Dr Mary Stiasny has been Assistant Director of the Institute of Education, with responsibility for Learning and Teaching and oversight of the International Strategy since July 2007. Prior to that she was, for some 4 years, Director of Education and Training for the British Council, Head of the School of Education and Training at the University of Greenwich and Deputy Head of School at Oxford Brookes University. She has written and spoken extensively about internationalism in education, taking the lead for the UK in working with the education sector recruiting overseas students, developing partnerships and enabling staff and students to develop an international outlook. Mary is a member of the UK UNESCO Education Committee.

Mary Stiasny contributed to sessions 3d - National strategies and 5d - Student experience: global issues in the key markets.