Associate Professor Rebecca Scollen is a prominent academic in the School of Creative Arts at the University of Southern Queensland . With a PhD in Creative Arts from QUT, her career spans 25 years in tertiary education, focusing on Animal Studies , Wildlife Tourism , and Arts and Wellbeing . She serves as Program Director for the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Community Wellbeing since 2024. Her research explores audience reception in performing arts, ethical animal use in art , and regional arts development . Recent publications analyze media framing of urban wildlife, holographic zoos, and bushfire storytelling through performance. She supervises doctoral projects on topics like gender in paramedicine and theatre in social work . Key collaborations include work with Andrew Mason on sustainable tourism and Sea World discourse analysis. She contributes to Australasian Animal Studies Association and Flying Arts Alliance , with editorial roles in conference proceedings and exhibition catalogues.
Kasia Głowicka is a Researcher at Inholland University of Applied Sciences' School of Innovation in the Music Industry and Authentic Leadership Research Group . Her work focuses on integrating artistic practices with educational innovation through virtual reality and personal development toolkits. Research Focus : Creative learning environments, empathy training in digital spaces, and arts-based methodologies for societal challenges Key Projects : Sound-Based Microinterventions for personal development, VRChat-based collaborative education, artistic approaches to social innovation Her multidisciplinary approach combines: Eurythmics principles for embodied learning Vocal techniques for emotional expression Customized coaching frameworks Virtual reality applications in education
Dirk Vis (born 1981) serves as Theory Tutor and Thesis Supervisor within the Bachelor Graphic Design program at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK). Holding an MFA in Design from the Sandberg Institute and a degree in Writing from the Rietveld Academy, he bridges creative practice and academic inquiry through his multifaceted career. Education: MFA Design (Sandberg Institute), Writing (Rietveld Academy) Current Role: Lecturer of Art and Design Theory, Thesis Supervisor Editorial Work: Contributing Editor of De Gids, Founder of De Internet Gids His research explores the intersection of language, ecology, and creative practice, with particular focus on artistic research methodologies and the philosophical implications of human-plant relationships. Vis examines how language mediates our relationship with nature, challenging anthropocentric perspectives through literary and theoretical interventions. His work frequently engages with non-Western epistemologies and critiques modernity's relationship with ecological systems. Vis's publications demonstrate consistent engagement with artistic research as both subject and methodology, evolving from early experimental fiction toward more explicitly theoretical works. His recent writings increasingly incorporate Indigenous knowledge systems and ecological philosophy, reflecting a deepening commitment to decolonial approaches in artistic practice. As an educator, Vis develops resources for artistic researchers, notably the evolving manual Research For People Who (Think They) Would Rather Create , which challenges conventional academic frameworks through its 'anti-manual' approach and bootleg-inspired aesthetic. His creative practice spans poetry, prose, and digital formats, often exploring Rotterdam's urban landscape through speculative lenses that blend technological mediation with embodied experience. Vis's work consistently examines the porous boundaries between human and non-human, language and silence, theory and practice.
Tae Wan Kim is an Associate Professor of Business Ethics at the Tepper School of Business , Carnegie Mellon University, with affiliate roles at CyLab (School of Computer Science) and the Block Center for Technology and Society (Heinz College). His work bridges ethical theory, AI governance, and cross-cultural analysis. Education : PhD in Ethics & Legal Studies (University of Pennsylvania, 2012), BA in Philosophy (Sungkyunkwan University, 2007) Research focuses on AI ethics , data privacy , technological unemployment , and cross-cultural business ethics . He explores the moral implications of automation, algorithmic transparency, and corporate responsibility in AI deployment. His recent publications examine explainable AI, human-AI dialectics, and ethical frameworks for emerging technologies. Key article trends span AI ethics , computational morality , workplace automation , and data governance . Subfields include algorithmic fairness, ethical stakeholder theory, digital labor rights, and human-AI coexistence. Scientific Awards : Fellow, World Economic Forum; Xerox Junior Faculty Chair Editorial leadership includes Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor roles at Business Ethics Quarterly and multiple editorial board memberships. Professional activities highlight involvement in the IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in AI, AAAI/ACM Conference on AI Ethics, and CMU's Responsible AI Initiative.
