Associate Professor Helen Adam is a leading academic in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU), specializing in culturally responsive pedagogy and the role of children’s literature in fostering equity and inclusion. She holds a PhD in Early Years Education (2019) and has extensive experience in primary education and literacy research. Her career includes roles as a teacher, researcher, and leader in teacher education, particularly in addressing systemic inequities through literature. She is Board President of the Primary English Teaching Association of Australia (PETAA) and actively contributes to national and international educational initiatives. Research interests focus on diverse children’s literature, social-emotional development, and dismantling prejudice through books. Notable projects include a Churchill Fellowship (2022) exploring global practices in children’s literature and equity-driven education. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the 2023 Churchill Fellowship and multiple ECU research accolades. Helen supervises postgraduate research in literacy and diversity, including projects on postmodern picturebooks and culturally diverse family representation. She collaborates with institutions like ECU’s Kurongkurl Katitjin Centre for Indigenous Education, emphasizing allyship and support for marginalized groups.
Dimitris N. Metaxas is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science within the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University. His research spans computer vision, medical image analysis, and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on medical applications including cardiac MRI analysis and foundation models for healthcare. Dr. Metaxas's research interests encompass medical image analysis, computer vision, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. His work demonstrates a strong emphasis on applying advanced machine learning techniques to medical imaging problems, particularly in cardiac analysis. He has made significant contributions to diffusion models, multimodal learning, and efficient AI techniques for medical applications. His research bridges the gap between theoretical computer vision and practical healthcare solutions, with numerous publications in top-tier conferences and journals. His recent publications show a clear trend toward foundation models for medical image analysis, with significant contributions to cardiac MRI segmentation, diffusion models, and multimodal learning. The research spans both theoretical advancements in AI techniques and practical applications in healthcare, particularly focused on improving medical diagnostics through computer vision. His work demonstrates expertise in adapting cutting-edge AI techniques like diffusion models and large language models for specialized medical applications. Dr. Metaxas has mentored numerous students and researchers, as evidenced by his extensive publication record with multiple co-authors across various institutions. His work has received significant attention in the research community, with numerous publications in top venues including CVPR, ICCV, MICCAI, and Medical Image Analysis. His research group focuses on medical image computing, computer vision, and machine learning applications in healthcare. The team works extensively with cardiac MRI data, developing advanced techniques for segmentation, reconstruction, and analysis of 4D cardiac imaging. They are particularly known for their contributions to foundation models in medical imaging and efficient adaptation techniques for specialized medical tasks.
Christopher Honey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, affiliated with the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on computational cognitive neuroscience, exploring how the brain processes sequential information such as language and memory. He holds a PhD from Indiana University and has held positions at Princeton University and the University of Toronto before joining JHU in 2016. Education: PhD in Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Postdoctoral Fellowship at Princeton University with Uri Hasson Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics and English Literature, University of Cape Town Research Interests: Neural dynamics of memory and perception Temporal processing in the brain Cognitive modeling using computational methods Neuroimaging data standards (e.g., BIDS) Publications highlight his work on brain state fluctuations, neuroimaging data structures, and memory enhancement. His lab develops tools for analyzing fMRI and EEG data, emphasizing real-world applications like smartphone-based cognitive interventions. Lab and Collaborations: Active projects on narrative processing and hippocampal replay Development of open-source neuroscience tools like iELVis Focus on translational research for aging populations
Christopher Storie is a Professor of Geography at the University of Winnipeg, specializing in GIS, Remote Sensing, and Urban Geography. He holds an office in Lockhart Hall (5L03) and teaches courses such as Introduction to GIS, Remote Sensing, and Urbanization in the Developing World. His research focuses on Deep Learning applications for automated land use/land cover mapping, informal settlement mapping, and urban-rural fringe detection. Key research interests include leveraging neural networks for geospatial analysis, urban dynamics in regions like Mexico City, and collaborative international fieldwork. He has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2000, emphasizing satellite imagery analysis and environmental monitoring. His work bridges technical geospatial methods with socio-environmental challenges in urban and developing regions.
