Eyram Akofa Tawia is a Lecturer in Game Design at Ashesi University, where he pioneered one of Ghana’s first game development courses. As co-founder and CEO of Leti Arts, he drives Africa’s gaming industry by creating culturally rich games and comics, fostering economic growth through job creation. His work bridges technology and culture, positioning Africa as a global player in gaming. Education includes a BSc in Computer Science from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and entrepreneurship studies at Dartmouth College (Mandela Washington Fellowship). He is a sought-after speaker on African gaming’s potential at international conferences. Research interests focus on leveraging games for cultural preservation, education, and economic development. Leti Arts has trained over 800 individuals via internships and collaborations with global organizations like USAID and UNDP. Award-winning innovator, Eyram’s accolades include the British Council YCE Award and Vodafone Global Appstar Award. His book Uncompromising Passion details his journey in African game development. He advises through Leti Arts’ programs and champions African creativity globally.
Richard Evans is an Honorary Principal Research Fellow at the Department of Computing, Imperial College London, and a Staff Research Scientist at DeepMind. His work bridges philosophy and artificial intelligence, focusing on program synthesis, cognition, and Kantian principles applied to AI perception. He holds affiliations with the Faculty of Engineering and has contributed to interdisciplinary research in ethics, cognitive architectures, and neuro-symbolic integration. His research interests include formalizing Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason for AI frameworks, exploring how machines can develop intentionality, and advancing general game-playing algorithms. Notable outputs include Self-Legislating Machines (2022) and Formalizing Kant’s Rules (2019), which integrate philosophical theory with computational models. Recent articles highlight his work on digital technologies for pandemic resilience, AI-driven creative writing, and critical care ventilation techniques. While no specific awards are listed, his cross-disciplinary contributions reflect recognition in academic and industrial AI communities. Evans’ research extends to healthcare applications, including wearable technology for pediatric health and rural healthcare efficiency analysis in China. His lab collaborations and industry partnerships (e.g., DeepMind) underscore a focus on translating theoretical insights into practical AI solutions.
Prof. Dr. Nicolas Ruth is Professor of Digital Communication in the Music and Entertainment Industry at the University of Music and Theatre Munich, where he directs the Master's program in Digital Communication. He holds a PhD from Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg and completed postdoctoral research at Goldsmiths, University of London as an Alexander von Humboldt Feodor Lynen Fellow. His research examines digital communication strategies in the music industry, with focus areas including music marketing, streaming platforms, social media engagement, and audience behavior. Additional interests include music psychology, media effects of popular music, and computational analysis of music consumption patterns. Dr. Ruth's publications employ quantitative and computational methods to analyze music streaming data, social media metrics, and listener engagement across diverse demographic groups. His work demonstrates consistent methodological innovation in measuring music-related behaviors. He serves in several professional capacities including Treasurer of the Society for Music Business and Music Culture Research and membership in the Federal Media Committee of the German Music Council. Dr. Ruth develops open-source tools for music data analysis and maintains active research collaborations across European institutions.
Dr. Dmitri Markovitch is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Maine Business School (University of Maine) since 2017. Previously, he held full-time faculty positions at HEC-Paris, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and FGV/EBAPE (Brazil). His research focuses on innovation strategies, marketing-finance interface, decision-making under uncertainty, and AI’s impact on customer outcomes. He has been widely published in top journals like Management Science and Marketing Science . Dr. Markovitch holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Marketing from NYU, an MBA from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and a B.A. in Applied Linguistics from Minsk State Linguistic University. His teaching areas include Principles of Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications, and Marketing Research. His research explores financial returns from marketing investments, cognitive biases in managerial decisions, and AI applications in marketing. Recent work investigates how capital markets react to R&D expenditures and marketing strategies. He has received prestigious awards such as the Best Paper award at the 2014 Winter AMA Conference and the Most Promising Paper award at the 2011 Academy of Management Conference. Key Honors: Marcus Nadler Fellowship (NYU, 2003–04), AMA-Sheth Doctoral Consortium Fellow (2002) Dr. Markovitch’s research spans over two decades, with 20+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. His work bridges marketing strategy with finance and behavioral economics, addressing practical challenges in new product launches, resource allocation, and market valuation.
Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz Center for InformaticsGermany
Liang Liang is a prominent academic affiliated with the University of Science and Technology of China, School of Management, where they have been actively contributing to research in operations research and management science. With over 180 publications spanning two decades from 2004 to 2024, their scholarly output demonstrates significant expertise and sustained contribution to the field. Liang Liang frequently collaborates with researchers across China and internationally, with notable co-authors including Yongjun Li, Jie Wu, Feng Yang, and Joe Zhu. Liang Liang's research interests center around Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and its numerous applications across various domains. Their work demonstrates exceptional versatility in applying operations research methodologies to solve complex problems in supply chain management, environmental performance evaluation, financial systems, and information technology. The researcher has made significant contributions to methodological advancements in DEA, including network DEA, two-stage systems, cross-efficiency evaluation, and handling undesirable outputs. Their research often addresses practical challenges in Chinese contexts while making theoretical contributions with global relevance. Analysis of Liang Liang's recent publications reveals a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated applications of DEA methodologies across diverse fields. The work shows progression from basic DEA applications to complex multi-stage, network-based, and game-theoretic approaches that address real-world constraints. Recent research demonstrates growing interest in digital platforms, social media analytics, environmental sustainability, and post-pandemic workplace dynamics, reflecting adaptability to emerging research areas while maintaining methodological rigor. The publications appear in top-tier journals including European Journal of Operational Research, Annals of Operations Research, and Journal of the Operational Research Society, indicating high scholarly impact. Liang Liang's collaborative network spans numerous institutions across China, with frequent partnerships with researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, Chongqing University, and other leading Chinese academic institutions. The extensive publication record suggests active mentorship of junior researchers, though specific student names aren't documented in the available information. The research portfolio demonstrates consistent funding support, likely from Chinese national and provincial research agencies, though specific grant details aren't provided in the source material.
German National Library of Science and TechnologyGermany
Prof. Ralph Ewerth is a Professor leading the Visual Analytics research group at the Technische Informationsbibliothek (TIB) since 2015. His work bridges computer science, information science, and education, focusing on multimedia retrieval, machine learning, and visual analytics. He has pioneered research in areas like content-based video retrieval, image-text relation analysis, and educational technology platforms. Key research interests include: Development of AI-driven tools for educational analytics (e.g., learning platforms for chemistry education) Advancements in multimedia retrieval systems (e.g., TIB AV-Analytics platform) Analysis of sports data through spatiotemporal event detection Design of open research knowledge graphs and journal recommendation systems (B!SON project) Recent publications (2022-2024) emphasize multimodal misinformation detection, search behavior analysis, and fusion of vision-language models. He has edited conference proceedings and contributed to over 150 peer-reviewed works across domains like digital libraries, computer vision, and educational technology. His research infrastructure includes the TIB AV-Analytics platform for scholarly video analysis and the B!SON open access journal recommendation tool. Collaborative projects focus on integrating semantic web technologies with educational and sports data analysis.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Joseph L. Gabbard is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, holding the Grado Faculty Fellowship. His research focuses on Human Factors Engineering, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Usability Engineering with applications in driver safety, emergency response training, and educational technology. He earned a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Computer Science, along with a B.A. in Sociology. He leads projects on AR interfaces for transportation safety, including studies on HUDs and driver distraction mitigation. His work bridges immersive technologies with practical applications like triage training for emergency responders and classroom behavior management simulations. Notable contributions include winning a Microsoft HoloLens Academic Research Grant (2015) and advancing AR design principles through rigorous human performance evaluations. Key research themes include the cognitive impacts of AR systems, spatial awareness in dynamic environments, and adaptive training methodologies. His publications span AR HUD safety metrics, exergaming design patterns, and AR-driven emergency protocols. Collaborations with industry and government emphasize translating academic insights into real-world solutions for transportation, healthcare, and education sectors.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Myounghoon "Philart" Jeon is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. He leads the Mind Music Machine (tri-M) Lab, focusing on interactive technologies for artistic and creative experiences. His research spans Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, and Affective Computing, with applications in automotive interfaces, assistive technologies, and extended reality (XR). Education: PhD in Engineering Psychology and Human-Computer Interaction from Georgia Tech, M.S. in Engineering Psychology (Georgia Tech), and B.S. in Psychology from Yonsei University. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining psychology, neuroergonomics, and computational modeling. Key areas include sonification, emotion-aware design, and inclusive technologies. He has authored numerous publications in top journals like International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction and IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics. Lab Focus: tri-M Lab explores AI-driven art, automotive UX, assistive robotics, and XR applications. Grants & Awards: Includes Earl Alluisi Early Career Award and multiple best paper awards. Active in diversity initiatives through HFES COAG and BIPOC Affinity Group. Editorial Roles: Associate Editor for International Journal of Human-Computer Studies and Presence: VR & Teleop. His work bridges technical innovation with human-centric values, addressing challenges in automated vehicles, creative collaboration, and ethical AI/robotics education.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityUnited States
