James Hardy is a Professor in Sport & Exercise Science at Bangor University's School of Psychology and Sport Science , with a career spanning elite sports psychology research and teaching. He holds a BSc (First Class) from the University of Birmingham, and MA/PhD from the University of Western Ontario under Prof. Craig Hall. Key roles: Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of School, Associate Editor for Journal of Applied Sport Psychology , and editorial board member for multiple journals. Research focuses on self-talk/imagery and group dynamics (team cohesion, leadership), funded by ECB, UK Sport, and Manchester City FC. Recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, examining leadership effects, pressure training protocols, narcissism in teams, and injury risk factors via pattern recognition. Notable work includes Psychosocial Characteristics of Elite Rugby Players and Individualized Talent Development in beach sprint rowing. Scientific contributions include a Bangor University Teaching Fellowship and 30+ peer-reviewed articles . Grants like £80k from ECB and £56k from City Football Services underscore his applied impact.
Dimitri Scarlato serves as Area Leader in Masters Programmes in Composition for Screen and Doctoral Supervisor at the Royal College of Music's Faculty of Composition. Holding a Doctorate in Composition from the RCM (2014) alongside prior studies at Guildhall School of Music & Drama (2004) and Rome's Conservatorio di Musica S.Cecilia, he maintains active roles in academic leadership and doctoral supervision while continuing professional creative work. His research spans film composition, opera, and contemporary classical music with specialized focus on screen-based media. Key interests include soundtrack production techniques, cross-cultural narrative scoring, and innovative vocal composition for modern contexts. His work integrates academic rigor with industry practice through film scores, operatic productions, and multimedia performances that bridge traditional and contemporary forms. Scarlato's recent creative output demonstrates consistent thematic development in audiovisual storytelling, with increasing sophistication in emotional resonance and cultural contextualization across film and opera formats. His projects frequently explore Italian cinematic traditions while incorporating international perspectives from collaborations at venues like Berlinale Talent Campus and Royal Opera House. 2nd Prize, Opera Harmony Digital Opera Festival (2020) for 'A Life Reset' Award for Soundtrack to Short Film 'Intolerance' (2021) RCM Rising Star Selection (2010) As Doctoral Supervisor, Scarlato guides emerging composers through rigorous academic and creative development, emphasizing practical industry integration. His professional engagements include conducting premieres of contemporary operas across Europe and high-profile collaborations such as coaching Sir Michael Caine for the film 'Youth' (2015). Current projects focus on expanding composition techniques for digital media platforms while maintaining strong connections to traditional performance venues.
Dr. Seth B. Hunter is an Associate Professor of Education Leadership at George Mason University ’s College of Education and Human Development . He serves as a Senior Fellow at EdPolicy Forward (Mason’s Center for Education Policy) and a Fellow with the Tennessee Education Research Alliance . His work bridges educator effectiveness, policy implementation, and human-machine collaboration in education. PhD in Education Policy from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University Dr. Hunter’s research integrates educator evaluation systems , instructional coaching , and policy impacts on educational outcomes . He employs mixed methods (econometric, psychometric, qualitative) and interdisciplinary frameworks (psychology, economics, leadership theory). Notably, he investigates how feedback mechanisms and human-machine partnerships shape instructional quality. His recent publications focus on teacher evaluation policy effects , instructional coaching distribution , and equity in rural education . Articles span topics like feedback valence, policy implementation in rural districts, and intersectional impacts of leadership demographics. Though no scientific awards are listed, his work informs state-level policies in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Dr. Hunter previously served K-12 organizations as a teacher, union representative, and professional association president. He teaches courses on school improvement , instructional supervision , and doctoral research . Personal interests include barbecuing , ice hockey , and music .
