I am Research and Policy Officer and a councillor for the Alliance Party.

The purpose of my Fellowship is to research integrated language education in post-conflict societies to learn how this can assist reconciliation in the respective local communities. I will research best practice and how teaching languages considered representative of the 'other' has the potential to bring societies together to encourage reconciliation and mutual understanding.

During my employment as a researcher in the field of education, I developed an interest in how integrated education has the potential to bring children from different communities together, to be curious and learn about local cultural differences.

I hope my Fellowship will help contribute to reduced polarisation in communities. I also hope it will encourage understanding and acceptance of the different identities and shared heritages in Northern Ireland.