Position, Company

My name is Monica Edwards-Schachter. I am a researcher, consultant, and trainer with more than 25 years of experience in the innovation field, particularly in social innovation, living labs, and innovation governance, as well as STEAM education and capacity-building for sustainable transformation. I have a multidisciplinary background, holding bachelor’s degrees in Electronic Engineering and Science Education, a PhD in Science Education, specialization in Innovation and Project Management and postgraduate diplomas Knowledge Management, and Transdisciplinary. I currently work as a Senior Researcher at the Valencian International University (VIU, Spain) and collaborate with INNOPAC Association. My current work focuses on advancing AI-based social innovation and the use of disruptive and immersive technologies in cultural sectors, particularly in relation to the digital, green, and social dimensions of sustainability transitions. I am also deeply passionate about deliberative democracy and civic technologies, which I explore through my involvement in the IDEAL project, as well as writing, which allows me to share ideas about innovation, society, and transformation in different ways.

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Overview of the Job

My professional trajectory has been devoted to science and engineering education and innovation studies, a field that deeply motivates me because it allows me to analyse the socio-cultural impact of innovation and how innovation contributes to value creation and societal well-being. I have participated in numerous research and innovation projects at national and European levels, contributing to the design, development, and evaluation of initiatives aligned with sustainability transitions. A significant part of my work has focused on STEAM education, through research, teacher training, and outreach activities. I have developed and led more than 50 initiatives across Spain, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina to promote STEAM competences, integrating creativity, sustainability, and real-world challenges into learning at different educational levels. I am also actively involved in initiatives to encourage young women to pursue careers in science and technology. I am a member of the Asociación de Mujeres Investigadoras y Tecnólogas (AMIT, Spain) and serve as expert and mentor in programs such as Women In Tech (International), WIN , STEM Talent Girl (Fundación ASTI, Spain), and collaborated with Girls4STEM at the University of Valencia (Spain).

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Among my educational initiatives, I designed an award-winning role-playing game on climate change to foster students’ problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. I also contribute as a children’s book author, creating stories that connect science, creativity, and climate awareness to inspire young learners; one of these books has been implemented in the SELFie European project to improve science teaching and foreign language competences. I am currently finalizing a novel for readers aged 10–12 highlighting women passionate about science through an empowering and imaginative narrative.

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What Inspired You

Since childhood, I have been captivated by stories of scientists and explorers. I vividly remember reading about Roald Amundsen and his expedition to the South Pole. His courage, perseverance, and spirit of discovery sparked in me a fascination for curiosity and exploration that has never faded. I was equally inspired by Marie Curie for her innovative mindset, and leadership. During World War I, she designed and deployed mobile radiology units known as the “Petites Curies,” equipping vehicles and training women technicians to bring X-ray imaging to the battlefield. I was deeply impressed not only by her brilliance as a scientist, but by the way she led and took decisive action in moments of crisis, demonstrating that science can be a powerful force for life and society.  During secondary school, passionate teachers encouraged my curiosity through hands-on projects and field experiments, guiding me in Mathematics and Science Olympiads and fostering my love for creative expression through storybooks and plays about scientific figures like Leonardo da Vinci. These early experiences, blending science and creativity, laid the foundation for my lifelong commitment to STEAM education and to bridging science with the humanities and society.

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Typical Working Day

My work combines structured academic responsibilities with creative and collaborative activities, creating a dynamic balance between routine and exploration. I usually start my day very early, when the world is still quiet and the morning sounds —birds singing or, when possible, the waves of the sea— create a sense of calm and focus. These early hours are when ideas flow most freely, and I feel fully engaged in what I love most. I immerse myself in writing, whether scientific articles or creative projects. As a Senior Researcher at an online university, my official workday begins at 8 a.m. Throughout the day, I balance responding to emails, participating in team and project meetings, and managing ongoing research activities. Some days follow a more structured rhythm of analysis, reporting, and coordination; others involve traveling to workshops, project meetings, or scientific events. Collaboration is central to my work. I actively engage with scientific and creative communities, seeking joint projects, funding opportunities, and new ways to advance my research agenda and broaden its impact. This diversity allows me to combine research, creativity, and outreach while continuously learning and adapting to new challenges.

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Study & Career Path

I come from a family with limited economic resources, and earning a merit-based scholarship allowed me to continue my secondary education. At a young age, I began working as a secretary, which enabled me to fund four years of studies to become a Science Teacher at 21 years old.  Motivated by curiosity and a passion for STEM, I moved to Cordoba (Argentina) to study Engineering, being one of only three women in my cohort, an experience that strengthened my determination and resilience. After my engineering studies and during a decade, I was in charge of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Infrared Spectroscopy Laboratory, and taught at the National University of Cordoba, participated in technology transfer projects, co-founded a small company repairing electromedical equipment, and engaged in STEAM teacher training initiatives.

