José Eduardo Villalobos Graillet is an Assistant Professor of Spanish at Idaho State University , specializing in Modern Peninsular Literature and Culture with a focus on visual culture (film and television) . He previously held a position as Spanish Instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Department of Languages and Literatures. Research Areas : Spanish Film Studies, Spanish Medieval Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, Visual Culture, and Critical Pedagogy. His scholarly work examines film and television adaptations of 'La Celestina' , analyzing censorship dynamics across Francoist Spain, the Democratic Transition, and contemporary Spain. He also contributes to Spanish pedagogy , developing technological tools like Lang-8 for written expression and culturally immersive teaching units on topics such as winter festivals and Caribbean music. His publications span both critical academic analysis and methodological innovations for language instruction. Key Themes in Publications : Adaptation fidelity, political censorship, intercultural pedagogy, and the role of digital platforms in language learning.
Chris J. Maddison is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, holding joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Statistical Sciences. He is also a CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute and a member of the ELLIS Society. Maddison earned his DPhil from the University of Oxford and previously worked as a Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and a member at the Institute for Advanced Study. His research focuses on advancing machine learning methodologies, particularly in leveraging data’s natural structure for efficient learning, with applications in drug discovery, causal inference, and AI safety. Education: DPhil in Computer Science, University of Oxford His research interests span machine learning, AI safety, reinforcement learning, and the integration of logical reasoning into large language models. Maddison has contributed to foundational work on gradient estimation techniques and was a key member of the AlphaGo project. He actively explores how statistical structures in real-world data influence AI capabilities. Recent publications emphasize evaluating conversational agents, mitigating AI safety risks, and enhancing logical reasoning in LLMs. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications, such as code generation and multi-agent systems. Awards: NeurIPS Best Paper Award (2014), Open Philanthropy AI Fellowship Maddison advises multiple PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering collaborations across academia and industry. His former advisees now hold roles at institutions like OpenAI, Stanford, and Magic AI. He teaches advanced courses in machine learning and statistical methods, including CSC 2541 (Large Models) and STA 314 (Machine Learning). Maddison is affiliated with the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, extending his impact to societal implications of AI. His lab’s interdisciplinary approach combines algorithmic innovation with real-world problem-solving.
Ryuko Kubota is a Professor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Education, since 2009. Her research spans critical applied linguistics , race and language education , and decolonial pedagogies . She has contributed extensively to understanding language ideologies , multicultural education , and critical literacies . Education: BA in English Linguistics, Rikkyo University (1980) MAT in TESOL, School for International Training (1987) PhD in Education, OISE/University of Toronto (1992) Her research interests focus on the intersection of race, language policies, and critical pedagogies. She examines neoliberal paradoxes in language learning, translingual practices , and antiracist engagement in global contexts. Her work addresses systemic inequities in English language education and immersion programs . Recent publications highlight critical approaches to World Englishes , AI-assisted writing , and raciolinguistic hegemony . These studies span interdisciplinary sub-fields including critical race theory , decolonial education , and language teacher identity . Scientific awards include the DSSA Award 2020 . She supervises graduate students like Charu Gupta (PhD) and collaborates with institutions such as the Language Sciences Institute at UBC. Her teaching includes courses on critical multicultural education and language politics .
Martin Willis Monroe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of New Brunswick. His research focuses on the ancient Middle East, particularly cuneiform cultures, with an emphasis on the history of scholarly knowledge in Babylonian and Assyrian societies. He specializes in Mesopotamian astronomy and astrology, as well as quantitative approaches to historical data. Dr. Monroe holds a PhD in Assyriology from Brown University (2016), an MPhil and BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (2008, 2007). Previously, he served as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate at the University of British Columbia (2016–2023). His current projects include the publication of his Hellenistic astrology research under contract with Brill, titled Celestial Schemata: A Series of Astrological Tables from Seleucid Babylonia , and his role as associate director of the Database of Religious History , a global initiative to quantitatively analyze religious and cultural data. He has contributed to excavations at the Neo-Assyrian site of Tušhan in southeastern Turkey and advocates for responsible qualitative-to-quantitative data conversion in historical scholarship. Dr. Monroe’s research bridges traditional philological approaches with digital humanities, focusing on topics such as cuneiform astral diagrams, the intersection of ‘scientific’ and ‘religious’ texts in antiquity, and the application of computational methods to undeciphered scripts. He teaches courses on ancient civilizations, Near Eastern history, and archaeology.
