High-level co-creation lab on digitally-enabled approaches to sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics

Mar Capeáns Garrido is a particle physicist and senior staff member at CERN. She holds a Doctor in Physics, specialised in particle detectors R&D and construction for accelerators and an MBA in Management of Technology.

Dr. Markus Nordberg, Head of Resources Development at CERN, Switzerland, coordinates innovation projects at IdeaSquare and the ATTRACT initiative. He previously spent 12 years as the Resources Coordinator for the ATLAS project at CERN and has a background in both Physics and Business Administration.

Ruth Reichstein, born in Munich, is a journalist with international experience, including Canada and Guatemala. Currently, at the European Parliament's Greens/EFA group, she serves as Head of Communication and Strategy, actively shaping communication strategy.

Dr.ir. Frank van der Hoeven is TU Delft's Director of Research for the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment. His responsibilities include research portfolio development, open access publishing policy, and promoting the built environment in the creative industry. He specializes in topics like urban underground space, sustainable mobility, high-rise urban development, and climate change. He also serves on the boards of the Royal Netherlands Archaeological Society KNOB and the Dutch Tall Building Council.

CEO & founder of Trust-IT Services, a company specializing in global ICT marketing and research. Her focus is on high-level strategies in digital communications, innovation, and user-centric approaches. Their work spans Open Science, Digital Infrastructures, and ICT Standards, blending their UK and Italian heritage in Tuscany at Trust-IT.

Michela Magas, an innovation advisor to the European Commission and G7 leaders, has a rich history of bridging science, art, design, and technology. She's recognized as the European Woman Innovator of the Year and has received multiple awards for creative innovation.

Ruth Schagemann, an architect with a background in architecture from the University of Braunschweig and the University of Stuttgart in Germany. In 2006, she co-founded VICEVERSA Architektur + Medien. Ruth served on the executive board of the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE) from 2016 to 2021, played a key role in various architectural organizations, and is currently the President of ACE. She holds a diploma in architecture from the University of Stuttgart (2004) and has been a member of the Chamber of Architects of Baden-Württemberg since 2008. 

Dr. Matti Kuittinen, a professor at Aalto University's Department of Architecture, specializes in resource-efficient construction and climate change mitigation through interdisciplinary collaboration. He's a Senior Specialist at the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, shaping policies for low carbon construction and the circular economy. As an architect, he designs carbon-efficient buildings and contributes to humanitarian construction.

Helena Bjarnegård, Sweden's national architect, leads national architecture efforts to shape well-designed, sustainable towns and cities, aligning with the government's vision. She chairs the Council for Sustainable Cities, uniting authorities for design and environmental sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Oya Atalay Franck, an architect and academician, is the Dean and Professor of Architecture at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland. Her expertise spans architectural history, design, and urban planning. She contributes as an expert to several scientific organizations, focusing on design research methods, artistic research, and higher education policies.

Mia Roth-Čerina, an associate professor and Croatian architect, specializes in educational buildings, public spaces, and architectural education. She actively promotes architectural education and enhances spatial culture. As a mentor and teacher, she has significantly contributed to architectural education and guided numerous successful diploma theses and student workshops.

José Pedro Sousa, an architect with a PhD, is a professor at FAUP, focusing on geometry and digital technologies. He established and leads DFL, a research group exploring the influence of technologies like computational design, digital fabrication, and robotics on architectural design. His research includes projects with industry leaders like Amorim and Mota Engil, and he has taught at various institutions, including FCTUC, ESARQ-UIC, and IAAC.

Markus Reymann co-founded TBA21–Academy, directing efforts to address urgent ecological, social, and economic issues in the world's oceans. His leadership has resulted in the creation of new knowledge, commissions, and policies that advance ocean conservation.

Brittney Nicole Arthur Cabrera is co-Founder of Fluke Stockholm.

Dr. Dirk Ahlers, a senior researcher with the NTNU Smart Sustainable Cities group, manages key projects like +CityxChange, CrAFt, NEB-STAR, and Re-Value. These initiatives focus on building Positive Energy Districts, driving urban digitalization, and advancing climate action. With a computer science and geospatial analysis background, he bridges interdisciplinary contributions for smarter cities and climate solutions.

Heather Bergsland is the Project Leader of the New European Bauhaus Stavanger Lighthouse project.

Amanda Brandellero is Associate professor at the Department of Arts and Culture Studies of the University of Rotterdam.

Martin Luce, Director at TUM School of Engineering and Design, shapes Infrastructure & Communications and Department Development. His extensive journey from architecture studies in multiple countries to editor roles and research showcases his commitment to Architecture Leadership and Organization Design. An extraordinary member of the Association of German Architects, Martin brings rich expertise to his role.

