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Our People
Senior Supervisors
All DREAM+PLAN Doctoral Candidates (DC's) will have a Senior and Associate Supervisor from their employing institution in Europe. DC's recruited under the double degree conditions will have a Senior and Associate supervisor from both the Employing Institution in Europe, as well as the same from RMIT University, Australia. DC's will also have a dedicated Industry Partner Mentor PLUS flexible access to a wider pool of EU-based Industry Partner Mentors, through the ISPIM extensive network.
Click on the images below for introductions to our Senior Supervisors.
Prof. Tor Helge Aas
University of Agder, Agder, Norway.
Tor Helge Aas serves as a Full Professor at School of Business and Law at University of Agder and as the Director of the Executive MBA study program (www.uia.no/mba). Additionally, he holds a part-time position as a Professor II at Kristiania University College.
Prof. Aas holds a PhD in Strategy and Management from Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and a MSc in Information and Communication Technology Management from University of Agder. He has also graduated from the Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy.
Prof. Aas is researching innovation management, and his research concentrates on topics such as the organizational effects of innovation, innovation processes and capabilities, collaboration for innovation, and management control of innovation.
The research conducted by Tor Helge Aas has been published in international journals such as Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Industrial Marketing Management, Small Business Economics, International Journal of Innovation Management, Service Industries Journal, Journal of Service Theory and Practice, among many others. He has also co-authored book chapters in books published by, among others, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Cambridge Scholars Publishing and World Scientific Publishing.
Prof. Aas is a member of the management team of the Research Centre for Studies of Innovation for Sustainable Transition (RIST) at the University of Agder. He is also a member of ISPIM’s (International Society for Professional Innovation Management) Scientific Panel.
Tor Helge Aas serves as a Full Professor at School of Business and Law at University of Agder and as the Director of the Executive MBA study program (www.uia.no/mba). Additionally, he holds a part-time position as a Professor II at Kristiania University College.
Prof. Aas holds a PhD in Strategy and Management from Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) and a MSc in Information and Communication Technology Management from University of Agder. He has also graduated from the Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy.
Prof. Aas is researching innovation management, and his research concentrates on topics such as the organizational effects of innovation, innovation processes and capabilities, collaboration for innovation, and management control of innovation.
The research conducted by Tor Helge Aas has been published in international journals such as Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Industrial Marketing Management, Small Business Economics, International Journal of Innovation Management, Service Industries Journal, Journal of Service Theory and Practice, among many others. He has also co-authored book chapters in books published by, among others, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Cambridge Scholars Publishing and World Scientific Publishing.
Prof. Aas is a member of the management team of the Research Centre for Studies of Innovation for Sustainable Transition (RIST) at the University of Agder. He is also a member of ISPIM’s (International Society for Professional Innovation Management) Scientific Panel.
Prof. Laura Albareda
LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland.
Laura is a Professor of Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship with her research focusing on business collective action, commons organizing – commoning – and polycentric governance, business-nature regeneration, climate futures and circular economy. Laura is lead researcher of the project “Action4Commons” (2022-2025) funded by Research Council of Finland, with the goal to theorize on collective stakeholder action, while study business and biodiversity in the mining and circular economy. She sits on the board of the “Sustainable Circularity of Inorganic Materials Research Platform” (SCI-MAT) at LUT University where she leads the research team on sustainable and circular business models and value chains. Laura is also principal researcher of two EU Horizon Europe projects, RELIEF and REINFORCE, on sustainable mobility transitions and electrification exploring circular business models of Lithium-Ion Batteries for electrical cars, and the EU Horizon PRIMED project on sustainable business models in the bioeconomy studying living labs of organic waste and bioproducts in five EU countries. Previously, she has been assistant professor at Deusto Business School (where she is still visiting professor) and lecturer at ESADE Business School and post-doctoral fellow at Boston College. Her research on Polycentric governance of privately owned resources in circular economy systems published at the Journal of Management Studies has been awarded by the Dexter Award Best International Paper (2019) Best Business Ethics Paper (2019) at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting and the Distinguished Winner of Responsible Research in Management Award (2023), co-sponsored by the Academy of Management Fellows Group and the Community for Responsible Research in Business and Management (RRBM). She is co-editor of the book: Innovation for Sustainability: Business Transformation Towards a Better World (2019). Laura is strongly committed to develop new knowledge on natural and temporal commons, collapse and collective action and business-nature regeneration, such as Albareda, L., & Branzei, 0. (2024). Biocentric work in the Anthropocene: How actors regenerate degenerated natural commons. Journal of Management Studies. On-line. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joms.13080
Laura is a Professor of Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship with her research focusing on business collective action, commons organizing – commoning – and polycentric governance, business-nature regeneration, climate futures and circular economy. Laura is lead researcher of the project “Action4Commons” (2022-2025) funded by Research Council of Finland, with the goal to theorize on collective stakeholder action, while study business and biodiversity in the mining and circular economy. She sits on the board of the “Sustainable Circularity of Inorganic Materials Research Platform” (SCI-MAT) at LUT University where she leads the research team on sustainable and circular business models and value chains. Laura is also principal researcher of two EU Horizon Europe projects, RELIEF and REINFORCE, on sustainable mobility transitions and electrification exploring circular business models of Lithium-Ion Batteries for electrical cars, and the EU Horizon PRIMED project on sustainable business models in the bioeconomy studying living labs of organic waste and bioproducts in five EU countries. Previously, she has been assistant professor at Deusto Business School (where she is still visiting professor) and lecturer at ESADE Business School and post-doctoral fellow at Boston College. Her research on Polycentric governance of privately owned resources in circular economy systems published at the Journal of Management Studies has been awarded by the Dexter Award Best International Paper (2019) Best Business Ethics Paper (2019) at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting and the Distinguished Winner of Responsible Research in Management Award (2023), co-sponsored by the Academy of Management Fellows Group and the Community for Responsible Research in Business and Management (RRBM). She is co-editor of the book: Innovation for Sustainability: Business Transformation Towards a Better World (2019). Laura is strongly committed to develop new knowledge on natural and temporal commons, collapse and collective action and business-nature regeneration, such as Albareda, L., & Branzei, 0. (2024). Biocentric work in the Anthropocene: How actors regenerate degenerated natural commons. Journal of Management Studies. On-line. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joms.13080
Assoc. Prof. Kevin Argus
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Biography:
Kevin Argus is an Associate Professor in Department of Business Administration
School of Management, RMIT University.
Kevin Argus is a driving force in circular economy, leading RMIT's interdisciplinary efforts for sustainability as Co-Chair of the RMIT Circular Economy Hub and Co-Lead of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Food Waste Reduce Grant Project. The Hub enables interdisciplinary research grant collaboration and HDR supervision across the University. Kevin also Chairs the Gender Equity Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group (Leadership and Governance) for the College and is the MBA Program Director.
Innovating Collaboratively for Food Waste Reduction:
Enabling collaborative innovation for food waste reduction, Kevin collaborates with industry leaders, including a technology entrepreneur and major retailers. Their research focuses on optimising technology to connect consumers with discounted, soon-to-expire food, creating sustainable social, environmental, and financial value for both retailers and consumers. Other cross-disciplinary projects include exploring viable products from cellulose recover from waste water and an exploratory project addressing the feasibility of floating housing through a regenerative lens.
Bridging Sustainability Gaps for Real-World Impact:
Kevin’s practical impact is underscored by an industry sponsored Social Procurement Partnership Award in the construction sector. He was a 2024 finalist for Outstanding Leadership in Engagement in the national Engagement Australia Excellence Awards for social and environmental impact. Additionally, his co-supervision of the 2023 RMIT Vice Chancellor's HDR Research Impact Award recipient contributed to five high-impact publications integrating sustainability with circular economy principles.
Disseminating Knowledge for Global Impact:
Recipient of the 2023 RMIT Rising Media Star Award and the college 2023 Global Engagement Award, Kevin is recognised for disseminating impactful knowledge through diverse media. This showcases his commitment to sustainable futures with a broad national and international reach, emphasising his passion for bridging gaps between academia and industry.
Biography:
Kevin Argus is an Associate Professor in Department of Business Administration
School of Management, RMIT University.
Kevin Argus is a driving force in circular economy, leading RMIT's interdisciplinary efforts for sustainability as Co-Chair of the RMIT Circular Economy Hub and Co-Lead of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Food Waste Reduce Grant Project. The Hub enables interdisciplinary research grant collaboration and HDR supervision across the University. Kevin also Chairs the Gender Equity Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group (Leadership and Governance) for the College and is the MBA Program Director.
Innovating Collaboratively for Food Waste Reduction:
Enabling collaborative innovation for food waste reduction, Kevin collaborates with industry leaders, including a technology entrepreneur and major retailers. Their research focuses on optimising technology to connect consumers with discounted, soon-to-expire food, creating sustainable social, environmental, and financial value for both retailers and consumers. Other cross-disciplinary projects include exploring viable products from cellulose recover from waste water and an exploratory project addressing the feasibility of floating housing through a regenerative lens.
Bridging Sustainability Gaps for Real-World Impact:
Kevin’s practical impact is underscored by an industry sponsored Social Procurement Partnership Award in the construction sector. He was a 2024 finalist for Outstanding Leadership in Engagement in the national Engagement Australia Excellence Awards for social and environmental impact. Additionally, his co-supervision of the 2023 RMIT Vice Chancellor's HDR Research Impact Award recipient contributed to five high-impact publications integrating sustainability with circular economy principles.
Disseminating Knowledge for Global Impact:
Recipient of the 2023 RMIT Rising Media Star Award and the college 2023 Global Engagement Award, Kevin is recognised for disseminating impactful knowledge through diverse media. This showcases his commitment to sustainable futures with a broad national and international reach, emphasising his passion for bridging gaps between academia and industry.
Prof. José Luis Cortina
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain.
José Luis Cortina studied Chemical Sciences at the University of Barcelona where he obtained his Ph.D. degree in 1992. He also did a postdoc at the Center for Process Analytical Chemistry at Washington University. In 2003 José Luis was promoted to Full Professor in Chemical Engineering at the Barcelona Tech UPC at the Industrial Engineering School of Barcelona. From 2007 is working part time at the Water Technology Centre (Cetaqua). Since 2008, José Luis has help the position of Head of the Resource Recovery and Environmental Management Research Group. Since January 2023 he was awarded an Academia position at the Catalan Institute of Advanced Studies (ICREA). He has published more than 300 research papers and received several grants and awards including Ion Exchange of the Society of Chemical Industry. His research interest are centered in the area of the integration of separation processes and technologies on the promotion of circularity of materials and raw materials in the urban and industrial cycles. From 2008 José Luis has been a member of the Environmental Science and Technology Panel of the Spanish Research Agency.
