Catherine Faron is a Full Professor at Université Côte d'Azur , affiliated with the I3S laboratory and Inria center . She serves as vice-head of the Wimmics joint research team and leads the Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering (IAID) program at Polytech Nice Sophia engineer school. Habilitation à diriger les recherches (HDR) in Computer Science, UCA (2017) PhD in Computer Science, Univ. Paris 6 (1997) Her research focuses on Artificial Intelligence , particularly in Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KRR) and Semantic Web technologies. She develops hybrid intelligent systems combining KRR with machine learning for knowledge extraction, integration, and exploitation across education, health, and digital humanities. Recent publications highlight her work on: 2025 : Knowledge graphs for historical zoological data 2024 : Semantic annotation frameworks in agronomy 2023 : Agricultural data mapping and medical record enrichment 2022 : Visual exploration of big linked data Scientific recognitions include: 2023: Best Paper Award, ESWC 2017: Scientific Excellence Award, UCA 2016: Best Demo Award, ISWC 2015: Best Paper Award, IC 2008: Best PhD Paper Award, ECPPM She has supervised 19 PhD/Master's students and leads/has led projects like D2KAB , DEKALOG , and ZOOMATHIA , with partnerships across academic and industrial institutions.
Milos Nikolic is a Lecturer in Database Systems at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh. He is a member of the Database Group and the Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science. Prior to joining Edinburgh, he was a Departmental Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from EPFL. Research Interests: Milos Nikolic's research focuses on databases and large-scale data management, with emphasis on incremental computation, in-database learning, stream processing, and query compilation. His work explores how complex analytical queries—such as SQL, linear algebra, and machine learning tasks—can be efficiently maintained and evaluated in dynamic and distributed environments. He develops novel techniques in query optimization and compilation to enable real-time analytics over evolving data. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in dynamic query evaluation, particularly around conjunctive and hierarchical queries under updates, incremental view maintenance (e.g., F-IVM), and scalable processing of nested and biomedical data. His work often leverages theoretical foundations to achieve worst-case optimal performance, grounded in conjectures like the Online Matrix-Vector Multiplication (OMv) hypothesis. Scientific Awards: Best Paper Award, ICDT 2019 Advising and Grants: Milos is actively seeking PhD students to work on data management topics. While no formal list of advisees is provided, he collaborates extensively with researchers such as Dan Olteanu, Ahmet Kara, and Haozhe Zhang. His projects, including Adaptive Query Processing , Incremental Maintenance of Complex Analytics , and Declarative Data Pipelines (industry-supported), suggest ongoing grant and industry collaborations. Labs and Teams: He is a key member of the Database Group and the Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science at the University of Edinburgh, contributing to cutting-edge research in foundational and applied database systems.
Dr. Hannah Sirianni is an Assistant Professor of Geographic Information Science & Technology in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment at East Carolina University. She leads the Coastal Geography & Terrain Analysis Lab, which specializes in advanced mapping, monitoring, and modeling of coastal environments to support sustainable development and resilience decision-making. Her research employs cutting-edge geospatial technologies including airborne/terrestrial laser scanning, RTK-GNSS, sUAS, and geospatial AI techniques. Education: Ph.D. in Geosciences from Florida Atlantic University M.A. in Geography from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa B.A. in Geography (Highest Honors) from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Research Focus: Dr. Sirianni's research integrates geomatics, GeoAI, OBIA, SfM photogrammetry, and Monte Carlo simulation to address coastal challenges. Her work focuses on shoreline dynamics, bluff erosion, living shoreline effectiveness, and coastal carbon capture monitoring. Current projects include the Sugarloaf Island Restoration and monitoring olivine sand placement for climate mitigation. Publication Trends: Her recent publications demonstrate strong focus on coastal vulnerability assessment, LiDAR/UAS applications, shoreline classification, storm impact quantification, and machine learning applications in geospatial analysis. Research consistently addresses practical coastal management solutions. Grants & Projects: Co-PI for NOAA Sea Grant/USCRP project: "Co-developing a community and data-driven framework for coastal protection decision-making" Living shoreline restoration research at NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Coastal Carbon Capture™ monitoring using UAS technology Student Advising: Dr. Sirianni actively mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers in coastal geospatial applications. Current advisees include 3 MS students and 1 PhD candidate, with 12 former students now working in environmental science and GIS positions. Lab Operations: The Coastal Geography & Terrain Analysis Lab conducts extensive fieldwork including sUAS surveys, RTK-GNSS measurements, and bathymetric mapping, supported by collaborative partnerships with NC Coastal Federation and other institutions.
