Dr. Krister Linden is a Research Director at the University of Helsinki ’s Department of Digital Humanities under the Faculty of Arts. He is the National Coordinator for FIN-CLARIN and supervises doctoral research, including Rosa Suviranta’s PhD thesis. Research Interests include language technology applications, digital humanities focused on Ancient Near Eastern Empires, science policy, and development of language resources infrastructure. He leads the Language Bank of Finland and participates in EU projects like FIN-CLARIAH and LAREINA. Active in computational linguistics and NLP Contributes to research infrastructures Works on Akkadian text analysis Organizes international conferences Recent Projects include coordination of the Business Finland-funded BF LAREINA (2023–2025) for Finnish speech corpus analysis and leadership in the Digital Europe Programme’s Open European Family of Large Language Models (2025–2028).
Thilo Fehmel is a Professor of Social Administration and Social Policy at the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences and serves as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Social Sciences . His academic career spans institutions like the University of Leipzig (habilitation in sociology) and Cooperative State University Gera. Research Focus: Social policy, welfare state theory, European sociology, labor sociology, and sociological theory (conflict, autonomy, deviance). Projects: Led research on Citizen Participation in the Digital Society (2019-2021, funded by Saxony) and Social Policy by Collective Agreement (2015-2019, funded by Hans Böckler Foundation). Publications: Over 25 monographs and edited volumes, including Tarifsozialpolitik (2021) and Sicherungsbewahrung (2013). Academic Leadership: Contributed to journals like Traverse and Soziologie , and edited special issues on welfare state transformation. His work bridges theoretical sociological analysis with practical policy implications, emphasizing the role of collective bargaining and institutional frameworks in shaping social security systems across Europe.
Jie Ding is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota's School of Statistics with graduate faculty appointments in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and the Data Science Program. He serves as a core faculty member of the Data Science and AI Hub and holds an Amazon Scholar position with the Amazon AGI Team focusing on foundation model training. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University (2017), postdoctoral work at Duke University (2018), and a B.S. from Tsinghua University where he participated in both the Math & Physics Academic Talent Program and Electrical Engineering program. Ding's research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, statistics, and scientific computing, with focus areas including Agentic AI for autonomous data science workflows, AI Foundations for interpretability and trustworthiness, Scalable Modeling for broader AI accessibility, Decentralized and Collaborative AI systems, and AI Safety addressing privacy and security concerns. He developed the STAT 8931 Generative AI course with open-source materials available at genai-course.jding.org . His recent publications demonstrate strong activity across multiple AI subfields, particularly in value alignment (MAP framework), AI safety mechanisms, federated learning innovations, and statistical foundations for modern AI systems. The breadth of venues (ICML, ICLR, NeurIPS) indicates significant impact across the AI research community. NSF CAREER Award (2024) Army Early Career Program (Young Investigator) Award (2023) Cisco Research Award (2022-25) AWS Cloud Credits for Research (2021-22) Meta/Facebook Faculty Research Award (2021-22) UMN Thank-A-Teacher Teaching Award (2019-20) Ding leads the Agentic AI for Data Science Benchmark initiative, collaborating with University of Minnesota colleagues and Minnesota industry partners to evaluate AI agent capabilities across healthcare, insurance, retail, energy and other sectors. His research group actively recruits PhD students interested in AI/Statistics intersections, with focus on developing theoretically grounded yet practically impactful AI systems.
Jan Frode Haugseth is an Associate Professor in Education at the Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He serves as a study program leader for Primary and Lower Secondary Teacher Education (Years 1–7). Haugseth holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from NTNU (2012) and is currently a visiting scholar at the Department of Sociology, UC Berkeley (2024-2025). Ph.D. in Sociology, NTNU (2012) Haugseth's research focuses on youth studies, media sociology, and engagement theory, particularly examining how young people navigate social inclusion. His comparative project between Scandinavia and California explores personal, structural, and cultural factors affecting youth participation. He co-leads the BULKIS research network on children's quality of life and educational engagement. His recent academic work spans educational theory, pragmatic sociology, and climate activism analysis. Publications address topics like moral equipping in education, digital literacy, and pedagogical critiques of neoliberalism. While not explicitly listing students or awards, his collaborations with Eli Smeplass and others highlight interdisciplinary approaches to educational sociology and social pragmatism. Haugseth teaches courses including equity in education, qualitative research methods, and inclusive pedagogy. His outreach includes public debates on educational policy, media ethics, and youth climate activism. Current projects examine engagement theory applications to educational investment and comparative analyses of youth affectivities.
