EAIE Podcast

Noting that 11 February has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, episode number eleven in the EAIE podcast series puts us in direct conversation with a rising young scientist, Sarah Lamaison. Sarah’s work in the field of artificial photosynthesis was recognised with an award from the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme in 2020 and has been shaped by educational experiences and research collaborations in both France and the United States. Our conversation with Sarah provides a window into the world of ‘next generation’ thinking about the future of women in science and the contributions that research like Sarah’s can make to our common well-being.

A wealth of data suggests that, even in 2021, women are significantly underrepresented in the sciences around the world, from enrolment in higher education to professional roles as researchers. And when women do enter these fields, there are clear indications that they face particular challenges as they move through their careers. So, what is it like to be a young woman working at an international level in the sciences today? Our conversation with Sarah Lamaison gives voice to a young female scientist reflecting on her inspirations, her educational journey, and insights into the future of women in science. And why should we care? As we increasingly rely on scientific talent and the sheer persistence of scientists to help us navigate the major challenges of the 21st century – from the climate crisis to healthcare emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic – understanding what motivates and sustains diverse pools of young scientific talent is vital to our collective future.
Further reading
For further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:

→ L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programmes website and Twitter

→ International Day of Women and Girls in Science

→ Enabling gender equality through education (EAIE blog)

→ Bauer, A. F. & Zweifel, P. (2018). ‘Female researchers leap ahead’. EAIE Forum: Our gendered world, 2018(Spring), 18-20.

→ Jacobson, M. Z. (2020). 100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.

Episode number nine of the EAIE podcast series takes up the topic of digitalisation, a matter that was of immense importance in 2020 and that’s certain to continue featuring prominently in the field of international higher education in 2021. Guest Inma Martinez, a globally recognised digital pioneer and artificial intelligence scientist, weighs in on key issues of how technology can support the work of higher education, and how very real human needs and interests sit at the heart of all technological innovation.

For quite a number of years now, the many and varied possibilities of technology to play a game-changing role in higher education have been widely discussed, hotly debated and eagerly anticipated. But 2020 truly marked a watershed moment for rhetoric to meet reality: technology-based solutions were deployed rapidly by higher education institutions around the world to fill the gaps in our ability to convene in-person meetings and face-to-face classes as a result of the fast-moving COVID-19 pandemic. What have we learned from this experience? And where are we headed next in terms of digital developments? Join us in conversation with technology expert Inma Martinez as she reflects on these remarkable recent events and the transformational effects they have already rendered – and may yet enable – in our relationship with digitalisation.
Further reading
For further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:

→ Top IT Issues, 2021: Emerging from the Pandemic (EDUCAUSE, 2020)
→ DIGI-HE Webinar series: A strategic reflection on digitalisation in higher education (European University Association, 2021)
→ 2020 Spring EAIE Forum: ‘Digitalisation’
→ AI in international education: redefining who ‘we’ are (EAIE blog)
→ Virtual exchange and Internationalisation at Home: the perfect pairing (EAIE blog)

Since 1990, 08 April has been designated as International Romani Day, a significant day for Roma people across the world. An estimated 10 to 12 million Roma live in Europe, comprising the continent’s largest ethnic minority, yet rough estimates indicate that just 1 to 4% of the Roma population have a higher education degree, making it one of the most underrepresented groups at this level of education. What are some barriers to access to, or success, in higher education for Roma people that the international education community should be aware of?

In this podcast episode, we talk to Nadja Greku and Valeria Redjepagic, both young European Roma women with higher education degrees keen to encourage more Roma people in general – and women and girls specifically – to consider entering the higher education system. From gender dynamics in relation to participation in higher education for Roma people to examples of European universities actively working to promote the inclusion of Roma students, there is much to celebrate and aspire to when it comes to Roma in European higher education today.
About Nadja Greku
Nadja Greku serves as a consultant at the World Bank. She studied International Relations at the Central European University in Vienna, holds a BA-level degree in Sociology from the University of Novi Sad, and completed the International Interdisciplinary Romani Studies Postgraduate Specialization Program with distinction at CEU Budapest. Her research interests include governmentality and (in)securitization of Roma, as well as impactful policy-making in the fields of regional development and Roma inclusion. For the past ten years, she has volunteered with various Roma organisations in the Western Balkans region. She is currently researching the eviction of Roma during the Kosovo War of 1998-1999 to provide space for the collective memories of Kosovo Roma. She has published op-eds for LeftEast, European Roma Rights Centre, UDAR as well as a book chapter for the Roma Civil Monitor on Roma inclusion strategies and governmentality. About Valeria Redjepagic
Valeria Redjepagic works as an adjunct teacher at Södertörn University, Sweden and as a researcher at Swedish Television (SVT). Her academic journey began at University West, Sweden, with a bachelor's degree in political science, followed by a master's degree in Human Rights from the University of Gothenburg. Valeria has also completed the international interdisciplinary research program for Romani studies at the Central European University in Budapest. Currently, she is involved in a research project on antigypsyism, homophobia and the rights of LGBTQI Roma and Traveller in the Nordic countries. Her research interest is how a modern nation-state with a universal welfare system with an egalitarian policy contrary to the promise to include everyone rather excludes certain groups of people, e.g. minorities and indigenous groups. In the last three years, she has been involved in other fields, for instance, leading a non-governmental organization focusing on Roma youth and children, producing podcasts (Romer i Fokus) to promote Roma inclusion, and presenting different Roma role models via Instagram account (Romska Förebilder).
Additional resources
For further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:
→ Call for applications for the Roma Graduate Preparation Program 2023/24
→ EAIE Blog: Breaking the silence: encompassing Roma voices in Europe
→ EAIE Blog: Walking the talk in inclusion and diversity

