About
The Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN) is an independent, collectively run advocacy network, established in June 2023 in Liverpool, UK. PRAN is open to all who aspire to unite in collective action against poverty and social injustice. By working together, we are stronger, louder and far more likely to achieve our ultimate goal of eradicating poverty and creating a more equal society; both on a regional and national scale. PRAN is a platform for growth, collaboration and mutual support for those aspiring to create a more prosperous, just and happy society.
PRAN exists to unite those who want to take collective action to fight poverty and social injustice.
We bring together different people and organisations to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaborations to advance the fight against poverty and social injustice.
The focus of PRAN’s work is about:
Creating a knowledge-sharing platform on the broad issues of poverty and inequality
Advancing this knowledge by conducting collaborative research with and for people who experience poverty and social injustice.
Advocacy to change the common, stigmatising discourses about poverty and exclusion that hinder social progress.
Wide representation is vital to the ethos of the network - we were established around the belief that only collective, coordinated action can escalate the fight against poverty.
We believe that the fight against poverty is only possible through mobilisation, collective action, and increasing public awareness about the structural causes of poverty and inequality. We also believe that anyone, regardless of their background, area of expertise, or employment status, has the power to play a part in the fight against poverty. Therefore, everyone is welcome to join the network.
PRAN brings together and facilitates collaborations and knowledge exchange among a wide membership base of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society, local authorities, the NHS, academia, the media, and members of the general public. We promote the work of our members, host various events and raise awareness of true causes of poverty and inequality.
Dr Natalija Atas
Natalija is a Senior Lecturer of Public Health and Social Care at the School of Social Science at Liverpool Hope University. Her research interests incorporate the key areas of social policy inquiry related to poverty, inequality, and social determinants of health. She is currently conducting research into the effects of the cost of living crisis. Natalija strongly believes that our society cannot truly progress without addressing issues of poverty and inequality and that such progress can only be achieved through adopting positive forces of collaboration, empathy, and education.
Dr Vicki Dabrowski
Vicki is a Lecturer in Sociology in the School of Social Sciences at Liverpool Hope University. She is passionate about working to address social inequality. Her work seeks to understand the mechanisms by which forms of inequality are reproduced, legitimised but also resisted through a focus on everyday lived experiences. She is currently conducting research into the effects of the cost of living crisis. Having experience in both academia and the not-for-profit sector, Vicki firmly believes in the importance of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and co-production across various domains to bring about substantial and meaningful change.