About the Research and Evaluation Team

The Research and Evaluation Team has four core purposes:

To support frontline domestic abuse services, commissioners and funders to measure and communicate the impact they have on clients accessing their services.
To contribute to the UK evidence base examining what works to keep victims of domestic abuse and their children safer.
To collate, quality assure and analyse MARAC performance data.
To evaluate the effectiveness of CAADA’s own programmes and services, with a view to ensuring high standards, relevance and impact for those that access them.

The Research and Evaluation Team is made up of the Head of Research and Evaluation Lis Bates, Senior Researcher Kelly Buckley, Senior Research Analyst Laura Wilkinson, Research Analyst Jessica Nevins, Senior MARAC Data Analyst Nanya Coles, MARAC Data Analyst Miranda Webb and Data Support Officer Susan Reynolds.

Lis Bates, Head of Research and Evaluation

Lis joined CAADA in December 2012 from the Cabinet Office, where she was Head of Parliamentary Reform Policy, in charge of introducing a recall policy for MPs and other political reforms for the Government. Prior to that Lis worked for the Home Affairs and Education select committees at the House of Commons, for six years. She managed parliamentary inquiries and worked with MPs and experts to draft reports, including into domestic violence and child protection. Lis has an MSc in Social Work Research and is currently doing a PhD in honour-based violence at Bristol University.

Kelly Buckley, Senior Researcher

Kelly joined CAADA in December 2011 from Shelter Cymru where she led their research into young people and housing. Kelly gained a PhD in Sociology from Cardiff University in May 2011, which focused on gender, class and power. She uses this research experience to now lead CAADA's Themis project, a mixed method evaluation of IDVAs based in hospital settings. She is also involved in the wider work of the research and evaluation team.

Laura Wilkinson, Senior Research Analyst

Laura joined CAADA in August 2012 and now leads the Insights Service Team. Laura completed her PhD at the School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol. Before joining CAADA, Laura worked as a researcher in both industry and academia. She has published her research in peer-reviewed journals and presented these papers at national and international conferences. Laura is now using her experience to support the Insights Service Team and to contribute to the wider research goals at CAADA.

Jessica Nevins, Research Analyst

Jessica graduated from the University of Bristol in 2009 with a degree in Economics. She has experience in research and data management from her roles as a Research Support Officer for the Welsh Assembly Government and as a Business Data Analyst for AXA UK. Jessica provides methodological, analytical and administrative support to the Research and Evaluation Team. Since joining CAADA in April 2011, Jessica has developed the CAADA Insights Service data management systems, improving the accessibility of Management Information to the team. She also provides ongoing support to frontline practitioners using the CAADA Insights Service.

Nanya Coles, Senior MARAC Data Analyst

Nanya joined CAADA in June 2011 and leads the MARAC data team which is responsible for collecting and analysing data from more than 260 MARACs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nanya has a Sociology degree and is an experienced researcher and information analyst having worked in the public sector prior to joining CAADA.

Miranda Webb, MARAC Data Analyst

Miranda joined CAADA in October 2012, and is responsible for collating and analysing data from around 260 MARACs across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Miranda has a degree in Sociology and Psychology and a background in data analysis, having worked in local government previously.

Susan Reynolds, Data Support Officer

Susan joined CAADA in November 2011. She is responsible for the logging, input and validation of data, and reporting on the progress of CAADA Insights services. Susan graduated from the University of the West of England in 2011 with a degree in psychology.

For more information on the Insights team please email insights@caada.org.uk or, alternatively, call us on 0117 317 8750.

Back to Policy and research