Prof. Dr. Bernd Skiera holds the first chair for electronic commerce in Germany at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main since 1999. He serves on the board of efl - The Data Science Institute and the Schmalenbach Society, while representing Germany at the European Marketing Community (EMAC). Chair of Marketing, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Board member, efl - The Data Science Institute National representative, European Marketing Community (EMAC) His research focuses on MarTech/SalesTech integration, customer value management, online advertising analytics, data-driven pricing models, and the economic implications of internet privacy regulations. He leads the ERC Advanced Grant project on cookie usage restrictions' economic consequences. Recent publications examine dynamic pricing in digital markets, competition visualization using big data, and AI applications in marketing analytics. The ERC Advanced Grant research has produced empirical analyses of GDPR impacts on advertising ecosystems. 2015 Journal of Marketing Best Paper Award 2013 International Journal of Research in Marketing Best Paper Award Multiple MSI/H. Paul Root Award recognitions He has mentored 17 doctoral students who became professors globally, including at London Business School and LMU Munich. His work bridges marketing analytics with financial valuation through customer equity modeling.
Prof. Dr. Bernd Skiera is a leading Marketing Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt since 1999 and a member of the managing board of the efl - The Data Science Institute. His work bridges information systems and marketing, with a focus on data-driven decision making and digital transformation.
Prof. Dr. Frank T. Piller is a University Professor and Co-Leader of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) at RWTH Aachen University, where he also serves as Academic Director of the Executive MBA program at RWTH Business School. He leads a research team of approximately 30 doctoral students, 5 postdocs, and over 20 student researchers within the TIME Research Area of the School of Business and Economics. His educational background includes a doctoral degree in Operations Management from the University of Würzburg (1999) and a Habilitation degree from TUM Business School (2004) on "Innovation and Value Co-Creation." Prior to joining RWTH Aachen in 2007, he was a Research Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management and faculty at TUM Business School. Prof. Piller is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in customer-centered value creation, specializing in mass customization, personalization, and customer co-creation. His current research focuses on how established companies can transform in response to disruptive business model innovations, with particular emphasis on digital transformation (Industry 4.0), AI-augmented innovation, and sustainable business models. He is particularly known for his work on innovation ecosystems, platform-based business models, and stakeholder-oriented technology development. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with traditional innovation management frameworks, exploring how AI transforms manufacturing systems, innovation processes, and business models. His work increasingly addresses the challenges of digital transformation in established industries while maintaining focus on customer co-creation and mass customization principles. His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards: Co-Creation Award of the PDMA Nomination for "Innovating Innovation" Prize by Harvard Business Review and McKinsey "Lecturer of the Year" by Executive MBA students at TU Munich RWTH Aachen Rector's Prize for Excellent Teaching (since 2010) Grant for innovative "Flipping the Classroom" teaching concept ERC Synergy Grant for SAFER Grid project (2025-2031) Prof. Piller maintains an extensive research network spanning academia and industry. He collaborates with numerous corporations including 3M, Adidas, BASF, EON, J&J, P&G, Siemens, and Vodafone, as well as many technology startups across Europe and North America. As a co-founder, supervisory board member, and investor in innovative startups, he actively transfers research into practice. His research has received significant funding, most notably the prestigious ERC Synergy Grant for the SAFER Grid project. He leads the Technology and Innovation Management Group (TIM) within the TIME Research Area at RWTH Aachen, which comprises over 100 senior and junior researchers working at the intersection of innovation, technology management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The institute is a leading European research institution for strategic, behavioral, and computer-supported technology and innovation management.
