biog | experience
Thank you for visiting the site – something of a central space for my work, which combines communication with analysis of research and ideas in global development, health and the environment. I’ve specialised in science, policy and practice over 15+ years’ cross-sector experience in media, online publishing and research.
I believe in the power of sharing ideas, evidence and human stories accessibly and creatively through text, image and sound. I support capacity building for science and communication in the global South. And I’m interested in scientific research relevant to the bigger picture – links between well-being, social inequality, humanitarian work and global change — how knowledge can improve lives.
As head of SciDev.Net‘s op-ed and special features desk for the past several years I’ve had a varied role — to commission, edit or write commentary, and project-manage ‘Spotlight’ collections with data and audiovisual elements. This involves working closely with academics, development practitioners/NGOs, journalists and producers in the office or the field. Through field trips I’ve produced multimedia features on how issues in science and development play out on the ground in Africa, Latin America and South Asia.
Before joining SciDev.Net in 2010, I was news editor at an information service set up with support by the former UK Health Protection Agency to publish research-based news about (re)emerging infections, toxic agents and emergency management. There I led coverage of the pandemic flu response as it unfolded in 2009, throwing into sharp focus both the challenges of scientific uncertainty and the value of critical journalism.
Prior to this I was editor for Biomed Central’s BMC-series journals and on a freelance basis. And before swapping the beauty of data for the beauty of words, I worked at research centres in the USA and Europe including the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Joint Research Centre. My research focused on bringing together different disciplines through risk analysis to evaluate impacts of environmental exposures and inform health protection policy for vulnerable populations.
I’ve been lucky enough to get immersed in multidisciplinary learning early on, working with some very talented and committed people in neuroscience (UMASS Medical Center), sustainability research (School for Field Studies, Costa Rica), and environmental health (Clark University and George Washington University).
I hold two advanced degrees: a Master of Arts in environmental science and policy and a Master of Public Health in epidemiology.
Home is a mosaic of places. Now based in London, I grew up in Cyprus to parents displaced by war and spent time in Ireland, Italy and Sweden after several years in the US.
Away from the desk you can find me behind a camera, taking journeys, enjoying food and listening to music among other things.