Nick Axford, PhD

Senior Associate

nick.axford@dartington.org.uk | DEVON

Extensive research experience in evidence/literature reviews of ‘what works’ and conducting randomised controlled trials of services for children.

Nick’s research interests are evidence-based prevention and early intervention to improve child well-being, notably designing services and evaluating their effectiveness and implementation.

He is particularly interested in forms of intervention that have the potential to achieve impact at scale and in methods for their developing and testing – including co-production with users and the use of rapid cycle innovation. He also enjoys engaging in debates about the value of evidence-based approaches in children’s services.

Nick holds a PhD in Advanced Social Work and Probation Studies from the University of Exeter and is currently a PenCLAHRC Associate Professor in Health Services Research at Plymouth University. Previously, Nick worked at Dartington Social Research Unit from 1997-2017, initially as a PhD Researcher and latterly as a Senior Researcher and Head of What Works.