Dr. Maria Grazia Turri is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Arts and Mental Health at Queen Mary University of London, co-directing the MSc program collaborating between the Centre for Psychiatry and the Department of Drama. Affiliated with the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, she holds dual expertise as a psychiatrist, psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and theatre scholar. Her roles include teaching, research, and clinical practice. Educated in Padova (Italy) for medicine, she earned a DPhil in Psychiatry from Oxford and a PhD in Drama from Exeter. She trained in medical psychotherapy and practised for 15 years in the NHS, including as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Medical Psychotherapy. Her research bridges psychoanalytic theory with theatre studies, focusing on processes like identification in performance and the role of laughter in Commedia dell’Arte. She also explores creative arts in mental health interventions, including social prescribing and arts-based therapies. Her teaching spans critical mental health, psychoanalysis, and theatre practice, with supervision of MSc and PhD students. Public engagement includes the annual 'Mad Hearts' conference and collaborations with arts organizations to enhance mental health through the arts. She co-founded the MadHeartists collective and advocates for integrating artistic practices into mental health care systems.
Anthony Bass, Ph.D., is a Teaching Faculty & Clinical Consultant at New York University, affiliated with the Relational Track. He earned his B.A. from New College (1972), M.A. from Harvard University (1973), and M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University (1979, 1980, 1983). He also holds a Psychoanalytic Certificate from NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis (1989). Education: B.A. 1972, New College M.A. 1973, Harvard University M.S. 1979, M.Phil. 1980, Ph.D. 1983, Teachers College, Columbia University Psychoanalytic Certificate 1989, NYU Postdoctoral Program Dr. Bass specializes in psychoanalysis, clinical psychology, and relational theory. His work explores containment mechanisms, enactments in therapy, analytical frames, and termination processes. His publications in Psychoanalytic Dialogues emphasize the dynamic interplay between therapist and patient, challenging traditional boundaries in psychoanalytic practice. His research focuses on therapeutic communication, countertransference management, and the adaptation of psychoanalytic frameworks to modern clinical contexts. Publications from 1992–2011 demonstrate sustained engagement with relational psychoanalysis, structural theory, and clinical innovation. Contact: tony.bass@gmail.com | Office: 330 West 58th Street, Suite 507, New York, NY 10019 | Phone: (212) 582-3682
Lars B. Sonderegger serves as a Lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), School of Business, within the Institute for Business and Regional Economics. He teaches management and leadership modules while simultaneously leading his research and consulting firm Quantonomics LLC. His work bridges academic theory with practical business applications, focusing on translating behavioral neuroscience into organizational solutions. His educational background includes neuroscience and behavioral sciences studies at the University of Zurich, culminating in a magna cum laude doctorate in stress management under Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ehlert. This foundation combines with his Swiss Federal Diploma in Business Administration and family background in SME entrepreneurship to create his unique practitioner-scholar approach. Sonderegger's research centers on behavioral economics and neuroscience applications in management, with particular emphasis on leadership development, organizational transformation, and human capital optimization. His work explores how neurobiological principles can reshape traditional management practices, especially in hybrid work environments, decision-making processes, and talent retention strategies. Current projects include the VR Board Assessment Tool, Transformation Tracking, and Agile Collaborative People Management. His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on practical neuroscience applications, with recent work examining leadership in VUCA environments, employee well-being frameworks, and cognitive bias mitigation in governance. The trajectory shows increasing integration of neuroscientific evidence into management literature, moving from foundational stress research toward actionable leadership tools. Schulze Award for Outstanding Applied and Practice Publication (2023) Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (2017) Sonderegger actively advises Master's students at HSLU on topics ranging from performance management to organizational transformation, while securing consulting engagements that translate academic insights into business value. His Quantonomics firm implements behavioral strategies for clients, supported by research projects tracking transformation effectiveness and developing neuroscience-based leadership tools. He serves on multiple boards including SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern and Eigthwell, applying his expertise to real-world organizational challenges. Through Quantonomics and his university role, Sonderegger maintains a dynamic research-practice ecosystem where academic inquiry directly informs consulting solutions. His teams develop tools like the VR Board Assessment platform while conducting field research on agile people management and SME internationalization, ensuring continuous feedback between theory and practice.
