nicole tumaine

Research Fellow
J.D. / M.A. (International Affairs) Candidate, 2022

Nicole is currently in her second year of a joint J.D./M.A. at the University of Ottawa and the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University, with a concentration in Conflict Analysis and Conflict Resolution. She also holds a B.Soc. in International Development, with a minor in Life Sciences, from the University of Ottawa.

Nicole is passionate about international development issues, especially refugee affairs and international law. Her specific interests are in investigating how refugees leverage their entrepreneurial and innovative characteristics to create community-owned, sustainable solutions to the intersectional issues they face. Leveraging her own experience living as a refugee in Uganda for six years, Nicole conducts research into refugee innovation in African nations for the Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR) network.

Prior to her roles as Research Fellow and Interim Program Manager with Open AIR, Nicole worked with several grassroots organizations. During her undergraduate program, Nicole founded the University of Ottawa chapter of the Nyantende Foundation, a grassroots organization empowering youth in the Democratic Republic of Congo through education; she served as Chapter President for three years, and continues to serve as a Program Officer to the organization. Nicole also has experience working for the United Nations Association in Canada, as well as with organizations and companies in both the charity sector and the private sector.