Balint Laczko is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Oslo. His research focuses on image sonification and interdisciplinary studies in autophagy, combining expertise in music technology, machine learning, and computer vision. Education: Master's degrees in Classical Composition (Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, 2017) and Performance Technology & Electroacoustic Composition (Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, 2021). Research interests include 3D audio, audiovisual analysis, and the development of tools for musical gesture analysis. His work bridges artistic and technical domains, with publications in conferences like ICAD and ACM. Key projects: AUTORHYTHM (biological-music tech collaboration), Sonification Pilot (bioRITMO).
Mary Simonson holds the Daniel C. Benton ’80 Endowed Chair in Arts, Creativity, and Innovation and serves as Professor of Film and Media Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Colgate University, where her work bridges historical performance studies with media analysis. Education: Doctorate in Critical and Comparative Studies in Music, University of Virginia Research Focus: Professor Simonson specializes in performance across media during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with particular emphasis on American filmic, musical, and cultural contexts. Her scholarship investigates the interplay between live performance and mediated forms in early entertainment cultures, including musicals, dance, and silent cinema. Current research examines vocal technologies in 1920s American silent films, while her foundational work explores intermediality in pre-1917 entertainment. Key methodologies integrate gender studies, musicology, and film history to analyze how performance knowledge circulated across emerging media platforms. Professional Leadership: She serves on the Council of the American Musicological Society and chairs the Society for American Music’s Music, Sound, and Media Interest Group. Previously, she led the New York State-St. Lawrence Chapter of the American Musicological Society as president and co-founded the Mellon Humanities Corridor Performance/History Faculty Working Group. Educational initiatives include directing Colgate’s Film and Media Studies New York City Study Group and co-organizing an immersive Cannes Film Festival program with the Gotham Film & Media Institute.
Glib Baryshnikov is an Associate Professor and Docent at Linköping University, affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology (ITN). His research focuses on organic electronics, materials chemistry, and optoelectronic materials, particularly in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) systems and photonic applications. He is part of the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) and has contributed to advancements in OLED and QLED materials, nanoparticle-based theranostics, and chiral TADF molecules for biomedical imaging. Recent work includes developing host materials for TADF emitters, dual-emission carbon dots, and defect-passivating hole-transporting materials for perovskite QLEDs. His team expanded the Norrköping campus chemistry lab in 2024, doubling its size to 500 m². Collaborations span international research groups, evidenced by co-authorships on 2025 publications in RSC Advances , Advanced Materials , and Journal of Physical Chemistry C . Key research themes include molecular design for light-emitting materials, energy transfer mechanisms in organic semiconductors, and applications in biomedical sensing and renewable energy systems.
Emmanuel Cecchet is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Department of Computer Science. He is affiliated with multiple research groups including the Laboratory for Advanced System Software (LASS), the Commonwealth Center for Forensics & Society, and the Advanced Networked Systems Research Group. His research focuses on distributed systems, dependability, high availability, databases, and benchmarking. Cecchet has held roles as a postdoctoral researcher at Rice University, a Research Scientist at INRIA, and Chief Architect at Continuent. He has received numerous awards, including the Best Paper Award at IWQoS 2013 and the Best PhD Thesis Award from Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (2004). His work includes projects like BenchLab, Open Cloud Testbed (OCT), and contributions to middleware systems such as C-JDBC and Sequoia. Education: PhD in Distributed Systems from Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (2001). Research Interests: Operating Systems, Distributed Systems, Dependable Systems, Databases, Virtualization, Networking, and Open Source Software. He also contributes to data forensics and leads the Frog Racing foundation as an amateur car racer. Key Projects: BenchLab for realistic benchmarking, CloudLab for cloud infrastructure research, and WiFiMon for mobility analytics using WiFi sensing. He has served on program committees for Eurosys, SRDS, and other conferences.