José Luis Cortina studied Chemical Sciences at the University of Barcelona where he obtained his Ph.D. degree in 1992. He also did a postdoc at the Center for Process Analytical Chemistry at Washington University. In 2003 José Luis was promoted to Full Professor in Chemical Engineering at the Barcelona Tech UPC at the Industrial Engineering School of Barcelona. From 2007 is working part time at the Water Technology Centre (Cetaqua). Since 2008, José Luis has help the position of Head of the Resource Recovery and Environmental Management Research Group. Since January 2023 he was awarded an Academia position at the Catalan Institute of Advanced Studies (ICREA). He has published more than 300 research papers and received several grants and awards including Ion Exchange of the Society of Chemical Industry. His research interest are centered in the area of the integration of separation processes and technologies on the promotion of circularity of materials and raw materials in the urban and industrial cycles. From 2008 José Luis has been a member of the Environmental Science and Technology Panel of the Spanish Research Agency.
Dr. Justyna Dąbrowska
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Justyna Dąbrowska, PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management, is a Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow at RMIT University. Her research focuses on innovation management, particularly organizational renewal, open innovation, collaboration between mature companies and start-ups, circular economy, and digitalization. She has published in highly ranked journals, including California Management Review. Justyna serves on the Editorial Review Board of R&D Management Journal and on the Advisory Board of the Open Innovation Squad at UC Berkeley.
The results of her research and innovation frameworks were adopted by various global companies. Prior to academia, she held strategic roles at European Headquarters in the automotive and marketing industries. She is closely involved with business practice through research projects and education programs and in speaker, mentor, trainer, and advisory roles.
Justyna Dąbrowska, PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management, is a Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow at RMIT University. Her research focuses on innovation management, particularly organizational renewal, open innovation, collaboration between mature companies and start-ups, circular economy, and digitalization. She has published in highly ranked journals, including California Management Review. Justyna serves on the Editorial Review Board of R&D Management Journal and on the Advisory Board of the Open Innovation Squad at UC Berkeley.
The results of her research and innovation frameworks were adopted by various global companies. Prior to academia, she held strategic roles at European Headquarters in the automotive and marketing industries. She is closely involved with business practice through research projects and education programs and in speaker, mentor, trainer, and advisory roles.
Prof. Lina Dagilienė
Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Dr. Lina Dagilienė is full Professor and leader of Circular Economy research group at School of Economics and Business, Kaunas University of Technology. She has extensive experience in the participation in and leadership of research projects (Horizon 2020, Lithuanian Research Council, Erasmus+). Her research interests among other include corporate sustainability, inter-organisational tensions, circular business model, digital circular platforms, and sustainability reporting. Lina has authored more than 60 scholarly and practitioner articles in journals such as
Organization and Environment, Business Strategy and the Environment, Journal of Industrial Ecology, Sustainability Accounting, Policy and Management Journal. Lina is also co-author of the monograph "Circular Business Models in the Manufacturing Industry: Insights from Small Open Economies”. Teaching includes courses on accounting for sustainability, circular business model.
Dr. Lina Dagilienė is full Professor and leader of Circular Economy research group at School of Economics and Business, Kaunas University of Technology. She has extensive experience in the participation in and leadership of research projects (Horizon 2020, Lithuanian Research Council, Erasmus+). Her research interests among other include corporate sustainability, inter-organisational tensions, circular business model, digital circular platforms, and sustainability reporting. Lina has authored more than 60 scholarly and practitioner articles in journals such as
Organization and Environment, Business Strategy and the Environment, Journal of Industrial Ecology, Sustainability Accounting, Policy and Management Journal. Lina is also co-author of the monograph "Circular Business Models in the Manufacturing Industry: Insights from Small Open Economies”. Teaching includes courses on accounting for sustainability, circular business model.
Prof. Cameron Duff
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Professor Cameron Duff leads the Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster at the Centre for Organisations and Social Change in the College of Business and Law at RMIT University in Melbourne, where he also serves as Deputy Dean, Research and Innovation in the School of Management. Grounded in political science, and with a strong commitment to interdisciplinarity, Duff’s ongoing program of research has three main areas of activity: (A) conceptually informed investigations of ‘social impact’, place and community, with a focus on theories of organisational and social change; (B) empirical investigations of the ways notions of ‘place’ and ‘community’ are mobilised in social innovations in diverse organisational settings; and (C) organisational studies focusing on the role of workforce development and program delivery in the design of innovative social impact and sustainability initiatives. Across these activities, Duff has been especially interested in how social innovation drives social change in the ‘for purpose’, community and not-for-profit sectors, with a focus on sustainability, social care and housing policy innovations. Across RMIT, Duff regularly collaborates with researchers at the Centre for Urban Research, the Social Equity Research Centre, and the Workforce Innovation and Development Institute where he is embedded in key research programs in organisational innovation, social care, housing and mental health research. He also has a number of longstanding international collaborations with colleagues at the Goldsmiths and Liverpool University in the United Kingdom, and McMasters University in Canada.
Professor Cameron Duff leads the Health and Wellbeing Research Cluster at the Centre for Organisations and Social Change in the College of Business and Law at RMIT University in Melbourne, where he also serves as Deputy Dean, Research and Innovation in the School of Management. Grounded in political science, and with a strong commitment to interdisciplinarity, Duff’s ongoing program of research has three main areas of activity: (A) conceptually informed investigations of ‘social impact’, place and community, with a focus on theories of organisational and social change; (B) empirical investigations of the ways notions of ‘place’ and ‘community’ are mobilised in social innovations in diverse organisational settings; and (C) organisational studies focusing on the role of workforce development and program delivery in the design of innovative social impact and sustainability initiatives. Across these activities, Duff has been especially interested in how social innovation drives social change in the ‘for purpose’, community and not-for-profit sectors, with a focus on sustainability, social care and housing policy innovations. Across RMIT, Duff regularly collaborates with researchers at the Centre for Urban Research, the Social Equity Research Centre, and the Workforce Innovation and Development Institute where he is embedded in key research programs in organisational innovation, social care, housing and mental health research. He also has a number of longstanding international collaborations with colleagues at the Goldsmiths and Liverpool University in the United Kingdom, and McMasters University in Canada.
Assoc. Prof. Anupam Dutta
University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland.
Dr. Anupam Dutta is working as Associate Professor at the School of Accounting and Finance, University of Vaasa (Finland). He received his PhD degree in Statistics from the same university. In addition, his previous education includes a Master degree in Business Administration and Quantitative Methods from the University Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M). Dr. Dutta’s research interests include financial market volatility, asset pricing, Green finance, and FinTech. He has a number of publications in these areas. His recent publications appear in reputed business journals including Journal of Empirical Finance, Journal of Futures Markets, Energy Economics, International Journal of Finance and Economics, Economics Letters, The Energy Journal, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Tourism management, etc. Dr. Dutta also teaches several courses in the Master in Finance program at the University of Vaasa. His teaching portfolio includes Econometrics, Financial Derivatives & Risk Management, Financial Modeling, Digital Finance & Blockchain-based Payment Solutions and Statistical Methods in Finance. Dr. Dutta has also supervised a large number of Bachelor and Master thesis students. Besides, several students are currently conducting doctoral research under his supervision. Dr. Dutta also serves as an Associate Editor for various business journals. He has more than 4,300 citations with an h-index of 34.
Dr. Anupam Dutta is working as Associate Professor at the School of Accounting and Finance, University of Vaasa (Finland). He received his PhD degree in Statistics from the same university. In addition, his previous education includes a Master degree in Business Administration and Quantitative Methods from the University Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M). Dr. Dutta’s research interests include financial market volatility, asset pricing, Green finance, and FinTech. He has a number of publications in these areas. His recent publications appear in reputed business journals including Journal of Empirical Finance, Journal of Futures Markets, Energy Economics, International Journal of Finance and Economics, Economics Letters, The Energy Journal, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Tourism management, etc. Dr. Dutta also teaches several courses in the Master in Finance program at the University of Vaasa. His teaching portfolio includes Econometrics, Financial Derivatives & Risk Management, Financial Modeling, Digital Finance & Blockchain-based Payment Solutions and Statistical Methods in Finance. Dr. Dutta has also supervised a large number of Bachelor and Master thesis students. Besides, several students are currently conducting doctoral research under his supervision. Dr. Dutta also serves as an Associate Editor for various business journals. He has more than 4,300 citations with an h-index of 34.
Prof. Bernardo Figueiredo
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Bernardo Figueiredo is an award-winning researcher and educator. To foster change, he engages with industry, government, and communities.
Bernardo works with companies and communities to create social and organisational change. Projects with industry include sociocultural analysis, consumer strategic insights, customer journey mapping, experience design, cultural branding, strategic and international marketing. Projects with communities and government include building transformational frameworks, strategic recommendations, and actionable toolkits for community engagement, behavioural change, and consumer wellbeing.
To achieve his goals, he employs diverse methodological and design tools including exploratory assessments, market ethnography, netnography, co-design workshops, in-depth interviews, focus groups, cultural probing and sociocultural analysis to propose novel insights for better human experiences and market orientation.
Industry experience:
Dr Figueiredo has worked in a variety of industry jobs including marketing positions at Procter and Gamble and Unilever, Science and Technology Analyst for a major research funding institution, Auditor for the Brazilian Government. He has also been and Marketing Director and CEO in two SMEs in the art and culture industry.
Bernardo Figueiredo is an award-winning researcher and educator. To foster change, he engages with industry, government, and communities.
Bernardo works with companies and communities to create social and organisational change. Projects with industry include sociocultural analysis, consumer strategic insights, customer journey mapping, experience design, cultural branding, strategic and international marketing. Projects with communities and government include building transformational frameworks, strategic recommendations, and actionable toolkits for community engagement, behavioural change, and consumer wellbeing.
To achieve his goals, he employs diverse methodological and design tools including exploratory assessments, market ethnography, netnography, co-design workshops, in-depth interviews, focus groups, cultural probing and sociocultural analysis to propose novel insights for better human experiences and market orientation.
Industry experience:
Dr Figueiredo has worked in a variety of industry jobs including marketing positions at Procter and Gamble and Unilever, Science and Technology Analyst for a major research funding institution, Auditor for the Brazilian Government. He has also been and Marketing Director and CEO in two SMEs in the art and culture industry.
Prof. Matthias Fink
Matthias Fink is a full professor of innovation management at JKU Linz, Austria and a full professor of strategy & leadership at Grenoble Ecole de Management, France. Matthias previously had professorial roles at ARU Cambridge (UK), Leuphana University Lueneburg (Germany) and was researcher at the Institute for Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship as well as head of the Research Institute for Liberal Professions at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business (Austria). Matthias holds a Ph.D. and a postdoctoral qualification (habilitation) from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business and was a visiting professor at several universities e.g., University of Sydney (Australia), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), and University of Twente (The Netherlands). His research concerns Leading organizations through transformations as well as Strategy as Practice (SAP) in the context of innovation (generation of novel processes and valuable market offerings), socio-technical transformation (interplay between social change, technological progress and business models) and business venturing (in new and established organizations). His emphasis is on three underlying challenges (1) overcoming behavioural uncertainty with interpersonal trust, (2) bridging the gap between intention and action, and (3) responsibility of socially, regionally and temporally embedded actors. Matthias addresses these challenges with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods with the aim to generate impact on theory, practice and policy.
