I’m Clare Palmer

Resident antipodean, likely found on the netball court or hobbling around on crutches (as a result of being on the netball court)

A little bit of what I do

I began my social research career in Sydney before moving to London in 2018, and joined IFF in 2023. I specialise in managing complex, multi-strand research projects, with a particular passion for using participatory methods to inform decision-making and policy development. I am especially interested in perceptions of social infrastructure, exploring possible ‘futures’, and the challenges of encouraging behavioural change among the public. My experience spans a range of clients and sectors, with strong creds in transport, utilities, and the environment, as well as research with people at risk of disadvantage. I particularly enjoy face-to-face fieldwork and always welcome opportunities to meet and hear from people directly.

What I’ve achieved

I love a challenge and the opportunity to try new things. A career highlight was leading a complex deliberative research programme on public requirements for the design and deployment of self-driving vehicles (SDVs) in local transport systems. This included setting up bespoke SDV trials in three locations across England, including the UK’s first ever rural trial. Since joining IFF, I’ve really enjoyed applying my skills to new areas, such as leading research for GambleAware on the relationship between neurodiversity and gambling harm, research with British nationals about their experiences of receiving consular assistance for emergency situations abroad for the FCDO to inform ongoing service delivery and improvements, and overseeing longitudinal data collection among people at risk of homelessness for three RCTs within the Centre for Homelessness Impact’s Test & Learn programme.