Brett Bligh is a Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University's Department of Educational Research and Director of the Doctoral Programme in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning. His work focuses on technology-driven institutional change in post-compulsory education through Activity Theory and interventionist methodologies like the Change Laboratory. Current roles: Director of Teaching for Department of Educational Research Leadership in International Society for Cultural-historical Activity Research (ISCAR) Co-editorships: Studies in Technology Enhanced Learning, Bureau de Change Laboratory Research interests center on: Digital transformation in higher education Activity theory applications Change Laboratory interventions Technology-enhanced learning frameworks His recent publications analyze: Open Educational Practices (2025) Virtual sustainability initiatives (2025) Pandemic-era educational pivoting (2022) Networked learning frameworks (2023) He supervises numerous PhD students (20+) working on: AI integration in teaching Blended learning communities Logistics education reform Medical professional identity
Philippa Clarke is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and a Research Professor at the Institute for Social Research. Her work focuses on the intersection of social epidemiology , social gerontology , and health equity , examining how neighborhood environments influence cognitive aging , disability , and health outcomes across the life course. Education: PhD, Public Health (2000), University of Toronto MSc, Public Health (1996), University of Toronto BA, Psychology (1987), McGill University She directs the National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA) , a national repository of contextual data for studying health inequalities. Her research integrates innovative methods like Google Street View and Systematic Social Observation to measure environmental factors, with recent projects analyzing disparities in type 2 diabetes , cognitive decline , and COVID-19 impacts across urban and rural settings. Her publications span social epidemiology , disability studies , and environmental health , emphasizing the role of neighborhood walkability , social infrastructure , and policy interventions in promoting healthy aging. She has contributed to understanding racial disparities in health outcomes and developed frameworks like 'Cognability' to link urban design with cognitive resilience. Her methodological work on virtual neighborhood audits has set standards for environmental health research, and she collaborates across disciplines to address aging with disability , stroke recovery , and public health policy . Current projects examine how neighborhood socioeconomic history and environmental exposures shape later-life cognition and metabolic diseases .
Elina Eriksson is an Associate Professor at the Department of Media Technology and Interaction Design (MID) within the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. She holds additional affiliations with Green Leap, Digital Futures, and the KTH Climate Action Center. Dr. Eriksson co-leads the Sustainable Futures Lab research group and serves as programme responsible for the new Sustainable Digitalisation master's programme launching in autumn 2024. Dr. Eriksson earned her PhD from KTH with the thesis 'Situated Reflexive Change - User-centred Design in(to) Practice' in 2013, while also working at Uppsala University during her doctoral studies. Her academic journey demonstrates a consistent focus on the intersection of technology and sustainability. Her research centers on sustainability and human-computer interaction (S-HCI), specifically exploring how computing can facilitate the transition to a more sustainable world. She investigates change processes and practices across multiple domains, with particular emphasis on energy transitions, academic travel emissions, sustainable behavior change, and futures thinking for sustainability. Dr. Eriksson approaches these challenges through both theoretical frameworks and practical interventions. Analysis of Dr. Eriksson's publication record reveals a strong trajectory in sustainable computing, with increasing focus on climate action and systemic change in recent years. Her work bridges technical computing research with social science perspectives, emphasizing practical applications for sustainability challenges across academic, organizational, and everyday contexts. Dr. Eriksson currently manages the project 'Beyond the event horizon: tools to explore local energy transformations' and contributes to 'Decreased CO2-emissions in flight-intensive organisations' and 'HabitWise - Creating Sustainable Everyday Habits.' She teaches courses including 'ICT and Sustainability,' 'Leading Complex Change Processes,' and 'Sustainable ICT in Practice,' while examining various degree projects across computing disciplines. As co-leader of the Sustainable Futures Lab, Dr. Eriksson fosters interdisciplinary research that examines how digital technologies can support sustainable practices and transitions. The lab serves as a hub for innovative approaches to sustainability challenges through human-centered computing research.