His research has been published in journals such as Journal of Management Studies, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Banking and Finance, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Regional Studies, Journal of Business Venturing, as well as Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice. Additionally, he has published four monographs, two edited volumes and has guest edited several special issues to international journals. He serves as an executive editor for Technology Forecasting and Social Change and is an associate editor for Review of Managerial Science and member of the editorial board of several journals in the fields of Technology and Innovation Management, Leadership, Strategy and Entrepreneurship.
His research has been published in journals such as Journal of Management Studies, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Banking and Finance, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Regional Studies, Journal of Business Venturing, as well as Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice. Additionally, he has published four monographs, two edited volumes and has guest edited several special issues to international journals. He serves as an executive editor for Technology Forecasting and Social Change and is an associate editor for Review of Managerial Science and member of the editorial board of several journals in the fields of Technology and Innovation Management, Leadership, Strategy and Entrepreneurship.
Prof. Henri Hakala
LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland.
Henri Hakala is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the School of Business and Management (LBM) at LUT University, Finland. His research interests are within entrepreneurship, small business management, strategy as well as sustainable entrepreneurship. He is interested how SMEs organize, strategize and how different contexts affect entrepreneurship. His research has appeared in journals such as Journal of Management, Journal of Small Business Management, Small Business Economics, International Journal of Management Reviews and Long Range Planning.
Henri Hakala is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the School of Business and Management (LBM) at LUT University, Finland. His research interests are within entrepreneurship, small business management, strategy as well as sustainable entrepreneurship. He is interested how SMEs organize, strategize and how different contexts affect entrepreneurship. His research has appeared in journals such as Journal of Management, Journal of Small Business Management, Small Business Economics, International Journal of Management Reviews and Long Range Planning.
Assoc. Prof. Aki Harima
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Tallinn, Estonia.
Aki Harima is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and the Head of the Entrepreneurship Research Group at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). Her research interests include inclusive entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and entrepreneurship education, with a particular emphasis on qualitative methodologies.
Aki's academic journey has taken her to diverse regions, conducting research in Latin America, Central Asia, Europe, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is a dedicated scholar and a member of the editorial board of Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. Her work has been featured in leading journals such as Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (ETP), Entrepreneurship & Regional Development (ERD), European Management Journal (EMJ), Journal of Business Research (JBR), and International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research (IJEBR).
Aki Harima is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and the Head of the Entrepreneurship Research Group at the Department of Business Administration, School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). Her research interests include inclusive entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and entrepreneurship education, with a particular emphasis on qualitative methodologies.
Aki's academic journey has taken her to diverse regions, conducting research in Latin America, Central Asia, Europe, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is a dedicated scholar and a member of the editorial board of Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. Her work has been featured in leading journals such as Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (ETP), Entrepreneurship & Regional Development (ERD), European Management Journal (EMJ), Journal of Business Research (JBR), and International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research (IJEBR).
Prof. Petri Helo
University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland.
Petri Helo is a Full Professor of Industrial Management (logistics systems) at the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. His research primarily focuses on supply chain management, operations management, logistics systems, and the digitalization of industrial processes, addressing the management of logistics processes in supply demand networks, which take place in various industries. This research has developed new approaches on analytical modelling and use of computers solving the industrial management problems. He has authored and co-authored many articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, a number of research reports, conference contributions and other scientific publications. Helo is named in the 2024 edition of the Stanford University list of World Top 2% scientists.
Petri Helo is a Full Professor of Industrial Management (logistics systems) at the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. His research primarily focuses on supply chain management, operations management, logistics systems, and the digitalization of industrial processes, addressing the management of logistics processes in supply demand networks, which take place in various industries. This research has developed new approaches on analytical modelling and use of computers solving the industrial management problems. He has authored and co-authored many articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, a number of research reports, conference contributions and other scientific publications. Helo is named in the 2024 edition of the Stanford University list of World Top 2% scientists.
Prof. Afreen Huq
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Afreen Huq is a Professor in entrepreneurship and innovation at the School of Management, RMIT University. Her research interests lie at the intersection of entrepreneurship, gender and marginalised communities. Her research is cross-disciplinary in approach with an emphasis on impact. Afreen particularly focuses on examining how gender identity and socio-cultural factors influencing the aspiration, legitimacy and feasibility of business ownership shape women’s entrepreneurial behaviour and approach to growth. Afreen researches this phenomenon on women entrepreneurs in both developed countries as well as in culturally restrictive societies. Her work has been published in numerous scholarly journals, including Journal of Small Business Management, Women’s Studies International Forum, International Migration, Education+ Training, Higher Education Research & Development and other academic publications.
Afreen Huq is a Professor in entrepreneurship and innovation at the School of Management, RMIT University. Her research interests lie at the intersection of entrepreneurship, gender and marginalised communities. Her research is cross-disciplinary in approach with an emphasis on impact. Afreen particularly focuses on examining how gender identity and socio-cultural factors influencing the aspiration, legitimacy and feasibility of business ownership shape women’s entrepreneurial behaviour and approach to growth. Afreen researches this phenomenon on women entrepreneurs in both developed countries as well as in culturally restrictive societies. Her work has been published in numerous scholarly journals, including Journal of Small Business Management, Women’s Studies International Forum, International Migration, Education+ Training, Higher Education Research & Development and other academic publications.
Prof. Jega Jegatheesan
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Veeriah Jegatheesan (Jega) is Professor of Environmental Engineering and a former Director of Water: Effective Technologies and Tools (WETT) Research Centre at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Jega is the founder and Chairman of the international conference series on Challenges in Environmental Science & Engineering (CESE) held annually since 2008. Jega has conducted extensive research on the application of membrane bioreactors, sugar cane juice clarification, seawater desalination, and the treatment of mine tailing ponds. He has over 500 publications including more than 200 peer reviewed journal articles and 14 edited books. Jega is also the managing guest editor of over 60 special issues in peer‐reviewed journals. In 2019, the Stormwater Industry Association (Australia) has appointed him as one of the Governance Panel members for the Australian Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP) and currently is the Chairman of the Governance Panel. Jega is the Editor‐in‐Chief of a book series entitled Applied Environmental Science and Engineering (AESE) for a Sustainable Future published by Springer and has been instrumental in publishing 16 books since 2015. Jega has been appointed as the Editor‐in‐Chief of Environmental Quality Management Journal (Wiley Publisher) from January 2020.
Veeriah Jegatheesan (Jega) is Professor of Environmental Engineering and a former Director of Water: Effective Technologies and Tools (WETT) Research Centre at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Jega is the founder and Chairman of the international conference series on Challenges in Environmental Science & Engineering (CESE) held annually since 2008. Jega has conducted extensive research on the application of membrane bioreactors, sugar cane juice clarification, seawater desalination, and the treatment of mine tailing ponds. He has over 500 publications including more than 200 peer reviewed journal articles and 14 edited books. Jega is also the managing guest editor of over 60 special issues in peer‐reviewed journals. In 2019, the Stormwater Industry Association (Australia) has appointed him as one of the Governance Panel members for the Australian Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP) and currently is the Chairman of the Governance Panel. Jega is the Editor‐in‐Chief of a book series entitled Applied Environmental Science and Engineering (AESE) for a Sustainable Future published by Springer and has been instrumental in publishing 16 books since 2015. Jega has been appointed as the Editor‐in‐Chief of Environmental Quality Management Journal (Wiley Publisher) from January 2020.
Assoc. Prof. Joona Keränen
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Joona Keränen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration, School of Management at RMIT University, Australia, and a Visiting Associate Professor in the Business School at LUT University, Finland. His research interests include B2B marketing and sales, value-based selling, and servitization and solutions business. Dr. Keränen has published over 35 articles in leading B2B Marketing and Management journals, such as MIT Sloan Management Review, California Management Review, Industrial Marketing Management, and the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, among others. He has extensive experience in collaborating with over +100 B2B firms and SMEs in different industries, and he is a frequent keynote speaker at corporate events and advisor to several start-ups.
Joona Keränen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration, School of Management at RMIT University, Australia, and a Visiting Associate Professor in the Business School at LUT University, Finland. His research interests include B2B marketing and sales, value-based selling, and servitization and solutions business. Dr. Keränen has published over 35 articles in leading B2B Marketing and Management journals, such as MIT Sloan Management Review, California Management Review, Industrial Marketing Management, and the Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, among others. He has extensive experience in collaborating with over +100 B2B firms and SMEs in different industries, and he is a frequent keynote speaker at corporate events and advisor to several start-ups.
Prof. Tanel Kerikmäe
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Tallinn, Estonia.
Tanel Kerikmäe is a professor of European Legal Policy and Law & Tech at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), and he has a worldwide experience from different universities in teaching and research. Tanel has been invited visiting professor in Europe and Asia. He is honorary professor at HCMC University of Law and holds a title of doctor honoris causa at National University of Law in Kharkiv, acting also as a foreign member of the Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine. Tanel is also foreign member of the Centre of Robotics, AI and Law at National University Singapore. He has been a supervisor of 15 successfully defended doctoral theses (in 5 different countries).
Tanel is founder and head of TalTech law school and is known as a designer of new type of legal education that is international and interdisciplinary. Most of his research activities are related to law & technology issues. Tanel is a member of excellent academic networks (e.g. Member of the Law, Technology and Design Thinking Research Group (L.T.D.T) in the field and has been a PI for solid amount of (mostly EU funded) research and capacity building projects with top experts over the world.
Tanel Kerikmäe is a professor of European Legal Policy and Law & Tech at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), and he has a worldwide experience from different universities in teaching and research. Tanel has been invited visiting professor in Europe and Asia. He is honorary professor at HCMC University of Law and holds a title of doctor honoris causa at National University of Law in Kharkiv, acting also as a foreign member of the Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine. Tanel is also foreign member of the Centre of Robotics, AI and Law at National University Singapore. He has been a supervisor of 15 successfully defended doctoral theses (in 5 different countries).
Tanel is founder and head of TalTech law school and is known as a designer of new type of legal education that is international and interdisciplinary. Most of his research activities are related to law & technology issues. Tanel is a member of excellent academic networks (e.g. Member of the Law, Technology and Design Thinking Research Group (L.T.D.T) in the field and has been a PI for solid amount of (mostly EU funded) research and capacity building projects with top experts over the world.
Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Kolieb
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Dr. Jonathan Kolieb is Director of RMIT's Business and Human Rights Centre, and Senior Lecturer in Law at the Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University.
Jonathan’s research and teaching interests focus on global governance issues, including current projects on international conflict resolution, business and human rights, and the accountability of transnational corporations under international law. His PhD dissertation was entitled: “Corporate Peacebuilding and the Law: Regulating the Private Sector for Conflict Transformation.”
His written work includes academic articles in leading Australian and international journals, UN peacekeeping training documents, and pieces in the mainstream press such as Newsweek, The Washington Post and The Australian newspapers. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the George Washington University Law School, and a Graduate Visitor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Jonathan has held positions with the Government of Australia, various think-tanks and non-governmental organisations, focusing on human rights and international affairs. These roles include serving as Congressional Liaison Officer at the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC, and as Legal Consultant for the United Nation’s Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
Jonathan holds a PhD (Law) from University of Melbourne, an LL.M. (International Law) and an M.A. (International & Area Studies) from University of California, Berkeley and undergraduate Law and Politics degrees from the University of Melbourne and Monash University.
