Prof. Dr. Julia A. B. Hegewald is a Professor of Oriental Art History at the University of Bonn, Germany, affiliated with the Institute of Oriental and Asian Studies (IOA) and the Department of Asian and Islamic Art History (AIK). Her research focuses on artistic expressions of dependency in Asian art, particularly South Asian, using 're-use' theory to explore cultural integration and creativity under adversity. She holds a Ph.D. from SOAS, University of London, and a Habilitation from RWTH Aachen. Key academic roles include founding the Cam-Kar Research Institute in Mysore (since 2002) and serving on editorial boards for journals like the Journal of Global Archaeology and Veranda . She has led major projects, including the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group on Jainism in Karnataka (2005–2014). Awards include the DFG Emmy Noether extension (2011–2014) and the Prix en études indiennes (2010). Hegewald has authored over 3 books, edited 6 volumes, and published 77 academic articles. Her work bridges art history with cultural studies, addressing themes like Jaina temple architecture, Indo-Islamic syncretism, and modern Indian urban planning. She actively contributes to global academic networks, including the European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology (EAAA).
Dr. Emily Cuming is a Senior Lecturer in the Humanities and Social Science school at Liverpool John Moores University , specializing in British literature, culture, and social history from the 19th century to the present. Her research focuses on maritime relations, working-class girlhood, life writing, and representations of domestic spaces including council estates, slums, and bedsits. PhD, MA, BA in English & Russian from University of Manchester (2006, 2002, 2001) Editor of Key Words: A Journal of Cultural Materialism Co-leader of the Home and Domestic Cultures research network Committee member of the Research Institute for Literature and Cultural History Board member of the Centre for Port and Maritime History Her research combines literary analysis with historical and cultural studies, emphasizing material culture, port cities, and marginalized voices. Recent publications include Maritime Relations: Life, Labour and Literature at the Water’s Edge, 1830-1914 (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming 2025) and Housing, Class and Gender in Modern British Writing, 1880-2012 (CUP, 2016). She has received multiple research grants including AHRC Connected Communities funding and Liverpool John Moores University QR awards. Dr. Cuming teaches undergraduate modules on Life Stories , Representing Domestic Space , and Waterscapes , as well as MA courses on Place: Imagining Place in Modern Times . She supervises three PhD projects and welcomes new supervisees in her research areas. 2025: Enhancing Research Cultures funding for 'The Sinking of the Lancastria' 2024: Editorial board member of Journal of Victorian Culture 2023: NCCPE Engage Prize for 'Around the Toilet' project 2022: Caird Short-term Research Fellowship 2016: NCCPE Engage Prize winner
Tamsin Barber is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the Oxford Brookes University , where she leads the Migration and Refugees Research Network. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Roehampton (2011), an MA in Social Science from Oxford Brookes University, and a BA in Sociology and French. Education PhD in Sociology, University of Roehampton (2011) MA in Social Science, Oxford Brookes University BA in Sociology and French Her research focuses on 'race', ethnicity, youth identity , and migration studies , particularly examining inclusion/exclusion dynamics and identity formation among UK Vietnamese and East/Southeast Asian communities. She has conducted extensive work on superdiverse contexts, racial categorization, and migrant agency. Recent research projects include: "Vietnamese migrants and UK bordering processes" (Leverhulme Trust Fellowship, 2024-2025) "New Labour Migrations Between Vietnam and the UK" (Newton Mobility Grant, 2016) "Becoming East Asian: Youth Politics of Belonging" (British Academy/Leverhulme Grant, 2017-2019) She has received recognition for her work including a BSA Philip Abrams Memorial Prize nomination (2016) for her monograph Oriental Identities in Super-Diverse Britain: Young Vietnamese in London . Her publications explore topics spanning: International education mobility regimes Migrant categorization in policy Transnational belonging Post-refugee generation identities Border politics and agency Racialized embodiment She supervises PhD projects on Vietnamese migration, refugee labor market transitions, and migrant vulnerability frameworks, with collaborations across Canada, France, Vietnam, and the UK.
