The Minds Shaping Our Community
At the heart of Blackbody Institute is our faculty: a dedicated and diverse group of scholars, practitioners, innovators, and mentors. Recruited from across Europe and beyond, they bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to our classrooms, studios, and laboratories. They are united not by a single methodology, but by a shared passion for their disciplines and a profound commitment to nurturing the next generation of thinkers and leaders. While their accolades are many, they are valued here for their ability to inspire, to challenge, and to guide our students on their intellectual journeys.
Computational Engineering & Intelligent Systems
Dr. Albinas Novak Head of Discipline, Professor of Applied AI
Professor Novak joined Blackbridge after a distinguished tenure at the Czech Technical University in Prague and a period as a visiting researcher in Japan. His work is driven by a fascination with how complex systems, both natural and artificial, learn and adapt. He leads the institute’s ‘Cognito’ AI Lab, where his research focuses on reinforcement learning and its application in autonomous robotics. While deeply technical, Professor Novak’s approach is surprisingly philosophical, often pushing his students to consider the long-term societal implications of their creations. He believes the best engineers are not just problem solvers, but also thoughtful ethicists.
Academic Background: PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Charles University, Prague MEng in Cybernetics and Robotics, Czech Technical University
Recent Publications:
- Novak, A. (2024). Adaptive Frameworks: Reinforcement Learning in Non-Stationary Environments. Oslo University Press. ISBN 978-82-536-4781-9.
- Novak, A., & Jensen, K. (2023). “Navigational Logic in Swarm Robotics: A Bio-Inspired Approach.” Journal of Intelligent Systems, 45(2), pp. 210-228. DOI: 10.1080/0952813X.2023.1845721.
Dr. Sofia Costa Senior Lecturer in Human-Computer Interaction
Dr. Costa brings a human-centric perspective to our technology discipline. Her background is a unique blend of cognitive psychology and computer science, cultivated at the University of Lisbon. Her research explores the design of intuitive and ethical user interfaces, with a particular focus on accessibility for users with disabilities. Dr. Costa is a passionate advocate for ’empathetic design’ and runs workshops where students work directly with community groups to co-create technology that solves real-world problems. She often reminds her students that behind every data point and every line of code is a human being.
Academic Background: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, University of Porto MSc in Cognitive Science, University of Lisbon
Recent Publications:
- Costa, S. (2023). “Beyond the Click: Designing for Cognitive Accessibility in Digital Interfaces.” ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing, 16(4), Article 21. DOI: 10.1145/3498532.
- Muller, L., & Costa, S. (2022). The Invisible Interface: A Guide to Principles of Empathetic UX Design. Brygge Academic. ISBN 978-82-661-0014-5.
Global Political Economy & Governance
Professor Eva Kallas Professor of International Governance and Security
Formerly a policy advisor with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor Kallas possesses a sharp, pragmatic understanding of international relations. Her academic work, which began at the University of Tartu, focuses on the security challenges of small states, hybrid warfare, and the role of international institutions like NATO and the EU in a multipolar world. In her seminars, Professor Kallas is known for her challenging real-world simulations, forcing students to navigate complex diplomatic crises. She believes theory is essential, but it is ultimately useless if it cannot withstand the friction of reality.
Academic Background: PhD in International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science MA in Political Science, University of Tartu
Recent Publications:
- Kallas, E. (2023). The Porous Shield: Digital Sovereignty and Hybrid Threats in the 21st Century. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-367-75891-2.
- Kallas, E. (2022). “Rethinking Resilience: Small State Strategy in Contemporary European Security.” Journal of Strategic Studies, 45(6-7), pp. 937-959. DOI: 10.1080/01402390.2022.2065301.
Dr. Matej Horvat Lecturer in Political Economy of Climate Change
Dr. Horvat is a leading voice in the emerging field of climate economics and governance. His research, which is deeply interdisciplinary, examines the complex interplay between international trade policy, green finance, and the global effort to decarbonise. After completing his doctorate at the University of Ljubljana, his work has taken him from studying carbon markets in Brussels to analysing renewable energy supply chains in Asia. Dr. Horvat’s teaching is data-driven and analytical, yet he consistently challenges his students to look beyond the numbers to the underlying issues of justice and equity in the global climate transition.
Academic Background: PhD in Economics, University of Ljubljana MSc in Environmental Policy, University of Oxford
Recent Publications:
- Horvat, M. (2024). “Carbon Tariffs and Trade Diversion: The Unintended Consequences of EU Climate Policy.” Global Environmental Politics, 24(1), pp. 88-107. DOI: 10.1162/glep_a_00735.
- Horvat, M., & Chen, L. (2022). Financing the Transition: A Critical Analysis of Green Bonds and Sustainable Investment. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-3-030-94578-1.
Architectural & Urban Design
Dr. Lena Petrova Head of Discipline, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Urbanism
Dr. Petrova’s work is dedicated to creating cities that are both ecologically resilient and socially inclusive. Educated in Bulgaria and the Netherlands, her professional practice prior to joining academia focused on post-industrial landscape regeneration. Her research at Blackbridge investigates the use of nature-based solutions to address urban challenges like flooding and heat stress, work that is central to our Urban Innovation Collaborative. Dr. Petrova’s design studio is a dynamic, and sometimes messy, hub of experimentation, where students are encouraged to build, test, and iterate on radical ideas for a more sustainable urban future.
Academic Background: PhD in Landscape Architecture, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) MArch in Architecture, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia
Recent Publications:
- Petrova, L. (2023). “The Sponge City Aesthetic: Integrating Blue-Green Infrastructure in Northern European Cities.” Journal of Urban Design, 28(5), pp. 541-559. DOI: 10.1080/13574809.2023.2201478.
- Petrova, L., & Van Dijk, T. (2022). Post-Industrial Natures: Design Strategies for Urban Regeneration. Birkhäuser. ISBN 978-3-0356-2431-7.
Tiago Almeida Lecturer in Digital Fabrication and Computational Design
Tiago Almeida is an architect and researcher whose work blurs the lines between code and construction. After graduating from the University of Porto and working with several avant-garde architectural firms in Lisbon, he brought his expertise in parametric design and robotic fabrication to Blackbridge. His seminars are hands-on workshops where students learn to write their own design algorithms and use our lab’s 3D printers and robotic arms to create complex architectural prototypes. He believes that computational tools are not just for efficiency, but are a new medium for architectural expression, one whose potential we are only just beginning to explore.
Academic Background: MArch, Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto (FAUP) BSc in Architectural Studies, University of Lisbon
Recent Publications:
- Almeida, T. (2023). “Algorithmic Ornament: Reinstating Complexity in Robotically Fabricated Structures.” Architectural Design, 93(4), pp. 64-71. DOI: 10.1002/ad.2925.