Professor Jo Barraket is a leading academic and researcher in social equity, social innovation, and public policy. As Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and member of the Dilun Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, she focuses on improving social equity through organizational innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and policy design. Her research addresses social procurement, health equity, digital inclusion, and employment pathways for marginalized groups. Her work includes landmark projects such as the Australian Digital Inclusion Index and evaluations of Commonwealth Social Enterprise Development Funds. She has secured over $11M in research grants, including multiple ARC grants, and produced over 75 scholarly publications. Her current projects compare social procurement policies in Australia and Scotland, and study youth unemployment in construction via employment-focused procurement. Key research themes include: social enterprise scaling strategies, cross-sector partnerships for policy implementation, and the role of philanthropy in equitable housing. She advises governments and OECD on inclusive employment policies and chairs major research initiatives like the Social Enterprise Impact Lab. Prof Barraket’s transdisciplinary approach combines rigorous academic research with practical outputs like policy guides and digital tools to maximize societal impact. She previously founded the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, now a global leader in social economy research.
Professor Siân Bayne is a leading academic in digital education at the University of Edinburgh , where she serves as Assistant Principal for Education Futures and directs the Centre for Research in Digital Education . Her work bridges critical theory and practical innovation in higher education. Interdisciplinary research on digital education and futures studies Leadership in the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Moray House School of Education and Sport Global impact through UNESCO collaborations and UKRI GCRF projects Bayne’s research explores higher education futures , utopian theory , and digital enhancement , with a focus on: AI’s role in teaching and learning Ethical implications of educational technologies Anonymous social media in academic spaces Speculative scenarios for educational systems Global South digital education models Augmented reality applications in assessment Her 15 most recent publications span 2017-2025 , covering critical perspectives on: Generative AI and educational innovation Utopian design in universities Data governance in learning analytics Augmented reality pedagogy Digital cultural heritage Scientific recognition includes: IASH Sabbatical Fellowship (2023) Bayne leads Higher Education Futures initiatives and partners with institutions worldwide, including: UNESCO Global Education and Technology Report World Bank collaborations European university leadership programs She also drives major research centers like: Centre for Research in Digital Education UKRI GCRF Urban Disaster Risk Hub
Brad D. Jokisch is a Professor and Undergraduate Chair in the Department of Geography at Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He is affiliated with International Studies and Latin American Studies, and his research focuses on population, environment, and development, particularly in Latin America. His work explores transnational migration, land-use change, and livelihoods in the Ecuadoran Andes. Education: Ph.D., Clark University, 1998 B.A., Augustana College, 1989 His research interests lie at the intersection of cultural/political ecology, population dynamics, agriculture, and development. He investigates how migration influences environmental change and how development shapes population movements, with a regional focus on Latin America. His fieldwork in the Ecuadoran Andes examines the impact of remittances and emigration on landscapes and rural communities. Recent publications highlight trends in transnational migration, land-use change, and development policy. His work spans interdisciplinary journals in geography, anthropology, and development studies, reflecting a strong emphasis on human-environment systems and migration. Key themes include remittances, land cover change, indigenous urbanization, and migration policy in South America. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholarship (2023–2024) for research on family emigration in southern Ecuador Dr. Jokisch advises undergraduate students as chair and teaches core courses such as Population Geography, Geography of Latin America, and Agricultural Ecosystems. While specific grant details and advisees are not listed, his sustained research output and leadership in the department suggest active mentorship and scholarly engagement. He is currently conducting research in Ecuador under a Fulbright award, indicating ongoing international collaboration and field-based inquiry. He is a key contributor to human-environment geography and migration studies, with a long-standing commitment to theoretical and empirical research in Latin America.
Mascha C. van der Voort is a Full Professor at the University of Twente's Faculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Human Centered Design. Her work focuses on transdisciplinary design methodologies, inclusive technology, and sustainability. She has contributed over 180 research outputs since 1996, with notable contributions to empathy-driven design for neurodiverse populations and climate-resilient infrastructure solutions. Expertise includes: Design Theory, User-Centered Design, Automation in Design, and Sustainability. Recipient of the Best Paper Award at the 10th International Conference on Design, User Experience and Usability (2021). Active in academic governance, serving as Chair of the Faculty of Engineering Technology Board since 2021. Her research integrates transdisciplinary collaboration, with recent work exploring futures studies and co-speculation methodologies. She has supervised 18 graduate students and contributed to datasets addressing river research communication and autistic lifeworld-informed technology design.
