Ross Armstrong is an Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal and Population Health at the University of Cumbria's Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, serving as Programme Lead for the Master of Research programme. He previously held roles at Edge Hill University and has extensive clinical experience in NHS, private practice, professional sports (including Liverpool FC and Gillingham FC academies), military, and international events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. His research focuses on musculoskeletal screening, hypermobility, systematic reviews, and dance medicine. He leads the Healthy Ageing Research Team and co-leads the Rehabilitation and Healthy Lives Group and Systematic Review Group. Education: BSc (Hons) Sports Science and Physiology (University of Leeds, 1998); MSc Physiotherapy (Teesside University, 2002); MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine (Queen Mary University, 2013); PhD (Musculoskeletal Screening: Implications for Injury and Performance, Edge Hill University). Research interests include injury prevention, clinical prediction rules, and dance medicine. He has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications, Cochrane reviews, and book chapters. Current roles include editorial board memberships for journals like Telethusa and Frontiers in Sport and Active Living , plus external advisory roles for physiotherapy programs. Grants: £50,000 co-applicant for the EPSRC NortHFutures 2025 project on digital health technologies for frailty monitoring. Active in supervising PhD candidates with a focus on musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation. Labs/Teams: Leads the Healthy Ageing Research Team and collaborates with the Brazil/UK Dance Medicine and Science Network and Somatic Practice and Chronic Pain networks.
Miao Qian is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Detroit Mercy. She earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and Education from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral training in Harvard University's Inequality in America Initiative program. Her research investigates child social cognition, focusing on how children acquire social category knowledge and apply it to social evaluations. Research examines the development and reduction of implicit biases related to race and gender. Current projects include studying social-cognitive drivers of bias and developing interventions like individuation training and cooperative games. Recognized as a 2023 Emerging Scholar by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education.
Professor Jamie Carlson is a Professor of Marketing and Deputy Head of School - Research at the Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle. His expertise lies at the intersection of marketing, consumer behavior, and technology, with a focus on how organizations can better engage customers in increasingly digital environments. He has held significant leadership roles including Assistant Dean Research and Engagement (2018-2020) and Head of Marketing Discipline (2017-2018). Professor Carlson's educational background includes: PhD (Management) from the University of Newcastle Bachelor of Business (Honours) from the University of Newcastle Bachelor of Business from the University of Newcastle Professor Carlson's research program focuses on customer experience management, particularly at the customer-technology interface. His work spans three core areas: understanding customer engagement with physical and virtual channels, examining service design and consumer behavior in service industries, and investigating consumer adoption of e-health services. He emphasizes how consumers actively shape their consumption journeys, seeking both individualized and communal brand experiences across touchpoints, and how technology both creates value and presents challenges for consumer well-being. An analysis of Professor Carlson's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on digital transformation in marketing, with particular focus on omnichannel retailing, metaverse applications, social media engagement, and the psychological aspects of consumer behavior in digital environments. His work demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting marketing with information systems, psychology, and healthcare domains to address complex consumer behavior questions in our technology-driven world. Professor Carlson has received numerous prestigious awards for his scholarly contributions: 2025 Jay Lindquist Best Conference Paper Award at the Academy of Marketing Science World Marketing Congress 2023 Best paper in Digital and Social Media Marketing Track at Academy of Marketing Multiple Top Cited/Downloaded Article recognitions from International Journal of Information Management (2022) 2022 Best paper award in the Australasian Marketing Journal Multiple best paper awards at Academy of Marketing conferences (2014-2017) 2010 Vice-Chancellor's Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning As a principal supervisor for PhD, DBA, and Honours students, Professor Carlson has mentored numerous successful researchers who have gone on to academic positions at institutions worldwide including Maastricht University (Netherlands), Dortmund University (Germany), Macquarie University, UTS, and the University of Adelaide. His students have received faculty medals, best paper awards, and the prestigious Arizona State University Center for Service Leadership Research Scholarship. His supervision focuses on customer engagement in digital media, service experience management, relationship quality, emotional appeals in advertising, and drivers of group travel behavior. Professor Carlson's research is conducted through multinational and interdisciplinary collaborations aligned with the Australian government's 'Growth Through Innovation' agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. His work connects marketing with information systems, psychology, and healthcare to develop frameworks for understanding e-service quality, online flow experiences, customer engagement, and value creation in digital environments.
