Research portfolio
Testimonials
In-depth research
" As a researcher, Ruth's reports, speeches and articles on a wide range of policy areas were always incredibly well researched and written. "
Rachel Healey
Senior European Policy Officer
British Embassy, Paris
Speech-writing
"She successfully rose to the challenge of writing several speeches, including for Jack Straw MP and Her Majesty's Ambassador, which passed virtually unchanged."
Nicholas Hopton
Political Counsellor
British Embassy, Paris
Targeting your constituents
"She went above and beyond and made the leaflet much more accessible to my target audience. She responded promptly and moved quickly to meet an incredibly tight deadline. Provided with bullet points and a general thrust of the intended outcomes Ruth went to task and composed a thoroughly well researched document written in a style that far exceeded my expectations. From start to finish I received a professional service.
I could not be happier with the outcome or the time it took for delivery. "
Councillor Chris Hayden
Making an impact
"Absolutely brilliant work; the design and layout were first rate. The outcome was that I got elected and the leaflets were a great help in achieving this. Highly recommended."
Councillor Ian Parsons
The bigger picture
"Her pertinent questions during the presentation of Education & Research Ministry priorities for the presidency showed that she offered sound judgement and reminded people of the bigger picture."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Accuracy and Precision
" Ruth's research skills, accuracy and precision were widely regarded."
Sara Gill, Head of Education,
British Council, France
Identifying patterns
" Ruth's perseverance and strong belief in 'making a difference' showed through when she rose the profile of two sensitive issues, having picked up on a regular pattern from public feedback. Firstly, France's reluctance to recognise the legality of UK Civil Partnerships, and secondly, myths about the teaching of the Holocaust in UK schools. Faced with the difficulty of establishing a departmental lead responsibility for the issues, she went the extra mile to ensure the UK Government came up with a coherent response and action plan, which has since led to Embassy lobbying and a official lines-to-take."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy, Paris
European Institutions
" Excellent Anglo-French dialogue and best-practice sharing during the French Presidency of the EU (2008) and across the ongoing Education MOU in order to deliver productive learning encounters between policy-makers and education practitioners"
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Social policy
"She is respected by Embassy colleagues for her professional expertise and frank insights in the field of Social Affairs, which show through in her well-drafted written reports and advice."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs, British Embassy, Paris
Trade unions
"Her well researched comprehensive reports on trade unions and targeted briefing contributions have also proved her strong drafting skills, which receive regular praise."
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy, Paris
Religion
"Ruth's study of the headscarf debate showed that she is very capable of considering and judging the implications of a complex and culturally specific issue."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris
Analysis
"Her reporting on the headscarf debate in French schools reflected a serious research project and demonstrated excellent analytical skills."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris
Customer focus
"Customer feedback shows that Ruth can be relied on to deliver a tailor-made service that meets a high standard."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Innovation
"Her innovation and emphasis on customer service helped her arrange a successful visit for the Minister for Europe to a Parisian community project at very short notice"
Georgina Hill,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy, Paris
Identifying emerging issues
"Ruth is very good at spotting issues and emerging stories e.g. she identified the lyceens protest on bac reform as potentially leading to a crisis from the very start."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris
High-level experience
"Ruth delivered a high profile visit for the Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Phillips."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris
Experience of Whitehall
"Ruth has been proactive in identifying documents to send out to French contacts e.g. on UK skills policy and the Tomlinson review. She has also produced excellent summaries to present these documents."
Helen Pennant,
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs,
British Embassy Paris
Adaptability
"She produced some impressive first drafts quickly on economic reform."
Nicholas Hopton,
EU/Economic Counsellor,
British Embassy, Paris
Plain English
Her monthly newsletter on social affairs is well written in a digestible, plain English style.
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Creative thinking
"Thanks to her creative-thinking, Ruth is a valuable team member for contributing to brainstorms, eg for organising the Minister for Europe's visit programme with an innovative trip to a Social Enterprise in outer Paris at short notice."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Breaking down complexity
"I have had the pleasure of working with Ruth on several projects which involved presenting and communicating complex ideas to non-specialist audiences in a community setting. Ruth is an excellent writer and editor, and has an uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of the reader."
Stephen Blundell
Housing specialist
An effective style
"She has an effective, plain English, succinct style and particularly enjoyed drafting an article on equal opportunities for a local MPs event brochure. Her enthusiasm for the subject showed through and it was all the more rewarding to know that the ambassador had barely amended her version."
Frances Hooper
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Delivering your message
"She has now proved her progress in other communication skills, eg by giving a successfully assessed presentation on the UK's Child Poverty policy"
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Breaking down complexity
"Her reports on secularism have featured a persuasive and accessible commentary on a very complex issue."
Helen Pennant
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Consulting sources
"Ruth is very motivated to learn and has built up a good degree of expert knowledge about education in France and Britain from a variety of sources."
Helen Pennant
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Political insight
"She succeeded in promoting constructive Anglo-French relations thanks to her strong communication skills, expert knowledge of French/EU politics, current affairs and culture, and not least her impeccable fluent French and translation skills."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Strategic awareness
"As the Education policy lead, Ruth has kept the thriving Education MOU firmly on track instigating a meeting with the minister's adviser and negotiating a compromise for the Summit...a demonstration of Ruth's strategic awareness and diplomatic skills."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Current affairs
"Her well researched, engaging reports on current affairs and briefing contributions proved her strong drafting skills."
Georgina Hill
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
Expertise
"Contacts respect her as an expert in her field."
Helen Pennant
First Secretary, Labour and Social Affairs
British Embassy, Paris
An asset to your organisation
"Ruth has been a real asset to the Political Team and embassy as a whole."
Ken O'Flaherty
Head of France, Internal Team
British Embassy Paris