Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Monja Da Riva

Monja Da Riva

Monja accompagna le persone a comunicare nel lavoro senza adattarsi, a trasformare i silenzi in ponti.

Counselor e formatrice, è stata sistemista, operatrice shiatsu, insegnante di meditazione. Non crede nelle identità monolitiche, ma nel diritto di essere complesse e di cambiare.

Crede negli spazi dove ogni differenza - di genere, etnia, corpo, neurodiversità - sia accolta. Nomina i bias, li riconosce, ci lavora ogni giorno.

È ambassador SheTech

Monja accompagna le persone a comunicare nel lavoro senza adattarsi, a trasformare i silenzi in ponti. Counselor e formatrice, è stata sistemista, operatrice shiatsu, insegnante di meditazione. Non crede nelle identità monolitiche, ma nel diritto ... Show more

Laura Gates

Laura Gates

Laura Gates is a software engineer, researcher and consultant based at Bath Spa University whose work sits at the intersection of human agency and complex systems. Her background in performance and puppetry research gives her a distinctive lens on software design and human-computer interaction.

She has applied this thinking practically: building and commercialising Obwob, a feedback and impact PWA, and developing a methodology for grounded, TDD-led AI-assisted development using Claude Code. Her approach treats AI tools not as shortcuts but as surfaces that can deepen engineering discipline when properly structured.

Laura advises on human-centred AI integration with a consistent focus: preserving human agency, authorship and flow in environments where humans increasingly share work with non-human systems.

Laura Gates is a software engineer, researcher and consultant based at Bath Spa University whose work sits at the intersection of human agency and complex systems. Her background in performance and puppetry research gives her a distinctive lens on so... Show more

Jian Melo

Jian Melo

I am a dynamic Partnerships Manager and entrepreneur with a solid background in AI partnerships, global startup scouting, open innovation, and international business development. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Relations with a research focus on the AI ecosystems, I combine academic insight with practical expertise in technology, AI strategy, and partner ecosystem development.

My career bridges the corporate world and global startup ecosystems, with experience at companies like Engevix, Eletrobras, Intelbras, and Rocket Internet in China. I specialize in AI scouting, building B2B and SaaS partnerships, and driving cross-border collaborations between enterprises and AI solution providers.

As a Partnerships Manager at AI Collaborator, I lead the expansion of a global network of AI startups, enabling enterprises to adopt cutting-edge AI solutions. My work focuses on strategic partnerships, partner success management, and scaling partner ecosystems aligned with client needs.

Passionate about AI commercialization, digital transformation, and internationalization, I help companies grow globally through sustainable partnership strategies and innovation-driven growth.

Let’s connect to explore synergies in AI, emerging technologies, and global partnership opportunities.

I am a dynamic Partnerships Manager and entrepreneur with a solid background in AI partnerships, global startup scouting, open innovation, and international business development. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Relations with a research f... Show more

Lance Cheramie

Lance Cheramie

Lance Cheramie is an Associate Teaching Professor in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development at the University of Arkansas, specializing in sustainability, global sourcing, and experiential learning in higher education.

His work focuses on bridging the gap between academia and industry by integrating real-world tools, data, and partnerships directly into the classroom. Through hands-on simulations and industry collaborations, he challenges students to solve complex problems related to sustainability, retail strategy, and global supply chains.

Dr. Cheramie holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Arkansas, with research centered on sustainability in the apparel and textile industry. He is a certified Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) professional and has presented nationally on sustainability, sourcing, and retail innovation.

