Sanna Syri is a Professor at Aalto University's School of Engineering , specifically within the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering . Her research focuses on large-scale energy systems, emphasizing climate change mitigation through innovative electricity market strategies and sustainable district heating solutions. Research Interests : Climate-resilient energy systems Electrification of district heating Data center waste heat utilization Renewable energy integration Green hydrogen production Recent Work examines Nordic electricity market dynamics, cold climate energy challenges in Finland and Japan, and the economic implications of electrified district heating systems. Her publications address critical energy transition issues through experimental and modeling approaches. Contact : sanna.syri@aalto.fi
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sema Alaçam Doğan has been affiliated with Istanbul Technical University since 2014, serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture . She has held administrative roles including Deputy Head of Department and Erasmus Coordinator. Education : PhD in Informatics in Architectural Design (2008-2014), MS in Informatics in Architectural Design (2005-2008), and BS in Architecture (1999-2005) from Istanbul Technical University. Her research explores Computational Design , Artificial Intelligence in Architecture , and Sustainable Material Innovation . She investigates digital tools for heritage preservation, daylight optimization in BIM, and cognitive development in architecture students. Recent publications analyze AI-assisted design literacy , machine learning for Sinan mosques , and environmental comfort in Harran houses . Her work integrates algorithmic frameworks with sustainable practices. Scientific awards include multiple ITU Publication and Performance Awards (2021-2024), FABFEST Prizes , and the 2024 Artemis Educator Award from NASA. Active projects like "Physical Computation in Architectural Drawing" and "Robotic Fabrication with Recycled Wind Turbine Blades" demonstrate her leadership in computational and sustainable research.
Professor Lucy Kimbell is Professor of Contemporary Design Practices at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, where she convenes the Policy Futures Studio. She is Co-Director of the Sustainable Transitions through Democratic Design Doctoral Network funded by the EU Marie Curie programme and serves as Visiting Professor at University of Ulster and Honorary Adjunct Professor at RMIT University. Her work bridges design practice, public policy, and social innovation across multiple international contexts. Professor Kimbell's educational background includes a PhD in Design from Lancaster University (2013), an MA in Computing in Art and Design from Middlesex University (1996), and a B. Engineering in Design and Appropriate Technology from the University of Warwick (1989). Her academic journey reflects a consistent integration of technical, creative, and social perspectives. Kimbell's research focuses on service design, social design, and design for policy, with increasing emphasis on sustainable transitions and democratic innovation. She explores how design methods can address complex societal challenges, particularly through transdisciplinary approaches that connect creative practice with public policy contexts. Her work examines the role of design in government, professional services, and community settings, with particular attention to AI readiness in professional service firms and antimicrobial resistance policy in India. She has pioneered frameworks for measuring design's social and environmental value, notably through the Design Value framework developed with the Design Council. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward understanding design's role in public policy, sustainable transitions, and democratic innovation. The research shows increasing integration of practice-based research methods with policy development, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and the application of design thinking to complex societal challenges. There's a notable focus on developing frameworks for measuring design's social and environmental value and advancing democratic innovation through design practice. Notable recognitions include: AHRC Research Fellow in Policy Lab in the Cabinet Office (2014-15) Principal research fellow at University of Brighton (2013-15) Clark Fellow in Design Leadership at Said Business School, University of Oxford (2005-10) Professor Kimbell supervises transdisciplinary PhD research connecting design with public policy, with six completions to date including four UAL-KCL joint studentships. She examines PhDs internationally and serves on the supervisory board for the PhD in Service Design for Public Sector at Sapienza University, Rome. Her grant portfolio includes major projects funded by EU Marie Curie, AHRC, ESRC, and Creative Europe, totaling millions in research funding for design-led approaches to societal challenges, including the Sustainable Transitions through Democratic Design Doctoral Network (2024-28) and the AHRC Design & Policy Research Network (2022-23). She previously directed UAL's Social Design Institute (2019-2022), which brought together university expertise in design for society through capacity building, joint research, publications, and public events. Her collaborative work extends to knowledge exchange projects with Design Council, Department of Work and Pensions, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, and Bite Back 2030, demonstrating her commitment to applying design thinking to real-world policy and social challenges.
