colin is
an experienced policy
analyst who has worked on dozens of projects using a
variety of methodologies. Before going freelance in 1998 he
worked as a principal researcher managing a small team of
research and report-writing staff.
With
Which?, and while working as a freelance researcher he has:
- helped
draft and interpret surveys and worked closely with survey
units;
- worked as a research manager;
- completed projects based on structured and
semi-structured interview material;
- found and interviewed dozens of case studies;
- worked with focus groups;
- developed innovative desk research strategies;
- used covert situation research and ‘mystery
shopping’ techniques extensively to investigate
service sector companies; and,
- worked for a wide range of clients.
Colin is currently working on a major review of the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society’s policy on patient-returned
medicines and over the last few years has:
2007:
Co-ordinated
and completed a four-month research project on the
application of RFID technologies in Europe for
Anec: The European Consumer Voice in
Standardisation. The
commissioning client was Intertek Research and Performance
Testing.
2006:
Worked
on policy development for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
of Great Britain to examine how any future law permitting
physician assisted suicide in the UK would impact on
pharmacy and medicine. The project involved the detailed
examination of assisted suicide in four countries. This six
month research project was delivered as a policy report and
core findings published in the Pharmaceutical Journal: (You
may need an account with PJ to access these articles)
Pharmacy involvement where assisted
suicide and euthanasia are permitted
and
Pharmacy and assisted suicide: what can
be learnt from experience abroad?
2005:
Drafted
a policy report on internet filtering technology for
Anec: The European Consumer Voice in
Standardisation. The
commissioning client was Intertek Research and Performance
Testing.
2004:
Drafted
a research paper for Which? on the marketing strategies
used by companies to promote confectionary and processed
foods. The report included several marketing case studies
for popular snacks and was commissioned within the context
of rising obesity rates among children.
2002:
Written
quarterly updates for the RPSGB on proposals to allow the
Direct To Consumer Advertising (DTCA) of prescription
medicines.
2002: Drafted
a consumer impact assessment for the National Consumer
Council on proposals to allow DTCA.
2002:
Completed
a major research report for the RPSGB on DTCA in the UK.
2001: Co-ordinated
the research for a report for the Scottish Consumer Council
on communications in Scotland. Published as
‘Reaching Out’
in
2002.
