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Queen's University Belfast Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation
University of Oxford, Department of Education, Rees Centre

About Us

ABOUT US

We are a team of researchers from the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation at Queen's University Belfast and the Rees Centre at the University of Oxford. Funded by the ESRC, we are working to develop an evidence-based programme that seeks to improve the reading skills and attitudes towards reading of children in foster care. Further details on each member of the research team are provided below.

The research team is supported by an independent Project Advisory Group that includes expert academics and representatives from government departments, NGOs and voluntary organisations as well as foster carers and foster children. Download the terms of reference and list of members of the Project Advisory Group (265KB, PDF).

In addition, the work of the research team will also be guided by a Young People's Advisory Group, made up of a group of children who have experience of being in foster care. The Group is just in the process of being established and further details will be provided here shortly.

THE RESEARCH TEAM
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Principal Investigator
Professor Paul Connolly

Paul is Professor of Education and Dean of Research for the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen's University Belfast. He is founding Director of the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation. He has a particular expertise in undertaking robust evaluations of the effectiveness of educational programmes and is author of Using Randomised Controlled Trials in Education (2017, Sage Publications).

Email: paul.connolly@qub.ac.uk | Telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 5947

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Co-Investigator
Professor Judy Sebba OBE

Rees Centre, University of Oxford.

Judy is Professor of Education and former Director of the Rees Centre.

Email: judy.sebba@education.ox.ac.uk

More about Judy >

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Co-Investigator
Dr Karen Winter

Karen is Senior Lecturer in Social Work within the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen's University Belfast.

Email: k.winter@qub.ac.uk | Telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 3917

More about Karen >

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Co-Investigator
Dr Nikki Luke

Rees Centre, University of Oxford.

Nikki is a Research Officer in the Rees Centre.

Email: nikki.luke@education.ox.ac.uk | Telephone: +44 (0)1865 274050

More about Nikki >

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Co-Investigator
Dr Jennifer Roberts

Jennifer is a Lecturer in Education within the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen's University Belfast.

Email: j.roberts@qub.ac.uk | Telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 3177

More about Jennifer >

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Research Assistant
Laura Neeson

Laura is a Research Assistant within the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation. Laura’s research interests lie in two main areas; child well-being and programme evaluation. She is experienced in carrying out evaluations of complex social interventions, particularly in school and home settings, and committed to improving outcomes for children and young people

Email: l.neeson@qub.ac.uk | Telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 3183

Research Assistant
Dr Priya Tah

Rees Centre, University of Oxford.

Priya is a Research Assistant in the Rees Centre.

Email: priya.tah@education.ox.ac.uk

More about Priya >

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