Gina Bloom is a Professor of English at the University of California, Davis, with affiliations in the PhD programs in Education and Performance Studies. Her research spans Shakespeare, early modern drama, gender theory, and digital humanities, focusing on games, performance, and educational technologies. PhD, MA, and Certificate in Women's Studies from the University of Michigan BA from the University of Pennsylvania Her work includes the award-winning digital game Play the Knave and a decolonial pedagogy curriculum for teaching Shakespeare. She collaborates with UC Davis’s ModLab and DataLab, emphasizing social justice and immersive learning. Awards include Best AR/VR Game (2022) and Shakespeare Publics Award (2025). Her publications blend game studies, theater history, and feminist theory, with recent articles addressing decolonial education and digital embodiment. Winner, Shakespeare Publics Award (2025) Finalist, GEE! Learning Game Award (2023) Winner, Best AR/VR Game Award (2022)
Marcelo M. Wanderley is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT) at McGill University's Schulich School of Music. His academic roles include Area Coordinator for Music Technology and membership on the Executive Committee. He holds a PhD in acoustics, signal processing, and computer science from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI). Wanderley's research focuses on novel interfaces for music performance, digital musical instruments (DMIs), and human-computer interaction. He has authored influential works such as New Digital Musical Instruments: Control and Interaction Beyond the Keyboard (2006) and pioneered research in gestural control of music. His work integrates engineering, computer science, and musicology to create innovative performance tools, including the T-Stick and Karlax instruments. He has held visiting professorships at Université de Bretagne Sud, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil), and the University of Mons (Belgium), where he was awarded prestigious chairs. Wanderley's awards include the Inria International Chair (2016–2020) and the Distinguished Visitor Award from the University of Auckland. His research has been widely cited in the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME), and he actively contributes to editorial boards (e.g., Computer Music Journal ) and academic leadership roles. Wanderley's lab, the Input Devices and Music Interaction Lab (IDMIL), develops open-source frameworks like Puara and Probatio for DMI design and mapping. Key research areas include haptic feedback systems, motion capture of musical performances, and accessibility in music technology. He emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging engineering, art, and cognitive science to advance musical expression and performance practices.
Prof. Pia Fricker is an Associate Professor and Vice Head of the Department of Architecture at Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture in Finland. She holds the Professorship of Computational Methodologies in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism, directing the Urban Studies and Planning Programme. Her research integrates urban design, landscape architecture, and digital design culture, focusing on data-driven methods, immersive environments, and adaptive urban development. Collaborations include ETH Zurich, Singapore University of Technology and Design, and Hafencity University Hamburg. Key projects include the Metaversity and Future Smart Cities initiatives. Fricker has led over 80 publications and exhibitions globally, including at the Venice Biennale and National Design Centre Singapore. She is an editorial board member for the Journal of Digital Landscape Architecture and peer reviewer for multiple journals. Awards include the Digital Landscape Architecture Award (2018) and DLA Scientific Merit Award (2021). Her teaching emphasizes computational pedagogy and digital innovation in design education. Education: PhD in Architecture (ETH Zurich, 2021) Postgraduate in Didactics (ETH Zurich, 2011) MAS in Computer Aided Architectural Design (ETH Zurich, 2003) MSc Arch in Urban Design & Landscape Architecture (Technical University of Karlsruhe, 2001) Research Interests: Computational design, parametric modeling, mixed reality, climate-adaptive ecosystems, generative AI, and sustainable urban development. Her work bridges emerging technologies with ecological and urban challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Grants & Projects: Metaversity (2023–2025, Principal Investigator) Future Smart Cities Sasakawa (2023–2024, Principal Investigator) ABRA (2020–2023, Project Member) Awards: DLA Awards (2018, 2021) DLA Review Committee Awards (2020–2022) Exhibition Recognitions (Venice Biennale, National Design Centre Singapore) Labs/Teams: Leads the Urban Studies and Planning Programme and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like the RAILCORRIDOR Singapore initiative. Active in digital twin development and AI-driven design tools.
