Martin Procházka is Professor of English, American, and Comparative Literature at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague. He holds visiting roles at the University of Porto and the University of Kent, including Honorary Visiting Professor since 2021. His research spans Intercultural communication Romanticism Comparative literature Scottish literature American colonial literature , with a focus on authorship, adaptation studies, and the intersections of European Romanticism with Czech cultural contexts. Procházka's recent publications include the 2024 edited book From Shakespeare to Autofiction , which critically engages with Roland Barthes and Michel Foucault's theories of authorship, and the 2022 theoretical work on autopoietic systems and intercultural communication. His scholarship often bridges historical and contemporary debates, such as in the 2021 Romanticism and Periodisation roundtable. He has received the Comenius Medal (1992) for educational research and led the H2020 MSCA ITN European Joint Doctorate Migration and Modernity (MOVES) from 2018 to 2023. Procházka also served as President of the Czech Association for the Study of English (2004-2014) and on the Advisory Board of the International Association of Byron Societies (1999-2024). As founding editor of the Scopus-indexed journal Litteraria Pragensia , he has shaped academic discourse on literary theory and comparative studies. His work on Scottish Enlightenment and Czech modernist reception of William Blake highlights his interdisciplinary approach.
Dr. Soonja Choi is a Research Professor in the Comparative Psycholinguistics Group at the University of Vienna and Director of the Korean Studies Program at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she holds the title of Professor Emerita of Linguistics. She earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Buffalo (1986) and holds advanced degrees from institutions in France and South Korea. Her research focuses on language and thought, semantics, spatial language, and Korean linguistics, with a particular emphasis on cross-linguistic studies of spatial categorization and its cognitive implications. Research Contributions: Her work has explored how language influences spatial perception and cognition, notably through long-term collaborations with the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and the National Science Foundation. Key contributions include studies on spatial term development in Korean/English children and cross-linguistic comparisons of spatial semantics between German, Korean, and English. Grants & Awards: Secured over $1.4M in grants including a EUR 600,000 Vienna Science Fund grant (2016-2020) and multiple NSF awards. Elected to the Academy of Europe (2019) as an Ordinary Member. Professional Roles: Served as Chair of SDSU's Department of Linguistics and Oriental Languages (1997-2000, 2001-2002), Graduate Advisor (multiple terms), and editorial board member for Language, Interaction, and Acquisition . Active in academic governance and international linguistic organizations.
Huamin Qu is a Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). He serves as the Founding Dean of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS), Founding Head of the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas (EMIA), and was the Founding Acting Head of Computational Media and Arts (CMA) at HKUST(GZ). Qu directs the VisLab and coordinates the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) group. He obtained his BS in Mathematics from Xi'an Jiaotong University and MS/PhD in Computer Science from Stony Brook University. Qu's research integrates Data Visualization , Human-Computer Interaction , and Human-Centered AI , with applications in urban informatics, social networks, and explainable AI. His work focuses on developing interactive systems for big data analytics, visual storytelling, and AI-driven decision support. Research extends to multimodal communication, fintech, and augmented reality applications. His publications emphasize visual analytics for complex datasets (mobility, social media, financial), interaction techniques for immersive environments, and AI-enhanced visualization tools. Recent works explore explainable AI interfaces and large-scale data communication frameworks. IEEE Visualization Academy (2020) IEEE VGTC Technical Achievement Award AI 2000 Most Influential Scholar (2019, 2023, 2024) 21 Best Paper/Honorable Mention awards IBM Faculty Award (2009) APICTA Merit Award (2015) Yelp Dataset Grand Prize (2018) Qu has advised 48 PhD graduates (21 now faculty at institutions like UC Davis, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M) and 30 MPhil students. He secured major grants including RGC theme-based projects (digital citizenship, air pollution), UGC AoE (slope safety), and China's 973 Program. As VisLab director, he leads 20+ researchers in visualization/HCI projects adopted by Microsoft, IBM, Huawei, and Tencent.
