EAIE Podcast

International student admissions are built on trust, but what happens when that trust is put to the test? From fake documents and misleading applications to the growing influence of AI and other digital tools, admissions fraud is becoming an increasingly complex challenge for higher education institutions around the world. How common is it really? Are there myths that practitioners should stop believing? And can institutions keep pace with ever-evolving fraud tactics?In this episode of the EAIE Podcast, host Laura Rumbley is joined by Amy Kawa, Muriel Poisson and Elena Denisova-Schmidt to investigate the world of admissions fraud. Together, they explore what current research and practice tell us about the issue, examine how technology is reshaping the fraud landscape, and share practical strategies institutions can use to strengthen their admissions processes. Tune in for a fascinating conversation that separates fact from fiction and looks ahead at the future of admissions integrity.About Amy KawaAmy Kawa is the Director of Evaluation Services at Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), where she has been part of the organisation since 2016. She began her tenure at ECE as an Evaluator and has since advanced through leadership roles, bringing deep expertise in credential evaluation and policy development. Her main areas of interest in evaluation include Afghanistan, Francophone Africa, and Middle Eastern countries, though she has a broad understanding and appreciation for global education. In her current role, Amy oversees evaluation operations and contributes to strategic planning. Prior to joining ECE, Amy worked in multiple areas of higher education, which continues to inform her collaborative, globally-focused approach to credential evaluation work. About Muriel PoissonMuriel Poisson is the acting Team Leader for the Knowledge Generation and Mobilization (KGeM) team at the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP, part of UNESCO). In this capacity, she coordinates and develops the Institute’s foresight, research, communication, publication, and library functions. She also manages the Institute’s capacity-building programme on Ethics and Corruption in Education. She coordinated several international research projects on related issues, including open school data, open government in education, and teacher codes of conduct. She is also managing ETICO, a dynamic clearinghouse on transparency and accountability issues in education. Muriel has authored a number of articles and books, including: ‘Corrupt Schools, Corrupt Universities: What Can Be Done?’ About Elena Denisova-SchmidtElena Denisova-Schmidt is a Privatdozentin at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland. She has held academic appointments at various institutions, including Humboldt University of Berlin (2002–2007), the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University (2013–2015), and the Aleksanteri Institute at the University of Helsinki (2015). She was a Research Fellow at the Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) at Boston College from 2015 to 2026, a Visiting Professor at Shanghai University (2025–2026), and a Visiting Researcher at the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in Paris (2026). In 2026, she received the European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI) Exemplary Research Award for her contributions to research on academic integrity and corruption in higher education.Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ ETICO resource platform dedicated to ethics and corruption in education→ Handbook on Corruption in Higher Education (2026)→ Global Recognition Convention: Why the Operational Guidelines matter→ Unmasking the imposters: Identity fraud, deepfakes and online test integrity

As many of us are still processing the numerous conversations, meetings, ideas and inspiration gathered at this year’s EAIE conference and exhibition in Glasgow, the next important development within the IHE field is already upon us. The European higher education community has long benefited from Erasmus+, a programme that has connected students, staff and institutions across borders for nearly four decades. Yet in recent years, two important members of that community, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, have operated outside the programme, developing alternative approaches to international mobility and cooperation while maintaining strong ties with partners across Europe. Now, with both countries set to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, a new chapter is beginning. What does this return mean? What lessons have been learned during the years outside the programme? And how can institutions make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead while managing expectations around this significant transition? In this EAIE podcast episode, host Laura Rumbley speaks with Erika Boak, Erasmus+ Higher Education Sector Lead for the British Council, and Amanda Crameri, Head of Higher Education at Movetia, Switzerland. Together, they reflect on what the return to Erasmus+ means, explore insights gained from operating beyond the programme framework, and discuss how international offices can prepare for this next phase of engagement.About Amanda Crameri Amanda Crameri is Head of the Higher Education Unit at Movetia, the Swiss National Agency for the promotion of international cooperation and mobility, and designated Director of the future Swiss National Agency for Erasmus+. She has worked in international higher education since 2011, with a particular focus on international student mobility and cooperation. AC holds an MSc in General History and Italian Literature and Linguistics from the University of Zurich. She is passionate about international cooperation in higher education and about creating opportunities for students and institutions to connect, learn and grow across borders. About Erika Boak Erika Boak is the Erasmus+ Higher Education Sector Lead for the British Council and leads efforts to mobilise the UK Higher Education sector.  Previously, she was the EU Education Director, where she provided strategic leadership of the British Council’s work in EU mobility, research and transnational education, strengthening focus and impact. Before joining the British Council, Erika was Head of International Strategy and Partnerships at the Department for Education (DfE). Before DfE, Erika worked internationally, including for UNESCO and UNICEF.Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ Eyes on Erasmus+→ EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034: What’s in it for Europe’s higher education institutions?

