Dr. Serkan Düzgün is an Associate Professor at Gazi University's Faculty of Education, Department of Basic Education, specializing in Classroom Education. He has previously worked as a part-time lecturer at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University and Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University. PhD, Master's, and Bachelor's degrees from Gazi University Active in instructional technologies, AI in education, STEM, and neuroscience applications Key contributor to Turkey's national education projects and civil society initiatives His research focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence in pedagogical practices, robotic coding platforms for K-12 education, and the cognitive impacts of neuroscience-based teaching methods . Recent work examines distance education challenges during the pandemic, learning style adaptations, and self-regulated learning in virtual environments. Current publications emphasize AI-driven educational tools , technology-enhanced literacy instruction , and virtual classroom dynamics . His 15 most recent articles (2021-2024) span topics like robotic coding in STEM education, emotional intelligence in remote teaching, and AI applications in qualitative research. Dr. Düzgün has conducted 108 projects, advised 3 theses, and actively participates in open-access initiatives and UN Sustainable Development Goals implementation through educational technology. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the "Voice of Turkish" Radio at Yunus Emre Institute.
Dr. Richard W. Lachman is a Professor in Digital Media at Toronto Metropolitan University's RTA School of Media, while currently on leave. He serves as Director of Zone Learning, Creative Technology Research and Development, and the Experiential Media Institute. Director, Zone Learning (Toronto Met) Director, Creative Technology R&D Director, Experiential Media Institute His research explores convergent media, digital documentary, collaborative work, and new storytelling forms. He specializes in prosocial VR applications, interactive cinema, and emotional regulation through games. Current projects include immersive narratives for mental health and AI-enhanced media production. Recent scientific publications focus on: Virtual reality applications for clinical psychology Interactive storytelling in metaverse environments Conversational AI design challenges Prosocial impact of immersive media AI integration in entertainment workflows Awarded the Gemini Award for creative production, Lachman collaborates with Discovery Channel Canada, NFB, CTV, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. His work spans entertainment properties, educational gamification, and cross-disciplinary innovation in STEAM education. Over 25 years of industry experience in computer games shipping millions of copies Featured in New York Times, Time Magazine, and USA Today Exhibited at American Museum of the Moving Image
Nikol Rummel is a Professor at Ruhr-Universität Bochum , specializing in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) , Artificial Intelligence in Education , and Human-Computer Interaction . Her work bridges educational technology with hardware reverse engineering , focusing on AI-orchestrated learning environments and adaptive tools for collaboration. Her research spans AI-orchestration tools ( Pair-Up , Co-Designing Orchestration Support ), collaborative problem-solving ( Learning Alone or Together ), and hardware reverse engineering education ( Promoting Skill Acquisition ). She investigates how multimodal data and adaptive feedback enhance learning outcomes, teacher practices, and emotional regulation. Her publications highlight trends in generative AI for academic writing , collaboration scripts , and cognitive obfuscation in cybersecurity education. Collaborations with researchers like Vincent Aleven, Christof Paar, and Steffen Becker underscore her interdisciplinary approach. Nikol Rummel’s work emphasizes teacher dashboards ( What Information Should CSCL Dashboards Provide? ), dynamic student pairing ( Combining Dialog Acts and Skill Modeling ), and emotional engagement in learning ( How to Enjoy Writing Papers ).
Dr. Antonio Andriella is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institut de Robòtica i Informàtica Industrial (IRII), a joint research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Technical University of Catalonia (UPC). He is an incoming Tenured Scientist at IRII expected to start by the beginning of 2026. Previously, he was a Research Scientist at Pal Robotics awarded with a Marie Skłodowska-Curie cofund fellowship in the H2020 project PRO-CARED (no.801342), and a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) working on the Value-Aware Artificial Intelligence (VALAWAI) project. His educational background includes: PhD in Control, Robotics and Vision (2022) from Institut de Robotica i Informatica Industrial, CSIC-UPC MEng in Artificial Intelligence (2009) from Sapienza, University of Rome BSc in Computer Engineering (2006) from Sapienza, University of Rome Dr. Andriella's research focuses on creating proactive, personalized robots that can tailor their behavior to individual needs and preferences. His work spans Human-Centered Robotics , Socially Assistive Robotics , Robot Personalisation , Proactive Behaviour , and Explainable Robotics . He investigates how robots can explain their decisions to help users build clearer mental models of these systems, ultimately making robots more transparent and understandable. His research has significant applications in healthcare, particularly for elderly care and cognitive training. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on applying robotics to healthcare challenges, particularly in cognitive training for elderly patients with cognitive impairments. His work bridges theoretical AI approaches with practical applications in real-world environments, emphasizing user experience, personalization, and explainability across various contexts including frailty assessment, customer service interactions, and therapeutic applications. His scientific achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards: Georges Giralt award for the best European PhD thesis from euRobotics AIHUB.CSIC prize for the best AI PhD Thesis from the AI Hub of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Dr. Andriella has been actively involved in multiple research projects including SWEET (Social aWareness for sErvicE roboTs), ROSPIA, FRAILWATCH, and DEMETER 5.0. He has organized workshops on trust, AI, ethics and personalization at major conferences including HRI, RO-MAN and ICSR, and has served as guest editor for journals such as International Journal of Social Robotics, Frontiers in Robotics and AI, and Paladyn Journal of Behaviour and Interaction Studies. His research group focuses on developing the CARESSER framework (aCtive leARning agEnt aSsiStive bEhaviouR) for in situ learning of robot social assistance, with applications in cognitive training therapy and elderly care. Current projects are exploring robot-assisted frailty assessment systems, dataset reliability for HRI research, and multilingual intent recognition on social robots, demonstrating his commitment to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations in the field.