Kyle Bellucci Johanson serves as a Visiting Critic in Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Department of Art. Holding an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and a BA in Art and Reconciliation Studies from Bethel University, he merges artistic practice with critical theory through performance architecture and collaborative media. Whitney Independent Study Program (2022–23) Founding fellow at land's edge free school (Los Angeles) Teaching experience at SAIC, UIC, CUNY, and Cooper Union His research investigates: Power structures through spatial interventions Critical theory applications in art practice Post-capitalist imaginaries Hauntology and historical materialism Transdisciplinary approaches to social critique Project trends reveal: Reinterpretation of Soviet design principles Investigation of worker identity in post-industrial contexts Temporal and spatial dislocation in artistic practice Monument critique through performative methods Quantum theory-inspired architectural concepts Reimagining of common spaces as political sites Scientific awards include: Creative Research Grant (2025) Whitney ISP participation (2022–23) Automata Studio Residency (2022) Artists Run Chicago Grant (2021) BOLT Residency (2020–21) Through projects like KLUB WRKR —a nomadic workers' club reimagined for the gig economy—and table (2018–2022), a Chicago-based experimental space for artistic practice, he interrogates institutional frameworks while fostering community through discursive meals and collaborative exhibitions.
Prof. Antje Stokman is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning at HafenCity University Hamburg. Her department researches and designs landscape-, nature-, and water-related transformation processes, with teaching and research focused on the design and collaborative creation of urban landscapes in their dynamic interactions between natural and human habitats. Her research interests include: Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Climate-Adapted Urban Landscapes Blue-Green Infrastructure Water-sensitive Urban Design Linear Infrastructure Landscapes Urban Transformation Processes Prof. Stokman has led several significant research projects including the LILAS research network (Linear Infrastructure Landscapes as Open Spaces for the City in Climate Change), the City on the Blue Belt project, and the Blue-Green Infrastructure Dialogue Process. Her recent publications focus on transforming urban linear infrastructure landscapes and developing water development corridors along federal waterways as open space potential for urban green-blue infrastructure. Scientific awards: City of Hamburg's Teaching Prize (Hamburg Teaching Award) Prof. Stokman supervises doctoral projects including Katarina Bajc's work on "Perception and Design of Ecological Processes in Landscape Architecture" and Anne Kittel's research on "The Transformation of Metropolitan Landscapes." She has received research funding from various sources including the Federal Environment Agency, BMUV, BMBF, and EU Horizon 2020. She co-leads the Blue-Green Infrastructure Lab (BGI-Lab) with Prof. Wolfgang Dickhaut, which focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmentally sound urban planning and landscape architecture.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Claudia R. Binder is Full Professor at EPFL's School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, leading the Laboratory for Human-Environment Relations in Urban Systems (HERUS) since 2016. Previously, she held professorships at the University of Munich (2011-2016), University of Graz (2009-2011), and University of Zurich (2006-2009). She served as Dean of EPFL's ENAC School from 2020-2023 and holds advisory roles with Swiss federal institutions including the Mercator Foundation since 2024. Her academic foundation includes a Biochemistry degree and PhD in Environmental Sciences from ETH Zurich, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Maryland. This interdisciplinary background underpins her research approach spanning natural and social sciences. Professor Binder's work centers on urban sustainability transitions, examining urban metabolism dynamics through systems science frameworks. She investigates energy-food-transport interdependencies in cities using transdisciplinary methods that integrate material flow analysis, spatial modeling, and socio-technical assessments. Her research particularly emphasizes regulatory mechanisms and transformation drivers in human-environment systems, with case studies across Swiss and global urban contexts. Recent publications reveal evolving focus from foundational urban metabolism studies toward actionable transition strategies. Her 2024-2025 work increasingly addresses social tipping dynamics, circular decarbonization, and spatially explicit waste management, demonstrating methodological innovation through geo-referenced material flow analysis and participatory backcasting frameworks. Key thematic clusters include energy innovation diffusion, plastic waste governance, and demand-side flexibility in residential systems. She actively mentors 7 current PhD candidates while supervising 11 graduates since 2018, with research spanning urban metabolism modeling, sustainability assessment, and transition governance. Her leadership extends to Swiss National Science Foundation committees and National Research Program 71 on energy consumption management. At EPFL, she directs the HERUS laboratory which develops the Sustainability Solution Space methodology for urban assessment. The lab operates at the intersection of data science, environmental engineering, and social theory, maintaining strong field connections in Switzerland, Indonesia, and Germany for empirical validation of transition models.
