Research Team
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Client Satisfaction
The research team prides itself on conducting research and evaluations of the highest standard and integrity. For example, the annual review of the Welsh Assembly Governments RAISE programme scored us as "Excellent" for all four judgement points, for our role in the external evaluation of the programme. Moreover, our client satisfaction survey confirmed that all 12 respondents to the survey either "strongly agreed" or "agreed" that:
- "The Unit had achieved the objectives of the work"
- "The Unit's approach and methodology was helpful to us"
- "The Unit's staff were approachable and responsive"
- "The report produced was well written and clear"
- "We consider that the work was good value for money"
- "We would approach the Unit again for similar work"
- "We would recommend the Unit to other people"
Non-Profit
The People and Work Unit is a non-profit organisation and we aim to use what we learn to gain a better quality of life through education and lifelong learning for all the people of Wales .
Staff Profile
Dr Sarah Lloyd-Jones, Director:
Sarah has been the manager of all of the People and Work Unit projects and studies since 1987. She has recently successfully completed her PhD at Cardiff University, which researched into the patterns of transition to working life of young adults in the South Wales Valleys. She currently manages the growing number of large-scale research and evaluation work within the unit, such as the research into the Impacts and Benefits of Youth Services in Wales (2007-9). Her prior experience includes overseeing the first stage evaluation of the 14-19 Learning pathways (2007-8), evaluation of the Key Stage 2 Modern Foreign Languages Pilot Projects (2004-6) on behalf of WAG, and an evaluation of the introduction of a framework and supplementary guidance on Careers Education and Guidance in schools in Wales on behalf of ACCAC (2004). In addition to the field of education, Sarah has experience in the field of health initiatives in Wales, for example she led an evaluation support and review of the development of Health Alliance activity (2004-8) and an evaluation of the Health Promotion Voluntary sector grants scheme (2003) on behalf of WAG.During her time at the Unit she has managed many successful and innovative development projects, which have helped people form deprived areas realise and reach their full potential. Her most recent endeavour includes the “Big Project” which is a project working with the Glyncoch Community Partnership to promote apprenticeships in construction trades and capacity building work (2008-13). Other areas Sarah has been involved in, is as an external examiner for the YMCA George Williams College Informal Education Foundation course for a period of 4 years, and conducting a number of feasibility studies, for example the development of a performing arts facility for the Torfaen Museum Trust. .
Dr Duncan Holtom , Senior Researcher:
Since joining the Unit in 2004, Duncan has specialised in research in the fields of education, youth transitions and community regeneration, drawing upon ten years experience undertaking qualitative and quantitative research in Wales, Australia, Tanzania, and Jordan. He is currently leading the evaluation of RAISE for the Welsh Assembly government, he co-wrote the education chapter of Stop, Look and Listen, the Wales ‘NGO Alternative Report’ to the UNCRC, has contributed to books on research methods and aid relationships and has peer reviewed articles published in national and international journals. He is a member of the Big Lottery’s People and Places Committee and the University of Cardiff’s, ESRC funded Locality, Biography and Youth in a Transforming Community, Advisory Group and is an active member of the UK Evaluation Society. Prior to joining the Unit, he worked as an Associate of the Community Service and Research Centre at the University of Queensland and an Associate Trainer with Learning Materials Design (2003-04). He completed his PhD (2000-03) and part time Masters (with Distinction) in Development Policy and Planning (1997-00), whilst also working as a Tutor, Researcher and Research Associate at the University of Wales Swansea’s Centre for Development Studies and as a Relief Manager for Scottish and Newcastle Retail. Prior to his Masters degree, he worked as an English Teacher as Xinyang Teachers College in China (1996-1997) and completed his undergraduate Degree in Law at the University of Manchester.
