Executive Committee

Christopher Hill
Executive Director

Christopher Hill was awarded his PhD in January 2006 from the University of Nottingham. Christopher's doctoral thesis analysed the role of elite actors within the Spanish transition to democracy and focused on the relationship between the individual and the institution. Having obtained a BA (Hons) in Classical Civilization and an MA in International Relations from The University of Nottingham, Christopher is currently a Teaching Fellow and has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. In addition to teaching, Christopher is developing research into the role of elites and the nature of democratic development. Christopher is bilingual in English and Spanish and speaks competent French.

David Black
Director of Operations

David Black graduated in 2005 from the University of Aberdeen's Conflict and Security Studies Programme with a Master of Letters in Strategic Studies. He previously graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada with degrees in International Relations and Military History. His Dissertation focused on Canadian security and examined the current state of the Canadian military and defence establishment, particularly focusing on continental defence and the Canadian/American relationship. David has worked in the past with the Centre for International Governance Innovation, as well as the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre where he was involved in research and the creation of military training exercises. David is bilingual in English and French.

Olivia Draeger
Director of Programmes

Olivia is currently working for The University of Nottingham having completed a Masters in Security Studies at the University of Birmingham, which included a semester at New York University at the Centre of European Studies. Olivia obtained a BA (Hons) in International Relations and European Studies from the University of London Guildhall. Olivia's MA dissertation examined Transatlantic Relations and the ramifications of hard power versus soft power solutions in International Relations. Whilst is New York Olivia interned for the Centre of Law and Security at NYU, and researched the implications of the Madrid bombings for any changes in European Security interests. Olivia is bilingual in English and German.

Roland Verhaaf
Director of Communications

Roland Verhaaf graduated in 2006 with an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Loughborough and also obtained a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Nottingham in 2003. Roland's MSc disseration examined the misconceptions and myths surrounding CyberTerrorism, and aimed at identifying preventative measures and best practise to protect IT critical systems. Roland previously worked in Brussels as an IT consultant with Accenture and since has done contract work in the financial sector. Roland now works as a Security Consultant for the Royal Bank of Scotland. Roland is trilingual in Dutch, English and French.

Development Officers

Pippa Scott
Head of Environment & Development

Pippa Scott graduated in 2006 with an MRes in Environment and Development from the University of Lancaster and also obtained a MEng in Manufacturing Engineering and Management from the University of Nottingham in 2003. Pippa's MRes disseration examined the perceptions of risk, responcibility & capacity within the Water chain and the implications for wastewater use in Urban Agriculture (Kumasi, Ghana). Pippa is currently undertaking a PhD in Urban Sanitation in West Africa at the University of Loughborough, this research is primarily focused in Dakar, Senegal. Pippa is trilingual in, English, French and Spanish.

Alexandra Broekema
International Officer

After graduating from the School of Oriental Languages and Communication with a BA (Hons) in Mandarin Chinese and English in Maastricht (the Netherlands), Alexandra obtained the Dutch VSB scholarship to read for the MA International Relations at The University of Nottingham (UK). Her dissertation focused on issues of neutrality and the institutional restraints faced by the European Security and Defence Policy and she has a keen research interest in post-conflict civil society rebuilding. For the past three years she has been working for The University of Nottingham International Office. Alexandra is a translator in Mandarin Chinese, English and Dutch, has competent knowledge of German and French and has basic knowledge of Arabic.

Cornelius Grebe
Education Officer

Cornelius was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany. Having read Politics, History and Polish language in Hamburg, Torun and Heidelberg, he obtained an MA in Politics and Modern and Medieval History from Heidelberg University in 2003. His thesis dealt with the Polish/German nationality conflict in what was up to 1919 West Prussia. Currently, he is finishing his PhD in Social Policy at the University of Nottingham, combining a social constructionism and feminism in the analysis of German work-life-balance policies. At Nottingham, he has also taught undergraduate and postgraduate students in Sociology and Qualitative Research Methods. In September 2007, Cornelius will embark on a bilingual teacher training programme (History) at the University of Nottingham. His main academic interests are questions of national identity, nationalism, European integration, gender, and language. Cornelius is fluent in German and English and speaks some Polish.

Regional Representatives

Andrea Murta
Brazil Programme Manager

Andrea was born and raised in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where she graduated in Social Communications/Journalism, with complementary studies in Politics, from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). She has focused on International Affairs and was an exchange student at the Santa Barbara City College (USA) and the University of Nottingham (UK). After a brief experience producing a women's politics magazine in her city, Andrea worked as a Press Advisor for several NGOs, such as the Horizonte Project - a social health funded by UNAIDS and UNESCO - and the Horizonte Institute - a urban development project. Currently, Andrea lives in São Paulo and works as a journalist for the largest newspaper in Brazil - Folha de S.Paulo. Andrea is bilingual in Portuguese and English.