Independent consultant specialising in international development, policy engagement and influencing, network building and stakeholder management. Associate researcher at the Centre for Rising Powers & Global Development (CRPD) at the Institute of Development Studies. My research and policy advisory work focuses on the politics of aid & global development; Brazil & BRICS as 'rising powers'; and brokering knowledge exchanges for policy learning. Now starting new research on the effect of China's Silk Road on the geopolitics of the BRICS, looking at Armenia and the Caucusus in particular. Born and brought up in Brazil, I am half-English, half-Armenian.