Alina Potts, MPH

Research Scientist

Washington, D.C.

United States, North America

Connect:

Cohort Year:

2025

Bio

Alina Potts is a Research Scientist with the Global Women’s Institute at George Washington University. She uses participatory, feminist methods to address gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian settings. Alina leads the “Empowered Aid” initiative to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in aid settings, and works with women-led organizations to advance mental health and psychosocial support for GBV survivors.

Previously, Alina coordinated violence prevention research at UNICEF and Columbia University. As an aid worker, she led GBV programming for the IRC for over a decade in Bangladesh (Cox’s Bazar), Lebanon, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya (Dadaab), and Sudan (Darfur). Her experience in forced migration extends to US refugee resettlement and European asylum advocacy.

Alina holds a BA in Anthropology & International Development, Boston University and a MPH in Forced Migration & Health, Columbia University, where she teaches a graduate class on GBV in complex emergencies.

Professional Interests & Expertise

Disaster and Crisis Management,Gender Equity,Human Rights,Immigrant and Refugee Health,Mental and Behavioral Health

Organization

The Global Women’s Institute at the George Washington University