Anna Childs

I am Deputy Director (Academic) of the International Development Office at the OU, with oversight across all our programmes which deal with teacher training, child rights, higher education capacity building and more. Issues like trafficking are part of a broader theory of change around education – for example teacher training is an essential element in supporting children to be aware of their own rights. I have been on the board of a school in Kathmandu for about 15 years, and visit Nepal about twice a year on average.

I have edited 3 books, written 12 chapters and delivered a large number of papers, conference presentations etc. My early research area (most of which is published under Anna Peachey) was in online presence and student community, which transitioned into innovation in education for development. My last keynote was at a conference on Higher Education for Development in Ethiopia last summer, and I will soon deliver a keynote at Nepal's National Conference on Science and Technology, an event that takes place every 4 years and is inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Nepal. The theme for 2016 is Science, Technology and Innovation for Nepal’s Graduation to Developing Country Status.

I support the Director of International Development at The Open University in the strategic direction of project activity. Drawing on over fifteen years of experience in project design, management and evaluation, I also provide support for Project Academic Directors.

Along with delivering academic support for the International Development Office’s (IDO) current projects and for the development of new IDO projects, I guide and advise academics in the Faculties when developing bids and proposals for international development projects and research activity.

Having won The Open University Teaching Award for my work with distance learning in 2005, one of my projects was also shortlisted for The Times Education Award for Outstanding Innovation in ICT in 2008. I have been an expert speaker at over 25 global and UK conferences.