Ewa Kowalska-Zając is a Professor of Musical Arts at the Academy of Music in Łódź, where she has been employed since 1989. She served as Dean of the Faculty of Composition, Music Theory, Conducting, Rhythmics, and Music Education from 2008 to 2016 and has been Head of the Department of Music Theory since 2018. A graduate of the Academy of Music in Łódź, her work focuses on avant-garde composition, string quartets, and the intersection of music and visual art. Education: Diploma in Music Theory and Composition from the Academy of Music in Łódź. Her research explores the evolution of Polish composers' approaches to genres like the string quartet, sacred music, and sonorism, with a particular emphasis on avant-garde experimentation and intermedia tendencies. She has authored several books, including Seeing Music. Notation of the Polish Contemporary Score (2019), and over 50 biographical entries in collective monographs. Her publications analyze themes such as musical archetypes, postmodern reinterpretations of traditional forms, and the impact of intermedia practices in 20th-century scores. Notable works include studies on Olivier Messiaen, Paweł Klecki, and Bogusław Schaeffer. Scientific Awards Silver Cross of Merit (2002) Gold Cross of Merit (2022) Kowalska-Zając is a member of the Polish Composers' Union and the Polish Music Society, contributing extensively to musicological discourse through her academic leadership and editorial work.
Catherine Laws is a Professor of Music at the University of York, affiliated with the School of Arts and Creative Technologies. She holds a dual role as a musicologist and pianist specializing in contemporary music, with particular focus on interdisciplinary performance practices and the relationship between music and language. Her research explores collaboration, embodiment, and subjectivity in performance, alongside studies of Samuel Beckett’s musical intermediality. Laws maintains a Senior Artistic Research Fellowship at the Orpheus Institute in Ghent, leading the 'Performance, Subjectivity, and Experimentation' research cluster. Education: PhD in Music (University of York, 1996), MA and BA in Music (University of York) Her research spans two core areas: 1) performance-based studies examining performer agency, embodiment, and interdisciplinary collaboration through works like the multimedia Player Piano ; and 2) investigations into composers’ responses to literary texts, notably Beckett’s works. Key outputs include co-authored Voices, Bodies, Practices (2019) and edited Performance, Subjectivity, and Experimentation (2020). Her recent projects with filmmaker Minyung Im reimagine piano performances through film, blending sound, visual, and spatial elements. Publications reflect her dual focus: experimental music performance, Beckett studies, and collaborative art practices. Her work often bridges theory and practice, integrating compositional, performative, and audiovisual mediums.
Morten Søndergaard is an Associate Professor at Aalborg University’s Department of Communication and Psychology, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. He is part of the Art, Aesthetics & Health Research Laboratory and the MASSHINE initiative. His research focuses on sound art, media art curation, and transdisciplinary practices, emphasizing the exclusion mechanisms in 20th-century art systems and unarchived avant-garde movements. Søndergaard has curated exhibitions globally, including at Kiasma and ZKM, and co-founded the POM conference series and ISACS symposia. He leads the Erasmus Master of Excellence in Media Arts Cultures, collaborating with institutions in Austria, Poland, and Hong Kong. His work bridges art, science, and technology, with recent projects exploring sonic archives and participatory curatorial frameworks. Key collaborations include roles with the European NeMe network, SUNY College New York, and the Momentum Biennial. He has organized over 20 projects since 2008, including the 2025 Momentum Biennial as head curator. His teaching spans media art theory, sound art practices, and curatorial methodologies at both bachelor and master levels. Søndergaard’s research outputs include over 145 publications, with a focus on sound art’s theoretical and practical dimensions. His current projects emphasize ‘uncurating’ methodologies and the reactivation of marginalized avant-garde practices. Notable activities include editorial roles, international conference organization, and advisory roles in art and science networks. His work has been featured in media outlets like Artdaily and the Biennial Foundation, highlighting his contributions to contemporary art discourse and curatorial innovation.