Dr. Thomas E. Doyle is an Associate Professor at the McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at McMaster University. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing, human-computer interfacing (HCI), and machine learning applications for healthcare augmentation, rehabilitation, and enhancement. He holds a Ph.D. from Western Ontario, Canada, and teaches courses like COMPENG 2DI4 (Logic Design). His work bridges cybernetics and clinical applications, emphasizing AI-driven solutions for medical diagnostics, patient monitoring, and space exploration. Education: B.E.Sc, B.Sc, M.E.Sc, Ph.D. from Western Ontario, Canada Recent Projects: Developed AI systems for remote healthcare diagnostics (2023) Collaborated with NASA on medical emergency simulators for deep space missions (2017–2023) Led ventilator development efforts for local hospitals during the pandemic (2020) His research interests span machine learning for mental health diagnostics, trust quantification in medical AI, and extended reality (XR) for medical training. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating computational methods with healthcare challenges. Recent publications highlight applications in pediatric emergency care, chronic pain management, and reliable medical device design. Dr. Doyle actively engages in educational initiatives, including first-year engineering pedagogy and experiential learning programs. He has received funding for projects such as the Educating the Engineer of 2025 (EtE-25) awards and contributes to initiatives like the Digital & Smart Systems and Health & Bio-innovation research clusters at McMaster.
Dr. Hyunjung Shin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Education. Her work focuses on applied linguistics, EAL education, and critical pedagogy. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2010) in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, with a specialization in Second Language Education. Her research explores topics such as transnational student experiences, neoliberalism in education, refugee language policies, and identity formation. Notable awards include the Government of Canada Post-doctoral Research Fellowship (2010-2011) and the BAAL International Scholarship (2010). Shin's publications challenge dominant narratives in language education, emphasizing critical perspectives on multilingualism and globalization. She has presented widely, including a TEDx talk on diversity in 2019. Her work integrates participatory action research and ethnographic methods to address systemic inequities.
Jens Kreitewolf is a Faculty Lecturer in the Departments of Psychology and Mathematics and Statistics at McGill University. He teaches courses in statistics, research methodology, and psychophysics. His research focuses on auditory cognition, speech comprehension, and the neural mechanisms underlying voice perception. Dr. Kreitewolf holds a Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) from Humboldt University of Berlin and completed postdoctoral fellowships at BRAMS and the University of Lübeck. His work combines experimental psychology, neuroimaging, and psychophysics to explore auditory processing challenges in adverse listening conditions. Key interests include how familiarity with a talker’s voice aids comprehension and the impact of hearing impairment on speech perception. Education: M.Sc. in Psychology (Ruhr University Bochum, 2009); Ph.D. in Psychology (Humboldt University of Berlin, 2014). Research Interests: Auditory scene analysis and speech-in-noise processing Voice recognition and familiarity effects Neural correlates of perceptual decision-making Circadian rhythms and perceptual sensitivity Cognitive neuroscience of auditory attention Publications highlight contributions to understanding: Risk factors for depression symptom progression Self-concept clarity in romantic evaluations Neurobiological mechanisms of working memory vulnerability Vestibular symptoms in migraine patients His interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, statistics, and neuroscience, with applications to clinical populations and sensory processing disorders.
Lady Rojas Benavente is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics at Concordia University, where she has been teaching since her appointment as Assistant Professor in 1996, with promotion to Associate Professor in May 2003. Prior to joining Concordia, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa and as a lecturer at the Faculty of Education at The University of Western Ontario, where she taught second language methodology, French and Spanish. Dr. Rojas Benavente received her PhD in Hispanic Literature from the University Laval in 1991, following an MA in Spanish Literatures (Cum Laude, 1985) and BA in History and Spanish (1983), both from the University of Ottawa. She also holds a Diploma qualifying as a Secondary School teacher specializing in Spanish Language and Literature, Psychology and Philosophy from the National Pedagogic University of Women in Lima, Peru (Cum Laude, 1968). Her research focuses on Critical Feminism in Peruvian & Latin-American Women Writers, with special emphasis on contemporary Peruvian and Mexican narrative, drama, poetry and essay. Her work encompasses Cultural Studies and Literary and Critical Theories, Latin American History, Post-colonialism, Human Rights, Women Studies, Feminist Theories, Gender Issues, Latin America Black History, Indigenous and Minorities Studies, and Comparative Studies in Education. She has published nine books (two poetry collections and seven critical interpretations) and over 50 refereed papers in Latin American Women's literary work, particularly focusing on Peruvian and Mexican authors. Dr. Rojas Benavente's scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with themes of gender, ethnicity, and power structures in Latin American literature. Her recent publications explore the works of contemporary Peruvian women writers, examining how they address issues of violence, racism, and gender in post-independence national contexts. Her research trajectory reveals a deepening focus on decolonial perspectives, indigenous resistance, and the intersection of gender with other social categories. Hispanic Literary and Cultural Institute's Honor Diploma (2010) Publication Award from the University of New Brunswick for the Anthology, Constructing Memory: Latino-Canadian Women Writers in the New Millennium Recognition by Mouvement Desjardins in celebration of International Women's Day (2008) As president of the Society for Literary Criticism of Spanish American Women Writers' work (CCLEH), Dr. Rojas Benavente has facilitated connections between Concordia colleagues, local artists, international writers, and the Latino-Montreal community. She serves on the editorial boards of Alba de America, a literary magazine from the United States, and Voces, a Peruvian cultural magazine. Her leadership extends to organizing numerous conferences on Latin American women writers across Canada, Latin America, and Montreal, including multiple meetings of Hispano-Canadian Women Writers and events commemorating significant figures in Latin American literature.
