Conference speakers
Global Conference on Children and Youth
Highlighted Speakers
Ms. Irene Benewaa
Irene Benewaa is a PhD Researcher at the University of Roehampton, UK. Her research explores how children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) build and experience friendships across digital and offline spaces, with a particular focus on social media, belonging, inclusion, and wellbeing. She specialises in digital childhood, SEND, inclusive pedagogy, and educational inclusion. As an educator and SEND and Inclusion Specialist with over 16 years of experience, she has worked across a range of educational settings, supporting children and young people with diverse learning needs. Her work bridges research and practice, contributing to a greater understanding of how digital environments can foster meaningful friendships, participation, and positive developmental outcomes for children and young people with SEND, while informing inclusive education, policy, and practice.
Mr. Angel Ruben Ramos Rubio
ANGEL RUBEN RAMOS RUBIO holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Oviedo and a Master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Deusto. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Leisure, Culture and Communication for Human Development while serving as a research associate. His professional experience includes roles as a social worker in residential care, local government, and public healthcare. He has worked with the Gazteluondo Care Home, Bilbao City Council, the Principality of Asturias Health Service, and the Spanish Red Cross. He has held leadership responsibilities as Head of Red Cross Emergency Services in the Principality of Asturias and currently serves as an Emergency Social Worker with the Red Cross at 112 SOS Rioja, specializing in emergency response, crisis intervention, and social care.
Mr. Barnabas Gabriel Akadon
Rev. Barnabas Gabriel Akadon is a Nigerian church historian, theological educator, Baptist minister, and researcher whose work examines the intersections of Christianity, forced displacement, identity formation, mission history, and community resilience in Africa. He serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria, and is currently completing an M.A. in Church History at the University of Jos, where his research explores Christian mission, environmental change, and community resilience in Northern Nigeria. His research interests include African Christianity, World Christianity, mission studies, lived religion, religion and ecology, public theology, and the experiences of children, youth, and displaced communities affected by conflict. He has presented papers at national and international academic conferences and has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and edited scholarly volumes. At the 2026 Global Conference on Children and Youth, he presents Faith After Displacement: Religious Meaning-Making, Trauma, and Hope Among Internally Displaced Youth in Northern Nigeria, a study that explores the role of faith in shaping resilience and hope among conflict-affected young people. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Akadon Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes education, youth empowerment, and humanitarian support for vulnerable communities in Nigeria. Through his scholarship, teaching, ministry, and community engagement, he seeks to contribute to global conversations on faith, child and youth wellbeing, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
Ms. Diana Matteson
Diana Matteson joins from Washington, DC as the Vice President of International Development for Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) where she supports the growth and development of the YAP Global Portfolio that includes partnerships with Australia, Guatemala, Sierra Leone, and Ireland. Educated at the George Washington University in Washington, DC, Diana has supported YAP strengthening communities, one biography at a time for 23 years. Dedicated to the value of reciprocal learning, Diana coordinates global fellowships and youth exchanges for YAP to amplify global youth voices and ensure practice is informed and built in partnership with youth and families.
Ms. Oluwapelumi Adedotun
Oluwapelumi Adedotun is an independent child rights researcher and founder of Child Rights Hub, a global community connecting child rights professionals with those seeking to enter the field. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Human Rights Law from the University of Hertfordshire and a Diploma in Child Psychology and Counselling from the London School of Business and Social Sciences. She is the creator of Childrights Pathways, an app designed to help users map their careers and track personal development within the child rights sector. Oluwapelumi is also a member of the UNICEF Nigeria Young Influencers Network.
Ms. Laeticia Amiss Pemba
Laeticia Amiss Pemba is a PhD Researcher in Economics at the University of Strathclyde, UK, and a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Malawi. Laeticia is also a member of a multidisciplinary NIHR-funded research programme focused on adolescent health and wellbeing in Malawi. Her research sits at the intersection of development economics, health economics, gender, education, and adolescent wellbeing, with a particular focus on policies affecting children and young people in low- and middle-income countries. Her doctoral research examines the effectiveness of legal interventions addressing child marriage and child labour, and their implications for education, fertility, female empowerment, and intergenerational mobility. Using large-scale household survey data across multiple low- and middle-income countries, she applies rigorous causal inference methods, including difference-in-differences and instrumental variables, to evaluate policy impacts.