Freek Persyn is a Full Professor of Architecture and Urban Transformation at ETH Zurich, where he has held the NEWROPE Professorship since 2019. He leads the Design in Dialogue Lab within the Department of Architecture, focusing on spatial design and social innovation. Persyn co-founded the spatial planning firm 51N4E in 1998, which specializes in urban and social transformation across Europe. Persyn's research centers on the concept of 'Design in Dialogue,' which emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration to address the complexity of contemporary urban challenges. His work explores innovative solutions for European urban spaces, aiming to rediscover Europe as a habitable terrain and shared living space. Key research areas include urban design, spatial planning, social transformation, and the intersection of architecture with social innovation. The NEWROPE initiative seeks to examine diverse urban practices that shape Europe, fostering radical openness and learning from various urban practitioners through transdisciplinary projects. His scholarly output demonstrates a strong focus on reimagining urban spaces through dialogue-based approaches. Persyn's work examines European urban transformation, rural-urban connections, industrial heritage sites, and innovative design methodologies. Key themes across his publications include sustainable approaches to building, the social dimensions of space, and transformative design processes that challenge conventional architectural practices. His research often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical design applications, emphasizing participatory methods and material investigations. Persyn delivered his inaugural lecture at ETH Zurich on October 20, 2021, titled 'Wouldn't it be nice if architects started dreaming about building less?' The lecture explored his professional background, inspiration, and future plans for the NEWROPE Chair. The event featured collective sensing exercises developed by students of Studio Seebach with theater and dance maker Manuela Runge, highlighting his commitment to experiential and collaborative approaches to architectural education and practice. The Design in Dialogue Lab serves as a hub for exploring innovative approaches to urban transformation through projects across European cities including Brussels, Piraeus, Basel, and Plovdiv. Current initiatives examine topics such as urban spaces for more than human communities, collaborative processes, design approaches, and hybrid applications for European urban environments. Persyn's work consistently emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together spatial and strategic knowledge with other disciplines and urban practitioners to address complex contemporary challenges.
Jay David Bolter holds the Wesley Chair of New Media and serves as Professor and Director of Computational Media at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he is affiliated with the School of Literature, Media, and Communication within the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. A foundational figure in digital media studies, he is renowned for his influential theoretical works and practical contributions to new media forms. His research spans Augmented Reality , Virtual Reality , Digital Culture , and the History of Media , with particular emphasis on remediation theory (developed with Richard Grusin) and the evolution of digital writing. As an active member of the Augmented Environments Lab, Bolter creates narrative-driven AR applications for cultural heritage sites and educational contexts, blending theoretical rigor with experimental design. His work consistently examines how new media technologies reshape human perception and cultural practices. Recent publications reveal a concentrated exploration of reality media (AR/VR) as narrative spaces, with articles addressing biofeedback integration in VR fitness, agency-driven interactive storytelling, and theoretical frameworks for understanding immersive experiences. His scholarship bridges historical media analysis with cutting-edge technical implementation, demonstrating how remediation processes continue to evolve in mixed reality environments. This trajectory reflects his lifelong investigation into the interplay between technological capabilities and human expression. Bolter maintains significant collaborative partnerships, including co-authoring seminal texts like Remediation and developing the Storyspace hypertext system with Michael Joyce. His leadership in the Augmented Environments Lab drives interdisciplinary projects that merge humanities perspectives with technological innovation, particularly in creating culturally resonant AR experiences. Teaching responsibilities include advanced courses in mixed reality design, computational media, and digital media theory, shaping the next generation of media scholars and practitioners.
Shivani Agarwal is an Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science and (by courtesy) Statistics and Data Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on computational, mathematical, and statistical foundations of machine learning, including algorithm design, theory, and applications in life sciences. She holds leadership roles in initiatives like the NSF-funded Penn Institute for Foundations of Data Science (PIFODS) and the Penn Research in Machine Learning (PRiML) forum. Previously, she was a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard, and held academic positions at MIT, Indian Institute of Science, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Education: PhD in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Prior roles include Assistant Professor (Ramanujan Fellow) at IISc, postdoctoral lecturer at MIT, and Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard. Research interests span machine learning theory, ranking systems, bandit algorithms, noisy label learning, and interdisciplinary applications in economics, operations research, and psychology. She has organized numerous conferences and workshops, including COLT 2020 and NIPS workshops on ranking and learning. Key professional activities include leadership in Indo-US research collaborations and editorial roles for the Journal of Machine Learning Research and Harvard Data Science Review.
