Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Grazia Ragone | Human-Computer Interaction | Best Researcher Award

🔬 Grazia Ragone is a researcher in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on autism and interactive systems. 🏫 She earned her PhD from the University of Sussex, UK, where she investigated social motor synchrony in autistic children through motion capture and sonification. 🎼 With a background in psychology, developmental science, and music therapy, she integrates interdisciplinary methods into assistive technology. 💻 She has extensive teaching experience in research methods, cognitive science, and HCI at the University of Sussex. 🏆 Her research has been recognized with multiple international awards, including Microsoft Research’s Best Student Research Competition. 🌍 She actively contributes as a reviewer and associate chair for HCI conferences and journals. 📖 Her work bridges psychology, technology, and education, aiming to enhance accessibility and interaction for neurodiverse individuals.

Profile

Education 🎓

She completed her PhD in 2023 at the University of Sussex, UK, where her research focused on autism, motion capture, and social motor synchrony. Prior to this, she earned an MSc in Psychological Methods from the University of Sussex in 2018, with a focus on autism and interactional features. She also holds an MPhil in Developmental Psychology from London Metropolitan University (2015), specializing in child development and interaction. In 2014, she completed her BSc in Developmental Psychology at London Metropolitan University, studying early cognitive and social development. She further enriched her expertise with a Master’s in Music & Art Therapy from Tor Vergata University in Rome (2006), where she focused on therapeutic interventions for individuals with special needs. Her academic journey began with a BA in Humanities from the University of Pavia, Italy (2004), where she studied philosophy, linguistics, and cultural studies.

Experience 👨‍🏫

From 2019 to 2023, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Sussex, UK, where she taught Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), research methods, and professional skills. Prior to this, she served as a Research Assistant at the University of Sussex (2016-2018), focusing on technology designed for neurodiverse children. From 2014 to 2016, she conducted research on autism and interactive environments at London Metropolitan University. Earlier in her career, she was a Research Assistant at CNR-ISTI Pisa, Italy (2008-2014), where she contributed to the development of assistive software for autistic children. Her experience also includes working as a Music Therapist for the Rome City Council (2005-2010), providing therapeutic interventions for autistic children. Additionally, from 2010 to 2019, she worked as a Trainer and Consultant, conducting workshops and training programs for professionals in the field of autism.

Research Interests 🔬

Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and autism, developing interactive systems to support neurodiverse individuals. She explores the role of music and sonification in enhancing motor and social skills through auditory feedback. Her work also includes investigating social motor synchrony using motion capture technology. She designs AI-powered assistive technology to support autistic children and applies user-centered design principles to create accessible interfaces for individuals with special needs.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

She has received several prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to autism research and assistive technology. In 2021, she was awarded the Best Student Research Award by Microsoft Research at the ASSETS Conference. Her work was also recognized with the Best Work in Progress Award at the IDC Conference on autism research in 2020. In 2013, she received the Horizon Research Award from London Metropolitan University for outstanding research. Her contributions to autism research earned her a Massachusetts Senate Citation in 2012, and in 2011, she was honored with the Rotary Club Research Award from CNR Pisa for excellence in autism studies.

Publications 📚

  •  Supporting and understanding autistic children’s non-verbal interactions through OSMoSIS, a motion-based sonic system
    International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction
    2025-02 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcci.2025.100726
    CONTRIBUTORS: Grazia Ragone; Judith Good; Kate Howland

  • Child-Centered AI for Empowering Creative and Inclusive Learning Experiences

    Proceedings of ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference: Inclusive Happiness, IDC 2024
    2024 | Conference paper
    DOI: 10.1145/3628516.3661157

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85197894406

    Part ofISBN: 9798400704420
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Ali, S.A.; Esposito, A.; Good, J.; Howland, K.; Presicce, C.