Nancy Harding is a Professor at the University of Bath, affiliated with the Management Strategy & Organisation department within the Centre for Future of Work and the Centre for Qualitative Research. Her research focuses on qualitative methodologies, exploring the lived experiences of individuals in organizational contexts, with particular attention to hierarchies, gender dynamics, and the intersection of technology and work. Her recent work includes studies on software development cultures, posthumanism, and feminist theories in organizational studies. Key research interests include autoethnography, the embodiment of identities, and challenges to gender inequality in leadership roles. She currently supervises doctoral students examining topics such as the absence of women in trade unions and the emotional labor of human resource managers. Harding is also writing a book redefining organizational theory through a critical lens. Her recent publications analyze organizational soundscapes, workplace toxicity in tech professions, and neoconservative influences in organizations. Harding has been recognized with the Reviewer of the Year Award in 2015 and 2016 for her contributions to academic peer review. She contributes to editorial roles at journals like Journal of Management Studies and Human Relations . Harding’s interdisciplinary approach integrates philosophical theories (e.g., Judith Butler, Karen Barad) with empirical research, addressing systemic inequalities and the evolving nature of work in the 21st century.
Dr. Matthew Cheung Salisbury is a Lecturer in Music at University College and Worcester College, Oxford, and Director of Studies in Music at University College. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and has pursued theological studies at Blackfriars Studium and Wycliffe Hall, along with canon law studies at Leuven. His roles include Chairman of the Faculty of Music, intercollegiate organ scholarships coordinator, consultant senior researcher at the University of Fribourg, and National Liturgical Adviser to the Church of England. His research focuses on medieval liturgical manuscripts, the liturgical Uses of Sarum and York, and intersections between medieval practices and modern liturgical theology, critical theory, and technology. He actively engages in performance and recording projects, including collaborations with artists like Goldie, and has led initiatives such as the Creative Scotland-funded Fragments project. His work bridges academic research with practical liturgical applications, including advising cathedrals and media producers. Teaching encompasses historical and philosophical aspects of music, theology of sacred music, and plainchant. He has supervised numerous postgraduate and undergraduate research projects on sacred music and church worship. His publications include God in Fragments: Worshipping with those Living with Dementia (2020) and The Secular Liturgical Office in Late Medieval England (2015).
Dr. Ioan Nistor is a Professor of Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering at the University of Ottawa , affiliated with the Department of Civil Engineering . He also serves as the Assistant Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies . His research focuses on hazards associated with extreme hydrodynamic loading on infrastructure, coastal erosion, and disaster risk reduction. He chairs the Maritime and Coastal Division of IAHR and contributes to design guidelines for tsunami-resistant buildings through the ASCE7 Tsunami Loads Subcommittee . Dr. Nistor holds editorial roles at Journal of Waterways, Ports, Coastal and Ocean Engineering (ASCE), Coastal Engineering Journal , and Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering . He has received prestigious awards, including the 2014 JWPCOE Outstanding Paper Award and the 2010 Tsunami International Society Award. Prior to academia, he worked as a hydraulic engineer at AECOM-TECSULT Montreal , contributing to water resources projects globally. Research Interests: Tsunami impact mitigation, dam failure analysis, coastal vegetation dynamics, climate change adaptation, and nature-based solutions for coastal protection. Professional Activities: Board member of the Canadian Coastal Science and Engineering Association, voting member of ASCE7 Tsunami Subcommittee. His recent work emphasizes probabilistic tsunami hazard assessments and the integration of ecological engineering principles into coastal infrastructure design. Collaborative projects include Living Dyke initiatives and field studies on post-disaster resilience.
Professor Nick Collins is a Professor in the Department of Music at Durham University. His research focuses on live computer music, musical artificial intelligence, and computational musicology. He is also an active performer as a composer-programmer-pianist, engaging in algorave and electronic chamber music performances. His academic contributions include co-editing The Cambridge Companion to Electronic Music (2007/2017) and The SuperCollider Book (2011/2024), as well as authoring Introduction to Computer Music (2009). His work bridges theoretical research and practical innovation, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to music technology. Key research areas include AI-driven composition, algorithmic music analysis, and live coding practices. Notable projects involve creating AI voice model choirs, analyzing music corpora (e.g., Radiohead), and developing open-source tools for MIR (Music Information Retrieval). His recent work explores the ethical and creative implications of AI in contemporary music production. Supervised student: Andrew Brown Key publications span journals like Royal Society Open Science , Computer Music Journal , and conferences like International Computer Music Conference. Cross-cutting themes include historical electronic music analysis, algorithmic creativity, and the intersection of mathematics and sound art.
