Shona Paul

Head of Professional and Continuing Education

GSA

Since joining The Glasgow School of Art in 2012, Shona has built on her track record of positive change to support transitions from school and college to GSA for those from low socio-economic groups. GSA has gone from one of the lowest performing institutions in this area to one of the best in Scotland in supporting successful transition in, progression through and positive degree results. Working with around 600 young people a year, this covers all the creative disciplines at GSA. Prior to this she developed similar partnership programmes across the North East of England supporting change through evidence based outreach activity. 

Stacy Stube 

Director of the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). 

She has pioneered an award-winning venture creation program aligned with artists, providing pathways for impact-driven businesses. With over 20 years of experience in the luxury fashion and manufacturing sectors across the USA, Europe, and Asia, Stube brings a wealth of global expertise. She earned a Master's in Fashion Entrepreneurship & Innovation from the University of the Arts London, through the New Creative Ventures program in collaboration with the London Business School.

Over the past five years, Stube has focused on revitalizing Baltimore's remaining garment industry through SEW BROMO, a fashion education incubator. Driven by her passion for social impact, she is committed to supporting founders who are dedicated to turning their visionary ideas into successful, purpose-driven ventures.

In 2026, the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship will host the CEINNOV - Creative Entrepreneurship Social Innovation Conference, as the Maryland Institute College of Art celebrates its 200th anniversary as one of the oldest fine arts institutions in the United States.

ANDER LOYARTE

coordinator Dual VET and the relationship with companies

Salesianos Urnieta 

I am Ander Loyarte, until last year I was a vocational training teacher at Salesianos Urnieta in the area of entrepreneurship, since this year I am in charge of coordinating the Dual VET and the relationship with companies. In addition, since 2018 I dedicate half of my time at iTlent, in the area of entrepreneurial culture.

In this area we are mainly in charge of the Ikasenpresa programme. Ikasenpresa is a programme that promotes the entrepreneurial spirit in Vocational Training through the creation of an entrepreneurial project. With this method, students develop key skills such as creativity, teamwork and decision making, approaching business reality in a practical and motivating way.

NEREA LIZARTZA

teacher educational center

Salesianos Urnieta

I am Nerea Lizartza, a teacher at the Salesianos Urnieta educational center. I currently teach in Basic and Middle Grade in the humanistic and entrepreneurship fields. I am also a member of the Internationalization team and I am in charge of managing mobilities for teachers and students, as well as to know possible international cooperations for our Vocational Training center.

I first studied Humanities at university and then Teaching. I later specialized in communication, focusing on business, institutional relations or media.

www. salesianosurnieta.com

Craig Hanlon Smith

Vice Principal Student Engagement

Morley College London

Title: Foundation Learning, and the opportunity to ReStart. 

Education systems the world over are structured around an expectation of a linear human existence. And yet international events teach us that disruptions are often unexpected but their consequences significant. Examining the paths of individual student lives identifies their own significant disruptions or in some cases a consistency of chaos. To expect these individuals to confirm to academic calendars and governing body achievement targets. In this session Craig Hanlon-Smith shares a growing menu of learning opportunities for young people who do not conform to all of the above. Why every institution should offer a ReStart programme. 

BIOG: 

Craig is an experienced senior leader within the Further Education Sector, including responsibility for a wide range of curriculum and learning areas, quality improvement, team building and troubleshooting, for people management and development. Over many years he has gained extensive experience in motivating staff and students alike and in managing challenging behaviour in young people and designing and delivering related CPD for staff. 

Craig is an inspiring senior leader in relation to diversity and inclusion and experienced public speaker with a firm belief in authentic and transparent leadership. He is currently Vice Principal for Student Engagement, Morley College London, and Centre Principal for North Kensington Centre. 

He remains the Co-Artistic Director & Creative Drama Writer For Mad’Ed Theatre and is an experienced writer for performance, and is a former long-term Journalist/Features/Opinion writer for GScene LGBTQ lifestyle magazine of 20 years. Former broadcast experience in news/arts reviews for BBC radio (Surrey and Sussex).  He is a lifelong LGBTQ and associated lifestyles activist.

Finola Mc Ternan

Head of Student Experience

National College of Art and Design

Finola holds an MA in Visual Arts Education. She has over twenty years experience in the field of access and engagement in the creative arts, developing educational programmes in visual arts, music and performance.  As Access Officer, she was involved in the  development of an imaginative and innovative set of creative arts programme, working with underrepresented communities in educational and community settings.  She has carried out significant research projects in the field of access and entry to higher education in art and design.

Aoife Keogh

lecturer 

NCAD, Dublin 

With a background in textile design and a postgraduate and masters qualification in art education, Aoife has spent 15 years teaching and researching the field of Art and Design Education. With particular interest in the integration of visual culture in the curriculum, Aoife works with a number of arts organisations to produce resources specifically for art educators and learners. Aoife has worked with cultural and arts institutions to design and facilitate arts based projects and workshops. She has a particular interest in experiential learning, inclusion and creating opportunities for collaborative interdisciplinary practices.

Basic Income for the Artists Scheme

Aoife Keogh & Finola McTernan from NCAD Dublin will present on the innovative Basic Income for the Artists Scheme in Ireland. This initiative is designed to 'enable artists and creative arts workers to focus on artistic and creative work, without having to enter into employment in other sectors to sustain themselves'. 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers were selected at random and invited to take part in the pilot scheme. The pilot runs over 3 years, from 2022 to 2025.