Tom Elliott serves as Associate Director for Digital Programs and Senior Research Scholar at New York University, alongside his role as Adjunct Assistant Professor. He holds a BS in Computer Science and Classical Studies from Duke University (1989), an MA (1997) and PhD (2004) in Ancient History from UNC Chapel Hill. His career spans software development, military service, and academic leadership in digital humanities. Elliott specializes in digital geography, epigraphy, and ancient administrative studies. He pioneered projects like the Barrington Atlas gazetteer, co-founded the EpiDoc community for digital text encoding, and directed the Ancient World Mapping Center. His current work focuses on the Pleiades gazetteer, integrating archaeological data with open-source digital methodologies. His publications emphasize digital tools' impact on classical scholarship, including seminal works on GIS applications and digital epigraphy. He actively mentors scholars and students in computational methods, shaping the field's trajectory through collaborative initiatives like Papyri.info and IOSPE.
Trine Syvertsen is a Professor at the Department of Media and Communication , University of Oslo, Norway, and a leading scholar in media history, policy, and digital detox studies. Her research focuses on the Nordic model of public-service media , digital disconnection, and media resistance, blending institutional, cultural, and historical perspectives. Academic education: PhD in Mass Communications, University of Leicester, UK (1992) Cand. polit. (University of Bergen, Norway) and MA in Mass Communication (cum laude), University of Leicester, UK (1986) Her work explores media regulation , television studies, and the socio-cultural implications of digital media. Recent projects like Digitox: Intrusive media, ambivalent users and digital detox (NFR Fripro) analyze how individuals navigate technology through abstinence and resistance. Scientific awards and visiting roles: Visiting Professor at Freie Universität Berlin (2019), Aarhus University (2018), University of Westminster (2017, 2016, 2000), Free University of Brussels (2015), and Aarhus University (2016) Grants and projects: Syvertsen leads the NFR Fripro-funded Digitox project on digital detox and ambivalence, while her research on Media Companies and the Public Interest investigates corporate strategies in media policy.
Lord John Krebs is Principal of Jesus College, University of Oxford, and has held a succession of influential academic and public-service posts combining behavioural ecology research with science policy and administration. Education: DPhil, Zoology – Pembroke College, Oxford (1970) Research interests span quantitative behavioural ecology, the behavioural ecology of birds, population biology, ornithology and bioethics. His work integrates field experiments, theoretical modelling and neuro-ecological approaches to understand how animals make decisions about foraging, memory and communication. Across his publications, two dominant themes emerge: (i) the evolutionary and ecological principles underlying foraging behaviour and spatial memory, especially in food-caching birds, and (ii) the application of risk-analysis frameworks to food safety and public-health policy. These strands unite fundamental behavioural ecology with pressing societal questions about risk and regulation. Scientific awards and distinctions: Knighted (1999) for services to behavioural ecology Fellow of the Royal Society (1984) Foreign Member/Honorary Member of academies in the USA, Germany and Europe Medals: Scientific Medal (Zoological Society), Frink Medal, Croonian Medal (Royal Society), Benjamin Ward Richardson Gold Medal, Wooldridge Medal, Harben Gold Medal, and many others ISI Highly Cited Researcher (top 0.5 %) Leadership & service: Principal, Jesus College, Oxford (since 2005) Chairman, UK Food Standards Agency (2000–2005) Chief Executive, Natural Environment Research Council (1994–1999) Chairman, House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee (2010–2014) Chairman, UK Science & Technology Honours Committee (2008–2014) He has also served as President of the International Society of Behavioural Ecology and the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, and holds honorary doctorates from fifteen universities.
