Teresa Hirzle is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science , University of Copenhagen , specializing in Human-Centred Computing . Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , Virtual Reality (VR) , Extended Reality (XR) , and Gaze-Based Interaction . Research Interests: Designing interaction techniques for immersive environments Eye movement analysis for educational applications Addressing digital eye strain in interactive systems Evaluating user experience in VR/AR Recent Research Trends: Her recent publications examine AI representation in VR co-creation, VR sickness in locomotion, eye strain in gaze-driven systems, and hybrid applications of comics/AR. She also explores pedagogical implications of eye tracking in remote learning. Contact: Email: tehi@di.ku.dk Office: Sigurdsgade 41, 2200 København N.
Gina Bloom is a Professor of English at the University of California, Davis, with affiliations in the PhD programs in Education and Performance Studies. Her research spans Shakespeare, early modern drama, gender theory, and digital humanities, focusing on games, performance, and educational technologies. PhD, MA, and Certificate in Women's Studies from the University of Michigan BA from the University of Pennsylvania Her work includes the award-winning digital game Play the Knave and a decolonial pedagogy curriculum for teaching Shakespeare. She collaborates with UC Davis’s ModLab and DataLab, emphasizing social justice and immersive learning. Awards include Best AR/VR Game (2022) and Shakespeare Publics Award (2025). Her publications blend game studies, theater history, and feminist theory, with recent articles addressing decolonial education and digital embodiment. Winner, Shakespeare Publics Award (2025) Finalist, GEE! Learning Game Award (2023) Winner, Best AR/VR Game Award (2022)
John Bovay is an Associate Professor and Kohl Junior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. He leads the department's Extension program and focuses on food and agricultural policy, particularly environmental and health impacts. His roles include membership in the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council's Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (2024–2026) and Chair of the AAEA Specialty Crop Economics Section (2024–2025). Education: Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Davis (2014), B.A. in Mathematics and Politics from Washington and Lee University (2007). His research integrates economic analysis of public policies, including food safety inspections, climate-smart agriculture, SNAP participation, and food waste. Notable projects include a USDA-NIFA grant (2022–25) on vegetable on-farm loss and a study on GMO labeling laws. Teaching includes a Ph.D. course on empirical market and policy analysis with Anubhab Gupta. Selected Awards: Southern Agricultural Economics Association Emerging Scholar (2021), Distinguished Young Alumnus (2017). Outreach efforts emphasize Extension programs like the 'Virginia Sustainable Farms and Agribusiness Education Initiative' and leadership in Virginia Cooperative Extension's Agribusiness Management & Economics team. Grants include the USDA's Climate-Smart Agriculture Alliance and I2GROW initiatives.
Dr. Thomas Lancaster is a Principal Teaching Fellow in the Department of Computing at Imperial College London, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He specializes in academic integrity, generative AI's impact on education, and combating contract cheating. His roles include Associate Dean at Staffordshire University and leadership positions at Coventry University and Birmingham City University. His research spans ethical AI use, plagiarism detection, and educational policy. He has authored numerous articles on cheating prevention and technology's role in academic integrity. His Orcid identifier is 0000-0002-1534-7547, and he can be reached at t.lancaster@imperial.ac.uk. Research Interests: Lancaster focuses on the intersection of technology and academic ethics, including generative AI's implications for student work, digital watermarking, and social media's role in enabling cheating. He advocates for staff-student partnerships to strengthen integrity frameworks and has pioneered methodologies for detecting source code plagiarism from online repositories. Publications: His recent work highlights global comparisons of cheating industries, the evolution of AI-driven cheating threats, and policy development to address historical misconduct. He emphasizes practical solutions for institutions, such as leveraging AI tools ethically and enhancing detection systems. Professional Contributions: As a leader in computing education, Lancaster has improved placement-year support for students and developed strategies to address transnational education challenges. His work on the SEEPAI project in Southeast Europe underscores his global impact.
