News & views - The Churchill Fellowship
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News & views

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Churchill Fellows work on the frontline of today’s crucial issues, developing new solutions based on global research and personal expertise. In this section you can find their latest views and advice, news, activities and events.

To connect with a Fellow, please go to their Profile page. To find related content, click the tag under each item below. To receive regular blogs and news, sign up at the foot of this page.

If you are a Fellow and would like to send us material for this section, please email communications@churchillfellowship.org to discuss what you have in mind.

Blogs & conversations

Protecting the power to question

Through her Fellowship, Daria explored how civic space can remain resilient when people’s ability to question, organise, and participate comes under pressure. Focusing on Central Asia, she examined how critical thinking, art, and positive narratives can help people practise “oppositional muscle” and imagine more open democratic futures. Published to mark International Day of Democracy, the blog reflects on why protecting civic voice matters in the UK and around the world.

By Daria Cybulska, 10 September 2026

News

Recruiting for new Trustees

We have an exciting opportunity to welcome three new Trustees to the Churchill Fellowship Board over the next six months.

Blogs & conversations

Building protection around children with experience of care

Through the first leg of his Fellowship in the USA, Grant Trainer explored what it means to protect and support children with experience of care. Drawing on learning from organisations in Albany, New York City, Brooklyn, and Seattle, he reflects on approaches that place children’s identity, dignity, and relationships at the heart of protection. He is now bringing this learning back to Scotland, where it is shaping his research into policing, care experience, and trauma-informed support, ahead of the next stage of his Fellowship in New Zealand.

By Grant Trainer, 3 September 2026

Fellows' updates

August 2026 Fellows' update: Peter Campbell

Peter Campbell (CF 1999) was awarded the BEM for Services to Gaelic and Scottish Culture The award recognises and celebrates the more than six decades of unwavering service that Peter has given to the Gaelic community in Stirling and beyond.

By Peter Campbell, 31 August 2026

Blogs & conversations

It takes a village: trauma-responsive communities are pivotal to addressing youth violence

Through her Churchill Fellowship, Ruth Oshikanlu explored youth violence as a public health and trauma crisis, rather than simply a criminal justice issue. Travelling to the USA and Australia, she learned from police officers, nurses, teachers, psychologists, community healers, young people, families, and Indigenous Elders about what it takes to build trauma-responsive systems. She is now using this learning to develop a Trauma-Responsive Community Network in her local borough, bringing together those who work with children and young people to create safer, more connected support.

By Ruth Oshikanlu, 27 August 2026

Blogs & conversations

In conversation with Melvin Hartley: Harnessing the power of spontaneous volunteers

We spoke to Melvin Hartley about how his Churchill Fellowship helped him put spontaneous volunteering into practice during the Covid pandemic and beyond. After travelling to the USA to explore how volunteers are organised in response to disasters, Melvin returned to the UK just as lockdown began and used his learning to coordinate community support in Hampshire. His Fellowship also helped shape HYPER (Hampshire Young People’s Emergency Response), showing how older teenagers can play an active role in emergency response.

By Melvin Hartley, 20 August 2026

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