Our team

    Secretariat

    Sara Sow Linares - Policy and Projects Officer

    Sara is an educator and Policy and Projects Officer specialising in migrant- and refugee-inclusive education, education policy, and psychosocial support. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy and a Master’s degree in International Relations, Cooperation and Organisations, with a focus on access to education for refugees and displaced people in Europe.

    She has extensive experience managing EU-funded projects, coordinating international partnerships, developing policy recommendations, and organising trainings and events. Her previous experience with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) included work on mental health and psychosocial support programmes for migrants and displaced populations. Sara is committed to promoting inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive education systems that support the well-being and participation of migrant and refugee learners.

     

    Valentina Galli - Projects Consultant

    Valentina Galli is a project and policy consultant for SIRIUS, specialising in education and related policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Sciences and is currently pursuing advanced studies in Public Policy and Security. Valentina has extensive expertise in education- focused projects, particularly those promoting EU education initiatives, voter participation, active
    citizenship, and Public Administration. With a commitment to fostering civic engagement and innovation in education, Valentina contributes to projects that empower communities and bridge the gap between policy and practice in diverse contexts.

    Contact: projects@sirius-network.org

    Pascale Furnelle - Administrative Consultant

    Pascale Furnelle – Administrative Officer
    Pascale is in charge of the SIRIUS administration.  She ensures a smooth running of office administration, logistics and HR. Prior to joining SIRIUS, Pascale held several office manager positions in European associations in Brussels. She graduated in Marketing and Communication in Brussels and is a Belgian national with French as a mother tongue (she is also fluent in English). She also currrently works partly for the Migration Policy Group.

    Board

    Rory McDaid- Chair of SIRIUS Board

    Dr. Rory Mc Daid is a senior lecturer and researcher at the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin, Ireland, specialising in migration and education, inclusive education, and teacher identity. With a focus on the intersections of education, equality, and diversity, Rory leads research projects examining the experiences of migrant learners, migrant teachers, and the role of cultural mediators in supporting marginalised communities in education. Rory has published widely on migration and education, contributing to critical conversations on policy and practice in diverse educational contexts. His work emphasises the power of education to challenge inequalities and promote authentic, transformative teaching in diverse and changing societies.

    Dr. Kidist Teklemariam- Secretary of SIRIUS Board

    Dr Kidist Teklemariam is the Founder and Director of Unleashing Refugee Potential C.I.C. She holds a PhD in migrant and refugee education and is affiliated with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Citizenship, Education and Society (CIRCES) at Leeds Beckett University, where she also serves as an Associate.

    Her work brings together research, policy, and community practice, with a focus on migrant and refugee education, inclusion, and social justice. She previously served as Coordinator of the SIRIUS 2.0 National Round Table at Leeds Beckett University, supporting work on inclusive education and migration.

    She is also a consultant with Leeds Poverty Truth and a Trustee of the Poverty Truth Network, a UK national charity, and is committed to empowering marginalised communities through education and community collaboration.