Maria Antoniak is a Visiting Professor in Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, with an upcoming tenure-track appointment as Assistant Professor starting Fall 2025. She holds affiliations with both the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Information Science. Her research bridges Natural Language Processing (NLP), cultural analytics, and healthcare, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration with humanities and clinical fields. Education: PhD in Information Science from Cornell University (advisor: David Mimno), MA in Computational Linguistics from the University of Washington, and BA in Liberal Studies from the University of Notre Dame. She completed postdoctoral work at the Pioneer Centre for AI (Copenhagen) and was a Young Investigator at the Allen Institute for AI. Research focuses on narrative analysis (e.g., birth stories, online healthcare communities), NLP tool reliability, and ethical AI applications. Her work includes developing tools like Riveter for power dynamics analysis and Little Mallet Wrapper for topic modeling. Current projects explore cultural contexts in LLMs and maternal healthcare narratives. Teaching includes courses on NLP for Cultural Analytics and guest lectures globally. She organizes initiatives like the AI for Humanists workshop series and maintains resources for computational humanities. Maria advocates for inclusive academia through initiatives like Grads for Gender Inclusion in Computing and Ukrainian academic support efforts. Her upcoming roles include faculty appointments at CU Boulder and active participation in global conferences (e.g., ACL, COLING). Research spans computational humanities, healthcare informatics, and AI ethics, with a focus on societal impact and methodological rigor.
Donna Gallo is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), School of Music. She previously held faculty positions at Westminster Choir College, where she coordinated the Kodály Certification program, and taught K-6 general/choral music in Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) and Simsbury Public Schools (CT). Gallo’s academic background includes a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, an MME from Silver Lake College, a BME from Indiana University, and training at the Kodály Institute in Hungary, where she received the International Kodály Society Scholarship . Her research focuses on: Inservice teacher learning through collaborative professional development structures. Creative music-making and the integration of popular music practices in elementary education. Community partnerships as critical experiences for preservice teacher training. Quantitative research methodologies in music education. Educational equity through culturally responsive teaching and service learning. Teaching strategies for neurodivergent and physically divergent students. Gallo has secured grants for professional development programs and community partnerships with local music educators and school districts. Notably, she collaborated with the School of Music and College of Engineering on a UIUC grant to address systemic racism and social injustice. She has published in leading journals such as the Journal of Research in Music Education , Music Education Research , and International Journal of Music Education , and authored book chapters in The Routledge Companion to Creativities in Music Education and Toward Equity in School Music . Scientific Awards: International Kodály Society Scholarship (Kodály Institute, Hungary). In advising and grants, Gallo emphasizes culturally responsive teaching and first-year teacher support through service learning. Her work bridges music education with interdisciplinary initiatives, leveraging technology and partnerships to drive equity-focused innovation. She is actively involved in editorial roles, including past editor of AOSA Echo (2012–2016) and current editorial board member of the Music Educators Journal . Her collaborations span the UIUC School of Music and College of Engineering, as well as local schools and community artist mentors. Gallo’s efforts aim to transform music education through inclusive curricula, technology integration, and systemic change.
Jessica Roberts is an Assistant Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. She holds a PhD in the Learning Sciences and directs the Technology-Integrated Learning Environments (TILEs) Lab. Her work focuses on technology-mediated learning in informal environments like museums and citizen science projects, emphasizing geospatial analysis, data visualization, and accessibility. Prior to academia, she was a middle school teacher. Education: PhD in Learning Sciences (specific institution not listed) Postdoctoral research at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute Postdoctoral work at Northwestern University's Tidal Lab Research Interests: Dr. Roberts explores how interactive technologies can foster inclusive, socially meaningful learning experiences. Her projects include: Data sonification systems for visually impaired audiences AI literacy frameworks for K-12 classrooms Citizen science platforms that democratize environmental data exploration Embodied interaction designs to enhance public engagement with scientific data Article Trends: Recent work highlights innovations in AI education, climate data visualization, and accessibility technologies. Over half of her 2023-2025 publications address data sonification systems for marginalized audiences or AI literacy challenges in K-12 contexts. Awards: Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems Faculty Fellow Advising & Grants: Leads the TILEs Lab, which collaborates with institutions like the Field Museum of Natural History. Projects have been exhibited at major science museums, indicating significant external partnerships. Labs/Teams: Director of the TILEs Lab, affiliated with GVU Center at Georgia Tech. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across education, computer science, and environmental science domains.
