Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Lawrence-Minh Bùi Davis

Lawrence-Minh Bùi Davis

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

Eleonora Buonocore

Eleonora Buonocore

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

Yves Richez

Yves Richez

Yves Richez est docteur en sémiologie, anthropologue et lexicologue (historien des mots) ; membre du Syndicat des Serious Game Designer et président de la maison d’édition Les Editions de l’Homo-Viator™, spécialisée dans le développement de dispositifs digitaux et gamifiés.

Yves Richez est docteur en sémiologie, anthropologue et lexicologue (historien des mots) ; membre du Syndicat des Serious Game Designer et président de la maison d’édition Les Editions de l’Homo-Viator™, spécialisée dans le développement de dispositi... Show more

Zemara Waru-Keelan

Zemara Waru-Keelan

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

Shuchi Batra

Shuchi Batra

A globally recognized poet-author pioneering therapeutic storytelling through micro-poetry, hybrid novels, and AI-driven emotional healing tools—bridging South Asian feminine narratives with modern literary innovation.

A globally recognized poet-author pioneering therapeutic storytelling through micro-poetry, hybrid novels, and AI-driven emotional healing tools—bridging South Asian feminine narratives with modern literary innovation. Show more

Jennifer Cowe

Jennifer Cowe

Lecturer in the School of Journalism, Writing and Media

Lecturer in the School of Journalism, Writing and Media Show more

Rucha C

Rucha C

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

Adam Yakhoub Moussa Albasstakour

Adam Yakhoub Moussa Albasstakour

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

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

Zoe Lee-Park

Zoe Lee-Park

Zoe Lee-Park is a second-year Master of Environmental Science student at the Yale School of the Environment. She studies the theory of environmental justice, within a law and society framework. Outside of academics, Zoe is a Graduate Intern at the United States Forest Service and the President of the Yale Asian Graduate Network. She is part of the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership. Zoe will pursue her PhD in Jurisprudence and Social Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.

Zoe Lee-Park is a second-year Master of Environmental Science student at the Yale School of the Environment. She studies the theory of environmental justice, within a law and society framework. Outside of academics, Zoe is a Graduate Intern at the Un... Show more

Ian Siderits

Ian Siderits

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

Kanjana Thepboriruk

Kanjana Thepboriruk

Dr. Kanjana is a linguist and an historian. She is an associate professor of Thai language in the Department of World Languages & Cultures and is a research affiliate at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University. Her work examines the notion of "Thainess" and how Thais define, perform, understand, transmit, and regulate "Thainess" both in Thailand and in the US diaspora, in the past and in the present, including the role(s) that the Thai language may or may not have in these processes.

Dr. Kanjana is a linguist and an historian. She is an associate professor of Thai language in the Department of World Languages & Cultures and is a research affiliate at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University. Her work... Show more

Amanda Kavner, PhD

Amanda Kavner, PhD

Dr Amanda Kavner is a cognitive neuroscientist with a research focus on mapping cognitive processes using neurocognitive measurements and machine learning algorithms.

As a professor, Kavner has always focused on the understanding, utilization, and teaching of current and upcoming technological innovations that are positioned to become a mainstream tool for her students' future lives, which is what has brought her to blockchain technology and NFTs.

Dr Amanda Kavner is a cognitive neuroscientist with a research focus on mapping cognitive processes using neurocognitive measurements and machine learning algorithms. As a professor, Kavner has always focused on the understanding, utilization, an... Show more

Marianna Lyulchenko

Marianna Lyulchenko

Marianna Lyulchenko is interested in identifying the key factors associated with school readiness and long-term school success from early childhood through elementary and beyond. Lyulchenko is regularly engaged in research that collects surveys, direct assessments, standardized test scores, and observational data linked to children and classrooms along with qualitative data from sources such as interviews, focus groups, and extant document reviews.

Marianna Lyulchenko is interested in identifying the key factors associated with school readiness and long-term school success from early childhood through elementary and beyond. Lyulchenko is regularly engaged in research that collects surveys, dire... Show more

Liliana Castillo -Neira

Liliana Castillo -Neira

I'm Liliana Castillo Neira, a Colombian-Mexican historian and Sr. UX Writer at Mercado Libre, working in the Cross Border Trade business unit. I'm also pursuing a master's degree in Digital Humanities, focusing on various fields such as data visualization, data painting, museums and imaginary archives, metaverse architecture, and developing digital tools for teaching history to different communities, including indigenous people and seniors.

As a content writer, I constantly strive to innovate and explore new methods to create engaging content. I believe that exploring theories from various disciplines, such as philosophy, anthropology, design, physics, and astronomy, can enrich our work and make it more interesting and productive.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, visiting museums, painting, rock climbing, fishing, spending time with my dogs, exploring fashion, and learning new languages.

I'm Liliana Castillo Neira, a Colombian-Mexican historian and Sr. UX Writer at Mercado Libre, working in the Cross Border Trade business unit. I'm also pursuing a master's degree in Digital Humanities, focusing on various fields such as data visualiz... Show more

Caroline Kikisch

Caroline Kikisch

Caroline ist Kultur- und Sozialwissenschaftlerin, arbeitet als Coach, Mediatorin und Organisationsberaterin und unterstützt Menschen und Systeme dabei, für sich einzutreten und miteinander ins Gespräch zu kommen.

