Munira Mirza is a writer, researcher and lecturer on issues related to cultural policy and identity. She has recently been appointed by the Mayor of London as Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Industries Policy. Earlier this year she edited the book ‘Culture Vultures: Is UK arts policy damaging the arts?’ and in 2005 she presented the BBC Radio 4 documentary series, ‘The Business of Race’. She has worked for a range of arts and charity organisations, and has taught at the University of Kent and University of East London. She completed her MA in Social Research (2004) and a PhD at the University of Kent, examining developments in UK cultural policy. She is a member of the consultancy team at the London East Research Institute, and a member of the advisory panel for a Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded research project on Muslims and community cohesion in Britain. She is a founding member of the Manifesto club.