Jonathan has received several awards and grants in recognition of, and to advance, his scholarship. These include a RMIT College of Business Research Excellence Award (2016), the A.O. Capell Prestigious PhD Scholarship from the University of Melbourne (2011-2015); a Rotary World Peace Fellowship (2004-06); a Human Rights Fellowship from the University of California, Berkeley (2007); and the Rufus Davis Memorial Prize for Politics from Monash University (2001).
Dr. Jonathan Kolieb is Director of RMIT's Business and Human Rights Centre, and Senior Lecturer in Law at the Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University.
Jonathan’s research and teaching interests focus on global governance issues, including current projects on international conflict resolution, business and human rights, and the accountability of transnational corporations under international law. His PhD dissertation was entitled: “Corporate Peacebuilding and the Law: Regulating the Private Sector for Conflict Transformation.”
His written work includes academic articles in leading Australian and international journals, UN peacekeeping training documents, and pieces in the mainstream press such as Newsweek, The Washington Post and The Australian newspapers. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the George Washington University Law School, and a Graduate Visitor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Jonathan has held positions with the Government of Australia, various think-tanks and non-governmental organisations, focusing on human rights and international affairs. These roles include serving as Congressional Liaison Officer at the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC, and as Legal Consultant for the United Nation’s Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
Jonathan holds a PhD (Law) from University of Melbourne, an LL.M. (International Law) and an M.A. (International & Area Studies) from University of California, Berkeley and undergraduate Law and Politics degrees from the University of Melbourne and Monash University.
Jonathan has received several awards and grants in recognition of, and to advance, his scholarship. These include a RMIT College of Business Research Excellence Award (2016), the A.O. Capell Prestigious PhD Scholarship from the University of Melbourne (2011-2015); a Rotary World Peace Fellowship (2004-06); a Human Rights Fellowship from the University of California, Berkeley (2007); and the Rufus Davis Memorial Prize for Politics from Monash University (2001).
Assoc. Prof. Laivi Laidroo
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Tallinn, Estonia.
Laivi Laidroo holds a PhD in financial economics and is an Associate Professor at the Tallinn University of Technology in the Department of Economics and Finance. Her prior research has mostly covered different finance-related topics including banking, capital markets, corporate disclosures, and FinTech. Her more recent research interests have moved more towards sustainable finance and personal finance. As the Department of Economics and Finance is currently involved in a research project with the Estonian Ministry of Finance concerning financial literacy, she is currently actively involved in the search for improved financial literacy instruments. Through administrative roles held at the university, she has gained extensive experience also in the area of educational leadership and is continuously interested in topics related to university teaching and education in general.
Laivi Laidroo holds a PhD in financial economics and is an Associate Professor at the Tallinn University of Technology in the Department of Economics and Finance. Her prior research has mostly covered different finance-related topics including banking, capital markets, corporate disclosures, and FinTech. Her more recent research interests have moved more towards sustainable finance and personal finance. As the Department of Economics and Finance is currently involved in a research project with the Estonian Ministry of Finance concerning financial literacy, she is currently actively involved in the search for improved financial literacy instruments. Through administrative roles held at the university, she has gained extensive experience also in the area of educational leadership and is continuously interested in topics related to university teaching and education in general.
Prof. Mark Leenders
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Professor Mark Leenders is Professor of Business (Marketing and Innovation) and globally known for his research on creativity, technological transformation, market commercialisation, and sustainable circular systems. His research often sits within specific sectors such as media, food, manufacturing, healthcare, and recently clothing. A key aim of his research is to create positive social impact (e.g., in line with the Sustainable Development Goals) and help companies achieve valuable triple bottom line outcomes (people, planet, and profit). His interdisciplinary research has appeared in prestigious international journals such as Marketing Science, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, International Journal of Research in Marketing, Journal of Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Business Strategy and Environment, European Journal of Marketing, Technovation, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Industrial and Corporate Change.
Professor Mark Leenders is Professor of Business (Marketing and Innovation) and globally known for his research on creativity, technological transformation, market commercialisation, and sustainable circular systems. His research often sits within specific sectors such as media, food, manufacturing, healthcare, and recently clothing. A key aim of his research is to create positive social impact (e.g., in line with the Sustainable Development Goals) and help companies achieve valuable triple bottom line outcomes (people, planet, and profit). His interdisciplinary research has appeared in prestigious international journals such as Marketing Science, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, International Journal of Research in Marketing, Journal of Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Business Strategy and Environment, European Journal of Marketing, Technovation, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Industrial and Corporate Change.
Prof. Usha Iyer-Raniga
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Dr Usha Iyer-Raniga, B.Arch, M.A.S.A., PhD.
Usha Iyer-Raniga is Professor, Sustainable Built Environment at the School of Property and Construction Management, RMIT University. Usha is co-lead of the Circular Built Environment (CBE) working group established under the GlobalABC / One Planet Network’s Materials Hub hosted by UNEP and jointly implemented by UNEP, UNOPS and UN Habitat.
Usha has been invited as key-note speaker and invited speaker at national and international conferences including COPs 26 - 28, seminars and workshops. She recently launched her book, Circular practices in buildings and construction to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Usha’s recent key notes include Buildings and Global Climate Forum’s Circular economy in the built environment: a solution to the triple planetary crises and on Multilateral cooperations towards circular economy in the Asia-Pacific as part of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Philippines, public conference to raise awareness on sustainability initiatives and education.
Her teaching portfolio extends to Asian countries. She has provided expertise to national and international agencies. She is reviewer and scientific committee member for national and international referred journals and refereed conferences. She is on the editorial board for refereed journals and has worked on Special Issues. Usha has served and is currently serving on the Boards of various not for profit organisations and has also served as panel judge for a number of national and international awards.
Usha has published over 200 publications. The full breadth of her publications are scientific and technical research publications including authored books, edited books, book chapters, refereed journals, refereed conference papers and reports to international governmental organisations, local, state, and federal governments. She has also produced podcasts for various organisations and participated in media interviews. She has received state, national, and international funding worth over USD $35 million.
Dr Usha Iyer-Raniga, B.Arch, M.A.S.A., PhD.
Usha Iyer-Raniga is Professor, Sustainable Built Environment at the School of Property and Construction Management, RMIT University. Usha is co-lead of the Circular Built Environment (CBE) working group established under the GlobalABC / One Planet Network’s Materials Hub hosted by UNEP and jointly implemented by UNEP, UNOPS and UN Habitat.
Usha has been invited as key-note speaker and invited speaker at national and international conferences including COPs 26 - 28, seminars and workshops. She recently launched her book, Circular practices in buildings and construction to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Usha’s recent key notes include Buildings and Global Climate Forum’s Circular economy in the built environment: a solution to the triple planetary crises and on Multilateral cooperations towards circular economy in the Asia-Pacific as part of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Philippines, public conference to raise awareness on sustainability initiatives and education.
Her teaching portfolio extends to Asian countries. She has provided expertise to national and international agencies. She is reviewer and scientific committee member for national and international referred journals and refereed conferences. She is on the editorial board for refereed journals and has worked on Special Issues. Usha has served and is currently serving on the Boards of various not for profit organisations and has also served as panel judge for a number of national and international awards.
Usha has published over 200 publications. The full breadth of her publications are scientific and technical research publications including authored books, edited books, book chapters, refereed journals, refereed conference papers and reports to international governmental organisations, local, state, and federal governments. She has also produced podcasts for various organisations and participated in media interviews. She has received state, national, and international funding worth over USD $35 million.
Assoc. Prof. Lasantha Meegahapola
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
A/Prof. Lasantha Meegahapola received the PhD from the Queen's University of Belfast, UK, in 2010. He received the BSc. Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering (First Class, Honours) from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2006. A/Prof. Meegahapola is currently with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia. He has more than 18 years of research experience in power system dynamics & stability with renewable power generation, and microgrid dynamics, stability & control. A/Prof. Meegahapola has been involved with seminal research and industry projects, such as technical feasibility analysis of super-capacitors for providing frequency regulation services in wind farms and the characterisation of the combined-cycle gas-turbine lean blowout phenomenon. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference articles and has supervised 17 PhD students to completion. He is a Senior Member of IEEE (SMIEEE), a Member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society (PES) and a Member of the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS). He is an active member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES), Power System Dynamic Performance (PSDP) committee task forces on microgrid stability analysis and microgrid dynamic modelling. A/Prof. Meegahapola also serves as an associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Power Engineering Letters, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications and IET Renewable Power Generation journals.
A/Prof. Lasantha Meegahapola received the PhD from the Queen's University of Belfast, UK, in 2010. He received the BSc. Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering (First Class, Honours) from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2006. A/Prof. Meegahapola is currently with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Australia. He has more than 18 years of research experience in power system dynamics & stability with renewable power generation, and microgrid dynamics, stability & control. A/Prof. Meegahapola has been involved with seminal research and industry projects, such as technical feasibility analysis of super-capacitors for providing frequency regulation services in wind farms and the characterisation of the combined-cycle gas-turbine lean blowout phenomenon. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference articles and has supervised 17 PhD students to completion. He is a Senior Member of IEEE (SMIEEE), a Member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society (PES) and a Member of the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS). He is an active member of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES), Power System Dynamic Performance (PSDP) committee task forces on microgrid stability analysis and microgrid dynamic modelling. A/Prof. Meegahapola also serves as an associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Power Engineering Letters, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications and IET Renewable Power Generation journals.
Prof. Anne-Laure Mention
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Anne-Laure Mention (PhD, Eng) is the Director of the Global Business Innovation Enabling Impact Platform at RMIT University, Australia and the Chief Investigator and Academic Lead for DREAM+PLAN. Her research interests sit within innovation management, strategy and entrepreneurship, and explore contemporary phenomena such as the twin (i.e. digital and green) transition across units of analysis and contexts, with a multidisciplinary lens. Her research has been published in journals such as Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Product Innovation Management, California Management Review, Regional Studies, and Small Business Economics. She is a co-founding editor and co-editor in chief of the Scopus-ranked open access Journal of Innovation Management, and a department editor for IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. She serves on the Board of the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM), as Director, Community Engagement and Impact, which resonates with her commitment to societal impact. She was awarded the 2023 ABDC’s (Academy of Business School Dean) award for Innovation & Excellence in Education – International engagement for the award-winning H2020 OpenInnoTrain project.
Anne-Laure Mention (PhD, Eng) is the Director of the Global Business Innovation Enabling Impact Platform at RMIT University, Australia and the Chief Investigator and Academic Lead for DREAM+PLAN. Her research interests sit within innovation management, strategy and entrepreneurship, and explore contemporary phenomena such as the twin (i.e. digital and green) transition across units of analysis and contexts, with a multidisciplinary lens. Her research has been published in journals such as Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Product Innovation Management, California Management Review, Regional Studies, and Small Business Economics. She is a co-founding editor and co-editor in chief of the Scopus-ranked open access Journal of Innovation Management, and a department editor for IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. She serves on the Board of the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM), as Director, Community Engagement and Impact, which resonates with her commitment to societal impact. She was awarded the 2023 ABDC’s (Academy of Business School Dean) award for Innovation & Excellence in Education – International engagement for the award-winning H2020 OpenInnoTrain project.
