Jun Hyung Lee is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Biology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). His research focuses on advancing forest tree improvement and conservation through molecular and synthetic biology approaches, with a particular emphasis on enhancing plant resilience to environmental stresses via beneficial microbial interactions. He teaches courses in plant biotechnology and tissue culture methods. Education includes a Ph.D. in Forest Genetics from Purdue University (USA), and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Plant Science from Seoul National University (South Korea). His work integrates cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques with ecological studies to address challenges in plant stress tolerance, symbiosis, and epigenetic regulation. Recent projects include identifying novel symbiosis pathways for thermotolerance and analyzing flooding tolerance in hybrid poplars. Publications highlight contributions to plant-microbe interaction research, synthetic biology applications, and genome editing epigenetic impacts. Collaborations span institutions like Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Georgia, reflecting his transdisciplinary approach to plant science. Lee’s teaching emphasizes practical skills in biotechnology, bridging laboratory innovation with field applications.
Professor Simon Buckingham Shum is a leading academic in Learning Informatics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), serving as inaugural Director of the Connected Intelligence Centre since 2014. His work bridges Human-Computer Interaction, Educational Technology, and Learning Analytics to develop AI-driven tools like OnTask that enhance student belonging through personalized feedback. Key research areas: Human-Computer Interaction, Learning Analytics, AI in Education, Collective Intelligence Recent work focuses: LLM-augmented qualitative analysis, Belonging Analytics frameworks, and ethical AI implementation in education CIC received the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Student Experience Award for scaling OnTask across multiple faculties. His contributions span over 30 years, including founding roles at The Open University’s Knowledge Media Institute and innovations in Open Educational Resources (OER), SocialLearn, and FutureLearn platforms. Notable awards: 2024 Student Experience Award (OnTask), Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), DEFI STRI Researcher at University of Cambridge Education: B.Sc. in Psychology (York), M.Sc. in Ergonomics (UCL), PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (York) He leads multidisciplinary collaborations with teams across Business, Law, and Education faculties, pioneering tools like Theme Explorer and Qreframer bot. His recent focus on the "metacrisis" reframes educational technology’s role in addressing global systemic challenges through transdisciplinary approaches.
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
Ansgar Nünning is a Professor of English and American Literature and Cultural Studies at the Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen since 1996. He is the founding director of the Giessen Graduate School for the Humanities and the International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), and serves as academic director of the International PhD Program (IPP) 'Literary and Cultural Studies'. Additionally, he is a member of the Collaborative Research Centre 'Memory Cultures' and has driven internationalization efforts in PhD education through partnerships like PhDnet Literary and Cultural Studies. Research Focus: Interdisciplinary cultural studies, narrative theory, cultural memory, and media-specific narratology. Academic Leadership: Founded key graduate institutions, supervised 15+ PhD candidates, and co-developed transdisciplinary teaching frameworks. Notable Contributions: His work spans media-conscious literary analysis, theory of narrative self-making, and cultural transgression studies. He has mentored scholars who now hold academic positions across Europe and beyond. Scientific Award: Honorary doctorate from the University of Stockholm (2017) for contributions to literary/cultural studies and PhD education reform. Current Roles: Oversees research at the GCSC, collaborates on media-specific narratology projects (e.g., Robin Schmieder's vlog analysis), and contributes to transdisciplinary teaching initiatives.
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.
