Lauren is a Senior Researcher with over seven years experience of social research.

She began her career in academic research where she worked on education specific issues. Lauren is a skilled qualitative researcher and is trained in ethnographic, linguistic and anthropological research techniques. She is experienced in using an array of qualitative research methodologies and consulting a diverse range of groups and communities.

Prior to joining Inclusion, Lauren worked in the Social Research division at GfK NOP where she managed numerous public and private sector research projects in the areas of welfare to work, education, social disadvantage and disability awareness. Lauren’s project roles have involved programme evaluation, stakeholder consultation and policy development.

Previous projects have included multistage research into proposed changes to the welfare system for the Department for Work and Pensions. She led on the testing of proposed welfare reform messages from pre to post green paper publication, including proposed changes to Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Income Support. Among Lauren’s other projects are an evaluation of the Tax Credits advice service for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, a review antisocial behaviour and alcohol misuse amongst young people for the Department for Children Schools and Families and a consultation for the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) into increasing participation in training amongst individuals with basic skills needs and employees lacking qualifications.

Lauren is a proficient user of Xsight qualitative analysis software.