The European higher education sector is a diverse, inspiring and collaborative field where we can learn and discover new things every day. In this EAIE podcast episode, we invite the listener into the wondrous world of Circus Arts education, where students train to become (international) professional circus artists. Although these performing arts programmes are often considered unique, there are various similarities with 'regular' higher education programmes and the willingness to overcome the same challenges.

What defines success for these types of institutions and organisations in terms of serving students and advancing the circus education agenda? What about international experiences for students and staff? What impact do issues such as climate change, equality and injustice have within the sector and how are they addressed? In this episode, we talk to Anna Beentjes, Head of the Bachelor programme Circus Arts at Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam, and Isabel Joly, Director of FEDEC (the international network for professional circus education known as the European Federation of Professional Circus Schools). Tune in to learn more about this creative, collaborative corner of the international higher education field!

About Anna Beentjes
Anna Beentjes is Head of the Bachelor programme ‘Circus Arts’ at Codarts University for the Arts, Rotterdam. She is also vice-president of FEDEC (the international network for professional circus education) and the chair of circus company Monki Business. Anna graduated with a master in Spanish Language and Literature after studies at the University of Groningen and the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. In the past, she has worked as a translator, book seller, executive producer for various dance, theater and music productions with international tours, and was Director for the Performing Arts at the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York.

About Isabel Joly
Isabel Joly is the Director of FEDEC, the international network for professional circus education. After a Master degree in communication at the University of Lille, Isabel joined the European Commission in the Directorate General for Education and Culture (EAC), and this immersion in cultural issues at European level gave her professional life a decisive direction. Since January 2018, Isabel has answered the call of FEDEC where she shares her passion for arts education with nearly 80 members worldwide, professional schools but also organisations placing circus education at the heart of their project. Passionate about the development of contemporary circus, she is a Board member of the International network Circostrada, (Paris, FR), of the European platform Circusnext (Paris, FR) and the non-profit organisation UP - Circus & Performing Arts (Brussels, BE).
Additional resources
For further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:
→ FEDEC’s EU project SPEAK OUT
→ Clowning around: relieving stress at the international office
→ Karol Vieker & Malaika Marable Serrano: Let’s talk about discrimination

Alumni are an important stakeholder group in higher education institutions across the world. An engaged alumni network can not only help an institution to benefit from the experiences and skills of its graduates, but alumni can also make a significant impact on individual students by providing mentorship, advice, and networking opportunities. A possible alumni relationship starts the moment a prospective student engages with an institution and can be the key to a treasure box filled with possibilities and opportunities. But how does an institution build up an alumni network, and what is in it for the alumni themselves?

In this EAIE podcast episode, host Laura Rumbley talks to Sandra Rincon, a consultant on Global Stakeholder Engagement with Purpose, and Scott Darby, former President of the OCEANS Network, both experts on the topic of international alumni. So, what do we mean when discussing the international alumni lifecycle? Why should alumni matter to institutions? And what are some of the key challenges and opportunities within this area today?
About Sandra Rincon
Sandra Rincon works as a consultant on Global Stakeholder Engagement with Purpose. She believes in building communities to promote diversity as a pillar to innovate a more inclusive, sustainable, and kinder world. She dedicates her professional time as a trainer, researcher and author. She has co-authored the book ‘Engaging International Alumni as Strategic Partners’; edited a resource guide, ‘Alumni Connection’; hosted Brite Ideas, a podcast for advancement professionals;, and founded the Holland alumni network-NL to support international students and alumni navigate the Dutch labour market. She is finalising her PhD research on the SDGs and student-alumni engagement at Tilburg University. As a recognised leader in international education (PIE, 2023) and consultant with +30 years of experience, Sandra advises and trains professionals in governments and higher education institutions. She often publishes in professional literature on global engagement.
About Scott Darby
Scott Darby works as a Solutions Engineer for Inenco Group in the UK, where he produces carbon reports and helps companies move towards net zero. Scott has two Masters degrees in Aird Land Studies and studied in Sheffield (UK), Lubbock, Texas (USA), and Berlin (Germany). He is passionate about restoring degraded land and has worked in Australia, Libya, Lebanon and Somaliland. After his studies, he was elected President of the OCEANS network, an Erasmus alumni organisation, and he is still heavily involved as a member of the Advisory Board. Scott is back in Sheffield, UK, to start and raise a family.
Additional resources
For further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:
→ Global communities driving the SDGs→ 4 tips for leveraging alumni networks for recruitment
→ 3 questions to ask before engaging alumni in virtual marketing and recruitment
→ How international alumni relations advance the agenda
→ OCEANS website