Jason Laurendeau is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. His academic work centers on settler colonialism, embodiment, gender, risk, and physical culture, with a focus on sport, recreation, and outdoor activities as sites of colonial violence and Indigenous resurgence. He employs critical methodologies such as ethnography, interviews, textual analysis, and autoethnography. Education : B.Kin. (Distinction) in Kinesiology; M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology. His research interrogates how physical culture intersects with colonial histories, Indigenous sovereignty, and contemporary social justice efforts. Recent work examines systemic racism in Lethbridge, diversity initiatives in sport corporations, and the "wilderness ideal" in outdoor recreation. Media Engagement : Laurendeau contributes to public discourse through opinion pieces in the Lethbridge Herald on topics like decolonization, harm reduction, and community investment. He actively mentors graduate students and collaborates on critical projects related to settler accountability.
Virginie Magnat is a full Professor in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies at the University of British Columbia Okanagan . She additionally serves as the IGS Theme Coordinator for Community Engagement, Social Change, Equity and is a graduate student supervisor. Education Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre, University of California, 2003 D.E.A., English Department, Sorbonne/Paris III, France, 1993 Master’s in English and Theatre Studies, Sorbonne/Paris III, France, 1990 Foundation Year Program, University of King’s College, Halifax, Canada, 1985 International Baccalaureate, Lester B. Pearson United World College, 1984 Research Interests Her scholarly and creative work centres on Performance Studies , qualitative research methodologies , and Indigenous epistemologies . She explores arts-based inquiry , voice-body integration , and collaborative eco-cultural practices for collective healing and renewal . A committed activist for Occitan language revitalization , she interweaves post-qualitative, Indigenous, and posthumanist frameworks to advance decolonizing research and pedagogy. Research & Creative Trajectory Across her recent publications (2020–2024), Magnat traces a sustained engagement with the performative power of vocality , the Stanislavsky–Grotowski lineage , and Indigenous ethico-onto-epistemologies . Her work bridges critical theory, embodied practice, and intercultural performance, culminating in collaborative projects that position performance as a catalyst for environmental justice and Indigenous resurgence. Awards & Distinctions American Theatre and Drama Society Book Award – Honorable Mention (2020) Canadian Association for Theatre Research Book Award – Honorable Mention (2014) International Federation for Theatre Research New Scholar’s Prize (2001) Grants & Graduate Supervision She currently co-leads the SSHRC-funded “Radical Collaborations: Transformative Eco-Cultural Practices for Collective Healing and Renewal” (2024-27). Additional SSHRC grants include Insight, Connection, and Research/Creation awards spanning 2008-2018. Magnat has supervised numerous SSHRC-funded graduate students in interdisciplinary performance and Indigenous studies, including recent graduates Claire Fogal (PhD) and Mariel Belanger (MFA). Labs, Networks & Editorial Roles She is an Associate Editor of Theatre, Dance and Performance Training Journal , a Steering Committee member of the Institute for Performance Studies (SFU), and a founding member of the Indigenous Inquiries Circle linked to the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. Her research website virginiemagnat.space hosts further information on her projects and collaborations.
