Becky Gulc
Research Manager
Becky holds an MA in Qualitative Research Methods and has almost 20 years of research and evaluation experience to draw on. She is equally experienced in both qualitative and quantitative research, predominantly managing mixed-method projects.
Becky was a key member of the former Children, Young People and Families team at Qa and as such has expertise on consulting with these groups on a wide-range of topics (from childcare through to physical and mental health). She has supported numerous local authorities across England to conduct Childcare Sufficiency Assessments and has assessed need and identified impact of Children’s Centre provision at both LA and county level including longitudinal studies over several years.
Becky’s research and evaluation experience has broadened further in recent years as research priorities have shifted. Working within the Social Insight and Evaluation team Becky has been leading on research for a range of third sector clients (such as Age UK and Living Streets) whilst continuing to work for local authorities and working with research partners on large Government contracts.
Her experience ranges from small-scale exploratory qualitative studies through to high-volume quantitative studies using CATI and CAWI approaches. Subject matters can range from exploring ‘barriers’ to services amongst particular audiences to gathering evidence of impact of interventions through consulting with a range of stakeholders from beneficiaries through to support workers, third sector organisations as well as strategic leads. Becky has evaluated projects funded through the Big Lottery Fund; the European Social Fund; HLF; Sport England as well as central Government departments such as DfT and DfE.
Becky has extensive experience of consulting with individuals with multiple and complex needs and those less likely to take part in research. Experience includes consulting with people with drug and alcohol issues; those facing homelessness; those with mental health issues; carers; people that are unemployed and isolated individuals. Becky’s empathy and excellent listening skills encourage honesty and openness in her qualitative research. She is also pragmatic and offers clients first-hand experience of will and won’t work when consulting with these audiences – this includes advising on using validated measures in quantitative research.
“The most rewarding part of this job is revealing the opinions and experiences of research participants and seeing the positive impact this information has on policy development.”