Dr. Alice Mpofu-Coles is a researcher, social justice advocate, activist, author, and public speaker. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Reading, focusing on community engagement in research and inclusive research practices. Her work uses Participatory Action Research to address inequalities in poverty, education, racial disparities, immigration, and community wellbeing, amplifying the voices of those often unheard or marginalised to shape policies and services.She also explores identity and intergenerational activities for young immigrants in the UK
Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles serves as the current Mayor of Reading, the Local Councillor for Whitley Ward, and has held numerous voluntary roles, including as a trustee and Ambassador for City of Sanctuary, and as Vice-Chair of the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE). She has volunteered with the Refugee Support Group for over 20 years and contributed to international refugee initiatives.
A former diplomat in Serbia and Mozambique, Alice holds a PhD in Human Geography, an MA in International Relations, and a BA in Social Work, with additional training in Forced Migration at Oxford University. She has received numerous awards for community service, race equality, and humanitarian work, local, national and international, including the Reading Refugee Support Group Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (2019) and an honorary Master’s degree from the Open University in 2014. In 2025, a USA organisation named her as one of 84 Leading Women to Watch™ globally.
Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles is the author of Dear God from Your Poached Egg Breast, chronicling her journey with breast cancer. She produced a research book on Oxford Road, Reading, and is currently writing a monograph on the Identity of Young Immigrants. A mother of two adult beautiful daughters, she says her Christian faith grounds her, as do meditation, yoga, travel, reading, cooking, and music. Her resilience, creativity, and dedication to social justice continue to inspire communities locally, nationally and globally.
It is Refugee Support Group’s honour to highlight Dr. Alice Mpofu-Coles for International Women’s Day!
