Diana Bairaktarova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech, part of the College of Engineering. She is also an affiliate faculty in Mechanical Engineering and a member of the Human-Centered Design program. With over 15 years of industry experience as a Design and Manufacturing Engineer, her research bridges engineering, psychology, and learning sciences through the ACE(D) Lab. She holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Purdue University (2013), an MBA in Technology Management (Hamline University, 2009), and mechanical engineering degrees from Sofia Technical University, Bulgaria (B.S. 1991, M.S. 1993). Her research focuses on three areas: Learning Environments (e.g., mixed reality, gamification), Factors Impacting Student Performance (spatial visualization, mechanical aptitude), and Creativity/Ethical/Empathic Design. Notable contributions include developing the freely accessible Mechanical Aptitude Test, the ViTA automatic CAD grading tool, and frameworks linking empathy to engineering education. She teaches courses like Foundations of Engineering, Spatial Visualization, and The Startup Class. Key awards include the 2020 W.S. White Innovation Award and XCaliber Award for technology-enhanced learning. Her grants explore topics like ethical STEM culture, mobile learning in thermal-fluids, and holographic sensing technologies. Bairaktarova emphasizes inclusive engineering education through innovative pedagogy and industry collaboration.
Macartan Humphreys is the Director of the Research Department Institutions and Political Inequality at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center and holds honorary professorships in social sciences at Humboldt University Berlin and Trinity College Dublin . His work integrates experimental approaches , survey research , and formal theory to address questions in the political economy of development , governance , and political violence . Education: B.A. in history and political science from Trinity College Dublin (1994), M.Phil. in economics from Oxford (2000), Ph.D. in government from Harvard (2003). His research spans causal inference , experimental design , and methodological innovation , with notable contributions to frameworks like MIDA for research design and CausalQueries for Bayesian causal modeling. Recent publications address global vaccine equity , endogenous growth under conflict , and democratic accountability through both quantitative and qualitative lenses . Scientific roles and leadership include membership on the editorial boards of American Political Science Review , Journal of Conflict Resolution , and PSRM , as well as being a founding member of the Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP) network and former President of the APSA Experiments section . His field experiments in post-conflict regions like Liberia, Congo, and Aceh have reshaped understanding of aid effectiveness , reintegration programs , and democratic institution-building .
Gordon Fraser is a Professor at the University of Passau, where he leads the Chair of Software Engineering II. His research focuses on software testing, automated test generation, and software engineering education, with particular emphasis on gamification techniques to improve testing practices and educational approaches for novice programmers. His research interests span multiple areas of software engineering, with a strong focus on practical testing solutions. He has made significant contributions to automated test generation, particularly for Android applications and block-based programming environments like Scratch. His work on gamification in software testing has led to innovative educational tools that engage students and professional developers alike. Fraser's research also addresses challenges in continuous integration, mutation testing, and flaky test detection, contributing to more reliable software development processes. Fraser has received recognition through his extensive publication record in top software engineering venues including ASE, ICSE, ISSTA, and ESEC/FSE. His work on tools like Pynguin (for Python test generation), Gamekins (for gamifying testing in Jenkins), and Code Critters (for teaching testing through games) demonstrates his commitment to bridging research and practical applications. Extensive research on automated test generation techniques Pioneering work in gamification of software testing education Significant contributions to testing block-based programming environments Active development of practical testing tools used by researchers and practitioners As an educator, Fraser has developed innovative approaches to teaching software testing concepts, particularly to young learners and novice programmers. His work integrates game design principles with software engineering education to create engaging learning experiences that improve comprehension and retention of testing concepts.
