Mia Consalvo is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Game Studies & Design at Concordia University. She serves as Graduate Program Director in Communication Studies and directs the Concordia Centre for Technoculture, Art and Games. Her research focuses on game studies, qualitative methods, new media, and popular culture. Education: BA in Communications, Lyndon State College MA in Communications, University of Washington PhD in Mass Communications, University of Iowa Her recent work analyzes livestreaming platforms like Twitch, socio-economic class in gaming, feminist approaches to game studies, and the intersection of mental health with game environments. She has published extensively on game design, player culture, and digital labor. Scientific Awards: Canada Research Chair in Game Studies & Design She supervises thesis projects in Media Studies (MA) and Communication (PhD) programs, emphasizing collaborative research and critical analysis of games as cultural artifacts.
John Psarras is a Professor at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, specifically within the Division of Industrial Electric Devices and Decision Systems. He serves as the Director of the Decision Support Systems Laboratory (DSSlab) and the University Research Institute of Communication and Computer Systems. He holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (1982) and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (1989), both from NTUA. His research specializes in decision support systems with applications in energy management, environmental analysis, and information systems. Key areas include: Multi-criteria analysis for energy policy and renewable integration AI-driven optimization of smart grids and building efficiency Sustainable finance mechanisms for green projects Blockchain applications in education and data security His recent publications (2023–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on AI-enhanced decision tools for energy transitions, smart infrastructure, healthcare diagnostics, and cross-border renewable cooperation, reflecting interdisciplinary innovation. He has supervised 22 PhD theses and coordinates EU-funded projects in energy policy, clean technology, and capacity building. No scientific awards are listed in available sources. He leads the Decision Support Systems Laboratory (DSSlab), advancing research in energy analytics, and directs the University Research Institute of Communication and Computer Systems, facilitating large-scale interdisciplinary collaborations.
Dr. Sophie Adams serves as an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Department of Sociology at La Trobe University, where she conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of human geography and Science and Technology Studies. Her work critically examines the social dimensions of climate change mitigation and adaptation, with particular emphasis on renewable energy transitions and the societal implications of technological solutions to environmental crises. Adams' research program centers on the politics of environmental knowledge , investigating how climate science informs policy formation and the negotiation of social objectives in decarbonisation processes. She employs qualitative and participatory methodologies to analyze climate change adaptation in energy systems , social license for technological interventions , and the redistribution of expertise in public health and environmental governance. Her scholarship consistently addresses power dynamics in knowledge production and the democratic challenges of sustainability transitions. Analysis of her publication trajectory (2019-2025) reveals increasing focus on energy-social interfaces, with significant contributions to understanding virtual power plants, demand-side management, and the role of modeling in climate policy. Her work demonstrates methodological innovation through participatory approaches while maintaining critical engagement with resilience thinking and adaptation frameworks. Scientific recognition includes: Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC DECRA) Supported by her DECRA fellowship, Adams leads independent research projects examining the societal dimensions of energy transitions. Her collaborative work spans geography, public health, and energy engineering, as evidenced by interdisciplinary co-authorship patterns. Current projects investigate Australian householders' conditions for participating in virtual power plants and the social implications of climate modeling in adaptation planning, reflecting her commitment to socially relevant environmental research.
Dr. Stella Boess is a Researcher at the Department of Industrial Design Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. She focuses on interdisciplinary research bridging social sciences and engineering, particularly in sustainable renovation, accessibility, and health technology. Her work emphasizes user-centered design in residential environments, addressing challenges such as heat pump adoption and inclusivity for visually impaired individuals. She teaches courses like Inclusive Design and Prototyping for Interaction , and has collaborated on projects including the HiPP initiative for optimized patient experiences and the NWO usability project. She appeared in media such as NPO's Programme Reference Man in 2022. Her research interests include human-technology relations, sustainable building practices, and co-creation methodologies. She explores how design interventions impact occupant behavior and satisfaction, advocating for holistic approaches to integrate technology with human practices. Recent projects also address mobility design improvements for automotive interiors and inclusive medical solutions for the Global South. Research Projects: HiPP: Optimizing orthopedic patient care pathways NWO design for usability project REIL project: Enhancing rehabilitation interactions AAL project MyGuardian: Supporting aging populations Stella’s publications from 2022 to 2025 reflect a trend toward analyzing socio-technical dynamics in sustainable housing and mobility systems. She highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration and participatory frameworks to ensure equitable outcomes. No scientific awards are listed, but her contributions to inclusive design and zero-energy renovation are notable.
