Susanna holds an M.Res in Public Policy (Merit) from the University of Glasgow and BA (Hons) European Studies and French from the University of Manchester. She spent a year at l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Lyon in France studying political sciences and gaining a Certificat d'Etudes Politiques.

Formerly Susanna worked as an Executive Assistant in a business lobby group representing private sector interests in North West England.

Her research interests include labour markets, governance, economic development, European studies and international development.