Christine ABDALLA MIKHAEIL is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management of Information Systems at IÉSEG School of Management in France. She holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Business Administration with a focus on Information Technology from the University of Paris Dauphine (France) and Georgia State University (USA), alongside advanced degrees in Business Consulting and Administration from Paris Dauphine. Her research focuses on collective action dynamics in social media, cybersecurity and privacy challenges, artificial intelligence applications, and disinformation propagation. Recent work explores the adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), paradoxes in hybrid work visibility, and data adequacy in qualitative IS research. She has published in leading journals such as Information Systems Journal and Information and Organization . Her articles reflect a strong emphasis on understanding socio-technical systems through interdisciplinary lenses, combining behavioral theories with digital technology analysis. No specific awards or grant details are mentioned in her profile. She currently advises no formally listed students.
Jung Hyup Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri, College of Engineering. His research integrates human factors, ergonomics, and augmented reality to enhance engineering education and healthcare systems. He leads the Human Factors Lab and is actively involved in curriculum innovation through immersive technologies. Education: PhD, Pennsylvania State University BS, Mississippi State University Dr. Kim’s research centers on ergonomics, human-computer interaction, and real-time human performance modeling . He investigates how eye-tracking, motion analysis, and augmented reality can be used to assess workload, situation awareness, and learning effectiveness in real-world environments. His work bridges engineering systems with cognitive science, particularly in educational and healthcare contexts. His recent research, reflected in 15 reconstructed articles, demonstrates a strong trend toward augmented reality in engineering education , with focus areas including real-time motion tracking, eye-tracking for attention monitoring, metacognition in virtual instruction, and posture-based physical demand assessment. These efforts aim to transform traditional lab experiences into interactive, data-driven learning environments. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the text. Dr. Kim has secured research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) , the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , and corporate sponsors such as Honeywell and Missouri Employers Mutual . He advises students like RJ Morrison and Madeline Easley, who have presented at national conferences and won research competitions. His lab develops AR-based teaching modules that assess student engagement and comprehension through biometric and behavioral data. His lab, the Human Factors Lab ( humanfactorslab.net ), is developing a new AR-integrated facility in Lafferre Hall with stations for interactive learning, real-time feedback, and performance testing. The lab aims to create scalable AR systems applicable across Mizzou Engineering disciplines.
Dr. Rhiannon Firth is a Lecturer in Sociology of Education in the Department of Education, Practice and Society at the Institute of Education, University College London (UCL). She also serves as the Programme Leader for the MA in Sociology of Education. Her academic career spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Sociology, Education, and Politics, with a focus on utopian ideals and pedagogical practices of social and ecological movements. Dr. Firth's educational background includes: First Class BA (Hons) in Combined Studies (Politics, English Literature and Economic and Social History) from the University of Leicester ESRC-funded MA in Political Science (Distinction) from the University of Nottingham PhD in Political Sociology from the University of Nottingham Her research focuses on how grassroots social movements create knowledge and mobilize social change around global "wicked" problems including inequality, climate change, technological developments, and pandemics. She has conducted funded research with self-managed sustainable communities in the UK and USA, grassroots disaster relief movements including Occupy Sandy New York and COVID-19 Mutual Aid London, and organizations using automation technology in experimental ways. Dr. Firth's recent publications reflect her ongoing exploration of utopian and dystopian themes across multiple domains. Her work spans analyses of pandemic responses, ecological breakdown, industrial technology, and community organizing. A strong thread throughout her scholarship examines how prefigurative politics and mutual aid practices offer alternatives to mainstream approaches to social organization, particularly in times of crisis. Her research increasingly focuses on the intersection of technology, labor, and utopian thinking, particularly examining how automation and cybernetics might be reimagined through radical social movements. Among her significant recognitions: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), earned in 2017 ESRC funding for her MA studies Dr. Firth has secured research funding from multiple sources including ESRC, ISRF, EPSRC, HEFCE, local councils, and UCL Grand Challenges. She supervises MA dissertations annually and currently mentors one PhD student. Her professional activities include media engagement (such as appearing on BBC Radio 4's The Moral Maze), conference presentations, and serving as ECR Representative for the Utopian Studies Society of Europe. She is actively involved with research groups and networks focused on utopian studies, social movements, and critical pedagogy, contributing to the vibrant intellectual community around alternative futures and radical educational practices.
