Below are the ECEL Biographies of the Conference and Programme Chairs, Key Note Speakers and Mini-Track Chairs.
Conference and Programme Chairs
Dr. Md Saifuddin Khalid, is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) with expertise in digital learning technologies, user experience, and human-centered design. Leading the LearnT – Centre for Digital Learning Technology, Dr. Khalid teaches courses in digital learning and statistics, mentors Ph.D. students, and supervises projects in adaptive learning, e-learning, and innovation in education and workplace training technologies. His research spans diverse areas, including evaluating EdTech platforms, integrating generative AI, adaptive technologies, and enhancing usability in digital education and training. With extensive academic experience in Denmark and a commitment to bridging digital divides, Dr. Khalid actively contributes to interdisciplinary R&D projects, funded by Erasmus+, Novo Nordisk, and Innovation Fund Denmark. He has an established record of publications in educational technology and human-computer interaction, aiming to foster inclusive, impactful digital solutions for education and training.
Tobias Tretow-Fish, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at University College Absalon's School and Learning research group ’DigiLær’. His research focuses on leveraging AI technologies to enhance educational outcomes, particularly in the health and vocational sectors. In Danish nursing education, Tobias has extensively evaluated the implementation of adaptive learning platforms, developing methodologies to assess their impact on student learning and teacher integration. Currently, he is part of a national project exploring the potential of Generative AI in STEM education within vocational training. As an academic and researcher, Tobias is dedicated to using AI and learning analytics to transform educational practices, aiming to foster deeper engagement and personalized learning experiences.
Keynote Speakers
Professor Christian Stöhr leads the Digital Learning and Teaching research theme within the Department of Communication and Learning in Science at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. His work focuses on developing and evaluating evidence-based strategies to enhance learning in engineering education, with particular expertise in flipped and hybrid pedagogies, AI-assisted teaching and learning, online course design, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Professor Stöhr’s publications highlight the impact of digital technology on STEM learning, teacher development, and educational practices.
Iza Marfisi is a Full Professor at the LIUM lab, which hosts one of the largest research teams in France focused on Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL). Her primary research interests revolve around the development of authoring tools designed to assist educators in creating personalized educational environments. Specifically, she is dedicated to supporting teachers in the creation of custom Serious Games and using innovative Human-Computer Interaction technologies, such as Mixed Reality, Virtual Reality, and tangible objects, to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Her projects consistently involve pioneering educators who collaborate in the co-design and testing of these tools within real classroom settings. In her keynote talk, Professor Marfisi will discuss the critical importance of working directly with teachers to ensure the validity of research outcomes. She will also address the challenges that lie ahead in transforming today's educational practices based on research results.
Prof. Thomas Ryberg is Professor of PBL and digital learning and director of Institute for Advanced Study in PBL (IAS PBL). His primary research interests are within the fields of Networked Learning and Problem Based Learning (PBL). In particular, he is interested in Problem Based Learning, and how new media and technologies transform our ways of thinking about and designing for networked and hybrid Learning. He is co-chair of the International Networked Learning Conference and co-editor of the Springer book series ‘Research in Networked Learning’. He has participated in European and international research projects and networks (EQUEL, Kaledioscope, COMBLE, PlaceMe, EATrain2, ODEdu), and in development projects in Southeast Asia and Latin America (VISCA, VO@NET, ELAC). He was recently engaged in the PBL future project which developed new directions for PBL in a digital age.
Mini Track Chairs
Martha Cleveland-Innes is an Open, Digital, and Distance Education Professor at Athabasca University. She is Editor-in-Chief of the bilingual Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, and the co-author of open-source publications The Guide to Blended Learning (2018), Participant Experience in an Inquiry-Based Massive Open Online Course (2022), and Principles of Blended Learning (2024). The Design of Digital Learning Environments: Online and Blended Applications of the Community of Inquiry was recently co-edited by Dr. Cleveland-Innes (Taylor& Francis, 2024). As a principal investigator, Martha received funding from SSHRC’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund to study Wellness outcomes and education participation for sick children from marginalized populations (2024-2026). She is currently a Visiting Professor of Pedagogy at Mid-Sweden University (2018-present)
Marcia Håkansson Lindqvist holds a PhD in Education, in Learning and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). As an associate professor, her research interests involve teaching, learning, and leading with digital technologies, One to One (1:1), and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) as well as the practical implications of teaching and learning with technology in practice and school development. At present, she is a senior lecturer, distinguished for teaching excellence, and the Department Head at the Department of Education at Mid Sweden University, Campus Sundsvall. Her teaching responsibilities are found in the Swedish National Principal Training Programme, The Collaboration for Best School (SBS) and teacher education. Other projects involve Teacher Shortage, Work-integrated Learning and Reflection as a tool for learning.
Jimmy Jaldemark is a Professor at the Department of Education, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden. He has worked with the digitalisation of learning in Swedish higher education and working life for nearly 30 years, including administration, research, teaching, and assessment of educational settings. His current research interest concerns collaborative, lifelong, mobile, and networked aspects of learning. his interest is usually applied in higher education or professional development settings and embraces the impact of digitalisation (for example, AI) on society.
Peter Mozelius is an Associate Professor and Researcher, working at the Department of Education at the Mid Sweden University in Sundsvall, Sweden. His research interests are in the fields of Technology enhanced learning, Game-based learning, Lifelong learning, AI in education and Programming education. Peter teaches in programming courses that are given as professional development for STEM teachers, in courses on scientific writing and in courses on artificial intelligence.