Dr Holly Patrick-Thomson is a Lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University's Business School, specializing in the Human Resource Management Group. She holds a PhD from the University of St Andrews (2013) and previously served as Visiting Scholar at University of Technology Sydney. Research Focus: Changing nature of work in creative/craft sectors Primary Interests: Freelancer precarity, peer support systems, AI advisory tools Industry Collaboration: British Academy of Management SIG Chair, craft beer sector analysis Her funded projects include: £9,998 - British Academy: Freelance Advisor App £5,000 - AHRC: AI for Creative Freelancers £5,000 - University of Edinburgh: Pandemic response in creative industries $20,000 - UTS Research Grant $149,600 - Australian Government Contract Key contributions: Co-edited 'Researching Craft Beer' (Emerald, 2021) International symposium organizer (Edinburgh, 2019) Published in Work Employment and Society , Management Learning , and Asia Pacific Journal of Arts and Cultural Management
Mick Hawksworth is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Art and Media, University of Brighton. His academic programme focuses on Painting, and he specializes in community film making and narrative storytelling, integrating contemporary and historic themes. He holds a Bachelor's degree in an unspecified field. Research interests include knowledge exchange through collaborative projects, community engagement, and the intersection of visual arts with storytelling. His work emphasizes educational and participatory approaches in film and art. Consultancies & Activities: Consultant for The Genesis of a Theatre (2019) Consultant for The Lewes Town Hall Paintings (2018) Consultant for Film at Gallery in Aotearoa Auckland (Feb–Mar 2018) Consultant for Film editing and film premier (2018) Lead consultant for Big Screen Memories (ongoing since 2018) No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned. His professional activities focus on consultancy roles in film and arts projects, emphasizing community collaboration and cultural engagement.
Professor Justin Marshall is a Professor at Northumbria University’s School of Design, specializing in digital craft and interdisciplinary research. He holds a PhD in architectural ceramics and digital technologies, and has pioneered work in integrating digital tools into craft practices, co-founding the ‘Autonomatic’ research group. His research emphasizes a ‘Digital Craft Ethos’ to explore ethical and aesthetic dimensions of technology use in craft. Education: PhD in architectural ceramics and digital technologies (2000), BA and MA in fine art, ceramics, design, and craft. Qualifications include an Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Research Interests: Craft ethics in digital making Interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., with computer scientists, social scientists) IoT ethics and ‘healthy’ internet development (hiCraft project) Community-centered design and public engagement Grants and Projects: Principal Investigator for the AHRC-funded ‘hiCraft: Crafting a Healthier Internet’ project (2024–), exploring IoT trust and transparency via craft practices. Previously led the RCUK Digital Economy ‘Bespoke’ project (2011–2014), focusing on community innovation through bespoke devices. Exhibitions and Awards: Exhibited nationally/internationally (e.g., ‘LabCraft’ UK touring show, Design Museum Barcelona). Awards include Fellow of the RSA and AHRC Peer Review College membership (2012–2018). Labs/Teams: Leads the hiCraft project team and collaborates with diverse disciplines across Northumbria and global partners.
Frederik H. Green is Professor and Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures within the College of Liberal and Creative Arts at San Francisco State University, where he has served since 2012. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Chinese language and literature, with office hours held Wednesdays in Humanities Building Room 475C. His educational background includes: B.A. in Chinese from Cambridge University (St. John's College) Ph.D. in Chinese Literature from Yale University Additional studies at University of Heidelberg, University of Tokyo, and institutions across China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan Dr. Green's research spans interdisciplinary domains of East Asian cultural production, with particular emphasis on: Qing-dynasty poetic traditions and visual arts Literary developments during China's Republican period Sino-Japanese historical and cultural relations Contemporary cinematic narratives from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan His methodology integrates literary analysis with historical and visual cultural studies. He served as Academic Advisor for the federally-funded Chinese Flagship Program—an intensive honors track in advanced language training—until Spring 2024, overseeing significant grant resources for language pedagogy innovation. Dr. Green has published over a dozen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with his seminal work Bird Talk and Other Stories by Xu Xu: Modern Tales of a Chinese Romantic (Stone Bridge Press) presenting a critical study and anthology of novellas by influential Chinese novelist Xu Xu (1908-1980).
