El is a highly experienced professional with over two decades of experience spanning the public, third and private sectors. She has a strong background in research, consultancy, and policy development, with a focus on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian response.
El has garnered valuable international experience, collaborating with NGOs and UN agencies on matters such as climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable post-disaster reconstruction, and humanitarian response. Her role with Save the Children involved the use of risk analytics for anticipatory action and disaster risk financing.
In the UK El has worked with Fire and Rescue services, the Environment Agency, and various LRFs, to support the review and development of government legislation and resilience policy. She previously project managed the development of the UK’s Resilience and Emergencies Professional Apprenticeship standard.
El is a skilled systems thinker, passionate about improving policy and systems to ensure sustainable place-based and people-centred resilience interventions. El is not afraid to drive transformation of systems that will be fit for purpose in the future. She believes that one of the most effective ways of ensuring change is through designing and delivering inspiring learning opportunities to support the development of those in the sector.
In her previous role as Resilience Capability Lead at the UK Resilience Academy, El designed and developed learning pathways to support the sector in meeting government whole of society resilience outcomes. In her current role as Head of Training and Curriculum she continues to lead, enhance and grow the UKRA’s training and education portfolio. She brings expertise as an academic, online learning program lead, and Associate Head of Department.
Outside of her professional life, El is a mother to two teenage children. She has a soft spot for animals and enjoys rehoming and fostering waifs and strays. Despite her busy schedule, El aims to make time to go to the gym.
Qualifications:
2017 – Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
2005 – Certificate in Training Practice – Level 4
2001 – Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching – Coventry University
1999 – Ph.D., Rapid Climate Variations and impacts in the East Asian Monsoon Region. University of Liverpool
1995 – M.Sc. Engineering Geology. University of Durham
1994 – B.Sc (Hons), Geology & Marine Geosciences. University of Cardiff