His teaching and research are driven by a central goal: preparing the next generation of industry professionals to make informed, responsible, and strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Lance Cheramie is an Associate Teaching Professor in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development at the University of Arkansas, specializing in sustainability, global sourcing, and experiential learning in higher education. His work focuses on b... Show more

Monifa Mcknight

Monifa Mcknight

Dr. Monifa McKnight is an accomplished executive leader, governance strategist, and former Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience leading complex institutions, she is known for guiding organizations through high-stakes transitions, strengthening governance, and building resilient, people-centered leadership cultures. As Founder of McKnight Lotus Leadership Group, she advises executives and boards on leadership strategy, crisis navigation, and sustainable performance. She also serves as a leadership coach for the University of Maryland’s Central Office Leadership Academy (COLA) and holds board roles with Bowie State University, Africa University, and the National Capital Area Council of Scouting America.

Dr. Monifa McKnight is an accomplished executive leader, governance strategist, and former Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience leading com... Show more

Ross Tate

Ross Tate

I am an independent researcher and consultant on programming-language design and implementation, currently working with the Kotlin language team. Before going independent, I was a professor at Cornell University, and I worked with the Kotlin team in its early days to integrate my research on mixed-site variance and gradual types into what became platform types. Beyond Kotlin, I have contributed to the designs of Java, Ceylon, Julia, Scala, and WebAssembly.

I am an independent researcher and consultant on programming-language design and implementation, currently working with the Kotlin language team. Before going independent, I was a professor at Cornell University, and I worked with the Kotlin team in ... Show more

Kathryn Burkgren

Kathryn Burkgren

Dr. Kathryn Burkgren, Associate Vice President of Organizational Development and Effectiveness and HR strategist at Cornell University, partners with and provides strategic consultation and executive coaching to leaders across Cornell’s multiple campuses and beyond to create individual and organizational excellence. She works with leaders to help them better understand themselves and what is important to them and from that, shape strategy and decisions to advance individual, team, and organizational effectiveness. And, as part of Cornell's strategic transformation Kathy leads, oversees, and manages the impact on HR as it relates to Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative, Resilient Cornell, and HR Optimization efforts.

She oversees a team responsible for consulting, developing, and coaching senior leaders and their teams in the areas of organizational development and organizational effectiveness. She is an Executive Coach accredited through International Coaching Federation and certified through Assenter Coaching, LLC. Her passion is helping leaders discover their purpose, passion, and personal mission by giving them the space and freedom to explore new possibilities aligned to the mission and vision.

She is a past NCCI president and holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University in educational psychology with an emphasis in organizational behavior and a B.S. Dual Degree—Ag Journalism (May, 1986) and Ag Education (May, 1985), Agricultural and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

Dr. Kathryn Burkgren, Associate Vice President of Organizational Development and Effectiveness and HR strategist at Cornell University, partners with and provides strategic consultation and executive coaching to leaders across Cornell’s multiple camp... Show more

Johanna Clausen

Johanna Clausen

Johanna Clausen-Meixner is a communication coach, trainer, and speaker who works at the intersection of dialogue, perspective, and collaboration. With more than 25 years of experience in communication, teaching, and coaching, she helps people and teams navigate complexity, strengthen understanding, and create better outcomes through the way they communicate.

Her perspective is especially relevant to design contexts, where ideas, decisions, and innovation are shaped through conversations across disciplines, roles, and ways of thinking. Johanna brings a deeply human and strategic lens to questions of clarity, friction, alignment, and meaningful collaboration — all essential ingredients in strong design processes.

She is the host of the podcast Worlds of Communication and the author of Kraft liegt im Wandel. Working in German and English, she is known for combining depth, warmth, and sharp insight in ways that open new perspectives and create real connection.

Johanna Clausen-Meixner is a communication coach, trainer, and speaker who works at the intersection of dialogue, perspective, and collaboration. With more than 25 years of experience in communication, teaching, and coaching, she helps people and tea... Show more

Richard Watkins, PhD

Richard Watkins, PhD

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting the organization’s overall direction and service strategy. He leads the development of SPAN’s consulting offerings and operational infrastructure, with a focus on impact across education, innovation, and public health.

Dr. Watkins holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. His scientific background informs a systems-level approach to policy advising and program design, particularly in areas such as school safety, mental health, and science-based governance.