Claus Lamm is a Full Professor of Biological Psychology at the University of Vienna , where he leads the Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit (SCAN-Unit) . He serves as Vice Dean for Research and Advancement of Early Career Researchers at the Faculty of Psychology and holds affiliations with the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub , Environment & Climate Change Hub , and Austrian Academy of Sciences . His academic career spans international collaborations and formative research experience abroad. Scientific Focus: Lamm investigates the neural underpinnings of empathy and prosocial behavior , employing multi-modal approaches combining neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, and psychoneuroendocrinology . His work extends to comparative studies with ravens and dogs, and explores environmental social neuroscience through climate change decision-making research. Recent publications show trends in cross-cultural psychology , machine learning applications , and neurobiological pathways related to social behavior. Awards & Grants: Recipient of the APS Mentor Award for his support of early career researchers. Funded by European Research Council , Austrian Science Fund , Vienna Science and Technology Fund , and intramural grants exceeding €10 million. Key projects include "Unravelling the opioid system in empathy" and "Comparative dog-human fMRI" . Media Engagement: A prominent public science communicator, Lamm has appeared in Nature , Science Magazine , and Austrian media outlets like Ö1 Mittagsjournal and ORF2 , discussing topics from pandemic psychology to social media effects . He maintains active outreach through Science TV and educational programs .
Roger Luckhurst is Professor of Modern Literature and currently holds the prestigious Geoffrey Tillotson Chair of Nineteenth Century Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London. A leading scholar in Gothic literature, science fiction, and trauma studies, he has been affiliated with Birkbeck for over 25 years, contributing significantly to interdisciplinary literary and cultural studies. Education and Career Trajectory: 2020-present: Geoffrey Tillotson Chair of Nineteenth Century Studies, Birkbeck College 2008-2020: Professor of Modern and Contemporary Literature, Birkbeck College 2004-2008: Senior Lecturer, Birkbeck College 1994-2004: Lecturer, Birkbeck College 1992-1994: Lecturer, University of Hull Research Interests and Scholarly Contributions: Luckhurst's research spans multiple interconnected fields, establishing him as a preeminent voice in literary and cultural studies. His work on late 19th century English literature examines the intersections of Victorian culture with emerging scientific discourses. His expertise in science fiction studies encompasses both literary analysis and cultural theory, exploring how speculative fiction reflects and shapes contemporary anxieties. In Gothic studies , he investigates the persistence of Gothic aesthetics and themes across different media and historical periods. His groundbreaking work in trauma studies has contributed significantly to understanding how literature and culture process collective trauma. Publications and Scholarly Impact: His extensive publication record demonstrates a remarkable breadth of scholarly inquiry. From his early work on J.G. Ballard to his recent comprehensive study of Gothic culture, Luckhurst has consistently produced influential scholarship. His books have been translated into multiple languages including French, Japanese, Turkish, and German, indicating significant international impact. His forthcoming The Gothic: An Illustrated History (2021) promises to be a definitive work in the field. Honors and Awards: 2009: Visiting Research Fellow, University of Birmingham 2009: Visiting Research Fellow, Flemish Academic Centre for Science and the Arts (VLAC), Brussels January-June 2011: AHRC Fellowship, Birkbeck College Spring 2016: Mellon Distinguished Visiting Professor, Department of English, Columbia University, New York Public Engagement and Media Presence: Beyond academia, Luckhurst has demonstrated exceptional commitment to public scholarship. He has served as a broadcaster for BBC radio, bringing literary criticism to wider audiences. His journalism has appeared in leading British newspapers, bridging the gap between academic research and public discourse. This dual role as academic and public intellectual exemplifies Birkbeck's tradition of making scholarship accessible to broader communities. Interdisciplinary Approach and Institutional Contributions: At Birkbeck College, Luckhurst has been instrumental in fostering the institution's renowned culture of interdisciplinary studies. His work seamlessly integrates literary analysis with cultural theory, film studies, architectural history, and scientific discourse. This approach has influenced generations of students and scholars, establishing Birkbeck as a leading center for innovative literary and cultural research.
