Research Group Steering Committee 2025-2026
Adam Freed, USA
I am a scholar-practitioner in the field of higher education internationalization seeking to put my experience and knowledge to use through educational program design, intercultural communication and relationship-building, and research. My core areas of practice are student mobility program design, delivery, and support as well as private consulting across various aspects of internationalization. My current research focus centers around understanding diverse conceptualizations of COIL/VE across global contexts.
Divinia Jithoo, South Africa
Dr Divinia Jithoo is a Specialist in International Education at Durban University of Technology, with extensive expertise in higher education internationalisation and curriculum development. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Studies from the University of the Western Cape and has a strong research focus on academic cross-border collaboration and the structural dynamics of global partnerships. Dr Jithoo is recognised for her work in International Virtual Engagement, especially Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), advancing inclusive internationalisation in higher education.
Mark Dawson, Germany
Dr Mark Dawson recently gained his doctorate at Coventry University in the UK, researching student and staff perceptions of COIL. He is a co-author on a number of recent papers in various academic journals on the topic and has a broad range of experience in higher education having held various academic and support roles in universities in the UK and Germany. He currently works as a lecturer with IU University in Berlin.
Osvaldo Succi, Brazil
Dr. Osvaldo Succi Junior is the COIL VE Coordinator at Centro Paula Souza. He oversees 110 COIL/virtual exchange projects each year, involving over 1,100 students. He is an expert in scaling sustainable virtual exchange programs within vocational education frameworks. Dr. Succi and his team connect COIL projects with local communities, NGOs, and industry partners to enhance students' workforce readiness. They employ strategies for integrating international collaboration with practical, career-focused learning outcomes in technical education settings.
Simone Hackett, The Netherlands
Simone Hackett is a Senior Lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and researcher at Utrecht University, studying the impact of COIL instructional design using experimental control groups. Since 2012, she has founded COIL initiatives at both HU and THUAS in the Netherlands, developed curricula, and delivered pedagogy workshops at institutions like HWR Berlin and the EAIE. She is currently Chair of the Research on Internationalisation Thematic Committee at the EAIE and regularly publishes and presents on COIL and internationalisation.
Alena Anishchanka, Belgium
Jon Rubin, USA
From 1975 to 2005, Jon Rubin was a practicing media artist. From 2002-11 he implemented his Cross-Cultural Video course in which students collaboratively co-produced videos with peers in other countries. He founded and directed the SUNY COIL Center from 2006-2017. In 2017, he created COIL Consulting and in 2020 COIL Connect, to support higher education institutions which are developing COIL initiatives. In 2022, Stylus Publishers released The Guide to COIL Virtual Exchange, which Rubin co-edited.
Marcela Maldonado Clavijo, Spain
Researcher and consultant in higher education internationalisation, with a focus on curriculum development and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). PhD candidate at the University of Granada with extensive experience leading COIL initiatives, training faculty, and advising institutions across Latin America and Europe. Active member of the COIL Connect Board of Directors, contributing to global efforts in advancing COIL methodology and fostering inclusive, intercultural virtual collaboration in higher education.
Daysi Rueda, Spain
Daysi Paola Rueda Cordones worked in International Education for seven years at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. She holds a master's degree in International Relations. Presently, Daysi is a Ph.D. student at the University of Cadiz – Spain. Her research focuses on the internationalization and digitalization of higher education institutions, and spin-offs.