Aurelio Soma is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he has served as a faculty member since at least the early 2000s. His academic career spans over two decades, with continuous involvement in teaching Mechanical Engineering doctoral programs since the 19th cycle (2003/2004). He teaches courses including Machine Construction and Product and Process Design with Numerical Methods. Professor Soma's research spans several critical areas of mechanical engineering with a strong focus on sustainable technologies. His primary research interests include Battery Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, MEMS technology, Railway Vehicles, and Working Vehicles. His work aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and 13 (Climate action), demonstrating his commitment to environmentally conscious engineering solutions. His research bridges theoretical mechanical design with practical industrial applications, particularly in energy harvesting and sustainable vehicle technologies. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward sustainable transportation systems, with particular emphasis on lithium-ion battery technology, energy harvesting for railway diagnostics, and electrification of agricultural machinery. His work consistently combines mechanical engineering principles with cutting-edge sustainable technologies, focusing on practical implementations that address real-world challenges in transportation and industrial systems. The interdisciplinary nature of his research spans mechanical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, and environmental science. Professor Soma actively supervises PhD students, currently guiding nine doctoral candidates across multiple cycles of the Mechanical Engineering program. His research is supported by numerous competitive funding sources including PNRR Mission 4 (AGRITECH Spoke 6), national research projects, regional innovation centers, and commercial contracts. He has served as Scientific Manager for over 20 research projects spanning from 2006 to 2027, demonstrating sustained research productivity and leadership. His research group focuses on the Design and Experimentation of Industrial and Railway Systems and Microsystems (DIMEAS), developing innovative solutions for energy harvesting, vehicle diagnostics, and sustainable machinery. Professor Soma's work has resulted in numerous patents related to hybrid working vehicles, railway diagnostics systems, energy harvesters, and lithium battery applications, translating academic research into practical industrial solutions.
Professor Ingrid Scharlau is a faculty member at the University of Paderborn, affiliated with the Faculty of Cultural Studies, Institute for Human Sciences, Department of Psychology, where she leads the Cognitive Psychology and Psychology Didactics unit. She holds office hours on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. at Warburger Str. 100, Paderborn, in room H4.129. Her research interests include: Experimental psychology and visual-spatial attention Modeling cognitive processes Psychology of Explainability Qualitative research and metaphor analysis Theory and history of psychology didactics Science didactics and academic writing Prof. Scharlau is actively involved in several research projects, particularly within the TRR 318 "Constructing Explainability" Collaborative Research Center. Her recent publications demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach that combines quantitative experimental methods with qualitative analysis across cognitive psychology, attention research, and academic writing domains. Prof. Scharlau is heavily involved in mentoring early-career researchers, having established mentoring programs for doctoral students at the University of Paderborn. She heads the Writing Competence Center at Paderborn University, which supports students in academic writing and teachers in teaching writing. Her teaching focuses on general or cognitive psychology, psychology didactics, and educational psychology, with courses aimed at psychology education students, computer science students with psychology minor, and educational sciences students. Her professional affiliations include: German Society for Psychology, Section for General Psychology (DGPs) Society for Writing Didactics and Writing Research (gefsus) The European Society of Psychology Learning and Teaching (ESPLAT) Community of Professionals of Lehre-hoch-n She also organizes workshops on academic writing, plagiarism handling, and teaching methods, and has developed teaching materials for psychology classes in schools.
Dagmar Kasüschke is a Professor at the Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd , specifically within the Institut Kindheit, Jugend und Familie and the Department of Sozialpädagogik und Pädagogik der frühen Kindheit . She has held significant roles including Studiengangsleiterin (Head of Bachelor's Program) in Early Childhood Education and Leiterin (Head) of her department, indicating leadership responsibilities. Her academic journey includes professorships at institutions such as the Evangelische Hochschule Dresden and Evangelische Fachhochschule Freiburg, along with guest lectureships in England, Sweden, and Denmark. Academic Career: 2006–2009 Professor at Evangelische Fachhochschule Freiburg International Engagement: Guest lectureships across Europe Her research focuses on Early Childhood Education through historical, systematic, and cultural lenses. Key areas include gender as a social difference line , diversity and inclusion , cultural awareness , and didactic approaches in educational institutions. She explores these topics through transnational and critical frameworks, emphasizing pedagogical spaces and social differentiation. Recent publications (2022–2013) analyze the historical foundations of early childhood pedagogy, gender dynamics, cultural negotiations, and spatial dimensions in educational settings. Her work frequently addresses diversity integration , empowerment strategies , and critical policy reflections in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) environments. She participates in projects like Reflecting Cultures of Education (RECOdE) (2022–2025), focusing on transnationality and cultural awareness in ECEC programs. Her email contact is dagmar.kasueschke@ph-gmuend.de , with office hours available both in-person and via Zoom.