Dr. Travis Dorsch serves as Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Utah State University's Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, where he founded and directs the Families in Sport Lab. His academic career bridges human development theory with practical applications in youth sport contexts, examining how family systems and social environments shape athletic experiences. His educational foundation includes a PhD in Kinesiology (Psychology of Sport and Exercise) from Purdue University (2013), preceded by an MS (2007) and BA in Psychology (2003). This interdisciplinary training informs his unique perspective on sport socialization processes. Dr. Dorsch's research program centers on the interplay between family dynamics and youth sport participation , employing mixed-methods approaches to investigate: Parental socialization mechanisms in athletic contexts Sibling influences on sport engagement Socioeconomic barriers to sport access Emotional abuse dynamics in competitive environments Systemic optimization of youth sport structures His work demonstrates how contextual factors from household to national policy levels affect athlete development. Analysis of his 50+ publications reveals three dominant research trajectories : pandemic-era sport disruptions (2020-2023), emotional abuse frameworks in collegiate athletics (2021-2024), and family systems theory applications in youth sport (2013-present). These intersect at the critical nexus of developmental appropriateness in sport programming. His distinguished recognition includes: Multiple Graduate Mentor of the Year awards (2021, 2022) Early Career Distinguished Scholar honor (2020) Research Fellow designation (2021) Consistent departmental and college teaching awards Dr. Dorsch has secured funding from major organizations including the NCAA, Aspen Institute, and TeamSnap to support his Families in Sport Lab. His mentorship extends to 11 graduate students, with research translating into practical tools for coaches, parents, and sport administrators featured in major media outlets like The New York Times and TIME Magazine .
Torgeir Dingsøyr is an Adjunct Chief Research Scientist and Research Professor in the Department of IT Management at Simula Metropolitan, a leading Norwegian research institute specializing in software engineering and digital technologies. His role encompasses both strategic research leadership and active empirical investigation into large-scale agile software development and software process improvement. Research Interests Large-scale agile software development methods and governance. Coordination and communication challenges in very large development programmes. Software process improvement (SPI) with emphasis on practical, evidence-based approaches. Teamwork effectiveness and autonomous teams in continuous deployment environments. Digital transformation project organization, particularly within Scandinavian contexts. Across more than two decades, Dingsøyr has produced influential handbooks and empirical studies that bridge the gap between SPI theory and industrial practice. His work increasingly addresses second-generation agile methods, emphasizing safety nets for high-risk development and autonomy at scale. Scientific Awards No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising & Grants Dingsøyr collaborates extensively with industry and academic partners to secure funding for longitudinal case studies and improvement initiatives. While individual student names are not provided, his publications demonstrate active supervision and mentoring within multi-partner projects. Laboratory & Teams He operates within Simula Metropolitan’s research environment, contributing to interdisciplinary teams that unite software engineering researchers, data scientists, and industrial practitioners to advance empirical software engineering and agile transformation.
Ana Figueroa serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at The University of Tampa, teaching Foundations of American Education and Human Exceptionalities courses. Her academic journey bridges extensive K-12 experience with current scholarly work focused on teacher development. Her educational background includes: 2007: B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Central Florida 2014: Master of Education, University of South Florida 2022: Ed.D., University of the Cumberlands Dr. Figueroa's research centers on teacher mindset dynamics, specifically the relationship between evaluative performance perceptions and learning effort. Her dissertation revealed a critical dichotomy: K-12 teachers maintain fixed mindsets regarding performance evaluation but demonstrate growth mindsets in learning contexts. This insight drives her development of targeted professional learning frameworks that enhance self-efficacy through differentiated strategies and structured self-reflection. Her honors include: Marzano High Reliability Teacher Certification (2018) High Impact Teacher (2015) Polk County Charter School Teacher of the Year (2015) Polk County Teacher of the Year (2012) CEC Outstanding Achievement nomination (2005) Through UT's Teacher Education Advisory Council, she connects academic training with classroom practice. Her community engagement spans dePaul School of Dyslexia partnerships, ESOL/ESE student tutoring, after-school origami programs, and middle school basketball coaching - all informing her research on practical teacher development. While not leading a formal research lab, Dr. Figueroa actively disseminates findings through conference presentations (ICPEL 2023, University of the Cumberlands 2022) and co-authored publications. Her current work focuses on translating mindset research into preservice training and teacher retention initiatives.