Libe Garcia Zarranz is a Professor of Cultural Theory and Literatures in English in the Department of Teacher Education at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences. She is also a Research Affiliate for the Centre for Literatures in Canada at the University of Alberta and serves on the Advisory Board of the Society for the Study of Affect, the Editorial Boards of The Raymond Carver Review and the Journal of Artistic Creation and Literary Research, and the Scholarly Book Awards Committee run by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her educational background includes: PhD in English and Film Studies from the University of Alberta (Canada) MA in Textual and Cultural Studies from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) Garcia Zarranz works at the intersection of contemporary literary studies in Canada, visual cultures, and affect theory, with a focus on feminist, queer, crip, and trans approaches. Her research explores how affective experiences shape cultural production and pedagogical practices, particularly through marginalized perspectives. She examines how literature and visual culture can generate sustainable ethical frameworks that challenge normative structures of power and representation. Her work consistently engages with questions of relationality, embodiment, and resistance across diverse cultural contexts. Her publication record demonstrates a sustained focus on Canadian literature, trans studies, affect theory, and feminist approaches to cultural production. The most recent works show increasing engagement with visual culture, animation studies, and pedagogical applications of theoretical frameworks. Her scholarship reveals consistent thematic concerns with paradox, exposure, and willfulness as methodological approaches to understanding marginalized experiences. Her scientific achievements include: Governor General's Gold Medal (2013) The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship (2010-2013) The President's Doctoral Prize of Distinction (2010-2012) Honorary Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship (2010-2012) Anna Rutherford Young Researchers Grant (2017) Publication Grant from the Awards to Scholarly Publications Program (2016) International Research Funding from NTNU's Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences (2018) Garcia Zarranz leads the TransLit research group at NTNU, which focuses on Sustainable Ethics, Affects, and Pedagogies. She has received significant research funding for her work, including international collaborations with institutions in Canada, Spain, and other European countries. Her teaching portfolio includes Master's Thesis supervision in English, English 1 (5-10) modules, and PhD courses focused on Theory and Ethics. She has also taught at the University of Cambridge, University of Innsbruck, and University of Manitoba. Her current research projects include Cinema and Environment 2: Ways of Seeing beyond the Anthropocene (2024-27), Communitas/Immunitas: Relational Ontologies in Atlantic Anglophone Cultures of the 21st Century (2023-2026), and the previously completed Cinema and Environment: Affective Ecologies in the Anthropocene (2020-2024) and Inclusive Science and European Democracies (ISEED) (2021-24).
Aurora Hoel is a Professor of Media Studies and Visual Culture at the Department of Art and Media Studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where she also serves as Deputy Head of the strategic focus area "Ocean and Coast." She leads the NFR project "Visualizing the Deep Sea in the Age of Climate Change" (2023-2027) and the research group "AI Media." Previously, she served as Vice-Dean for Art and Innovation at the Faculty of Humanities at NTNU (2021-2024). Hoel has held various prestigious academic positions, including Novo Nordisk Foundation Visiting Professor in Art & Art History at Aarhus University, Professor of Media Aesthetics at the University of Oslo (2019-2020), and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Fellow at Humboldt University in Berlin (2015-2017). She has also been a visiting professor at Harvard University, UC Berkeley, Stony Brook University, the University of Copenhagen, École des hautes études en sciences sociales, and École polytechnique. Her research focuses on images and imaging technologies, including photography, scientific instruments, medical visualization, and underwater robots and sensors, with particular attention to their epistemological implications. Hoel's work explores the active dimension of images and image technologies (their "agency") and aims to develop operational aesthetics and theories of knowledge. Her research spans disciplines such as image theory, visual culture, media philosophy, and science and technology studies. Hoel's recent publications reveal a strong focus on operative images, technological mediation, and the philosophical dimensions of visualization. Her work increasingly examines how AI-generated imagery and deep learning systems transform our understanding of visual representation and knowledge production. She has developed frameworks for analyzing the "operational" status of images that go beyond traditional representational models. She has led several major research projects, including the MSCA project "Styles of Objectivity: Agency, Alignment and Automation in Image-Guided Surgery" (2015-2017), "Face of Terror: Understanding Terrorism from the Perspective of Critical Media Aesthetics" (2016-2021), and "Picturing the Brain: Perspectives on Neuroimaging" (2010-2014). She has also participated in projects like "Digitization and Diversity" and "Photography in Culture." Her artistic collaborations include exhibitions such as "Operating Fields: Medical Imaging Across Art and Science" (2014), "A-me: Augmented Memories" (2013), and her 2007 exhibition "Maktens bilder" at the Norwegian Museum of Justice, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of her scholarly practice.
