Staff
Interim Members Council
Trustees
Our People
We are ‘Rethinkers’ – those working to change economics so that it’s fit for people and planet. In the process, we’re redefining what it means to be an economist in the 21st century.
We are ‘Rethinkers’ – those working to change economics so that it’s fit for people and planet. In the process, we’re redefining what it means to be an economist in the 21st century.
Membership Lead (she/her)
Rethinking Economics International
Before joining Rethinking Economics as Membership Lead, Adua worked for Positive Money Europe, advocating for a greener and fairer economic system. It was in this milieu that she came face to face with how the limitations of mainstream economic thinking in institutions can translate into inadequate policies that perpetuate the status quo. She strongly believes in connecting people and working together to make a difference and bring about change. You can find her in Brussels, jumping at any chance to play improv theatre or randomly starting a new dance class.
Data Officer (they/them)
Rethinking Economics International
Fraser studied archaeology and anthropology but started their career in data analytics and product management across commercial and healthcare tech firms. Over time, they grew uneasy with the way “tech” and “data”—often presented as neutral, specialist knowledge, much like neoclassical economics—can end up serving hyper-extractive systems where measurement becomes a tool for optimisation, control, and the increased exploitation of both labour and planetary resources. A move to assistant-managing an independent bookshop grew their commitment to plain-language, people-first systems: creating tools that clarify rather than mystify, and expand what we recognise as intelligence beyond the human—across animals, plants and machines (influenced by thinkers like James Bridle and Anna Tsing). As Operations Manager at Stonewall Housing, Fraser worked to bring a more ethical, systems-minded approach to organising and operations. They joined Rethinking Economics International in 2026 as Data Officer, motivated by a desire to build systems (data or otherwise) that are transparent, understandable, ethical, and adaptable to changing realities. Outside of work, they can be found (attempting to) wild swim in Scotland, whittling wonky owls, and occasionally DJing under the (ironic) name, Big Data.
New Economy Influencers Collective Lead (he/him)
Rethinking Economics International
James followed in the footsteps of his mother, a headteacher and artist. Although he earned an MA in Fine Art, he chose music as his medium, and opted for popular education in social movements, over formal teaching. For the past 20 years he has been a trainer, facilitator, strategist and activist in the climate justice, global justice, democratic renewal, palestine solidarity and student movements. And a producer, songwriter, and guitarist recording with soul and R&B acts like Equals and GRAMN. James draws a thread through these practices with the belief that politics is downstream from culture, so the cultural change that music can drive, opens up space for new possibilities in politics. Originally from the landlocked Midlands, James now lives by the sea in Folkestone with his writer wife Sophie, and their cats, Moss and Mudd.
Associate Director (she/they)
Rethinking Economics International
Janet Gunter studied Development Studies as an undergraduate, and had some critiques of the mainstream economics modules. She learned more about the global financial system by working in a small country transitioning to independence, East Timor, than she did in her degree. In 2012, she co-founded and subsequently co-directed The Restart Project, an organisation promoting a post-consumerist economy. She brings years of experience in fundraising, and advising social movements and campaigning NGOs on strategy. With a budding interest in luddism (past and present), she loves small media and her small dog.
Climate Campaigns Lead (she/her)
Rethinking Economics International
Jemma is the co-founder of Reimagine Norwich, a group organising around ideas from Doughnut Economics, Degrowth and the solidarity economy to build a localised and open economy that is rooted in regeneration and justice. She is a trustee of an organisation which takes on empty Norwich premises and turns them into vibrant community spaces and has been working as outreach coordinator for a community energy pilot project. She also organises with a local Antiraids action network and Apartheid free solidarity group campaigning for radical love and liberation from global apartheid. Outside of office hours she can usually be found playing the piano badly or wreaking havoc on a dance floor.
Impact Stories Writer (she/her)
Rethinking Economics International
Karen is from Mexico City and studies economics at the Autonomous National University of Mexico, UNAM, where she helped found the Rethinking Economics local group. Karen’s research interests are in inequality, labor, development and leisure.
Executive Director (he/him)
Rethinking Economics International
Laurence Jones-Williams is the Director of Rethinking Economics International, leading on Organisational Development and has been working at the organisation for the past four years. He is also co-founder of the Greater Manchester Tenants Union, a housing rights union to support tenants to organise around their housing issues. Laurence is also an organisational strategy consultant and has spent much of the last 10 years involved in movement politics and supporting organisations through periods of rapid growth. He is very passionate about democratic organisations and Liverpool Football Club.
