Dr. Dirk Oudes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning at Wageningen University. His research focuses on the intersection of renewable energy transitions and landscape transformation, particularly solar power plants and agrivoltaics in the Netherlands. He explores how solar energy systems interact with agricultural landscapes, urban planning, and policy frameworks, emphasizing sustainable land use and climate adaptation. Recent trends in his publications highlight spatial analysis of solar infrastructure, regulatory challenges in energy projects, and circular economy principles in agrivoltaics. His work often bridges academic research with practical implementation, as seen in reports and media engagements addressing landscape aesthetics, public acceptance, and policy-relevant findings. Dr. Oudes collaborates with researchers like Sven Stremke and actively participates in workshops, keynote speeches, and expert consultations. He supervises PhD projects on landscape-inclusive energy transitions and spatial quality frameworks, contributing to both academic discourse and professional practice in sustainable design.
Dcn. Stephen Frezza is a Professor of Software Engineering and current Director of the Software Engineering Program at Franiscan University of Steubenville . Prior to this, he served as a professor and three-time chair of the Computer and Information Science Department at Gannon University for 26 years. His expertise spans requirements engineering, project management, software testing, and embedded systems . Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh Professional Software Engineering Master (PSEM) Active in industry-university partnerships His research bridges engineering with theology , focusing on philosophy of engineering, affective-domain assessment, competency modeling, and software engineering education . He has authored numerous scholarly works on virtue formation, educational frameworks, and the philosophical foundations of computing. Recent publications highlight his contributions to computing curricula (CC2020), virtue-based educational models , and Lonergan’s epistemology applied to engineering . His work integrates faith and reason in pedagogical contexts, emphasizing the ethical dimensions of engineering education . Senior Member of the IEEE Computer Society Volunteer for IEEE-CS Special Technical Committee on Education Professional member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Dcn. Frezza’s leadership in curriculum design and industry collaboration has shaped software engineering programs globally. His teaching and research underscore the interplay between technical rigor and moral development , advocating for holistic engineering education.
Professor Mindy Blaise is a Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow and Director of the Centre for People, Place and Planet at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Western Australia. Her transdisciplinary research focuses on feminist knowledge production, anticolonial practices, and pedagogies addressing environmental crises and social inequities. Blaise holds a Doctor of Education (1999) from the United States and has held academic positions at institutions including the University of Texas, Austin, and The Education University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include experimental pedagogies for the Anthropocene, queer theory, postdevelopmentalism, and multi-species ethnography. She leads major projects like the ARC Discovery Project on 'Understanding and Addressing Everyday Sexisms in Australian Universities' and collaborates internationally through collectives such as #FEAS (Feminist Educators Against Sexism), which won the 2023-2025 AARE award. Blaise’s recent articles explore topics like regenerative sustainability education, feminist postdevelopmental lexicons, and ecological grief in childhood. Her work often bridges early childhood education with environmental humanities, emphasizing ethical relations with non-human worlds. Grants include funding from the ARC, Healthway, and philanthropic foundations for projects on climate justice, Indigenous knowledge transfer, and anti-sexism initiatives. Professional associations: AARE, AERA, Gender and Education Association Research supervision: Over 15 completed PhD/MEd projects focusing on gender, ecology, and pedagogy Labs/teams: Director of ECU’s strategic research centre; co-founder of Common Worlds Research Collective and The Ediths
Michelle Laboy is an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at Northeastern University, with affiliate appointments in Civil & Environmental Engineering and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. She holds a Master of Architecture and Urban Planning from the University of Michigan (2005) and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico (2001). Her research focuses on transdisciplinary design methods that integrate socio-ecological systems with built environment resilience, emphasizing material circularity and long-term sustainability. Key projects include the Boston LightWells initiative and Common SENSES, which explore community-driven solutions for urban resilience. Laboy has received prestigious awards including the Latrobe Prize (2017 and 2022) and Excellence in Teaching (2020). She co-founded FieLDworkshop, a design research practice addressing ecological and cultural regeneration in cities. Her work bridges architecture, engineering, and policy through projects funded by NSF, DOE ARPA-E, and Autodesk. Research themes include green infrastructure planning, climate-resilient building systems, and participatory modeling for equitable urban development. Laboy has authored/co-authored books such as *The Architecture of Persistence* and over 30 peer-reviewed articles in journals like *Journal of Industrial Ecology* and *Journal of Architecture*. Her teaching spans comprehensive design studios and systems integration courses, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration. Education: MArch/MUP, University of Michigan, 2005 BSc Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, 2001 Key Awards: 2022 Latrobe Prize (AIA College of Fellows) 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award (CAMD) 2017 Latrobe Prize (AIA College of Fellows) Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator: Boston LightWells (Autodesk/ Boston Groundwater Trust) Co-PI: Community Resilience in Extreme Temperatures (Northeastern) DOE ARPA-E grant for carbon-negative timber construction Laboy’s practice, FieLDworkshop, operationalizes research into built projects ranging from residential designs to urban-scale interventions. Her scholarly contributions highlight the interplay between technical innovation and social equity in achieving sustainable urban futures.