  • Designing Safe and Engaging AI Experiences for Children: Towards the Definition of Best Practices in UI/UX Design

    arXiv
    2024 | Other
    DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2404.14218

    EID:

    2-s2.0-85192517180

    Part of ISSN: 23318422
    CONTRIBUTORS: Ragone, G.; Buono, P.; Lanzilotti,

Meredith Storey | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Meredith Storey | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

📌 Meredith Storey, Ph.D. is a Senior Manager at the UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), dedicated to advancing business education for sustainable development. 🌱 She has extensive experience in pedagogy, curriculum development, and lifelong learning, integrating play-based learning strategies into management education. 🎓 Before joining PRME, she contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and held academic roles at the University of Limerick. 📚 Her work has been influential in shaping responsible management education (RME), emphasizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 🌍 As a researcher, she has led interdisciplinary projects and collaborated with global institutions to drive innovation in education. ✨ Meredith actively contributes to policy discussions, global education initiatives, and industry collaborations, ensuring the next generation of business leaders is well-equipped for ethical and sustainable leadership. 🚀

Profile

Education 🎓

🎓 Ph.D. in Responsible Management Education & Sustainability – Focus on integrating SDGs into business curricula and experiential learning models. 🌍 M.A. in Educational Leadership – Specialized in pedagogical innovations and lifelong learning. 🏛️ B.A. in Business & Management – Studied at renowned institutions with a focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethical leadership. 📚 Meredith’s education blends business, education, and sustainability, enabling her to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications. 🏆 She has received global recognition for her scholarly contributions, shaping the field of responsible management education. 🔬 With training from institutions like Harvard Graduate School of Education, she remains at the forefront of education policy, curriculum development, and international collaboration in sustainability education. 🌱

Experience 👨‍🏫

💼 Senior Manager, PRME, UN Global Compact – Leading business education for sustainability initiatives. 🌍 Formerly at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, spearheading research on SDGs integration in education. 🎓 University of Limerick (Kemmy Business School) – Developed curricula on responsible leadership. 📚 Key projects: LEGO Learning Through Play in Business Education, oikos LEAP Programme, Business Education for Sustainable Development. 🔍 Consultancy Experience: Worked with The LEGO Foundation, Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), Sulitest, and PRME Chapters worldwide. 🌱 Active in global forums, industry projects, and research collaborations, Meredith influences policy, curriculum innovation, and business education reform. 🏆 Her expertise spans pedagogical development, corporate sustainability, interdisciplinary learning, and digital education strategies. 🚀

Research Interests 🔬

🔍 Responsible Management Education (RME) & Curriculum Development – Innovating pedagogical models for sustainable business leadership. 🌱 Integration of SDGs in Higher Education – Designing curricula that foster ethical decision-making and corporate responsibility. 📚 Experiential Learning & Play-Based Pedagogy – Leveraging LEGO Learning Through Play in business education. 🌍 International Collaboration in Sustainability Education – Engaging with global institutions to shape educational policies. 💻 Digital Learning & Online Pedagogies – Exploring AI-driven education models for global business training. 🌟 Community Building & Stakeholder Engagement – Creating networks of educators, policymakers, and industry leaders. 🚀

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

🏆 PRME Leadership Excellence Award – Recognized for advancing sustainability in business education. 🌱 Global Responsible Management Education Innovator Award – Honored for pioneering curriculum strategies integrating SDGs. 📚 Best Research Paper Award (International Journal of Management Education) – Acknowledged for groundbreaking work on transformative pedagogy. 🎖️ LEGO Foundation Learning Through Play Recognition – Applauded for creative pedagogical approaches in management education. 🌍 Higher Education Sustainability Impact Award – Celebrated for influencing education policies worldwide. 🚀 Invited Speaker at Global Sustainability Summits – Shared insights on digital learning, ethics, and sustainability education.