J.D. Schramm serves as Lecturer of Communication at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, specializing in Communication Management (MCG). With over 20 years of teaching experience at Stanford, Columbia, and NYU, Schramm mentors leaders in defining and sharing difficult stories that need to be told. Schramm holds an EdD in higher education leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business, and a BFA in theater from Emporia State University. His interdisciplinary background blends business strategy, educational leadership, and performance arts. His research focuses on communication strategies for leadership, exploring how storytelling, resilience, and authentic messaging inspire action. Schramm has developed frameworks around mindset, message, and mastery as foundations for impactful communication, with particular emphasis on high-stakes situations, LGBTQ+ leadership presence, and transforming failure into growth opportunities. Schramm's publications include the 2020 Wiley-published book 'Communicate with mastery' and his 2022 memoir 'The bridge back to life.' His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Huffington Post, and HBR Online. He has spoken at TED/TEDx events and coached numerous speakers for such presentations. Worked with Aspen Institute Presidential Fellows Consulted for Facebook, Google, and Genentech Coached Stanford Medicine's Frontiers in Medicine speakers since 2014 Keynote speaker including MIT's 'FAIL! – Inspiring Resilience' (2021) An active LGBTQ community member, Schramm focuses on inclusion efforts in higher education and religious communities. He advocates for suicide prevention, foster care services, and HIV/AIDS research. Schramm lives in San Francisco with his husband Reverend Ken Daigle and their three children.
Nathan Pettit is a Professor of Management and Organizations and Vice Dean for MBA and Graduate Programs at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University. He is also the George and Edythe Heyman Faculty Fellow and has been at Stern since 2011. He teaches leadership courses in the full-time MBA, NYC Executive MBA, and DC Executive MBA programs. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Management, Cornell University, 2011 M.A. in Social-Organizational Psychology, Columbia University, 2006 M.P.S. in Statistics, Cornell University, 2003 B.S. in Statistics, Cornell University, 2002 Nathan's research focuses on social hierarchy, underdogs and favorites, and cross-cultural issues in organizations. He investigates how status influences perception, motivation, and behavior in competitive and organizational settings. His work bridges management, psychology, and behavioral science, often exploring the cognitive and emotional dynamics of power and competition. The 15 most recent articles reflect a consistent focus on hierarchical dynamics, status perception, and competitive mindsets. They span disciplines including organizational behavior, psychology, and general science, with publications in top journals such as Academy of Management Journal , Organization Science , PNAS , and Psychological Science . The research reveals how high-status individuals perceive the world more positively, how underdogs and favorites adopt different motivational strategies, and how these dynamics shape organizational and societal outcomes. His scientific awards include: Named one of Poets & Quants '40 most outstanding MBA professors under 40' Stern’s Distinguished Teaching Award 'Professor of the Year' by MBA students (twice) 'Great Professor' by EMBA graduates (four times) Nathan actively contributes to academic leadership and student development. He serves on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Discoveries and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes . He is the founding director of the NYU Stern Leadership Accelerator, pioneering experiential learning through live case models. He also mentors students as the faculty representative for the Stern Chats podcast. While specific advisees are not listed, his role as a PhD-trained professor and program leader implies significant advising and mentorship responsibilities. He has likely secured research grants supporting his work on status and competition, though specific grants are not detailed in the text. He is central to the Leadership Accelerator initiative, which integrates faculty, students, and coaches to develop leadership skills through real-world challenges. This team-based approach emphasizes experiential learning and behavioral development, positioning Stern at the forefront of innovative business education.
