Dr Edward Brooks is the Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford, where he leads a major research project on character and responsible leadership. He is also co- founder of the Oxford SDG Impact Lab.
Professor Alexander Betts is the Leopold Muller Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs, William Golding Senior Fellow in Politics at Brasenose College, and Associate Head (Graduate and Research Training) of the Social Sciences Division at the University of Oxford. He is also co-founder of the Oxford SDG Impact Lab.
Ashley leads the operational management of the Lab and is programme manager for the partnership with Rosberg Philanthropies. She is an experienced social entrepreneur and business adviser, with a focus on start-ups, social enterprise and impact ventures. As well as leading on a number of European-funded enterprise support programmes, Ashley has a background in broadcasting and media.
Ollie is a former Olympic rower who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Games. He is responsible for the design and delivery of the graduate training programme of the SDG Impact Lab, combining in person and online approaches. He has a masters in History from the University of Oxford. Previously he founded the LSE Ambassadors for Sport Fund and was in the first cohort of GB athletes to take part in the Sport & Business Leadership Program run by PwC.
Varun initially joined the lab in 2021 as an inaugural SDG Fellow. Varun remains an active member within the lab as Head of Research where he uses his research expertise to curate project planning and guide fellows throughout their journey.
Map is our Lab Administrator. Map helps the team with general administration, purchasing, organisation of Lab events, booking travel and design work. Prior to joining the Lab Map worked in the Refugee Studies Centre where she helped arrange the summer school.
Amy joined the lab in 2022 as an SDG Fellow. This year, Amy is working with the Lab team continuing their impactful work with UN Tourism.
Laura was part of the inaugural cohort of Fellows who joined the Lab in 2021-2022 to work on a sustainable tourism project for easyJet holidays (read more about the food waste project she worked on.) The following year, while pursuing a DPhil in International Development, she took on the role of Lab project coordinator, helping to create the first comprehensive ESG framework for Tourism, in a project led by UN Tourism. Laura now works as a Senior Project Specialist in the Statistics Department of UN Tourism.
Sara Sampieri is working with the UN Tourism project team on their 'ESG Framework for Tourism Businesses' research. She is an expert in history, archaeology, and art. She has developed extensive knowledge of intercultural relations, especially between Europe and the Middle East. She is currently an Honorary Fellow in Archaeology and Art History of the Ancient Near East, Arabian Peninsula, and Gulf (L-OR/05) at the Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Philosophy and Classics, Department of Science of Antiquities (1st QS World University Ranking by Subject).
I am a DPhil student in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry supervised by Mina Fazel and Alan Stein. I am primarily interested in adolescent friendship dynamics and their association with adolescent mental health. Currently, I am investigating school-based intervention programs that aim to improve mental health outcomes for adolescents through the involvement of their authentic social group.
Prior to starting at Oxford, I completed a M.Ed. in Human Development and Psychology at Harvard University, and an Honours B.Sc. in Psychology at the University of Toronto.
Sophia's professional background is in social policy and international development as a researcher and evaluator. She has a MSC in Development Management and a First class BA degree in Sociology and International Development, with a heavy focus on social research methods. Sophia has most recently been engaged in a consultancy capacity but has also worked in local government, in several INGOs including Oxfam, and in the public and financial sectors in varying operational, strategic and practitioner positions. In her career to date, Sophia has worked across a range of significant UK government policy areas, and global developmental programme interventions that target the UN SDGs and the former UN SDG's, since 2009.
Aanchal is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. With over six years of expertise, her focus lies at the confluence of public-private partnerships, finance, and sustainable development, particularly within the intersection of wildlife conservation and agricultural sustainability. Aanchal has collaborated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Economic Forum, actively fostering partnerships in this realm. Additionally, she has contributed to the formulation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework for the integration of technology in agriculture in India.
Aastha is a second year MPhil Development Studies student. An economist by training, her research at Oxford focuses upon the Business and Politics of South Asia, specifically Corporate Social Responsibility in India. She’s currently working as a part-time Associate at an Energy Consulting firm based out of Oxford and hopes to work in the field of energy transitions research in the near future. Apart from delving into consulting and academia, Aastha is a professional opera singer and actor and takes up artistic projects from time to time!
