DCU Alumni Awardee Sorcha Edwards

Sorcha Edwards is General Secretary of Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing providers since 2014. 

After graduating with a degree in Languages from DCU Sorcha, continued her studies with postgraduate qualifications in Business and in European Studies at the University of Ulster and at the University of Leuven.

She began working in housing in 2003 and had roles in Communicating and promoting Social, Co-Operative and Public housing, Policy analysis and influence and project management before being appointed as Deputy Secretary General of Housing Europe in 2009.

Housing Europe’s members manage 25 million homes and deliver over 200,000 new homes and renovations annually. They share a vision of a Europe which provides decent and affordable housing for all in communities which are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable and where everyone is enabled to reach their full potential. 

Under Sorcha’s leadership Housing Europe has become a point of reference for sustainable housing systems in Europe. It’s work coordinates the network for maximum impact in better regulation, better knowledge and better finance for housing in EU and International policy-making.

Having attained a further qualification in Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies from the Centre for Alternative Technology at East London University. Sorcha has also become a leading advocate for housing policies incorporating  a fair energy transition across Europe.

In addition to her work with Housing Europe, she has acted as a researcher and advisor in higher education, sat on the Scientific Committee for World Sustainable Energy Days and is a Director of a Social Housing provider in Brussels.

BA Applied Languages, 1998