Dr. Natalie Simpson is Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs at the University at Buffalo's School of Management, Department of Operations Management and Strategy. She holds a PhD and MBA from the University of Florida, and a BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts. Her research explores emergency response systems , supply chain logistics , and educational technology , with particular focus on operational challenges in crisis management. She investigates hyper-project coordination in emergency contexts and resource allocation frameworks for incident commanders. Simpson's scholarly contributions show strong emphasis on: Modeling emergency response operations and supply chain vulnerabilities Developing pedagogical innovations for operations management education Analyzing healthcare workflow efficiency and disaster management systems Her extensive recognition includes: Decision Sciences Institute's Best Case Studies Award (2005) National Instructional Innovation Award (2004) SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2002) Grinter Fellowship and Matherly Scholarship As Academic Director of Digital Access Education, she leads technology-enhanced learning initiatives and advises graduate programs. Administrative responsibilities include heading the Digital Access Working Group and serving on editorial boards for Decision Sciences.
Dr. Karen Cochrane is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on wearable and tangible computing for mental health and accessibility. Her research integrates soma design, autoethnography, and design fiction to address the needs of underrepresented communities, particularly those with disabilities. Key projects include developing assistive technologies for queer/crip identities, accessible gaming wearables, and tactile interfaces for sensory exploration. She explores embodied experiences through multidisciplinary approaches, blending traditional craft practices with modern computational tools. Her work prioritizes participatory design methodologies, collaborating with occupational therapists, disabled communities, and neurodivergent individuals to co-create inclusive technologies. Recent innovations include VARitouch (a haptic feedback device), Breathing Scarf (for emotional regulation), and adaptive switches for children with motor disabilities. Her research extends into sensory narratives, exploring how fabric and data can articulate bodily experiences through projects like Sensory Data Dialogues and Queer/Crip Body Mapping. While no formal grants or awards are listed, her publications reflect a strong focus on ethical technology, accessibility, and embodied interaction. Current projects emphasize the intersection of wearable tech with identity expression, mindfulness practices, and neuromotor rehabilitation. She actively designs prototypes that bridge clinical needs with creative technology solutions, though specific lab affiliations or team collaborations are not detailed in available texts.
Jeanna Matthews is a Full Professor of Computer Science at Clarkson University and an affiliate at Data and Society. She holds a PhD from UC Berkeley (1999) and teaches courses ranging from operating systems to cybersecurity. Her research focuses on algorithmic transparency, AI ethics, and societal impacts of automated systems. Matthews is a prominent ACM leader, serving on multiple committees including the Technology Policy Subcommittee on AI Accountability. She has pioneered work on forensic software analysis in criminal justice systems and delivered DEF CON presentations on virtualization security and adversarial testing. Awards include ACM Distinguished Speaker and Fulbright Specialist roles. Her work emphasizes open-source tools and critical thinking in education, extending to global service learning programs in the Dominican Republic and Brazil. Education: PhD in Computer Science (UC Berkeley, 1999), B.S. in Math/Computer Science (Ohio State, 1994), B.A. in Spanish (SUNY Potsdam, 2016). Research Interests: Cybersecurity vulnerabilities, algorithmic accountability frameworks, automated decision systems in justice contexts, and ethical AI design. Recent projects include investigating bias in DNA forensic software through a Brown Institute grant and analyzing political polarization on social platforms. Awards & Recognition: ACM Distinguished Speaker (2018-present) Fulbright Specialist (2018-present) 2018-2019 Brown Institute Magic Grant ACM SIGOPS Chair (2011-2015) ACM Special Interest Group Governing Board Chair (2016-2018) Teaching & Outreach: Designed courses integrating open-source tools and critical inquiry, including abroad programs in Mexico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. Advocates for lifelong learning strategies and questioning underlying assumptions in computing systems. Key Projects: Forensic Software Accountability: Examining discrepancies in DNA analysis tools Algorithmic Transparency: Frameworks for auditing automated systems Cybersecurity Education: Adversarial testing methodologies for justice software
Catherine Guastavino is a Professor at McGill University's School of Information Studies (within the Faculty of Arts) and an Associate Member at the Schulich School of Music. She also contributes to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT). Her roles include leading research projects and supervising graduate students in music technology and related fields. She holds a PhD in Psychoacoustics from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), an MSc from IRCAM (France), and a BSc in Mathematics from McGill University. Her research focuses on auditory perception, soundscape analysis, human-computer interaction, and urban acoustics. Notable projects include the 'Sounds in the City' partnership addressing urban noise policy and the development of immersive soundscape simulation tools. She leads or co-leads grants from SSHRC, NSERC, and MITACS, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to sound in urban environments. Guastavino's work bridges academic research with practical applications, such as designing sound installations for public spaces and improving acoustic environments in transportation and performance venues. She collaborates with city planners, musicians, and engineers, reflecting her commitment to making cities sound better through evidence-based strategies. Key Projects: SSHRC Partnership Grant for urban soundscape management (2018-2023) NSERC Discovery Grant on auditory localization (2019-2024) MITACS projects on Montreal festival soundscapes and noise policy Labs & Partnerships: Multimodal Interaction Laboratory (MIL) Collaborations with Ville de Montréal and Quartier des Spectacles Education: PhD: Psychoacoustics (Paris VI) MSc: Computer Science & Music Technology (IRCAM) BSc: Mathematics (McGill) Her teaching includes courses like Music Information Retrieval, integrating computational methods with artistic and scientific applications.