Casper Boks is Professor in Design for Sustainability at the Department of Design, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology within the Faculty of Architecture and Design. He has held significant leadership roles including Vice Dean for Research and Innovation (2017-2021) and Head of Department (2013-2017). His research focuses on sustainable product and service design with specific expertise in design for sustainable behavior, circular economy implementation, societal sustainability narratives, and citizen engagement. With over 200 publications and an h-index of 42 on Google Scholar, his work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industry applications to advance sustainability through design innovation. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on contemporary sustainability challenges, particularly lithium-ion battery repurposing, second-hand consumption barriers, plastic consumption patterns, and the emotional dimensions of sustainable behavior. His interdisciplinary approach connects design methodology with behavioral psychology, business model innovation, and systems thinking to address complex sustainability challenges. Professor Boks has supervised numerous PhD candidates as both main and co-supervisor, along with over 60 Master's theses at NTNU. His extensive project portfolio includes leadership in international initiatives such as NOTRAP (2025-2029), HolE-LiB (2022-2026), and TRANS-URBAN-EU-CHINA (2018-2021). He serves on numerous national and international committees including as Leader of the national committee for publication in Architecture, Design and Art (2024-present), and as a member of the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences. His international recognition extends to serving as an external assessor for academic positions worldwide and as a jury member for international design awards.
Dr. Clare Mac Cumhaill is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Durham University, currently on leave until October 2025 before assuming the role of Director of Research. Her work focuses on mid-20th century British moral philosophy, philosophy of action, and perception, with significant collaborations including the Women In Parenthesis project and the Sense Perception in the North (SPIN) network. She co-authored Metaphysical Animals with Rachael Wiseman, exploring the contributions of Iris Murdoch, Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, and Mary Midgley. Her research also engages with art aesthetics, spatial perception, and philosophical pedagogy. Her academic trajectory includes collaborations with institutions across Leeds, York, and Liverpool, and she co-edits the Perceptual Ephemera volume. Current research topics include Murdoch’s aesthetics, Midgley’s treatment of evil, and ‘practical nonsense’ in ethical discourse. She has supervised three doctoral students and maintains active involvement in interdisciplinary projects linking metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics. Key publications span edited volumes, journal articles on perception theory, and historical analyses of mid-century British philosophy. Her work integrates historical scholarship with contemporary debates, emphasizing collaborative research and reinterpreting classical philosophical frameworks through modern lenses.
Liane Gabora is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus, affiliated with the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds additional research affiliations with the Australian National University's School of Music, University of Waterloo's Institute for Complexity & Innovation, and Free University of Brussels' Centre Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies. Her educational background includes a BSc from the University of Western Ontario, PhD from the Free University of Brussels, and postdoctoral positions at UC Berkeley and the Free University of Brussels. Gabora's research program explores creativity, cultural evolution, and cognitive transitions through interdisciplinary approaches. Her work examines: How concepts combine and adapt to new contexts The origins of modern cognition and human creativity Computational models of cultural evolution Quantum formalisms for concept interactions Self-Other Reorganization (SOR) theory of cultural evolution Honing theory of creativity integrating complex systems and memory Her publications demonstrate strong cross-disciplinary integration spanning psychology, physics, anthropology, and computer science. Major research awards include the 2011 Berlyne Award from the American Psychological Association for outstanding research by a junior scholar. She has secured over $1 million in funding from NSERC, SSHRC, and private donors. Gabora supervises graduate students in Psychological Science and Digital Humanities programs and leads research on cognitive transitions underlying cultural evolution. Her laboratory focuses on mathematical and computational modeling of creativity mechanisms, with ongoing projects exploring AI creativity, quantum models of cognition, and the evolution of behavioral modernity through autocatalytic network frameworks.
