Who we are
Ruth Townsley Research is a Bristol-based social research company, established in 2011. Through a network of experienced researchers and associates, we offer a full range of high quality and cost-effective research, evaluation and policy development services.
We combine robust methodological expertise with strong sector knowledge in:
- education and skills
- public engagement
- employment
- disability and inclusion
- children and families
- health and wellbeing.
Ruth Townsley is our lead researcher and will be your first point of contact with our company. Ruth has over 20 years of experience in social policy research, evaluation and review work for national and international clients. She is an experienced project manager, with a strong and established track record of completing complex projects on time and within budget.
Ruth works in partnership with a team of highly regarded expert associates to deliver our research and evaluation portfolio.
22nd May 2019: Ruth is unconnected to an individual of the same name who has recently attracted media coverage due to certain statements on social media.
Stephen Beyer (PhD, BSc) is Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University and Chair of the South West Employment Institute (SWEI). He is internationally renowned for his work on supported employment and has published widely in the field of disability and learning disabilities. We have collaborated with Steve on several employment-related research commissions, and he has taken the lead on our recent policy development and quantitative work for the Welsh Government to estimate future demand and costs of further education for young people with complex support needs.
Carol Robinson (MBE, PhD, BA, CQSW) is head of Community Inclusion (Learning Disability) at the NDTi and has previously worked as a freelance consultant. Carol has undertaken a wide variety of research and development projects relating to both disabled children and adults and has published a number of books and articles on short breaks, employment and community inclusion. She is extremely skilled at working inclusively and has led on some of our research involving children and young people.
Val Williams (PhD, MEd, BA) is Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Bristol’s Norah Fry Centre for Disability Studies, where she was Head from 2013 to 2016. Val has researched, taught and published widely in the fields of disability, inclusion, education and communication and is currently executive editor of the international journal ‘Disability and Society’. Val has a key interest in conceptualising change in policy and practice, on the terms of disabled people themselves, and several of our recent research projects have benefitted from her focussed input and expertise.
Ceri Christian-Jones (PhD, BSc) is a freelance researcher, FE college lecturer and Safeguarding and Welfare manager for Special Olympics Great Britain. Ceri has a long-standing interest in research that helps to improve health and wellbeing and is fluent in spoken and written Welsh. She has taken the lead on delivering some of our Welsh Government-funded research interviews and publications through the medium of Welsh, to families, young people and practitioners living in Wales.
Naomi Williams (BA) is a freelance researcher who undertakes the audio transcribing of research interviews and focus groups for many of our projects. Naomi’s speed, accuracy and ability to work to seemingly unfeasible deadlines mean we can deliver our analysis and reporting to clients on time and with confidence.