Vanessa Dodd

Head Of Education Research & Evaluation

Academic Quality and Development

I studied Applied Sociology at Clemson University in the United States where I lectured on the Sociology course and worked with several community-based organisations to develop evaluation and impact frameworks that supported their needs. After moving the UK, I developed an interest in research and evaluation to support widening participation and the continuous enhancement of the student experience in higher education. I have held a variety of roles in UK HE and delivered or supported independent evaluations for a variety of organisations such as the DfE, Teach First, the Gatsby Foundation and various local authorities. I am particularly interested in survey design and have developed, adapted and validated several surveys to support the effective evaluation of programmes. At Staffordshire, I support the university by increasing the standards of evidence to ensure an excellent student experience, engage in research and policy analysis to support our place-based mission, support the University through consultation response in relation to learning and teaching and develop our analytics and insight capabilities.

Professional memberships and activities

Senior Fellow of Advance HE

Academic qualifications

Applied Sociology with a concentration in International Community Development

Master of Science Sociology

Bachelor of Arts

Expertise

Evaluation, survey design, decent work, career guidance policy, Higher Education policy, student experience

Research interests

Evaluation, survey design, decent work, career guidance policy, Higher Education policy, student experience.

Publications

Dodd, V., Hanson, J., & Hooley, T. (2022). Increasing students’ career readiness through career guidance: measuring the impact with a validated measure. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 50(2), 260-272. Dodd, V., & Burke, C. (2021).

The Development of the Decent Work Scale as a Cross-cultural Measure of Decent Work. In Decent Work (pp. 41-50). Emerald Publishing Limited. Percy, C., & Dodd, V. (2021).

The economic outcomes of career development programmes. The Oxford Handbook of Career Development, 35. Foster, R., Svanaes, S., Howell, S., Neary, S., Everitt, J., & Dodd, V. (2020).

Hours Spent Building Skills and Employability. Research Report. UK Department for Education. Dodd, V., Hooley, T., & Burke, C. (2019).

Decent work in the UK: Context, conceptualization, and assessment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 112, 270-281. Dodd, V., & Hooley, T. (2018).

The development of the teachers’ attitudes toward career learning index (TACLI). Teacher Development, 22(1), 139-150.

External profiles

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021