Present Employment
Virginia is a British author, explorer and academic researcher specialising in military and political subjects.
Virginia has always had a sense of adventure. At just 13 years old, she rowed three miles across a shipping lane to discover the island on the other side. From her early teens, she travelled extensively, often enduring harsh conditions to see more of the world than her budget should have allowed. These experiences only fueled her desire to explore further.
Virginia lived in Lao PDR (1997 to 1999) to understand poverty and its causes, and to learn about a culture other than her own. During this time, she lived in remote regions and worked for the United Nations in the capital. With her findings, she wanted to return to the UK and enter politics to assist people out of poverty.
Virginia has a strong interest in the wars in Vietnam and first travelled to Vietnam in 1994. Starting in 2003, she worked with Vietnamese communist veterans, along with US Vietnam War veterans – My Channel.
Present Research and Projects.
- Wars in Vietnam during the 20th Century.
- Defining poverty and the causes, reflecting on culture and politics.
- WWI and WWII through diaries from those who fought.
- Politics in education.
Other Positions Held.
- Property – co-director of Rosemary Gardens Mortlake (Freehold) Limited & Rosemary Gardens, Mortlake (Management) Limited.
- SEND – mild to profound children and adults with disabilities and learning needs, including ADHD, autism and dyslexia.
Qualifications
- Doctorate – Engineering: Fracture Mechanics.
- Master of Science – Advanced Manufacturing.
- Honours Degree – Aeronautical Engineering.
Career Development Qualifications
- Level 3 – Education and Training.
- Level 2 & 3 – Understanding Autism.
- Level 2 – Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties.
Past Employment
- Engineer – director, partner and engineering consultant, Max Fordham LLP, London.
- Politician – National and local politics, leaving in 2014.
- English Consultant – Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), United Nations Development Programme, Ministry of Justice, Lao PDR.
- Academic – writing academic papers and lecturing in engineering, South Bank University, London.
Home Life
Virginia is married with two children. Her husband is fully supportive of her work and travels with her. His interest in the subject of war dates back to when he was in the British Army (Parachute Regiment) from 1979 to 1985 as well as from his trip to Afghanistan in 1985, when he went to Khost as a photographer and lived with the Mujahideen.