Directory of Research and Expertise

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Research Summary and Profile

Research interests:

Communities, Classes, Races, Gender studies, Globalization & Development, Human rights, International Relations, Political Institutions, Social Sciences

Research keywords:

sexual and gender minorities, social inclusion, LGBT+, inclusive development, well-being

Regions:

Africa

Summary of research interests and expertise:

I have over two decades experience in development research, policy, advocacy and technical assistance. I have extensive qualitative research methods and ability to apply quantitative analysis and excellent advocacy, communication and negotiation skills and have held several research fellowships and appointments to research adviser roles. I have worked extensively as an independent consultant writing reports and policy briefs for UN agencies and others. I served in senior management positions for UK charities including as Executive Director of a UK charity seeking to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people internationally. Much of my research and advocacy has been focused on: realising the right to health and enhancing well-being; promoting women’s rights, autonomy and sexual health; and overcoming discrimination against sexual and gender minorities At SAS I specialise in the inclusion of those marginalised due to their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in accessing economic and social development to improve their health and well-being. My current research is under the auspices of the Strong in Diversity, Bold on Inclusion, funded under the UK Aid Connect programme of the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The project led by the international non governmental organisation Hivos is comprised of a consortium of eight partner organisations including the University of Pretoria and University of Glasgow. With local researchers we will lead a programme quantitative and qualitative research to deepen understanding of the lived reality of LGBT+ individuals in 5 African cities and the social contexts they live in and capture progress over the project cycle (2020-2022).

Languages:

	Spoken	Written
Spanish	Intermediate	-

Publication Details

Related publications/articles:

Date	Details
01-May-2016	Sexual rights but not the right to health? Lesbian and bisexual women in South Africa’s National Strategic Plans on HIV and STIs Journal articles Synergies between securing sexual rights and the right to health have been pursued where there are clear public health gains to be made, such as lowering incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). South Africa’s 1996 Constitution outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and promoted the right to health. This qualitative health policy analysis sought to understand why and how interventions to improve sexual health of lesbian and bisexual women and address sexual violence were initially proposed in the HIV & AIDS and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007?2011 and why and how these concerns were deprioritised in the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV, STIs and TB 2012?2016. A conceptual framework considered several determinants of political priority for the inclusion in NSP development in 2007 and 2011 around sexual health concerns of women who have sex with women. This article presents findings from 25 in?depth key informant interviews and document review and highlights results of application of categories for a framework on determinants of political priority for lesbian and bisexual women’s issues to be included in South Africa’s NSP including: actor power, ideas, political context and issue characteristics. The article demonstrates how the epidemiological and structural drivers of lesbian and bisexual women’s vulnerability to HIV and STIs, including sexual violence and other violations of their sexual rights, have been expressed in policy forums and whether this has made an impact on lesbian and bisexual women’s ability to claim the right to health.
01-Jul-2015	Countdown to 2015: changes in official development assistance to reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, and assessment of progress between 2003 and 2012 Journal articles Background Tracking of aid resources to reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) provides timely and crucial information to hold donors accountable. For the first time, we examine flows in official development assistance (ODA) and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (collectively termed ODA+) in relation to the continuum of care for RMNCH and assess progress since 2003. Methods We coded and analysed financial disbursements for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and for reproductive health (R*) to all recipient countries worldwide from all donors reporting to the creditor reporting system database for the years 2011–12. We also included grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We analysed trends for MNCH for the period 2003–12 and for R* for the period 2009–12. Findings ODA+ to RMNCH from all donors to all countries worldwide amounted to US$12·2 billion in 2011 (an 11·8% increase relative to 2010) and $12·8 billion in 2012 (a 5·0% increase relative to 2011). ODA+ to MNCH represents more than 60% of all aid to RMNCH. ODA+ to projects that have newborns as part of the target population has increased 34-fold since 2003. ODA to RMNCH from the 31 donors, which have reported consistently since 2003, to the 75 Countdown priority countries, saw a 3·2% increase in 2011 relative to 2010 ($8·3 billion in 2011), and an 11·8% increase in 2012 relative to 2011 ($9·3 billion in 2012). ODA to RMNCH projects has increased with time, whereas general budget support has continuously declined. Bilateral agencies are still the predominant source of ODA to RMNCH. Increased funding to family planning, nutrition, and immunisation projects were noted in 2011 and 2012. ODA+ has been targeted to RMNCH during the period 2005–12, although there is no evidence of improvements in targeting over time. Interpretation Despite a reduction in ODA+ in 2011, ODA+ to RMNCH increased in both 2011 and 2012. The increase in funding is encouraging, but continued increases are needed to accelerate progress towards achieving MDGs 4 and 5 and beyond.

Consultancy reports:

Date

Details

2016

UNDP Checklist for Integrating Gender into the New Funding Model of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria This document was been developed to support the integration of gender-responsive components into the implementation of HIV programmes supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (the Global Fund). This Checklist follows the procedures set out in the Global Fund Funding Model, providing specific steps and examples to ensure that the gender dimensions of HIV are addressed in all phases of programming – from country dialogues, through proposal drafting to monitoring and evaluation. It also makes suggestions for gender-sensitive programming that tackles gender as a social determinant that affects all groups in the context of HIV, TB and malaria risk and vulnerability.The audience includes UNDP Country Offices or other national partners acting as Principal Recipient, and the Checklist is also a valuable resource for Country Coordinating Mechanisms, Local Fund Agents, sub-recipients, and civil society partners.

Government/policy work:

Date

Details

2018

International Best Practice Guide to Equality on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Commissioned and funded by the UK Government Equalities Office this guide provides an overview of how some countries have addressed discrimination, harassment, and violence against people on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics. It presents case studies from Belize, Botswana, Fiji, Jamaica, Malta and Pakistan that have introduced measures to be more inclusive showing that progress is possible in all regions of the world.

Consultancy & Media

Media experience:

Yes

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