I’m so excited to share with you that my first book, The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector, was officially published by Routledge yesterday! After these many years of researching stress and burnout, and the working cultures of the aid sector, I’m really proud that my work is finally out there.
It also feels very strange. To share something that has meant so much to me for so long, and to put myself up for public scrutiny – not knowing what the response will be. As well as having my cheerleaders, I’m likely also to have my detractors – particularly when it comes to work on feminism and anti-racism.
And writing and publishing this book during a pandemic, in the midst of so much turmoil and suffering, brings an extra layer of conflicting emotions: wondering how this work fits in, what its relevance is, in a period of such monumental crisis.
In spite of all of this, I will still share this book with the world. Because this is part of what its title implies: we let down our armour, release our masks, break down walls, when we dare to be vulnerable. And this has huge, transformative potential for collective healing and growth, and greater human connection; whether you are a humanitarian, activist, or simply committed to creating a fairer, more inclusive, more loving world.
I have some resources to share, and a special offer, as part of my book being published.
First of all, if you would like a 20% discount on the book, please message me using the contact form, and I will send you a special discount code which you can use when purchasing the book via the Routledge website.
Secondly, you can find out more about the book and my approach to self- and collective care, and systemic change in aid organisations, by watching this video below – which was part of the CHS Alliance’s Global Gathering in May (Living Our Values: Care, Culture and Power in Aid).
And lastly, in the next week or two you’ll be able to listen to my conversation with Torrey Peace on her Aid for Aid Workers Leadership podcast! Check here for further details, and subscribe to her podcast.
I would love to hear how you get on with The Vulnerable Humanitarian, what resonates with you and maybe also where you feel discomfort – some of the book’s themes can be confronting at times, and there is a lot in there to explore and reflect upon.
And, if you engage a lot with social media, I would also really love for you to post a picture of yourself with the book, and the hashtag #TheVulnerableHumanitarian. As much as I find this sort of publicity hard to do, and hard to request from others, it is also part and parcel of ensuring the work of us authors gets out there widely.
But most of all – a big thank you for all the interest, support and encouragement I have received over the last few years as this book has slowly but surely been birthed. It means a huge amount to know that The Vulnerable Humanitarian will be of practical value, and support to people in my sector and beyond it. Thank you!