Dr. Vittoria Di Stefano is a Lecturer at the School of Art, RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia), specializing in contemporary installation art and cultural narratives. Her practice explores materiality, spatial storytelling, and the intersection of art with architectural and environmental contexts. Her creative works include installations such as Pears on a Willow (2024), The Dusking Room (2023), and The Palace at 4pm (2022), exhibited in venues like Gertrude Contemporary and Blindside. She is open to supervising Masters and PhD students in research-based art projects, such as the 2025 project Jindgo Story: Korean Shamanism and the Art of Displacement . Di Stefano’s research focuses on material exploration, site-specific art, and conceptual frameworks in contemporary visual practice. Her work often interrogates themes of memory, transformation, and cultural symbolism through sculptural and immersive installations.
Donald Glowinski is a Senior Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (University of Geneva), where he coordinates the Music & Science team and leads a consortium investigating the cognitive and emotional impact of DEMOS orchestras on children. His work bridges neuropsychology, music performance, and applied research to enhance team coordination and resilience in professional settings. He holds an MSc in Cognitive Science (EHESS), Music and Acoustics (CNSMDP), and Philosophy (Sorbonne-Paris IV), with a PhD in Computing Engineering from the University of Genoa. His research focuses on music’s role in emotions, group creativity, and translational science, including developing immersive virtual environments and curricula for interdisciplinary training. He is also involved in public engagement through initiatives like culturehack.art and collaborations with festivals such as Montreux Jazz and NIFFF. Key research interests include the interplay between music, emotion, and social dynamics. He explores how music ensemble performances can model adaptive teamwork, leveraging technologies like virtual reality to simulate real-world scenarios. His projects emphasize practical applications, such as improving safety training for workers and fostering resilience in high-pressure environments. Awards include the Prix pour la Vocation (Bleustein-Blanchet Foundation) and the Declic Award (Fondation de France). He actively contributes to scientific dissemination through public talks and cultural partnerships, advocating for science that directly informs tangible, accessible tools for diverse communities. His advisory roles include coordinating the Music & Science team and leading the DEMOS consortium with the Philharmonie de Paris. He also spearheads a new psychology curriculum using high-fidelity simulations, reflecting his commitment to bridging academic and applied domains.
Marco Caratozzolo is a faculty member at the University of Bergamo, affiliated with the Department of Languages, Literatures and Foreign Cultures. He specializes in Slavic Studies and Literary Criticism, with a focus on Russian literature, Dostoevsky, religious discourse, and literary theory. He teaches courses such as 'Cultura Russa' and 'Lingua Russa I–III'. His research interests include Slavic Studies Russian Literature Literary Criticism and Comparative Literature Religious Discourse in Literature Verisimilitude in Literary Theory 1980s Soviet Culture Folklore and Hagiography in Slavic Traditions Recent publications highlight his engagement with Dostoevsky’s use of saints, the boundaries of narrative believability, and religious seduction in literature. His work appears in journals such as Dostoevsky Studies , Argos , and Enthymema , as well as in edited volumes on literary themes. He has no listed scientific awards or student advisees in the provided data. His editorial and curatorial roles suggest active participation in academic discourse, particularly around religious and literary themes in Slavic contexts. Marco Caratozzolo maintains regular office hours and is reachable via email, indicating active academic engagement. There is no indication of part-time status, retirement, or emeritus position.
Sarah Kessler is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Southern California , with additional affiliations in Comparative Literature at University of California, Irvine and Humanities and Sciences at Art Center College of Design. Her research spans 20th and 21st Century Transatlantic Media and Culture , with specialized focus on Sound Studies , Queer Theory , and Voice Technologies . Education includes a PhD in Comparative Literature (2016) and MA in English (Modern Studies) from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2008), and a BA in Art-Semiotics from Brown University (2003). Her publications examine intersections of political discourse and media representation , including analyses of reality TV's 'process' rhetoric, Star Trek's environmental messaging, and ventriloquism as metaphor for presidential communication. Key article trends reveal interdisciplinary focus across: 2024: Television & New Media on political reassurance narratives 2023: Music in Star Trek on cetacean vocalization 2021: Media Ventriloquism book chapter on voice technology 2019: Film Quarterly on Russian Doll's trauma loops Her work also addresses queer cultural production through comedy specials and music analysis.