Thomas Maillart is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at the Research Institute for Statistics and Information Science at the University of Geneva. His work bridges complex systems, collective intelligence, and cybersecurity, with a focus on modeling human dynamics and digital risks. Education: PhD in Science, ETH Zurich (2011) Master’s degree, EPFL (2005) His research centers on understanding how incentives, structures, and social interactions shape collective behavior in online and physical environments. He investigates topics such as cyber risks, privacy, resilience, and technological innovation. His work often applies statistical physics and data science to socio-technical systems, including open-source software development, cybersecurity policy, and human behavior modeling. His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, combining insights from computer science, economics, psychology, and public policy. He explores how machine learning can forecast digitization labor needs, how collective action enhances cybersecurity, and how bio-sensors can aid in medical diagnosis. His work frequently appears in high-impact journals such as Science , PLOS ONE , and Physical Review . Scientific Awards: Zurich Dissertation Prize (2012) for pioneering work on cyber risks Thomas Maillart has advised and collaborated with numerous researchers and students, though specific names are not listed in the provided text. He has been involved in significant research grants and initiatives, including cybersecurity consulting for governmental and private organizations and co-founding a cybersecurity startup in 2005. His academic service includes organizing and presenting at international conferences such as WEIS and ACM conferences. He is associated with several research platforms, including ResearchGate, Google Scholar, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and has contributed to both peer-reviewed and practitioner-oriented publications. His recent editorial work includes co-editing a book on critical information infrastructure security.
Svetlozar Nestorov is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago. His research focuses on data analytics, database systems, and innovative educational frameworks within information systems curriculum design. He is affiliated with research centers including the Behavioral Lab and the Lab for Applied Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Nestorov's work spans technical advancements in data modeling, big data integration, and the societal impacts of technology on gig economy workers. His pedagogical contributions include developing business analytics certification programs and integrating real-world data visualization projects into undergraduate courses. He has published extensively on topics ranging from automated grading systems to entity extraction frameworks. His current research trends emphasize practical applications of data science in education, leveraging cloud technologies for data modeling, and analyzing organizational control mechanisms in platform-driven labor markets. Dr. Nestorov's work bridges academic research with industry needs through frameworks that enhance data preparation, visualization, and analysis methodologies. Professional activities include steering committees for applied AI initiatives and contributions to interdisciplinary research platforms like the Computational Materials Repository. He maintains active participation in academic discourse through publications on metadata extraction, query optimization, and database security mechanisms.
Andreas Gourmelon is a Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the Hochschule für Polizei und öffentliche Verwaltung Nordrhein-Westfalen (HSPV NRW), based at the Gelsenkirchen campus. He has been a professor since 1998 and teaches across bachelor’s and master’s programs in public administration, with a focus on organizational management, personnel management, e-government, public economics, and social competence training. He also serves as the program coordinator for the Master’s in Human Resource Management, offered in collaboration with Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Education: Diplom in Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (1985–1990) Diplom in Business Administration, FernUniversität Hagen (1987–1995) Doctorate (Dr.), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (1995); Dissertation on memory-friendly and age-appropriate interface design His research centers on public sector human resource management, including personnel selection, integrity testing, performance evaluations, organizational development, and digital transformation. He leads the BMBF-funded project Integration sozialer Roboter in Verwaltungsorganisationen and has directed over 17 symposia on public sector personnel management. His publications span monographs, edited volumes, and over 120 academic articles, with recent works focusing on personnel management frameworks, recruitment procedures, and leadership in public institutions. His publications show a consistent trend toward improving HR practices in government through evidence-based methods, legal compliance, and innovation in administrative processes. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, State Working Group on Personnel Development, Ministry of the Interior, North Rhine-Westphalia (2021–2023) Expert for the Austrian National Bank Jubilee Fund (2021) Peer reviewer for the EU/Council of Europe HRM program (2022) Contributor to DIN SPEC 91426 on video-based personnel selection (2019–2020) Served as external expert for various universities and government bodies, including the NRW State Parliament and the Federal Employment Agency Andreas Gourmelon actively advises on personnel policy and has led multiple research grants, including third-party funded projects with the BMBF and collaborations with public agencies. He has served in academic governance roles such as Senate member, head of appointment committees, and chair of the central elections board. He also conducts training on appointment procedures and personnel development. Labs and Research Groups: Co-founder and former spokesperson (2017–2021) of the Institut für Personal und Management at HSPV NRW Member of the Research Commission at HSPV NRW (since 2022) Founder member of the Institut für Korruptionsprävention at Hochschule Hof (since 2015) Leads the RuhrBots project on social robotics in public administration (2022–2025) Organizes the annual Symposium for Personnel Management in the Public Sector , ongoing since 2002
Nathan Baddoo is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. He is affiliated with the Centre for AI and Robotics Research and the Science and Technology Research Institute (STRI). His work bridges academic research and practical applications in software engineering. Research Interests: Nathan's research focuses on the relationship between developer motivation and software quality software process improvement (SPI) software project performance empirical studies in software engineering modeling motivation frameworks simulation techniques . Recent Research Trends: His publications highlight expertise in digital capability maturity, PaaS interoperability, and software defect prediction. Key themes include organizational strategies for digital transformation, semantic agent frameworks, and diversity-driven ensemble learning models. Collaborations: Nathan collaborates with institutions like Brunel University and the Open University, contributing to European initiatives such as the Network of Excellence (NoE) in empirical software engineering standardization. Labs & Teams: He is part of the Centre for AI and Robotics Research, advancing cloud computing and defect prediction methodologies through agent-based systems and empirical studies.
