Advisory Panel for A Fairer Future

Carlene is also co-convener of a special interest group on Social Work and Adolescents for the European Social Work Research Association; a Global Ashoka Fellow, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Ofsted Insights and Evidence (Social Care) External Reference Group, Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit Strategic Board, the Youth Endowment Board Children’s Services strategic advisory group, and the Churchill Fellowship Advisory Council.

Carlene has researched young people’s experiences of community and group-based violence since 2008 and has advocated for comprehensive approaches that keep them safe in public places, schools, and peer groups. Carlene coined the term Contextual Safeguarding in 2014 to describe a vision for improving safeguarding responses to young people at risk of harm beyond their family homes. She has overseen a research programme to convert this vision into a conceptual and practice framework, in order to reform safeguarding responses and policy frameworks concerned with extra-familial harm in the UK and internationally. She has written in the national newspaper, the Guardian, since 2010, and is widely published in the area of child welfare including through four books and over 50 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and reports.

Sema is a Turkish & British social entrepreneur, gender equity & human rights activist and a creative based in London, UK. She is a producer & writer, creating works focusing on equality and race & class relations.

Sema is also a policy & human rights advisor for various UK government departments and authorities. She has advised and helped produce anti-violence campaigns and policies for FCDO, Home Office, Metropolitan Police, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, Crown Prosecution Service and Department for Education. She is also an Advisory Member to Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for the 'A Fairer Future' funding programme.

As the current Director of Legitimacy and Public Services for Bedfordshire Police and Strategic Lead for their Race Action Plan, Kimberley is responsible for transformative initiatives that strengthen public trust, confidence, and accountability.

A respected voice in policing and social justice, Kimberley holds the position of Policy Lead on the national Executive Committee for Senior Women in Policing (SWiP). Previously, as the Director and co-founder of Bedfordshire’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU) Kimberley was responsible for forging powerful and sustainable partnerships to protect vulnerable and marginalised communities. Additionally, Kimberley’s work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) played a pivotal role in shaping Pillar One of the national Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) policing strategy.

Beyond policing, Kimberley is a proud mother, educator and advocate for community justice. Kimberley is the existing Chair of Governors at an outstanding Luton school and formerly served as Vice-Chair of Bedfordshire’s Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel—championing transparency and fairness in policing. A dynamic changemaker who is committed to building a future where justice, inclusion, and trust are at the heart of public service!

Nani is the founder of Systemic Justice, a new organisation that seeks to radically transform how the law works for communities fighting for racial, social, and economic justice. Systemic Justice is the first Black-led, majority BPOC organisation in Europe building community-driven litigation on climate justice and social protection from an intersectional perspective. 

Previously, Nani founded and built the Digital Freedom Fund, which supports partners in Europe to advance digital rights through strategic litigation. There, she initiated a decolonising process for the digital rights field.

Nani is Adjunct Professor at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and an Associate Tenant at Doughty Street Chambers. She has been an Ashoka Fellow since 2021.

Chris himself was raised in the UK care system, and his personal experiences fuel his passionate work. His memoir, *Damaged*, provides a stark and honest portrayal of life within the care system, highlighting issues like abuse, neglect, and systemic failures that leave vulnerable children unsupported.

As an advocate, Chris speaks out about the long-term impact of poor care on children, especially regarding their mental health and opportunities later in life. He frequently calls for better governmental policies, accountability, and resources to improve the care system and ensure that children’s rights and well-being are prioritised.

Through his writing and activism, Chris has become an influential voice for children in care, raising awareness and pushing for positive changes.