I am interested in engaging people with research through communication, and also in whether or how this activity can support evidence-based dialogue and decision making.
I recently joined the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD), based at IDS, in November 2023 as Head of Communications and Impact, the latest role in my happy and long career at IDS.
Previously, I lead on the development and implementation of communication and engagement strategies for the Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development (CREID) and the Action for Empowerment and Accountability (A4EA) research programme. I’ve also worked with BASIC, CLEAR, CORE and SuPWR IDS-led programmes.
Media engagement
When I begun working on Communications and Engagement work over ten years ago, I was seconded to The Guardian, contributing to the development and launch of its award-winning Guardian Global Development site.
I have been successful in securing interviews in and pitching pieces to major media outlets, including Al Jazeera, BBC World News, Devex and The Guardian, as well as more topical outlets, such as Tax Notes.
Marketing, social media engagement and content development
Since then I have gained considerable experience in social media engagement and content development, including:
- Developing materials for and delivering in-house training to staff, students and partners on publishing and promoting blogs, media engagement and Writing for the Web
- Awarded a CIM-accredited Diploma in Digital Marketing (2013-14).
- Working on the dissemination and promotion of acclaimed IDS Bulletin New Roles for Communication in Development (2012)
- Launching and having editorial oversight of the Impact and Learning blog (2011), and leading a team that delivered social reporting for the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation’s seminal Mind the Gap; From Policy to Impact conference in Cuernavaca, Mexico (2011),
In 2015, I led on the marketing strategy for re-launching the IDS Bulletin as an open access journal. Launched in 2016, its new website achieved nearly 400,000 downloads in its first year, four times greater than anticipated.
Project management in communication output design and production
I have project-managed the design and production of the IDS Annual Review (2013, 2014 and 2015) as well as leading on the design of the IDS Strategy 2015-2020 (short version) (PDF). I oversaw the creation and development of a new website for the Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development, tendering for developers and designers, and managing a freelance content project manager.
I have developed an interest and built my experience in translating research concepts and findings into alternative visual formats such as infographics and animations. Examples include: Power, Violence, Citizenship and Agency project (PDF), Time to care (created with Studio Syrup) and Empowerment and accountability in fragile, conflict and violence-affected settings (working with an MA student on Media Practice for Development and Social Change)
Background
I joined IDS in May 2007, beginning as junior Research Assistant working on Eldis and building my experience in knowledge management and evidence dissemination. In 2010, I moved on to focusing more on communications, engagement and impact. I was elected as a staff trustee to the IDS Board (from June 2016 to July 2019). Prior to that, I worked for the Scottish charity, Citizens Advice Scotland, on public affairs and social policy in Scotland in the areas of consumer debt, housing and employment rights. I graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a MA (Hons) in Arabic with politics and Middle Eastern history.
