Fran began her career volunteering for a UK conservation charity, working with schools and residents to develop green spaces for wildlife in London. Following a role as Expedition Leader for a rainforest biodiversity project in the Philippines, Fran developed her interest in community-based resource management and development through an MA Environment Development and Policy at Sussex. 

 Fran’s work turned to climate change adaptation, delivering the UKs first community-based adaptation action plan in West Sussex, before returning to the Philippines where she led participatory research with children and communities on disaster risk reduction. 

In 2009 Fran joined the Institute of Development Studies, conducting research on climate, disasters, and development.  From 2012 Fran led work on equitable research partnerships and research impact, joining the University of Brighton in 2018 where she is Research Impact Manager.