Mr. Abdulrahman Mater
Abdulrahman Mater Mubarak is a PhD student in Education at Bangor University in the United Kingdom. His research focuses on parenting skills and the evaluation of evidence-based parenting programmes to improve outcomes for parents and children. His research interests include parenting programmes, positive parenting, parental education and training, child behaviour, and the cultural adaptation and implementation of evidence-based interventions. He is also a lecturer in the College of Education at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Saudi Arabia.
Ms. Tinatin Meskhi
Tinatin Meskhi is from Tbilisi, Georgia, and is currently a PhD student in Criminal Law at Caucasus University of Georgia. She holds an LLM from Caucasus University, an LLM from the Institut Supérieur du Droit de Paris, specializing in Criminal Law and Business Criminal Law, and LLB degrees from the University of Strasbourg and Georgian Technical University, Faculty of Law and International Relations. She also holds a bilingual International Baccalaureate Diploma. She has participated in numerous international conferences and summer schools in Law. As part of her PhD research on restorative justice for juveniles, she will present “The Effectiveness of Twice-Used Diversion-Mediation for Juveniles in Conflict with the Law” at the 7th Global Conference on Children and Youth.
Ms. Katy Carpenter
Katy Carpenter is a PhD Researcher in Education at Birmingham City University and Pastoral and Inclusion Lead at Summit Learning Trust. After completing her undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing, she spent her early career in safeguarding, running youth work projects and working with vulnerable young people before going into education and completing postgraduate degrees in ethics and school inclusion. Her research interests include gender, inclusion and childhood, and her experience of direct work with children and young people underpins her participatory approach to research. Other research areas include schools and social work, and children, relationships and social media. Katy’s presentation focuses on an aspect of her PhD research with children in a Birmingham primary school, exploring gender norms and stereotypes.
Ms. Aishi Dharmani
Aishi Dharmani is a Psychology graduate from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, with research experience in developmental psychology and child cognition. Her research has focused on imitation and working memory in young children, including behavioural research with children aged 2-5 years at the University's Baby and Child Lab. Her undergraduate dissertation examined working memory in preschool children using a delayed matching-to-sample paradigm. She has also gained practical experience working with children with developmental and intellectual disabilities across educational and rehabilitation settings. Her research interests include developmental psychology, child cognition, social cognition, and cross-cultural approaches to psychological research. Aishi was recognised on the University of St Andrews' Dean's List for Academic Excellence in 2025-26.
Ms. Tuba Karagöl Bezek
Tuba Karagöl Bezek is an urban planner, real estate appraiser and researcher focusing on social impact assessment and children’s relationships with urban environments. She is completing her PhD in Real Estate Development and Management at Ankara University and has successfully passed her doctoral examination. Her doctoral research focuses on developing a Child-Focused Social Impact Assessment approach by examining children’s use of outdoor spaces in urban transformation projects. She holds a Master’s degree in City Planning and a Bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Middle East Technical University, and was a visiting student in the Urban Studies and Planning program at the University of Maryland, USA. Her research interests include children and the city, social impact assessment, urban transformation, and children’s participation. She has published research on participatory research with children and has facilitated creative workshops with children.
Mr. Alex Sam
Alex himself grew up in Emmanuel orphanage in Kota(Rajasthan) and was a street child on the streets of Mumbai. And now he leads two Non-Governmental Organisations, Everett Mission Charitable Trust & Alex Foundation, Pakur (Jharkhand) in India, advocating and caring for vulnerable and orphaned children in a family-based care system. And runs a travel business, Alex Voyage. After completing an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, he completed an MSW from Indira Gandhi National Open University and is pursuing his PhD in Social Work from Durga Soren University, Deoghar, Jharkhand, India He has received several awards from the Government and Non- Government Organisations. The last award received was the National Youth Inspiration Award 2025 in New Delhi, India and India Literacy Award 2026.