Marie-Eve Carrier-Moisan holds the Joint Chair in Women’s Studies at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa (2023-2025). She is a faculty member in Carleton's Department of Sociology and Anthropology and cross-appointed with the Feminist Institute for Social Transformation and the Institute for Political Economy. Her work bridges feminist anthropology, visual ethnography, and critical studies of institutional power. Her research investigates institutional abandonment in Québec school systems for autistic students, analyzing transportation access crises through material ethnography of policies and lived experiences. Concurrently, she examines sex tourism in Brazil, particularly during the 2014 World Cup, revealing how anti-trafficking campaigns perpetuate urban exclusion. Carrier-Moisan pioneers multimodal knowledge translation, notably through the graphic novel Gringo Love: Stories of Sex Tourism in Brazil developed with illustrator Débora Santos. She supervises graduate students across anthropology, sociology, and political economy on topics including carceral harm reduction, Indigenous women's rights, and gender fluidity. Funded by SSHRC, her current work collaborates with Autisme-Québec and the Comité pour le droit à la scolarisation to address school exclusion. Key collaborators include Dr. Laurence Simard-Gagnon and narrative cartography initiatives exploring alternative research dissemination.
Alessandro Masetti is a PhD candidate in Museum Studies at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, funded by the Museo Egizio in Turin. He holds a background in architecture (2014) and has served as a curator at Fondazione Giovanni Michelucci in Fiesole (2015–2022). As a researcher in the LYNX Research Unit at IMT Lucca, he focuses on museum accessibility, cultural heritage curation, and digital communication. His work spans European-funded projects, including studies on women in photography (PRIN-funded) and initiatives to digitize Lucca’s photographic heritage. His academic contributions include editorial work for Predella. Journal of Visual Arts and co-authorship of publications on architect Giovanni Michelucci. He has also produced a bilingual podcast episode ( Lucca Stories & Tales ) and authored catalog entries for the ARCHIVI IN RETE project. His research bridges historical analysis, cultural policy, and digital innovation in cultural institutions. Key projects include Fotografiste: Women in Photography from Italian Archives , exploring underrepresented female photographers, and the digitization of Lucca’s photographic archives. His work emphasizes accessibility, historical recovery, and the intersection of technology with cultural preservation.
Professor Jon Eugene von Kowallis is Professor of Chinese Studies in the School of Humanities and Languages at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. He has held this position while also serving as President of the Australian Society for Asian Humanities and as a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Royal Asiatic Society (London). His academic career spans multiple institutions including Berkeley, UCLA, Oregon, Williams College, Karlova (Prague), and the University of Melbourne prior to UNSW. Professor von Kowallis earned his BA from Columbia University, MA in Chinese literature from the University of Hawaii, and PhD in Oriental Languages (specializing in Chinese literature) from the University of California, Berkeley. He also studied at National Taiwan University and Beijing University. His educational background reflects his deep engagement with Chinese language and literature across multiple academic traditions. His research focuses on Chinese literature, particularly modern Chinese literature, classical Chinese poetry, and Lu Xun studies. He has pioneered work on the role of classical Chinese poetry during China's modern era, challenging dominant paradigms in Chinese literary history. His book The Subtle Revolution: Poets of the 'Old Schools' in late Qing and early Republican China has been recognized as ground-breaking and has influenced an entire field of scholarship. He is also internationally acknowledged as an authority on Lu Xun, particularly for his monograph The Lyrical Lu Xun: a Study of his Classical-style Verse . His recent publications demonstrate consistent engagement with Lu Xun studies, classical Chinese poetry in modern contexts, Chinese cinema, and contemporary Chinese theatre. His work spans traditional literary scholarship, archival research on manuscripts, and analysis of contemporary cultural productions. The articles show a trajectory from early foundational work on historical literary figures to current research on contemporary adaptations and performances of Chinese literary works. Goldstar Award for research (UNSW, 2008) Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China Prize (2014) Publication grant from Ministry of Culture of PRC (2016) Zhifang Distinguished Professor, Fudan University (2018) Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (2020) US-China Scholars Program Fellowship (2021-2022) Professor von Kowallis actively supervises graduate students working on Lu Xun's Gushi Xinbian, Shen Congwen's short stories, and classical-style verse in modern contexts. His ARC Discovery Project "The Young Lu Xun and His Early Work Written in Japan" has deepened understanding of Chinese intellectual relations with the West and Japan. He has established significant research partnerships with Chinese institutions including Beijing Lu Xun Museum, Peking University, and Fudan University, where he conducted research at Theatre Above in Shanghai, the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, and Huichang Theatre Village in Jiangxi Province (2024-5).
