Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Tampa My research interests lie in understanding how the universe begins and evolves through the most energetic astrophysical explosions: gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), supernovae, merging neutron stars and black holes. My main research utilizes GRBs detected by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a multi-wavelength space telescope dedicated to studying GRBs and the transient sky. GRBs are seen from within our neighborhood of galaxies to the early universe when the rst stars were expected to form (Fig. 1). I use GRBs to explore the history of the universe, and study how nature can form these energetic bursts from either the collapse of massive stars or merging of compact objects like neutron stars and black holes.
Director, Center for Public Interest Communications, University of Florida Ann Searight Christiano is the director of the Center for Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida, a newly established center that works with organizations around the world to apply social, behavioral and cognitive science to driving lasting social change. She is a clinical professor in the department of public relations. As the inaugural Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications, she developed a curriculum in the newly-emerging discipline of public interest communications, which uses the tools of public relations and journalism to create positive social change. Before joining the University of Florida, she directed communications for a portfolio of programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that create new opportunities for better health by investing in health where it starts and grows--in our homes, schools and jobs. She also developed a robust government relations program that helped Foundation grantees build productive relationships with their elected officials. Searight Christiano's writing has appeared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Quartz and the Journal of Public Interest Communications.
Director of Partner Strategies - Center for Public Interest Communications, University of Florida Aaron’s background has centered on building the communication capacity of organizations and foundations working on issues ranging from public interest technology, prison abolition and public health. He has helped build social media and media relations strategy, facilitated trainings and coachings on storytelling and strategic
Professeure agrégée, Section de droit civil, Faculté de droit, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa Audrey Ferron Parayre is Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, and a member of the University of Ottawa Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics. She is also co-director of the Observatoire pluridisciplinaire sur le devenir du droit privé. Her research and teaching interests focus on the law of persons, health law, legal effectiveness and knowledge transfer. Her current projects focus on law and women's reproductive health, in particular obstetric and gynecological violence and how the law can be mobilized to prevent it.
Senior Lecturer in Music, School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the Sunshine Coast Dr Andy Ward is a researcher focusing on songwriting, music theory, sustainability, and popular culture. Andy brings his years of industry practice to academia previously working as a songwriter, producer and performing artist. Today he continues to work with major record labels and music publishers on developing songs and artists from around the world. His research is focused on deweaponising music, narratology based music inquiry, performance technology, music industry research, regional and remote music, sustainability in creative economies, and songwriting-as-research methodologies.
PhD Candidate, Department of Geography, King's College London Aidan is a final year PhD candidate based at King's College London and the Natural History Museum London, funded by the London NERC DTP. His project utilises open-access remote sensing and climate products to investigate hydrological changes across the East African Rift System, their environmental drivers, and the impacts of changes on water quality and biodiversity.