A dynamic communicator and bridge-builder, Dr. Watkins also hosts The Richard Watkins Podcast, a platform for thought leaders across disciplines. His work continues to shape public conversations and institutional strategies through science, equity, and community engagement.

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting ... Show more

Alfi Oloo

Alfi Oloo

Alfi is a pioneer in the space of Learning & Development, with a revised approach to development centred around self-directed learning.

He is also a co-host on the “Edit Undo Podcast” and a Mentorship enthusiast.

Among other things, Alfi is a lifelong student in the field of mentorship, having played the role of a mentor at Jack Academy’s UX Bootcamp and a coordinator with Sprint, a student work-readiness program based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Alfi is a pioneer in the space of Learning & Development, with a revised approach to development centred around self-directed learning. He is also a co-host on the “Edit Undo Podcast” and a Mentorship enthusiast. Among other things, Alfi is a l... Show more

Muthupalaniappan Ramanathan

Muthupalaniappan Ramanathan

Muthupalaniappan Ramanathan is a seasoned software engineer specializing in large-scale data platforms, distributed systems, and modern analytics infrastructure. He focuses on building scalable, reliable, and interoperable data ecosystems that support complex analytical workloads across diverse environments. With a strong foundation in computer science and deep expertise in database systems and big data technologies, he has consistently driven innovation in data architecture and platform engineering.
Currently at DoorDash, he serves as a lead architect for enterprise-scale data platforms, advancing lakehouse architectures, SQL interoperability, and data reliability engineering. He has designed systems enabling seamless query execution across multiple analytics engines, improving developer productivity and ensuring consistent, trustworthy data outcomes. He also introduced proactive monitoring and anomaly detection frameworks to enhance data accuracy and reliability.
Previously, he contributed to large-scale data infrastructure at Yahoo, supporting advertising analytics and attribution systems. His earlier experience includes roles at Amazon, Intel, FedEx Services, and Tata Consultancy Services. He is also an active mentor, speaker, and contributor to the data engineering community.

Muthupalaniappan Ramanathan is a seasoned software engineer specializing in large-scale data platforms, distributed systems, and modern analytics infrastructure. He focuses on building scalable, reliable, and interoperable data ecosystems that suppor... Show more

Zelia Silverio

Zelia Silverio

Bringing Dyslexic Design Thinking to the world.

Bringing Dyslexic Design Thinking to the world. Show more

Rachel Lee

Rachel Lee

Rachel C. Lee is Professor of Gender Studies, English, and the Institute for Society and Genetics at UCLA. She is the author of the award-winning The Exquisite Corpse of Asian America: Biopolitics, Biosociality, and Posthuman Ecologies (2014) and a founding editor of Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience, Her current research focuses on frameworks that deepen relationality between individuals with “environmental illness” (including chronic Lyme, MCS, hEDS, and the like) and scholarship in an anti-racist and decolonial vein. Her hybrid essay in a creative-critical mode, on the topic of “moldy minorities” [please do not autocorrect to ‘model’] is forthcoming in Women’s Studies Quarterly (Spring 2026) .

Rachel C. Lee is Professor of Gender Studies, English, and the Institute for Society and Genetics at UCLA. She is the author of the award-winning The Exquisite Corpse of Asian America: Biopolitics, Biosociality, and Posthuman Ecologies (2014) and a f... Show more

Zhenhao Wen

Zhenhao Wen

Zhenhao Wen is a PhD student in Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His research explores performance-as-research (PaR), intercultural embodiment, and diasporic memory in contemporary dance. Through improvisation and body-based inquiry, Wen examines how movement, rhythm, and affect can function as archives of emotion and decolonial resistance.

