Sarah Pearson BA, MA
Professor of Social Research
Summary
Sarah Pearson is Professor of Social Research at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research and Director of the Social and Economic Research Institute.
About
I have over 25 years’ experience of social policy research and evaluation and have led major evaluations of public policy across a range of agendas including anti-poverty, community regeneration and support for vulnerable groups. My research focuses on three core areas:
- Neighbourhood and community-based approaches to improving outcomes for disadvantaged areas
- Models of public service delivery – particularly addressing the involvement of communities and service users, and developing evaluation tools and capacity in public service contexts
- The role and impact of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations
Much of my research has focussed on interventions at the level of neighbourhood or local community. This included the evaluation the New Deal for Communities, where as Deputy Director of the evaluation between 2001 and 2010 I co-led a large-scale evaluation of a neighbourhood regeneration programme adopting a complex, quasi-experimental, longitudinal impact evaluation methodology. The research generated more than 100 outputs (https://extra.shu.ac.uk/ndc/) on the economic, social and physical regeneration of neighbourhoods, and assessment of outcomes for both ‘people’ and ‘places’. More recently, I led a five-year evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund to explore how partnerships between public and voluntary sector organisations can shift community resources toward early intervention. This project, which reported in 2020 (https://www.earlyactionfund.org/evaluation) was a partnership with major UK funders including Comic Relief, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Barrow Cadbury Trust and Legal Education Foundation to build evidence on the funding conditions that best support interventions aimed at 'disrupting' public service systems to allow for the more effective use of local assets in meeting community needs.
I have utilised theory- and systems- based evaluation approaches extensively in my research in this area. An exemplar is work on Children's Communities to build evidence on the impact of neighbourhood-based approaches to improving outcomes for children in disadvantaged areas (https://www.childrenscommunitynetwork.org.uk/evaluation-and-learning).
A longstanding interest in models of public service delivery has focused on relationships between the citizen and the state, and on developing evaluation tools and capacity in public service contexts. Early work focused on developing tools to assess the impact of anti-poverty policies adopted by UK local governments in the early and mid-1990s. A key finding was the importance of context, and national and local political processes in shaping the allocation of resources to address social need. These themes have been developed through my more recent work in this area which has supported service providers to better understand the impact of their work. An exemplar is a collaborative partnership with Doncaster Council and NHS Doncaster CCG to understand the impacts of health and social care integration, and build new a measure of citizen well-being to inform the commissioning of services across both domains.
My research is also concerned with the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly young people and lone parents. In relation to young people, work has included the impact evaluation of the myplace programme (2012-13) which involved Department for Education capital investment of £240m in youth facilities. I have since worked with colleagues in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research on the evaluation of Talent Match, one of the National Lottery Community Fund's strategic programmes addressing youth unemployment (https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/talentmatch/blogs/). Support for young people is a continuing area of interest, and I am currently working through the evaluators’ panel for the Youth Endowment Fund to assess the impact of a programme of support to vulnerable young people being delivered by Wakefield Youth Services. My research on lone parents has focussed on employment support. A significant project was an evaluation of support for lone parents who are furthest from the labour market in Scotland, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund (2013-17) and led in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. This research has produced a rich stream of academic outputs focusing on innovation and co-production in employment support. More recently, my research on vulnerable groups has extended to people facing multiple disadvantage (Complex Needs evaluation for MHCLG) and low income families (evaluation of Your Work Your Way for the Child Poverty Action Group).
A third theme third in my research is the resourcing and impact of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations. This research is informed by the two themes articulated above: the VCS has a distinctive role in the delivery of services and the scale and quality of voluntary and community sector shapes service provision, particularly in response to limitations in state capacity to meet community needs. Early research included assessments of funding and grant making practices in voluntary organisations and on the sustainability and impact of voluntary sector infrastructure. This developed into methods to assess the scale and value of the voluntary and community sector in local areas. I am currently working on a learning and evaluation contract with the Nationwide Foundation.