Past Speakers
Dr. Claudia De Martino
Researcher at the Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) at the University of Luxembourg
Topic Title:
Universal childcare and ECEC as the new frontier of social protection: Luxembourg as a Case Study
She is working on the “CHILDLUX” project on the history of child- and youth- social protection policies since the 1970s, using a specific oral history methodology called the “witness seminar”. Beforehand, she had been Research Associate at the Chair of Postcolonial Studies at the CORIS Department of La Sapienza University and a professor of history and philosophy at public high schools in Rome. She has previously worked as Postdoc at the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, as Research Fellow in a network of Mediterranean universities (UNIMED), and as Teaching Assistant at Roma Tre University. She was recipient of an EMU2 Scholarship at the Hebrew University (2008), was visiting fellow at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem (2009) and obtained her PhD in Social History at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in 2012, where she was awarded the Junior Prize for Research in 2013.
Dr. Nelson Agbor
He has completed his PhD in Law (Awaiting graduation) at the University of Plymouth. He is a Visiting Lecturer in Law at Birmingham City University (BCU). His Primary research area is International Human Rights Law/Humanitarian Law. He is especially interested in studying the psychosocial, educational, and developmental effects of armed conflicts on children, with a particular focus on the ongoing Anglophone conflict in Cameroon. His research investigates how exposure to violence, displacement, and interrupted schooling influences children’s well-being, identity, and long-term resilience within communities affected by conflict. Lucy consults for the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), delivers global courses and workshops, and presents the live radio show School Run on VoiceFM, a show soon to become a podcast.
Dr. Leon Holtzhausen
Leon Holtzhausen holds a PhD (Criminal Justice Social Work) a MSW (Community Development) and a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work). He is the Head of Department of Social Work & Social Development at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. His research focus is broadly situated in the field of social justice, crime and violence. More specifically, Criminal Justice Social Work (CJSW), including Forensic Social Work, Prison Social Work and Substance Use Disorders. He also undertakes research with vulnerable children, youth and adults, with a focus on the assessment and intervention with child and youth sex offenders, trauma work with survivors of child abuse and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Dr. Ebenezer Tetteh Kpalam
He is a senior lecturer of Practical Theology at the School of Theology and Mission, Pentecost University. He is the director of postgraduate studies and research at Pentecost University. Dr. Kpalam is an ordained minister of the Church of Pentecost. He is a Registered General Nurse (RGN) and Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LPC). He holds a PhD in Theology from the North-West University in South Africa. His research interest includes Child theology, faith communities and child protection, pastoral psychology and African Christianity. Lucy consults for the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), delivers global courses and workshops, and presents the live radio show School Run on VoiceFM, a show soon to become a podcast.
Ms. Lucy Gibson
Guest Speaker
Lucy Gibson is a Southampton-based educator and spaces specialist, experienced in IB international, bilingual, and Montessori settings. With three bachelor’s degrees, an Early Years Montessori diploma, and three Positive Discipline certifications, she helps families, educators, and children bring Montessori principles and Adlerian psychology into everyday life through her business, Positively Simple. Lucy consults for the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), delivers global courses and workshops, and presents the live radio show School Run on VoiceFM, a show soon to become a podcast.
Mrs. Faustina Attaa Boadi
Faustina Attaa Boadi is a passionate and dedicated Primary School Educator with over eight years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics from the University of Cape Coast and is committed to nurturing students' academic and moral development. Currently at Association Community Model Basic School, Faustina teaches Mathematics and Religious & Moral Education. She also serves as the School Health Education Coordinator, where she excels in classroom management, lesson planning, and organizing community- based activities. Her leadership has guided students to win awards in national competitions, including an Independence Day laurel and an NCCE quiz prize. Committed to professional growth, she has completed training in Classroom Management, Inclusive Teaching, and Mental Well-being. Faustina is a reliable and effective educator, dedicated to creating positive and impactful learning environments for children and youth.
