Lena Andersen
Location: Manchester
Qualifications: MSc Social Research Methods and Statistics (University of Manchester), BA Sociology (University of Leeds)
I joined SQW in September 2024, moving from academia at the University of Manchester as a doctoral researcher and graduate teaching assistant within the social statistics department. Having a foundation in quantitative research methods and social survey research, I was excited to move to an organisation delivering mixed methods approaches to impact on social and economic development and where I could develop my qualitative skills and broader subject knowledge.
At SQW, the types of projects you work on varies greatly, which has been really engaging. I have worked on an evaluation of the Science in Your World programme for Science Museum Group since the early stages of my role, and I have also supported projects related to youth (Youth Activities research for Department for Culture, Media and Sport and a Rapid Evidence Assessment for the Youth Futures Foundation), social care (evaluation of IMPACT for the Health Foundation) and spatial development (evaluation of the Innovator Accelerator Pilot Programme for UKRI and a business case for a Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre in Greater Manchester).
Whilst at SQW, tasks such as interview analysis, document reviews, observations, shadowing interviews and analysis of journal articles have greatly helped with my confidence in qualitative research and the use of MaxQDA (a qualitative analysis software). I have worked on Excel for evaluations of Greater Manchester’s Work and Health programmes and am part of the ‘Quant Group’, which meets once a month to ensure we are keeping up with developments in the field. More widely, I have also contributed to the writing of reports and will be soon leading on consultations and undertaking econometric analysis.
Regardless of what I’ve been tasked with, the culture of my office and the broader SQW company means that there is a really supportive environment where everyone is happy to help. I’ve had mentorship support from senior colleagues and had extensive training on the tools of the trade through the Research Consultant Development Programme. It’s not been all about the work either - I have also enjoyed work socials at company-wide events and at the office (and attempted to make a cake for the first time for our annual office bake off…!).
