I am a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where I will conduct research on queer migration in Central Asia. My research is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences. My PhD will involve extensive fieldwork and language training, and will be designed as an impactful, participant-led study exploring the formation of pre-movement migratory plans and decisions under the working title "Becoming a Queer Migrant in Kazakhstan."

Before starting my PhD, I graduated from the Universities of Glasgow and Tartu with master's degrees in Central and East European, Russian and Eurasia Studies, and a master's degree in International Relations from KIMEP University as part of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus international triple-degree Programme in Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies.  I also hold a first-class undergraduate degree in Central and East European Studies and Russian language from the University of Glasgow.

I have diverse career experience, having served as police officer in Edinburgh before coming to university as a mature student in 2014.  I brought a wide range of skills and experience to my studies from that career and, since beginning my studies, I have continued to work to develop my capabilities both inside and outside the classroom.

I have worked part-time throughout my studies in positions as diverse as caseworker in the office of a Member of the Scottish Parliament, bus driver and chauffeur.  I have also secured prestigious internships, including as a parliamentary intern with the John Smith Centre for Public Service and with the University of Glasgow's International Summer School.  I have lived, worked and studied abroad in Russia, Estonia and Kazakhstan.  During my studies I also secured funding to attend summer schools in Russia, Kazakhstan and Japan.

I served for two years as a full member of the University's most senior governing body, the University Court, where I contributed to and scrutinised strategic decision-making on matters of finance, policy, public relations, investments, internationalisation and student and staff welfare during a period of rapid expansion and £1bn+ capital investment.

I served for four years as an elected student representative at the University of Glasgow as the welfare and equal opportunities officer for mature students.  Successes in that role included leading on the development of a Parents' Policy to extend rights and support for students with parental responsibilities and a highly-successful project to provide opportunities for 'non-traditional' students to integrate, socialise and form crucial peer networks during their first weeks at university.

Please use the links above to get in touch with me or download my CV.