Professor Michael Davies is Professor of Building Physics and the Environment at the UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE) within The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources at University College London. He is also a member of the UK Climate Change Committee. With over two decades of academic experience, Professor Davies leads research at the critical intersection of building physics, environmental design, and public health, focusing on how the built environment impacts human well-being. His educational background includes: Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Westminster (1994) Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of York (1990) Bachelor of Science from the University of Manchester (1986) Professor Davies has pioneered transdisciplinary research methods, particularly in modeling health impacts and applying system dynamics approaches to address urban health challenges. His work demonstrates how healthy sustainable development can be achieved through innovative stakeholder participation and methodological advancements. His research spans building physics, climate change adaptation, indoor environmental quality, and the health implications of urban design, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and environmental justice considerations. His extensive publication record (over 300 outputs) reveals a consistent evolution toward more integrated approaches that connect building science with public health and climate policy. Recent work shows growing emphasis on health equity in climate adaptation, advanced modeling of complex urban systems, and the application of system dynamics to understand interconnected challenges in housing and urban environments. His research bridges technical building performance analysis with broader policy implications, reflecting his commitment to solutions that address both environmental sustainability and social equity. Professor Davies has secured significant research funding, including the prestigious EPSRC Platform Grant funding the Complex Built Environment Systems group at UCL (awarded only to "world leading" centers) and the Wellcome Trust-funded 'CUSSH' project. In total, he has served as PI or Co-I on approximately 50 research projects, demonstrating exceptional ability to lead large-scale, transdisciplinary research initiatives addressing critical urban challenges. As an educator, Professor Davies leads the 'Energy Context' module in the Environmental Design and Engineering MSc course and supervises EngD and PhD students. His teaching emphasizes the integration of energy systems within broader environmental, social, and policy contexts, preparing students to address complex sustainability challenges in the built environment sector.
Sageev Oore is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, a Research Faculty Member at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and a Canada CIFAR AI Chair. He previously served as Associate Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science at Saint Mary’s University and spent 2016–2018 as a Visiting Research Scientist at Google Brain, working on the Magenta team. Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence Google Brain (2016–2018) Saint Mary’s University (former) Sageev Oore's research centers on machine learning and deep learning, with a strong focus on creative applications in music, audio processing, and computational creativity. His work bridges the gap between technical innovation and artistic expression, developing systems that generate and interact with music using neural networks. He has made significant contributions to generative models for music, including the development of PerformanceRNN and other interactive systems. His recent publications highlight advancements in out-of-distribution detection (Gram-OOD), interactive music generation, and deep learning tools for creative domains. These works reflect a consistent trend toward building intelligent, user-centered systems that enhance human creativity through AI. Canada CIFAR AI Chair (2018) Best Paper Award, CVPR ISIC Workshop (2020) Outstanding Demonstration Award (Runner-up), NeurIPS (2020) Best Demonstration Award, AAAI (2017) Best Demonstration Award, NeurIPS (2016) Sageev Oore actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with well-funded research positions available for motivated candidates. His collaborations span academia and industry, including major projects with Google Brain and interdisciplinary work with artists. He leads research initiatives in AI-driven creativity and is deeply involved in the Canadian AI ecosystem through the Vector Institute and CIFAR. His work is supported by significant grants and affiliations, including the Canada CIFAR AI Chair program, which funds his research in foundational AI and its applications. He is also part of the Magenta project at Google, contributing to open-source tools for art and music generation. Sageev Oore leads a research group focused on deep learning for creative applications, with projects in music generation, audio synthesis, and human-AI interaction. His lab collaborates with musicians, artists, and healthcare researchers, fostering a transdisciplinary approach to AI innovation.
