who we are

Celia Atherton - Director Celia is responsible for the overall strategic direction, finances and management of research in practice liaises with the Chief Executive of Dartington Hall Trust (our 'home'), the ADCS and our Management Board represents research in practice on national boards and at national events

'I am a trained social worker and practiced in Birmingham and a number of London boroughs until the early 1980s. I then joined Family Rights Group, a voluntary organisation dedicated to encouraging professionals and families to work more closely together to improve outcomes for their children. Between 1981 and 1996 I held the posts of social work advisor and co-director. In 1996 I moved to Dartington to set up research in practice as its first director. It has grown very considerably since then and I remain committed and enthusiastic about our role in building a strong research knowledge base with all those helping to improve outcomes for children and families.
I was proud to accept an OBE in the 2007 New Year's Honours for research in practice's work to improve outcomes for children and families through better use of research evidence.'

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Susannah Bowyer - Research Officer Susannah developed and produces the Prompts service maintains the Evidencebank is regional lead for the partner agencies in the south west develops and maintains the research resources section of the website Susannah works Monday-Thursday

'I joined research in practice in May 2006. I completed a doctorate in Social Anthropology at Manchester University in 2005 and have taught at Manchester, University College Dublin and most recently in Sociology and Social Research Methods at the University of Plymouth. I've worked freelance doing social research, most recently evaluating a pathfinder multi-agency service for children with disabilities at Torbay Council.'

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Lindy Brown - Assistant Director Lindy is responsible for the strategic development of education-focused work undertaken by research in practice manages the work of all policy staff at the Dartington office manages all Change Project work undertaken by research in practice acts as regional lead for Partner agencies in South East England

‘I joined research in practice in January 2007 – I am social work trained and have direct experience of the positive impact that research in practice has, whilst working as an operations manager in Torbay.
I have substantial experience in the field of Child Protection, and I have worked for both Statutory and Voluntary organisations, both as a practitioner and manager. I also worked for two years as the Domestic Violence Co-ordinator for Plymouth City developing their Domestic Violence Strategy. Most recently I have also worked for CAFCASS. I have a particular interest in using my previous experience in education-related work to continue research in practice's commitment to working with all those rolling out the Every Child Matters agenda.’

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Sam Bruce - Publications Manager Sam manages research in practice publications, including: Commissioning authors Managing production and distribution Maintaining and developing corporate branding and house style Marketing and evaluation

'I began my year with research in practice in October 2007, and am really enjoying the role. I trained as a magazine journalist, and have worked for a range of publications including editing a weekly newspaper for small businesses. I have also worked in special publications, seeing through the production of one-off titles and have had editorial work published nationally. This post is a challenging mix of everything, and I am looking forward to all the projects planned for 2008.'

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Greg Caldock - Website Manager Greg is responsible for managing the research in practice website, by: maintaining the functioning and delivery of the website researching and implementing new web technologies ensuring the accessibility of the website and web based information supporting use of the website to new and existing users

'I joined research in practice in October 2007 having previously worked for a local authority providing IT solutions to managing a PFI contract. I have a background in quality management, product development and IT in the coatings industry.'

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Elizabeth Cooke - Knowledge Manager Elizabeth is the regional lead for the Wales College as well as South East Region A and London Region B she leads on the Leadership for Evidence-Informed Practice Change Project and a development project for the Wales College organises conferences and facilitates some Learning Events maintains responsibility for certain pages on the website provides an information service for colleagues and a library resource

'I have a background as a Research and Information Officer in a local authority and as a University lecturer. I have also worked as a childcare social worker and in training and development. Working with research in practice provides the opportunity for me to develop my interest in the implementation of research in both practice and policy making.'

