ICSEI Board Elections: Nominee Statements 2024
Note: You will find the option to vote below, after the statements. When prompted, please log in to your ICSEI member account first.
Each person standing for election was asked to provide a 300-word statement (without citations or references) detailing their motivation and contributions to school effectiveness, improvement, innovation and ICSEI, including their vision for ICSEI.
The statements are listed in the same order as nominees are listed on the ballot paper.
Dr Rania Sawalhi
I am honored to apply for ICSEI Board membership. Since joining ICSEI in 2020, I have contributed as co-coordinator for the Educational Leadership Network (ELN), a former member of the Communication Committee, and as part of GRID and FRAG. These roles have allowed me to engage in global educational dialogues, foster networks, and support ICSEI’s mission.
My work across the MENA region—ranging from leadership roles in K-12 schools and higher education institutions to advising informal education initiatives—has shaped my approach to integrating diverse voices. These experiences provide unique insights into how ICSEI can strengthen its global impact, particularly by amplifying perspectives from underrepresented regions and fostering research-practice collaborations responsive to local needs.
I see the ICSEI Board as a platform to further these goals. My academic background and international collaborations align with ICSEI’s commitment to promoting educational quality and equity. I am passionate about fostering innovative approaches embracing cultural diversity, cross-sector partnerships, and global challenges. By joining the board, I aim to bridge regional gaps by connecting ICSEI with relevant organizations across MENA, fostering mutual learning and cooperation.
My experience highlights the importance of amplifying voices from underrepresented regions like the Arab world. There is a significant need to connect ICSEI to MENA, ensuring Arab needs, experiences, and innovations are represented. If given the opportunity, I aim to enhance engagement with stakeholders across the MENA region and beyond, support the exchange of best practices, and contribute to a globally relevant research community.
Professor Melanie Ehren, PhD.
As a Professor of Educational Governance at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (the Netherlands), I bring over 25 years of experience in various academic and policy roles within the field of school effectiveness and improvement. For the past two years, I have had the privilege of serving on the ICSEI board, and I am eager to continue the valuable work that Paul Campbell and I have initiated in integrating networks as a fundamental and enduring component of the ICSEI structure.
In the past year, we have made significant strides by implementing regular meetings and further developing policies – originally initiated by Chris Brown and Kristin Vanlommel – to formalize the role of networks within ICSEI. Our efforts have resulted in more established processes for network involvement in organizing the annual conference and fostering connections with early career scholars. I firmly believe that the true value of ICSEI lies in the dedication of our members, with networks playing a crucial role in facilitating broad engagement across our membership.
As an ICSEI board member I have also helped establish the policy framework for local events and am currently organizing such an event in Amsterdam for September 2024. I am keen to support and contribute to the development of more regional events. These events offer a valuable addition to ICSEI’s portfolio, especially as many colleagues and organizations seek to reduce their carbon footprint from long-distance travel while still maintaining meaningful face-to-face interactions alongside virtual communications.
Dr Asmaa Al-Fadala
Joining the ICSEI board presents a valuable opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the global conversation on educational reform, policy development, and leadership. With over 28 years of experience in education, from teaching and school leadership to policy analysis and academic research, I have cultivated a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges facing educators and policymakers worldwide. My journey from a teacher to a professor and consultant has provided me with a unique perspective that I believe will be an asset to ICSEI’s mission of advancing educational improvement and equity.
As a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and a consultant for various international organizations, I have worked on projects that span continents and cultures. These experiences have equipped me with a global outlook, and I am committed to fostering cross-cultural collaborations that drive innovative solutions in education. My role as Director of Research at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) for nine years allowed me to lead the research agenda and be part of the leadership team that organized five summits in Qatar, with 3,000 participants in Doha, and seven conferences for 700 participants in cities like New York, Madrid, Beijing, Tunis, Accra, Medellín, and Paris. I can bring the experience of organizing these large-scale, international events to ICSEI.
Serving on the ICSEI board would allow me to bring my expertise in educational leadership, policy development, and capacity building to a broader platform. I am particularly passionate about enhancing the professional development of educators and leaders, as well as promoting research that informs practice and policy. I also see this role as an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with esteemed colleagues from around the world, further enriching my work and, by extension, the educational communities I serve.
In summary, I am eager to join the ICSEI board to contribute my experience and insights to support the organization’s goals of fostering educational excellence and equity. I am committed to working collaboratively with fellow board members to address the challenges and opportunities in education globally.