Claudia Mazzeschi is a Professor at the University of Perugia, Faculty of Education Sciences. She serves as Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Assessment of Individual Functioning in Clinical and Health Psychology and the Doctoral Program in Human Sciences, indicating a central role in academic leadership and graduate training. Her research focuses on clinical and health psychology, with particular emphasis on child and adolescent mental health, psychological assessment, eating disorders, attachment, trauma, emotion regulation, and mindfulness-based interventions. She actively investigates the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to the validation of psychological instruments in Italian populations. Her work integrates psychodynamic theory with empirical research, especially in diagnostic systems like the Rorschach and Adult Attachment Projective System. The most recent publications show a strong trend toward transdiagnostic and multidimensional approaches to psychopathology, cultural influences on well-being, and the neurobiological underpinnings of mental illness. She frequently employs systematic reviews, validation studies, and longitudinal designs across European samples. While no formal list of awards is provided, her extensive publication output and program coordination roles reflect significant scholarly recognition. She advises graduate students and doctoral candidates, particularly within the programs she coordinates, though specific names are not listed. Her research is likely supported by university and national grants related to mental health, pandemic response, and psychological assessment development. She contributes to multi-method assessment practices and the integration of psychodynamic and evidence-based approaches. Claudia Mazzeschi is involved in research teams focused on developmental psychopathology, family processes, and innovative interventions such as mindful movement (Movimento Biologico). Her work with the tutoring service at the Faculty of Education Sciences suggests engagement in academic support and pedagogical innovation.
Dr Evina Katsou is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences at Brunel University London. She serves as Course Director for the Water Engineering MSc program and leads the Water & Environmental Engineering research group with 20 researchers. Dr Katsou's educational background includes a PhD in 'Wastewater Treatment with the Use of Membranes' (2008-2011), an MSc in Water Resources Science & Technology (2006-2008), and an MEng in Chemical Engineering (2000-2005), all from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece. Her research program focuses on three interconnected areas: (1) Sustainable resource recovery from wastewater and safe reuse; (2) Data analytics, knowledge discovery and process modelling; and (3) Circularity & sustainability measurement and assessment. Dr Katsou has developed innovative approaches for biological nutrient removal from wastewater, including partial nitrification/denitrification and complete autotrophic nitrogen removal processes. Her work integrates advanced data analytics methods such as multivariate statistics, clustering techniques, machine learning algorithms, and artificial neural networks to identify complex relationships between process variables, particularly for measuring GHG emissions in water treatment systems. Dr Katsou has authored 98 journal publications (h-index: 27) and 12 book chapters with over 100 presentations, and holds a patent on biopolymers recovery. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on circular economy applications in water systems, nature-based solutions for urban environments, and resource recovery technologies. The research trends show increasing integration of data-driven decision support systems with environmental sustainability metrics, particularly in the water-energy-food nexus domain. Chartered Chemical Engineer (Greece) HEA Fellow (FHEA) of the Higher Education Academy Mentor in the APEX (Academic Practice & Professional Excellence Framework) scheme Member of management group of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) Visiting Professors Scheme Co-leader of Circular Economy VLT in Water Europe Leader of SMART WATER Working Group in ICT4Water Cluster-EC Member of ISO standards drafting team on Circular Economy Dr Katsou has successfully supervised 16 PhD students to completion and currently supervises several ongoing doctoral projects. She has secured substantial research funding as Principal Investigator on 11 national and international projects including RESILEX Horizon Europe, SYMBIOREM Horizon Europe, BORECER Horizon Europe, HYDROUSA H2020, and WATER-MINING H2020. Her industrial consulting portfolio includes significant contracts with leading UK water industry partners such as Affinity Water, Arup, Severn Trent, and Anglian Water, with projects ranging from carbon footprint assessment to corrosion mitigation and process optimization. She leads the Transformation Tools group of the Cost Action on Circular Cities, co-leads the Circular Water VLT of Water Europe, and co-leads the SMART-WATER group of the ICT4Water Cluster-EC. Dr Katsou is also a member of the drafting team for new ISO standards on Circular Economy (Measuring and Assessing Circularity - ISO5902).