Danielle Knafo is a Professor of Psychology at Long Island University (LIU) Post, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst with extensive academic and clinical experience. She also holds faculty and supervisory positions at NYU’s Postdoctoral Program for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis and Adelphi’s Postgraduate Programs in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. B.A. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology – Tel Aviv University, Israel Ph.D. – The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) Certificate in Psychoanalysis – New York University (NYU) Dr. Knafo's research and clinical expertise span a wide range of areas, with a strong focus on psychoanalysis, trauma, gender and sexuality, psychosis, perversion, technology, and the psychology of art and creativity . Her work often explores the intersections between culture, identity, and mental health, particularly in multicultural and immigrant populations. She has made significant contributions to understanding the role of creativity in psychological transformation and the impact of technology on human relationships and desire. Her recent publications reflect a consistent engagement with themes of loneliness, identity, technology, and the unconscious. Articles such as 'Alone in a Crowded Mind' and 'Guys and Dolls' explore modern relational challenges, while her work on psychosis and castration theory demonstrates deep clinical insight. Her research integrates psychoanalytic theory with contemporary cultural phenomena, resulting in a rich, interdisciplinary body of work. Scientific Awards and Honors: American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis Book Prize (2018) Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (2017) Krasnoff Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) Barbro Sandin Award, ISPS (2015) CORST Essay Prize, American Psychoanalytic Association (2014) Multiple research grants from LIU and NYU Dr. Knafo has authored nine books and numerous journal articles, book chapters, and exhibition essays. She is actively involved in professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, the International Psychoanalytic Association, and the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. She has directed the Serious Mental Illness (SMI) concentration at LIU Post and continues to mentor clinicians and trainees. While no formal list of students is provided, her role as a professor, supervisor, and author of training-focused books like Becoming a Clinical Psychologist indicates significant advising and educational impact. She maintains a private practice in Manhattan and Great Neck, NY, and serves as a writing consultant and speaker. Dr. Knafo is affiliated with several academic and clinical institutions, including: Long Island University (LIU) Post – Professor of Psychology NYU Postdoctoral Program for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis – Faculty and Supervisor Adelphi University Postgraduate Programs – Faculty and Supervisor
Malaika Brengman serves as a Senior Lecturer and postdoctoral researcher at the Free University of Brussels, specializing in consumer behavior within retail contexts. Her academic work bridges Communication Sciences, Business Studies, and Media Innovation through interdisciplinary research on digital retail environments. Her research focuses on consumer decision-making processes in physical and virtual retail spaces, with particular expertise in trust formation, digital signage effectiveness, and the psychological impact of emerging technologies. Key interests include: How virtual worlds influence retail appeal and consumer threat perception The relationship between store environment design and initial trust development Implicit measurement techniques for assessing service experiences Consumer responses to AI-driven personalization in retail settings Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on augmented reality applications, vaccine attitude segmentation, and social media addiction pathways, demonstrating methodological diversity across behavioral experiments and large-scale consumer surveys. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through multiple awards including the Best Conference Paper Award (2010), Best Extended Abstract Award (2020), and a Highly Commended Paper distinction (2016). These accolades highlight her impact in retail technology and consumer psychology research. Brengman actively supervises doctoral candidates and serves on PhD committees, with documented supervision of at least 153 academic works. She frequently engages with media as an expert on consumer finance topics, particularly regarding energy pricing impacts and savings behaviors during economic uncertainty. Her current projects include Brubotics (human-centered robotics) and SHALGO (algorithmic systems research). She maintains significant external engagement through advisory roles in consumer protection initiatives and regular media commentary on retail trends and consumer behavior patterns.
Ruba Al Omari is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at York University. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Ontario Tech University, where she earned the Doctoral Excellence Award. Her research focuses on cybersecurity, machine learning applications in security, and the intersection of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) with password memorability and user behavior analysis. Dr. Al Omari has over 15 years of industry experience in IT roles spanning network management and security. Her teaching portfolio includes graduate and undergraduate courses in cybersecurity, network security, applied cryptography, malware analysis, and machine learning. Notable courses include 'Attack and Defense Special Topics in IT: AI in Cybersecurity' and capstone projects in computer security. Research interests emphasize leveraging EEG signals and neural networks to predict password memorability, studying user behavior in password usage, and exploring BCI applications for facial recognition and image tagging. Her work bridges cognitive science, neuroscience, and computational security systems. Publications consistently address themes of password security, BCI-driven biometric authentication, and cognitive aspects of cybersecurity. Awards include the Doctoral Excellence Award from Ontario Tech University (exact year not specified in text). Previous roles included program coordinator for AI and Cybersecurity programs at Durham College, alongside teaching experience at Ontario Tech University. Industry background includes user support and network management roles, providing practical insights into IT security challenges.
