Irma Meijerman, PhD, SFHEA, is an educational consultant with over 30 years of experience in higher education. Originally trained as a toxicologist, she worked for 24 years at Utrecht University, where she combined research and teaching with curriculum development and educational innovation. She led the design of the interdisciplinary College of Pharmaceutical Sciences honours programme and contributed to curriculum renewal across programmes, including Biomedical Sciences. Irma is Chair of the EuroSoTL network, co-author of the Utrecht University Roadmap for SoTL, and co-editor of the recent book Routes to Change: Strategic Leadership in SoTL. Through her consultancy, she supports universities across Europe in curriculum development, educational leadership, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Prof. Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers is Professor of Educational Management and Lifelong Learning at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University Karlsruhe and Professor for Future Skills at Karlshochschule International University. He is Scientific Director and founder of the NextEducation Research Group and serves as Senior Advisor to the Presidency of DHBW for the digital transformation of teaching and learning. As a researcher, higher-education innovator and serial entrepreneur, he has initiated and led numerous international projects on Future Skills, AI, digital transformation and the future of higher education. He is also a board member of the Future Skills Alliance and Editor-in-Chief of the European Scientific Journal for Dual Higher Education.
Nuria López, PhD, SFHEA, is a Learning Consultant in the Educational Development and Quality unit at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). She works with academic staff on diverse teaching and learning initiatives, including faculty development, pedagogical enhancement, and curriculum development. Drawing on her background in university teaching and pedagogical research, she is particularly interested in how evidence‑based educational practices can foster meaningful student learning and advance the professionalisation of university teaching.
Doc. Mgr. Karel Kouba, M.A., Ph.D., is Vice Rector for Accreditations and Quality of Education at Charles University. He is also an associate professor at the Center for Multidisciplinary Area Studies, Faculty of Arts, Charles University. He graduated from Palacký University in Olomouc (Czech Republic) and Miami University (USA). His research focuses on political institutions and democratic development in Latin America and Central Europe. Part of his research is also devoted to higher education and higher education policy in the Czech Republic, particularly issues of academic self-governance, university governance, and student participation in university decision-making. His work has appeared, among other journals, in Higher Education and Studies in Higher Education.
Mgr. Jana Martincová, Ph.D., holds a Ph.D. in Education from the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University. Her professional expertise lies in higher education pedagogy, curriculum design, study programme development, and the development of teaching competencies among academic staff. She is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Tomas Bata University in Zlín, and has served as Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs since 2023. In this role, she focuses primarily on study programme quality, curriculum development, and accreditation processes. She has contributed to the development of competency frameworks for higher education teaching staff. She also works as a pedagogical mentor, supporting academic staff in reflecting on and continuously developing their teaching practice.
As a quality manager at the Quality Office of Masaryk University in Brno, Mgr. Karolína Zlámalová, Ph.D., has initially focused on teaching quality, spanning tasks from analysing tools for gathering student feedback, participating in the creation of MU The Competency Framework for university teachers to organizing the vice-rector’s award for quality teaching. Today, she is also responsible for the operation of the Internal Evaluation Board, bringing the focus on teaching quality into accreditation processes. Doctoral studies allowed her to gain experience in Czech and international academic environments, as well as to teach and supervise students. Here, she drew on her extensive experience in adult education in the private sector, as well as courses in inclusive teaching and educational development.
Jakub Czernik, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Literature at the Faculty of Polish Studies, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, and an expert at the university’s Ars Docendi Center for Teaching Development. From 2020 to 2024, he served as Head of the Comparative Literature and Polish Studies programme. He participated in the Masters of Didactics and Masters of Didactics – Educational Leadership programmes at the University of Groningen, Ghent University, University College London, and Aarhus University. His areas of expertise include AI in higher education, mentoring, active learning methods, and the use of new technologies in university teaching.
