Our Team
Dr Andreas Kotelis
Researcher
Andreas holds a PhD in Political Science from Bilkent University in Turkey. From 2013-2016 he was an assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations at the Zirve University in Gaziantep Turkey. He was also the 2017 Scholar-in-Residence at the Clark Center for Global Engagement and a visiting instructor at the International Studies Program at the State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland. His research interests include international conflict and international negotiations, while much of his recent work has focused on refugee integration and service provision in crisis situations. Andreas is also a professional trainer, and, on several occasions he has acted as a facilitator on track-II and multi-track initiatives. In his spare time, he enjoys playing chess with his son and daughter.
Areas of interest/expertise: refugee integration, human rights, Conflict resolution, Middle East politics.
Researcher
Andreas holds a PhD in Political Science from Bilkent University in Turkey. From 2013-2016 he was an assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations at the Zirve University in Gaziantep Turkey. He was also the 2017 Scholar-in-Residence at the Clark Center for Global Engagement and a visiting instructor at the International Studies Program at the State University of New York (SUNY) Cortland. His research interests include international conflict and international negotiations, while much of his recent work has focused on refugee integration and service provision in crisis situations. Andreas is also a professional trainer, and, on several occasions he has acted as a facilitator on track-II and multi-track initiatives. In his spare time, he enjoys playing chess with his son and daughter.
Areas of interest/expertise: refugee integration, human rights, Conflict resolution, Middle East politics.
Dr Jone I Elizondo-Urrestarazu
Researcher
Jone obtained her PhD in Law in 2017 with her thesis focusing in proposing how multiple and intersectional discrimination victims can be protected under EU law from the University of Deusto (Bilbao), Universidad Pontifícia Comillas (Madrid) and Universidad Ramón Lull (Barcelona). She also holds a Masters degree in research from these Universities, as well as a Degree in Law and a diploma in Economics. Before joining The People for Change Foundation she was a Legal Policy Analyst in the Migration Policy Group (Brussels) in the anti-discrimination programme. Jone has also been a Study Visitor at the Fundamental Rights Agency (Vienna) and for a number of years has been an assistant researcher at the University of Deusto, where she also performed as a lecturer. She has extensive editorial experience and is author to many research pieces. Her research interests focus in equality and non-discrimination, diversity, integration and migration in the EU and its member states. In her spare time she loves to cook, read, any water sport and above all discovering places, people and culture.
Areas of interest/expertise: Human Rights, EU, equality and non-discrimination, hate-crimes, hate-speech, diversity, integration, migration.
Researcher
Jone obtained her PhD in Law in 2017 with her thesis focusing in proposing how multiple and intersectional discrimination victims can be protected under EU law from the University of Deusto (Bilbao), Universidad Pontifícia Comillas (Madrid) and Universidad Ramón Lull (Barcelona). She also holds a Masters degree in research from these Universities, as well as a Degree in Law and a diploma in Economics. Before joining The People for Change Foundation she was a Legal Policy Analyst in the Migration Policy Group (Brussels) in the anti-discrimination programme. Jone has also been a Study Visitor at the Fundamental Rights Agency (Vienna) and for a number of years has been an assistant researcher at the University of Deusto, where she also performed as a lecturer. She has extensive editorial experience and is author to many research pieces. Her research interests focus in equality and non-discrimination, diversity, integration and migration in the EU and its member states. In her spare time she loves to cook, read, any water sport and above all discovering places, people and culture.
Areas of interest/expertise: Human Rights, EU, equality and non-discrimination, hate-crimes, hate-speech, diversity, integration, migration.
Bethany Archer
Junior Researcher
Beth holds a Masters degree in European Union Studies from Newcastle University and a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies with French and Spanish from the University of Aberdeen in the UK. Her professional experience includes a traineeship at the European Commission, working on EU-Turkey Relations covering a variety of topics from migration, freedom of expression, terrorism and security issues. Most recently, she was working with the Maltese Public Employment Service, on EU Affairs. Her university work concentrated primarily on EU enlargement with a focus on the Western Balkan countries as well conducting work on minority groups such as the Roma, and the refugee crisis. Beth’s personal interests include foreign languages, travel, creative writing, environmentalism as well as local and international politics.
Areas of interest/expertise: human rights, migration, employment policy, labour market integration, European Union politics and EU enlargement.
Junior Researcher
Beth holds a Masters degree in European Union Studies from Newcastle University and a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies with French and Spanish from the University of Aberdeen in the UK. Her professional experience includes a traineeship at the European Commission, working on EU-Turkey Relations covering a variety of topics from migration, freedom of expression, terrorism and security issues. Most recently, she was working with the Maltese Public Employment Service, on EU Affairs. Her university work concentrated primarily on EU enlargement with a focus on the Western Balkan countries as well conducting work on minority groups such as the Roma, and the refugee crisis. Beth’s personal interests include foreign languages, travel, creative writing, environmentalism as well as local and international politics.
