Merryn Lagaida is the Communications Officer (Digital Lead) for the Humanitarian Policy Group. She specialises in digital research communications on international development and humanitarian issues, focusing on Southeast Asia.

Before joining ODI, Merryn has had various roles with the University of Sydney, Oxfam Australia, and Indonesian NGO Seknas FITRA. 

Merryn has an undergraduate degree in international and global studies from the University of Sydney in Australia, and currently studies MSc in Poverty Reduction: Policy and Practice with SOAS, University of London. Her research interests include food security in humanitarian crises, cash transfers and sustainable livelihoods.