Rachel Handforth Email & Phone Number

Sheffield, Gb

In this role I worked with our Director of Research to bid for and undertake commissioned research and evaluation projects, largely within the higher education sector. Much of our work involved the tracking of individuals’ career progression within a particular industry and evaluating the impact of funding streams or grants on their career trajectories. I developed and managed multiple research projects, designing appropriate methodologies and producing written reports for clients, delivering projects within agreed budgets and deadlines. This involved conducting large-scale surveys, interviews and focus groups as well as the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. I project managed multiple research and evaluation projects for clients including the Office for Students, the Royal Society, and the General Council of the Bar.A further part of my role was supporting the Vitae programme, which is a non-profit programme designed to support the professional development of researchers. This involved engaging in analysis of researcher development activity and working with stakeholders to respond to changing external agendas, such as the recent introduction of the Graduate Outcomes survey. I also contributed to the evaluation of the HEFCE funded Catalyst Fund projects on postgraduate researchers' mental health and wellbeing.Some of this work had an equality and diversity focus, such as conducting an Athena SWAN survey of staff at an independent research organisation. I was also a member of Advance HE’s Steering Group for their published evidence reviews which assessed the key EDI challenges for equality, diversity and inclusion in the UK and internationally, to develop an understanding of which interventions are most effective.

Sheffield, United Kingdom

In this role I worked in the Centre for Development and Research in Education within the Sheffield Institute of Education, undertaking commissioned research and evaluation projects. As well as presenting my research at international conferences and writing publications, this role gave me experience of writing research bids. I worked on research projects for clients such as the Department for Education and the Office for Fair Access, as well as internal university research projects. This role required me to manage large-scale commissioned research, work with colleagues in project teams, and ensure that outputs were delivered according to particular budgets and deadlines.

Sheffield, United Kingdom

This research explored how women doctoral students imagine their post-PhD futures, and how doctoral experiences shape career aspirations. Situated in literature highlighting the persistence of gender inequality in academia, and gendered post-PhD career choices, the research illuminated the factors which influence aspirations, and the role of the PhD in the 'leaky pipeline'. It explored how academic careers are perceived over time, and how shifting personal priorities shape imagined futures. This research makes explicit how gendered issues pose barriers, hindered participants' sense of belonging to academic communities and their ability to develop academic identities. It demonstrates how the doctorate acts as a litmus test for an academic career, allowing participants to observe what being an academic involves, and judge whether or not academia is ‘for’ them. This research thus has implications for the higher education sector, current and future doctoral students, and those involved in doctoral education and support.

Sheffield, United Kingdom

The Higher Education Progression Partnership (HEPP) is a collaborative partnership of schools, colleges, local authorities and universities across the Sheffield City-Region which aims to increase the number of applications to university from young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. As one of the ambassadors, my role is to help raise the aspirations of young people in the Sheffield area by providing regular support for students via group sessions at schools in the region.

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Based in the Humanities Research Centre, I conducted a mixed methods research project about 'Blurred Lines', the controversial song by Robin Thick and Pharrell Williams. The project involved examining the media debate surrounding the song, and reviewing relevant literature and conducting a questionnaire which had more than 1000 respondents.As the Research Assistant I took responsibility for designing and delivering the questionnaire, and also contributed to the literature review and analysis of the results of the questionnaire.The questionnaire explored individual reactions to the song, investigated how respondents interpreted the song lyrics and video and whether they were perceived differently, and examined individual feelings about the representations of men and women in the music video.The subsequent article explores the sentiments expressed by respondents in the context of wider discussions of sexual consent and representations of women in popular music. The second part of the project is ongoing. This involves conducting interviews with respondents who expressed an interest in participating in further research, exploring in more detail some of the more complex aspects of the responses given in the questionnaire.

York, United Kingdom

The HEA champions teaching quality in higher education and aims to raise the quality and standards of teaching in UK higher education institutions. I worked with the research team within the organisation and was involved in a range of activities. These included survey design, qualitative and quantitative analysis of a large data set and a rapid evidence audit of over 100 research reports.In this role I developed my knowledge of the higher education sector, evaluating a range of research reports commissioned or undertaken by the HEA in recent years. This rapid evidence audit involved a systematic approach, reading and evaluating the reports to create an inductive analysis of the trends identified within them. I was involved in planning the delivery of this project, reviewing progress and working collaboratively with others to allocate work and achieve deadlines. In this project I engaged in critical evaluation of the quality of the research which was under study, and analysed individual reports in order to gain an understanding of the implications for the sector, policy and individual practice. In addition, I evaluated the impact of the reports under scrutiny, including using Google analytics to access the number of citations and downloads for each report.Other work included survey design for a national project which aimed to understand more about students’ experiences of learning and teaching, and exploring different methods for publishing results including engaging visual methods such as infographics. I also worked with individuals in the Recognition team, which gave me the opportunity to engage in peer reflection, reviewing my own experiences of teaching in higher education and considering what constitutes good practice and quality in teaching. I have since been recognised as an Associate Fellow of the HEA.

• Provided a high quality research service to all departments in the Students’ Union • Conducted qualitative and quantitative research projects on issues affecting students • Conducted analysis of national surveys such as the National Student Survey• Delivered support for student researchers• Assisted in the development and implementation of annual plans and budgets • Supported students, staff and officers in the development of their research skills• Developed a research strategy for the Students’ Union

Sheffield, United Kingdom

• Recruited volunteers to become student representatives • Delivered support, advice and training for student representatives and campaigners • Promoted the positive impact of student representatives• Organised and delivered the Learning and Teaching Awards in the University• Provided advice, support and guidance to Students’ Union Officers• Developed strong relationships with staff in University departments to support and improve the system of student representation

Union Of Uea Students

• Representative of all UEA students to the University on education issues• Campaigned to achieve positive changes for students in their education, such as exam feedback• Supported and trained student representatives from across the University• Worked with members of University staff to improve the quality of education delivered to students• Worked in a team of Student Officers to design and deliver the Students’ Union’s first strategic plan• As a Trustee of the Students’ Union and a Director of its two subsidiary companies, I oversaw the budget and business interests of the organisation, and ensured that the Union’s activities were reputable, sustainable and financially viable.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Education

This research explored how women doctoral students imagine their post-PhD careers, and how doctoral experiences shape career aspirations..

Master'S Degree, Postgraduate Certificate In Research Methods In Sociology, Planning And Policy, Distinction

Activities and Societies: Prose Editor- Ink Creative Writing Magazine Undertaking modules on quantitative and qualitative research.

Bachelor'S Degree, Ba English Literature And History, 2:1 (Hons)

Activities and Societies: Copy Editor- Student Newspaper, Music Society Choir Leader My undergraduate degree was interdisciplinary.