Dr Rie Thomsen is a Professor (WST) at the Danish School of Education, at Aarhus University in Copenhagen and of University of South Eastern Norway and University of Lower Silesia in Poland. She is a visiting professor at The International Centre for Guidance Studies at the University of Derby in England. Rie’s research revolves around lifelong career guidance practices and policies with a special interest in social justice and the role of communities. Furthermore, she has a strong interest in creating an inspiring environment for interdisciplinary and collaborative research in Career Guidance. She is the scientific coordinator of the European Doctoral School in career guidance and counselling (ECADOC). In 2012 she published the book Career Guidance in Communities. In 2013 she was awarded with the National Guidance Award for her research and its usefulness for practice.
Dr. Nikos Drosos is an Associate Professor in Career Guidance and Counselling in the European University Cyprus and the Coordinator of its relevant master (MA) programme. He has been working in the field of counselling and career guidance for more than 15 years, having undertaken the supervision, development, implementation and assessment of various international career counselling projects. He has been scientific responsible in several European projects (Erasmus+, Creative Europe) regarding work re-integration of socially vulnerable groups. He is the co-Coordinator of the Scientific Committee of the European Doctoral Programme in Career Guidance and Counselling (ECADOC), a member of the Board of Directors of the Pan-Hellenic Union for Psycho-social Rehabilitation and Work Integration (PEPSAEE), and Vice-President of the Greek Union for Supported Employment (ELETYPE). Furthermore, he has been an instructor in postgraduate programmes at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens since 2013. He has numerous awards for his social activity, and for academic excellence. He is, also, the co-creator of the "ARIADNE" career tests (www.ariadne-project.gr) that have already helped more than 15,000 students in Greece and Cyprus decide their future career.
Dr Miika Kekki is an Early Career Academic at the International Centre for Guidance Studies of the University of Derby, United Kingdom. He has completed a PhD in social policy at the University of Eastern Finland. His research interests include career guidance of migrants, social inclusion and integration, and community-based guidance initiatives. He has worked earlier as a researcher at the Research Centre in Vocational Psychology and Career Counselling of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. He also has extensive work experience as a career practitioner, teacher and trainer both in Finland and elsewhere.
