Maria Carmen (Ica) Fernandez is a development professional and researcher working with spatial data for decision-making in transitional and post-crisis situations. As a consultant and evaluator for various international development organisations, national agencies, local governments, and civil society networks, her work has supported the Philippine peace processes, generally focusing on addressing the root causes of violence, supporting citizen power, and increasing social cohesion.
She holds an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines Diliman and an MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration from the University of Cambridge. Ica is currently a British Council-DOST Newton Agham PhD scholar at the University of Cambridge studying the relationship between protracted internal displacement and land governance.