Alf Inge Wang is a Professor in Game Technology at the Department of Computer Science, NTNU. He specializes in game-based learning, exergames, and serious games, focusing on enhancing educational outcomes through interactive technologies. His work includes co-founding Kahoot!, a globally recognized game-based learning platform, and developing exergames like PlayPulse and BitPet. He has been awarded the Excellent Teacher Practitioner (2022) and Disseminator of the Year at NTNU, among others. Research Interests: Game-Based Learning: Leveraging game mechanics to create engaging educational tools Exergames: Designing physically active games for health and fitness Software Architecture: Creative processes in game development and education Key Projects: Kahoot! (2013): A platform with over 26 million Spotify streams and awards including Norwegian Tech Award 2014 BitPet (2022): Location-aware AR game with Niantic partnership EduApp4Syria: Game apps for Syrian refugee children Awards: Excellent Teacher Practitioner (NTNU, 2022) Norwegian Startup of the Year (2015) Gold 2023 Merit Awards for Education Technology Grants/Advising: Advised on exergame health trials and coordinated the EduApp4Syria project. His research spans 147+ peer-reviewed publications.
Isabel Maria Pinto Ramos is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the Department of Information Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho , where she leads the ISTTOS R&D Lab and contributes to the Algoritmi Research Centre . She has held leadership roles including Head of Department of Information Systems and President of the Portuguese Association for Information Systems . Her career spans academic, research, and international collaboration roles, including a Visiting International Professor position at the University of Münster, Germany. Academic Leadership : Doctoral Programme Director (2014-2019), IFIP TC8 Chair (2019-2023), Vice President for Membership Services at Association for Information Systems (2022-2025) Research Themes : Innovation management, knowledge systems, digital transformation, crowdsourcing, organizational memory, gender in STEM, and technology's socio-cultural impacts International Engagement : Collaborations with Carnegie-Mellon, University of Agder, Georgia State, and Federal University of Santa Catarina through research projects and mobilities Scientific Recognition : IFIP Outstanding Service Award (2009) IFIP Silver Core Award (2013) IIAKM Lifetime Academic Achievement (2021) Editorial Contributions : Associate Editor for Communications of the AIS (since 2020), editorial board member for Enterprise Information Systems , International Journal of Knowledge Engineering , and Revista de Administração Mackenzie Project Involvement : ERASMUS+, Horizon 2020, FP7 programs with focus on digital workplaces, knowledge management, and organizational resilience Her scientific output demonstrates consistent exploration at the intersection of Information Systems and Organizational Innovation , with recent works focusing on Digital Transformation (2021-2025), Crowdsourcing Platforms (2009-2016), and Organizational Memory (2005-2014). The 2023-2025 publications particularly emphasize Smart City Resilience , Multigenerational Workforce Challenges , and AI Development Democratization .