Ms. Arwa Katab
Arwa has a background in Psychology and is currently at the end of her PhD at Newcastle university. She has focused her PhD on children's health and wellbeing as they start formal education, working with young children between 3-5 years old to co-design her interview methods, followed by adopting these creative interview approaches to give young children the opportunity to share their school transition experiences. Arwa has worked on implementing Public and Patient involvement sessions with young children and parents throughout her project, and hopes to share her refection's from all of these PPI and interviews sessions today. Lucy consults for the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), delivers global courses and workshops, and presents the live radio show School Run on VoiceFM, a show soon to become a podcast.
Ms. Janette Hermann
Janette Hermann is a registered Social Worker and Forensic Practitioner at the Trauma-Informed and Child-Centred Private Practice, the Teddy Bear Foundation, and the National Centre for Child Protection in South Africa. She holds a Master of Social Science in Criminal Justice Social Work from the University of Cape Town and serves on the Board of the South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (SAPSAC). Janette specialises in forensic child abuse assessments, trauma-informed intervention, family and psychosocial assessments, and safeguarding practices. She has extensive experience working with victims of abuse and vulnerable populations, promoting trauma-informed, ethical, and evidence-based practice. A passionate advocate for the voice of the child and the safeguarding of vulnerable populations, Janette has developed and facilitated training and capacity-building programmes on child protection, trauma recovery, and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). She remains dedicated to promoting justice, empowerment, and multidisciplinary collaboration in forensic and community social work. Lucy consults for the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), delivers global courses and workshops, and presents the live radio show School Run on VoiceFM, a show soon to become a podcast.
Ms. Tina Yngvesson
Tina Yngvesson (MSc Business, MSc Educational Research) is a PhD student in Education at the University of Jönköping, Sweden. She has worked as an Early Childhood Educator in Swedish preschools and as a university lecturer in Early Childhood Teacher Education at the University of Borås. Her research, using Bronfenbrenner’s framework, examines parents’ engagement and home–school collaboration in shaping children’s well-being, care, development, and learning.
Ms. Sarah Barnbrook
Sarah Barnbrook is an accredited UN Delegate, digital safety advocate, and Founder of Away From Keyboard (AFK) Inc. She serves as Chief Revenue Officer at Women 4 STEM. Her work centres on ethical technology, online safety, gender equality, and community empowerment. She was recently recognised as Global Volunteer of the Year, alongside several other national and international honours. Lucy consults for the Institute of Montessori Training (IMT), delivers global courses and workshops, and presents the live radio show School Run on VoiceFM, a show soon to become a podcast.
Ms. Weiting Lin
Weiting Lin is a Taiwan-based spatial education specialist and curator focusing on children’s spatial literacy and participatory cultural practice. With architectural training and experience leading SiSi Learn by Space Studio, she develops child-centered exhibitions and intergenerational learning programs. Her work integrates research and practice through international collaborations across Japan, France, Germany.
Ms. Cassadee Yan
Yan is a dynamic socio-legal scholar with a robust background in political science and comparative law, specializing in citizenship rights and nationality laws. She has extensive experience leading cross-disciplinary research and cultivating global collaborations within academic and policy networks. Her work has been featured in prominent international media outlets, including CNN Indonesia, The Guardian Nigeria, and IBTimes. Yan has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications and continues to lead discussions on critical socio-legal issues. She holds a Master’s degree in Enterprise Risk Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley.
Ms. Andreea Memet
She is a dedicated social worker. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work at the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest. Currently, she is in her second year at the Doctoral School of Social Work in Bucharest, where she continues to expand her knowledge and research in this field. She has been working in social services for approximately four years, during which she has gained extensive experience with various vulnerable groups. She has worked with Ukrainian refugees, homeless people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These professional experiences have strengthened her empathy, adaptability, and understanding of complex social challenges. At the moment, she works with older people, focusing on enhancing their quality of life and ensuring access to essential support. Her goal is to contribute to a more inclusive, supportive, and compassionate society.
