Dr. Arleta NAWROCKA-WYSOCKA is a musicologist affiliated with the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź since 2004 and the Institute of Art of the Polish Academy of Sciences. She focuses on traditional music, folk religious music, and ethnomusicology, particularly within Polish-speaking Lutheran communities. Research Highlights: 2005-2008 Ministry of Science-funded project on Evangelical religious repertoire; 2015-2022 National Program for Humanities project on Oskar Kolberg's musical notations; 2022-2023 DARIAH-PL digital infrastructure collaboration. Awards: First prize in the Phonogram of Sources competition (2009 and 2018). Collaborations: Involvement with Poznań University of Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University, and cultural institutions like the Center for Culture and Art in Kalisz. Service: Member of international organizations (IAH, ESEM), editorial board of "Etnomusicologia Polska", and juries for traditional music festivals.
Benedicte Christiansen serves as Associate Professor at the Danish National Academy of Music (DKDM), where she has taught Italian for singers since 1997 and conducts writing courses for all BA students. Her academic career is deeply intertwined with professional practice in opera, journalism, and cultural policy. Christiansen graduated as a singer from the Danish Academy of Music in 1995, with further education in Italian at the University of Copenhagen and classical philology at Aarhus University. She also trained as a journalist at the Danish School of Journalism. Her international experience includes living and working in Rome and Trieste, where she studied Italian repertoire with Prof. Marta Lantieri, former head of the Opern Studio at the Vienna State Opera. Her research and professional interests span opera studies, cultural policy, music education, and the intersection of music with democratic society. Christiansen has conducted Italian courses for prestigious institutions including the Danish National Radio choir, the Royal Danish Opera, and the Jutland Opera. She has been instrumental in developing music education initiatives, particularly as the initiator and project manager of OrkesterMester, a nationwide program connecting music schools with school orchestras. Her publications reveal consistent engagement with the economic and social value of opera and symphonic music, cultural diplomacy, and the relationship between arts participation and democratic citizenship. Christiansen approaches these topics through both academic analysis and practical experience, often highlighting international perspectives from Europe and Asia. Speaker at DKDM's music education conference on OrkesterMester (2019) Conference participation at Opera Europe, Antwerp (2019) Co-organizer of Nordic Music and Culture School Union's conferences (Oslo 2017, Finland 2016, Aalborg 2015) Nordic Children's Culture Conference in Nuuk (2014) 2018: Scholarship to the Danish Institute in Rome for research on 'La pronunzia ecclesiastica' Christiansen has held leadership positions including head of the secretariat for music schools' trade association (2013-2018), head of administration for the Jutland Opera (2019), and head of Bornholm's Cultural School (from 2021). She has been elected to the Study Board and Conservatory Council at DKDM for multiple election periods and serves on the sector board for leaders in the Danish Association of Masters since 2019.
Sylvia Bagley (she/her/they) is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Washington College of Education, where she directs the Instructional Leadership master's specialization within Teaching, Learning & Curriculum. Previously, she held the Fritz Burns Endowed Chair in Instructional Leadership at Mount St. Mary's University (now University) in Los Angeles, managing teacher-leadership programs and credentialing initiatives. Her career spans culturally responsive teaching in Los Angeles Unified School District, serving as English Learner Coordinator and Instructional Math Coach. Education : Ph.D. and M.A. in Philosophy and History of Education from UCLA, California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from San Marcos, and B.A. in Literature and Music from UC Santa Cruz Bagley’s research focuses on teacher leadership and equity-driven educational reform , particularly through anti-bias, anti-racist practices and global citizenship education. She examines qualitative research methods in policy analysis and transformative assessment models like narrative evaluations. Her work bridges institutional policy with classroom practice. Her publications reveal consistent engagement with globalization in education , teacher leadership frameworks , and equity-focused pedagogy . Key themes include professional learning communities , hybrid leadership models , and alternative assessment systems across K-12 and higher education contexts. Scientific Awards : 2nd place CIES HESIG Best Book Award (2010) for work on global competition in higher education CIES Higher Education SIG Best Book Award (2010) for research on Scandinavian folk high schools Bagley facilitates university-school district partnerships including Kent, Northshore, and Seattle Teacher Residency programs. She actively engages in community-based educational initiatives through University Beyond Bars and serves on boards including the Folk Education Association of America.
