Sorcha O'callaghan
About Sorcha O'callaghan
Sorcha O'Callaghan serves as the Director of the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute, where she has worked since 2019. She has extensive experience in humanitarian policy, having held various roles in organizations such as the British Red Cross and CARE, and has a strong academic background in law and migration.
Current Role at ODI
Sorcha O'Callaghan serves as the Director of the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). She has held this position since 2019, contributing to the organization's mission to improve humanitarian responses through research and policy analysis. In her role, she focuses on critical humanitarian issues and engages with various stakeholders to influence policy and practice in the sector.
Previous Experience in Humanitarian Organizations
Prior to her current role, O'Callaghan accumulated extensive experience in the humanitarian sector. She worked at the British Red Cross as Head of Humanitarian Policy from 2010 to 2016. Before that, she was a Research Fellow at ODI from 2006 to 2010. Her earlier roles include serving as Advocacy Coordinator for the Sudan Advocacy Coalition at CARE and as a Programme Adviser for the International Rescue Committee in Sudan.
Educational Background
O'Callaghan holds a Master's degree in Migration from the University of Sussex. She also studied Law at University College Cork from 1991 to 1994, where she completed her undergraduate studies. Her academic background supports her expertise in humanitarian policy and advocacy.
Expert Commentary and Contributions
O'Callaghan has provided expert commentary on various humanitarian issues, including the Israel-Gaza conflict. She is actively involved in discussions addressing humanitarian hypocrisy and double standards in conflict zones. Her insights contribute to the understanding of humanitarian protection and reconstruction efforts in challenging environments.
Career Timeline
O'Callaghan's career in the humanitarian sector spans over two decades. She began as a Programme Officer at the International Rescue Committee in London from 2001 to 2003. She then worked as a Policy Analyst for the Sudan Advocacy Coalition at Save the Children UK from 2004 to 2005, followed by her role at CARE in Nairobi. After her tenure at ODI as a Research Fellow, she led humanitarian policy at the British Red Cross before returning to ODI as Director.