Ahmed Hammad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he also serves as Director of Academic Integrity, ENG WIL, Co-op and Career Connections. With 25 years of industry experience as a Project Planning & Control Manager on global mega-projects (including Oil Sands, LNG, and Infrastructure across Canada, UAE, Australia, and Egypt), he brings extensive practical expertise to academia. Education: Doctorate of Philosophy, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Alberta (2009) Master of Science, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Alberta (1999) Master of Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Cairo University (1996) Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Mansoura University (1989) Research Focus: Dr. Hammad's work centers on applying smart tools to achieve sustainable construction through maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste . His research employs Machine Learning , Multi-Criteria Decision Making , Knowledge-Based Decision Support Systems , and digital twin technologies to optimize project planning, resource allocation, and sustainable material selection. He investigates the integration of BIM and Augmented Reality to enhance construction processes while reducing environmental impact. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize sustainable construction methodologies, with 60% focusing on GHG reduction, resource optimization, and decision support systems. Key themes include machine learning for labor estimation, TOPSIS/MCDM for sustainable material selection, and digital twins for production planning, reflecting his NSERC-funded projects on KBDSS and construction-oriented digital twins. Scientific Recognition: Best Paper Award at 8th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (2018) Best Paper Award at HBRC Green Smart Sustainable Buildings Conference (2024) Research Leadership: Dr. Hammad secures major industry-academic partnerships, including NSERC Mission Alliance Grants ($1.2M+) with 16 industry partners for GHG reduction projects and NSERC Alliance Grants with 9 partners for digital twin development. His completed projects include collaborations with the City of Edmonton and Alberta Ministry of Infrastructure on resource allocation models. Research Ecosystem: As leader of the Sustainable Construction Research Group (SCRG), he fosters industry-academia collaboration through regular workshops with construction firms and government agencies, focusing on translating research into practical tools for sustainable project delivery.
Dr. phil. Stefan Ladwig is a researcher at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge) at RWTH Aachen University, specializing in traffic psychology, user acceptance, and human-machine interaction for automated driving systems. His work addresses psychological and ergonomic aspects of emerging mobility technologies, including seating ergonomics, trust-building mechanisms, and communication strategies for autonomous delivery robots. Research Focus: Automated driving, interior design psychology, driver/passenger behavior, and safety requirements. Projects: Lead roles in UrbANT (autonomous delivery robot) and SteeringBow (dynamic driving experience). Collaborations: Affiliated with Aldenhoven Testing Center, Future Mobility Partnership e.V., and innocam.NRW. Ladwig’s recent publications examine rotated seating positions, visual dominance in speed adaptation, and trust-relevant driving scenarios, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to optimizing human-vehicle interactions. His work spans ergonomics, energy management, and behavioral interventions to enhance safety and usability in next-generation mobility solutions.
Amin Hammad is a Professor at the Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering, with an additional appointment as Affiliate Professor in Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering at Concordia University. His research focuses on advancing construction technology through digital transformation, automation, and AI integration. He leads work in BIM applications, 4D simulation, robotic systems, and sustainable infrastructure management. His interdisciplinary approach bridges civil engineering with computer science and data analytics. Key research areas include: Automation and robotics in construction (Construction 4.0) BIM and digital twin lifecycle management AI-driven defect detection and inspection systems Occupational safety through exoskeleton performance evaluation Multi-purpose utility tunnel optimization Energy-efficient building systems Recent work emphasizes applying machine learning to construction equipment activity recognition, UAV path optimization for infrastructure inspection, and ontology development for integrated systems. His research addresses industry challenges in productivity, safety, and sustainability through data-driven solutions.
Professor Sara B. Pritchard is a leading scholar in environmental science and technology studies (STS) at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in History from Stanford University and University of Puget Sound. Her research critically examines light pollution, environmental ethics, and the intersection of technology and nature. Pritchard has received grants from the National Science Foundation and Cornell's Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, among others. Her major works include Night as Environment: Light Pollution and the Anthropocene (2024) and Confluence: The Nature of Technology and the Remaking of the Rhône (2011). She co-edited influential volumes such as New Natures: Joining Environmental History with Science and Technology Studies (2013) and pioneered the concept of 'envirotechnical analysis.' Pritchard advises students across disciplines including Anthropology, Asian Studies, and Natural Resources. Her research explores dark histories, nuclear disasters, and sustainable energy transitions. She collaborates with global scholars through special journal issues on topics like climate justice and polar night studies. Pritchard’s work bridges environmental humanities with technological critique, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to urgent ecological challenges.
