile networks, security/privacy in networks, and machine learning applications. She coordinates Cyber Security Certificates and has published over 130 refereed papers in journals, conferences, and book chapters. Moh holds an MS and PhD in Computer Science from the University of California, Davis. Research Interests: Cloud and Network Security, 5G Networks, IoT Security, Blockchain Applications, Machine Learning for Cybersecurity, Smart Grid Authentication, and Fog Computing. Her work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations, such as developing efficient cache management for Cloud-RAN systems and adversarial defense mechanisms for deep learning models. Recent Publications: Recent work includes blockchain-based public key infrastructure, adversarial attacks on deep learning models, and autonomous driving systems using LiDAR data. Her research often involves student collaborators, with many publications featuring *SJSU students. Awards: Best Paper Runner-Up (2019 ACM Southeast Conference) for randomized load balancing research, and Honorable/Best Paper Award (2018 ACM Southeast) for cache management in 5G networks. Grants & Labs: Secured over $500K in NSF and industry grants. Leads research teams focusing on cybersecurity, edge computing, and AI-driven network optimization. Active in collaborative projects with industry partners and government agencies.
Peter Gregg is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Digital Media Arts at the University of St. Thomas, College of Arts and Sciences. He coordinates Digital Media Arts programs and teaches courses in media production, analysis, and film studies. His professional background includes media production across film, audio, and web design, alongside leadership in DEI initiatives and award-winning student media projects through TommieMedia. Gregg’s research focuses on emerging media, parasocial interaction, media literacy, and the intersection of media with cultural and societal issues like prejudice and sports analytics. He has held leadership roles in the National Audio Theatre Festivals (NATF), including vice-president and president, advocating for audio as an art form and advancing diversity initiatives. His work bridges theoretical scholarship with practical media production, emphasizing inclusive pedagogy and storytelling. Notable scientific awards include the National Communication Association’s Charles H. Woolbert Research Award for his paper on the Parasocial Contact Hypothesis, recognition by the Society for American Baseball Research as one of the fifty most influential papers, and a cinematography award for his webseries Forsythia . His audio drama The Chronos Paragon won the 'Best New Original Ongoing Production' at the Audio Verse Awards and was a NATF HEAR Now festival selection. Gregg advises the UST Film Society and collaborates with Prof. Keston and Dr. Neuzil on DEI frameworks in media production. He oversees TommieMedia’s nationally recognized student content and has completed the Inclusive Classroom Institute certification (2017). His teaching spans foundational courses like Digital Imagery and Sound and advanced topics such as Advanced Media Production , integrating media technology with critical analysis. He is affiliated with the Society of American Baseball Researchers and contributes to interdisciplinary projects like Honors Hollywood’s Reporters (Summer 2025) and Motion Graphics and Digital Visual Effects (Fall 2025). His research has been published in journals such as Communication Monographs and Journal of Homosexuality , and in edited volumes including Mass Media Effects .
Mira Yun is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Networking at Wentworth's School of Computing and Data Science since 2011. She teaches courses including Wireless Networks, Medical Device Networking, and Network Programming, while focusing on wireless communication and IoT research. 2011–Present: Associate Professor at Wentworth Taught 8+ courses spanning wireless systems to programming fundamentals Her research explores wireless communication applications in public safety, medical devices, and educational technology. Publications demonstrate interdisciplinary work combining IoT with pedagogy and safety systems. Recent publications (2019–2021) show diverse contributions across: IoT applications Wireless network optimization STEM education innovation Medical technology Emergency communication systems Acoustic data transmission Her work emphasizes hands-on learning and community engagement, particularly through projects involving undergraduate researchers and youth education initiatives.
Laurel Westrup serves as a Continuing Lecturer and Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy (GCWP) at UCLA Writing Programs, where she has held a full-time position since 2011 after previously working as a Teaching Fellow and Teaching Assistant Consultant. Her academic credentials include: B.A. in Communication from UC San Diego M.A. and Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies from UCLA Dr. Westrup's research bridges media theory, popular music, and composition pedagogy, with particular emphasis on how sonic and visual media shape cultural narratives and educational practices. Her work critically examines sampling techniques, soundtrack aesthetics, and writing instruction methodologies within contemporary digital landscapes. Her scholarly contributions feature co-edited volumes exploring media archaeology and audio culture, reflecting consistent engagement with interdisciplinary approaches to media studies. These publications demonstrate evolving trends toward analyzing music's role in media production and the pedagogical implications of digital composition practices. Through the GCWP program, she provides extensive mentorship to graduate student instructors while teaching core composition courses including English Composition 2, 130E, M185 for the Professional Writing Minor, and GCWP-focused Composition 402, frequently integrating her expertise in Media and Popular Music Studies into curriculum design.