Serge CARDINAL is a Full Professor at the Department of Art History, Cinema, and Audiovisual Media at Université de Montréal. His research focuses on the intersections of sound, music, and cinema, blending philosophical inquiry with creative practice. He leads projects exploring musicality in film, interdisciplinary analysis methods, and the legacy of cinema through installations and exhibitions. Education: The text does not explicitly detail his formal education, but his extensive academic output and professorial role suggest advanced degrees in cinema studies and related fields. Research Interests : Musicality in film, research-creation, Deleuzean philosophy applied to cinema, actor studies, and interdisciplinary audiovisual practices. His work bridges theory and practice, using soundscapes, installations, and performances to analyze cinematic material. Recent Projects : Includes installations like Tombeau de Gilles Groulx (2019) and The Political Glenn Gould (2024), as well as collaborative research networks like the OICRM. He has explored digital tools for cinematic analysis (Numalyse, 2025) and sound transcription in intermedia contexts (Studio Glenn Gould, 2021). Grants & Funding : Recipient of grants from FRQSC and SSHRC for projects on sound in Quebec cinema, research-creation methodologies, and interdisciplinary music-cinema studies. Leads teams in strategic research programs and individual creation grants. Labs/Teams : Member of the Observatoire interdisciplinaire de création et de recherche en musique (OICRM) and the research-creation lab La création sonore: cinéma, arts médiatiques, arts du son .
Keith Obadike is a Professor in the Department of Art at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), where he also serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. He is an acclaimed interdisciplinary artist and composer, known for his collaborative work with Mendi Obadike, which spans sound art, digital media, public installations, performance, and internet-based projects. His artistic and academic work critically engages with technology, race, history, and identity. Obadike earned a B.A. in Visual Art from North Carolina Central University and an M.F.A. in Sound Design from Yale University. Prior to joining Cornell, he taught at William Paterson University and held visiting positions at Princeton University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, and the Art Institute of Chicago. His research and creative practice focus on sound art, digital media, public art, performance, and collaborative practice , with strong interdisciplinary connections to Afrofuturism, data sonification, and social justice. He explores how sound and technology mediate racial identity, memory, and liberation, notably through the concept of acousmatic blackness , which he and Mendi developed to describe the racial perception of sound when its source is unseen. Obadike’s selected works include large-scale public sound installations such as Blues Speaker (for James Baldwin) , Free/Phase , Compass Song (Times Square Arts), and GuideStar (Space Needle, Seattle). His projects often use data sonification, archival research, and mythic storytelling, blending historical inquiry with futuristic vision. Notable series include the Opera-Masquerades , Americana Suites , and Numbers Station works, which transform databases of violence into sonic experiences. His honors include: Rockefeller New Media Arts Fellowship (2004) Louis Comfort Tiffany Biennial Award (2015) New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction New Music USA Creator Development Fund (2022) Obadike has received commissions and support from institutions such as the Vera List Center, Harlem Stage, Times Square Arts, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Cornell Mui Ho Center for Cities. He has exhibited and performed at The New Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, and The Studio Museum in Harlem. His writings and publications include contributions to Studies into Darkness (2022), and artist books such as Four Electric Ghosts and Big House / Disclosure (both 2014). He has also released albums like Crosstalk (2008) and created internet artworks such as Blackness for Sale (2001) and The Interaction of Coloreds (2002), which are foundational in new media and critical race art. While specific advisees are not listed, his role as Director of Undergraduate Studies and Professor indicates active mentorship. His work is deeply collaborative, often co-created with Mendi Obadike, and supported by interdisciplinary teams and institutions.