Cao Jiannong is currently a Chair Professor and Director of the University Research Facility in Big Data Analytics at Hong Kong Polytechnic University . He has held academic roles including Assistant Professor at City University of Hong Kong and University Lecturer at the University of Adelaide and James Cook University. His research spans Cloud and Edge Computing , Parallel and Distributed Systems , Big Data Analytics , and Wireless Sensing . Ph.D. in Computer Science, Washington State University (1990) MSc in Computer Science, Washington State University (1986) BSc in Computer Science, Nanjing University, China (1982) His work focuses on solving theoretical and practical challenges in distributed computing , mobile cloud systems , and wireless sensor networks . Recent projects include coupled network embedding models for heterogeneous networks and SDN architectures for vehicular communication. His research also pioneers WiFi-based non-invasive health monitoring and fault-tolerant sensor deployment for structural health applications. Dr. Cao's publications highlight advancements in network embedding , edge computing , and WSN optimization . Key papers address multi-user computation partitioning , energy-efficient SHM systems , and consensus protocols for mobile networks. These works have been cited over 15,000 times, with an h-index of 60. Ministry of Education (China) Natural Science Award (2018) Distinguished Member, ACM (2017) Fellow, IEEE (2014) Best Paper Awards at IEEE DSAA, SMARTCOMP, and WCNC Dr. Cao has advised multiple PhD students, including Linchuan Xu and Weigang Wu , whose research on WSN-based SHM and coupled network embedding has practical impact. His leadership includes directing Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Big Data Research Facility and serving on technical committees for IEEE INFOCOM and ACM/IEEE conferences.
Wang Ning is a distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature with affiliations at Tsinghua University (part-time) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His career spans prestigious roles including Zhiyuan Chair Professor (2009–present) and Changjiang Distinguished Professor (2013–present). Born in 1955, he holds academic qualifications from institutions in China, Europe, and North America. Research interests focus on cosmopolitanism, translation studies, Northrop Frye's mythopoeia, cultural studies, and Chinese-Western comparative literature. He has secured over ten grants since 1991 aimed at introducing European theory to China and has conducted research across Europe, North America, and Australia as a visiting professor/research fellow. Key achievements include the Changjiang Scholars Award (2013), membership in Académé de la Latinité (2010), and fellowships at Cambridge and Gottingen Universities. He co-founded Chinese editions of New Literary History and Critical Inquiry , advancing transnational literary discourse. Wang has delivered keynote lectures globally and led initiatives to bridge Chinese and Western literary traditions. His work emphasizes global literary dynamics, translation’s role in cultural exchange, and reinterpreting modern Chinese literature within global contexts.
Jürgen König is a full professor at the Department of Nutritional Sciences , University of Vienna, leading the Research Professorship Specialized Human Nutrition . His work bridges psychological and physiological dimensions of eating behavior, with additional focus on population-level nutritional assessment in Austria. Academic Rank: Professor Department: Nutritional Sciences Research Focus: Hunger/satiety mechanisms, Public health nutrition, Food safety Key research themes include: Psychological drivers of eating behaviors (stress, food craving, sensory cues) Physiological regulation of nutrient homeostasis National nutrition surveys assessing dietary patterns Caloric restriction and metabolic adaptation Child and adolescent hydration/nutrition policies Recent publications highlight: Mechanistic studies on caloric restriction effects (2025) Pandemic impacts on school nutrition (2024) Global obesity/diabetes trends analysis (2024) Behavioral nudging in food selection (2024) Microbiota's role in dietary interventions (2023) Contact: juergen.koenig@univie.ac.at | Sekretariat: sekretariat.ew@univie.ac.at
Angelo Peccerillo is a distinguished Full Professor of Petrology at the University of Perugia, Italy, with an extensive academic career spanning multiple Italian universities. He previously served as Full Professor of Petrology at the Universities of Calabria (1993-1997) and Messina (1985-1993), and as Associate Professor of Volcanology (1982-1985) and Assistant Professor (1971-1982) at the University of Florence. He earned his Laurea Degree in Geology from the University of Florence in 1970 and has been a member of Academia Europaea since his election. Peccerillo's research focuses on the petrology and geochemistry of magmatic processes, with particular expertise in igneous petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, orogenic volcanism, and continental rift magmatism. His scholarly work has established him as a leading expert in understanding the complex relationships between mantle processes, crustal interactions, and volcanic activity in the Mediterranean region and beyond. His research methodology integrates petrological, geochemical, and geophysical approaches to develop comprehensive models of magmatic systems. Analysis of Peccerillo's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on magmatic processes across diverse geological settings. His work spans from detailed studies of specific volcanic systems like the Aeolian Islands and Ethiopian Rift to broader investigations of mantle structure and geodynamic processes in the Mediterranean region. A recurring theme is the integration of multiple analytical approaches to model magma plumbing systems, understand mantle composition, and elucidate the geodynamic evolution of volcanic regions, particularly examining the relationships between deep and shallow mantle processes. Antonio Feltrinelli Price 2006 for Earth Sciences, awarded by the National Academy of Lincei, Italy Professor Peccerillo has supervised numerous MSc and PhD students both at his home institution and abroad. His editorial leadership includes serving as Chief Editor of the "European Journal of Mineralogy" from 2006 to 2008 and membership on the editorial boards of several prestigious journals including "Lithos," "Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research," "Geological Society of Italy Bulletin," and "Open Mineralogy Journal." He has been actively involved in research evaluation, serving on national and international panels for organizations such as NSF, ESF, CNR, MIUR, and NATO. Peccerillo maintains strong international scientific connections through visiting positions at institutions like the Australian National University, University of Gottingen, and University of Paris XI at Orsay. His leadership extends to professional organizations, having served as President of the Italian Petrology Group and currently as a Member of Academia Europaea. His administrative experience includes serving as Department Head and Coordinator of PhD programs at the Universities of Messina, Cosenza, and Perugia.
