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

Born and raised in the medieval city of Siena, Italy, Eleonora Buonocore earned a Master in Philosophy and a PhD in Philosophical Sciences from University of Siena (2009). In the USA she earned an MA in Italian from University of Notre Dame, IN and a PhD in Italian Language and Literature from Yale University (2016), where she worked on Medieval and Renaissance Italian Literature, completing a dissertation titled “Ciphers of Remembrance and Fluidity of Oblivion: A Study of Memory in Dante.” Her research lies at the intersection between philosophy and literature in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance. Her work includes a thesis on medieval philosophy, and she has published articles on medieval logic, Ramon Llull and Lullism, Giordano Bruno, Dante, and Italian Cinema. In the modern period, she also has an interest in Italian women poets and novelists. Since August 2017, Eleonora teaches Italian language and literature at the University of Calgary, AB where she is also finishing her book on memory in Dante.

Born and raised in the medieval city of Siena, Italy, Eleonora Buonocore earned a Master in Philosophy and a PhD in Philosophical Sciences from University of Siena (2009). In the USA she earned an MA in Italian from University of Notre Dame, IN and a... Show more

Assistant Professor of English at Texas Christian University

Assistant Professor of English at Texas Christian University Show more

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

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

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 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

Angela is an author, writer, educator, and activist. She is on the path to completing her doctorate in educational leadership. Her dissertation topic is centered around African-American Parental Involvement. She is a former VP and active member of the UCLA Black Alumni Association. Her passion for youth and parents drives her to empower parents and youth to demand the public school system properly educate students of all colors, starting with capable African-American students who, as a whole, underperform their peers at every level of education.

Angela is an author, writer, educator, and activist. She is on the path to completing her doctorate in educational leadership. Her dissertation topic is centered around African-American Parental Involvement. She is a former VP and active member of t... Show more

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

WHY IS SHE SO HAPPY?
Elle Benson is a keynote speaker, author, and renowned national consultant who specializes in helping organizations transition to greater impact and build capacity. She founded Nonprofit Leadership LLC to support the social sector. With a remarkable career in the nonprofit sector, she has gained extensive expertise in various areas, including organizational development and change, executive transition consultancy, strategic planning, leadership development, and board governance.

Academically, Benson holds an MBA in organizational change and a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. She has obtained certifications in BoardSource and Group Facilitation to support nonprofit board of directors.

Notably, Benson's thought-provoking TEDx talk, titled "A Crash Course in Learning to Laugh," has catapulted her into the spotlight as a highly sought-after keynote speaker. Benson's passion for sharing wisdom extends to her writing as well. She is the author of two books that focus on mindfulness and happiness. Her publications, "Cultivate Your Happiness: Mama-to-Be" and "Cultivating Calmness in Children," provide practical strategies and insights making happiness obtainable daily. Through her books and keynote presentations, Benson aims to empower individuals and teams to cultivate wellbeing in their lives.

WHY IS SHE SO HAPPY? Elle Benson is a keynote speaker, author, and renowned national consultant who specializes in helping organizations transition to greater impact and build capacity. She founded Nonprofit Leadership LLC to support the social sect... Show more

Graham Wilson is the Director of Cultural Policy Research, also known as RCCIL. His work focuses on exploring the transformative power of creativity and innovation within cultural industries.

Graham Wilson is the Director of Cultural Policy Research, also known as RCCIL. His work focuses on exploring the transformative power of creativity and innovation within cultural industries. Show more

PhD candidate, English Literature

PhD candidate, English Literature Show more

Kathryn Lige, LCSW (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist and certificated school social worker. Her responsibilities include providing oversight of a school-based mental health program, providing psychotherapy, and consulting with staff in educational institutions. She also specializes in designing and teaching social-emotional curricula. The heart of her work is in communities of color. Kathryn has served throughout California and in New York City. She has extensive experience providing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, young adults, and parents in K-12 and college settings.

Kathryn earned a B.A. in Social Work from Cal State LA and an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, specializing in Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming. Her focuses included school-based social services and the integration of mental health practitioners in educational leadership. As a current doctoral student, Kathryn researches the social-emotional intelligence and well-being of educational administrators, the motivation and retention of educators, and what it takes to lead school communities of color effectively. Through opportunities in political advocacy at California’s capital, several media appearances, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and various committee leadership roles, Kathryn is driven to make a difference in the future of education.

Kathryn Lige, LCSW (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist and certificated school social worker. Her responsibilities include providing oversight of a school-based mental health program, providing psychotherapy, and consulting with staff in educatio... Show more

Chris Cañete Rodriguez Kelly is a literary critic whose work focuses on social relations of labor and aesthetic production. They received their Ph.D. in Literary Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024 and specialize in twentieth-century Southeast Asian and Asian-diasporic literatures, with research and teaching interests in Philippine Tagalog and Anglophone literature and translation, Latinx studies, critical indigenous studies, as well as American and Asian American Studies. Their book project, “From Bundok to the Boondocks,” investigates how the Philippine Anglophone novel’s rise to prominence as a national literature with aspirations to globality depended upon the economic derogation of Tagalog literature. Chris’s work has appeared in Hispanic Issues, The Mekong Review, CNN Philippines, and ASAP/Journal, and is forthcoming in PMLA. From 2021-2023 they were affiliated with the University of the Philippines-Diliman and Ateneo de Manila University as a Fulbright-Hays fellow.

