Belinda Pratten

Dr. Belinda Pratten is the Course Lead for Leadership in Communities BSc at the School of Social Sciences and Professions, London Metropolitan University. She holds a PhD in Community Engagement in Commissioning Health Care from the same institution (awarded 1997). Her professional journey includes:

• Leading Health Studies BSc at London Met (1996-2003)
• Senior Policy Officer and Head of Policy at National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
• Freelance consultant supporting voluntary organizations (2011-2022)
• Associate Lecturer prior to becoming permanent Course Lead in 2022

Her research focuses on empowering voluntary and community organizations through leadership frameworks, social enterprise models, and effective community engagement strategies. She integrates real-world challenges into academic curricula to bridge theory and practice.

Belinda supervises final-year work placements, enabling students to gain professional experience in community leadership roles. She specializes in translating organizational needs—including strategic planning, governance, and evaluation—into actionable solutions for the voluntary sector.