I am an expert in evaluation theory and practice and have acted as an evaluation advisor to UK government departments (BEIS, DHSC, Defra), Welsh Government, local authorities, charities and foundations.
In a voluntary capacity I am a Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Mercia Learning Trust, providing strategic oversight of the education of more than 3000 primary and secondary pupils across six schools in Sheffield.
Research interests
- Evaluation
- Social impact
- Neighbourhood and community regeneration
- Community capacity and engagement
- Lone parents
- Children and young people
- Voluntary and community sector
Teaching
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Welfare reform and labour markets
Regeneration and economic development
Voluntary and community sector
Vulnerable groups
Research
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
2023 Review of Neighbourhood Regeneration, Local Trust.
2020-2022 Evaluation of Your Work Your Way, Child Poverty Action Group.
2019-2021 Evaluation of Branching Out, Youth Endowment Fund.
2018-2020 Evaluation and Learning Partner, Nationwide Foundation.
2017-2020 Children's Communities Evaluation, Save the Children.
2015-2020 Evaluation of Early Action Neighbourhood Fund, Big Lottery Fund.
2018-2019 Complex Needs Process Evaluation, MHCLG.
2014-2019 Talent Match Learning and Evaluation, Big Lottery Fund.
2013-2017 Evaluation of Making it Work, Big Lottery Fund Scotland.
2016 Evaluation of Sheffield's Enhanced Primary Care Programme, NHS Sheffield CCG.
2016 The evaluation needs of Better Care Fund providers in Yorkshire and the Humber, NHS England.
2014-2016 Evaluation of Supporting and Maintaining Independence programme, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
2014-2016 Evaluation of Stockport Targeted Prevention Programme, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council/ Nesta.
2012-2013 Evaluation of Myplace, Big Lottery/ Department for Education.
2000- 2010 New Deal for Communities Evaluation, Communities and Local Government.
Key clients
- Child Poverty Action Group
- National Lottery Community Fund
- Save the Children UK
- Nationwide Foundation
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Publications
Journal articles
Pearson, S., Lindsay, C., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2023). Relational approaches to employability. Journal of Education and Work. http://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2023.2184466
Coldwell, M., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2022). Evaluating local system change using a comparative maturity matrix. Evaluation, 28 (4), 446-465. http://doi.org/10.1177/13563890221126744
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2021). Collaborative innovation and activation in urban labour markets. European Urban and Regional Studies, 28 (3), 282-297. http://doi.org/10.1177/09697764211003649
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2021). Empowering lone parents to progress towards employability. Journal of Social Policy. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279421000283
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2021). Empowering lone parents to progress towards employability. Journal of Social Policy. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279421000283
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2021). Collaborative Innovation in Labour Market Inclusion. Public Administration Review. http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13338
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2021). Collaborative Innovation in Labour Market Inclusion. Public Administration Review. http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13338
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2019). Street-level practice, personalisation and co-production in employability: Insights from local services with lone parents. Social policy and society, 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746419000174
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2018). Co-production and social innovation in street-level employability services: lessons from services with lone parents in Scotland. International Social Security Review, 71 (4), 33-50. http://doi.org/10.1111/issr.12188
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.-.M., & Eadson, W. (2018). Street-level practice and the co-production of third sector-led employability services. Policy & Politics, 46 (4), 571-587. http://doi.org/10.1332/030557317X15120417452025
Lindsay, C., Pearson, S., Batty, E., Cullen, A.M., & Eadson, W. (2018). Co-production as a route to employability: Lessons from services with lone parents. Public Administration, 96 (2), 318-332. http://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12408
Fowler-Davis, S., Piercy, H., Pearson, S., Thomas, B., & Kelly, S. (2018). Factors affecting decisions to extend access to primary care- results of a qualitative evaluation of general practitioners views. BMJ Open, 8 (3). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019084
Crisp, R., Gore, T., & Pearson, S. (2015). Rethinking the impact of regeneration on poverty: a (partial) defence of a 'failed' policy. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 23 (3), 167-187. http://doi.org/10.1332/175982715X14443317211905
Pearson, S., & Lawless, P. (2012). Outcomes from community engagement in urban regeneration: evidence from England’s New Deal for Communities Programme. Planning Theory and Practice, 13 (4), 509-527. http://doi.org/10.1080/14649357.2012.728003
