Strategies for Navigating Conflict and Supporting Well-Being in Education Abroad

As education abroad professionals navigate increasingly complex social and institutional landscapes, the ability to foster resilience, inclusivity, and well-being has never been more essential. This interactive Regional Seminar provides practical tools and strategies to support students, colleagues, and ourselves in high-stress and polarized environments. 

​Hosted by Notre Dame London, The Association of American Study Abroad Programmes in the UK, and The Forum on Education Abroad, this event in the United Kingdom is designed specifically for early and mid-career education abroad professionals in the region.   

Participants will actively explore and practice approaches to de-escalation, resilience-building, and mental health support, with a focus on real-world application. The session emphasizes understanding the evolving needs of today’s students, identifying sources of tension in intercultural and academic settings, and equipping staff and faculty to respond effectively under pressure. 

Attendees will leave with actionable insights to: 

• Strengthen professional practice and personal resilience 
• Empower teams to navigate conflict and uncertainty 
• Build inclusive, adaptive learning communities that thrive in challenging times  

Whether you're advising students, managing programs, or leading teams, this Regional Seminar allows you to enhance your impact and foster a healthier, more connected education abroad environment.

Please note: Registration for this event is now closed.

Download Regional Seminar Flyer

​Add a Workshop to Your Regional Seminar Experience
If you’re joining us on Thursday, why not also take part in our full-day workshop on Friday, April 17: Supporting U.S. Students Abroad: Essential Training & Practical Strategies?

This session is ideal for professionals who are new to the field or looking to strengthen their understanding of the principles for providing quality student life advising, health, and wellness programming, risk management, and crisis response.

​By attending both events, you’ll gain a comprehensive set of tools and strategies for supporting students and managing complex situations while benefiting from special combined pricing.​

Please note: Registration for this workshop is now closed.

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learning outcomes

By attending the Regional Seminar, you can expect to:     

• Analyze the causes and impacts of polarization on their work in education abroad. 
• Apply strategies to support student, staff, and faculty well-being education abroad. 
  
• Explore somatic and other practices that ground and empower in encounters with difference. 

Agenda & Location

Agenda
The following agenda is tentative and subject to change. ​

Time	Session	Speakers
9:30 a.m.	Welcome + The Day’s Agenda	Enda Carroll (The Forum on Education Abroad) Annette Mares-Duran (The Forum on Education Abroad)
9:45 a.m.	Session 1 | Framing the Issue: Navigating Polarization and Promoting Well-Being in Education Abroad How did conflict become something education abroad professionals believe they must navigate? And what tools to do we have to guide us? This opening session traces how major political and cultural shifts over the last decade helped bring us to this point of seeing ‘conflict’ as the opposite of ‘well-being’ and examines the limitations of our discourses about ‘safety’ that have come to dominate our field. How can we make space for a different understanding of what we mean by conflict?	Troy Gordon, Ph.D. (Syracuse University Abroad)
10:30 a.m.	Coffee Break and Networking
11:00 a.m.	Session 2 | Who are Today’s Students? Clinical and Practical Perspectives Gen Z students are entering higher education with higher levels of anxiety and stress. Many have grown up with intense social media pressures and very involved parenting, which shapes their expectations for their university experience. At the same time, they care deeply about values, purpose, and finding communities that feel authentic. Because of this, student support staff are being approached more often for reassurance, guidance, and conflict resolution. For staff who work directly with students, this raises important questions about what these trends mean for our day‑to‑day work, both in practical terms and from a wellbeing or clinical perspective.	Dr. Joanne Collins (Joanne Therapy & Training Solutions) Megan Griffin (Florida State University International Programs)
11:30 a.m.	Session 3 | Panel & Dialogue: Shared Challenges Across Diverse Institutional Contexts	Eduardo Lees (University of Westminster) Yogi Mistry (Anglo Educational Services) Michael Benson (University of Bristol) Erin Tschupp (AASAP/UK and Accent Global Learning) Moderator: Enda Carroll (The Forum on Education Abroad)
12:30 p.m.	Lunch (on your own) - restaurant recommendations to be provided
2:00 p.m.	From Stress to Strength — Recognizing the Embodied Realities for Staff	Dr. Joanne Collins (Joanne Therapy & Training Solutions)
3:15 p.m.	Break
3:45 p.m.	From Stress to Strength — Recognizing the Embodied Realities for Staff (continued)	Dr. Joanne Collins (Joanne Therapy & Training Solutions)
4:45 p.m.	Closing	Troy Gordon, Ph.D. (Syracuse University Abroad)
5:15 p.m.	Reception (Faculty Lounge - ground floor)

