Rachel Kerr is a Lecturer in Urban Design at the University of Manchester, based in the Department of Planning, Property and Environmental Management. She previously worked in international urban design consultancies such as Tetra Tech, AECOM, and WYG, specializing in town center regeneration and sustainable masterplanning. She serves on the leadership committee of the Manchester Urban Design Lab as Outreach Coordinator, bridging academia and industry. Her academic interests span urban design processes, digital technologies, design quality assessment, pedagogical methods, and the societal impact of urban design. She contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through sustainable built environment research. Teaching roles include Programme Director for the Urban Design and International Planning MSc, leading courses like Urban Design Studio and Masterplan Studio. Rachel actively engages with professional bodies, serving on the RTPI North-West Regional Activities Committee and Policy and Research Task Group. She has presented at high-profile events including the RTPI North-West Urban Design Training and Manchester Science Festival exhibitions.
Dr. Paul Ruvolo is a Professor of Computer Science at Olin College in Needham, MA. His research focuses on developing assistive technologies for people with sensory and motor impairments, leveraging machine learning, robotics, and computer vision. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California San Diego, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Harvey Mudd College. Key research areas include creating systems that learn through imitation and experience, such as navigation aids for the visually impaired and educational tools for orientation and mobility. He leads projects like Co-Designing Assistive Apps with Students Who Are Blind, emphasizing participatory design. His work integrates Bayesian statistics, numerical optimization, and linear algebra to solve complex sensorimotor tasks. Education: Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering, UC San Diego M.S., Computer Science and Engineering, UC San Diego B.S., Computer Science, Harvey Mudd College Awards: NSF IGERT Fellowship for 'Learning and Vision in Humans and Machines' Recent publications highlight innovations in AR navigation systems, smartphone-based SLAM for indoor environments, and educational tools for blind users. His work bridges computational methods with real-world accessibility challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and user-centric design. Dr. Ruvolo’s lab, linked at occam.olin.edu , focuses on assistive technologies. He actively contributes to Teach Access and other initiatives promoting inclusive technology education. His research has applications in robotics, healthcare, and educational technology.
Dr Ambrose Seddon is a Principal Academic in Music and Audio Technology at Bournemouth University, specializing in electroacoustic and electronic music. He holds a BMus (Hons) from Goldsmiths College, University of London, an MA in Electroacoustic Composition, and a PhD in Music (electroacoustic composition), both from City, University of London. His research focuses on electroacoustic composition, multichannel and ambisonic techniques, form in electroacoustic music, and music analysis. Notable awards include the 1st Prize at the Klang! and Visiones Sonoras competitions, and the European Region Composition Prize at ICMC 2007. He has residences at Elektronmusikstudion (EMS) and Visby International Centre for Composers (VICC). Dr Seddon teaches composition, studio recording, and creative music technology, supervising PhD students in related fields. His work spans sound installations, live electronics with the ensemble NonRecursive, and performances at venues worldwide. Academic roles include external examiner for BSc Music and Sound Technology at the University of Portsmouth and leadership in the Creative Sonic Practice Research Group.
Ashraf Salama is a Professor of Architecture and Urbanism and Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria University. He holds concurrent roles as Co-Director of the UNESCO/UIA Validation Council for Architectural Education and Honorary Professorships at institutions worldwide. With over 25 years leading architecture schools at universities in Egypt, Qatar, and the UK, his career spans academic leadership, research, and practice. Education: BSc (Hons), MSc, and PhD in Architecture from Al Azhar University (Egypt) and North Carolina State University (USA). Research Interests: Urban resilience, sustainable urban development, architectural pedagogy, migrant spatial practices, and decolonizing architectural knowledge. His work bridges global South contexts with transnational urban challenges, emphasizing participatory design and critical educational frameworks. Notable Contributions: Chief editor of Archnet-IJAR , authored/edited 17 books including Routledge Companion to Architectural Pedagogies of the Global South , and led over £2 million in research projects. His recent work focuses on co-assessment tools for urban spaces (e.g., YouWalk-UOS app) and cross-cultural educational initiatives. Awards: UIA Jean Tschumi Prize (2017), Gold Medal from Egyptian Architects (2018), and Emerald Outstanding Paper Award (2022). Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator of the British Council-funded TRANSABE-EDU project (2024). Active in global urban resilience studies and educational reform. Labs/Teams: Leads international collaborations on urban sustainability and pedagogical innovation through UNESCO/UIA networks and partnerships with institutions in Malaysia, Turkey, and Serbia.
