Dr Jill Hanson

Head Of Academic Projects

Academic Quality and Development

I have worked in HE for over 20 years as lecturer, course leader, researcher and in professional services. My initial areas of teaching and research were in occupational and health psychology but this portfolio has developed to include employability, transitions, widening participation, career guidance and SEND (particularly within the context of Supported Internships). My current areas of work are student enrichment (designing and delivering the Staffordshire enrichment programme EDGE), student engagement and inclusion frameworks. My skill set includes facilitation of Theory of Change development, bid writing, formative and impact evaluation, project management, quantitative analysis which were used effectively on a number of projects including the Evaluation of the Gatsby Benchmarks in 2021 which influenced Government Policy regarding careers guidance in secondary education in England.

Professional memberships and activities

fHEA British Psychological Society (C.Psychol.)

Academic qualifications

Ph.D in Psychology. University of Hertfordshire, 2008

PG.Cert. Business Coaching. University of Derby, 2010

MA. Hons Psychology, University of Aberdeen, 1999

Expertise

Theory of Change, evaluation, quantitative analyses, SEND and inclusion in regard to transitions and careers.

Research interests

Supported Internships. Careers guidance and transitions. HE student attainment and progression.

Publications

• Hanson, J., Brown, G. and Crockford, J. (2022), "Theory of Change as Model Building: Identifying Contexts and Mechanisms as Our Focus for Evaluation", Dent, S., Mountford-Zimdars, A. and Burke, C. (Ed.) Theory of Change (Great Debates in Higher Education), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 35-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-787-920221003

• Hanson, J., Robinson, D., & Codina, G. (2022). What makes supported internships an effective approach to VET?. Nordic Journal of Comparative and International Education, 6(3), 1-23.

• Blake, H., Hanson, J., and Clark, L. (2021). The importance of an inclusive alumni network for ensuring effective transitions into employment and future destinations for people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12429

• Dodd, V., Hanson, J., & Hooley, T. (2021): Increasing students' career readiness through career guidance: measuring the impact with a validated measure, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2021.1937515.

• Hanson, J., Robinson, D., & Codina, G. (2021). Supported internships as a vehicle for social inclusion. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 49(4), 433-444.

• Hanson, J., Moore, N., Clark, L., & Neary, S. (2021) An evaluation of the North East of England pilot of the Gatsby Benchmarks of good career guidance. University of Derby.

• Hanson, J., Neary, S. and Blake, H. (2021). Personal Guidance Fund Evaluation: Final Report. The Careers & Enterprise Company

• Hanson, J. (2020). Book review: Research methods for social justice and equity in education. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2020.1765229

• Hanson, J. and Burke, C. (2020). 'Addressing unrealistic optimism with counterfactual reasoning in an employability module in higher education'. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, pp. 1-35. doi: 10.1108/jarhe-02-2019-0047 Hanson, J., Blake, H. and Neary, S. 2020. SCiP Alliance Thriving Lives Toolkit: Implementation and Impact Evaluation. Derby iCeGS - International Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby.

• Robinson, D., Codina, G., Hanson, J., and Dimitrellou, E. (2020). Careers coaching for social justice: the case of school leadership and inclusive education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. University of Derby.

• Hanson, J. and Clark, L. (2019). Future Frontiers: The impact of career coaching on career readiness and indicators of successful transitions in Year 11 pupils. Future Frontiers.

• Hanson, J. and Clark, L. (2019). An evaluation of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire collaborative outreach programme. University of Derby.

• Hanson, J. , Codina, G., & Neary, S. (2017). Transition programmes for young adults with SEND. What works? London: The Careers & Enterprise Company

• Hanson, J., Cox, A., and Hooley, T. (2017). Business games and enterprise competitions. What works? The Careers & Enterprise Company.

• Hanson, J., & Richardson, Z. (2014) Mindfulness at work: A critical review. Critical Perspectives on Business Management. University of Derby.

• Fletcher, B. (C), Hanson, J., Page, N., & PINE, K.J. (2011) Increasing behavioural flexibility leads to sustained weight loss. Swiss Journal of Psychology, 70 (1), 2011, 25–34

• Fletcher, B.(C), Hanson, J., Page, N. C., & PINE, K.J. (2007). A new behavioural intervention for tackling obesity. European Journal of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, 18. 5, pp. 8 – 9.

External profiles

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023

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