Dr. Simon Thomas is a Senior Lecturer at the University of South Wales' South Wales Business School, specializing in Pilgrimage, Memorial & Tourism Studies. He leads the Doctor of Business Administration program and oversees the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Group. With a PhD in Pilgrimage Tourism (2013), he has extensive experience in doctoral supervision and external examining roles across UK institutions. Education: PhD Pilgrimage Tourism, University of South Wales (2013) MA Heritage Tourism, University of Wales Trinity College Carmarthen (2005) PgCert Education (Tourism), University of Wales Newport (2003) BA (Hons) Tourism & Leisure Management, University of Glamorgan (2001) Research Interests: Focused on pilgrimage tourism, heritage tourism innovation, and sustainable tourism development. His work bridges academic inquiry with practical applications, including a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the Cardiff Story Museum rated 'outstanding' by the KTP Board. Key themes include secular pilgrimage dynamics, autoethnographic methodologies, and cultural identity in tourism. Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including studies on Lourdes pilgrimage, Welsh heritage entrepreneurship, and thanatourism. Recent work explores NGO engagement strategies and digital tourism innovation. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Outstanding KTP Board Rating (Cardiff Story Museum collaboration) 4* ABS Full Paper Award Advising & Grants: Supervised over 25 doctoral candidates across business and tourism disciplines. Active in external examining roles (e.g., Coventry University, Bishop Grossteste University) and curriculum design. Led projects funded by the Welsh Government and private sector partnerships. Labs & Teams: Research Lead for the Tourism, Hospitality and Events Group, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on tourism policy, innovation, and cultural heritage.
Michael T. Rizzo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. He directs the Developing Equitable Minds Lab (DEML Lab), which focuses on promoting social equity in childhood through research on children's developing conceptions of fairness and social biases. Dr. Rizzo earned his B.S. from the University of California, San Diego (mentor: Dr. David Liu), his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park (mentor: Dr. Melanie Killen), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at New York University (mentor: Dr. Marjorie Rhodes). His research program examines three interrelated questions: (1) How do conceptions of equity develop? (2) How do social biases develop? (3) How can we promote concern for equity and disrupt social biases? Using a constructivist approach, his work investigates how children experience, interpret, and respond to the world around them. His primary research areas include conceptions of fairness, racism and racial bias, social status and structures, theory of mind, and unmoderated remote research with children. His work has been published in top journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , American Psychologist , Child Development , and Developmental Psychology . Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on understanding the developmental origins of racial bias, particularly how children's beliefs about social norms and racial inequalities shape their developing racial attitudes. His work demonstrates how children distinguish between structural and individual causes of inequality, and how social status influences children's understanding of fairness and others' mental states. His research has increasingly incorporated innovative methodologies, including unmoderated remote research with children. Dr. Rizzo's work has been funded by prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and Beyond Conflict. He is deeply committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion through three primary pathways: transforming university spaces, advancing psychological research practices, and engaging with broader society. His lab partners with organizations like Embrace Race, Story Starters, and We Stories to develop anti-racist education programs and parenting materials. The DEML Lab has created a platform called Developing Minds Online (DMO) that allows for unmoderated remote research with children, enabling families to participate from anywhere.