Jarosław Jendza, PhD, is a researcher at the University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Education, Didactics and Adults Education Unit. He is an expert and trainer at The University of Gdansk Center for the Development of Teaching and Tutoring and at the Medical University of Gdańsk – Centre to Support Didactics. He is President of Montessori Europe and Editor-in-Chief of Horizons of Academic Teaching Journal. His work focuses on higher education, teacher education, and Montessori pedagogy. He is the author of the award-winning monograph “Kultury Uniwersytetu” (Cultures of the University), co-author of several books, including the forthcoming “Studying with Peers: Peer Tutoring and the Relational University”, and has presented keynotes and workshops at numerous international conferences
Ing. Kristýna Vltavská, Ph.D., has been the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Informatics and Statistics (FIS), Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE), since 2018. In her executive role, she drives strategic continuous innovation across study programs, overseeing the modernization of course content, modern instructional methodologies, and comprehensive academic quality assurance.
Beyond her administrative leadership, she is a dedicated educator and researcher specializing in educational statistics within higher education. Through her work, she bridges quantitative statistical analysis with practical institutional policymaking to build more adaptive and accessible university environments.
Prof. MUDr. Štěpán Havránek, Ph.D., is a cardiologist specializing in cardiac electrophysiology, arrhythmias, catheter ablation, and acute cardiovascular care. He graduated from the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, in 2003, completed his habilitation in 2016, and was appointed Professor of Internal Medicine in 2023. He works at the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, and General University Hospital, Prague, where he serves as Head of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Section. He is actively involved in medical education and curriculum development at Charles University and has served as Chair of the Academic Senate of the First Faculty of Medicine since 2025.
MUDr. Jana Tuková, Ph.D., graduated from the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, in 2005 and completed her PhD in Human Physiology and Pathophysiology in 2010. She obtained board certification in Pediatrics in 2014 and in Pediatric Pneumology in 2020. Since 2023, she has served as Deputy Head of the Department for Education and has been a member of the Educational Committee of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, since 2024.
PhDr. Petra Vallin, Ph.D., is a teacher, lecturer, and educational development project coordinator. She graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University, and subsequently taught English and CLIL for over 10 years. Currently, she teaches future primary school teachers, focusing on courses in general didactics, the development of creative thinking, intercultural and inclusive education. She is involved in development projects aimed at spreading educational innovations, such as formative assessment, building professional learning communities, and fostering collaboration between primary school teachers and faculty in preparing future educators. She works closely with the Ministry of Education and the National Pedagogical Institute to implement these changes in Czech schools and faculties.
Lucie Weissová, MA, is an educational developer specialising in the internationalisation of the curriculum and Internationalisation at Home at Halmstad University, Sweden. She supports academics and programme teams in embedding international and intercultural dimensions into curricula through professional development, curriculum design and institutional initiatives. Her research focuses on continuing professional development for the internationalisation of the curriculum and the conditions that shape academics‘ engagement with internationalisation.
Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Beseda, Ph.D., specializes in higher education pedagogy, distance learning, and the integration of digital technologies into teaching. He is the Head of the National Centre for Distance Education at the Centre for Higher Education Studies, and the director of the Czech Association for Professional Higher Education. He is a PROFFORMANCE Digitalization expert and recipient of the EURASHE PHE Star for Digitalization. Currently, he serves as an Ambassador for the European Digital Education Hub. He is the co-leader of the EURASHE QA CoP and actively collaborates with universities on projects focused on the professional development of academic staff and enhancing teaching quality.
Mgr. Lucie Poslušná graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University, where she majored in English Language and Literature. Since 2007, she has been teaching professional and academic English at the Language Centre of the Faculty of Social Sciences. In 2016, she also began leading pedagogical skills seminars for the faculty’s PhD students. After serving for three years as Head of Administration, she was appointed Head of the Language Centre in 2019. In October 2024, the Centre evolved into the Centre for Language Learning and Pedagogical Training where Lucie Poslušná participates in shaping the newly established Teaching and Learning department.
Mgr. Kamila Panešová graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, with a degree in English and American Studies and Latin. She has been teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, since 1999, where she has also been running pedagogical skills seminars for doctoral students since 2018. Throughout her tenure, she has served as Deputy Head of the Department, focusing primarily on internal training seminars. Since 2024, she has been collaborating with Lucie Poslušná in a newly established Center that aims to support faculty colleagues in acquiring pedagogical skills through various formats, including courses, workshops, and inspiration cafes.