Ashraf M. Salama is Chair in Architecture at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK and Head of the School of Architecture (2014-2020). He has published over 170 outputs in the international refereed press; authored and co-edited 14 books. With varied experience in academic research, teaching, design and research-based consultancy, Salama bridges theory and design and pedagogy and practice in his professional activities. His expertise spans across critical topics relevant to emerging cities in the Middle East. He currently leads the cluster for research on architecture and urbanism in the global south at the University of Strathclyde and is the chief editor of the Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research and Open House international. His latest book “Architectural Excellence in Islamic Societies”, Routledge 2020, engages with the wider context of the Islamic world.

Dr Florian Wiedmann is a lecturer at the University of Nottingham, specializing in urban transformation from an international and interdisciplinary perspective. Since 2006, he has been engaged in research, practice, and teaching, contributing to interdisciplinary projects and courses across four different countries. This afforded him an in-depth experience in various areas of urban studies: from urban governance to urban economics and the spatial impact of migration. His work focuses on urban development tendencies worldwide, particularly emerging cities and their challenges, such as environmental concerns (commuting), new market dynamics (migrant housing) and the complex role of urban design and architecture in place making.

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