Caroline ist Kultur- und Sozialwissenschaftlerin, arbeitet als Coach, Mediatorin und Organisationsberaterin und unterstützt Menschen und Systeme dabei, für sich einzutreten und miteinander ins Gespräch zu kommen. Show more

Jodee Gibson, MA | PCC

Jodee Gibson, MA | PCC

Jodee Gibson, PCC is a leading expert on healing leadership. As a professional coach and speaker, she has created massive change and generated millions of dollars for her clients including Keller Williams Realty, National Institute of Health, the University of Michigan and the International Coaching Federation. Jodee has built award winning cultures and recently published her first book, Healing Your Map, encompassing developmental trauma.

Her holistic approach is deeply layered in developmental psychology, NLP, neuroscience, consciousness, trauma, intention, levels of energy, professional coaching and the law of vibration. This unconventional approach emerges from pairing her often tumultuous experiential education with her extensive formal education. The intersection she creates with these is beyond fascinating. Jodee resides in Oakland County, Michigan. She coaches and speaks worldwide. www.jodeegibson.com

Jodee Gibson, PCC is a leading expert on healing leadership. As a professional coach and speaker, she has created massive change and generated millions of dollars for her clients including Keller Williams Realty, National Institute of Health, the Uni... Show more

Luis Cásedas

Luis Cásedas

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (University of Granada), where I recently completed my PhD studies under the supervision of Prof. Juan Lupiáñez. Currently, my research aims to advance our understanding of the neurocognitive and affective mechanisms underpinning mindfulness-related meditation practices, and of their effectiveness in enhancing cognition and emotion. For more information, please visit my personal webpage: www.lcasedas.com

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (University of Granada), where I recently completed my PhD studies under the supervision of Prof. Juan Lupiáñez. Currently, my research aims to advance our understanding o... Show more

Jaqueline Santos de Souza

Jaqueline Santos de Souza

She is Benjamin's Mom, Brazilian of Salvador city, Artist and Teacher. Graduated in Languages at UCSAL, Master in Language and Culture and PhD Student in Applied Linguistics at UFBA. She has taught in a public school for 15 years and develops research in teaching and learning languages from a decolonial perspective. She currently records English classes for TV and publishes technical and literary texts. Member of Kunhã Asé - Network Women in Science and Network of the Black Researchers in Language Studies (REPENSE).

She is Benjamin's Mom, Brazilian of Salvador city, Artist and Teacher. Graduated in Languages at UCSAL, Master in Language and Culture and PhD Student in Applied Linguistics at UFBA. She has taught in a public school for 15 years and develops researc... Show more

Amar Natt, PhD

Amar Natt, PhD

Managing Director at Econ One Research, Inc. specializing in econometric modeling of Big Data and helping firms introduce data-guided decision-making. Lecturer at UCLA in the Sociology Department, teaching Data Science and Statistical & Computational Methods.

Managing Director at Econ One Research, Inc. specializing in econometric modeling of Big Data and helping firms introduce data-guided decision-making. Lecturer at UCLA in the Sociology Department, teaching Data Science and Statistical & Computational... Show more

Mario Esposito

Mario Esposito

Artiste plasticien, Architecte, UX Designer et enfin Coach Agile.
Un parcours atypique, plusieurs pivotages dans ma vie m'ont porté à comprendre que c'est la valorisation de l'humain la plus grande des réalisations.

Artiste plasticien, Architecte, UX Designer et enfin Coach Agile. Un parcours atypique, plusieurs pivotages dans ma vie m'ont porté à comprendre que c'est la valorisation de l'humain la plus grande des réalisations. Show more

Sarah Wimberley

Sarah Wimberley

Sarah is a detail-oriented leader with twenty years of experience in marketing and technology, specializing in sales, marketing, customer service, and reporting tools. As principal and founder of Ulster Technologies (www.ulster-tech.com), Sarah partners with individuals and organizations to align people, process, and technology—using enterprise architecture and martech strategy to drive organizational change and measurable business outcomes.

She has served as an enterprise architect, product owner and program/project manager at leading regional and national healthcare institutions. Sarah led dynamic, cross-functional teams through multiple product and platform migrations, passionately improving business processes and driving sales growth.

A graduate of Rosemont College with a Master’s in Strategic Leadership, Sarah is also an active volunteer, serving on various boards and committees, including as President of Village on the Ridge, Technology Co-Chair of Philanos, and a Higher Award Coach for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Sarah is a detail-oriented leader with twenty years of experience in marketing and technology, specializing in sales, marketing, customer service, and reporting tools. As principal and founder of Ulster Technologies (www.ulster-tech.com), Sarah partn... Show more

Grace Gong

Grace Gong

Grace works in engineering at Microsoft Azure. Previously, she was a product manager on the Power BI, Fabric Data Platform team within Azure Data, and on the ML/LLM observability product at Datadog.