Paul Clarke is a Full Professor of Architectural Design at Ulster University's Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment. Based at the Belfast Campus, his research focuses on architectural representation, pedagogy, and design methodologies. He maintains an active research profile with 92 publications and an h-index of 1. His primary research interests encompass: Architectural design processes and representation techniques The role of drawing and sketchbooks in creative practice Innovations in architectural education and studio pedagogy Sustainable design and ecological approaches to the built environment Architectural film, exhibitions, and alternative media representation Urban regeneration and territorial studies Clarke's recent publications demonstrate strong focus on architectural pedagogy, material studies, and design representation. His work frequently explores the intersection of traditional methods (sketchbooks, drawings) with contemporary challenges like sustainability and digital transformation. The articles reveal recurring themes of temporal analysis in design processes, ecological responses in architecture, and critical examinations of architectural education. He has contributed significantly to architectural exhibitions including the Carbon Counts Exhibition at Ulster University and The Secret Laboratory: Notebooks and Narratives Exhibition . His digital works include the Sketchbook Gallery web resource and film productions examining architectural processes.
Paola Cantoni is an Associate Professor at the Department of Modern Literature and Culture , Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Arts. She teaches courses in Istituzioni di Storia della Lingua Italiana (12 CFU) and Didattica dell'Italiano e Sociolinguistica , with a focus on Italian language teaching, sociolinguistics, and historical linguistics. Her research spans linguistic variation, educational linguistics, and dialect studies. Current courses: Italian Language History (Undergraduate), Italian Didactics and Sociolinguistics (Master's) Office hours: Tuesday 10:00-11:00, Thursday by appointment (Studio C, 3rd floor) Her publications address topics like: Linguistic variation in educational contexts Historical pragmatics of teacher discourse Dialect representation in literature Language of fascism in school registers Italian punctuation and textual practices She utilizes digital platforms (Google Classroom, Meet) for remote teaching and has presented research at conferences like the Convegno Luca Serianni e la Storia dell'Italiano . Her work includes analyzing historical educational texts and developing teaching methodologies for Italian language variation.
Raphael Vella is a Professor and Art Coordinator at the University of Malta's Department of Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education within the Faculty of Education. His practice spans contemporary art, socially engaged art, and curatorial work, with a focus on Mediterranean pedagogies and the politics of time in art and education. He founded the Valletta International Visual Arts (VIVA) festival and the Curatorial School, and has curated numerous exhibitions internationally. His research explores the intersection of art, ethics, and education, with a particular interest in participatory arts projects and critical pedagogies. Vella's publications include Conducting Participatory Arts Projects: A Practical Toolkit (2021), Art Education: Conflicts and Connections (2020), and Mediterranean Art and Education (2013). His work has been exhibited in solo shows at Valletta Contemporary (2023), Art Gallery of Burlington (2017), and Modern Art Oxford (2007), among others.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Cyrus Zahiri is a faculty member at the School of Architecture Bremen , affiliated with the Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences . His academic rank is Professor in the department of Dept. A . Research focuses on public space , urban planning , and ecological design . Current priorities include climate adaptation , non-European urban contexts , and artificial landscapes . His research spans spatial, social, and ecological dimensions of public spaces, emphasizing their role as islands , oases , and stages for urban life. Publications address topics like heterotopias , green infrastructure , and reflexive design processes . Recent articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches in architecture and landscape architecture, with a focus on case studies from São Paulo, Beijing, and Berlin. Themes include fluid spatial transformations , ecological transitions , and digital design tools . Active in lectures (2024–2010) and exhibitions (2024–2005). Engaged in jury activities , associations , and academic training .
