Much of my recent policy support work with the European Commission has been focused on the integration of services and stakeholder organisations in to the work of education institutions. I have had a privileged insight into the workings of urban teams and authorities across Europe and have witnessed different approaches to local challenges. I also have my own professional experience within urban settings, working in the health sector (charity/funding), education (school teaching, research and policy development) and culture (city arts and community development). All of these ventures were impossible to manage and develop without well-functioning cross-sectoral relationships and working within a shared vision for urban development. Finally, my doctorate in education also contributed to my understanding of societal governance and development on a local level over time.

My recent transnational experiences have been within the work of the European Commission through its Open Method of Coordination. I have been co-ordinator of the ET2020 Working Group Schools since the beginning of 2016, designing, facilitating and reporting on meetings with representatives of ministries from all EU countries plus European stakeholder organisations; peer learning activities (4-day intensive process); a Yammer group; and the development of key policy messages. I have designed, evaluated and managed European studies and projects, all of which have necessitated good working relationships and communication maintained in person and online. I have also managed the European online platform School Education Gateway and its Teacher Academy, which requires transnational input to support the work and professional development of stakeholders across Europe using a variety of digital and online tools. Aside from this work I have collaborated internationally with researchers and practitioners in the North America, Asia and Australasia in order to share practice, write journal articles and publish a co-edited book on arts and education.