The British Institute of Global Affairs aims to shape new conversations about the UK, its future, and its place in the world through research, discussion, commentary and insights. See below to find out more about our team.
Founder
Alastair Nicol is the founder of the British Institute of Global Affairs. He has previously worked at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at their Mission in Kosovo and currently acts as an Advisor to CogitoPraxis, a boutique consultancy focused on developing public-private resilience. Alastair is the 2026 UK Youth Delegate to the G20 (Y20) for Fragility, Conflict and Security, through which he advocates and represents British youth interests in the realm of security.
Alastair holds a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the University of St Andrews, a First-class BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bath, and a Summa Cum Laude distinction from Sciences Po during his Erasmus year. Alongside his native English, Alastair speaks basic French and is currently learning Russian.
Director of Research
Britt Flanderijn is Director of Research at BIGA. A Dutch national, she specialises in international security, particularly (nuclear) non-proliferation, disarmament, and post-conflict stabilisation. She holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bath and an MSc in International Relations (Research) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Britt has worked across parliamentary and multilateral settings, including the House of Lords, the EU Delegation in Vienna to the International Organisations, and the United Nations in New York, focusing on the disarmament and reintegration of armed groups in the Middle East and Africa.
At BIGA, Britt leads our long-term research programme examining various challenges facing Britain at home and abroad.
Director of Partnerships
Jake Southerland is the Director of Partnerships at BIGA. Originally from the US, he’s passionate about military strategy, transatlantic defense, European security, and global space governance. In addition to acquiring an M.A. in International Relations from Leiden University (NL), he holds a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Georgia (USA). Alongside his role at BIGA, he writes articles and provides organisational assistance for other fellow startup organizations, namely Euro Prospects, Geopol Report, and Youth Security Europe. While currently involved in the startup world, Jake is looking to take his first step in his professional career – whether that means becoming an officer in the US military or becoming a leading foreign affairs analyst for a think tank in Washington, Brussels, or beyond.
Director of Outreach
Hey—I’m John McCabe, Director of Commentary at BIGA. I studied International Relations with hopes of doing some good in the world, and I write often on security, strategy, and the dynamics of conflict and cooperation. Outside work, you’ll find me weightlifting, playing chess, or just trying something new. Why not submit something for us?
Director of the Eastern Europe Programme
Kateryna Shtepa is the Director of the Eastern Europe Programme, political analyst. Kateryna specialises in interstate relations in Europe, domestic political dynamics in Belarus and Russia, socio-political developments in Ukraine, and the broader security sector. Her professional expertise encompasses policy brief preparation, political and economic risk mapping, and medium-term forecasting grounded in systematic analysis of emerging trends and structural patterns. Particular analytical focus has been developed in the areas of food security and sanctions policy.
Kateryna is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and German. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American and European Studies and a Master’s degree in Political Science. Since 2024, she has been a member of the Ukrainian Foreign Policy Association. Author of numerous academic publications and political observations, Kateryna regularly contributes to expert discussions on regional security and geopolitical transformation.
Eastern Europe Programme Officer
Evan Trost is a Programme Officer for the Eastern Europe Programme and is originally from Washington D.C. His past research has investigated the intentions and origins of multilateral alliances across Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. His current projects with BIGA focus on studying loopholes in international sanctions as it relates to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
He is currently pursuing a BA in International Relations and Russian studies from the College of William & Mary and has aspirations to attend law school upon graduation. Evan’s previous experience has seen him involved in a diversity of experiences, including work in state legislatures, international nonprofits, and research labs.