ANTHROPOLOGIST, WRITER, ADVOCATE

BACKGROUND

Samantha (she/her) is an expert in participatory research and practice, based on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country (Canberra, Australia). With a formal background in behavioural psychology and applied anthropology, she helps change agents to co-create more equitable, just and interdependent social systems.

For 12+ years Samantha has been leading research, policy and advocacy, thoughtfully provoking government, organisations and decision-makers to invest in creative strategy and innovation. Holding space for care practice and social wellbeing, she believes in groundswell initiatives to heal individuals and communities.

SCOPE of practice

  • Qualitative methods including ethnography, quantitative analysis and grounded theory analysis.

  • Reporting, essays and editorial, to communicate with diverse audiences using evidence to inform.

  • Lived experience advocacy, policy advisory, co-design and project delivery, in pursuit of just and equal conversations.

  • Mentoring, change management, group training, co-design support, and strategy for people and culture.

QUALIfications and memberships

  • Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development

    Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

    Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)

  • Individual membership (joined 2024)

  • Trauma Informed Facilitation (certified 2023)

  • Co-designing with Care (course completed 2023)

  • An ongoing commitment to co-invest and pay the rent while living and working on stolen land.

work history

  • Research Director (2021-current)

  • Principal Researcher (2021-2023)

  • Research Lead (2018-2020)

  • Strategic Advisor (2016-2018)

  • Social Worker (2014-2015)

  • Policy Advisor (2011-2014)