Emily Cumbaa is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) at the University of Ottawa. Prior to entering law school, Emily worked for the Integrated Legal Services Office (ILSO) of Legal Aid Ontario, primarily in the area of immigration and refugee law. Emily holds a BSocSc in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa and an LLM from the National University of Ireland, Galway, where she received first-class honours for her thesis on the legal implications for small island state populations displaced by climate change. During her BSocSc studies, Emily conducted field research in Kenya regarding access to primary education in marginalized areas such as slums. Emily has held several positions within the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, especially in the West and Central Africa Bureau. Her research contributed to Canada’s strategic policy development with regard to Africa as well as the Virtual Research Network on Africa.