 

After moving to Spain, I pursued a PhD in Science Education, focusing on STEAM and sustainability, and started a second PhD in Engineering and Innovation, followed by postdoctoral training and several courses. I joined the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, contributed to international research programs such as JAE-doc and JAE-tech Torres Quevedo with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and carried out consulting activities with various public and private organizations. Additionally, I led initiatives in STEAM education and teacher training, developing practical projects to promote experiential and transdisciplinary learning. One notable example is a ten-year teacher training programme carried out in partnership with the Valencia Science Museum, a science teacher training centre, the university, the French Lycée, and the German School, fostering a robust cross-institutional network.  I think that my career has naturally gravitated towards multi- and interdisciplinary approaches, which has been an inexhaustible source of learning and personal growth. If I could change anything, it might be the structural challenge of fitting such a hybrid profile into traditional academic pathways. Paradoxically, the very passion that drives me to explore new horizons sometimes makes it harder to conform to conventional academic structures.

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Key Skills

As in everyone’s career, each researcher builds their own path and develops a unique combination of skills and competencies based on the focus of their activities and the dimensions of their work they emphasize. In my case, this includes traditional research skills such as analytical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis, alongside project management skills and the creativity to bring new ideas to life. I have also developed competencies in innovation and entrepreneurship, including initiative, collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication. Practicing entrepreneurial project pitches has been particularly useful, and I remain curious to acquire new technical skills by exploring innovative research methodologies, creating concept maps and networks, and using a variety of creative and AI-based applications to enhance the research process. A key aspect of my development has been strengthening my communication skills through presentations to diverse audiences, including conferences with large public events, technical audiences, and internal scientific seminars. Personal qualities such as curiosity, resilience, openness to feedback, and empathy are equally important for managing complex interdisciplinary projects and fostering meaningful collaborations.

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Career Prospect

I believe it is highly valuable to strengthen the ability to acquire and combine diverse competencies, which is a natural part of the path for anyone passionate about research. This mindset creates opportunities across a wide range of jobs and sectors, including traditional academic and research positions at universities and international research institutions, where one can join interdisciplinary teams and eventually lead research and innovation projects. There are also opportunities in policymaking, consulting, and project management across the public, non-profit, and private sectors, particularly in initiatives that integrate innovation, education, and social impact. Many professionals choose to develop their own research or innovation consulting ventures, supporting organizations in accessing European, national, or regional funding programs and contributing to the broader innovation ecosystem. In my case, experience in entrepreneurship, creative outreach, and communication has enabled me to contribute to cultural and educational initiatives, including the design of educational tools and public engagement projects.

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Challenges

It is important to be aware of the competitive culture in academia, where success strongly depends on indicators, access to resources, and networks, creating imbalances in career paths. Emerging tools like generative AI are transforming research, boosting productivity but sometimes at the expense of depth or societal relevance. Daily work requires balancing administrative duties, research, knowledge transfer, and funding pursuits, which can be stressful. Multidisciplinary profiles face additional challenges fitting into traditional structures, which sometimes are not flexible. Maintaining research impact, staying updated with evolving methods and technologies, and balancing productivity with creativity are ongoing considerations in my professional life.

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Your Advice to Students

I would advise students to pursue their dreams with passion, curiosity, and dedication, especially in a field as enriching as STEAM, where research can give deep meaning to your work and life. At the same time, it is important to keep your feet on the ground: make thoughtful decisions about your doctoral studies, the research groups you join, and the environments in which you develop your career. Participating in mentorship programs or shadowing opportunities can provide a clearer and more realistic view of the paths you aspire to follow. Balancing ambition with careful reflection will allow you to follow your passions while building a solid foundation for long-term growth and impact.

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Your Advice to Teachers and Parents

From my own experiences, I have seen how profoundly teachers’ actions can impact students. That’s why it is so important for teachers to nurture children’s natural curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit. For example, by offering a variety of activities that reveal the diverse and fascinating facets of scientific knowledge, while also fostering a humanistic perspective that connects learning to everyday life, and helping children understand that science, like any field, also has its challenges and difficulties. Parents, too, have the privilege and opportunity to expand their children’s talents and interests by encouraging exploration, initiative, and creativity, asking questions together, and supporting them in discovering new passions. By actively engaging with their children’s curiosity, parents help them develop not only knowledge but also confidence, creativity, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a lifelong love of learning.

 

More Info

Interview with Mónica Edwards Schachter, author of "Guardians of the Sea"