Barry Creasy

Barry Creasy has 32 years’ experience in data- and information-gathering, through running consultation, evaluation and research exercises. He has considerable expertise in the methodologies associated with these areas, including: organising and facilitating meetings; running seminars and focus groups; conducting research and evaluation interviews; and writing and analysing questionnaires. He began his consultation experience at the Agricultural and Food Research Council, running written stakeholder consultations. In 1987, Barry joined The Secondary Examinations Council (eventually the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority), where he spent 19 years as a researcher, evaluator and consultor, involved in such major exercises as the 1994 national ‘Dearing’ consultation on the curriculum (for which he ran over 100 teacher consultation seminars and focus groups), and manager of the Monitoring Curriculum & Assessment project.

Since 2006, Barry has been an independent consultant, providing consultation, evaluation and research services to many organisations. He delivers courses for the Consultation Institute on Better Focus Groups, Better Surveys and Questionnaires, and Better Data Analysis for Public Consultations, and has published three books with them: Effective Public Meetings, Effective Focus Groups, and Effective Surveys and Questionnaires.

Barry, who gained an MA in Arts Management in 2007, has a particular interest in arts and culture, although his activities have covered a broad range of areas, including: Interview-based research for Celebrating Enterprise [2007]; Evaluation of The Museum of London’s Teacher Network [2008]; Evaluation of SCORE (Science Community Representing Education) [2008–2011]; Evaluation methodology proposal for Aimhigher, Coventry and Warwickshire [2009]; Staff and public consultation on an integrated risk management plan for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service [2009]; Appointment as evaluator of Choir of the Year 2010 [2010]; evaluation of Nuffield Foundation mathematics activities in schools [2010]; consultation compliance activities for PPS Ltd and HS2 Ltd [2010 and 2011].

In May 2021, Barry was nominated and accepted for a Fellowship of The Royal Society of Arts.