Anijo Punnen Mathew is an Associate Professor at IllinoisTech’s Institute of Design, where his research looks at evaluating new semantic appropriations of place as enabled by technology and media convergence. He is also the founder and CEO of Vamonde, a new Chicago startup enabling hyperlocal storytelling. He has over 15 years of experience as an architect, designer, and educator, which led to the conception and development of Vamonde. Anijo has a PhD in Computing from the Open University in the U.K.; Master of Design Studies (MDesS) from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design; and a professional Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi (India).