Dr. Gijs Huisman is a researcher at the Delft University of Technology's Industrial Design Engineering faculty, specializing in Human-Centered Design and Perceptual Intelligence. His work focuses on haptics technology, mediated social touch, and multisensory interaction design. He leads projects like Dark Haptics and ShareYourReality , exploring haptic feedback in mobile interfaces and virtual avatar co-embodiment. His research bridges disciplines such as material science, cognitive science, and ethics to design inclusive technologies. Key Areas : Haptic wearables, affective computing, food interaction, and ethical AI. Recent Work : Investigating shape-memory alloys for assistive devices and developing tools for studying digital social touch ethics. Collaborations : Active in transdisciplinary teams addressing DEI in robotics and universal design. His research emphasizes practical applications in healthcare (e.g., fidget devices for stress reduction) and consumer products (e.g., aesthetically pleasing headphones). He teaches the Dare to Design Studio course, fostering innovative design thinking. Though no formal awards are listed, his prolific publication record (over 80 articles) demonstrates sustained impact in haptics and HCI fields. He actively engages with industry collaborations through TU Delft's research labs and graduate programs.
Zachary Wallmark is an Associate Professor of Musicology and Area Chair of Musicology and Ethnomusicology at the University of Oregon's School of Music and Dance. His interdisciplinary research bridges musicology, cognitive science, and sound studies, with a particular focus on musical timbre and its relationship to emotion, meaning, and cultural context. Wallmark maintains a joint affiliation with the Center for Translational Neuroscience at the University of Oregon, reflecting his cross-disciplinary approach. His research interests span popular music studies, timbre analysis, music cognition, and sound studies, with particular attention to how musical timbre functions in emotional response, aesthetic judgment, and music sociology. Wallmark's work explores these themes across diverse musical contexts including American popular music, free jazz, extreme heavy metal, and traditional Japanese music. Wallmark's publications reveal a consistent focus on timbre as a critical yet undertheorized dimension of musical experience. His work spans empirical studies of timbre perception, corpus analyses of timbre semantics, interdisciplinary investigations of timbre's role in meaning-making, and theoretical explorations of timbre's relationship to cultural and social contexts. Recent publications increasingly integrate cognitive neuroscience methodologies with traditional musicological approaches. GRAMMY Museum Foundation Scientific Research Grant UO Presidential Fellowship in Humanistic Study AMS Ruth A. Solie Award Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada Partnership Grant National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship Wallmark's research has received significant external funding from prestigious organizations including the NEH and the GRAMMY Museum Foundation. He is active in the Analysis, Creation, and Teaching of Orchestration (ACTOR) group, an international research partnership funded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. His work has been presented at major international conferences including the American Musicological Society (AMS), Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC), Society for Music Theory (SMT), and Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM). Wallmark has also been invited to lecture at notable venues including the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. Beyond his academic work, he is a published composer, commercial musician, jazz bassist, and performer of the Japanese shakuhachi flute.
Brian Cairns is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Postgraduate Communication Design at The Glasgow School of Art (GSA). His academic work bridges illustration, design education, and cultural studies, with leadership roles including directing the Communication Design postgraduate program. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary research through the Offset Research Cluster, which exhibited work in the 2023 'Offset Research Cluster Work in Progress Exhibition'. His research explores cultural inclusion in education, agile adaptation strategies during crises, traditional craftsmanship in digital contexts, and critical pedagogy in studio environments. Key themes include internationalization of curriculum design, reflective teaching methodologies, and the evolution of illustration as a discipline. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on: cultural diversity in design education (2021-2023), illustration pedagogy fundamentals (2020), and industry-responsive artistic practice (2015-2018). Recent outputs emphasize pandemic-era educational innovation and cross-cultural teaching frameworks. Awards and honors include: Society of Illustrators of New York Gold Medal (2004) Art Directors Club of New York recognitions (2003, 2004) D&AD Global Awards (2006, 2010) American Illustration annual inclusions (2004, 2009, 2010) 3x3 International Awards (2011) Creative Review Annual Awards (2003-2004) He leads research initiatives and exhibitions, notably coordinating the Post-it Show series (2015-2019) and contributing to the 2018 '20 Years of Penguin Essentials' exhibition at Ditchling Museum.