Mr. Jonathan Woollgar
Jonathan Woollgar is a doctoral student in Childhood and Youth at the University of Sussex researching the developments in safeguarding regarding sexual abuse between school students through a narrative lens that focuses on the different ‘narratives of harm’. His interest includes portrayals of abuse and young people by the media.
Ms. Eliška Vodáková
Eliska is from Palacky University Olomouc, Department of adapted physical activity, Czech Republic. She is an APA consultant and Ph.D. candidate with a specialization in aquatic therapy for children with special needs. Her work focuses on the inclusion of children with special needs in physical activity, as well as the application of psychomotor approaches.
Ms. Rachael Leitch
Rachael Leitch is a lecturer in English Language, Linguistics and Literature at the University Centre in Blackpool. She has extensive experience in working with young people and adults in a wide range of educational settings including secondary education, alternative provisions, further and higher education. Rachael holds an MA in English Language and Linguistics (Lancaster University) and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (Lancaster University). Her areas of expertise include English Language and Applied Linguistics, Contextual and Textual Analysis, Stylistics, Sociolinguistics, Language & Identity and Critical Discourse Analysis. Rachael's research interests are socially orientated and focus on employing methodologies such as ethnographic research and narrative inquiry to address social biases and inequalities. She is currently researching widening participation within English Studies provisions in Europe and is engaged in the co-production of community-based research, which aims to address barriers to Arts participation and education for young people and marginalised groups in seaside towns.
Ms. Jelisavka Milosevic
Jelisavka Milosevic is a Special Needs Teacher at Pearling Season International School in Doha, Qatar, and serves as the Eco-School Coordinator. She works closely with children with diverse learning needs, creating a calm and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education from the University of Belgrade, Serbia, where she developed strong expertise in individualized learning and inclusive practices. For several years, Jelisavka worked closely with both government and non-government sectors in the field of child protection, supporting initiatives focused on children’s well-being and protection. She is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Children’s Rights at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, which further strengthens her commitment to children’s rights, participation, and sustainable education.
Ms. Barkha Tanvir
Barkha Tanvir is currently the Director – Programmes, ComMutiny the Youth Collective. She has been in the development sector for over 14 years. She has started her work in rural areas of central India for livelihood enhancement through renewable energy; then went on to work with women collectives working with tribal women and youth in villages of Madhya Pradesh for 7 years; and with SOS Children’s Villages International as a Programme Advisor – Youth for Asia focussing on India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Laos, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. She is from Delhi with a graduation in Physics and post-graduation in Environment Science.
Ms. Nik Nuraisyah Nik Nasir
Nik Nuraisyah Nik Nasir is a PhD Candidate at Newcastle University, UK and a Malaysia funded scholar. Her research focuses on children’s mental health, wellbeing, and learning recovery, with a wider interest in public health issues and education policy. She is particularly committed to understanding and reducing social inequalities affecting children and families. Her work sits at the intersection of public health, education, and child development.
Ms. Elechi Gift Onyinyechukwu
Elechi Gift Onyinyechukwu is a lecturer in the department of Early childhood and Primary Education,Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka.She is a Fellow of Ife Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS).She was awarded "the Best Graduating Student" in Early Childhood and Primary Education in 2016, She is a member of many Professional Association like Professional Association for the Education of Children (PAEC),Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Forum for African Women in Education (FAWE) and She has co-authored two books and published articles in Peer reviewed journals both Internationally and within the country.Her research interests include but not limited to children's health, safety and play-based pedagogical approach.She is a seasoned researcher that is open for multidisciplinary research collaborations.