Michael Zwicky Hauschild is a Professor at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He leads the Quantitative Sustainability Assessment group and directs the DTU Centre for Absolute Sustainability. His roles include membership in prestigious academies (ATV, CIRP) and leadership in international initiatives like SETAC and UNEP/SETAC task forces. He holds a PhD in Environmental Science (1992) and an MSc in Chemical Engineering (1988), both from DTU. Research focuses on life-cycle assessment (LCA), environmental impact assessment, and absolute sustainability. His work addresses sectors like buildings, batteries, and waste management, integrating planetary boundaries and UN SDGs. Recent projects include sustainability assessments of long-lived systems and climate tipping points. Awards include the SETAC Europe Edana Award (2018) and DADES Environmental Prize (2014). He supervises PhD students in areas like biodiversity loss, ICT sustainability, and natural resource use. He contributes to journals like International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment and advises global sustainability policies.
Dr. Alister Smith is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Geotechnics at Loughborough University, where he directs the £1M National Engineered Slope Simulator (NESS) – the world’s first climate-controlled facility testing clay slope deterioration. His £6.7M research portfolio addresses geotechnical infrastructure resilience under climate change. Innovations include acoustic emission (AE) landslide early warning systems deployed across five continents, with the Community Slope SAFE project recognized in REF2021. Current work includes the RAINDROP doctoral training cluster on infrastructure prognosis and the £4.9M EPSRC ACHILLES programme on climate impacts. Awards: Philip Leverhulme Prize, ICE Thomas Telford Premium (twice), and Hawley Award for Engineering Innovation. He serves on the Lilly Fellows Program Board and edits for the International Journal of Christianity and Education.
Filip Johnsson is a Full Professor in Energy Technology at Chalmers University of Technology, where he leads research on measures to reduce the climate impact of the energy system. His work addresses both technical issues regarding electricity and heat production and how the entire energy system can be transformed by 2050 through technical-economic studies. Professor Johnsson's research spans multiple critical areas in the transition to sustainable energy systems: Energy Systems Analysis: Comprehensive modeling of energy systems to identify cost-effective pathways for decarbonization Industrial Decarbonization: Electrification of energy-intensive industries and carbon capture technologies Renewable Energy Integration: Grid stability, storage needs, and system flexibility with high shares of variable renewables Transportation Electrification: Real-world EV usage patterns and infrastructure requirements Fluidized Bed Technology: Advanced combustion and carbon capture processes Energy Policy: Critical analysis of Swedish and European climate policies and implementation strategies Johnsson's extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on practical, implementable solutions for deep decarbonization across multiple sectors. His recent work shows increasing emphasis on industrial decarbonization pathways, grid integration challenges with high renewable shares, and critical evaluation of policy mechanisms. The research often employs technical-economic modeling approaches, combining engineering analysis with economic evaluation to identify cost-optimal pathways for climate mitigation. Professor Johnsson actively engages with Swedish energy policy debates, contributing to public discourse through newspaper articles and government reports. His work frequently addresses the practical implementation challenges of Sweden's ambitious climate goals, particularly regarding industrial decarbonization and grid infrastructure requirements.
Dr. Alireza Nili is a Senior Lecturer in Service Science at QUT's School of Information Systems within the Faculty of Science. His expertise spans digitization of customer-centric services, AI/chatbots, IoT/IIoT, and sustainable technologies. He holds a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington and has coordinated large-scale courses like IT Systems Design (IFB103), achieving top teaching scores. Nili's research focuses on service ecosystems, trust in digital services, and public/retail sector innovations. He has secured over $1.4M in industry grants for projects involving Cisco, Amazon, and Services Australia. His awards include the 2023 Educator of the Year and multiple top conference paper recognitions. Nili supervises PhD students at Level 3 mentoring status and contributes to major conferences as track chair/associate editor. Research highlights include frameworks for chatbot governance, IOT in agriculture, and AI ethics. His work appears in IEEE Software , Communications of the ACM , and MIT Sloan Management Review . Current projects address consumer trust in AI technologies and spatial data systems. Nili's interdisciplinary approach combines design science with empirical methodologies to bridge theory and practice in digital service innovation.
Susan Powers is a Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University, where she also serves as the Spence Professor of Sustainable Environmental Systems, Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment, and Associate Director of Sustainability. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1992. Research Interests: Dr. Powers specializes in lifecycle assessment and environmental impact metrics for energy systems, with recent interdisciplinary work on anaerobic digestion for food waste management and smart housing to encourage energy conservation. Her educational research integrates project-based learning to enhance energy and climate change literacy across K-12 and college levels. Scientific Awards: AEESP Distinguished Service Award (2019) AEESP Fellow (2019) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award (2012) Premier Curriculum Award for K-12 Engineering (2009) NSF Directors Award – Distinguished Teaching Scholar (2004) Grants & Educational Leadership: Dr. Powers has led multiple education-oriented grants, including the NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholars award, to develop project-based modules for sustainability education. She actively incorporates campus sustainability initiatives into student projects to teach real-world environmental problem-solving.
