Prof. Koert van Ittersum is a Professor of Marketing and Consumer Well-Being at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen (since 2013). He holds a PhD from Wageningen University (2001) and previously worked at the University of Illinois and Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on consumer behavior, particularly linking marketing strategies to consumer well-being through healthier and sustainable diets. Key collaborations include the Centre for Public Health in Economics and Business and the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health (RUG). Research interests center on consumer psychology, health, sustainability, and spending behaviors. Notable projects involve interventions with Dutch retailers to reduce food waste via transparency tools and studying decision-making dynamics in grocery shopping. Recent work explores self-control mechanisms, pride/guilt effects, and health-promoting digital interventions. Publications span journals like Journal of Consumer Research , Annals of Internal Medicine , and Preventive Medicine , addressing topics from food waste to mHealth adoption. His work bridges academic research with real-world applications in public health and retail strategy.
Paul Boersma is a Professor of Phonetic Sciences at the University of Amsterdam within the Faculty of Humanities. His research explores how phonetic, phonological, and morphological phenomena emerge through computational modeling using artificial neural networks and Optimality Theory, with a focus on multi-level constraint interactions and distributional learning. University of Amsterdam Faculty of Humanities Phonetic Sciences Key research areas include: Computational Modeling : Simulations of phonological category emergence from phonetic data Optimality Theory : Gradual Learning Algorithm applications BiPhon Framework : Parallel bidirectional phonology/phonetics models Statistical Learning : Cross-situational and distributional learning mechanisms Recent publications emphasize: 2025: Inclusive speech recognition systems using Whisper model 2025: F0 ratio analysis for creaky voice diagnostics 2024: Prosodic clitics in child speech and checked tones in Shanghai Chinese 2023: Distributional learning in developmental language disorder contexts 2022: Substance-free phonological features and ghost segment phenomena He has also contributed extensively to the Praat software for phonetic analysis, with continuous updates since 1993.
Thijs Weststeijn is a Professor of Art History at Utrecht University's Department of History and Art History (Humanities). He specializes in early modern European art, particularly Dutch Golden Age art and global cultural exchanges. His research focuses on cross-cultural interactions between Europe, China, and Asia, with notable projects like the 'Histories of Global Netherlandish Art, 1550-1750.' Weststeijn holds a PhD from Amsterdam University Press (2008) and has held fellowships at institutions like the Getty Research Institute and the Max Planck Institute. He is a founding editor of History of Humanities and contributed to exhibitions such as Barbaren en Wijsgeren . His recent media engagements include discussions on climate change impacts on cultural heritage (2023) and re-evaluations of Rembrandt's global influences. Key publications include Art and Antiquity in the Netherlands and Britain (2015) and Foreign Devils and Philosophers (2020).
Dr. Debraj Roy is a Visiting Professor at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), affiliated with the Faculty of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science and the Informatics Institute. His research focuses on agent-based modeling, socio-economic dynamics, environmental resilience, and blockchain technology. He investigates complex systems such as urban slums, disaster recovery, and climate adaptation using computational methods like remote sensing and machine learning. His work bridges theory and practice, offering insights into policy design for sustainable development and social equity. Key research interests include slum dynamics, poverty traps, and the application of blockchain oracles for decentralized systems. He employs advanced techniques such as global sensitivity analysis and manifold learning to explore multi-scale socio-environmental challenges. His recent articles highlight trends in carbon pricing, flood risk valuation, and multi-agent systems. Earlier work concentrated on urban inequality in cities like Bangalore and Mexico City, leveraging geospatial and statistical tools. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed. His advising and team collaborations are unspecified in the provided text.
Rob van Beers is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, with affiliations to Neurocontrol, IBBA, and AMS - Sports. His research focuses on human motor control, spatial perception, and computational modeling using Bayesian approaches to understand sensory-motor integration under uncertainty. He holds ancillary roles as a Researcher at Radboud University (Nijmegen) since 2015 and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurophysiology since 2015. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Key research interests include motor learning dynamics, sensorimotor adaptation, and the neural basis of spatial orientation. Recent studies explore Alzheimer’s impacts on motor adaptation and Bayesian inference in vestibular path integration. Teaching responsibilities include courses on linear systems dynamics, physical measurement techniques, and motor systems regulation. His work spans 42 peer-reviewed articles, with datasets published on platforms like Dryad and Zenodo.
