Meet the MDP Team

  • Lara is the co-founder and Executive Director of Migrant Democracy Project. Lara is from Brazil and has spent the last 10 years in the UK working on migrant justice, including support for migrants in detention and EU citizens making applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. She has led campaigns on access to British citizenship and has been working on migrants’ democratic empowerment for during her time in the UK.

  • Alex is the co-founder of Migrant Democracy Project. She is a research, advocacy and operations consultant, working with various migrants' rights organisations over the last 8 years. She is currently the organisation's Finance Manager, supporting everyday finance as well as fundraising.

  • Róise has been organising communities for 5 years, including students, migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women. Leading on our MPower: Political Leadership Programme, Róise continues her dedication towards creating spaces for those with lived-experience to have a voice.

  • Zaya has worked in campaigning and organising her entire career. She brings a mixture of academic and practical skills to the MDP team. Also from a migration background Zaya approaches her work with the skillful zeal and personal drive that is unmatched.

  • Samir has recently completed a PhD in social policy. Researching Islamophobia and the role of social movements in political processes. Alongside his academic work Samir was been involved in campaigning for racial justice and housing related issues.

  • Olivia Blocker is a communications strategist, researcher and movement worker with over a decade of experience in police and prison abolition organising, climate communications, and public health research. She currently resides in Liverpool with her partner, pursuing a Masters degree in Strategic Communications.