Dr. Faranak Hardcastle is a Research Fellow at the UNESCO Chair in Science Communication for the Public Good at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (ANU). She also holds visiting fellowships at the University of Oxford’s Clinical Ethics, Law, and Society (CELS) and the University of Southampton’s Department of Medicine. Her research focuses on the interplay between science, technology, and society, addressing issues such as social inequalities, environmental sustainability, and ethical challenges in emerging technologies like AI and genomics. She holds a PhD in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and has contributed to interdisciplinary projects at institutions including the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and the University of Bristol. Her work spans ethical frameworks for data governance, the environmental impact of biobanking, and equitable genomic research. Recent publications critique AI ethics, blockchain in biobanking, and climate-related health systems. She advocates for systemic approaches to address societal challenges through collaborative, practice-oriented interventions. Dr. Hardcastle’s research has been published in journals such as the American Journal of Bioethics , Science , and Science, Technology & Human Values . Her interdisciplinary projects emphasize cross-sector collaboration to shape more equitable and sustainable technological futures.
Dr. Misa Faezipour is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and director of the Systems Engineering Lab (SEL). She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management from the University of Texas at Arlington and a B.Sc. in Software Engineering from Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch. Her research focuses on system dynamics modeling, healthcare systems engineering, complex systems, and sustainability optimization. Dr. Faezipour has advised numerous graduate students in M.S. and Ph.D. programs, focusing on topics such as healthcare disparities, AI robustness, and policy impact analysis. She teaches courses including Engineering Economy, Operations Management, and Engineering Management Systems. Her work spans collaborations with institutions like NASA, the Systems Engineering Research Center, and healthcare organizations. Her recent publications emphasize AI-driven healthcare solutions, system dynamics applications in policy analysis, and optimizing healthcare delivery through data-driven models. She actively contributes to professional organizations such as INCOSE, IEEE, and the System Dynamics Society. Dr. Faezipour’s lab, SEL, develops innovative tools for healthcare informatics, including diagnostic recommenders and policy simulation frameworks. Her research bridges systems engineering with healthcare challenges, addressing issues like racial health inequities and pandemic response strategies.
Andrea Botero is an Associate Professor at Aalto University's Department of Design, leading the INUSE research group focused on designer-user relations in socio-technical change. She holds adjunct professorships at Universidad de los Andes' Faculty of Architecture and Design (COL) and guest professorship at Aalborg University's Centre for Sustainable and Digital Transformation (DK). Academic Background: Doctor of Arts (New Media, Aalto University), MA in Product and Strategic Design (Aalto), BA in Industrial Design (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) Her research explores participatory design, science and technology studies, and transformative creative practices. Key themes include: Relational and caring interactions in design More-than-human approaches to environmental challenges Decolonial design methodologies Recent publications analyze feral mapping, pictogram politicization, and entangled knowledge production. She has received international recognition including the Ziman Award (2024) and MAST Network funding. Active in teaching MA and doctoral design programs, she also engages in multigenerational diversity activism through NGOs Ninho ry (Finland) and Utopiabio (Colombia).
Himanshu Verma is an Assistant Professor at the Knowledge and Intelligence Design Group within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on Human-AI Collaboration, Cognitive Empathy, and designing AI systems attuned to human needs. Prior to TU Delft, he held postdoctoral roles at the University of Fribourg, EPFL, and HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Switzerland. Education: PhD in Computer Science (EPFL, Switzerland), focusing on collaborative group interactions and shared environments. Postdoctoral research in Human-Computer Interaction and Ubiquitous Computing. Research Interests: Empathy-Centric Design for inclusive technologies. Social Signal Processing in human-AI interactions. Health, well-being, and accessibility in AI systems. Key Projects: Co-leads the PERISCOPE (H2020) research project. Designs tools like EmpathiCH and COCTEAU for empathy-driven decision-making. Teaching: Design Analytics (2023–2024). Empirical Design Research (2024). Labs & Teams: Active in the Knowledge and Intelligence Design Group, focusing on AI ethics, hybrid workspaces, and empathetic systems.