Rachel Devorah Wood Rome is an Assistant Professor in the Electronic Production and Design (EPD) department at Berklee College of Music, where she teaches creative coding, live coding, and music technology. Her work bridges electronic music, improvisation, and critical theory, with a focus on sonic cyberfeminism, archival practices, and the social meanings of sound and space. Ph.D. in Music Composition and Computer Technologies, University of Virginia (2018) M.L.I.S., San José State University (2017) M.A. in Music Composition, Mills College (2013) B.Mus. in Horn Performance, CUNY Queens College (2007) Her research explores superhuman prolongation, opaque complexity, and the re-signification of archaic tools in sonic media. She values machines for their patience and memory, and her creative practice emphasizes critical agency in technology design and use. She performs under the name 'mehetabel' when using archival materials in improvised electronic music. The most recent publications and performances reflect a deep engagement with AI and music, live coding, feminist media theory, and spatialized sound. Her works often involve real-time data processing, generative systems, and collaborative improvisation, situating sound within broader social, political, and technological contexts. Ruth Anderson Installation Prize (IAWM) New Music USA Grant Fellowships from MIT OpenDocLab, Adrian Piper Foundation, Ina GRM, New Museum, and Jefferson Scholars Foundation Residencies at EMS Stockholm, STEIM Amsterdam, MassMoCA, and Cove Park Rome advises emerging artists in electronic music and creative coding, many of whom have gone on to establish their own practices. She is also active in academic service, including curriculum development, faculty governance, and labor organizing as a Councilor for the Berklee Faculty Union. She leads initiatives in DEI, sound design, and coding pedagogy within the EPD department. She has been involved in interdisciplinary collaborations with artists, technologists, and institutions worldwide, presenting work in galleries, festivals, and academic conferences across North America, Europe, and Asia. Her leadership extends to nonprofit arts organizations, where she has served as Executive Director and grantwriter.
Benjamin D. Piekut is a Professor in the Department of Music at Cornell University, New York. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in historical musicology from Columbia University, M.A. in composition from Mills College, and B.A. in music and philosophy from Hampshire College. Research Focus: Music and performance after 1950, critical improvisation studies, sound art, and intersections of music with race/gender politics Key Publications: Experimentalism Otherwise (2011), Henry Cow: The World Is a Problem (2019), and The Oxford Handbook of Critical Improvisation Studies (2016) Recognitions: Whiting Foundation Fellow, MIT Press '50 Most Influential Articles' selection, and funding from NEH and Arts and Humanities Research Council Editorial Roles: Co-editor of Oxford Handbook, editor of Tomorrow is the Question, and special issues for Contemporary Music Review and Third Text Contemporary Engagement: Curatorial advisory board member at Blank Forms (NYC), contributor to Flash Art and Texte zur Kunst His recent work explores the 'vernacular avant-garde' concept, analyzing experimental music's relationship with commercial institutions and mass audiences. Research spans from 1960s New York avant-garde to 1970s European experimental rock band Henry Cow. Current projects include sound art preservation challenges and media-specific music analysis.
Dr. John Hails is a Senior Lecturer and Reader in Music at Edinburgh Napier University , where he teaches aesthetics, music psychology, composition, and ethnomusicology. He holds a PhD in Music from Durham University (2008) and has trained under notable composers like Brian Ferneyhough and Richard Barrett. His research focuses on experimental composition, marginal musical practices, and interdisciplinary aesthetics. Educations: Bachelor’s and Master’s training at Durham University and University of Huddersfield PhD by Portfolio of Compositions (Durham University, 2008) Research Interests: John’s work explores unorthodox intonations, fixed media installations, and the intersection of composition with philosophy and ethnomusicology. He actively presents at international conferences on topics like post-structuralist critiques in music education and communal performance practices. Notable Works: His compositions have been performed by ensembles like the London Sinfonietta and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Key pieces include enlightenment (microtonal trumpet and media) and Nine for ones in nine , reflecting his experimental approach. Awards & Grants: While no explicit awards are listed, his research is funded by Edinburgh Napier University. He is a core member of the Applied Music Research Centre . Supervision & Grants: He has supervised over 15 postgraduate projects, including PhDs on topics like Musical Cultures of Melanesia and Dialogical Music Systems . His supervisory roles span composition, ethnomusicology, and interdisciplinary studies. Labs/Teams: Active in the Applied Music Research Centre , focusing on creative practice and experimental music dissemination.