Areas of interest/expertise: human rights, migration, employment policy, labour market integration, European Union politics and EU enlargement.
Giulia de Vita
Office and Projects Coordinator
Giulia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Policy and Economics from the University of Edinburgh and is currently completing a Masters degree in International Relations at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. She is a co-founder of The Buchanan Institute, Scotland’s first student-led think tank, and has recently completed an internship with the European Network Against Racism, working in the department of advocacy on migration and of network development. Throughout her studies, her work focused on human rights, conflict and migration studies, and she wrote her thesis on the rights of unaccompanied refugee children. In her free time, Giulia enjoys travelling, cooking, reading fiction and learning foreign languages.
Areas of interest/expertise: migration, inclusion and integration, human rights, race and gender equality, EU politics.
Office and Projects Coordinator
Giulia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Policy and Economics from the University of Edinburgh and is currently completing a Masters degree in International Relations at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. She is a co-founder of The Buchanan Institute, Scotland’s first student-led think tank, and has recently completed an internship with the European Network Against Racism, working in the department of advocacy on migration and of network development. Throughout her studies, her work focused on human rights, conflict and migration studies, and she wrote her thesis on the rights of unaccompanied refugee children. In her free time, Giulia enjoys travelling, cooking, reading fiction and learning foreign languages.
Areas of interest/expertise: migration, inclusion and integration, human rights, race and gender equality, EU politics.
Interns and Research Assistants
Ruben Bruynooghe
Projects and Research Assistant
Ruben obtained an LL.M in European and Constitutional Law from KU Leuven and an LL.M in Public International law from Leiden university. His latest thesis studied the legality of detention of irregular migrants in Belgium. Ruben also practiced as a lawyer in immigration and criminal law for three years. As a volunteer, he worked for the Dutch organisation Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland, aiding and advising refugees with their applications for family reunion. Outside of work, Ruben enjoys movies, history and rock climbing.
Projects and Research Assistant
Ruben obtained an LL.M in European and Constitutional Law from KU Leuven and an LL.M in Public International law from Leiden university. His latest thesis studied the legality of detention of irregular migrants in Belgium. Ruben also practiced as a lawyer in immigration and criminal law for three years. As a volunteer, he worked for the Dutch organisation Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland, aiding and advising refugees with their applications for family reunion. Outside of work, Ruben enjoys movies, history and rock climbing.
Maria Karidi
Projects and Research Assistant
Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of York in the UK and a master’s degree in Public International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands. Her undergraduate thesis focused on the impact of anti-terrorism measures on the right to liberty and fair trial in the UK. Before joining PfC, Maria volunteered in the legal unit of the Greek Council for Refugees, and contributed as a research assistant to the latest edition of the book ‘An Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure’. In her leisure time, Maria enjoys reading and practices martial arts.
Ekaterina Vorobeva
Projects and Research Assistant
Ekaterina is currently reading for a Masters Degree in Baltic Sea Region Studies at the University of Turku (Finland) where she focuses on issues of migration and ethnic diversity. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Herzen State University (Russia) and a Masters specialization in Globalization, Migration and Development at the Radboud University (the Netherlands). Her Master’s thesis is an intersectionality study exploring the interconnectedness of race with class, nationality and gender in lives of African entrepreneurs in Finland. Prior to joining PfC for her internship, she worked as a Research Assistant in the URMI research project (Finland) investigating social inclusion and impact of refugees on hosting communities. In her free time, Ekaterina travels, does yoga, plays volleyball and enjoys literature.
Projects and Research Assistant
Ekaterina is currently reading for a Masters Degree in Baltic Sea Region Studies at the University of Turku (Finland) where she focuses on issues of migration and ethnic diversity. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Herzen State University (Russia) and a Masters specialization in Globalization, Migration and Development at the Radboud University (the Netherlands). Her Master’s thesis is an intersectionality study exploring the interconnectedness of race with class, nationality and gender in lives of African entrepreneurs in Finland. Prior to joining PfC for her internship, she worked as a Research Assistant in the URMI research project (Finland) investigating social inclusion and impact of refugees on hosting communities. In her free time, Ekaterina travels, does yoga, plays volleyball and enjoys literature.
