NORRAG NETWORK: Recent Episodes
NORRAG NETWORK
NORRAG Podcast and KIX EMAP Podcast are produced by NORRAG, the Global Education Centre of the Geneva Graduate.
The NORRAG Podcast features interviews with international experts talking about global developments in education policies and practice. To be featured in the Podcast contact us at: https://www.norrag.org/contact/
The KIX EMAP Podcast is published every first Wednesday of the month, the Podcast is hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor at Chapman University, California, USA. It promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society from 36 countries in the Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia and Pacific region. More information: https://www.norrag.org/kix-emap-podcast/
This special episode was filmed live at the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) 2026 conference in San Francisco, California, USA. It brings together attendees from business, civil society, and government to discuss the most pressing issues in education across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The panel includes: Jayani Prishangika, Additional Commissioner General, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka; Syeed Ahamed, Founder and CEO, Institute for Informed Development (IID), Bangladesh; and Santoso Hadisucipto, Director, Article 33 Indonesia, Indonesia. The conversation covers some of the greatest challenges that their respective organisations face, issues that they have gotten wrong in the past, real-world success stories, and their work with the KIX network.
SDG 4: Quality Education is a fundamental human right and a transformative lever for achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. From eradicating poverty to advancing gender equality, from promoting climate literacy to supporting peaceful societies, education is the connective tissue of sustainable development. Cooperation is critical—internationally and in Geneva—to harnessing the potential of education to achieve the SDGs.To bring this message to life, NORRAG is curating a public exhibition at the Fab in Maison de la Paix in October 2025, designed to make these global efforts available to the public. A dedicated website is also available to a broader public beyond Geneva, and beyond July 2025 until 2030.
This episode of the KIX EMAP podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features, Albina Tsiatkovska, Director General for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Education and Science in Ukraine. In this episode, Albina discusses the challenges to education during the war and the actions taken by the Ministry of Education and Science to respond to the emergency needs and plan for the future.
This episode of the KIX EMAP podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Selin Turan. In the episode, Selin Turan discusses her education path and shares about War Child's KIX-supported research in Chad, Sudan, and Uganda on how education technology innovations can address challenges faced by children in conflict-affected countries.
This episode of the KIX EMAP podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Prof. Manjula Vithanapathirana of Sri Lanka. In the episode, Prof. Vithanapathirana discusses her shift from hard sciences to education, as well as the disparities between learner-centred methods and exam-focused systems in Sri Lankan schools. She also highlights the challenges in implementing teacher training modules and emphasises the significance of partnerships with local experts for tailored solutions.
This episode of the KIX EMAP podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Iwan Syahril, Director General of Early Childhood Education, Basic Education, and Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Republic of Indonesia. In the episode, Dr Syahril discusses Indonesia’s education transformation process and the importance of strategic communication with key stakeholder groups. He also shares his experiences as an academic and civil servant working on education policy and his aspirations for Indonesia’s adhesion to the KIX EMAP community.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, an Education Advisor to ASEAN on the Future of Education in the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community Research and Development Platform and former director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat. In the podcast, Dr Pascua-Valenzuela talks about her journey from a science teacher in the Philippines to these high level roles within the educational development space in Southeast Asia.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Tricia Wind, the Program Leader for GPE KIX at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). In the Podcast, Tricia Wind talks about the linkage between IDRC, GPE KIX and local stakeholders, the value of South-to-South learning and how to improve the impact and uptake of international development research.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Elizabeth Cassity, Senior Research Fellow in the Education and Development Program at Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). In the podcast, Elizabeth Cassity talks about success and barriers related to her work in the Asia and Pacific region, how she uses qualitative research to get through to policymakers and practitioners, and the potential for knowledge exchange in the Pacific Island States.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Amélie Gagnon, demographer and Senior Programme Specialist (Data and Evidence) at the IIEP-UNESCO. In the podcast, Amélie Gagnon talks about bringing stats into education, data-driven decision-making, advising governments, educational planning for natural hazards, online education and the open access movement, among other reflections on improving education planning outcomes.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Shaima Al-Monefie, Research Assistant at the American University in Cairo (Egypt) and former teacher at the Manarat Sana'a International School and the Modern Yemeni School in Yemen. In the Podcast, Ms Al-Monefie talks about her experience of teaching in Yemen along with her current work and research in the region as part of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate programme.The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Kim Anh Nguyen, the National Coordinator of the Vietnam Association for Education for All (VAEFA). In the Podcast, Ms Nguyen talks about her experience of moving from the private sector over to the field of education, along with the challenges of coalition building across different organisations and her work with students with disabilities in Vietnam.