ReferNet 2026 workplan presentation

He gained valuable experience by participating in major international R&D projects and offered consulting services to national governments (Greece, Romania, Georgia, Turkey) and as a Research Advisor to international organizations (BSEC, EU). He has published more than 170 research papers in academic journals, edited books, and international conferences (such as AOM, SMS, EGOS, BAM, ERSA). He has received three international awards in recognition of his research (AoM, BAM, ERSA).
 

Irene is in charge of Cedefop’s “European VET Teachers Survey (EVTS): Supporting teachers’ professional development in VET schools”. A novel survey to furnish new robust data on the opportunities, challenges and effectiveness of teachers’ professional development in Europe. She also co-manages a research project on Digital skills for tomorrow: promoting inclusive excellence in VET to map and assess the current landscape of digital skills provision by employing natural language processing (NLP) techniques.

She is the creator of Cedefop’s knowledge hub on inclusion: the “VET toolkit for tackling early leaving” and the “VET toolkit for empowering NEETs” and coordinates the European virtual community of ambassadors for tackling early leaving.

Before joining Cedefop, she worked as education consultant at the World Bank, Washington DC Headquarters in the Human Development Network, supporting the preparation of the World Bank’s new agenda for Secondary Education.

She has published extensively in peer-reviewed academic journals on European policy in education and training, inclusive education, tackling early leaving from VET, curriculum reform, learning outcomes, and professional development of teachers and trainers.

A doctoral comparative education specialist by training (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona), Irene holds also two Master degrees, one on International Relations (Universidad de Barcelona), and another on Applied Linguistics (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona). She graduated from the University Aristotle in Thessaloniki, Greece.

During his more than 20 years of work experience, he provided advice on data analytics and monitoring of VET, adult learning and skills policies to multiple international and national bodies, such as UNESCO, ILO, OECD, G7, European Commission, Nordic Council of Ministers, BMZ/GIZ and Skills Future Singapore agency (including nearly ten years of work for the European Commission), as well as the private sector.

His academic background includes a MSc degree in Information systems and data science from the University of Amsterdam (UvA); a MSc degree in Cognitive and Decision Sciences from the University College London (UCL); a MSc degree in International Management from ISM University of Management and Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Vilnius University.

Previously, she worked at the European Commission, DG Employment and Social Affairs, where she was responsible for supporting the implementation of the EQF, including EQF Advisory Group activities, and was involved in initiatives related to Europass, validation of non-formal and informal learning, ESCO, and the Skills Agenda. Before that, she worked as a researcher, including in university. She holds a master degree in Political Science and International Relations from LUISS University, Rome, Italy.