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Linda Farquhar - Clerical Assistant Provide reception services for research in practice Maintain publication stock and processing sales Order and maintain stationery and equipment supplies Provide admin support to our policy staff as part of the administration team Assist with events administration Maintain and update the Library collection

'I have worked in Primary Education for 17 years in various clerical roles. Whilst there I held the role of Staff Governor. More recently I have enjoyed working at Dartington Hall as part of their conference department. '

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Yvonne Foord - Office Manager Yvonne is responsible for the efficient running of the research in practice office at Dartington, including management of the buildings and facilities HR administration management of the financial systems quality assurance administration performance management information collection overall administrative support to policy staff

'I joined research in practice in July 2007. My background is in manufacturing within the medical device industry, and I have over fifteen years management experience.'

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Deborah Fox - PA to the Director Deborah is PA to our Director Celia Atherton manages potential-Partner enquiries, contracts and finances

'I joined research in practice in May 2006 as PA to the Director.  I moved to the South Hams as a child and have continued to live in this beautiful part of the country every since. Prior to this appointment I worked for 11 years providing administrative support within primary school education, supporting both Headteachers and governing bodies.'

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Lisa Keay - Research Officer Lisa has overall responsibility for the following sections of the website: Research and Policy Updates Register of Researchers Research resources She also contributes summaries to the EvidenceBank

I joined research in practice in May 2003 after completing a single-service evaluation project for Plymouth Social Services. I completed my doctorate in 2001 and lectured in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham between 1997-2000. Since joining research in practice I have enjoyed the process of sharing research knowledge with the practice world. I have also developed a keen academic interest in the methodological issues surrounding social care research.

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Sal Lodge - Development Officer Sal is the regional lead for the London & Greater London Partner agencies She manages and oversees the development and maintenance of the website leads on the NIFTY evaluation Change Project and the Partnership working on the front-line Change Project facilitates some Learning Events produces our quarterly NetWork newsletter and organises the annual Directors' Policy Forum

'My most recent background is in the voluntary sector - co-ordinating a project to support women experiencing domestic violence and working in a multi-agency capacity to encourage the provision of services for those women and children. Previous to that I worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work after completing a Masters Degree in Women's Studies.'

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Lesley Richardson - Publications Manager Lesley is currently on maternity leave

'My background is in publications, marketing communications and public relations, primarily in higher education. I managed alumni (former students) relations and publications at City University, London, for eight years; spent three years working with commercial clients at a California public relations consultancy; and worked with publications and public relations for a private college in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for four years. I recently completed a fine art degree with the University of Plymouth Faculty of Arts in Exeter.'

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Christina Walker - Publications Manager Christina is currently on maternity leave

'I joined research in practice in April 2007.  My background is in scientific publishing, having studied Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at Warwick University.  I've worked on academic books, journals and encyclopedias covering a diverse range from cognitive science to chemical physics.  I'm looking forward to helping ensure that research in practice's work continues to help practitioners make the best use of research by keeping our publications interesting, responsive and timely.'

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Vicky Cox - Events Administrator and PA to the Assistant Director in Sheffield Vicky is responsible (with Sarah Howson) for the day-to-day management of our Learning Events Programme including on-site event support where necessary responsible for 2 of our National Events and any additional events that may occur supervises the Events Assistant organises bookings maintains and develops the database and leads on communication with facilitators and speakers is PA to Colleen Eccles

'Originally from Wareham in Dorset, I decided to make Sheffield my home after completing a degree in Tourism Management. Before joining research in practice my work experience included time at an events management company and working abroad independently and for tour operators. I am currently doing a job-share with Sarah Howson.'

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Colleen Eccles - Assistant Director Colleen manages the Sheffield research in practice team she is the regional lead for the North West and North East regions, Yorkshire and Humberside and East Midlands region's Partner agencies leads on the Research Evidence in Court development project

'I joined research in practice in March 2002 based in Sheffield. My career in community development and regeneration has led me through project management posts in housing, drug prevention, intermediate labour market and community capacity building. I have an academic background in Sociology and have a postgraduate degree in Housing Administration.'