Dr Rita Borgo is a Professor in Data Visualization and Head of the Human Centred Computing Group at King's College London's Department of Informatics. She holds a leadership role within the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences and is affiliated with the Centre for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) London. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary visualization challenges, including human-computer interaction, AI trust calibration, and epidemiological modeling. Education details are not explicitly stated in the provided text. Her work spans over 58 publications, emphasizing visualization techniques for large datasets, trust in AI systems, and urban science applications. Key projects include RAMPVIS (visual analytics for pandemic response) and Trusted Autonomous Systems Hub (AI ethics and human-machine partnerships). Research interests include data visualization, human factors, generative AI, and policy simulation. Recent articles explore trust calibration in AI, time-series visualization, and ethical clinical decision support systems. She has led grants totaling £multi-million, including EPSRC-funded initiatives. Collaborations with organizations like ContactEngine Limited highlight her industry engagement. Labs/Teams: Leads the Human Centred Computing Group and contributes to CUSP's urban data initiatives. Supervised student work includes a notable BSc thesis by Munkhtulga Battogtokh. Current projects address visualization in nuclear policy, social media mental health correlations, and trustworthy autonomous systems.
Amanda Morris is a Research Professor and Director at the CDU Academy of the Arts within Charles Darwin University's Faculty of Arts and Society, specializing in Creative Industries and Innovation. She holds a PhD from The University of Sydney (1989) and a Graduate Diploma in Direction from The National Institute of Dramatic Art (1984). Her research integrates performing arts, interdisciplinary studies, and emerging technologies, focusing on pedagogical systems design, screen-based drama, and ecological arts. She has supervised postgraduate research and led innovative projects such as CellF, a neuron-driven synthesiser in performance. Education: PhD (University of Sydney), Graduate Diploma in Direction (NIDA) Key Roles: Editorial board member for The New Platform Papers , Member of Creative Industries Ministerial Advisory Council Notable Activities: Organised Voice and Speech Teachers Association (VASTA) conference (2017), delivered invited talks on online learning design (2021) Her awards include multiple Gold Medals for interactive multimedia (1998–2000) and recognition for educational technology innovations. Morris’s work bridges arts, technology, and pedagogy, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education.
Ryo Suzuki is an Assistant Professor at the ATLAS Institute within the University of Colorado Boulder's Computer Science department. His research focuses on innovative intersections of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Augmented Reality (AR), and robotics. He explores systems that blend AI, haptics, and shape-changing interfaces to create enriched user experiences. Key areas of investigation include embedding interactivity into static educational materials (e.g., textbooks), developing AI-driven AR tools for procedural instruction, and creating shape-changing robotics for tactile feedback. His work often emphasizes practical applications in education, remote collaboration, and creative industries. Recent projects include MapStory (LLM-driven map animation), RealityEffects (3D volumetric video augmentation), and HoloDevice (holographic cross-device collaboration).
Fabrício Benevenuto is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of social media analysis, data science, and computational journalism. His work spans complex networks, machine learning, and natural language processing with strong societal impact. His research focuses on social media dynamics, particularly in Brazilian contexts, with major contributions to hate speech detection, fake news analysis, and political discourse monitoring. He leads large-scale projects against misinformation, including development of systems like WhatsApp Monitor, Media Bias Monitor, and Purple Feed. His work combines technical innovation with real-world applications for election transparency and public discourse integrity. Benevenuto's recent publications demonstrate strong trends in multilingual NLP for social media analysis, with emphasis on Brazilian Portuguese contexts. His team produces both theoretical contributions and practical systems addressing hate speech, misinformation, and media bias. Notable methodological approaches include combining network analysis with linguistic features, developing culturally-aware detection systems, and creating large annotated datasets for understudied languages. CAPES award for best Brazilian computer science thesis (2010) Humboldt Foundation scholarship recipient (2017-2018) Member of TikTok Safety Advisory Council WWW'20 Best Paper Nominee & CNIL-INRIA Privacy Protection Prize winner Multiple best paper awards at CEAS, WBC, and ICWSM conferences Test-of-Time Award at ICWSM'20 Benevenuto actively mentors PhD and MSc students, with numerous advisees securing academic positions at Brazilian universities and research roles at institutions like Max Planck Institute. His projects often receive funding supporting interdisciplinary collaborations across computer science and social sciences. Current work includes large-scale analysis of Telegram political groups, real-time election monitoring systems, and developing culturally-aware NLP tools for Portuguese. He leads research teams working on social media analysis systems with societal impact, particularly focused on Brazilian digital ecosystems. Projects involve cross-institutional collaborations with researchers from MPI-SWS, Max Planck Institute, and various Brazilian universities, emphasizing practical applications for public discourse integrity.