Kichol Lee is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. His research focuses on human factors engineering, auditory situation awareness, and military ergonomics, with particular emphasis on hearing protection technologies and product design. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. His work bridges theoretical and applied research, addressing challenges in auditory localization, military communication systems, and the design of user-friendly interfaces for training and safety applications. Notable contributions include the development of the Portable Auditory Situation Awareness Training (PASAT) system and advancements in otoprotectant technologies. Lee’s publications emphasize optimizing auditory training protocols, evaluating hearing protector performance, and integrating gamification principles into user interfaces. His research has practical implications for military personnel safety, industrial product design, and clinical applications of hearing conservation. Despite no explicitly listed scientific awards, his contributions have supported Virginia Tech laboratories recognized for innovation in occupational safety. His advising and grant activities are not detailed in the provided text.
Brian Britt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama. His research focuses on macro-level communicative structures of online organizations, combining large-scale data collection with computational and statistical methods. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Communication and Statistics from Purdue University (2013), an M.A. in Communication from Purdue (2011), and a B.S. in Communication from the University of Tulsa (2008). Dr. Britt's work emphasizes computational social science, organizational systems analysis, and big data methodologies. His research explores topics like social media discourse analysis, network structures in online communities, quantum computing applications in data science, and the evolution of digital communication patterns during crises. Key methodological strengths include network analysis, time series analysis, and data mining techniques. His articles frequently address societal challenges such as misinformation mitigation during mass shootings, vaccine adoption barriers, and the intersection of technology with consumer behavior. Recent work includes studies on Nigerian farmer-herder conflicts on social media, quantum algorithms for eigenvector computation, and the role of influencers in cross-cultural consumer engagement. Britt's research has been applied to public health campaigns (e.g., kidney donation among Native Americans), crisis communication strategies, and organizational leadership dynamics in virtual environments. His computational tools like 'targbetween' and 'stepseg' demonstrate innovation in measuring network centrality and analyzing longitudinal data shifts.
Jameson L. Hayes is a Professor at the University of Alabama, leading research in computational advertising, social media analysis, and corporate social responsibility. He directs the Public Opinion Lab and contributes to the Global Water Security Center (GWSC), focusing on computational social science applications to study conflict prediction (e.g., Nigerian farmer-herder dynamics) and water security. His work bridges advertising theory with emerging technologies, emphasizing data-driven methodologies for non-specialist researchers. Hayes collaborates with industry partners like Sprinklr to advance social media listening strategies and has pioneered frameworks such as the Modified News Micropayment Model for digital content monetization. Research interests include viral advertising mechanisms, influencer marketing effectiveness, and cross-cultural social media engagement. He secured a $2.4M DoD Minerva grant (2024) to study water conflict through social media analytics. Education and career progression details are not explicitly stated in available texts, but his roles indicate advanced academic standing. Awards and formal honors remain unspecified. Advising and grants: Lead PI on Minerva grant ($2.4M), co-developed micropayment models, and advises on computational methods for public relations. Labs include the Public Opinion Lab and GWSC's research initiatives. Future work centers on expanding computational tools for social science research and sustainable advertising strategies.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)United States
Justus Robertson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Interactive Games and Media at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). His research focuses on human-centered AI, computer games, and interactive narrative systems. He develops AI agents that generate dynamic stories using computational models of narrative theory and human cognition, creating immersive experiences such as adaptive training scenarios and entertainment narratives. His work aims to merge targeted story structures, simulated environments, and character behavior with human interaction, inspired by concepts like Star Trek's holodeck. Key projects include the General Mediation Engine (GME), a framework for interactive narratives, and BaseCase, a Unity-based demo showcasing GME applications. Robertson also explores esports analytics, player performance metrics, and data-driven audience engagement strategies through platforms like Dax. His GitHub repositories (e.g., GME, LitWiki) highlight contributions to game development frameworks and academic literature management tools. Collaborative projects like IC-CRIME demonstrate his interest in applied technology for crime scene analysis.
