Albena Vutsova

Professor Albena Vutsova (F) has a Masters Degree in semiconductors and electronic components, and PhD from the University of World and National Economy (Bulgaria) on "Integration of Bulgarian Science to the European Research Area". She is holder of Diploma in Financial Management from the UWNE (Bulgaria). Prof. Vutsova has been consultant in the department "Scientific Research" at the Ministry of Education and Science. She is responsible for National Research Programmes Management and developing research policy papers, She was a National Coordinator of the EU Framework Programmes (5,6,7,), for COST, and for the EU Young Scientists Foundation. From 1993 to 2011 Prof. Vutsova was Director of the Scientific Research Directorate at the Ministry of Science and Education. She was also the Executive Manager of the National Science Foundation from Feb. 1991 to Jan. 2008. Her earlier career included the posts of Senior Expert at the State Committee for Research and Technology (1987-1991), Manager of "Progress" at the Innovation Center (1981-1987) and Research Associate at the Institute of Instrument Design (1975-1981). Her international experience includes several Phare, FP7 and NATO projects, both as partner and coordinator, as well as organising and speaking at global conferences. She is author and co-author in a number of publications. Research interests: Higher education policy, Organizational forms and governance, Economics of Education; Educational Policy, Research evaluation and peer review, Public-private partnership, Management, Development economics, Financial development and economic growth.