Angelo Corallo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, specializing in technologies and methodologies for collaborative processes in industrial systems. His research spans Digital Business Ecosystems , Cybersecurity , and Collaborative Product Design , focusing on the interplay between technology and organizational dynamics. He leads interdisciplinary research divisions in Open Networked Business Management , Learning and Innovation , and Collaborative Product Design . Research Interests : Corallo's work integrates Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with Business Management, particularly in Digital Twins for healthcare and manufacturing Knowledge Modeling and Ontology Engineering Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing Agri-Food Sustainability through digitalization Scientific Contributions : His recent articles explore trends in Cybersecurity for Industrial IoT Metaverse Applications in business models Traceability Systems in food supply chains Collagen-Based Biomaterials from aquaponics
Melis Taner is an Assistant Professor at Özyeğin University specializing in Islamic Art and Medieval Art. Her research focuses on early modern Ottoman and Safavid painting traditions, cross-cultural artistic exchange, and manuscript studies. B.A. in Social and Political Sciences from Sabancı University (2006) M.A. in Medieval History from Central European University (2007) Second M.A. in History from Sabancı University (2009) Ph.D. in Art History from Harvard University (2016) Dr. Taner's research investigates: Iconographic strategies in Ottoman and Safavid manuscripts Role of illustrated texts as political tools Cultural hybridity in border regions like Baghdad Transformations of foreign artistic elements in Turkish contexts Album-making as cross-cultural practice Her publications reveal thematic consistency in: Manuscript illumination and literary texts Inter-dynastic artistic dialogues Visual documentation of historical transitions Political dimensions of artistic patronage 17th-century Ottoman artistic innovations
Prof. Dr. Antoanela Petkovska is a Full Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM). Born in 1958, she holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Belgrade. Her career spans over four decades, including roles as assistant professor (1994) and associate professor (1999). She specializes in sociology of culture, art, youth, and intercultural communication. She has conducted study stays in the USA (civic education) and France (brain drain). Educations: BA (1980) and MA (1985) from UKIM, PhD (1993) from University of Belgrade. Her research focuses on cultural policy, art sociology, gender studies, and European integration. She has published over 20 books and chapters, including Есеи од социологијата на културата (2009) and Иновацијата низ хуманистички и општествени науки (2020). She has coordinated major projects like EVS European Values Study (2008/2018) and studies on creative industries (2008). Teaching spans undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs with courses like Sociology of Visual Culture , Intercultural Communication , and European Civilization . She led professional associations including the Macedonian Center for Culture and Arts (President) and served as President of the Association of Sociologists of Macedonia (2008–2011). Her work addresses societal security through cultural exclusion analysis, youth values, and transnational identity dynamics. Research collaborations include Bulgarian universities and international organizations like DCAF Geneva.
Bruce Sterling is a Professor of New Media and Science Fiction at The European Graduate School (EGS), where he has taught intensive summer seminars since 2003. He also served as "visionary in residence" at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles starting in 2005. Sterling is internationally recognized as a science fiction writer, net critic, and cyberspace theorist, with significant influence in the cyberpunk movement. Sterling graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1976. His academic journey was followed by a prolific writing career that began with the publication of Involution Ocean in 1977. Sterling's research interests span the intersection of technology, culture, and narrative. He is particularly known for his work on cyberpunk literature, new media theory, and futurism. His concept of "design fiction" has influenced how designers and technologists think about future scenarios. Sterling's Viridian Design Movement promoted environmental awareness through design, while his Dead Media Project documented obsolete communication technologies. His writings consistently explore how technological change reshapes human experience, society, and our understanding of the future. Sterling's recent publications reveal a continued focus on the cultural implications of emerging technologies. His articles examine topics ranging from wearable computing and hyperlocal media to sustainable design and energy transitions. A recurring theme is the relationship between technological progress and environmental sustainability. Sterling frequently employs speculative approaches, using science fiction techniques to explore possible futures and challenge current assumptions about technology's trajectory. Sterling's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Campbell Award (1989) for Islands in the Net Hugo Award (1997) for Bicycle Repairman Hugo Award (1999) for Taklamakan Hayakawa Award (1999) for Taklamakan Clarke Award (2000) for Distraction Sterling has been instrumental in shaping digital culture discourse through his teaching, writing, and activism. As a co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, he has advocated for digital rights and freedoms. His work bridges academic theory, creative practice, and public engagement, making complex technological issues accessible to diverse audiences. Sterling founded both the Dead Media Project, an archive of obsolete media technologies, and the Viridian Design Movement, an environmental aesthetic initiative. These projects reflect his unique approach to understanding technology through both historical and future-oriented perspectives. His work often explores the lifecycle of technologies, from emergence to obsolescence, and considers how design choices today shape possible futures.