The countdown to the EAIE 2026 Conference and Exhibition in Glasgow has begun! Between 08 and 11 September 2026, many topics in international higher education will be discussed during sessions, networking events, informal gatherings, and the opening and closing plenaries. As we look toward this exciting gathering, EAIE podcast host Laura Rumbley had the pleasure of interviewing both of our esteemed plenary speakers for this year, Beau Lotto and Lewis Iwu. In these short getting-to-know-you chats with Beau and Lewis, various topics are addressed, ranging from what international living and learning mean to them to how they interpret this year’s conference theme, the Rhythm of Revolution. Get a sneak peek on what’s on the minds of this year’s Keynote speakers and what they plan to talk about in Glasgow by tuning in to this EAIE podcast episode! About Beau LottoBeau Lotto is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur and world-renowned perception expert whose work bridges neuroscience, design, technology and human behaviour. A three-time TED mainstage speaker with over 10 million views, he is the author of Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently and has shared his insights with the World Economic Forum, Google’s Zeitgeist and TED. He was nominated for the MacArthur Genius Award and the Josef Albers Prize for Disruptive Innovation.About Lewis IwuLewis Iwu is a leading expert in public speaking, debate and strategic communication, helping organisations shape arguments and campaigns that drive social change. Over nearly two decades, he has worked with global organisations including the UN, Unilever and Pfizer. A former World Debating Champion, he has participated in or moderated over 1000 debates and is the author of Words That Win. He was named PRWeek’s 2025 Most Purposeful Professional globally.Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EAIE Glasgow 2026

The (international) higher education community continues to grapple with the reality that academic freedom - long regarded as essential to open, democratic societies - remains vulnerable across the globe. Today, scholars face escalating pressures from political forces, censorship, and conflict, while institutions navigate increasingly complex ethical and geopolitical terrain. Scholars at Risk, an international network of higher education institutions and individuals working together to protect scholars and promote academic freedom, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. A quarter century of defending the right to think, to question and to share ideas. But how has this work evolved? What does the landscape look like now, in 2026? And how can institutions and individuals meaningfully contribute to protecting academic freedom in their own contexts?In this EAIE podcast episode, host Laura Rumbley speaks with Robert Quinn, founding Executive Director of Scholars at Risk. Together, they explore how SAR’s mission and activities have developed over the past 25 years, which achievements have been most meaningful, and the threats and opportunities shaping academic freedom today. Don’t miss this thoughtful and forward-looking conversation and tune into this episode of the EAIE Podcast.About Robert Quinn Robert Quinn is a human rights advocate, lecturer, lawyer, and executive director of the Scholars at Risk Network, (SAR) an international movement of over 600 higher education institutions and thousands of individuals in over 50 countries dedicated to protecting at-risk scholars, promoting academic freedom, and defending everyone’s freedom to think, question and share ideas. Robert is a co-editor of Free to Think, SAR’s annual reports on attacks on universities worldwide; co-instructor on the free online course "Dangerous Questions: Why Academic Freedom Matters" (long-form MOOC course, with Futurelearn and short-form mini-course with Amnesty International); and the host of the Free to Think podcast, featuring conversations with inspiring people working at the intersection of power and ideas. Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ Scholars at Risk – Free to Think→ Supporting at-risk researchers in Europe→ Encieh Erfani and Daniel Munier: What’s happening in Iran?→ Sinead O’Gorman: Academic freedom in a complex world

