My Experiences
I was a founding member of Involve , a London based charity dedicated to participatory democracy. I was based in London with Involve from 2004 until 2013 and I was the Deputy Director of the organisation for five years. I continue to work with Involve as an associate but now live and work in Malmo in southern Sweden.
My projects for Involve have been very varied and have included research and evaluation, design and facilitation of engagement processes, training in engagement and facilitation as well as expert advice and support for clients such as the UK Department for Communities and Local Government, OECD, the Home Office, the Sciencewise Programme, National School for Government and the European Commission. I am an experienced public speaker and writer with articles published in the Guardian and numerous other publications and presentations at the University of Princeton, Civil Service Live and OECD conferences. For almost two years I was the Sciencewise Programme's Dialogue Manager, looking at how to engage members of the public in difficult scientific or technological policy issues. I also worked on Engage 2020, a European Commission funded research project looking at citizen involvement in research. I am passionate about democracy and citizen participation and helped to set up participationcompass.org - one of Europe's most comprehensive public engagement sites. I am a Professional Facilitator (Certified by the International Association of Facilitators) and board member of the international not-for profit e-Democracy.org. I have a life outside of work. I am Swedish-Australian, grew up in Sweden and Tanzania and have spent my working life in the US, UK and Sweden. One of my favourite pastimes is writing, drawing and illustrating. Over the last few years I have illustrated a number of children's books for family and friends. |
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Short CV
Professional Career
2014- : Participation and Democracy consultant. Malmö
I work as a democracy specialist and engagement consultant, based in Malmö Sweden. Currently working with SKL and SKL International, both in Sweden and in Turkey. I have delivered training for dozens of municipalities across Sweden and Europe. I also organise study visits and facilitate events.
2015- : European Associate. Involve, based in Malmö
Working with Involve as an associate around international engagement, methods of participation and facilitation. I'm focussed on support and capacity building as well as developing video and visual content.
2014-2015: European Specialist. Involve, based in Malmö
I worked part time for Involve developing Engage2020 - a European Commission funded project aiming to explore and inspire in the field of societal engagement in research.
More information: www.engage2020.eu
2008-2014: Deputy Director. Involve, London, UK
Strategic responsibility for Involve’s practice based work. Projects include research and evaluation, design and facilitation of engagement processes, training in engagement and facilitation as well as expert advice and support for clients such as CLG, OECD, the Home Office, British Council, National School for Government and the European Commission. Experienced public speaker and writer with articles published in the Guardian and numerous other publications and presentations at the University of Princeton, Civil Service Live and OECD conferences. Board member of e-Democracy.org and guest lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London.
2007-2008: Head of Practice, Involve, London, UK
Leading on Involve’s practice based participation work and strategy. Developed and delivered projects and processes for
amongst others the Ministry of Justice, British Council and Sustainable Development Commission. Projects include
innovative mentoring support for civil servants on how to engage with the public, creating peoplandparticipation.net, the UKs largest website on participation and engagement exercises for the NCVO and the States of Jersey.
2006-2007: Project Manager, Involve, London, UK
Delivered policy and practice related projects for amongst others the Department for Communities & Local Government, the OECD and the NHS Centre for Involvement. Projects included research into citizen empowerment, an audit of resources for engagement and producing an anthology on patient and public involvement in health.
2004 -2006: Research Co-ordinator, Involve, London, UK
Delivered research projects for amongst others the Home Office and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Work included developing a highly regarded guide to public participation and research into the costs and benefits of participation.
Education:
2003-04: London School of Economics, London, UK -MSc Environment and Development (Distinction)
1997-03: Lund University, Lund, Sweden -Fil. Mag. (MA) History and Archival Sciences
Bilingual English and Swedish (written and spoken)
Other Posts
2014- : Participation and Democracy consultant. Malmö
I work as a democracy specialist and engagement consultant, based in Malmö Sweden. Currently working with SKL and SKL International, both in Sweden and in Turkey. I have delivered training for dozens of municipalities across Sweden and Europe. I also organise study visits and facilitate events.
2015- : European Associate. Involve, based in Malmö
Working with Involve as an associate around international engagement, methods of participation and facilitation. I'm focussed on support and capacity building as well as developing video and visual content.
2014-2015: European Specialist. Involve, based in Malmö
I worked part time for Involve developing Engage2020 - a European Commission funded project aiming to explore and inspire in the field of societal engagement in research.
More information: www.engage2020.eu
2008-2014: Deputy Director. Involve, London, UK
Strategic responsibility for Involve’s practice based work. Projects include research and evaluation, design and facilitation of engagement processes, training in engagement and facilitation as well as expert advice and support for clients such as CLG, OECD, the Home Office, British Council, National School for Government and the European Commission. Experienced public speaker and writer with articles published in the Guardian and numerous other publications and presentations at the University of Princeton, Civil Service Live and OECD conferences. Board member of e-Democracy.org and guest lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London.
2007-2008: Head of Practice, Involve, London, UK
Leading on Involve’s practice based participation work and strategy. Developed and delivered projects and processes for
amongst others the Ministry of Justice, British Council and Sustainable Development Commission. Projects include
innovative mentoring support for civil servants on how to engage with the public, creating peoplandparticipation.net, the UKs largest website on participation and engagement exercises for the NCVO and the States of Jersey.
2006-2007: Project Manager, Involve, London, UK
Delivered policy and practice related projects for amongst others the Department for Communities & Local Government, the OECD and the NHS Centre for Involvement. Projects included research into citizen empowerment, an audit of resources for engagement and producing an anthology on patient and public involvement in health.
2004 -2006: Research Co-ordinator, Involve, London, UK
Delivered research projects for amongst others the Home Office and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Work included developing a highly regarded guide to public participation and research into the costs and benefits of participation.
Education:
2003-04: London School of Economics, London, UK -MSc Environment and Development (Distinction)
1997-03: Lund University, Lund, Sweden -Fil. Mag. (MA) History and Archival Sciences
Bilingual English and Swedish (written and spoken)
Other Posts
- EC evaluator: FP7 Science in Society (2011)
- ESRC Peer Reviewer (2009-)
- Board member E-Democracy.org (2009 -)
- Member of Expert Panel for Local Governance Research Unit (Department for Communities and Local Government) (2009-2010)
- Guest lecturer, Community-based Project Development and Management programme, Birkbeck College, University of London (2009-)
- Expert Advisor, International Centre of Excellence for Local eDemocracy (2007-2008)
- Expert Advisor, Carl Bertelsmann Foundation (2007, 2010)
- Expert Advisor, OECD (2006-2007)
- Steering Group Member, Participatory Practitioners for Change (2006-)