A Leeds local, trained teacher and researcher, Ellen-Ayesha moved to Scotland where she received her MA in Anthropology and International Relations. Then came Denmark where she taught English to adults, worked in the community space and further studied Anthropology at Lund University.
She co-founded a research platform focused on access to the Danish Film Industry (for those excluded from it) after working personally with this for years. Tied to this, she has expertise in fiction script consultancy and documentary research.
An advocate for open-access research, she likes exploring questions such as 'who is research for?', pushing against the hierarchies knowledge takes and believes that all ways of knowing, sensing and becoming are significant and hold power (the stories from our elders, music, dance, poetry).
South Asian dance and music informs much of her identity and she loves connecting with people of all ages, reflecting on the different journeys our lives take and the creative spirit we all carry within us. She is passionate about building together with people in Leeds to ensure everyone has the right to express themselves creatively.
In her spare time you will find her looking after roses, reading with kids and borrowing books from the library.