Anna Danielsson is a Professor of Science Education at Stockholm University's Department of Teaching and Learning, where she also serves as head of the science education section. Her academic career spans prestigious institutions including Uppsala University, King's College London, and the University of Cambridge, with her current research focusing on equity and inclusion in science education contexts. Professor Danielsson earned her PhD in physics education research from Uppsala University in 2009. Her educational journey includes a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Education, followed by positions as senior lecturer at Uppsala University and Reader in Science Education at King's College London during 2016/17. She was promoted to Professor in Curriculum Studies at Uppsala University in January 2018 before joining Stockholm University. Her research program centers on critical examinations of gender, identity, and power dynamics in science and technology education. As leader of the Science Education Equity research group, she investigates inclusion-exclusion patterns and participation barriers for minoritized learners in science, with particular emphasis on physical sciences. Her work employs innovative narrative and discourse methodologies to explore how students construct identities within science learning contexts. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a sustained focus on identity construction in physics education, particularly examining how underrepresented students navigate disciplinary spaces. Her scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks from post-structuralism, cultural studies, and critical discourse analysis with empirical research in both formal and informal learning environments. A notable trend is her increasing attention to mathematics education and cross-disciplinary identity formation, as evidenced by her 2025 work on mathematics capital. Principal Investigator for 'In(ex)clusion in higher education mathematics and physics: Identity enactment in educational trajectories and scientific practices' Lead researcher on 'The unlikely scientists: Exploring what has enabled students from under-represented groups to continue to higher education science studies' (Swedish Research Council, 2019-2023) Collaborator on multiple Swedish Research Council-funded projects examining identity, gender, and equity in STEM pathways Professor Danielsson directs the Science Education Equity research group, which creates interdisciplinary spaces for examining how marginalized learners engage with science education. The group's work combines theoretical innovation with practical implications for creating more inclusive science classrooms and curricula, particularly focusing on how physical sciences can become more accessible to diverse student populations.
Jian Zhao is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo's School of Computer Science, specializing in Information Visualization (InfoVis), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Data Science. With a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto (2016), his research emphasizes interactive visualization techniques, AI integration in design processes, and socio-technical systems. He explores how human-AI collaboration can enhance data analysis, presentation, and user experience in complex systems. Key research areas include: 1) AI-Driven Design (e.g., code generation via sketching, infographic creation), 2) Health Informatics (therapeutic AI tools for autism support), 3) Immersive Technologies (VR/AR interfaces for presentations and education), and 4) Social Computing (remote family communication, multi-modal emoticons). His work bridges technical innovation with human-centered design principles. His publications (2021–2025) reflect a focus on interactive visualization frameworks (e.g., iTrace for cross-view data analysis), AI-human collaboration (CoLadder for hierarchical code editing), and specialized applications like TherAIssist for art therapy and EMooly for autism support. Zhao frequently explores novel interaction modalities , including gesture-based VR interfaces and sketch-based programming tools. He leads projects in computational notebooks (EDAssistant, Slide4N), visual analytics (MissBin for bipartite networks), and neurofeedback training games (Eggly). His work often emphasizes systematic design considerations for missing data, cross-view analysis, and contextual visualization in spatial AR environments.
Alison Baker is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London within the School of Childhood and Social Care. She specializes in Education and teaches modules on inclusion, Primary English, children's literature, and reflective practice in Primary Teaching. PhD candidate researching white working-class children in children's fantasy fiction Areas of expertise: Social class representation, reading for pleasure, inclusive pedagogy Research Focus: Investigates how social class portrayal in fantasy literature impacts children's reading engagement, with particular attention to working-class disempowerment in fictional narratives. Her work bridges literary analysis with educational practice through projects like the UEL Goodreads discussion group. Key Publications: Contributions on social class in Harry Potter, children's comics, and critical reading pedagogy. Notable works include analyses of social capital in fantasy fiction and the use of social media for teacher development. External Roles: Served as Children's Programme Coordinator at Eastercon 2019 (Ytterbium) and currently sits on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Historical Fiction.
