After completing a BA in Geography and Archaeology at Manchester University, Philippa went on to receive an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies.

In 2000 she moved to New Delhi where she worked as Editor for the international NGO, Global March Against Child Labour and as Researcher for documentary on bonded labour in India. She later went on to work in the Child Protection unit of UNICEF South Asia where she focused on child trafficking. In 2002 Philippa moved to Ethiopia where worked as part of a human rights team of the United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Philippa also has experience working as an Anti-Trafficking Programmes Coordinator at the International Organisation for Migration and as an anti-human trafficking consultant for the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Before starting her work at ICT in October 2006, Philippa gained two years of UK office based experience as the Fundraising and Publications Coordinator for the international network, Women Living Under Muslim Laws in London.