Humanities & Social Sciences

Esteemed speakers contributing their insights into human culture, behavior, and societal development

Kerry Kolosko

Kerry Kolosko

Kerry is a Data Visualisation Consultant and Business Intelligence Manager hailing from Adelaide, South Australia.

With a background in psychology and the social sciences and over fifteen years reporting experience across a range of industries, Kerry brings a considered and creative edge to BI and data visualization design.

Kerry is a Data Visualisation Consultant and Business Intelligence Manager hailing from Adelaide, South Australia. With a background in psychology and the social sciences and over fifteen years reporting experience across a range of industries, Ke... Show more

Abrar Hussain

Abrar Hussain

Mr. Abrar Hussain is a young researcher in the field of probiotics and pursuing his Ph.D. degree from ICCBS, University of Karachi. Mr. Hussain, received his master degree in chemistry/ biochemistry from university of Peshawar, Pakistan. He also obtained C.T. (certified teacher), B.Ed. and M.Ed. degree in Science education from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Recently he completed M.Phil./MS degree in biochemistry from HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, ICCBS, University of Karachi. He completed his M.Phil. thesis on the "Molecular assessment and validation of the selected enterococcal strains as probiotics". Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. in the probiogenomics analysis of probiotic. So far his contribution in the field is the indication of bright future as he published articles in probiotics and delivered lecture and participating in conferences to explore the field of probiotics.
He is also a professional speaker and delivered numerous lectures on different topics. Attending seminars, conferences, and participation in scientific events are the marking agents of his enthusiasm. He is also writing blogs on both scientific and social or religious perspectives. He has more than 100 participation certificate, delivered more than a dozen lectures and present his views in different conferences.
His research skills are also shaping his personality. He has strong research skills and is able to work in a team and independently. He also trained many internships students in his laboratory and also guide multiple students across the country for their scientific writing.
In short, Mr. Hussain is a man of rule, has keen interest for science, have excellent research, writing, and presentation skills. He fell more than happy to helps other students and guide them in their careers.

Mr. Abrar Hussain is a young researcher in the field of probiotics and pursuing his Ph.D. degree from ICCBS, University of Karachi. Mr. Hussain, received his master degree in chemistry/ biochemistry from university of Peshawar, Pakistan. He also obta... Show more

Rashmi Nagpal

Rashmi Nagpal

Rashmi, a Machine Learning Engineer by profession and a passionate researcher is dedicated to crafting beautiful AI/ML products. With nearly 5 years of industrial experience, she has brought ideas to life at pre-seed startups and contributed to impactful redesigns and features at established industry giants. Beyond coding, Rashmi finds inspiration in capturing the wonders of the cosmos through her telescope and engaging in board games with friends.

Additionally, as a Research Affiliate at MIT, Rashmi continues to push the boundaries of technology, leveraging her expertise to bridge the gap between academia and industry in AI.

Rashmi, a Machine Learning Engineer by profession and a passionate researcher is dedicated to crafting beautiful AI/ML products. With nearly 5 years of industrial experience, she has brought ideas to life at pre-seed startups and contributed to impac... Show more

Jenny Bhatt

Jenny Bhatt

Jenny Bhatt is a writer, literary translator, and book critic. She is a 2025 NEA Translation Fellow. She has taught creative writing at various organizations, including Writing Workshops Dallas and the PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship Program. She was also the founder of Desi Books (March 2020 to January 2023), a global forum for showcasing South Asian literature from the world over. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student of literature at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her research areas are Translation Studies, Literary Translation, South Asian Literature, and The Historical Novel.

Her debut story collection, Each of Us Killers: Stories (7.13 Books; Sep 2020), won a 2020 Foreword INDIES award. Her literary translation, Ratno Dholi: Dhumketu’s Best Short Stories (HarperCollins India; Oct 2020), was shortlisted for the 2021 PFC-VoW Book Awards. The US edition of her Dhumketu translation, The Shehnai Virtuoso and Other Stories, was released in July 2022. One of her short stories was included in The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021. Her fiction has appeared in multiple other anthologies, too.

Her nonfiction has been published in various venues, including NPR, The Guardian, The Washington Post, BBC Culture, The Atlantic, Publishers Weekly, Dallas Morning News, Literary Hub, Poets & Writers, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Star Tribune, and more.

She resides in the in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Texas. Find her at https://jennybhattwriter.com.