Miriam Stock is Professor of Cultural Studies at the Institute of Humanities at Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd, where she also serves as Director of the Cultural Studies Department and Spokesperson for the Master's program 'Interkultur und Integration.' She is a founding member of the Center for Migration and Integration Studies 'Migration – Society – School.' Dr. Stock holds a PhD in Geography from Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) and completed her diploma in Geography at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Her academic journey includes research fellowships, organizational roles in international projects, and advisory work with refugee communities. Her research focuses on migration geographies, cultural theories, postcolonial approaches, urban development from post-migrant perspectives, and qualitative research methodologies. She examines migration and flight between the Arab region and Europe, urban development and consumption, rural perspectives on migration society, anti-discrimination in schools, critical masculinity and family studies, and theoretical-practical approaches. Dr. Stock's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on transnational migration experiences, particularly Syrian refugee families, with attention to emotional dimensions, gender dynamics, and educational contexts. Her work frequently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications through projects like Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Program 'Education, Migration, and Diversity' (2024-2030). Success Story 2020 award for the Enable project As an advisor, Dr. Stock has supervised PhD candidates like Sara Mazzei (University of Calabria/PH Schwäbisch Gmünd) working on Arab-Islamic education systems in migrant experiences. Her grant portfolio includes significant Erasmus+ projects such as Enable (Self-learning for Arab refugee children) and PARENTable (Communicating with parents of newly migrated children), alongside research funded by the Werner-Zeller Foundation. Dr. Stock leads the Institute for Humanities and directs Cultural Studies department activities, including organizing lecture series on topics like 'Right Established - How the New Right Changes Education and Society,' 'Migration and Body,' and 'Emotions in Migration Society.'
Gavin Schwarz is a Professor and Head of School at the School of Management and Governance within the UNSW Business School . He specializes in organizational change , organizational failure and inertia , and the dynamics of virtual teams , with a focus on how organizations fail during change processes and how to develop applied strategies for change management . His work spans diverse sectors including healthcare, technology, and education, with publications in leading journals such as Academy of Management Learning and Education and Administrative Science Quarterly . Education : PhD in Management (University of Queensland), MPhil (Hons) in Management (University of Auckland), BA in Management and English (University of Auckland). Grants : 2020 Brock University grant for "University communication in times of COVID-19" , 2020 UNSW Medicine grant for "Translation and change: Embedding effective change management in health" , and earlier Australian Research Council and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship awards. His research explores the development of knowledge in organizational theories , with an emphasis on collective responses to change , HR management during crises , and technology strategy . He has contributed to understanding organizational communication , team innovation , and structural inertia . His 15 most recent publications cover topics from AI’s role in organizational change to pandemic-driven research adaptation, with keywords spanning management science , behavioral economics , and digital transformation . Scientific Awards 2021-2023 : Outstanding Reviewer Awards (Academy of Management Review) 2017-2020 : Best Reviewer Awards (Journal of Organizational Behavior) 2019, 2013, 2011 : Best Paper Finalist/Awardee (Academy of Management divisions) 2007, 2006 : Editorial Board Excellence (Academy of Management Journal) and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship As an active supervisor in organizational change and HR development , his work supports healthcare innovation and digital transformation. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science and is on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Review , Journal of Management , and Journal of Organizational Behavior . Contact: g.schwarz@unsw.edu.au
Christopher G. Healey is the Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Analytics in the Institute for Advanced Analytics and a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University. His research spans visualization, data analytics, text analytics, sentiment analysis, machine learning, cognitive psychology, computer graphics, and social media analytics. He has graduated 15 Ph.D. and 26 master's students and secured over $6 million in research funding from agencies including the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Army Research Office, and various industry partners. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and is a senior member of both IEEE and ACM, as well as a member of the NC State Academy of Outstanding Teachers. His research focuses on developing visualization techniques that leverage visual perception to support rapid, accurate, and effective analysis of large, complex datasets. More recently, he has been investigating machine learning for natural language processing and text analytics. His work includes projects on visualizing election results, sentiment estimation for social media, and wildfire narratives using large-scale social media data. His publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with visualization, particularly for text analytics and social media analysis. He has made significant contributions to visualizing deep neural networks, cyber situation awareness, and pandemic response analytics, showing how visualization can enhance understanding of complex systems and large datasets across multiple domains. IBM Faculty Award (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) Senior member, Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) (2007) Senior member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (2007) NC State Academy of Outstanding Teachers inductee (2003) National Science Foundation Faculty Early CAREER Award (2001) He has successfully mentored numerous graduate students and secured significant research funding across multiple projects. His work with the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences, National Science Foundation, and Department of Defense demonstrates strong industry and government partnerships. His recent projects focus on visualizing social media narratives, deep neural networks for text understanding, and predictive analytics for large document collections. He leads research groups focused on visualization and analytics, working with teams to develop innovative approaches for data exploration and analysis. His current work continues to push the boundaries of how visualization can be used to enhance understanding of complex data across domains including public health, cybersecurity, and social media analysis.