Dr. Naeema Farooqi
Professor at Humber Polytechnic, Toronto, Canada
Topic Title:
Cultivating Calm: Strategies for Creating Anxiety-Free and Inclusive Classrooms for Learners
Dr. Naeema Farooqi is an experienced Student-Centered Academic and a Education Strategist and Consultant with over 30 years of expertise in fostering impactful, student-focused educational environments. With a background in international academic experience and strategy, digital innovation, and cross-cultural engagement, Dr. Farooqi specializes in designing workshops that empower educators to enhance student outcomes and equip students with tools for academic and personal success. Her training approach blends practical, experiential, hands-on, personable research and technology-based strategies with a global perspective, addressing the unique needs of both educators and students in today’s evolving educational landscape.
Dr. Lucy Barker
She is Assistant Professor at the faculty of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing at Northumbria University. She uses arts-based research methods and innovative and experiential learning methods when teaching. Her PhD research explored student teachers’ inclusive pedagogy through a new materialist, feminist lens. Lucy is currently an Arts-based Research (ABER) Sig Convenor for the British Educational Research Association (BERA).
Dr. Ko Hayakawa
Ko Hayakawa. Ph.D of International Political Economy (University of Tsukuba, Japan). Cultural anthropology and public anthropology. Project Associate Professor, RCAST, The University of Tokyo. Areas of interest: Anarchism (grass-roots democracy), Community development, Community-Based Learning, Ontological design.
Prof. Dr. Sabha Hakim Allehyani
She is a full Professor in the Early Childhood Department at Unm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia, holds a Ph.D. in philosophy, majoring in Early Childhood Education (ECE), from the University of Newcastle, Australia. She has taught several courses in teaching early childhood at master and bachelor’s levels and has published several academic papers. She has presented several research papers at international conferences related to ECE. Her area of interests relates to equity, diversity, bilingual education, and professional development.
Mr. Muhammad Bilal
Muhammad Bilal is a PhD scholar in the Department of Education at the University of Gujrat. He has actively contributed to the academic community by presenting research at four international conferences, delivering oral presentations on various topics. His scholarly work includes two publications in international journals and four papers published in international conference proceedings
Ms. Beatris Drace
Beatris Drace is a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and certified School Social Worker in New Jersey. A graduate of William Paterson University (BA in Political Science and Communication) and Monmouth University (MSW), she has successfully defended her Capstone Project proposal and is now a DSW Candidate at Monmouth, where she was inducted into the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Betty has over 23 years of experience in child welfare, including roles as investigator and supervisor. In her current position as Youth Leadership Manager at the Office of Family Voice she collaborates with people with lived experience in the child welfare system to drive systemic transformation. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University and Rutgers University, teaching child welfare and social work courses to undergraduate and graduate students. Beatris was recently appointed to the Human Rights Education USA Steering Committee (https://hreusa.org/about/). Her Capstone Project focuses on Human Rights in Child Welfare Agencies, with the primary objective of addressing the disproportionate representation of African American children in foster care and BIPOC families in the child welfare system. The goal of her research is to develop trainings for child welfare agencies and BIPOC communities, both domestically and globally, to promote equity and justice.
Dr. Sonia Mairos Ferreira
Currently serving as a Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Specialist at UNICEF Lesotho
Topic Title:
Empowering Voices: Enacting Children's Rights in Evaluation Practices for Inclusive Development
Dr. Sonia brings over 20 years of experience as an accomplished Assistant Professor and researcher. Her expertise lies in assisting vulnerable populations affected by crises, disasters, and conflicts. Sonia has a strong background in capacity building, training, and applying social sciences to humanitarian and development projects. With a PhD in Permanent Education and Adult Training, complemented by degrees in Educational and Psychological Sciences, Sonia has also pursued postgraduate studies in crucial areas such as Gender Equality, Human Rights, and Crisis Intervention.
Dr. Marie Bradwell
Marie Bradwell is a graduate of MA Social Policy and BA Early Childhood Studies, and Awaiting awardship of PhD. Marie has worked in Early Years and education for the past thirty years, working in various roles from manager to teaching assistant and with individuals who have special education needs. Most recently working at Marjon University as a Visiting Lecturer since 2018 and an Associate Lecturer since 2022. Over the years, Marie has lectured on various programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels across the university. Research interests include Social Policy, Early Years, Children and Young People's Mental Health / Illness, Active listening and Children’s Rights and using the Mosaic Approach.