Tian Hao is a Lecturer at the School of Big Data and Computer Science , Guizhou Normal University . He received his B.Eng. and Ph.D. in Engineering from the School of Software Engineering at East China Normal University in 2014 and 2020, respectively. During his doctoral studies, he was jointly trained at the University of Maryland under the China Scholarship Council program. From 2020 to 2022, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Hong Kong . Prior to joining Guizhou Normal University in June 2024, he served as a Senior Engineer and Team Leader at Huawei HiSilicon's Turing Robotics division. Education: 2010–2014: B.Eng., School of Software Engineering, East China Normal University 2014–2020: Ph.D. in Engineering, School of Software Engineering, East China Normal University 2018–2019: Joint Doctoral Training, University of Maryland, USA 2020–2022: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Hong Kong Research Interests: Tian Hao's research spans embodied intelligent learning in robots , dexterous grasping simulation and planning , human-robot interaction , and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) . His work integrates machine learning, computer graphics, and robotics to enable robots to manipulate complex objects in cluttered or virtual environments. Publications & Trends: His publications (2016-2023) consistently focus on robotic grasping and manipulation , virtual hand interaction , and real-time simulation . Notable venues include IEEE Transactions on Robotics , IEEE VR , and ICRA , reflecting an emphasis on high-impact robotics and graphics venues. Scientific Awards: No specific awards are listed in the provided text. Grants & Projects: Research on 3D Design and Dexterous Robot Sewing Technology for Personalized Garment Manufacturing (NSFC-RGC, 2017-2020) Visual model and environment construction based on multi-source data and its dynamic simulation (NSFC, 2016-2020) Quadruped robot dog autonomous inspection solution based on Ascend AI platform (Huawei HiSilicon) Ascend-based balloon robot platform (Huawei HiSilicon) Labs & Teams: He lectures at the Robot Operating System (ROS) Summer School in China and serves as a reviewer for premier IEEE journals and conferences, indicating active engagement in the robotics and VR communities.
Pamela Bettis serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies and Social Thought in Education within Washington State University's College of Education, Health and Social Sciences. Her work critically examines how gender and race intersect with youth cultures and schooling practices to challenge inequitable educational systems. Based at the Pullman campus, she maintains an active research and teaching profile focused on dismantling oppressive structures in educational settings. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Educational Theory and Social Foundations from the University of Toledo (1994), an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from the University of Arkansas (1983), and a B.A. in Political and Social Thought of the Western Hemisphere from the University of Virginia (1977). Bettis' research centers on critical interrogations of gender and race discourses in everyday educational contexts, examining phenomena like the word "nice" in professional settings, Star Wars narratives, and whiteness in teacher identity formation. Her work consistently bridges theoretical rigor with practical applications for creating equitable learning environments, emphasizing how common-sense cultural practices perpetuate systemic inequalities. Through cultural studies and feminist frameworks, she analyzes youth identity construction and challenges normative assumptions about adolescence. Her publication trajectory reveals sustained engagement with critical gender studies, evolving from cheerleading culture analyses (2003-2009) toward contemporary examinations of antiblackness (2021) and postfeminist landscapes (2016). The body of work demonstrates methodological diversity across discourse analysis, narrative inquiry, and cultural critique while maintaining consistent focus on power dynamics in educational spaces. Ranked in the top 5% of Fun Faculty as assessed on all Fun indicators A great ROI (Return on Investment) for R1 University Metrics Bettis excels in doctoral advising, cultivating intellectual and emotional connections that produce innovative cultural studies dissertations. Her former students hold faculty positions at Evergreen University, University of Portland, and Lewis Clark State College, along with leadership roles including Assistant Dean of Diversity and McNair program directors. She teaches undergraduate courses on diversity and classroom management while directing graduate seminars in youth cultures, gender studies, and qualitative research methods.
Lennart Nacke is a Professor at the Stratford School, University of Waterloo, specializing in game design and user experience research. His work bridges virtual reality, gamification, and AI integration in interactive systems. Research focuses on player experience, ethical design, and biofeedback mechanics Active in HCI literature methodology and CHI conference frameworks Explores privacy implications of immersive technologies Recent publications examine VR embodiment, NFT communities, and AI-assisted academic writing. His projects include adaptive board games and physical-cognitive rehabilitation systems. Nacke contributes to the Games Institute's research at EC1 1309 and DMS 3012 labs.
Alder Keleman Saxena is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Northern Arizona University . Their research spans agrobiodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and sensory anthropology, with a focus on food systems and ethnographic methodologies. Key Research Areas: Agrobiodiversity metrics and dietary recall surveys Materialist and discursive approaches to food anthropology Climate change impacts on Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river delta agriculture More-than-human Anthropocene studies through feral atlases Post-pandemic ethnographic methods and digital sociality Their recent publications (2022-2024) emphasize interdisciplinary intersections between agriculture, climate change, and cultural practices. Scientific collaborations extend to India and South Asian studies, though specific awards or grants are not detailed in the provided data.
