Evidence-Led Data Analysis in Higher Education
Student Voice • Evidence-Led Engagement • Insight & Impact
I’m Josef McCauley, a Student Voice Coordinator based in London, specialising in evidence-led engagement and data analysis within higher education.
My work focuses on collecting, analysing, and translating student feedback into meaningful insight that informs decision-making, improves wellbeing, and strengthens participation across institutions.
I collaborate closely with students, staff, and senior stakeholders to deliver initiatives that are both data-driven and human-centred.
This site brings together my professional work, projects, and reflections at the intersection of education, data, and student experience.
Recent Impact
• 258+ students engaged
• Multi-day campus initiative
• Insight featured in University newsletter
• Presented with a Trophy for SU achievements
Selected Research
• Mixed-methods Research Project using NVivo, Eurostat & YouGov to examine how digital rhetoric shapes youth political behaviour.
Projects & Case Studies
Evidence-led student engagement, data analysis, and research projects across higher education and public-facing institutions.
Selected projects demonstrating how qualitative and quantitative data are translated into insight and impact.
Skills Demonstrated: Student engagement · Qualitative analysis · Stakeholder coordination · Insight reporting · Event delivery
Christmas Wellbeing Tree: Evidence-Led Student Engagement
UWTSD London Students’ Union | 3-day campus-wide initiative
I coordinated and supported the delivery of a three-day student wellbeing and engagement initiative designed to capture structured student voice through written reflection, informal conversation, and campus participation.
What I did:
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Coordinated a multi-day engagement initiative across the London campus
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Worked with Student Services, Wellbeing, Careers, Facilities, Design & Comms, and academic staff
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Designed and distributed structured reflection slips to capture qualitative data
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Managed on-site delivery, engagement flow, and data collection
Data & Methods:
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258 written wellbeing responses collected
(Day 1: 60 | Day 2: 90 | Day 3: 108) -
Qualitative coding and thematic analysis (Excel / NVivo-style approach)
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Insight synthesis for institutional reporting and student experience improvement
Impact:
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High levels of student engagement and positive feedback
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Insight featured in the University newsletter
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Formal recognition from academic staff, including an SU trophy for impact
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Evidence used to inform wellbeing and student experience priorities
Student Democratic Engagement & Elections
Warwick Students’ Union & National Union of Students (UK)
I supported the delivery and governance of large-scale student elections and democratic engagement initiatives, using participation data and operational insight to improve transparency, turnout, and election processes.
Methods & approach:
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Supported election delivery for 4,800+ voters (2022/23) and 5,500+ voters (2023/24)
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Coordinated candidate briefings, Q&A sessions, nominations, and formal council minuting
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Provided logistical support alongside participation data to inform engagement strategy and process improvements
Insights & impact:
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Contributed to record student turnout during the SU re-affiliation vote passing at 80/20.
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Identified operational bottlenecks and supported clearer election reporting
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Strengthened confidence in democratic processes through improved transparency and structure
Skills demonstrated: Governance · Democratic engagement · Participation analysis · Stakeholder coordination · Evidence-informed improvement
Digital Populism & Youth Voting Behaviour in Europe
Independent Mixed-Methods Research Project | University of Warwick
Independent mixed-methods research project examining how European populist parties use digital discourse to engage young voters and influence voting behaviour.
The project combined Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) with NVivo thematic coding and quantitative analysis of polling and electoral data (including Eurostat and YouGov) to explore how online political messaging shapes youth political attitudes and participation across Europe.
Methods & approach:
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Critical Discourse Analysis of populist digital rhetoric
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NVivo-assisted thematic coding of qualitative data
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Quantitative analysis of youth voting patterns and polling data
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Cross-national comparative analysis
Insights & impact:
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Identified recurring digital narratives used to mobilise young voters
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Demonstrated links between online populist discourse and youth political engagement
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Produced policy-relevant insight into digital campaigning and democratic participation
Skills demonstrated: Mixed-methods research · NVivo · Qualitative & quantitative analysis · Discourse analysis · Evidence-led insight · Policy-relevant research
First Class dissertation (78%). Full dissertation available in Featured.
About
I am an evidence-led engagement and insight professional working at the intersection of student voice, data analysis, and institutional decision-making within higher education and public-facing organisations.
Currently, I work as a Student Voice Coordinator at UWTSD London, where I design and deliver structured engagement initiatives that translate qualitative and quantitative student data into actionable insight.
My work focuses on improving student experience, wellbeing, participation, and governance through rigorous data collection, thematic analysis, and evidence-based reporting.
I hold a First Class Honours degree in Sociology with Technologies and Economic Markets from the University of Warwick, where my academic training emphasised mixed-methods research, critical analysis, and applied social inquiry.
My undergraduate dissertation (78%) examined digital populism and youth voting behaviour in Europe, combining Critical Discourse Analysis with NVivo thematic coding and quantitative analysis of polling and electoral data. This work reflects my broader interest in how data, discourse, and institutional systems shape participation and outcomes.
Alongside my academic background, I have extensive experience in student governance, democratic engagement, and large-scale participation initiatives, including election delivery, voter engagement campaigns, and national-level work with the National Union of Students.
Across these roles, I have worked closely with students, academic staff, senior leaders, and external stakeholders to improve transparency, participation, and decision-making processes.
My professional interests lie in: Evidence-led policy and evaluation, Insight and analytics for social impact, Higher education strategy and governance, Participation, democracy, and institutional trust.
This site brings together selected projects, research, and reflections that demonstrate how data-informed engagement can drive meaningful institutional change.