Jenny Bhatt is a writer, literary translator, and book critic. She is a 2025 NEA Translation Fellow. She has taught creative writing at various organizations, including Writing Workshops Dallas and the PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship Program. ... Show more

Daria Berndt

Daria Berndt

Daria Berndt ist Master-Studentin im Fachbereich Design an der HAWK Hildesheim.
Im Jahr 2023 schloss sie ihren Bachelor durch die Einreichung ihrer Arbeit 'KRISE GESTALTEN – Die Einflüsse visueller Gestaltung auf die politische Risiko- und Krisenkommunikation am Beispiel COVID-19 (2020–2022)' an der HAWK ab. Wie bereits während ihres Bachelors konzentriert sie sich auch in ihrem Master auf die Schwerpunkte Kommunikation und Designwissenschaft. Ein zusätzlicher Schwerpunkt liegt seit 2023 auf künstlicher Intelligenz und verhaltenswirksamer Mensch-Maschinen-Interaktion.

Im Rahmen ihrer Arbeit mit KI ist Daria eine von vier Future Scouts für GenKI in der Hochschullehre, die in der Saison 2024-2025 vom Stifterverband und der Reinhard-Frank Stiftung gefördert werden.

Daria Berndt ist Master-Studentin im Fachbereich Design an der HAWK Hildesheim. Im Jahr 2023 schloss sie ihren Bachelor durch die Einreichung ihrer Arbeit 'KRISE GESTALTEN – Die Einflüsse visueller Gestaltung auf die politische Risiko- und Krisenko... Show more

Amal Tahri

Amal Tahri

Passionate about Technology, Sociology and Philosophy

Passionate about Technology, Sociology and Philosophy Show more

Anna Sundermann

Anna Sundermann

Dr Anna Sundermann is a pedagogical psychologist and sustainability scientist at Leuphana University, specializing in learning and communication processes in higher education, particularly within the context of sustainable development. Her research is deeply rooted in exploring how innovative teaching, learning, and communication approaches—such as mindfulness, storytelling or digitalization—can promote competence development and foster engagement with sustainability issues. Her current work at the Graduate School not only advances academic understanding but also aims to create practical solutions for fostering sustainability and improving educational outcomes.

Dr Anna Sundermann is a pedagogical psychologist and sustainability scientist at Leuphana University, specializing in learning and communication processes in higher education, particularly within the context of sustainable development. Her research i... Show more

Riva Zmajoki

Riva Zmajoki

Riva Zmajoki, spisateljica, filozofkinja i pjesnikinja. Na znanstveno fantastičnoj sceni objavljuje od davne 2005. Uz predavanja o pisanju i znanstvenoj fantastici razvija svoj mali fantastični svemir povezan QuBoS cestom kroz dimenzije koja se može naći na Amazonu.

Riva Zmajoki, spisateljica, filozofkinja i pjesnikinja. Na znanstveno fantastičnoj sceni objavljuje od davne 2005. Uz predavanja o pisanju i znanstvenoj fantastici razvija svoj mali fantastični svemir povezan QuBoS cestom kroz dimenzije koja se može ... Show more

Ala Kuzniatsova

Ala Kuzniatsova

Agilist, feminist, humanist

Agilist, feminist, humanist Show more

Bernard James Remollino

Bernard James Remollino

Dr. Bernard James Remollino (He/They/Siya) is an Associate Professor of U.S. and Asian American & Pacific American History at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. Their doctoral work focused on the history of Filipinx American popular culture, labor, and migration in California during the early twentieth century. Bernard writes on Filipinx American histories, Asian American popular cultures, and transpacific cultural imaginaries in the Philippine diaspora. Bernard is a 1.5-generation undocumented immigrant from Makati, Philippines. Their family first settled in Stockton and still resides in the San Joaquin Valley.

Bernard collaborates with several Filipinx American organizations across California in amplifying the histories of struggle and community building that make Filipinx experiences part of the larger fabric of U.S. history. They are a National Trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society representing the Mid-California FANHS chapters of Stockton, Central Valley, California Central Coast, Fresno, and Delano. They currently live on occupied, unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land (San Francisco), where they are conducting research for an upcoming book project.

