DR Julie HARRIS

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEPUTY DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

julie.harris@dartington.org.uk

Julie is a social researcher who specialises in evaluation research with a particular interest in theory-driven methodologies, such as realist evaluation, that recognise the importance of individual agency, capture complexity and emergence in systems change and that prioritise partnership and iterative learning throughout the evaluation process. In March 2023 Julie was appointed onto the Evaluation and Trial Advice Panel where she is involved in designing and delivering robust, high quality evaluations to influence policy. She joined Dartington in May 2022, following her most recent role at the University of Bedfordshire.

Prior to this, Julie was Assistant Director for Research and Evaluation with Barnardo's, leading the organisation's strategic programme of evaluation, developing the evidence base and providing support for services in demonstrating their impact. For several years, she also held the research and policy lead for child sexual exploitation and, more latterly, for child trafficking; managing the organisation's research, policy and campaigning activities in these key policy areas.

Julie has particular experience in evaluating local authority children’s services, local child protection and safeguarding systems and the role that the third sector brings to social welfare intervention and support. Her special research interests include the development of co-produced approaches to measuring the outcomes of social intervention that support bi-directional learning between those providing services and those using and engaging with them.