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An architect and researcher of emergent materials and sustainable building technologies, Blaine Brownell, FAIA is a Professor and Director of the David R. Ravin School of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A former Fulbright scholar to Japan, he has authored nine books on advanced and sustainable materials for architecture and design, including Matter in the Floating World,ÌýMaterial Strategies,Ìýand the four-volume Transmaterial series. He writes the Mind & Matter column for Architect magazine, and his work has been published in over 70 architecture,Ìýdesign, science, and news journals, including The New York Times,ÌýThe London Times,ÌýThe Wall Street Journal, and Nature. His most recent book,ÌýThe Pandemic Effect, addresses the inoculation of the built environment.

Stephanie Z. Pilat, an accomplished academic leader and scholar, focuses her research and teaching on design pedagogy, creativity, and twentieth-century architecture and urbanism history. With a professional degree in architecture from the ÃÀ¸ß÷¹ÙÍø and advanced degrees from the University of Michigan, Pilat has received prestigious awards and fellowships for her work, including being recognized among the "30 most admired educators" by DesignIntelligence magazine. During her tenure as Director of the University of Oklahoma (OU) Division of Architecture from 2016 to 2024, Pilat oversaw significant growth and innovation, doubling student enrollment and faculty size. She led the development of a Strategic Plan and inclusive teaching practices, resulting in successful reaccreditation and the implementation of programs supporting faculty research.

Pilat's impactful scholarship on the American School of Architecture has led to influential exhibitions and publications, notably the exhibition "Outré West: The American School of Architecture from Oklahoma to California," which gained national acclaim. Her collaborative efforts have resulted in award-winning publications like "Reconstructing Italy" and "The Routledge Companion Guide to Fascist Italian Architecture and Urbanism," showcasing her commitment to fostering collaborative scholarship environments that drive collective achievements in research and pedagogy.

Carla Jackson Bell, Ph.D., M.F.A., B.A.,Ìýis a distinguished intellectual and administrative leader with a 30-year career focused on academic excellence, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation in the curriculum. She is dedicated to creating inclusive and forward-thinking academic environments, showcasing a proven record of strategic leadership in advancing teaching, interdisciplinary research, and enriching scholarship in architecture pedagogy. Dr. Bell significantly impacted architectural education and practice during her time as Dean of the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science and Management (TSACS) from 2016 to 2023. Her leadership led to the introduction of new academic programs, minors, and interdisciplinary courses that enhanced student learning outcomes and academic growth. Notably, she secured eight-year accreditations for both the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).

Beyond her deanship,ÌýDr. Bell served as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Tuskegee University during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In this role, she oversaw academic colleges, research centers, and faculty affairs, managing faculty and staff while spearheading academic policy development and strategic planning. Dr. Bell's transformative initiatives at Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design, and Construction (CADC) from 2006 to 2015 significantly enhanced student success and national recognition. Her research and publications, including the seminal book Space Unveiled: Invisible Cultures in the Design Studio, have reshaped architectural education by promoting inclusive pedagogies and culturally relevant teaching practices. Dr. Bell's commitment to equity and excellence is evident through her extensive involvement in various organizations and her pursuit of an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration, expected to be completed in Fall 2028.

Wei Wang is a Professor of Graphic Design and the Head of the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) in the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction (CADC) at Auburn University. With a diverse educational background in architecture, industrial design, graphic design, and consumer and design sciences, he has been teaching and practicing visual communication design for over 26 years. Selected clients include Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, Bank of Tennessee, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Neptune Technology Group, and DesignAlabama.

Wang’s research interests encompass brand strategy and management, human-centered design, UI/UX design, data visualization, experimental behavioral research, and design collaboration and innovation. Throughout his career, he has received numerous national and international design awards, including Addy Awards, Creative Quarterly Awards, Horizon International Interactive Design Awards, Summit International Creative Awards, ÃÀ¸ß÷¹ÙÍøDA Design Awards, AIGA Design Awards, One Show Awards, and Interactive Media Awards.

From 2021 to 2023, Wang served as the Director of the Ullman School of Design in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) at the ÃÀ¸ß÷¹ÙÍø.

Wang holds a deep belief that all things are interconnected and that there is a rational explanation behind all phenomena. Driven by curiosity, he seeks to uncover these connections and foster positive change through influence, innovation, and intervention.