How to design an evaluation

Amanda Lees

Evaluation Programme Manager (Qualitative) - Insight

Amanda is an Evaluation Programme Manager in the Insight team at Health Innovation Wessex. Before this, she worked in academia as a qualitative and mixed methods researcher and evaluator, holding roles at the universities of Oxford (Oxford Vaccine Group), Southampton and Winchester. She has also worked in research and evaluation within the NHS, private sector, and local authorities.

Amanda's research focused on health and care, especially the experiences of those receiving and delivering services and she has published many peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and co-edited a book on mixed-methods research in wellbeing and health. Since joining Health Innovation Wessex in 2022, she has enjoyed the challenge of applying research techniques within the complex real world environment, working with multidisciplinary colleagues on a diverse range of projects.

Outside of work, she loves walking especially in the Lake District, spending time with family and friends and is trying to become a regular at Parkrun!

Emily Hunter

Associate Director - Insight

Emily is the Associate Director of the Insight team. She has strategic oversight of the team’s portfolio and of the high quality work we produce. Emily works closely with clients to scope our support and develop our business.

Emily has a background in evaluating global health projects and support Cancer Research UK’s early diagnosis programme, working closely with primary care and system stakeholders. She has led Insight’s evaluation offer for innovators, overseen large evaluations of complex programmes, and regularly delivers sessions to develop understanding and capabilities in evaluation.

Facilitative and calm under pressure, Emily attributes her work style to the huge benefits that come from her love of music, as a performer and a keen audience member.

Jackie Chandler

Evaluation Programme Manager (Qualitative)

Jackie joined Health Innovation Wessex in 2019 as a Programme Manager and specialises in qualitative evaluations. These cover evaluating the implementation of digital solutions, service transformation projects and systems-based evaluations in integrated care systems.

Following a career in general and mental health nursing in the NHS and voluntary sector she moved into health research, where she worked with the Royal College of Nursing and the then National Institute for Clinical Excellence developing guidelines. Jackie previously worked on multi method trials in NHS settings with an emphasis on using qualitative methods in process evaluations. Jackie worked for the international organisation Cochrane for evidence synthesis (systematic reviews of studies) and is an associate editor of their Handbook. Her PhD used complex systems theory to better understand implementation of evidence-based care in healthcare settings, a focus of interest at HIW.

Outside work, Jackie practises yoga and is learning to play the harp.

Julia Wilson

Evaluation Programme Coordinator

Julia is a mixed-method researcher and project manager passionate about transforming healthcare through innovation. She currently works as an Evaluation Programme Co-ordinator at Health Innovation Wessex, supporting real-world evaluations aiding the adoption of innovations across the NHS. Her expertise spans across developing and integrating digital AI products, health behavioural science and mixed-method research.

Julia brings over seven years of experience managing and supporting complex academic and clinical projects, with a strong track record at organisations like Sacher AI, Allurion Technologies, University Hospitals Plymouth and the University of Plymouth. With a background in healthcare innovation and a portfolio of published research, Julia is driven by a commitment to improving patient outcomes and empowering communities.

Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, golfing, and exploring the intersection of technology and wellbeing.

Rebecca Player

Evaluation Programme Coordinator (Qualitative)

Beck is an evaluation programme coordinator who has a passion for improving quality of life through mixed methods in health research and evaluation. Her goal is to improve health and care while helping to create positive change.

Previously, Beck worked as an analyst for a local authority, where she compiled Covid data and worked extensively with large datasets, including case rates and vaccination uptake.

Her passion for research began with her PhD, where she earned a mixed methods doctorate on multiple sclerosis and fatigue. She is also a qualified osteopath with experience in a number of multidisciplinary clinics in London.

Outside of work, Beck enjoys playing hockey, staying active through CrossFit, and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

Katherine Gale

Evaluation Programme Manager (Qualitative)

Katherine is the Programme Manager for mental health. Katherine joined the organisation in November 2016 while completing her PhD in Operational Research at the University of Southampton. Katherine has 10 years of research experience in health and social care settings and is passionate about improving care delivery. Her specific areas of interest include person-centred care and improving outcomes for patients and healthcare staff through evidence-based innovation.

Katherine’s PhD formed part of the Care Life Cycle (CLC) project, a multi-disciplinary research programme, which was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to examine the supply and demand of health and social care within an ageing society. Katherine’s PhD focused on the use of telecare to support people with dementia to remain living independently.

Prior to joining Health Innovation Wessex, and while completing her doctoral studies, Katherine held a range of different part-time business support roles. These included working for the Faculty of Health Science at the University of Southampton, and for the National Institute for Health Research Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC). She also worked as a research assistant for an Age-Related Macular Degeneration research project, which involved data collection and patient engagement at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

For her Master’s dissertation in Management Science Katherine worked with Hampshire County Council to produce a Position Paper on the use of GPS tracking devices for people with dementia. Her dissertation was awarded the 2009 Award for Excellence by the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust.

Katherine’s current role in the Mental Health team enables her to combine her passion for improving care service delivery, with her skills and experience in research, evaluation, and data analysis.