Grace studied Computer Science at Western University + Georgia Tech, and Business Administration & Management at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her studies, she was a Google Developer Groups on Campus Lead, GitHub Campus Expert & WTM ambassador. She was recognized as a Major League Hacking (MLH) Top 50 hacker. Grace founded a non-profit, Youth180 in 2019 to encourage youth to pursue academic, extracurricular, leadership & developmental opportunities.

Grace works in engineering at Microsoft Azure. Previously, she was a product manager on the Power BI, Fabric Data Platform team within Azure Data, and on the ML/LLM observability product at Datadog. Grace studied Computer Science at Western Unive... Show more

Johan Smarius

Johan Smarius

Johan has been developing software since 1996 and has worked with .NET since version 1.0. With extensive experience as a lead developer and architect for .NET solutions, he is deeply passionate about clean coding and test-driven development. At JMAC Software Solutions and Bergler, he designs architectures for .NET solutions and coaches and trains developers in the domain of software engineering in general and Microsoft technologies in particular.

Johan has been developing software since 1996 and has worked with .NET since version 1.0. With extensive experience as a lead developer and architect for .NET solutions, he is deeply passionate about clean coding and test-driven development. At JMAC ... Show more

Damian Synadinos

Damian Synadinos

Damian Synadinos has many labels. He spent 25 years as a software executive across diverse industries, gaining deep experience in technology, quality, and leadership. Along the way, he’s also been a schoolteacher, a children’s book author, a comedic improviser, and a portrait artist - experiences that sharpened his ability to communicate, connect, and think creatively. In 2016, he founded Ineffable Solutions to become a full-time speaker focused on people and fundamental topics such as communication, empathy, risk, identity, and trust – areas that are timeless and universal. His keynotes, talks, and workshops feature original content that blends conceptual depth, practical insight, and interactive humor, engaging the audiences’ hearts, minds, and funny bones. The result is a thought-provoking, relatable message that creates a lasting impact in any context.

Damian Synadinos has many labels. He spent 25 years as a software executive across diverse industries, gaining deep experience in technology, quality, and leadership. Along the way, he’s also been a schoolteacher, a children’s book author, a comedic ... Show more

Jo Franchetti

Jo Franchetti

Jo is a Developer Advocate with a passion for the web and the people who build it. She champions great developer experience and loves teaching good use of JS, TS, and AI by making complex concepts feel approachable and fun. When she's not on a conference stage or mentoring the next generation of developers, you'll find her crafting sparkly, wearable, internet-connected tech. Jo is also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and is deeply committed to building a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.

Jo is a Developer Advocate with a passion for the web and the people who build it. She champions great developer experience and loves teaching good use of JS, TS, and AI by making complex concepts feel approachable and fun. When she's not on a confer... Show more

Hafedh Messaoudi

Hafedh Messaoudi

Hafedh is a professional coach, agile coach, and trainer with over 12 years of experience in guiding individuals and organizations toward resilience, adaptability, and improved performance. With a strong foundation in neuroscience, agility, and human sciences, Hafedh integrates these disciplines to offer a comprehensive approach to personal and organizational development. His work focuses on helping teams and leaders navigate change and foster growth in dynamic environments. Throughout his career, Hafedh has been committed to empowering his clients with practical, science-based strategies for achieving long-term success.

Hafedh is a professional coach, agile coach, and trainer with over 12 years of experience in guiding individuals and organizations toward resilience, adaptability, and improved performance. With a strong foundation in neuroscience, agility, and human... Show more

Nicole Enders

Nicole Enders

Nicole Enders lives and breathes Modern Work.

As a Microsoft MVP and Evangelist for Microsoft based Solutions, she turns cloud tech into real‑world impact - think Microsoft Teams makeovers and Power Platform magic.

For 15 + years she’s crafted collaboration experiences that stick, blending out‑of‑the‑box features with tailor‑made code until every social intranet or digital workplace feels like it was built just for you.

Catch Nicole on conference stages, in her books, or on her blog, where she shares hands‑on tips and a healthy dose of geeky enthusiasm.

Nicole Enders lives and breathes Modern Work. As a Microsoft MVP and Evangelist for Microsoft based Solutions, she turns cloud tech into real‑world impact - think Microsoft Teams makeovers and Power Platform magic. For 15 + years she’s crafted ... Show more

Ixchel Ruiz

Ixchel Ruiz

Ixchel Ruiz has been developing software applications and tools since 2000. Her research interests include Java, dynamic languages, client-side technologies, and testing. As a member of the JCP Executive Committee, Java Champion, Oracle ACE Pro, Testcontainers Community Champion, CDF Ambassador, Hackergarten enthusiast, Open Source advocate, public speaker, and mentor, Ixchel is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and collaborative tech communities. She actively mentors aspiring developers and champions initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and accessibility in the technology sector.

Ixchel’s work is characterised by a relentless pursuit of innovation, a deep understanding of user needs, and an unwavering commitment to ethical technology development.

Ixchel Ruiz has been developing software applications and tools since 2000. Her research interests include Java, dynamic languages, client-side technologies, and testing. As a member of the JCP Executive Committee, Java Champion, Oracle ACE Pro, Test... Show more

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