Sarah Whalley
swhalley@ers.org.uk
Sarah brings over 15 years of professional experience in research, education, and community development. She rejoined ERS in 2023 as a Senior Consultant, having worked for the company 15 years prior as a consultant.
Sarah deepened her expertise as a social researcher in Spain, dedicating eight years to a public railway organisation. During this time, Sarah applied her skills to a variety of research areas, including railway trespass and suicide prevention, level-crossing safety, and homelessness in European railway stations, amongst others. She conducted formative, summative and impact evaluations; developed theory of change logic models for the development of pilot measures; and supported the development of strategies and plans for public and private sector clients. For example, she played a pivotal role in developing a social inclusion strategy for the Bolivian Government, aimed at enhancing national skills and capacity for socio-economic development tied to a major railway construction project.
Holding a Masters in Participatory Research Methods and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Sarah specialises in engaging with children and young people and possesses in-depth knowledge of the UK education sector. Her extensive educational background and hands-on experience equip her to engage with a wide array of stakeholder groups and professionals across fields and disciplines.
Sarah’s international vision is an asset to the ERS team, stemming from her living and working experiences overseas and her participation in numerous European research projects. She has showcased her leadership skills by managing work packages on these European projects; overseeing project delivery, designing rigorous research methodologies, and developing evaluation frameworks.