Afroditi Psarra is an Associate Professor of Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) at the University of Washington, where she runs the DXARTS SoftLab. Her work bridges art, science, and technology with a focus on critical discourse in the creation of artifacts. She has presented her work at internationally renowned media art festivals such as Ars Electronica, Transmediale, CTM, Eyeo, Piksel, and WRO Biennale, as well as venues like Bozar, Onassis Stegi, EMST (Greek Museum of Contemporary Art), and Walker Art Center. Dr. Psarra's research centers on the art and science interaction with a critical discourse in the creation of artifacts. She is particularly interested in the use of the body as an interface of control, and the revitalization of tradition as a methodology of hacking existing norms about technical objects. Her practice builds on and extends the work of Cyber and Techno-Feminism(s) and the idea of female (and feminized) bodies as matrices of information. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (2014). Her recent publications and projects demonstrate a consistent exploration of wearable technology, e-textiles, physical computing, and sound art. Psarra's work often examines the intersections of technology with gender, embodiment, and cultural critique, particularly through her investigations of voice assistants, RF technologies, and bodily interfaces. She frequently collaborates with other artists and researchers across disciplines to create interactive installations and performances that challenge conventional technological paradigms. Dr. Psarra's scholarly output spans multiple domains including human-computer interaction, media art, performance studies, and critical technology studies. Her work consistently addresses themes of technological embodiment, materiality, and the politics of interface design across her various projects from voice assistant subversion to RF ecology explorations. 2019 Bergstrom Award for Art & Science Mellon Faculty Fellow 2019-20 As an educator, Dr. Psarra teaches courses in mechatronic art, material and cultural bias in algorithmic systems, and special topics in digital arts. She has mentored numerous students through their creative research projects and has been involved in various interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Washington, including collaborations with the Systems Biology program. Her teaching emphasizes hands-on experimentation, critical making, and the exploration of technology through artistic practice. Dr. Psarra leads the DXARTS SoftLab, which serves as a research space for exploring soft materials, electronics, and interactive systems. The lab supports projects that bridge traditional craft techniques with digital technologies, particularly focusing on e-textiles, wearable computing, and embodied interaction. Under her direction, the SoftLab has become a hub for interdisciplinary research that combines art, engineering, and cultural critique.
Dr. Antonia Ivaldi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University, where she has been a faculty member since 2010. She holds a BSc (Hons) in psychology with music, and completed her MSc and PhD in music psychology at Keele University's Unit for the Study of Musical Skill and Development. As a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she brings extensive expertise to her academic role. Her educational background includes: BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Music MSc in Music Psychology from Keele University PhD in Music Psychology from Keele University ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring Dr. Ivaldi's primary research focuses on the social psychology of music and social interaction , with particular attention to conversation analysis in musical contexts. Her work explores how people engage with music, develop musical identities, and interact in performance settings. More recently, she has expanded her research to examine coaching psychology and the role of natural environments in promoting wellbeing and personal development. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, music education, and outdoor therapy. Her publication record shows a clear evolution from early work on musical identity and role models among young musicians toward more recent investigations of conversation dynamics in musical settings and the therapeutic potential of nature-based coaching. This trajectory reflects her growing interest in applied psychological interventions that connect music, social interaction, and wellbeing in both educational and therapeutic contexts. Dr. Ivaldi has received recognition for her contributions to the field: Music Psychology award (2013) Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (C.Psychol) Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) ILM Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring Throughout her career at Aberystwyth University, Dr. Ivaldi has held significant administrative roles including Director of Learning and Teaching and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Psychology (2010-2016). She established and chaired the department's learning and teaching committee, contributed to university committees, and played a key role in securing BPS accreditation in 2013. Her externally funded research includes a Royal Society project on 'Creating and experiencing restorative spaces at work' (2020-2021) examining wellbeing among NHS staff. Dr. Ivaldi serves as Associate Editor for the online journal Music Performance Research and previously chaired the Music, Identity and Social Interaction Conference at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Her professional activities demonstrate a commitment to building scholarly communities around her interdisciplinary research interests.
