Dr. Elle Griffiths

• I have worked as a journalist, both remotely and in-house, at print and digital titles for the past fifteen years. I was a Digital Contributor to Stylist, covering Politics, feminism, travel and the Irish pro-choice movement from 2017-2018. Accrued additional bylines with VICE, The Independent, BBC and more.
• News reporter at the Mirror Online news team in Canary Wharf from 2015-2017 primarily covering international and national breaking news, video and features. Worked to exceptionally tight deadlines while maintaining impeccable standards of accuracy and legality and covered ‘live-blogs’ of high profile, international events 24/7. These include the Paris and Nice terrorist atrocities, General elections, Brexit referendum and high-profile murder trials.
• Currently consulting with prestigious law firm Quinn Emanuel on US Gun Control at www.rethinkingguncontrol.com
• Working as a media consultant for www.dogoodpr.com, securing national coverage for clients such as the MS Trust and Activity Alliance.

Researching contemporary class conflicts and media generated culture wars in the US through the prism of grassroots activism, both current and historical, in the Appalachian region. Particular focus on labour, gender, feminism and queer theory in disputes over representation vs redistributive politics. Final thesis title– Revolting Hillbillies: Exploring cracks in the Neoliberal Order through the prism of Appalachian activism.

• Selected for prestigious TV Foundation Talent Scheme 'TV PhD' in 2022. Pitched thesis as documentary to top industry executives at Edinburgh TV Festival.
• Awarded AHRC funding for self designed and led research trips to places as diverse as New York City and rural Tennessee.
• Presented work at European Association of American Studies, Netherlands Association for American Studies, Historians of Twentieth Century US and Nordic Association of American Studies.
• Selected to participate in 'Politics of Protest' summer school at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica May 2022.

• Design and lead engaging seminars for undergraduate students in modules concentrating on 19th and 20th Century US and European History. Design exams and essay questions for assessment.
• Seminar tutor for advanced level Cold War History course. Module designed to move beyond conventional narratives of East vs West to a "Global" Cold War History, encompassing anti-colonial struggles and environmentalism movements.
• Module Lead and Convenor for innovative "Queering the Past" course, challenging dominant narratives and heteronormative historiographies.
• Provide pastoral support and advice during regular office hours and offer constructive feedback on written assessment and exams.

Awarded pre-doctoral fellowship in the archives of National Museum of American History, supervised by Franklin Robinson as part of prestigious UKRI International Placement Scheme.

Working with the Policy Engagement Manager, I helped to monitor relevant policy initiatives and write policy briefs and recommendations about Rights Lab research on modern slavery and human trafficking tailored to particular audiences and stakeholders.

I compiled reports on trafficking complicity in the global financial system, worked on a Home Office ‘buddying’ scheme and made policy recommendations on everything from travel allowances for asylum seekers to reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation.

Rights Lab is a research ‘beacon of excellence’ and the world’s largest group of modern slavery researchers and experts.