Today on the podcast we talk to Lucy Earle, who is Director (interim), Human Settlements at the International Institute for Environment and Development. We talk taking risks, how treating new hires badly backfires and the unmitigated pleasure of travelling alone for work. 

Lucy’s work focuses on the intersections of urbanisation, urban poverty and humanitarian crises, in particular forced displacement in urban areas. Prior to joining IIED, Lucy was an urban advisor at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and was seconded to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support a programme on improving humanitarian response to urban crises. PhD in development studies from the LSE.

As usual, we hit Lucy up with the important Qs: 

Last meal:  something Middle Eastern

Currently reading: The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel

Currently watching: Industry on BBC, Call My Agent, Emily in Paris
Currently listening to:  a Mahler or Bruckner symphonies if the office is pumping

Favourite unwind:  Swimming and travelling alone for work

What advice would Lucy give to someone who's wondering about the next step in their career?

Get a coach. The questions made me think about work and the answers were really eye opening. It’s really helpful to get someone to ask you the difficult questions and give you homework to do things differently. So if you can afford it, or if you can get your work to pay, get a coach.

A little about your co-hosts:

Anita Dullard is studying a MSc Climate and Energy Policy, taking time out from media advocacy; Avigail Shai is a diplomatic and policy adviser, and former diplomat – they met working in the international humanitarian sector, stayed for the chat and hilarity.