Lauren Mallon

I am currently completing Master’s degree in International Public Policy, graduating this autumn (2022). I previously studied for a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography (2:1). I have a keen interest in migration policy, urban regeneration, housing planning, energy,  development, human rights and feminism. I am a native English speaker and an Irish citizen.

I have volunteered with the youth-led mental health charity, Pure Mental NI, since January 2021 and have been actively involved in the scrutinizing and development of education and mental health policies proposed and implemented by the NI Assembly. As part of this role, I have partaken in the development and promotion of policy papers written by the team at Pure Mental and continuous meetings with MLAs, local interest groups and fellow activists. Furthermore, through studying Public Policy at QUB, I have a comprehensive understanding of policy agenda setting, formulation, implementation and evaluation and how real-world issues can be approached through developing public-minded policy. As part of my role within Pure Mental, I regularly consult with external agencies and individuals across sectors and political parties to discuss our interests in mental health and opportunities for collaboration between organisations. As a small, youth-led charity, it is crucial that we maintain positive, cross-community and party links throughout Northern Ireland, to ensure that we can best represent the needs of young people here. Furthermore, by nurturing these links across industries, I have seen the impact that an organisation can have on influencing change at the highest levels of government in Northern Ireland. Most notably, I have worked closely with the Education Authority and CCEA to ensure that mental health resources are included in the national curriculum and easily accessible for schools across Northern Ireland, on behalf of Pure Mental. As part of my undergraduate degree, I was actively involved in pro-bono research and consultation with Belfast City Council researching housing affordability within the Greater Belfast area. This six-month project enhanced my understanding of the myriad of social pressures that affect everyday lives within Northern Ireland, and the fundamental importance of a safe, secure home in which to thrive. This also offered a valuable insight into the complexities of social and economic policy formation and implementation. During the project, I regularly liaised with a mentor from Belfast City Council and consulted with the Strategic Partnerships team, presenting my key findings at the conclusion of my research. To generate contemporary insights into housing affordability, I conducted an online survey to gather opinions and experiences, as well as interviewed key stakeholders such as housing associations, housing advice agencies and academics in the field. 

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Geography (2nd class, 1st division) and a Master’s degree in InternatIonal Public Policy (graduating in December 2022), both from Queen’s University, Belfast.