Stephanie Smith PhD

Associate Director

Dr Stephanie Smith leads a portfolio of projects across evidence synthesis, evaluation and implementation science, and supports the growth of CEI’s UK team.

Stephanie is an experienced research psychologist with a strong track record in mixed-methods evaluation, having worked across frontline healthcare, academia and the charity sector. Her research focuses on key issues affecting children, families and communities, with strong expertise in early years development, youth mental health and youth violence prevention. 

Stephanie currently manages several high-profile projects at CEI, including:

  • A multi-year, multi-site evaluation of Thrive at Five’s place-based early years approach
  • A large-scale RCT assessing the impact of boxing interventions on young people’s involvement in violent crime
  • A realist evaluation examining the role of lived experience within mental health research projects
  • The development of best practice guidance for theory-informed implementation and process evaluations

Stephanie holds a PhD in Health Services and Population Research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London (KCL), where she was funded by an interdisciplinary social science scholarship from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).  As a postdoctoral researcher, she played a key role in establishing a landmark longitudinal study of adolescent mental health. Before joining CEI, Stephanie held a senior research role in the Research and Policy team at the National Children’s Bureau.

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