Joel Wanek is a Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Berkeley, where he integrates film, sound, and geospatial practices into his teaching and creative non-fiction work. His research interests span Critical Environments, Geospatial Representation, Racial Geographies, and the interplay of spatial poetics with sound and image. Education: M.F.A. in Experimental and Documentary Arts from Duke University (2011–2013), B.A. in Photography from Webster University (1992–1996). Teaching: Courses include Sonic Geographies (GEOG 126), Geographic Film Production (GEOG 127), and Visual Geography (GEOG 189). Wanek’s creative practice merges experimental/documentary film, field recording, and spatial inquiry. His work interrogates urban soundscapes, racial dynamics, and the immaterial possibilities of media. Key projects include the long-form audio documentary series Here Is Where We Meet (2019–2023), focused on Lake Merritt’s ecological and social layers, and Reveil 8 (2021), a live dawn chorus broadcast. Scientific and Artistic Recognition 2023: Collegium Grant and UC-AFT Local 1474 Grant at UC Berkeley 2018: Individual Artist Grant from the City of Oakland 2014: Multiple festival awards for Sun Song , including Best Cinematography at the Ann Arbor Film Festival 2013: Vtape Award for Best Video at Images Festival His films have screened globally at venues such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam, ICA London, and the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Wanek’s professional background includes video journalism for Emmy Award-winning series and collaborations with institutions like the ACLU and NY Times.
Professor David Burr is a faculty member in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on perception, vision science, and neuroscience, particularly investigating spatial-temporal processing, multisensory integration, and cognitive mechanisms underlying sensory perception. He is affiliated with the Griffith Taylor Building on campus and can be reached at david.burr@sydney.edu.au . His work spans foundational studies in visual perception (e.g., color crowding, cross-orientation inhibition) to interdisciplinary topics like audio-visual interaction and human-robot interaction. Recent studies highlight adaptive spatial integration mechanisms and the role of sound in disambiguating visual scenes. Key Research Themes: Multisensory perception, temporal processing, visual neuroscience, cognitive development. Notable Contributions: Pioneering work on space-time perception and sensory calibration across modalities. Professor Burr has been recognized with prestigious awards, including election to the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (2018) for distinguished contributions to social sciences. His research has been supported by grants such as the 2017 USYD Startup Psy initiative. Collaborations include projects on human-robot interaction and perceptual learning, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to understanding sensory systems.
Ms. Kate Offer is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the UWA Law School, specializing in Legal Education, Torts, and Evidence. She holds degrees of BA, LLB, and LLM from the University of Western Australia. Her roles include Deputy Head of School (Learning & Teaching), Director of Applied Innovation, and membership in the Faculty of Law Learning and Teaching Committee. She contributed to grants such as the 2017 Centre for Education Futures Grant for legal storytelling and the 2012 Improving Student Learning Grant for Audio-Visual Resources. Her research focuses on legal pedagogy and educational innovation, including legal technology integration (e.g., APPtitude projects) and co-creation methods. She chairs the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia's Disciplinary Committee and previously served on Wesley College Council. Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Western Australia. Research Interests: Kate’s work emphasizes enhancing legal education through technology, storytelling, and student engagement. She explores the intersection of legal practice and pedagogy, with notable contributions to mooting in Torts, legal apps development, and humor in the classroom. Her research also addresses student attendance trends and their impact on wellbeing and teaching efficacy. Key Contributions: Her publications span legal education methodologies, technology integration, and professional recognition (e.g., ALEA Award for Teaching Excellence, 2022). She has led projects like the Legal APPtitude Pilot Program and contributed to textbooks such as Western Australian Evidence Law and Connecting with Tort Law . Awards: WLWA Woman Lawyer of the Year (2020) University of Western Australia Excellence in Teaching (2018) Multiple Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching (2017, 2020) Advising & Grants: Supervised grants totaling over $4,500 for educational initiatives. Her work bridges theory and practice, with projects like the Legal APPtitude program merging AI and legal education. She collaborates on curricular innovations, including the Adulting: Law for Everyday Lives unit. Teams & Labs: Directs the Applied Innovation unit and leads collaborative research with colleagues like Alex Cook and Liam Elphick. Engages in interdisciplinary projects through the UWA Law School’s strategic initiatives.
Professor Tom Bäckström is a faculty member at Aalto University, focusing on advanced speech and audio processing technologies with a strong emphasis on privacy and security in voice communication systems. His work addresses challenges posed by smart devices and speech interfaces, particularly in ensuring privacy in public spaces and open environments. Research interests include speech privacy preservation, distributed speech/audio coding, federated learning for on-device speaker recognition, and the ethical design of conversational AI systems. His contributions span technical innovations like anonymization techniques for speaker attributes, real-time noise suppression, and privacy-aware acoustic systems. Recent studies highlight user perceptions of anonymity in voice assistants across cultures, optimization of vector quantization methods, and the integration of machine learning into speech enhancement frameworks. While no specific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided texts, his prolific publication record reflects sustained impact in signal processing and privacy research. He leads a research group exploring the intersection of audio engineering and privacy, emphasizing practical solutions for emerging technologies like IoT audio networks and smart office acoustics. His work bridges theoretical advancements with real-world applications, addressing both technical and socio-ethical dimensions of speech technology.