Dr. Bernard James Remollino (He/They/Siya) is an Associate Professor of U.S. and Asian American & Pacific American History at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. Their doctoral work focused on the history of Filipinx American popular c... Show more

Frank Abe

Frank Abe

FRANK ABE is co-editor with Floyd Cheung of a new anthology, THE LITERATURE OF JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION, (Penguin Classics). He is lead author of a graphic novel, WE HEREBY REFUSE: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration (Chin Music Press), and with collaborators Tamiko Nimura, Ross Ishikawa, and Matt Sasaki was named a Finalist in Creative Nonfiction for the Washington State Book Award. He won an American Book Award with Cheung and Greg Robinson as co-editor of JOHN OKADA: The Life & Rediscovered Work of the Author of No-No Boy (University of Washington Press), in which he authored the first-ever biography of Okada and traced the origins of his novel. He is currently developing a new stage adaptation of NO-NO BOY in partnership with Seattle Rep.

Abe wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning PBS documentary CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION on the largest organized resistance in the camps, and with writer Frank Chin helped organize the first-ever “Day of Remembrance” in Seattle in 1978. He was an original member of Chin’s Asian American Theater Workshop in San Francisco and studied at the American Conservatory Theater.

FRANK ABE is co-editor with Floyd Cheung of a new anthology, THE LITERATURE OF JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION, (Penguin Classics). He is lead author of a graphic novel, WE HEREBY REFUSE: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration (Chin Mu... Show more

Barbara Salani

Barbara Salani

Barbara Salani

Barbara Salani, a graduate of the Juan Manuel Olivares Conservatory in Caracas, furthered her studies in Italy and the US, earning a Bachelor of Music from the Philadelphia University of the Arts and a Master's in Piano Performance from Florida Atlantic University, where she's now a Ph.D. Candidate in Comparative Studies LLC in Musicology and Italian Studies. She serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at FAU in Boca Raton. Her research bridges musicology, philology, and digital innovation, focusing on 19th-century Italian opera. Notably, she is leading the revival of Pietro Carlo Guglielmi’s forgotten 1812 opera semiseria, Amalia e Carlo, set to debut on September 12, 2025, in Massa at the Teatro Guglielmi (named after the composer), and later at Florida Atlantic University’s Performing Arts Theatre, aiming to connect historical art forms with modern audiences through digital technologies. Barbara’s innovative teaching projects, such as the “Music Module” at FAU and the composition “Dante’s Anthem,” sponsored by the Consulate General of Italy in Miami, showcase her commitment to interdisciplinary education and the promotion of Italian language and culture. An accomplished pianist and educator, Barbara has performed internationally as a soloist and in piano duos. She has published in three languages and received various awards, including recognition for her book "Music for Life: The Salani Brothers." Barbara is passionate about innovative teaching and interdisciplinary research in music and Italian studies.

Barbara Salani Barbara Salani, a graduate of the Juan Manuel Olivares Conservatory in Caracas, furthered her studies in Italy and the US, earning a Bachelor of Music from the Philadelphia University of the Arts and a Master's in Piano Performance ... Show more

Catherine Ma

Catherine Ma

Dr. Catherine Ma is an accomplished and influential figure in psychology and academia. Her role as the first Chinese full professor of psychology at Kingsborough Community College is a testament to her accomplishments, and she acknowledges the invaluable support of her loving husband, three children, parents, mother-in-law, and pug in her success. Dr. Ma is a highly accomplished and dedicated professor whose work encompasses a wide range of essential topics such as antiracism pedagogy, Chinese immigrant experiences, and the impact of race and class in various settings. Her commitment to education and community involvement shines through in her significant contributions to teaching, scholarship, and service, particularly in areas related to antiracism pedagogy, Chinese immigrant experiences, and the impact of Chinese mothers. Dr. Ma's dedication to supporting students is exemplified in her decade-long mentorship of students of color, her ongoing mentoring of junior faculty at Kingsborough’s HURFS-RC (Historically Underrepresented Faculty and Staff Resource Center), and the creation of the Yuet Chun & Tai Yee Ma Memorial Endowment Fund which offers an annual scholarship to a hardworking Kingsborough student in perpetuity.

Her newest venture addresses the lack of mentorship among AAPI faculty and staff. Dr. Ma cofounded AAMPOWER (Asian American Mentorship Providing Opportunities to Women for Empowerment and Resilience) CUNY with her distinguished colleagues Dr. Trang Le-Chan, Dr. Payal Doctor, and Dean Sandie Han. This role in this organization highlights her commitment to fostering mentorship, empowerment, and resilience among Asian women in higher education. By creating a supportive community for sharing experiences and addressing critical issues, AAMPOWER CUNY represents a significant endeavor in championing diversity, inclusion, and support for future generations of Asian women at CUNY. Dr. Ma's collaborative efforts in establishing this initiative reflect her dedication to advocacy and empowerment within the academic community.