Anton Rozhkov is an Industry Assistant Professor and Director of the M.S. in Applied Urban Science and Informatics Program at the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) at New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering. His work focuses on applying geospatial tools, modeling techniques, and data science to address complex challenges in urban environments, with particular emphasis on infrastructure planning and city design. Dr. Rozhkov earned his Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois Chicago, where his research centered on decentralized and renewable energy systems in urban contexts through a complex systems approach. Prior to his doctoral studies, he received an M.S./B.S. in Engineering in Land Cadaster from the State University of Land Use Planning in Moscow, Russia, and worked as a senior specialist in the Russian power grid sector with "Rosseti" Group of Companies. His research interests span the application of complex systems, data science, and spatial analytics to solve urban challenges, particularly focusing on how data-driven policies and new technologies can transform infrastructure planning and city design. Dr. Rozhkov employs methods including causal loop diagrams, system dynamics, and agent-based modeling to understand how decentralized energy systems interact with existing power grids and contribute to sustainable urban development. He has published extensively on urban transportation, energy systems, and census data analysis, with a notable focus on Chicago's urban landscape and Illinois state initiatives. Dr. Rozhkov has been actively involved in several significant research projects including an empirical investigation into affordable transit-oriented development in California sponsored by the California State University Transportation Consortium, the Sustainable Urban-Regional Modeling Network project funded by the Illinois Innovation Network, and the Census 2020 Map-The-Count project with the Illinois Department of Human Services which developed predictive models for census response rates and a GIS platform for reporting outreach activities. Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago M.S./B.S. in Engineering in Land Cadaster, State University of Land Use Planning (Moscow, Russia) His teaching portfolio includes courses on geographic information systems (GIS), advanced spatial analysis, decision modeling, and machine learning for cities. Dr. Rozhkov emphasizes not just understanding urban trends but exploring the "why" behind these trends to develop sustainable solutions. His recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate a consistent research trajectory examining the complex interrelationships between urban infrastructure systems, particularly focusing on energy, transportation, and spatial patterns through sophisticated analytical methods. Outside of his academic work, Dr. Rozhkov is passionate about urban and landscape photography, traveling, running, snowboarding, and playing guitar. He was born and raised in Balashikha, a city in the Moscow suburbs in Russia, and maintains a gallery of his photographic work from various global locations.
Evan Davies is a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering. He has been a Full Professor since July 2021, following his promotion from Associate Professor (2015-2021) and Assistant Professor (2009-2015) positions at the same institution. Education: Ph.D. (Civil and Environmental Engineering), The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario (2003-2007) M.E.S. (Environment and Resource Studies), The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario with field research in China and India (2001-2003) B.A.Sc. (Systems Design Engineering), The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, including a year-long exchange at Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Germany (1995-2001) Evan Davies' primary research focuses on water resources planning and management, systems thinking and modeling, and sustainable development. His work develops and applies hydrological, water use, and water quality models to understand complex feedbacks among water availability, use, and quality within their social, economic, and environmental contexts. His research spans municipal to global spatial scales and daily to decadal time scales, aiming to provide decision-makers with tools to compare structural, management, and policy alternatives for sustainable water planning. His recent projects include global and regional-scale modeling of water security and the water-energy-food nexus, irrigation reservoir management, municipal water demand projections, flood risk management, and chloramine dissipation in stormwater pipes. Recent research trends show a strong focus on: Integrated assessment modeling of water-energy-food systems Climate change impacts on water resources Machine learning applications in hydrology Water security under decarbonization scenarios Flood risk assessment and management Sustainable urban water systems Scientific Awards: Faculty of Engineering Graduate Teaching Award, University of Alberta (2020-2021) Faculty of Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Award, University of Alberta (2018-2019) Doctoral Fellowship (CGS), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (2005-2007) University of Western Ontario Graduate Tuition Scholarship (2005-2007) Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (2004-2005) Masters/Doctoral Fellowship (PGS A/B), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (2002-2004) Davies has supervised numerous graduate students working on projects related to water resources planning and management. His research has been supported by various grants, including funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. He collaborates extensively with researchers at the Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) in College Park, MD, and with government agencies and industry partners on water management projects across Canada, particularly in Alberta's Bow River basin. Davies leads a research group focused on water resources systems modeling, which employs system dynamics, optimization techniques, and machine learning approaches to address complex water management challenges. His team collaborates with decision-makers and stakeholders to ensure research outcomes are directly applicable to real-world water management problems.
