My research broadly explores the nature of global power hierarchies (between the Global North and South) in knowledge and practice. I have worked in the area of global governance of security via regional security institutions - the African and European Unions.  

My work has been published in leading disciplinary journals.

I have also taught extensively on international organisations, the politics of European security, crisis in Europe, feminist themes in international politics and on contemporary global security challenges broadly. 

Until June 2022, I was Editor-in-Chief of JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies and I am an associate editor of Security Dialogue. I was an executive committee member of Women Also Know Stuff, and until 2023 an academic coordinator of the Jean Monnet Action, Diversity, Inclusion and Multidisciplinarity in European Studies (DIMES).

I have worked with a number of international organisations and governments like the World Bank, the European Union, Irish and Canadian Governments. In 2020, I was invited to lend my expertise to the drafting of the Women, Peace and Security - Humanitarian Action Compact. I currently serve as signatory focal point for Stirling.

 I am an occasional media commentator on topics including the African Union, EU relations with Africa; feminist foreign policy; Brexit, and the women, peace and security agenda.

I am a graduate of the University of California, Davis (BA), the University of Cape Town (MA), and the University of Edinburgh (PhD).