Nicolas Davidenko is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). He leads the High Level Perception Lab, focusing on behavioral and computational studies of human perception, particularly face recognition, spatial orientation, and visual ambiguity. His work emphasizes 'top-down' processes like attention and expectations. Davidenko holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University (2006), an M.S. in Statistics from Stanford (2004), and an A.B. in Mathematics from Harvard (1998). His research explores how humans perceive and interpret complex visual information, including studies on illusions, virtual reality, and misophonia. He has developed parametric models of faces to study memory encoding and drawing accuracy. Notable achievements include a Top-10 Finalist placement in the 2015 Best Illusion of the Year Contest for his 'Mind-controlled motion' research. He teaches courses such as PSYC 121 (Perception), PSYC 139K (Face Recognition), and advanced cognitive research seminars. Davidenko also runs the CSASS Matlab Workshops, training researchers in statistical tools. His lab includes graduate students and postdocs, with alumni like Jennifer Day (Ph.D. ’19) and Pat Samermit (Ph.D. ’18). Recent projects include investigations into vection in VR environments, cross-sensory modulation of aversive sounds, and time perception in virtual reality. His work bridges cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computational modeling, contributing to understanding how perception shapes human interaction with the environment.
Lea Rees is Lady Wallis Budge Junior Research Fellow in Egyptology at University College, Oxford, and an Associate Member of the University’s Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. She leads and collaborates on fieldwork at Dahshur with the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo and on conservation and publication in the tomb of Ramesses III (KV 11). Research interests span Egyptian settlement and landscape archaeology, cultural interactions, archaeological theory, and the history of Egyptology. She employs phenomenological, sociological, and archival perspectives to investigate ancient lived environments and their modern reception. Egyptian settlement archaeology Landscape biography and phenomenology Cross-cultural iconography (e.g., Bes in the Achaemenid Empire) Archaeological theory and spatial sociology Conservation and epigraphy in the Valley of the Kings Her recent publications concentrate on two major arenas: the Valley of the Kings , where multi-year conservation and documentation campaigns in KV 11 have yielded richly illustrated reports and new insights into Ramesside burial equipment; and Dahshur , where she interrogates long-term landscape transformations from Early Dynastic encampments to Old Kingdom pyramid towns and their subsequent deconstruction. Scientific recognition includes the competitive Lady Wallis Budge Junior Research Fellowship and ongoing collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute, the Ramesses III Conservation Project, and international scholarly networks. Current projects & teams : Post-doctoral project ‘Historicising phenomenology: A landscape biography of Dahshur’ at Oxford Field director, Dahshur excavations (German Archaeological Institute Cairo) Research collaborator, Ramesses III (KV 11) Publication and Conservation Project
Associate Professor Judy Hart is a materials scientist at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, UNSW Sydney , specializing in the development of semiconducting materials for renewable energy applications. Her work integrates computational (DFT) and experimental approaches to understand composition-property relationships in systems like solid solutions , heterostructures , and doped materials for photocatalysis and solar cells . She leads projects funded by ARC Discovery and Linkage grants , including work on photo-electro-catalysis systems and stabilizing ceramic materials . Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (Monash University, 2007), BEng (Materials) (Monash, 2002) Professional Experience: Senior Lecturer (UNSW, 2017–), Lecturer (UNSW, 2013–2017), University of Bristol (2007–2012) Research Interests Her research focuses on designing materials for renewable energy , particularly photoelectrochemical water splitting and organic oxidation reactions . Key areas include Density Functional Theory (DFT) , defect engineering , band gap tuning , and nanostructured materials . She investigates ferroelectric polarization effects , metal oxide heterostructures , and stability of battery components , with applications in hydrogen production , CO2 conversion , and advanced battery materials . Scientific Awards Ramsay Memorial Fellowship (University of Bristol, 2007–2009) Teaching Contributions She is co-author of the 1st Australian & New Zealand edition of "Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction" , and teaches courses on computational materials science , corrosion-resistant surfaces , mechanical behavior of metals , and materials design .
