Hinako Ishikawa is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Sociology & Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University and has been studying racial fetishization of Asian/Japanese women and the ways of reclaiming their sexuality. Hinako is currently working as a Teaching Assistant for Asian American Sexuality course at SFSU. She won Queer Ethnic Studies Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship and Grant A. Larsen Scholarship at SFSU in recognition of her research on Japanese women’s sexuality and the Japanese queer community. As an international student from Japan, Hinako utilizes her own experiences of facing yellow fever and racial fetishization as well as her connections with Japanese queer and feminist communities. Utilizing her multicultural experiences and multilingual ability, Hinako analyzes Japanese erotic comics and animations that are consumed by Western male audience, where she finds out the perpetuation of the traditional Japanese women's stereotype such as geisha and maiko tropes. Hinako presented “Intersectionality in Japanese LGBTQ Community” at the Annual Research Week 2020 at the Akita International University as the only undergraduate student presenter. She is part of a local LGBTQ organization in Akita, Japan, where she helped organize the first pride parade in Akita. She also works as a lecturer who delivers information on gender, sexuality, and feminism-related issues in Japan. She also co-organized the first comprehensive sexual education event at Akita International University in 2020. Utilizing her professional experiences and these community activism, Hinako examines and explores racial objectification of Asian/Japanese women and the ways to reimagine their sexuality.

Hinako Ishikawa is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Sociology & Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University and has been studying racial fetishization of Asian/Japanese women and the ways of reclaiming their sexuality. Hina... Show more

lawrence-minh bùi davis, PhD is a refugee diaspore, curator, writer, and troublemaker who lives as a guest on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway Nation. A co-founder of the arts anti-profit AALR (2009), the Asian American Literature Festival (2017), and the Center for Refugee Poetics (2018), he believes in stewardship of literature as social and ethical ecosystem. As far as anyone knows, he was the first curator of viet descent at the World’s Largest Museum and Research Complex, as well as the first to be exiled from it. Sometimes you can see new things by the light of his neurodivergence.

lawrence-minh bùi davis, PhD is a refugee diaspore, curator, writer, and troublemaker who lives as a guest on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway Nation. A co-founder of the arts anti-profit AALR (2009), the Asian American Literature Festival (2017... Show more

Maarten is a polymath trying to make sense of the exponential times we are living in.

He is doing so by is creating an art-collection mirroring our times and opening up expositions around these artworks, with the Project Copernicus collective.

The art is also the foundation in creating Your Guide into the Exponential Age, a set of theoretical frameworks that support us in consciously applying exponential technologies.

Maarten is a polymath trying to make sense of the exponential times we are living in. He is doing so by is creating an art-collection mirroring our times and opening up expositions around these artworks, with the Project Copernicus collective. ... Show more

Queer Viet American sociologist

Queer Viet American sociologist Show more

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

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

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

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

Assistant Professor of English at Texas Christian University

Assistant Professor of English at Texas Christian University 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

“A breath of fresh air, Amy inspires others through her positive outlook on life!”

Positive Psychology Practitioner, Happiness Expert, Two-Time No. 1 International Best-Selling Author

Amy inspires others to live life on a different level, rooted in positivity and pure happiness. Once Amy learned that she may only have 20 more years left to live, she started to think differently, make different choices, and help others to design the life they are meant to have.

Influenced by her mom, who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Amy researched the science of positivity and happiness as illustrated in her latest book, “SEVEN MORE DAYS: Live a Life That's Bursting with Positivity and Happiness ... Before It's Too Late.” Seven More Days celebrates the transformative power of positivity and the potential of ultimate joy. It became a bestseller in eight countries and eight categories.

She now brings this message to the stage, creating a gripping experience of emotion, catapulting happiness, and challenging the chaos in today’s world.

“A breath of fresh air, Amy inspires others through her positive outlook on life!” Positive Psychology Practitioner, Happiness Expert, Two-Time No. 1 International Best-Selling Author Amy inspires others to live life on a different level, roote... 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

Education Researcher & Lecturer 👨‍🏫 @HSGStGallen
🇨🇭 | Researching #educationaltheory #educationalmedia | Enjoying #highered #sustainability #openscience

Education Researcher & Lecturer 👨‍🏫 @HSGStGallen 🇨🇭 | Researching #educationaltheory #educationalmedia | Enjoying #highered #sustainability #openscience Show more

As a Licensed Spiritual Guide for the decade, Kristen has a thriving private practice helping others shift their thinking to change their lives. Her book, Bliss Breaks®, empowers individuals by challenging the misconception that mindfulness is difficult, time-consuming, and needs to be performed in private. Her workshops share fast, free, focused exercises that swiftly alleviate stress anywhere, anytime. She is a speaker, author, trainer, and workshop facilitator. Embracing creativity at every step, Kristen is seasoned in appealing to all types of participants and loves sharing a message of empowerment and hope.

As a Licensed Spiritual Guide for the decade, Kristen has a thriving private practice helping others shift their thinking to change their lives. Her book, Bliss Breaks®, empowers individuals by challenging the misconception that mindfulness is diffi... Show more

I deal with participatory processes, group facilitation and community activation practices. I am tutor for the Master's in Migration Law and Policies. I write for Abitare la Terra. I collaborate with CSV Trentino.

I deal with participatory processes, group facilitation and community activation practices. I am tutor for the Master's in Migration Law and Policies. I write for Abitare la Terra. I collaborate with CSV Trentino. Show more

Disziplinär ist meine Arbeit im Schnittfeld von Wissenschafts-, Hochschul- und Bildungsforschung einzuordnen. In meiner Forschung befasse ich mich anhand konzeptionell-theoretischer, empirischer und design-basierter Zugänge mit der Analyse und Gestaltung von Hochschulbildung.