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Soka University of America (USA), features Monirath (Moni) Siv, the founder and CEO of Teach For Cambodia (TFC). In the Podcast, Mr Siv talks about his motivation to start a new educational organisation in Cambodia along with some of the challenges and barriers he had to face.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor of Comparative and International Education and Leadership at Soka University of America (USA), features the story of Tamader Al-Tarifi Awad Al-Karim, a former school teacher in Sudan who led a social movement that propelled her to become the Federal Minister of Education.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Dr. Laziz Khujakulov, Head of the Department of Education Quality Monitoring and Teacher Professional Development in the Ministry of Public Education for the Republic of Uzbekistan. In the podcast, Dr. Khujakulov talks about his experience in the government, the challenges of participating in PISA and his view on what academics misunderstand about governing and policymaking.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Dr. Karma Utha, Assistant Professor in Samtse College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan. In the podcast, Dr. Utha talks about upholding research that examines public education policies and about improving the quality of education in Bhutan.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Dr Sajid Ali, the Amir Sultan Chinoy Associate Professor at the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan. In the podcast, Dr Ali offers advice to the international development community working in Pakistan. The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast, hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Dr. Ludmila Malcoci, the Executive Director of Keystone Moldova and Regional Director (Central and Eastern Europe) of Keystone Human Services International. In the podcast, Dr Malcoci discusses the support her organisation provides to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, especially those with disabilities, along with the challenges of Multilingual Education in Moldova. The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Dr. U S Rokeya Akhter, Executive Director of the South Asian Institute for Social Transformation (SAIST) and interim National KIX Coordinator, Bangladesh. In the podcast, Rokeya explains how Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed was used to advocate for Bangladeshi girls' education on the KIX EAP Podcast.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
https://forms.gle/98yJbUzZTQvJe5ry7
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Kamila Kovyazina, independent researcher based in the Republic of Kazakhstan and presenter in the recent EPIC. In the podcast, Kamila explains why international organisations must listen to local experts. Please note that the podcast was recorded in December 2021, before the January 2022 unrest.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Sarfaroz Niyozov, Acting Associate Dean of the academic programs, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, Canada. Listen to how Sarfaroz Niyozov developed a Critical Pragmatist Framework through his diverse educational background.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on the KIX EAP podcast.
https://www.norrag.org/kix-eap-podcast/
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Batjargal Batkhuyag, Executive Director, Mongolian Education Alliance (MEA), Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In this interview, we learn how Mongolia educates its nomadic herder population and more.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us at norrag.kix@graduateinstitute.ch if you know of anyone who could feature on our KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features KIX EAP National Steering Committee member, Dr Kilala Devette-Chee, Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader of the Universal Basic Education Research Program at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute. Dr Devette-Chee is from the country with the most spoken languages and, in this episode, discusses some of the challenges faced by the island nation.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes a diversity of voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior education intellectuals, authors and practitioners connected with the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. The hub has team members representing all 21 of the countries in the region who help identify guests for the show. Reach out to us if you have suggestions of individuals that you think should be on the Podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Almagul Osmonova, the founder and CEO of the Taalim Forum Public Foundation based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Ms Osmonova discusses her background and passion for education.
This is a special edition of the KIX EAP podcast ahead of the KIX EAP Regional Conference, where Ms Osmonova will be presenting her KIX-funded research on how to improve quality and access to school education in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan. Register for the conference here: https://norrag.zohobackstage.eu/KIXEPIC
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes diverse voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior educational intellectuals, authors and practitioners from 21 countries in the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. Reach out to us if you know of anyone who could feature on our KIX EAP podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Dr Elena Kardanova, Professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow, Russia and the Director of the Institute of Education’s Centre for Psychometrics and Measurement in Education. Dr Kardanova explores the question of how researchers can balance international publishing in English while still disseminating local knowledge and other challenges.
This is a special edition of the KIX EAP podcast ahead of the 1st KIX EAP Regional Conference, where Dr. Kardanova will share her knowledge and expertise with attendees.