Dr. Ma's impressive achievements are reflected in her receipt of several prestigious awards, including Kingsborough's Fostering Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Works Awards, and her dedication to teaching and mentoring excellence in the academic community was recognized with the SPSSI Two-Year College Teaching and Mentoring Excellence Award in 2022. Dr. Ma's numerous awards and accolades speak to the quality and impact of her work. Her passion for empowering others and addressing systemic injustices makes her a valuable asset in academia and beyond.

Dr. Catherine Ma is an accomplished and influential figure in psychology and academia. Her role as the first Chinese full professor of psychology at Kingsborough Community College is a testament to her accomplishments, and she acknowledges the invalu... Show more

Isabelle Rotter

Isabelle Rotter

With a foundational background in psychology, Isabelle brings a unique perspective to the tech industry, where she specializes in human-centric issues. At her company, she's renowned for her expertise in enhancing team communication and serving as a transformative coach, translating complex code into understandable language for all stakeholders. Communication isn't just her job; it's her passion.

With a foundational background in psychology, Isabelle brings a unique perspective to the tech industry, where she specializes in human-centric issues. At her company, she's renowned for her expertise in enhancing team communication and serving as a ... Show more

Gracie Diverseempowerment

Gracie Diverseempowerment

Gracie Brendah Nanyunja
(Born November 10, 1989)

Gracie Brendah Nanyunja is a distinguished LGBTQ disability rights activist, writer, and intersectional feminist from Uganda. As the founder and Advocacy Officer of the Diverse Empowerment Foundation (DEF), she is dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of LGBTQ individuals with disabilities. Her tireless advocacy work was recognized in 2023 when she was awarded the prestigious Hivos/Winq Diversity International Activist Award.

Early Life and Education
Born at Lubaga Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Gracie was raised in Luzira, a suburb on the outskirts of the city, within a large family and a strict Catholic upbringing. From an early age, she faced significant challenges due to her disability. Growing up in a society that often viewed disability as something needing correction, Gracie’s childhood was shaped by efforts to find solutions to her condition, including visits to witch doctor shrines, Born-again churches, and hospitals. Despite these hardships, she developed a strong sense of determination and resilience, gaining the respect of those around her.

Gracie pursued higher education at Kyambogo University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Guidance and Counseling. Her academic background, combined with her personal experiences, prepared her to tackle the social challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Career and Advocacy
In 2018, Gracie founded the Foundation for the Differently Abled (FDA), aimed at supporting people with disabilities, particularly in overcoming employment barriers. However, she soon realized that the organization lacked space for her lesbian identity, making her feel like a "unicorn" within her own creation. This experience underscored the limitations of single-issue advocacy in addressing the complex intersections of identity, prompting Gracie to seek a more inclusive approach.

In 2020, a pivotal moment in her personal life occurred when she came out to her friends and family after falling in love with her partner. This decision marked a turning point, leading Gracie to co-found the Diverse Empowerment Foundation (DEF) to address the unique challenges faced by the "double minority" community—LGBTQ individuals with disabilities. Through DEF, Gracie has created a safe and inclusive space where members can access socio-economic skills, build their confidence, and advocate for their rights and inclusion within society and the broader LGBTQ movement.

As an intersectional feminist, Gracie emphasizes the importance of considering multiple aspects of identity, such as sexual orientation, disability, and gender, in the fight for equality and human rights. Her work with DEF is a testament to her commitment to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Writing and Intersectional Approach
Beyond her activism, Gracie is a passionate writer, known by her pen name Lunah Steph. Through her writing, she amplifies the voices and experiences of LGBTQ individuals with disabilities, contributing to a deeper understanding of their intersecting identities. Her literary work further complements her advocacy efforts, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to human rights.

Gracie’s approach is deeply rooted in intersectional feminism, recognizing that individuals often face multiple, overlapping forms of discrimination. By addressing the intricate interplay between sexuality, gender identity, and disability, she strives for a comprehensive understanding of social justice and human dignity.

Vision and Legacy
Gracie Brendah Nanyunja’s journey from a childhood marked by adversity to becoming a respected and influential advocate demonstrates her unwavering resilience and dedication. Through her leadership at DEF, she continues to inspire many, working tirelessly for a Uganda where equality, inclusion, and justice prevail for all. Her determination is encapsulated in her guiding philosophy: "When I want to achieve something, I don't rest until I've succeeded."

