I specialise in in-depth research with people experiencing social disadvantage. My research aims to share voices that are often unheard, increase understanding of lives and experiences, and inform change.

Areas of expertise

  • Homelessness and related issues (including rough sleeping, street drinking and sex-working) 

  • Multiple disadvantage / complex needs

  • Health and social inequalities

  • Mental health and well-being

  • Drug and alcohol issues

  • Empowerment and co-production

  • Systems change 

methods

  • Ethnography and in-depth qualitative research including interviews, focus groups and observations. 

  • Formative and summative evaluations of project processes and outcomes.

  • Participatory action research, helping to facilitate learning, and inform developing programmes. 

  • Surveys and analysis of quantitative data.

  • Supporting organisations to describe and refine theories of change. 

  • Facilitating collaborative workshops.

  • Training and support for community and peer researchers. 

  • Literature reviews. 

  • Writing and editing clear, concise reports with a focus on learning and impact.

my approach

I work collaboratively with project stakeholders to refine research questions, and to select and design the most appropriate research or evaluation methods and tools.

I feed back learning in real time, so that organisations can adapt their programmes in response to emerging findings, and take a ‘no surprises’ approach to evaluation.

I work alongside organisations as a critical friend, supporting them to better meet their aims.

I ensure my methods are asset-based, trauma informed, person-centred and positive experiences for the people I'm conducting the research with and really capture their voices.

I co-produce understandings and recommendations. I discuss emerging findings with participants and project stakeholders, including those with lived experience of the issues being researched, to check, refine and deepen my understanding of the issues and co-produce recommendations.

I communicate my findings through presentations and accessible, engaging reports that focus on sharing learning, good practice and recommendations in order to make a difference. These can include models and theories of change, case studies and quotations, graphs and figures.