Yuta Sugiura is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information and Computer Science at Keio University's Faculty of Science and Technology. His research focuses on innovative human-computer interaction techniques, particularly in wearable computing, tangible interfaces, and novel input methods. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science. Dr. Sugiura's research interests span Human-Computer Interaction, Wearable Computing, Augmented Reality, Tangible User Interfaces, Gesture Recognition, Ubiquitous Computing, Haptics, and Virtual Reality. His work often explores how everyday objects and environments can become interactive surfaces, with notable projects including the iRing (intelligent ring), SenSkin (skin as interface), and EarHover (mid-air gesture recognition for hearables). He has developed numerous novel interaction techniques that leverage physical properties of materials and human physiology for input and output. His recent publications indicate a strong focus on hearable computing, medical applications of HCI, edible interfaces, and novel authentication methods. The research shows a consistent pattern of exploring unconventional interaction surfaces and leveraging subtle physical phenomena for input sensing. His work has significant implications for healthcare applications, particularly in neurological disorder screening and rehabilitation. Best Paper Award Dr. Sugiura has advised numerous students who have gone on to publish significant work in top-tier HCI venues. His research has been supported by various grants enabling the development of novel interaction techniques and systems. He maintains strong collaborations with researchers across Japan and internationally, particularly in the fields of wearable computing and medical applications of HCI. His laboratory appears to focus on lifestyle computing, developing interfaces that integrate seamlessly into daily activities. Current projects include exploring edible displays, adaptive ear interfaces, and novel authentication methods using wearable devices. Future work seems to be heading toward more medical applications of HCI, particularly in neurological assessment and rehabilitation.
Gaang Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering, where he joined in 2022 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. His research pioneers 'sympathetic' built environments that enhance safety, health, productivity, and comfort for workers and users through integration of wearable biosensors, AI, extended reality, and robotics with psychophysiological theories. Education: Ph.D in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2022) - Emphasis: Construction Engineering and Management; Graduate Certificate in Computational Discovery and Engineering Graduate Certificate in Computational Discovery and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2022) M.S. in Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, South Korea (2012) - Emphasis: Construction Engineering and Management B.S. in Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, South Korea (2010) Dr. Lee combats technological exclusion for marginalized groups (construction workers, older adults) by developing empathetic technologies for workplaces, buildings, and urban spaces. His work applies human sensing, AI, and digital twins to create environments that adapt to diverse human needs, with key projects spanning psychophysiological safety monitoring, human-robot collaboration, and inclusive urban design. He integrates psychophysiological and socio-cognitive theories to address real-world gaps in construction engineering and computer science. His recent publications (2023-2025) reveal strong trends in AI-driven safety hazard identification, biosensor-based stress/fatigue monitoring, and virtual reality for construction team dynamics. A critical emerging focus is equity-centered technology design, with increasing publications addressing inclusive built environments and technological access for vulnerable populations through graph-based algorithms, domain adaptation, and interpretable AI models. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Lee actively recruits students for his 'Empathetics' research group starting in 2026, prioritizing candidates with empathy, research motivation, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. While specific grants are not detailed, his research program receives institutional support from the University of Alberta and likely external funding given its interdisciplinary scope and industry relevance. He leads the 'Empathetics' research group (part of Attentive Hub) which emphasizes diversity as fundamental to innovation. Current projects include psychophysiological monitoring for occupational safety, trustable human-robot collaboration systems, and extended reality frameworks for empathetic built environments. The group collaborates with IHT LAB (https://www.iht-lab.com/) and focuses on deploying technologies that make daily surroundings safe, healthy, and truly inclusive for all individuals.
Mara Ferreri is a Fixed-term Assistant Professor at the Interuniversity Department of Territorial Sciences, Planning and Policies (DIST) at Politecnico di Torino, where she teaches Global Urban Geographies. She is also affiliated with multiple prestigious institutions including the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (2022-present) and the London School of Economics, Department of Geography and the Environment (2022-present). Her academic career spans multiple European institutions, with previous appointments at Northumbria University (2019-2022), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2016-2019), Durham University, and the London School of Economics. Ferreri's research focuses on housing precarity, temporary and platform urbanism, and struggles for housing alternatives. She employs qualitative methods to investigate the precarization of urban space and living, collective resistance, and self-organization. Her interdisciplinary work bridges urban and cultural geography, spatial planning, visual culture, and housing studies. She is particularly known for her monograph The Permanence of Temporary Urbanism: Normalising Precarity in Austerity London (Amsterdam University Press, 2021), which examines the normalization of precarious living conditions in London. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on urban commons, housing movements, platform economies, and the politics of care in urban contexts. Ferreri's work increasingly examines the intersections between digital platforms and housing precarity, feminist approaches to housing commons, and transnational solidarity in housing struggles. Her research demonstrates a methodological commitment to collaborative and militant research approaches that prioritize community knowledge and activism. Queen Mary PhD Studentship (2009) Urban Geography Research Group Event Fund (2012) Antipode Foundation Scholar-Activist Project Award (2012) Arts and Humanities Research Council - Creativeworks London (2014) Marie Curie Fellowship (2016) Antipode International Workshop Award (2019) British Academy Virtual Sandpit Follow-on Funding (2021) Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei and British Academy Knowledge Frontiers Symposium (2022) Ferreri supervises PhD students Matteo Beltramo and Tommaso Cosentino in the Urban and Regional Development program. She leads the ERC-funded EnactDECOM project (2025-2030) on decommodified housing in Southern Europe. As an active member of the European Network for Housing Research (2020-present), she serves on editorial boards for PLATFORMS & SOCIETY (2024-present), HOUSING AND SOCIETY SERIES (2023-present), and RADICAL HOUSING JOURNAL (2019-present), demonstrating her significant contribution to shaping housing research discourse.