Chris Hanson is an Associate Professor of Film and Screen Studies in the Department of English at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on game studies, esports, digital media, television, and avant-garde film, with a particular emphasis on temporality in games and media history. He holds a PhD in Critical Studies from the University of Southern California. Education: PhD (Critical Studies, University of Southern California, 2010), MA (Critical Studies, USC, 2005), BA (Media Studies, Carleton College). Research interests span game design history, gender in gaming, transmedia storytelling, and the intersection of nostalgia and technology. He advises the Syracuse University Gaming Club and contributed to the development of the university’s esports program and Digital Scholarship Space. He currently serves as a 2024-2025 Faculty Fellow at the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute (ASPI). Recent academic activities include keynote lectures on game temporality and accessibility, and presentations on early digital game history at conferences such as the Society for Cinema and Media Studies. His work appears in journals like Quarterly Review of Film and Video and Film Quarterly , as well as edited volumes like The Routledge Encyclopedia of Video Games .
Dr. Kaie Maennel is a Lecturer at the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, part of the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology at the University of Adelaide. Her research focuses on Human Aspects of Cyber Security, including Cyber Awareness and Hygiene, Serious Games (Cyber Defence Exercises), and Learning Analytics in Cyber Training. She also investigates Usable Security, Information Security Culture, and Cybersecurity Risk Management. With over 20 years of corporate experience in Audit and Assurance at Deloitte, she holds professional certifications: ACCA, CIA, and Estonian CPA. Her research interests emphasize bridging cybersecurity education with practical applications, leveraging experiential learning and advanced analytics. She actively participates in high-profile cybersecurity initiatives like the NATO CCDCOE’s Locked Shields workshop, contributing to exercise design and assessment frameworks. Dr. Maennel is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students as a Co-Supervisor, focusing on cybersecurity education, exercise methodologies, and human-centric security strategies. She prioritizes interdisciplinary approaches and real-world impact through collaborations with industry and academic partners. Her work spans cyber defense exercise ontology development, cultural adaptation of cybersecurity programs, and leveraging behavioral genetics insights. Recent trends in her publications highlight the integration of AI into cybersecurity training and the critical role of human factors in mitigating cyber risks.
Professor Anthony Brabazon is the College Principal and Dean of the UCD College of Business at University College Dublin. He holds a prominent administrative role alongside his academic contributions in natural computing and business analytics. His research focuses on natural computing theory, financial modeling using evolutionary algorithms, and complex adaptive systems in business contexts. Brabazon co-founded the Natural Computing Research and Applications Group (NCRA) at UCD, which explores theoretical and practical applications of bio-inspired algorithms. Education: B Comm and Dip. Prof Accounting – University College Dublin DBA – Kingston University, London DPA and Dip Stat – University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin MBA – Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh MS – Stanford University Research Interests: Anthony's work bridges computational intelligence and finance, with contributions to genetic programming, foraging-inspired optimization, and business analytics. His research highlights the application of evolutionary algorithms to real-world problems in finance, operations research, and organizational strategy. Grants and Collaborations: HEA Support for COVID-19 Related Research (2020–2025) Financial Mathematics and Computation Cluster (FMC²) (2009–2016) Teaching: Coordinated MAcc Management Accounting courses at the postgraduate level (2018–2019). Professional Activities: Member of CIMA Ethics Board Editorial board roles in multiple journals Founder of EvoBAFin workshop on computational finance
Lev Reyzin is a Professor of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Director of the IDEAL Institute. He specializes in the theory of machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence, with affiliations to theoretical computer science and mathematical foundations. Prior roles include a Simons Postdoctoral Fellowship at Georgia Tech and an NSF Computing Innovation Fellowship at Yahoo! Research. He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University (NSF doctoral fellowship) and a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. Research interests focus on algorithmic learning theory, computational complexity, and applications of machine learning to real-world problems. Notable work includes contributions to statistical learning algorithms, adversarial bandits, and graph theory. His research has been funded by NSF grants (e.g., ECCS-2217023, CCF-2307106), DOD programs, and others since 2015. He has received awards at leading conferences (ICML, COLT, AISTATS). Reyzin holds editorial roles, including Editor-in-Chief of Mathematics of Data, Learning, and Intelligence and Chair positions in major conferences like FOCS 2024 and ALT 2017. His leadership in academic organizations highlights his influence in shaping theoretical computer science and machine learning research.
