Senior Researcher, Institute for Community Studies

Applying principles of participatory action research, Jess works to ensure community voices are reflected in research and policy design. They joined The Young Foundation in September 2022, having worked as a policymaker at the Bank of England and held multiple roles in government, policy research, and education. They were a member of the 2020-21 Year Here Social Innovation Fellowship cohort, designing solutions to youth unemployment and educational inequality in the UK.

Jess brings experience in data analysis, economic policymaking, and teaching, seeking to harness the power of collective, social learning ‘done with’ people (rather than ‘done for’) to generate social change. They are motivated to share power and build capacity within organisations and communities to address issues of systemic inequality, economic justice, and youth participation in political process.

In their spare time, Jess writes poetry and interactive fiction, previously running a writers’ group where creatives could collaborate and connect. They recently moved back to the UK after completing a master’s in the US and are rediscovering their favourite bits of the country through hiking and camping.

Contributions

‘Speaking truth to power’

Blog Posted on: 3 January 2023

The Civic Journey: Summary of emerging findings

Publication Posted on: 19 December 2022

Talking transitions: the road to net zero

Blog Posted on: 22 September 2022

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