Sarah Wylie

Independent Research Professional

female cyclist with arms in the air next to a sign post with two bicycles propped against it

SOCIAL RESEARCH & EVALUATION

I specialise in highly useable mixed methods research and evaluation for communities and for people and organisations striving to uphold and build wellbeing in every sense of the word – physical and mental health, social and economic wellbeing and sustainability.

For projects large or small, get in touch.

Tier 3 service provider

AoG Policy, Research and Development Panel

Need to answer these kinds of questions in a robust manner?

I can help.

  • What are the things that make our community different / special?

  • Is this programme / project needed?

  • Why should our project be funded?

  • Are we making a difference?

  • What do our clients think about our service?

  • What stories can we tell our funders about our impacts?

  • What does collaboration and coordination really look like and how can we do this better?

  • What are the unintended consequences of our work?

The evaluation of our schools work that Sarah did greatly helped to improve the quality of our work. Her professional approach, understanding of the community sector and strong background in community evaluation was greatly appreciated by all those she worked with.

Jill Hawkey – Executive Director, Christchurch Methodist Mission

I have had the privilege of working with Sarah Wylie for 21 years, while in a number of local government and social service management and project management roles around Canterbury. I have utilised Sarah’s extensive social research skills to assist me to understand the communities I was working in and their needs. Sarah’s down to earth, engaging, non-confrontational manner enables her to get quality feedback from research participants. She is genuinely interested in each community she researches and always delivers an in-depth, perceptive portrait of that community, giving practical and useful advice and recommendations on how best to direct often scarce resources into services and programmes to meet community needs.

Lesley Symington – Safe Communities Co-ordinator, Safer Mid Canterbury

Sarah has completed a number of evaluation projects for Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust over the past 10 years. A key piece was in relation to our Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre. As a result of Sarah’s recommendations, we actioned a list of strategies that ultimately resulted in a responsive and sustainable community initiative. Today our Centre continues to thrive. I have always appreciated Sarah’s vast experience, approachable manner and understating of the complexities of the community sector. I highly recommend Sarah and her research and evaluation services.

Deirdre Ryan – Manager, Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust

Sarah is an outstanding researcher and evaluator and is always one of the first contractors I go to when trying to put together a research or evaluation team. Alongside Sarah’s astute design, data collection, analysis and report writing skills sit her warm, engaging and caring personality. This makes her an exceptional choice either as a stand alone contractor or as part of a team. Sarah’s wealth of experience working in community based research and evaluation is extraordinary and enable her to produce work of an exceptional standard and at a very competitive price. She is a fast, efficient worker with a good eye to detail and is excellent at establishing and maintaining great relationships with both funders, others in the research team and research participants. I have no hesitation in recommending Sarah for any research/evaluation related work be it central government, local government, community or academic focussed. It is rare to find a contractor who can traverse these worlds with such agility and competence.

Dr Ria Schroder – Manager, The Collaborative Trust for Research and Training in Youth Health and Development