Yana Walker
Projects and Research Assistant
Yana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics with International Relations from the University of York and will be starting a Master’s degree in Anthropology and Development at the London School of Economics later this year. Her undergraduate thesis analysed the reasons behind Cambodia’s decline in democracy after spending time volunteering in the country. Her work in Cambodia involved evaluating an NGO’s educational impact in the local community. Yana also attended a summer school at The George Washington University about Justice, Equality and Policy. Her interests include reading, travelling and attending art exhibitions and galleries.
Projects and Research Assistant
Yana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics with International Relations from the University of York and will be starting a Master’s degree in Anthropology and Development at the London School of Economics later this year. Her undergraduate thesis analysed the reasons behind Cambodia’s decline in democracy after spending time volunteering in the country. Her work in Cambodia involved evaluating an NGO’s educational impact in the local community. Yana also attended a summer school at The George Washington University about Justice, Equality and Policy. Her interests include reading, travelling and attending art exhibitions and galleries.
Simona Barone
Projects and Research Assistant
Simona holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Cooperation from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan and is currently reading for a Master’s degree in International Relations at the Graduate School of Economics and International Relations in Milan. Her interests revolve around the protection of women’s rights and her undergraduate thesis focused on the development of political rights and gender equality in Scandinavian countries. Simona also volunteered for Amnesty International Switzerland where her work focused on raising awareness of human rights violations around the globe. In her free time, Simona enjoys travelling and reading.
Projects and Research Assistant
Simona holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Cooperation from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan and is currently reading for a Master’s degree in International Relations at the Graduate School of Economics and International Relations in Milan. Her interests revolve around the protection of women’s rights and her undergraduate thesis focused on the development of political rights and gender equality in Scandinavian countries. Simona also volunteered for Amnesty International Switzerland where her work focused on raising awareness of human rights violations around the globe. In her free time, Simona enjoys travelling and reading.
Senior Consultants
Dr Carol Bohmer
Carol Bohmer, a lawyer and sociologist, is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Government Department at Dartmouth College, and a Teaching Fellow at King’s College, London. She has worked extensively in the area of law and society, examining the way legal and social institutions interact, in the United States, the UK and elsewhere. Her current research interests are in the field of immigration and asylum. She also does pro bono legal work for asylum seekers. She has been involved in setting up a project to register children as British citizens in London, UK. Her most recent book is Rejecting Refugees: Political Asylum in the Twenty-First Century with Amy Shuman, (Routledge, 2007), a comparative study of the asylum process in the US and the UK.
Carol Bohmer, a lawyer and sociologist, is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Government Department at Dartmouth College, and a Teaching Fellow at King’s College, London. She has worked extensively in the area of law and society, examining the way legal and social institutions interact, in the United States, the UK and elsewhere. Her current research interests are in the field of immigration and asylum. She also does pro bono legal work for asylum seekers. She has been involved in setting up a project to register children as British citizens in London, UK. Her most recent book is Rejecting Refugees: Political Asylum in the Twenty-First Century with Amy Shuman, (Routledge, 2007), a comparative study of the asylum process in the US and the UK.
Professor Patricia Mallia
Patricia Mallia obtained her law degree from the University of Malta in 1999. Her post-graduate studies were carried out at Oxford University where she graduated in Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) in 2000. She then returned to Malta to lecture in Public International Law at the University of Malta where she is now Head of the International Law Department. She obtained her PhD from the IMO, International Maritime Law Institute, focussing on combating contemporary threats to maritime security. Her research interests focus on the analysis of contemporary maritime threats, primarily piracy and migrant smuggling. Her book, ‘Migrant Smuggling by Sea: Combating a Current Threat to Maritime Security through the Creation of a Cooperative Framework’ was published by Martinus Nijhoff in 2010. In her free time, Patricia enjoys tennis, swimming, baking and reading.
Areas of interest: Settlement of International Disputes, Law of the Sea, Maritime Security, Maritime Migrant Smuggling, Human Rights
Patricia Mallia obtained her law degree from the University of Malta in 1999. Her post-graduate studies were carried out at Oxford University where she graduated in Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) in 2000. She then returned to Malta to lecture in Public International Law at the University of Malta where she is now Head of the International Law Department. She obtained her PhD from the IMO, International Maritime Law Institute, focussing on combating contemporary threats to maritime security. Her research interests focus on the analysis of contemporary maritime threats, primarily piracy and migrant smuggling. Her book, ‘Migrant Smuggling by Sea: Combating a Current Threat to Maritime Security through the Creation of a Cooperative Framework’ was published by Martinus Nijhoff in 2010. In her free time, Patricia enjoys tennis, swimming, baking and reading.
Areas of interest: Settlement of International Disputes, Law of the Sea, Maritime Security, Maritime Migrant Smuggling, Human Rights