Zhenhao Wen is a PhD student in Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His research explores performance-as-research (PaR), intercultural embodiment, and diasporic memory in contemporary dance. Through improvisation and body-based i... Show more

Joris Quarshie (Ext, OHF)

Joris Quarshie (Ext, OHF)

Joris Quarshie is an Events and Programs Officer at Open Knowledge Impact Foundation, where he leads the planning and execution of impactful programs that promote open knowledge, community engagement, and digital inclusion. He works closely with diverse stakeholders to design initiatives that empower contributors, strengthen collaborative networks, and advance access to free and open information across communities.

Joris Quarshie is an Events and Programs Officer at Open Knowledge Impact Foundation, where he leads the planning and execution of impactful programs that promote open knowledge, community engagement, and digital inclusion. He works closely with dive... Show more

Jan Schlatter

Jan Schlatter

Studium der Geschichtswissenschaft (Passau, Potsdam)
Arbeitsorte:
ZDF (Redaktion Zeitgeschichte / ZDF History), Mainz
Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Halle
Lehrstuhl Neueste Geschichte, Universität Würzburg
Lehrstuhl Fränkische Landesgeschichte, Universität Würzburg
Stabsstelle Kompetenzentwicklung in Studium und Lehre, Universität Passau

Aktuell Instructional Designer, mediendidaktische Beratung zu digitaler Lehre, KI-Implementierungen in der Hochschullehre

Studium der Geschichtswissenschaft (Passau, Potsdam) Arbeitsorte: ZDF (Redaktion Zeitgeschichte / ZDF History), Mainz Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Halle Lehrstuhl Neueste Geschichte, Universität Würzburg Lehrstuhl Fränkische Landesgeschichte, Univ... Show more

Bonny Brandenburger

Bonny Brandenburger

Ich bin Referentin für Studienreform an der Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) und arbeite an einem Reformkonzept für Studium und Lehre, in dem die Perspektive der Studierenden eine besondere Rolle spielt. Das Thema der studentischen Partizipation liegt mir dabei besonders am Herzen, weil es zu einem demokratieförderlichen Miteinander in und außerhalb der Universität beitragen kann. Außerdem bin ich als assoziierte Forscherin am Weizenbaum Institut tätig.

Ich bin Referentin für Studienreform an der Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) und arbeite an einem Reformkonzept für Studium und Lehre, in dem die Perspektive der Studierenden eine besondere Rolle spielt. Das Thema der studentischen Par... Show more

Sarah Becker

Sarah Becker

Sarah Becker ist seit Winter 2025 als Werkstudentin im CHE-Team des Hochschulforums Digitalisierung tätig. In ihrer Rolle unterstützt sie das Projektmanagement in den Bereichen Bildung und Digitalisierung.
Sarah studiert aktuell an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum im Master Philosophie mit einem persönlichen Fokus auf Technikphilosophie und Technikethik, insbesondere mit Schwerpunkt auf Bildungstechnologien und Künstliche Intelligenz.

Sarah Becker ist seit Winter 2025 als Werkstudentin im CHE-Team des Hochschulforums Digitalisierung tätig. In ihrer Rolle unterstützt sie das Projektmanagement in den Bereichen Bildung und Digitalisierung. Sarah studiert aktuell an der Ruhr-Universi... Show more

Carolin Schreiber

Carolin Schreiber

Prof. Carolin Schreiber leitet das Social Design Research Lab (SDRL), die größte Forschungseinheit im FB Design der FH Münster. Ihr Team betreibt partizipative Designorschung zu sozialen Herausforderungen und entwickelt medienübergreifende Lösungen die reale Bedürfnisse aufgreifen und gesellschaftliche Transformationsprozesse nachhaltig fördern. Beteiligte werden als Co-Designer*innen in anwendungsorientierten Forschungskooperationen verstanden und als Expert*innen ihrer Lebens- und Arbeitswelten sowie als zentrale Akteur*innen in Innovationsprozessen anerkannt. Prof. Schreiber leitet zudem das Design & Interaction LAB und das Mobile MR LAB, ist Studiengangsleiterin des Masters "Transformation Design und Social Design" und wurde 2016 mit dem Ars Legendi-Preis für diversitätsgerechte Hochschullehre ausgezeichnet.