Knut Ivar Austvoll is an Associate Professor in the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History at the University of Oslo, where he has held permanent academic positions since 2019, including Senior Lecturer and current Associate Professor since 2023. He previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Gothenburg (2021–2023) and completed his PhD at the University of Oslo in 2018. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in Scandinavian prehistory, with degrees from the University of Oslo, Aarhus University, and the University of Stavanger. His research is centered on the social organization, political economy, and maritime interactions of Late Neolithic and Bronze Age societies in northwestern Scandinavia. He investigates how ecological factors, seafaring, and long-distance exchange networks contributed to sociopolitical complexity, utilizing theoretical frameworks such as collective action theory and political economy. His work challenges terrestrial narratives in archaeology by emphasizing the role of maritime connectivity in prehistoric Europe. The trends in his publications reveal a consistent focus on Bronze Age Scandinavia, with recent articles (2020–2025) exploring coercive and cooperative power structures, climate resilience, boat-building sites, and mobility patterns. His research integrates archaeological data with paleoclimatic and biomolecular evidence, reflecting an interdisciplinary and macro-regional approach to understanding prehistoric societies. Scientific Awards: No scientific awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While specific PhD students are not listed, Austvoll has contributed to academic training as Head of Research Training at the University of Oslo. He is involved in multiple research projects, including Maritime Encounters , Modeling Bronze Age Societies , SCAPES (Social Complexity and Population Entanglements), and The Heritage Experience Initiative (HEI) , indicating active grant involvement and leadership in collaborative research. Labs, Teams, and Research Groups: He is affiliated with several research groups at the University of Oslo, including Heritage, Time and Memory , Materialities – in the past and present , and Violence . The Gendering the Nordic Past group is noted as completed. His collaborative work with scholars such as Johan Ling, Mikael Fauvelle, and Christopher Prescott highlights his integration into national and international research networks.
Ken Cheng is a Professor at the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, specializing in animal behavior and spatial cognition. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly insects like desert ants (Melophorus bagoti) and bull ants (Myrmecia midas), navigate complex environments using spatial and sensory cues. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Central Australia and on campus, studying topics such as landmark use, celestial navigation, and learning processes. Cheng's work spans over four decades, with major contributions to understanding insect navigation through experimental and theoretical approaches. His studies integrate behavioral ecology, experimental psychology, and comparative cognition. He has authored influential books, including How Animals Think and Feel (2016) and Biological Basis of Behavior (2018), and pioneered research on spatial reorientation and the role of geometry in animal cognition. Key research themes include the use of panoramic views, celestial cues, and oscillators in navigation, as well as the cognitive mechanisms underlying spatial learning and memory in insects. His team has explored how ants adapt to environmental changes, such as colony relocation during heavy rainfall, and how they integrate sensory information to orient themselves in novel environments. Cheng's publications span over 200 articles, covering topics like ant waste management strategies, the effects of UV light on navigation, and the application of psychophysical methods to study insect behavior. His lab's interdisciplinary approach bridges experimental and theoretical frameworks to advance our understanding of animal cognition and behavior.
Paul Dudchenko is a Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling, specializing in behavioral neuroscience and spatial cognition. He co-leads the Memory and Space Laboratory at the Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems, University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying memory and spatial navigation, including head direction cells and place cells. Dudchenko holds the 2020 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award for his paper on head direction cell system lesions. He has organized interdisciplinary workshops, such as the Dementia Design and Neuroscience Workshop, bridging basic neuroscience with applied research for dementia support. Notable roles include inviting Nobel laureate John O'Keefe to the University of Stirling and delivering keynote addresses on spatial navigation challenges. His educational background includes a PhD from The Ohio State University and postdoctoral work at Dartmouth College and Boston University. Research Interests: Neural basis of spatial cognition Memory systems and hippocampal function Head direction and place cell networks Applications of spatial neuroscience to dementia research Awards and Recognition: 2020 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award Invited speaker at International Navigation Symposium and Royal Institute of Navigation Conference Labs & Collaborations: Co-leads Memory and Space Lab at Edinburgh Participates in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Ageing and Dementia Research Programme
Keith S. Jones is a Professor and Department Chair at Texas Tech University in the Department of Psychological Sciences . As a human factors psychologist, his research bridges human-robot interaction and cybersecurity , focusing on how humans perceive robotic capabilities and how social engineering attacks exploit human vulnerabilities. Education: Ph.D. in Human Factors Psychology (2000) from the University of Cincinnati. His work in human-robot interaction investigates how people perceive others' physical affordances, informing robot design for elder care and navigation. In cybersecurity, he analyzes phishing/vishing attacks, user susceptibility, and warning message effectiveness. Funding sources include the National Science Foundation , Office of Naval Research , and Microsoft . Former students hold roles at institutions like Amazon, Apple, and Sandia National Laboratories. Recent research trends highlight the use of transformer models (e.g., BERT) for phishing detection, affordance perception in assistive robotics, and persuasion principles in social engineering. Publications span journals like Ecological Psychology and International Journal of Social Robotics . Teaching includes graduate courses in Human Factors Methods and Human-Computer Interaction.
