Sanita Baranova holds a doctoral degree in pedagogy (Dr.paed.) and is an associate professor and a leading researcher at the Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Latvia. She is the head of the study field “Education and Pedagogy” at the University of Latvia. Her research interests encompass areas such as the transformation of the student-centred approach, the professional development of adults (particularly academic staff), the implications of higher education policy for the study process, and innovations in university teaching and learning within an interdisciplinary context. She has co-authored several publications, including studies on adult professional development, the implementation of student-centred education principles, the development of transversal competences, and the application of digital and artificial intelligence tools in higher education. She is recognised as an expert in the Social Sciences (Education Sciences) by the Latvian Council of Science. She has developed and implemented several professional development programmes for academic staff on teaching and learning in higher education and has also contributed to the design of an in-service teacher training programme on the use of artificial intelligence in the teaching and learning process.