Professor Marjorie Lorch is a distinguished academic at Birkbeck, University of London, holding the position of Professor of Neurolinguistics within the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication. She has been affiliated with Birkbeck since 1986, initially as a part-time Lecturer and Research Officer before becoming a full-time staff member in 1991. Her academic journey includes a BA in Linguistics, Anthropology, and Biology from Washington University, St. Louis (Phi Beta Kappa), a Grass Foundation Non-Clinical Fellowship in Neurology at Barnes Hospital, postgraduate studies in Linguistics at University College London, and a Ph.D. in Language Behavior (Neurolinguistics) from Boston University. BA, Washington University in St Louis PhD, Boston University Professor Lorch's research spans multiple dimensions of language processing and its neurological underpinnings. Her work integrates neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and historical perspectives to explore how language is organized in the brain, particularly through the investigation of neurogenic language and communication disorders. She has made significant contributions to understanding cross-linguistic comparisons and bilingual speakers' language processing, as well as conducting extensive archival research on 19th-century approaches to language function and disorder. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges linguistics, neurology, psychology, education, and history. Analysis of Professor Lorch's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on historical perspectives in neurolinguistics, particularly examining 19th-century understandings of language organization in the brain. Her work demonstrates a unique integration of historical scholarship with contemporary neurolinguistic research, with recurring themes including aphasia research history, language localization debates, and the evolution of speech and language pathology. The publications also highlight her expertise in cross-linguistic studies and her interest in the relationship between language, thought, and other cognitive domains like music. Silver Gilt Award, Member of the Embroidered Minds Collective, Epilepsy Garden, Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Horticultural Society (April 2018) President, International Society for the History of the Neurosciences (February 2010) Professor Lorch has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students across a wide range of topics related to language disorders, multilingualism, and historical linguistics. Her supervision portfolio includes both principal and second supervisory roles, demonstrating her collaborative approach to academic mentoring. She has served on the editorial boards of prestigious journals including Cortex (2003-2025), Historiographia Linguistica, and Journal of the History of the Neurosciences, and has held significant roles such as Associate Editor of Cortex and membership on the executive boards of the Henry Sweet Society and the International Society for the History of the Neurosciences. Her extensive international collaborations reflect her standing in the academic community. Professor Lorch maintains active international research collaborations and has held numerous visiting positions at institutions including Emory University, Brown University, Duke University, and Loyola University Chicago. Her research program involves interdisciplinary work with medical practitioners, psychologists, speech and language therapists, educators, and historians, reflecting her commitment to bridging theoretical and applied perspectives in language sciences.
Jim Whitehead is a Professor of Computational Media in the Baskin School of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His research bridges artificial intelligence, software engineering, and computer games, with notable contributions to procedural content generation, software bug prediction, and serious games. He serves as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, focusing on student success initiatives including equity gap reduction, retention strategies, and experiential learning programs like first-year engineering design and senior capstone sequences. Academic Leadership: Former Chair of Computer Science (2000-2014) and Computational Media (2017-2019) Community Building: Founder of Society for the Advancement of Science of Digital Games (SASDG), procedural content generation communities, and games/software engineering collaborations Research interests span AI for games , software evolution , and human-AI collaboration in creative domains. Articles highlight trends in procedural generation (2020), music sentiment modeling (2019), and code change analysis (2008-2015). Administrative expertise includes UC faculty search committees, personnel case management, and curriculum development. He pioneered UCSC's computer games major (ranked top in the US) and masters program in games/playable media. GitHub activity shows active involvement in open-source projects like smt_dungeon (SMT solver-based dungeon generator) and MovementLab (interactive media tools). His website template is based on the al-folio Jekyll theme.
