Olivia Bellas
About Olivia Bellas
Olivia Bellas is a Learning Community Manager at Apolitical, with extensive experience in community engagement and project management across various organizations in London. Her career includes roles at the Greater London Authority, Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, and Urban Space Management Inc, among others.
Work at Apolitical
Olivia Bellas serves as the Learning Community Manager at Apolitical, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on fostering learning and collaboration within the organization. Her work involves developing community engagement strategies and initiatives that enhance the learning experience for members. Apolitical is known for its commitment to improving public policy and governance through knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Previous Experience in Community Engagement
Olivia has extensive experience in community engagement roles. She worked at the Greater London Authority from 2017 to 2021, where she was part of the Community Engagement Team. During her tenure, she initiated campaigns focused on community involvement, including mentoring and funding strands for 'Africa in London'. Additionally, she led the 'We are all Londoners' event at City Hall, which supported European Londoners.
Background in Arts and Culture
Olivia has a strong background in the arts and cultural sector. She worked at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Arts Heritage Commission from 2016 to 2020. Her role involved integrating arts into healthcare settings. She also served as a Producer for the Memento Audio Walk projects at Trinity Buoy Wharf and Wanstead Park in 2015, showcasing her ability to blend arts with community engagement.
Education and Academic Qualifications
Olivia studied at Liverpool John Moores University, where she earned a B.A. in French and Media & Cultural Studies, achieving a 2:1 classification. Her academic background provides her with a foundation in cultural analysis and communication, which supports her work in community engagement and the arts. She also attended La Retraite from 1988 to 1993, furthering her educational development.
Research and Project Leadership
Olivia has led significant research projects, including the nationwide heritage and built environment research project 'Connecting People and Places' in collaboration with Historic England, Heritage Fund, and RIBA at the Stephen Lawrence Trust. She has conducted research into participatory tools for community engagement, collaborating with institutions such as Goldsmiths and University College London Hospitals. Additionally, she is currently establishing a pan-London Community Research Network.