Ulman Lindenberger is Managing Director (2006-2009, 2016-2019, 2025-2027) and Director of the Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin. He concurrently serves as Co-Director of the Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research. He holds honorary professorships at Freie Universität Berlin, Universität des Saarlandes, and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Education includes a Dipl.-Psych. from Technische Universität Berlin (1985), Dr. phil. from Freie Universität Berlin (1990 summa cum laude ), and Habilitation in Psychology (1998). His research examines: Behavioral and neural plasticity across lifespan Brain-behavior relationships Lifespan developmental theory Multivariate developmental methodology Formal models of behavioral change His publications focus on cognitive aging patterns, neural plasticity mechanisms, and methodological innovations in lifespan psychology. Research demonstrates consistent themes: neurocognitive dedifferentiation in aging, dopaminergic modulation of cognition, and environmental influences on brain plasticity. Awards include: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (2010) Fellow of Royal Society (2025) Foreign Member of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2023) Mentoring Award of German Psychological Society (2011) He has supervised over 50 doctoral students and secured major grants including DFG collaborative projects, BMBF initiatives (Berlin Aging Study I/II), EU Horizon 2020 (LIFEBRAIN), and Max Planck Society strategic funds. Leads multidisciplinary teams at Center for Lifespan Psychology and Max Planck UCL Centre, coordinating international projects like COBRA (Cognition, Brain, and Aging) and SYNAPSE.
Franceschiello Benedetta is an Associate Professor at HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering, specializing in Technical and IT disciplines. She holds a PhD in Mathematical Neuroscience from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris). Her work bridges applied mathematics, computational neuroscience, and neuroimaging, with a focus on visual perception modeling, MRI techniques, and neural dynamics. Teaching: Linear Algebra courses across multiple engineering bachelor programs Expertise: Combines mathematical modeling with neuroscientific applications to study optical illusions, brain connectivity, and ophthalmic diagnostics Key Affiliations: ISMRM, Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Research Interests: Computational modeling of visual cortex mechanisms underlying geometric optical illusions Development of MRI-based methods for eye structure segmentation and axial length estimation Analysis of brain network reliability through standardized MRI protocols Optimization techniques for medical imaging reconstruction (e.g., weighted LASSO problems) Recent Work Trends: Focus on integrating psychophysical experiments with computational models to elucidate perceptual mechanisms, emphasizing synergistic interactions between physical stimulus parameters. Active in advancing MRI applications for both clinical diagnostics and fundamental neuroscience research.
Prof. Azzurra Ruggeri is a Professor in the Professorship for Cognitive and Developmental Psychology at Technical University of Munich (TUM). Her research focuses on understanding how children and adults strategically gather information, make decisions, and learn through embodied and active processes. She leads the iSearch Lab (https://isearchlab.org) and explores topics such as active learning, embodied cognition, and social-cognitive development. Her academic background includes a Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) in Psychology. She is based in Munich, coordinating research on developmental trajectories of learning, exploration strategies, and the interplay between motor skills and cognitive planning. Key areas of investigation include children's decision-making in uncertain environments, the impact of active learning on memory, and the role of embodiment in cognitive development. Recent work emphasizes adaptive information search behaviors, the effectiveness of question-asking strategies, and the application of embodied cognition principles to training interventions. Her studies often employ experimental paradigms involving climbing and spatial navigation to explore motor-cognitive interactions.
