Helix Research and Evaluation is a UK-based social research company, providing a full range of high quality and cost-effective research, evaluation and policy development services.
Established by experienced researchers Ruth Townsley and Margaret Macadam, our approach is responsive, friendly and reliable. We work in partnership with clients to deliver flexible insight solutions, informed by our robust methodological expertise and strong sector knowledge in:
- education and skills
- public engagement
- disability and inclusion
- employment
- business and innovation
- children and families
- health and well-being
Margaret and Ruth first worked together at the University of Bristol in the 1990s, moving on to develop their methodological skills across a wide range of sectors, before setting up Helix Research and Evaluation in 2018.
Ruth Townsley (PhD, BA Hons) has many years’ experience of designing and delivering social research, evaluation and review work for national and international clients. She is an experienced project manager, with a strong and established track record of completing complex projects on time and within budget. Following a career in academic research at the University of Bristol, Ruth worked as an independent researcher, delivering work to clients such as the Welsh Government, RCUK and the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Ruth became a Director of Helix Research and Evaluation in 2018.
Margaret Macadam (MSc, BA Hons) is a skilled social researcher with extensive experience in a range of senior research and evaluation roles in the UK and New Zealand, in higher education as well as central and local government. She combines delivery expertise in academic and policy settings with eleven years of working in research and innovation funding agencies (Economic and Social Research Council and Innovate UK – both now part of UK Research and Innovation), leading on impact evaluation and knowledge mobilisation. Margaret became a Director of Helix Research and Evaluation in 2018.
Emily Rodden (PhD in progress, BSc Hons, PGCE, FHEA) is a lecturer and researcher specialising in mathematics, artificial intelligence, and data science. With experience spanning curriculum development, inclusive pedagogy, and AI research, Emily has contributed to a range of national education initiatives, including the Department for Education-funded Multiply project and the DCMS-funded evaluation of the National Data Skills Pilots. She has developed CPD materials as part of a Google-funded MOOC on mathematics and computer science education and supports widening participation through outreach. Emily teaches on postgraduate AI and data science programmes and is currently completing a PhD in Chaotic Neural Networks at the University of Wolverhampton, exploring the intersection of mathematical theory and machine learning. She became an Associate with Helix Research and Evaluation in 2025.
Maia Jones (MSc Econ, PGCE, BA Hons) is an FE college lecturer in Wales, where she coordinates the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Care) course. She delivers high quality bilingual learning experiences across a range of higher education modules, and supervises dissertation students, advising on research methods and design. Maia has a long-standing interest in community-based research and has conducted projects focusing on education and young people. She is fluent in spoken and written Welsh. Maia became an Associate with Helix Research and Evaluation in 2023.
Sarah-Jane Marriott (MSc Econ, BSc Hons) is an international development consultant with expertise in monitoring, evaluation and learning. She has 25 years’ experience of working with government, private, and third sector organisations, nationally and internationally. She has worked as a policy advisor, a programme manager, a consultant specialising in policy and programme evaluation, and latterly as an executive coach and facilitator. Sarah-Jane has strong sector knowledge in health, education, rural livelihoods, water and sanitation, and has worked with organisations on governance and empowerment programmes. She has extensive experience in leading, conducting and advising on programme evaluations for national and international organisations such as WaterAid, Marie Stopes International, Health Unlimited, DfID, Comic Relief, and New Zealand Agency for International Development. Sarah-Jane became an Associate with Helix Research and Evaluation in 2023.
Caroline Thomas (BA Hons) is a highly-experienced social researcher who has worked as an Academic Adviser to government, supporting the use of research evidence in policy, and as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Stirling, managing child-welfare research programmes for the Scottish and English governments. She was also a board member for Research in Practice, helping organisations and individuals to access, understand and apply evidence in their work with children and families. Caroline now works as an Independent Research Consultant. Recent work includes a synthesis of research evidence for the Care Crisis Review in England and Wales and collaborations with national agencies in England and Scotland to promote public and professional understanding of adoption and fostering. She holds an Honorary Senior Research Fellowship with the University of Stirling and is a member of the European Council for Research’s Expert Panel for the ethical review of research proposals. Caroline became an Associate with Helix Research and Evaluation in 2019.