Jim Rogers is an Associate Professor and Chair of PhD Studies at the School of Communications, Dublin City University. His research focuses on media and cultural industries, music, and copyright, with an emphasis on the digital transformation of the music industry, global strategies, and policy implications. He has authored and edited multiple books and articles on topics such as the evolution of performing rights organizations, the audio-visual nexus, and Ireland's music industry success. Rogers has presented at international conferences across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, engaging with issues like intellectual property, creative destruction, and cultural policy. His work bridges academic theory and industry practice, addressing the intersection of technology, law, and cultural production.
Jaremey McMullin is a Senior Lecturer in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews, where he conducts research on post-conflict reintegration, youth peacebuilding, and veterans' politics. His work spans academic research, policy advising, and documentary filmmaking, with a focus on Liberia and the United States. Education: PhD in International Relations, University of Oxford (2006) Master of Studies in Forced Migration, University of Oxford (2001) MA in Comparative Ethnic Conflict, Queen's University Belfast (2000) BA in Government (International Relations) and Italian, Georgetown University (1999) His research centers on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR), particularly how ex-combatant youth reintegrate through livelihoods like motorcycling in Liberia. He investigates veterans’ return, stigma, and peer support, employing qualitative and ethnographic methods. His 2013 monograph Ex-Combatants and the Post-Conflict State is a key contribution to the field. His recent work explores gendered dynamics in peace processes and youth-led peacebuilding narratives. McMullin’s publications span top journals such as Review of International Studies , Peacebuilding , and Conflict, Security & Development . His recent articles examine masculinities in peace processes, community dialogues in the Mano River Basin, and the role of documentary filmmaking in peace research. He integrates visual media into scholarship, producing acclaimed films like Silkies and Liberia: Legacies of Peace . Scientific Awards and Recognition: Award of Recognition, Close:Up Edinburgh Docufest (2020) Official Selection, Ethnografilm, Paris (2022) Official Selection, Film for Peace, Toronto (2020, 2021) Official Selection, MHSA Film Festival, Colorado (2021) He advises the United Nations on DDR programming, serving on the Research Working Group of the Integrated DDR Training Group. He has led multiple funded projects, including those supported by the Scottish Funding Council. He regularly delivers invited talks and participates in international policy workshops. He supervises graduate research and contributes to public discourse through media engagement and peer review. McMullin is actively involved in research networks and has contributed to public policy impacts, particularly in shaping UN approaches to ex-combatant reintegration. His work supports UN Sustainable Development Goals related to peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Lisa Åkervall is an Associate Professor of Film Studies and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg. Her research bridges film theory, digital media, and cultural studies, with a focus on how neoliberal frameworks shape contemporary audiovisual experiences. Her core research explores: Cinematic affect and sensory transformation in digital environments Postcinematic aesthetics beyond traditional film formats Sound studies and voice modulation technologies Neoliberal cultural techniques in media production Digital subjectivity formation through social media platforms Publication analysis reveals consistent engagement with digital media transformations since 2015, evolving from foundational cinema studies toward critical examinations of networked identities, algorithmic aesthetics, and media ecologies in neoliberal contexts. Recent works (2021-2024) demonstrate intensified focus on gender performance, theatricality, and digital voice modulation.
Dr. Jenny Holt is a Reader in Film and Deputy Head of the School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her practice-led research bridges film practice, pedagogy, and environmental humanities, focusing on dialogues between human labor and natural landscapes through documentary filmmaking. Current Research : Multispecies industries in Scottish Highlands rewilding initiatives, exploring film’s role in repositioning human activity within ecological flows. Pedagogy : Emphasizes innovative storytelling, critical praxis, and student-led research strategies in art and design education. Screenings : Films like Uplands and The Great Bear have been featured at Ethnografilm, London Short Film Festival, and international galleries. Industry Experience : Freelance TV production work for UK broadcasters including BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. Her recent publications examine film’s intersection with environmental futures, rural labor, and educational design. She actively supervises PhD students in film practice as research.
Dr. Wenting Cheng is a Senior Lecturer at the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland, and an affiliate of the Australian Centre for Private Law. She specializes in intellectual property law, sustainability governance, and their intersection, with a focus on energy regulation (hydrogen/offshore wind), climate transition, and green finance. She holds a PhD in Regulation and Governance from the Australian National University (2018) and was a Grand Challenge Fellow (2020-2023) exploring energy transition challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration. Her research examines IP as a regulatory tool for knowledge commodification and its impact on climate objectives/access to medicines. Key areas include green finance governance, ESG disclosure, and regulatory frameworks for 'green' boundaries. She has published widely in journals like Climate Policy and International Environmental Agreements , and her 2023 monograph China in Global Governance of Intellectual Property addresses distributive justice issues. Awards include the 2023 Asian Society of International Law Young Scholar Prize. Her work bridges legal scholarship with practical policy challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to global regulatory capitalism. Dr. Cheng advises on energy transition projects and contributes to initiatives like the ACT’s Integrated Energy Plan (2023). She collaborates across law, engineering, and economics to address systemic challenges in sustainable development.
