Ramya N. Sheni
Local Growth Policy & Analysis Senior Advisor
Leeds
Summary
A strategic policy and governance expert with deep expertise in government reform, policy evaluation, and funding simplification. With nearly six years of experience working across local and central government, policy research, and social justice impact, I have influenced ministerial decision-making, workforce development strategies, and funding policy reforms. As a leader in governance analysis, I have shaped government workforce planning, streamlined funding mechanisms through the Pathfinder Simplification Fund, and delivered high-impact evaluations of multi-billion-pound public sector programmes. My expertise spans policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, qualitative and quantitative research, and governance capacity-building. Adept at translating complex research into actionable policy insights, I have advised ministers, local authorities, and policymakers on critical governance issues, ensuring evidence-based solutions that drive long-term impact.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Local Growth Policy & Analysis Senior Advisor
Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government
Leeds
08.2024 - 03.2025
- Led a comprehensive evaluation of multi-billion-pound government programmes, including the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund, delivering strategic insights that shaped ministerial decisions on regional investment priorities
- Managed the Pathfinder Simplification Fund, working across multiple government funds to streamline and simplify public funding structures, reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and enhancing accessibility for local authorities
- Managed high-level stakeholder relationships, coordinating with local government leaders, policy units, and professional bodies to enhance planning and governance capacity
- Oversaw and quality-assured research and evaluation projects, ensuring alignment with policy objectives, governance standards, and public sector procurement guidelines
- Synthesised qualitative and quantitative research into ministerial briefings, consultation responses, and strategic reports, informing planning policy, funding reform, and governance strategy
Research Manager
Clearview Research
London
07.2022 - 08.2024
- Led national research projects on social justice and equity, conducting qualitative and quantitative studies across education, health, and employment sectors to assess disparities and barriers to opportunity
- Produced high-impact reports that informed government policy discussions, contributing to evidence-based reforms in workforce diversity, social mobility, and public service accessibility
- Engaged with public sector stakeholders, ensuring research findings were accessible to government bodies, NGOs, and policy influencers working on equity and inclusion initiatives
- Managed 4 cross-sector research teams, overseeing data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure alignment with policy frameworks and ethical research standards.
Freelance Book & Journal Reviewer – Peacebuilding, Governance & Security
Taylor & Francis Group
01.2020 - 09.2023
- Reviewed academic books and journal articles on peacebuilding, counter-terrorism, governance, and public policy in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and broader regional dynamics
- Provided critical analysis and peer review on research addressing political stability, security sector reform, and development policy, ensuring rigorous academic standards
- Evaluated policy implications of scholarly work, offering feedback on how research findings inform governance frameworks, conflict resolution strategies, and international development programs
- Collaborated with editors and scholars, contributing to the editorial process for leading academic journals and policy-focused publications in international security and development
Senior Research Executive
Clearview Research
London
10.2021 - 07.2022
- Conducted qualitative and quantitative research on social impact issues, designing and implementing interviews, focus groups, and surveys to explore barriers to workforce diversity, education access, and public health equity
- Analysed data to uncover key trends in social justice and inclusion, ensuring research insights were relevant for nonprofits, public sector organizations, and advocacy groups
- Synthesised research findings into reports and presentations, helping clients—including NGOs, think tanks, and local authorities—translate evidence into actionable strategies
- Assisted in stakeholder engagement efforts, contributing to consultations with public and private sector partners to ensure research reflected the lived experiences of affected communities.
Teaching Assistant – Global Development Studies
University of Leeds
Leeds
01.2019 - 09.2021
- Taught undergraduate first-year course in Global Development Studies, covering topics such as governance, political economy, and international development policy
- Designed and assessed coursework, marking essays and exams while providing constructive feedback to help students develop critical analytical skills
- Led small-group tutorials, facilitating discussions on global development challenges, governance structures, and policy frameworks
- Provided academic mentorship, supporting students in refining research methodologies and improving their understanding of policy analysis and governance theories.
