Say hello to our newest team members Polo, Polly and Gus! Not only do these three bring interesting skillsets and life experiences to our team, but they’re also part of a phase of change and growth for MosaicLab.
Polo is our newest support facilitator and a Bachelor of Psychology student, Polly is our first team member to be based in NSW and Gus is taking on coordination of participant recruitment - a newly formed position that supports our delivery of deliberative processes.
Polo has been with us for six months so some of you may have already had the pleasure of seeing him in action already. Polly and Gus are relatively new, having joined us just a few weeks ago. Both come to us with previous experience in the deliberative democracy field including former roles linked to the newDemocracy Foundation.
All three have hit the ground running, and are supporting delivery of a number of our projects as we head into a very productive panel season.
Which of the three is a food expert? Who could give a presentation on Harry Potter? Who’s hoping to have dinner with David Attenborough and discuss animal society? Let’s dive in and find out as we get to know this dynamic trio through their answers to our Fast Five questions!
meet POLLY CAMERON
senior facilitator
Drawing on nearly five years of experience in deliberation and over a decade as a facilitator across various sectors, Polly brings a wealth of experience to the team. She also has a diverse academic background, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Certificate IV in Business, and a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship, along with several facilitation certifications.
Read more in Polly’s bio.
“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the impact of empowering people to have a meaningful say in the decisions that affect them.”
Meet POLO Jimenez-Vasquez
FACILITATOR
Prior to joining MosaicLab, Polo worked on electoral democracy projects at the Victorian Electoral Commission, where he honed his communication and engagement skills. His previous experience in customer service further strengthened his ability to connect with people. Now, as he completes a Bachelor of Psychology, Polo is deepening his understanding of and empathy for diverse perspectives.
Read more in Polo’s bio.
“I find it very fulfilling to facilitate in an environment where people feel appreciated and know that they are genuinely being heard.”
meet Gus RICHARDSON
participant recruitment coordinator
Gus is officially the newest member of the team, having started just one day after Polly! Gus manages random, stratified participant recruitment for MosaicLab’s deliberative engagement projects. His role will also focus on recruitment systems and process improvement, data management and research integration. Gus holds a Master of Political Science (Advanced) from ANU and previously interned at the newDemocracy Foundation., researching deliberation's role in AI-risk and alignment.
Read more in Gus’ bio.
“What energises me is collaborating with a dynamic team on exciting projects. There’s something about seeing collective effort have a tangible impact that really gets me pumped.”
POLO, Polly & GUS ANSWER ‘THE FAST FIVE’
1. What impact do you think deliberative engagement can have on the world?
Polo - I believe that giving people an opportunity to meaningfully contribute and be part of a transparent process is a crucial step to restore and repair public trust in our institutions. Bringing together a representative group of people to collaborate and discuss outcomes with no agenda other than the best interests of their community can significantly strengthen their sense of belonging and pride.
Polly - It could (read: will) change a lot. It helps create long-term decision making, it brings people together and improves social cohesion, it strengthens people's critical thinking and reduces the impact of dis/misinformation. In short, done well, it will fundamentally improve our society.
Gus - Deliberative engagement has the potential to be transformative! By fostering open, thoughtful dialogue, it encourages diverse perspectives and drives collective problem-solving. This approach can lead to more inclusive and well-rounded decisions, bridging gaps between different communities and creating more equitable solutions to complex issues.
It’s all about empowering people to be part of the solution and making sure every voice is heard, which can truly make a difference on all scales, whether it be local or global.
2. How do you like to start and end your day?
Polo - To start the day, I like looking at the weather app and seeing what surprises Melbourne has in store for me. Ending the day with journalling - getting all my thoughts out of my head and on to paper helps me get to bed with a clear mind.
Polly - I start the day ideally slowly, with a 20 minute meditation and a good cup of tea and I love relaxing with a good book at night.
Gus - I love starting my day with a bit of quiet reflection, usually via a short walk to get coffee. It helps me to focus and energise for the day ahead. Ending the day, I enjoy unwinding by playing basketball or catching up with friends and family.
3. What topic could you give a detailed presentation about with little or no preparation?
Polo - I feel like I could give a 15 minute presentation about food. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Polly - My crazy Jewish family, the entire Harry Potter world and how to make a perfect cup of tea.
Gus - I have had a fascination with the work of Jurgen Habermas and have spent many hours studying his stuff! I reckon I could give a presentation about his work with little prep... not sure how good it would be though!
4. What energises you at work?
Polo - One of my 50+ hyper-curated playlists to suit whatever niche mood I happen to be in.
Polly - My unbelievably kind and thoughtful colleagues. Plus my answer to question 1.
Gus - What energises me is collaborating with a dynamic team on exciting projects. There’s something about seeing collective effort have a tangible impact that really gets me pumped.
5. Which three people would you love to have over for dinner?
Polo - Nigella Lawson, Jon Ronson, and Pedro Almodovar. Nigella could not only cook an incredible feast, but she’s also hilarious and effortlessly entertaining. Jon Ronson has an enviable ability get people talking about super complex topics with ease and Almodovar has such a unique mind - I would love to hear what he thinks about all kinds of movies.
Polly - Stephen Fry, Tim Minchin & Zadie Smith. (Why, do you have connections!?!?)
Hearing Stephen's dulcet tones (his narration of the Harry Potter books is one of the best gifts of our time) always makes me happy. Couple that with his encyclopaedic knowledge, his rambunctious nature (one assumes) and I can't think of a more entertaining dinner guest with depth.
I also have so much admiration for Tim Minchin. Not only is his work entertaining and witty but he's a deep thinker with, from what I can tell, an enormous amount of integrity. Plus, I think I'd learn more about science in this company, which would be welcome!
Zadie Smith is an absolute heroine of mine. Her writing is searing and insightful, but she also comes across as a little bit mischievous in her interview (there might be a theme with my three guests!) that I love.
Gus - Gotta be David Attenborough, Hannah Arendt and Barack Obama. The conversation between the three, I'd imagine, would probably lead to a fascinating exploration of human and animal societies, governance and possibly even leading to some environmental solutions our world needs to be aired. I could just sit there and listen, it'd be great.
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