We find ourselves at a time when political tensions, misinformation, and social divides increasingly spill onto university campuses across Europe and beyond. Higher education institutions are trying to respond to growing polarisation and a need to strengthen democratic culture. But how can the foundations for constructive dialogue be secured on our campuses? What’s involved in equipping future citizens with the skills to engage constructively? And how do institutions remain resilient in a rapidly shifting world?In this EAIE podcast episode, host Laura Rumbley speaks with Tatiana Zimenkova, Vice President for Internationalisation and Diversity at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (Germany), and Arend Hardorff, member of the Executive Board of The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS; the Netherlands). They discuss the real-world challenges facing higher education institutions eager to foster space for respectful, reasoned conversations on campus amid global conflicts, rising populism, and questions about academic freedom, as well as the responsibility HEIs feel to create safe, inclusive spaces for dialogue. Be sure to tune in to hear about the good practices implemented at these two institutions, how to engage ‘the silent middle' and what these speakers recommend to others eager to address, and ideally reduce, polarisation on campus. About Tatiana ZimenkovaProfessor Dr habil. Tatiana Zimenkova is Vice President for Internationalisation and Diversity at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (Germany), where she is a professor of sociology. She received her doctorate and habilitation in sociology at Bielefeld University. Her goals include further strengthening and developing HSRW’s international character and strategy, as well as increasing visibility and awareness of diversity-related issues. She envisions an inclusive university where each person is empowered and able to achieve their goals. At the same time, her aim is also to enable all members of the university to participate in decision-making processes and the campus community. About Arend HardorffArend Hardorff joined the Executive Board at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands) on 1 September 2022. Arend studied Leisure and Tourism Studies at the University of Tilburg. After his studies, he worked as a lecturer and programme manager, and from 2012 to 2018 as Director of the Academy for Leisure at Breda University of Applied Sciences. From August 2018 until August 2022, he was a member of the Executive Board and Dean of Hotelschool The Hague, responsible for Education and Research. Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ The Hague Network→ Dangerous questions: Why not keep quiet?→ Living our EAIE values in times of conflict

In May 2021, the EAIE podcast published an episode on micro-credentials. At that moment, there was a thrilling mix of excitement and uncertainty surrounding this topic. Would micro-credentials live up to the expectations? How would higher education institutions be transformed, and how would they adapt? Maria Kelo, then the Director of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, answered some of these questions, unaware of what the world would have in store for all of us.We now find ourselves five years later, and we deemed it was time to revisit this topic, which was actually one of the most popular EAIE podcast episodes to date. EAIE Podcast host Laura Rumbly and Maria Kelo, now the director of the Institutional Development Unit at EUA (European University Association), are back to once again dive into the constantly evolving world of micro-credentials. What key developments took place over the last several years? How is the current policy environment shaping the conversation around micro-credentials? And if we look ahead, what might the future have in store for us? Don’t miss out on this episode of the EAIE podcast! About Maria KeloMaria Kelo is the director of the Institutional Development Unit at EUA (European University Association), which focuses on higher education learning and teaching, recognition, and quality assurance. Before joining EUA in January 2022, Maria was, for over a decade, the Director of ENQA, the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, and a member of the EQAR Executive Board from 2013-2020. She took part in European policy-making processes within the Bologna Process and through cooperation with the European Commission. Prior to joining ENQA, Maria worked for 9 years in international higher education across different European organisations and as a private consultant, gaining significant experience in quality assurance, international higher education, and higher education reform. Maria is a graduate of University College London and the London School of Economics.Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EUA – Trends 2024 report→ EAIE Podcast: Maria Kelo: The big new world of micro-credentials→ EAIE Blog: From micro-credentials to micro-courses: The future of flexible higher education 

We find ourselves at the start of a new year, a moment of both reflection and celebration. In the case of two of the EAIE’s partner associations, there is indeed much to celebrate: IAU, the International Association of Universities, just marked its 75th anniversary in 2025, while EUA, the European University Association, will observe their 25th anniversary now in 2026. These wonderful milestones offer timely reasons to touch base with these impressive associations to reflect on their pasts, consider the main points on their agenda for the new year and look toward the future.In this episode, EAIE Podcast host Laura Rumbley is joined by Amanda Crowfoot, Secretary General of EUA, and Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General of IAU, to talk about these impressive milestones. We travel back in time to when these associations were formed to understand their original aspirations. We hear about key moments from the archives and lessons learned over the years. And we get a glimpse into some of the notable directions, priorities and aspirations for these organisations as they plan their next steps.About Amanda CrowfootAmanda Crowfoot has been Secretary General of the European University Association since January 2020. She is responsible for implementing the Association’s strategic plan, acting as an ambassador for its members and leading its Secretariat. Amanda previously served as the first Director of Science Europe, the association representing major European public research funding and performing organisations. From 2001 to 2012, Amanda worked at the UK Research Office, the Brussels office of the UK research councils, first as a European Advisor and then as Director of the Office. About Hilligje van’t LandDr Hilligje van’t Land serves the global higher education community as Secretary General of the International Association of Universities (IAU) - a global NGO with UNESCO Associate Status. For the past two decades, she has fostered the key role of higher education in societal transformation. She supervises the overall programme activities at the IAU, develops the Association’s strategic plans and oversees the everyday work of the secretariat. She positioned the IAU as a UNESCO partner in work on Education for Sustainable Development and the Futures of Education Initiative, and is an advocate for higher education as a key stakeholder for the UN Agenda 2030 – Transforming our World.Dr van’t Land represents the IAU in various working groups and expert committees at the UN and UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and organisations around the world. She publishes on higher education issues that are relevant locally and globally. She holds a PhD in comparative francophone literature, held T&L and Research positions in the Netherlands, Canada and France.Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EUA – Universities without walls: A vision for 2030→ EUA - How universities can protect and promote academic freedom: EUA principles and guidelines→ IAU – Strategy 2030→ IAU - IAU Horizons: Dimensions of Trust in Higher Education→ EAIE Podcast: Fanta Aw & LaNitra Berger: NAFSA turns 75!