Fernando Lopez-Lezcano is a Lecturer at Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) where he has been working since 1993. His work combines music composition, electronic engineering, and programming with a focus on spatial audio and sound diffusion technologies. He was the Edgar Varese Guest Professor at TU Berlin during the Summer of 2008 and is the 2014 winner of Stanford's Marsh O'Neill Award for Exceptional and Enduring Support of Stanford University's Research Enterprise. Lopez-Lezcano's research interests center on computer music, spatial audio technologies, and sound diffusion systems. He has pioneered work in High Order Ambisonics (HOA), developing novel decoders and reverberation architectures for immersive sound environments. His work on the SpHEAR Project has created innovative 3D-printed soundfield microphone arrays, while his development of the GRAIL (Giant Radial Array for Immersive Listening) has revolutionized concert speaker arrays for HDLAs (High Density Loudspeaker Arrays). He has also created numerous open-source tools and software environments for spatial sound composition and diffusion. His recent creative output demonstrates a consistent exploration of 3D sound spatialization, modular synthesis, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Across his compositions, he frequently integrates custom-built hardware like his modular synthesizers (including the famous 'El Dinosaurio' built in 1980-81) with sophisticated software environments written in SuperCollider. His work often bridges acoustic and electronic sound sources, creating rich spatial experiences that explore the relationship between technology and artistic expression. Among his notable achievements is the 2014 Marsh O'Neill Award, recognizing his exceptional support of Stanford's research enterprise. This prestigious award was inspired by Marsh O'Neill, Associate Director of the W.W. Hansen Laboratories, and honors outstanding staff members who support faculty research activities. Lopez-Lezcano has mentored numerous students in the development of musical instruments and performance systems, most notably the 'Ensemble AnaLocos' (Analógicos Locos or 'Crazy Analogs') which created the 'Noise Toaster' synthesizers. He has also developed important infrastructure for CCRMA including 'Planet CCRMA,' a collection of open-source audio software for Linux. His teaching includes the 'Sound in Space' course (Music 222), which covers historical background, techniques, and theory on the use of space in music composition and diffusion. He directs the CCRMA Stage concerts and has been instrumental in developing CCRMA's spatial audio infrastructure, including the GRAIL system used in Bing Concert Hall. His work with the SpHEAR Project has advanced 3D sound recording techniques, while his collaborations with performers like Michiko Theurer (violin) and Chris Chafe (celletto) have produced innovative interdisciplinary performances.
Torsten Lauschmann is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Art Theory and Practice (Post-Media) at the University of Edinburgh's Edinburgh College of Art. He holds an ORCID iD (0000-0003-3733-6985) and has taught across Fine Art, Intermedia, and Photography programs since 2002. His academic journey includes a BA in Fine Art from Glasgow School of Art (1993-1997) and a Medienkunst degree from Karlsruhe's ZKM (1999). Biography Education: BA (Fine Art), Medienkunst Teaching: Contemporary Art Theory and Practice Lauschmann's research explores intersections of digital and analogue technologies, focusing on human-machine relationships and the nature of the moving image. His works span installation, performance, and experimental film, often combining DIY aesthetics with high-tech elements. Research themes include technological mediation, embodied experience, and the philosophical dimensions of artistic practice. Recent artistic outputs include collaborative multimedia works like Untitled (Puppy) (2024) and explorations of generative AI in contemporary art (2023). His fingerprint in Edinburgh Research Explorer shows active engagement with audio-visual arts, Glasgow-based art communities, and experimental formats. Scientific Awards Paul Hamlyn Award (2013) Samsung Art+ Prize (Shortlisted, 2012) Derek Jarman Award (Shortlisted, 2011) Scottish BAFTA Award (Best Soundtrack, 2000) As advisor and assessor, Lauschmann has guided PhD students and participated in academic activities including symposia, residency panels, and research network involvement. His professional engagements extend to board memberships at Collective Gallery and contributions to new media research collectives.
Katherine R. Larson is a Professor at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) and Vice-Dean of Teaching, Learning, and Undergraduate Programs. Her academic work bridges Early Modern Literature, Gender Studies, and Musicology through groundbreaking research on 16th-17th century women’s writing, embodiment, and song culture. Current projects: Special issue of Sidney Journal , The Post-Pandemic University (Routledge), and Cambridge Companion to Mary Wroth Collaborative initiatives: Co-developer of Early Modern Songscapes digital platform with Sarah Williams and Scott Trudell Research Focus: Integrates feminist theory with textual analysis of early modern poetry, drama, and musical practices. Key themes include gendered soundscapes, spatial production of songs, and critical pedagogy innovations. Awards: John Charles Polanyi Prize for Literature Rhodes Scholarship 2014 Co-Editor Recognition from Society for the Study of Early Modern Women Grant Support: Funded by SSHRC, Connaught Foundation, Folger Shakespeare Library, and Jackman Humanities Institute.