Philipp Budka is a Researcher (PostDoc) and Lecturer at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna. He leads the North American research region for the ERC Advanced Grant project 'InfraNorth' and investigates transport infrastructures in northern Canada. Budka co-founded the Digital Ethnography Initiative and is a member of the Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI). He holds a Mag.phil. in Cultural Anthropology and Communication Studies from the University of Vienna and Utrecht. His doctoral research focused on Indigenous digital infrastructures in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Education: Mag.phil. (2003), PhD in Cultural Anthropology (2017) Research Interests: Digital Anthropology, Infrastructure Studies, Media Anthropology, Indigenous Technologies His research explores sociotechnical systems, digital ethnography, and infrastructure sustainability in remote regions. Budka has co-edited volumes on media and conflict and ritualization, and is currently working on monographs about Indigenous online platforms and transport infrastructures in Canada. Grants: ERC Advanced Grant (InfraNorth), various teaching and research roles at FU Berlin and HMKW Berlin. He was co-leader of the Media Anthropology Network (EASA) from 2017–2024. Labs/Teams: Team of the Lehrendenvertretung (Teaching Representatives), Digital Ethnography Initiative, InfraNorth Project.
Helmut Leder is a Professor at the University of Vienna, specifically within the Faculty of Psychology's Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology. He serves as Head of the Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, integrating interdisciplinary approaches to study aesthetic experiences and cognitive processes. His academic profile includes teaching courses in General Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Neurosciences, alongside supervising master's and doctoral thesis seminars focused on perception and neuroaesthetics. Key Research Areas : Empirical Aesthetics, Cognitive Psychology, Visual Perception, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Urban Art Impact, Mental Imagery Studies Methodological Focus : Eye-tracking, Machine Learning Analysis, Cross-Cultural Comparisons, Field Experiments, Neuroimaging Recent Contributions : Investigated urban art's role in stress reduction, developed network models of aesthetic experiences, explored non-visual color navigation for the blind, and applied machine learning to art evaluation. His work bridges psychology with cultural studies, examining how aesthetic experiences shape well-being and cognitive processes. Current projects emphasize the neural and behavioral distinctions between real and imagined art encounters, while challenging traditional gender-based perception models.
Univ.-Prof. Torsten Möller, PhD is a Professor at the University of Vienna and serves as Head of the Research Group Visualization and Data Analysis and Head of the Research Network Data Science. His work spans data visualization, visual analytics, and human-computer interaction, with a focus on biomedical, environmental, and societal data applications. Academic rank: Professor Research group: Visualization and Data Analysis Network: Data Science Email: torsten.moeller@univie.ac.at Research interests include: Visual data analysis for complex systems Interdisciplinary applications in climate science and medicine Human-computer interaction in data exploration Image processing and computer graphics Recent publication trends show expertise in: Visualizing climate change and pandemic data Multi-volumetric and network analysis Algorithmic transparency and user-centered design Interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., astrophysics, medical imaging) Statistical and uncertainty visualization Design frameworks for visualization recommendation Teaching includes courses in: Computer graphics and visualization Image processing and analysis Human-computer interaction Data analysis projects Doctoral research seminars
Professor Thomas Lukasiewicz is a Full Professor and Head of the Artificial Intelligence Techniques research group at the Faculty of Informatics, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). His research focuses on enabling machines to mimic human-like intelligence through techniques spanning deep learning, symbolic reasoning, and predictive coding. Key areas include explainable AI, hybrid neurosymbolic systems, and applications in healthcare and law. He teaches courses such as Deep Learning for Natural Language Processing, Scientific Research and Writing, and multiple seminars in artificial intelligence and knowledge representation. His research projects include Explainable AI in Healthcare (2023–2027) and foundational work on predictive coding networks. His publications (15+ recent articles) address medical image segmentation, neurosymbolic frameworks, and language model evaluation in mathematics. Notable work includes neurosymbolic hybrid models (CCN⁺), reinforcement learning for medical report generation, and theoretical foundations of predictive coding networks.