Chee-Wooi Ten is a tenured Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Technological University, where he has served since 2010 and achieved tenure in 2016. He concurrently holds an Affiliated Professor appointment in Applied Computing and directs both the PSERC Site and ICC CPS Center. His institutional roles emphasize cyber-physical security integration within power infrastructure. His educational background includes: PhD in Electrical Engineering from University College Dublin (2009) MSc in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University (2001) BSc in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University (1999) Ten's research pioneers cyber-informed security engineering strategies for bulk power systems, focusing on quantifying rare events through system risk models and data science. His work bridges power grid interactions with robotics and transportation systems to advance decarbonization and electrification. Key methodologies include validating cyber-physical security frameworks against steady-state and dynamic grid approaches, with emphasis on attack/defense combinatorics and smart home technologies. This transdisciplinary approach supports the fourth industrial revolution's resilience requirements. His publication trends reveal strong focus on risk-aggregated substation testbeds using generative adversarial networks, cyber insurance models for power systems, and cascading failure analysis from switching attacks. Recent works increasingly integrate machine learning with physics-based modeling to address cybersecurity threats in inverter-based resource integration and distribution emergency operations. Ten has secured over $6.5M in active funding including: $2M DOE grant (MTU portion $105,000) for CyDERMS Center on DERs/Microgrids cybersecurity $704,409 CyManII award for secure digitalization in smart manufacturing $1.05M DOE ARPA-E grant for decarbonized freight transportation modeling NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program ($3.38M) His grants consistently address risk management through data-driven and physics-based modeling, with industry partnerships through PSERC and utility collaborations. As ICC CPS Center Director, he leads research on cyber-physical security testbeds and coordinates the PSERC Summer Transformation School. His team develops validation frameworks for NERC CIP compliance while addressing practical pain points in OT cybersecurity for grid operators.
Dr. Limin Jao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education (DISE) at McGill University’s Faculty of Education. Her research focuses on exemplary teaching practices in mathematics and STE(A)M education, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, project-based learning, and student engagement. She holds leadership roles including Vice-President of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group and Editorial Board member of the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education. Her expertise spans teacher education, pedagogy, and research-practice partnerships. Education: Ph.D., Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto M.A., Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development, OISE, University of Toronto B.Ed., Secondary Biology and Mathematics Education, Queen's University B.Sc.H., Biology and Mathematics, Queen's University Research Interests: Limin explores how interdisciplinary and inquiry-based methods foster student engagement and teacher development. Her work bridges theory and practice, advocating for inclusive classrooms and educator collaboration. She has pioneered projects linking community artifacts to STEM learning and co-edited volumes on transdisciplinary education and teacher training borders. Publications Trends: Recent work examines gender perspectives in mathematics, pre-service teacher experiences, and professional learning communities in STEM. Her research emphasizes equity, pedagogical innovation, and the intersection of cultural contexts with educational practices. Awards: 2023 Award for Distinguished Teaching, McGill University Faculty of Education Advising & Grants: Limin supervises graduate students in mathematics education and collaborates on research-practice initiatives. She leads the Jao Research Team and contributes to the Chandaria Research Centre’s advisory board at Branksome Hall. Labs/Teams: The Jao Research Team focuses on innovative teaching strategies and STE(A)M education, with projects addressing student agency and interdisciplinary curriculum design.
