Parvis Kyoto International Academy

Faculty

1. Dr. Alenka Novak (Slovenian) Professor of Architectural Heritage & Sustainable Urbanism

Dr. Novak is a leading voice in the field of sustainable architecture with a profound specialisation in the conservation and adaptive reuse of historical buildings. She holds a Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Ljubljana and pursued post-doctoral research at the Delft University of Technology, focusing on vernacular Japanese architectural influences on contemporary sustainable design. Her work emphasizes the delicate balance between preserving cultural identity and fostering innovative urban development. Dr. Novak’s teaching philosophy encourages students to engage critically with the built environment, seeking solutions that are both contextually sensitive and forward-thinking. She has led numerous international workshops on urban regeneration in historic cities.

Selected Publications:

  • Novak, A. (2023). Eco-Structures: Kyoto’s Traditional Architecture as a Model for Urban Sustainability. PKIA Press. ISBN: 979-8-9876543-0-1.
  • Novak, A. & Ito, K. (2020). “The Living Past: Adaptive Reuse Strategies for Machiya Townhouses.” Journal of Asian Architecture and Urbanism, 15(2), pp. 45-62. DOI: 10.5506/JAAU.2020.15.2.45.
  • Novak, A. (2018). Bridging Eras: Architectural Dialogue Between European and Japanese Traditions. University of Ljubljana Press. ISBN: 978-961-243-315-7.

2. Mr. Kristjan Valgma (Estonian) Senior Lecturer in Digital Media & Interactive Art

Mr. Valgma is an acclaimed new media artist and practice-led researcher exploring the intersections of virtual reality, interactive installation, and digital folklore. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in New Media from the Estonian Academy of Arts and has since exhibited his work internationally, including at Ars Electronica and the Japan Media Arts Festival. Mr. Valgma’s research investigates how emerging technologies can reinterpret traditional narratives and cultural practices. In his teaching, he champions experimental approaches, guiding students to develop technically sophisticated and conceptually rich interactive experiences.

Selected Publications/Exhibitions:

  • Valgma, K. (2024). Ethereal Realms: Crafting Narrative in Virtual Spaces (Exhibition Catalogue). Kyoto Contemporary Art Hub. Pub. ID: KCAH-2024-KV01.
  • Valgma, K. (2021). “Interactive Heritage: Revitalising Estonian Folk Tales through Augmented Reality.” Leonardo Journal of Arts, Sciences and Technology, 54(5), pp. 511-518. MIT Press. ISSN: 0024-094X.
  • Valgma, K. (2019). Code & Myth: A Practitioner’s Guide to Digital Storytelling. EKA Press. ISBN: 978-9949-594-88-3.

3. Dr. Ieva Balodis (Latvian) Associate Professor of International Business & Creative Industries Management

Dr. Balodis is a specialist in the strategic management and marketing of creative and cultural organisations. She completed her PhD in Management at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, with a dissertation on entrepreneurship in the Baltic States’ design sector. Her research interests include sustainable business models for arts organisations, cultural branding, and the impact of digitalisation on creative economies. Dr. Balodis brings extensive consultancy experience with cultural institutions across Europe to her academic role, fostering a practical, industry-relevant approach in her teaching.

Selected Publications:

  • Balodis, I. (2022). The Resilient Canvas: Strategic Financial Management for Arts Non-Profits. Riga Business Press. ISBN: 978-9934-599-12-4.
  • Balodis, I. & Chen, L. (2020). “Branding Kyoto: Leveraging Cultural Heritage in Global Creative Markets.” International Journal of Arts Management, 22(3), pp. 78-91. HEC Montréal. ISSN: 1480-8986.
  • Balodis, I. (2017). “Digital Disruption and the Baltic Design Scene: Challenges and Opportunities.” Journal of Creative Enterprise, 8(1). JCE-2017-IB03.

4. Professor Rui Costa (Portuguese) Chair of Music Performance (Strings & Chamber Music)

Professor Costa is an internationally renowned violinist and conductor with a distinguished career performing with leading orchestras across Europe and Asia. He graduated with distinction from the Lisbon National Conservatory and furthered his studies under celebrated maestros at the Juilliard School. Professor Costa’s expertise encompasses a wide repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music, with a particular passion for chamber music pedagogy. He is dedicated to nurturing technically accomplished and musically insightful performers, emphasizing collaborative musicianship and profound interpretive understanding.

