Meet the team

Dr Amy Devine
Senior Research Manager

Amy manages research supporting the validation of Cambridge Assessment English examinations and products, including digital learning and assessment tools, examinations for young learners, and impact research.

Dr Angeliki Salamoura
Principal Research Manager

Angeliki is Principal Research Manager at Cambridge Assessment English, leading on research related to Learning Oriented Assessment (LOA), language learning, impact and the CEFR.

Dr Ardeshir Geranpayeh
Head of Automated Assessment and Learning

Ardeshir is Head of Automated Assessment and Learning at Cambridge Assessment English. He has been leading on the development and implementation of the automated assessment of writing and speaking in Cambridge English since 2009.

Dr Brigita Séguis
Senior Research Manager

Brigita is a Senior Research Manager at Cambridge Assessment English, where she leads on research activities related to test development, validation and impact evaluations.

Carmen Ebner
Projects Assistant

Carmen holds a PhD in Sociolinguistics from Leiden University (the Netherlands), where she specialised on stigmatised language usage, language ideologies and policies. Prior to joining RTL in July 2019, Carmen worked as a lecturer in Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

Carrie Warren
Research Support Administrator

Carrie holds a BA (Hons) in Business and Tourism Management from the University of Wolverhampton. Since joining Cambridge Assessment in 2000, she has gained extensive experience of working in assessment and research. Carrie provides support for the Research and Thought Leadership Division.

Dr Edmund Jones
Senior Research Manager

Edmund holds a PhD in Computational Statistics from Bristol University. As a Senior Research Manager in the Research and Thought Leadership Division, he works in research related to computer-based tests, automated assessment, and detection of malpractice.

Elaine Schmidt
Senior Research Manager

Elaine obtained her PhD from Cambridge on bilingual language acquisition and has subsequently worked as a Postdoc in Sydney, Australia, and Cambridge on cognitive processes in speech perception and reading. Her research at Cambridge Assessment focusses on the cognitive processes in language learners using eye-tracking and EEG.

Ella Pope
Research Support Administrator

Ella is part of the Research Support Team. She is involved with internal communications support, as well as being responsible for maintaining Quality Management documents and the Cambridge Assessment English Library.

Dr Evelina D Galaczi
Head of Research Strategy

Evelina is Head of Research Strategy at Cambridge Assessment English and leads a team of experts in language learning, teaching and assessment. She has worked in language education for over 25 years and now oversees the development and implementation of the Cambridge English research strategy.

Ewa Stearn
Research Support Administrator

Ewa provides support for the Research and Thought Leadership Division. As part of her role, Ewa manages the consultancy engagement process and the coordination of internal research events.

Graham Seed
European Projects Manager

Graham is the Research Manager for European Projects. His primary responsibility is the management of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE), and he contributes to a number of European and international projects.

Dr Hanan Khalifa
Director, Education Transformation & Impact

Hanan leads a cross-divisional team of Cambridge English experts in the field of language learning, teaching and assessment, providing evidence-based decision-making and transforming language education, working with ministries of education worldwide and developing strategic partnerships at a global level.

Dr Hye-won Lee
Senior Research Manager

Hye-won holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics and Technology from Iowa State University (USA). As a Senior Research Manager in the Research and Thought Leadership Division, she participates in research projects related to new generation assessments and new products.

Jane Lloyd
Senior Research Manager

Jane’s current responsibilities for RTL involve working on large-scale educational reform projects with ministries and NGOs, and working for the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). She has a degree in Linguistics, a DELTA, an MA in Linguistics and TESOL, and an MA in Language Testing.

Jason Hurren
Thought Leadership Communications Manager

Jason has worked at Cambridge Assessment English for over 20 years in events and communication roles. In his current role Jason is responsible for providing stakeholders with information and perspectives to help them improve learning outcomes.

Jess Jamet
Administrative Coordinator and PA to the Director

Jess provides PA support to the Director and coordinates administrative support for the Research and Thought Leadership Division. As part of her role, Jess also administers the Division’s budget, supports line managers with recruitment and induction activities, and acts as a central point of contact for visitors.

Dr Jing Xu
Principal Research Manager

Jing is a Principal Research Manager at Cambridge Assessment English. His current research focuses on automated English language assessment, computer-assisted language learning and validity theory.

John Savage
Publications Assistant

John Savage is the Publications Assistant for Research and Thought Leadership. He coordinates the schedules, copy-editing, proofreading and production of various publications, including Research Notes and reports on projects such as curriculum reform in Malaysia and IELTS test development.

Dr Kevin Cheung
Head of Marking and Results

Kevin is a Chartered Psychologist, psychometrics expert and research leader, currently heading the Marking and Results department at Cambridge Assessment English. This recently formed team is responsible for R&D of technologies for marking and results determination, and their subsequent deployment; in particular, they are focused on systems that use AI and natural language processing (NLP) research.

Dr Mark Brenchley
Senior Research Manager

Mark manages research supporting the development and validation of Cambridge Assessment English products, with a special focus on the application of corpus-based methodologies.

Mariangela Marulli
ALTE Coordinator

Mariangela coordinates the activities of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). She organises conferences, courses, and events for the Association, liaising with European organisations in the field of language testing.

Dr Nick Saville
Director, Research and Thought Leadership

Dr Nick Saville is the Director of Research and Thought Leadership for Cambridge Assessment English and the elected Secretary-General of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). His current research interests include assessment and learning in the digital age; the use of ethical AI; language policy and multilingualism; the CEFR; and Learning Oriented Assessment (LOA).

Safiatú Lopes
Research Analyst

Safi is the principal Research Analyst for the RTL Division, having previously worked as a Validation Analyst. Safi provides quantitative analysis support to the Research Managers for on-going research studies, which includes work such as training/impact evaluation and predictive validation studies.

Dr Sarah McElwee
Principal Research Manager

Sarah is a Principal Research Manager at Cambridge Assessment English, leading on research related to university admissions tests. Her areas of expertise are the use of assessments to support the selection of candidates to university, and the impact of university admissions on students, universities and wider society.

Siân Morgan
Senior Research Manager

Siân has taught in the UK, Italy and the USA. Among her current responsibilities are providing research support for Teaching and Curriculum, Editing Research Notes, Thought Leadership activities and Educational projects.

Dr Martina Kuvalja
Senior Research Manager

Martina manages multiple research projects which aim to evaluate different aspects of English language curriculum reforms in Malaysia. Previously, Martina worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, a consultant for several not-for-profit organisations and as a researcher in two exam boards.

Dr Sylwia Macinska
Senior Research Manager

Sylwia manages research in the area of learning-oriented assessment (LOA) and the use of feedback for supporting and monitoring learners’ progress, with a focus on new product development and impact investigations.

Tony Clark
Senior Research Manager

Tony Clark is a Senior Research Manager at Cambridge Assessment English, managing research on the IELTS test. Since joining Cambridge English in 2018, he has been responsible for the IELTS Joint-funded Research Programme and the Caroline Clapham Master’s Award, acted as Permanent Secretary/Chair of the IELTS Joint Research Committee, and led on a number of high profile cross-partner research projects.