Dr. Ronnie de Souza Santos is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications and more than $600,000 in research funding, his work focuses on human aspects of software engineering, particularly software fairness, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the software industry, and software development processes. Dr. de Souza Santos received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Federal University of Pernambuco (Brazil) in 2019, with additional academic recognition from the University of Toronto in 2022. He also holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems. Before entering academia, he worked for over eight years as a software practitioner specializing in software testing and agile development at leading software companies. His research spans multiple critical areas including software fairness debt, hybrid work environments, and diversity in software engineering. Recent publications analyze algorithmic bias in AI systems, characterize challenges in software testing tasks, and explore the financial dimensions of fairness in software projects. His work consistently integrates human factors with technical aspects of software engineering. Best Paper Award at CHASE 2023 Distinguished Paper Nomination at ICSE 2022 Best Paper Award at EASE 2016 Distinguished Reviewer Awards from ICSE and CHASE As director of the SE-ALL (Software Engineering for All) Lab, Dr. de Souza Santos mentors multiple graduate and undergraduate students working on projects related to fairness testing, algorithmic bias, and inclusive software development. His leadership extends to conference roles including General Co-Chair of Fairness'2025, Program Co-Chair at CHASE 2025, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair at ICSE 2024, ICSME 2024, and ICST 2025. He has also been invited to give keynotes on EDI in software engineering at organizations including Google.
Yngve Dahl is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer and Information Science of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). He earned his PhD in Computer Science from NTNU and has been affiliated with the Information Systems and Software Engineering research group. His career spans academic and industrial research roles, including positions at SINTEF Digital and Telenor Research & Innovation. Education: PhD in Computer Science (NTNU) Dahl’s research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) , emphasizing user-centered design , participatory design , and digital healthcare technology for clinical and assistive applications. His work explores values in design, collaborative technology, and ubiquitous computing, with a strong empirical orientation. Recent publications highlight trends in participatory design facilitation , exergame development for elderly balance training, and healthcare IT implementation . His articles span journals like Studies in Health Technology and Informatics , Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) , and Games for Health Journal , reflecting interdisciplinary engagement.
Marina Milner-Bolotin is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Education , specifically within the Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy . She has held faculty positions at UBC since 2009, previously serving at Ryerson University (2007-2009) and UBC Faculty of Science (2004-2007). Her research spans STEM education , educational technologies , physics pedagogy , and teacher professional development , with a focus on inquiry-based and technology-enhanced learning. Her work integrates science outreach through initiatives like the UBC Physics Olympics (20+ years) and the Family Math and Science Day (since 2010). She explores artificial intelligence in education, cross-cultural teacher development (e.g., Bangladesh, Nepal), and digital tools such as Phyphox and PhET simulations. Recent studies include analyzing adolescent wellbeing using PISA data and collaborative problem-solving metrics. She leads online graduate programs for science teachers and has presented at international venues like the Beijing Science Festival . Her research trends emphasize creative pedagogy , technology integration , and global partnerships to address equity in STEM. Despite no formal awards listed, her outreach and publications highlight her impact on teacher education and public science engagement.
Brenda K. Bushouse serves as Associate Professor of Public Policy and Undergraduate Program Director at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's School of Public Policy. Her work bridges nonprofit governance, institutional analysis, and child policy through rigorous academic research and practical policy applications. Her research spans two interconnected domains: nonprofit governance and commons theory , where she examines how foundations and nonprofits operate within policy processes using institutional analysis frameworks; and child policy , investigating governmental underinvestment in children's programs through historical analysis of social movements. Current projects include NSF-funded research on open-source software governance structures and developing the Institutional Grammar Research Institute for large-N rule analysis. Recent publications reveal evolving trends: 2022-2025 works focus on digital commons, volunteer energy frameworks, and philanthropy-as-commons theory, while earlier scholarship (2011-2018) established foundational work on child policy adoption during economic crises and nonprofit intermediary roles. This trajectory demonstrates increasing methodological sophistication in institutional analysis applied across domains. Virginia Hodgkinson Research Prize (for Universal Preschool: Policy Change, Stability, and the Pew Charitable Trusts ) Ian Axford Fellowship in Public Policy Learning Sciences Exchange Fellowship (2020-22) Bushouse leads significant NSF initiatives including the Jumpstarting Successful Open-Source Software Projects collaboration analyzing nonprofit governance in software incubators, and the Institutional Grammar Research Institute network advancing rule-coding methodologies. She serves on ARNOVA's board as Membership Committee co-chair and Publications Committee member, actively shaping nonprofit scholarship through conference leadership and editorial contributions.
