About
We created Ecademi to reimagine the pathway into higher education. Grounded in academic expertise, we support students to make informed choices, strengthen their applications, and succeed once they arrive at university.
Let us introduce ourselves
Meet the Founders
co-Founder & Director
Dr Liam Brolan, PhD
Dr Liam Brolan is a criminologist whose academic work explores violent crime, victimisation, and how people make sense of trauma, justice, and state responses in the aftermath of murder. With a background in criminology and a PhD examining the experiences of those bereaved by homicide abroad, his research offers insight into how individuals navigate grief and complex legal processes across international borders. He has co-authored peer-reviewed papers on contract killing and media representations of crime, and his forthcoming book with Routledge draws on his doctoral work to further examine the lives of co-victims affected by murder in international circumstances. Liam is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and an experienced Academic Performance Mentor, passionate about helping students build confidence, structure, and independence in their studies. A committed educator, he has taught across undergraduate and postgraduate levels and was awarded Inspirational Lecturer of the Year for his student-centred and engaging teaching style. His work is informed by a victim-focused perspective that centres those affected by crime, combining academic rigour with practical insight. He is committed to supporting students and audiences to engage critically and thoughtfully with complex issues in criminology and beyond.
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Co-Founder & Director
Dr Dan Rusu, PhD
Dr. Dan Gabriel Rusu is a criminologist and psychological researcher known for his work on identity, violence, and rehabilitation. With a background in psychological science and a PhD in criminology, his research explores how individuals convicted of serious offences - particularly homicide - rebuild their lives and sense of self after prison. His recent book, Life Beyond Murder (Routledge, 2024), offers a rare and insightful look into the post-release journeys of people serving life sentences, blending criminological theory with lived experience and narrative psychology. Dan is also an educator, speaker, and media contributor on topics such as trauma, justice, abuse, and societal stigma. His approach is interdisciplinary, shaped by both academic rigour and a strong belief in personal transformation and restorative justice. Originally from Romania and now based in the UK, he maintains strong cross-cultural ties and regularly collaborates on international projects aimed at humanising criminal justice systems.
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grounded in academic experience
The Ecademi Story
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We founded Ecademi in 2022 after more than a decade working in the UK higher education sector. As former criminology lecturers and PhD-qualified academics, we have taught on and led foundation year, undergraduate, and master’s programmes, contributed to academic research, delivered personal tuition, and supported students through every stage of their academic development - from first-year seminars to final-year dissertations.
This depth of experience has given us a clear understanding of the barriers learners face, both in gaining access to university and in building momentum once enrolled. That insight underpins the academic structure, strategic guidance, and long-term support that define our approach.
At the centre of our work is the Ecademi University Pathway, a structured, academically grounded programme designed to support both international applicants and UK learners from a broad range of social and academic backgrounds. From course exploration and personal statement development to admissions advice and academic preparation, we support learners at every stage. Crucially, that support continues beyond enrolment - through expert guidance, ongoing resources, and a connected academic community.
Our remit also goes beyond university access. Through CPD-accredited courses, national A-level conferences, and academic workshops for schools and colleges, we support subject engagement, critical thinking, and curriculum enrichment. Our public events take academic ideas beyond the university, making them accessible to wider audiences without simplifying their complexity.
What sets us apart is not just what we offer, but how we deliver it: with care, clarity, and a depth of academic understanding shaped by years of direct teaching, curriculum development, and student support. We help learners approach higher education with stronger applications, greater confidence, and a longer-term perspective.
Ecademi is grounded in lived academic experience - guided by an ethical approach, critical insight, and a belief that education should be both intellectually challenging and widely accessible.
This is not a departure from Higher Education, it is a continuation of its most important mission.
Welcome to Ecademi.