Dr. Len Ole Schäfer is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the CATALPA research cluster, FernUniversität in Hagen, leading the project 'Organizational Resilience and Creativity: Exploring the Future of Educational Technology in Higher Education' (ORC) in collaboration with the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG). His work investigates the interplay between organizational resilience, creativity frameworks, and educational technology implementation within higher education institutions, emphasizing trust-based leadership and strategic adaptation. Schäfer holds a PhD in Sociology (2018) from the University of Bamberg examining the UK's Research Excellence Framework impact on academic practice, and a Diploma in Sociology (2012) focused on ranking construction in science. His academic trajectory includes research positions at Zeppelin University (2018), University College London's Centre for Global Higher Education (2016), and the University of Bamberg (2012-2018). His research centers on higher education organizational dynamics, particularly how universities navigate digital transformation through resilience-building and creativity cultivation. Key interests include sociological theory applications, organizational sociology frameworks, and the role of digitalization strategies in enabling innovation. His work consistently analyzes resistance to digital change, strategic ambiguities in institutional policies, and trust mechanisms that foster EdTech adoption across diverse academic contexts. Recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory examining organizational responses to digital disruption, with emphasis on faculty perspectives, leadership approaches, and structural adaptations. His studies—primarily qualitative and mixed-methods—highlight tensions between centralized strategies and decentralized implementation, resistance triggers, and the paradoxical role of ambiguity in enabling innovation during rapid technological change. As an active community contributor, Schäfer serves on the advisory board of FernUniversität's #NewLearning Blog and reviews for 'Higher Education - The International Journal of Higher Education Research'. His project leadership in ORC (2023–present) and OrA (until 2023) demonstrates sustained engagement with German higher education's adaptability challenges, while international collaborations with HIIG and conference presentations at EGOS and Swiss Sociological Association forums extend his scholarly impact.
Rada Mihalcea is a Professor at the University of Michigan in the Computer Science and Engineering department. She actively promotes Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications for social good and founded the ACL Year Round Mentorship program. University: University of Michigan School: College of Engineering Department: Computer Science and Engineering Academic Rank: Professor Research Interests include: Natural Language Processing for social good applications Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis Deception Detection and Multimodal Analysis Cross-Cultural Computational Linguistics Educational Technology and Gender Studies Recent research trends focus on: Fake news detection using multimodal features Lexicon-based cross-cultural value analysis Thermal imaging for affective computing Deception detection through linguistic and physiological cues Applications in healthcare and counseling analysis Scientific Awards : Sarah Goddard Power Award (2019) Best Paper Award at CICLING (2019) Best Paper Award at SocInfo (2018) Additional Contributions : Co-authored textbooks on Text Mining and Graph-based NLP Developed FunPython tutorial for children Collaborative work with the School of Music on the Ada Lovelace Opera Active in diversity initiatives in computing
Erin O'Connell is an Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) at the University of Waterloo , where she also serves as Associate Chair, Undergraduate . Her research focuses on post-disaster vulnerability reduction and building sustainable resilience in affected communities, with fieldwork concentrated in Asia. Key research areas include Disaster risk reduction in global contexts Post-disaster livelihood recovery Housing reconstruction processes Disaster-religion intersections (faith impact, community networks) Climate change adaptation frameworks The 15 most recent publications show a thematic progression from community-based disaster recovery in Southeast Asia (2015-2017) toward broader climate adaptation challenges and disaster-policy linkages. Her methodological approach combines fieldwork with system dynamics modeling and comparative case studies, emphasizing both technical resilience metrics and socio-cultural factors. Her teaching portfolio includes ENVS 195: Introduction to Environmental Studies , reflecting her broader interest in human-nature interactions. Current projects investigate the interplay between disasters, faith systems, and environmental perceptions.
