Team Member Introductions

Carmen Teubl-Kiviniemi

Project Manager

I started in this role in 2018, back then at the Austrian National Agency and oversaw the transition of the Network Coordination to the Finnish National Agency. My tasks and responsibilities are quite broad:  from being an eagle having the oversight to trying to hold the strings together; from problem solving and crisis management to strategic planning and supporting the transnational research team and our partners; from daily management tasks and leading the Network Coordination team to putting my efforts in networking with relevant stakeholders as well as enhancing the visibility of the Network.

I am a self-declared cineaste, cat lover and lately expanding my love (also professionally) to mediation and conflict resolution.

Susanne Karppinen

Coordinator

I began working at RAY in January 2024. My main tasks for RAY focus on communication (e.g. social media and web communications) and event organizing, tough I also do some administrative tasks as well. In my role at the Finnish NA, I also spend a third of my work time doing communications at Eurodesk. I like that in my role I get to work with two different networks, which allows me to look at the European youth programmes from different perspectives.

At work, I mainly drink coffee, but I’m actually a more of a tea enthusiast at heart and currently have over 30 different flavours of tea at home!

Tiina Launiainen

Project Coordinator

Andreas Karsten

Transnational Research Coordination

I have been connected to RAY since its inception in different roles, from copy-editing and layout to coordinating thematic research projects. With the start of the new programme generation, I took over the transnational research coordination from Helmut. In that role, I guide, manage and support the research team and the implementation of all transnational research activities. Never a dull day!

Also not dull at all: the Lofoten, which I was lucky to visit recently – not for the last time, surely!

Johannes Eick

Researcher

I started working at RAY in September 2022 – I had a wonderful kick-off by getting to know the whole RAY network in Prague. I’m responsible for coordinating and conducting research projects around the European Youth Programmes, mainly in the area of competence development through trainings (RAY COMP). I love to collaborate in the international environment of RAY, because it enables me to continuously broaden my perspective on the multifaceted nature of youth work in Europe. Plus, I cherish working in a network that is just as nerdy and passionate as I am about youth policy, practice and research.

I’m able to flawlessly boil breakfast eggs and bake bread without needing an alarm clock.

Andrea Horta Herranz

Researcher

I started working at RAY in November 2020. My main responsibilities include research tool design, data collection, data analysis, reporting, result dissemination and communication, transnational project management, planning and implementation of research-related face-to-face meetings. I like working at the messy point where research meets policy and practice. I find it enriching to understand how different interests meet and to figure out how professionals with very different backgrounds can work together.

I doodle a lot during meetings.

Ashley Pitschmann

Researcher

I started dabbling in RAY report editing as early as 2019, but my first major project was RAY COR in 2020. Just a month after publishing our first literature review, I presented its highlights at my first (and the network’s first online) network meeting. I wouldn’t get the joy of attending an in-person network meeting until 2023!! In my role, I explore the impact of European youth programs, from designing projects to analysing data. I especially enjoy brainstorming and collaborating with my fellow researchers.

In my free time, I perfect my sourdough recipe – an artful blend of art and science.