Dr. Fatemeh Radan
Fatemeh Radan, a PhD in Islamic Studies and an assistant professor in Social Sciences Faculty of Payame Noor University in Iran. She is a member of the Cultural Association of Homemakers (Afaq NGO) and she currently manages Radan Publication in Tehran. Her research interests include education with focus on women and culture issues and she has written 6 books and published 8 articles related to her interests in scientific research journals.
Assoc. Prof. Ndje Ndje Mireille
Mireille Ndje Ndje is Associate Professor, at the University of Yaounde I. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, she is also interested in global health, gender issues, research ethics. She was session chair and speaker at the 'International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences' (IACRSS) at the University of Oxford, UK in 2019.
Dr. Yuk-yan SO
Yuk-yan SO is a lecturer of the Department of Social Work of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her principal areas of interest include parent support, social work with groups, and personal growth and career development. She received the University’s Faculty of Social Science Exemplary Teaching Award in 2023..
Mr. Mudassar Ahmad Tahir
Mudassar Ahmad Tahir, a child rights activist based in Lahore, Pakistan. Graduating in 2021, he’s dedicated to advocating for children's rights. With extensive training in child protection, he has a deep understanding of principles, policies, and practices crucial for ensuring children's safety and well-being. Beyond his professional role, he strives to be a catalyst for positive change through volunteering, advocacy, and extending a helping hand to those in need, embodying values of empathy, integrity, and compassion.
Ms. Carmmel Taricka
An architecture undergrad student pursuing her final year at the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada. Her academic interests focus on behavioural architecture and biophilic built-environment design. She is also a freelance content writer with a niche in architectural journalism and educational/leisure blog formats. Her recent achievements include receiving the gold medal as the academic batch topper, A.Y. 2023.
Ms. Charlotte Chisnell
Charlotte Chisnell was a social worker in the UK working in the practice area of child protection and youth justice. She is a Principal Academic Lecturer and the Programme Coordinator for the Bachelor of Social Work at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Napier, New Zealand. Her research interests include safeguarding children and raising awareness of child sexual exploitation and young carers.
Mrs. Kinga Anetta Trufan
Kinga Anetta Trufan graduated at the Faculty of Law and has a Master in European Law. She works as a young legal practitioner at an advisory center in Germany, concentrating on legal support for migrant workers, especially from Eastern-European countries. Her research interest is in the field of Migration and Immigration Studies, with focus on cross-border aspects and practical results of the free movement of persons within the European Union.
Ms. Paulina Jara Osorio
Doctoral Researcher in Social Policy and Research Assistant in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities of Loughborough University. The John Paul II Foundation funded her undergraduate studies in Social Work at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Master’s in Public and Social Policies at Pompeu Fabra University - Johns Hopkins University. Her Master's and PhD degrees have been sponsored by the National Research and Development Agency at the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation. Loughborough University Doctoral College Conference Award.
Ms. Camila Julieta Jimenez Sánchez
Camila Jiménez holds a degree in Social Communication and a master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies for the Prevention of Gender Violence from the University of Salamanca. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Sciences at VUB. Her academic journey includes courses focused on community-based research and dialogical practices tailored for populations facing vulnerability. Her research interests center around the exploration of intersectional identities, particularly those of migrant women, indigenous communities, and individuals navigating the intersections of gender, technology (NTICS), and youth. A guiding principle in her life is encapsulated in a single word: "Corazonar." It signifies the blend of reason and empathy, encouraging not only a thoughtful approach to life but also a deep understanding of one's own and others' realities.
Ms. Claudia Jazmín Mazó Torrico
Jazmín Mazó, specializing in Systemic Clinical Psychology, focuses on vulnerable situations. Since 2018, she's a researcher at Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias del Comportamiento (IICC), Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo." Starting a 2023 doctoral program at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, her research explores rural child-centered "Living Well." With a focus on childhood and adolescence, she prioritizes interventions that uphold children's rights and well-being within a socio-ecological framework.
