Andrea began her doctoral studies at IDS in September 2020. Her research proposal is entitled: Gender and Development Higher Education (GADHE), Transformative Learning, and Lifelong Feminist Learning:  Experiences of learners from the Institute of Development Studies and University of Sussex MA GAD Programme, 1987-2022.

Using quantitative and qualitative methods, her research study will collect data on Gender and Development Studies postgraduate programmes (e.g., Masters) in order to examine the transformative learning processes of learners. Transformative learning can be defined as ‘learning which implies change in the identity of the learner’ (Illeris 2015,1), such as the way a person experiences, conceptualizes, and interacts with the world (Hoggan 2016). This study explores how Gender and Development Higher Education (GADHE) may lead to meaningful transformative learning outcomes for students and/or alumni over time.

Andrea completed an MA (Dist) in Gender and Development from IDS in 2000. Since graduating she has specialised in human-rights based approaches to gender equality and sustainable development. For approximately 20 years she has worked internationally for the United Nations, academic institutions and civil society organizations on issues relating to gender and governance; gender, learning and knowledge management; and gender and health inequalities.

She is a member of the Participation, Inclusion and Social Change Cluster, and her supervisor is Dr Peter Taylor.

See her google scholar page here.