Dr Nilam Ashra-McGrath is a writer, researcher and research communications specialist for the non-profit sector. She has extensive experience in strategic communication and training roles for development agencies and charities in the Philippines, Republic of Maldives, Sri Lanka and the UK. She is an advocate for open access to research findings for developing countries.

Following her PhD, she designed and delivered the popular Ups and Downs of PhD Research workshop, and wrote A PhD rollercoaster. She also delivers training in how to use diaries for qualitative research, using discourse analysis, and communication issues for small NGOs.

Her teaching for universities in the UK includes delivering modules in creative work in cultural industries, PR and corporate communications. She also designed a module on NGO management for Rouen Business School, which she delivered for 4 years.

Her research interests include the sociology of communications work, media representations of development issues, storytelling and oral histories, and using diaries in research.