Tell us a little bit about you and the work you do!
I’m a communications and impact professional working in the field of international development. I mostly work on communication for research projects on a number of development issues – from health and health systems to gender, backlash, care, and governance. I also work on digital marketing to promote the master’s and PhD courses we offer at the Institute of Development Studies.
What’s something that made you laugh out loud or feel unexpectedly joyful recently?
I try to find joy in the little things every day, especially as world events feel so overwhelming at the moment. So, I take pleasure in nature – in the smell of honeysuckle flowers as I walk past them on my way to the bus stop, the fox cub that visited my garden this morning – as well as small moments of fun with family and friends.
One quite funny moment happened last week – one of my cats (Scout) is quite odd (in a sweet way) and she is obsessed with nerf bullets – when my children were little, we had to be careful not to leave them lying around in case she eats them! Last week, our neighbours’ kids had a nerf gun battle in their garden, and afterward, Scout kept coming in from the garden with nerf bullets and presenting them to us – like she had been out hunting for them. She ended up coming in with five of them! We all had a good laugh each time she came in with another one as she was so proud of herself, and it was a joy watching her play with them so enthusiastically.
What do you love doing when you’re not working?
In my down time I like to spend time with friends and family – going for walks, meeting for a coffee, having a chat. I also really love travelling, seeing new places and trying new foods.
For hobbies, when I have the time, I like to bake (and friends say they enjoy eating my baking!) and trying out new recipes for yummy dinners. I can also knit, and enjoy it when I have a project, but I have not knitted much since I made a baby blanket for my niece a couple of years ago. I need a new project!
How do you unwind and recharge when life gets busy (or a bit much)?
To relax, I love to chill out on my sofa or have a hot bath, reading or watching TV series! I also go for walks in green spaces and nature. I have always enjoyed walking in nature, but during the height of covid, I really learned how much green spaces brought me peace and contentment. If I’m ever struggling, a good old stomp in nature with a trusted friend sorts me right out.
Got a book you’d recommend to a friend?
It’s so hard to recommend just one book! I generally prefer fiction and stories about people and their relationships (not necessarily romantic).
My favourite book of all time is East of Eden, by John Steinbeck. The characters are just so three dimensional, and you really grow to love them (or otherwise) as the plot develops. I have read the book several times and it never fails to make me laugh and cry. It is also set in California, where I grew up, so I love his ability to describe the landscape with such clarity.
For more modern recommendations, I have recently read and enjoyed Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin, as well as How to Kill your Family, by Bella Mackie.
What’s your favourite smell? Why?
Most of my favourite smells either have to do with food (I LOVE food) or nature! The smell of onions and/or garlic cooking is one of my favourite. I also love that smell just after it rains, and the smell of trees and flowers – frangipani, roses, jasmine… too many to mention.
What TV or film do you find entertaining? What would you recommend?
One show I really enjoy watching is Race Across the World. It’s a’ competition show where five teams of two people have to get from point A to point B (e.g. Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina) by sea or land with only the money that it would cost them to fly between the two points. They cannot use mobile phones or credit cards or their own cash. I love the cinematography of it and seeing scenery from all over the world, and I really enjoy watching the relationships between the team members and the teams! I love that even though it is a competition, the team members are all respectful and nice and they often end up becoming friends – it’s such an uplifting and positive show, and good for travel inspiration.
I enjoy a bit of Scandi crime drama – I most recently watched Dept Q and would recommend that for any crime drama lovers. And of course, some of the more popular series like Schitt’s Creek and Parks and Recreation are perfect for when I want something a bit more light-hearted.
What are you doing in your photo?
In my career so far, I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to some amazing countries and work with some incredible people. In this picture, I am in Lalitpur, Nepal, standing in the courtyard of the Patan Museum, where we were able to showcase the exhibition of the Sustaining Power (SuPWR) project. SuPWR has undertaken research with 16 remarkable women’s movements in Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan to better understand the strategies they use to sustain their gains against growing anti-gender backlash.
Do you have any tips for how we can spread more kindness and happiness?
When I see something that pleases me, I tell people, even if they are strangers – for example, when a colleague has done something well, I recognise their achievement; if my kids have done something kind, I recognise their action; or if I like something a stranger is wearing, I’ll let them know. I love that brief moment of positive connection, and it feels good to make people feel good. Kindness is contagious.