Grace Hawkins holds a first-class honours degree in International Development and Politics. She specialises in economic development, conflict, and human rights, with a particular focus on fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Her research examined barriers to sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities in Mae Sot, Thailand, with a focus on the exploitation faced by Burmese refugee communities. Grace has contributed to research projects with NGOs, the University of Oxford and the University of Birmingham, and has supported palliative care policy work in UK Parliament.

She has also worked with mission-driven organisations and social enterprises focused on community development and social impact.