Dr. Alexander Wilson is a Lecturer in Urban Planning at Newcastle University's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape , where he also serves as Degree Programme Director for BA Urban Planning & MPlan. His research bridges digital technology, human-computer interaction, and urban planning to innovate participatory methods. Doctoral training in Digital Civics (EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training) Postdoctoral research with ESRC Fellowship on technology-enabled urban planning participation Research explores: Digital wearables (e.g., ChangeExplorer smartwatch app for citizen feedback) Tangible devices (e.g., JigsAudio for creative place discussion) Participatory design at scale, including Metro Futures with Nexus/Stadler Historical-technological dialogues in rural church preservation Recent publications analyze: Digital planning adoption during COVID-19 LEGO®-based collaborative planning Basement development as elite spatial strategy Key recognition includes ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship for consolidating doctoral research and professional engagement. Teaching includes modules on: Development Management (TCP3053) Digital Civics (TCP2031) Planning Contexts (APL1003)
Dr Jessica O’Bryan is an Associate Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of the Sunshine Coast ’s School of Education and Tertiary Access. A trained opera singer turned educator-researcher, she combines decades of performance and secondary-school teaching experience with scholarly investigation into music education, singing pedagogy, and assessment in higher education. Education PhD – University of Queensland MMus – Monash University GradDipEd – University of Melbourne BMus – University of Melbourne Research Interests Jessica’s research centres on arts education , music education , singing pedagogy , and learning cultures . She employs narrative inquiry and qualitative methods to interrogate how teachers’ and students’ identities are shaped within conservatoire and tertiary settings. Recent work explores the interface between classical vocal technique and musical-theatre training, the emotional dimensions of studio teaching, and the use of audio-visual data to capture nuanced pedagogical interactions. Awards & Fellowships Australian Postgraduate Award (3.5-year stipend, 2009–2012) ANATS Travel Award (2008) Dame Mabel Kent Scholarships (1992–1994) Mona McConaughy Award (1993) Dame Nellie Melba Prize – First place (1992) Musicological Society of Australia Travel Award (2011) Teaching & Grant Landscape At UniSC Jessica coordinates and lectures in secondary-arts curriculum units ranging from junior to senior secondary levels, as well as professional-experience orientation and research-communication subjects. While specific grant amounts are not detailed, her sustained competitive funding through university scholarships and national travel awards underpins a vibrant research agenda that feeds directly into curriculum innovation. Creative & Collaborative Labs Although no formal lab title is provided, Jessica’s collaborative networks span the Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre at UniSC, the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS) , and the International Society for Music Education (ISME) . She continues to perform jazz and classical music, maintaining an embodied connection to the artistic practices she investigates.
Xiaohui Yuan is an Associate Professor in Interpreting and Translation Studies at the University of Birmingham's Department of Modern Languages. Their research focuses on interpreter identity management, sociolinguistic aspects of translation, and the role of interpreting in mediation. Prior to academia, they worked as a professional interpreter for organizations like the UN, WHO, and ITU, and briefly as a financial analyst with a Big Four firm. Education: PhD, MA, and BA qualifications (specific fields not detailed). Research emphasizes theoretical frameworks like the Symbolic Interactionist Model of Interpreter’s Identity Management (SIMIIM), exploring how societal, communicative, and individual factors influence interpreters' roles. Other interests include face management in translation, cross-cultural politeness, and linguistic features in dispute resolution. Collaborations include the Centre of Effective Dispute Resolution, UK Civil Mediation Council, and International Mediation Institute. Publications span books, peer-reviewed articles, and chapters on topics like emotion in intercultural communication and ethical dimensions of interpreting. No listed scientific awards, but active in impact-driven research applying theory to practical mediation and communication challenges.