Andy Lavender serves as Provost & Vice Principal (Academic) at Guildhall School of Music & Drama since 2024, previously holding the roles of Vice-Principal & Director of Production Arts and Professor of Theatre & Performance from 2020. His academic leadership spans the University of Warwick (Professor and Head of Theatre & Performance Studies), University of Surrey (Head of School of Arts), and Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (Head of Postgraduate Studies and Dean of Research). His research centers on contemporary theatre practices, with emphasis on documentary performance, intermediality, and multimodal performance. He investigates political engagement through protest theatre, neoliberalism's impact on artistic production, and the integration of robotics/digital technologies in live performance, often drawing from his practical experience as a theatre practitioner. Analysis of his 2019-2024 publications reveals consistent exploration of documentary forms, protest aesthetics, and technological mediation in performance. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with creative practice, particularly through collaborations examining textual construction, object agency, and cross-media performance. Scientific awards: No awards mentioned in source material. While specific students aren't listed, his leadership involved developing the UK's largest postgraduate theatre platform and PhD programs. He has extensive international validation experience across Hong Kong, Ireland, Singapore, and multiple European countries, plus consultancy for US, Dutch, French, Cypriot, and Australian institutions. As former artistic director of Lightwork, he created collaborative multimedia productions incorporating robotics, puppetry, and digital technologies through close work with designers and movement directors, documented in his co-edited 'Lightwork' texts (2022).
Professor Neil Brownsword is a ceramic artist, researcher, and educator at Staffordshire University's School of Digital, Tech, Innovation & Business. His research explores North Staffordshire's ceramic industry legacy, globalization's impact on traditional skills, and post-industrial spaces. He holds a PhD from Brunel University, an MA from the Royal College of Art, and a BA from the University of Wales. Brownsword has curated major exhibitions like Topographies of the Obsolete (2012–2020), collaborated with institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, and received awards including the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale Grand Prize (2015) and Whitegold International Ceramics Prize (2019). His work merges sculpture, installation, and digital mediation to preserve endangered craft knowledge. Teaching engagements span 26 UK and 9 international universities, including the University of Bergen and Royal College of Art. He has led projects funded by the Norwegian Artistic Research Programme and Arts Council England, focusing on intangible heritage, site-specific art, and global ceramic networks. Brownsword’s interdisciplinary approach bridges art, industry, and academia, emphasizing collaborative practice and public engagement. Key research interests include ceramic intangible heritage, the artist as archaeologist, and the contemporary ruin. His Factory installation (2017) explored cross-cultural collaboration between UK and Korean artisans, while Re-Apprenticed (2015) documented endangered skills through multimedia. Publications include edited volumes like Alchemy and Metamorphosis (2021) and Topographies of the Obsolete (2020), reflecting his commitment to advancing ceramic discourse globally.
Abdul-Rahman Mawlood-Yunis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Computer Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Android Mobile Application Development, Software Engineering, Distributed Systems, and P2P Networking with an emphasis on fault-tolerant systems and semantic web technologies. He has contributed to frameworks for live streaming apps and machine learning algorithms for feature selection. Research interests include: Chatbots and Natural Language Processing (NLP) Ontology engineering and knowledge representation Algorithm design for distributed systems Mobile agent performance analysis Fault-tolerant semantic P2P networks His recent work (2022-2024) emphasizes machine learning applications in feature selection and real estate price estimation, reflecting a shift towards data-driven solutions. Earlier contributions (2003-2013) explored foundational aspects of mobile agents and semantic interoperability in P2P networks. Teaching responsibilities include courses on Android development and Java programming, with associated open-source materials and courseware. His book Android for Java Programmers provides foundational resources for students and instructors. Languages spoken: English, Kurdish, Arabic, Farsi.
