I am a social scientist by training, mostly in the field of political science and international relations with a focus on foreign policy analysis, conflict analysis, international cooperation, & development studies, my academic training was in UK, Ireland and Canada.  I currently work for the think tank the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) we have an ongoing dialogue brokering knowledge with the EU institutions, the member states (mostly through Ministries of Foreign Affairs) and the EU international partners (mostly in Africa).  Most of my work is policy analysis and making the link between knowledge and insight and the formulation, design, implementation and evaluation of the European Union's external action.  Over the last 20 years I have frequently been an advisor and evaluator of European Union's international and development cooperation.  While I do publish academically, most of my research output is in the form of policy analysis and briefs for think tanks and research institutes.  I have a particular knowledge of the EU's External Financial Instruments, and the link between geopolitical and political priorities and the EU's external spending.