David Mann serves as an Associate Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, with additional appointments at the Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam (IBBA) and Amsterdam Movement Sciences - Sports (AMS). His research focuses on the intersection of vision science, sports performance, and cognitive processes, particularly examining how visual impairments affect athletic performance and everyday functioning. Dr. Mann's research interests center on visual impairment in athletes, gaze behavior during sports performance, visual search patterns, and talent identification. His work spans multiple disciplines including sports psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and adaptive sports, with particular emphasis on how visual field and acuity limitations impact performance in basketball, football, and ball sports. His fingerprint analysis reveals strong expertise in Visual Impairment (100%), Athletes (91%), Visual Acuity (67%), Visual Field (53%), Visual Search (37%), and Gaze Behavior (33%). His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on understanding the relationship between visual perception and sports performance. Key research trends include examining quiet eye duration in basketball shooting, the effects of vision loss on naturalistic search, the role of cognitive skills in youth football performance, dynamic anticipation in sports, and how people with vision impairment use gaze to hit balls. These studies employ methodologies including eye tracking, cognitive testing, and performance analysis across various sports contexts. Dr. Mann currently serves as Director of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Classification Research and Development Centre for Athletes with Vision Impairment, demonstrating his leadership in this specialized field. He is also active in teaching as Course Coordinator for Talent and Talent Identification. His research portfolio includes an active project titled "Developing sensory-cognitive predictors of everyday functioning with visual impairment" running from January 2023 to December 2025, which he conducts with colleague C. Olivers. Dr. Mann has supervised 6 PhD theses and teaches courses including Master Research Project, Talent and Talent Identification, and Talent Identification and Development.
Professor David Abbink is a Full Professor of Haptic Human-Robot Interaction at Delft University of Technology, holding a joint appointment between the Department of Cognitive Robotics in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering since November 2023. He founded the Delft Haptics Lab and co-founded the Cognitive Robotics Department in 2017. Abbink leads the transdisciplinary research and innovation centre FRAIM, which was awarded the prestigious NWO Stevin Premie (Dutch Nobel Prize equivalent) in June 2024. Trained as a mechanical engineer specializing in biomechanics, Abbink's research focuses on human behavior adaptations when interacting with autonomous systems. He has published over a hundred scientific articles on human-robot interaction, haptics, shared control, tele-operation, driver assistance systems, and sensorimotor control. His research has been funded by industry partners (Nissan, Boeing, Renault), RVO (Brightsky project 2022-2026), and the Dutch Science Foundation NWO through personal grants (VENI 2010-2014, VIDI 2015-2019). Abbink's recent work centers on worker-robot relations as an academic focus, collaborating with organizations like Erasmus Medical Centre for nursing work, Schiphol and KLM for baggage handling, and KLM Engine Repair Services for maintenance work. He also serves as scientific director for the Centre for Meaningful Human Control, launched in October 2024. His work bridges engineering, social sciences, and practical applications to responsibly shape the future of work with emerging robotic capabilities. NWO Stevin Premie (2024) Best IEEE SMC journal paper on Cybernetics (2019) Top 25 scientific talents according to New Scientist (2015) Best teacher of Faculty 3mE (2013, 2014) Best teacher of Department of BioMechanical Engineering (seven consecutive years) Abbink has supervised over 110 MSc students and 11 PhD students. His educational contributions include developing the Master Programme in Robotics at TU Delft and receiving international recognition for his course 'The Human Controller.' He is also a prominent science communicator, featured on national television, radio, and major Dutch newspapers, and has delivered lectures at venues like The Royal Institution and Lowlands Festival. Despite his academic commitments, Abbink maintains a drummer persona, having recorded four albums and performed over 400 shows across three continents between 1999-2014.
Dina Danish (b. 1981, Paris) is an Egyptian-Danish artist and educator working at the intersection of language, historical reinterpretation, and conceptual practice. She holds a Lecturer position at the Fine Arts department of KABK in The Hague and serves as a teaching mentor at the Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam . Guest teaching roles include the Sandberg Institute and American University in Cairo . Education : BA from American University in Cairo; MFA from California College of the Arts (San Francisco) Residencies : Rijksakademie Amsterdam, Spinola Banna Italy, PiST/// Istanbul, A.i.R. Dubai, Affiliated Fellow at American Academy in Rome Her research explores humor, mistranslation, and overlooked historical moments , often through video art, performance, and text-based installations . Key themes include linguistic structures, cultural memory, and Dadaist methodologies . Recent projects examine ancient motifs in contemporary art (e.g., Jean-Baptiste Maitre) and political commentary through playful abstraction . Notable exhibitions at SFMOMA, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, and Kunsthall Oslo highlight her focus on translation errors, sound poetry, and archival interventions . Volkskrant Award finalist Abraaj Art Prize nominee Illy Present Future Prize recipient Celeste Award nominee Barclay Simpson Award nominee Dina collaborates with institutions like Hotel Maria Kapel and De Nederlandsche Bank , and co-curated a Rijksakademie anniversary exhibition. Her work is represented by galleries in Amsterdam, Milan, and Zurich.