Diana Franklin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago. She holds a Ph.D. from UC Davis (2002) and has held academic roles at California Polytechnic State University and UC Santa Barbara before joining UChicago in 2015. Her primary research focuses on computer science education and quantum computing education, emphasizing equity and inclusion for underrepresented groups. She leads the CANON Research Lab and co-leads the Q-12 Partnership, advancing K-12 quantum education. Franklin's educational background includes a transition from computer architecture to education research in 2008. Her work bridges theoretical and applied domains, developing curricula like Scratch Encore and quantum education tools such as Quander and Collapsing Qubits. She has authored influential publications and received prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and ACM Distinguished Membership. Her research interests span computational thinking education, quantum computing pedagogy, and diversity initiatives in STEM. She actively contributes to labs like EPiQC (NSF Expedition) and has published widely in venues like SIGCSE, ICER, and ACM Transactions. Her teaching includes courses on quantum computing and computer science education. Franklin's awards reflect her impact in both research and teaching, including honors for mentoring, paper awards, and recognition for educational outreach. She has advised numerous projects and grants, shaping policies and curricula to democratize access to computing education. Labs/Teams: CANON Research Lab (Director), EPiQC (Co-PI), Q-12 Partnership (Co-Lead). Past roles include Director of Computer Science Education at UChicago STEM Education (2015–2020).
Jandelyn Plane serves as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park within the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences. She directs the Maryland Center for Women in Computing (MCWIC) and the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C), while co-directing ACES—the Honors College's Living Learning Program in Cybersecurity. Her work spans computer science education, diversity initiatives, and international capacity building in underdeveloped regions. Dr. Plane earned her Bachelor's in Computer Science, Philosophy, and Mathematics from Wartburg College; Master's in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from UMD. Her doctoral research examined gender parity in computer science at Kabul University in Afghanistan. Her research centers on diversity and inclusion in computing , with focus areas including computational thinking integration in elementary science education, mentorship models for underrepresented groups, and cybersecurity pedagogy . She investigates teacher professional development frameworks and designs equitable learning environments through game-based approaches. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveals three dominant themes: 1) Diversifying computing through micro-internships and near-peer mentoring programs targeting women and students of color; 2) Computational thinking integration in K-12 science education via teacher training; and 3) Design of equitable cybersecurity games and learning environments that address intersectional barriers. Dr. Plane has received significant recognition including: Women's Society of CyberJutsu Leadership Award for Impact on Girls in Cybersecurity (2014) WIT Leadership Award for Social Impact (2014) Provost's Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award (2009) Dean's Awards for Excellence in Teaching (2009, 2002) As a dedicated advisor for over 30 years, she mentors undergraduate students through the Association for Women in Computing (AWC) and directs NSF-funded initiatives including CompSciConnect and CyberPatriot Girls. Her grant portfolio focuses on creating pathways for underrepresented groups into computing through teacher development and K-12 outreach programs. She leads MCWIC's comprehensive ecosystem including CompSciConnect summer camps, school outreach partnerships, and Girl Scout collaborations. Her international work has established computer science programs in Rwanda and Afghanistan through curriculum development and faculty training initiatives.
