Nicola Jones
About Nicola Jones
Nicola Jones serves as the Principal Research Fellow and Director of the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) initiative at the Overseas Development Institute in London. With a PhD in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she specializes in research on gender norms, adolescent empowerment, and social inclusion.
Work at ODI
Nicola Jones serves as a Principal Research Fellow and Director of Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in London, United Kingdom. She has held this position since 2016, contributing to the institute's focus on social development. In addition to her role as GAGE Director, she has been a Senior Research Fellow in Social Development at ODI since 2007. Her work involves directing a major research initiative aimed at supporting adolescent girls across various global regions, focusing on their wellbeing and empowerment.
Education and Expertise
Nicola Jones has an extensive academic background in Political Science and Government. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also obtained a Master of Arts (MA) in the same field. Her undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons) from the University of Canterbury. This educational foundation supports her expertise in gender norms, social inclusion, and adolescent capabilities.
Background
Nicola Jones has a strong commitment to research that addresses gender equality and social inclusion. Her work at ODI includes leading a nine-year longitudinal policy research program that examines adolescent girls' wellbeing in low and middle-income contexts across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). She has been actively involved in the largest global study on adolescents, tracking the experiences of 20,000 girls and boys in developing countries.
Achievements
Nicola Jones has made significant contributions to the field of gender research through her involvement in various initiatives. She participates in the ALIGN platform, which focuses on advancing learning and innovation regarding gender norms. Her work also includes initiatives aimed at transforming gender norms to promote women's economic rights and empowerment. Additionally, she contributes to research on feminist foreign policy and gendered economic inequalities, further enhancing her impact in the field.