Meet the Team

Maria Chatzichristodoulou, Principal Investigator, UAL

Maria Chatzichristodoulou is Professor of Performance and Digital Transformation, Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange at Chelsea, Camberwell and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts, and a scholar and cultural practitioner. She has worked as curator, producer, community organiser and performer in the UK, Greece and internationally. As a scholar Maria works in the fields of live art, digital arts, socially engaged practice, creative health, curation, and creative industries policy /creative economy.

Tushna Vandrevala, Co-Principal Investigator, Kingston University 

Professor Tushna Vandrevala is a Chartered Health Psychologist with research expertise in health inequalities health communication and behavioural change for underserved communities. Her work considers how health communication and health promotion can be tailored to understand and mitigate risk and reduce health inequalities. She has a long-standing interest and expertise in co-design, developing and evaluating outreach interventions with real world relevance. She regularly advises the government and currently serves on various national policy committees, such as Cross Government Social and Behavioural Science in Emergencies Working Group, Cabinet Office National Risk Assessment Behavioural Science Expert Group (BSEG) and Home Office Science Advisory Council (HOSAC).  

Kerry Brown, Co-Investigator, Kingston University

I am a plant ecologist and conservation biologist. My research integrates ecological data from small to large spatial scales to assess how global environmental change impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function. My research is conducted in tropical (forests of Madagascar and Puerto Rico) and temperate ecosystems (UK and Spanish peatlands).

Peter Garside, Co-Investigator, Kingston University

Dr Peter Garside has over twenty years of experience working in the field of urban and regional development, providing economic assessments and evaluations for a wide range of public and private sector institutions. Over the past decade he has undertaken a London wide study into affordable housing which provided material evidence for all boroughs to challenge national planning guidance and sub regional and regional economic analysis. In addition, he has worked for a range of government departments, development agencies and the European Commission in order to understand the barriers to employment faced by underrepresented groups and to development interventions to overcome them. 

Meg Jensen, Co-Investigator, Kingston University

Dr Meg Jensen is Professor of English Literature and Creative Writing. She has published widely on trauma, literature, the autobiographical and the advancement of human rights, including The Art and Science of Trauma and the Autobiographical: Negotiated Truths (Palgrave 2019). Her key research and knowledge exchange interest is in identifying and testing innovative approaches to the development of communities of practice to promote collaborative and transformative social change.  She welcomes the opportunities afforded by the KERIs to work across disciplines, practice and theory to nurture, develop and sustain impactful research and knowledge generation to the wider world.

Chris Tang, Co-Investigator, King’s College London

Chris Tang is an applied linguist interested in the use of linguistic theory, methodology and tools in public health communication, risk and disaster communication and language education contexts, particularly those situated in linguistically and culturally diverse environments. His research experience centres on the development and conducting of projects that combine applied linguistic and social science methods and methodology to improve communication practices. Within a disaster risk reduction and public health domain, he is interested in the role of language, culture, (language) education and community networks as a means of engaging hard to reach groups with low literacy and English as an additional language. 

Anna Bosher, Co-Investigator, Reach Foundation

I evaluate and communicate the impact of the Reach Foundation both within Feltham and nationally. I work across different teams, and with families and young people, to allow us to continually improve our offer and make it the best it can be.

Michael Glendinning, Community Co-Investigator, Connect: North Korea

Michael Glendinning is the CEO of Connect: North Korea.

Catherine Dawkins, Community Co-Investigator, Connect: North Korea

Catherine works as the Head of Programmes at Connect: North Korea and has been supporting the community since 2021. She oversees the organisation’s three main programmes, one of which particularly focuses on alleviating poverty and health inequalities for the North Korean community here in the UK. With previous experience in peacebuilding and development, she is keen to advocate and support North Korean escapees, helping to build a more just and equitable world for all.

Seonyeong Oh, Community Co-Investigator, Connect: North Korea

Seonyeong has been working as Connect: North Korea’s Health Lead since 2023. With expertise in public health, she serves as the key advisor on health and helps shape healthier environments, break down barriers, and open up access to healthcare for the North Korea community. Working in Korean and English, she engages both the community and external stakeholders to ground research and support in active community participation.

Ima Miah, Community Co-Investigator, Asian Resource Centre of Croydon

Ima Miah is the CEO of the ARCC. Under her leadership, ARCC has become a pivotal organisation in supporting South Asian and other minority ethnic communities across London. Ima has championed inclusive services that address deep-rooted inequalities in health, wellbeing, and social mobility. She has spearheaded initiatives that provide culturally sensitive mental health programmes, support for domestic abuse survivors, and resources for those facing social isolation and economic hardship. Her work is rooted in advocacy and action, ensuring that marginalised voices are not only heard but also shape the services they rely on. Ima combines lived experience with a visionary approach to leadership working tirelessly to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. 