Pearson, S., & Lawless, P. (2012). Population mobility in regeneration areas : trends, drivers, and implications; evidence from England’s New Deal for Communities Programme. Environment and Planning A, 44 (8), 2023-2039. http://doi.org/10.1068/a44679
Pearson, S. (2010). KBART – improving content visibility through collaboration. Serials: The Journal for the Serials Community, 23 (2), 150-154. http://doi.org/10.1629/23150
Pearson, S. (2009). How low should you go? Neighbourhood level interventions in the crime and community safety theme of New Deal for Communities. People, Place and Policy, 3 (1), 48-57. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.0003.0001.0005
ALCOCK, P., & PEARSON, S. (1999). Raising the Poverty Plateau: The Impact of Means-tested Rebates from Local Authority Charges on Low Income Households. Journal of Social Policy, 28 (3), 497-516. http://doi.org/10.1017/s0047279499005681
Book chapters
Pearson, S., & Craig, G. (2001). Community Participation in Strategic Partnerships in the United Kingdom. In Rebuilding Community. (pp. 118-138). Palgrave Macmillan UK: http://doi.org/10.1057/9781403919878_7
Sarah, P. (2001). Local government, anti-poverty strategies and partnership working. In Partnership workingPolicy and practice. (pp. 57-76). Policy Press: http://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781861342201.003.0004
Reports
Clark, L., Coldwell, M., Pearson, S., Willis, B., Wilson, I., Byrne, E., ... Reaney-Wood, S. (2023). Family hubs innovation fund evaluation: Final research report City of Doncaster. London: Department for Education.
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Harris, C., Pearson, S., & Sanderson, E. (2023). Your Work Your Way: Final Evaluation Report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2023.9870182602
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Harris, C., Pearson, S., & Sanderson, E. (2023). Your Work Your Way: Summary Report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/your-work-your-way-summary-report
Crisp, R., Leather, D., Mcmullan, J., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2023). Review of neighbourhood regeneration. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2023.6940123501
Crisp, R., Leather, D., Mcmullan, J., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2023). A return to neighbourhood regeneration? Reassessing the benefits of a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2023.8346046274
Carter, C., Clark, L., Coldwell, M., Hatton, A., Pearson, S., Reaney-Wood, S., ... Wilson, I. (2022). Family hubs evaluation interim report: Doncaster. Department for Education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1123746/Family_Hub_Evaluation_Innovation_Fund_Interim_report-Doncaster.pdf
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2020). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary - Evaluating Complex Systems Change Projects. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-summary-evaluating-complex-systems
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., & Pearson, S. (2020). Early action neighbourhood fund evaluation report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/early-action-neighbourhood-fund-evaluation-report
Pearson, S., Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2020). Early action neighbourhood fund evaluation learning summary: the EANF journey. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/early-action-neighbourhood-fund-evaluation-learning-summary-the-eanf-journey
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2020). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary - Evaluating Complex Systems Change Projects. h126:%20Early%20Action%20Neighbourhood%20Fund%20Evaluation%20and%20Learning%20Contract
Batty, E., Harris, C., Leather, D., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Carter, C., ... Willis, B. (2020). Children’s Communities final evaluation report. Save the Children, UK. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-communities-final-evaluation-report
Damm, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: Understanding the impact and value of Talent Match. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.2031246178
Damm, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: Technical Appendix Report. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.7420650207
Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: A Final Assessment. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.1739253459
Batty, E., Bennett, E., Devany, C., Harris, C., Pearson, S., & Woodward, A. (2020). Friends and purpose: evaluation of camerados public living rooms. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.3886334757
Pearson, S., Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2020). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary - Funders Briefing. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-summary-funders-briefing
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2019). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary 1 - Data, Evidence and Impact. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-summary-1---data-evidence-and-impact
Crisp, R., Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). Talent Match Evaluation: Progression to Employment. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2018.3322694645
Bashir, N., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). Talent Match Evaluation: Involving Young People. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2018.3465668226
Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). Talent Match Evaluation: Youth Employment Partnerships. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2018.3356697744
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). Involving young people: Lessons from the Talent Match programme evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/involving-young-people-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). Youth Employment Partnerships: Lessons from the Talent Match programme evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/youth-employment-partnerships-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). Progression to Employment: Lessons from the Talent Match programme evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/progression-to-employment-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2018). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Update 1 - Revisiting the Programme Theory of Change. CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-update-1---revisiting-the-programme
Batty, E., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Coldwell, M., Stiell, B., & Willis, B. (2018). Children's Community evaluation 2017 report. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-community-evaluation-2017-report
Batty, E., Harris, C., Leather, D., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Coldwell, M., ... Willis, B. (2018). Children's Communities programme evaluation 2018 report. Save the Children UK. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-communities-programme-evaluation-2018-report
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., & Pearson, S. (2017). Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: learning and evaluationyear two programme report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-and-evaluation-year-two-programme-report
Batty, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Lindsay, C., & Cullen, A.M. (2017). Making it Work: learning and evaluation contract: Final report. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-it-work-learning-and-evaluation-contract---final-report
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Evaluation of Making It Work: an assessment of impact and value for money. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.5337382782
Pearson, S., Barnes, S.-.A., Green, A., & Batty, E. (2017). Key worker models: What key worker approaches, capacity and capabilities are important at different stages of the journey to employment? Sheffield Hallam University - Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/key-worker-models-what-key-worker-approaches-capacity-and-capabilities-are-important
Damm, C., Dayson, C., Gilbertson, J., & Pearson, S. (2016). Stockport Targeted Prevention Programme Evaluation: Final Report. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/stockport-targeted-prevention-alliance
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). EANF Learning Report 1: Evidence and Data. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/eanf-learning-report-1-evidence-and-data
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: learning and evaluation - year one programme report. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-and-evaluation---year-one-programme-report
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). EANF learning report 2: building alliances. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/eanf-learning-report-2-building-alliances
Crisp, R., Mccarthy, L., Parr, S., Pearson, S., & Berry, N. (2016). Community-led approaches to reducing poverty in neighbourhoods: a review of evidence and practice. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/community-led-approaches-to-reducing-poverty-in-neighbourhoods-a-review-of-evidence-and-practice
Pearson, S., & Cooke, J. (2016). Assessing the evaluation needs of Better Care Funds in Yorkshire and the Humber: Final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/assessing-the-evaluation-needs-of-better-care-funds-in-yorkshire-and-the-humber
Pearson, S., Bennett, E., Batty, E., & Green, S. (2015). Evaluation of the Doncaster community fund prospectus: final report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-doncaster-community-fund-prospectus-final-report
Pearson, S., & Lindsay, C. (2015). Making It Work Learning and Evaluation Briefing 2: Making the Case for Co-production. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-it-work-learning-and-evaluation-briefing-2-making-the-case-for-co-production
Pearson, S., & Lindsay, C. (2015). Making it work learning and evaluation briefing 1: engaging lone parents. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-it-work-learning-and-evaluation-briefing-1-engaging-lone-parents
Pearson, S., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Sanderson, E., Lindsay, C., & Cullen, A.M. (2015). Making it Work: learning and evaluation contract - year two programme report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-it-work-learning-and-evaluation-contract---year-two-programme-report
Crisp, R., Gore, T., & Pearson, S. (2014). Reducing poverty in the UK: a collection of evidence reviews. Joseph Rowntree Foundation. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/reducing-poverty-in-the-uk-a-collection-of-evidence-reviews
Crisp, R., Gore, T., Pearson, S., Tyler, P., Clapham, D., Muir, J., & Robertson, D. (2014). Regeneration and poverty: evidence and policy review. Final report. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/regeneration-and-poverty-evidence-and-policy-review
Pearson, S., Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace Impact Evaluation Report. Big Lottery Fund.