Can Güngör , born in 1977 in Ankara, Turkey, is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture of Gazi University . He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Architecture from Yildiz Technical University and Gazi University . Güngör has served as Lecturer Dr. (2009–2023), Deputy Head of the Department of Architecture (2010–2022), and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Architecture (2023–2024). Education: TED Ankara College Foundation Private High School (1994), Yildiz Technical University (B.Sc., 1999), Gazi University (M.Sc., 2002; Ph.D., 2007) Current Role: Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Gazi University Research Interests focus on Architecture, Architectural Design, Accessibility, Universal Design, and Barrier-Free Spaces . His work addresses urban planning, historical preservation, and inclusive design standards for public and educational buildings. Recent Publications (2024–2022) examine accessibility in historical environments, universal design principles in restoration, fire safety for individuals with disabilities, and adaptive reuse of cultural heritage sites. He also explores pedagogical approaches in architectural education during digital and pandemic-era transitions. Email: can.gungor@gazi.edu.tr | Avesis Profile
Emanuel Christ is a Full Professor of Architecture and Design at the Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich. He has held this position since 2018, following his appointment as an assistant professor at ETH Zurich from 2010 to 2015. Christ also served as a visiting professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design from 2015 to 2017 and was appointed Kenzo Tange Design Critic in Architecture at Harvard GSD in 2021. Prior to his ETH appointments, he was a visiting professor at various architecture institutes including Robert Gordon University, Accademia di Architettura Mendrisio, and the Oslo School of Architecture and Design from 2005 to 2009. He co-founded the architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein in Basel in 1998. Christ received his architectural education at ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne, and the HdK (now Berlin University of the Arts), graduating from ETH Zurich in 1998 under Prof. Hans Kollhoff. His early career included teaching at the Basel Academy of Art and Design (2002-2003) and working as a senior assistant at ETH Studio Basel under Professors Roger Diener, Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron, and Marcel Meili (2000-2005). Professor Christ's research focuses on the architecture of the metropolis in the age of globalization. He examines how metropolitan growth presents both challenges and opportunities for contemporary cities, using the method of typology transfer to investigate existing metropolitan architectures as potential building blocks for sustainable, dense, and urban futures. His work spans theoretical research, design practice, and academic teaching, with particular emphasis on urban typologies, spatial organization, and the relationship between historical precedents and contemporary design challenges. Christ's teaching methodology combines typological analysis with visionary design scenarios, encouraging students to develop innovative architectural solutions grounded in historical understanding. Christ's publications reveal consistent themes in urban density, typological studies across global cities, and the adaptation of architectural forms to contemporary social and environmental challenges. His research often bridges theoretical exploration with practical application through his architectural practice, with particular focus on the transformation of urban spaces, the relationship between architecture and landscape, and the development of sustainable urban models. His three-volume monograph Christ & Gantenbein. Projects I–III (2024) documents over 160 projects spanning 25 years of architectural practice. Hong Kong Typology, monograph as part of the exhibition Teaching Architecture at the Istituto Svizzero, Venice, Italy (2010) Iakov Chernikhov International Prize, nomination (2010) ar Award for Emerging Architecture, The Architectural Review (2009) Swiss National Museum, renovation phase 1, Zurich (2009) Award for Good Buildings 2008 House on Bildstöckliweg, Arlesheim (2008) The best renovation of 2008, Haus an der Friedensgasse, Basel (2008) Building Award 2006 of the Basel Heritage Society, Shedhalle at St. Alban-Vorstadt, Basel (2006) Architecture Award Concrete 05 Cemsuisse, Haus am Bildstöckliweg, Arlesheim (2005) Scholarship from the Ernst Schindler Foundation, Zurich (1999) Through his design studio at ETH Zurich, Christ has supervised numerous student projects focusing on urban design, architectural typologies, and contemporary challenges in architecture. His teaching approach combines theoretical exploration with practical design, encouraging students to develop visionary yet grounded architectural solutions. Christ & Gantenbein, his architectural practice based in Basel, has completed over 160 projects from 1998 to 2023, as documented in their three-volume monograph. Current studio projects include 'Blatten – Building on Unstable Grounds' (Fall 2025), which addresses architectural responses to climate change and unstable landscapes, and 'The University and the City' (Spring 2025), which explores the relationship between urban spaces and university campuses. Professor Christ leads research initiatives exploring urban-rural interfaces, metropolitan typologies, and sustainable urban development. His Mahalla project investigates courtyard typologies in Tashkent as models for contemporary urban living. He also directs the Professorship for Architecture and Design at ETH Zurich, which serves as a hub for research, teaching, and design practice in contemporary architecture. Christ's work consistently bridges academic research with practical application, addressing urgent questions about the future of cities in the context of globalization, climate change, and social transformation.
