Meet the team
The Social Research Unit team
RESEARCH MANAGER
Melanie Brooks
Melanie’s experience covers the full spectrum of research methodologies with particular expertise in programme evaluation. In addition to being an extremely strong researcher, Melanie has a natural talent for project management, resulting in research projects being delivered in a smooth, effective and efficient manner.
Melanie’s recent evaluations include Pause Plymouth, an intervention programme for women who have experienced, or are at risk of, recurrent care proceedings; and Plymouth Pathfinder, a physical activity intervention for young people, including system changes achieved across the city as a result of the intervention (for Plymouth City Council).
Melanie began her research career in 1999 at Synovate’s full-service research department, where she developed a broad range of methodological experience across a range of sectors. Melanie then moved to Marketing Means, where she expanded her project management and research experience, before moving to the Social Research Unit (formerly SERIO) in 2005.
Melanie holds a BSc in Applied Psychology (Cardiff) and has been awarded the Market Research Society’s Advanced Certificate.
RESEARCH MANAGER
Donna Vascott
Donna has over a decade of research expertise across a range of disciplines from medicine and dentistry to community business. She has managed numerous mixed-methods research projects and is highly capable of delivering complex projects on time and to budget.
Donna is the Social Research Unit’s lead on social return on investment, with expertise in measuring social and environmental value which is not ordinarily reflected in conventional financial accounting. She is one of the Social Research Unit’s most experienced evidence reviewers and has led a number of health-related projects including a systematic review of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) oral health promotion messages.
Before joining the Social Research Unit (formerly SERIO) in 2014, Donna worked for the Clinical Neurology Research Group in the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, specialising in reviewing outcome measures used in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease. Prior to this, she worked in the private sector as a recruitment specialist.
Donna holds an MSc in Psychological Research Methods (Plymouth) and a First Class Honours degree in Psychology (Westminster). She has formal training in conducting social return on investment and systematic reviews.
RESEARCH MANAGER
Rachael Skelton
Rachael has a wealth of experience in qualitative and quantitative research from a breadth of projects including tackling anti-social behaviour; institutional racism within the police; improving public confidence; and child victims of abuse and their experience of the Criminal Justice System.
Prior to joining the Social Research Unit (formerly SERIO), Rachael worked as a Researcher for Hampshire Police, focussing on vulnerable victims and witnesses within the Criminal Justice System. In support of policing and learning, Rachael carried out regular large-scale evaluations of different police initiatives, such as the introduction of the body worn video, as well as conducting and reporting on the Police User Satisfaction Survey, Confidence Survey and Internal Staff Survey.
Rachael holds an MSc in Social Research Methods and a BSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Portsmouth).
RESEARCHER
Helen Barrett
Helen has a growing portfolio of research involving vulnerable people. She led an evaluation of Pause Plymouth, a model that offers long-term, intensive and bespoke support to women experiencing – or at risk of – recurrent care proceedings. She worked on a service evaluation of the effectiveness of specialist support provided by The Advocacy People to veterans facing a wide range of issues.
In other areas, Helen undertook research for community technology advocate Power to Change on how community businesses’ skills and employability development contribute to local economic growth. With peers at other southwest England universities, she evaluated FUTURES2020, a public engagement research festival.
Helen holds an MSc in Development Management (OU) and a BA in Geography (Plymouth). She is skilled with specialised research software including Snap Surveys, NVivo and SPSS. Helen has expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methods including telephone and face-to-face interviews, online surveys, focus groups and comprehensive literature reviews.
RESEARCHER
Aimée Ralls
Aimée has a growing project portfolio involving disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. She contributed to the evaluation of the Plymouth Pathfinder project (for Active Devon), which used physical activity to improve the lives of young people with Adverse Childhood Experiences and/or special educational needs and disability. Aimée is evaluating the Families and Schools strand of the Sport England-funded Exeter and Cranbrook Live & Move project, which encourages children and families to be more active. Aimée draws upon these experiences to provide meaningful insights and in-depth case studies.
Prior to joining the Social Research Unit (formerly SERIO), Aimée was responsible for the evaluation of outreach activities for the Office for Students-funded Next Steps South West, which increased awareness of higher education amongst under-represented student groups. Aimée supported the Peninsula City Deal Growth Hub and Regional Growth Fund at the University of Plymouth. At Gradsouthwest, she provided a bespoke graduate recruitment service to employers in the region.
Aimée holds a BA in Tourism Management (Gloucestershire). She is skilled with specialised software including Snap Surveys and SPSS; as well as quantitative and qualitative methods including stakeholder and participant interviews; online surveys; and process learning interviews.
RESEARCHER
Adam Bennet
Adam has a strong understanding of all stages of the research cycle, with an emphasis on quantitative methods. He is experienced in complex statistical analysis and is skilled with specialised applications including SPSS and Snap Surveys.
Adam is currently working on a range of projects featuring advanced data representation using Power BI, which integrates multiple datasets to generate interactive visualisations. Adam is also developing a range of stakeholder mapping methods using the Kumu application to analyse network nodes and relationships.
Adam holds an Integrated Masters in Psychology (Plymouth).
Email — 01752 588951
Get in touch
We would love to hear from you and assist with any enquiries about how we can work together on future projects.
You can send us an email at sru@plymouth.ac.uk or fill in the form.
All of our team are contactable directly on the Team page.