David Terburg is Associate Professor in Social Neuroscience at Utrecht University's Department of Psychology (Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences). His research examines neurobiological mechanisms of social behavior using multimodal approaches including hormone administration, fMRI, and lesion studies. His research focuses on: Neural basis of social motivation and aggression Amygdala function in threat processing and escape behaviors Hormonal modulation of social decision-making Cross-species validation of social neuroscience findings Analysis of his publications shows strong emphasis on the basolateral amygdala's role in rapid threat responses, and hormonal influences (testosterone, oxytocin) on social cognition. Recent work develops neurocomputational models of cerebellum-amygdala interactions. Scientific awards include: NWO Veni Award (2013) for research on neuroendocrine mechanisms of defense behaviors He teaches courses in neuropsychology and social neuroscience, employing methods like eye-tracking and psychophysiology. His lab uses pharmacological interventions and neuroimaging to study clinical populations including psychopathy and social anxiety. Research is supported by Dutch Science Foundation grants and involves international collaborations across Europe and South Africa.
Professor Christopher Mowles is a leading academic in complexity and management at the Hertfordshire Business School. He directs the internationally recognized Doctor of Management programme, which integrates complexity sciences into professional doctorates. His teaching spans MBA, MA programmes at University of Hertfordshire and institutions like Copenhagen Business School and SOAS. He has supervised 17 doctoral students and examined 18 theses. Research Focus: Complexity theory applications in organizations, group dynamics, leadership development, and international development. Consulting: Works with NHS, UN, DFID, international NGOs, and governments on strategy, organizational change, and group functioning. Expertise: Group Analysis (GWP certified), experiential learning design, and systemic consultancy approaches. His recent publications explore complexity in public sectors, consultancy practices, and organizational leadership through edited volumes like 'Complexity and Organisations' (2024) and 'Complexity and the Public Sector' (2022). Academic contributions bridge theoretical complexity science with practical management challenges in diverse sectors. Awards: None explicitly listed, though his work has been widely cited in professional doctorate education fields. Grants/Advising: Extensive consultancy experience with major institutions indicates significant external engagement. Labs/Teams: Active in Managing Complex Change Research Group and Sustainability Research Group at Hertfordshire Business School.
Mark Beeman is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University and director of The Creative Brain Lab. His research focuses on studying the component processes and behaviors that relate to creative problem solving, with particular emphasis on 'high-level cognition' and how the brain thinks when solving complex problems. Beeman seeks to link the brain's wetware to the mind's software, using evidence from both domains to constrain theories and provide novel insights. Beeman's primary research area is creative cognition, particularly insight problem solving exemplified by 'Aha' or 'Eureka' experiences. His work combines behavioral and neuroimaging approaches to investigate the neural correlates of insight. Key findings include the identification of right hemisphere involvement, particularly the anterior Superior Temporal Gyrus, in insight problem solving. He discovered that insight solutions are associated with sudden bursts of gamma activity in this region, along with alpha wave activity that may represent 'gating' of visual input to facilitate solution processing. His research spans multiple dimensions of creativity including intuition, problem solving under performance pressure, the relationship between sleep and incubation effects, and how attentional patterns relate to creative cognition. Beeman's work has been published in top journals including NeuroImage, Psychological Science, and Annual Review of Psychology, with his 2014 review paper with John Kounios becoming a seminal work in the field. Among his notable achievements is the Memory & Cognition Best Paper award in 2016. His lab continues to explore the neural dynamics of creative thought through various ongoing projects examining how different cognitive processes contribute to creative problem solving. Beeman has established The Creative Brain Lab as an interdisciplinary research hub that brings together cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science to uncover the mechanisms underlying creative thought, with implications for education, innovation, and understanding human cognition more broadly.