Fabien M. Gargam is an Associate Professor of Management at Renmin University of China (School of Business) and holds a Researcher position at Université Paris-Saclay (Department of Pharmacology). He is also a Visiting Scholar at Shanghai Normal University and maintains a Partner affiliation with RITM research topics focusing on Innovation (I) and Globalization (M). His academic career includes a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, and Entrepreneurship from École Polytechnique (Magna Cum Laude), a Master's in Organization Sciences (GDO) from Mines ParisTech and other Paris-based institutions, and extensive visiting scholar roles at the University of Oregon. Education: Ph.D., Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship, École Polytechnique (2020) M.Sc., Organization Sciences (GDO), Mines ParisTech, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre, ESCP Europe & École Polytechnique (2015) His research focuses on fake performances in sports , underdog strategies , cross-cultural management , and the intersection of Chinese and French cultural frameworks . Notable contributions include the 'China-France Behavioral Compass' and analysis of doping regulation failures. He actively bridges Sino-French academic exchanges through collaborative publications and seminars. His articles explore themes like doping policy reform, cultural comparison methodologies, and strategic advantages of underdog positioning. Teaching emphasizes student-centric approaches with a focus on real-world management challenges. He has co-authored books on leadership and behavioral analysis. His work bridges academic rigor and practical implications, often published in outlets like Interdisciplinary Review of Law and Organizations and The Conversation France . Current research trends highlight ethical dilemmas in sports governance and cross-cultural organizational behavior. Lab/Team Affiliation: Collaborates with the RITM research group and maintains ties with the Friends of Roger Toulouse Association for interdisciplinary studies.
Pooran Memari is a CNRS Researcher at the Laboratoire d'Informatique de l'École Polytechnique (LIX), UMR CNRS 7161, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and an Affiliate Professor (part-time) at École Polytechnique. She leads research in geometric modeling within the GeomeriX team at LIX-Inria, focusing on theoretical foundations and applications in accessibility and neurocognition. Her academic journey includes: HDR (Habilitation à diriger des recherches), Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 2024 Ph.D. in Geometric Modeling, INRIA Sophia-Antipolis, 2010 Master in Image and Geometry, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 2006 Engineering Degree, École Polytechnique, 2005 Bachelor in Mathematics, Sharif University of Technology, 2002 Dr. Memari's research bridges geometric modeling, computational geometry, and computer graphics with real-world impact. She pioneers techniques in shape representation, point pattern synthesis, and surface reconstruction, advancing proximity encoding and clustering algorithms. Her work extends to accessibility applications—developing geometric models for visually impaired navigation through multisensory perception—and neurocognition validation via tactile interfaces. This interdisciplinary approach integrates theoretical rigor with practical tools like the CGAL library. Recent publications (2024-2019) reveal a cohesive trajectory in geometric processing: advancing point pattern synthesis through image-based editing (Patternshop), stability-incorporated neighborhood graphs (SING), and multi-class disk distributions; innovating surface reconstruction via Voronoi-based methods (BallMerge); and expanding applications to virtual worlds simulation and neurocognitive accessibility. Key themes include bridging discrete geometry operators with high-dimensional data analysis and translating theoretical insights into tools for visual computing. Dr. Memari actively mentors the next generation of researchers, advising eight PhD students on topics ranging from generalized Voronoi diagrams to neurocognition-driven tactile navigation. She coordinates Computer Science Projects for École Polytechnique's Bachelor program since 2019 and co-leads the Interaction, Graphics & Design master's program at IP-Paris. Her leadership extends to editorial roles at Computer Graphics Forum and Graphical Models Journal, alongside prominent conference positions including SGP Program Co-Chair (2023) and Eurographics STARs Co-Chair (2025). As a core GeomeriX team member, she drives collaborative projects in geometric modeling and virtual environments. She coordinates the LIX Seminar since May 2025 and serves on the French Eurographics Chapter board, fostering community engagement through initiatives like the IGD master's program and Eurographics symposia.