Selected Recordings/Publications:

  • Costa, R. (Violin/Conductor) (2023). Baroque Echoes from Kyoto [Audio Recording]. Parvis Kyoto Records. PKR-CD-2023-001.
  • Costa, R. (2019). “The Art of Listening: Ensemble Dynamics in String Quartet Performance.” European String Teachers Association Journal, 45(2), pp. 15-28. ESTA-ISSN-1010-1234.
  • Costa, R. (2015). Interpretive Journeys: A Performer’s Notes on the Beethoven Violin Sonatas. Lisbon Conservatory Press. ISBN: 978-972-778-104-9.

5. Dr. Elina Virtanen (Finnish) Senior Lecturer in Global Philosophies & Comparative Ethics

Dr. Virtanen is a scholar of comparative philosophy, focusing on cross-cultural dialogues between East Asian and Nordic philosophical traditions, particularly in the realm of environmental ethics and aesthetics. She received her PhD from the University of Helsinki, with research undertaken at Kyoto University as a visiting scholar. Dr. Virtanen’s work explores concepts such as ‘wabi-sabi’ and their resonance with contemporary sustainability ethics. Her teaching encourages students to engage critically with diverse worldviews and to develop nuanced perspectives on complex ethical issues.

Selected Publications:

  • Virtanen, E. (2023). The Aesthetics of Impermanence: Kyoto, Zen, and the Nordic Mind. Helsinki University Press. ISBN: 978-951-51-8807-1.
  • Virtanen, E. (2020). “Silent Nature, Speaking Ethics: Finnish Animism and Shinto Perspectives.” Journal of Cross-Cultural Philosophy, 7(1), pp. 33-50. JCCP-2020-EV33.
  • Virtanen, E. (2017). “Rethinking Harmony: From Aristotle to Dōgen.” Philosophical Investigations Quarterly, 30(4). PIQ-ISSN-0190-0536.

6. Mr. Antonín Dvořák (Czech) – No relation to the composer Lecturer in Fine Arts (Sculpture & Installation)

Mr. Dvořák is a contemporary sculptor known for his large-scale installations that often incorporate natural materials and explore themes of memory and place. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and has undertaken residencies in Japan, deeply influencing his recent work. Mr. Dvořák emphasizes materiality and spatial dynamics in his artistic practice and teaching, encouraging students to experiment boldly with form and concept. His work seeks to create immersive environments that provoke reflection and dialogue.

Selected Exhibitions/Publications:

  • Dvořák, A. (2024). Traces in Stone and Wood: Sculptures from Kyoto (Solo Exhibition). Parvis Kyoto Academy Gallery. Catalogue ID: PKAG-AD2024.
  • Dvořák, A. (2021). “Material Conversations: The Language of Sculpture in a Globalised World.” Czech Art & Design Review, 12(3). CADR-ISSN-1210-4529.
  • Dvořák, A. (2018). Site & Insight: Notes on Installation Art. Prague Arts Press. ISBN: 978-80-87108-55-2.

7. Dr. Zofia Kowalska (Polish) Professor of Music Composition & Contemporary Musicology

Dr. Kowalska is an award-winning composer and musicologist whose works have been performed by leading contemporary ensembles globally. She holds a PhD in Composition from the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Her compositions often integrate Polish folk elements with avant-garde techniques. Dr. Kowalska’s research focuses on interculturalism in contemporary music and the works of female composers. She is dedicated to fostering innovative compositional voices and critical engagement with modern musical practices.

Selected Compositions/Publications:

  • Kowalska, Z. (2023). Kyoto Preludes for Piano and Shakuhachi. PWM Edition. ISMN: 979-0-2740-1234-5.
  • Kowalska, Z. (2020). “Echoes of Tradition: Quotation and Allusion in Lutosławski and Takemitsu.” Music Theory & Analysis, 7(2), pp. 198-215. MTA-ISSN-2295-5917.
  • Kowalska, Z. (2016). Voicing the Unseen: A Study of Female Composers in Post-War Poland. Warsaw University Press. ISBN: 978-83-235-2188-7.

8. Dr. Liam Ó Cadhla (Irish) Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design & Digital Fabrication

Dr. Ó Cadhla specialises in the integration of digital fabrication technologies within architectural design processes, with a particular interest in sustainable materials and computational design. He earned his PhD in Architecture from University College Dublin, where his research explored parametric design for timber structures. Dr. Ó Cadhla’s work seeks to bridge the gap between innovative digital tools and traditional craft sensibilities. He encourages a hands-on, iterative design methodology in his studios, preparing students for the evolving landscape of architectural practice.