Dr Stella Bolaki is Reader in American Literature and Medical Humanities at the School of English, University of Kent, and Co-Director of the Centre for Health and Medical Humanities. She has been a faculty member since 2011, after holding positions at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, where she also held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). Her educational background includes a BA from Athens and an MSc and PhD from the University of Edinburgh. BA, Athens MSc, University of Edinburgh PhD, University of Edinburgh Stella’s research spans interdisciplinary fields including contemporary American literature, medical humanities, disability studies, and Black feminist theory. Her work critically examines narratives of illness, chronic conditions, self-care, and the intersection of art and health. She has pioneered research on artists’ books as tools for wellbeing, testimony, and community engagement, particularly in contexts of trauma and social injustice. Her recent publications and projects reveal a consistent focus on expanding narrative forms in medical humanities—moving beyond traditional literary modes to include photography, performance, film, and digital storytelling. Themes of inequality, mental health, climate anxiety, and embodiment recur across her work, especially in her ongoing monograph on self-care. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Wellcome Trust funding recipient British Academy funding recipient Research England grant awardee Kent’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Account funding Stella supervises doctoral research across a wide range of interdisciplinary topics and has co-supervised a CHASE-funded project on health zines. She contributes to teaching in American literature and medical humanities at the Kent and Medway Medical School. Her professional service includes editorial roles for Contemporary Cultural Studies in Illness, Health and Medicine and the Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies , and leadership in the Eastern Arc Medical and Health Humanities Network and the Kent Medical Humanities Network. She leads public-facing research through creative workshops, exhibitions, and events such as ‘Artists’ Books and the Medical Humanities’ and ‘Mending the Psyche: Art as Reparation’, often in collaboration with NHS partners and community organizations.
Britt Kramvig is a Professor at the School of Business and Economics , part of the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics (BFE) at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Her research intersects decolonization , Indigenous (Sámi) studies, and creative industries , with a focus on storytelling, archive decolonization, and Arctic land-seascapes. She coordinates PhD studies in Tourism and Northern Studies and teaches courses on qualitative methods, climate change impacts on tourism, and knowledge co-production. Research Interests: Kramvig explores the decolonial potential of Indigenous archives , creative industries as decolonial praxis , and Arctic environmental humanities . Her work emphasizes ontology over epistemology , art-science collaborations (e.g., Dark Ecology, BAT), and indigenous survivance in tourism and cultural policy. She actively disrupts appropriation processes in Arctic landscapes through pluriversal storytelling. Key Collaborations: Kramvig contributes to international projects like Surviving the Unthinkable and The New Sámi Renaissance , advocating for indigenous data sovereignty and decolonial research ethics . She leads interdisciplinary efforts to integrate Sámi epistemologies into environmental science and policymaking. Recent Publications: Her 2023-2025 works address Arctic decolonization , indigenous archival practices , and co-creation in tourism , often published in journals like Environmental Research Letters and GeoHumanities . Notable topics include counter-mapping , indigenous survivance , and collaborative listening in Arctic soundscapes. Academic Affiliations: Member of the Norwegian Scientific Academy for Polar Research and the Indigenous Voices research group at UiT. She participates in the OKTA - Sami Art and Friction-Filled Communities on Festivals project.
Aafke Fraaije is a postdoctoral researcher at the Section Ethics & Philosophy of Technology , Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management , Delft University of Technology. Her work bridges art, ethics, and technology through interdisciplinary approaches to citizen engagement and responsible innovation. Institution: Delft University of Technology School: Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management Department: Section Ethics & Philosophy of Technology Academic Rank: Research Fellow Research Interests : Ethics of human-nature-technology relationships Art-based methods for public engagement with technology Participatory futuring in smart city development Inclusive approaches to technology governance Communication frameworks in clinical and engineering contexts Critical analysis of responsible research and innovation (RRI) Recent Research Trends : Her publications focus on using artistic practices (dance, theatre) to explore ethical implications of smart city technologies, developing frameworks for responsible innovation, and analyzing communication dynamics in high-stakes environments like surgery and robotics. Key themes include citizen participation in technological development, interdisciplinary methodologies, and ethical accountability across sectors.
