Saphia studied BA Politics, Biological Sciences and Arabic at the University of Exeter. Here, she gained insight into the importance of interdisciplinary analysis of global political and developmental trends. She also holds an MSc in Global Governance, where she focused on international human rights law, post-conflict human rights, transitional justice, state-building after civil-war and international security. Her independent research has focussed on the application and historical spread of capital punishment, which has culminated in a paper entitled ‘Constitutional Diffusion and Capital Punishment Provisions in Sub-Saharan African Constitutions’. Saphia has held positions in the UK Civil Service since graduation and currently leads on policy for a youth-centred charity that works with children and young people who have been the victims of violence and exploitation.