My PhD research focuses on narratives of political imprisonment, including testimonies from people who have experienced torture. Much of that work takes place in the space of theory and analysis: thinking about how stories are told, interpreted, and represented. My placement with REDRESS offered a valuable opportunity to step outside that academic context and see how these issues are addressed in practice through advocacy, policy work, and survivor engagement. It was not only an important part of my professional development, but also has strengthened my research and deepened my sense of why this work matters.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the placement was stepping out of the often-solitary rhythm of PhD research and into a collaborative working environment. I worked across REDRESS’s Advocacy and Survivor Participation teams, contributing to projects focused on torture prevention, accountability, and survivor engagement. The pace and structure of NGO work felt quite different from academic research, but many of the skills developed during my PhD – analysing complex material, synthesising research quickly, and writing clearly for different audiences – proved very useful. I contributed to UK-focused policy work by monitoring parliamentary developments and identifying advocacy opportunities, particularly around issues such as universal jurisdiction, access to reparations, and the right to consular assistance.
I was also able to see how policy advocacy is strengthened through survivor participation and public engagement. One of the highlights of the placement was helping to organise an event at the Houses of Parliament. The event brought together members of the Survivor Advisory Group and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture for a discussion on strengthening the UK’s response to torture. It was attended by parliamentarians, peers, civil servants, civil society organisations and survivors themselves. Being involved in planning the event was a great opportunity to see how advocacy, policy engagement and survivor participation come together in practice.
Alongside this work, I also completed an independent research project examining the availability of data on torture survivors in the UK. The project began as a scoping exercise to understand what research already exists and where the gaps lie. Through a literature review, I mapped existing studies, explored different research methodologies, and produced a report proposing possible directions for future research and data collection. Presenting my findings to the wider team – and knowing that work will be taken forward as a basis for future advocacy research – was particularly rewarding.
For other OOC-DTP students considering a placement, I would strongly recommend taking the opportunity. It’s a great way to step outside the usual rhythms of academic work and see how research connects with real-world advocacy and policy processes.
As I approach the final stages of my PhD and begin thinking about next steps, the placement has given me a much clearer sense of the kinds of work beyond academia that I would like to pursue. It was certainly valuable as a CV builder, but more importantly it offered a chance to reflect on my strengths and interests in a professional setting. My time with REDRESS has reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in both research and advocacy that centres survivor voices and seeks to contribute to broader efforts toward justice, accountability, and human rights protections.