Céline Garant is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pedagogy within the Faculty of Education at the University of Sherbrooke. With extensive experience in teacher education and professional development, she maintains active research collaborations with Quebec's Ministry of Education and various school boards. Her academic journey includes foundational work in reflective practice and mentorship programs for educators. Her educational background features a Ph.D. in Didactics (Université Laval), M.A. in Teaching (Université Laval), and B.Ed. in Elementary Education (Université Laval). This strong foundation informs her research on professional integration and reflective accompaniment in educational settings. Garant's research centers on reflective accompaniment methodologies, teacher professional development, and innovative training approaches. She explores how moral perspectives shape teaching practices and develops frameworks for continuous teacher training through university-school partnerships. Her work emphasizes the transformation of mentorship models and the implementation of reflective practices in educational contexts. Her publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on professional integration of teachers, reflective supervision models, and distance education innovations. Recent works demonstrate growing emphasis on technopedagogical resources and narrative methods in teacher development, while maintaining her foundational interest in reflective practice theory and university-school collaboration. Garant has led significant research projects including the Ministry of Education's professional development initiative for pedagogical advisors (2010-2013) and a mentorship program for teacher professional integration (2009-2012). Her collaborative approach involves partnerships with institutions like Performa and multiple departments within the Faculty of Education, focusing on developing reflective accompaniment communities and innovative training resources. Her laboratory work centers on developing digital resource toolkits for online trainers and implementing support systems for distance education faculty. These initiatives create practical applications of her theoretical work on reflective practice and professional development in educational contexts.
Annina Förschler is a Researcher at Helmut Schmidt University, affiliated with the Professorship for Transformation of Governance in Education and Society since August 2020. Previously, she served as a research assistant in the DFG-funded project Educational Data Management (2017–2020), focusing on digitalization in educational governance across Germany and the USA. Her educational background includes: Master of Arts in Educational Science (2012–2015, University of Hamburg), specializing in General Educational Science and Participation/Lifelong Learning, with a thesis on Educational Landscapes as Neoliberal Governance Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (2007–2011, University of Hamburg), including an Erasmus semester at the University of Copenhagen, with a thesis analyzing governmental practices via Foucault’s governmentality Förschler’s research critically examines the intersection of digitalization, policy networks, and neoliberal governance in education. She investigates how data infrastructures reshape state authority, the growing influence of EdTech corporations, and the economization of educational systems through governmentality frameworks. Her work emphasizes power dynamics in digital monitoring systems and advocates for critical, transparent engagement with educational technologies. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a cohesive trajectory: early work (2018–2019) established foundations in German digital policy networks, while 2020–2021 outputs expanded to comparative analyses (Germany/USA), pandemic-driven EdTech acceleration, and critical examinations of data interoperability. Her 2024 research introduces innovative methodologies like hackathon analysis to study emergent policymaking forms, consistently highlighting tensions between technological efficiency and democratic governance. Förschler actively contributes to the academic community through memberships in the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE), PRIVATOPIA (focusing on European education privatization), and KriDiFoSch (critical digitality research). She co-founded the UNBLACK THE BOX initiative in 2019 to equip educators with critical digital literacy tools. As a doctoral candidate, she has taught seminars at Helmut Schmidt University including Digital Education Governance (2021) and New Governance Mechanisms in Education Digitalization (2021), translating her research into pedagogical practice. Her DFG project involvement provided grant experience in large-scale comparative research on educational data systems. She leads the UNBLACK THE BOX network, collaborating with researchers, teachers, and practitioners to develop frameworks for critically evaluating EdTech tools. This initiative produces practical resources addressing transparency, health impacts, and pedagogical adaptability of digital platforms, directly influencing school-level technology adoption.