Dayson, C., Bashir, N., & Pearson, S. (2013). From dependence to independence: emerging lessons from the Rotherham social prescribing pilot - summary report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/from-dependence-to-independence-emerging-lessons-from-the-rotherham-social-prescribing-pilot-summary
Dayson, C., Bashir, N., & Pearson, S. (2013). From dependence to independence: emerging lessons from the Rotherham social prescribing pilot. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/from-dependence-to-independence-emerging-lessons-from-the-rotherham-social-prescribing-pilot
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Batty, E., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace evaluation: Final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-myplace
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace evaluation: Summary report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-summary-report
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wilson, I., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2013). Evaluation of myplace: Technical report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-technical-report
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Clague, L., Formby, E., Pearson, S., & Wolstenholme, C. (2013). myplace case study report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-case-study
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Platts-Fowler, D., Sanderson, E., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2012). myplace Impact Evaluation Interim Report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-impact-evaluation-interim-report
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Platts-Fowler, D., Sanderson, E., ... Wolstenholme, C. (2012). myplace impact evaluation interim report: executive summary. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/myplace-impact-evaluation-interim-report-executive-summary
Wells, P., Dayson, C., Gilbertson, J., Pearson, S., Gore, T., Batty, E., ... Ward, T. (2012). Research Study into Outsourcing Grantmaking: Final Report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/research-study-into-outsourcing-grantmaking-final-report
Pearson, S., Wells, P., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Walshaw, A. (2011). Sustaining the benefits of capital funding. Big Lottery Fund.
Gilbertson, J., & Pearson, S. (2011). Evaluation of Financial Capability ProjectSheffield. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-financial-capability-project-sheffield
Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Pearson, S. (2011). Making a Difference: Research on the Voluntary and Community Sector in Derbyshire. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-a-difference-research-on-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-derbyshire
Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2011). Technical report: NDC national evaluationphase 2. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/ndc-technical-report
Dayson, C., Wells, P., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., Pearson, S., Walshaw, A., ... Trinnaman, J. (2011). Sustaining the benefits of capital funding: Final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sustaining-the-benefits-of-capital-funding-final-report
Pearson, S., Lawless, P., Beatty, C., Batty, E., Foden, M., & Wilson, I. (2010). New Deal for Communities Evaluation Final Report, Volumes 1 to 7. Communities and Local Government.
Wells, P., Batty, E., Pearson, S., Dayson, C., Platts-Fowler, D., Trinnaman, J., ... Macmillan, R. (2010). Evaluation of the South Yorkshire Social Infrastructure Programme - Report A: Summary Report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-a-summary-report
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., Crisp, R., & Wilson, I. (2010). The experience of third sector subcontractors in the European Social Fund 2007-13 Programme. Third Sector European Network. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-experience-of-third-sector-subcontractors-in-the-european-social-fund-2007-13-programme
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2010). Involving local people in regeneration: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities programme - The New Deal for Communities national evaluation: Final report – Volume 2. Communities and Local Government. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/ndc-evidence-ndc-programme-vol2.pdf
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2010). Making deprived areas better places to live: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities programme -The New Deal for Communities national evaluation: Final report – Volume 3. Communities and Local Government. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-new-deal-for-communities-programme-volume-three---making-deprived-areas-better-places-to-live
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2010). Improving outcomes for people in deprived neighbourhoods: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities programme - The New Deal for Communities national evaluation: Final report – Volume 4. Communities and Local Government. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-new-deal-for-communities-programme-volume-four---improving-outcomes-for-people-in-deprived
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2010). The New Deal for Communities experience: A final assessment - The New Deal for Communities evaluation: Final report – Volume 7 executive summary. Communities and Local Government. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/ndc-a-final-assessment-vol7-exec-summary.pdf
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2010). The New Deal for Communities experience: a final assessment - The New Deal for Communities evaluation: Final report – Volume 7. Communities and Local Government. http://www4.shu.ac.uk/research/cresr/sites/shu.ac.uk/files/ndc-a-final-assessment-vol7.pdf
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Wilson, I., & Pearson, S. (2010). The new deal for communities experience: a final assessment. Communities and Local Government. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-new-deal-for-communities-experience-a-final-assessment
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2010). The new deal for communities experience: a final assessment - executive summary. Communities and Local Government. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-new-deal-for-communities-experience-a-final-assessment---executive-summary
Pearson, S., Beatty, C., Lawless, P., & Wilson, I. (2009). Residential Mobility and Outcome Change in Deprived areas: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities Programme. Communities and Local Government.