Laura Wernick is an Associate Professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service. Her academic background includes a PhD and MA from the University of Michigan, an MSW and MPA from Columbia University, and a BA from UC Berkeley. Dr. Wernick specializes in transformative community organizing models addressing intersectional power dynamics, with a focus on LGBTQ+ youth, domestic worker movements, and disability justice. She employs participatory action research methods to co-create solutions with marginalized communities. Her research explores how organizing models combat ableism, white supremacy in academia, and systemic oppression. Notable areas include youth-led advocacy, wealth mobilization for social justice, and employer-employee dynamics among domestic workers. Dr. Wernick's work bridges theory and practice through youth-adult partnerships and institutional reform initiatives. She maintains an active blog and public scholarship presence at www.laurawernick.com . Recent scholarship highlights include dismantling ableism in social work education and analyzing pandemic-related stigma. Her 2024 publications emphasize disability justice pedagogy and intersectional approaches to youth organizing. Methodologically, she advocates for participatory action research that disrupts traditional academic hierarchies. Leveraging over 20 years of practice experience, Dr. Wernick collaborates with community organizations to design interventions that foster healing and systemic change. Her current projects address racial disparities in school discipline and the mental health benefits of youth activism. She teaches courses on community organizing, social justice pedagogy, and marginalized populations.
Prof. Fatih Terzi is a faculty member in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Architecture. His research focuses on sustainable urban development, resilience, ecology, GIS applications, and smart cities. He has held visiting researcher positions at Clemson University (USA), University College London, and Technical University Berlin. He has led projects supported by EU, TÜBİTAK, and others, addressing ecological planning, risk reduction, and urban regeneration. His work bridges academic research with practical urban planning, including projects with municipalities and the Ministry of Environment. He has received multiple awards for research and design, including the Best Paper Award (2025) and TÜBİTAK recognitions. Education: PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from Istanbul Technical University (2010), MSc in Urban Planning (2004), BSc in Urban and Regional Planning from Yıldız Technical University (2000). Research interests include spatial strategic planning, ecological cities, and climate-sensitive urban design. He uses urban modeling and GIS to address sustainability challenges. His recent projects include Istanbul's flood risk analysis, green space strategies, and sustainable city planning in Kayseri and Malatya. Notable awards include the 2024 TÜBİTAK award for urban resilience projects and the 2023 Istanbul Technical University Academic Performance Award. He has also been recognized for design competitions, including the İzmir Ecological Living Area Project (2021) and the 2017 Balkan Architectural Biennale Urbanism Grand Prix. Prof. Terzi holds administrative roles at Istanbul Technical University, including Merkez Danışma Kurulu Üyeliği (2023–present). He oversees academic projects on urban resilience, smart cities, and ecological planning, contributing to both national and international initiatives.
Hui Pan is a distinguished academic holding dual positions as Nokia Chair in Data Science and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, and Chair Professor of Computational Media and Arts at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). His research spans networking, mobile computing, augmented reality, and computational social science. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge in 2007. His work bridges social networks with mobile systems, pioneering fields like mobile social networks and opportunistic forwarding algorithms. Research interests include data science, complex networks, and innovative applications of augmented reality. His recent publications focus on low-latency AR frameworks, blockchain for computation offloading, and mobile web visualization. He has received prestigious awards, including IEEE Fellow (2018), ACM Distinguished Scientist (2016), and the Nokia Chair Endowment (2017). He has supervised over 15 PhD and 12 MPhil graduates, with 13 current Ph.D. students and 2 MPhil students. His editorial roles include Associate Editorships at IEEE Transactions journals and guest editorships at top venues like IEEE JSAC and ACM Transactions. He has organized conferences such as WWW Track Chair and ExtremeCom General Chair.
Joseph Kangmennaang is an Assistant Professor and Queen's National Scholar in Black Health & Social Change at Queen's University. He holds a PhD from the University of Waterloo, an MA from Western University, and a B.A. from the University of Ghana. His research focuses on the interplay between environment and wellbeing, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and among Black immigrant communities in North America. He employs social theories, participatory methods, and mixed approaches to address health disparities, with a focus on non-communicable diseases, food/water security, and the impact of racism and social change. His courses include HLTH 397 (Globalization and Black Health) and HLTH 495 (Racism and Health). Research areas include immigrant health equity, syndemics, and the role of place in healthcare access. Collaborations with marginalized communities emphasize participatory action and civic engagement. He has published extensively on topics such as climate change impacts on health, HIV/AIDS knowledge among women in Malawi, and the social determinants of wellbeing in Ghana. His work bridges global health challenges with localized solutions, addressing systemic inequities through interdisciplinary partnerships. Notably, he explores how structural factors like migration, remittances, and agroecology affect household welfare and food security in Malawi and Ghana. His recent studies highlight the mental health implications of discrimination among minoritized Canadians during the pandemic and the spatial distribution of diseases like cholera in Tanzania. He advocates for community-driven interventions to promote wellbeing in resource-limited settings.