Zev Trachtenberg is a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma. He holds a PhD from Columbia University and specializes in Social and Political Philosophy, Environmental Political Theory, and the works of Rousseau. His research integrates interdisciplinary empirical approaches, particularly focusing on human niche construction and the political governance of environmental transformation. He emphasizes the Anthropocene era's ethical and political dimensions, advocating for frameworks that align environmental changes with human flourishing through just social institutions. Trachtenberg's academic career includes teaching courses like Environmental Ethics, Philosophy of Biology, and Political Theory seminars. He administers the blog Inhabiting the Anthropocene , fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on environmental challenges. Key publications include Rethinking the Environment for the Anthropocene (2019) and Making Citizens: Rousseau's Political Theory of Culture (1993). His work bridges classical political theory (Rousseau, Locke, Smith) with modern environmental ethics, exploring themes like climate justice, socio-natural relations, and ecological governance. His research trends reflect a sustained focus on reinterpreting canonical political theorists through an environmental lens, while advocating for open interdisciplinary collaboration. Despite no listed awards here, his contributions to environmental philosophy and policy are widely recognized in academic circles.
Sara Wylie is an Associate Professor at Northeastern University with a joint appointment in Sociology/Anthropology and Health Sciences. She is affiliated with the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as a JBP Environmental Health Fellow. Her work integrates social science, scientific, and art/design practices to address large-scale environmental health challenges. Wylie holds a PhD from MIT's History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS) Program. She co-founded the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI) and the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science, focusing on open-source tools for community environmental analysis. Her research emphasizes grassroots scientific methods, civic technoscience, and environmental justice. Her book Fractivism: Corporate Bodies and Chemical Bonds examines public concerns around hydraulic fracturing's health impacts. She has received recognition including the 2017 CHE Pioneer in Environmental Health award. Her work spans environmental governance, participatory monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key affiliations include the Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute and collaborations with non-profits like EDGI. Her research addresses energy industries, fossil fuel extraction, and air/water pollution through innovative methodologies like thermal imaging and low-cost sensors.
Francisco R. Ortega is a researcher at Colorado State University specializing in Virtual Reality (VR) , Augmented Reality (AR) , and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) . His work focuses on improving user experience through multimodal interaction, cognitive load theory, and immersive analytics. Recent publications explore diverse applications including: Stress reduction via VR forest bathing Instruction methods for AR-based autism support systems Annotation design in extended reality AR notifications in cooking environments Gender-swapping VR for stereotype threat mitigation Comparative studies between AR and VR for data-driven storytelling His research integrates principles from: Computer Science Psychology Human Factors Education Technology Collaborations span institutions such as University of Florida, University of Seville, and technical teams across North America. While specific educational details remain undisclosed, his 20+ peer-reviewed publications since 2018 demonstrate deep contributions to VR/AR methodology, particularly in: Unconstrained gesture elicitation Spatial transformation challenges Immersive training systems Hybrid display environments Imperfect machine learning integration
Wolfgang Sandberger (b. 1961) is a Professor of Musicology and Director of the Brahms-Institut at Musikhochschule Lübeck. Specializing in German music history from the 17th to 19th centuries, he focuses on composers like Brahms, Bach, and Handel, as well as music philology and reception history. He has secured over €1 million in grants from DFG and Schleswig-Holstein for digitization projects, advancing musicological research accessibility. Education: Master's in Musicology, Philosophy, and History (Münster/Hamburg); PhD in Musicology His research integrates interdisciplinary approaches, including iconography, performance practice, and editorial methodologies. He leads major editorial projects such as the Brahms-Briefwechsel-Verzeichnis and Göttinger Händel-Beiträge. Sandberger holds leadership roles in organizations including the Göttinger Händelgesellschaft and the International Dieterich Buxtehude Society, fostering collaborative scholarly initiatives. Awarded the Joachim Jungius Society of Sciences Award (1996), he emphasizes outreach through radio collaborations and public engagement with Brahms' legacy. His work bridges academic rigor with public dissemination, making complex musicological research accessible to broader audiences.