Filiberto Chiabrando is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) of Politecnico di Torino, with a secondary appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor at Michigan Technological University (USA). He serves as Deputy Coordinator of the Doctoral College for Architectural and Landscape Heritage and is Secretary of the ISPRS Working Group on UAS & Small Multi-sensor Platforms. His work bridges geomatics, photogrammetry, and cultural heritage preservation. Academic Affiliations Politecnico di Torino (Main Institution) Michigan Technological University (Adjunct Appointment) Research Leadership Coordinator of PIC4SeR Interdepartmental Center Principal Investigator for HERITALISE, Common Grounds, POSEIDON, ARCHIM3DES, and ResCult projects Chiabrando's research focuses on 3D modeling , UAV photogrammetry , underwater cultural heritage documentation , and HBIM-GIS integration . He specializes in SLAM systems , laser scanning , and rapid mapping for architectural conservation. His work aligns with SDGs 9 (Innovation), 11 (Sustainability), and 17 (Partnerships). His recent projects emphasize multitemporal marine vegetation mapping (POSEIDON), cloud-based heritage digitization (HERITALISE), and advanced 3D metric surveying in marine environments (ARCHIM3DES). He has developed open-source education platforms like POSER for underwater photogrammetry training. Scientific Awards Licinio Ferretti Award (ASITA, 2009 & 2010) Best Paper Awards: Sensors (2013), CIPA (2013) Editorial Roles Editorial Board: Geomatics Journal (2021-), ISPRS International Journal (2019-) As a PhD advisor, he has mentored 7 doctoral students in architectural heritage, including Alessio Calantropio (2019-2023) on underwater heritage and Alessandra Spreafico (2019-2023) on the Turin 1911 Exposition. He leads commercial contracts with organizations like DJI GmbH, World Food Programme, and UNICEF for UAV and geospatial applications.
Paul Théberge is a Professor at Carleton University, cross-appointed to the Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art and Culture and the School for Studies in Art and Culture (Music). He teaches graduate courses in Cultural Mediations (technologies of culture), Film Studies (sound in visual media), and Music (sound studies), reflecting his interdisciplinary academic home within Ottawa's major research institution. His research interrogates the material and cultural dimensions of sound technologies, with core expertise in music-technology-culture intersections, internet-mediated musical practices, and sonic applications in film/television. Théberge's scholarship bridges musicology, media studies, and science and technology studies, examining how recording technologies reshape creative practice and auditory experience across historical periods from analog tape to digital streaming platforms. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals persistent engagement with sound's materiality—from multichannel audio histories to the embodied nature of listening—and consistent exploration of technological transitions, particularly the internet's disruption of traditional music production/distribution models. His work demonstrates deep methodological versatility spanning archival research, ethnographic observation, and creative composition. Scientific recognition includes: International Association for the Study of Popular Music (US branch, 1998) Society for Ethnomusicology (2000) While the source text doesn't specify current advising activities, his extensive editorial work (e.g., co-editing Living Stereo ) and composition output suggest significant mentorship through collaborative projects. His research has been supported through Canada Research Chair funding and industry partnerships like Sony Classical International.
