Bio
Zuzana (Zuzka) Zilkova is currently working toward a PhD at Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse, where she studies the relational aspects of change away from abuse. Alongside being involved in violence prevention since 2011, she has worked at the intersection of tech and research for Microsoft and with Unilever and GlaxoSmithKline. She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on pro-social behavior change.
As part of her Capstone, she served as the first Assistant Director of Public Initiatives for Philip Zimbardo's Heroic Imagination Project, creating an online intervention to help the public intervene in service to others or a cause. Additionally, she designed and delivered the course "Strong Kindness: Skillful Responses to Behavior" for Riane Eisler's Center for Partnership Studies, and holds a Certificate in Dialogue and Civic Engagement from the Wosk Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC.
Zuzka loves approaches to research that focus on trying and doing as methods, applying solutions-focus and knowledge of systems dynamics to social problem strategy, using visual models for meaning-making, and learning-out-loud engagement as research.
Smart, upbeat, and solutions-focused, her strategy consulting and thought partnership helps violence prevention leaders and organizations get unstuck, make the most of opportunities, and optimize interventions and programs.