Lea Stadtler serves as Associate Professor of Strategy at Grenoble Ecole de Management, specializing in cross-sector collaborations and coopetition within the Department of Management and Technology. Her research examines organizational tensions through paradox and organizational theories, with focus on partnerships addressing societal grand challenges. Her research centers on cross-sector partnerships, coopetition, and organizational paradoxes, investigating dynamics in global health, sustainable development, and humanitarian contexts. Key themes include partnership sustainability, dark side effects, colonial legacies in business-NGO relationships, and place-based collaboration strategies. She employs critical perspectives to analyze power structures and unintended consequences in partnership ecosystems. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals escalating focus on partnership complexity in high-reliability contexts like global health, with growing attention to South-South cooperation, political embeddedness of innovation networks, and systemic approaches to Sustainable Development Goals implementation. Dr. Stadtler has received four international awards for her scholarly contributions and case studies. She currently serves as Associate Editor for Business and Society , contributing to academic discourse on cross-sector collaboration ethics and effectiveness. No information was provided regarding student advising, research grants, laboratory affiliations, or team leadership roles in the source materials.
Joost-Pieter Katoen is a full Professor at RWTH Aachen University and Head of its Computer Science Department since 2012. He also holds a part-time (20%) Professorship at the University of Twente . His research focuses on model checking , probabilistic verification , formal semantics , and software verification , with applications in aerospace systems. His work has led to significant tools like MRMC (probabilistic model checker), COMPASS (AADL analysis tool-set), and libalf (learning automata library). He has authored over 18 international projects (total €5.2 million) and graduated 12 PhD students. Scientific Awards : Member, German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), 2024 ACM Fellow, 2020 ERC Advanced Grant, 2018 Honorary doctorate, Aalborg University, 2017 Teaching Award, RWTH Aachen, 2010 Philips Early Career Development Award, 1988 Research Trends (from articles): His recent work spans probabilistic program verification , quantitative game theory , Markov chain analysis , and parameter synthesis for stochastic systems, with applications in AI, quantum computing, and fault tree analysis. Leadership & Service : Katoen co-founded the QEST conference , chairs ETAPS steering committee, and has led numerous program committees (CONCUR, TACAS, QEST). He has served on editorial boards and organized conferences/seminars globally.
Associate Professor Darrin Verhagen is an award-winning sound designer and composer at RMIT University's School of Design, where he teaches in the Sound Design specialization within the Digital Media Program and directs the Audiokinetic Experiments (AkE) Lab. His academic work bridges creative practice with scientific inquiry into multisensory perception. Verhagen's research centers on the neurobiology of aesthetic experience, particularly exploring how sound interacts with vision, movement, and vibration. His work in the AkE Lab utilizes motion simulators, 4D cinema seating, and light to create installations that investigate the relationship between hearing, vision, movement and vibration. His academic background includes postgraduate research on musical extremes - lowercase sound for his Masters and Noise for his Doctorate. His creative output spans sound design for contemporary dance, theatre, installation, film, television and computer games. Verhagen has released over 20 albums internationally and performs audiovisual live shows globally. He was founder and curator of Dorobo records, which showcased Australian sound art for 15 years. Industry collaborations include work with Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse, Chunky Move, Australian Dance Theatre, and others. Notable awards include multiple Green Room Awards for Sound Design, Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts award finalist status, APRA Art Music awards finalist for experimental music, RMIT Research Award for technical innovation, and RMIT Teaching Award for excellence in teaching practice. Verhagen's supervision projects reveal a trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated explorations of sound in relation to space, perception, and human experience, with recent work focusing on transdisciplinary design, spatial sound applications, distributed audio systems, and vocal ecology. His work consistently bridges artistic practice with technological innovation and scientific inquiry into perceptual phenomena.