Dr. Caro Williams-Pierce is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland's College of Information Studies (iSchool), affiliated with the Youth eXperience (YX) Lab. Her work focuses on designing game-based and digital tools to enhance STEM education, particularly in mathematics. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction (Mathematics Education) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and emphasizes embodied constructivist approaches, integrating physical gesture, digital interaction, and language to understand mathematical learning. Her research explores how playful digital environments foster mathematical generalization and problem-solving. Key areas include game design for K-12 education, multimodal teacher training, and hybrid learning spaces. Dr. Williams-Pierce’s projects, such as the 'Read, Watch, Play' initiative, aim to gamify academic courses while maintaining rigorous educational outcomes. Her articles highlight innovations like embodied failure analysis in math learning, collaborative sketching in virtual STEM activities, and the role of gesture in mathematical proof practices. Though not currently accepting PhD students, her lab collaborates on projects like the YX Lab’s youth-centered digital experiences.
Lap Chi Lau is a Professor at the University of Waterloo's Cheriton School of Computer Science. His primary research explores algorithms, optimization, and spectral graph theory. His recent publications focus on graph algorithms, spectral methods, and combinatorial optimization, with consistent applications to network design and experimental methodologies. Publications demonstrate advanced techniques in graph sparsification, eigenvalue methods, and efficient algorithm design for complex computational problems. His work frequently intersects theoretical computer science and applied mathematics, contributing to foundational improvements in graph partitioning, spectral clustering, and randomized algorithms.
Peter Purgathofer is an Associate Professor at Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Faculty of Informatics, where he works within the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology, specifically in the Human-Computer Interaction group. He serves as coordinator for the Media Informatics bachelor and master programs and has been actively involved in teaching and research since 2005. Dr. Purgathofer's research centers around the interplay between design and software development, particularly focusing on the role and place of design in software engineering. He identifies as an "experience designer" in the sense described by Bill Buxton's book "Sketching User Experiences." His work spans Human-Computer Interaction, UX Design, Human-Centered Informatics, Game Design with a focus on Positive Impact Games, Digital Culture and Learning, and the societal implications of Informatics. He has a strong interest in the co-development of technology and society, with particular attention to sustainability and resilience. His publication record shows a consistent focus on bridging theory and practice in design methodology, with recent work emphasizing educational applications, social implications of technology, and the philosophical foundations of informatics as a discipline. His research often takes a transdisciplinary approach, connecting insights from computer science, design, education, and social sciences. Award of distinction at the Prix Ars Electronica 2000 in the category .net for the project Telezone Dr. Purgathofer has founded and led the UID-Lab (1996-2004), a cooperation with GP Design Partners, and co-founded the Positive Impact Games Lab (PigLAB) in 2012 with Fares Kayali. He is also the creator of the podcast "Peter Purgathofer spricht mit..." where he discusses topics from shared fields of expertise with outstanding individuals. He serves on the board of trustees at the European Forum Alpbach since 2016. His laboratory work includes the Positive Impact Games Lab (PigLAB), which serves as a breeding ground for research and design projects around game-based applications. He's also involved in the Aurora project, which explores new ways to organize and conduct teaching without traditional constraints. Current research projects include Way·Key (tools for people with inchoate dementia), Sparkling Games (game-based learning for 14-18 age bracket), and various educational technology initiatives.
Jens Ulrik Hansen is an Associate Professor at Roskilde University's Department of People and Technology. His work bridges artificial intelligence, data science, and social epistemology. He holds a PhD and MSc, and his research focuses on explainable AI, machine learning applications in healthcare, social network dynamics, and logical frameworks for multi-agent systems. Hansen participates in interdisciplinary projects like #echopol (studying social media polarization) and ROROGREEN (digital innovation in maritime shipping). He has published widely on topics including AI ethics, expert knowledge integration in ML systems, and opinion dynamics in social networks. Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Data Science & Big Data Analysis Explainable AI Social Network Analysis Formal Epistemology Key Projects: #echopol: Echo chambers and polarization dynamics ROROGREEN: Green RORO shipping innovations FeedbackBox: Collaborative workshop methodologies Awards: No specific prizes listed, though his work has received media attention for innovations in AI research and healthcare applications.