Prof. David Ham is a Professor of Computational Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London. His research focuses on high-level abstractions for scientific computation, particularly in geophysical fluids and numerical software. He leads the Firedrake project and co-developed the dolfin-adjoint framework, which received the 2015 Wilkinson Prize for Numerical Software. Ham holds a BSc (Mathematics) and LLB from The Australian National University, and a PhD from TU Delft. His career includes roles as a NERC Independent Research Fellow and Grantham Research Fellow at Imperial College. He is affiliated with the Grantham Institute, Mathematics of Planet Earth, and Software Performance Optimisation groups. His research spans computational science, including finite element methods, adjoint-based inversion, and parallel computing. Recent work emphasizes differentiable programming integration with machine learning and geophysical modeling. Ham has contributed to numerous grants and projects, including EPSRC and NERC-funded initiatives. He leads development of software tools like Firedrake and Thetis, advancing computational methods for oceanography and geodynamics.
Matthias Fritsch is a Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University. He specializes in contemporary European philosophy, environmental ethics, and intergenerational justice, with a focus on critical theory, deconstruction, and phenomenology. His work explores normative relations between past, present, and future generations, particularly in environmental and political contexts. Education : Ph.D. (Villanova University, 1994-1999), Doctoral Research (Freie Universität Berlin, 1997-1998), M.A. (New York University, 1993-1994), B.A. (Universität zu Köln, 1990-1993), and Humboldt Scholar (Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 2010-2011, 2023). His research centers on justice in relation to history, time, and the environment, addressing questions about societal obligations to the dead and future generations. Current projects include a monograph on phenomenology and critical theory (SSHRC-funded, 2020-2026) and co-organizing the award-winning Nature-Time-Responsibility research network, which promotes intercultural approaches to environmental justice. Recent publications examine generativity, climate ethics, and temporal responsibility, reflecting his interdisciplinary engagement with Heidegger, Derrida, and indigenous perspectives. His work appears in journals such as Continental Philosophy Review , Constellations , and European Journal of Political Theory . Scientific Awards : Humboldt Scholar (2010-2011, 2023). Matthias supervises graduate students in Philosophy (MA) and Humanities (PhD) and has contributed to edited collections including Eco-Deconstruction (Fordham University Press, 2018) and Environmental Philosophy and East Asia (Routledge, 2022). He is also co-editor of the 2024 special issue of the Yearbook for Eastern and Western Philosophy on "Philosophies of Time and Nature."
Prof. Dr. Harald Reiterer is a leading researcher in Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Konstanz, where he has served as Professor since 2009. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. (1991) and habilitation (1995) from the University of Vienna, followed by roles including Senior Researcher at Fraunhofer FIT and Associate Professor at Konstanz. He currently holds multiple leadership roles: Dean of the Faculty of Sciences , Senator of Section 1 , and Consulting Dean . Ph.D. in Computer Science (University of Vienna, 1991) Venia Legendi (Habilitation) in HCI (University of Vienna, 1995) His research focuses on: Interaction Design for mixed reality environments Information Visualization in immersive contexts Hybrid User Interfaces combining physical and virtual elements 3D Object Manipulation in handheld AR Behavioral Analytics through mHealth interventions Recent work explores: Avatar representation in Augmented Reality (2024) Node selection efficiency in Virtual Reality (2024) Peripheral vision toolkits for Head-Mounted Displays (2023) Hybrid interface optimization for Mixed Reality (2023) Smartphone AR extensions for Spatial Memory (2023) Key scientific contributions: Landeslehrpreis 2021 for interdisciplinary exhibition design Development of Colibri cross-reality toolkit (2023) Foundational work on Re-locations for remote collaboration (2022) He leads numerous projects including: SMARTACT (Smart Mobility, 2015-2023) SFB TRR 161 (2009-2027) on XR interface measurement Blended Library (2011-2015) for future library design
Christian Messier is a Professor at the University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO) in the Department of Natural Sciences and at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) in the Department of Biological Sciences. He serves as Scientific Director of the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences (ISFORT) and holds two prestigious research chairs: the Canada Research Chair on Tree Resilience to Global Changes and the NSERC/Hydro-Québec Chair on Tree Growth Control. His academic career spans over three decades since completing his Ph.D. in forest sciences from the University of British Columbia in 1991. Dr. Messier's research focuses on two primary areas: the complex functioning of managed natural forest systems to develop management approaches that promote resilience in the face of global changes, and the study of trees and urban forests to reconcile the needs of minimizing negative impacts of trees on human infrastructure while maximizing ecosystem services. His work integrates field studies, simulation modeling, and network theory to address pressing challenges in forest ecology and management. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on urban forest resilience, functional diversity in forest ecosystems, and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. The research shows a clear trajectory toward more applied, solution-oriented approaches that bridge fundamental ecological understanding with practical forest management applications across diverse spatial scales from individual trees to entire landscapes. Francqui Foundation Chair (Belgium) - 2020 Member of The Royal Society of Canada - 2019 Personality of the Year 'Radio-Canada/Le Droit' - 2017 Humboldt Research Award - 2016 Prix Acfas – Michel-Jurdant - 2010 Canadian Forestry Scientific Achievement Award - 2006 Dr. Messier has supervised over 40 graduate students throughout his career and currently leads multiple major research projects including the Canada Research Chair on Forest Resilience, the NSERC/Hydro-Québec Chair on Tree Growth Control, and the SylvCIT project for urban forest immunization against global change. His research has been supported by significant grants from NSERC, Canada Research Chairs program, Hydro-Québec, and other major funding agencies. He directs the Messier lab with research assistants Kim Bannon and Fanny Maure, and collaborates with numerous researchers across Canada and internationally. His team studies diverse aspects of forest ecology including soil dynamics, functional composition of tree communities, nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, and ecophysiology of maple water flow. The lab maintains strong connections with the International Diversity Experiment Network with Trees (IDENT) and other major forest research initiatives.
Aaron Trammell is an Associate Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), with affiliations in African American Studies and Media Studies. His research examines the cultural, social, and ideological underpinnings of games, particularly focusing on how military strategies, gender norms, and racial biases are embedded in game design. He emphasizes the need to diversify game creation and player experiences to foster inclusivity and challenge systemic inequities. Trammell has authored two significant books: Repairing Play (MIT Press, 2023) and The Privilege of Play (NYU Press, 2023). He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Analog Game Studies and Multimedia Editor of Sounding Out! . His work has been published in journals such as New Media and Society , Games and Culture , and International Journal of Role-Playing . His research highlights how games perpetuate white privilege and hegemonic masculinity, advocating for design practices that engage marginalized communities. Trammell’s interdisciplinary approach bridges game studies with critical theory, contributing to both academic discourse and practical applications in educational and professional training contexts.
Lisa Lowe is the Samuel Knight Professor of American Studies at Yale University, with affiliate appointments in the Programs in Ethnicity, Race, and Migration and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She has previously taught at the University of California, San Diego, and Tufts University, establishing a distinguished interdisciplinary career in American Studies, Comparative Literature, and critical race theory. Education: Stanford University – European Intellectual History University of California, Santa Cruz – French Literature and Critical Theory Lowe's research focuses on the intersections of colonialism, race, immigration, and globalization. Her work critically examines how liberal modernity is built upon racial capitalism, settler colonialism, and transnational displacement. She is a leading voice in transnational feminism and Asian American studies, analyzing how immigrant subjects are constructed as 'perpetual foreigners' within national cultures. Her scholarship bridges literary analysis, historical critique, and political theory to interrogate the legacies of empire. Her recent publications show a sustained engagement with the entanglements of liberalism, empire, and intimacy across continents. Themes include racial capitalism, the transpacific, feminist resistance, and the cultural politics of globalization. Her work consistently challenges disciplinary boundaries and calls for a rethinking of American Studies through a global and decolonial lens. Scientific Awards and Honors: Guggenheim Fellow American Council of Learned Societies Fellow Rockefeller Foundation Fellow Mellon Foundation Fellow UC Humanities Research Institute Fellow University of California President's Faculty Research Fellow (2011–12) Visiting Fellow, School of Advanced Study, University of London F. Ross Johnson-Connaught Distinguished Visitor, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto (2012) Carl Bode - Norman Holmes Pearson Award (2018) Richard A. Yarborough Prize (2018) Finalist, John Hope Franklin Award (2016) Nicolás Guillén Outstanding Book Award (2018) 1997 Book Award in Cultural Studies, Association for Asian American Studies Lowe has been a mentor to numerous scholars, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, recognized by the Richard A. Yarborough Prize. She has received multiple grants and fellowships supporting her research, including from the Mellon, Rockefeller, and Guggenheim Foundations. She co-convened the Mellon Sawyer Seminar 'Comparative Global Humanities' at Tufts and has been an Affiliate Scholar at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (2022–2023). She has also served as a visiting fellow and speaker at numerous international institutions, indicating sustained collaborative and advisory engagement. Lowe co-edits the influential book series Perverse Modernities with Jack Halberstam at Duke University Press, shaping contemporary critical theory. She has also co-edited special issues and volumes that have advanced the field of Asian American Studies. Her scholarly network includes leading institutions across the U.S. and globally, and she continues to be a central figure in interdisciplinary humanities.