Marisol De La Cadena is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Davis, with affiliations in Science and Technology Studies (STS). Her work bridges anthropology, political theory, and environmental thought, focusing on ontological divergence and multispecies relations in Latin America, particularly in Peru and Colombia. Department: Department of Anthropology School: College of Letters and Science University: University of California, Davis Email: mdelac@ucdavis.edu Office: Young Hall 315 Her research centers on the intersection of modern politics and non-modern or ahistorical ontologies, especially through what she calls "ontological openings." Drawing from deep ethnographic engagement with Quechua-speaking interlocutors in the Andes, she explores how earth-beings, humans, and nonhumans co-constitute worlds that exceed Western categories. Her theoretical contributions challenge conventional boundaries between nature and culture, history and timelessness, and politics and cosmology. Her recent fieldwork in Colombia examines human-cow relations on cattle ranches and in veterinary schools, situating these practices within broader ecological crises and post-conflict transitions. Her publications reveal a consistent interest in how ethnographic concepts function as both empirical observations and theoretical tools. The body of her work, including key articles like "Uncommoning Nature" and "Runa: Human but not only," reflects a deep commitment to rethinking anthropological method and theory. Her research trends emphasize ontological politics, multispecies ethnography, and the decolonization of knowledge, contributing significantly to contemporary debates in STS and anthropology. Her scientific honors include: John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow (2008) Lewis H. Morgan Lecture Series Invited Speaker, University of Rochester (2011) Invited Researcher, Center for Advanced Studies, Norwegian Academy of Sciences (2015) Guest Speaker, Mellon-Sawyer Seminar, University of Cape Town (2010) She has been principal investigator on several major grants, including the John E. Sawyer Mellon-Sawyer Seminar on the Comparative Study of Cultures (2012–2016), a Wenner-Gren Conference Support Grant (2009–2010), and multiple research fellowships from the Guggenheim, Wenner-Gren, and American Philosophical Societies. These grants have enabled collaborative, transdisciplinary research on cosmopolitics, indigeneity, and the anthropology of worlds. She is affiliated with research initiatives such as the Sawyer Seminar on the Comparative Study of Cultures and contributes to global academic networks in anthropology and STS. Her work fosters dialogue between indigenous thought, continental philosophy, and ethnographic practice, creating spaces for alternative modes of knowing and being.
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.
Martina Artmann is a Research Professor in Green Infrastructure at the University of Applied Science Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Germany. She leads the Leibniz Junior Research Group URBNANCE on Urban Human-Nature Resonance at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden. Her work spans urban ecology, green infrastructure, and sustainability transformation, with a focus on human-nature interactions in cities. PhD in Natural Sciences, University of Salzburg & Bavarian Academy for Nature Protection MSc in Landscape, Regional and Urban Management, University of Salzburg BSc in Agricultural Science, University of Hohenheim Her research centers on urban ecosystem services, green infrastructure, and edible cities as nature-based solutions for urban sustainability. She investigates how urban agriculture, soil sealing, and green space planning contribute to resilient cities. Her work integrates transdisciplinary methods, citizen science, and policy evaluation to foster human-nature resonance and transformative change. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward systemic assessments of urban agriculture, sustainability transformation, and the role of relational values in urban ecology. Themes include edible cities, green infrastructure, urban human-nature interactions, and the integration of ecological and social dimensions in urban planning. Student Award, German IALE-D (2012–2014) Doctoral Scholarship, German Federal Foundation for Environment (DBU, 2011) TUD Young Investigator, TU Dresden (2013) Fellowships for study in China (2005) and New Zealand (DAAD) Artmann has led multiple funded research projects, including DFG’s Edible Cities, BMBF’s Future Town Dresden, and BMVI’s meinGrün. She mentors students through project-based teaching at TU Dresden and has served as a visiting professor at the University of Bucharest. She is a Review Editor for Frontiers in Environmental Science and actively contributes to academic networks such as the Society for Urban Ecology (SURE) and the China Centre for Urban Ecology (CCUE). She is involved in research labs and teams including the URBNANCE Junior Research Group at IOER and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on urban sustainability projects. Her work emphasizes transdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement, and the co-creation of knowledge for sustainable urban development.
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.