Himanshu Verma is an Assistant Professor at the Knowledge and Intelligence Design Group within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. His research focuses on Human-AI Collaboration, Cognitive Empathy, and designing AI systems attuned to human needs. Prior to TU Delft, he held postdoctoral roles at the University of Fribourg, EPFL, and HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Switzerland. Education: PhD in Computer Science (EPFL, Switzerland), focusing on collaborative group interactions and shared environments. Postdoctoral research in Human-Computer Interaction and Ubiquitous Computing. Research Interests: Empathy-Centric Design for inclusive technologies. Social Signal Processing in human-AI interactions. Health, well-being, and accessibility in AI systems. Key Projects: Co-leads the PERISCOPE (H2020) research project. Designs tools like EmpathiCH and COCTEAU for empathy-driven decision-making. Teaching: Design Analytics (2023–2024). Empirical Design Research (2024). Labs & Teams: Active in the Knowledge and Intelligence Design Group, focusing on AI ethics, hybrid workspaces, and empathetic systems.
Ingrid E.J. Heynderickx is a Professor in Applied Visual Perception at the Human-Technology Interaction group within the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), where she also serves as Dean of the Department. She holds a part-time Visiting Research Professor role at Southeast University (China) since 2005. Her research focuses on optimizing display and lighting systems through understanding human visual perception, emphasizing both fidelity and preference in design, with attention to age and cultural variability. Academically, she earned her PhD in Physics from the University of Antwerp (1986) and spent 18 years at Philips Research, leading visual perception research. She became a Philips Research Fellow in 2005 before joining TU/e as Full Professor in 2013. She holds Fellow status with the Society for Information Displays (SID) and received the Otto Shade Prize (2015). Her recent work explores lighting solutions for office environments, roadway safety systems, and LED artifact mitigation. Notable projects include the Brainbridge initiative (2015–2016) on spectral lighting effects. Over 236 publications and 4 datasets reflect her contributions to lighting science and human-centric design. She advises on sustainable lighting technologies and collaborates globally, with recent media engagements discussing departmental leadership and smart lighting trends. Key research themes include visual attention modeling, illuminance preferences, and dynamic viewing behavior—issues critical for next-generation human-technology interfaces.
Professor Sander Nieuwenhuis (Leiden University) specializes in Cognitive Neuroscience of Decision Making through behavioral, EEG, and pharmacological approaches. His work bridges prefrontal cortex function and noradrenergic system mechanisms in human cognition. Studied cognitive psychology (Groningen) and earned PhD (Amsterdam, 2001) International experience: Cambridge University (visiting research), Princeton University (postdoc) Research focuses on noradrenaline's role in attention, decision-making, and cognitive control via: Locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system dynamics Phasic vs. tonic alertness effects Cognitive task performance under neuromodulator deficiency Neuroprotective pathways in Alzheimer's models Recent publications analyze DBH deficiency (Jepma et al., 2011) and attentional blink mechanisms (Nieuwenhuis et al., 2005). His Temporal Attention Lab integrates fMRI, genetics, and computational modeling . Teaching leadership includes: Chair of Research Master Program Committee Coordinator of Scientific Writing courses
Sara Magliacane is an Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam , affiliated with the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) and the Informatics Institute . She also holds a Research Scientist position at the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and has been an ELLIS Scholar since 2022. Education PhD in Artificial Intelligence (2017), VU Amsterdam MSc in Computer Engineering (2011), Politecnico di Milano BSc in Computer Engineering (2008), Università degli Studi di Trieste Research Focus : At the intersection of Causality and Machine Learning , her work addresses Causal Representation Learning from high-dimensional data (images, sequences) Causal Discovery in latent confounder scenarios Causality-inspired Reinforcement Learning for robustness and adaptability Neurosymbolic AI for theoretical guarantees Publication Trends : Her recent work explores Factored adaptation in non-stationary environments (NeurIPS 2022) Temporal causal identifiability (ICML 2022) Binary interaction-based causal discovery (UAI 2023) Safe exploration in visual RL (HSCC 2021) Structure learning lower bounds (NeurIPS 2020) Scientific Recognition : ELLIS Scholar (2022–present) Spotlight presentations at ICML 2022 and ICLR 2022 Advising & Collaborations : Currently supervising 6 PhD students at the University of Amsterdam and AUMC, with 12 alumni advisees. Collaborates with researchers at MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, Simons Institute, and TUM.
