Our Team

Elaine Wilson Smith

Director

BA(Hons) Human and Social Geography, University of Strathclyde, 2001

MRes Human and Social Geography, University of Strathclyde, 2003

Elaine is a highly skilled and experienced social researcher. With over twenty years' experience, spanning both academic and private sector research, she has gained experience in conducting all aspects of research studies.

She established Wellside Research in 2014, and has sole responsibility for all contractual issues. She is highly experienced in all aspects of proposal preparation, budgeting, project management, ethical and risk management, managing and supporting other staff and sub-contractors, and client liaison.  

Elaine is skilled and experienced in both quantitative and qulitative research, and has designed and conducted projects across a range of sectors. This includes equalities and diversity, criminal justice, children and young people, education, health and wellbeing, transport and travel behaviour, and the environment. She also has key strengths in conducting research with professional stakeholders and hard-to-reach/vulnerable groups. 

Examples of some of the projects Elaine was involved in/led are listed below:

• Consultation Analysis for the Scottish Government:

  • UNCRC Statutory Guidance

  • Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill

  • Education Reform and Provisions of the Education Bill

  • Inspection of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and ELC Statutory Guidance

  • Out of School Care in Scotland - A draft Framework

  • Review of Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and Creation of a Family Justice Modernisation Strategy

  • Legal Services Regulation Reform

  • Improving Victims Experiences of the Justice System

  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP) Regulations

  • Early Years Best Start Grant and Young Carers Grant

• Scottish Government: 
  • Decisions Influencing ELC Use in Scotland
  • Tackling the School Run
  • Establishing Unit Costs for Criminal Justice Social Work Services
  • Decision Making on Bail and Remand
  • Summary Justice Reform - Lay Justice; Bail and Undertakings; Victims, Witnesses and Public Perceptions
• Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC): 
  • Evaluation of the Socio-Economic Duty Implementation in Scotland and Wales
  • Experiences of those with Learning Disabilities in the Scottish Criminal Justice System
  • Understanding British Court Modernisation and Pre-Trial Adjustments for Accused with Cognitive Impairments, Mental Health Conditions or Neurodiverse Conditions 
• Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB): 
  • Experiences of Child Contact Cases
  • Civil Applicants Survey
  • Solicitor Survey
  • Staff Survey
• Scottish Prison Service (SPS): 
  • Evaluation of the 'Individual Admission Meeting' (IAM) and 'Short Term Prisoner Integrated Case Management (STPICM) Process' Pilots;
  • Evaluation of AIRMAPS;
  • Purposeful Activity Review for Young Offenders;
  • Staff Survey Analysis
• Transport Scotland: 
  • Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme - Baseline Study and Year One Evaluation
  • Women and Girls Safety on Public Transport
  • Reston Rail Link Baseline Study
• Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland: 
  • Stakeholder Feedback 2020
• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service:
  • ​Court User Satisfaction Survey 2005-2023
• Law Society of Scotland: 
  • ​Equality Issues in the Legal Profession;
  • Profile of the Profession Survey
• Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS): 
  • Accessibility of Judicial Appoinments in Scotland
• Loch Lomond National Park Authority:
  • Public Perceptions of Wildness in Scotland