Clive Potter is Professor of Environmental Policy at Imperial College London's Centre for Environmental Policy within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. His interdisciplinary work bridges environmental science and social science to inform government policy, with specific focus on plant biosecurity, ecosystem services, and stakeholder engagement in rural and urban contexts. Professor Potter's research centers on agricultural restructuring and sustainable land use governance in industrialized nations, examining 25+ years of policy evolution and farmer responses to market, policy, and socio-cultural shifts. He investigates policy learning mechanisms and public involvement in environmental risk management, particularly regarding tree disease epidemics like ash dieback, analyzing how historical knowledge and local observations integrate into biosecurity frameworks. His approach combines natural science collaborations with social survey methodologies across UK and EU contexts. Recent publications (2021-2024) reveal intensifying focus on urban forestry dynamics during crises (including COVID-19), socio-ecological art-science collaborations, and policy innovations for landscape-scale conservation. Key trends include systematic analysis of tree pest impacts in cities, integration of public health co-benefits in climate policy, and novel stakeholder engagement methods using digital tools. His work increasingly addresses equity dimensions in environmental governance and the role of diverse knowledge systems in managing complex socio-ecological risks.
Alison Greig is the Director of Education for Sustainability (EfS) at Anglia Ruskin University and leads the EfS research theme at the Global Sustainability Institute (GSI) . She is also the Course Leader for the MSc Sustainability and is actively involved in research supervision. PhD in Physical Geography (Landslides, Hurricanes) from the University of Wales Swansea BSc (1st Class Hons) in Geography from the University of Wales Swansea PgCert (Higher Education) from Anglia Ruskin University Her research focuses on education’s role in fostering sustainability , emphasizing pedagogical innovation , interdisciplinary learning , and measuring educational impact . She explores how formal and informal education systems can empower individuals to drive sustainable transformations. Alison’s recent publications highlight trends in curriculum reform , transdisciplinary education , and community-based sustainability research . Her work bridges environmental science , educational theory , and policy analysis . Scientific awards and memberships include: National Teaching Fellow Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Chartered Water and Environmental Manager Chartered Environmentalist Alison supervises postgraduate research students and collaborates with institutions like the Global Sustainability Institute to advance sustainability education initiatives.
Ulrika Persson-Fischier is a University Lecturer at the Department of Women's and Children's Health and the Center for Health and Sustainability at Uppsala University. She is based at Campus Gotland and plays a key role in interdisciplinary research and education focused on sustainability. She leads the international Master’s programme in Implementation, Transformative Learning, and Sustainability and has developed the Master’s in Sustainable Destination Development. Her academic background includes a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Oslo and foundational studies in anthropology, philosophy, and intellectual history at Uppsala University. Her research spans diverse fields including sustainable tourism, entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and risk management, unified through an anthropological lens emphasizing culture, complexity, and systemic change. She employs ethnographic methods and transdisciplinary collaboration to address wicked problems in sustainability. Her work is grounded in long-term fieldwork, from Siberia to Sweden, and she actively engages with societal actors to co-create knowledge. Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on sustainable tourism, cruise industry impacts, transformative learning, and innovation implementation. Themes include stakeholder co-creation, responsible governance, educational innovation for the SDGs, and the socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability transitions. Her work bridges theory and practice, particularly in island contexts like Gotland and Rapa Nui. Excellent teacher She supervises PhD and Master’s students, including Marije Poort and Fie Broker-Bulling, and leads multiple research projects on sustainable tourism and entrepreneurship. She has developed innovative educational tools such as the online module 'The Mission' for sustainability education. Her teaching spans anthropology, sustainability, CSR, qualitative methods, and entrepreneurship, and she is deeply committed to pedagogical development and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Ulrika is actively involved in Erasmus+ projects such as LISTO and VAMOS, promoting global virtual exchange and sustainable entrepreneurship education. Her research projects include 'Sustainable Arctic cruise communities', 'Hållbar turism i det nya normala', 'Cultural Heritage, Regional Development and Innovation', and 'Fishing for sustainability on Gotland'. She emphasizes collaboration between academia, industry, and local communities to foster resilient and regenerative systems.
