Amanda Schmid-Scott

Amanda is an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow at Newcastle University, exploring the intersections between bureaucracy and violence in the context of Britain's asylum system. Her project "Reimagining Violence: bureaucracy, destitution and imminent force in the UK's asylum system" examines the key sites and practices which constitute Britain's asylum policy, looking in particular at the mandatory requirement of Home Office reporting, and engages with feminist theories of violence and resistance to examine how these administrative sites operate, as well as the modes of resistance migrants engage in.

Amanda previously worked as a Research Associate on the project 'Hidden Narratives on Transnational Organised Crime in West Africa', at Bristol University.

Amanda studied a PhD in Human Geography at the University of Exeter (2015-2021). Alongside her PhD, Amanda also worked as a Research Assistant on a European Council funded project, exploring the disparities for migrants across Europe in accessing justice within asylum appeal hearings. She is coauthor on a report entitled Experiencing Asylum Appeals: 34 Ways to Improve Access to Justice at the First Tier Tribunal, published by the Public Law Project.

Amanda previously worked as a researcher and communications manager for a research design consultancy in Addis Ababa. This role involved conducting research in post-conflict and displaced communities across East Africa for government agencies and NGOs including UNHCR, Mercy Corps and Samaritan's Purse. She also has a background in documentary film, and spent 3 years working for Mosaic Films in London. Their animated documentary series 'Seeking Refuge' (BBC2) explored the difficult experiences young refugees face upon arrival to the UK, and went on to win a Children's BAFTA award and has been screened at Human Rights Film Festivals worldwide. She also holds an MA in Anthropology from Goldsmiths, University of London (2010-2012).