EU EdTech for Sovereign Education Futures: From Abstraction to Action

Dr.-Ing. Hasan Abu-Rasheed is a postdoctoral researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt, working at the intersection of explainable AI (XAI), knowledge graphs, and semantic technologies in education. He contributes to the development of AI-driven tools for higher education, ranging from intelligent chatbot systems to agent-based workflows for semantic information extraction, explainable learning analytics, and feedback.

A major focus of his current research is the agency and autonomy of educational stakeholders when interacting with AI-supported systems. He works on explainable AI in education with an emphasis on conversational explainability, enabling users not only to receive an AI-generated prediction or recommendation, but also to question the system, interrogate its explanations, and obtain the information they need to make informed decisions for themselves. His broader research explores knowledge representation through knowledge graphs and the technical infrastructures for AI systems, with the goal of developing sustainable and sovereign approaches that can reason with domain knowledge to generate AI predictions.

He is a co-organizer of the Joint European Summer School for Technology Enhanced Learning (JTELSS) since 2024, and a co-organizer of the international workshops on XAI in Education. He is also a member of the European Digital Education Hub, where he joined the Explainable AI in Education Squad and Digital EdTech Sovereignty Squad.

Lezel Roddeck is deeply involved in digital transformation at Bucerius Law School in Germany, where she serves as Programme Director. She has over a decade of experience in university leadership and teaching. She graduated with an LL.B., holds an LL.M. in IT Law, and is a qualified Attorney of the High Court of South Africa. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in AI and EU Data Protection Law, where her research examines the impact of AI on the higher education sector. Lezel is an active presenter at international conferences and has published on AI ethics and governance in law.

Dr Peter Gillis Researcher and Academic with expertise in the psychology of learning, innovation, and digital strategy. Peter has developed a career at the intersection of educational research and organisational practice, with a particular focus on the design and evaluation of technology-enhanced learning. Peter’s academic background includes a First Class Honours degree in Psychology, an MSc in Technology-Enhanced Learning from Trinity College Dublin, and a PhD on the psychology of academic motivation, also at Trinity College Dublin. These studies have provided a rigorous foundation for both Peter’s research and teaching, with a strong emphasis on motivation, learning theory, and applied innovation frameworks. Peter has published and presented on topics relating to innovation in education and has held leadership roles that combine team management with research excellence. His ongoing research interests include the challenges of sustaining academic motivation and learning in rapidly evolving environments, transversal and digital skill development, and the role of structured innovation in shaping the future of work.

Expert Contributor to the European Digital Education Hub (EDEH), Elchin Jafarov contributes to European work on digital sovereignty, responsible AI, and the future of EdTech. He is also the co-founder of Datorium.AI, a European education technology platform active across 10+ countries, where he works on translating these principles into practical, curriculum-aligned solutions for schools and educators.

Albena Spasova is a strategic education and technology leader working at the intersection of digital transformation, trust, sovereignty and public value in education. She is Co-Founder and Chair of EdTech Bulgaria, where she supports collaboration between educators, institutions, innovators and policy actors to build a more evidence-based and responsible EdTech ecosystem.
Albena currently leads the Empower and Educate sub-squad within the Sovereignty in EdTech Squad of the European Digital Education Hub. She has also contributed as an expert member of the European Commission group that developed the Digital Education Content Guidelines for Teachers. She is an elected member of the 1EdTech Europe Advisory Board and has been active in European EdTech cooperation through the European EdTech Alliance, where is is an ex.Boar Member.
Her background combines education policy, technology, cybersecurity and international ecosystem building. Previously, Albena led Microsoft’s Education work across Central and Eastern Europe and held senior roles at eBay and in international cybercrime capacity-building. At OEB, she brings a cross-sector perspective on how education systems can adopt technology while preserving human agency, institutional autonomy, interoperability and trust.

Channa van der Brug is a Senior Programme Manager at Stifterverband, where she coordinates the European Digital Education Hub's international community engagement activities. In this role, she facilitates the exchange of experiences and the development of practical insights that support the implementation of the EU's Digital Education Action Plan by bringing together policymakers, education providers, and ecosystem representatives. She currently focuses on AI in education, interoperability, digital sovereignty, and the broader digital transformation of education across Europe.
With over 20 years' experience in the education sector, including ten years as Conference Programme Director at OEB, she is experienced in designing international learning and networking initiatives. Operating at the intersection of policy and practice, she identifies challenges and good practices and supports the development of recommendations and resources to help education stakeholders navigate digital change.