Alice Mary Higgins was elected an independent Senator to Seanad Éireann in 2016. She is leader of the Civil Engagement Group in Seanad Éireann, a group of independent Senators with backgrounds in the NGO sector and civil society and is committed to bringing the voice of civil society into the Seanad chamber.  Previously Alice Mary worked in a number of civil society organisations and has over two decades of experience in policy, strategy and advocacy across the areas of equality, international development and social inclusion. She is currently exploring how to strengthen democracy in Europe along with working for Seanad Reform and citizens data protection in Ireland.