Consultancy

Some of my previous work in the area of public policy is listed in my CV; however, I encourage you to get in touch with any specific queries or projects you believe could benefit from my expertise or experience. Below are some of the examples of the kind of work I do, and my qualifications, experience, and values when doing policy/consultancy.

In line with generic and equitable working principles, I do not do this work for free (apart from very exceptionally), though my rates vary; get in touch if you would like to discuss details.

Consultancy:

I have acted as consultant for a number of governments, international organizations (e.g. OSCE, UNDP), and non-governmental/civil society organizations (e.g. Roma Education Fund, Open Society Foundation). Topics include: community and minority rights, in/equality and in/justice, conflict and post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation, and development (including SDGs). My particular area of expertise is the intersection between knowledge (including education and research) and political rights in complex, volatile, and multi-stakeholder environments, but also have significant experience in projects concerning gender equality, curriculum reform, and academic working conditions. I have led teams, authored and co-authored a number of reports, and even helped establish an higher education institution :). Some of this work is mentioned in my (academic) book, From Class to Identity: Politics of Education Reforms in former Yugoslavia (Central European University Press, 2014).

I have extensive fieldwork experience, including setting up and leading research teams in complex, medium- to high-risk, multi-scalar governance settings. Originally trained as an anthropologist, I am sensitive to the local political dynamics and particularly the power relationships involved in external/non-local consultancy work. All projects I have been engaged in have involved local partners and sought just and equitable distribution of resources as well as participatory approaches to research design, conduct, and delivery. I apply the same principles when I act alone.

I am used to negotiating high-level multi-stakeholder political and institutional environments. I trained in conflict resolution and negotiation with Johann Galtung; I have also completed several forms of training in community reconciliation and development. When acting as an expert, my stance remains politically neutral; however, in line with my other (including academic) work, it tends to highlight the implications of particular policies or initiatives for (in)equality, (in)justice, and access to rights for all, including minority, historically disadvantaged, and under-privileged groups.

Mentoring, tutoring, and supervision (outside Durham): I have now set up a separate dedicated page.

Expertise:

I provided expert advice in a number of contexts, including higher education institutions, international organizations, and philantropic foundations. My expertise covers the broad areas of social and political theory, sociology, and politics of knowledge, as well as questions of ethics, in/equality, and inclusion. I have a particular interest in effects of political and policy interventions and decisions on complex and intersectional inequalities, in particular in areas of political rights, as well as governance, funding, and access to knowledge (from scientific to algorithmic, and many kinds in between). Some of the academic work that underpins this can be found here.

Political advising and comms:

I have acted as advisor to a number of organizations and individuals on policy, strategy, and communications, including social media. During the UCU industrial action in 2018, I coordinated and helped run Cambridge UCU’s social media accounts. I have subsequently developed social media strategies/guidelines for several organizations; while I do not consider social media a particular area of expertise, I am still able to advise on crisis comms as well as the uses, engagement, and distribution of labour as part of overall media/communications strategies.