Dr. Di Mo
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Dr. Di Mo is a Senior Lecturer in Finance at RMIT University, specializing in commodity futures markets, investment behavior, and financial markets. Her research examines the dynamics of asset pricing, market efficiency, and the role of financial literacy in investment decision-making, with a strong emphasis on empirical methodologies. Dr. Mo’s work addresses key challenges in financial decision-making and policy formulation, bridging academic insights with practical applications for industry practitioners and policymakers.
As a member of the Financial Markets and Sustainability Research Group, Dr. Mo is expanding her focus to explore the growing field of sustainable finance. While her primary expertise lies in traditional financial markets, she is increasingly investigating how financial systems can be adapted to address pressing sustainability challenges. Her research aims to explore how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors can be integrated into financial decision-making, contributing to the development of greener and more sustainable financial systems.
Dr. Mo has published widely in prestigious academic journals, offering valuable insights into both financial theory and its real-world implications. She is deeply committed to mentoring PhD students and fostering a deeper understanding of finance, particularly in the context of sustainability’s evolving role in financial markets.
Dr. Di Mo is a Senior Lecturer in Finance at RMIT University, specializing in commodity futures markets, investment behavior, and financial markets. Her research examines the dynamics of asset pricing, market efficiency, and the role of financial literacy in investment decision-making, with a strong emphasis on empirical methodologies. Dr. Mo’s work addresses key challenges in financial decision-making and policy formulation, bridging academic insights with practical applications for industry practitioners and policymakers.
As a member of the Financial Markets and Sustainability Research Group, Dr. Mo is expanding her focus to explore the growing field of sustainable finance. While her primary expertise lies in traditional financial markets, she is increasingly investigating how financial systems can be adapted to address pressing sustainability challenges. Her research aims to explore how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors can be integrated into financial decision-making, contributing to the development of greener and more sustainable financial systems.
Dr. Mo has published widely in prestigious academic journals, offering valuable insights into both financial theory and its real-world implications. She is deeply committed to mentoring PhD students and fostering a deeper understanding of finance, particularly in the context of sustainability’s evolving role in financial markets.
Prof. Alemayehu Molla
RMIT University, Melbourne, University.
Alem Molla is a Professor in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics at RMIT University, Australia. He specializes in teaching and researching sustainable digital business transformation. He has published extensively in top-tier information systems journals and other outlets, with over 9,900 citations and an h-index of 46. Alem has supervised 24 HDR candidates to completion, including one who received the Australian Council of Professors and Heads of Information Systems award for the best PhD thesis. His contributions to research supervision have been recognized with the RMIT Award for Innovative Research Supervision.
Alem Molla is a Professor in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics at RMIT University, Australia. He specializes in teaching and researching sustainable digital business transformation. He has published extensively in top-tier information systems journals and other outlets, with over 9,900 citations and an h-index of 46. Alem has supervised 24 HDR candidates to completion, including one who received the Australian Council of Professors and Heads of Information Systems award for the best PhD thesis. His contributions to research supervision have been recognized with the RMIT Award for Innovative Research Supervision.
Assoc. Prof. Letizia Mortara
The University of Cambridge.
Letizia Mortara is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, where she convenes the Decision-Making for Emerging Technology group. Letizia’s research focuses on Technological Decision Making with the aim to improve organisational response to fast-changing technological and innovation contexts. Her work aims to support the development and implementation of management tools and approaches that can support the taking of such decisions. Her research covers themes such as Technology intelligence (i.e. the company activity set-up in order to keep abreast with the latest developments in technology), and the adoption of Open Innovation practices in industry. She is interested in digitalisation phenomena, for example linked to the uptake of Digital Fabrication technologies such as 3D Printing, of AI, Mixed Reality and Digital Twins technologies in manufacturing. Her interest is to understand the implications for business and society of their introduction.
Letizia is also an Associate Editor for the R&D Management journal , a Senior Fellow and a Director of Studies in Engineering at Newnham College.
Letizia Mortara is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, where she convenes the Decision-Making for Emerging Technology group. Letizia’s research focuses on Technological Decision Making with the aim to improve organisational response to fast-changing technological and innovation contexts. Her work aims to support the development and implementation of management tools and approaches that can support the taking of such decisions. Her research covers themes such as Technology intelligence (i.e. the company activity set-up in order to keep abreast with the latest developments in technology), and the adoption of Open Innovation practices in industry. She is interested in digitalisation phenomena, for example linked to the uptake of Digital Fabrication technologies such as 3D Printing, of AI, Mixed Reality and Digital Twins technologies in manufacturing. Her interest is to understand the implications for business and society of their introduction.
Letizia is also an Associate Editor for the R&D Management journal , a Senior Fellow and a Director of Studies in Engineering at Newnham College.
Prof. Kasper Moth-Poulsen.
Polytechnic University of Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain.
Kasper Moth-Poulsen (KMP) studied organic chemistry at the University of Copenhagen where he obtained the Ph.D. degrees in 2007. In 2009-10 he did a postdoc at the College of Chemistry at U.C. Berkeley. In 2011 KMP was recruited to Chalmers University of Technology, as an assistant professor. In 2014 he was promoted to associate professor in 2017 to professor (bitr. prof.) and in 2019 full professor. Since 2020 KMP is the head of the division of applied chemistry at Chalmers. Since October 2021 KMP is awarded a professor position at the Catalan Institute of Advanced Studies (ICREA) and and is today ICREA professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya (UPC). He has published more than 175 research papers and received several prestigious grants and awards including ERC StG and CoG grants, Arnbergska Prize from The Royal Swedish Academy of Science (2019), Norblad-Ekstrand Medal from the Swedish Chemical Society (2020), Göran Gustafsson Prize in Chemistry from The Royal Swedish Academy of Science (2021). KMP is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (FRSC) and a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA).
Kasper Moth-Poulsen (KMP) studied organic chemistry at the University of Copenhagen where he obtained the Ph.D. degrees in 2007. In 2009-10 he did a postdoc at the College of Chemistry at U.C. Berkeley. In 2011 KMP was recruited to Chalmers University of Technology, as an assistant professor. In 2014 he was promoted to associate professor in 2017 to professor (bitr. prof.) and in 2019 full professor. Since 2020 KMP is the head of the division of applied chemistry at Chalmers. Since October 2021 KMP is awarded a professor position at the Catalan Institute of Advanced Studies (ICREA) and and is today ICREA professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalunya (UPC). He has published more than 175 research papers and received several prestigious grants and awards including ERC StG and CoG grants, Arnbergska Prize from The Royal Swedish Academy of Science (2019), Norblad-Ekstrand Medal from the Swedish Chemical Society (2020), Göran Gustafsson Prize in Chemistry from The Royal Swedish Academy of Science (2021). KMP is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (FRSC) and a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA).
Prof. Xavier Mulet
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Xavier Mulet is currently the Director of one of RMIT’s Enabling Impact Platform in Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication. He has led research teams and projects with a focus on developing and translating advanced materials for Energy and Environmental applications. Xavier is passionate about the application of cutting-edge innovation to solve complex problems, from the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, recycling solar panels and making electricity from waste heat. In his role as EIP director he is working with researchers, partners and communities to ensure that innovation transforms the way we use advanced materials and manufacturing with positive environmental impact.
Xavier Mulet is currently the Director of one of RMIT’s Enabling Impact Platform in Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Fabrication. He has led research teams and projects with a focus on developing and translating advanced materials for Energy and Environmental applications. Xavier is passionate about the application of cutting-edge innovation to solve complex problems, from the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, recycling solar panels and making electricity from waste heat. In his role as EIP director he is working with researchers, partners and communities to ensure that innovation transforms the way we use advanced materials and manufacturing with positive environmental impact.
Prof. Kok-Leong Ong
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Kok-Leong Ong is currently Professor of AI & Analytics at RMIT University. His research focuses on analytics and machine learning translation into practice within different business verticals, and the development of new techniques as required to meet individual business needs. As a result, Kok-Leong's research has had a strong focus on impact, with many of his works ranked by Altmetric to be in the top 25% and 5% of research in their respective domains. He founded the Enterprise AI and Data Analytics Hub in 2022, which quickly went on to secure over $2m in research grants on various projects in e-Commerce, aged care, cybersecurity, and other sectors. In addition to research, he has been a key driver to two new RMIT programs – the Master of Business Analytics and AI Strategy and the Grad. Cert. in Cloud Applications for Business. Both programs will contribute to the training of an AI workforce in light of policy and regulatory developments in this space. In 2021, Kok-Leong was one of the four Australia-based academics to be named Leading Data Academics by CDO Magazine, an online publication that grew out of MIT's annual CDO and Information Quality Symposium. From 2025, Kok-Leong starts as the Director, Technology Initiatives for the College of Business & Law.
Kok-Leong Ong is currently Professor of AI & Analytics at RMIT University. His research focuses on analytics and machine learning translation into practice within different business verticals, and the development of new techniques as required to meet individual business needs. As a result, Kok-Leong's research has had a strong focus on impact, with many of his works ranked by Altmetric to be in the top 25% and 5% of research in their respective domains. He founded the Enterprise AI and Data Analytics Hub in 2022, which quickly went on to secure over $2m in research grants on various projects in e-Commerce, aged care, cybersecurity, and other sectors. In addition to research, he has been a key driver to two new RMIT programs – the Master of Business Analytics and AI Strategy and the Grad. Cert. in Cloud Applications for Business. Both programs will contribute to the training of an AI workforce in light of policy and regulatory developments in this space. In 2021, Kok-Leong was one of the four Australia-based academics to be named Leading Data Academics by CDO Magazine, an online publication that grew out of MIT's annual CDO and Information Quality Symposium. From 2025, Kok-Leong starts as the Director, Technology Initiatives for the College of Business & Law.
Prof. Monika Petraite
Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Principal Investigator, RG Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Director, GLORAD CEE research centre
Dr. Monika Petraite is a Full Professor and Principal Investigator of the Research Group Innovation and Entrepreneurship at School of Economics and Business at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania. She is also a Director of Global R&D research Centre Central Eastern Europe. s
She is a founding member of International Association of Knowledge Management, member of ISPIM, R&D Management Society, BMDA, Globelics, Knowledge Economy Forum Lithuania. She is also an international advisory board member at Sheffield Hallam University Business School, UK, and PhD Committee member in Global Studies at University Dante Alighieri per Stranieri (Italy). She is acting as national and international expert on innovation policy and entrepreneurship, is an author of more than 100 academic publications, books and chapters. She promotes innovation and organizational development via research, international business consulting practices and training, and is also a mentor and an inspirational speaker to promote innovation leadership and entrepreneurship via TEDx talks, Leadership forums, and other platforms. She is especially concerned about promoting youth and woman in leadership and innovation.
