Muna Saleh is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton. A Palestinian Muslim woman and educator, she specializes in narrative inquiry and curriculum development focused on Muslim girls, mothers, and families. Ph.D., University of Alberta M.Ed., University of Alberta B.Ed., University of Alberta Her research explores: Curriculum-making through Rahma pedagogy Digital identity and third-space solidarity Disability studies in Muslim refugee communities Anti-Islamophobia education frameworks Ethical relationality in posthuman social studies Recent publications examine Alberta's K-6 curriculum critiques, disability citizenship narratives, and grandmother-led educational philosophies. Articles span 2019-2023 with emphasis on Islamic pedagogy and critical storytelling. Killam Trusts Fellowship (doctoral research) SSHRC Insight Development Grant (Palestinian curriculum study)
Laurent Matthey is an Associate Professor at the University of Geneva's Department of Geography and Environment since 2014. He directs the Urban Planning orientation of the joint UNIGE-HES-SO Master's in Territorial Development and co-directs the UNIGE-EPFL MAS in Urban Planning. His work bridges ethnography and literary studies, examining political issues in urban narrative production through sensitive registers and attentional regimes. Current affiliations: CRESSON team (UMR AAU) since 2023 Active in EspaceSuisse committee and RAMAU network management Research focuses on epistemology of urban planning knowledge , organized into two streams: Planning discourses and narrative studies Ethnography of urban projects His research-creation explores intersections between: Communication and urban planning Fiction and urban planning Narrative and sensitive methods Urban social quality Current projects include "Participez! Neighborhood makers" (FNS Division 1 funding) and completed works like "The narrative making of the city" (FNS-COST 18126) and "Developing housing cooperatives in Greater Geneva" (Interreg V France-Switzerland). He has supervised doctoral students in Geneva, including Hugo Campi ("Flowers to Convince"), Nicole Peccoud ("Social emergency in Geneva"), and Morgane Rudaz ("Feminist collages"). Key scientific contributions appear in GeoHumanities , Planning Theory , and Social Inclusion , with recent emphasis on: AI's role in urban narrative (2024) Decolonial planning approaches (2023) Affective urbanism (2018) Teaching encompasses: Urban geography and ecology (T206059 BGEO) Research-creation seminar (T416007 MDT) Creative methods in metropolitan foresight Professional engagements include urban quality studies for Geneva's Urban Planning Office and Lausanne's Roads Department. He has co-authored foundational texts on Swiss urbanism with Christophe Mager and David Gaillard, exploring topics like "Urbanism fictionnel" (2011) and "Being an urban planner" (2016).
Debbi Marais is a Professor (Teaching Focussed) at the University of Warwick within the Warwick Medical School and Health Sciences department. She serves as the Director of Postgraduate Education and is a Principal Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy , demonstrating strategic leadership in enhancing teaching quality, curriculum development, and student mentorship. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, she has held academic positions at Stellenbosch University , University of Aberdeen , and University of Warwick . Her expertise spans teaching, assessment, program coordination, quality assurance, and reflective practice. Marais’ research interests include pedagogical innovation , with a focus on technology-enhanced teaching and employability & professionalism , as well as public health nutrition covering infant and young child feeding , nutrition transition , and global health . She employs mixed methods in her research and has contributed to understanding exclusive breastfeeding barriers , maternal obesity trends in Africa, and Arabic weight-loss app design . Her work often intersects with technology-enhanced health education and interdisciplinary collaboration . Her recent publications highlight qualitative studies on food-based dietary guidelines in Kenya and South Africa, mobile health interventions for weight loss, and educational innovations in medical and nutrition training. These works reflect her commitment to global health equity and digital pedagogy , with recurring themes in African and Southeast Asian health contexts. She emphasizes participatory research methods and policy translation in maternal and child nutrition. Scientific Awards Principal Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy Marais has supervised postgraduate research students (PhD and Masters) and contributed to curriculum reform through collaborative international projects. She has secured external funding for research and demonstrated interdisciplinary expertise in nutrition , public health , and health education .
