ANDRES PAYA RICO

Andrés Paya Rico is a Full Professor of Theory and History of Education at the University of Valencia, affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Sciences and the Department of Comparative Education. He is also a Professor in the Doctorate in Pedagogical Sciences at the Università di Bologna. He leads the GRECIA Comparative Education Research Group and serves as Director of the Master of Psychopedagogy at the University of Valencia since 2019.

His research focuses on the history of contemporary education, educational policy, and teaching innovation, with a particular emphasis on the integration of games as instruments for pedagogical renewal. He has conducted research stays in Spain, Belgium, Italy, Peru, Mexico, and Ecuador, reflecting a strong international engagement.

He is actively involved in academic publishing, serving as co-editor of the Scopus-indexed journal Espacio, Tiempo y Educación, and as a member of the editorial boards of Educació i Història and Debates para la Historia (Mexico), as well as the scientific committees of Education Forum, História da Educaçao, and Pedagogical Trends (UAM).

He previously served as Academic Secretary (2012–2015) and Director of the Department of Comparative Education and History of Education (2015–2019). His leadership and scholarly contributions are further recognized through his membership in the Board of Directors of the Spanish Society for the History of Education (SEDHE).

Academic Appointments and Service Roles:

• Full Professor, Theory and History of Education, University of Valencia
• Professor, Doctorate in Pedagogical Sciences, Università di Bologna
• Director, Master of Psychopedagogy, University of Valencia (2019–present)
• Director, Department of Comparative Education and History of Education (2015–2019)
• Academic Secretary (2012–2015)
• Co-editor, Espacio, Tiempo y Educación
• Editorial Board Member: Educació i Història, Debates para la Historia
• Scientific Committee Member: Education Forum, História da Educaçao, Pedagogical Trends
• Board Member, Spanish Society for the History of Education (SEDHE)

His research integrates historical analysis with innovative pedagogical practices, particularly through the study of games in education. He has fostered international collaborations through research visits across Europe and Latin America, contributing to comparative and transnational studies in education.