Professor Nigel Harris is a Professor of German at the University of Birmingham's Department of Modern Languages. Educated at the University of Birmingham (BA in French and German) and the University of Oxford (DPhil in Medieval and Modern Languages), he has been affiliated with Birmingham since 1984 except for a visiting professorship at the University of Florida. His research focuses on late-medieval didactic literature in German and Latin, animal symbolism in medieval texts, and the Swiss Reformation. Teaching responsibilities include medieval German language and literature courses, with core contributions to modules like 'Epic and Romance' and 'Other Germanies'. He also teaches modern German literature and language courses, emphasizing German grammatical complexities. His supervision of postgraduate research has covered topics such as Heinrich von Beringen's chess treatise, Zwinglian dialogues, and the Nibelungenlied's reception. Key publications include editions of understudied medieval works (e.g., Etymachia, In campo mundi), the co-authored The Correspondence of Zwingli and Oecolampadius (2025), and The Thirteenth-Century Animal Turn (2020). His work bridges textual editing, historical analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches to medieval cultural studies.
Professor Vadim Kimmelman is affiliated with the Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies at the University of Bergen. His primary research interests lie in sign language linguistics, with a focus on syntax, nonmanual markers, classifier predicates, and computational methods in linguistic analysis. He has contributed to foundational studies on Russian Sign Language (RSL), Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT), and other signed languages. Key research areas include the formal analysis of argument structure, transitivity, metaphorical extensions, and the role of nonmanual components in grammatical and pragmatic functions. His work combines corpus linguistics with computational tools, such as computer vision techniques for analyzing nonmanual behaviors in sign language interactions. Published in high-impact journals like Annual Review of Linguistics , Open Linguistics , and Sign Language Studies . Recipient of ERC funding for projects on nonmanual properties and sign language processing. Co-authored a textbook on sign language linguistics with Svetlana Burkova ( Vvedenie v lingvistiku zhestovyh jazykov ). Recent projects involve developing benchmark datasets (e.g., FluentSigners-50) and tools for sign language recognition, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to bridging linguistics and computational science.
Dr Garance Marechal is a Lecturer in Strategic Management at the University of Salford's Management School since 2003. She holds a PhD from Paris-Dauphine University (2006) and advanced degrees in Marketing, Strategy, and Sociological Research. Her research focuses on critical management approaches to strategy, gender studies, qualitative methodologies (including autoethnography), and material/spatial histories such as the Paris metro's cultural heritage. She has convened major international conferences and edited special issues in Organization Studies and Culture and Organization . Education: PhD in Management (2006), Paris-Dauphine University MRes in Marketing & Strategy (Paris-Dauphine) MA in Sociological Research (Lancaster University) MBA (Grande Ecole, ESC Tours) Her work combines ethnographic methods with critical theory, examining organizational processes through lenses of gender, space, and materiality. Notable projects include visual ethnographies of urban artifacts and analyses of conflict zones in Belfast. She has received teaching awards from the University of Salford and co-edits influential journal special issues addressing the 'Dark Side of Organization' and territorial dynamics. In teaching, she leads modules on qualitative research methods, strategy, and critical perspectives in management. Her administrative roles include Deputy Director of Studies for BA Business Management and representation on the Faculty Progress Committee.
Etienne Février is a Lecturer at the Center for Anglophone Studies (CAS), University of Toulouse – Jean Jaurès, specializing in North American literature, intermedial criticism, and animation arts. His research focuses on the works of Steven Millhauser, suburban narratives, and the poetics of everyday life. Education: External English Aggregation (2010), Doctorate in Literature (2017) on Millhauser's miniaturist writing. Research: Explores short fiction, suburban stereotypes, and intermediality in Millhauser's works. Publications: Analyzes Millhauser's fiction through lenses of animation arts, miniaturism, and visual-linguistic interplay, appearing in journals like Caliban and Miranda . Scientific Responsibilities: Served as doctoral student representative on university research commissions (2012-2016). Events: Organized study days on 'Small Town America' (2015) and 'Digital Humanities' (2013). His recent articles examine Millhauser's narrative strategies, including Manufacturing Wonder: Animating Pictures in Millhauser’s Fiction (2018) and The Eye of the Demiurge (2016). Février received the Jean Jaurès University Prize (2018) for his thesis. He actively participates in international conferences and co-organizes academic events bridging literature, art, and digital humanities.