Dr. Marc Schmitt serves as a Research Associate in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford while concurrently leading as Managing Director of the DEIM Research Institute in Germany. His interdisciplinary work bridges academic research and industry applications across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and financial systems. Academic Background: PhD in Computer and Information Sciences (AI in Finance), University of Strathclyde MSc in Quantitative Finance, University of Strathclyde MSc in Software Engineering, University of Oxford BA in Business Administration, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm Dr. Schmitt's research focuses on AI-driven decision-making at the intersection of finance, business analytics, and cybersecurity. His work examines how intelligent systems integrate into organizational structures while addressing systemic risks in digital ecosystems. Recent investigations include generative AI threats in social engineering, no-code AutoML applications, and policy frameworks for AI-enhanced security systems. His publications demonstrate consistent methodological innovation across theoretical and applied domains. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals growing emphasis on generative AI security implications (2024-2025), with foundational work in business analytics applications (2023). The research shows strong interdisciplinary connections between computer science, financial economics, and human-centered design principles, reflecting his unique background spanning technical and business domains. Prior to academia, Dr. Schmitt held strategic positions including Senior IT Partner for Equity Finance at Siemens Financial Services and management consulting roles at d-fine and Deloitte, where he advised Fortune 500 companies on digital transformation and risk management. His industry experience directly informs his research approach, emphasizing practical implementation challenges alongside theoretical innovation.
Perpetua Kirby is an Assistant Professor in Childhood and Youth (Education) at the School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex . She specializes in children’s rights, participation, and agency, utilizing ethnographic and multimodal methodologies to explore democratic approaches to education. Her work bridges research and practice, focusing on sustainability education and transformative models through collaborations with organizations like the Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth (CIRCY) and the Centre for Teaching and Learning Research (CTLR) . Research Themes: Children’s rights and agency in educational settings Interdisciplinary sustainability education (Global North/South) Ethnographic and creative research methods Transformative pedagogies for climate uncertainty Key Projects: Nuffield-funded study on children’s voices and data in UK local authorities Collaboration with PASTRES Programme on art-based climate pedagogy Fellow of Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) Teaching: Co-convenes Forest Food Garden elective at University of Sussex Supervises MA in Education and doctoral research training Media Impact: Featured in BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour, Financial Times, Huffington Post
Rowena Hill is a Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University's School of Social Sciences, specializing in disaster psychology and emergency response systems. She holds key roles including ESRC Policy Fellow for Climate Change, Honorary Research Lead for the Fire Fighters Charity, and Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council's Academic Collaboration Group. Her work bridges academic research with policy, focusing on resilience strategies for emergency responders, community risk management, and mental health support systems. Education: Not explicitly stated in provided texts Her research emphasizes psychological health in emergency contexts, including pandemic response, climate adaptation, and familial impacts of frontline work. She has led over 60 evidence-based reports for UK pandemic policy during her 2020–21 secondment to the C19 National Foresight Group. Key interests include humanitarian assistance frameworks, public risk communication, and organizational resilience in critical sectors. Recent publications analyze firefighter wellbeing, police resilience training, and extreme weather preparedness. Notable achievements include establishing evaluation frameworks for fire service interventions and advising national security inquiries. Awards: Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Dr. Hill collaborates with governmental bodies and emergency services, contributing to policy development through evidence synthesis. Her work addresses systemic challenges in emergency service collaboration, climate change adaptation, and psychological support structures for responders and affected communities. She leads the NTU Emergency Services Research Unit, focusing on operational learning and health strategies for emergency personnel. Current projects explore long-term resilience in post-pandemic recovery and climate-related disaster preparedness.
