Engaging with Oxford's ecosystem: Global Atlantic Fellows Advisory Board's visit

The Global Atlantic Fellows Advisory Board (GFAB) met in Oxford from Feb. 4 to Feb. 7 to reconnect as a cohort, reflect on their first year and advise the Atlantic Institute on the next iteration of its offerings currently in development. GFAB’s visit was an opportunity to engage with the wider Oxford ecosystem and to foster a deeper understanding of its equity landscape. At a "Meet and Greet" session in the Glass Pavilion of Rhodes House, Rhodes Scholars and Rhodes Trust staff learned more about GFAB and the work of the Atlantic Fellows community. A few of the Rhodes Scholars asked for advice about how they might establish a similar forum and there were conversations about ways to address health equity collaboratively.

GFAB was also hosted by Oxford Community Action (OCA) - a grassroots organization with whom the Institute has actively engaged to explore equity-related issues, with a shared concern being the inequalities of the city of Oxford itself. OCA is dedicated to addressing some of the systemic and structural inequalities and GFAB Co-chair Michelle Steele shared that it was one of her most “joyous and heartfelt days” as they heard from the community activists, local government representatives and residents from the city about some of the challenges and solutions. We were delighted that George Kunnath, Associate Professor (Education) and Lifelong Engagement Lead from the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity program, also attended the gathering. 

The GFAB meeting at the Institute coincided with a visit by Professor Iracema Leroi - the recently appointed site director of Trinity College Dublin. She participated in our “Kookout” at Kopanong (the Atlantic Fellows residence) where in the kitchen GFAB members and Institute staff rustled up and shared some of their favorite dishes from home.

The Institute recognizes the incredible value of Fellows’ voices and participation in everything we do.  Thank you GFAB for all your contributions over the last year. We look forward to more engagements in 2025. 

GFAB provides advice to the Atlantic Institute executive director, associate executive directors and Institute staff. They represent the interests of Fellows and guide the Institute on how it can keep Fellows actively involved in the Atlantic Fellows community and make recommendations to the Institute on its strategic direction and programming, which shapes our work. Find out more about GFAB.