Dr. Kamran Sedig serves as a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University, where he directs the Insight Lab. His research focuses on designing interactive technologies to enhance human cognitive activities involving data and information, including decision making, problem solving, and learning across domains like healthcare, finance, and scientific discovery. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Computer Science (Human-Computer Interaction) from The University of British Columbia under Prof. Maria Klawe, with dissertation nominated for the Governor General’s Gold Medal M.Sc. in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) from McGill University under Prof. Renato De Mori B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and Science from Concordia University as Valedictorian with The Most Great Distinction Sedig’s research synthesizes computer science, information science, cognition theory, and game studies to develop frameworks for interactive visual tools (IVTs). He investigates human-data interaction, visual reasoning, and interactivity design to support complex cognitive tasks like medical diagnosis, financial analysis, and scientific exploration. His human-centered approach emphasizes how computational tools and humans form coordinated cognitive systems for optimal task execution. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant trends in health informatics applications (drug safety analytics, electronic health records) and foundational work on human-information interaction frameworks. His visual analytics systems consistently bridge theoretical models with practical tools for ontology exploration, document triage, and explainable AI, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary collaboration across medical and computational domains. Key recognitions include: Governor General’s Gold Medal nomination for doctoral research Valedictorian honors at Concordia University As Insight Lab director, Sedig mentors graduate students through courses like Human-Computer Interaction, Information Visualization, and Design of Digital Cognitive Games. His teaching philosophy emphasizes how cognitive technologies mediate human thinking processes in professional and private contexts. While specific grant details aren’t provided, his lab’s sustained output in health analytics and visual interfaces indicates robust research funding. The Insight Lab operates as a collaborative hub for developing and evaluating IVTs, with current projects including VICTORIOUS for document scoping reviews and VISEMURE for multimorbidity analysis. Sedig’s team prioritizes empirical validation of how interaction design affects cognitive load and task efficiency in real-world data-intensive environments.
Maureen Kendrick is a Professor and Deputy Department Head in the Department of Language & Literacy Education at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Education. Her research examines literacy and multimodality as integrated communicative practices, addressing social and cultural issues in diverse contexts with particular emphasis on visual communication and refugee/migrant education. Her research interests span digital literacies, multiliteracy and multimodality, and international perspectives on literacy education. She investigates how youth from refugee backgrounds use multimodal approaches to construct identities and engage with learning, often through digital storytelling and visual methodologies. Her work extends to health literacy in Ugandan contexts and the role of play in early childhood literacy development across Canada, Kenya, and Uganda. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on refugee/migrant education, digital storytelling, and multimodal literacy. She examines how digital tools empower marginalized youth to express identities while addressing challenges in language learning and cultural integration. Her research also explores HIV/AIDS education through makerspaces and the intersection of arts-based practices with science literacy. Dr. Kendrick's scientific recognition includes: Canadian Committee for Graduate Students in Education (CCGSE) Mentorship Award (2024) Killam Teaching Prize (2012-13) Alan C. Purves Award (2013) She actively supervises graduate students across doctoral and master's programs, with current research focusing on refugee education and multilingual learners. Her SSHRC-funded projects include the 2025-2029 grant 'Digital Multimodal Composing-To-Learn' and the 'Language and Literacy Learning Among Refugee and Migrant Background Children' initiative, involving collaborators from UBC, York, and Western universities. Dr. Kendrick leads international research teams across Canada, Uganda, and Kenya, developing community-engaged approaches to literacy education that bridge academic research and classroom practice.
