Our Team

We’re really proud that our team is made up of people with a diverse range of skills, from software development and research to communications and PR. Find out more about us below, and feel free to get in touch if you have a question.

Clara is a Brazilian with a background in Oceanography and a passion for fighting climate change. She moved to the UK to study a Masters in Economics for Transition at Schumacher College, Devon. After finishing her studies, she found herself in Oxford and got involved with Climate Outreach, before joining SEA in May 2015. Her roles within the organisation include Finance and Operations, and she also leads on our Networking and Collaboration projects. In her spare time, she likes to kick some ass at Muay Thai, learn new languages and go on hikes (she would prefer to climb, but Oxfordshire is a bit flat!).

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Colm is a father of two, a digital tool maker and animation industry veteran, with a long term interest in alternative economics. He has been a social justice activist for most of his adult life, with a particular interest in migrant justice and Middle East solidarity.

Colm co-founded the Institute for Solidarity Economics in Oxford in 2014, which became the Solidarity Economy Association in 2017. He’s a worker member and volunteers three days a week for us, as well as serving as Chair on our board of directors. He has worked on all aspects of our activity but now focuses on fundraising, our Co-operation in Mesopotamia project, and our Mapping the Solidarity Economy work.

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Kat joined SEA as Communications Manager in January 2017. Her PR experience spans the broadcast, charity, higher education and public sectors, having held positions at organisations like rural community co-ops charity Plunkett Foundation, Oxfordshire County Council, and the BBC.

Kat looks after all aspects of SEA’s external communications, from our website and social media channels, to managing the organisation’s media coverage. She also plays a role in events and works on some of our education projects.

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Matt is a professional software developer with 30 years of experience, having held senior positions across a range of companies. His academic background is in Mathematics and Computer Science, with degrees from UCL and Oxford University. Matt leads on our Linked Open Data project, and also takes care of technology and infrastructure for SEA. During summer holidays, he likes to go on long bike rides in continental Europe.

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Jo has been active in grassroots political and community organising for well over 10 years in several different countries, on topics ranging from ecological and environmental struggles, to freedom of movement, to building sustainable autonomous communities and internationalist solidarity. She co-ordinates our project Co-operation in Mesopotamia, building economic solidarity with co-operatives in Northern Syria (Rojava) and Bakur (eastern Turkey). In her spare time, Jo can be found watching films, learning languages, and hanging out on her trapeze.

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Doireann’s background is in community development, with much of her experience in food and sustainability. She co-founded a number of grassroots projects in Oxford: a community garden (OxGrow), a local food cooperative (Cultivate), and a childcare coop. She has also done research and capacity-building work with foodbanks in Oxford and across the UK.

Doireann has been brought in to SEA to help develop a map of Solidarity Economy initiatives in Oxford. When she’s not at SEA she can usually be found chasing after her toddler or learning Irish grammar.

Bio coming soon.