Lucy Gilson is a Full Professor and Department Head at the University of Connecticut, holding a concurrent Visiting Professor position at CATÓLICA-LISBON. She is also the Academic Director of the Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference. Her academic journey includes an MBA and PhD in Organizational Behavior from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, and an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Her research focuses on teams, team effectiveness, and creativity, with notable contributions to virtual team dynamics, creativity management, and organizational behavior. Key areas of exploration include the interplay between standardization and creativity, cross-level effects in teams, and global virtual team performance drivers. Lucy has held the Advanced Institute of Management (AIM - UK) Visiting International Research Fellowship (2008-2010). Her work emphasizes practical frameworks for fostering innovation, such as leveraging museum metaphors for idea curation and addressing challenges in radical vs incremental creativity management. While no specific advising or grant details are highlighted, her research spans empirical studies on empowerment, virtual collaboration tools, and cultural diversity impacts in teams. Her academic contributions are anchored in advancing theoretical and practical understanding of organizational systems and creative processes.
Hannah Oorts is a Research Fellow at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) within the Centre for Democratic Futures, affiliated with the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences and Solvay Business School. She holds a Political Science PhD and an Advanced Master in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies from KU Leuven (2021–2022). Her research focuses on political leadership, representation mechanisms, and Belgian political dynamics, particularly examining how political leaders construct legitimacy and identity through performative acts and digital media. Key areas include analyzing metaphors of political representation, the role of social media in shaping political identity (e.g., Instagram's impact on leadership imagery), and the interplay between descriptive and substantive representation. She leads the 2022–2026 project Performing political representation: Varieties, strategies, and effectiveness , exploring how leaders' performative actions influence public perception and democratic engagement. Oorts has been recognized with the ECPR Standing Group on Elites and Political Leadership Best Paper Prize (2023). Her work bridges cultural anthropology and political science, emphasizing discourse analysis and institutional frameworks. Active in academic conferences and media commentary, she discusses topics like political authenticity, diversity representation in left-wing parties, and the societal implications of the Vlaams Belang party.
Prof. Dr. Woody van Olffen is a Full Professor of Organizational Change and Development at TIAS School for Business and Society, part of Maastricht University. Since 2013, he has served as Academic Director of the Master of Management and Organization (MMO) program. Previously, he held roles at Rotterdam School of Management (2007–2013) and works part-time as a Senior Academic Associate at Ami Consultancy, supporting organizational change for executives. His research focuses on change processes, leadership development, and measuring organizational transformation, with publications in top journals like the Academy of Management Journal and Strategic Management Journal . Education: Van Olffen earned his PhD from Maastricht University in 1999. His expertise spans organizational change, strategy, and quantitative research methods. He emphasizes practical applications, such as the Change Canvas framework and co-creation strategies, and has authored influential works like Engage! Travel Guide for Change Adventures (2016/2019). Research interests include team composition, leadership socialization, and collaborative innovation in R&D partnerships. His recent articles address digital transformation challenges, public-sector cultural shifts, and sustainable innovation through stakeholder collaboration. He leads training programs in leadership, digital transformation, and organizational governance. Van Olffen’s work bridges academic research and practical leadership, advocating for measurable change processes and adaptive organizational strategies. His contributions highlight the importance of behavioral change, coalition-building, and narrative approaches in driving successful transformations.
Miguel Ángel Martínez García is a researcher and educator at the Universitat de València, affiliated with the Department of Spanish Philology within the Faculty of Philology, Translation and Communication. He also contributes to the 'Articulacions' programme, a collaborative initiative with IVAM, Universitat Politècnica de València, and Universitat de València, focusing on artistic and cultural studies. His research spans interdisciplinary domains, primarily centered on Spanish literature, illness narratives, political poetics, and curatorial practices . His work critically examines how language, affect, and embodiment intersect in contexts of disease, resistance, and cultural production. He explores themes such as immunity, emptiness, and bios as both biological and political categories. The recent publications and projects reflect a strong engagement with biopolitics, environmental crisis, and artistic interventions . His work moves fluidly between academic writing, curation, and collaborative art, often blurring the boundaries between theory and practice. Key themes include illness and self-representation , collective mourning , and alternative forms of living in wounded worlds. Scientific and Cultural Contributions: Curated major exhibitions: Living Outside (2019), Empty (2018), Damaged Life (2015) Organized influential cycles: Dense Presents (2020–2022), Bodies in Struggle (2017) Authored key works: Bios. Literatura, Enfermedad, Formas de Vida (2021), La otra fiesta (2020) Active in international institutions: IVAM, MACBA, GAM (Santiago), EAC (Montevideo) He has advised doctoral research and participated in postdoctoral projects with CONICET (Argentina) and Catalan universities. His collaborative artistic processes, such as Hospital de campo (2023), demonstrate a commitment to socially engaged practices. While no formal grants or awards are listed, his extensive curatorial and academic output signifies significant recognition in interdisciplinary humanities.