Sophie Tamas is an Associate Professor cross-appointed between Canadian Studies and the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Carleton University. She is currently on leave. Her educational qualifications are: B.I.S. from the University of Waterloo M.A. from Carleton University PhD from Carleton University Dr. Tamas specializes in emotional geographies, autoethnography, and the ethical complexities of personal narrative across academic, artistic, and therapeutic domains. Her methodological approach integrates feminist, Indigenous, and arts-based perspectives with trauma-informed and new materialist theories to investigate subjectivity and knowledge construction. Analysis of her recent scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on narrative techniques and emotional landscapes, particularly examining how material practices like scrapbooking mediate experiences of trauma and loss. Her work critically engages with the boundaries of self-disclosure in research contexts. Her notable scientific awards include: SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Tamas supervises graduate students in Canadian Studies and Geography programs. Her research initiatives are bolstered by significant grant funding: Advising: Guides MA and PhD candidates in emotional geography and narrative research methodologies. Grants: Principal investigator on projects funded by SSHRC and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program. She co-founded The Emotional Geography Collective and is developing an arts-based research laboratory focused on creative approaches to processing trauma and loss.
Catherine Harmer is a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Oslo (UiO). Her research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying treatments for depression and anxiety disorders, using advanced techniques like fMRI, MEG, TMS, and psychopharmacological challenges in both healthy volunteers and patient populations. Research Highlights: Harmer’s groundbreaking work proposes that antidepressants alleviate depression by rapidly resolving negative affective bias, leading to gradual symptom improvement. This model has significant implications for treatment stratification, early therapeutic prediction, and novel drug target identification. Publications & Collaborations: Her studies, featured in journals like Biological Psychiatry and Molecular Psychiatry , explore attentional bias modification, neural correlates of cognitive therapies, and the neurochemical basis of affective processing. She is affiliated with the Clinical Neuroscience Research Group (CNRG) and contributes to transdiagnostic research on rumination and mood disorders. Key Techniques: Her lab employs fMRI MEG TMS Neuropsychological assessments
Wako Yoshida is Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, leading research at the intersection of computational neuroscience, decision theory, and social cognition. Her work focuses on neural mechanisms of belief construction during partially observable decision-making and social interactions, with particular emphasis on prefrontal cortex function. Her research interests include: Computational modeling of uncertainty resolution in cognitive decision-making Neural basis of Theory of Mind during cooperative social interactions Pain neuroscience and aversive learning mechanisms Application of hyper-scanning fMRI for group decision-making studies Brain-machine interfaces for pain control through co-adaptive learning Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2016-2024) reveals three dominant trends: (1) Neural mechanisms of hierarchical belief inference in spatial navigation and social contexts, (2) Uncertainty processing in pain modulation involving prefrontal-periaqueductal circuits, and (3) Development of computational frameworks for brain-machine interfaces targeting chronic pain management. Her work consistently bridges machine learning concepts with human neuroimaging. Scientific awards: No awards mentioned in source material. Advising and grants: Source text provides no details about students, advisees, or grant funding. Yoshida directs the Pain and Aversive Learning research group at Oxford, collaborating with Ben Seymour and others to investigate computational and neural mechanisms underlying pain, aversion, and decision-making using fMRI, hyper-scanning, and computational modeling approaches.
Wendelin Küpers is an Associate Professor at Karlshochschule International University (since 2013) and holds concurrent roles as Associate Professor at ICN Business School (France) and Massey University (New Zealand). His academic training includes a PhD (Dr. rer. pol.) from the University of Witten/Herdecke, with postdoctoral research at the University of St. Gallen. His research focuses on phenomenology, embodied organizational practices, sustainable leadership, and integral management. He has held visiting fellowships at institutions like the Imagination Laboratory and serves on editorial boards for journals such as Integral Review and Organizational Aesthetics . Research interests span embodied organizational life-worlds , practical wisdom in leadership , and sustainability through aesthetic and ethical practices . Key projects include 'Em-Bodied-MIND-full' (mindfulness in leadership) and 'De-Sign-Doing' (sustainable design practices). He actively contributes to conferences like EURAM and EGOS, focusing on critical management studies and ethics. His awards include the 'Key Reading' designation in Emerald Reviews (2005), a Johnson Award nomination (2008), and the Erasmus+ grant (2014/2015). Küpers has authored/co-authored over 20 books, including Phenomenology of the Embodied Organization (2015) and Inter-Praxis (forthcoming 2023). His work bridges philosophy, management, and sustainability, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. He leads initiatives like the Practical Wisdom in Leadership book series and advises organizations such as the Social Responsibility Council (India). Current projects explore embodied practices in digital environments and eco-conscious organizational transformations.