Hannes Kaufmann is a Full Professor and Head of the Research Unit at the Institute of Visual Computing and Human-Centered Technology, TU Wien. His work focuses on Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), with expertise in tracking technologies, human-computer interaction, and immersive systems. He leads a team developing large-scale VR platforms like ImmersiveDeck and ProjectVerse, enabling collaborative experiences in fields like industrial design and emergency training. Education: PhD in Geometry Education via Augmented Reality (TU Wien), Habilitation in Mixed Reality Applications Research Interests: Mobile AR/VR, Haptics, Wide-Area Tracking, Medical AR, 3D UI Design, Cyberpsychology His research bridges technical innovation with real-world applications, such as disaster simulation, medical training, and accessibility solutions for hearing-impaired users using vibrotactile feedback. He has pioneered systems like the Holodeck-inspired CoboDeck and the AR monitoring framework for industrial quality control (AR-AQ-Bau). Publications span topics from haptic device design (Action-Origami) to collaborative VR training for first responders. Awards include the 2023 SIGGRAPH Best Project Award for haptic innovation and the 2020 nexus health innovation award for SPECTAS eye-tracking technology. Labs/Teams: Mixed Reality Lab, Virtual Meeting Room Initiative Grants: Supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action and EU Industry 4.0 projects
Dr Christopher Bamborough is a Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales, working within the ARC Centre for Next-Generation Architectural Manufacturing (Arch_Manu). He is affiliated with the School of Built Environment in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture. His research examines the role of data in architectural practice, focusing on its technical, cultural, and material impacts. His PhD thesis argued that while data has long been integral to architecture, its digital form introduces a significant and evolving non-human influence on practice. AI and automation are central to this shift, raising critical questions about authorship and the evolving role of human designers. Dr Bamborough's work highlights the moments where architects enter into machine collaboration and explores the practical and material consequences of these interactions. Dr Bamborough's recent publications focus on the intersection of data, architecture, and digital fabrication. His work explores how data shapes architectural practice and how emerging technologies transform the built environment. Key themes include the cultural implications of data in architecture, the relationship between human designers and AI systems, and sustainable approaches to digital fabrication in construction. His scientific contributions include: "Consolidated Empirical Bio-material Repository" (2025) "Towards an interdisciplinary academia industry research nexus - Collaborative Pathways to Sustainable Digital Innovation in AEC" (2025) "The nature of data in early modern architectural practice." (2019) "Running out of STE(A)M: A critical perspective on the political rhetoric of innovation." (2016) Dr Bamborough actively supervises MPhil candidates engaged in practice-based design research, investigating topics related to data and circularity, and digital transformation in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector. With over fifteen years of teaching experience, he has designed curriculum and coordinated courses across undergraduate design, construction, and history/theory. His teaching approach emphasizes student-centered learning techniques and innovative digital pedagogy. He is also involved in creative projects including audio-visual works under the "smth::motion" series, which explore the intersection of music, movement, and digital visualization through technologies like the Xbox Kinect.
Mark Cypher is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean of Engagement at the School of Media and Communications, Murdoch University within the College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. His academic career bridges practice and theory in contemporary art and design, with a focus on interactivity, new materialism, and actor-network theory. He is also an international new media artist, exhibiting in over 30 global venues including ISEA, Siggraph, and FILE festivals. Education: Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art and Design) at Curtin University Masters by Research (Art and Design) at University of Sydney Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching at Edith Cowan University PhD (Art and Design) at University of Western Australia (2011) Research Interests: Cypher explores critical design practice, digital aesthetics, human-machine relations, and the nexus between art/design practice and discourse. His work interrogates non-human agency in collaboration, materiality in new media, and the ethical dimensions of interactivity. Key theoretical frameworks include actor-network theory and new materialism. Artistic and Professional Contributions: As principal of BoxCudos Design, he advises on communications design for cultural and corporate clients. His art practice engages with biotechnology, virtual environments, and participatory systems, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary innovation. Recognition: His PhD research was honored by the Leonardo Electronic Almanac (2012) as one of the highest-ranked abstracts. His work spans exhibitions in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and the USA.
Payal Mohapatra is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Computer Engineering at Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering, part of the IDEAS Lab under the advisement of Dr. Qi Zhu. Her research focuses on human-centric applications of machine learning in healthcare, audio, and time-series data, emphasizing inclusivity and robust algorithm design. Prior to her PhD, she worked as an IC design engineer at Analog Devices Inc. and earned a Masters by Research from IIT Madras. Her research spans challenges like data quality in wearable sensors and trade-offs between personalization and generalization in algorithms. Notable projects include fatigue prediction in manufacturing workers and multimodal disfluency detection. She has interned at Meta Reality Labs and Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs (MERL). Key Contributions: Developed a multimodal framework for disfluency detection, achieving 10% performance improvement over unimodal methods (Interspeech 2024). Pioneered teeth-click-based hands-free control for smart glasses, enabling non-verbal interactions (MERL 2024). Designed a wearable network for workplace safety, published in PNAS Nexus and featured in tech media (2024). Awards & Recognition: EECS Rising Star 2024 (MIT Workshop Invitation) Best Paper Award at IEEE WINTECHCON 2018 Anveshan Design Fellowship 2016 (Analog Devices) Collaborations & Mentorship: Advised 12+ students across MS/undergraduate programs Organized inter-laboratory Cyber-Physical Systems study groups Collaborated with Boeing, Meta, MERL, and MxD on industry-focused research