Location
Notre Dame London
Trafalgar Hall | 1 Suffolk St,
London SW1Y 4HG,
UK

Hotels Nearby 
There are several hotels located near the venue. Options include:

• Citadines Trafalgar Square
• The Clermont Charing Cross
• Club Quarters Trafalgar Square

​
For more budget‑friendly accommodations, you may want to consider Premier Inn - Leicester Square or Travelodge - Covent Garden.

Recommended Transportation 
London Underground System: 

• From Charing Cross Underground to 1-4 Suffolk Street (Fischer Hall) via the Bakerloo Line or the Northern Line
• From Piccadilly Circus to 1-4 Suffolk Street (Fischer Hall) via the Bakerloo Line or the Piccadilly Line

Tip: Download the Citymapper app on your phone to help navigate transport in London.

Registration Rates

Making the ask to attend? Download our Letter to Your Manager template for a place to start!

• Letter pre early bird registration deadline
• Letter pre regular registration deadline
• Letter pre late registration deadline

Not sure if your institution is a Forum member? Check here.

Registration Period	Valid Dates	Pricing	With Workshop
Early Bird Registration	September 25 – January 16	Member: $299 Non-Member: $349	Member: $374 Non-Member: $474
Regular Registration	January 17 – March 20	Member: $349 Non-Member: $399	Member: $449 Non-Member: $549
Late Registration	March 21 – April 10	Member: $399 Non-Member: $449	Member: $549 Non-Member: $649

AASAP/UK members can register at a special rate of $299USD (available September 25, 2025–March 20, 2026). 
However, if your institution is a Forum member, please log in before registering to receive the member rate. Refunds will not be issued for non-member rates paid due to failure to log in.
​
Online registration for this event closes on April 10, 2026.

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Speakers and Planning Committee

Michael Benson
Director of Global Partnerships
Global Engagement Division
University of Bristol
​

Read Michael's Bio

Michael Benson is Director of Global Partnerships at the University of Bristol, overseeing international activity across student mobility, strategic partnerships, and transnational education. He brings 10+ years of leadership experience in international education across the UK, China, and Australia - working for third-party providers, government bodies, and leading universities - and is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of study abroad and the wellbeing of students and staff.

Jo Byrne
Director of Communications and Engagement, London; Regional Communications Liaison, Latin America & Africa
University of Notre Dame London​​​

Read ​Jo's Bio

Jo Byrne is the director of communications and engagement at Notre Dame London, where she leads the communications and events teams to strengthen the University’s presence and impact in the UK. In this role, Jo oversees strategic communications, engagement, and the delivery of events that connect Notre Dame’s global goals with diverse audiences.

In addition to her role in London, Jo serves as the regional communications liaison for Latin America and Africa within Notre Dame Global. She collaborates with global teams to build communications capacity, streamline messaging, and support strategic alignment with the University’s global priorities.

Before joining Notre Dame, Jo worked at NIHR within the London School of Economics in knowledge exchange and impact, where she supported faculty in enhancing the impact of their research. Her work involved bridging the gap between academia, service users and external audiences, helping scholars communicate their findings effectively to policy-makers, practitioners, and the wider public.

​Passionate about cultural nuance and global engagement, Jo has lived in France and Australia, experiences that have shaped her appreciation for different perspectives and international collaboration. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new countries, spending time in the countryside, or taking advantage of all the cultural opportunities London has to offer.

