Staff Profile: Rob Sangster-Poole
December 19, 2016
Over the coming year we will be interviewing a range of people that make help RFUK’s projects happen. From in-country partner staff, community members and beyond, people are central to our work and we hope you find our series of profiles over the course of 2017 insightful.
First up is Robert Sangster-Poole, Communications Coordinator at RFUK, who has recently joined the team here in the UK.
Rob has an MA in Africa and International Development from the University of Edinburgh, where his research focused on enhancing sustainability in North-South relationships. Rob has undertaken research in Ghana and is a long-time volunteer with Jamaican Self-Help, a educational and capacity-building non-governmental organisation. Rob joins RFUK after working for the United Nations Association in Canada where he worked as Research and Logistics Coordinator.
Q: What do you like about your job at RFUK?
Rob: Working with RFUK is basically my dream job! I love that I get to work with all the different projects. It’s awesome to have such a wide exposure and to learn about all the different things that our team are doing – from conservation campaigns to community forests to real-time monitoring. Every week, I get to work on something different. It keeps things interesting!
Q: Tell us about your research experience in Africa?
Rob: Several years ago, I was fortunate to travel to Ghana where I conducted research on the labour movement and the agricultural sector. I learned a lot and got to work closely with a really bright and passionate team at one of the country’s leading unions. I also had the chance to contribute to some exciting (and alarming) research on the impact of large-scale agro-fuel plantations in the country.
Q: What is your favourite activity outside of work?
Rob: I love a good board game, especially one that makes you think in new ways about the real world. In fact, I just discovered a version of Settlers of Catan with a climate change theme!
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Rob: To move to London
Q: What’s your favourite meal?
Rob: My favourite meal is chocolate, if you can call that a meal? Obviously it’s a bonus if it’s produced sustainably, like the Kemito Ene chocolate made by RFUK’s partners in Peru. That stuff is amazing, and I’ve just bought loads to go into Christmas stockings!
Q: Where do you call home?
Rob: Canada is home. I love London, but I do miss the snow back home.
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