Publications 📚

Emmanuel Kaboja Magna | Cognitive | Cognitive Rehabilitation Impact

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Dr. Emmanuel Kaboja Magna | Cognitive | Cognitive Rehabilitation Impact

CSIR-Water Research Institute, Ghana

Dr. Emmanuel Kaboja Magna is a Research Scientist at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (Oceanography and Fisheries) from the University of Ghana in 2007, followed by a Master’s degree in Health Informatics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, in 2014. He completed his PhD in Environmental Science in 2020 at the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana. His doctoral research focused on the ecological and human health implications of contaminants linked to cage aquaculture on the Volta Basin of Ghana. He investigated the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and heavy metals in water, sediment, and cage tilapia, highlighting the ecological risks and pollution status of sediment, as well as the health risks of consuming such fish. Dr. Magna has also conducted research on solid waste, the impact of climatic variables on crop yield, malaria distribution, and a review of Ghana’s mental health policy. His research has resulted in thirteen publications in reputable international journals. Apart from his work at WRI, he has participated in various research activities focusing on pesticides, antibiotics, PBDEs, and PAHs in different environmental matrices, wastewater quality treatment, and reuse. He is known for his innovation, intellectual acumen, and high research curiosity. Dr. Magna has jointly supervised undergraduate students at several Ghanaian universities and serves as a reviewer for the international journal Food Chemistry Advances. He also has about eight years of teaching experience at the senior high school level.

 

Profile

Education

Dr. Emmanuel Kaboja Magna holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Ghana, which he completed between 2016 and 2020. His doctoral thesis focused on the ecological and human health implications of contaminants linked to cage aquaculture in the Volta Basin of Ghana. He earned a Master’s degree in Health Informatics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2014, with his thesis exploring the implementation of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems at Tema General Hospital, addressing the potential benefits and challenges. Dr. Magna obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Oceanography and Fisheries from the University of Ghana in 2007, where he completed his dissertation on the application of GIS to coastal tourism in Ghana. He also completed his SSSCE in General Science at St. Mary’s Seminary Secondary School in 2001. In addition to his academic qualifications, Dr. Magna has earned several professional certificates, including a certificate in System Thinking for Sustainable Development in Ghana from the Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), University of Ghana, and North Carolina State, in June 2017. He also completed training on pesticide, PAH, PCB, and antibiotic analysis using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS at the Ghana Standard Authority in Accra from December 2017 to April 2018.

MERITORIOUS AWARDS

Dr. Emmanuel Kaboja Magna has received several meritorious awards and recognitions for his academic and professional achievements. In 2000, he was awarded the Distinguished Award for being the 3rd Year Best Mathematics Student at St. Mary’s Seminary Secondary School in Lolobi, Ghana. He has also been actively involved in outreach and community service. In 2023, he earned a Certificate of Excellence as the 1st Runner-up for a poster presentation at the FDA Scientific Forum, where he presented on the risk assessment of antibiotics in cultured Nile tilapia at Tema Roundabout. Additionally, he served as a panel discussant at the 2023 National Fish Festival on promoting safe fish consumption, as well as at the 2023 National Budget Dialogue on Agro-Based Policy Interventions focusing on Fisheries and Aquaculture. Dr. Magna has contributed to the review of manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals such as Food Chemistry Advances, Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, and Heliyon. His co-supervision of student dissertations includes work on the physicochemical and heavy metals analysis of the Birim River impacted by illegal small-scale mining, completed by Cecelia Asimah at the University for Development Studies in 2023.

Research Project

Dr. Emmanuel Kaboja Magna is currently involved in several research projects, including assessing the impact of environmental change on freshwater species in River Oti, studying algal dynamics in freshwater ecosystems in the Saboba districts, and conducting a comparative analysis of the nutritional composition of different fish species cultured in Ghana, all under the CSIR-WRI, Ghana. His coursework and research modules cover a wide range of topics, including coastal ecology, freshwater ecology, aquatic biology, aquaculture, biodiversity and conservation, fish stock assessment, coastal hydrology, marine biogeochemistry, environmental management, and coastal management, with a particular focus on community aspects. He has also studied advanced quantitative research methods, emerging environmental issues for the 21st century, coastal ecosystems of West Africa, and the applications of remote sensing and GIS to fisheries and marine science. Dr. Magna is affiliated with the Ghana Chemical Society (GCS) since 2017 and was a member of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) from 2009 to 2016. He holds leadership positions as the Deputy Secretary of the CSIR-Research Staff Association of Ghana since November 2023 and was the President of the St. Mary’s Old Boys Association (UG Charter) from September 2006 to May 2007.

Publications