Aloha, I’m Raven.
I’m a systems thinker, educator and programme developer with a particular interest in participation, belonging, inclusion and creating opportunities for people to influence the systems that affect their lives.
Over the past decade, my work has spanned education, governance, mentoring, research, community engagement and programme development. The common thread running throughout my work is helping people feel heard, increasing agency and building systems that genuinely work for the people they are intended to serve. Much of my work focuses on bringing together diverse perspectives, identifying common ground and translating insight into meaningful action.
I recently achieved a First-Class Integrated Master’s Degree in Neuroscience from Cardiff University, including a Professional Training Year at the University of Bristol. My scientific background developed my ability to critically evaluate evidence, identify patterns, communicate complex ideas and translate research into practical action. Alongside my academic studies, I completed the Trauma Research Foundation’s Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies through a scholarship programme and continued to develop my interests in learning, trauma and human behaviour.
Alongside my studies, I built a diverse portfolio of work across education and community settings. As a Senior Student Experience Partner at Cardiff University, I have contributed to institution-wide Innovative Futures Curriculum and projects exploring belonging and student transitions. I currently serve as a Local Authority Governor within the Western Learning Federation, a federation of three Additional Learning Needs schools, where I am Lead Governor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
In 2023, I also began my journey into entrepreneurship through Academic Hope and Trauma, Translated. What started as private tuition and a handful of science communication articles has evolved into a broader commitment to making knowledge more accessible, supporting learners from diverse backgrounds and helping translate complex ideas into meaningful action.
Whether through mentoring, governance, programme development, public speaking, research or community projects, my work is driven by the simple belief that when people are given the opportunity, support and space to contribute, remarkable things can happen.
My Ethos:
Reductionism is an essential part of science. To understand complex systems, we often need to isolate individual variables and examine them closely. Without this, it becomes difficult to know what we are actually measuring or why a particular outcome occurred.
But people are not just variables.
While reductionist approaches help us understand specific parts of a problem, they rarely capture the full complexity of human experience. We are all shaped by a unique combination of experiences, identities, strengths, challenges, opportunities and relationships. No single label, category or characteristic can fully describe a person.
I believe that meaningful change happens when we recognise this complexity rather than simplify it away. Whether I am mentoring a young person, contributing to policy discussions, developing programmes or supporting organisational change, my starting point is always that people are more than the boxes we place them in.
My work emerges from curiosity, empathy and the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute. When we create systems that recognise the complexity of people’s lives and give them genuine opportunities to participate, we make better decisions, build stronger communities and create more meaningful change.
My Education:
First-Class Integrated Master’s Degree in Neuroscience (with Professional Training Year)
Cardiff University, Wales, UK (2021–2026)
Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies
Trauma Research Foundation, US/Remote (2023–2024)
Fellowship:
Rising Leaders Fellowship, Aspen Institute UK, 2026
Honours and Awards:
Outstanding Contribution to Student Voice & Partnership Award, Cardiff University, 2026
Most Engaging Mentor (South Wales) for 23-24 Year, Reaching Wider, 2025
Champion of Social Mobility in the Student Social Mobility Awards by upReach, 2024
School of Biosciences: Made a Difference Award, 2023
Highly Commended Student Mentor for the School of Biosciences, 2023
School of Biosciences: Citizenship Award, 2022