I currently work as a Technical Officer for an ILO migration project in the Arab States. The project works to address labour exploitation of migrant workers in construction and domestic work. My work focusses on research to inform policy making, capacity building with government and trade union bodies, and reducing negative attitudes towards migrants held by the general public and employers.

I chose the MSc in Migration Studies after completing my undergraduate degree in Development Studies. I was looking for a way to focus my career and was interested in many different aspects of migration. Oxford’s esteemed history of migration and refugee studies and several dedicated research centres made Oxford the most appealing place to study.

The MSc in Migration Studies provided a strong interdisciplinary grounding while allowing students to focus on their interests through elective classes and dissertation research. Understanding the more technical aspects of migration economics, law and policy, developing research skills, and exploring the anthropological and social dimensions ultimately allowed me to gain a more nuanced understanding of migration – something I draw on in my work on a daily basis.  

Recently I had the opportunity to connect again with COMPAS through collaborating with Professor Bridget Anderson on a research project on migrant domestic workers in Thailand and Malaysia. It’s wonderful to be able to connect again and continue my relationship with Oxford University in my professional career.