Previously, she has been acting on several academic roles, such as a dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and a Faculty of Humanities, and Interim director of Executive school, and head of the Department of strategic management at Kaunas University of Technology. Today, she serves as a University Senatus member at KTU, as a deputy chairwoman for Strategic Planning Committee.
Principal Investigator, RG Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Director, GLORAD CEE research centre
Dr. Monika Petraite is a Full Professor and Principal Investigator of the Research Group Innovation and Entrepreneurship at School of Economics and Business at Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania. She is also a Director of Global R&D research Centre Central Eastern Europe. s
She is a founding member of International Association of Knowledge Management, member of ISPIM, R&D Management Society, BMDA, Globelics, Knowledge Economy Forum Lithuania. She is also an international advisory board member at Sheffield Hallam University Business School, UK, and PhD Committee member in Global Studies at University Dante Alighieri per Stranieri (Italy). She is acting as national and international expert on innovation policy and entrepreneurship, is an author of more than 100 academic publications, books and chapters. She promotes innovation and organizational development via research, international business consulting practices and training, and is also a mentor and an inspirational speaker to promote innovation leadership and entrepreneurship via TEDx talks, Leadership forums, and other platforms. She is especially concerned about promoting youth and woman in leadership and innovation.
Previously, she has been acting on several academic roles, such as a dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and a Faculty of Humanities, and Interim director of Executive school, and head of the Department of strategic management at Kaunas University of Technology. Today, she serves as a University Senatus member at KTU, as a deputy chairwoman for Strategic Planning Committee.
Assoc. Prof. Eduardo Prieto-Araujo
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain.
Eduardo Prieto-Araujo received the degree in industrial engineering from the School of Industrial Engineering of Barcelona (ETSEIB), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in 2011, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the UPC, in 2016. In 2010, he joined the CITCEA-UPC Research Group. He is currently a Serra Húnter Associate Professor with the Electrical Engineering Department, UPC. In 2021, he was a Visiting Professor with the Automatic Control Laboratory, ETH Zürich. In 2022, he co-founded eRoots, which is a spin-off company of CITCEA-UPC, focused on the analysis of modern power systems. He is a regular member of CIGRÉ and IEEE WGs. He is an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery and IEEE OAJPE. His research interests include renewable generation systems, control of power converters for HVDC applications, interaction analysis between converters and power electronics-dominated power systems.
Eduardo Prieto-Araujo received the degree in industrial engineering from the School of Industrial Engineering of Barcelona (ETSEIB), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in 2011, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the UPC, in 2016. In 2010, he joined the CITCEA-UPC Research Group. He is currently a Serra Húnter Associate Professor with the Electrical Engineering Department, UPC. In 2021, he was a Visiting Professor with the Automatic Control Laboratory, ETH Zürich. In 2022, he co-founded eRoots, which is a spin-off company of CITCEA-UPC, focused on the analysis of modern power systems. He is a regular member of CIGRÉ and IEEE WGs. He is an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery and IEEE OAJPE. His research interests include renewable generation systems, control of power converters for HVDC applications, interaction analysis between converters and power electronics-dominated power systems.
Prof. Asta Pundziene
Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Dr. Asta Pundziene is a Professor, Principal Investigator of the Digital Healthcare Innovations research group and Director of the Business digital transfortion research centre at the School of Economics and Business, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania. She is also a affiliated scholar at the Institute of Business Innovation, Haas Business School, UC Berkeley, US since 2018 October. Her main research and innovation interests include but are not limited to multisided digital platforms including artificial intelligence and big data innovations, technology acceptance, evaluation and scaling with applications to healthcare industry. Asta Pundzienė successfully supervised more than 15 doctoral students; and co-supervised more than 5 students and 2 post-docs. She promoted and led Horizon2020, Horizon Europe, and national research projects, resulting in the development of the remote patient monitoring platform, tested in a real-world environment. Dr. Asta Pundziene is a board member of the Lithuanian research council, member of the Board of Governors of IEEE TEMS and other academic and professional societies. Asta Pundziene is a Chairwoman of the Doctoral Committee and supervisor of numerios doctoral students.
Dr. Asta Pundziene is a Professor, Principal Investigator of the Digital Healthcare Innovations research group and Director of the Business digital transfortion research centre at the School of Economics and Business, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania. She is also a affiliated scholar at the Institute of Business Innovation, Haas Business School, UC Berkeley, US since 2018 October. Her main research and innovation interests include but are not limited to multisided digital platforms including artificial intelligence and big data innovations, technology acceptance, evaluation and scaling with applications to healthcare industry. Asta Pundzienė successfully supervised more than 15 doctoral students; and co-supervised more than 5 students and 2 post-docs. She promoted and led Horizon2020, Horizon Europe, and national research projects, resulting in the development of the remote patient monitoring platform, tested in a real-world environment. Dr. Asta Pundziene is a board member of the Lithuanian research council, member of the Board of Governors of IEEE TEMS and other academic and professional societies. Asta Pundziene is a Chairwoman of the Doctoral Committee and supervisor of numerios doctoral students.
Assoc. Prof. Mikko Pynnönen
LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland.
Mikko Pynnönen (PhD) works as an Associate Professor at LUT Business School (LBS) in Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT, Finland. He also holds a title of docent in LUT. Pynnönen is the leader of International Business and Entrepreneurship team in LBS and is PI in several research projects in the field of business development. His main research interests include value creation and business models in complex business systems that utilize digital transformation.
Mikko Pynnönen (PhD) works as an Associate Professor at LUT Business School (LBS) in Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT, Finland. He also holds a title of docent in LUT. Pynnönen is the leader of International Business and Entrepreneurship team in LBS and is PI in several research projects in the field of business development. His main research interests include value creation and business models in complex business systems that utilize digital transformation.
Prof. Rodrigo Rabetino
University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland.
Rodrigo Rabetino is a Full Professor in the Strategic Business Development research group at the University of Vaasa. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting, his expertise spans strategy, business models, economics, and entrepreneurship. He is a key contributor to the master's program in Strategic Business Development, where he teaches courses such as Developing Business Models and Research Update in Strategic Management. Dedicated to preparing students for the complexities of modern business, Rabetino focuses on providing practical tools and frameworks while mentoring the next generation of leaders in academia and industry. His recent industry collaborations include projects on the energy transition, particularly in alternative fuels and business models for electricity markets, emphasizing how businesses can innovate and adapt in dynamic environments. Rabetino's research interests include digital and sustainable servitization, business model innovation, public-private collaboration, and strategy-as-practice. His work has been featured in prominent academic journals, including Regional Studies, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, International Journal of Production Economics, Technovation, International Journal of Management Reviews, Industrial Marketing Management, and Journal of Business Research.
Rodrigo Rabetino is a Full Professor in the Strategic Business Development research group at the University of Vaasa. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and consulting, his expertise spans strategy, business models, economics, and entrepreneurship. He is a key contributor to the master's program in Strategic Business Development, where he teaches courses such as Developing Business Models and Research Update in Strategic Management. Dedicated to preparing students for the complexities of modern business, Rabetino focuses on providing practical tools and frameworks while mentoring the next generation of leaders in academia and industry. His recent industry collaborations include projects on the energy transition, particularly in alternative fuels and business models for electricity markets, emphasizing how businesses can innovate and adapt in dynamic environments. Rabetino's research interests include digital and sustainable servitization, business model innovation, public-private collaboration, and strategy-as-practice. His work has been featured in prominent academic journals, including Regional Studies, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, International Journal of Production Economics, Technovation, International Journal of Management Reviews, Industrial Marketing Management, and Journal of Business Research.
Dr. Joan Marc Rodriguez-Bernuz
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain.
Joan Marc Rodriguez-Bernuz completed his BSc and MSc in Energy Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), in 2013 and 2015, respectively. During his BSc and MSc studies, he stayed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). In 2015, he was awarded a PhD scholarship by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London (ICL), where he completed his PhD in 2020. He then joined ICL as a Research Associate with the Control and Power Research Group. Between 2020 and 2022, Joan Marc also worked as a Consultant Engineer with Arrival Ltd. and ICL Consultants. In 2022, he returned to UPC as a Lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Department, joined the CITCEA-UPC research group, and continued cooperation with ICL as a visiting researcher. His professional activities included collaborations with the Global Power System Transformation Consortium (GPST), and he is a reviewer for different IEEE journals. His current research focuses on control design for power electronic converters, renewable energy integration, HVDC systems, DC microgrids, and model predictive control (MPC).
Joan Marc Rodriguez-Bernuz completed his BSc and MSc in Energy Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), in 2013 and 2015, respectively. During his BSc and MSc studies, he stayed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). In 2015, he was awarded a PhD scholarship by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London (ICL), where he completed his PhD in 2020. He then joined ICL as a Research Associate with the Control and Power Research Group. Between 2020 and 2022, Joan Marc also worked as a Consultant Engineer with Arrival Ltd. and ICL Consultants. In 2022, he returned to UPC as a Lecturer in the Electrical Engineering Department, joined the CITCEA-UPC research group, and continued cooperation with ICL as a visiting researcher. His professional activities included collaborations with the Global Power System Transformation Consortium (GPST), and he is a reviewer for different IEEE journals. His current research focuses on control design for power electronic converters, renewable energy integration, HVDC systems, DC microgrids, and model predictive control (MPC).
Prof. Tanja Sihvonen
University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland.
Tanja Sihvonen is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Vaasa, Finland. She is specialized in digital media, games, and participatory cultures on the internet. Her most recent work considers role-playing games, online videos, (ro)bots, and algorithmic agency in social media.
Tanja Sihvonen is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Vaasa, Finland. She is specialized in digital media, games, and participatory cultures on the internet. Her most recent work considers role-playing games, online videos, (ro)bots, and algorithmic agency in social media.
Assoc. Prof. Charlotta Sirén
University of St. Gallen, Gallen, Switzerland.
Charlotta Sirén is an Associate Professor of Management with a special focus on entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of St.Gallen. She is the director and founder of the Institute of Responsible Innovation at the University of St.Gallen. Before joining the University of St.Gallen, she served as Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Queensland, Australia. Her research, which concentrates on socially relevant and sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship research, has been published in internationally leading journals, including a total of 15 Financial Times 50-listed publications. She is ranked among the top 5% of all business administration researchers in German-speaking countries based on top research publications. Her work is distinguished by its methodological versatility and novelty.
Charlotta Sirén is an Associate Professor of Management with a special focus on entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of St.Gallen. She is the director and founder of the Institute of Responsible Innovation at the University of St.Gallen. Before joining the University of St.Gallen, she served as Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Queensland, Australia. Her research, which concentrates on socially relevant and sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship research, has been published in internationally leading journals, including a total of 15 Financial Times 50-listed publications. She is ranked among the top 5% of all business administration researchers in German-speaking countries based on top research publications. Her work is distinguished by its methodological versatility and novelty.
Prof. Chris Speed
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Chris Speed FRSE, is Professor of Design for Regenerative Futures at RMIT University where he collaborates with a wide variety of communities and partners to explore how design provides methods to adapt toward becoming a regenerative society. Chris has an established track record in directing large complex grants and educational programmes with academic, industry and third sector partners, that apply design and data methods to social, environmental and economic challenges.