Dr. Naeema Farooqi
Naeema Farooqi is a Professor at Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Toronto, Canada. She is a Student-Focused Academic with an Entrepreneurial Spirit | Connector | Facilitator | Collaborator | Knowledge Enthusiast | Focused on Growth
Ms. Shaweta Anand
She is a freelance researcher with a PhD from the School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Her area of interest is child welfare and protection. She was a journalist before she switched to academics in an attempt to better comprehend the world we collectively inhabit.
Ms. Intan Noor Hanifa
Intan is a Chevening scholar from Indonesia, currently pursuing an MSc in Global Child Health at UCL. With a strong passion for child and adolescent health, as well as public health, her previous research was mainly focused on social paediatrics. With a medical background, she is aspiring to be a paediatrician and pursue a career in academia after finishing her Masters degree.
Dr. Doris Kakuru
Doris Kakuru is a Professor in Child and Youth Care at the Faculty of Human and Social Development at the University of Victoria, Canada. She is the current Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies.
Mr. Chhimay Tamang
Chhimay Tamang is Tourism Operator in Nepal and guide in Himalayan Region. He is working for Education For All Programs in Himalayan Regions youth and Students. He is trainer for the United Nations Simulations Program for School and College Levels Students. Currently, he is working on the project on Child Marriage in Nepal.
Ms. Zheng Xiulin
Zheng Xiulin is a postgraduate student at the Education University of Hong Kong with a high level of passion for the field of preschool education and psychology.
Ms. Patricia Schubiger
Patricia Schubiger worked as a preschool teacher for several years and holds a MA in Early Childhood from University of Konstanz. She is a research asisstant at the University of Teacher Education Lucerne and Schaffhausen. Her research interests include education with focus on children's well-being.
Dr. Eglantina Farruku
Eglantina Farruku was graduated from University of Luarasi in law (2009), received the M.Sc degree in Political Science & International Relations from Epoka University (2012), and her Ph.D. from Epoka University (2020). She is presently the lecturer of Law at the Department of Law of Epoka University. Her research area is focused on Political Science, Law related issues: Human Security, Child Security and Human Rights. She has participated in many international conferences and published various international articles. She is a Member of Bar Association since 2011.
Mr. Adham Arik Rahman
Adham Arik Rahman is a Computer Science and Engineering graduate who works on different technologies and their impact on human life. Currently, he is working at Robi Axiata Limited, which is one of the leading mobile network operators in Bangladesh. His role there is to work with big data and ensure better service for users. On the other hand, he is a published author and serves as a peer reviewer for academic journals and conferences, mostly for human-computer interaction (HCI).
Asst. Prof. Biplaw Kumar Singh
Biplaw Kumar Singh is an Assistant Professor at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, India. He is pursuing Ph.D. in Sociology from Institute for Social and Economic Change, India. His research interests span the field of child rights and redistributive functions of the state.
Mr. Denis Kiirya
Denis Kiirya is the Executive Director of Shines Children’s Foundation, a national Non-Governmental Organisation in Uganda
Ms. Diana L. Manrique Kukurelo
Diana Lucia Manrique Kukurelo: Diana is a Bachelor of Law from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). She is a research assistant at the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (GRIDEH) at PUCP. She has also been a fellow of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. With a deep interest in Public International Law and International Human Rights Law, with a focus on the rights of children, and human mobility.
Ms. Scarlett How Yu Hsi
Scarlett How Yu Hsi is a Year 6 student at Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore. She participated in Hwa Chong Conflict Resolution and Inquiry (HCCRI) Conference (2023) and received Bronze Award in 42nd International C.B.Paul Science Quiz (2021).
Ms. Maria Amor Cana Estrada
Maria Amor Cana Estrada, born Spanish, graduated from MA TESOL in 2021, which allowed her to polish her leadership skills and realize the importance of collaborative learning. She has worked in several educational environments as an ESOL and EFL teacher ever since and is currently researching new ways to innovate in ELT research.