Karen Bauer is an Associate Professor in Foreign Language Didactics at the Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She has been working at NTNU since 2015 and serves as course leader for multiple teacher education programs including PPU4656 (German subject didactics - part 1), PPU4657 (German subject didactics - part 2), PPU4246 (subject didactics foreign languages - full-time), and PPU4540 (subject didactics English and foreign languages). Dr. Bauer received her doctorate in Germanic literature from Freie Universität Berlin in 2001. Prior to her position at NTNU, she worked as a lecturer in French, German and German as a foreign language at Freie Universität in Berlin, and as a cultural trainer at various institutions including the Goethe-Institut across multiple countries (France, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, and USA). Her research focuses on innovative approaches to language teaching, with particular emphasis on physical learning methods in language education. She heads the teaching materials research group at ILU and is an active member of NTNU's research group for physical learning. Her work explores the integration of movement into language instruction, word learning strategies with movement, and the analysis of teaching materials for German as a foreign language. She is particularly interested in how bodily engagement enhances language acquisition processes and student engagement. Bauer's publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward embodied learning approaches in language education. Her recent work shows increasing focus on physical learning methods, with numerous publications from 2021-2025 examining movement integration in language classrooms. Her research spans theoretical frameworks of bodily learning while maintaining strong practical applications for language teachers. Collaborative work with Beate Lindemann on German teacher training in Norway and with Gerard Doetjes on German textbooks reveals her commitment to improving language education through empirical research. As an academic leader, Bauer currently supervises one PhD fellow, Nico Schlösser, and serves as co-supervisor for a master's student at the University of Jena in Germany. She has been instrumental in developing teacher training programs and actively participates in international research collaborations focused on foreign language education in Nordic countries. Her work extends to practical applications through workshops and professional development activities for language teachers, focusing on digital storytelling, movement integration, and improvisational theater techniques to reduce language anxiety. She has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences, demonstrating her active engagement with the broader academic community.
Natalie Wigg-Stevenson is an Associate Professor at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, specializing in Contextual Education and Theology. She holds a PhD in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University (2011) and has held editorial roles with Ecclesial Practices , Brill Handbook on Empirical and Qualitative Methods , and the T&T Clarke Series in Ethics, Ethnography and Theology . Her research bridges ethnography, performance art, and theological epistemology. BA Art History and Religious Studies, McMaster University (2002) MDiv, Yale Divinity School (2005) MA Theological Studies, Vanderbilt University (2010) PhD Theological Studies, Vanderbilt University (2011) Her interdisciplinary research focuses on: Ethnographic theology as method Theology as performance art Decolonizing pedagogical practices Queer theological methodologies Memory in 'thin spaces' Creative nonfiction in theological education Her recent publications analyze: Transformative theological education models Ethics of spiritual leadership Reflexive theological epistemology Queer Christian identities Postcolonial reconciliatory practices Autoethnographic approaches to theology Scientific Awards: Shortlisted for BC Federation of Writers Creative Nonfiction Prize (2021) She contributes to the Emmanuel community through: Leading trauma-informed pedagogy initiatives Directing the Contextual Education Program Co-founding the AAR Ecclesial Practices group Advocating for ecumenical and pluralistic theological education Participating in Indigenous Advisory Circle Developing Indigenous Garden project
Helena González Fernández is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and English Studies, University of Barcelona. She serves as director of ADHUC (Research Center for Theory, Gender, and Sexuality) and is a corresponding academic of the Galician Academy. Her work intersects feminist literary criticism, affect theory, gender studies, and the analysis of Galician and Brazilian literatures. Key Affiliations: ADHUC (2016–), UNESCO Chair on Women, Development and Cultures (2003–), former director of Dona i Literatura Center (2014–2016) Research Leadership: IP of multiple projects including 'Creación i Pensamento de les Dones' (2009–2024), 'Tránsfugas y parias modernas' (2018–2021), and 'Elaboración de entradas con contenidos de género para Wikipedia' (2018–2021) Research Focus Specializing in feminist textual analysis, she examines: Gender dynamics in 21st-century Iberian and Latin American popular culture Affect theory applications in literary emotion studies Galician literary canon through feminist lenses (Rosalía de Castro, Xohana Torres) Brazilian women authors (Hilda Hilst, Carol Bensimon) Testimonial literature of Francoist/Nazi repression survivors Academic Contributions Her 15 most recent publications (2013–2023) reveal: Deep engagement with feminist periodicals through A Saia digital archive Analysis of queer temporalities in Mad Max: Fury Road and graphic novels Epistemological continuum in Galician-Portuguese feminist discourse Intersectional approaches to migrant women's affective exclusion Deconstruction of aging obscenity in pandemic contexts Transnational feminist networks through World Gender Research Scientific Leadership Co-director of A Saia (2014–) Former director of Lectora and Abriu journals Coordinator of Lletra de Dona teaching innovation group (2016–2025) Advising Legacy Has guided 31 graduate theses covering: Queer temporalities in autobiographical texts Violence against girls in Romanian post-communist fiction in digital feminist education Postmodern spectral women in ballet Ciberfeminist technology reimaginings Shōjo culture and female beauty norms Collaborative Labs Leads ADHUC's Creación y Pensamiento de las Mujeres group (2009–), which: Maintains A Saia feminist periodical archive Organizes international conferences on gender ethics Develops Wikipedia entries with gender perspective Partners with Galician Culture Council Receives funding from AGAUR, MICINN, and ICD Focuses on affective communities and exclusion figures
