Profile
I have spent more than 25 years working in communications, policy and research in the UK and internationally.
I am a knowledge broker and political sociologist with a background in policy communications, policy research and knowledge translation, that has included leading global programmes for bridging research, policy and practice. My work as a practitioner and researcher has spanned global health, social care, climate change adaptation, disability rights, economic policy and science policy.
Bridging the theory and practice of evidence informed policy
I was formerly the Director of Evidence and Impact at the Institute of Development Studies, Director of the UK Government’s Knowledge for Development and Diplomacy programme and Director of the European Social and Economic Research Council’s (ESRC) and UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office’s (FCDO) Impact Initiative. I now provide independent consultancy services dedicated to empowering research, policy and practice organisations to enhance learning and get evidence into use. I have published numerous papers, reports and blogs on evidence informed policy and practice.
Understanding alignment between scientists on contested policy issues
In 2025 I completed Doctoral research designed to identify epistemic networks and explore the factors, including proximity to government, that may shape these. This was in part driven by the accusation that emerged, that scientists working in close proximity to the UK Government during the first wave of Covid-19 were affected by a form of epistemological groupthink on issues like face mask usage in communities. I therefore decided to explore how scientists and public health experts’ insider to outsider status (their proximity to government) may have related to their alignment on policy advice.
Enhancing knowledge translation & evidence use
I help organisations harness robust evidence and develop effective knowledge translation practices, ensuring critical decisions are informed by evidence and learning. This includes support on: engaged research and knowledge translation; knowledge synthesis for decision-making; science and research communications.
Accompanied organisational learning
I co-design and embed learning that combines external research knowledge and thought leadership with internal expertise, to foster continuous improvement and adaptive thinking, supporting teams to thrive in complex and evolving contexts. This includes designing and delivering: accompanied learning journeys; coaching for evidence use leaders; policy research and organisational capacity assessments.
Strategy Consulting
I partner with clients to develop adaptive organisational strategies and monitoring and evaluation frameworks which align with their mission, organisational culture and resources. This frequently includes: stakeholder analysis and scenario planning; theories of change and strategy frameworks; qualitative and quantitative impact assessment.