Conference Speakers

arts studies conference

Past Speakers

The Role of Art in the 21st Century: A Reflection on Its Evolution and Contemporary Relevance.

Presentation Topic

With a multidisciplinary academic background, Dr. Donna L. Roberts holds a PhD in psychology and advanced degrees in business, aeronautical science, education, and human relations. Her scholarship spans the fields of psychology, art, education, and organizational behavior, with a particular focus on psychological resilience, addiction, and the intersection of art and the psyche.

Dr. Roberts has authored multiple academic books, including The Psychology of Resilience, Ethics in Aviation, and Foundations of Research Ethics, as well as numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. She is an internationally recognized conference presenter and has delivered research across Europe and the U.S., addressing topics ranging from the opioid epidemic to aesthetic psychology. She has received awards for teaching, course development, and academic writing.

Ms. CHo Hui Chin

Highlighted Speaker

Cho Hui Chin is a London-based artist holding a BA in Fine Art from the Slade School of
Fine Art, UCL (First Class Honours), and an MA in Painting from the Royal College of
Art. Her interdisciplinary practice spans fine art, philosophy, law, and copyright. She is a
recipient of the CASS Art Prize and the Ljubljana Art Prize, and has exhibited
internationally, including at the Venice Biennale and the Louvre.

Prof. Issei Wake

Highlighted Speaker

Issei Wake, Ph.D., is a professor at the School of International Studies, Wenzhou Business
College, China. He earned his Ph.D. in English literature from the State University of New York at
Buffalo. Specializing in Film Studies, Critical Theory, and Japanese-English literary and film
studies, his recent research focuses on memory studies, trauma, hauntology, and nostalgia. Dr.
Wake has received international recognition for his contributions to these fields and his
ongoing scholarly work.

Ms. Yitong Zheng

Highlighted Speaker

Yitong Zheng is a PhD candidate in Fashion at Massey University, New Zealand. Her research explores speculative fashion design in response to climate change, focusing on sustainable materials and adaptive garment systems. Her design work has been recognized through international exhibitions, publications, and design awards. Prior to her PhD, her experience teaching art and design in China enriched her cross-cultural perspective and continues to inform her interdisciplinary approach to contemporary fashion practice.

Creating in Liminal Time and Space

Presentation Topic

Timothy Carson teaches Liminal Studies in the Honors College of the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA. He is the author/editor of five books on liminality, curates www.theliminalityproject.org, and is the co-editor of www.liminalitypress.com. He was the keynote speaker at the 2022 Humanities Symposium of the University of Missouri, USA. He is a TEDX speaker and a certified EFT practitioner, addressing past and present trauma of many kinds.

Assoc. Prof. Kinga Anna Gajda

Past Speaker

Kinga Anna Gajda is an associate professor and lecturer at the Institute for European Studies in Jagiellonian University. She graduated in Theatre Studies and Gender Studies, holds a degree in Literature Studies and habilitation in Cultural Studies. Her research interests include issues related to memory, heritage, and intercultural competencies. She has also authored three books and more than 60 articles, and received the awards of the Rector of the Jagiellonian University and Dean of Faculty of International and Political Sciences. She coordinated a lot of research and educational projects. She has been a visiting scholar at multiple universities and cooperates with various NGOs and educational institutions.

Dr. Jacob Lang

Past Speaker

J. Lang holds training in depth-oriented psychotherapy and a research background in empirical aesthetics. He has an H.BSc in Mental Health Studies from the University of Toronto, an MA in Counselling Psychology from McGill University, and his PhD at Saint Paul University explores creativity and social change. His studies have found support from such agencies as the Government of Quebec (FRQS) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA BMS). J. Lang engages with questions related to meaning as an Accredited Coach (IACTM) and Dialogo Committee member. Lifelong involvement in the arts has led to studio recordings and film work.

Ms. Aybuke Dogan

Past Speaker

Aybuke Dogan graduated from the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema at Ankara University Faculty of Communication. In 2021, she started her master’s degree in the Department of Radio, Cinema, and Television at Hacettepe University. She served as a teaching assistant for the “Cultural Policies in Radio, Television, and Cinema” course at Hacettepe University in the fall semester of 2022. She is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in the Radio, Cinema, and Television department at Ankara University Faculty of Communication. Additionally, she works as a research assistant in the New Media and Communication department at Ankara Social Sciences University. Her research interests include creative industries, creative cities, the sociology of art and urban sociology, cultural policies, cultural heritage, the sociology of new media, and new media and cultural production.

Ms. Gao Jingtong

Past Speaker

Gao Jingtong is an undergraduate student majoring in digital media art at Beijing Film Academy. Her research interests include cultural studies, gender studies, digital media, etc. At 22, her works have received international recognition, including the gold medal at the Busan International Art Festival.

Dr. Agustín Linares Pedrero

Past Speaker

Agustín Linares Pedrero is a university professor and artist at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Málaga, with 15 years of experience in teaching interactive electronic art. His interests focus on creative research and the development of collaborative artistic projects. He has curated numerous exhibitions of international artists. He is a collector and expert in street art and electronic art, and has authored several papers on the intersection of art and transhumanism.

Pratibha Singh

Past Speaker

Pratibha Singh is an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts and a research scholar at Banasthali University in Rajasthan, India. With a strong commitment to advancing the field of fine arts, she engages in both teaching and research, contributing to the academic and creative development of her students and the broader artistic community.