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Queen Mary welcomes inaugural Director of its Global Policy Institute

Queen Mary University of London is welcoming Dr Catherine Fieschi as the Director of its Global Policy Institute, which aims to be a leader in research and policy solutions worldwide.

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Catherine Fieschi, inaugural Director of the Queen Mary Global Policy Institute
Catherine Fieschi, inaugural Director of the Queen Mary Global Policy Institute

The Queen Mary Global Policy Institute connects Queen Mary University of London researchers with policy makers and influencers around the world to address global challenges through a programme of project-led research, visiting fellowships, training and education, and high level strategic partnerships.

With a PhD in comparative politics from McGill University in Canada, Dr Fieschi is the author of numerous journal articles, as well as essays on extremism, mobilisation and identity politics. She is the author of ‘Populocracy: The Tyranny of Authenticity and the Rise of Populism’ (June 2019, Agenda Publishing).

In 2011 Catherine founded the research group Counterpoint, which provides NGOs, governments and businesses with research and analysis on how cultural and social dynamics affect politics, policy-making and markets. Prior to this, Catherine was Director of Research at the British Council (2009-2011), and between 2005 and 2008 Director of Demos, the leading think tank.

Among the programmes of work developed by the Institute to date is the flagship Resilient Futures India Initiative (RFII), bringing together academics and policy makers to find solutions to complex shared challenges across themes such as urbanisation, sustainability and gender equality. Other major initiatives include an £850,000 DfiD-FCO funded technical assistance project to create a new Intellectual Property Court in Ukraine and a specially developed legal training programme for the Thai Judiciary, delivered by Queen Mary academics.

As the inaugural Director of the Queen Mary Global Policy Institute, Dr Fieschi will build a dynamic programme of original research and policy engagement which draws on the very best of Queen Mary expertise, working across the disciplines. The impact of the Institute’s work will be augmented through innovative collaborations with leading international policy-makers, academia, multilateral organisations, business, media, and Queen Mary’s local and global communities.

Professor Colin Grant, Vice Principal (International) at Queen Mary University of London, said: “Queen Mary is a truly global university. Our home is in London, but we have campuses around the world and our community includes students and staff from over 160 countries. Catherine’s appointment will allow us to significantly accelerate and expand the work of the Global Policy Institute, deepen existing partnerships and forge new global relationships. I greatly look forward to working with her at Queen Mary.”

Dr Fieschi said: “I am delighted to have joined Queen Mary, a diverse and innovative institution with a truly global outlook and a rich history of research excellence and high quality teaching. The Global Policy Institute aims to be a leader in global research and policy solutions and I am looking forward to working with colleagues across Queen Mary to ensure the Institute not only thrives but continues Queen Mary’s traditions of progressive policy, community participation and social justice. I want to encourage us to reimagine Queen Mary’s initial mission on a 21st century global policy stage.”

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