The KIX EAP Podcast promotes a diversity of voices in the education discourse, with guests from government, academia, or civil society. Our host Ryan Allen talks with senior education intellectuals, authors and practitioners connected with the Europe, Asia and Pacific region. The hub has team members representing all 21 of the countries in the region who help identify guests for the show. Reach out to us if you have suggestions of individuals that you think should be on the Podcast.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA) features Bal Chandra Luitel (PhD), Professor at Kathmandu University’s School of Education, located in Dhulikhel, Nepal. Dr Luitel discusses transformative math and the challenges in training teachers with this unconventional paradigm in Nepal.
This work was supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors, GPE, or KIX- EAP and NORRAG.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Aminath Shafiya Adam (PhD) an assistant professor at The Maldives National University, located in Male, Maldives. In this episode, Dr Shafiya explains how she trains future teachers to become “Champions” in their classrooms through positivity. The discussion also explores the importance of persevering local language and the challenges of the nation's unique geography.
This work was supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors, GPE, or KIX- EAP and NORRAG.
NORRAG Podcast Episode 10 features guest host, Luis Crouch, Senior Economist of RTI's International Development Group. He interviews Radhika Joshi, Doctor of Economics at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore.
They discuss Joshi's article: Can Social Integration in Schools be Mandated? Evidence from the Right to Education Act in India. The paper was published in the International Journal of Education Development in 2020. In the podcast they discuss friendships between students of different socio-economic classes, outcomes and test scores, and how this methodology could be replicated in other contexts.
Arushi Terway, NORRAG’s Senior Lead Research Associate, praises Dr. Joshi’s research which shows that, “Social integration of children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in a classroom improves educational outcomes for all children. This finding provides empirical support for the educational outcome equity goal of the highly controversial mandate within the Indian Right to Education Act of 2009 that requires private schools to reserve 25% of the enrollment for children from underprivileged backgrounds.”
This episode features Radhika Joshi's original music. If you would like to listen to more of her songs, please visit the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C6Jf07gLZ8
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Dr. Shehzad Jeeva, Director of the Aga Khan University Examination Board and an Assistant Professor in the university’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, located in Karachi, Pakistan. Dr. Shehzad Jeeva talks about how to foster critical thinking and hands-on learning in a sector used to rote memorization and the path to revolutionizing the Pakistani education system.
This work was supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors, GPE, or KIX- EAP and NORRAG.
This episode of the KIX EAP Podcast hosted by Ryan Allen, Assistant Professor, Chapman University (USA), features Maia Bibileishvili, Head of the “Child, Family, Society” (CFS) organisation in Georgia. Maia Bibileisvili talks about how her family experience inspired her to advocate for students with disabilities in Georgia. By grassroots organizing and appealing to the highest levels of government, her efforts have helped propel recognition and access for these population throughout the country.
This work was supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre, Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors, GPE, or KIX- EAP and NORRAG.
Thank you for listening to NORRAG Podcast Episode 9 which features Manos Antoninis, an economist and specialist in questions related to development, education in particular. He is the Director of the Global Education Monitoring Report. This independently governed and financed report, coming up to its 20th edition, is housed at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It is a reference for analysis and data on education world-wide.
Manos Antoninis talks to Alexandra Draxler, former Director at UNESCO and NORRAG Senior Advisor. The interview was held as an initiative of the Memory & Future Club of the Association of UNESCO Former Staff Members (AFUS), in collaboration with NORRAG.
In NORRAG Podcast Episode 8, guest hosts, Alexandra Draxler and Keith Lewin, discuss the fact that external aid for educational development is reaching its peak. What does this mean for donor countries, receiving countries, and the tumultuous times we live in? Can equitable access to quality education for all be achieved under the funding structures we have now?
Thank you for listening to NORRAG Podcast Episode 7. Aaron Benavot (Professor of Global Education Policy at SUNY University in Albany, NY) and Alexandra Draxler (NORRAG Senior Advisor and former UNESCO Director), recorded this episode on behalf of the Association of Former UNESCO Staff Members. NORRAG received permission to re-publish this work.
In the episode, the guest hosts discuss the tumultuous history between the U.S.'s involvement with UNESCO. With the new Biden/Harris administration entering the White House, can we expect to see a re-engagement with UNESCO? What would this entail and imply?