John C. Seitz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theology at Fordham University. His scholarly work bridges historical and ethnographic approaches to U.S. Catholicism and theoretical questions in religious study. He has contributed extensively to journals such as Church History , Material Religion , and American Catholic Studies , and co-edited Working Alternatives: American and Catholic Experiments in Work and Economy (2020). He is currently working on a book about 20th-century U.S. priesthood and serves as Program Director for Fordham’s Taking Responsibility project addressing clergy abuse legacy. Education: PhD in American Religions, Harvard University MTS in Christianity and Culture, Harvard Divinity School BA in Religious Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder (summa cum laude) Seitz’s research explores religious practice at the intersection of tradition and improvisation, with a focus on Catholic social and emotional histories. His projects include Notre Dame’s Gender, Sex, and Power initiative and Fordham’s Francis and Ann Curran Center for American Catholic Studies . He also edits the Catholic Practice in the Americas book series and chairs the Roman Catholic Studies Unit at the American Academy of Religion. Scientific Awards: Young Scholar in American Religion (Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, IUPUI) Project Fellow, Lived History of Vatican II (Notre Dame’s Cushwa Center) Research Fellow, Gender, Sex, and Power (Notre Dame) and Taking Responsibility (Fordham)
Prof. Martin tom Dieck is a Professor of Illustration at Folkwang Universität der Künste since 2009/10, based in Essen, Germany. His academic affiliation lies within Faculty 4 of the institution. A graduate of Hamburg's visual communication program (1986-1992), his career spans professional illustration, comic creation, and academic instruction. His research focuses on narrative-driven visual storytelling, particularly in graphic novels and sequential art. Notable achievements include the 2005 prize from École Supérieure de l’Image Angoulême and exhibitions across Europe. He has published works like Die schweigende Laute (2000) and La FM (1999), exploring themes ranging from cultural narratives to experimental storytelling techniques. His teaching includes prior roles at HAW Hamburg and Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel. Prof. tom Dieck's creative practice bridges illustration and conceptual art, emphasizing visual language's capacity for complex narratives. His publications often intertwine cultural exploration with formal innovation, as seen in his layered narratives about musicians and existential themes.
Stephen Ellingson is a Professor of Sociology at Hamilton College, specializing in the sociology of religion, culture, and social movements. His research focuses on topics such as megachurches, environmental movements, and collective behavior, including his recent work on New York's local food movement. He earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago, with additional degrees from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary and Seattle Pacific University. Ellingson has authored influential books like To Care for Creation (2016) and The Megachurch and the Mainline (2007), which won the Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. His work bridges religious institutions with broader societal issues, including healthcare ethics through co-authored texts like Organizational Ethics in Health Care (2001). He has held leadership roles at Hamilton College, including Director of the Levitt Center Sustainability Program (2014–17) and Chair of the Sociology Department (2010–12). Ellingson’s research has been supported by grants from organizations like The Louisville Institute and The Wabash Center. His teaching spans courses on American society, organizational culture, and the sociology of religion. Key contributions include analyzing the interplay between religion and environmentalism, the cultural dynamics of megachurches, and the sociological underpinnings of social movements. His interdisciplinary approach integrates religion, ethics, and environmental studies, reflecting a commitment to understanding how institutions shape—and are shaped by—cultural and moral frameworks.
Dr. Aldo Raineri is the Head of Courses in Safety Science at CQUniversity's School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, within the College of Science and Sustainability. He holds a Senior Lecturer academic rank and has over 30 years of experience in safety education and government policy roles. Previously, he served as Director of Work Health & Safety Policy & Legislation for the Queensland Government for over 20 years, contributing to national harmonization of safety laws and strategic initiatives. Raineri has taught at Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, and other institutions. Education: University of Queensland Griffith University Queensland University of Technology University of South Australia University of Southern Queensland Research Interests: Raineri specializes in crowd safety, event risk management, occupational health and safety compliance, and heavy vehicle accident analysis. His work bridges policy development, practical implementation, and academic research, with a focus on improving safety outcomes in complex systems. Notable contributions include crowd risk analysis frameworks for mass gatherings and critiques of heavy vehicle crash investigation methodologies. Key Achievements: Recipient of Strathmore's Who's Who Lifetime Membership (2009) and Professional of the Year (2010) Authored influential reports on workplace safety integration and event safety standards Consulted for major organizations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Avalon Air Show Grants & Advising: Currently supervises research candidates in criminology, law, business management, and public health. Active in curriculum development for safety science programs at CQUniversity.