Abdulhakeem is a technology policy specialist with over eight years of tri-sector experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Information Technology, and Development. Before his studies at Oxford, he was the Special Assistant (ICT) to the Governor of Kaduna State. He contributed to developing a World Bank-funded 5-year Cybersecurity Action Plan for the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). He established the monitoring and evaluation department at Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Nigeria, a non-profit focused on youth education and civic empowerment.
Alisa is studying an MSc in Environmental Change and Management at the Oxford School of Geography and Environment. Her interests falls at the intersection of climate change, education, health, and reducing inequalities. Through her undergraduate honors thesis and research internship at the Brookings Institution, Alisa investigated the connection between environmental injustice and public health in underfunded schools in the US. Alisa focuses on community-driven research and worked on her thesis in conjunction with volunteering in schools and working with community organizing groups. Now, Alisa’s research focuses on decarbonization and how energy transitions can reduce inequalities.
Anita, a Mastercard Foundation-AfOx scholar, is currently pursuing an MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine. With over 3 years of professional experience as a Health Data Scientist at the Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA-Africa), she has collaborated extensively with the WHO Afro regional office, the Kenyan Ministry of Health, and other governmental bodies. In this role, she provided crucial health-related analytical insights to inform policy and decision-making processes, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 response. Her research focuses on applying epidemiological modelling to address urgent public health challenges, with a special emphasis on infectious disease control.
Auriane is currently studying a MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management at the School of Geography and the Environment. Prior to commencing her graduate studies, Auriane worked at the National Zoo of Abidjan and Akatia, a rehabilitation center for primates that were intercepted from the wildlife trade. Additionally, she worked at the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), helping to build a due diligence tool for individuals or organizations that are seeking association with FSC. She brings with her eagerness to work with various stakeholders to find practical sustainable solutions to be incorporated in businesses. Auriane is half French and half Malagasy.
Buntu is a Rhodes Scholar reading for a DPhil in Biology, studying the combined impacts of multiple stressors associated with climate change and land use change in freshwater ecosystems in South Africa and England. He previously worked for the largest international conservation organisation, WWF, in the Cape Town Office, South Africa. He also has experience in Climate Change and ESG consulting, having interned for the World Bank and Liberty Speciality Markets.
Chinagorom is studying for a Master of Public Policy. With over a decade of service in the public sector, Chinagorom played pivotal roles across four government departments, contributing to the implementation of policies, projects and programmes aimed at uplifting vulnerable populations from poverty. Before commencing graduate studies, his career spanned roles in infrastructure development and public sector reforms. A staunch advocate for evidence-based decision-making, Chinagorom has a passion for leveraging his skills and experience to drive policy reforms, particularly in advancing climate-friendly and sustainable projects.
Dorcas is studying a DPhil in Engineering Science at Oxford. She is passionate about energy, sustainability, and environmental management. Her research focus is Calcium Looping and enriching its technical design for CO2 removal and energy storage applications in order to to solve key global concerns, such as climate change, and energy insecurity. Before commencing her graduate studies, Dorcas worked as a business analyst in the Risk Advisory Department at Deloitte East Africa.
Lisa is currently pursuing an MBA at Said Business School. She has over seven years of experience managing multiple infrastructure projects and manufacturing operations, as well as providing management consulting services to clients in both the private and public sectors. She is passionate about clean energy and promoting sustainability efforts across industries and is motivated by the potential for collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches to create positive, sustainable impact. She brings with her strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as entrepreneurial and business experiences.
Emily is a master's student at the University of Oxford with work experience across public, private, academic, and not-for-profit sectors. Currently reading for a MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance, her academic interests include environmental justice, international law, decolonisation, and landscapes of power in global climate governance. Originally from Taiwan, she completed her BA in Politics and International Relations at the University of Melbourne, focusing on environmental law and politics. Before Oxford, Emily consulted on social impact analysis, conducted community engagement for disaster risk reduction, and contributed to legislative reform in sex discrimination and press freedom at the Australian Attorney-General's Department. She is now working with the Oxford Climate Litigation Lab to identify corporate greenwashing practices.
Ian is currently pursuing an MSc in Energy Systems at Oxford's Department of Engineering Science. Previously, he worked at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a US Department of Energy National Lab, focusing on energy and climate analysis with an emphasis on industrial energy modeling. His current research interest lies in studying the impacts of behavioral change on the global energy system, with a particular passion for identifying positive externalities of the energy transition.