Alina Sajed is an Associate Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at McMaster University, where she joined in September 2013 after serving as Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2010 to 2013. She earned her PhD in Political Science from McMaster University in 2008, following academic work at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and French Language and Literature from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Master of Arts from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Master of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University PhD in Political Science from McMaster University (2008) Professor Sajed's research critically examines international relations through decolonial and postcolonial lenses, with particular focus on colonialism, decolonization, anticolonial theory, and Third Worldism as global political projects. Her work centers on North Africa and the Middle East, exploring political violence, political Islam, and the unrealized potential of Third Worldism beyond rigid nationalist boundaries. She investigates how Algerian intellectuals engaged in translocal solidarity with other decolonization projects worldwide. Dr. Sajed has received significant recognition for her scholarly contributions, including: ISA's 2024 Theory Award for special issue 'Anticolonial Connectivity and the Politics of Solidarity' President's Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision (2022) As an educator, she teaches courses including International Relations: North-South, Non-Western International Relations, and Politics of the Global South. She serves as Associate Editor at Contexto Internacional: Journal of Global Connections and has guest edited issues for South Atlantic Quarterly and Postcolonial Studies, demonstrating her leadership in advancing decolonial approaches to international relations scholarship.
Joseph Monteyne is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Art History, Visual Art & Theory at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He holds a PhD and MA from UBC. His research focuses on early modern art and print culture, ecocritical approaches to landscape, and indigenous representation in colonial contexts. Education : PhD and MA in Art History from UBC. Research Interests : Monteyne’s work examines the intersection of art, print culture, and environment in early modern Europe. Recent projects include ecocritical studies of British visual culture and connections between trees, language, and mediation. He also engages with contemporary art criticism and has published essays on exhibitions by artists like Myfanwy MacLeod and Alex Tedlie-Stursberg. Awards and Fellowships : Recipient of the Governor General of Canada’s medal for his Master’s thesis, multiple postdoctoral fellowships, and prestigious Mid-Career Fellowship from the Paul Mellon Centre. He is also a member of the European Science Foundation College of Expert Reviewers (2020–2023). Teaching : Teaches courses on Renaissance Italy, Counter-Reformation Rome, 17th-century Spain, and Northern European art. Recent graduate seminars include 'Early Modern Landscape and Ecocritical Perspectives' and 'The Ecstasy of Violence: Pain and Pleasure in Early Modern Visual Culture.' Labs/Teams : Leads research initiatives on early modern print culture and ecocritical art history within UBC’s Faculty of Arts.
C. Michael Sampson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Classics at the Faculty of Arts , University of Manitoba . Holding a PhD in Classical Studies (2009) from the University of Michigan, an MA in Classics (2003) from Dalhousie University, and a BA (First Class Honours) in Classics and Early Modern Studies (2001) from the University of King's College, Sampson is a broadly trained philologist specializing in Greek and Latin literature with a focus on poetry, and a papyrologist working on fragmentary texts from Egypt. Research interests: Greek/Latin literature, papyrology, reception studies, Hellenistic literature Current project: The Books of Karanis (interdisciplinary study of Greek literary culture in Egypt) Awards: SSHRC Insight Grant (2021-2025), SSHRC Connections Grant (2020-2022), Community Engagement Award (2018) Editorial roles: Digital Corpus of Literary Papyri, Pylon: Editions and Studies of Ancient Texts Teaching: Courses on Ancient Greek culture, Roman comedy, Euripides, and Archaic poetry
Nanxin FU serves as a PartTime Lecturer in the Department of History at the Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Montreal, teaching core courses such as HST1062: Southeast Asia since 1500. She is formally affiliated with undergraduate programs across Humanities, Social Sciences, and Languages, including the Bachelor in Asian Studies, Major in East Asian Studies, History degrees, and International Studies. Her scholarly focus centers on Southeast Asian historical trajectories from the 16th century onward, with significant extensions to East Asian historical frameworks and interdisciplinary Asian Studies methodologies. This specialization directly informs curriculum development across Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines, emphasizing regional cultural and political evolution. As an educator, she contributes to program structures spanning Letters and Languages, Humanities, and Social Sciences streams, supporting student engagement through courses that integrate historical analysis with contemporary socio-political contexts in Asian regions.
Cédric Lesage is a Professor and the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Chair in Accountancy at Concordia University. He serves as Associate Dean for Research & Impact, focusing on audit, ethics, corporate governance, and responsibility. His doctoral teaching includes ADMI 861B - Research in Auditing and ADMI 871 - Foundations of Business Research . Research Areas: Audit, Ethics, Corporate Governance, Responsibility Email: cedric.lesage@concordia.ca ORCID: 0000-0001-8460-0895 CV: Available via his profile His publications explore audit pricing, joint audit policies, media bias in corporate fraud reporting, and auditor independence in kinship economies. Collaborative work spans institutions and disciplines, emphasizing empirical and ethical dimensions of accounting research.