Prof. Carolin Schreiber leitet das Social Design Research Lab (SDRL), die größte Forschungseinheit im FB Design der FH Münster. Ihr Team betreibt partizipative Designorschung zu sozialen Herausforderungen und entwickelt medienübergreifende Lösungen d... Show more

Svenja Geißler

Svenja Geißler

Svenja Geißler (geissler@kit.edu) entwickelt am Zentrum für Mediales Lernen (KIT) innovative Lernformate sowie digitale Anreicherungskonzepte für Lehrveranstaltungen und betreibt digitale Wissenschaftskommunikation. Diese Konzepte vermittelt sie in Seminaren für das Institut für Schulpädagogik und Didaktik (KIT) und gibt Workshops u.a. für das HDZ, wobei sie ihre Lernveranstaltungen zugleich als Experimentierfeld für neue virtuelle und digitale Konzepte nutzt.

Svenja Geißler (geissler@kit.edu) entwickelt am Zentrum für Mediales Lernen (KIT) innovative Lernformate sowie digitale Anreicherungskonzepte für Lehrveranstaltungen und betreibt digitale Wissenschaftskommunikation. Diese Konzepte vermittelt sie in S... Show more

Olga Anyutsa

Olga Anyutsa

Communication and advocacy professional focused on advancing digital rights, civic space, and citizen engagement through strategic storytelling and media advocacy in Africa.

Communication and advocacy professional focused on advancing digital rights, civic space, and citizen engagement through strategic storytelling and media advocacy in Africa. Show more

Charity McCoy

Charity McCoy

My name is Charity McCoy, and I reside in the Chicagoland Suburbs. I am a program and change management consultant/grant writer, author, and inventor who helps employees adapt to their new IT applications using human-centered communication and business psychology learning activities. I am certified in Prosci ADKAR change management and Diversity and Inclusion best practices. I am in my last year of my business psychology Ph.D. program at The Chicago School. The focus of my dissertation topic aims to provide insights into success factors that contribute to the meaningful and competitive employment of Black adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as neurodiverse workers. I am passionate about this topic as my son is on the spectrum as a computer networking college student. I play tennis with my love, Dan Rey, to relax and stay balanced, as I too am a caregiver for my eighty-three-year-old grandmother. I am ecstatic to learn with everyone.

My name is Charity McCoy, and I reside in the Chicagoland Suburbs. I am a program and change management consultant/grant writer, author, and inventor who helps employees adapt to their new IT applications using human-centered communication and busine... Show more

Helen Rapp

Helen Rapp

Helen is a psychologist and has been supporting teams and organizational units in learning together for several years, for example in the role of an agile coach. She uses her training, her systemic approach, and her experience in designing and facilitating collaborative workshops to make collaboration effective and at eye level. In her work, she pays particular attention to the people in the organization without losing sight of the big picture.

Helen is a psychologist and has been supporting teams and organizational units in learning together for several years, for example in the role of an agile coach. She uses her training, her systemic approach, and her experience in designing and facili... Show more

Julia Becker (Philipp)

Julia Becker (Philipp)

Tätig im Zentrum für Wissenschaftsdidaktik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum u.a. zum Thema Prüfen, Demokratiebildung und verantwortlich für das Online-Portal LEHRELADEN. Zuvor in der Personalentwicklung in Wirtschaft & Wissenschaft. Studierte und freiberufliche Journalistin mit einem interdisziplinären Master in Europawissenschaften (M.A. European Culture and Economy). Scrum Master und Scrum Product Owner. Systemische Beratung und Coaching. Und nebenher Yogalehrerin.