Yan Huang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Software Engineering and Game Development at Kennesaw State University (KSU). His work bridges Federated Learning (FL) and Cybersecurity Education , with a focus on personalization and privacy in distributed systems. Research spans Machine Learning , Extended Reality (XR) , and Data Privacy . He has served as Editor of WCMC and Program Co-Chair for CyberSciTech 2020-2024. Research Trends: Recent publications emphasize Federated Learning for non-IID data, VR-based Cybersecurity Education , and Privacy-Preserving Algorithms in IoT and social media analytics. Key subfields include personalized learning architectures, graph learning, and game-theoretic privacy frameworks. Scientific Awards: Excellent Paper Award (Tsinghua Science and Technology, 2021) Best Paper Award (Future Generation Computer Systems, 2019) Best Paper Awards at IEEE SmartWorld 2021, COCOA 2019, and WASA 2019 Grants: Led over $600,000 in NSF and NSA-funded projects, including VR cybersecurity education for K-12 and XR engineering curricula. His lab recruits VR/AR Research Assistants via industry partnerships.
Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Timm holds the Chair of Cultural Anthropology at the Institute for Cultural Anthropology and European Ethnology , University of Münster. With a career spanning decades, her work bridges academic research with public engagement through projects like "Erzählen Deine Gene Dir Deine Geschichte?!" , which won the 2024 Citizen-Science-Preis der Universitätsstiftung Münster. She critiques political movements opposing gender and race theory while maintaining scientific rigor. Research Focus: Her scholarship examines genealogy as knowledge practice, single-family homes as social ontologies, and the intersections of culture, science, and politics. She leads interdisciplinary projects connecting archives, museums, and citizen science initiatives. Scientific Awards: Citizen-Science-Preis (2024) Dr. Fritz Landenberger-Preis (2009) Research Fellowship in Vienna (2009) Public Engagement: Regularly participates in exhibitions like "Familienmacher" (Österreichisches Museum für Volkskunde) and debates on topics such as genetic data ethics and urban development.
Thea Williamson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Old Dominion University’s College of Arts & Letters. A bilingual literacy educator and former teacher of multilingual learners in Miami, New York City, Austin, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing as a tool for thinking, creative expression, and social change. Her teaching emphasizes critical theories like decolonization and critical race theory to explore literacy pedagogy and adolescent learning. Education Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, University of Texas at Austin (2018) M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, University of Texas at Austin (2012) B.A. in Spanish & Comparative Literature, Haverford College (2004) Research Interests Williamson investigates the sociopolitical dimensions of English Language Arts in culturally and linguistically diverse secondary schools, combining critical race theory, translanguaging, and discourse analysis. Her work highlights linguistic justice, anti-oppressive writing pedagogies, and the role of literacy in resolving alienation in educational spaces. Publication Trends Her recent publications explore critical race curriculum analysis, translanguaging in ELA classrooms, and adolescent writing identity. Key themes include racial equity in literature teaching, multimodal literacy engagement, and the role of self-reflection in empowering multilingual students.
Dr. Ian Sturrock is a Senior Lecturer in Games, Animation & Visual Effects at Teesside University, within the Department of Computing & Games. He is actively involved in teaching across undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation levels, and contributes to the university's Arts Research Group. His academic work spans game design, narrative theory, and digital innovation, with a strong focus on motivation and world-building in games. His research interests include: Game narrative and narratology Transmedia storytelling and world-building Player motivation and identity Cybersecurity awareness through games The cultural impact of role-playing games Dr. Sturrock's recent publications explore innovative frameworks for measuring game motivation and examine how transmedia narratives can promote social justice. His work often bridges academic theory with practical game design, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. He has led the Innovate UK-funded project 'HackEscape,' which uses game mechanics to teach cybersecurity. His research has been published in journals such as Gamevironments and Analog Game Studies , and he has contributed to educational syllabi collections on game design pedagogy. He is currently accepting PhD students and has supervised research in game studies. Dr. Sturrock was previously affiliated with the University of Hertfordshire, where he served as Partnership Manager for the Creative Enterprise degree and contributed to the Media Research Group, co-organizing the first international Game of Thrones Conference in 2017. His professional engagements include media contributions on video game adaptations and the success of Games Workshop, reflecting his public-facing scholarship. He is an active researcher with a growing body of peer-reviewed work in digital games and narrative.
