I am in the final months of a PhD at The Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University. My research is entitled 'A comparative case study of IGOs and NGOs understanding of children’s involvement in Somali piracy networks and their land-based policy responses'. Specifically, it explores how NGOs and IGOs understand the different ways children (defined as those below the age of 18) become engaged in pirate networks, the varying roles they occupy within these groups on land and at sea, and how this influences their specific shore-based policy responses. The hope is that by exploring the issue from its land-based perspective, it will allow for a more holistic understanding of the involvement of children in piracy, going beyond the traditional high seas definition. Aside from this, I have a professional background in freelance journalism, with a focus on human rights, and have experience of working in the Third Sector in areas of community development, international development and youth work.