Prof. Bettina Heinrich is a Professor at Evangelical University Ludwigsburg since 2014, specializing in Social Work, Cultural Work, and related fields. Her teaching encompasses Theories of Social Work, Politics and Social Work, and Cultural Work across multiple Bachelor's and Master's programs including Social Work, International Social Work, and Inclusive Pedagogy & Special Education. She maintains an office in Building C, Room 1.06 at the Ludwigsburg campus with contact information publicly listed. Her educational background includes: 1988: Diploma in Pedagogy from the University of Tübingen Prof. Heinrich's research explores the intersection of Social Work and Cultural Work, with particular emphasis on gender studies, diversity, participation, and urban development. Her work investigates how cultural spaces can foster inclusion, especially for girls and young women, and examines the political dimensions of social work within European contexts. She analyzes how cultural education can create resonant spaces in what she describes as 'resonance-poor times,' addressing contemporary societal challenges through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge social work theory and cultural practice. Her research consistently highlights the importance of creating gender-specific spaces and addressing diversity complexities through intersectional frameworks. Her publication history reveals a clear trajectory from urban cultural policy to increasingly focused work on gender, participation, and cultural education. Recent articles show deepening engagement with creating inclusive spaces for marginalized groups, particularly girls, while maintaining connections to broader social work theory. Her work spans both theoretical explorations and practical applications within German and European contexts, demonstrating how cultural work serves as a bridge between social work theory and community practice. The consistent themes across her publications include diversity, inclusion, resonance, and the creation of meaningful social spaces. Prof. Heinrich has held significant leadership positions throughout her career: 1988-1991: Research group on cultural history and material culture, participant in the consulting firm FOKUS 1992-1995: Foundation for Cultural Further Education and Cultural Consulting, Berlin - Scientific staff member and head of Information/Documentation department 1995-2000: University of Applied Sciences Potsdam - Head of Scientific Further Education (1995-1998), Coordinating Head of Rectorate's Staff Units (1998-2000) 2000-2007: German Association of Cities - Cultural Policy Advisor in Berlin (2000-2003), Advisor at European Office in Brussels (2003-2004), Cultural and Educational Policy Advisor in Berlin and Cologne (2004-2007) 2007-2009: Governing Mayor of Berlin, Chancellery - Head of Department for Fundamental Issues and Deputy Head of Cultural Affairs Department 2010-2014: Stiftung wannseeFORUM, Berlin - Director She has served as a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Reutlingen and Potsdam since 1990 and as an expert/consultant for the European Executive Agency for Education, Audiovisual and Culture (EACEA) for the Culture Program 2007-2013. Prof. Heinrich regularly presents at national and international conferences and institutions including Centro Cultural ITAU (São Paulo/Brazil), Goethe-Institute, EUROCITIES, German UNESCO Commission, Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (IfA), and German Society of the United Nations.
Professor Symeon Dagkas serves as Head of the School of Psychology & Life Sciences at the University of East London, specializing in the intersection of physical education, social inclusion, and superdiverse communities. His research critically examines barriers to sport participation among marginalized groups, particularly focusing on Muslim women, ethnic minorities, and youth from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in East London contexts. His primary research interests center on physical education inclusion , superdiverse health equity , and critical pedagogies for diverse classrooms . Through Bourdieusian frameworks, he investigates how race, religion, and social class intersect to shape physical culture experiences. Key projects include the Newham Every Child a Sport Person (NECaSP) initiative and Schools on the Move intervention, examining family structures, pedagogical practices, and institutional barriers affecting youth physical activity. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on intersectional exclusion mechanisms in sport settings, with increasing emphasis on superdiversity theory and decolonizing physical culture . His work bridges academic research and practical interventions, documenting discrimination patterns among Asian European footballers while developing inclusive pedagogical models for culturally diverse classrooms. Professor Dagkas has led significant funded projects including: Youth Sport Trust's 'Schools on the Move' evaluation Newham Borough's Every Child a Sport Person program BASS Project on Muslim girls' participation His scholarly contributions include edited volumes like 'Families, Young People, Physical Activity and Health: Critical Perspectives' (Routledge, 2016), establishing him as a key voice in critical sport pedagogy. His research teams frequently collaborate with East London community organizations, focusing on: Racialization in physical culture Family health pedagogies Religious inclusion frameworks Urban youth engagement models Current work examines superdiverse adolescents' activity patterns through mixed-methods approaches, developing context-specific inclusion strategies for London's multicultural schools.