Erika Nyhus is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at Bowdoin College. Her research focuses on the neural substrates of higher-level cognition, particularly executive functioning and episodic memory, using EEG, ERP, and fMRI techniques. She teaches courses in cognitive neuroscience and memory, emphasizing scientific thinking. Post-doctoral Education: Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University (2010–2013) PhD: Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and Psychology, University of Colorado-Boulder (2010) MA: Psychology, University of Colorado-Boulder (2006) BA: Psychology and Anthropology, University of California-Berkeley (2003) Her research examines how neural oscillations (e.g., theta, gamma, alpha) mediate memory retrieval, executive control, and attention. Recent work investigates tACS for memory enhancement and the role of mindfulness meditation in modulating brain activity. She integrates behavioral and neuroimaging methods to explore interactions between brain systems during cognition. The Nyhus Lab leverages EEG to study neural dynamics in memory and attention, with a focus on theta/gamma oscillations during retrieval and spatial navigation. Publications highlight applications of mindfulness, aging-related memory differences, and genetic influences on ERP patterns. Collaborative projects involve undergraduate students in experimental design, data analysis, and co-authorship. Lab members include honors students and research assistants working on EEG paradigms, spatial memory, and neurostimulation. Her outreach includes public science articles (e.g., The Conversation) and media coverage in Bowdoin News and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society. Outside academia, she enjoys yoga, outdoor activities in Maine, and travel, including a year in Spain and the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Martim Brandão is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Robotics and Autonomous Systems at King’s College London, where he leads the Responsible Robotics and AI (RRAI) Lab and serves as Co-Director of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe and Trusted AI. His research focuses on ethical, explainable, and safe AI and robotics, with applications in human-robot interaction, motion planning, fairness, and societal impact. His research interests include: Explainable AI and Motion Planning Fairness and Bias in AI Systems Human-Robot Interaction and Social Robotics Adversarial Robustness in Robotics Value Alignment and Ethical AI Inclusive and Participatory Robotics Design His recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong trend toward socially responsible robotics, focusing on fairness in navigation, explainability of planning failures, worker-centered agricultural robotics, environmental justice in drone delivery, and the dangers of bias in drowsiness detection and LLM-driven robots. His work emphasizes user understanding, societal impact, and ethical safeguards in autonomous systems. He has advised and collaborated with numerous students and researchers across diverse topics in robotics and AI. He is actively involved in shaping responsible robotics through: Leadership in the RRAI Lab Co-directing a national CDT in Safe and Trusted AI Developing fairness-aware algorithms Advocating for inclusive and ethical design practices His lab and research group focus on: Responsible Robotics and AI Explainability in Multi-Agent Planning Fairness in Coverage and Navigation Human-Centered Evaluation of AI Systems
Edward Nieh, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Virginia, leading the Nieh Lab. His research focuses on systems neuroscience, particularly motivated behaviors such as feeding, social interaction, and novelty-seeking, and their disruption in disorders like drug addiction and eating disorders. The lab employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, virtual reality for rodents, and cellular-resolution imaging, emphasizing cutting-edge neuroscience methodologies. Research interests span biotechnology, computational biology, molecular pharmacology, and neuroscience. The lab investigates how behaviors are encoded by large neuronal populations and studies sex differences in these contexts. Recent work explores neural circuits underlying reward-seeking behaviors, dopamine signaling pathways, and the interplay between homeostasis and motivation. Key technical innovations include the development of open-source microscopy tools like TWINKLE and methodologies to correct calcium imaging artifacts. Collaborations span computational modeling and experimental neurophysiology. Scientific contributions include studies on thalamo-amygdala circuits, dopamine’s role in aversive signaling, and the neural basis of observational learning. The lab’s findings bridge basic neuroscience with translational applications in neuropsychiatric disorders. Edward Nieh’s work is supported by grants focusing on neuroimaging, drug addiction mechanisms, and novel behavioral paradigms. His interdisciplinary approach integrates molecular, circuit, and behavioral levels of analysis to understand complex brain functions.