Professor Jen Ross is a Professor of Digital Culture and Education Futures at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the Moray House School of Education and Sport. She serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Digital Education and Associate Dean (Research Cultures) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on digital education futures, cultural heritage engagement, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies like AI in higher education. She has supervised 17 doctoral projects, contributing to fields such as online learning, open education, and surveillance studies. Dr. Ross holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2012) and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her teaching includes leading courses on Education Futures and Digital Education at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Notable projects include co-developing the E-learning and Digital Cultures MOOC and leading initiatives like the 'Higher Education After Surveillance' network. Her research publications explore postdigital education, speculative methods in pedagogy, and the intersection of technology with cultural heritage. Recent work addresses AI integration in schools and surveillance practices in academia. Key grants include the AHRC-funded 'Responsible AI in Education' project and the ESRC Impact Accelerator grant on AI futures. She has collaborated with institutions like the National Science and Media Museum, World Bank, and Scotland’s Futures Forum. Her book Digital Futures for Learning: Speculative Methods and Pedagogies (2023) synthesizes her work on forward-thinking educational strategies.
Roberta Ingaramo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD) at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, where she contributes to teaching, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She is a member of the FULL Interdepartmental Center – Future Urban Legacy Lab, focusing on sustainable and resilient urban development. Her academic and professional roles include serving as Scientific Director and Manager for multiple research projects and agreements with public and private institutions. Research Interests: Adaptive reuse of urban spaces Nature-based solutions in architecture and urban design Urban agriculture and green infrastructure Post-industrial city regeneration Tactics for riverfront urban development Green building and sustainable architecture Her recent publications (2025) explore themes of regenerative architecture, adaptive design frameworks, and urban resilience, emphasizing the integration of nature into the built environment. These works reflect a strong trend toward systemic, sustainable urban transformation grounded in architectural and urban design innovation. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: First Prize, Governance Section – National Water Planet Award (2011) International competition winner for Sangone River redevelopment (2011) 1st Place, City of Biella Pedestrian Crossing Competition (2007) 3rd Place, Italian Alpine Club Refuge Design (2006) 4th Place with Prize, University Campus Design in Novara (2006) 2nd Place with Prize, Automobile Museum Turin Renovation (2005) 2nd Place with Prize, La Venaria Reale Horse Center (2002) 5th Place with Prize, Turin 2006 Olympic Village Design (2002) Advising and Grants: While specific student advisees are not listed, she leads and collaborates on multiple funded research projects, including Urban Regen – an operational path towards resilient cities (2025–2026), a competitive tender project, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Turin (2024–2027). She has also managed commercial research agreements, such as feasibility studies for sports center development. Her research is supported by public foundations and inter-institutional collaborations, reflecting strong engagement with real-world urban challenges. Labs and Research Groups: She is an active member of the FULL Interdepartmental Center – Future Urban Legacy Lab , which fosters interdisciplinary research on sustainable urban futures. Her work is organized around key research lines including NAb Design (Nature Based Architecture and Urban Design) and NUI (Nature as Urban Industry), aiming to develop design tools and strategies for adaptive, ecologically integrated urban environments.
Humphrey Southall is Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the Faculty of Science & Health and the School of the Environment and Life Sciences. He has been a key figure in advancing digital historical geography through large-scale projects such as A Vision of Britain through Time and the Great Britain Historical GIS . University: University of Portsmouth Faculty: Faculty of Science & Health Department: School of the Environment and Life Sciences Academic Rank: Professor Education: Bachelor's Degree, University of Cambridge (1976) Special Student, Harvard University (1976–1977) PhD, University of Cambridge (awarded 1984) Humphrey Southall's research centers on historical geography, with a focus on geospatial data modeling, gazetteers, and historical GIS. His work explores the long-term impacts of locality on health inequalities, the North-South divide in Britain, and the political roles of travellers. He has pioneered methods for disambiguating historical place names and constructing digital gazetteers from old maps and census data. His interdisciplinary approach bridges geography, history, and data science, contributing to digital humanities and sustainable development goals related to health and inequality. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating historical data with modern GIS and ontologies. Themes include electoral analysis (e.g., Reform UK), climate-land use interactions, and the digitization of historical statistics. His work emphasizes data accessibility, public engagement, and the application of historical insights to contemporary policy challenges. Scientific Awards and Recognition: No specific awards listed in the provided text. Humphrey Southall has secured major research grants from the ESRC, AHRC, JISC, and the European Commission. He leads the DDME: Data Discovery Made Easy project, applying machine learning to social science databases. He has supervised PhD students and actively collaborates with researchers across disciplines. His public engagement includes media commentary on homelessness, air pollution, and elections via The Conversation and national press. Labs and Research Teams: Lead Principal Investigator, A Vision of Britain through Time (VoB) Lead, Great Britain Historical GIS (GBHGIS) Team Member, PastPlace and AOU Resources as a Pelagios GIF Resource Collaborator with Patrick Aucott, Chris Thomas, and others on biodiversity and health projects
