Catherine Harris BSc (Hons), MSc
Research Fellow
Summary
Cathy Harris is a Research Fellow at CRESR with over 10 years’ experience in conducting research and evaluations of programmes and interventions for a range of organisations, including national charities, local and central government and other third sector bodies. Cathy is a mixed-methods researcher, with expertise across both qualitative and quantitative methods (including surveys, in-depth interviews, focus groups, statistical and thematic analysis), project management, measuring outcomes and impact and producing accessible outputs for a range of audiences. Cathy has research interests in the voluntary and community sector and exploring the needs and experiences of people who may be vulnerable or marginalised.
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
2023-24 Home Improvement Services in England – National Evaluation. Centre for Ageing Better.
2023-24 Community Led Social Prescribing. Local Trust.
2024-26 National Evaluation of Active Travel Social Prescribing Pilots. (part of the Active Travel Portfolio Research and Evaluation Programme). Active Travel England.
2022-24 South Yorkshire VCSE: Understanding Value and Impact. Voluntary Action Rotherham.
2022-23 Mapping funding into the UK women and girls voluntary sector, ROSA.
2021-23 Evaluation of Your Work Your Way, Child Poverty Action Group.
2021-23 National Evaluation: Preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing, DEFRA.
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
Harris, C., Lewis, A., Griffiths, R., & Anderson, L. (2023). Making meaningful recommendations for policy and practice: reflections from the evaluation of ask and act. Social Research Practice, Spring (13), 18-27. https://the-sra.org.uk/common/Uploaded%20files/Social%20Research%20Practice%20Journal/social-research-practice-journal-issue-13-spring-2023.pdf
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
Gilbertson, J., Harris, C., Pearson, S., Smith, R., Wilson, I., Marshall, M., ... Smith, P. (2025). Better homes, better lives: The role of home improvement services in boosting the nation’s health and wellbeing. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/home-improvement-better-homes-better-lives
Gilbertson, J., Harris, C., Pearson, S., Smith, R., Wilson, I., Marshall, M., ... Smith, P. (2025). Home Improvement Services in England National Evaluation: Final Report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/home-improvement-final-report
Gilbertson, J., Harris, C., Pearson, S., Smith, R., Wilson, I., Marshall, M., ... Smith, P. (2025). Home Improvement Services in England: National Evaluation Executive Summary. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/home-improvement-exec-report
Harris, C., Damm, C., & Macmillan, R. (2025). South Yorkshire VCSE: Understanding Value and Impact. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2024.5804961956
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Policy Briefing - Final Report - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-briefing-march-2021-to-june-2023
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National evaluation of the preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing project: Final report Summary - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-summary-march-2021-to-june-2023
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National evaluation of the preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing project: Final report - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-march-2021-to-june-2023
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2024). National evaluation of the preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing project: Appendices to final report - March 2021 to June 2023. London: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-final-report-appendices-march-2021-to-june-2023
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Harris, C., Pearson, S., & Sanderson, E. (2023). Your Work Your Way: Final Evaluation Report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2023.9870182602
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Interim Report Summary - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-summary-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Briefing Document - Interim Report - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-briefing-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Appendices to Interim Report - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-appendices-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Haywood, A., Dayson, C., Garside, R., Foster, A., Lovell, B., Husk, K., ... Wilson, I. (2023). National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project: Interim Report - September 2021 to September 2022. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/gsp-interim-report-sept-2021-to-sept-2022
Damm, C., Dowrick, L., & Harris, C. (2023). Mapping the UK Women and girls sector and its funding: where does the money go? ROSA. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/mapping-the-uk-women-and-girls-sector-and-its-funding
Damm, C., Dowrick, L., & Harris, C. (2023). Mapping the UK women and girls sector and its funding. ROSA. https://rosauk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Women-and-Girls-Sector-Research-Mapping-Report-Final.pdf
Eadson, W., Dobson, J., Dempsey, N., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). Future parks accelerator: key findings and recommendations. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/future-parks-accelerator-key-findings-and-recommendations
Dobson, J., Eadson, W., Harris, C., & Munro, E. (2022). Future Parks Accelerator evaluation: final report. National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Dayson, C., Harris, C., Bashir, N., Bennett, E., & Woodward, A. (2022). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield the impact on social isolation and loneliness (2015-21). Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield-the-impact-on-social-isolation-and-loneliness-2015-21
Dobson, J., & Harris, C. (2022). Nourishing community businesses: beyond market development. Power to Change. https://icstudies.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/research/PTC_3859_Nourishing_Community_Businesses_FINAL.pdf
Wilson, I., Batty, E., Leather, D., & Harris, C. (2022). Community Renewal: Lifting Neighbourhoods Together Evaluation Baseline. https://issuu.com/communityrenewal/docs/lnt_evaluation_baseline
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://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/why-should-we-invest-in-parks-evidence-from-the-parks-for-people-programme
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://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield-qualitative-insights-into-interventions-to-address-social
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
Dayson, C., Harris, C., & Pattison, B. (2019). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield - understanding the impact on isolation, loneliness and wellbeing: an interim assessment. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield---understanding-the-impact-on-isolation-loneliness
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