Dr. Joanne Collins
Director
Joanne Therapy & Training Solutions
​
​​

Read ​Joanne's Bio

Dr Joanne Collins is a UKCP-registered Child Psychotherapist and a registered Systemic and Family Psychotherapist, with over 25 years of experience working with children, young people, and their families from a range of backgrounds and with varying needs. She is also a qualified Psychosexual Therapist.

Dr Collins primarily works from an integrative framework, drawing on systemic and family, psychoanalytic, and humanistic approaches. As a CAMHS therapist, she works specifically with adolescents aged 12 to 18. She has extensive experience supporting young people with anxiety, low mood, behavioural difficulties, and learning disabilities. Her work also includes supporting couples with sexual and relationship issues and working with families where a member is experiencing mental distress.

​In addition, she teaches and lectures on a variety of child and family-related subjects.

Troy Gordon, Ph.D.
Director of Global Teaching & Learning
​Syracuse University Abroad
​

Read ​Troy's Bio

Based in London, Dr. Troy Gordon is the Director of Global Teaching & Learning for Syracuse University Abroad. He served as the onsite director of the Syracuse University London Center for 10 years, overseeing all operations, academics and student support. Troy has held full-time teaching appointments at UCLA and at Hult International Business School, where he also served as department chair and undergraduate associate dean.

Across his teaching, academic leadership and onsite experience abroad, Troy integrates big-picture perspectives of the changing field of education abroad with applied knowledge about how to make all elements of a program work effectively.

​Currently, his research and public speaking try to make sense of the dramatic historical changes we are experiencing - populism, political extremes, social divisions, climate disasters, the dominance of Big Tech - and how all of us in education abroad can leverage our field's unique strengths to respond to these tumultuous times.

Megan Griffin
Assistant Director, Student Conduct & Engagement, Florida State University International Programs

Read ​Megan's Bio

Megan Griffin is the Assistant Director of Student Conduct & Engagement and also a faculty member at the Florida State University study abroad program in London, UK since 2014. Megan holds a Masters in Late Modern History from the University of St Andrews. In her role, she creates the cultural programme for the centre, oversees student welfare (behavioural, academic, conduct, mental and physical well-being), co-ordinates curriculum-focused programmes, and supporting faculty in London. She teaches 19th and 20th Century European History courses.

Eduardo Lees
Head of Global Mobility and Study Abroad, University of Westminster
​

Read ​Eduardo's Bio

Eduardo Lees is Head of Global Mobility at the University of Westminster, where he oversees international opportunities for Westminster students and manages incoming Study Abroad and Exchange programmes for international students. Inspired by an Erasmus year in Italy and experiences teaching and volunteering abroad, Eduardo brings over 15 years of expertise in delivering international programmes and cultivating strong global partnerships. He previously led Global Opportunities at Goldsmiths, University of London, and has delivered study, work, and teaching programmes for the British Council in China, India, France, Italy, and Spain. Eduardo currently serves as co-chair of the UUKi Climate Action in Global Mobility Working Group, contributing to sector-wide sustainability initiatives. Passionate about inclusive leadership, Eduardo is committed to expanding access to international experiences and skill development, particularly for those facing systemic barriers. Outside of work, he volunteers with the Southwark Youth Justice Service and is a qualified career and life coach.

Yogi Mistry
Partnerships & Business Operations Manager
AES (Anglo Educational Services)

Read ​Yogi's Bio

Yogi has over 15 years of experience at AES, with a focus on international education and student housing property management. Beginning as an intern and now in a senior role at AES, he oversees operations, partnerships, and program delivery in London. With a BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management, he is committed to enhancing the student experience, fostering strong university collaborations, and ensuring high-quality accommodation. His work focuses on smooth program delivery, meaningful student engagement, and supporting student health and well-being.

Kevin Ramkissoon
Events & Engagement Coordinator​ 
University of Notre Dame London​

Read ​Kevin's Bio

Kevin Ramkissoon (also known as K Ram) joined the University of Notre Dame London in February 2022 and is currently the Events and Engagement Coordinator, working as part of the Communications & Events team. In this role, he leads on the planning and delivery of a wide range of academic and institutional events, working closely with staff, alumni, and external partners, and serves as the primary point of contact for event-related enquiries, senior University visits, and guest speakers.

