Cathy McCann

Protection Consultant

Cathy McCann joined ICORN as a Protection Consultant in April 2022, after more than 25 years at PEN International working to support persecuted writers and promote free expression.

Cathy worked as Asia/MENA Researcher and Campaigner for PEN International from 1998-2015, and as Protection Manager from 2015-2022. She has a deep expertise in protection and advocacy, grounded in individual casework and research primarily in the Asia and MENA regions.

Cathy has been closely involved in supporting PEN’s partnership with ICORN since it was established in 2006, and from 2015-2022 was responsible for managing PEN International’s assessment contract with ICORN, leading a small team of protection officers and specialist regional caseworkers with a global remit.

Cathy has a BA (First Class honours) in English and Related Literature from the University of York (1990). From 1990-92 she taught at Hainan Teacher’s College, P.R. China with the international development organisation Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). She has also studied as a postgraduate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Position: 
PROTECTION CONSULTANT
e-mail: 
cmc@icorn.org