Cecilia Wallerstedt is a Professor at the University of Gothenburg, affiliated with both the Artistic Faculty at the Academy of Music and Drama and the Department of Education, Communication and Learning. As Pro-Dean of the Artistic Faculty, she bridges artistic and educational research, while leading the FILUR project focused on imagination development in early childhood education. Her research explores teaching and learning in music and other aesthetic subjects across educational levels, emphasizing teacher-child interactions and sociocultural theory. Current projects address play-responsive teaching, intergenerational play dynamics, and digital media integration in preschool settings. She supervises PhD students in the PReCEC graduate school and collaborates with Nordic institutions through networks like the Studies of Artistic Vision and the Network for Internship Development. Recent publications highlight play-responsive didaktik, metacognitive strategies, and cultural historical theory applied to music, narrative play, and multilingual engagement. While no scientific awards are mentioned, her work includes EU-funded research and systematic reviews of music education practices.
Tahseen Shams is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania , specializing in the intersections of race, religion, and geopolitics among immigrant communities. Her groundbreaking research examines how South Asian Muslim immigrants in Canada navigate interracial and interfaith dating/marriage through both personal and societal lenses. Current affiliation: University of Pennsylvania Research focus: Complex religion framework, transnational identity, and geopolitical influences on intimate relationships Methodology: In-depth interviews and digital ethnography with 50 South Asian Muslim participants in Canada Her work challenges conventional race-centric analyses by demonstrating how sect, national origin, and global political consciousness equally shape identity boundaries. Key findings reveal: Racialized Muslims actively negotiate religious authenticity through conversion timelines and motivations South Asian "brown solidarity" is undermined by historical ethnonational conflicts (e.g., Bangladesh-Pakistan tensions) Colorism and linguistic hierarchies persist within co-ethnic Muslim communities Global geopolitics (especially Israel-Palestine) inform personal romantic boundaries The project involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary RRR research team of undergraduate and graduate students, analyzing 130 interviews across five participant groups. Her publications include empirical studies in Sociology of Religion , Qualitative Sociology , and Ethnic and Racial Studies , with a forthcoming monograph at Stanford University Press .
María Teresa Vilariño Picos is a Full Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, specializing in Digital Humanities, Comparative Literature, and Cyberculture studies. Her academic work bridges Literary Theory with technology, urban studies, and education. She coordinates the Ñínós Project for Sustainable Development education and participates in multiple academic committees within the Faculty of Philology. She is affiliated with research centers including CEFILMUS (Film Studies), CIPPCE (Emerging Processes), CEGAL (Galician Supercomputing), and international groups like NUPILL (Brazil) and Narratopedia (Colombia). Doctorate in Theory of Literature and Comparative Literature (USC) MSc in Rare Congenital Metabolic Diseases Her research explores transmedia narratives, interactive digital art, and the intersection of literature with virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and urban architecture. Key projects include Crossed Narratives (2016), Trans-Architectures (2011), and Connected but Alone (2021), which examines digital narrative's impact on education and social interaction. Her work spans cyberpoetry, video game narratives, and digital cartographies of cities. She has contributed to 15+ publications since 2001, with recent work focusing on educommunication 3.0, intermediality, and performative digital spaces. She teaches courses on Text/Image relationships and Literary Theory, and leads research on educational innovation through social pedagogy.
Alyson Crozier is a Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology at the University of South Australia, affiliated with the School of Health Sciences and the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA). Her research focuses on group dynamics, social influence, and mental wellbeing in athletes, with expertise in physical activity promotion and coaching strategies for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Her work spans several key areas: Sport and Exercise Psychology: Investigating emotional distraction mechanisms in athletes and the impact of identity leadership on mental health. Community Physical Activity: Evaluating initiatives like the 'A Walk Can Work Wonders' campaign and Daily Moves program for older adults. Youth Sport Development: Exploring group norms, peer influence, and coaching frameworks for neurodiverse populations. Applied Behavioral Research: Studying social prompts, wearable technology efficacy, and cross-cultural leadership dynamics in team sports. Recent publications highlight cross-cultural validation of identity leadership theories, emotional valence effects in attention regulation, and practical applications for community health campaigns. Collaborations with institutions like Tennis Australia, Flinders University, and KU Leuven underscore her interdisciplinary impact. Grants and Funding: Projects have been supported by the Dementia Australia Research Foundation PhD Scholarship, Better Ageing Grant, and government partnerships such as Preventive Health SA.
