Erin Buisse
Seaforth, NS, Canada / Chamonix, France
Summary
Dynamic education specialist, researcher, and humanitarian dedicated to addressing complex challenges through participative and decolonized approaches. Extensive experience guiding institutions to implement innovative strategies that foster stakeholder collaboration and leverage data-driven decisions for impactful outcomes. Committed to advancing equitable solutions that empower diverse communities and promote inclusive growth. Proven ability to drive transformative change in educational and development settings, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Senior Consultant
Erin Buisse Consulting
10.2019 - Current
- Led initiatives for clients including: International Science Council, UNESCO/The World Academy of Sciences, National Geographic Society, University of Geneva, University of Nairobi
- Orchestrated large-scale conferences and bespoke workshops for over 2000 participants, crafting specialized training materials for diverse audiences.
- Designed and implemented qualitative and participatory research initiatives, culminating in publications.
- Contributed to the establishment of three international networks, focusing on improving advocacy and organizational effectiveness.
Program Specialist (P3)
UNESCO / International Institute for Education Planning
07.2018 - 09.2019
- Assisted governments with technical support for educational planning and crisis management.
- Secured a grant of $600,000 USD to implement a multi-country research initiative focused on refugee teacher education.
Researcher & Africa Program Manager
University of Geneva (InZone, Global Studies Institute)
02.2015 - 01.2018
- Co-led strategic initiatives for the Connected Learning in Crisis Consortium.
- Oversaw development and execution of higher education programs in refugee camps.
- Taught at summer school on higher education in emergencies.
- Co-led INEE working group on capacity strengthening of education staff.
Ed. Coordinator (P4) / Assoc. Ed. Officer (P2)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
10.2013 - 11.2014
- Coordinated 30 organizations, leading Lebanon's Education Working Group to expand educational access for 400,000 Syrian refugees through national systems and strategic responses.
- Managed $150 million budget on a national scale to optimize resource distribution and ensure effective project monitoring.
Associate Community Services Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
09.2011 - 09.2013
- Coordinated educational programs to address the needs of refugees amidst ongoing crisis.
- Led initiatives promoting inclusion for individuals with disabilities and enhancing educational engagement for girls.
- Created and launched an initiative focused on increasing educational technology accessibility in the camp through Microsoft funding.
Assistant to Director
Connect to Learn / Columbia University
04.2011 - 09.2011
- Facilitated school-to-school connection program between U.S. and African countries.
USA Office Manager
Global Citizen (formerly Global Poverty Project)
07.2010 - 03.2011
- Cultivated a vibrant office environment and executed impactful events that advanced the global citizen initiative.
Substitute Teacher
Loudoun County Public Schools
01.2002 - 05.2010
- Facilitated instruction on diverse subjects for K-12 students.
Fellow
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, U.S. Congress
11.2009 - 03.2010
- Facilitated preparation of materials for congressional human rights hearings for the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Program Manager
Peace Corps Headquarters
01.2008 - 08.2008
- Designed and implemented programs to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities in Kenya, Ghana, and Zambia.
Peace Corps Volunteer, Teacher
Kerugoya School for the Deaf
09.2005 - 11.2007
- Delivered comprehensive lessons on HIV/AIDS health, arts, and computer literacy to grades 4-8 using Kenyan Sign Language.
- Led efforts to secure grant funding for the establishment of a computer lab.
Education
Ph.D. - Educational Research
Lancaster University
United Kingdom05-2026
Doctoral Studies - International Studies
University of Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland01-2018
Master of Education - International Education Policy
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, MA, USA06.2009
Bachelor of Science - Art Education
Penn State University
University Park, PA, USA05.2005
Skills
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Policy and system development
- Innovative problem-solving
- Facilitating workshops and conferences
- Education and training development
- Stakeholder and donor engagement
- Qualitative and participatory research
- Grant management
LANGUAGES
English Native
French Intermediate
Swahili Intermediate
Kenyan Sign Language Fluent
Affiliations
- Human Development and Capabilities Association
- Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies
- Inter-agency Network of Education in Emergencies
PUBLICATIONS
- 2024. Protecting Science in Times of Crisis: How do we stop being reactive and become more proactive? International Science Council
- 2023. One year of war in Ukraine: Exploring the impact on the science sector and supporting initiatives. International Science Council and All European Academies
- 2022. Ukraine Crisis Responses from the European education and research sectors. International Science Council and All European Academies
- 2018. Higher Education Spaces and Protracted Displacement Higher Education Spaces and Protracted Displacement: How Learner-Centered Pedagogies and Human-Centered Design Can Unleash Refugee Innovation.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Quantitative Methods for Monitoring and Evaluating Quality of Education; UNESCO, Paris, France (May 2014)
- International Summer School on Forced Migration, Oxford University (July 2013)
HONORS
- Special Jury Prize from Peace and Sport Foundation in Monaco for the project “From Refugee Camp to the Olympics” (Nov. 2016)
- Innovation Fellow with UNHCR, Kenya & Lebanon for innovative technology solutions to enhance refugee education (2013 – 2014)
Timeline
Founder and Senior Consultant
Erin Buisse Consulting
10.2019 - Current
Program Specialist (P3)
UNESCO / International Institute for Education Planning
07.2018 - 09.2019
Researcher & Africa Program Manager
University of Geneva (InZone, Global Studies Institute)
02.2015 - 01.2018
Ed. Coordinator (P4) / Assoc. Ed. Officer (P2)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
10.2013 - 11.2014
Associate Community Services Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
09.2011 - 09.2013
Assistant to Director
Connect to Learn / Columbia University
04.2011 - 09.2011
USA Office Manager
Global Citizen (formerly Global Poverty Project)
07.2010 - 03.2011
Fellow
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, U.S. Congress
11.2009 - 03.2010
Program Manager
Peace Corps Headquarters
01.2008 - 08.2008
Peace Corps Volunteer, Teacher
Kerugoya School for the Deaf
09.2005 - 11.2007
Substitute Teacher
Loudoun County Public Schools
01.2002 - 05.2010
Ph.D. - Educational Research
Lancaster University
Doctoral Studies - International Studies
University of Geneva
Master of Education - International Education Policy
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Bachelor of Science - Art Education
Penn State University