In NORRAG Podcast Episode 6, we talk to NORRAG member Archana Mehendale about a Case Study she co-authored with Ajay Singh, entitled “India Education Outcomes Fund” which was recently published on the NORRAG website.
Archana Mehendale is an Adjunct Honorary Professor at the Centre for Education Innovation and Action Research, Tata Institute of Social Sciences India (TISS).
The case study is a result of an Innovative Finance for Education project, which is partially funded by the swissuniversities SUDAC-COFER Programme. NORRAG partnered with six universities in this two-year project to research and develop multimedia material for teaching and e-learning on the underexplored topic of innovative financing in education and development. The publication is the first field-based case study of a series portraying how innovative financing for education has been implemented in diverse contexts in the Global South.
The Case Study is available on the NORRAG website at www.norrag.org/ife.
In NORRAG Podcast Episode 5, we talk to Prof Ji Liu about his article, co-authored with Prof Gita Steiner-Khamsi, entitled ‘Human Capital Index and the hidden penalty for non-participation in International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs)’.
Ji Liu is a Professor of Comparative Education and Economics of Education at the Tin Ka Ping School of Education, Shaanxi Normal University. He is also a senior Research Associate at NORRAG.
Gita Steiner-Khamsi is a Professor of Comparative and International Education at Teachers College, Columbia University and a Professor at The Graduate Institute, Geneva. She is the Director of NORRAG.
The article is available on the NORRAG website at www.norrag.org in our news and blog sections.
Thank you for tuning into NORRAG Podcast Episode 4. We talk today to Megan Haggerty and Bronwen Magrath, two of the authors along with Gordana Kelava of the chapter “The IEFG: role of a philanthropic affinity network within global education”. This is chapter 3 of the NORRAG Book “Philanthropy in Education: Diverse Perspective and Global Trends” published by Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, Cheltenham, UK.
Megan Haggerty is Executive Director and Bronwen Magrath Director of Programs for the International Education Funders Group (IEFG). The format of this show is a bit different than the previous one, I am happy to let Bronwen lead the discussion about the chapter in the book.
In NORRAG Podcast Episode 3, we talk to Iván Matovich and Alejandra Cardini about their chapter, ‘New philanthropy and global policy networks in education: the case of Argentina’ in Philanthropy in Education: Diverse Perspectives and Global Trends. This is NORRAG’s second book in its Series on International Education and Development / published by Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, Cheltenham, UK.
The book was launched on 22 November 2019 by NORRAG and the Al Qasimi Foundation in the US and the UK / and is free to download / as an Open Access title / on the NORRAG website at norrag.org and on ElgarOnline.com. You can find us on social media on Twitter @norrag, on facebook at norrag.network. Al Qasimi Foundation can be found on Twitter @AlQasimiFound.
Iván Matovich is Coordinator at the Education Programme of the Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth or CIPPEC in Argentina. He is also an Assistant Professor of Educational Policy at the School of Politics and Government of Austral University. Alejandra Cardini is Director of the Education Program at CIPPEC. She also works as an educational policy professor at the School of Politics and Government of Austral University.
In NORRAG Podcast Episode 2, we talk to Matthew D. Bird and Vicente M. León about their chapter titled “A will in search of a way: philanthropy in education in Peru” in the NORRAG Book “Philanthropy in Education: Diverse Perspectives and Global Trends”. This is NORRAG’s second book in its Series on International Education and Development / published by Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, Cheltenham, UK.
The book was launched on 22 November 2019 by NORRAG and the Al Qasimi Foundation in the US and the UK / and is free to download / as an Open Access title / on the NORRAG website at norrag.org and on ElgarOnline.com. You can find us on social media on Twitter @norrag, on facebook at norrag.network. Al Qasimi Foundation can be found on Twitter @AlQasimiFound
Matthew D. Bird is a Professor in the graduate school at Universidad del Pacífico in Lima, Peru and Vicente M. León is Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance and a Professor of Finance at Universidad del Pacífico.
In the first episode of the NORRAG Podcast, we talk to Dr. Natasha Ridge (Executive Director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates) and Dr. Arushi Terway (Senior Lead Research Associate at NORRAG) about the launch of the NORRAG book “Philanthropy in Education: Diverse Perspectives and Global Trends”, the second in NORRAG’s Book Series on Education and Development published by Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd, Cheltenham, UK