Peter M. Senge is Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, founding chair of SoL (Society of Organizational Learning), and co-founder of the Academy for Systemic Change. His work centers on promoting shared understanding of complex issues and shared leadership for healthier human systems, with major cross-sector projects focused on global food systems, climate change, regenerative economies, and the future of education. Peter M. Senge's educational background includes: BS in Engineering from Stanford University MS in Social Systems Modeling from MIT Sloan School of Management PhD in Management from MIT Sloan School of Management Peter Senge is best known for pioneering work in organizational learning and systems thinking. His research focuses on how organizations can develop the capacity to learn collectively, understand complex systems, and create sustainable change. He explores how shared understanding of complex issues can lead to shared leadership for healthier human systems across multiple sectors. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing practical applications of systems thinking in real-world organizational contexts, particularly in sustainability initiatives and cross-sector collaboration. Peter Senge's publications reveal consistent themes in organizational learning, systems thinking, and sustainable development. His work has evolved from foundational theories of learning organizations toward practical applications for addressing global challenges through systemic change. The articles demonstrate increasing focus on collaborative approaches to complex problems like sustainability, with emphasis on relational dynamics and cross-sector partnerships. Peter Senge has received significant recognition for his contributions to management theory and practice: Named one of the 24 people with greatest influence on business strategy by Journal of Business Strategy Recognized by Harvard Business Review as author of one of seminal management books of last 75 years Recognized by Financial Times as author of one of five most important management books Named to '1000 Talents' Program (Renzai) in China Through the Society for Organizational Learning (SoL) and the Academy for Systemic Change, Senge has created platforms for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration across organizational boundaries. His work extends beyond traditional academic boundaries into practical applications with organizations worldwide, focusing on developing the capacity for systemic change. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, his involvement in major cross-sector projects suggests significant collaborative funding initiatives. Peter M. Senge co-founded the Society for Organizational Learning (SoL), a global network of organizations, researchers, and consultants dedicated to the 'interdependent development of people and their institutions.' More recently, he co-founded the Academy for Systemic Change, which seeks to accelerate the growth of the field of systemic change worldwide. These organizations serve as hubs for his work in advancing systems thinking and organizational learning across multiple sectors.
Moncef Krarti is a Professor in the Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, within the College of Engineering and Applied Science. His professional affiliations include roles as a Professional Engineer (PE) and LEED-AP. Krarti holds a Ph.D. (1987), M.Sc. (1985), and two Diplôme d'Ingénieur degrees (France, 1984/1982). His research focuses on evaluating energy efficiency technologies, optimizing building designs, and analyzing renewable energy systems. Key interests include HVAC controls, building retrofit strategies, and multi-benefit energy programs. Krarti has authored influential textbooks like Energy Audit for Building Systems and Energy Efficient Building Electrical Systems . Recent articles emphasize smart glazing systems, dynamic insulation, and geothermal heat pumps. His work addresses global challenges like urban heat islands and net-zero communities. Krarti has received prestigious awards including ASME Fellow (2015) and a 2023 Fulbright U.S. Scholarship. His research spans residential and commercial sectors, with case studies in Saudi Arabia, France, and the U.S.
Peter Huybers is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Science and Engineering at Harvard University , where he investigates the climate system and its societal implications, including interactions between volcanism and glaciation , extreme temperature predictability , and climate change impacts on food production . Research interests span climate change attribution , paleoclimate reconstruction , drought dynamics , crop yield modeling , and earth system feedbacks . His work often integrates art-historical analysis with climate science, as seen in studies of 19th-century air pollution through Turner and Monet paintings . Scientific awards include funding from Harvard Data Science Initiative (2023) for projects on climate change and food supply volatility Amazon Web Services (2023) grant His 20+ peer-reviewed articles since 2020 focus on climate proxies , hydrological modeling , solar forcing , and agricultural-climate interactions , with recent work in Nature , PNAS , and Science Advances . Advising : Mentored 10+ PhD students including Parker Liautaud , Duo Chan , and Marena Lin , while leading research teams with current members like Greta Berendes and Caro Park . Former staff include Jon Proctor and Lucas Vargas Zeppetello , the latter now at UC Berkeley (2024).