Dr. Clifford De Raffaele is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Programme Leader for the Computer Science programme at Middlesex University. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from Middlesex University, an MSc in ICT from the University of Malta, and a degree in Electrical Engineering from the same institution. He has previously held senior academic leadership roles, including Associate Director for Academia and Research at Middlesex University Malta and Director for Research and Innovation at MCAST. PhD in Computer Science, Middlesex University (2019) MSc in ICT, University of Malta BSc in Electrical Engineering, University of Malta His research focuses on innovative applications of technology in education, particularly through Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs), knowledge management in micro-enterprises, AI in learning, and biomedical devices. He explores how physical interaction can enhance the understanding of abstract computing concepts such as multi-threading, robotics, and network principles. His work bridges human-computer interaction with pedagogical innovation. His recent publications (2016–2024) demonstrate a consistent focus on educational technology, with recurring themes in TUIs, student engagement, knowledge systems, and adaptive learning. His research often involves collaboration with colleagues such as S. Smith, O. Gemikonakli, and G. Attard, and is published in IEEE, ACM, and Springer venues. A notable achievement includes winning the Best Technical Paper award at the 2020 SGAI International Conference on Artificial Intelligence. Best Technical Paper, 2020 SGAI International Conference on Artificial Intelligence Dr. De Raffaele actively supervises PhD researchers, including Stephen Hall and Antony Kruger, and has led multiple national and EU-funded research projects as principal investigator or lead researcher. He contributes to strategic research policy at the national level and is an executive member of the IEEE Malta Section, indicating strong engagement in both academic and professional communities. He is involved in the development of toolkits like TangiBoard to lower the barrier for TUI implementation in education and continues to innovate in the space of active learning frameworks. His work is centered on making complex computer science topics more accessible through physical and interactive means.
Frank H. Durgin is the Elizabeth and Sumner Hayward Professor of Psychology at Swarthmore College , specializing in Perception & Cognition and Cognitive Science & Neuroscience . His research explores visual perception, spatial cognition, and sensorimotor integration, with a focus on illusions like the horizontal-vertical illusion, angular expansion, and perceptual adaptation. Research Trends: His recent articles (2022-2025) examine numerical cognition, change blindness, and metaphorical language processing. Key themes include Perceptual distortions in spatial and numerical estimation Role of ground planes and reference frames in visual direction Interaction between sensorimotor experience and cognitive metaphors Applications of virtual reality in perceptual studies Affiliations: Member of the American Psychological Society Psychonomic Society Vision Sciences Society Contact: Email fdurgin1@swarthmore.edu for collaboration or inquiries. His lab at Swarthmore investigates foundational questions in perception through empirical and theoretical approaches.
Hana Gustafsson is an Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics at the Centre for Academic and Professional Communication, Faculty of Humanities, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She teaches and conducts research in science communication, particularly focusing on how linguistic theories can address challenges in research communication for STEM students and researchers. PhD in Applied Linguistics, University of Groningen (2013) Postdoctoral Fellow, MultiLing, University of Oslo Background in both linguistics and biology (MSc) Experience in TESOL, EMI training in Norway, the Netherlands, and Czech Republic Her research interests lie at the intersection of cognitive linguistics and applied language studies. She investigates how metaphor, formulaic language, and usage-based learning shape second language development and science communication. Her work emphasizes practical applications in academic writing, EMI teaching, and research dissemination. Her recent scholarly output shows a strong focus on longitudinal L2 development, metaphorical framing of global issues (e.g., climate change, pandemics), and pedagogical innovation in scientific communication. She frequently presents at international conferences, demonstrating sustained engagement with the applied linguistics and science communication communities. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: No specific awards mentioned in the text. Hana Gustafsson mentors PhD and Master’s students in STEM disciplines, guiding them in research communication. She hosts English Teaching Assistants from the U.S. via the Fulbright Program, contributing to international academic exchange. She has been involved in EU-funded projects like AQUAEXCEL3.0, indicating participation in large-scale collaborative research initiatives. She is active in professional development workshops and has contributed to teacher training in EMI contexts across Scandinavia. Her work bridges theoretical linguistics and practical educational challenges in multilingual higher education environments.
