About us

Rose Armour

Director

Prior to joining IUCA, Rose worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Kazakhstan. Where she working on climate change projects addressing transboundary water issues in Central Asia from 2023 – 2025.

In 2023, Rose was seconded to COP28 as Head of Climate Education, where she worked closely and advocated for the involvement of higher education institutions at COP. She also served as Head of Sustainability at the American University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates where she oversaw the university’s climate action plan and promoted climate research and initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Rose worked with the Social Innovation Fund in Washington, D.C. and with the U.S. Peace Corps in Fiji, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Iviore. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Botany from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon in the United States.

Nikki Morse

Operations Manager

Having started her career in the education sector in 2004, Nikki has been employed by the University of Reading since 2010. She enjoys creating positive learning environments where people feel supported and confident to succeed and was awarded Fellow status of the Higher Education Academy in 2016 for her contribution to Teaching and Learning.  In 2024, Nikki took on a 12-month secondment opportunity, within Readings Planning and Strategy Office, where she worked as a Strategic Projects Manager on the successful bid for Reading to host the IUCA Secretariat 2026-2028. In January 2026 she moved over to the External Relations Directorate to manage the Secretariat operations.

Nikki holds a BSc in Criminology and Psychological Studies and, outside of work, enjoys crime novel writing and a range of creative hobbies. She is also a devoted nanny to two beautiful grandchildren and a much-loved grand dog.

Amal Bedri

Projects Officer

Amal holds an MSc in Environment, Climate Change and Development from the University of Reading.

Amal brings a multidisciplinary background across international research, programme management, and partnership coordination, with experience working with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the European Union, international organisations, and civil society. She has a strong interest in building and managing partnerships and supporting donor coordination, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

Her interests include climate change, food security, political economy, and knowledge exchange, with a focus on strengthening the translation of research into policy and practice through collaborative global networks.