Katharine Gun is a founder of the IPI and helps design short courses on the interplay between whistleblowing and human rights. She also shares her practical expertise on many strands of the IPI’s research 

Katharine was a Mandarin-Chinese linguist and analyst at Britain’s GCHQ between 2001 and 2003. In January 2003, she blew the whistle by leaking an NSA memo about US and UK intelligence gathering of UNSC diplomats for the purpose of securing a UN vote to authorise the illegal invasion of Iraq. She was arrested and subsequently charged with breaching the UK Official Secrets Act. These charges were later dropped in 2004.

Katharine was awarded the Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence in 2003. Since then Katharine has worked variously as a Mandarin Chinese teacher and also as an English teacher. She has spent many years as a full-time, stay-at-home mother, spending time between England and Türkiye. 

In 2019, an award-winning film called “Official Secrets” about her whistleblowing was released. 

Katharine now continues to teach Chinese and research and analyse geopolitical issues.

John Y. Jones, Norway, has a background in international development and evaluation work and South-North NGO cooperation, and the United Nations. He is a journalist with the Norwegian quarterly Ny Tid on issues of racism, imperialism, conflict and war. John has initiated and implemented a series of events in support of whistle-blowers in general and Edward Snowden and Julian Assange in particular, along with e.g. Chris Hedges, Ghada Karmi, Haim Bresheeth, Jeremy Corbyn and Daniel Ellsberg. He was also a co-founder of SetJulianFree.org.

Mike Barson is an internationally renowned composer and keyboard player. He is one of the founding members and songwriters of the British ska & pop band Madness from Kentish Town, Northwest London. Madness was one of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s two-tone ska revival, holding the record for the most weeks spent by a group in the UK singles chart during the 1980s with 16 singles reaching the UK top ten. It received the Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for ‘Outstanding Song Collection’ in 2000.

Mike is concerned about the lack of genuine, trustworthy leaders with people’s interests at heart and the resultant state of the world today. Through his work at the IPI, he hopes to help end unnecessary conflicts, wars, and corruption, as well as reduce the power of those who seek to control and spread disingenuous, false narratives which bring negative repercussions to the well-being of the general public and the state of our democracy.

Laura Castell-Fort has a degree in Political Sciences, a Master’s in Political Analysis, a Master’s in International Studies specialising in European Union Law, and is a Postgraduate in International Studies

She has been a Spanish Senator since June 2016 and a Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) since March 2020. 

Senior technician in Tarragona, Department of Education in Catalan Government.

She has also served as an electoral observer in Albania (2017), Azerbaijan (2018), Georgia (2018) for OSCE-ODHIR, as well as in Serbia (2023) and Moldova (2024) for PACE.

George S.-P. Katrougalos is Professor of Public Law at Democritus University of Thrace and former Foreign Minister of Greece (2019). He is now the UN Independent Expert on democratic and equitable international order and Vice-President of the International Association of Constitutional Law.

George has published extensively on comparative constitutional law, law & globalisation and social rights, and has lectured at prominent universities around the world. He has served as a member of the European Parliament, member of the Greek Parliament, President of the Group of Unified Left (2021-2023) and President of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Arab World at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, State Minister for European Affairs, Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity and State Minister for Administrative Reforms of Greece

Iain Munro is a professor of Management at the University of Newcastle. He is engaged in diverse areas of research including ethics, whistleblowing and information warfare. He has written a book, “Information Warfare in Business: Strategies of Control and Resistance”. He is currently editing a book on whistleblowing, which includes first-hand accounts from whistleblowers, human rights lawyers and activists titled, “Perspectives on Whistleblowing”. He has previously worked at the University of Warwick, the University of St Andrews and the University of Innsbruck. He was a co-founder with Deepa Driver of #FreeTheTruth in support of the journalist Julian Assange. He is a member of the editorial boards of several academic journals, Organization Studies and Human Relations, and is an Associate Editor of Organization.

Mohamedou Ould Slahi Houbeini is an internationally acclaimed author, public speaker and advocate for human rights, justice, and reconciliation, inspiring audiences worldwide with his unwavering courage and humanity.

Mohamedou’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience and triumph over injustice. Originally from Mauritania, he has both Arab and African roots but is now based in the Netherlands.

While living and working in Mauritania in 2001, he was unjustly detained, beginning a harrowing 15-year ordeal, including imprisonment in the US base at Guantánamo Bay without charge or trial.

While there, he authored a powerful account of his experience, the “Guantánamo Diary”, later publishing the “restored edition” after his release in 2016.

His story was also adapted into the award-winning Hollywood film “The Mauritanian”, starring Tahar Rahim, Jodie Foster, and Benedict Cumberbatch. He has since published his first novel, “The Actual True Story of Ahmed and Zarga”, and also co-written the theatre production “Yara’s Wedding”.

Mohamedou’s relentless dedication to peace and justice has earned him prestigious accolades, including the Netherlands PAX Peace Prize (Verededuif) in 2022 and The Marco Borradori Prize in 2023.

Valentina Skafar isn’t just a name; it’s a commitment to building a more just and equitable world. As a founding member of the Institute for Public Interest, she brings a wealth of experience and a fiery passion to the fight for media freedom, peace, and human rights. Think of her as a seasoned diplomat with a revolutionary spirit, ready to challenge the status quo and champion progressive change.

Valentina’s journey has taken her from the halls of academia (with a Master’s in European Union Studies and a Bachelor’s in Cultural Studies, giving her a unique lens through which to understand social processes) to the heart of political action. Fluent in Slovenian, Spanish, English, and German (with a working knowledge of several more!), she effortlessly navigates the complexities of international collaboration. Her dedication to democratic processes extends to her experience as an electoral observer, ensuring fair and transparent elections in various contexts.

Her resume reads like a roadmap of progressive activism: advising Members of the European Parliament, shaping policy for diplomatic missions, and guiding political groups in national assemblies. She’s been on the front lines, crafting legislation, organizing campaigns, and advocating for those whose voices are often unheard. A significant part of her work has been focused on Latin America, a region she is deeply passionate about and possesses extensive knowledge of, advocating for its people and their struggles.

But Valentina is more than just a political strategist. She’s a connector, a communicator, and a catalyst for change. Her experience in journalism and public relations gives her a unique ability to cut through the noise and deliver powerful messages that resonate with audiences. And, with her skills in positive psychology, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, she brings a transdisciplinary approach to understanding the world and the human element within it, adding a crucial layer of empathy and insight to her professional endeavors.

Currently, Valentina lends her expertise to the Party of the European Left and Levica (The Left) in Slovenia, solidifying her commitment to building a strong, unified movement for social justice. She understands the intricacies of EU policy, the power of grassroots organizing, and the importance of challenging the capitalist system.

Valentina believes that knowledge is power, and she’s dedicated to sharing her expertise with the world. Whether you’re seeking a seasoned political advisor, a passionate advocate for human rights, or a strategic partner in the fight for a better future, Valentina Skafar is ready to answer the call. She’s not just talking about change; she’s making it happen.