Gracie Brendah Nanyunja (Born November 10, 1989) Gracie Brendah Nanyunja is a distinguished LGBTQ disability rights activist, writer, and intersectional feminist from Uganda. As the founder and Advocacy Officer of the Diverse Empowerment Foundati... Show more

Steve Andrews

Steve Andrews

Steve is a frequent and engaging keynoter, speaker, and trainer at over 150 events across North America, speaking to diverse audiences including families and individuals, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and the United States Military. Steve is passionate about the human sciences and wellbeing. He is currently writing a book. Having spent over 20 years as a passionate technologist, he also speaks about cognitive accessibility.

Steve is a frequent and engaging keynoter, speaker, and trainer at over 150 events across North America, speaking to diverse audiences including families and individuals, business leaders, healthcare professionals, and the United States Military. Ste... Show more

Nicky Meindl (They/Them)

Nicky Meindl (They/Them)

Nicky is a queer, Chicane, and non-binary educator based in Long Beach, CA. They hold a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in curriculum and instruction, both of which were awarded by Chapman University. Nicky's research primarily focuses on the intersection of Queer Theory and Ethnic Studies. Their current role as a neurodivergent special education teacher has helped shape their understanding of disability in education.

Nicky is a queer, Chicane, and non-binary educator based in Long Beach, CA. They hold a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in curriculum and instruction, both of which were awarded by Chapman University. Nicky's research primarily focuse... Show more

Benedikt Weygandt

Benedikt Weygandt

Secondary school teacher (mathematics & physics), Ph.D. in mathematics (with specialization in the teaching of mathematics at the university level)

Research Interests: instructional design of mathematics courses, mathematical sophistication & enculturation, mathematical beliefs, fostering giftedness, future skills, AI & data literacy

Secondary school teacher (mathematics & physics), Ph.D. in mathematics (with specialization in the teaching of mathematics at the university level) Research Interests: instructional design of mathematics courses, mathematical sophistication & encu... Show more

Gina Masequesmay

Gina Masequesmay

Queer Viet American sociologist

Queer Viet American sociologist Show more

Maurizio Mangione

Maurizio Mangione

Russian literature lover, wannabe writer, rock climber.
Former Google Developers Expert and Microsoft MVP, founder of great communities.

Russian literature lover, wannabe writer, rock climber. Former Google Developers Expert and Microsoft MVP, founder of great communities. Show more

Mollie Adler

Mollie Adler

Mollie Adler is the creator and host of Back from the Borderline, a globally acclaimed podcast that has redefined the narrative around psychological suffering, healing, and personal transformation. With millions of downloads and a ranking in the top 5-10% of podcasts globally, Mollie has built a platform where listeners can explore the raw, unfiltered aspects of human experience, embracing both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of self-discovery.

What sets Mollie apart is her unique ability to blend modern psychology with ancient wisdom and non-human intelligence. As an experiencer of non-human intelligence (NHI), Mollie has had encounters that have profoundly shaped her understanding of the human psyche and the world around us. Through her podcast, she seamlessly integrates her personal experiences with the numinous with deeper explorations into mysticism and depth psychology. This has allowed her to bridge the divide between traditional mental health paradigms and the evolving narratives surrounding NHI, offering listeners a more expansive and holistic understanding of reality. Her work is a powerful challenge to the confines of modern, diagnostic-driven approaches to psychology, which often neglect the soul’s capacity for growth through pain and transformation.

In addition to her podcast, Mollie has amassed a loyal following, including thousands of paying subscribers on Patreon and readers on Substack. She has been a featured guest on prominent platforms, including the official podcast of The Joseph Campbell Foundation, and will be a speaker at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025. At SXSW, she will delve into the intersection of mental health, mysticism, and non-human intelligence, advocating for a worldview that embraces both the mysteries of the unseen and the scientific advancements of the modern age. Mollie’s approach is grounded in the belief that to truly heal, we must go beyond the binary and explore the complexities of our existence—both the human and the non-human, the scientific and the mystical.

