Alina Potts

Alina Potts is Lead Research Scientist with the Global Women’s Institute at George Washington University. Her work centers crisis-affected women and girls in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian settings. She is Principal Investigator of Empowered Aid, which uses participatory action research to improve prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse; and led a Delphi study on survivor-centered mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergencies. Previously, Alina coordinated violence prevention research at UNICEF, and led GBV response programs with the International Rescue Committee in Sudan, Kenya, DR Congo, Lebanon, and Syria. Her experience supporting survivors extends to US refugee resettlement, European asylum advocacy (ECRE); and documenting grave violations during conflicts in CAR, Palestine, and Nepal. She is completing a PhD in Health Sciences at Bangor University and holds a MPH from Columbia University and a BA from Boston University. Alina teaches graduate classes on GBV in emergencies at Columbia University.