TESTIMONIALS
Vicki has an incredible intellect heart, and passion in working around the world on prison reform and in the safeguarding of the rights of those incarcerated. I have had the great pleasure to work with Vicki during her time at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office where she instructed me in the drafting of the amicus curiae briefs for British citizens on death row in foreign jurisdictions. Vicki not only provided cogent advice on the cases, but also demonstrated a clear concern over the wider holistic issues concerning the prisoners. As the Director of the BCU Centre for Human Rights it was my honour to appoint Vicki as a Visiting Professor and she has been absolutely wonderful in her role. Both staff and students have benefitted from Vicki's legal knowledge and her expertise in human rights careers.
PROFESSOR JON YORKE, Professor of Human Rights and Director of the Centre for Human Rights, Birmingham City University.
Vicki was my line-manager during my internship at Penal Reform International in 2018. It was a real pleasure to work together with Vicki. She was an excellent mentor during my time at PRI, including during the organisation of an event on life-long imprisonment. Vicki is knowledgeable and patient. She is an expert on the topics of international human rights law and prisoners' rights. Because of her sound knowledge, Vicki is a great public speaker who can explain complex concepts in a passionate and accessible way. She is eager to share her knowledge and expertise and to help people find their way in pursuing a human rights career.
ROZELEIN VAN ERDEGHEM, Former Intern, Penal Reform International
I have worked with Vicki on a couple of different projects over the past year or so, and have found her extremely professional and thorough in her work. She is at all times responsive and communicative, and produces high quality research and writing that shows her passion and commitment to human rights.
TRIONA LENIHAN, Policy and International Advocacy Manager, Penal Reform International
I have very much enjoyed collaborating with Vicki. She's highly skilled on a wide range of criminal justice issues and her passion to protect rights of individuals in contact with criminal justice institutions. Her wide knowledge and her unique ability to adapt to new working environments is a unique strength. I am also extremely welcome to Vicki for her good humour in the office
FLORIAN IRMINGER, Former Executive Director, Penal Reform International
Vicki and I worked together as government lawyers and trustees ofa human rights charity. She has always been a pleasure to work with: dynamic, innovative and passionate about human rights. She has worked all over the world with the FCO, the Council of Europe and the UN, amongst others. She is a skilled communicater that can write for a variety of audiences (academic articles, NGO reports and OpEds). She has mentored and supported early career human rights professionals for many years to help them get a foothold in the profession.
LAURA FORSTER, Ombudsman Manager, Financial Ombudsman Service
Vicki is kind, approachable, professional and is always willing to take time out of her busy schedule to advise on some very complex cases, name/y very difficult cases in Japan. Being new to consular, Vicki has helped me to enhance my understanding of how the FCO can help the most vulnerable detainees and ensure that all detainees are treated in line with international standards.
FCO COUNTRY DESK OFFICER, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Country Desk Officer, Consular Directorate
I had the pleasure to work With Vicki during her handover Of her role as FCO/Prisoners Abroad Human Rights Adviser. Vicki's knowledge of the international human rights standards applicable to detained or imprisoned persons was impressive, as was her ability to provide helpful, prompt and practical advice to prisoners Abroad and to FCO consular staff in line with those standards. Vicki is an industrious and very resourceful professional who is passionate about human rights work. Notably, she is a gifted public speaker with the ability to convey, in an accessible language, complex human rights law concepts. Thanks to Vicki, by the end of the handover period I felt ready to take on my role.
MELINA PADRON, Former Human Rights Advisor, UK Foreign, Commonwealth And Development Office/prisoners Abroad