We work through a trusted international network of experts who provide on-the-ground insight, access to local data and introductions to key stakeholders, ensuring our advice is context-aware and quickly actionable.

We created the Global Engagement Index (GEI) to benchmark internationalisation across UK HE—including TNE activity and student and graduate outcomes—and we co-founded the Transnational Education Impact Repository to translate practice into measurable benefits for students, institutions and host systems.

We regularly support ministries, national agencies and sector bodies, alongside universities through research, strategy and implementation support. This blend of policy-system perspective and institutional delivery gives our clients clear, actionable routes to impact.

 

Education Insight – Who we are

Education Insight is a UK-based research and advisory practice specialising in international higher education. Founded and led by Dr Janet Ilieva, we combine robust economic analysis with deep sector experience to help governments and universities design practical, evidence-led strategies for sustainable global engagement. Our work spans national education policy, global student mobility, university partnerships and transnational education (TNE), and the mutual recognition of international qualifications.

We work through a trusted international network of experts who provide on-the-ground insight, access to local data and introductions to key stakeholders, ensuring our advice is context-aware and quickly actionable.

We created the Global Engagement Index (GEI) to benchmark internationalisation across UK HE—including TNE activity and student and graduate outcomes—and we co-founded the Transnational Education Impact Repository to translate practice into measurable benefits for students, institutions and host systems.

We regularly support ministries, national agencies and sector bodies, alongside universities through research, strategy and implementation support. This blend of policy-system perspective and institutional delivery gives our clients clear, actionable routes to impact.

Education Insight Global Engagement Index

The Education Insight Global Engagement Index (GEI) endeavours to support the development of institutional internationalisation strategies and invite a conversation about global engagement. The index aims to capture the state of international engagement across 30 measures, which have varying relevance to the UK’s diverse higher education sector. The scores range from five stars, highest level of engagement, to one star, which indicates a low level of engagement or that the measure bears little relevance.

Our Commitment and guiding principles

Education Insight is a higher education research consultancy that specialises in global engagement. We work with clients and stakeholders across the world. Depending on the project we engage in, we work in teams with higher education experts in niche areas. Our guiding principles are those of equality, inclusion, and mutuality. We embed anti-racism principles to guide our work with colleagues globally. We work as a virtual team of experts, brought together by shared values and principles which include but are not limited to the following:

  • Anti-racism commitment, embedding diversity, equity and inclusion strategy as guiding principles in our work
  • Equitable access to work opportunities by supporting female professionals and colleagues with family and caring responsibilities who are unable to fit into standard working day hours
  • Active contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – a global commitment uniting 193 nations to the world’s sustainable development agenda
  • Environmentally friendly mode of work. We work as a virtual team, seeking to strengthen the contribution and amplify the voice of communities with limited access to international education conferences, discussions and professional development. Education Insight is an active supporter of the Climate Action Network for International Education (CANIE)
  • Inclusive leadership

Meet the Team

Janet Ilieva

Pat Killingley

Winnie Elay

Rebecca Finlayson

Stephanie Ashcroft