Phil Benson is an Honorary Professor in Applied Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University, Sydney. He has published widely on issues in Applied Linguistics, especially on autonomy, language learning beyond the classroom, and language learning environments. Phil has been a long-time supporter of the JALT LD-SIG who attended his first LD-SIG event in 1995.

Stacey Vye is a professor at Saitama University in Japan. Her research interests are facilitating self-awareness and empowerment in learning spaces and the connections between learner and teacher autonomy. She received her EdD from the University of Southern California (USC) in Organizational Change and Leadership. Stacey has been an LD-SIG member since 2002 and is a former co-coordinator of the SIG. She was proud to co-launch the LD-SIG get-togethers and co-archived all the Learning Learning issues for the SIG desk. Stacey is also a long-time GILE-SIG member. She can be contacted at outreach@staceyvye.com

Taichi ICHIKAWA is a young social entrepreneur, activist, teacher, and author of “We Have a Dream: 201 Countries 201 Dreams with Sustainable Development Goals”, a “textbook to help people learn about the Earth and life itself by reading about dreamers from around the globe.” Taichi's own personal dream is to bring young people together and learn from each other.  In 2019 he set up World Road, which organises global learning prorgram, courses, and workshops “to build the world a single school.” Curious about the dreams of young people around the world, Taichi has compiled a stunning collection of their stories in a ground-breaking book called "We Have a Dream: 201 Countries 201 Dreams with Sustainable Development Goals.” At LD30 Taichi will be leading sessions for students (and teachers!) so they can share their dreams and projects, inspire each other, and learn together about making a difference in the world.

Chiyuki YANASE is a lecturer at several universities in Tokyo. She has been teaching English for over 30 years at various institutions and holds an MSc in TESOL from Aston University. Her current research interests focus on teacher and learner wellbeing and the self-efficacy of learners. She has presented at numerous international conferences and published several articles on learner autonomy, wellbeing, and collaborative learning.