Hallie Marshall is an Associate Professor at the Department of Theatre & Film , Faculty of Arts , University of British Columbia. She holds degrees from Queen’s University (BA), Memorial University (MA), and UBC (PhD). Her research focuses on dramatic literature , theatre history , and reception studies , particularly ancient Greek theatre in modern contexts. Education : BA, Queen’s University MA, Memorial University PhD, University of British Columbia Hallie specializes in ancient Greek theatre and its reception (reuse) in later periods. Her doctoral dissertation explored the classical plays of British poet Tony Harrison, and she has published extensively on Aristophanes , Tony Harrison , Ted Hughes , and performance of Greek drama in Canada . Current projects include a comparative study of the City Dionysia and the Cook Islands’ Te Maeva Nui festival , alongside SSHRC-funded film projects with Barefaced Greek, such as adaptations of Sophocles' Antigone and Euripides' Phaethon . Hallie’s research spans reception studies , classical adaptation , and cultural industries . Her articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to Greek drama, modern interpretive techniques , and political functions of classical texts . She has also contributed to discussions on theatrical ideology , fragmentary tragedy , and cross-cultural performance . As an educator, she teaches courses related to theatre studies , performance history , and classical reception . She supervises graduate students in M.A. and Ph.D. Theatre Studies programs and engages in collaborative Go Global international initiatives.
Johanna M. Lukate is a research group leader at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Multicultural Societies in Göttingen, Germany, where she leads the Minerva Fast Track Research Group "Migration, Identity and Blackness in Europe" established in June 2023. Her work bridges social psychology, migration studies, and critical race theory with a focus on African and Black diasporas in Europe. Dr. Lukate obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Cambridge under a full PhD scholarship from Deutsche Studienstiftung. She was also the recipient of the Fox International Fellowship (2017-18) at Yale University in the United States. Her research centers on social identity and social categorization processes, migration, embodiment and belonging, with particular attention to hair politics and racialization experiences among African migrants in Germany. Dr. Lukate's work examines how Black identity is constructed and performed in European contexts, challenging monolithic understandings of race and migration. Through ethnographic and interview-based methodologies, she explores the complex intersections of race, gender, and national identity among Black communities in Europe. Dr. Lukate's scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on identity formation among Black populations in Europe, with particular attention to hair as a site of political and cultural significance. Her publications span social psychology journals and interdisciplinary collections, demonstrating her ability to bridge academic disciplines and engage with broader public conversations about race and identity in contemporary Europe. Full PhD scholarship from Deutsche Studienstiftung Fox International Fellowship (2017-18) at Yale University Dr. Lukate is actively mentoring emerging scholars in her research group and has secured funding for her Minerva Fast Track project. She co-edited the volume "Towards a Social Psychology of Precarity" and is the author of the forthcoming book "(Dis)entangled: Why black hair can't be just hair" (2025). Her research has been supported by prestigious fellowships and has led to impactful public engagement, including her TEDx Talk on "The Psychology of Black Hair." As leader of the Minerva Fast Track Research Group "Migration, Identity and Blackness in Europe," Dr. Lukate oversees a dynamic team investigating the complex interplay between migration experiences, identity formation, and racialization processes among African diaspora communities in Europe. Her "Being and Becoming Black" project examines self-(re)presentation, embodiment, and the hidden diversity of African migrants and refugees in German cities.
Dr. Michael Lewis is a Reader (equivalent to Associate Professor) at Cardiff University's School of Psychology, specializing in the cognitive neuroscience of face perception. His research examines face recognition mechanisms, emotional processing, attractiveness perception, and cross-racial identification biases, with applied work in forensic psychology and cosmetic neuroscience. Education BSc in Mathematics and Psychology (First Class Honors), University of Birmingham (1993) PhD in Psychology, Cardiff University (1998) Research Focus Lewis investigates fundamental questions about facial cognition: How humans detect and recognize faces, process emotional expressions, and form attractiveness judgments. His pioneering work includes the Face-Space-R computational model of face memory, studies on Botox-induced emotional changes through facial feedback suppression, and analysis of own-race bias reduction techniques. Current research explores uncanny valley effects in facial distortions and the forensic applications of face-composite construction. Notably, he demonstrated how medical masks paradoxically increase perceived attractiveness and how Navon letter processing influences face recognition. His methodological contributions include critiques of menstrual-cycle effect research designs and stimulus-response frameworks in face-composite studies. Supervision & Roles Lewis directs the MSc Psychology (Conversion) and MSc Psychology of Mental Health programs, coordinates research design/statistics modules, and supervises undergraduate projects on facial cognition. He serves on grant review panels for BBSRC, ESRC, and Leverhulme Trust, and has organized conferences for the British Psychological Society's Cognitive Section.
