She is a regular commentator on social issues in the mainstream media. Cottam was educated at Oxford University (Modern History B.A Hons) and Sussex University (M.Phil with Distinction in International Studies) and holds a Doctorate from the Open University in social sciences. Cottam has undertaken post-doctoral study at Harvard and the LSE. She is currently a visiting Professor at UCL. In 2005, Cottam was named UK Designer of the Year with her blueprints that combine elements of architecture and policy for schools, health services, and prisons. In 2007 the World Economic Forum named Cottam as a Young Global Leader in recognition of her work on social change. Her work has been featured in numerous design books (most recently Hello World) and in exhibitions in the UK Design Council, the Smithsonian, and most recently as one of 8 designers feature in the 100 year celebrations of the Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna (MAK). Cottam was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the British welfare state. Cottam is a Visiting Professor at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. UCL is London’s leading multi-disciplinary university. Radical Help  Relational Welfare  Beveridge 4.0 A Tale of Two Witches: re-weaving a social Europe in Europa 28: Visions for the Future of Europe, Comma Press, 2020 https://www.hayfestival.com/europa28/europa28.aspx?skinid=24