Staff

Simon Burall is currently Director of Involve as well as the Chair of Democratic Audit and an Ambassador for WWF UK. Simon is committed to developing Involve's position as the leading organisation in the Public Participation field. His vision is to develop a mature conversation between government and the public which can lead to constructive solutions and conclusions.

Before moving to Involve he was a Research Fellow at ODI from 2006 - 2009. His interests included reform of the international aid delivery system and how to make development finance more effective. Prior to this he was the Executive Director of the One World Trust from 1999 - 2005. Before joining the Trust, Simon re-established the UK volunteer network for AFS, an organisation based in Leeds co-ordinating intercultural exchange visits.

 Twitter: sburall

Edward Andersson is the Deputy Director of Involve, and an established expert on methods of participatory decision making. He set up peopleandparticipation.net - the UKs leading public engagement site, and has advised a number of organisations on public engagement strategies, including the Home Office, the European Commission, the OECD and numerous Local Authorities and Health Trusts. His research covers how to measure the business case for engagement, the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different deliberative methods, achieving efficiencies through engagement, and involving the public in the challenges of our ageing society.

He is a Professional Facilitator (Certified by the International Association of Facilitators), sits on the National Expert Panel on Local Governance for the Department for Communities and Local Government and is a board member of the international not-for profit e-Democracy.org.

Eddie is working on the Pathways Through Participation project, a qualitative study exploring how and why people get involved and stay involved in different forms of participation in their communities. The project is in partnership with NCVO and the Institute for Volunteering Research, where each organisation has a history of researching the different forms of participation that will be explored together in the project.

Eddie is trained in research methods, having recently completed his MSc in Management and Business Studies Research. His previous research has focussed on sustainable communities and sustainability within the Higher Education curriculum. His personal research interests are the barriers to citizen governance and the privatisation of public space.      

Laurie Waller is a Researcher at Involve and has broad experience working across a range of policy arenas. He has conducted research for all tiers of government and for multi-lateral institutions including the World Bank and the European Commission. Laurie has specific expertise in local governance and has recently written a joint strategy for a council and primary care trust. He is also responsible for monitoring policy developments and political trends in the field of public engagement and dialogue.  

In 2009 Laurie managed the UK's involvement in the European Citizens' Consultation 2009. Laurie previously worked for a local government think-tank.

Emily Fennell is a Researcher at Involve, her work includes a project examining effective and innovative ways of engaging the third sector in consultation, an exploratory study assessing the possible impact of participatory budgeting on the arts, and an investigation into what technologies are useful to NHS staff in engaging with patients and public.

Emily's practical experience includes facilitating council meetings and Involve workshops. Her particular interests include patient and public involvement in health and youth involvement. Emily is trained in research methods, having completed a Masters of Research in Social Policy.  

Thea is a Researcher and the Team Coordinator for Involve. Thea coordinates the smooth running and organisation of Involve and the Involve team. Thea also has a strong research role within involve and works with Project managers on applications for funding, qualitative research, training and consultation and event management.

Thea was involved in the running of the UK leg of the European Citizens Consultation and has more recently been working on the World Wide Views on Global Warming citizens consultation. Thea has a BSc in Psychology from the University of Nottingham and an MA in International Relations from Kings College London.

Omar is a Networking and Business Development Intern at involve. His work entails supporting the Deputy Director on a number of key tasks including bid development, research support and the coordination of events. Omar read politics at Nottingham University and more recently has completed a Masters in International Security and Global Governance at the University of London.

Previously Omar gained a number of research skills while working for Catch 21 productions an organisation which aims to increase youth participation in politics, and Brent Association for Voluntary Action, a second tier organisation whose remit includes the organisation, promotion and sustaining of local voluntary action through the development of partnerships with statutory bodies and third sector organisations.