Prior to joining the University of Notre Dame, Kevin worked as an office manager for a busy private spinal clinic on Harley Street, and before that as an administrator in the NHS for a North East London general practice.

​Kevin is a native Londoner, born and bred. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Roehampton. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, travelling, and attending live music concerts and festivals.

Erin Tschupp
AASAP/UK and Accent Global Learning
​ ​

Read ​Erin's Bio

Erin Tschupp brings over a decade of invaluable experience in the study abroad sector to Accent Global Learning’s London Study Centre. Originally from the USA, her educational pursuits eventually led her across the Atlantic to the UK where she began her career in study abroad and discovered her passion for international higher education.
​
At Accent Global, Erin collaborates with the London team to ensure seamless day-to-day operations and the effective running of programs. She is dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing among students, staff, and faculty. At the heart of her work is a commitment to provide support, foster resilience, and create a vibrant and enriching educational environment that allows the Accent Global community to thrive both academically and personally.

Audrey Bistline
Administrative & Events Coordinator
The Forum on Education Abroad

Read ​Audrey's Bio

As The Forum’s Administrative Assistant, Audrey is responsible for supporting office operations and serving as the first point of contact for inquiries and visitors. Audrey was born and raised in Brittany, France. She studied English, Spanish, and contemporary dance before earning a bachelor’s in psychology from the Université de Bretagne Occidentale. 

Audrey lived the abroad experience by visiting and discovering Polynesia, the West Indies, and the United States all before the age of 25. She has spent the last twelve years living and working in both the United States and France. Prior to joining The Forum, she assisted clients in the travel and tourism industry in the Languedoc Roussillon region of France.

Enda Carroll
Head of European Engagement Consultant
The Forum on Education Abroad

Read ​Enda's Bio

Enda Carroll has over two decades of experience in international education and is an active contributor to education abroad strategy, initiatives, and committees in Ireland at national sector level. She served on the board of The Forum on Education Abroad and was the first chair to be based at a member institution outside the United States.

​At University College Dublin she provided broad strategic leadership for global Study Abroad and student mobility. Her Associate Director position involved collaborating with UCD’s Schools and Colleges in the areas of academic program development and the management of relationships with key partners in Europe, North America and globally. A decade ago she established UCD’s first North America Global Centre in New York City. She has developed and led teams based in Dublin and the USA dedicated to the support and recruitment of Study Abroad students. She is a masters graduate of the UCD Smurfit School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from UCD.

Miranda Gerberding
Projects Manager
The Forum on Education Abroad

Read ​Miranda's Bio

Miranda brings more than 15 years of experience in international education and project management, and 20 years of experience in higher education as both a faculty member and administrator. She has managed many projects in different capacities and is passionate about advancing international learning.

Prior to joining The Forum, Miranda taught English and Intercultural Communication to graduate and undergraduate international students at The Ohio State University for 10 years. Previously, she served as Assistant Director for International Curriculum at OSU’s Fisher College of Business, where she managed faculty-led study abroad programs, supported international curriculum development, and worked to expand global opportunities for business students.

​Miranda holds a B.A. in International Studies and French from Dickinson College, where she studied abroad in Toulouse, France, and an M.Ed. in English as a Second Language and Adult Learners from Eastern New Mexico University. She has received multiple teaching awards, including Franklin University’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the Silver STAR Award.

Annette Mares-Duran
Director for Membership & Engagement
The Forum on Education Abroad

Read ​Annette's Bio

Annette Mares-Duran serves as the Director for Membership & Engagement. She develops and implements strategies for membership engagement and outreach related activities. She serves as the primary liaison to current and prospective members and systematizes opportunities for members to engage and provide feedback on services.

Prior to joining The Forum, Annette was the Faculty-Led International Program Coordinator at the University of New Mexico and an elected Forum Council member. As a program leader herself, she facilitated group programs to Ecuador and Peru. As a student, she studied abroad in Spain and Nicaragua. Annette received her B.S. in Education and M.A. in Language, Literacy, & Sociocultural Studies at the University of New Mexico.