“Political go-betweens have played significant roles in international politics and world history, but it's not a commonly studied area of research."
"Some of the names of historical mediators are familiar to us, Pocahontas is one example, but others remain completely invisible.
“Interpreters are really good examples of these figures.
"On the one hand they can have a lot of power, but they are also put in a very precarious position. They may be working with the occupying army and therefore considered a traitor by some of their own community. Some have their lives turned upside-down, face being separated from their families, or have to start a new life in an unknown country.
“I hope my work puts pressure on western governments to make improvements to refugee resettlement policies, limiting trauma and distress for displaced people, get justice for former Afghan employees and allow them to start a new, integrated life in the country that employed them.
“A lot of people I work with are individuals trying to help in deeply complicated political situations and the effects on their own lives can be heartbreaking. Listening to so many people’s stories in my research interviews, I find myself far less quick to judge others. I am aware that people passing me on the street each have a very complex story behind them.
"It’s hard seeing someone break down in tears and not be able to offer them real comfort beyond informing them about their rights and available support.
"Some participants did feel relieved to have someone listen to their story and said they would finally be able to sleep that night.
“When the people I interview read my work, I hope they say that it has done justice to their stories, that they recognise themselves in my account."