Cécile Chamayou-Kuhn is an Associate Professor at the University of Lorraine , affiliated with the Department of Germanic and Scandinavian Languages and Literatures . She holds the UniGR Chair in Border Studies at Saarland University (2019). Her work bridges Germanophone literature , cultural transfers , and gender studies , focusing on post-1945 memory narratives, identity construction, and body representations. Research Themes: Border studies, avant-garde movements, post-2000 migration literature, cultural memory, interculturality, and feminist criticism. Publications: Recent work explores gendered reinterpretations of avant-gardes, body practices in Germanophone societies, and legal dis/order in migration narratives (e.g., Abbas Khider’s texts). Teaching: Served as educational coordinator for German studies between Metz and Sarreguemines, designed CAPES exam training materials, and led writing courses for the CNED. Administrative Roles: Vice-Dean for Franco-German domains (2018–2020), elected member of the Faculty Council, and co-head of the Franco-German degree program in private law. Scientific Engagement: Member of the Trajectoires scientific committee (2014–present) and former editorial board member (2007–2012).
Paul S. Rosenbloom is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California , with affiliations at the Institute for Creative Technologies . His work focuses on cognitive architectures , particularly the development of the Sigma architecture and contributions to the Common Model of Cognition . He has pioneered the integration of symbolic, probabilistic, and neural systems in AI research. Research Interests: Dr. Rosenbloom's research spans hybrid symbol systems , neural-symbolic integration , and the evolution of computational models of cognition . His recent work rethinks the Physical Symbol Systems Hypothesis through hybrid systems that bridge symbolic AI and neural networks, addressing challenges in universality , compositional reasoning , and cognitive modeling . Scientific Awards: 2011 Kurzweil Award for Best AGI Idea 2012 Kurzweil Award for Best AGI Paper 2023 Springer Prize for Best Paper Publications and Contributions: He has authored over 150 publications and co-authored foundational works on the Common Model of Cognition with Laird, Lebiere, and Stocco. His research has been supported by grants from the U.S. Army RDECOM and USC's Institute for Creative Technologies. He has mentored numerous collaborators and co-authors, including researchers like V. Ustun , A. Demski , and H. Joshi , in projects spanning virtual humans , reinforcement learning , and distributed vector representations .
Wenhua Shi serves as Associate Professor in the Art Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he teaches courses including Intro to Video, Sight and Sound, Time and Motion, and Digital Studio. His practice spans film, video, animation, sound art, and interactive installations, with works exhibited internationally at venues including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, European Media Art Festival, Venice Biennale, and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale. His educational background includes an MFA from the University of California, Berkeley (2009) and dual BFA/BA degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His research focuses on poetic approaches to moving image making and conceptual depth in time-based media, exploring themes of temporal perception, sensory experience, and cultural memory through experimental techniques in video, sound, and interactive technologies. Shi's creative output reveals consistent exploration of time perception and sensory embodiment across diverse media formats. His work demonstrates technical mastery in video mapping, generative algorithms, and site-specific installations, often incorporating audience participation and cultural symbolism. The recurring themes of fragmentation, cyclical time, and environmental interaction reflect his conceptual depth in contemporary art practice. Scientific Awards: Mass Cultural Council (2024) New York Foundation for the Arts (2015) New York State Council on the Arts LEF Foundation (2021) Juror’s Award from the Black Maria Film and Video Festival Shi has secured significant research funding including grants from Mass Cultural Council (2024), New York Foundation for the Arts (2015), New York State Council on the Arts, and LEF Foundation (2021). He serves as jury member for prestigious events including the Ann Arbor Film Festival (2024) and National Endowment for the Arts (2017-2021). As founder and curator of RPM Festival (2013-Present), he leads collaborative projects including Revolution Per Minutes: Sound Art China and co-curated exhibitions with artists like Zoe Strauss and Sergio De La Torre. His studio practice integrates teaching, curation, and experimental production across moving image, sound, and interactive media.