Laurier Turgeon is Professor of Ethnology and History and holds the Canada Research Chair in Ethnological Heritage at Université Laval, Quebec, Canada. He is a leading scholar in cultural and intangible heritage, with extensive international collaborations, including visiting positions at Harvard University and the MIT Media Lab. He directs the Laboratory for Ethnological and Multimedia Inquiry (LEEM) and has held leadership roles at the Institute of Cultural Heritage (2005–2012) and the interuniversity research center CELAT (1994–2000). Canada Research Chair in Ethnological Heritage Professor, Department of Ethnology and History, Université Laval Director, Laboratory for Ethnological and Multimedia Inquiry (LEEM) Editor-in-Chief, Ethnologies journal Co-director, Encyclopedia of the Cultural Heritage of French America His research focuses on the socio-political dimensions of cultural heritage, including transmedia narratives, food heritage, digital documentation, and the role of communities in heritage practices. He has pioneered innovative digital inventories of intangible heritage in partnership with Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and has led public exhibitions such as Manger Ensemble on Quebec’s food heritage. His work bridges academic research, public engagement, and policy development. The analysis of his recent articles reveals a strong thematic focus on critical heritage studies, with attention to borders, rights, ownership, and the political uses of heritage. His publications explore the tensions between formal heritage regimes and informal cultural practices, the role of art and media in heritage appropriation, and the spatial and territorial dimensions of cultural meaning-making. There is a consistent interdisciplinary approach, integrating anthropology, geography, law, and political theory. His scientific recognition includes: The Summit International Award for Creative Media—Visionnary Award (2014) Prix de l’Office de la langue française du Québec—Solutions mobiles (2014) Prix Marius Barbeau (2016) Laurier Turgeon actively mentors emerging scholars and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams. He has secured major grants for digital heritage projects and leads the development of mobile applications and online encyclopedias to democratize access to cultural knowledge. His future work continues to emphasize community-based heritage, digital innovation, and the global challenges of heritage preservation in a rapidly changing world. He leads the Laboratory for Ethnological and Multimedia Inquiry (LEEM), which specializes in multimedia documentation of intangible heritage, digital archiving, and public dissemination of research through exhibitions, mobile apps, and online platforms. The lab fosters collaboration between researchers, communities, and cultural institutions.
Charles Smith is a Professor of Political Studies at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan. He specializes in Canadian political economy, provincial politics, and labour law, with a focus on workers' rights, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the intersection of law and class struggle. His research spans historical analysis of Canadian labour movements, modern legal challenges faced by unions, and the political economies of Canadian provinces. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science from York University. His work emphasizes critical engagement with neoliberalism's impact on labour rights and the evolving role of the Canadian state in regulating industrial relations. Research Interests: Labour history, provincial politics, constitutional law applications to labour rights, and the socio-political dynamics of Western Canada. His analysis often critiques legal frameworks that constrain workers' collective freedoms, advocating for a more equitable interpretation of Charter rights for unions. Publications Trends: Recent work focuses on Saskatchewan's political developments (2025 paper), historical labour legislation (2024), and digital-age workplace boundaries (2022). Earlier publications analyzed back-to-work laws (2020), anti-union legal architectures (2018), and landmark strike cases like the Pepsi Strike (2014). His 2017 book Unions in Court co-authored with Larry Savage remains a seminal text on constitutional labour rights. Awards: SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2012-2014) Teaching & Grants: Taught courses on public law, political economy, and Canadian democracy. His grants supported research into provincial political transformations and the socio-political impacts of austerity policies. Active in curriculum development around social justice and the common good. Labs/Teams: Co-editor of Labour/Le Travail , Canada's leading labour studies journal. Collaborates extensively with scholars like Larry Savage, Tom McIntosh, and Andrew Stevens on projects examining workers' legal rights, neoliberalism, and Western Canadian politics.
