Detailed CV
Summary of Key Competences:Research and Evaluation Methods
Experience of using a range of methods including: qualitative and participatory approaches; innovative ways for gathering stakeholder feedback, such as using a community researcher model; knowledge of different evaluation models including: Social Accounting and Audit; Volunteer Impact Toolkit; Logic Modelling, Participatory Appraisal; and quality assurance models such as Investing in Volunteers.
Training
Experience of design and delivery of innovative training to support youth work and volunteer programmes including: Action Learning; Online Learning; resources and toolkits.
Third Sector knowledge
A 25 year career in the third sector providing support to: volunteers and voluntary organisations at local and national levels. Main fields of knowledge and experience include: youth work; volunteering; training and development; and research and evaluation.
Education and Professional Qualifications:
- 2016 Professional Doctorate Community Learning and Development: Evaluation that Empowers, University of Dundee.
- 2006 MSc Practitioner Research Studies: Becoming a Thriving Leader, University of Dundee
- 1998 SQA – D32 /33 Assessor Verifier Awards.
- 1994 Managing in Voluntary and Non-profit Organisations, Open University.
- 1988 BA Social Sciences, Open University.
- 1980 Advanced Cert. in Outdoor Education, University of Lancaster.
- 1976 Certificate in Education, Dartford College of Education, Kent.
Career History:
Evaluation and Professional Development Services – Director 2005 – to date
- Work collaboratively with organisations to design and deliver relevant and useful research, evaluation and training projects. See sample list of completed research projects below.
- Prepare reports for dissemination and publication.
Volunteer Development Scotland – Depute Chief Executive 2002 – 2005
- Co-leadership and strategic development of national charity supporting volunteering in Scotland.
- Managing organisation’s satisfactory completion of projects and contracts.
Volunteer Development Scotland – Head of Training 1992 – 2002
- Management, design and delivery of national training programme and training and consultancy contracts, with main focus on Volunteer Management
- Establishing suite of 4 accredited modules at SCQF level 8: Programme in Volunteers Management as part of BAPD Programme, Dundee University.
International Experience:
- Australasian Evaluation Society, International Evaluation Conference 2014 (Workshop and poster presentation)
- Experiential Evaluation, ICEL Conference, Sydney 2008. (Workshop presentation)
- Member of the EEEurope network of experiential educators, and host team for EEEurope Scotland 2007.
- Paper presention and workshops: Thriving Leaders, Meissen, Germany, 2007.
- Representative member of the European Centre for Volunteering (CEV) 2002-2005.
Lesley is one of the most inspirational of the trainers, managers and thought leaders I have worked with over more than 20 years in the learning & development field. She has a deep and wide understanding of people, of...
Nick McBain
Director, Clarity Coaching Scotland
Lesley has carried out several pieces of consultancy work for the Voluntary Action Fund, particularly around evaluation, impact measurement and group facilitation. Lesley has in depth knowledge of a range of evaluation methodologies...
Keith Wimbles, Chief Executive, Voluntary Action Fund
Lesley is a very motivated professional who is undertaking high level participatory evaluation that seeks to empower. She is very reflective and reflexive, and has brought innovative ways of approaching her doctoral work.
Divya Jindal-Snape
Professor, University of Dundee (academic)
Contact Me
+44 (0)1786 450 968