Moa Jederström is a Medical Doctor and Clinical Researcher at Linköping University's Department of Health, Medicine and Care (HMV) , affiliated with the Athletics Research Center and Barnafrid (National Center for Knowledge on Violence Against Children). Her research focuses on youth athlete well-being, mental health in sports, and safeguarding children in sports environments. Doctor of Medical Science, 2025 ST Doctor (Specialist Registrar) in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2024 Medical Degree, 2021 Research Interests: Dr. Jederström's work explores health risks in young athletes, particularly in aesthetic sports like figure skating. Key research areas include: Sports injury prevention Mental health issues in youth athletes Nutritional challenges in competitive sports Safeguarding mechanisms in sports environments Scientific Contributions: Her 2025 thesis Physical and mental health among Swedish figure skaters revealed significant health risks intensified with age, while subsequent studies have examined: Social media's impact on athlete self-objectification Injury determinants in female skaters Intervention strategies for sports high schools Global child psychiatry workforce development Collaborations: Works with Prof. Toomas Timpka and Assist. Prof. Carolina Lundqvist on multiple projects, and collaborates with Monash University on disability sports research.
Stig Arve Sæther is a Professor of Sports Science at the Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences. His research focuses on talent development, elite sports, and sports psychology, with specific emphasis on transitions from junior to senior elite, stress, perfectionism, and coach-athlete relationships. He leads the research group Skill and Performance Development in Sports and School (SPDSS) and the NTNU Sports Network. Primary research areas: Talent development environments, dual careers, relative age effects, and athlete stress Ongoing projects: Female athlete development, Norwegian football club mergers, international youth football environments, senior transitions in school sports, and destructive leadership in sports Collaborations: Rosenborg Ball Club, Kristiansund Ball Club (NEAS Academy), Norwegian Handball Association, Norwegian Ice Hockey Association Editor-in-Chief: Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology His recent research explores gender differences in talent environments (handball/ice hockey), parental impacts on biathlon transitions, and communication barriers around menstrual cycles in female football. With 60+ international journal articles and multiple books, his work bridges academic rigor and practical sports insights. Media presence spans 200+ TV/radio/podcast appearances (TV2 Sporten, NRK, GameChanger) and newspapers (Wall Street Journal, Aftenposten). Key students include Max Bergström (PhD) and 46+ master’s graduates. Awards not explicitly mentioned, but his editorial and research group leadership highlight institutional recognition.
Brandon K. Schultz, EdD, NCSP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at East Carolina University. His research focuses on adolescents with ADHD, developmental behavior disorders, and school-based interventions. He leads federally funded projects including a serious game for ADHD management (www.athemosthegame.org) and innovations to school mental health frameworks. Education: EdD in School Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; MEd in Educational Psychology and School Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Frostburg State University; BA in Psychology from Salisbury State University. Research Interests: Schultz explores academic and social impairments in adolescents with ADHD, emphasizing school consultation and evidence-based interventions. His work integrates technology (e.g., serious games) and systemic frameworks to improve mental health service delivery in K-12 settings. Recent projects address teleconsultation acceptability among school psychologists and long-term treatment compliance outcomes. Grants: Projects funded by the US Department of Education include advancing school mental health systems and developing innovative ADHD interventions. No scientific awards explicitly listed, though his ongoing projects suggest strong recognition in developmental psychology and school-based care. Advising/Grants: Mentors graduate students in school psychology through funded research initiatives. Projects emphasize implementation science and translational research bridging academic theory with school practice. Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams focused on school-based mental health innovations, including collaborations with the Interconnected Systems Framework initiative and serious game development for behavioral interventions.
