Dr Ana Manzano

Dr Ana Manzano

Profile

I am an applied social scientist working  bringing methodological expertise in the research and evaluation of complex public policy issues. I am interested in the relationship between research methods, evidence and policy making 

I am part of the pioneering research group (RAMESES II) developing methodological standards in realist evaluation methods.

Current research project: RESPONSE - Realist evaluation to improve health systems responsiveness to neglected health needs of vulnerable groups in Ghana and Vietnam | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Leeds

Responsibilities

  • Director Advanced Qualitative Research Methods Training (AQUALM) ESRC White Rose DTP
  • Chair of the Organ Trade & Trafficking WG- ELPAT

Research interests

I am an expert in public policy evaluation, with special interest in realist evaluation  and theory-driven evaluation methodology. I collaborate with health professionals, other social scientists and health service researchers to develop evaluations of complex interventions using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches.

My past research has covered treatment decision-making in multiple sclerosis; an evaluation of a programme to improve maternal health in Nigeria; an evaluation of hospital discharge policy in the UK, learning disabilities user led quality measures/matrix in the NHS; organ donation policy, emergency mental health hospital admissions and developing reporting and quality standards in healthcare evaluation (RAMESES II study).

I am the Chair of the Organ Trade and Trafficking WG at the European Platform on Ethical, Legan and Psychosocial Aspects of Transplantation (ELPAT) (European Society of Organ Transplantation- ESOT)

In 2023, I was an international visiting fellow at the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Evaluation of Public Policies (LIEPP), Science Po (Paris, France) researching stakeholder and user involvement in realist evaluation.

Current projects include:
  • UKRI Policy Fellowship Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland Executive) Evaluating Innovation Policy

  • RESPONSE Improving health systems responsiveness to neglected health needs of vulnerable groups in Ghana and Vietnam (Apr 2020 – Sept 2023) funded by MRC / DFID / Wellcome / ESRC.

Past projects include:
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD in Sociology & Social Policy
  • MA
  • BA (Hons)

Professional memberships

  • European Evaluation Society

Student education

I am the Director of Advanced Qualitative Methods (AQUALM) at the White Rose Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>The school welcomes enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>