Isabelle is studying an MSc in Migration Studies at the Oxford Department of International Development. Previously, she studied International Relations with a particular interest in Human Security. Her interest in the latter include assessments of how the Sustainable Development Goals contribute to fostering greater security across all levels of society. Outside of academia, she worked at Beamery, a dynamic tech scale-up in London, where her primary focus was obtaining BCorp accreditation. Spearheading this accreditation effort, she embraced the opportunity to build a compelling case for responsible business practices.
Karaca is a Sports Leadership Lab Fellow and an MBA student at Saïd Business School. He previously completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and worked at a social enterprise in Turkey,
whose initial goal was to create awareness and an ecosystem surrounding impact investing. He took part in the enterprise’s role as a facilitator for Turkey’s first social impact bond, managing the communications with the potential service providers during the application process.
Kay is pursuing a Master of Public Policy with a specialization in sustainability. Over the past decade, he has worked in international organizations and government to promote inclusive and sustainable development while narrowing social and economic gaps. At the World Bank, he managed the portfolio on small states, countries highly vulnerable to external shocks from climate change to natural disasters due to their size and capacity constraints. In addition, he worked on issues around women's economic empowerment, UN partnerships, and poverty and inequality policies. Previously, Kay led efforts at the UN to combat the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He also worked on drug policy in the Obama White House.
Laurence is in her first year of DPhil in Engineering Science at the Oxford e-Research Centre. Her research focuses on digital twin modelling for buildings energy performance assessment. She also completed a MSc in Energy Systems at Oxford and has a BEng in mechanical engineering from McGill University. Additionally, she worked in renewable energy technologies at Kruger Energy in Montreal. Outside of work and research, Laurence is an avid advocate for women to pursue studies in engineering and served as the vice-president of the student-run association POWE (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering) at McGill. She is currently actively involved in her MCR and serves as a student ambassador for the department of Engineering Science.
Luísa is passionate about data and social development. She is currently studying the Msc in Policy Evaluation (EBSIPE) at the University of Oxford. She has more than 6 years of experience working for the Brazilian Government and as an associate policy researcher at the biggest digital bank in Latin America. She is also a speaker, writer and creator of the Data Office, a project to strengthen data science in the public sector.
Mathilde is studying a Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics. She researches improving global climate models through enhancing public knowledge of cloud processes and exploring use of Artificial Intelligence. She is driven by a desire to see accurate climate risk information available to communities that is interpretable and tailored to local needs. Previously, Mathilde worked with Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, where she ran climate training for community leaders in the Pacific, researched coastal flooding in Pacific Small Island Nations and contributed to innovative weather forecasting models using Artificial Intelligence. She is also passionate about equitable skills development and access in STEM, and has run mentoring programs and organised and spoken at various careers events at her past universities.
Maya is a Sports Leadership Lab Fellow. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Social Anthropology. Building on her thematic focus on women’s rights and empowerment, Maya has worked with Reclaim Childhood (RC)—a non-profit dedicated to empowering and inspiring local and refugee girls through sport in Amman, Jordan.
Miles is a 3rd-year DPhil student in the Department of Engineering Science, specializing in computer vision applications within the civil engineering domain. Beyond academia, Miles has curated speaker events for the Oxford University German Society. Alongside his academic pursuits, Miles currently serves as the MCR Vice-President at Keble College, championing the interests of over 500 graduate students across various committees.
Abrahim is currently pursuing the Master of Public Policy degree. He is a civil servant working for the federal civil service in his home country, Pakistan, where he has served in some of the most impoverished and conflict-ridden cities of the country and the world. He has worked closely with local communities to ensure effective service delivery, sustainable development, maintaining law and order and mitigating climate change.
He also recently co authored a book titled 'Politics, Economy and Society: Essays on Pakistan and Beyond'.
Nawal is pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies. She holds a profound interest in exploring ideas of housing not merely as a measure of wealth but rather as a fundamental human right. Her specific focus is on South Punjab, exploring the socio-economic implications of city masterplans. Previously she served as a strategy consultant, advising various clients on expanding their investment portfolios and keeping geopolitical questions in mind. In research roles, Nawal actively worked on legal matters, evaluating investments linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative and advocating for climate financing for the Global South in Capitol Hill. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Nawal is a certified scuba diver and envisions contributing to scientific research and conservation initiatives focused on dugong populations in the Red Sea.