Prior to joining RMIT, Chris was Director for the Edinburgh Futures Institute, involving the transformation of the Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, a Florence Nightingale hospital in the centre of Edinburgh, into a world leading centre for interdisciplinary teaching, research and innovation. Chris also led the development and leadership of the Institute for Design Informatics that is home to a combination of researchers working across the fields of design, social science, and data science, as well as the PhD, MA/MFA and MSc and Advanced MSc programmes. His publications are associated with the many collaborative research projects that he has led and been part of that spanned sectors including design research, the digital economy, creative industries, and human-computer interaction.
Chris was Founding Director of the £7.4m Creative Informatics R&D Partnership, one of the nine AHRC funded Creative Industries Clusters in the UK (2018-2024). Chris maintains ties to research projects with partners across the UK and Europe including being a former Co-I to the Next Stage Digital Economy Centre DECaDE led by Surrey with the Digital Catapult (2019-2025), and a Co-I to the DCODE European network and PhD program for training the next generation of researchers and designers to guide society’s digital transformation towards inclusive, sustainable futures (2020-2024).
Chris Speed FRSE, is Professor of Design for Regenerative Futures at RMIT University where he collaborates with a wide variety of communities and partners to explore how design provides methods to adapt toward becoming a regenerative society. Chris has an established track record in directing large complex grants and educational programmes with academic, industry and third sector partners, that apply design and data methods to social, environmental and economic challenges.
Prior to joining RMIT, Chris was Director for the Edinburgh Futures Institute, involving the transformation of the Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, a Florence Nightingale hospital in the centre of Edinburgh, into a world leading centre for interdisciplinary teaching, research and innovation. Chris also led the development and leadership of the Institute for Design Informatics that is home to a combination of researchers working across the fields of design, social science, and data science, as well as the PhD, MA/MFA and MSc and Advanced MSc programmes. His publications are associated with the many collaborative research projects that he has led and been part of that spanned sectors including design research, the digital economy, creative industries, and human-computer interaction.
Chris was Founding Director of the £7.4m Creative Informatics R&D Partnership, one of the nine AHRC funded Creative Industries Clusters in the UK (2018-2024). Chris maintains ties to research projects with partners across the UK and Europe including being a former Co-I to the Next Stage Digital Economy Centre DECaDE led by Surrey with the Digital Catapult (2019-2025), and a Co-I to the DCODE European network and PhD program for training the next generation of researchers and designers to guide society’s digital transformation towards inclusive, sustainable futures (2020-2024).
Prof. Wendy Steele
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Wendy Steele is a Professor of Sustainability and Urban Governance and Chair of Future Earth Australia (FEA) whose research sits at the nexus of urban studies, social sciences and environmental humanities. Professor Steele is an award-winning researcher, writer, activist and educator who leads research and practice focused on cities in climate change and human-nature relationships in the urban age, with a particular emphasis on wild cities, urban governance, policy and planning, climate justice/security, critical infrastructure and sustainability as a transformative agenda within higher education. Her recent books include 'Planning Wild Cities: Human-nature relationships in the urban age' (Routledge 2020), 'Quiet Activism: Climate action at the local scale' (Palgrave 2021), and 'The Sustainable Development Goals and Higher Education: A Transformative agenda?' (Palgrave-Macmillan 2021). Advancing the vital role of the social sciences and humanities in addressing societies 'grand challenges' is a central focus of her work, as well as critical and purposeful engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals and rethinking the role of research impact as a transformative ethos. Wendy is a founding member of the Planetary Civics Inquiry (PCI) and has been working in collaboration with others to support and promote regenerative urban futures.
Wendy Steele is a Professor of Sustainability and Urban Governance and Chair of Future Earth Australia (FEA) whose research sits at the nexus of urban studies, social sciences and environmental humanities. Professor Steele is an award-winning researcher, writer, activist and educator who leads research and practice focused on cities in climate change and human-nature relationships in the urban age, with a particular emphasis on wild cities, urban governance, policy and planning, climate justice/security, critical infrastructure and sustainability as a transformative agenda within higher education. Her recent books include 'Planning Wild Cities: Human-nature relationships in the urban age' (Routledge 2020), 'Quiet Activism: Climate action at the local scale' (Palgrave 2021), and 'The Sustainable Development Goals and Higher Education: A Transformative agenda?' (Palgrave-Macmillan 2021). Advancing the vital role of the social sciences and humanities in addressing societies 'grand challenges' is a central focus of her work, as well as critical and purposeful engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals and rethinking the role of research impact as a transformative ethos. Wendy is a founding member of the Planetary Civics Inquiry (PCI) and has been working in collaboration with others to support and promote regenerative urban futures.
Prof. Vinh Thai
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Professor Vinh Thai, Department of Supply Chain and Logistics, College of Business and Law, RMIT University.
Professor Vinh Thai is Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics and is known internationally for his research in logistics and supply chain management in general and maritime logistics in particular. He has so far published more than 150 international peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, and several book chapters, in leading academic journals e.g., Transportation Research Part E, Transportation Research Part A, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, International Journal of Logistics Management, etc. His work has been widely cited in academic journals as well as in industry magazines, newspapers, radio etc., both in Australia and Vietnam. In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Professor Thai was listed in the world’s top 2% of scholars in the discipline of transport and logistics worldwide, according to a recently released bibliometric report by Elsevier.
Professor Thai is frequently invited to give keynote presentations at international conferences, public lectures at universities and training institutions, and contribute to the discussion panels of various international and national seminars and workshops, notably the recent seminar on “Supply chain vulnerability and resilience in Southeast Asia in the Geopolitical Era” hosted by the OECD and attended by OECD Member Delegates and Southeast Asia Embassies based in Paris. He is the founder of the Australian Maritime Logistics Research Network (AMLRN). Prior to joining academia, he worked for various companies in the maritime logistics industry.
Professor Vinh Thai, Department of Supply Chain and Logistics, College of Business and Law, RMIT University.
Professor Vinh Thai is Associate Editor of the Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics and is known internationally for his research in logistics and supply chain management in general and maritime logistics in particular. He has so far published more than 150 international peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, and several book chapters, in leading academic journals e.g., Transportation Research Part E, Transportation Research Part A, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, International Journal of Logistics Management, etc. His work has been widely cited in academic journals as well as in industry magazines, newspapers, radio etc., both in Australia and Vietnam. In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Professor Thai was listed in the world’s top 2% of scholars in the discipline of transport and logistics worldwide, according to a recently released bibliometric report by Elsevier.
Professor Thai is frequently invited to give keynote presentations at international conferences, public lectures at universities and training institutions, and contribute to the discussion panels of various international and national seminars and workshops, notably the recent seminar on “Supply chain vulnerability and resilience in Southeast Asia in the Geopolitical Era” hosted by the OECD and attended by OECD Member Delegates and Southeast Asia Embassies based in Paris. He is the founder of the Australian Maritime Logistics Research Network (AMLRN). Prior to joining academia, he worked for various companies in the maritime logistics industry.
Prof. John Thangarajah
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
John Thangarajah is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence and the Director of the Security and Resilience Hub, at RMIT University. He was previously the Director of the Industrial AI Centre, and former head of the Computer Science and Software Engineering discipline.
John is an internationally recognised research leader in the technical area of Autonomous Multi-agent Systems. He has a sustained record of accomplishment in research publications and research funding from both government and industry sources. In particular, he has established strong collaborations with the industry around the modelling and simulation of complex behaviours.
Whilst an accomplished researcher, John is also a passionate leader in education and has proven track record in innovative teaching models, transforming the first-year student experience in Computer Science. He was awarded the prestigious RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Award in 2020 for his contributions to the University in Learning and Teaching.
John Thangarajah is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence and the Director of the Security and Resilience Hub, at RMIT University. He was previously the Director of the Industrial AI Centre, and former head of the Computer Science and Software Engineering discipline.
John is an internationally recognised research leader in the technical area of Autonomous Multi-agent Systems. He has a sustained record of accomplishment in research publications and research funding from both government and industry sources. In particular, he has established strong collaborations with the industry around the modelling and simulation of complex behaviours.
Whilst an accomplished researcher, John is also a passionate leader in education and has proven track record in innovative teaching models, transforming the first-year student experience in Computer Science. He was awarded the prestigious RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Award in 2020 for his contributions to the University in Learning and Teaching.
Prof. Marko Torkkeli
LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland.
Dr. Marko Torkkeli is a Professor of Technology and Business Innovations at the LUT University. His research interests focus on technology and innovation management, strategic entrepreneurship, growth venturing, and decision support systems. He has published over 300 articles in academic journals and conferences. He serves as the Director of Publications of the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM) and is one of the founding editors of the open-access, multidisciplinary Journal of Innovation Management. He was leading the EU flagship project on the European Academic Network for Open Innovation, designed to promote cooperation on open innovation topics in European Higher Education Curricula and Institutes within the knowledge triangle for the benefit of EU competitiveness (52 partners from 35 countries).
Dr. Marko Torkkeli is a Professor of Technology and Business Innovations at the LUT University. His research interests focus on technology and innovation management, strategic entrepreneurship, growth venturing, and decision support systems. He has published over 300 articles in academic journals and conferences. He serves as the Director of Publications of the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM) and is one of the founding editors of the open-access, multidisciplinary Journal of Innovation Management. He was leading the EU flagship project on the European Academic Network for Open Innovation, designed to promote cooperation on open innovation topics in European Higher Education Curricula and Institutes within the knowledge triangle for the benefit of EU competitiveness (52 partners from 35 countries).
Prof. Juha Väätänen
LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland
Juha Väätänen is a Professor at the Business School, LUT University. His research focuses on international business, sustainable development, digital transformation, social innovation, and institutional frameworks. He has an extensive experience in international research project collaboration with numerous universitites and companies. His research findings has been published in journals, including Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Business Research, Industrial Marketing Management, International Business Review, Multinational Business Review, and International Journal of Innovation Management, among others.
Juha Väätänen is a Professor at the Business School, LUT University. His research focuses on international business, sustainable development, digital transformation, social innovation, and institutional frameworks. He has an extensive experience in international research project collaboration with numerous universitites and companies. His research findings has been published in journals, including Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Business Research, Industrial Marketing Management, International Business Review, Multinational Business Review, and International Journal of Innovation Management, among others.
Prof. César Alberto Valderrama
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya BarcelonaTech, UPC, Barcelona, Spain.
César Valderrama is a full professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at the Barcelona Tech UPC. Since 2011 he was appointed coordinator at the UPC of the Master in Sustainable Energy of the KIC Innoenergy of the European Institute of Technology (EIT) and since 2020 he is the program director. Since 2023 he is deputy director of the Barcelona East School of Engineering. He has published more than 140 research articles and has received several grants from national and European competitive programs such as H200 and Horizon Europe. His research interest focuses on the analysis of the processes and supply routes of resources for the European energy transition through the recovery and circularity of critical and strategic materials in urban and industrial cycles. He is also developing research in the areas of the analysis of the sustainability of the European economic model and the viability of implementing alternative post-growth models from a transdisciplinary perspective that allow addressing the challenges of the socioeconomic model.
