Name: Sophia Skyers

Occupation: Policy Analyst

Education and Qualifications:
· 5 0 levels
· 2 A levels - Biology and English
· 2.1 degree BA American Studies, Arts and Sociology.
· Scholarship to Keel University, Canada.
· Fellowship in Arts History.
· MBA at Brunei University.
· City and Guilds- 5 modules of Photography and Architecture.

Ethnic Background:
British born with Jamaican parents.

The most important moments in your career:
She didn’t like the idea of working for local government for the rest of her life. She was working for Hackney and Croydon Council looking at how different taxes affect people in the community. So she got into a job, which affects the local community in a more direct way, like policy research.

The people that influenced me:
· Parents who came here from Jamaica and had to work very hard in the face of blatant racism.
· Careers teacher who told her she wouldn"t succeed.
· Biology teacher who encouraged her to get a good education and move on in life.

Other interesting facts:
· She disagrees with the idea of top.up fees and believes that working people like her should pay more.
· She is a very keen biker.
· Published article in the International Journal Of Urban and Regional Research.
· Currently doing her PhD at the London School Of Economics.

Interview carried out by:
Arshad Ahmed and Perry Mabbut.
Interview written out by: Arshad Ahmed