Head of Operations (she/her)
Rethinking Economics International
Nicky joined Rethinking Economics International in 2025 as Head of Operations. Based in Brighton UK, but originally from Northern Ireland, Nicky brings extensive experience from working with charities, social enterprises and other mission-driven organisations. She is passionate about integrating Rethinking Economics’ vision and values into all levels of the organisation’s operations. Nicky proudly identifies as disabled and brings her lived experience to all aspects of her work. When not working, Nicky can be found walking her miniature dachshund, Gilbey, on Brighton beach.
Associate Director (he/him)
Rethinking Economics International
Ross began as Head of Local Communications and Events in May 2018. His previous work focused on city-region devolution and he continues to work in housing activism. Ross believes addressing the issues of structural inequality and environmental degradation needs to start with a better understanding of economics in the classroom and society at large. Ross leads on outreach at Rethinking Economics International and provides support to local RE groups’ events and campaigns.
Senior Economist (she/her)
Rethinking Economics International
Sonal is currently based in India and, among other things, is Senior Economist for Rethinking Economics. Her frustration with economists missing granularity for the sake of computational simplicity (like damage functions), uncritical use of data, bad assumptions, spurious linkages, flawed analysis, and wrong conclusions from the mainstream canon is what brought her to this space. Her own research is broadly centred around the role of finance in development, macroeconomic policy in developing economies, structural explanations for global inequalities, and the political economy of climate change.
Economics Education Lead (she/her)
Rethinking Economics International
Based in Germany, Taïs joined Rethinking Economics International in 2021 as Membership Lead. Thrown into economics by a desire to understand the austerity measures of the Euro crisis, she found much support and motivation in the RE local groups of Glasgow and Göttingen, in which she participated during her Erasmus Masters in Global Markets and Local Creativities. Now Educate Lead in the RE team, she gets to deploy and practice her passion for critical pedagogy in the realm of economic thinking. You’ll find her most of the time keen to chat about bell hooks, cats, feminist sci-fi, techniques to make groups thrive and the subtle dangers of neoliberal discourse.
Eylül is from Türkiye. In 2022, while she was pursuing her master’s degree in economics at Galatasaray University, Alongside some friends who were interested in pluralism, she founded RE Anatolia. During her undergraduate education at Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, her interest in different aspects of economics started with a Research Ethics course and she is still interested in that field. Also, she is researching Household Poverty and Labor Economics with the perspective of Economic Philosophy, in these days. She describes herself as a lifelong student and enjoys new experiences, learning, theater and alternative rock music.
Malobi is an economics researcher and consultant. She recently completed her Masters in Economics at Memorial University. Malobi’s current research interests lie in the intersections of community economic development and economic empowerment of minority groups. When she is not working, she can be found cooking, travelling or making music with her band.
Ofentse is a passionate and dedicated individual with a deep commitment to the Rethinking Economics ideology. As a lifelong economics scholar, he has witnessed first-hand the narrow and uncritical approach to economics education in universities. This has fueled his desire to challenge the status quo and bring about meaningful change. Ofentse has experience working on international campaigns, and understands the importance of engaging with local communities, building partnerships, and mobilizing people across the globe.
Sarika is currently pursuing her PhD in Economics from CSRD, JNU. She completed her MPhil in Economics in the same centre – her dissertation concerned wage discrimination in the urban labour market in India. She was also involved in documenting the history of the trade union movement in the banking sector which has been published as a monograph, Struggling for Nation Building: A Brief History of All India Bank Officers’ Confederation published by Aakar Books. Her research interests concern the question of wages and social inequality in the context of contemporary India.
Thelma M Tembo is studying for a Bachelor of science in mathematics with education at Mulungushi University, Zambia. In her third year of study. She serves as the finance officer for a local group (Mulungushi Liaise Economics Society) from 2020-2023. Thelma is all about the promotion of good communication which is RARE – Responsible, Accessible, Relevant and Ethical – to promote accountability and a transparency in the communication lines between council members and the people at large.
Thomson established the RE Zambia network and Mulungushi Liaise Economics Society. He is the current lead organizer and former president for MuLEs. Thomson empowered and inspired the leadership at Rethinking Economics Cavendish Society to be established and since 2022 has been a steering member from the global south action circle on the inflation crisis. Thomson demonstrates the amazing work Rethinkers are doing to encourage change in Economics.