Steve Engels is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and game design. He holds a PhD in Computer Science, with a thesis on 'Design Factors for Educational Video Games.' Engels collaborates with organizations like Ubisoft La Forge on facial expression generation and works with UofT's Science Unlimited program to develop educational games for high school curricula. His projects include automatic music generation, 3D terrain generation, and augmented reality applications. He has presented at conferences such as AIIDE and the Game Developers Conference, contributing to advancements in interactive digital entertainment and educational technology. PhD in Computer Science (Thesis: Design Factors for Educational Video Games) M.Math from the University of Waterloo, supervised by Dale Schuurmans Research Interests Engels' work spans AI-driven game design, educational technology, and procedural content generation. He explores facial expression synthesis, real-time music algorithms, and accessible gaming for diverse audiences. His collaborations emphasize practical applications of machine learning in creative fields. Advising & Grants Engels mentors student research teams in game design and AI projects, though specific grants or funded initiatives are not detailed in the text. Labs & Teams Collaborates with Ubisoft La Forge, UofT's Science Unlimited, and academic conferences to advance interactive technologies and educational tools.
Prof. Dr. Hans Hoeken is a full professor of Communication and Information Studies at Utrecht University's Department of Languages, Literature and Communication. He specializes in persuasion mechanisms, narrative impact, and rhetorical communication. His research focuses on how communication influences beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors through argumentation, storytelling, and visual rhetoric. Hoeken holds a PhD from Radboud University (1995) and previously taught at Tilburg University and Radboud University. His work spans health communication, pension decision support, and AI-driven customer service. Notable contributions include studies on narrative persuasion, argument quality evaluation, and the role of emotions in communication. Recent research emphasizes pension communication design and the application of narrative techniques in public health interventions. He has published extensively in journals like Journal of Communication and Human Communication Research , co-authored Overtuigende Teksten , and delivered an inaugural lecture on communication's societal role in 2005.
Dr. Janine Blessing is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ) at the University of Zurich, following her doctoral studies at the University of Augsburg. Her research focuses on media effects in science, health, and environmental communication, particularly examining how journalistic reporting on medical innovations (e.g., mRNA vaccines, brain-computer interfaces) influences public risk perception and engagement with new technologies. She has held research stays at Penn State University and contributed to projects like 'Healthy Clinical Landscapes' and 'Science Communicators in Science Communication.' Education: PhD in Philosophy (2024), University of Augsburg Master's and Bachelor's in Media and Communication (2019), University of Augsburg Semester abroad at Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata' (2017–2018) Research Interests: Her work explores how media framing, fear appeals, and social media influence public understanding of scientific innovations, health behaviors, and environmental issues. She has investigated the impact of narrative strategies on vaccination willingness, the role of empathy in sustainability communication, and the effects of digital detox campaigns on mobile users. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the DGPuK Science Communication Section Award (2025) Gertrude J. Robinson Mentoring Program (2023) Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences travel grant (2025) University of Zurich grants for projects on science authority credibility and academic resilience Grants & Projects: Investigating the role of emotions in perceived credibility of scientific authorities (IKMZ, 2025) Retreat for postdocs on academic resilience (IKMZ, 2025) Study on social media users' perceptions of science communicators (DGPuK, 2025) Labs & Teams: Active in the Transfer Unit Science Communication and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on health communication, environmental framing, and science policy initiatives.