Carsten Strathausen is a Professor of German and English at the University of Missouri's College of Arts and Science. He holds appointments in both the Departments of German and English, bridging interdisciplinary research and teaching. His work spans literary theory, visual culture, digital humanities, and bioaesthetics, with a focus on Kafka adaptations and evolutionary theory's influence on aesthetics. Research Interests: Dr. Strathausen’s interdisciplinary research explores the interplay of science, art, and media. Central themes include the word-image relationship in literature, posthumanism, and the digital humanities. His current projects include a global database analyzing Kafka adaptations (Adapting Kafka) and a monograph on Kafka’s adaptations through evolutionary and media frameworks. Earlier works like Bioaesthetics and The Look of Things established his reputation in interdisciplinary cultural studies. Teaching: In German studies, he teaches graduate seminars on 20th-century literature and Kafka. In English, he offers courses on contemporary literary theory, posthumanism, and digital humanities. He also mentors undergraduate and graduate students in digital humanities research. Collaborations: Collaborations include work with Dr. Verena Kick on the Adapting Kafka project. His research often intersects with film, visual arts, and science studies, reflecting his commitment to cross-disciplinary inquiry.
Jorunn Økland is a Professor at the University of Oslo, holding dual roles in the Faculty of Theology and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Research. Her research spans ancient Mediterranean material culture, feminist critique of religion, and gender studies. She directs the Norwegian Institute at Athens and has led the Centre for Gender Research (2010–2013). Education: Dr.Theol. from University of Oslo, with classical studies expertise. Key positions include Professor of New Testament at University of Sheffield (2005–2007), and leadership roles in international organizations like the European Association of Biblical Studies (2009–2012). Research focuses on sacred texts, gender theory, and the intersection of religion and cultural memory. Recent work explores populism in Norwegian equality contexts, ancient Greek religion, and spatial theories in gender studies. Active in editorial roles for journals like Journal of the Bible and its Reception and serves on councils such as the Society of Biblical Literature. Awards and honors include leadership in gender research initiatives and academic administration.
Professor Jennifer Charteris is a leading academic in the School of Education at the University of New England (UNE), Australia, where she serves as Head of the Department of Leadership, Pedagogy, Diversity and Inclusion. With a distinguished career spanning Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, she is an expert in teacher education, educational leadership, and inclusive pedagogy. She has authored over 160 research outputs and led projects attracting more than $3 million in external funding. Her research interests include: Teacher education and professional learning Student voice and learner agency Assessment literacy and capability Innovative and inclusive learning environments Poststructural, posthuman, and critical theories in education Digital technologies and affect in schooling Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on innovative learning environments, teacher leadership, inclusion, and the application of critical theoretical frameworks to educational practice. She frequently collaborates with scholars such as Alison Page, Joanna Anderson, and Sue Gregory on projects related to inclusive education and high-ability teaching. Her scientific awards include: Australian Awards for University Teaching (2020) J A Sutherland Memorial Award (2020) UNE Deputy Vice-Chancellor Commendation for Teaching Excellence (2020) Professor Alison Lee ‘Theory in Educational Research’ Scholarship (2015) Elearning Fellowship Award, New Zealand (2005) Professor Charteris supervises PhD and EdD students and is deeply involved in national educational initiatives, particularly in Victoria, where she contributes to leadership programs and the development of inclusive teaching toolkits. She is not part-time, retired, or a former staff member, and remains an active, full-time faculty member shaping contemporary educational research and policy.