Vinayakan is a rethinker who focuses on public policy, LGBTQIA+ economics, and Indian political economy. He is the founder of KN Raj Economics Club in Kerala, India. He is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata. In his work, he has addressed issues such as discrimination, equality of opportunity, tribal policy, government failure, pluralism, and so on. He also received the Don Lavoie Fellowship at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center and the Youth Leadership Fellowship from the Centre for Public Policy Research, India. He admires Hayek and enjoys swimming!
Alex is a researcher, campaigner, writer, and illustrator with a passion for shifting damaging narratives around the economy. She has worked in both the UK and Colombia and believes we need structural and systemic change to achieve gender, climate, and economic justice. She has contributed publications around the challenges faced by indigenous environmental defenders, the importance of moving beyond GDP as the central metric for our economy, and the need for an intersectional feminist and locally led approach for climate finance.
Bandile Ngidi is the Rethinking Economics Project Lead at the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ). The IEJ is a progressive economics think tank, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Bandile has previously worked at Oxfam South Africa, and at South Africa’s National Minimum Wage Research Initiative. He holds a Masters in Development Theory and Policy (Development Economics) from the University of the Witwatersrand. He joined the IEJ in August 2018. Bandile is currently working on incubating the Rethinking Economics for Africa movement (working with students, academics and broader civil society). The movement promotes economic pluralism, and alternative economic discourse and economic policy.
Ignacio is one of the founders and current CEO of the Observatory of Economic Policy (OPES), a Chile-based think tank and member of Rethinking Economics, which promotes heterodox thinking in public discourse. Ignacio is an economist from the University of Chile and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. studies in economic integration at the University of the Basque Country and the Berlin School of Economics and Law. He worked as the editor of the book “Economy in Crisis: The Teaching of Economics in Latin America and the Limits of Orthodox Theory,” which critically examines the development of economics programs in the Latin American region and their effects on economic policy.
James has served as political advisor to Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, chief economist at the New Economics Foundation and Director of the Progressive Economy Forum. Currently is Senior Director of Economics at Opportunity Green. He has taught economics at SOAS, Cambridge, Sussex and City Universities, and has published widely on economic policy and theory. He hosts a weekly podcast called Macrodose.
Mads is the founder and director of the Copenhagen-based think tank WELA (Wellbeing Economy Lab), which works to transform the economic system into a Wellbeing Economy in order to better address the challenges of the 21st century. Mads has been active in the Rethinking Economics movement since 2012 when he was studying for his undergraduate economics degree. He has since then founded two university-groups, contributed to a third, co-founded the national network in Denmark and worked as an international membership coordinator in 2015-2017.
Treasurer
Mathilde is a Trustee and the Treasurer of Rethinking Economics International. A chartered accountant with experience as a senior finance executive in various industries, Mathilde is a trustee of a number of educational charities, including one she co-founded. Mathilde wants to commit her time, skill, energy and enthusiasm on projects and initiatives aligned with her interests in education, equality, relief of poverty and sustainability.
Dr. Mehroosh Tak is a lecturer at Royal Veterinary College. She is an applied economist researching how to make food systems sustainable and nutritious. Mehroosh has a background in international development as a monitoring and evaluation expert. She is passionate about making economics language accessible to the public and diversifying the discipline.
Samia is a student at University College London, currently studying Sustainable Resources: Economics, Policy and Transitions to explore equitable pathways for a Just Transition and specifically looking into the management of supply chains for a Just Energy Transition. They are a climate justice advocate, educator and community organiser based in London, UK. For most of their twenties, they have been supporting local climate action by hosting and facilitating environmental and political workshops for young people and marginalised community groups across the UK and Europe. They are a part of the Decolonising Economics collective, working with other organisers to build economies of care.
Chair
Toke is chair of Rethinking Economics and has been on the board since 2021. He works as a political advisor in the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions. Previously, he has experience from the Danish parliament as well as several charities, including being the Secretary General of the National Union of Students in Denmark. He has extensive experience in the student movement both in Denmark, the UK and internationally, having been a sabbatical officer at the University of Leeds and having co-founded Students Organising for Sustainability. Toke also has a keen academic interest in political organisation, holding an MA in Political Communication from University of Leeds and an MA in Global Studies and Communication from University of Roskilde.