At the EAIE, we believe that advancing international higher education starts with empowering the people behind the ideas. Guided by this commitment, we were thrilled to announce our first round of EAIE Doctoral Research Grants winners in September 2025. The grants reflect our commitment to inspiring and uniting the community throughout the year by connecting professionals, policy-makers and scholars through ideas that matter. This initiative helps open doors to new voices, fresh insights, and research that can shape a more inclusive and responsible future. In this episode, part 2 of a short podcast series, we meet the final two of our five EAIE Doctoral Research Grants winners. Rúna Gudmarsdóttir (Tilburg University, Netherlands & Rannis) and Aurélie Kono (University of St. Gallen, Switzerland & Ludwigsburg University of Education, Germany) join podcast host Laura Rumbley to introduce themselves and tell us more about their research projects. What sparked their interest in pursuing a doctoral degree, how do they expect their research to make an impact on actual practice within the field and what are they hoping to achieve during this year of EAIE funding? Tune in to find out more! About Rúna Gudmarsdóttir and Aurélie KonoAurélie Kono is a programme manager at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland and a part-time PhD student in Education Management at the Ludwigsburg University of Education, Germany. Before her current role, she worked in higher education institutions in Japan and Germany, gaining experience in programme and enrolment management, international student recruitment and international cooperation and partnerships. Aurélie holds a joint MA in International Education Management, with distinction, from the Ludwigsburg University of Education, Germany and Helwan University, Egypt. She also earned an online diploma in Management of Higher Education Internationalisation from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico and a BA in Foreign Languages, Literature and History from the Catholic University of the West, France.Rúna Vigdís Gudmarsdóttir is a PhD candidate at Tilburg University. She has worked on internationalisation in education since 2007, starting at the Icelandic National Agency for the Lifelong Learning Programme and later at the University of Iceland. From 2013 to 2017, she worked with the Erasmus+ Higher Education team at DG Education and Culture, focusing on programme management and impact assessment. In her role as the Director of the National Agency at Rannís, Rúna oversees all six sectors of Erasmus+ and represents Iceland in the European Network for the Recognition of Prior Learning (ERPL). Additionally, she serves as an administrator in the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) and co-leads a working group on social inequalities within the European Network for International Student Mobility (ENIS). Rúna holds an undergraduate degree from the Iceland University of Education and two master’s degrees in Intercultural Education from Freie Universität Berlin and Applied Linguistics from the University of Sussex. Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EAIE Research Snapshot library→ Announcing the 2025 EAIE Doctoral Research Grant awardees

