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 seventeen years' experience, spanning both academic and private sector research, she has gained experience in conducting all aspects of research studies. 

Elaine has designed and conducted projects across a range of sectors, including criminal justice, equalities and diversity, transport and travel behaviour, children and young people, health and wellbeing, the environment, leisure pursuits, and education.  She also has key strengths in conducting research with professional groups and hard-to-reach/vulnerable groups. 

Prior to establishing Wellside Research, Elaine had an impressive social research CV.  Examples of some of the projects Elaine was involved in/led are listed below:

• Consultation Analysis for the Scottish Government - including Early Learning and Childcare 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, and Social Security Regulations
• Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland - Stakeholder Feedback 2020
• Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) - Understanding 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
• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service - Court User Satisfaction Survey 2005-2019
• Law Society of Scotland - Profile of the Profession Survey 2013, and Law Society Data Analysis 2010
• Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) - survey of the legal profession into Accessibility of Judicial Appoinments in Scotland
• Scottish Government - Evaluation of three Summary Justice Reforms, and a Review of Community Care and Mental Health Services for People with Sensory Impairments in Scotland
• Place2Be - Evaluation of the Place2Be Edinburgh Hub
• Loch Lomond National Park Authority - survey into Public Perceptions of Wildness in Scotland
• Centro - an Evaluation of Workwise in North Solihull
• Welsh Assembly Government - Monitoring and Evaluation of the Welsh KerbKraft Scheme
• Scottish Government - Tackling the School Run
• Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) - Active Travel Choices in Schools
• Transport Scotland - Evaluation of the Reopening of Laurencekirk Train Station, Passenger Views of Rolling Stock Design in Scotland, and Evaluations of Road Safety Scotland's Learning and Theatre in Education Resources 
• Glasgow City Council - Initial Monitoring and Evaluation of Streamline Bus Priority Corridors
• Highways Agency - semi-structured interviews with partner organisations to monitor and assess how the Highways Agency works in partnership
• Staff, student and visitor travel surveys - for the University of Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway College, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, BSkyB, Glasgow's Pacific Quay, SPT, and Dublin Transportation Office (DTO)