Dmitrii Pastushenkov is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at Harvard University, specializing in the Russian language program. He holds a Ph.D. in Second Language Studies from Michigan State University (2022), an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from Kent State University (2017), and dual M.A. degrees in Russian Translation and Business Administration, also from Kent State (2015). His research focuses on instructed second language acquisition, bridging theory and practice in language education, and the application of psychological theories to literary analysis. He has contributed to journals like The Modern Language Journal and co-edited a Routledge volume on assessment in Russian language classes. His work explores gamification, language immersion programs, and the use of technology in education, including game-based learning and assessment methodologies. Prior to Harvard, Dmitrii taught at Michigan State University, California State University, Northridge, and Kent State University, where he held graduate assistantships and participated in STARTALK programs. He has served as a research assistant at Middlebury College’s Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian, gaining insights into immersive language education. His interdisciplinary research also includes analyzing Russian state media’s portrayal of opposition leaders and examining dystopian narratives in Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels through psychological frameworks. Pastushenkov’s teaching philosophy emphasizes practical application of research, with a focus on enhancing language learning through innovative pedagogical strategies. His publications address topics such as vocabulary acquisition via gamification, task-based instruction, and the role of individual differences in language learning outcomes. He actively contributes to educational initiatives that integrate cultural and linguistic studies across disciplines.
Dr. Thomas Zacharias is a Lecturer in Cybersecurity at the School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow. His research focuses on cryptographic approaches to Cybersecurity and Privacy, emphasizing formal modeling, design, and analysis of secure systems. He holds a PhD in Cryptography from the University of Athens, with prior work as a Senior Researcher at the University of Edinburgh. Education PhD in Cryptography, University of Athens MSc in Theoretical Computer Science BSc in Pure Mathematics BEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Interests Dr. Zacharias specializes in electronic voting systems (e-voting), privacy-preserving communication, blockchain protocols, multi-party computation, and cryptographic foundations. His work bridges theoretical contributions with practical applications, such as the Pebble project for decentralized e-voting solutions. Recent research explores decentralization in distributed protocols like e-voting and blockchain. Publications His publications span advancements in cryptographic protocols, blockchain security, and e-voting systems. Key areas include decentralized voting, privacy-preserving mechanisms, and formal verification of security properties. Recent work addresses challenges in blockchain dynamics and contingent service payments. Awards & Grants Recipient of a $250,000 grant from the Tezos Foundation for the Pebble project , where he serves as Co-Investigator. This project aims to develop and commercialize decentralized e-voting systems. Teaching & Supervision Supervised PhD student Nikolaos Lamprou on e-voting systems in the quantum and classical settings. Teaches Cybersecurity Fundamentals (H) (COMPSCI4062) at the University of Glasgow. Labs & Professional Engagement A co-founder of the Pebble project and active member of the IET’s e-voting working group. Served on program committees for major conferences including CRYPTO, PKC, and PETS.