Pearson, S., Batty, E., & Foden, M. (2009). Improving Health Outcomes in Deprived Communities: Evidence from the New Deal for Communities Programme. Communities and Local Government.
Batty, E., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2009). Evaluation of the South Yorkshire Social Infrastructure Programme - Report F: Core Infrastructure Services. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-f
Fordham, G., Ardron, R., Batty, E., Clark, C., Cook, B., Fuller, C., ... Turner, R. (2009). Improving outcomes? engaging residents in the New Deal for Communities Programme : some lessons from the New Deal for Communities Programme. Communities and Local Government. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/improving-outcomes-engaging-local-communities-in-the-ndc-programme
Foden, M., & Pearson, S. (2009). The 2008 partnership survey: evidence from the New Deal for Communities Programme. Communities and Local Government Publications. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-2008-partnership-survey
Beatty, C., Foden, M., Lawless, P., Pearson, S., & Wilson, I. (2009). Transformational change? A synthesis of new evidence 2008-09: evidence from the New Deal for Communities Programme. Communities and Local Government Publications. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/transformational-change-a-synthesis-of-new-evidence-2008-09
Pearson, S., & Foden, M. (2008). Running a Regeneration Programme: The experiences of residents on the boards of New Deal for Communities Partnerships. Communities and Local Government.
Fletcher, D., Gore, T., Macmillan, R., Batty, E., & Pearson, S. (2008). Qualitative evaluation of the Jobseeker Mandatory Activity (JMA). Department for Work and Pensions; Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/qualitative-evaluation-of-the-jobseeker-mandatory-activity-jma
Coule, T., Pearson, S., & Macmillan, R. (2008). Valuing the Voluntary and Community Sector in Rotherham in 2008. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-rotherham-in-2008
Coule, T., Pearson, S., & Macmillan, R. (2008). Valuing the Voluntary and Community Sector in Rotherham in 2008: Summary. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-rotherham-in-2008-summary
Pearson, S., Ardron, R., Lawless, P., Wells, P., Dickinson, S., Fordham, G., ... Meegan, R. (2008). Delivering safer neighbourhoods: experiences from the New Deal for communities programme. Communities and Local Government Publications.
Pearson, S., Batty, E., & Macmillan, R. (2006). The future of neighbourhood-level infrastructure in Rotherham. Voluntary Action Rotherham.
Pearson, S., Lawless, P., Batty, E., Beatty, C., Foden, M., & Wilson, I. (2005). New Deal for Communities 2001-2005: An Interim Evaluation, NRU Research Report 17. Neighbourhood Renewal Unit.
Pearson, S. (2003). Making a Difference: Research on the Voluntary and Community Sector in Derbyshire. CRESR.
Pearson, S., Morgan, G., Taylor, M., & Northmore, S. (2003). An Evaluation of Community Fund Grant Making to Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Organisations. Community Fund.
