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Staff profile

Overview

Dr Christina Chinas

Assistant Professor, Director of EDI

Affiliations
Affiliation
Assistant Professor, Director of EDI in the School of Education

Biography

Dr. Christina Chinas (Siina) is a distinguished Assistant Professor at Durham University's School of Education, renowned for her significant contributions to educational leadership and policy development. Her illustrious academic path is highlighted by a Ph.D. in Educational from the University of Cambridge, complemented by an MPhil in Educational Leadership and School Improvement, an MA in Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment, and a BA in Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology. Her career in academia is marked by transformative roles within the education sector. A particularly notable achievement is her vital role in designing and establishing the MA in Educational Leadership and Change at Durham University. Dr. Chinas's expertise in educational methodologies is evident in her development of the program's cutting-edge curriculum, exemplifying her dedication to nurturing progressive learning environments.Beyond academia, Dr. Chinas's professional influence extends across various global organizations and regions. Recently, she was selected as an Education Consultant for UNICEF's European and Central Asia Office. In this role, she significantly contributed to designing the Educator’s Digital Competence Framework for the LEARNIN initiative. LEARNIN, a pioneering project under UNICEF in ECA, aims to integrate and amplify digital learning efforts, focusing on delivering impactful results for vulnerable children. Her role involved contextualizing support for country offices and leveraging regional partnerships, reinforcing her status as an expert in digital learning and educational reform.Additionally, Dr. Chinas has provided invaluable insights in advisory roles with EdTech companies and international organizations. Her collaborations with various national Ministries of Education have been instrumental in driving educational reform and enhancing development initiatives.As an active member of several esteemed professional networks, Dr. Chinas consistently contributes to the forefront of educational research and innovation. Her commitment to advancing the field of education is recognized through awards like the ESRC IAA "Mentoring Impact" Scheme. Her multicultural background and understanding of educational dynamics enable her to offer a unique perspective in academia and contribute significantly to the broader educational discourse.

 

Teaching and Learning

As an Assistant Professor at Durham University's School of Education, my teaching philosophy emphasizes collaborative, inquiry-driven learning that nurtures critical thinking and lifelong learning. I believe education is as much about inspiring discovery and potential as it is about imparting knowledge.

In developing the MA in Educational Leadership and Change, I've integrated contemporary theories with practical applications, aiming to prepare future leaders for the dynamic educational landscape. My teaching methods combine interactive learning, including discussions and case studies, with both traditional and innovative techniques, utilizing digital tools to cater to diverse learning styles and enhance engagement.

I'm committed to continuous professional development for both myself and my students, ensuring our work remains relevant and impactful. This commitment extends to my role as a mentor, where I guide students in honing their research and critical thinking skills, fostering their growth as independent thinkers and contributors to the field of education.

PhD Topics

Dr Chinas would be pleased to hear from potential students with research interests in the following field digital learning and educational technology, educational leadership and administration, curriculum development and pedagogical innovation, policy analysis and educational reform, professional development of educators, inclusive education and diversity, assessment and evaluation in education, global and comparative education.

 

Research Interests

Dr. Chinas's research interests are broad and impactful, addressing crucial areas such as educators’ continuous professional development, digital learning advancements, and educational policy. Her extensive research activities delve into pivotal educational themes, including digital competence and inclusive teaching methodologies. She is interested in developing cross-national research and methodologies to conduct research with diverse educational systems in European countries and internationally. 

Research interests

  • •Educational Leadership
  • •Policy Development
  • •Strategic Planning &Analysis
  • •Educator's continuous professional development
  • •Curriculum Design
  • •Digital Learning
  • •Stakeholder Engagement & Networking

Esteem Indicators

  • 2026 - 2027: Evidence-Informed Policymaking (EIPM 2.0), European Commission/JRC | Cyprus National Expert and Team Lead: Serving as Cyprus National Expert and Team Lead for *Evidence-Informed Policymaking for the Twin Transition (EIPM 2.0)*, a European Commission initiative involving seven EU Member States: Austria, Cyprus, France, Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Spain. The project aims to strengthen national capacities for evidence-informed policymaking by improving the connections between scientific research, policy development and public administration. Leading the Cyprus national research team, coordinating stakeholder engagement, policy analysis and the development of the national Diagnostic Report and policy case studies. The work contributes to identifying opportunities for institutional reform, strengthening research–policy relationships and supporting more effective use of evidence in public decision-making.
  • 2024 - 2027: National Curriculum Digitalisation Initiative, Greece | Social Sciences Coordinator and Academic Committee Member: Contributing to a major national curriculum digitalisation initiative led by Greece’s Institute of Educational Policy (IEP), under the Ministry of Education and supported by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The initiative aims to transform national curricula into high-quality, interactive and accessible digital educational resources for primary and secondary education. Serving as Social Sciences Coordinator and a member of the Academic Committee, providing academic leadership, curriculum expertise and quality assurance in the design and development of digital learning materials. The work supports curriculum modernisation, pedagogical innovation and the integration of digital technologies into teaching and learning across the Greek education system.
  • 2023 - 2027: External Evaluator for Master Programmes:
  • 2021 - 2022: Education Advisor, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO): Provided strategic and technical expertise to UNICEF’s Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO), supporting education systems in strengthening digital learning, teachers’ professional development and educational innovation. Led the development of the Educators’ Digital Competence Framework, providing guidance for education policymakers, institutions and practitioners on the effective and inclusive integration of digital technologies into teaching and learning. Contributed to regional research, policy analysis and capacity-building initiatives, including the development of training resources and support for national education stakeholders across the Western Balkans and wider region. The work aimed to strengthen educators’ digital competences, promote equitable access to quality digital education and inform evidence-based education policy and practice.
  • 2019 - 2020: Advisor - Member of Evaluation Committee Ministry of Education and Culture, Cyprus:
  • 2016 - 2020: EdTech Advisor:

Publications

Chapter in book

  • The Collaborative Growth Cycle: A Flexible Model for Sustainable Professional Development in Schools
    Chinas, C. (in press). The Collaborative Growth Cycle: A Flexible Model for Sustainable Professional Development in Schools. In International Handbook for Governance, Leadership, Administration, and Management in Education. Springer.
  • Leadership and Digital Competence Frameworks: Strategies for Innovation and Equity in Education
    Chinas, C. (in press). Leadership and Digital Competence Frameworks: Strategies for Innovation and Equity in Education. In International Handbook for Governance, Leadership, Administration, and Management in Education. Springer.
  • The Uptake of Evidence on Policy Development and School Improvement in Cyprus
    Chinas, C. (2022). The Uptake of Evidence on Policy Development and School Improvement in Cyprus. In C. Brown & J. R. Malin (Eds.), The Emerald Handbook of Evidence-Informed Practice in Education: Learning from International Contexts (pp. 335-349). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-141-620221038

Journal Article

Report

  • Educators’ Digital Competence Framework
    UNICEF, & Chinas, C. (2022). Educators’ Digital Competence Framework. UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO).
  • Development of a New System for Teacher Assessment and School Evaluation
    Chinas, C. (2020). Development of a New System for Teacher Assessment and School Evaluation. Ministry of Education and Culture, Republic of Cyprus.