At the EAIE, we believe that advancing international higher education starts with empowering the people behind the ideas. Guided by this commitment, we were thrilled to announce our first round of EAIE Doctoral Research Grants winners in September 2025. The grants reflect our commitment to inspiring and uniting the community throughout the year—connecting professionals, policy-makers and scholars through ideas that matter. This initiative helps open doors to new voices, fresh insights and research that can shape a more inclusive and responsible future.In this episode, which is part one of two, we meet three of the five EAIE Doctoral Research Grants winners. Eveke de Louw (The Hague University of Applied Sciences; University of Groningen), Stanislav Avdeev (University of Amsterdam), and Joel Christoph (European University Institute) join podcast host Laura Rumbley to introduce themselves and tell us more about their research projects. What sparked their interest in pursuing a doctoral degree, how do they expect their research to make an impact on actual practice within the field, and what are they hoping to achieve during this year of EAIE funding? Tune in to find out more!About Eveke de Louw, Stanislav Avdeev, Joel ChristophEveke De Louw is an experienced internationalisation practitioner and an expert in curriculum internationalisation, with more than 20 years of experience. In her professional career at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Eveke has held key coordinating roles, including International Student Coordinator, Team Leader, and Senior International Officer. She has also chaired various committees and played a leading role in curriculum design projects. She is currently a researcher and academic developer on internationalisation of the home curriculum at the Centre of Expertise Global & Inclusive Learning of The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In this role, she executes action-research projects exploring the role of the academic discipline in curriculum internationalisation and supports programme teams through training and consultancy. Stanislav Avdeev is a PhD candidate in Economics at the University of Amsterdam. As an empirical microeconomist with a strong interest in the economics of education and health, his research focuses on the quasi-experimental estimation of policy reforms using administrative and survey data. His advisors are Hessel Oosterbeek and Bas van der Klaauw. Joel Christoph is a PhD Researcher in Economics at the European University Institute. His work examines how incentives and institutions can advance public goods, with current research focused on internationalisation in European higher education and the design of policies that align student mobility with inclusion and quality goals. He has contributed policy analysis and commentary to international outlets and collaborates with networks that connect research to practice. Joel works in several European languages, which supports engagement with diverse stakeholders across the European Higher Education Area. Through practitioner-facing initiatives, he helps translate evidence into practical tools for institutions and public bodies.Additional resourcesFor further insights into the topics touched on in this episode, the following resources may be of interest:→ EAIE Research Snapshot library→ UNESCO World Higher Education Database (WHED)→ OECD "Education at a Glance" reports

From handshakes and sharing cultural highlights to photo opportunities and campus tours, delegation visits are activities many HEIs across the globe spend a lot of time on. But how can your institution move from simply making these visits happen to ensuring maximum partnership impact? At the EAIE conference in Gothenburg earlier this year, the Thematic Committee Partnerships organised a Spotlight Session zooming in on this topic. How can you transform delegation visits, both incoming and outgoing, into strategic mechanisms for creating new partnerships and strengthening partnership development?   In this episode of the EAIE podcast, host Laura Rumbley talks to three IHE practitioners working within the field of partnerships who are closely involved in delegation visits. Eve Brosseau is the Associate Director of Global Relations and Partnerships at University College Dublin (Ireland); Catalina Gerstmann is the Head of Strategic Partnerships at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; and Garrett Margliotti is the Director of Global Partnerships and Partner Engagement at the University of Pittsburgh (USA). Together with these three experts, we dive into the world of delegation visits and how institutions can ensure they are meaningful and impactful for all involved.About Eve BrosseauEve Brosseau is the Associate Director of Global Relations and Partnerships at University College Dublin (Ireland). Eve leads the team responsible for managing global partnerships, institutional networks, and UCD’s engagement with Una Europa and Erasmus+ funded projects. She oversees the development and delivery of partnership strategies that advance the university’s global engagement objectives. Her role also encompasses global relations, including the coordination of inbound and outbound delegations and diplomatic engagement. Focused on fostering meaningful collaboration, Eve works closely with academic and professional colleagues to strengthen UCD’s global presence and strategic partnerships. About Garrett MargliottiGarrett Margliotti is the Director of Global Partnerships and Partner Engagement at the University of Pittsburgh (USA), where he leads the Office of Global Partnerships and Services — a one-stop hub supporting faculty and staff in advancing the university’s international collaborations and operations. With almost two decades of experience in higher education and global engagement, Garrett focuses on building sustainable partnerships that connect Pitt’s research and teaching mission with institutions and organisations worldwide. A lifelong advocate for international education and creative exchange, Garrett also maintains an artistic practice through Stratford Studios, his stained-glass design business based in Pittsburgh.About Catalina GerstmannCatalina Gerstmann is the Head of Strategic Partnerships at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She has held this position since 2022, during which she has led work with university partners, engaged in international diplomacy, and built institutional networks. Within her role lies identifying and supporting key collaborations with international partners aligned with the university’s mission, organising high-level delegation visits in and out, and maintaining, evaluating, and engaging with strategic networks. Additional resources→ Spotlight Session Partnerships 2025 - roundtable notes→ Harnessing the power of evaluation to build better partnerships→ Remapping international partnerships