who we are

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

'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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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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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 leads on our work in Wales and our partnership with the 22 authorities in Wales she co-led on our Leadership and Evidence-Informed Practice project and is currently working on our new Handbook on educational engagement produces the annual audio CD series, incorporating research, policy and practice on chosen topics organizes our annual conference event for Councillors and Trustees provides an information service for colleagues provides advice, consultancy and support to our Partners in the south-east and London

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 Co-ordinator 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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Louise Hagan - C4EO Events Co-ordinator I joined C4EO in August 2008 and co-ordinate the Knowledge Workshops and Progression Events for C4EO taking place in London, the East Midlands and West Midlands regions, taking a lead role within our Early Years theme. The role includes: pre-event organisation – sourcing venues and dealing with delegate bookings on-site event management - attending and providing assistance for the event collating post event feedback database management

I previously worked for the Rural Business School, Duchy College as a Marketing and PR Co-ordinator. Within this role I promoted and helped coordinate the events for the delivery of the Vocational Training Scheme and organised attendance at many local and county shows.

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Renate Henison - C4EO Events Co-ordinator I joined C4EO in September 2008 and am co-coordinating the Knowledge Workshops and Progression Events for the North East, North West and South West regions, plus taking on the lead role for the Vulnerable Children theme. The role involves: pre-event organisation – sourcing venues and dealing with delegate bookings on-site event management - attending and providing assistance for the event collating post event feedback

I moved down to Devon 7 years ago and have been working for a multi-national company in Plymouth. Working as a PA for a number of years I became involved in the HR department organising training events and corporate functions, and then finally working in the procurement department as a Contracts Administrator. I look forward to this exciting and challenging role and delivering an excellent service as part of the new C4EO team.

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Dez Holmes - C4EO Programme Manager Dez Holmes is the Programme Manager for C4EO responsible for Capacity Building. Dez has frontline experience within social care and youth offending services.

'Prior to joining the C4EO, I was employed by a Local Authority and worked across directorates (Children & Young People’s Services and Neighbourhoods), managing and coordinating integrated early intervention services to families. I chaired multi-agency Locality Panels as part of this role and previously managed a multi-agency youth justice programme (YISP). Other experience includes working as a lecturer in Social Work MSc and several years of training and workforce development. '

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Cheryl Ingram - C4EO Office Co-ordinator I joined research in practice in August 2008 as the Office Co-ordinator for the new C4EO team. Previously, I worked as an Office Manager for a charity in Plymouth supporting children and adult survivors of sexual abuse. Prior to this, I had 6 years experience working within the field of events & marketing.

In this new position I will be providing administrative support for our team of events co-ordinators and ensuring the smooth running of the office. This is an exciting opportunity for me to be involved with a project from its infancy, and I’m looking forward to being part of C4EO’s future.

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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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Philippa Lambert - C4EO Events Co-ordinator I joined C4EO in August 2009 and look forward to my new role as Events Co-ordinator, as part of the C4EO team. The role includes: pre-event organisation – sourcing venues and dealing with delegate bookings on-site event management - attending and providing assistance for the event collating post event feedback database management

Prior to this I was working as Head of Operations for an educational charity in Plymouth. This involved overseeing the day-to-day running of the office and 3 schemes run by the charity, as well as the co-ordination of many events within the South West.

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Valerie Lancaster - PA to the Director Valerie is PA to our Director Jane Lewis manages potential-Partner enquiries, contracts and finances

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Jane Lewis - Director Jane joined research in practice as Director in September 2009, succeeding Celia Atherton OBE who moved to a senior management position within the Dartington Hall Trust. Jane is responsible for leading the overall strategy and operational delivery of our work in the UK and beyond, including implementing the recently agreed five-year Business Plan.

'My background is as a researcher – I was Director of the Qualitative Research Unit at NatCen (National Centre for Social Research) for many years, and then Director of Research, Evidence and Evaluation at the National Children’s Bureau. My move to research in practice was stimulated by growing frustration at seeing good quality, useful and use-able research get stuck on the shelf, whilst practitioners are crying out for more information about what works. So I’m delighted to be leading an agency that focuses on research dissemination and utilisation and that has a wider brief to help to build capacity to do and to use research in our Partner agencies.'

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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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Becky Parkins - Contacts and Events Co-ordinator Becky is responsible for: the management of the database and quarterly mail outs ensuring that all contact details of research in practice records are accurate and up to date the efficient administration of all events organised out of our Dartington offices the administrative support to Change Projects, the Wales College and to the management of Associates

'I joined research in practice in July 2009. I have worked in Events and Contacts Management since graduating from Gloucestershire University with a degree in Drama and Media in 2003. I have worked for a variety of different organisations both in the corporate and charity sector, with my longest serving post being at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth managing the Corporate and Friends Department. '

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Sam Starkey - 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 joined 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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Mark Taylor - Assistant Director - Business Development

I joined research in practice as Assistant Director Business Development in October 2009. I am the first incumbent of this new post and am responsible for the "back office" functions of research in practice as well as working with the other Directors to broaden the reach and impact of RiP. I am a chartered accountant with 25 years PQE, initially working for large corporates and quickly moved in to the SME sector and worked for some of the most dynamic IT Human resources business in the 1990s. Between 2001 and 2006 I had a career break and pursued my passion for ocean sailing. On my return in early 2006 I spent 3 years helping a healthcare recruitment business achieve a step change in operation. I am delighted to be working for RiP and believe that my wide commercial experience will help deliver enhanced products to RiP's growing partner base.

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

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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Alison Wall - C4EO Events Co-ordinator I joined C4EO in September 2008 and co-ordinate the events for the Yorkshire & The Humber, The East and South East regions, my role includes: pre-event – sourcing venues and dealing with delegate bookings on-site event management - attending and providing assistance for the event collating post event feedback database management

Before joining the Research in Practice C4EO team, I have been working for a Learning and Development Company implementing and organising overseas and UK training events for Global businesses. Prior to that I had a background in Travel and Tourism and arranging events for Tour Operators including an Arts Charity. After 10 years in London and some time overseas, I have recently returned to my home ground here in Devon.

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Vicky Cox - PA to the Assistant Director in Sheffield 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 Sarah is responsible 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 Moore - 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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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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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 - on maternity leave

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Dorothy Wragg - Events Assistant Dorothy assists Andy 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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