PhD Researcher
University of Leeds
Leeds
01.2019 - 02.2021
- Conducted independent, field-based research on governance, policy implementation, and the role of power structures in peacebuilding and counter-terrorism strategies
- Specialised in neopatrimonialism, clientelism, and informal economies, analyzing how political elites influence policy and governance in conflict-affected regions
- Designed and executed qualitative fieldwork, including interviews, case studies, and ethnographic research across multiple stakeholder groups
- Produced high-impact research that contributed to academic discourse on state-building, conflict resolution, and policy development in fragile states
- Published findings in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, engaging with policymakers, academics, and governance specialists
Education
Ph.D. - Political Economy
University of Leeds
01.2017 - 09.2021
MA - Security, Terrorism, and Insurgency
University of Leeds
09.2015 - 09.2016
BA - Peace and Conflict Studies
Afe Babalola University
01.2010 - 01.2014
Skills
- Government Policy & Governance Analysis
Certification
AgilePM Practitioner Certification, APMG International, 05/2023, 05/2028
Public Engagement & Media Contributions
- Expert Panel Member – Southwark Climate Day Conference, 03/11/2023, Presented research on pollution in the Lambeth and Southwark areas, discussing the role of local government and authorities in tackling environmental challenges and shaping sustainable urban policies.
- Expert Panel Member – Building Financial Inclusion Together Conference, 07/09/2024, Addressed issues of financial exclusion among minority groups, offering policy insights on how financial institutions, government, and stakeholders can promote more inclusive financial systems.
- Expert Panel Member – UCL Department of Politics, 02/13/2025, Shared findings on racial inequalities in healthcare in the UK, advising on the role of government in reducing disparities through policy reform and targeted healthcare delivery strategies.
Publications
- Lived experiences of work and health: Challenges and pathways, Imafidon, K., Sheni, R., Hagan-Tetteh, J., Bratsa, Y., 2025, https://assets.ctfassets.net/emqyoa4a8w9v/2FflC4lFKmJBptuyscxfjZ/3ba9b16286b83552b7e54589e10d35bf/CVR_Lived_Experiences_of_Work_and_Health__Feb_2025_.pdf
- Crowning glory: Exploring the stories of Black hair and skin – License to love myself, Imafidon, K., Sheni, R., Hagan-Tetteh, J., Zumu, B., 2025, https://weareseen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Black-hair-and-skin-reports-2.pdf
- Systemic change required: Black lived reality – Why we need systemic change, Swords, B., Sheni, R., 2022, https://blackequityorg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Systemic-change-required-V10.pdf
- Brick wall after brick wall: The lived realities and concerns of Black communities in the UK, Swords, B., Sheni, R., 2022, https://blackequityorg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Brick-Wall-After-Brick-Wall-V2.pdf
- PhD Thesis Building Peace Economies The Politics of Patronage Peacebuilding in the Illicit Informal Economies of Bayelsa State and Rivers State Nigeria, Sheni, R. N., 2022, https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/oai_id/oai:etheses.whiterose.ac.uk:30644
Timeline
Local Growth Policy & Analysis Senior Advisor
Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government
08.2024 - 03.2025
Research Manager
Clearview Research
07.2022 - 08.2024
Senior Research Executive
Clearview Research
10.2021 - 07.2022
Freelance Book & Journal Reviewer – Peacebuilding, Governance & Security
Taylor & Francis Group
01.2020 - 09.2023
Teaching Assistant – Global Development Studies
University of Leeds
01.2019 - 09.2021
PhD Researcher
University of Leeds
01.2019 - 02.2021
Ph.D. - Political Economy
University of Leeds
01.2017 - 09.2021
MA - Security, Terrorism, and Insurgency
University of Leeds
09.2015 - 09.2016
BA - Peace and Conflict Studies
Afe Babalola University
01.2010 - 01.2014
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