Christina Seeger is a Professor at the Institute of Media and Communication Studies, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt. She serves as Deputy Head of Institute and Deputy spokesperson of the HSCM doctoral program, while also contributing to equality initiatives as a Member of the Working Group for Equal Treatment Issues. Research Focus: Political communication, digital conflict analysis, public opinion dynamics, social media effects, and experimental methodology. Key Contributions: Development of frameworks for media effects, disclaimers in digital content, and value-based environmental communication. Recent Trends: Her 2022-2023 work explores misinformation counter-strategies, psychological impacts of social media content, and methodological advancements in media research. Articles analyze Russian-Ukrainian conflict narratives, #MeToo framing effects, and influencer-driven political engagement. Scientific Roles: Active in academic leadership, she contributed to research data guidelines (2020) and international publishing strategies (2015). Her experimental research manuals (2018) are widely referenced.
Izaak Dekker is an Associate Professor of Didactics and Curriculum Development in Higher Education at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, affiliated with the Personalized Learning and Instruction research group. His research focuses on AI applications in education and interventions to enhance student success, retention, and well-being through experimental evaluation studies. He combines academic rigor with practical collaboration, working closely with lecturers and students to optimize flexible education models. Education: PhD in Academic Thriving (Evidence-Based Higher Education) from Erasmus University Rotterdam (2018–2022) Research interests span AI in education, evidence-based pedagogy, and behavioral interventions in higher education. His recent work explores desirable difficulties in learning, students-as-teachers models, and media literacy in the era of generative AI. Scientific awards include the Docentonderzoeker van het jaar (Academic Teacher of the Year, 2021) and the 100% Open Science Award (2024). He actively contributes to open data initiatives and peer review processes.
Jonas L. Juul is a Carlsberg Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow at DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark. His work focuses on network science, computational social science, and social media analysis, particularly examining information cascades and spreading processes in digital environments. Dr. Juul actively participates in academic communities, including promoting the DataBeers Copenhagen event and contributing to the "Science of the Predicted Human" talk series. He has published in prestigious venues like PNAS, analyzing social media dynamics through network-based methodologies. While specific details about educational background, grants, or laboratory affiliations are not explicitly mentioned in the provided texts, his research intersects with digital communication patterns and networked systems. No formal advising roles or scientific awards are documented in the available materials.
Professor Alicia Arévalo González is a leading scholar at University of Cádiz , specializing in Archaeology and Ancient Numismatics . Affiliated with the Marine Research Institute (INMAR) , she co-leads the HUM1126 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage research group focusing on the Strait of Gibraltar to Atlantic-Mediterranean areas. Academic Leadership: Established groundbreaking research lines connecting Numismatics with Archaeology over 20+ years Research Pillars: Phoenician-Punic Coinage , Roman Maritime Industries , Monetary Circulation , Hispanic Numismatics Her work spans multiple international projects including: Deatlantir I-II (National R&D Plan) TIDE Network (Interreg Atlantic Area) NUMAROC (Casa de Velázquez) Collaborations with Università di Bologna and French School of Archaeology Key contributions include: Directing Currency for the Afterlife necropolis study Coordinating Erasmus+ Program with Bologna University Developing Wondercoins-His open data platform Participating in technical commissions for Baelo Claudia Archaeological Ensemble
Dr Sarah Ball is a Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's School of Political Science & International Studies, focusing on governance and public policy. Her work examines the translation of evidence into policy, with current projects on digital governance of welfare-to-work and ethical expertise in crisis management. Qualifications: PhD, The University of Queensland; Masters (Coursework), Flinders University; Bachelor of Arts, Flinders University Her research spans behavioural insights , digital transformation , codesign , and administrative ethics , addressing issues like algorithmic governance, welfare-to-work programs, and collaborative policy-making. Key projects include an ARC Linkage Project on digital governance of welfare-to-work and an ESRC project on crisis ethics advice. Recent publications highlight digital-first employment services , administrative harm , and codesign effectiveness . She holds an ARC DECRA fellowship and is available for PhD supervision in governance and policy-related fields.