Disziplinär ist meine Arbeit im Schnittfeld von Wissenschafts-, Hochschul- und Bildungsforschung einzuordnen. In meiner Forschung befasse ich mich anhand konzeptionell-theoretischer, empirischer und design-basierter Zugänge mit der Analyse und Gestal... Show more

Dr. Jennifer Brussow received her Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics from the University of Kansas in 2018. In her current position as a Psychometrician at Ascend Learning, she uses a variety of statistical procedures to conduct research to assemble construct and criterion validity evidence for certification and licensure assessments. She also develops predictive models around student success, leads psychometric discussions during product development, and develops score reports and reporting guidelines. In her years of experience in the field of assessment, she has also worked as a psychometrician for examinations for students with significant disabilities and led evaluations of educational interventions. Her research projects include investigating factor structure, differential item functioning, and scores’ relationship to external variables; and she has published peer-reviewed articles, research briefs, and whitepapers.

Dr. Jennifer Brussow received her Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics from the University of Kansas in 2018. In her current position as a Psychometrician at Ascend Learning, she uses a variety of statistical procedures to condu... Show more

Carmen Lega è dottoranda presso l’Università per Stranieri di Perugia (XXXIX ciclo, curriculum in Studi linguistici, filologici e artistico letterari).
Nel 2022 pubblica, presso la casa editrice Divergenze, Canti e disincanti. Le forme fluide della letteratura del Novecento; nello stesso anno partecipa al Convegno ADI - “Scenari del conflitto” con un contributo dal titolo La sonorità della maceria: Montale e la musicalità sconnessa. Nel 2023 partecipa al convegno MOD “Contaminazioni, dissonanze ed eterotopie nella modernità letteraria”. Nel 2024 partecipa al Convegno AATI presso l’Università per stranieri di Perugia con una relazione dal titolo “Irma Brandeis: la scala della trascendenza”, al convegno Mod “Moderno e Antimoderno. Le avventure di una contrapposizione”, al convegno ADI “Rotte mediterranee. Migrazioni e ibridazioni nella letteratura italiana”. È in pubblicazione per Editoriale Scientifica un saggio in volume dal titolo “Orfeo, ma perché ti sei voltato?”

Carmen Lega è dottoranda presso l’Università per Stranieri di Perugia (XXXIX ciclo, curriculum in Studi linguistici, filologici e artistico letterari). Nel 2022 pubblica, presso la casa editrice Divergenze, Canti e disincanti. Le forme fluide della ... Show more

Ann Tran is an Assistant Professor of Asian & Asian American Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Tran's research brings together digital studies, food studies, religious studies, and sociolinguistics to explore how Vietnamese community cultural identity, hauntology, and familial stories of intergenerational trauma and healing are digitally archived to foster a global Viet Nam.

Ann Tran is an Assistant Professor of Asian & Asian American Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Tran's research brings together digital studies, food studies, religious studies, and sociolinguistics to explore how Vietnamese communit... Show more

Rebecca Jo Kinney is an interdisciplinary teacher and scholar of Critical Ethnic Studies, American Studies, and qualitative research methods, and an associate professor at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA. Dr. Kinney's second book, Mapping AsiaTown Cleveland: Race and Redevelopment in the Rust Belt (Temple University Press, 2025) examines the complexities of regional racial formation at work in the urban midwest by analyzing the work of Asian American stakeholders spearheading the redevelopment of Cleveland’s AsiaTown. https://tupress.temple.edu/books/mapping-asiatown-cleveland

Dr. Kinney’s first book, Beautiful Wasteland: The Rise of Detroit as America’s Postindustrial Frontier (University of Minnesota Press, 2016) argues that contemporary stories told about Detroit’s potential for rise enables the erasure of white supremacist systems. Her research has appeared in American Quarterly, Radical History Review, Race&Class, and Verge, among other journals. In 2021-2022 she was an Ewha University affiliated Fulbright Korea Scholar undertaking ethnographic research for the project “Adult Korean Adoptees Making Home and Building Community in South Korea.”

Rebecca Jo Kinney is an interdisciplinary teacher and scholar of Critical Ethnic Studies, American Studies, and qualitative research methods, and an associate professor at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA. Dr. Kinney's second book, Mapping A... Show more

2nd-year PhD student at the Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University

2nd-year PhD student at the Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University Show more

Aydin Quach is an Ph.D. student at the University of Southern California. Their research deals primarily with sex, gender, race, and sexuality in the transpacific, with a particular focus on the queer Asian diaspora and queer nightlife.

Aydin Quach is an Ph.D. student at the University of Southern California. Their research deals primarily with sex, gender, race, and sexuality in the transpacific, with a particular focus on the queer Asian diaspora and queer nightlife. Show more

I believe in the power of transformation—of mindsets, careers, and lives. My journey has been shaped by challenges, bold decisions, and a relentless drive to break barriers and create impact. As a speaker, I strive to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones, embrace resilience, and turn dreams into action. From navigating change and overcoming self-doubt to leading with confidence and purpose, I share stories and strategies that help people unlock their full potential. My sessions are not just about motivation but about real, actionable insights that empower individuals to redefine their limits and own their journey. I speak to dreamers, doers, and changemakers—anyone who is ready to step up, take charge, and build a life of meaning and success.

I believe in the power of transformation—of mindsets, careers, and lives. My journey has been shaped by challenges, bold decisions, and a relentless drive to break barriers and create impact. As a speaker, I strive to inspire others to step out of th... 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

Distinguished Professor, University of California

Distinguished Professor, University of California 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

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