Chris Cañete Rodriguez Kelly is a literary critic whose work focuses on social relations of labor and aesthetic production. They received their Ph.D. in Literary Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024 and specialize in twentieth-cen... Show more

Dr Adam Yakhoub Moussa Albasstakour
Trainer, writer and researcher in political science and international relations and interested in affairs

Dr Adam Yakhoub Moussa Albasstakour Trainer, writer and researcher in political science and international relations and interested in affairs Show more

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

Joshua Rumbaoa Garcia is a Ph.D. candidate at The Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley studying Asian American hermeneutics, theologies, and religions. His dissertation project, entitled "Peril! In the House of Omri: The Asiatic Racial Form and Biblical Hermeneutics," engages ethnic studies, particularly critical theory from Asian American literary criticism and cultural studies, to articulate an Asian American biblical interpretation that contends with American Orientalism.

He holds master’s degrees in religion and theology from Yale University and Boston University, respectively, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biblical studies from George Fox University.

Joshua Rumbaoa Garcia is a Ph.D. candidate at The Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley studying Asian American hermeneutics, theologies, and religions. His dissertation project, entitled "Peril! In the House of Omri: The Asiatic Racial Form and Bib... Show more

Distinguished Professor, University of California

Distinguished Professor, University of California Show more

Lena Chen (she/her) is an artist and Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Her scholarship examines the figure of the Asian America woman as (Tiger) Mother and Whore. Her work appears in the edited volumes Curating as Feminist Organizing (Routledge, 2022), Sex Work Now (NYU Press, forthcoming), and To Be Named (Routledge, forthcoming). She has taught classes on feminist theory, performance art, and socially engaged art. As an artist, she has exhibited, performed, and screened her work internationally. She has been awarded grants and residencies from Mozilla Foundation, Sundance Institute, Millay Colony for the Arts, Center for Cultural Power, Burning Man Global Arts Fund, Office of Public Art, and others. Currently, she is hosting community workshops on AAPI sexuality to devise a collective performance as part of her practice-based research.

She is a co-founder of JADED, the largest AAPI arts and cultural platform in Western Pennsylvania, and a founding member of MATERNAL FANTASIES, an interdisciplinary collective of mothers/artists and their children. She coordinates the Performing Asian American and Diasporic Sexualities working group at UC Berkeley’s Center for Race & Gender.

Lena Chen (she/her) is an artist and Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Her scholarship examines the figure of the Asian America woman as (Tiger) Mother and Whore. Her... Show more

Barbra is currently on study leave and a Ph.D candidate at Bowling Green State University. Otherwise, she holds the position of Director of Student Welfare at the University of Botswana (UB). The job entails directing the management of halls of residence and general on-campus life to support students’ development, with functional areas in Student Orientation, Student Housing, Student Governance, Student Life Programs, Auxiliary Services, Disability Support Services, Off-Campus Students, and Student Conduct.

Barbra is currently on study leave and a Ph.D candidate at Bowling Green State University. Otherwise, she holds the position of Director of Student Welfare at the University of Botswana (UB). The job entails directing the management of halls of resi... Show more

Agilist, feminist, humanist

Agilist, feminist, humanist Show more

Triple Major Psychology, Anthropology and Māori Visual Art
MA in Kaupapa Māori Art Therapy
PhD Candidate Māori Womens History

Passionate about community and healing.
I share my tools for cohesive environments and well being techniques.

Keynote Speaker at Musical Theatre NZ Conference 2025: Performance Art and Mental Health

I can also run workshops, wānanga pertaining to any of my special areas.
I have been a mentor, tutor, teacher in the arts and social sciences for over 15 years.

Triple Major Psychology, Anthropology and Māori Visual Art MA in Kaupapa Māori Art Therapy PhD Candidate Māori Womens History Passionate about community and healing. I share my tools for cohesive environments and well being techniques. Keyno... Show more

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

Professorin für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie

Professorin für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie Show more

I am an English teacher specializing in virtual learning environments, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Education at UdelaR. My focus is on integrating technology into teaching. With experience in curriculum design and online learning, I am dedicated to creating engaging and impactful educational experiences.

I am an English teacher specializing in virtual learning environments, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Education at UdelaR. My focus is on integrating technology into teaching. With experience in curriculum design and online learning, I am dedicat... Show more

I have been studying psychology for 5 years. Cutrently, I am helping people on Autism Spectrum at Warsaw’s clinical hospital. I have an experience in public speaking at various conferences, related with mental disorders.

I have been studying psychology for 5 years. Cutrently, I am helping people on Autism Spectrum at Warsaw’s clinical hospital. I have an experience in public speaking at various conferences, related with mental disorders. Show more

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 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

Ian O. Siderits is a Ph.D. Candidate and primary instructor at North Carolina State University and an adjunct instructor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Meredith College. He has a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University. Ian’s research focuses on employee contact with nature, organizational trust, technology in the workplace, and employee health and well-being. He has presented on various topics at conferences such as the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the Academy of Management (AOM), the First International Network on Trust (FINT), and 21st Century Summit on Positive Psychology Women's Mental Health & Entrepreneurship.

Ian O. Siderits is a Ph.D. Candidate and primary instructor at North Carolina State University and an adjunct instructor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Meredith College. He has a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University.... Show more