The Rees Centre welcomes two new Senior Research Fellows

Their appointments mark an exciting addition to the Centre’s research community, bringing new expertise and perspectives that will support the Rees Centre’s ongoing work and future initiatives.

Bachar joins the Rees Centre from Lancaster University’s Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, where he was the Data Science Lead and Co-Investigator on a number of national studies. His portfolio includes several landmark projects, such as Born into Care, Mothers in Recurrent Care Proceedings, and Evaluations of Family Drug and Alcohol Courts (FDAC), which have informed national policy and local authority practice.

At the Rees Centre, Bachar’s research focuses on understanding how family justice and children’s social care experiences shape children’s educational trajectories and wider life outcomes. His work aims to strengthen the use of data in research and policy, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and support methodological innovation that advances fairer and more effective systems for children and families.

Bachar said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Rees Centre as a Senior Research Fellow and to be working with colleagues on research that brings together family justice, children’s social care and education. I’m particularly looking forward to contributing to the centre’s work on methodological innovation and strengthening the evidence base to inform policy and practice for children and families.”

Sarah will be working on the Rees Centre’s Children’s Information Project.

Her interests lie in qualitative research and the use of participatory and co-productive approaches with children, young people, families and professionals working with them. Sarah’s previous research has primarily been focused on the child protection, care and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. She is interested in undertaking research that amplifies the voice of families, addresses system inequalities and informs policy and practice change.

Sarah said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Rees Centre and will be working as a Senior Research Fellow on the Children’s Information Project. I am looking forward to working with children, young people and families to gather their voice about effective and ethical use of children’s information and to support further development of families voice in the work of the Centre.”