Geoffrey Ian Romeo is a former academic researcher affiliated with the Australian Catholic University (ACU), focusing on educational technology and teacher education. His work emphasizes integrating technology into teacher training programs, particularly in remote and rural settings. Key contributions include studies on TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge), web conferencing for pre-service teacher practicum, and the use of video technology for classroom observation and supervision. Research interests revolve around ICT applications in education, teacher professional development, and technology-mediated learning environments. Notable projects include the Teaching Teachers for the Future (TTF) initiative, exploring how technology enhances teacher education. Publications span journals like the Asia-Pacific Education Researcher and Australian Educational Computing , alongside conference proceedings and book chapters addressing challenges and innovations in educational technology. Romeo's articles highlight trends in leveraging technology to bridge geographic gaps in teacher training, evaluating interactive tools like web conferencing and video analysis, and rethinking educational practices through ICT integration. Despite no listed awards or grants, his work underscores practical and theoretical advancements in preparing educators for technology-rich classrooms.
Dr. Wei Shao is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Tourism and Marketing at Griffith University, affiliated with the Griffith Asia Institute and Griffith Agribusiness. She holds a PhD in Marketing from Griffith University (2007) and a Bachelor of Business from Tianjin Foreign Studies University (1997). Her research bridges traditional marketing with emerging technologies like VR retailing and AI-enabled consumer engagement, focusing on digital marketing strategies, cross-cultural communication, and tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. She has secured grants totaling over $45,000, including projects on women’s empowerment in tourism and consumer choice behavior. Education: PhD in Marketing, Griffith University, 2007 Bachelor of Business, Tianjin Foreign Studies University, 1997 Research Interests: Dr. Shao explores technology-driven marketing innovations, including VR retail environments, AI applications in customer service, and the role of memes and social media in brand-building. Her work emphasizes inclusive marketing practices, intercultural dialogue, and leveraging digital media to amplify marginalized voices. Grants & Projects: "Empowering Sulawesi Women in Tourism: Innovation and Sustainable Business" ($35,000, 2025–2026) "Fun or Function: The Impact of Affect and Cognition on Consumer Choice" ($10,514, 2008–2010) Advising: Dr. Shao supervises doctoral research on topics including NFT marketing, AI chatbots in service recovery, and authentic brand experiences on social media. She has guided over 11 PhD candidates since 2009. Labs & Groups: Member of the Griffith Asia Institute and Griffith Institute for Tourism, focusing on collaborative research initiatives strengthening industry-academia ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
Scott McCrickard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech . He serves as the Co-director of Virginia Tech's Human-Centered Design Program , integrating interdisciplinary approaches into his research and teaching. Ph.D. , Computer Science, Georgia Tech (2000) M.S. , Computer Science, Georgia Tech (1995) B.S. , Mathematical Sciences (Computer Science emphasis), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1992) McCrickard’s research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , particularly in outdoor environments. His work explores how technology can enhance experiences in nature, including the use of smartwatches for group fitness interventions, AR mobile games for social bonding, and diary studies as pedagogical tools. He also investigates mobile application development for low-literacy populations and social media integration in design processes. Recent publications highlight trends in HCI education , outdoor technology adoption, and social gaming dynamics . Key themes include leveraging diary methods for learning, designing context-aware notification systems , and analyzing indigenous knowledge preservation through self-organized online communities. As part of his leadership in the Human-Centered Design Program, he bridges computer science with design theory , emphasizing usability and social impact in technological solutions.
Dr. Kirill Zaychik is a Research Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University (SUNY). He holds an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (2001) and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Binghamton University (2009). His career includes industry experience at Bombardier Aerospace (Montreal, Canada) focusing on Fly-by-Wire Control Systems before joining academia in 2012. Education: M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (2001) Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University (2009) His research interests span human perceptual systems, man-machine interaction, control systems design, and machine learning applications. Key areas include flight/vehicle simulation, human-in-the-loop modeling, and parameter estimation using numerical methods. He has contributed to projects for NASA and the U.S. Airforce, authoring 19 technical papers. Dr. Zaychik’s publications (2003–2023) focus on advancing control systems, human operator modeling, and simulation technologies. Recent work explores real-time pilot identification via biometrics and adaptive control algorithms. Earlier studies addressed turbulence simulation, vection phenomena, and simulator sickness mitigation. While no scientific awards are mentioned, his research demonstrates significant industry-academic collaboration. He has advised no listed students but contributes to curricula like ME 212 (Mechanical Engineering Programming). No affiliated labs/teams are explicitly noted, though his work aligns with aerospace and mechanical engineering systems research at Binghamton’s Watson School.