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Sarah Howson - Events Administrator (P/T) Sarah is responsible (with Vicky Cox) for the day-to-day management of our Learning Events Programme including on-site event support where necessary responsible for 2 of our National Events and any additional events that may occur supervises the Events Assistant organises bookings maintains and develops the database and leads on communication with facilitators and speakers

'Originally from Newark near Nottingham, I've settled in Sheffield following attending University here. I joined research in practice in June 2002 as the Events Administrator based in the Sheffield Office responsible for the Learning Events Programme. Before joining research in practice I worked for an Event Management Company in Sheffield, organising conferences and accommodation, along with on-site event management. I share this work with Vicky Cox'

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Sarah Judd - Research Officer Sarah is the regional lead for the West Midlands region Partner agencies she has responsibility for developing stronger links with the research community identifyies areas where research in practice can collaborate with researchers to fill gaps in knowledge identified by practitioners and identifies pockets of excellence within the research community and seeks to match and use these areas in our Learning Events Programme

I joined research in practice in July 2007 as the Research Officer at the Sheffield office. Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, I settled in Sheffield after completing an MA in Historical Research. Although my background is in History, I have done a lot of work on research skills and methodologies. Working with research in practice gives me the opportunity to apply these skills to the more practical field of children and families.

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Laura Lashmar - Communications Assistant Laura specialises in information production, Evidence Stories, wall planners and the Link Officer Pack Networking opportunities to highlight the work we do in the Northern areas

'I have worked for research in practice since 2002 and been a part of an evolving and organic organisation. The 10th birthday celebrations were a real highlight and a great opportunity to see all that has been achieved in that time. My academic background is in Political Studies here at the University of Sheffield and I have also worked in the IT industry.'

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Geoff Owen - Learning Development Officer (e-learning) Responsible for the development of the research in practice e-learning provision. Regional lead for Yorkshire and Humber, North East and Eastern.

I joined research in practice in July 2007 having previously worked for The Sheffield College and Sheffield PCT as an IT Trainer. I have also worked in Barcelona and Paris and studied Modern Languages with Marketing at University. I am currently working towards a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education.

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Deborah Page - Administrator Deborah has responsibility for administrative support for the Sheffield research in practice office managing finance, personnel and the general running of the office.

'I have a social science background and for ten years was administrator for the Families and Welfare Programme of applied research in the department of Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield. I have been administrator of research in practice in the Sheffield office since its inception here in 1998'

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Marine Percival - Clerical Assistant Marine assists Vicky and Sarah with the running of the events programme Assists with the collation and analysis of data from event evaluation forms Supports Deborah in the administration of routine finance.

A translator by training, I have worked both in England and France over the years before settling in Sheffield. Prior to joining research in practice in April 2005, I worked for the French Local Education Authority in Brittany, first as an administrator then as a PA.

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Katherine Taylor - Learning Development Officer (Learning Events) Katherine is the regional lead for the East Midlands region Partner agencies she has responsibility for developing and managing the Learning Events Programme identifying areas of topical research and speakers and facilitators to deliver the Learning Events Programme also identifying new approaches to learning which can be built into research in practice's programme of Learning Events

'I joined research in practice in July 2007. I have a Masters Degree in Librarianship and my recent background has been in health, working for the NHS in Rotherham supporting a culture of evidence-based practice within the local Primary Care Trust. Whilst in this role I ran a project piloting evidence-informed practice training with social care practitioners across South Yorkshire. At research in practice I'm responsible for developing the Learning Events Programme and I'm looking forward to developing events that continue to be dynamic and reflective of our partner agencies interests and needs.'

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Dorothy Wragg - Events Assistant Dorothy assists Sarah and Vicky with events administration including on-site support where necessary in-putting data into the database assists with mailouts, travel arrangements for staff and facilitators, book & stationery ordering and office administration

'Prior to joining research in practice I worked as a P.A./Administrator for several companies in the private sector in Sheffield. I am delighted to work in the research in practice team as it is rewarding to be involved in the organisation of events, which support staff working with vulnerable children and families. I help to organise the various workshops, symposia and modules and support Deborah Page with administration and other secretarial tasks in the Sheffield office.'

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