Dr. Pedro Trapero Fernandez is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Cádiz, affiliated with the Department of History, Geography and Philosophy and the Institute of Viticulture and Agri-Food Research (IVAGRO). He leads the HUM240 Historical Heritage of Andalusia in Antiquity research group and specializes in Ancient History, with particular focus on Roman viticulture, landscape archaeology, and geospatial analysis. PhD in Ancient History and Archaeology (2020) with thesis on Roman Viticulture in the Hasta Regia and the Guadalquivir Estuary Research expertise in non-invasive techniques: GIS, drones, ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry Active academic collaborations with international institutions including FORTH (Greece) His research integrates classical agronomic texts like Columella with modern geospatial technologies to reconstruct ancient agricultural practices and mobility networks. Key projects include Roman road network analysis, viticulture modeling, and archaeological applications of GIS in Spain and Portugal. He has contributed to coastal and inland connectivity studies in Roman and Medieval contexts. Scientific publications demonstrate technical proficiency in geophysical prospecting and historical modeling. Notable works include: GIS applications for Roman property surveying, multidisciplinary analysis of wine production, and innovative methodologies for studying ancient transportation networks. As an educator, he has taught at undergraduate and master's levels through predoctoral contracts and developed flipped classroom methodologies for humanities teaching. Current affiliations include the Agustín de Horozco Seminar on Economic Studies and multiple international research partnerships.
Eva Gustafsson is a Researcher at the Department of Business Administration and Textile Management within the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business at University of Borås. She serves as main supervisor for doctoral students including Ida Hermansson and Josefine Nystrom, demonstrating her active role in academic mentoring and research supervision. Her research primarily focuses on sustainable fashion retail systems, textile management, and circular economy practices, with particular emphasis on reuse-based business models. Gustafsson's work examines the complexities of fashion waste management, institutional logics in sustainable retail, and consumer behavior related to clothing consumption and disposal. She frequently collaborates with researchers like Lars Hedegård on studies centered around the ReTuna recycling mall in Sweden, using frameworks like Actor-Network Theory to analyze sustainable fashion retail systems. Her publication portfolio reveals a consistent research trajectory examining sustainable fashion retail practices, with particular attention to the challenges and contradictions inherent in reuse-based business models. Her work spans from early research on gender representation in digital retail spaces to more recent investigations of textile waste management and sustainable fashion systems, showing an evolution toward environmental sustainability topics. Notable scientific contributions include her work on institutional logics in sustainable fashion retail, which analyzes how multiple competing logics affect management practices in reuse-based fashion retail environments. Her research demonstrates how sustainable fashion retail involves complex interplays between shopping mall logic, reuse logic, and work integration logic, creating managerial challenges that require balancing multiple perspectives. Supervised doctoral students: Ida Hermansson, Josefine Nystrom Gustafsson maintains an active research program with publications spanning from 2004 to 2020, demonstrating ongoing scholarly engagement in her field. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical retail applications, contributing valuable insights to both academic literature and sustainable retail practices.
Dr. Nicole Lesley Gardner is a Registered Architect (NSW ARB 7921) and Program Director of Computational Design at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney . Her interdisciplinary research examines digital transformation in architecture, urban technology, and the ethics of smart cities. A Chief Investigator for the $9M Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre , she has led multiple Commonwealth-funded grants and co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications. Education: PhD in Architecture (UTS 2018), Bachelor of Architecture (Adelaide 2000), Bachelor of Design Studies (Adelaide 1998) Leadership: Chair of CAADRIA 2024 , co-editor of CAADRIA Post-Carbon proceedings (2022) Research Interests span computational design, smart city paradigms, and digital transformation in the AEC sector. Her work integrates ethical frameworks, gender dynamics, and material innovation in urban technology, with a focus on practice-based design research and industry collaboration. Scientific Awards : ADA Faculty Research Fellowship (2021-2022)
Alexander Ziem is a Professor of German Linguistics and Chair holder at the Institute of German Studies , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, since 2016. His academic career spans institutions such as the International Computer Science Institute (ICSI) in Berkeley, Universität Basel, and Technische Universität Berlin. Research Focus: Cognitive semantics, construction grammar, FrameNet-Konstruktikon projects, discourse analysis, and socio-cognitive dimensions of language. Projects: Initiator of the long-term ' FrameNet and Constructicon of German ' project; co-editor of Diskursforschung and DiskursNetz handbooks. His recent publications emphasize constructional meanings, semantic frames, and multilingual frameworks. He leads the German Constructicon project and collaborates on digital humanities tools like SimilarCxns and FrameMap3D. Scientific Awards: Preis für Geisteswissenschaften , Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen (2011). Research Fellow, International Computer Science Institute (ICSI), Berkeley (2013–2014). Ziem’s team at HHU includes 25 members, with 10 research assistants, and he contributes to curriculum development, including the upcoming Digital Cultures degree program. His methodological approach integrates corpus linguistics, frame semantics, and machine learning.