Dr. Jarno Hoekman is an Associate Professor in Innovation Studies at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University. His research focuses on the dynamics and governance of science in the context of innovation, regulation, and societal challenges, with particular emphasis on sustainability and health. He is affiliated with both the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and the Utrecht collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy & Regulation in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Hoekman serves as the programme leader of the research master in Innovation Sciences and teaches academic integrity courses to Master students and PhD candidates. Dr. Hoekman's research is organized around three interconnected themes: Science in transition , examining how scientific practices and institutional arrangements are evolving through open science, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and alternative recognition systems; Regulatory science and innovation , investigating innovations in tools and standards for assessing risks and benefits of new technologies, including safety assessment methods and regulatory authorization standards; and Geography of science , exploring the role of location factors in scientific knowledge production and diffusion. Analysis of Dr. Hoekman's recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong interdisciplinary focus spanning pharmacology, toxicology, innovation studies, and science policy. Key research trends include examining conditional marketing authorization pathways, post-approval studies for conditionally authorized medicines, animal-free safety testing methodologies, and the societal impact of transdisciplinary research projects. His work frequently employs mixed-methods approaches and involves multi-stakeholder perspectives to address complex regulatory and innovation challenges. Dr. Hoekman actively contributes to policy-relevant research, including major European Commission studies on pharmaceutical legislation. His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions and involves interdisciplinary teams working on pharmaceutical policy, sustainable innovation, and science-society interactions. As a member of the Utrecht Young Academy and the UU Open Science Platform, he engages with broader academic community initiatives related to research integrity and open science practices.
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.
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.
Tuuli Toivonen is a Professor of Geoinformatics at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki. She leads the transdisciplinary Digital Geography Lab , which addresses human-scale spatial analytics for sustainable societies. She serves as Vice-Director of Geography Degree Programs (post-2022) and previously held the Director role (2020-2022). After receiving the ERC Consolidator Grant in 2022, she continues advancing open science through active memberships in HELSUS and URBARIA . PhD in Geography (University of Turku, 2006) Specialist Vocational Qualification in Leadership (2023) Life Member, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge (since 2021) Her research focuses on Human-Place Interactions through accessibility/mobility lenses, combining Open Data , Machine Learning , and Spatial Analytics . Key application areas include Urban Geography , Conservation Science , and Governance Policy . Recent publications address Dynamic Cities (2018), Social Media for Conservation (2019), and Environmental Exposure During Travel (2021). Her lab produces datasets like the Helsinki Region Travel Time Matrix series (2014-2023). Scientific Awards: European Open Data Champion (2017) Open Science Price (2017) University of Helsinki Geography Award (2018) She supervises Master's thesis work and serves as Opponent for doctoral defenses across Europe. Her teaching portfolio includes Advanced Geoinformatics and Digital Geographies courses.
Johan Eklöf is a Professor at Stockholm University within the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences . His research emphasizes marine ecology , focusing on interactions between marine biodiversity, environmental conditions (including climate), and societal impacts . He teaches courses such as Management of Aquatic Resources in the Tropics , Marine Ecology for the Biogeo Program , and Ecology II . Research Focus: Causal relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem resilience Foundation species as drivers of ecosystem services Optimizing resource management under climate change Projects: Principal Investigator for FORCE (2023-present), a transdisciplinary Baltic Sea recovery project Contributor to NordSalt (climate impacts on Nordic salt marshes) and PlantFish (Baltic Sea vegetation-fish interactions) Scientific Leadership : Supervises 2 current PhD students and co-supervises 6 additional PhD/postdocs Formerly mentored 4 PhD graduates and >40 MSc students Environmental Context: His work spans Baltic Sea and Western Indian Ocean ecosystems, using seagrass beds , mussel beds , and coastal benthic systems as primary models. Recent publications highlight climate change impacts on trophic cascades , habitat connectivity , and policy frameworks for marine conservation .
Prof. Dr. Beate Binder is a Professor of European Ethnology and Gender Studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin , with a joint appointment at the Center for Transdisciplinary Gender Studies (ztg). Her research and teaching focus on gender production intersecting with social categorizations, using gender theory and (queer) ethnography methods. Current research: Legal anthropology and political anthropology Historical contributions: Feminist cultural anthropology history Special interests: Urban space-sexuality connections, memory politics, homemaking practices She holds leadership roles including: Co-speaker of the Center for Transdisciplinary Gender Studies Chair of the Examination Committee at Institute for European Ethnology Former spokesperson for DFG research groups "Law – Gender – Collectivity" and "Cultures of Madness" Editorial board member of Berliner Blätter , Ethnologia Europaea , and Journal of Cultural Studies Scientific Awards : Award for good teaching (Faculty of Philosophy III, 2011) Research Collaborations : Principal investigator for EU-funded HERA project "EUROPACH" Co-leader of NORFACE project "Crimscapes"