Tim Havens is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Iowa , with affiliated appointments in African American Studies and International Studies. His research focuses on television studies, media globalization, race and ethnicity in media, and critical analysis of media industries. Key publications include Black Television Travels: African American Media Around the Globe (2013) and Global Television Marketplace (2006), along with co-authored and co-edited works like Understanding Media Industries (2011, 2016) and Digital Media Distribution: Pipelines, Platforms, Portals (2021). His recent work explores algorithmic personalization, Black comedy, and transnational media production. He has received significant awards including a Fulbright Research-Only Scholarship in Hungary and a $1.02M grant from the Minerva Research Institute for algorithmic audience modeling. His research spans media history, digital distribution, and the cultural impacts of global television trade. Scientific Awards: Minerva Research Institute Grant ($1,026,047) for algorithmic personalization research Outstanding Book Award (ICA for 'Black Television Travels') Fulbright Scholar Awards (Hungary, 2002, 2020) National Association of Television Programming Executives Fellowships (2001, 2008)
Alan Chen is the Thompson G. Marsh Law Alumni Professor at the Sturm College of Law , University of Denver. He specializes in Constitutional Law, First Amendment Law, and Public Interest Law. Chen holds a JD from Stanford University (1985) and a BA from Case Western Reserve University (1982). He has authored influential books, including TRUTH AND TRANSPARENCY (2023), and co-authored FREE SPEECH BEYOND WORDS (2017). His research focuses on free speech doctrine, federal courts, and civil rights litigation. Chen has received the 2024 James A. Tankard, Jr. Book Award and is an elected member of the American Law Institute. His work includes high-profile cases challenging police misconduct, Ag-Gag laws, and lethal injection practices. He balances academic leadership as Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship with active litigation and pro bono advocacy. Chen’s scholarly contributions address qualified immunity, constitutional torts, and free speech boundaries. His recent publications analyze undercover investigations, compelled speech, and digital media’s impact on democracy. He collaborates with institutions like the Constitutional Rights & Remedies Program and the Knight First Amendment Institute.
Dr. Pia C. Arboleda is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Director of the Center for Philippine Studies. She holds a Doctor of Arts in Literature from De La Salle University and has over three decades of academic and professional experience. Her teaching spans courses like Translation Theory, Philippine Folklore, and Rizal Studies. Prior to UH, she served as Visiting Professor at Osaka University (2004–2008). Dr. Arboleda’s research focuses on Philippine folklore, language pedagogy, and gender studies. She has produced multimedia projects like Siblaw Taraw animations and digital storybooks, and pioneered subtitling Filipino films for cultural education. Her awards include the Board of Regents’ Excellence in Teaching Medal (2015) and multiple grants for heritage preservation. She has led institutional roles such as coordinating the Filipino Program (2008–2021) and managing UH’s Center for Philippine Studies since 2018. Her creative work includes poetry collections and translated novels, alongside producing Filipino-language music and podcasts.
Michael W. Carroll is a Professor of Law and Faculty Co-Director of the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property at American University's Washington College of Law. He specializes in intellectual property law, cyberlaw, and copyright law, with a focus on balancing IP rights against technological advancements and open access advocacy. His research explores the historical evolution of copyright (particularly in music), challenges of uniformity in IP systems, and the legal implications of generative AI. Recent publications highlight generative AI, fair use jurisprudence, and text/data mining reforms. Carroll is a founding member of Creative Commons, served on the Board of the Public Library of Science (2012-2022), and contributed to national research councils. He has presented extensively on open access, digital preservation, and IP licensing. Prior to joining American University in 2009, he taught at Villanova University School of Law and clerked for federal judges. Education: J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (1996), A.B. from University of Chicago (1986). Advocacy: Leading voice for open access and open educational resources. Organizations: Creative Commons (2001-2015), Public Library of Science (2012-2022), Center for Democracy and Technology (2009-2022). Professional Background: Law clerk, attorney at WilmerHale, journalist, teacher in Zimbabwe, and project assistant at Africa-America Institute.