Mollie’s podcast, Back from the Borderline, is an audio sanctuary, intentionally created to offer listeners a reprieve from the noise and distractions of the digital age. Choosing to remain audio-only, she rejects the visual fatigue of screen-dominated content, instead offering an immersive, intimate experience that allows her listeners to reconnect with themselves in a deeply personal way. This choice is informed by Mollie’s own experience in the music industry, where she reclaimed her voice after losing control of her creative work. Each episode of her podcast is self-produced, a reflection of her commitment to maintaining creative freedom and offering content that is truly her own.

With a voice that is both intellectual and compassionate, Mollie challenges the rigidity of modern mental health narratives and calls for a return to myth, story, and an expanded consciousness. She is committed to helping her listeners break free from the limitations imposed by a fragmented society - one that profits from division and categorization - and to embrace a more integrated, expansive view of the Self. Through her work, Mollie offers a unique perspective: a path that weaves together the wisdom of the ancients, the exploration of non-human intelligence, and the transformative power of the human psyche.

Whether speaking about the deep mysteries of non-human intelligence, mental health, or the need to reclaim myth and meaning in a rapidly changing world, Mollie Adler’s work provides a much-needed voice for those seeking to understand the world beyond the confines of conventional thinking. Her message is clear: healing, growth, and transformation are possible when we embrace the full spectrum of human experience - and when we dare to explore the unseen realms that shape our lives.

Mollie Adler is the creator and host of Back from the Borderline, a globally acclaimed podcast that has redefined the narrative around psychological suffering, healing, and personal transformation. With millions of downloads and a ranking in the top ... Show more

Patrick Smyth

Patrick Smyth

Dr. Patrick Smyth is Staff Developer Relations Engineer at Chainguard, where he shows developers how to deploy AI and other applications with 0 CVEs using Chainguard Images. Patrick has a PhD in the digital humanities and in a previous life led technical bootcamps for researchers at Columbia University. In his free time you can find Patrick swimming in a frozen lake or hanging out with his six-month-old baby.

Dr. Patrick Smyth is Staff Developer Relations Engineer at Chainguard, where he shows developers how to deploy AI and other applications with 0 CVEs using Chainguard Images. Patrick has a PhD in the digital humanities and in a previous life led tech... Show more

Angela May

Angela May

Angela May (she/her or they/them) is a mixed Japanese Canadian (gosei [fifth generation]) PhD Candidate in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University studying under the supervision of Dr. Amber Dean. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Angela has familial and community roots in the city’s Powell Street neighbourhood (Paueru Gai, “Powell Town”), the largest historic home of Japanese Canadians—which is also a central part of the present-day home of the Downtown Eastside community. Angela’s doctoral work thus focuses on the Japanese Canadian and Downtown Eastside communities, particularly as they overlap. Examining the last decades of the twentieth century, Angela interrogates established narratives in the Japanese Canadian community—about returning to Powell Street (1970s), about federal Japanese Canadian Redress (1980s), and about trauma, pain, and drug use (1990s)—to ask new questions about what it means to be a good neighbour in the Downtown Eastside today. Angela holds a BA in English (University of Victoria), an MA in the Socio-Cultural Studies of Health (Queen’s University), and a Creative Writing Certificate (Simon Fraser University, The Writer’s Studio Online). Her academic work has been published in the Urban History Review, the Annual Review of Interdisciplinary Justice Research, and Canadian Literature. For more, see www.angelamarianmay.com.

Angela May (she/her or they/them) is a mixed Japanese Canadian (gosei [fifth generation]) PhD Candidate in the Department of English and Cultural Studies at McMaster University studying under the supervision of Dr. Amber Dean. Originally from Vancouv... Show more

Samuel Tobler

Samuel Tobler

Samuel Tobler is a postdoctoral researcher focusing on the use of narratives and storytelling as well as machine learning and generative AI in education.

Samuel Tobler is a postdoctoral researcher focusing on the use of narratives and storytelling as well as machine learning and generative AI in education. Show more

Suzanne Persard

Suzanne Persard

Suzanne C. Persard is Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Department of Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies at American University, Faculty Affiliate of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center and a faculty member of the Ethnographies of Empire research cluster. As an interdisciplinary scholar, writer and curator, her research, teaching and curatorial practice center histories of gender and sexuality within indentured Indian archives; queer and feminist visual cultures; and theories of decoloniality.