Dr. Ben Harvey is an Associate Professor (with Ius Promovendi) in the Perception Group of the Department of Experimental Psychology at Utrecht University, Netherlands, within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. He is based at the Helmholtz Institute and can be contacted at b.m.harvey@uu.nl. Harvey completed his DPhil at Oxford University with Professor Oliver Braddick in 2009, followed by postdoctoral work with Professor Serge Dumoulin at Utrecht. In 2015, he moved to Coimbra on a starter grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology before returning to Utrecht in 2016 as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2019 and has led his own research group since 2015. Harvey's research focuses on characterizing sensory and cognitive systems in the human brain, particularly neural responses and computations within these systems. His work combines cutting-edge neuroimaging approaches with computational modeling and behavioral experiments. Initially studying the early visual system as a model of neural processing, he extended invasive animal neurophysiological approaches to non-invasive human neuroimaging. His recent work investigates neural responses underlying cognition in the human association cortex, examining how visual space and number processing differs between cultures and in clinical disorders. His fingerprint reveals expertise in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Numerosity, Receptive Field, Visual Cortex, Population Receptive Field, Nerve Potential, Early Visual Cortex, and Topographic Maps. His publication record demonstrates significant impact, with works like 'Topographic representation of numerosity in the human parietal cortex' (2013) receiving over 360 citations. His research spans visual neuroscience, with emphasis on how the brain processes visual information, attention mechanisms, and numerical cognition, revealing generalized quantity processing systems in the human brain. Award for highest-rated abstract (2013) Brain Centre Rudolph Magnus Research Award (Best Paper of the Year) (2014) Causal link between cortical organization and conscious perception: human fMRI and electrophysiology (2009, 2010) Harvey has been actively engaged in knowledge dissemination, with multiple invited talks at institutions including INSERM in Paris (2016) and the University of Parma (2015). His research has received significant media attention, with interviews on National Public Radio (NPR) USA, Livescience.com, and Science Magazine in 2013. Beyond academic publications, he writes popular science articles exploring the relationship between visual neuroscience and visual arts. As part of the Helmholtz Institute Experimental Psychology research program, Harvey collaborates widely to investigate visual space and number processing across different populations, contributing to our understanding of how these cognitive functions vary between cultures and in clinical disorders.
Dr. Dave Murray-Rust is an Associate Professor in Human-Algorithm Interaction Design at TU Delft's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. He explores the intersection of humans, data, and AI through design research, focusing on ethical AI systems and sociotechnical interactions. His work bridges computer science, design theory, and digital sociology, addressing challenges like algorithmic fairness and human-AI collaboration. He leads initiatives such as the AI Futures Lab and Data-Centric Design Lab, advancing methods for leveraging behavioral data in design processes. His research emphasizes experiential AI frameworks, metaphors for designers, and the legibility of AI systems. He has been honored with awards including Best alt.HRI 2024 and a CHI 2023 Best Paper Award for contributions to fairness perceptions in algorithmic decision-making. Murray-Rust teaches courses like the Speculative Design Studio and collaborates on projects like DCODE (Designing the Future of AI) and the BrightSky Project. His work extends to public engagement through installations like GeoPact and explorations of blockchain's societal impact. He holds an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh.
Angelika H. Mader is an Associate Professor at the University of Twente, holding dual appointments at the Digital Society Institute and within the Human Media Interaction research group. Her work bridges computer science, design, and human factors with a focus on embodied interaction technologies and educational innovation. Her research centers on Haptics and Human-Computer Interaction , specializing in Social Touch systems, textile-based actuators, and pressure perception thresholds. She investigates emotional and sensory qualities of mediated touch while contributing to programming education through automated assessment tools. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates computer science, psychology, and design to develop novel user experiences for social and educational contexts. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a concentrated focus on haptic interfaces for social interaction, including textile actuators for pressure feedback, spatiotemporal touch illusions, and systems for social breath awareness. Her programming education work addresses automated assessment for learning-by-doing, demonstrating a clear trend toward embodied interaction in health, education, and collaborative environments. Professional recognition includes: Best Practices in Education Award (2018) She has supervised 3 students and maintains active research through dataset contributions on psychophysics and social touch. Her work shows consistent funding through collaborative projects evidenced by 6 public datasets and high-impact publications. As a core member of the Human Media Interaction group, she contributes to multimodal interaction research while advancing the Digital Society Institute's mission of addressing societal challenges through digital innovation. Her cross-disciplinary collaborations span engineering, psychology, and design teams focused on tactile communication systems.