Professor Stephen Bird is a renowned performance scientist and strength and conditioning expert at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), leading the School of Health and Medical Sciences. He holds the title of Professor (Sport and Exercise Science) and directs the High-Performance Sport program. His roles include Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning and advisor to organizations like the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association. Education: BHumMov(ExSc), BHumMov(Hons), and PhD from Charles Sturt University. Research Focus: Strength and conditioning methodologies, nutritional supplementation, athlete recovery, and technology-driven performance optimization. Key Projects: '2 WIN 2032' student-athlete empowerment initiative, NBA sleep health studies, and blood flow restriction (BFR) training for muscle/bone health in space travel. Affiliations: Institute for Resilient Regions (IRR), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) peer review, and collaborations with Flinders University, University of Gloucestershire. Research interests span elite athlete performance (basketball, rugby, hockey), female athlete health, and applications of pupillometry and wearable tech for fatigue monitoring. Awards include the prestigious ESSA Medal (2006) and Life Membership (Western Region Academy of Sport). Teaching includes courses on strength training, sports nutrition, and athlete workload monitoring. He has supervised over 20 doctoral and master’s students, contributing to >40 research outputs annually. Grants include a $832k Quantum wearable sensor project (2024) and $240k AI-driven motion capture initiative. His work bridges academia and elite sport, advising teams like the Brisbane Bullets (NBL) and GB Women’s Basketball. Recent trends in publications emphasize NBA performance metrics, sleep science, and interdisciplinary solutions for athlete resilience.
Alain Bensoussan is the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair Professor of Operations Management at the University of Texas at Dallas and Director of the International Center for Decision and Risk Analysis. His work spans stochastic control, mathematical finance, and mean field games. He holds a PhD from the University of Paris (1969) and advanced degrees from École Polytechnique (1962) and École Nationale de la Statistique et de l’Administration Economique (1965). Research interests include inventory control under uncertainty, risk management frameworks, and applications of mean field theory to control problems. Recent work focuses on stochastic control in financial systems, machine learning integration with control theory, and optimal policies in dynamic environments. Notable awards: Legion d’Honneur (Officier), NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, Member of French Academies of Sciences/Technology, and SIAM Charter Fellowship. Key grants: NSF-funded projects on mean field control theory (2016–2019) and mean field games (2023–present). Teaches advanced courses: Game Theory, Risk Analysis, Stochastic Dynamic Programming. His 2023–2025 publications emphasize theoretical advancements in stochastic control, mean field games, and machine learning applications. Ongoing work addresses infrastructure investment, wind farm optimization, and multi-agent system dynamics.
Lennie Moore serves as a faculty member in the Technology and Applied Composition (TAC) program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), where he teaches Applied Lessons, Tools, Techniques and Analysis, and Orchestration for the Media Composer. With decades of experience as a composer, arranger, and orchestrator for video games, commercials, film, and television, Moore brings real-world industry expertise to his academic role. His teaching extends beyond SFCM, having developed and taught courses in Composing for Video Games at USC and UCLA Extension. Moore's research interests focus on the complex puzzle of video game scoring, emphasizing the deconstructionist approach required for interactive media. His work explores how to break down compositions into vertical layers and horizontal procedural components that can be implemented into music playback systems in real-time based on player choices. He specializes in open-world environments where music must smoothly transition through different game areas. His passion for building computers and video games outside of traditional music informs his innovative approach to media composition. His recent work includes the 2024 release of Outcast: A New Beginning , a sequel to his groundbreaking 1999 score for the original Outcast game, which was one of the first live orchestra and choir scores in gaming history. This new project involved approximately two hours and fifteen minutes of music with complex interactive elements, recorded during the pandemic with remote sessions. Best Soundtrack Album, G.A.N.G. Awards, 2011 Best Interactive Score, G.A.N.G. Awards, 2011 Best Audio — Other, G.A.N.G. Awards, 2008 Moore actively mentors students in the TAC program, with notable alumni including Kyle Randall (winner of the American Prize in composition), Shengyuan Li (Top 10 Finalist in the Berlin International Film Scoring Competition 2023), and Shawne Workman (now SFCM TAC faculty). His 2023 album Mentors pays tribute to his influences including Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Arif Mardin, Michael Gibbs, Don Grolnick, David Mash, Nick & Andy, Ken Kraintz, and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Moore emphasizes to students that 'Failure is an option' and encourages them to consider 'Who am I as an artist?' early in their development.
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