Tor Skeie is a Professor at the University of Oslo's Department of Informatics, specializing in networks and distributed systems. His research focuses on high-performance networking, InfiniBand technologies, and adaptive routing systems. Current investigations include automated parameter tuning for reservoir simulations, adaptive routing in InfiniBand hardware, and modeling WiFi quality attenuation. His work develops efficient solutions for virtualized HPC environments and cloud computing infrastructures. Recent publications demonstrate innovations in network modeling, adaptive routing algorithms, and performance analysis of distributed systems. Research collaborations span European projects on high-performance networking infrastructures. Leads the Networks and Distributed Systems (ND) research group investigating fault-tolerant routing, network virtualization, and congestion control mechanisms.
Ingrid Moerman is a part-time Professor at Ghent University and a staff member at the Internet Technology and Data Science Lab (IDLab), a core research group of imec embedded within Ghent University and the University of Antwerp. She coordinates mobile and wireless networking research and leads a team of over 30 researchers at Ghent University, with extensive involvement in European and national funding initiatives. She received her Electrical Engineering degree (1987) and Ph.D. (1992) from Ghent University. Her research spans collaborative networks, cognitive radio, software-defined radio, IoT, LPWAN, and high-density wireless access, emphasizing experimentally-supported development of next-generation wireless systems with practical implementations in spectrum management and real-time control. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a strong pivot toward AI-integrated wireless networking, featuring OFDMA scheduling innovations, Wi-Fi 6/7 interference mitigation, and time-sensitive networking for industrial applications. Key trends include 5G/6G convergence, vehicular communication enhancements, and digital twin frameworks for network observability, reflecting her focus on mission-critical industrial use cases. Her accolades include: 9 Best Paper Awards 2 FWO Prizes (Research Foundation - Flanders) IMEC Prize of Excellence 2001 MSc Thesis Award (as promoter) Best Demo/Exhibit Award at ICT 2013 DARPA Spectrum Collaboration Challenge Prize ($750,000) She has coordinated major EU projects (FP7/H2020: CREW, WiSHFUL, eWINE, ORCA) with industry partners, securing substantial funding for experimental wireless research. Her grant portfolio emphasizes collaborative innovation in spectrum sharing and neutral-host architectures for multi-operator environments. At IDLab, she directs advanced wireless testbeds supporting real-world validation of technologies like openwifi and White Rabbit, with active experimentation in time-sensitive networking and spectrum collaboration for industrial IoT deployments.
Roles & Affiliations: Teresa De La Hera is an Assistant Professor of Persuasive Gaming at Erasmus University, affiliated with the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication and the Department of Media and Communication. She is a member of the Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture, actively involved in the Gaming Matters research cluster and ERMeCC initiatives like REACT (Responsible Engagement with AI, Culture, and Technology) and VEGAS (Virtual Environments, Games and Society). Education: She holds dual BAs in Journalism (Digital Journalism track) and Audiovisual Communication (Direction and Screenplay track), an MA in Communication and Advertising, and a PhD in Media Studies from Utrecht University (2011–2013). Her PhD thesis, Persuasive Structures in Advergames , won the Best Academic Work award from the Consell de l’Audiovisual de Catalunya (2013). Research: Her work focuses on digital games as tools for communication, persuasion, and intercultural interaction. Key projects include Digital Literacy Games (funded) and an ice-skating game fostering intercultural dialogue. She explores topics like advergames, serious games, and gaming’s role in education and social issues (e.g., racism in sports). Her research bridges media studies, sociology, and educational technology. Awards & Recognition: Her 2013 PhD thesis was honored as the best academic work in media studies by the Consell de l’Audiovisual de Catalunya. She has authored/co-authored over 58 peer-reviewed publications, including books like Digital Gaming and the Advertising Landscape (2019) and Persuasive Gaming in Context (2021, editor). Teaching & Outreach: She teaches in Erasmus’ International Bachelor's in Communication and Media (IBCoM) and the MA Media and Business programs. She actively engages in public discourse, appearing in media like podcasts discussing health-related gaming (e.g., Videojuegos para la salud , 2017) and contributing to policy discussions on digital literacy. Labs & Collaborations: She leads research on digital literacy games and collaborates internationally on projects like Chinese cultural heritage in mobile games. Her work intersects with NWO-funded initiatives and involves partnerships with institutions like the University of Amsterdam and Utrecht University.
