Work and Impact
Emma’s approach to her work starts with a problem and its impact on people. She runs toward a problem or gap in knowledge or policy. She problem-solves in real-time in a sectorally and methodologically agnostic manner, using whatever methods or tools best apply to create impactful change during unfolding crises and conflicts. This unorthodox approach cuts through the constraints that normally slow or hinder real change, leading to broad and sometimes unexpected policy impact.
Too often we rely on orthodox approaches to new problems and wonder why they fail. Where these systems aren't delivering for the civilians they're designed to help, we need new approaches, strategic vision, deep research, creativity, and commitment to carve new paths forward. Emma strives to create long-term systemic change in these systems and approaches to global crises and conflict and their impacts to protect lives and rights better and meet the needs of the civilians that 'business as usual' leaves behind.
Due to the sensitive nature of her recent work, a more detailed description of recent consultancy projects and policy wins is available only by contacting Emma directly. However, the following represents a handful of examples of the impactful change Emma is committed to making. Each heading below clicks through to a more detailed description of the work.
Crisis in Conflict and Peace-Building: Ongoing research and analysis of the current crisis in conflict and peace-building that informs new proposals and projects designed to quell the flames of war.
Aid Access - The Right to Aid: Identified the drivers of aid system failure when states block aid, proposed new response architectures and humanitarian diplomacy strategies, and emboldened local and mutual aid.
Syria Policy: Maintained political space for peace negotiations and protection space for refugees and IDPs, reduced further harm and rights abuses, and centred evidence-based peace process proposals on the needs and rights of Syrian civilians.
Ukraine Invasion Policy Implementation: Worked to shape an effective and integrated Western response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that put civilian protection at its heart.
Covid-19 Pandemic Response: Shaped global Covid-19 public health policy in and about closed/authoritarian states early in the pandemic by proposing and collaborating on new methodologies for assessing Covid-19 rates in contexts with poor reporting.
Press Freedom and Journalist Safety: Drove a novel collaboration between news media, journalists, and press freedom NGOs to protect journalists working in conflict in the years during and after the Arab Spring, including launching two NGOs.