Dr. Andre A. Pekerti is an Associate Professor in International Management within the International Business Discipline at The University of Queensland Business School, part of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. He holds a prominent position as Associate Professor in the School of Business and maintains an active research profile across multiple international business domains. With a multicultural background as a Christian of Indonesian-Chinese heritage who grew up in Jakarta, Southern California, and New Zealand, Dr. Pekerti is a naturalized New Zealander and Australian. His educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science, Masters (Research), and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Canterbury and The University of Auckland. This diverse background informs his scholarly work on cross-cultural phenomena. Dr. Pekerti's primary research focuses on cultural intelligence, cross-cultural communication, n-Culturals (individuals capable of synthesizing multiple cultural identities), acculturation, servant leadership, ethics, and international organizational behavior. He has pioneered theoretical perspectives on multiculturalism within individuals through his work on n-Culturalism, which represents a significant contribution to cross-cultural management literature. His research examines how individuals navigate multiple cultural identities and the implications for workplace behavior, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. His publication record is extensive with 42 journal articles, 11 book chapters, 32 conference papers, 1 book, and 1 research report. His work appears in top-tier journals including International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Business Ethics, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, and Journal of International Business Studies. Recent research explores emotional aspects of merger integration, the impact of race and accent on career progression, and the mediating effects of cultural intelligence on sociocultural adaptation. Dr. Pekerti has served as Vice President of the Australia New Zealand International Business Academy for two terms and currently sits on the editorial review boards of multiple prestigious journals including Asia-Pacific Journal of Management, Cross-Cultural and Strategic Management, Human Resource Management Review, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, Journal of International Business Studies, and Journal of World Business. He also serves as Honorary Editor of Andalas Management Review. Among his notable initiatives is the Rapid Acculturation Mateship Program (RAMP) at UQ Business School, which has evolved into the Global Mates and BEL Buddies programs. This 19-week program connects local students with incoming international students to facilitate adjustment to UQ, Australia, and reciprocal cultural learning, positively affecting domestic and international student experiences. He has secured significant research funding including an ARC Linkage Project on servant leadership and a Partnership for Australia-Indonesia Research grant on digital transformation of SMEs. Dr. Pekerti has taught MBA programs at The University of Auckland, Bond University, and UQ Business School. His consulting experience includes work with Diner's Club (Singapore), Department of Transport Victoria (Australia), and the Ministry of Trade (Indonesia). Most recently, he has collaborated with BiasSync on unconscious bias assessment solutions for organizations.
Prof. Dr. Susanne Döll-Hentschker holds the Professorship for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS), Department 4: Social Work & Health. She works from Building 2, Room 415a, with contact via susanne.doell-hentschker@fra-uas.de . Her career spans academic research, clinical practice, and teaching in psychoanalysis and psychosocial work. Education: Diplom-Soziologie (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt), Diplom-Psychologie (Frankfurt/Main), Promotion in Psychoanalytic Psychology (Kassel, 2007) Professional Activity: Professor at Frankfurt UAS (2019-present), Director of Psychoanalytic Ambulance (2014-2019), Academic Researcher at Goethe-Universität (2001-2012) Research focuses on emotion theories , trauma , sibling relationships , transgenerational trauma transmission , and psychoanalytic treatment techniques . Her work bridges clinical practice with academic research, particularly in narrative analysis of dreams and trauma experiences. Key article trends examine narrative structures in clinical and non-clinical dream analysis, emotion regulation in psychoanalytic treatment, and transgenerational trauma patterns. These publications frequently employ qualitative case studies and quantitative dream coding systems to explore psychoanalytic processes. Professional memberships include Deutsche Psychoanalytische Vereinigung (DPV) , International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) , German Psychological Society (DGPs) , and the International Association for the Study of Dreams . She serves on editorial boards, peer-review panels, and rehabilitation research groups. Her teaching portfolio includes psychodynamic therapy modules for Social Work (B.A.) and Psychosocial Counseling & Law (M.A.). She has delivered training on low-frequency psychoanalysis, dream theory, and trauma-informed care. Current research includes dream analysis in clinical samples and acculturation processes in displaced populations.