Pearson, S., & Yeandle, S. (2001). Evaluation of New Deal for Lone Parents Innovative Pilots. Employment Service.
Pearson, S., & Morgan, G. (2001). The Role of Councils for Voluntary Service in the Social Inclusion Agenda. National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service.
Pearson, S., Macmillan, R., Alcock, P., Vincent, J., & Harrow, J. (1999). Making funding work: Funding regimes and local voluntary organisations. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Pearson, S., Craig, G., & Alcock, P. (1999). What counts? What works? Evaluating anti-poverty and social inclusion work in local government.
Pearson, S., alcock, P., Lawless, P., & Robinson, D. (1998). Inclusive Regeneration: local authorities' corporate strategies for tackling disadvantage. Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Pearson, S. (1995). Local Benefits? A review of rebating and remitting schemes in Oldham. CRESR.
Presentations
Pearson, S. (2019). Children's Communities. Presented at: Improving Outcomes for Children, University of Glasgow
Pearson, S., & Coldwell, M. (2019). Theory-based approaches to the evaluation of complex place-based systems change. Presented at: CRESR Seminar Series, Sheffield Hallam University
Pearson, S. (2019). Understanding the labour market experiences of lone parents living in complex circumstances. Presented at: Social Citizenship, Migration and Conflict - Equality and opportunity in European welfare states, Stockholm
Pearson, S., & Batty, E. (2018). Supporting lone parents to make progress towards employability: Lessons for active labour market policy. Presented at: Transformation of European welfare systems: Challenges, problems and future prospects, Vilnius
Pearson, S. (2018). Supporting parents: Evidence from Making it Work. Presented at: Seminar on labour market progression, Glasgow
Pearson, S. (2018). Journeys to work: exploring the labour market trajectories of lone parents in Scotland. Presented at: Creating Knowledge Conference, Sheffield
Pearson, S., & Lindsay, C. (2017). Coproduction and innovation in the delivery of employability services: lessons from third sector-led services for lone parents. Presented at: New Horizons of European Social Policy: Risks, Opportunities and Challenges, Lisbon
Pearson, S. (2016). Co-producing employability services with lone parents: lessons from third sector led services in Scotland. Presented at: Conference on lone parents in the UK today, London
Pearson, S., & Lindsay, C. (2015). Street level practice and the co-production of third sector services for lone parents. Presented at: Conference on street level research in employment and social policy, Copenhagen
Pearson, S. (2014). Population mobility and outcomes in regeneration areas. Presented at: Seminar Series, University of Manchester
Pearson, S. (2014). Improving outcomes for better care. Presented at: ESRC Festival of Social Science, Sheffield
Pearson, S. (2014). Involving neighbourhoods in local regeneration. Presented at: Yorkshire Conference: Planning with communities: does the neighbourhood level work?, Sheffield
Pearson, S. (2014). Assessing the Impacts of youth centres: reflections on the possibilities and limitations of evaluation. Presented at: Social Policy Association Conference, Sheffield
Pearson, S. (2013). Young people's services: provision, funding and the role of the private sector. Presented at: Services for young people: the future of youth services, London
Pearson, S. (2010). Does involving local people in regeneration programmes contribute to community cohesion and well-being? Presented at: Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference, Leeds
Pearson, S. (2004). Funding for Civil Renewal: Developing the capacities of local voluntary sector infrastructure. Presented at: Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference, Sheffield
Postgraduate supervision
Topics supervised include
The impact of public service delivery on voluntary and community organisations
Delivering Sure Start in a Multi-ethnic area: Power and Participation in Tinsley, Sheffield
Community Participation, Power and Democracy: A cross-national comparative study of the participatory budgeting process in Porto Alegre, Brazil and the New Deal for Communities regeneration programme, Hull, UK
I would welcome discussions and enquiries in relation to the supervision of students in these fields and other areas: community regeneration, role and funding of the voluntary and community sector, community sector infrastructure, community participation.