My first degree is in Teaching and Geography, and I had a short time as a primary school teacher before I began working in the peace movement, to now when I am a Professor of Peace Studies.
2012-present Leeds Beckett University, School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Professor of Peace Studies, July 2020 – present. Including School Research Ethics Coordinator 202-23
Reader in Peace Studies. September 2017- 2020
Director of the Centre for Applied Social Research. November 2017- 2019, 2024- present
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Peace Studies. March 2012 – September 2017 including Course Leader
My 20 years in practice demonstrates experience in senior management, impact, funding and strategic development.
September 2011 – January 2013 Community Foundation for Calderdale and Leeds Community Foundation.
Localgiving Coordinator/Online Fundraising
Managing a new program funded through Social Action Fund to recruit and train the voluntary sector in online fundraising in Calderdale and Leeds.
Founder and Senior Partner, Transforming Matters
October 2009 – January 2013
Founder and senior partner in Transforming Matters, an international consultancy formed to support organisations to learn and improve how they design, implement, learn from and evaluate their activities that aim to transform conflict, communities and lives.
Area Manager, 2011 Census, Office of National Statistics
August 2010 – June 2011
The most senior field staff member for Calderdale and South Bradford.
Operations Director, amazonails
April 2009-September 2010
I provided interim management to a start-up social enterprise which did sustainble house.
Freelance Management and Fundraising Consultant
2007- 2010
Fundraising advice and support, business coaching, including financial management and leadership skills.
International Fundraising Director, Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP)
2005 – 2007
As an international senior manager I helped design and deliver the strategic vision for the growth of civilian peacekeeping projects worldwide.
European Coordinator, Nonviolent Peaceforce
2002-2005
In this senior management role I established the first European office in Brussels and network of organisations across Europe and supported the Sri Lanka office with finance and operations.
Development Worker for CND (Manchester and Yorkshire)
1997-2002
I ran and managed regional offices including administration, fundraising, press and communication work, strategic planning and campaigning projects on nuclear disarmament.
Freelance Campaigner and Consultant
1991-1999
International role setting up a peace education service, running anti-nuclear campaigns, delivering humanitarian aid, supporting women’s peace activities in Lithuania and Croatia, and training with youth and women’s groups.