Deborah McCann

I am a strategic learning, engagement and organisational development leader with over 20 years' experience designing and delivering high-impact programmes across local government, higher education, public health and cross-sector partnerships. My career has centred on creating inclusive learning ecosystems, building trusted stakeholder relationships and translating complex information into engaging, accessible experiences that drive participation, adoption and long-term organisational impact.

I have extensive experience developing and implementing strategic onboarding, learning and engagement programmes that support diverse audiences to confidently adopt new ways of working. Most recently, I have led the design and delivery of the Progress with Unity Experience, an ambitious place-based learning programme that brings together staff, partners and communities through immersive learning, digital innovation, coaching, workshops and collaborative problem-solving. This work demonstrates my ability to create scalable engagement models, develop high-quality learning resources and establish sustainable feedback mechanisms that continuously improve user experience.

Building strong relationships is at the heart of my approach. I have successfully developed partnerships with universities, colleges, NHS organisations, community groups, local authorities and national partners, acting as a trusted advisor who can bring people together around shared goals. My academic background and experience working alongside researchers enable me to communicate complex concepts in a clear, engaging and accessible way, supporting individuals throughout their learning and development journey while fostering confident and active communities of practice.

Alongside programme delivery, I bring considerable experience producing engaging guidance, digital content, user resources and communications that improve accessibility and encourage participation. I have introduced innovative digital engagement tools, immersive technologies and user-centred learning approaches that have increased engagement, improved user experience and supported organisational transformation. My research expertise, underpinned by postgraduate training in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, enables me to gather meaningful user insight, evaluate impact and translate evidence into practical improvements that influence strategic decision-making and product development.

A collaborative and proactive leader, I thrive in cross-functional environments, working closely with operational, technical and strategic teams to design new programmes, improve processes and deliver measurable outcomes. With recognised qualifications in leadership, project management, teaching and quality assurance, combined with a passion for knowledge sharing and community building, I offer a strategic, evidence-led and people-centred approach to researcher engagement. I am motivated by creating supportive, inclusive communities that strengthen user confidence, encourage platform adoption and contribute to long-term organisational growth.

Fairclough, S.J., Rowlands, A.V., del Pozo Cruz, B. et al. Reference values for wrist-worn accelerometer physical activity metrics in England children and adolescents. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 20, 35 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-023-0143-z 

Fairclough, S.J., Hurter, L., Dumuid, D., Gaba, A., Rowlands, A.V., Cruz, B.d.P., Cox, A., Crotti, M., Forweather, L., Graves, L.E.F., Jones, O., McCann, D.A., Noonan, R.J., Owen, M.B., Rudd, JR., Taylor, S.L., Tyler, R., Boddy, L.M. The Physical Behaviour Intensity Spectrum and Body Mass Index in School-Aged Youth: A Compositional Analysis of Pooled Individual Participant Data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(14):8778. https//doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148778

Leask, C.F., Colledge, N., Laventure, R.M.E., McCann, D.A., Skelton, D.A. Co-Creating Reccomendations to Redesign and Promote Strength and Balance Service Provision. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173169

McCann, D.A., Knowles, Z.R., Fairclough, S.J., Graves, L.E.F. A Protocol to Encourage Accelerometer Wear in Children and Young People. Qualtiative Research In Sport, Exercise and Health, 8(14), 319-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/215967x

Harrison, J., Abayomi, J., Hassan, S.A., Foweather, L., Maxwell, C., McCann, D.A., Garbett, S., Nugent, M., Bradbury, D., Timpson, H., Pocellato, L., Judd, M., Chisholm, A., Issac, N., Wolfenden, B., Greenhalgh, A., Watson, P.M. (2022). The Implimentation and Evaluation of a Child Weight E-Learning Toolkit (HealthyWEY) for Maternity, Health Visiting and Childrens Centre Workforces. Poster Presentation. 5th UK Implimentation Science Research Conference, South London, UK, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration.

McCann, D.A., Knowles, Z.R., Fairclough, S.J., Graves, L.E.F., (2021). Children and Young People's Experience of Seven-Day Accelerometer Wear When Blinded to a Compliance Enhancing Strategy. Oral Presentation. International Society of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise Early Career Researcher and Student Virtual Conference. Cambridge, UK. Anglican Ruskin University.

McCann, D.A., Knowles, Z.R., Fairclough, S.J., Graves, L.E.F. (2017). Strategies to Increase Compliance for Physical Activity Monitoring. Oral Presentation. Physical Activity Exchange Research Seminar. Liverpool, UK. Liverpool John Moores University.

McCann, D.A., Knowles, Z.R., Fairclough, S.J., Graves, L.E.F. (2015). Physical Activity Monitoring Complaince Strategies In Children. A Formative Study. Oral Presentation. International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference. Edinborough, UK. EICC