Professor Grace Lees-Maffei is a leading scholar in Design History and Programme Director for the Professional Doctorate in Heritage (DHeritage) at the University of Hertfordshire's School of Creative Arts. She holds editorial leadership roles, including Chair of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Design History (Oxford University Press) and Co-Series Editor for Bloomsbury's Cultural Histories of Design . Her research focuses on heritage, globalization in design, domesticity, and design historiography, with emphasis on mediation through domestic advice literature, graphic design, and advertising. Education: PhD in Design History (University of Portsmouth, 2005), MA RCA in History of Design (V&A/RCA, 1996), BA Hons in English Literature (1994). External roles include Trustee of the Design History Society and member of the AHRC Peer Review College. Awards include the University's Vice-Chancellor's Award for Living the Values (2020) and a 20-year Long Service Award (2018). Research projects include Designing Domesticity (AHRC-funded, 2014), Designing Hands (2020-2021), and The Hand Book (forthcoming MIT Press, 2024). She has supervised over 10 doctoral students and contributed to academic development through roles like Chair of the University's Researcher Development Group (2015-2019). Public engagement includes media appearances, editorial leadership, and service to professional societies. Current research explores tactile design history, heritage, and interdisciplinary design methodologies.
Dr. Rongrong Zhang is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney, holding a PhD in Strategic Management and Organization from the University of Alberta. Previously, she served as an assistant professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen from 2021 to 2024. Her research examines social evaluations of organizations, including legitimacy, reputation, and stigma, exploring how these evaluations interact with emotions to drive social change. Zhang teaches courses on organizational innovation and maintains active involvement in academic associations including the Academy of Management and European Group for Organizational Studies. Zhang serves on the editorial boards of the Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Management and Organization Review. Her research has been recognized with the Best Reviewer award from Management and Organization Review in 2023. Current projects investigate emotions in organizational contexts, stigma management, and AI's impact on occupational perceptions.
René Schack serves as a Lecturer in Movement Training and Acting at the University of the Arts Bremen, teaching courses including Scenic Stage Combat for Vocal Students, Basic Acting Training, and specialized Movement Training modules. His educational foundation spans the École Internationale de Mimodrame de Paris Marcel Marceau, Conservatoire de Danse in Paris, and Hanover University of Music and Theatre. Professional experience encompasses 25 years as a mime and actor at German state theatres (Hanover, Braunschweig, Mannheim, Saarbrücken, Oldenburg) and international engagements in France, Italy, and Belgium. Research interests focus on Physical Theatre, Pantomime, and Movement Training methodologies, emphasizing body awareness, breath control, dance-based conditioning, and improvisation techniques. His pedagogy integrates yoga, Tai Chi, and partner work specifically tailored for vocal performers, with strong emphasis on injury prevention and expanding movement repertoire through physical theatre forms. As a practitioner, Schack directs amateur theater groups (notably Low German Theater Association in Lower Saxony and VBAT in Bavaria), choreographs for institutions like National Theater Mannheim, and creates solo works including the enduring "The Little Zoo Story" and "Wilhelm Busch evening". He currently collaborates with independent ensemble theater hof/19 on interdisciplinary productions merging drama, dance, live music, and video projection.
Chris Arrell is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Laptop Ensemble Federation (H-CLEF) at the College of the Holy Cross. His expertise spans composition, music theory, sound synthesis, and computer music. He founded H-CLEF in 2015, fostering experimental music performance through technology. Education: D.M.A. in Music from Cornell University. Research focuses on blending acoustic and electronic elements, with works commissioned by institutions like the Fromm Foundation and Alte Schmiede. Notable honors include the Ettelson Composer’s Award and residencies at MacDowell Colony. Key works include Diptych (prepared piano duo), Breathless (piano trio), and Of Three Minds (soprano/piano/computer). His music frequently explores algorithmic processes and live electronics. Awards and recognition highlight his contributions to contemporary music, including commissions from NEXTET and the Pellegrini Festival. His collaborations, such as Walking in Altamira , reflect interdisciplinary innovation supported by the Ditson Foundation.