Tätig im Zentrum für Wissenschaftsdidaktik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum u.a. zum Thema Prüfen, Demokratiebildung und verantwortlich für das Online-Portal LEHRELADEN. Zuvor in der Personalentwicklung in Wirtschaft & Wissenschaft. Studierte und freiberu... Show more

Sandya Venugopal

Sandya Venugopal

Dr. Sandya Venugopal is an award-winning neurosurgeon-scientist, public policy scholar, and interdisciplinary leader with accomplishments across academic, government, and private sectors. Her global expertise spans healthcare, public health, scientific research, health policy, data analytics, bioethics, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation—all applied to advancing impactful solutions for societal and policy challenges.

Committed to fostering inclusive and forward-thinking dialogue, Sandya leverages her diverse background to inspire meaningful change. Her contributions bridge the gap between advanced technologies and humanity’s needs, offering fresh perspectives on how innovation can transform lives ethically and equitably.

Dr. Sandya Venugopal is an award-winning neurosurgeon-scientist, public policy scholar, and interdisciplinary leader with accomplishments across academic, government, and private sectors. Her global expertise spans healthcare, public health, scientif... Show more

Yunning Zhang

Yunning Zhang

Yunning Zhang is the Arnaldo Momigliano Postdoctoral Scholar at the Department of Comparative Literature at the University of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. in August 2025. Bridging global early modern studies, critical race studies, and Asian American studies, her research examines how race, religion and aesthetics intersect in textual sources and visual arts of colonial Latin America and Iberian Asia. More broadly, her teaching and scholarship engage questions of extractive and settler colonialism, queer relationalities in the archive, and the afterlives of transpacific slavery and indenture labor in contemporary visual, literary, and curatorial practices. Her work has appeared and is forthcoming in Colonial Latin American Review, postmedieval, ASAP/Review, GLQ, Romance Notes, and Symposium. She is also currently teaching at Parsons School of Design (The New School).

Yunning Zhang is the Arnaldo Momigliano Postdoctoral Scholar at the Department of Comparative Literature at the University of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. in August 2025. Bridging global early modern studies, critical race studies, and Asian... Show more

Wagner Souza

Wagner Souza



Information Security Specialist with extensive experience in protecting data and systems. Instructor at Udemy and RSquad Academy, sharing knowledge in practical and accessible courses. Passionate about history, philosophy and psychology books, he combines technical expertise with a humanistic vision, promoting learning and innovation in digital security. Always seeking to inspire and empower professionals for a safer digital world.

... Show more

Maria Fernanda De Brasdefer

Maria Fernanda De Brasdefer

Maria is the Digital Affairs Policy & Research Officer at IFLA, where she leads on work at the intersection of digital inclusion, freedom of access to information and internet governance. Her current role focuses on leveraging the knowledge and expertise of the global library infrastructure to meet digital inclusion goals. She also coordinates partnerships and joint initiatives with Internet fora to facilitate a bridge between their work and the work of libraries. Before working at IFLA, she worked in the public, international and non profit sectors in projects related to peacebuilding and innovation.

Maria holds a Master's of science in Public Policy & Human Development from the United Nations University (MERIT) and Maastricht University and is passionate about information literacy, peace and education, in particular to themes and initiatives that cater to underserved communities.

Maria is the Digital Affairs Policy & Research Officer at IFLA, where she leads on work at the intersection of digital inclusion, freedom of access to information and internet governance. Her current role focuses on leveraging the knowledge and exper... Show more

Ronny Schüler

Ronny Schüler

Koordinator „Bauhaus.Module“
Zentrum für Universitätsentwicklung
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Koordinator „Bauhaus.Module“ Zentrum für Universitätsentwicklung Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Show more

Farah Abdirahman

Farah Abdirahman

I am a software developer with a dream to have an impact to the community and be the solution. I am a strong team player who is able to quickly learn and apply new technologies. I am also a know how who feeds on research and critical thinking. I always give my all in any task i encounter. I strive to get the best out of me. I have trained more than 60 students on software development

I am a software developer with a dream to have an impact to the community and be the solution. I am a strong team player who is able to quickly learn and apply new technologies. I am also a know how who feeds on research and critical thinking. I alwa... Show more

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