Carlos Alves, PhD in Education, by the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, was head of New Technologies for Education, at the Institute for Educational Innovation, Ministry of Education when, in 1996, he was co-founder of Ciência Viva, the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, to work on the creation of a network of science centres. In 2003, he was admitted at Darwin College, University of Cambridge, to study educational research. After 2007, he returned to Portugal as chief of staff for Education and Culture at the Lisbon City Council.

 All along his career, Carlos developed a practical body of knowledge and experience of policy–making and public governance of science, technology and education, having been a member of the office of the Minister of Science and Technology, with responsibilities in the development of science education nationwide projects. Over the past decade, Carlos has been professor at the Masters of Science Communication and Education, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, where he is presently a researcher at ICNOVA, the university institute of research in communication.

Hanouf has an MSc in Genetics from Westminster University, UK. She has over a decade of experience in the museum sector and international development organizations in the UK and across the Middle East.

She developed a portfolio of pioneering and inclusive learning and outreach programs at the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, and UNESCO with a focus on underserved audiences. Skilled in public engagement with science and heritage, community outreach and engagement, co-production of community projects, building collaborative partnerships within and outside the museum sector, working equitably with diverse audiences, and embedding ED&I in museum public programming.

She currently works as a National Outreach Manager at the British Museum, where she developed and launched an equitable partnership model for collaborative working between the British Museum, youth-led charities and local museums across the UK.

She also works as an independent museum consultant and her clients include the Natural History Museum, Barker Langham, and The British Council. She has a passion for creating safe and inclusive spaces for diverse community groups, using her experience in assets-based approaches, co-production, and trauma-informed approaches. She often draws on her experience not only in the museum sector, but also third- sector organisations and international development.

A strong advocate for the need to increase diversity within the museum sector, remove barriers of engagement with under-served communities, and to create more inclusive and equitable narratives in museums. She has a personal interest in challenging a dominating Eurocentric view on science and has founded “Multicultural Science: Inspiring Stories from the Islamic Civilization” to advocate for this

Samar Darwish Kirresh is the founder and director of AlElieh for Science, Environment, and Art, established in 2021. Prior to founding AlElieh, she was the Principal Researcher at the Science Studio – A. M. Qattan Foundation in Ramallah. She also founded *Washm*, a design project inspired by the Palestinian landscape, and co-founded *Art Market Jerusalem*, a participatory platform for Jerusalemite artisans to share their work and experiences with the public.

Samar is a Maker Educator, STEAM expert, researcher, artist, designer, and exhibit developer, and has been a member of the maker space team at ECSITE since 2015. She serves on the advisory committee for the Hands-on Science Conference and the Advisory Board for the College of Education at Birzeit University.

She has contributed to various publications, including the book *Art in Science Museums: Towards a Post-Disciplinary Approach* published by Routledge, and has written articles for *Rua Tarbawieh* by the Qattan Foundation. Samar has also published a children’s story with the Palestinian Museum. She has developed expertise in the field of informal learning specifically in museum and maker space contexts. Her work focuses on designing collaborative STEAM learning opportunities and art-based learning environments in both formal and informal educational contexts, including museums, festivals, and cultural spaces.

She views art and crafts as essential tools for learning, understanding, and communicating, especially for youth and communities in crisis. She sees crafts as a vital link between humans, nature, and technology. Samar holds a BSc in Biology and Medical Technology and a Master's in Science Education with interdisciplinary training in art, design, product design, and crafts, particularly in textiles, woodwork, and printing arts.

Ghia is an accomplished artist, community organizer, and consultant with over 30 years of experience. With a strong foundation in both Graphic Design and Art History from the University of Maryland, and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, she brings a unique blend of creative expertise and academic rigor to the cultural sector.

Throughout her career, Ghia has focused on using art as a tool for social change, emphasizing the importance of community engagement. She dedicated 12 years in Dubai for conceptualizing and implementing large-scale, volunteer-run art initiatives for schools and local communities, demonstrating her commitment to the transformative power of art. Additionally, she produced six children’s music albums with bilingual Arabic/English lyrics, introducing younger generations of Arabic speakers to important concepts in a culturally resonant way. This extensive experience in community-based projects has equipped her with valuable insights into how cultural institutions can deepen their audience engagement and foster meaningful connections.

Ghia's deep passion for the role of fiber arts, particularly in advancing women's voices and self-determination, adds a valuable perspective to her expertise. Her research into the historical significance of textiles and embroidery aimed to highlight often-overlooked narratives. Ghia helps institutions create programming that not only celebrates artistic traditions but also encourages active civic participation and community-building through the arts.

Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions across the Middle East and the United States, and she regularly speaks at educational institutions and on podcasts about the role of art in promoting awareness and positive social change