Jan Gilbertson is a Senior Research Fellow and co-lead for ethics in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University. Jan has particular experience in project and programme evaluation and has managed numerous evaluative studies and research for a wide range of clients including government departments, the NHS, the ESRC, local authorities and the third sector. Jan has considerable experience in a range of qualitative research and evaluation techniques in a variety of fieldwork settings with a range of informants, from disadvantaged groups to commissioners and frontline staff. Methods utilised have included in-depth semi-structured interviews (face-to-face and remote), rapid evidence reviews, focus groups and workshops, observations and participatory visual methodologies. She has expertise in in-depth qualitative interviewing with stakeholders to develop an understanding of decision making processes, gain insight into the views of programme and project staff and project users and assess the impacts and outcomes of interventions on beneficiaries. 

Much of Jan’s work has involved researching issues related to energy poverty, cold homes and health and the impact of various energy policy and affordable warmth initiatives on people and households living in fuel poverty and vulnerable circumstances. Jan has directed and managed projects for Foundations Independent Living Trust which evaluated the impact of affordable warmth programmes aimed at helping older and vulnerable people at risk from cold weather, fuel poverty and cold related harm and illness. With colleagues at SHU Jan has developed and undertaken health impact assessments of the Decent Homes housing investment programmes, most recently in Lambeth, and has also provided expert advice to the University of Ulster’s health impact of Northern Ireland's Affordable Warmth programme for the Northern Ireland Executive. Jan advised on a project for Eaga Charitable Trust which examined the experience of fuel poverty and energy vulnerability for adults with a learning disability. With colleagues at the University of Leeds and University of East Anglia she examined the interaction of energy poverty and social relations and experiences of the energy market of the energy poor.

Jan also has a track record of undertaking research for the voluntary and community sector and has expertise in evaluating the impact of health and social care integration programmes and assessing their success in terms of their impact on health and wellbeing outcomes. She managed a Hospital Discharge research study which followed a cohort of mainly older patients to track patient and carer experience, impacts and outcomes and has undertaken an evaluation of a Person-Centred Discharge programme for Age UK.  Jan was involved in an evaluation of Leeds Neighbourhood Networks (LNNs) for the Centre for Ageing Better which examined how initiatives like the LNNs contribute to healthy ageing outcomes and support local and national policy priorities in health and social care. On behalf of the Centre for Ageing Better she led a consortium of partners undertaking the national evaluation of Home Improvement Services in England.