César Valderrama is a full professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at the Barcelona Tech UPC. Since 2011 he was appointed coordinator at the UPC of the Master in Sustainable Energy of the KIC Innoenergy of the European Institute of Technology (EIT) and since 2020 he is the program director. Since 2023 he is deputy director of the Barcelona East School of Engineering. He has published more than 140 research articles and has received several grants from national and European competitive programs such as H200 and Horizon Europe. His research interest focuses on the analysis of the processes and supply routes of resources for the European energy transition through the recovery and circularity of critical and strategic materials in urban and industrial cycles. He is also developing research in the areas of the analysis of the sustainability of the European economic model and the viability of implementing alternative post-growth models from a transdisciplinary perspective that allow addressing the challenges of the socioeconomic model.
Prof. Gillian Vesty
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Gillian Vesty is a Professor and Deputy Dean L&T in the School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. She is a member of CPA Australia, a Board Member of the Institute of Management Accountants, Australia and New Zealand and teaches in the field of management accounting. With a healthcare sector background and 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Gillian’s research interests seek to align accounting with social impact research that address health and wellbeing challenges, taking a value-based healthcare perspective. Gillian is on the editorial board of Accounting Auditing and Accountability Journal and is an active Board Member of Games for Change, Asia Pacific. Gillian’s work demonstrates that serious games are a powerful vehicle for addressing wicked problems and provide an important nexus between teaching and research. Gillian has been involved in the design and development of a number of serious games, used across RMIT recently recognised by 2024 PieOneer Awards.
Gillian Vesty is a Professor and Deputy Dean L&T in the School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. She is a member of CPA Australia, a Board Member of the Institute of Management Accountants, Australia and New Zealand and teaches in the field of management accounting. With a healthcare sector background and 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Gillian’s research interests seek to align accounting with social impact research that address health and wellbeing challenges, taking a value-based healthcare perspective. Gillian is on the editorial board of Accounting Auditing and Accountability Journal and is an active Board Member of Games for Change, Asia Pacific. Gillian’s work demonstrates that serious games are a powerful vehicle for addressing wicked problems and provide an important nexus between teaching and research. Gillian has been involved in the design and development of a number of serious games, used across RMIT recently recognised by 2024 PieOneer Awards.
Dr. Peeter Vihma
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Tallinn, Estonia.
Dr Peeter Vihma studies sustainability and digital transition governance at Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, TalTech. He is also a visiting professor at Institute of International Relations and Political Science, University of Vilnius. At TalTech he is currently engaged in two projects, Horizon Europe project on Public Administration Capabilities for Digital and Sustainable Transitions, and the National Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency which studies transition in the built environment. In 2017-2021 Peeter Vihma was the recipient of Kristjan Jaak scholarship for the PhD program at University of Helsinki and in 2018-2019 he was the Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Cornell University. In 2019-2020 he was participant of the prestigious Eurpeaum Scholars program by Oxford University. He has consulted numerous public organizations and collaborative processes, most notably the creation of the Estonian Forestry Development Plan and the implementation of the Estonian Bicycle Strategy. Peeter Vihma has also produced and directed documentary films and written a travel book, for which he has won the “Best Travel Book of Estonia” award in 2009.
Dr Peeter Vihma studies sustainability and digital transition governance at Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, TalTech. He is also a visiting professor at Institute of International Relations and Political Science, University of Vilnius. At TalTech he is currently engaged in two projects, Horizon Europe project on Public Administration Capabilities for Digital and Sustainable Transitions, and the National Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency which studies transition in the built environment. In 2017-2021 Peeter Vihma was the recipient of Kristjan Jaak scholarship for the PhD program at University of Helsinki and in 2018-2019 he was the Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Cornell University. In 2019-2020 he was participant of the prestigious Eurpeaum Scholars program by Oxford University. He has consulted numerous public organizations and collaborative processes, most notably the creation of the Estonian Forestry Development Plan and the implementation of the Estonian Bicycle Strategy. Peeter Vihma has also produced and directed documentary films and written a travel book, for which he has won the “Best Travel Book of Estonia” award in 2009.
Prof. Mantas Vilkas
Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania.
Mantas Vilkas is a Professor of Operations and Technology Management at the Business Digital Transformation Research Centre, Kaunas University of Technology. He holds a doctorate in Business and Management and has extensive experience in research and teaching. Mantas has been a visiting scholar at the University of Girona (Spain) and Aalto University (Finland). His current research focuses on the interaction between technology and organizations, with a particular emphasis on digital transformation. Mantas’s research has been published in academic journals, including Business Strategy and the Environment, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, and Computers & Industrial Engineering. He actively promotes engaged scholarship and organizational development through research, business consulting, and training.
Mantas Vilkas is a Professor of Operations and Technology Management at the Business Digital Transformation Research Centre, Kaunas University of Technology. He holds a doctorate in Business and Management and has extensive experience in research and teaching. Mantas has been a visiting scholar at the University of Girona (Spain) and Aalto University (Finland). His current research focuses on the interaction between technology and organizations, with a particular emphasis on digital transformation. Mantas’s research has been published in academic journals, including Business Strategy and the Environment, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, and Computers & Industrial Engineering. He actively promotes engaged scholarship and organizational development through research, business consulting, and training.
Assoc. Prof. Catharina von Koskull
University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland.
Catharina von Koskull, D.Sc. (Econ.), is a Fulbright Scholar alumna and an Associate Professor at the School of Marketing and Communication, University of Vaasa, Finland. Her research background is rooted in service research, with a particular focus on service innovation. More recently, her work within transformative consumer and service research addresses consumer topics such as agency, marginalization, empowerment and voice. She employs traditional ethnographic methods alongside participatory research and outreach approaches, including art-based methods and ethnodrama. Her research has been published in leading journals, including the Journal of Marketing (forthcoming), Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and European Journal of Marketing.
Catharina von Koskull, D.Sc. (Econ.), is a Fulbright Scholar alumna and an Associate Professor at the School of Marketing and Communication, University of Vaasa, Finland. Her research background is rooted in service research, with a particular focus on service innovation. More recently, her work within transformative consumer and service research addresses consumer topics such as agency, marginalization, empowerment and voice. She employs traditional ethnographic methods alongside participatory research and outreach approaches, including art-based methods and ethnodrama. Her research has been published in leading journals, including the Journal of Marketing (forthcoming), Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and European Journal of Marketing.
Assoc. Professor Lena Wang
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Lena Wang is an Associate Professor in Management, and Co-Director of Centre for Organisations and Social Change at RMIT. Trained in organisational psychology, Lena’s research focuses on understanding and fostering positive individual attributes and behaviours at work; and advancing organisational diversity and inclusion. Lena has published on top-tier journals including Journal of Applied Psychology, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, among others. She is a current Associate Editor at the journal Applied Psychology: An International Review, while also sitting on the Editorial Board of the journal Human Relations. She is a past co-editor of an award-winning book series, Advances in Global Leadership, published by Emerald.
Lena has many years of consulting experience in areas including talent assessment and management, leadership training and development, and organisational capability development. She has attracted over $2 million external funding into universities, working with funding partners including National Mental Health Commission, Department of Defence, Queensland Mental Health Commission, Victoria's Department of Premier and Cabinet & Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, WorkSafe Victoria, BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers, among other.
Lena Wang is an Associate Professor in Management, and Co-Director of Centre for Organisations and Social Change at RMIT. Trained in organisational psychology, Lena’s research focuses on understanding and fostering positive individual attributes and behaviours at work; and advancing organisational diversity and inclusion. Lena has published on top-tier journals including Journal of Applied Psychology, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, among others. She is a current Associate Editor at the journal Applied Psychology: An International Review, while also sitting on the Editorial Board of the journal Human Relations. She is a past co-editor of an award-winning book series, Advances in Global Leadership, published by Emerald.
Lena has many years of consulting experience in areas including talent assessment and management, leadership training and development, and organisational capability development. She has attracted over $2 million external funding into universities, working with funding partners including National Mental Health Commission, Department of Defence, Queensland Mental Health Commission, Victoria's Department of Premier and Cabinet & Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, WorkSafe Victoria, BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers, among other.
Prof. Fabio Zambetta
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Prof. Fabio Zambetta is an internationally recognised research leader in AR/VR, games AI, and real-time simulation technologies, leading major cross-disciplinary projects with industry.
Fabio has designed world-class academic learning experiences and research collaborations with major partners like Microsoft, GitHub, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, and Village Roadshow. He is the Deputy Dean of Engagement in the School of Computing Technologies. Previously, he served as the Associate Dean of Artificial Intelligence (2021-2023), as Discipline Leader of Computer Science & Software Engineering in the School of Science (2019-2020) and as a Deputy Director of the Lawrence Wackett Aerospace and Defence Centre.
He holds a Master of Computer Science (Applied Mathematics) and a PhD in AI from the University of Bari (Italy).
Prof. Fabio Zambetta is an internationally recognised research leader in AR/VR, games AI, and real-time simulation technologies, leading major cross-disciplinary projects with industry.
Fabio has designed world-class academic learning experiences and research collaborations with major partners like Microsoft, GitHub, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, and Village Roadshow. He is the Deputy Dean of Engagement in the School of Computing Technologies. Previously, he served as the Associate Dean of Artificial Intelligence (2021-2023), as Discipline Leader of Computer Science & Software Engineering in the School of Science (2019-2020) and as a Deputy Director of the Lawrence Wackett Aerospace and Defence Centre.
He holds a Master of Computer Science (Applied Mathematics) and a PhD in AI from the University of Bari (Italy).
Prof. Angel Zhong
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Angel Zhong is an award winning finance academic who specialises in empirical asset pricing, digital finance, global financial markets, investor behaviour and the recent trends in retail investing. She is an editorial board member of three prestigious field journals. Her research has strong investment applications for industry professional and investors. Her work has attracted over $600,000 in external research funding. Angel remains engaged with external stakeholders while undertaking her academic responsibilities. Her research has frequently attracted significant mainstream media attention internationally. Her commitment to translating her research to improve the financial literacy and wellbeing of Australians has seen her recognised as the finalist of the Women in Finance Awards 2021 and 2023 in Australia, in the category of 'Thought leader of the Year.' She is also recognised as a Linkedin Top Voice.
Angel Zhong is an award winning finance academic who specialises in empirical asset pricing, digital finance, global financial markets, investor behaviour and the recent trends in retail investing. She is an editorial board member of three prestigious field journals. Her research has strong investment applications for industry professional and investors. Her work has attracted over $600,000 in external research funding. Angel remains engaged with external stakeholders while undertaking her academic responsibilities. Her research has frequently attracted significant mainstream media attention internationally. Her commitment to translating her research to improve the financial literacy and wellbeing of Australians has seen her recognised as the finalist of the Women in Finance Awards 2021 and 2023 in Australia, in the category of 'Thought leader of the Year.' She is also recognised as a Linkedin Top Voice.
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