Thematic Committees

Thematic Committees are groups of expert volunteers who guide and shape EAIE’s content across conferences, publications, training and community activities. The next call to join a Thematic Committee is 02–31 March 2026.

Subject matter experts who shape content

The nine Thematic Committees (TCs) are organised around key areas of expertise and key topics in the field of international education. TC volunteers are content specialists who help inform and enhance EAIE activities, by reviewing conference proposals, supporting community building and outreach and more. Working closely with the Functional Committees, they play an important role in ensuring that EAIE initiatives are timely, relevant and grounded in real expertise.

Why volunteer?

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Share your expertise

Contribute your knowledge to EAIE content, helping the community stay informed while showcasing your experience to peers across the field.

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Grow professionally

Gain new insights, broaden your perspective beyond your own institution, and develop valuable skills that support your career growth.

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Enjoy additional perks 

Benefit from reduced Annual Conference fees and form a supportive network of colleagues who often grow into lasting friendships.

Meet the Thematic Committees 

European-funded programmes

This TC focuses on initiatives linked to internationalisation of HE funded on a European level, such as Erasmus+, European Universities Initiative, and Horizon Europe. Members of this TC stay up-to-date on important developments within the field of European-funded projects and keep a close eye on relevant stakeholders such as the European Commission.

Rui Branco Lopes

Rui Branco Lopes

EAIE Committee Chair, Coimbra Health School of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal

Adam Lipski

Adam Lipski

Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Andreas Winkler

Andreas Winkler

TU Darmstadt, Germany

Dorothée Brac de la Perrière

Dorothée Brac de la Perrière

National Institute of Applied Sciences Lyon, France

Mojca Maher Pirc

Mojca Maher Pirc

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Niamh Burke

Niamh Burke

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Veronika Kupriyanova

Veronika Kupriyanova

Academic Cooperation Association, Belgium

 

Leadership, strategy and policy

This TC covers broad themes in leadership, strategic development, and policy-making, such as international office management, planning, and crisis or stakeholder engagement. 

Olga Krylova

Olga Krylova

EAIE Committee Chair, E-Quadrat Science & Education, Germany

Christel Vacelet

Christel Vacelet

UCLouvain, Belgium

Iryna Sikorska

Iryna Sikorska

Mariupol State University, Ukraine

Jacqueline van Marle

Jacqueline van Marle

The Hague University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands

Marina Casals Sala

Marina Casals Sala

ISEP Study Abroad, Spain

Sandra Slotte

Sandra Slotte

Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Vicky Lewis

Vicky Lewis

Vicky Lewis Consulting, UK

 

Marketing and admissions

This TC focuses on marketing and recruitment, as well as admissions and recognition, including admissions testing and credential evaluation. An important focus of this TC is the enhancement of the student experience from the very first contact to enrolment and beyond

Marlies Overbeek

Marlies Overbeek

EAIE Committee Chair, Navitas, the Netherlands

Alejandra Otero

Alejandra Otero

geNEOus, USA

Kris Achten

Kris Achten

KdG University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

Magdalena Setlak

Magdalena Setlak

Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Marybeth Gruenewald

Marybeth Gruenewald

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), US

Monique Swennenhuis

Monique Swennenhuis

Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands

Tom Wilmot

Tom Wilmot

StudyLink - a Flywire Company, UK

 

Partnerships

This TC focuses on a wide range of IHE partnerships—from capacity development and collaborative degree programs to community, business, and strategic alliances. The team brings expertise in building sustainable, equitable, and innovative cross‑border collaborations.

Mirko Varano

Mirko Varano

EAIE Committee Chair, Tecnologico De Monterrey - ITESM, Mexico

Anna Pellegrino

Anna Pellegrino

LUISS University, Italy

Anna Stina Sinisalo

Anna Stina Sinisalo

University of Helsinki, Finland

Hanne Liv Østtveit-Moe

Hanne Liv Østtveit-Moe

University of Oslo, Norway

Karin Kim Lim

Karin Kim Lim

Ecole normale supérieure de Lyon, France

Leasa Weimer

Leasa Weimer

University of Denver, USA

Tallulah Forrest

Tallulah Forrest

RMIT Europe, Spain

 

Social responsibility

This TC explores social responsibility in IHE, covering climate action, the UN SDGs, global citizenship, and diversity, equity and inclusion. It brings together professionals dedicated to advancing IHE’s role in tackling global challenges and promoting social justice, equity and sustainability—positioning higher education as a catalyst for meaningful, positive change in communities worldwide.