Prof. Dr. Antje Wilton is a W2 Professor for English Linguistics with a Focus on Sociolinguistics at the Institute of English Philology (WE6) within the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin. She is a leading scholar in sociolinguistics, English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), and discourse analysis, with a focus on media, sports, and forensic linguistics. Education: Magistra Artium in English, German, and Sociology (1990-1997) PhD: English and Applied Linguistics, University of Erfurt (2006) Her research spans sociolinguistics , multimodal interaction , discourse analysis , and cross-cultural communication . Recent work examines language use in sports interviews, media discourse, and forensic settings. She has co-edited volumes on organizational language and European linguistic dynamics. Key article trends include analyzing interactional strategies in sports interviews, ELF usage in media, and discourse patterns in public security debates. She teaches courses on sociolinguistics, language and space, and global English.
Prof. Dr. Robert Ullmann serves as Full Professor and Chair of Business Taxation at the University of Augsburg's Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. His position places him at the forefront of tax research and education within the Institute of Business Administration, where he leads a substantial research team including numerous research assistants and doctoral candidates. Professor Ullmann's research spans several critical areas in contemporary taxation: international corporate taxation, tax planning strategies, transfer pricing mechanisms, accounting quality and policy frameworks, tax evasion detection methods, and advanced audit technologies. His methodological approach combines empirical analysis using Tax Data Analytics with normative-analytical examination of tax law norms, current legislation, and case law. This dual approach allows his research to bridge theoretical frameworks with practical applications in the taxation field. His recent scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on timely topics including corporate tax disclosure practices, nuclear fuel taxation impacts on capital markets, renewable energy tax policy, and the relationship between tax complexity and venture capital investment. These publications reflect his engagement with both traditional tax research areas and emerging intersections with technology and sustainability. Professor Ullmann actively mentors doctoral candidates, with numerous completed doctorates including Dominik Greif (2024/2025), Simone Mögele (2024), Christine Schuster (2023), and others dating back to 2020. His supervisory role extends beyond dissertation guidance, as his team members regularly present research at international conferences and collaborate on publications. The Chair of Business Taxation under his leadership maintains strong connections with industry partners including DATEV, Sonntag & Partner, FGS Munich, and SWMP, facilitating knowledge transfer between academic research and professional practice. These partnerships support student benefits programs, specialized seminars, and practical learning opportunities that enhance the educational experience for business administration students at the University of Augsburg.
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesGermany
Craig Knoblock serves as Keston Executive Director of the Information Sciences Institute (ISI) at the University of Southern California (USC), Vice Dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and Research Professor of Computer Science and Spatial Sciences. He also directs the Data Science Program and the Center on Knowledge Graphs at USC. His educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University (1991, 1988) and a B.S. with honors in Computer Science from Syracuse University (1984). Knoblock's research focuses on data semantics , specializing in source modeling, schema and ontology alignment, entity and record linkage, data cleaning, Web data extraction, and knowledge graph construction. His work bridges computer science, geospatial analysis, and artificial intelligence to solve complex data integration challenges. Recent projects emphasize historical map digitization, geospatial knowledge graphs, and smart city applications. His 300+ publications demonstrate consistent contributions to knowledge graphs and geospatial data integration, with a growing emphasis on historical map analysis and urban applications. The research trajectory shows increasing interdisciplinary collaboration across computer vision, geoinformatics, and domain-specific applications. IEEE Fellow (2020) ACM Fellow (2017) AAAI Fellow (2004) Robert S. Engelmore Memorial Lecture Award (2014) Donald E. Walker Distinguished Service Award (IJCAI, 2018) Use-Inspired Research Award (USC Viterbi, 2018) As Executive Director of ISI, Knoblock oversees one of USC's premier research centers with significant federal funding. His leadership extends to directing the Center on Knowledge Graphs and the Data Science Program. While specific grant details aren't provided, his extensive publication record and leadership roles indicate substantial research funding across data integration, knowledge representation, and geospatial applications. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in historical preservation, urban planning, and resource management through collaborative projects with government agencies and industry partners. Knoblock leads the Center on Knowledge Graphs at USC, focusing on developing techniques for building and utilizing knowledge graphs across diverse domains. His team combines expertise in artificial intelligence, geospatial analysis, and data integration to tackle challenges in historical map digitization, urban applications, and resource discovery. The research group maintains strong connections with both academic and government partners through the Information Sciences Institute's extensive network.