Suzanne C. Persard is Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Department of Critical Race, Gender and Culture Studies at American University, Faculty Affiliate of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center and a faculty mem... Show more

Rocío Mieres

Rocío Mieres

Socióloga, con especialización en videojuegos, fenómenos digitales y economías sociales y solidarias
docente en la universidad UNIACC y en la universidad SEK
Miembro de la red de estudios ludocriticos de Chile
Miembro del Observatorio de Innovación Social de la Universidad Central
Asesora en La consultora Hahuun

Socióloga, con especialización en videojuegos, fenómenos digitales y economías sociales y solidarias docente en la universidad UNIACC y en la universidad SEK Miembro de la red de estudios ludocriticos de Chile Miembro del Observatorio de Innovació... Show more

Claudiu Forgaci

Claudiu Forgaci

I am an assistant professor of urban design and analytics at TU Delft, passionate about asking spatial and non-spatial questions with R. I co-initiated Rbanism, a community of R users that aims to empower urbanism researchers, students, educators and practitioners to use open-source software and related open-science practices effectively and with confidence. Currently, I focus on developing an open-source tool for urban river space analysis, and on text mining applied in urbanism education.

I am an assistant professor of urban design and analytics at TU Delft, passionate about asking spatial and non-spatial questions with R. I co-initiated Rbanism, a community of R users that aims to empower urbanism researchers, students, educators and... Show more

Grace Nicholas

Grace Nicholas

Grace Nicholas is a Ph.D. student in the College of Communication & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama. Her research centers around marital communication, with an emphasis on the challenges of the postpartum period and miscarriage. Additional research interests are sexual communication, focusing on aspects such as self-disclosure and sex education, as well as the sensitive domain of child sexual abuse.

Grace Nicholas is a Ph.D. student in the College of Communication & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama. Her research centers around marital communication, with an emphasis on the challenges of the postpartum period and miscarriage. Add... Show more

Samah Choudhury

Samah Choudhury

Samah Choudhury is Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer with the Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity at the University of Chicago. She is at work on her first book, American Muslim and the Politics of Secularity, which asks how a “sense of humor” came to be a prized trait of the modern secular subject and why present-day Muslims are consistently configured as lacking this comportment. Through a study of the American Muslim standup comedians, she contends that Muslim legibility depends on situating Islam and within the logics of model secular subjecthood and the register of race. Her work has been supported by the Asian American Religions Research Initiative, the Center for Islam in the Contemporary World, the UNC Chapel Hill Asian American Center, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, and the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice. She previously taught at Ithaca College and earned her PhD in Islamic Studies from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020.

Samah Choudhury is Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer with the Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity at the University of Chicago. She is at work on her first book, American Muslim and the Politics of Secularity, which asks how a “sense of ... Show more

Ivana Vermiglio

Ivana Vermiglio

Ivana Vermiglio (1996) è una dottoranda di ricerca in Studi Umanistici presso l’Università di Palermo. Si occupa dello studio della microtoponomastica di tradizione orale-popolare degli arcipelaghi e delle piccole isole siciliane. Fa parte del comitato scientifico del progetto ASES (Archivio dei soprannomi etnici siciliani) e di quello redazionale della collana DATOS (Dizionario-atlante dei toponimi orali in Sicilia) diretto dal Centro di studi filologici e linguistici siciliani, con cui collabora per l’allestimento della piattaforma digitale ATOS (Archivio dei toponimi orali in Sicilia): cfr. Chichi M., Vermiglio I., Verso la realizzazione di ATOS: struttura e progetto di una piattaforma digitale sulla toponomastica siciliana, in «Bollettino dell’Atlante Linguistico Italiano» 47, 2023, pp. 186-211. Tra i suoi interessi principali la toponomastica (Isola Ferdinandea. Breve resoconto di una storia onomastica emersa e inabissata, in «RIOn» 39/2, 2023), lo studio della testualità nei nuovi media (Quando la testualità si fa lingua nei giochi televisivi, in Paternostro G., Pinello V. (a cura di), Teorie e pratiche del testo. Grammatica, nuovi metodi, didattica e letteratura, University Press, Palermo 2024, pp. 143-165), l’onomastica letteraria (Emersioni letterarie e testuali di Ferdinandea dall’Ottocento a oggi: un casus anche onomastico, in «the Italianist», in corso di pubblicazione). Ha preso parte a diversi convegni nazionali e internazionali.

Ivana Vermiglio (1996) è una dottoranda di ricerca in Studi Umanistici presso l’Università di Palermo. Si occupa dello studio della microtoponomastica di tradizione orale-popolare degli arcipelaghi e delle piccole isole siciliane. Fa parte del comita... Show more

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