Kristine Stiphany is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Buffalo (SUNY), holding dual affiliations with the School of Architecture and Planning. She directs the Design for Resilient Environments Lab and co-leads the MArch/MUP dual degree program. Her research focuses on urban design, informal housing production, rental market dynamics, and equitable urban redevelopment in Latin America, particularly Brazil. She is a licensed architect in Texas and New York, with professional experience at Studio Gang and academic positions at Texas Tech University and UT Austin. Education: PhD in Urban Planning, The University of Texas at Austin Master of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Michigan Her research examines how rental markets shape urban form, informal housing resilience, and policy impacts on marginalized communities. Recent projects investigate Rust Belt housing conversions, U.S.-Mexico border colonias, and post-redevelopment economies in Latin America. Her work bridges academic scholarship with practical design, advising on projects for São Paulo’s Secretariat of Housing and community nonprofits. Key Themes in Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles analyze informal urbanization, rental market inequities, participatory planning paradoxes, and Brazil’s Minha Casa Minha Vida housing program. Recent work emphasizes urban greening through rental densification and the role of infrastructural insurgency in marginalized areas. Awards & Recognition: 2021 Texas Society of Architects Award for Sparks Oasis Community Resilience Hub National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (UT Austin) Fulbright Fellowship (University of São Paulo) Her teaching includes studios like ‘Reimagining Casco Bay’ (coastal resilience) and ‘Housing Hybrids’ (São Paulo peri-urban margins). She leads the Design for Resilient Environments Lab, which develops actionable frameworks for equitable urban futures.
Rochus Urban Hinkel is an Associate Professor in Architecture and Design at the University of Melbourne (since 2020), affiliated with the Melbourne School of Design. Previously held professorships at OTH Regensburg (2016–2020) and Konstfack University, Stockholm (2014–2019). A member of BDA Germany and recipient of the BDA Preis Bavaria award. His work spans architectural practice, research, and curatorial activities, focusing on experimental installations exploring human-environment interactions across urban/rural, analog/digital, and public/private realms. Research interests include: - Urban and interior design theory - Spatial agency in public spaces - Digital environments and pandemic adaptations - Bauhaus legacy in design education - Temporary and ephemeral urban interventions Curated architecture exhibitions at Weißenhof (Stuttgart) and Bamberg’s A2 Architecture Week Advisory roles: Board of Swedish Architects (Stockholm), Passau Urban Design (2019–present) Edited key publications: Urban Interior (2011), The Society of Interiors (2016) Recent projects include Voices of Country (2020), showcased at Ars Electronica, blending Indigenous Australian narratives with digital media. Active in design pedagogy, emphasizing hands-on studio practices and prototyping innovations. Awards: - BDA Preis Bavaria (Architecture award) - Invited membership in BDA Germany Grants and collaborations include support from the NExT Lab (Melbourne School of Design) for interdisciplinary projects.
