Sarah Pearson

Sarah Pearson serves as Dean of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Sheffield Hallam University and is a member of the University Executive Board. She also holds the position of Co-Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness, funded by UK Research and Innovation through its strategic priority to Create Opportunities and Improve Outcomes. With over 25 years of experience in social policy research and evaluation, Pearson has led major evaluations of public policy across anti-poverty initiatives, community regeneration programs, and support systems for vulnerable groups.

Her research focuses on three interconnected themes: neighbourhood and community-based approaches to improving outcomes for disadvantaged areas; models of public service delivery with emphasis on community and service user involvement; and the role and impact of voluntary and community sector organizations. Notable projects include her work as Deputy Director of the New Deal for Communities evaluation (2001-2010), leadership of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund evaluation (2015-2020), and research on Children's Communities to build evidence on neighborhood-based approaches for children in disadvantaged areas.

Pearson's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding community regeneration, employability services, and social policy evaluation. Recent work shows a trend toward relational approaches to employability, collaborative innovation in labor markets, and empowering vulnerable groups like lone parents. Her research employs theory- and systems-based evaluation approaches for complex community interventions, with particular expertise in quasi-experimental and longitudinal methodologies.

As an evaluation expert, Pearson has advised UK government departments (BEIS, DHSC, Defra), Welsh Government, local authorities, charities and foundations. She currently supervises three PhD students working on youth transitions, loneliness among young mothers, and legacies of community regeneration. Her research has been funded by major organizations including the Economic and Social Research Council, Child Poverty Action Group, National Lottery Community Fund, Save the Children UK, and Nationwide Foundation.

In a voluntary capacity, Pearson serves as Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Mercia Learning Trust, providing strategic oversight for over 3,000 primary and secondary pupils across six schools in Sheffield. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy implementation, demonstrating commitment to translating evidence into improved community outcomes.