Catherine Harris BSc (Hons), MSc
Research Fellow
Summary
I am a Research Fellow at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR). I have expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis.
My research interests are in exploring the needs and experiences of vulnerable groups, as well as working with the voluntary and community sector.
About
I joined CRESR in 2018 as a Research Associate. I previously worked as a Research Officer for the children's reading charity BookTrust for six years, where I completed a range of programme evaluations and research projects. In particular, I focused on the evaluation of programmes aimed at supporting children who may need additional support, such as children who are looked after and children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
I also have experience of working in the mental health sector, both in hospitals and in the community, and have worked with children and adults with learning difficulties. These experiences have shaped my research interest in the voluntary and community sector, and exploring the needs and experiences of vulnerable groups.
Research
2020-24 Lifting Neighbourhoods Together, Community Renewal. Role: Member of the project team.
2020-21 Evaluation of Ask and Act, Welsh Government. Role: Principal investigator / project manager.
2020-21 Volunteering in Community Business, Power to Change. Role: Member of the project team.
2020-21 Northamptonshire VCSE Assembly evaluation. Role: Member of the project team.
2020 Health benefits of public spaces, The Health Foundation. Role: Member of the project team.
2019-22 Market Development: evaluation and learning support, Power to Change. Role: Member of the project team.
2019-22 Future Parks Accelerator Programme Evaluation, National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Trust. Role: Member of the project team.
2019-20 Camerados evaluation, The Association of Camerados. Role: Member of the project team.
2019-20 Exploring the impact of community businesses delivering foundational infrastructure, Power to Change. Role: Member of the project team.
2019-20 Parks for People Programme Evaluation, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Big Lottery Fund. Role: Member of the project team.
2019 Diversity in Children's Literature, Arts Council England. Role: Project manager.
2018-19 Evaluation of the Small Employer Offer, Department for Work and Pensions. Role: Member of the project team.
2018-19 Local Delivery Pilot Insight Work, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. Role: Member of the project team.
2018-19 Economic assessment of assets in community ownership, Power to Change. Role: Member of the project team.
2017-19 Evaluation of Children's Communities, Save the Children. Role: Member of the project team.
2015-21 Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Housing Association. Role: Member of the project team.
Publications
Journal articles
Dayson, C., Harris, C., & Woodward, A. (2021). Voluntary sector interventions to address loneliness and mental health in older people: taking account of emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Perspectives in Public Health. http://doi.org/10.1177/17579139211017580
Robinson, D., Moore, N., & Harris, C. (2019). The impact of books on social inclusion and development and well‐being among children and young people with severe and profound learning disabilities: Recognising the unrecognised cohort. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 47 (2), 91-104. http://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12262
Reports
Harris, C., Mccarthy, L., Speake, B., Hulbert, A., & Clifford, J. (2022). Evaluation of Ask and Act. Welsh Government. https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2022-01/evaluation-ask-and-act-685.pdf
Dobson, J., Harris, C., & Macmillan, R. (2021). Network Support: Community business peer networking before and during coronavirus. Power to Change. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/network-support-community-business-peer-networking-before-and-during-coronavirus
Ellis Paine, A., Damm, C., Dean, J., Harris, C., & Macmillan, R. (2021). Volunteering in community business: meaning, practice and management. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/volunteering-in-community-business-meaning-practice-and-management
Eadson, W., Harris, C., Parkes, S., Dobson, J., & Dempsey, N. (2021). Why should we invest in parks? Evidence from the Parks for People programme. Heritage Lottery Fund. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/why-should-we-invest-in-parks.pdf
Dayson, C., Harris, C., & Woodward, A. (2020). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield: Qualitative insights into interventions to address social isolation and loneliness. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/qualitative-insights-ABiS-social-isolation-loneliness.pdf
Batty, E., Harris, C., Leather, D., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Carter, C., ... Willis, B. (2020). Children’s Communities final evaluation report. Save the Children, UK. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-communities-final-evaluation-report
Batty, E., Bennett, E., Devany, C., Harris, C., Pearson, S., & Woodward, A. (2020). Friends and purpose: evaluation of camerados public living rooms. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.3886334757
Eadson, W., Harris, C., Gore, A., & Dobson, J. (2019). Space to thrive: A rapid evidence review of the benefits of parks and green spaces for people and communities. National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/space-to-thrive-a-rapid-evidence-review-of-the-benefits-of-parks-and-green-spaces-for-people-and
Harris, C., & Stiell, B. (2019). Time for Change: What does the available literature tell us about the representation of people from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds in the UK children’s literature sector? Arts Council England. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2019.3374677492
Stiell, B., Harris, C., & Leather, D. (2019). Time for Change: Black and minority ethnic representation in the children’s literature sector. Arts Council England. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2019.8529879445
Archer, T., Wilson, I., Parkes, S., Batty, E., & Harris, C. (2019). Our assets, our future: the economics, outcomes and sustainability of assets in community ownership. Power to Change. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/our-assets-our-future-the-economics-outcomes-and-sustainability-of-assets-in-community-ownership
Batty, E., Harris, C., Leather, D., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Coldwell, M., ... Willis, B. (2018). Children's Communities programme evaluation 2018 report. Save the Children UK. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-communities-programme-evaluation-2018-report