Karen’s expertise is leading strategy development and programme design. She works with cultural organisations, higher education institutions, government bodies, commercial businesses, and charities across the UK and internationally. She is experienced in leading stakeholder engagement, research and evaluation to understand community needs and create plans that will achieve client ambitions. Karen specialises in interdisciplinary projects and has a particular interest in collaborations beyond the usual boundaries.
Before joining Counterculture, Karen was Programme Director for University College London’s Global Engagement where she oversaw the university’s flagship international programme, enabling new research and education projects. In senior roles at the British Council, she developed strategy and partnerships to deliver a range of large-scale events in design, fashion, film, literature, music, performance, visual arts, and the creative economy. She led programmes across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Previously, she sold publishing rights around the world for Penguin Random House and HarperCollins. At The Reading Agency, she worked with diverse communities and the BBC to shape policy and deliver national programmes and campaigns. She was a visiting lecturer at Kingston University and has an MA in Literature.