Meet the Team

Sophie Wilson, Director of Research

Sophie is the founding Director of Research at BVSC and leads the strategic development of the research directorate. She established BVSC Research in 2019 and has overseen the delivery of more than 120 research and evaluation projects across Birmingham.

Her work focuses on strengthening the role of the voluntary sector within research and evaluation, including the development of the Birch Network and the Community Hub for Engagement in Research Practice (CHERP).

Sophie has over 25 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sector, including senior leadership roles within national charities. She is currently undertaking doctoral research at the Institute for Community Research & Development at the University of Wolverhampton, exploring the role of lived experience within frontline services.

Susannah Wilson, Research & Evaluation Manager



Qualitative research | Service evaluation | Community services | Project leadership

Susannah oversees the delivery of research and evaluation projects across BVSC Research and leads the operational management of the REAL programme.

She specialises in qualitative research and evaluation of community-based services, with a particular interest in understanding how services support individuals and communities facing complex challenges.

Susannah has worked on research and evaluation projects covering a wide range of areas including health and wellbeing, multiple disadvantage, youth services, carers’ support, community hubs and environmental initiatives. Before joining the voluntary sector she worked as a journalist and researcher for the BBC.

Keshena Partridge-Bowie, Community Research Manager



Community research | Participatory engagement | Youth justice | Community partnerships

Keshena leads the Community Hub for Engagement in Research Practice (CHERP), overseeing BVSC Research’s work on community engagement and community-led research.

Her role includes managing the Community Researcher programme, supporting the Birch Network and developing participatory research initiatives that involve communities in shaping research and evaluation.

Keshena has a particular interest in criminal justice and youth justice issues. Before joining BVSC Research she worked as Youth Violence Prevention Programme Manager through a partnership between BVSC, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, and previously worked with Geese Theatre Company.

Dr Marianne Walker, Learning & Evaluation Lead



Qualitative research | Creative methods | Environmental justice | Community storytelling

Marianne is a social researcher with a Doctorate in Social Sciences and an MA in Sociology and Demography. She specialises in qualitative and creative research methods, including storytelling workshops, focus groups and photo-elicitation approaches. Her doctoral research explored the right to urban space and the role of community narratives within city environments.

Before joining BVSC, Marianne worked with the University of Barcelona on a project exploring solidarity initiatives within voluntary organisations across Europe. She has also worked closely with the Centre for Urban Wellbeing on research exploring access to nature and environmental justice.

Jan Pusiak, Learning & Evaluation Lead



Community research | Public health | Multiple disadvantage | Participatory methods

Over the past two years Jan has led the Community Research projects for public health, working closely with Community Researchers, voluntary organisations and public sector partners to explore community experiences and inform service improvement. His work often focuses on participatory approaches that ensure community voices are central to research and evaluation.

Jan previously led research and evaluation work for the Birmingham Changing Futures Together programme, conducting extensive qualitative research with people experiencing complex disadvantage, as well as frontline practitioners and commissioners. Earlier in his career he worked within South Yorkshire Police’s Continuous Improvement Department, leading public consultation research and performance analysis.

Dr Nicole Adams-Quackenbush, Learning & Evaluation Lead



Interviewing methods | Research design | Evaluation frameworks | Mixed methods

Nicole is a researcher and evaluation specialist with expertise in interviewing, information elicitation and research design.

Her work focuses on developing robust research tools, conducting qualitative and quantitative data collection, and supporting the design of evaluation frameworks and impact measurement approaches.

Nicole previously worked as an academic researcher and lecturer and has extensive experience delivering research and training across public and voluntary sector contexts. She is also an experienced trainer in research methods and evaluation practice.

Clare Harewood, Learning & Evaluation Lead



Participatory research | Co-production | Youth justice | Community engagement

Clare specialises in participatory research, co-production and collaborative approaches to research and evaluation. Her work focuses on bringing together communities, practitioners and researchers to develop shared learning and improve services. Clare has contributed to a range of research and evaluation projects across youth services, community engagement and partnership programmes.

Before joining BVSC Research she worked as a lecturer at the University of Birmingham and previously worked as a senior practitioner within the youth justice system. Clare holds an MA in Applied Social Research, is a qualified youth and community worker and is currently undertaking doctoral research with the University of Birmingham – exploring the concept of trust in community-engaged research.