With a versatile career spanning EU relations, policy, research in education, and fundraising, Aase Højlund Nielsen has excelled in the fields of design, tourism, and culture. Her substantial experience includes presenting at the European Commission and spearheading development in the Danish design industry.

Carlo Battisti holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the Politecnico of Milan, about twenty years of experience in construction companies, with different roles: technical department, sales manager, project management and technical director. Working for construction companies I have understood the importance of project management.

Jan Åman, a multi-talented entrepreneur, curator, writer, and activist, bridges the worlds of urban development, food, art, and societal progress. With a robust background in teaching and innovation, he turns concepts into real-world solutions and scalable models. His distinctive network in art, architecture, design, and food empowers citizen-driven initiatives and fosters democratic processes.

Florence Kuijl is a Communication Manager at InnovaWood, an umbrella organisation that integrates four European networks in the Forest, Wood-based and Furniture industries into a more effective mechanism to support innovation in these sectors. InnovaWood has 60+ member organisations in 28 European countries, including Research and Technology organisations (RTO), higher education and VET institutions which are all related to the forest-based sector.

Anna Sandak is the research group leader in Wood Modification at the InnoRenew CoE. She is associate professor and research associate at the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Science and Information Technology at University of Primorska. She was previously employed at Trees and Timber Institute of Italian National Research Council, where she coordinated the Laboratory of Surface Characterization.

Jurgen de Jonghe is project and line manager at CERN.

Sandra Vengadasalam, heading Max Planck Digital Library's Digital Labs, focuses on delivering cutting-edge technologies to support the research community across 84 Max Planck Institutes. Blockchain and its academic applications are her team's prime areas of interest. Additionally, she co-founded the Max Planck Open Access Ambassadors initiative.

René Ranger, a seasoned IT Project Manager, specializes in transforming local applications into global assets. Leading a diverse team in Supply Chain & Trade Finance, he manages both small and global strategic applications, with a keen interest in blockchain technology since 2015, actively contributing to UniCredit's blockchain efforts.

Tom Minderhoud, an Associate Director and Senior Architect at UNStudio, boasts a distinguished track record and leadership in major projects, including undisclosed international airports and 5-star hotels. He contributes to projects like Digi NEB Advisory Board and Horizon Research initiatives in energy retrofitting and wood-based construction. His expertise spans mixed-use architecture, mobility developments, and architectural branding strategies, supported by numerous conference lectures and prior involvement in European research projects.

Andreas Rudenå Conducts applied research on decentralised systems for the future data economy. Work on how to track intellectual property in data products and collaborate with leading companies, researchers and institutes on digital twin interoperability issues. Exploring the full potential of data spaces in the manufacturing industry and how to create trustworthy collaboration between actors in value supply chains with data sovereignty in mind.

Anke Schlünsen-Rico, with a Master's degree in Romance Studies, joined GERICS in 2019. Her work revolves around conveying socially relevant topics through art and language. As a freelance cultural manager, she curated exhibitions on urban issues and deforestation, exhibited in international venues including the European Parliament. With a background in advertising, she offers a unique blend of art and communication expertise.

Experienced project manager and consultant with a focus on public-private enterprises, mobility, and innovation. Adept in project management, information society, European projects, and bridging the digital gap. Brings expertise in mobility, business intelligence, and innovative solutions for both public and private sectors.

Natalie Samovich expertly manages energy innovation and digitalization projects, fostering ventures and collaboration. As Chair of WG1 on Grids at ETIP-SNET and a board member of AIOTI.eu, she actively contributes to energy and IoT domains. Her primary focus is advancing renewable energy systems, sector integration, and new energy service models.

Gert de Tant  is a seasoned Enterprise Architect with a strong focus on complex ecosystems like smart cities. I help design the architecture of different smart cities like Antwerp and Ghent. His expertise are creating IT roadmaps, tacking complex integration problems and creating solutions that help companies innovate.

Professor Dan Hill is a dynamic leader at the nexus of design, technology, and cities. With a wealth of experience across various sectors, he's been at the forefront of innovative, influential projects and teams. His holistic approach spans multidisciplinary research, design, and a keen understanding of everyday technologies and social infrastructures.

Jan develops strategic relationships for Squint/Opera. An expert at identifying trends in technology that will shape the future of the built environment,Jan has nurtured valuable client relationships within this space since joining Squint in 2012. Before joining, Jan worked in urban design and is passionate about finding solutions for the decarbonisation of the planet.

Tuuli Utriainen is keen to deeply understand the human experience. She's worked in the borderline of various fields and facilitated over 60 global teams engaged in human-centered product development. Tuuli is currently working at CERN, where together with her team she's established the IdeaSquare unit. Its purpose is to connect the technological know-how and radical thinking of CERN to solve some of the human kind’s biggest issues.