Suren Jayasuriya is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's The GAME School, with joint appointments in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE) and the Department of Arts, Media and Engineering (AME). He is also an Affiliate Faculty Member at the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. His lab, the Imaging Lyceum, focuses on transdisciplinary research bridging computational imaging, computer vision, sensors, and STEAM education. Education Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University (2017) M.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University (2015) B.S. Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh (2012) B.A. Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh (2012) Research Focus Dr. Jayasuriya's work integrates optics, computational photography, and machine learning to develop novel imaging systems. His research spans: Computational cameras and light transport analysis Atmospheric turbulence modeling and video restoration Neural volumetric reconstruction for sonar/radar STEAM education frameworks for K-12 teachers Philosophical aspects of imaging and representation His lab emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, arts, and humanities. Publication Trends Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on computational imaging (45%), AI/ML applications (30%), and educational technology (25%). Dominant themes include turbulence mitigation in videos, neural rendering for sonar/radar, sensor fusion, and AI curriculum development for middle schools. Work frequently appears in top venues like CVPR, SIGGRAPH, and IEEE Transactions. Awards Image Electronics Technology Excellence Award (IIEEJ, 2021) Best Demo Awards: IEEE ICCP 2019, MIRU 2018 Best Paper Award: IEEE ICCP 2014 ASEE Diversity Paper Finalist (2020) Teaching Honors: Fulton Top 5% Award (2019, 2021), ASU Game Changing Faculty (2021) Teaching & Advising Teaches graduate/undergraduate courses including Machine Vision (EEE 515), Minds and Machines (AME 400), and thesis supervision. Leads NSF-funded projects on computational imaging education and AI teacher training. Mentors students through the Imaging Lyceum lab with projects spanning optics, philosophy, and educational technology. Lab & Collaborations Directs the Imaging Lyceum, emphasizing Aristotle-inspired collaborative research. The lab works on: computational cameras, STEAM education, sensor development, and philosophical inquiries into imaging. Collaborates with Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute and international partners. Funded by NSF, NEH, and industrial partners for projects in sonar imaging, heat resiliency sensing, and educational AI.
David S. Steingard serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Management at Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, where he has held a tenure-track position since 1999 after teaching at Maharishi University of Management (1997-1999). His academic work critically examines business through spiritual, ethical, and postmodern frameworks with emphasis on socially responsible practices and organizational transformation. His educational foundation includes: BS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1986) MA, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1988) PhD, Case Western Reserve University (1997) Steingard's research pioneers spiritually-integral management theory , challenging conventional paradigms through postmodern deconstructions of TQM and workforce diversity while advancing natural law perspectives on environmental stewardship. His work consistently bridges Vedic philosophy, Catholic social teaching, and stakeholder theory to develop consciousness-based organizational models. Key domains include: Business ethics grounded in spiritual-relational frameworks Globalization critiques emphasizing ethical interbeing Mediation practices informed by Taoist metaphysics Transformative pedagogy for spiritually-whole classrooms Arts-based organizational healing methodologies Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals an evolutionary trajectory from postmodern critiques of 1990s management fads toward sophisticated spiritually-integral frameworks that position consciousness as central to organizational viability. This progression demonstrates increasing sophistication in synthesizing Eastern philosophies with Western business theory, particularly evident in his environmental management and educational transformation work post-2000. His scholarly impact is recognized through: ONE Doctoral Dissertation Award Finalist (1998) Andrew W. Mellon Dissertation Fellowship (1996) Saint Joseph's University Faculty Merit Teaching Award (2001) Maharishi University Teacher Appreciation Award (1997-1998) Steingard secured significant external funding including a two-year The Body Shop International PLC research residency (1993-1995) and Mandell Center grants for nonprofit organizational development. While specific doctoral students aren't documented, his extensive teaching across undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and international programs (India, Guadeloupe, Holland) indicates substantial mentoring activity. His consulting portfolio with The Body Shop, Northeast Ohio Jazz Society, and Romanian healthcare officials demonstrates applied scholarship connecting academic theory to real-world organizational transformation. Though no formal research labs are described, his collaborative publications with scholars like Fitzgibbons and Khalsa reveal active participation in transdisciplinary communities exploring spirituality's role in business and education, particularly through the Organization and Environment academic consortium.
Professor David Abbink is a Full Professor of Haptic Human-Robot Interaction at Delft University of Technology, holding a joint appointment between the Department of Cognitive Robotics in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering since November 2023. He founded the Delft Haptics Lab and co-founded the Cognitive Robotics Department in 2017. Abbink leads the transdisciplinary research and innovation centre FRAIM, which was awarded the prestigious NWO Stevin Premie (Dutch Nobel Prize equivalent) in June 2024. Trained as a mechanical engineer specializing in biomechanics, Abbink's research focuses on human behavior adaptations when interacting with autonomous systems. He has published over a hundred scientific articles on human-robot interaction, haptics, shared control, tele-operation, driver assistance systems, and sensorimotor control. His research has been funded by industry partners (Nissan, Boeing, Renault), RVO (Brightsky project 2022-2026), and the Dutch Science Foundation NWO through personal grants (VENI 2010-2014, VIDI 2015-2019). Abbink's recent work centers on worker-robot relations as an academic focus, collaborating with organizations like Erasmus Medical Centre for nursing work, Schiphol and KLM for baggage handling, and KLM Engine Repair Services for maintenance work. He also serves as scientific director for the Centre for Meaningful Human Control, launched in October 2024. His work bridges engineering, social sciences, and practical applications to responsibly shape the future of work with emerging robotic capabilities. NWO Stevin Premie (2024) Best IEEE SMC journal paper on Cybernetics (2019) Top 25 scientific talents according to New Scientist (2015) Best teacher of Faculty 3mE (2013, 2014) Best teacher of Department of BioMechanical Engineering (seven consecutive years) Abbink has supervised over 110 MSc students and 11 PhD students. His educational contributions include developing the Master Programme in Robotics at TU Delft and receiving international recognition for his course 'The Human Controller.' He is also a prominent science communicator, featured on national television, radio, and major Dutch newspapers, and has delivered lectures at venues like The Royal Institution and Lowlands Festival. Despite his academic commitments, Abbink maintains a drummer persona, having recorded four albums and performed over 400 shows across three continents between 1999-2014.
