Inspired by 2015 being the ‘international year of evaluation’, we began the morning with a focus on evaluation. First up was Lucy Mowat from Wakefield District Housing who talked to us about their Cash Wise Big Lottery project and how it was evaluated:

Evaluation case study: CashWise (Wakefield District Housing)

CashWise (video)

Continuing with the evaluation theme, we heard from Sarah Thurgood and Owen Richardson from the Kirklees Public Health Intelligence Team who shared learning from their evaluation of a local project called Auntie Pam’s:

Evaluation case study: Auntie Pam’s (Kirklees Council)

…one of this year’s LARIA Research Impact award winners!

It was then time to move into table discussions. This part of the event provided an opportunity for people to discuss and explore some key issues together – sharing challenges, questions, good practice, ideas and solutions with a focus on one of six topics:

• Open data – successes and challenges
• JSNA – asset based approaches
• Linking intelligence and performance
• Online panels
• Structures, roles and new ways of working
• Learning and development for researchers

…as well as the chance to refuel with coffee and biscuits! There was a definite buzz in the room with lots of lively discussion and people making contacts.

Discussion summaries

Open Data Guide, Principles & FAQs (Leeds Data Mill)

Our final set of presentations was themed around tools and techniques. Kelly Charles (ResearchBods) discussed making the most of online insight communities, Andrew Fitzpatrick (Kirklees Council) explored the power of maps and Diane Armstrong (QSR International) focused on qualitative analysis – human vs. machine.

Online insight communities (ResearchBods)

More than just a map (Kirklees Council)

Qualitative analysis – NVivo (QSR International)

NVivo – Cheshire East Case Study

And before we knew it the morning was over – a big thank you once again to all of our speakers, table facilitators and everyone who attended.

Alison Monkhouse

LARIA Regional Co-Ordinator, Yorkshire & the Humber

The post LARIA Y&H – Sept 2015 event summary appeared first on LARIA - Local Area Research + Intelligence Association.