Yehudith Weinberger – Educational Leadership – Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yehudith Weinberger - Educational Leadership - Best Researcher Award

David Yellin Academic College, Jerusalem - Israel

Author Profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Yehudith Weinberger's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University in 1985. Her interest in science education led her to pursue further studies, culminating in a Master of Arts in Science Education from the Faculty of Humanities at Tel Aviv University, which she completed with distinction (Cum Laude) in 1992. Driven by a passion for advancing educational practices, she then earned her Ph.D. in Science Education from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1999.

Professional Endeavors

Throughout her career, Prof. Weinberger has held various teaching and administrative positions in institutes of higher education. She started her academic journey as a lecturer in the Science Education Department at Kibbutzim College of Education (KCE) and progressed to become a senior lecturer and eventually an associate professor. She also served in numerous administrative roles, including head of the School of Education and Dean of the Faculty of Education at KCE. Notably, she currently holds the position of College President's Consultant and Lecturer at David Yellin Academic College in Education, showcasing her continued dedication to shaping educational policies and practices.

Contributions and Research Focus On Educational Leadership

Prof. Weinberger's research and scholarly activities have spanned various domains within science education. Her involvement in projects such as the "Thinking in Science" project at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and her coordination of the LAMNDA program at Tel Aviv University exemplify her commitment to advancing pedagogical practices and teacher education. Her research interests include the development of higher-order thinking skills, the integration of portfolios in teacher education, and the promotion of empathy in educational settings.

Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Weinberger's contributions to the field of education have garnered recognition both nationally and internationally. Her active participation in academic committees for the Ministry of Education and the Council of Higher Education reflects her influence in shaping educational policies at a systemic level. Additionally, her roles as an ad-hoc reviewer for numerous scientific journals and as an associate editor for reputable journals underscore her expertise and standing within the academic community.

The Educational Leadership Award celebrates individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the field of education, with a focus on excellence in education, leadership in learning, educational innovation, and inspiring educational leadership.

Impact and Influence

Prof. Weinberger's impact extends beyond academia, as evidenced by her involvement in steering committees for curriculum development and her consultation for the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology in Israel. Her research outputs, including publications in esteemed journals and presentations at conferences worldwide, have contributed significantly to advancing knowledge in science education and pedagogy.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Yehudith Weinberger's legacy lies in her multifaceted contributions to science education, pedagogical research, and academic administration. Her dedication to improving teaching practices and fostering critical thinking skills among educators and students alike has left a lasting impact on the field. As she continues to engage in scholarly activities and mentor the next generation of educators, her influence is poised to endure, shaping the landscape of education for years to come.

Notable Publication

Francesco Scala – Active Learning – International Data Evolution Achievement Award 

Dr. Francesco Scala - Active Learning - International Data Evolution Achievement Award 

Unical University  - Italy

Author Profile 

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr Francesco Scala, born on September 14, 1991, in Cirò, Italy, embarked on his academic journey with a strong foundation in engineering. He obtained his Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Informatica (Master's in Computer Engineering) from the University of Calabria in April 2018, showcasing proficiency in various fields, including agent-based programming, video game development, artificial intelligence, and embedded systems.

His academic journey continued with a Ph.D. in Information and Communication Technologies at the same institution, focusing on machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), with a particular emphasis on active learning. Francesco's research during his Ph.D. involved developing models and algorithms to optimize office processes, demonstrating his commitment to practical applications of his academic pursuits.

Professional Endeavors

Dr Francesco's professional career is marked by a diverse range of experiences, spanning academia and industry. Notably, he served as a Borsista di Ricerca (Research Fellow) at the University of Calabria, actively contributing to a startup-focused research project aimed at modeling and optimizing office processes.

His roles as a Ph.D. student, Professor, and Assegnista di Ricerca (Research Fellow) showcased his versatility. Francesco's contributions extended to the European energy market, where he played a key role in developing predictive models for electricity markets. His work included forecasting prices, consumption, and market coupling flow based on meticulous research.

In the corporate sector, Francesco demonstrated his skills as a Mobile App Developer and Web Platform Designer, contributing to projects involving Unity, iOS development, and web application creation. His involvement with various technologies and frameworks underscores his proficiency in the software development landscape.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr Francesco's academic contributions extend beyond his roles. His research papers, conference papers, and articles have been featured in renowned publications and conferences, showcasing his expertise in areas like probabilistic argumentation frameworks, active learning, and forecasting energy production with uncertainty quantification.

His research focus also extends to the development of machine learning tools and frameworks, including Keras, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn. His deep understanding of these tools is complemented by his practical experience in implementing algorithms, as evidenced by his work on the ABOD algorithm in C and Assembly.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr Francesco's academic and professional achievements are reflected in accolades such as an H-index of 2 in Scopus and an ORCID iD (0009-0007-5224-0910). These metrics underscore the impact of his research and scholarly contributions.

Impact and Influence

Dr Francesco's influence is not limited to academia. His development of various mobile apps, web platforms, and video games has left a mark on the industry. The SmartGlasses project, iOS apps, and participation in Global Game Jams showcase his innovative approach to technology.

Legacy and Future Contributions

As of February 2024, Francesco Scala continues to make strides in academia and industry. His legacy includes a wealth of knowledge in machine learning, active learning, and software development. Looking ahead, Francesco is poised to contribute further to these fields, potentially leaving a lasting impact on the intersection of technology and human experiences.

In conclusion, Francesco Scala's journey from early academic pursuits to his current professional endeavors reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the practical application of cutting-edge technologies. His impact on the fields of machine learning, active learning, and software development is evident in his extensive body of work and contributions to both academia and industry.

Notable  Publications