Rodney Waschka II is a Professor and Director of Arts Studies at North Carolina State University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He also directs the Arts NOW Series, presenting contemporary arts events. His expertise spans music composition, algorithmic processes, and electronic music. Waschka's works are globally recognized, with recordings across international labels. His operas like Saint Ambrose and Sappho's Breath showcase interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent works include A Note for Joe Alexander (2024) and In Memoria di Linda Garzoli Cardosi (premiering 2025). His research explores genetic algorithms in music composition and dynamical systems as compositional tools. Education: Doctor of Musical Arts in Computer Music/Media from the University of North Texas. Awards and recognitions include features in Computer Music Journal , Musical Opinion , and international festivals. He actively commissions new works and has performed across Europe, North America, and Australia. The Arts NOW Series, under his leadership, connects contemporary art forms with academic disciplines like mathematics, politics, and climate science. Notable collaborations include the Aizuri Quartet and filmmaker projects like Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (2022).
Andrew Cooper-James is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Film, TV & Digital Media Production at the University of Northampton, School of Arts. With over 30 years of experience as an independent filmmaker, he specializes in production design, performance, and sound design across film, television, and live art. He has been teaching for 17 years and holds a Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. Research Interests: His creative and academic work focuses on interdisciplinary practices, particularly in screendance, collaborative art, and digital media. He explores the integration of performance, sound, and visual storytelling in both educational and artistic contexts. Publications and Conferences: Andrew has published in the International Screendance Journal and presented at GLAD and NAHEMI conferences. His recent work reflects trends in experiential learning, community engagement, and the fusion of live art with moving image. Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy Teaching and Creative Practice: He leads hands-on modules including Final Major Project, Sound for Screen, and Community Impact. His artistic projects have been supported by major institutions such as Arts Council England, The Royal Opera House, and The South Bank Centre. He mentors students in creative production and emphasizes practical, student-led learning. Labs and Creative Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, Andrew collaborates with interdisciplinary teams in live art and film, often working with dancers, composers, and visual artists on hybrid projects supported by national and international arts organizations.
Dr. Moyra Derby is an Associate Professor in Fine Art at the University of Leeds , School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. Her practice-based research combines studio work with theoretical inquiry, focusing on the intersections between painting , curatorial practices , and neuropsychology of attention . PhD in Fine Art (University of Kent, 2022) MA in Painting (Royal College of Art, London) Her studio practice explores mathematical systems and exponential sequences in painting, often engaging with art historical sources to challenge painting conventions. Collaborative projects like Interval [ ] and Working Spaces examine the spatial contingencies between painting and film, and the relationship between painting and architecture. Notable exhibitions include Diagramming (The Foundry Gallery, 2023) and In Correspondence (RaumX, 2022). She contributes to the editorial board of the Journal of Contemporary Painting and co-founded Crate Studio in Margate for supporting emerging artists.
J. Edwin Rivers is a Professor in the Department of Critical Media Practices at the University of Colorado's College of Arts and Sciences. An award-winning educator holding the lifetime title of President's Teaching Scholar, he specializes in bridging literary scholarship with digital media creation through innovative teaching and creative practice. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. from University of Oregon (1970) M.A. from University of Oregon (1968) B.A. from Davidson College (1966) Rivers' research centers on digital humanities, translation theory (including novel-to-film intermedia translation), and comparative literature, with deep expertise in Marcel Proust and Vladimir Nabokov. His creative output spans digital music composition, filmmaking, and multimedia performance, directly informing his scholarship on interdisciplinary and multimedia aspects of literary works. The author of the award-winning book "Proust and the Art of Love," he has published translations from French, German, Spanish, and Chinese. His publication trajectory reveals an evolution from traditional literary criticism toward digital pedagogy and creative media, with consistent themes exploring technology-literature intersections, cross-media translation, and digital humanities methodologies. Recent works demonstrate increasing integration of digital tools in both creative and scholarly output. Rivers' exceptional teaching has been recognized through: President's Teaching Scholar (1989) Two BFA Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Pedagogy (1982, 1995) College of Arts and Sciences Award for Technology Integration in Teaching No specific information about graduate student advising or research grants was documented in the source materials. Rivers actively creates digital art as a composer, filmmaker, and performer, though no formal lab or team structure is referenced in available records.