Professor Lucy Kimbell is Professor of Contemporary Design Practices at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, where she convenes the Policy Futures Studio. She is Co-Director of the Sustainable Transitions through Democratic Design Doctoral Network funded by the EU Marie Curie programme and serves as Visiting Professor at University of Ulster and Honorary Adjunct Professor at RMIT University. Her work bridges design practice, public policy, and social innovation across multiple international contexts. Professor Kimbell's educational background includes a PhD in Design from Lancaster University (2013), an MA in Computing in Art and Design from Middlesex University (1996), and a B. Engineering in Design and Appropriate Technology from the University of Warwick (1989). Her academic journey reflects a consistent integration of technical, creative, and social perspectives. Kimbell's research focuses on service design, social design, and design for policy, with increasing emphasis on sustainable transitions and democratic innovation. She explores how design methods can address complex societal challenges, particularly through transdisciplinary approaches that connect creative practice with public policy contexts. Her work examines the role of design in government, professional services, and community settings, with particular attention to AI readiness in professional service firms and antimicrobial resistance policy in India. She has pioneered frameworks for measuring design's social and environmental value, notably through the Design Value framework developed with the Design Council. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward understanding design's role in public policy, sustainable transitions, and democratic innovation. The research shows increasing integration of practice-based research methods with policy development, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration and the application of design thinking to complex societal challenges. There's a notable focus on developing frameworks for measuring design's social and environmental value and advancing democratic innovation through design practice. Notable recognitions include: AHRC Research Fellow in Policy Lab in the Cabinet Office (2014-15) Principal research fellow at University of Brighton (2013-15) Clark Fellow in Design Leadership at Said Business School, University of Oxford (2005-10) Professor Kimbell supervises transdisciplinary PhD research connecting design with public policy, with six completions to date including four UAL-KCL joint studentships. She examines PhDs internationally and serves on the supervisory board for the PhD in Service Design for Public Sector at Sapienza University, Rome. Her grant portfolio includes major projects funded by EU Marie Curie, AHRC, ESRC, and Creative Europe, totaling millions in research funding for design-led approaches to societal challenges, including the Sustainable Transitions through Democratic Design Doctoral Network (2024-28) and the AHRC Design & Policy Research Network (2022-23). She previously directed UAL's Social Design Institute (2019-2022), which brought together university expertise in design for society through capacity building, joint research, publications, and public events. Her collaborative work extends to knowledge exchange projects with Design Council, Department of Work and Pensions, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, and Bite Back 2030, demonstrating her commitment to applying design thinking to real-world policy and social challenges.
Prof. Dr. Christian Erik Pohl is an Adjunct Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science and Head of the Institute for Environmental Decisions (IED) and the Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab). His research focuses on advancing transdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental and societal challenges, emphasizing sustainable development. He holds a doctorate and habilitation in environmental science from the University of Bern. Key roles include membership in the Swiss National Science Foundation’s NRP 82 steering committee and the scientific advisory board of td-net. His contributions include seminal works like Principles for Designing Transdisciplinary Research and the Handbook of Transdisciplinary Research , fostering global collaboration in sustainability science. Awards include the KITE Award (2020) for teaching excellence and the Swiss-academies award (2015). He co-leads the TdLab, advancing methods for integrating academic and societal knowledge to tackle issues like biodiversity, water management, and climate change. His courses include 'Tackling Environmental Problems' and 'Transdisciplinary Research: Challenges of Interdisciplinarity and Stakeholder Engagement,' reflecting his commitment to education in sustainability science.
Pamela Burnard is a Professor of Arts, Creativities and Educations at the University of Cambridge, UK. She also holds adjunct professorships at the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of Foggia, and Instituto Katarina Gurska. A Fellow of prestigious organizations like the Royal Society of Arts and Chartered College of Teaching, she specializes in creativity research across arts, education, and interdisciplinary fields. Her qualifications include a PhD from the University of Reading and degrees in Music Performance and Education from institutions like the University of Melbourne and Indiana University. Research & Education : Burnard's work focuses on creativities theories, STEAM education, urban musics, and posthumanist approaches. She has supervised over 30 doctoral students and contributed to global projects like the Global Institute of Creative Thinking and the CUMIN network. Her research explores transdisciplinary practices, digital technologies, and policy impacts on education. Publications & Awards : Author/co-author of 20+ books and 120+ articles, she has published in journals like Thinking Skills and Creativity and Music Education Research . Awards include the Hugh Childers' Prize for her DipEd and fellowships in leading academic societies. Advisory Roles : She advises the REF Sub-Panel SP33 and serves on editorial boards for journals like Journal of Thinking Skills and Creativity . Her collaborations span universities globally, emphasizing creative pedagogies and inclusive education. Labs & Teams : Leads the Arts and Creativities Research Group (A&CRG) at Cambridge and contributes to networks like CRiCLE and NRICH. Her work bridges academia, industry, and communities to advance creative practices in education.
