Ilirjana Geci is currently a PhD candidate in Educational Psychology at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (2022–present), where her research focuses on the bidirectional associations between children and youth with disabilities and their primary socialization agents, including family and school.
She holds a specialization in Improving Leadership and Governance in the Nonprofit Sector from the State University of New York (2017–2020), reflecting her commitment to strengthening institutional and community-based initiatives.
Ilirjana earned her Master’s degree in School and Counselling Psychology (2014–2017) and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (2010–2013) from the University of Pristina – Faculty of Philosophy, establishing a solid foundation in psychological theory, educational practice, and student support systems.
Ilirjana Geci is a project development and disability inclusion expert with extensive experience in higher education, civil society, and international cooperation. Since 2020, she has served as the Director of the Office for Project Development at AAB College, where she leads the planning, implementation, and monitoring of institutional projects aligned with strategic priorities. She also provides training to academic and administrative staff on project planning and management.
Ilirjana has been a Lecturer at the Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Psychology at AAB College since 2019, where she teaches psychology with a focus on early childhood development and wellbeing.
In addition to her academic and institutional work, Ilirjana has collaborated in her capacity as an expert with several international organizations including the European Disability Forum, Save the Children, the European Council in Kosovo, GIZ, UNICEF, the Organization for Research Communication and Development, and the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation. Her consultancy roles have involved analyzing legislation and policies related to disability, designing manuals and training programs, conducting research, and facilitating training on inclusive education, employment, and community engagement.
She has held various leadership roles in disability-focused organizations where she coordinated national projects, supported employment initiatives, and worked on local and national policy development. Her contributions have supported the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in education, vocational training, and the labor market.
Ilirjana has also contributed to international awareness efforts, including authoring articles for We Speak Science, one of which reached over 29,000 readers. Her work reflects a consistent focus on inclusive development, practical solutions, and collaboration across sectors.
Ilirjana is also the author and co-author of several key publications that contribute to advancing disability rights and inclusive practices in Kosovo. Her works include:
Ilirjana Geci has actively contributed to numerous national and international conferences as a speaker and expert in disability rights, inclusive education, and child wellbeing. She represented Kosovo at the European Disability Forum and the European Parliament conference on Sustainable Development Goals held in Brussels. At the 20th European IAAH Congress in Kosovo, she presented her work on “Adolescence and Disability.” At the Balkan Conference on Disability in Albania, she shared insights on “The Situation of Persons with Disabilities in Kosovo.” In Serbia, during the Balkan Independent Disability Framework, she presented on “Current Legislation and Possible Ways Towards Its Improvement.”
She has also participated in the Regional Seminar on Disability Issues in Montenegro and the International Youth Conference in North Macedonia, both as a representative of the Kosovo Disability Forum. Her research, “Understanding the Situation of Children with Disabilities in Kosovo Through Their Own Voice,” received first place at the International Conference on Child Health in Kosovo and was later presented at the National Seminar of Kosovo under the EU-funded regional project implemented by UNICEF and the European Disability Forum.
In addition to these key contributions, Ilirjana has participated in many other academic and policy conferences, reflecting her ongoing commitment to advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and regional collaboration in the field of disability and inclusion.