Matthew Pelowski is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna , affiliated with the Faculty of Psychology and the Institute for Psychology of Cognition, Emotion and Methods . He is a key member of the Cognitive Science Research Network . PhD in Information Science, Nagoya University (2011) MSc in Information Science, Nagoya University (2007) BFA in Studio Art (Oil Painting), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002) BJ in Advertising, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002) Pelowski's research bridges neuroaesthetics and cognitive neuroscience , focusing on how art impacts well-being , empathy , and social development . His work employs advanced neuroimaging techniques like fNIRS and hyperscanning to study interpersonal brain dynamics during art appreciation, while also exploring the relationship between artistic creativity and neurodegenerative diseases . Pelowski's recent publications reveal a strong focus on art's therapeutic potential , cross-cultural aesthetic differences , and temporal dynamics in art evaluation . His work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the APA Berlyne Award and the Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten Award . American Psychological Association (APA) Berlyne Award (2020) Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten Award (2016) Association of Media & Publishing Excel Awards Bronze Prize (2021) As Consortium Leader for projects like ARTIS (Horizon2020) and Unlocking the Muse (FWF), Pelowski drives transdisciplinary research connecting art with societal challenges and neurodegenerative disease studies . His work has been featured in over 30 media reports, demonstrating significant public engagement and societal impact.
Nidhi Rastogi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Software Engineering within the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She leads the AI4Sec Research Lab, which focuses on data-driven AI solutions for cybersecurity, emphasizing interpretability and practical applications. Her research interests span Cyber Threat Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Graph Analytics, and Healthcare Analytics. Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science (2018), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute M.S. in Computer Science (2008), University of Cincinnati Bachelor of Information Technology (2003), University of Delhi Research Interests: Transdisciplinary work in cybersecurity, AI, heterogeneous networks, and graph analytics. She develops systems for threat intelligence, explainable AI, and security monitoring. Notable projects include the CyNER library for cybersecurity NER, TINKER framework for open-source CTI, and personal health knowledge graphs. Awards & Mentoring: Students advised include Le Nguyen (1st place at UPSTAT23), Tanvirul Alam (IEEE SP Travel Grant), and Dipkamal Bhusal. Recent recognitions include program committee roles for ACM CCS'24 and ACSAC'24. Labs & Collaborations: The AI4Sec Lab collaborates with federal agencies, national labs, and enterprises. Current projects address autonomous vehicle security, healthcare analytics, and systemic cyberattack detection using graph-based methods.
Dr Alasdair B R Stewart is a Lecturer in Social and Public Policy at the University of Glasgow's School of Social and Political Sciences. He holds dual roles as a Research Fellow and Data Lead at the GCRF Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods (SHLC), and Co-Investigator for a Health Foundation-funded project examining welfare conditionality's impact on mental health. His research focuses on how large-scale social processes shape inequality, with particular attention to homelessness, welfare systems, and open-source research tools like PythiaQDA. Affiliations: GCRF SHLC, University of Glasgow's School of Social and Political Sciences Education: Not explicitly stated in provided text Stewart’s work bridges post-philosophical sociology with empirical research, critiquing proprietary qualitative analysis software and advocating for open science. His projects frequently address the intersection of welfare policies, mental health, and social security. He co-developed PythiaQDA, an open-source QDA tool designed to democratize qualitative research. His recent articles analyze Universal Credit's impact on mental health claimants, punitive welfare sanctions, and EU migrant welfare rights. Key findings emphasize systemic invalidation of mental health struggles within welfare systems and the need for policy reforms. Grants & Funding: Health Foundation, GCRF, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Supervision: Advises student Faith Ougham Stewart is actively involved in the Theory Reading Group at the University of Glasgow, exploring themes like 'The Body and Emotions' through transdisciplinary lenses. He also maintains blogs ( Constellations ) for open academic discourse.