Dana L. Alden is a Professor at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa's Shidler College of Business, specializing in sustainable marketing, healthcare consumer decision-making, brand management, and cross-cultural consumer behavior. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sustainable Marketing and has been recognized with multiple awards for teaching, research, and service. PhD in Marketing and International Business, University of Texas, Austin (1990) MBA in Marketing with Honors, University of Hawai`i at Manoa (1984) MA in Public Affairs with Honors, University of California at Santa Barbara (1977) BA in Environmental Studies with Honors, University of California at Berkeley (1973) Her research focuses on sustainable marketing practices, health care consumer decision-making, brand management, and cross-cultural consumer behavior. She has pioneered frameworks for participatory marketing communication campaigns, developed culturally targeted patient decision aids, and explored the impact of social norms on environmental choices. A review of her publications reveals a consistent emphasis on cross-cultural dynamics, sustainable practices, and healthcare decision-making. Her work spans journals in marketing, international business, and medical decision-making, reflecting interdisciplinary expertise in bridging marketing theory with real-world health and sustainability challenges. Dennis Ching Teaching Award (2018) Professor of the Semester Award (2017) Best Professor of the Semester - Undergraduate Core Course (2015) Kaizen Service Award (2015) Award for Outstanding Short Course in SEM (2014) Shirley M. Lee Research Award (2013) As an educator, Alden has taught foundational courses like Principles of Marketing and specialized offerings such as Sustainable Marketing and International Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior. She has also led healthcare executive programs in Honolulu, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, Taipei, Hanoi, and Vietnam, integrating marketing principles into public health contexts.
Paulo Mendes Pinto is a Researcher at Lusófona University , where he coordinates the Science of Religions area and leads the REC-XXI project on Religions, Education, and Citizenship. He has directed the Master’s and Bachelor’s programs in Religious Studies and serves as a Director of Advanced Islamic Leadership Training and Editorial Director of Lusófona University’s publications. His work bridges interreligious dialogue , state-religion relations , and cultural heritage projects with institutions like the Presidency of the Republic Museum and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation . Education: PhD in Cultural Studies (University of Aveiro, 2021), Master’s in Pre-Classical History and Culture (University of Lisbon, 2001), Bachelor’s in History (University of Lisbon, 1997). His research focuses on religious freedom in Portugal, Jewish heritage , Islamic patrimony , and education for sustainability in museums and libraries. Through projects like MUBIESUS and Database of Islamic Heritage in Portugal , he explores intersections of critical pedagogy , environmental justice , and cultural diversity . His recent articles analyze symbolism in religious rituals , urban spirituality , and political uses of religious discourse . He is actively involved in public science initiatives, collaborating with the European Academy of Religions (founded in 2017) and the World Parliament of Religions (Ambassador, 2015–2018). No formal awards are listed, but his leadership in projects like the Mapping of the Neves e Sousa Collection and Community Engagement Against Radicalization underscores his institutional impact.
Chrisanthi Avgerou is Professor of Information Systems at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), affiliated with the Department of Management Science and Technology in the School of Business. She chairs IFIP Technical Committee 9 on Social Implications of Information Technology and serves as Associate Editor for Information Systems Research Journal and The Information Society Journal. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Information Systems, London School of Economics, 1989 M.Sc. in Computer Science, Loughborough University of Technology, 1978 B.Sc.(Hons) in Mathematics, University of Athens, Greece, 1977 Professor Avgerou's research examines ICT's relationship with organizational transformation and socio-economic development, with emphasis on critical perspectives and developing country contexts. Her work bridges technical implementation with social theory, exploring power dynamics in socio-technical change and institutional barriers to ICT adoption. She pioneered studies on computers in developing countries through IFIP WG 9.4 leadership (1996-2003). Analysis of her 1998-2007 publications reveals consistent focus on three interconnected domains: (1) socio-technical change in organizations using institutional theory, (2) ICT's role in development contexts through critical policy analysis, and (3) philosophical foundations of information systems research. Her editorial work in The Oxford Handbook of ICT (2007) synthesizes global perspectives on digital transformation. Her scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the British Computer Society Fellow of the Association for Information Systems She coordinates the BSc Information Systems and Management program for the University of London External Programme and teaches Social Study of IS (IS470) and Information Society, Theory and Policy (IS412/478). Her research is conducted through LSE's Information Systems and Innovation Group, which examines technology's societal impacts through interdisciplinary collaboration. She currently organizes the Human Choice and Computers conference series, advancing discourse on technology ethics.
