What does your role at EIDA involve?
I am responsible for all our communications outputs, which encompasses both our member communications, campaigns, and external engagement. I work directly with our Beacons and Strategic Partner members on their communications, and spearhead our Government advocacy. I try to give EIDA a clear and cohesive voice in everything we do.
What inspired you to join EIDA?
I wanted to work with domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention as an extension of my passion for women’s rights. Importantly, I was also craving a role that was all about impact and communicating these important issues. I worked in research for several years, and it ultimately felt too far removed from the change I want to see achieved in society. While being a small organisation, EIDA has enormous reach, and that potential for impact was a huge draw for me.
What were you doing before you joined EIDA?
I spent two years as a Security and Defence researcher at RAND Europe. My academic background is in international security and terrorism, and I also hold another part-time role with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Conflict. However, before I came to London for my MA in 2019, I was a women’s rights activist in Norway, primarily working on sexual violence. I consider it a privilege to be able to have one foot in each of the worlds I am passionate about; gender justice and international security.
What do you enjoy most about working for EIDA?
I love how much we get done despite being such a small team. My previous roles were in big organisations, and I love EIDA’s action-oriented ways of working. Our team is so collaborative. Everyone is completely dedicated to the organisation’s mission, and we enjoy the strong support from a wonderful wider network of partners in the sector.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I usually have lots of things going on! I am a long-distance hiker and climber, and I run an outdoor adventure blog called Let’s Trek It. I also Chair a women’s network called Women in International Security (WIIS) UK, and sit on the Executive Committee of the New Diplomacy Project foreign policy think tank.
Tell us something about you that few people know.
I am among the top 1% most extroverted in the population. I love being around other people and have a near limitless social appetite. Maybe it’s not that hard to tell actually…