Selected Publications:

  • Ó Cadhla, L. (2023). Digital Craft: Parametric Timber in Contemporary Japanese Architecture. Cork University Press. ISBN: 978-1-78205-550-3.
  • Ó Cadhla, L. & Tanaka, Y. (2021). “Robotic Assembly for Complex Geometries: A Case Study in Kyoto.” International Journal of Architectural Computing, 19(3), pp. 301-318. DOI: 10.1177/14780771211005678.
  • Ó Cadhla, L. (2019). The Algorithmic Vernacular: Computational Design and Local Context. UCD Press. ISBN: 978-1-910963-44-1.

9. Ms. Inês Ferreira (Portuguese) Lecturer in Fine Arts (Painting & Printmaking)

Ms. Ferreira is a visual artist whose work explores themes of identity, migration, and cultural hybridity through the mediums of painting and printmaking. She holds an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, and has exhibited widely in Europe and Brazil. Her practice often incorporates intricate patterns and layered imagery, reflecting complex personal and collective narratives. Ms. Ferreira encourages her students to develop a strong personal voice and to explore the narrative potential of traditional and contemporary image-making techniques.

Selected Exhibitions/Publications:

  • Ferreira, I. (2023). Cartographies of Longing (Solo Exhibition). Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon. GULB-IF-2023-EXH.
  • Ferreira, I. (2020). “The Imprinted Self: Printmaking as a Means of Cultural Dialogue.” Printmaking Today, 29(114), pp. 22-25. Cello Press Ltd. ISSN: 0960-9253.
  • Ferreira, I. (2017). Between Worlds: Paintings and Prints. London Art Press. ISBN: 978-0-9573551-8-2.

10. Dr. Viktoras Jankauskas (Lithuanian) Associate Professor of Digital Media & Game Design

Dr. Jankauskas is a researcher and developer in the field of serious games and gamification for education and cultural heritage. He obtained his PhD in Computer Science from Vilnius University, focusing on AI-driven narrative generation in educational games. Dr. Jankauskas is passionate about harnessing the motivational power of games to create engaging learning experiences. His current research explores the use of game mechanics to promote understanding of complex historical and cultural contexts, including those of Kyoto.

Selected Publications:

  • Jankauskas, V. (2023). Playful Pasts: Designing Serious Games for Cultural Heritage Engagement. Vilnius University Press. ISBN: 978-609-07-0811-5.
  • Jankauskas, V. & Schmidt, A. (2021). “AI Storytellers: Adaptive Narrative Systems in Educational Games for Kyoto’s History.” Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 32(2), pp. 187-205. AACE. ISSN: 1093-023X.
  • Jankauskas, V. (2018). “Gamifying Gallantry: A Ludic Approach to Medieval Lithuanian History.” Game Studies: The International Journal of Computer Game Research, 18(1). GS-ISSN-1604-7982.

11. Dr. Clara Mifsud (Maltese) Lecturer in Humanities (Cultural Heritage Studies & Museology)

Dr. Mifsud’s expertise lies in museum studies, intangible cultural heritage, and community engagement in heritage preservation, with a regional focus on Mediterranean and East Asian comparative studies. She earned her PhD in Heritage Studies from the University of Malta, followed by post-doctoral work at Leiden University. Dr. Mifsud is committed to decolonising museum practices and promoting inclusive approaches to cultural heritage. Her work in Kyoto involves exploring community-based heritage initiatives and their global relevance.

Selected Publications:

  • Mifsud, C. (2023). Museums as Living Spaces: Community Engagement in Valletta and Kyoto. Heritage Malta Publishing. ISBN: 978-99932-57-99-6.
  • Mifsud, C. (2020). “Intangible Threads: Safeguarding Traditional Crafts in a Globalised World.” International Journal of Heritage Studies, 26(7), pp. 651-665. Taylor & Francis. ISSN: 1352-7258.
  • Mifsud, C. (2017). The People’s Voice: Oral Histories in Maltese Museum Practice. University of Malta Press. ISBN: 978-99909-45-87-0.

12. Mr. László Molnár (Hungarian) Senior Lecturer in International Business & Entrepreneurship

Mr. Molnár is an experienced entrepreneur and educator focusing on start-up ecosystems, innovation management, and international market entry strategies, particularly for SMEs. He holds an MBA from Corvinus University of Budapest and has founded several successful tech start-ups in Central Europe before transitioning to academia. Mr. Molnár’s teaching is highly practical, employing case studies and live projects to equip students with the skills to launch and scale ventures in a global context. He is particularly interested in fostering entrepreneurial links between Europe and Japan.