Oliver Grau is a Chair Professor for Image Science and a leading figure in Media Art research, affiliated with Hong Kong Baptist University (Academy of Visual Arts, Distinguished Fellow since 2023) and Danube University Krems (Chair Professor for Image Science from 2005–2022). He founded the Archive for Digital Art (ADA) and the international MediaArtHistories Conference Series , with key roles at institutions across Germany, Austria, and Australia. His work bridges art, science, and technology, focusing on immersive images, digital heritage, and emotion research. Key Positions: Director of ADA (since 2000), Founding Director of MediaArtHistories Conference Series (since 2005), PI for high-resolution digitization of the Goettweig Graphic Print Collection (2005–2017). Research Grants: Funded by DFG, Austrian Science Fund, Australian Research Council, VW Foundation (total 8.3 Mio EUR), and Erasmus+ Joint Master program (5.4 Mio EUR). Research Interests: Grau’s scholarship spans the history of media art, telepresence, artificial life, emotion research, and digital humanities. His work emphasizes the evolution of immersive visual experiences from historical art forms to digital media, integrating theoretical and practical approaches. Article Trends: His recent publications focus on digital art’s sociopolitical dimensions, archiving challenges in the digital era, and cross-disciplinary methodologies. Themes include media art conservation, web-based tools for digital humanities, and the intersection of artistic expression with contemporary global issues like climate change and surveillance. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Fellow at Hong Kong Baptist University (2023) Science Award of Lower Austria (2019) Honorary Doctorate from University of Oradea (2014) Invitations to G-20 summit, Olympic Games, and international symposia Labs & Teams: He leads the Archive for Digital Art, managing a global team of 28 staff, and co-founded the Erasmus+ Joint Master in Media Arts Cultures. His projects emphasize collaborative archiving tools (e.g., Web 2.0/3.0 archives) and large-scale digitization initiatives.
Gerald Reiner serves as Head of the Institute for Production Management at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), within the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management. He holds a Magister Degree, doctorate, and Habilitation in Business Administration from WU. His academic career includes positions as full professor in Production Management and Logistics at the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland, 2007-2014) and Universitaet Klagenfurt (Austria, 2014-2018), where he also served as head of the department of Operations, Energy, and Environmental Management. Dr. Reiner has held visiting professorships at Aston Business School (UK), HEC Lausanne (Switzerland), University of Bergamo, and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan (Italy). His research spans several critical areas including Industry 4.0 implementation, integrated capacity and inventory management, humanitarian logistics operations, circular supply chains, and operations management for base of the pyramid contexts. His work particularly focuses on practical applications addressing food waste reduction, sustainable manufacturing, and blockchain technology in supply chains. His publication portfolio demonstrates a clear evolution toward digital transformation in operations, with recent focus on hydrogen production systems, AI integration in manufacturing, and blockchain applications for food supply chain transparency. The research shows increasing emphasis on sustainability integration within traditional operations management frameworks, particularly addressing European manufacturing challenges and food system inefficiencies. Publication Excellence Award 2021 (2023) Researcher of the month (January 2023) Highly Commended paper in the 2017 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence ISIR Service Award (2014) Emerald Outstanding Paper Award (2013) Dr. Reiner coordinates multiple significant international research projects including EU-project 'Keeping Jobs in EU', EU/Ecsel-project 'Power Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing 4.0', 'Integrated Development 4.0', and 'Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing leading to Sustainability and Industry 5.0'. His current projects focus on FOODIS (cross-border ecosystem for innovation in food supply chains), Circular Design implementation, and blockchain applications for banana supply chains. He actively supervises research teams working on food waste reduction, sustainable packaging systems, and AI applications in operations management.