Peter Driessen is a full Professor of Environmental Governance at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (Utrecht University) since 2004. His research focuses on governance strategies for sustainability transitions , particularly in climate adaptation , water management , and science-policy interfaces . He leads the Environmental Governance research group and contributes to global debates on resilient governance and institutional reform . Key research themes include: Sustainable Urban Development : Analyzing institutional frameworks for climate-resilient cities Water Governance : Exploring legal and social conditions for effective water policy Science-Policy Interfaces : Enhancing decision-making through interdisciplinary collaboration His recent publications emphasize anticipatory governance in the Global South, city-to-city learning for water management, and institutional shifts in flood risk governance. Driessen’s work bridges theoretical analysis with practical policy recommendations, focusing on legitimacy , efficiency , and effectiveness of sustainability governance models. Contact: p.driessen@uu.nl
Dr Kirsty Morrin is a sociologist at the University of Liverpool, specializing in social inequalities, global education policy, and youth activisms. She holds a PhD from the University of Manchester and has been affiliated with Liverpool since 2017. Her research examines classed, raced, and gendered inequalities in education, privatization of state education, and entrepreneurship in educational contexts. She is currently investigating 'public-private' partnerships in England’s academies programme, with a forthcoming monograph on the topic. Her teaching roles include module coordination and instruction in courses like 'Culture, Power and Social Change' and 'Sociologies of Class and Inequality.' She has supervised multiple PhD students focusing on topics ranging from armed forces personnel analysis to pedagogical strategies in entrepreneurial education. Morrin’s awards include nominations for teaching excellence at Liverpool and a prestigious doctoral scholarship from the University of Manchester. Her research has been supported by grants such as the ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018–2019), examining entrepreneurial investments in educational institutions. Her professional activities include media contributions (e.g., BBC Radio 4’s 'Thinking Allowed') and expert roles in T Level development. She also explores spatial formations, historical sociology, and resistance theories in her research.
Professor Lisa Kervin is a leading academic in early childhood education at the University of Wollongong (UOW), serving as Director of Early Start Research and holding a Professorial appointment in the School of Education. Her research focuses on young children’s literate practices, play-based learning, and digital technology integration in education. She leads the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and has secured significant funding, including a 2025 ARC Future Fellowship exploring intergenerational play. Kervin was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2024 for contributions to early childhood digital literacy research. She has supervised over 35 research students, many now in academic and leadership roles, and currently oversees seven doctoral candidates. Her work bridges theory and practice through collaborations with educators and industry partners, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to child development and policy influence globally. Education: PhD in Language and Literacy from UOW (2001–2004). Professional roles include Principal Fellow of the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association and Director qualifications from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her research spans digital childhood ethics, play pedagogy, and literacy curriculum design, with outputs impacting government policies and international educational frameworks. Ongoing projects include the ‘DigIQ’ program promoting digital literacy and ‘Playgroups for All Ages’ fostering intergenerational engagement. Grants and collaborations involve partnerships across six universities and 33 global organizations. Her teaching innovations include the Early Childhood Elevate Mentoring Program to support educators’ academic progression. Kervin’s work addresses critical issues like screen time impacts, STEAM education, and culturally responsive pedagogies, positioning her as a key voice in 21st-century early childhood education.
Robert Goodspeed is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. His work bridges urban planning with information technologies, focusing on tools like GIS and sociotechnical systems to enhance planning processes and outcomes. Education: Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.C.P., University of Maryland B.A. in History, University of Michigan (dissertation on Detroit’s Gratiot Area Redevelopment Project) His research explores digital planning tools, smart cities, and collaborative practices. He leads initiatives like the Justice InDeed project addressing racial housing covenants and the Michigan Eviction Project analyzing eviction dynamics. Scientific Awards: Donald Schön Award for Excellence in Learning from Practice (2013) Planetizen Leading Thinker in Urban Planning and Technology Goodspeed teaches courses in scenario planning, negotiation techniques, and planning methods, with recent offerings including URP 526 (Scenario Planning) and URP 522 (Negotiation, Collaboration & Equitable Engagement).