Stephen Cottrell is Professor of Music at City, University of London, where he has held various leadership positions including Head of the conjoint Departments of Music and Culture & Creative Industries (2010-15) and Assistant Vice-President responsible for establishing the City Doctoral College (2019-22). Previously, he was Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Music at Goldsmiths College. His academic journey began with studies at the University of East Anglia, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Paris Conservatoire, followed by an M.Mus. in Ethnomusicology and PhD at Goldsmiths College, supported by a British Academy scholarship. His research spans ethnographic approaches to musicians and music-making within Western art music tradition, the study of musical instruments (particularly the saxophone), and musical performance analysis. Cottrell's scholarly output includes seven books, fourteen book chapters, twenty-nine conference papers, nineteen journal articles, twenty-nine performances, and thirteen other publications. His recent work includes the 2024 article 'Musical Instruments and Palimpsestic Identity' which explores the transtextual relationships between musical instruments through Gérard Genette's literary theory of palimpsests. Cottrell serves as a member of the AHRC Peer Review College and as an external assessor for the Hong Kong Research Grants Committee and the Irish Research Council. He has examined over 25 PhD theses and held external examiner appointments at multiple institutions. His research interests bridge ethnomusicology, organology, and performance studies, with a particular focus on the saxophone and Western art music traditions. Member of British Forum for Ethnomusicology executive committee (2005-2012) Member of Royal Anthropological Institute ethnomusicology committee Associate editor of Twentieth-Century Music (2008-13) Artistic advisor to Saxophone Classics record label As a supervisor, Cottrell has guided numerous PhD students through research on diverse topics including ethnographic studies of live classical music concerts, networked jazz performances, the history of the Hang/Handpan, and the Yehudi Menuhin School's legacy. His work demonstrates significant impact across academic, performance, and cultural sectors, with research that connects historical music practices with contemporary performance contexts.
Afroditi Psarra is an Associate Professor of Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) at the University of Washington, where she runs the DXARTS SoftLab. Her work bridges art, science, and technology with a focus on critical discourse in the creation of artifacts. She has presented her work at internationally renowned media art festivals such as Ars Electronica, Transmediale, CTM, Eyeo, Piksel, and WRO Biennale, as well as venues like Bozar, Onassis Stegi, EMST (Greek Museum of Contemporary Art), and Walker Art Center. Dr. Psarra's research centers on the art and science interaction with a critical discourse in the creation of artifacts. She is particularly interested in the use of the body as an interface of control, and the revitalization of tradition as a methodology of hacking existing norms about technical objects. Her practice builds on and extends the work of Cyber and Techno-Feminism(s) and the idea of female (and feminized) bodies as matrices of information. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (2014). Her recent publications and projects demonstrate a consistent exploration of wearable technology, e-textiles, physical computing, and sound art. Psarra's work often examines the intersections of technology with gender, embodiment, and cultural critique, particularly through her investigations of voice assistants, RF technologies, and bodily interfaces. She frequently collaborates with other artists and researchers across disciplines to create interactive installations and performances that challenge conventional technological paradigms. Dr. Psarra's scholarly output spans multiple domains including human-computer interaction, media art, performance studies, and critical technology studies. Her work consistently addresses themes of technological embodiment, materiality, and the politics of interface design across her various projects from voice assistant subversion to RF ecology explorations. 2019 Bergstrom Award for Art & Science Mellon Faculty Fellow 2019-20 As an educator, Dr. Psarra teaches courses in mechatronic art, material and cultural bias in algorithmic systems, and special topics in digital arts. She has mentored numerous students through their creative research projects and has been involved in various interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Washington, including collaborations with the Systems Biology program. Her teaching emphasizes hands-on experimentation, critical making, and the exploration of technology through artistic practice. Dr. Psarra leads the DXARTS SoftLab, which serves as a research space for exploring soft materials, electronics, and interactive systems. The lab supports projects that bridge traditional craft techniques with digital technologies, particularly focusing on e-textiles, wearable computing, and embodied interaction. Under her direction, the SoftLab has become a hub for interdisciplinary research that combines art, engineering, and cultural critique.