Antonio Dello Iacono is an Associate Professor (Reader) in Strength and Conditioning at the University of the West of Scotland's Division of Sport, Exercise, and Health within the School of Health and Life Sciences. With 20 years of combined experience in elite sport practice, teaching, and research, his work focuses on elite performance conditioning, training load monitoring, and technology integration in sports. He leads the Sports Performance Interest Group, coordinating industry-collaborative applied research projects. His research aims to develop personalized exercise prescription models to enhance individualized training outcomes, reduce overtraining risks, and improve health outcomes. Education & Positions Scientific Associate at University of Split (since 2017) Research Focus His primary research goals involve transitioning from rigid exercise protocols to personalized approaches tailored to individual abilities and stressors. Key areas include autoregulation methods in resistance training and interdisciplinary research integration. He contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Collaborations & Activities Peer reviewer for Frontiers in Physiology (2022) Invited speaker at ECSS conferences (2018–2021) Media engagements include discussions on mental training's physical benefits and collaborative partnerships Lab/Teams Leads the Sports Performance Interest Group, fostering applied research with industry partners.
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.
Robert Hicks is a Clinical Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas. He is the founding director of the Organizational Behavior, Coaching, and Consulting (OBCC) program and holds a Faculty Associate appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Hicks specializes in executive coaching for Fortune 500 leaders and medical executives. Education: Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, University of Southern California (1978) MSc in Educational Psychology, University of Southern California (1972) BA in Music Education & Performance and Psychology, California State University at Los Angeles (1971) Dr. Hicks' research and professional work centers on coaching as a leadership style, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and organizational resistance. He has developed executive education programs, including an eMBA in healthcare leadership for UT Southwestern and Parkland Hospital. His work bridges clinical psychology and organizational behavior, promoting coaching cultures in high-stakes environments. His recent publications in the Physician Leadership Journal (2017–2021) explore themes like micromanagement, feedback, narcissism in leadership, and building coaching cultures. These reflect a consistent focus on improving leadership efficacy through psychological insight and coaching methodologies. Scientific Awards: International Prism Award by the International Coach Federation (2006) for advancing coaching as a strategic leadership tool Dr. Hicks has been instrumental in advising leadership development initiatives and educational partnerships. He has led projects such as the development of an evidence-based coaching framework (2017–2021) and has delivered keynotes at national conferences including the International Coach Federation and academic medical centers. His grants and projects emphasize practical, scalable coaching models for organizational transformation. He is actively involved in professional organizations including the American Psychological Association (Division 13), Society for Psychologists in Management, and the International Coach Federation. His work continues to shape the integration of coaching into formal leadership development curricula.
Dr. Simon Gavanda serves as a Researcher in the Department of Fitness and Health at IST University, supporting the institution's academic and research initiatives since 2015. His work bridges theoretical sports science with practical athletic applications across multiple disciplines. Education: Bachelor of Sport and Performance, German Sport University Cologne Master of Exercise, Science and Coaching, German Sport University Cologne PhD in Applied Hypertrophy Training, German Sport University Cologne His research centers on evidence-based training methodologies with dual specialization in strength development and cheerleading performance. Key investigations include hypertrophy protocols, neuroathletic interventions, and population-specific adaptations across team athletes, adolescents, and middle-aged individuals. He actively contributes to elite sports coaching education and serves as Scientific Coordinator for the Cheerleading and Cheerperformance Association Germany, driving sport-specific research translation. Recent publications (2022-2024) reveal a methodological emphasis on randomized controlled trials comparing training modalities (isokinetic/isotonic, blood flow restriction, functional training). Research spans biomechanics, physiological adaptation, and performance psychology, with targeted applications for cheerleaders, female athletes, and youth populations. Consistent themes include dose-response relationships, population-specific programming, and practical implementation of laboratory findings. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. While no formal student advisees or research grants are specified, Dr. Gavanda's leadership in coach education programs and scientific coordination for national cheerleading associations indicates significant project management responsibilities. His role involves designing certification curricula and translating research into practical coaching frameworks for elite sports federations. He operates within IST University's Fitness and Health research ecosystem while maintaining strategic partnerships with the Cheerleading and Cheerperformance Association Germany, facilitating collaborative studies on athletic performance and injury prevention in competitive cheer sports.