Winslow Burleson is a Professor at the University of Arizona's School of Information, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Robotics, and Assistive Technology. His research focuses on developing innovative systems for education, healthcare, and marine engineering. Notable projects include the DRESS system for dementia care, CrowdMuse for collaborative creativity, and underwater robotics interfaces. He has received the James Chen Annual Award for Best Journal Article (2012) and leads interdisciplinary teams in cyberlearning and adaptive tutoring systems. Education background includes advanced studies in computer science and engineering, though specific details are not provided. His work integrates robotics, affective computing, and smart environments to address real-world challenges such as aging, education, and environmental exploration. Research interests span robotics applications in education (e.g., co-robotic learning agents), assistive technologies for independent living, and multimodal learning environments. His contributions include adaptive systems for creative crowdsourcing, emotion-aware tutoring platforms, and underwater human-robot interaction frameworks. Current projects emphasize scalable crowd ideation tools and sensor-driven behavior change interventions. Awards include recognition for impactful journal contributions, while grants fund initiatives like cyberlearning with teachable robots and precision oncology IT tools. Advising and grant activities are central to his academic contributions, though specific student names are not listed. Collaborations involve cross-disciplinary teams in engineering, healthcare, and arts to create impactful technologies. Burleson's lab focuses on developing responsive emotive systems, wearable assistive devices, and immersive multimedia applications. Ongoing work explores scalable solutions for dementia support, marine technology interfaces, and creative human-computer interaction paradigms.
Aaron Seitz is a Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, affiliated with the Bouvé College of Health Sciences and College of Arts, Media and Design. His academic background includes a BA in theoretical mathematics, a PhD in computational neuroscience, and postdoctoral work in systems neuroscience and neuroimaging. His research focuses on understanding cognitive processes like learning, memory, and perception, with an emphasis on translational applications such as perceptual learning interventions and gamified cognitive training. He directs the Brain Game Center for Mental Fitness and Well-being, developing mobile tools to assess and enhance cognitive function in diverse populations. Seitz’s work spans neurotypical individuals, clinical populations (e.g., schizophrenia, Parkinson’s), and specialists like radiologists. Key projects include visual remediation for vision loss, auditory processing assessments, and gamified interventions for aging populations. His research integrates methods from psychophysics, neuroimaging, computational modeling, and clinical trials. Recent studies explore applications in esports prediction, bilingual auditory processing, and neuroplasticity mechanisms linked to locus coeruleus integrity. Publications highlight advancements in perceptual learning frameworks (e.g., PLFest platform), adaptive testing methods (e.g., adaptive scan approach), and remote assessment tools (e.g., Portable Automated Rapid Testing). Collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining neuroscience with engineering and public health to address real-world challenges like cognitive decline and accessibility.
Niels Christian Nilsson is a faculty member at Aalborg University , Denmark, with a research focus on Virtual Reality , Haptic Feedback , and Human-Computer Interaction . His work explores techniques for enhancing immersion and realism in VR through multimodal feedback, including tactile, auditory, and visual cues. Key research themes include redirected walking , body ownership illusions , and interactive sound synthesis , often in collaboration with Stefania Serafin and Rolf Nordahl. Nilsson's recent publications (2023-2024) address VR sickness in locomotion systems, tactile auditory augmentation for hearing-impaired users, and applications of VR in rehabilitation. He investigates novel input methods like blink-based interaction and geometric environments for mathematics education. His contributions span both practical implementations (e.g., ElboVR for post-surgery recovery) and theoretical frameworks for sensory feedback in virtual environments. Nilsson's work has been presented at premier venues such as CHI , VR , and IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics . While no formal awards or students are listed in this dataset, his research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and user-centered design in immersive technologies, with implications for healthcare, gaming, and education.
Atsushi Hiyama is a researcher at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and assistive technologies. His work focuses on VR/AR systems for elderly care, rehabilitation technologies, and intergenerational interaction design. His research spans: VR-based health interventions for seniors Touchscreen interaction for aging populations Telepresence robotics and funeral webcasting systems Cultural preservation through wearable AR Haptic interfaces for skill training Publication analysis shows strong emphasis on: Gerontological applications of immersive tech (65% of recent papers) Cross-cultural systems for Japanese/Taiwanese rituals Tangible interfaces combining physical/digital interaction
Prof. Selin Damla Ahipasaoglu is a Professor in Operational Research at the University of Southampton's School of Mathematical Sciences . She serves on the management team of the UKRI CDT SustAI (Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability) as Senior Tutor and Co-Lead for the Transportation and Logistics Theme . Her work bridges mathematical optimization with practical applications in sustainability, finance, and transportation systems. Research Interests : Convex Optimization Robust Optimization Discrete Choice Theory Experimental Design Machine Learning Current Research : Focused on robust optimization and its applications in discrete choice modeling, portfolio optimization, and transportation systems. She explores theoretical frameworks alongside real-world implementations, particularly through interdisciplinary projects like the UKRI CDT SustAI. Teaching : In the 2025/2026 academic year, she teaches MATH3017: Mathematical Programming and MATH2013: Operational Research II . She supervises PhD students in Mathematical Sciences, including Kexin Lai, Samuel Jericho Ward, and others.
