At Symonds Research, we provide independent evaluation and policy consultancy services that combine academic experience with practical training expertise. With PhDs, published research, and a track record in developing soft skills training used worldwide, we bring both credibility and real-world insight.
Our Services:
- Programme Evaluation
- Impact studies for training programmes and skills interventions.
- Pre/post learner surveys, interviews, and case studies.
- Clear evidence of outcomes for funders, boards, and stakeholders.
- Independent Impact Reports
- Evidence of value for money.
- Recommendations for improvement.
- Accessible reports tailored for different audiences (funders, policy, practitioners).
- Policy Consultancy
- Evidence reviews on lifelong learning, soft skills, and digital pedagogy.
- Policy briefings and position papers for governments, NGOs, and international agencies.
- Expertise across the UK, Italy, and international education and training contexts.
We specialise in evaluating and advising on training and education initiatives across sectors, including workplace learning, adult education, and lifelong learning.
Our evaluation work focuses on understanding real-world impact, how learning translates into skills, employability, and performance improvement.
Why Work With Us:
- PhD-qualified researchers with experience in both academia and industry.
- University credibility: Cardiff University affiliation (Dr Paul Symonds) and Dr Valeria Lo Iacono.
- International perspective: UK and Italian roots with global training clients.
- Balanced approach: We specialise in qualitative and applied insights and partner with quantitative experts when advanced statistical analysis is required.
Who We Work With:
- NGOs and charities delivering skills and employability programmes.
- Companies investing in workforce development and leadership.
- Governments and public agencies.
- International organisations (OECD, UNESCO, European Commission).
Need independent evaluation or education policy expertise? Get in touch with us today →
Our consultancy and evaluation work often overlaps with research collaboration.
We are particularly interested in education and skills development policy across Europe, including Finland and Italy, where innovation in lifelong and flexible learning is a national priority.
Our Research Background
- PhD-qualified researchers with backgrounds in Education and Social Sciences.
- Published academic papers in education, training, and digital pedagogy.
- Experience collaborating with Cardiff University (UK) and international research partners.
- Specialists in applied, qualitative, and practice-based research methods.
- Focus areas: soft skills, microlearning, adult education, and digital learning design.
Related Research Collaboration
Much of our evaluation and policy work overlaps with research collaboration. We frequently work alongside universities and international partners to connect evidence with practice and innovation in learning.
✨ Learn more about our ongoing partnerships and research projects on our Workplace Learning & Research Collaboration page .
University & Research Partnerships
We regularly collaborate with universities and research groups to combine applied evaluation expertise with academic research.
Our role in partnerships:
- Supplying real-world training environments and access to learners for field studies.
- Conducting qualitative and practice-based evaluations alongside university quantitative teams.
- Co-authoring research papers and policy reports that link academic theory with workplace learning practice.
We are especially interested in partnerships related to:
- Microlearning and digital pedagogy
- Soft skills development and assessment
- Adult learning and workforce development
- Cross-cultural approaches to education and training
We welcome collaborations with universities in the UK, Finland, Italy, and across Europe to develop evidence-based insights that bridge research and practice.
(If you represent a university or research group and would like to explore collaboration, please get in touch →