Peter Kerrigan

Peter Kerrigan

EAIE Committee Chair, German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD), USA

Ceren Genc

Ceren Genc

Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Claire Cox

Claire Cox

Griffith College, Ireland

Hege Kristin Widnes

Hege Kristin Widnes

The Arctic University of Norway, Norway

Martin Bogdan

Martin Bogdan

Academic Cooperation Association, Belgium

Rosalyn Eder

Rosalyn Eder

Paracelsus Medical University, Austria

Stella Saliari

Stella Saliari

Independent Consultant, Greece

 

Student and alumni services

This TC focuses on student affairs and alumni engagement, covering areas including accommodation, safety, well-being and mental health, academic and career advising, employability, and lifelong alumni connections. It brings together professionals committed to enriching the international student experience and strengthening alumni engagement.

Géraldine Dufour

Géraldine Dufour

EAIE Committee Chair, Therapeutic Consultations, United Kingdom

Christèlle Cronjé

Christèlle Cronjé

Stellenbosch University Business School, South Africa

Jessica Price

Jessica Price

LUNEX University, Luxembourg

Kevin Chevillon

Kevin Chevillon

European Student Placement Agency Ltd, UK

Laura Spencer

Laura Spencer

Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom

Stephanie Griffiths

Stephanie Griffiths

Intercultural Consultant, United Kingdom

 

Student and staff mobility

This TC encompasses all aspects of mobility, including student exchange, short-term programmes, internships, staff mobility, virtual mobility, and service providers. It serves as a collaborative forum for advancing the design, implementation and impact of IHE mobility programmes for both students and staff.

Alejandra Vicencio

Alejandra Vicencio

EAIE Committee Chair, Alejandra Vicencio IEC, United Kingdom

Adrijana Lazic

Adrijana Lazic

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Angeliki Psychogyiou

Angeliki Psychogyiou

Academic Cooperation Association, Belgium

Colin Blackburn

Colin Blackburn

European Student Placement Agency & IAESTE, United Kingdom

Iris Waringer

Iris Waringer

IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences, Austria

Kristin Torp Skogedal

Kristin Torp Skogedal

University of Bergen, Norway

Marijke van Oppen

Marijke van Oppen

Cross Cultural Trainer, the Netherlands

 

Teaching, learning and curriculum

This TC focuses on the broad area of teaching and learning, addressing topics such as internationalisation at home and in the curriculum, language learning, and virtual exchange. 

Thierry Villard

Thierry Villard

EAIE Committee Chair, University of Bordeaux, France

Alexandra Bočkova

Alexandra Bočkova

University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Alicia Betts

Alicia Betts

Universitat de Girona in Catalonia, Spain

Eva Haug

Eva Haug

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands

Lucie Weissova

Lucie Weissova

Halmstad University, Sweden

Pouneh Eftekhari

Pouneh Eftekhari

Lund University, Sweden

 

Research on internationalisation

This TC focuses on the latest developments in research on internationalisation, how research and practice in IHE can be mutually reinforcing and the experiences of scholar-practitioners in IHE.

Simone Hackett

Simone Hackett

EAIE Committee Chair, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

Adinda van Gaalen

Adinda van Gaalen

Inholland University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands

Agata Mannino

Agata Mannino

University of Padova, Italy

Emmy Arts

Emmy Arts

Ecole Centrale de Marseille, France

Jarosław Tomaszewski

Jarosław Tomaszewski

WSB Merito University in Wrocław, Poland

Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans

Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans

Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands

Jos Beelen

Jos Beelen

The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

 

Ready to make an impact? Join a Thematic Committee

Share your expertise and help shape EAIE content for the 2026–2029 term. We’re looking for engaged and knowledgeable volunteers to join our nine Thematic Committees and contribute over the full three‑year cycle. Applications are open to non‑members and close on 31 March.

Find out more

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I join a Thematic Committee

There is a call for new Thematic Committee volunteers every three years. Volunteers serve a three‑year term and may apply for a second term. Committee groups are appointed by a panel with the goal of bringing together diverse expertise and broad geographical representation. The next call to join a Thematic Committee is 02-31 March 2026.

Do I need to be an EAIE member to apply?

No. We are looking for the most experienced, enthusiastic, and geographically diverse group for each cohort, so applications are open to both members and non‑members. If selected, you will need to become an EAIE member before your term begins and maintain your membership throughout your service on the Thematic Committees.

How much work is involved?

Expect four meetings per year and regular engagement in between. Workload varies by committee and project, and different projects or tasks can be shared across the group.
Many volunteers report that the work is manageable alongside a full-time job, with occasional peak periods mainly around conference review.

What do I get for being a volunteer?

Volunteering offers valuable professional and personal benefits. Additional perks include a reduced Annual Conference volunteer registration fee, travel and accommodation covered for in‑person committee meetings, the chance to form a supportive group of colleagues who often become genuine friends, and the rewarding experience of contributing to the international education sector in a meaningful way.

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Volunteer with us!

From guiding content to shaping the Annual Conference or steering strategy, there is a volunteer opportunity for you. Opportunities for non-members and members. 

Volunteer for the EAIE