Dr. Alexander Skulmowski is a researcher at the Psychology of Digital Learning Media department of Technische Universität Chemnitz . His work focuses on embodied learning, virtual reality interaction design, and cognitive load theory in 3D environments. He also investigates visual aesthetics in human-computer interaction and metacognitive judgments. Doctoral researcher in DFG Research Training Group CrossWorlds (2014-present) Junior lecturer at TU Chemnitz (2014-2017, 2017-present) Master of Science in Cognitive Science (University of Osnabrück, 2013) Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology (University of Bonn, 2011) His research combines tangible user interfaces with educational psychology to improve learning outcomes in immersive environments. Publications analyze the relationship between physical interaction and cognitive processing, including studies on haptic perception, gesture-based interfaces, and color visualization techniques.
Martin Merkt is a Research Fellow at the German Institute for Adult Education (DIE) in Bonn, Germany, specializing in the Teaching and Learning research area. Since 2024, he has served as a research associate, building on prior leadership of DIE's junior research group 'Audiovisual Knowledge and Information Media' (2018–2023) and extensive experience at the Leibniz Institute for Knowledge Media in Tübingen. Education Doctorate in Psychology (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Tübingen (2012) Diploma in Psychology, University of Tübingen (2009) Merkt's research centers on optimizing audiovisual media for learning, with emphasis on learner heterogeneity and critical digital media discourse. His work bridges formal education and informal settings like museums, examining how video design elements—such as instructor presence, pauses, and cueing—affect cognitive processing. Key methodologies include eye tracking, experimental design, and learning analytics to investigate multimedia principles in digital environments. His publication record (2021–2025) reveals consistent focus on video-based learning dynamics, particularly how structural features influence attention, comprehension, and knowledge retention. Recent studies dissect instructor embodiment effects, VR cueing efficiency, and mind wandering triggers, demonstrating evolving sophistication in isolating variables within complex digital learning ecosystems. Merkt actively contributes to professional communities including the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI), German Society for Psychology (DGPs), and Society for Empirical Educational Research (GEBF). He currently participates in DIE's NOVA:ea project while advancing research on equitable digital learning design.
Professor Elaine McGirr is a faculty member at the Department of Theatre, University of Bristol, specializing in eighteenth-century theatre, Shakespearean adaptation, gender and sexuality, historical performance practices, dramaturgy, and tragedy. Her research bridges literary criticism with theatrical history, emphasizing the intersection of cultural narratives and performance. University: University of Bristol Email: elaine.mcgirr@bristol.ac.uk Research Interests McGirr focuses on: Shakespeare's adaptation and reception in 18th-century contexts Gender and sexuality in theatrical history Analysis of historical performance practices Dramaturgical approaches to tragedy and reform comedies Jane Austen's works in theatrical and digital adaptations Celebrity culture in 18th-century Britain Publication Trends Her recent publications explore: Shakespearean tragedy and emotional dynamics (e.g., rage, intimacy) Jane Austen's narratives in theatrical and digital contexts Celebrity biography and its cultural implications Historical anecdotes as evidence for theatre studies 18th-century gender roles and romantic relationships Legacy of key figures like Colley Cibber and Mary Ann Yates Contact For media inquiries, contact the University of Bristol Media and PR Team at press-office@bristol.ac.uk or +44 117 428 2489.
Ulrike Hanstein is a Professor of Art and Media Studies and Director of the VALIE EXPORT Center – Research Center for Media and Performance Art at Friedrich Schiller University Jena since 2022. She previously held roles at institutions including the ifs international film school Cologne, University of Vienna, Bauhaus University Weimar, and Free University of Berlin. Current research focuses on Performance Art, Video Art, and Media Historiography Director of VALIE EXPORT Center for Media and Performance Art Specializes in Film Theory, Feminist Art Practices, and Archival Processes Her research examines Performance Art , Live Art , and Experimental Film , with a focus on Archival Processes , Feminist Film , and Media Historiography . She explores intersections between Time-Based Art and Media Theory , emphasizing Documentary Fields and Cultural Transmission . Recent publications analyze Performance Documentation , Film Notation , and Feminist Media Practices , reflecting her work on VALIE EXPORT and Media Archaeology . Her projects include the monograph Image Movements and Action Structures and the future.film.education initiative. Scientific Awards : German Research Foundation (DFG) Scholarship Holder (2003–2006) Getty Research Institute Fellow (2013–2014) She leads the VALIE EXPORT Center and previously collaborated on the Transmissions: Media and Religion research team. Her educational background includes a doctorate in Film Studies from the Free University of Berlin (2008) and studies in Applied Theatre Studies at Justus Liebig University Giessen (2001).
