Lisdey Espinoza Pedraza is the Head of the Education and Insight Hub for the Americas for the British Council. Her portfolio includes student recruitment, alumni relations and strategic research on Higher Education. She holds PhD in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. She studied her master’s degree in International Relations and World Order at the University of Leicester, England and her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the Universidad Iberoamericana, Campus Santa Fé, Mexico City. She is currently studying the Advanced Certificate in Terrorism Studies and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland. She is also holds of the Associate Fellowship of the UK Higher Education Academy (HEA) demonstrating compliance with the UKPSF Professional Teaching Standards for teaching at UK and European universities. She has participated in numerous international and national conferences on political science and international relations and has written on topics such as democracy, the European Union, British politics, Russia and the Caucasus, and contemporary Mexican politics. She has published various articles on these topics in indexed journals. Her research interests include democratisation processes, governance and theories of the state, contemporary Mexican politics, Latin American politics, political parties, geopolitics; United States foreign policy; Latin America; Russia and Caucasus; European Union and United Kingdom.
Habib Fardoun is a distinguished academic ranking and excellence specialist, widely recognized for his expertise in enhancing the performance and reputation of universities. As an esteemed member of the Executive Committee at the IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence in Brussels, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the global higher education landscape.
With a Ph.D. in Model-Based Approach for the Development of Quality Higher Educational Environments from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, Prof. Fardoun brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work. His research and academic background have equipped him with a deep understanding of the key factors that contribute to institutional excellence.
Prof. Fardoun’s career has been characterized by his dedication to helping universities in the MENA region and Europe improve their rankings and overall performance. He has focused on various areas critical to enhancing academic and research reputation. By providing strategic guidance and advice, he has supported institutions in optimizing research output, improving teaching quality, and implementing effective internationalization strategies.
Drawing on his extensive experience, Prof. Fardoun has developed tailored ranking improvement plans that address the unique needs and goals of each university. These comprehensive plans encompass both short-term and long-term strategies, ensuring sustainable growth and continuous progress towards excellence. Prof. Fardoun’s commitment extends beyond the initial consultation phase, as he provides ongoing support and guidance throughout the implementation process, enabling institutions to achieve their ranking targets and secure a position of prominence in the global academic landscape.
Prof. Fardoun’s expertise and insights have been sought after by universities and educational institutions worldwide. Through workshops, conferences, and advisory engagements, he has shared his knowledge and best practices, empowering institutions to enhance their academic standing and reputation. His ability to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies has made him a trusted advisor in the field of academic ranking and excellence.
In addition to his contributions to the IREG Observatory, Prof. Fardoun has also actively engaged in research and scholarship, publishing more than 200 articles and papers, in High impact Journals and conferences, that contribute to the advancement of higher education. His work has been widely recognized and has further solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the domain.
With his unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence, Habib Fardoun continues to shape the future of higher education by empowering institutions to realize their full potential and secure their place among the world’s top-ranked universities.
Nilly is Consultant at QS. Prior to joining QS in 2021, Nilly worked in strategic leadership roles within the higher education sector in Germany and Colombia for over 10 years. Nilly’s expertise lies in Product Management for QS Analytics; Academic Programmes Management – Curriculum Planning, implementation, quality assurance and evaluation; Online learning – building, maintaining, and improving e-learning educational offer, Sustainability and Global Engagement; Nilly holds a MA Latin American Studies – Political Sciences (Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris III), and a BA in International Relations (HEI – Paris).