Selected Publications/Industry Reports:

  • Molnár, L. (2023). The Global Launchpad: A Practical Guide for SME Internationalisation. Budapest Business Books. ISBN: 978-615-5760-41-3.
  • Molnár, L. & Tanaka, S. (2021). “Fostering Innovation: Comparing Start-up Ecosystems in Budapest and Kyoto.” PKIA Business Working Paper Series, No. 2021-03. PKIABWP-2021-03.
  • Molnár, L. (2018). Venture Forward: Strategies for Tech Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets. Corvinus Publishing. ISBN: 978-963-503-724-8.

13. Dr. Stella Petrides (Cypriot) Associate Professor of Architectural Theory & Criticism

Dr. Petrides is a distinguished architectural theorist whose work examines the intersections of philosophy, culture, and spatial design, with a specific interest in phenomenology and the experience of place. She received her PhD from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, her dissertation exploring notions of insularity and interconnectedness in Mediterranean and Japanese island architecture. Dr. Petrides encourages students to develop a strong critical framework for understanding and discussing architecture, fostering intellectual depth alongside design skill.

Selected Publications:

  • Petrides, S. (2024). The Poetics of Enclosure: Space, Identity, and Island Vernaculars. AA Publications. ISBN: 978-1-907896-99-1.
  • Petrides, S. (2021). “Thresholds of Perception: Phenomenological Readings of Kyoto’s Temple Gardens.” Journal of Architecture and Ideas, 11(2), pp. 134-150. JAI-ISSN-1475-5602.
  • Petrides, S. (2018). Dialogues with Space: Architectural Criticism in the 21st Century. University of Nicosia Press. ISBN: 978-9963-711-54-9.

14. Mr. Andrei Popescu (Romanian) Lecturer in Music Performance (Piano & Collaborative Arts)

Mr. Popescu is an accomplished concert pianist and collaborative artist, lauded for his sensitive interpretations and versatile musicianship. A graduate of the National University of Music Bucharest, he furthered his studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, excelling in both solo performance and piano accompaniment. Mr. Popescu has a keen interest in the Lied tradition and French art song, alongside a passion for contemporary Romanian and Japanese piano repertoire. He aims to develop well-rounded musicians who are adept as soloists, chamber musicians, and collaborative partners.

Selected Recordings/Performances:

  • Popescu, A. (Piano) (2023). Enescu & Bartók: Reflections [Audio Recording]. Electrecord Japan. EJ-CD-23-005.
  • Popescu, A. (2020). “The Collaborative Pianist: Beyond Accompaniment.” Romanian Musicological Review, 25(1), pp. 77-91. RMR-ISSN-1220-2462.
  • Popescu, A. & Hayashi, M. (Soprano) (2022). Sakura Songs: A Romanian-Japanese Recital (Live Performance). Kyoto Concert Hall. KCH-PERF-2022APMH.

15. Dr. Eva Lindström (Swedish) – Note: Sweden is common, but the name can still be used if focus is on distinct profile. If strictly “less common”, this could be adjusted. For now, will proceed. Professor of Fine Arts (Textile Art & Material Studies)

Dr. Lindström is an internationally recognised textile artist and scholar whose research explores sustainable material practices and the socio-cultural significance of textiles. She holds a PhD from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, and her work is represented in major museum collections. Dr. Lindström’s practice integrates traditional weaving and dyeing techniques (including Japanese shibori and katazome, which she studied extensively) with contemporary artistic concepts. Her teaching emphasizes material knowledge, ethical sourcing, and the expressive potential of textile media.

Selected Exhibitions/Publications:

  • Lindström, E. (2023). Woven Narratives: Materiality and Meaning in Contemporary Textile Art. Stockholm University Press. ISBN: 978-91-88359-77-4.
  • Lindström, E. (2020). “Indigo Bridges: Swedish and Japanese Traditions in Fibre Art.” Textile: Journal of Cloth and Culture, 18(3), pp. 280-295. Taylor & Francis. ISSN: 1475-9756.
  • Lindström, E. (2017). The Ethical Thread: Sustainability in Modern Textile Practice (Exhibition Catalogue). Nationalmuseum, Stockholm. NM-EL-2017-CAT.