Fabian Wöbbeking is an Assistant Professor at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and leads the Data Science in Financial Economics research group at the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH) . His roles include analyzing unstructured datasets using Data Science methods to generate economic indicators, with a focus on financial intermediation, systemic risk, and machine learning applications in finance. He also contributes to macroprudential policy research and correlation stress testing frameworks. Education : Studied at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management; earned a PhD at Goethe University Frankfurt. Wöbbeking’s research bridges Data Science and Financial Economics, emphasizing machine learning for financial analytics, risk modeling, and language-based information asymmetry. His work includes measuring non-answers in earnings calls, correlation stress testing, and cryptocurrency volatility dynamics. His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to financial markets. Key trends include leveraging NLP for corporate disclosures, Bayesian methods for risk factor modeling, and blockchain analytics for volatility indices. These works demonstrate cross-domain applicability of Data Science techniques. At IWH, he collaborates with teams like the Financial Markets department, contributing to European Real Estate Index (EREI) development and macroprudential policy analysis. His projects integrate economic theory with computational methods to address systemic risks and market inefficiencies.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ricarda Bauschke-Hartung holds the Chair of Old German Literature and Language at the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf since 2008. She previously held professorships at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg and the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and served as Vice Rector for Academic Quality and Equality (2012-2014). Her research focuses on medieval poetry, narrative texts, and cultural transfer research, particularly exploring Romance-German relations in medieval literature. Key affiliations: Wolfram von Eschenbach Society (President since 2021, Board since 2012), Bavarian Academy of Sciences (Project Advisory Board since 2022), HHU University Council (since 2017) Research Interests : Spanning Middle High German love poetry, Walther von der Vogelweide studies, manuscript mediations, and cultural transfer mechanisms. Her work bridges editorial scholarship with theoretical approaches to intertextuality, narrative structures, and body semantics in medieval texts. She contributes to debates on historical semantics (e.g., concepts of 'arebeit', 'dienest'), poetic models, and institutional supports for young researchers. Publications highlight her expertise in textual editions, narrative theory, and comparative studies, including co-editorship of Wolfram-Studien and leadership in major colloquia series. Current projects include a new translation of Herbort von Fritzlar's Trojaroman and book projects on European medieval poetic networks. Honors : DFG Research Grant (2001-2003) FRIAS Fellowship (2008) Board member of Wolfram von Eschenbach Society (2012-) Academic Leadership : As HHU University Council member, she shapes institutional policies. Her pedagogical work includes digital resources development and supervision of student research projects, supported by a team of academic counselors and research assistants.
Professor Julia Hartmann serves as the Chair of Sustainability Management at EBS Business School, part of EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany. Her research focuses on climate change mitigation, energy transition strategies, sustainable supply chain resilience, and ESG compliance. She leads a team supported by industry partners like Procter & Gamble and Tetra Pak, emphasizing practical applications of sustainability theory. Her work bridges data analytics (machine learning, natural language processing) with business strategies, published in top journals such as Journal of International Business Studies and Journal of Business Ethics . Hartmann teaches courses on strategic CSR, environmental management, and empirical data techniques, advising companies on ESG leadership and future readiness. Her recent work examines oil and gas industry transitions, supply chain liability, and pandemic resilience. She actively engages with media (TV, podcasts) to discuss sustainability challenges, contributing to public discourse on energy policy and corporate responsibility. Education & Career: While formal academic qualifications are not explicitly listed, her extensive publication record and professorial role indicate advanced doctoral training in business administration or related fields. She has held leadership roles at EBS since assuming the chair position. Research Interests: Her work spans three core areas: 1) Sustainable supply chain design and resilience, 2) Energy transition pathways for industries, and 3) Quantitative methods for measuring ESG impacts. She explores how media attention, legal frameworks, and consumer behavior shape corporate sustainability outcomes. Awards & Recognition: While no specific awards are cited, her peer-reviewed publications and industry partnerships reflect scholarly and practical impact. She was an invited speaker at major conferences like EurOMA 2024 and Arthur D Little CEO Insights Conference. Grants & Collaboration: Partnerships with Procter & Gamble and Tetra Pak support applied research initiatives. Her lab focuses on bridging academic insights with industry implementation through joint projects and executive education programs. Labs/Teams: The Chair of Sustainability Management serves as her primary research hub, hosting interdisciplinary projects on supply chain governance, climate policy, and digital sustainability tools.
Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied SciencesGermany
Prof. Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons is a Professor of Applied Computer Science specializing in Immersive Media at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. His work focuses on Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and their applications in healthcare, education, and human-machine interaction. He holds a Dr.-Ing (Engineering Doctorate) and has extensive industry experience with organizations like Daimler AG, Telekom Innovation Laboratories, and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). Research interests include user experience (UX) design, emotion analysis in virtual environments, and accessibility for aging populations. He has led projects on wearable health tech, AR/VR usability, and immersive training systems. Notable areas of impact include developing guidelines for inclusive XR interfaces and advancing telemedicine through immersive technologies. Prof. Voigt-Antons has collaborated with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin on healthcare applications and has contributed to standardization efforts in telecommunications. His technical competencies include agile project management, statistical analysis, and mobile application development for iOS/Android. He advises on UX evaluations, usability testing, and physiological data analysis for industry partners. Key achievements include creating the Story Time Dataset for video quality research and developing the ColorTable system for flavor perception studies. His work emphasizes real-world deployment, with projects addressing mobility challenges for seniors in rural areas and improving dementia care through tablet-based interventions.
Hans Uszkoreit is a German AI researcher and Honorary Professor at Technische Universität Berlin, specializing in language and knowledge technologies. He serves as Scientific Director at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) Berlin and co-founder of the Artificial Intelligence Technology Center (AITC) in Beijing. He is also Chief AI Advisor at Lenovo Corporation. His roles include leading initiatives like the Berlin Big Data Center and the German Smart Data Forum, funded by German federal ministries. Uszkoreit’s research focuses on natural language processing, machine translation, and knowledge-based systems, with contributions to projects such as the Multilingual Europe Technology Alliance and spin-off companies like Sematell and Acrolinx. He has supervised over 40 PhD theses, emphasizing computational linguistics and computer science. His work bridges academic research and industry applications, fostering innovation in AI and language technologies.
Muhammad Waqas is a researcher affiliated with COMSATS University Islamabad , where he holds a position in the Department of Meteorology under the School of Applied Sciences and Humanities . His academic collaborations span institutions like Bahria University, National University of Technology, and University of Bahrain, indicating a multidisciplinary approach. Research interests include Mechanisms for integrating fuzzy logic and machine learning in health monitoring Application of deep learning to medical imaging and clinical diagnostics Development of smart sensors for wearable technology in biomechanics Analysis of social media data for public health surveillance and sentiment analysis Investigation of digital citizenship and ICT leadership in educational contexts Trends in his 15 most recent publications (2025-2024) reveal a focus on medical diagnostics (e.g., monkeypox, breast cancer), smart infrastructure (e.g., sensor placement, structural health monitoring), and social media analytics for health and behavioral insights. These works leverage machine learning , fuzzy systems , and multi-objective optimization .
Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz Center for InformaticsGermany
Shari Trewin is a prominent researcher in accessibility and human-computer interaction at IBM Research with over 25 years of scholarly contributions. Her work focuses on making digital technologies accessible to people with disabilities, particularly in web and mobile contexts. She has published extensively in top-tier venues including ACM SIGACCESS conferences (ASSETS, W4A) and journals, CHI, and other leading HCI publications. Dr. Trewin's research interests span web accessibility, mobile accessibility for users with physical and cognitive disabilities, inclusive design methodologies, and the application of artificial intelligence to improve accessibility. Her work addresses both theoretical foundations and practical implementations of accessible technologies, with particular emphasis on user-centered design approaches and evaluation methodologies. She has made significant contributions to understanding how people with disabilities interact with digital interfaces and how to design systems that accommodate diverse user needs. Her publication record shows a clear progression from foundational work on input devices and keyboard accessibility in the 1990s to contemporary research on AI fairness for people with disabilities. Recent publications demonstrate her leadership in addressing emerging challenges at the intersection of AI and accessibility, particularly around algorithmic fairness and inclusive design practices for AI systems. Among her notable contributions are editorial work for ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing and co-editing conference proceedings for the ASSETS conference. She has collaborated extensively with leading researchers in the field including Vicki L. Hanson, Gregg Vanderheiden, and Calvin Swart. Dr. Trewin has advised junior researchers including Jessica J. Tran, and her work has influenced both academic research and industry practices in accessibility. Her research has practical implications for web developers, designers, and policy makers working to create more inclusive digital experiences.
Thomas Ludwig is a Professor of Information Systems with a focus on Cyber-Physical Systems at the University of Siegen. He holds a PhD (summa cum laude) from the same institution and has led numerous research initiatives in Industry 4.0, digital transformation, and human-centered technology design. His work spans augmented reality (AR), gamification, and AI integration in manufacturing. Ludwig co-founded and coordinates the 'Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Siegen' to support SMEs in digitalization. He has authored over 50 publications in top-tier journals and conferences, including Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) and Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction . His research has been recognized with awards such as the IHK Preis 2017 for Best Dissertation and the Artur-Woll-Preis. Education: Diplom-Wirtschaftsinformatiker from University of Siegen (2012), PhD in Information Systems (2016), with a focus on socio-technical systems and mobile/social media research. Research Interests: Cyber-Physical Systems, AR applications, gamification design, AI in production planning, and digital competency frameworks for SMEs. He leads projects like Fusion, KOKOS, and EKPLO, addressing challenges in collaborative work, disaster management, and industrial digitalization. Grants & Projects: Projects include EU-funded EMERGENT, BMBF-funded KOKOS, and the self-acquired EKPLO initiative for APS systems in SMEs. He also coordinates the Zukunftszentren KI NRW and the EDIH Südwestfalen. Awards: 32. IHK Preis 2017, Artur-Woll-Preis, pwc-Preis, and multiple best paper awards at international conferences. Labs/Teams: Part of the Cyber-Physical Systems Lab at University of Siegen and the interdisciplinary team behind the 'Rendezfood' and 'Advanced Planning Systems' initiatives.
Jana Gonnermann-Müller is a research assistant at the Chair of Business Information Systems, Processes and Systems at the University of Potsdam . Holding an M.Sc. in Psychology from Humboldt University of Berlin, her work focuses on human-machine interaction, particularly examining learning, decision-making, and trust in technological collaborations. Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Psychology Alumni: Humboldt University of Berlin Current Role: Scientific Associate at University of Potsdam Research explores cognitive factors in augmented reality and AI assistance systems , employing experimental designs and eye tracking methodologies. Key projects include investigating visual guidance in AR, comparing AR display types, and developing frameworks for generative AI in education. Publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in digital education , cognitive load optimization , and technology-enhanced learning . Collaborations span institutions like Hong Kong Polytechnic University , University of California, Davis , and Weizenbaum Institute , with corporate consulting on learning technology implementation. Technical focus areas include: Human-System Design Optimization Eye Tracking & Usability Studies AI Recommender Systems Industry 4.0 Implementation Research applications extend to: Secondary Education Technology Assembly Line AR Integration Change Management Systems Maintenance AR Visualization
