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 an academic based in Liverpool. 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 an academic based in Leeds. 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.
Aishah Siddiqa, Senior Programme Manager at Heard
Aishah has been leading the Talking About Poverty programme since joining Heard in 2020. She works closely with Heards talented network members and sector partners. Before joining Heard, Aishah worked at Oxfam, supporting international campaigns on Economic Justice.
Andrew Grinnell, Co-Director of the Poverty Truth Network
Andrew Grinnell has been involved with developing responses to poverty for over 20 years. Andrew is a facilitator for the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission that brings together people who struggle against poverty and leaders from within public, private, third and faith sectors. He is also co-director of the Poverty Truth Network that supports the development of commissions across the UK.
Claire Donovan, Director at End Furniture Poverty
Claire Donovan, a former journalist, is Director at End Furniture Poverty, which raises awareness of the issue of Furniture Poverty; carries out research to highlight the consequences and reality of living in Furniture Poverty; and develops solutions. Claire is also a trustee of the Reuse Network.
Danny Dorling, Professor in the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford
Danny Dorling is a Professor in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford. He was previously a professor for a decade at the University of Sheffield, and before then at the University of Leeds. He has also worked as an academic in Newcastle and Bristol. Danny is a patron of the road crash charity RoadPeace, of Heeley City Farm in Sheffield, and of the educational campaign group Comprehensive Future.
Mike Morris, Co-Director of Writing on the Wall (WoW)
Mike is a founder member of WoW and has a background in community activity, in education - working as a Learning Mentor in Anfield CC School, and filmmaking as a writer on Dockers (Channel 4, 2000), and as co-director and producer of a ground-breaking documentary, Liverpool’s Cunard Yanks (Granada, 2008). He studied Literature & American Studies at Liverpool John Moores University and has an MA in Creative Writing.
Sarah Marie Hall, Professor in Human Geography, University of Manchester
Prof. Sarah Marie Hall is based in Geography at the University of Manchester. Her research sits in the field of geographical feminist political economy, with a focus on how economic change and crises (such as austerity, devolution, and Brexit) are experienced in everyday life.
Zino Onokaye-Akaka, Programme Manager at Heard
Zino joined Heard in 2020 and now manages the Talking about Poverty and Angles programmes. She represented Heard at the UN in 2022. Additionally, she co-hosts the podcast Tea with Coconut and Plantain and is a trustee for IMIX.