Dr Adinda van 't Klooster is a Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University's School of Digital Arts (SODA). She is an internationally recognized artist working with digital media, virtual reality, interactive installations, and audiovisual performance. Her practice bridges art, technology, and emotion research, with work exhibited globally across China, the USA, Australia, and Europe. Her research focuses on the intersection of emotion, physiological data, and interactive art. She has developed responsive sound and light installations for UK city councils and created innovative VR interfaces like VRoar (2023) and the AudioVirtualizer. Her practice explores how physiological data can be used as input in interactive artworks, with particular interest in emotion detection, visualization, and creative expression through technology. Her publications demonstrate expertise in virtual reality interfaces, emotion-sensitive artworks, and the representation of difficult emotional experiences through digital media. Her recent work shows a progression from technical explorations of emotion detection toward more socially engaged projects addressing topics like bereavement and stillbirth. Leverhulme funded artist's residency (2014-2015) Van 't Klooster has presented her work at major international conferences including ICMC, NIME, ISEA, and IFPA Sounding Out. Her academic work is closely tied to her artistic practice, with research emerging directly from her creative projects and performances. She has developed teaching units in creating XR interfaces at both Masters and undergraduate levels at MMU.
Jacqueline Baxter is Professor of Public Policy in The Department for Public Leadership and Social Enterprise (PuLSE) at the triple accredited Open University Business School. She holds prestigious fellowships including Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. As Director of the Centre for Research and Innovation in online legal and business education and chair of the MBA programme, she plays a significant leadership role within the institution. Her research focuses on public sector leadership, governance, and accountability, particularly examining challenges faced by UK public services. She also publishes extensively in online learning in business education, with special interest in online teaching identity and how school leaders plan for digital learning. Her work has been influential in educational inspection policy, frequently addressing Ofsted's role and effectiveness. Baxter's publications reveal a consistent focus on educational governance, inspection systems, and accountability frameworks. Her work spans both theoretical analysis of policy frameworks and practical examination of implementation challenges across multiple contexts. She has made significant contributions to understanding the complex relationship between school governance, inspection, and educational improvement. Among her notable recognitions are being shortlisted for the Award for Outstanding Online Commentary in the 2014 National Education Journalism Awards. She maintains an active public profile through her blog at www.jacquelinebaxter.org and regular contributions to The Conversation. Her academic journey includes a Doctor of Education from The Open University (2011), MA in Educational Studies from De Montfort University (2005), BA Hons in Applied Language Studies with Politics from Ealing College, and additional qualifications including a Certificate in Counselling from CPCAB and Diplome de Langue from Alliance Francais.
Michael Madary is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Philosophy at the University of the Pacific. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from Tulane University (2007), an MA in Philosophy/Cognitive Science from the University of Houston (2003), and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Dallas (1999). Education PhD, Philosophy, Tulane University, 2007 MA, Philosophy / Cognitive Science, University of Houston, 2003 BA, Philosophy, University of Dallas, 1999 Research Interests Madary's research spans the philosophy of mind, ethics of emerging technology, and philosophy of perception using an interdisciplinary approach integrating psychology, neuroscience, and history of philosophy. He co-authored the pioneering Code of Ethics for Virtual Reality (2016), covered by major media including The New Yorker and The Guardian, and authored Visual Phenomenology (MIT Press, 2017). Current work explores technology's impact on human cognition and agency through experiential learning frameworks. Publication Trends His recent publications (2023-2016) reveal sustained focus on virtual reality ethics, illusion of agency in human-computer interaction, and Husserlian phenomenology applied to technology. Key themes include mediated reality, cognitive technology ethics, and perceptual abnormalities, consistently bridging theoretical philosophy with practical technological concerns. Professional Impact Madary co-founded the first VR ethics code with Thomas Metzinger, influencing industry standards and generating international media discourse. His public engagement includes CBC Radio interviews and podcasts like Overthink and 88 Names, addressing virtual reality's societal implications and therapeutic potential.