Sanja Djeric Kane, Community Co-Investigator, Kingston Voluntary Action

Sanja Djeric Kane has been the CEO of Kingston Voluntary Action since December 2019. Sanja has been working in the VCSE sector in Kingston for over 20 years in a variety of roles, which included running two local organisations that support some of the most deprived members of our community; refugees and asylum seekers and isolated women. As the CEO of KVA, Sanja represents Kingston VCSE sector on a variety of strategic boards, such as Kingston Partnership Board and Kingston Place Committee.

Eneida Capaldi, Community Co-Investigator, Kingston Voluntary Action

Eneida Capaldi is the VCSE Sector Development Manager at Kingston Voluntary Action. She supports local communities and improves the lives of residents through a variety of initiatives. Eneida focuses on providing support and resources to community groups to improve their capacity building and become more resilient. Through her efforts, Eneida promotes positive change and strengthens the community.

Alistair Kingsley, Community Co-Investigator, Refugee Action Kingston

Alistair Kingsley is the newly appointed CEO of Refugee Action Kingston. Before working there, he served as the Chief Executive of St Cuthbert’s Centre for 6 and a half years.

Scott Furlong, Co-Investigator, Royal Borough of Kingston

Scott is the Corporate Head of Culture and Heritage and Programme Director for the Royal Borough of Kingston 2025. He is also a Trustee for the York Museum’s Trust and the River & Rowing Museum. Previously, he has held senior roles in the Arts Council England.

Silke Zschomler, Research Fellow, UAL.

As a social scientist with a multi-disciplinary background, I am interested in the lived experience of migrants and those seeking sanctuary and protection – especially in the context of the global city and postcolonial migrant metropolis. My research is situated at the nexus of migration and displacement, place‐based inequalities, urban multiculture, diversity, and language and shows considerable synergies with The Abundance Project. Methodologically, my work is centred around ethnography, participatory and collaborative approaches, and the coproduction of knowledge and I particularly enjoy working with the amazing Community Hubs and Community Voice Champions of the Abundance project!   

Francesca Taylor, Research Fellow, Kingston University.

I am an applied health services researcher with an academic background in Social Anthropology. I work with qualitative methodologies and mixed methods designs and my research is focused mainly on the following: patient, public and community involvement in health care service development and commissioning; health workforce development particularly concerning new roles and new ways of working; and therapeutic and psychological support for acute mental health inpatients and patients with chronic diseases.

Richard Boulton, Kingston University

Richard Boulton is assisting Prof Tushna Vandrevala with Work Package 6.

Jonah Rudlin, Data Support Coordinator, UAL

As a data researcher for The Abundance Project, I explore how we can make sense of the data generated through our work to deepen understanding of mental health support and its connection to green and cultural assets within Southwest London. This means gathering together insights from our partner communities and fellow researchers—such as from interviews, workshops, focus groups, surveys, and walking tours—and weaving them to paint a more systemic picture. This involves using a range of research tools to identify recurring themes and patterns in people’s experiences, challenges, and opportunities. The ultimate aim of this is to inform the development of interventions that can address these challenges and leverage opportunities, as well as sharing findings with other researchers and practitioners to support their own work.

Anna Busuttil, Community Engagement Officer, UAL

As Community Engagement Officer for The Abundance Project, it’s my responsibility to help everyone feel seen, safe, listened to and valued. I’ve mostly worked in museums, developing in-gallery interpretation and researching the origins of objects taken under colonialism. I’m passionate about making institutions more inclusive and responsive —whether I’m co-creating with community partners or helping reimagine how heritage spaces can serve everyone. I’ve loved meeting and working with the wonderful Community Research Hubs and Community Voice Champions. It’s a privilege to help platform their voices and advocate for the changes they need for a happier, healthier and safer life.

Sarah Parkes, Project Administrator, UAL

With an MA in Arts Management, I have worked in administration, production and project management for a diverse range of arts and cultural, higher education and voluntary sector organisations, with a particular focus on work which platforms diverse and/or marginalised voices, supports mental health and wellbeing, engages audiences with pressing global, social and environmental issues, and promotes positive social impact. I am passionate about the arts and nature, and facilitating access to cultural and green spaces for those who may face barriers, including neurodivergent adults, young people experiencing mental health challenges, and those seeking asylum in the UK.