Pantelis is currently pursuing an MSc in Advanced Computer Science with a strong focus on contributing to research through publications, particularly in machine learning and federated learning. His professional experiences have enabled him to work with diverse data types across various roles, enhancing his proficiency in both research and engineering. Pantelis is known for his ability to apply his academic knowledge effectively in practical settings, a skill underscored by his scholarly achievements and recognitions.
Paula is reading for the MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy. She is a human rights consultant, with over four years of experience in the public and non-profit sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Perú, where she has received awards for her work in research and social responsibility. She is a member of United Network of Young Peacebuilder’s Pool of Trainers and a researcher at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú’s Interdisciplinary Research Group on Disability. Across her work, Paula’s guiding mission is her passion for leveraging education as a tool for social change, in both formal and non-formal spaces.
Pepe is a current MSc student in Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford’s Institute of Human Sciences. His research explores how social behaviour and perceived social cohesion influence human health and wellbeing, through an evolutionary lens. Previously, Pepe has worked at a sustainability tech start-up in Berlin, helping financial market participants measure and report the impact of their activities on the environment and society. Passionate about sustainable development, he wants to utilise his interdisciplinary viewpoint to seek practical solutions for societal and environmental challenges.
Rafaela is from Sao Paulo city, Brazil. She holds an undergraduate degree in international relations at the University of Sao Paulo & is currently studying for a Master of Public Policy.
Rafaela's four years of professional experience are mainly in the ESG field, including sustainable development finance and government projects. As such, her key policy interests are ESG, sustainable development, China, the third sector, and project management. Likewise, she has extensive experience working in non-profit and non-governmental organisations.
Reema is currently studying an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy. She has over 6 years of work experience as a Policy Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Prior to that, she gained work and internship experiences at leading NGOs such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International.
Rosie is a Sports Leadership Fellow & is currently studying her MBA at the Saïd Business School. She is a Management Consultant and Public Speaker who specialises in delivering practical and values-led support to enable effective leadership, team culture, and change management solutions. Rosie is rowing Olympic Champion and Olympic Record Holder. Alongside her involvement with the Oxford Sports Leadership Lab, she is also the Co-Chair of Business in Sport Club and Head of Allyship in the Oxford Women in Leadership Alliance.
Sara is pursuing a Master of Public Policy. With over a decade of professional experience, she has developed expertise and held influential roles within the government sector in Brazil. Her professional journey underscores a solid commitment to addressing government challenges through the strategic design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies and programs, especially in vital areas such as public health, education, and urban planning. Sara has spent her last five years as a director in the government, demonstrating remarkable integrity and ability to navigate and engage people to face complex challenges. Looking ahead, she aspires to further contribute to shaping effective policies for impactful changes and progress in Brazil.
Shambhavi is studying for a Master of Business Administration. She has 5 years of experience spanning three vital sectors: clean energy, government, and microfinance. Her multi-sectoral work taught her that multifaceted problems demand multidimensional perspectives; as evidenced by the range of 17 SDGs. Throughout her career, she executed high-value solutions pervasively impacting grassroots communities and nascent technology in India. Most recently, she was working as a Project Manager in the Founder's Office of a leading Indian automotive clean-tech startup.
Shawntel is the co-Founder and President of Sustainable PH Inc., and of the One Cainta Food Program. She is a co-founder SustainaRumble! and the Society of Sustainability Practitioners, a TV host under IBC Channel 13, and a consultant under Deloitte’s Climate and Sustainability team. She is currently studying for the Master of Public Policy. Through the organizations she has co-founded, she has provided food, water, disaster relief, supplementary education, and livelihood opportunities to over 700,000 people across 20 cities and 11 hospitals in the Philippines. For her work over the past seven years, she has been awarded as a One Young World Scholar, as the country's first Dalai Lama Fellow and (Princess) Diana Awardee, was selected as one of the Philippines’ Ten Outstanding Young Men and Women (TOYM) for 2022, and was listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree for Social Impact.