Rhodri Bowen , Researcher: Rhodri completed his MSc in Marketing at University of Glamorgan . Previously he has worked as a researcher at Cardiff University of Wales, where he gained experience in quantitative research techniques. His first language is Welsh, and he recently completed an advanced Welsh language course at Cardiff University. During his time at the Unit,
Rhodri gained vast experience in analysing and collaboratively designing a series of large-scale surveys, for example consultation for the new curriculum guidance (n=10,000), and the Modern Foreign Language Evaluation (n=4,920). He has also played a lead role in many research and evaluations for example, an evaluation of progression through partnership
2 for UWCN (2005-6), and research and advocate e-learning provision in the voluntary sector in Bridgend County for BAVO. Rhodri also has organisational skills for example in helping to organise 3 large conferences for the WEA and a conference and seminars for the
Unit.
Bethan WynJones , Freelance Researcher:
Bethan has a MSc in Cell Biology. She has worked on behalf of the unit for a period of 4 years, regularly conducting qualitative interviews mostly in the north Wales region and through the medium of
Welsh. Her professional service is regarded highly by the unit; she has played a key advisory role in many of our research and evaluations. Most notably in the Eco-schools research Project on behalf of Keep Wales Tidy (2006-7) and evaluation of the Schools Councils project on behalf of WAG (2006-7). She has previous experience of working as a researcher and producer for BBC Wales, and has published Welsh language nature books.
Bethan, also does translation work on behalf of the Unit.
Bethan's CV (20KB)
Jodie Sims, Researcher: Jodie is the latest recruit to our dynamic research team, she recently completed a Rapid Evidence Assessment of behaviour and attendance in schools
for WAG (2008) and played a key role in the Evaluation of the European Social Funding to support Welsh Assembly “Learning Pathway 14-19” development (2008). Before joining the
PWU, she completed her Masters degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice (with distinction) at the University of
Glamorgan, and her undergraduate degree at the University of Wales Swansea. She is a fluent Welsh speaker, and has worked as a volunteer with Ogwr DASH (a drug and alcohol self-help charity). Jodie is planning on studying for a PhD regarding gender issues in education within the South Wales Valleys. 
Tina Griffin , Administrator/Researcher: Tina currently worked at the
Unit for three years as a Project Development Worker/Tutor, where she
helped people with no or low qualifications reach their educational and
career goals. She has a P.G.C.E from Cardiff University of Wales and a BA
Hons degree in Philosophy of World Religions with History from UWCN.
Previous to working at the Unit she had five years experience
running her own printing business, and gained extensive
administrative experience. Tina is an active volunteer working for
example, for the Leonard Cheshire Disability. She also marks exam papers
for Cambridge International Examinations.
People
and Work Unit CV:
Please click on the CV link for all the details of staff experience and skills, and the previous and current work conducted by the unit.
CV (102KB)
Snapshot
of Recent Clients:
Welsh Assembly Government (2007-9)
Evaluation of RAISE (Raising Attainment and Individual Standards in Education)Welsh Assembly Government (2007-8)
First stage evaluation of the 14-19 Learning PathwaysUniversity of Wales Swansea
(2007-8) External Evaluation of Community Progression ProjectNIACE Dysgu Cymru
(2007) Evaluation of Valuing Learning - Strengthening Communities ProjectKeep Wales Tidy (2007)
Eco-schools Research ProjectSave the Children (2007)
Education Scoping Review of Education Policy and PracticeVictim Support Gwent (2005-7)
External Evaluation of Two ESF Victim Support Projects: Elevate and AltruismWelsh Assembly Government (2004-6)
Evaluation of the Key Stage 2 Modern Foreign Languages Pilot Projects being delivered in Wales from 2003-2006BAVO & Bridgend CCET (2004-5)
Assess the ways in which hard to reach groups living in deprived areas can be engaged in learning opportunities, with the production of a Bridgend ‘hard to Reach learner’ strategy’.Welsh Assembly Government (2004-6)
An Evaluation Support and Review of the development of Health Alliance ActivityThe Community University of the Valleys Partnership (2004-5)
What are the True Costs of Community Learning?
