Here is what some of my collaborators, commissioners, and colleagues have said about me and my work on projects in networks.
Anna Rahilly
Partnership Lead and Project Lead, Save the Children UK
For participatory action research project, comp. January 2026
Grainne stepped in halfway through our Participatory Action Research (PAR) project with migrant mothers who were exploring the impact of access to childcare, following a change in our project team. She quickly understood the aims and context of the project and was able to pick up the work seamlessly in the middle of delivery. Grainne’s professional, empathetic and rights-based approach was a perfect fit for the work, and she integrated into the group with ease, building strong, trusting relationships with the parents.
Grainne brought a thoughtful and reflective lens to the work, supporting the group to explore access to childcare within the wider context of gender, inequality and lived experience. Grainne brought a wealth of knowledge and skills in research and supported the parents to develop their own research and facilitation skills in an empowering and confidence-building way. She was flexible and responsive to the needs of the group, working at their pace and around their availability.
It was a pleasure to work together, and I would not hesitate to recommend Grainne.
Dipika Kaushal
CEO, Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust
For project evaluation comp. October 2025
We loved your approach to evaluation, openness to our ideas and thoughts, your energy to make this evaluation (Me + My Normal) meaningful and overall experience of working with you.
An authentic and responsive evaluator you immersed yourself into our work and world, engaged effectively with staff, young people and families resulting in an excellent and insightful piece of work.
Thank you and we will absolutely be working with you again!
Dr Rhetta Moran
Founder, RAPAR
Close collaboration for 10+ years
I have been honoured to work alongside Grainne since she first joined RAPAR in 2015.
She is exceptional. In addition to being a first-class researcher, a remarkably hard worker, and as honest as the day is long, her razor-sharp humour guarantees thoroughly enjoyable working relations – even through the driest parts of researching practice.
Being most conscious and committed to lifelong learning for both herself and everyone around her, Grainne’s approach to work is humble. She looks every prospective project square in the eye and never deflects hard questions. This makes for thoroughly bottomed out action plans that are realistic and therefore achievable.
Grainne never misses a deadline and always gives of her best. She loves research that is action-orientated, participatory and cutting edge, but is equally at home with the traditional researching forms.
I cannot praise Grainne highly enough. She is a heavy weight asset, wherever she goes.
Rosa Forrest
Parent Support and Neurodevelopment Lead, Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust
For evaluation comp. October 2025
During a period of an evaluation of our Me and My Normal project, Grainne was not only very professional but also very relatable with the families and young people in the project. Grainne spent time with the parents providing a listening ear regarding their challenges and views.
Grainne did the same with the young people but considered the best approach would be getting alongside them engaging in their chosen activities.
Grainne participated in a number of sessions to get a good overview of the project and the participants, especially at the close of the project with the reviews and feedback.
When it came to the evaluation, nothing was too much trouble and she was more than happy to accommodate our preferences and suggestions regarding the format and presentation of the evaluation working closely with the facilitators, the communications team and the CEO.
I would certainly ask Grainne to complete further evaluations with our organisation and recommend her to other organisations.
With gratitude and admiration.
Dr Harriet Rowley
Senior Lecturer, Education
Manchester Metropolitan University
Close collaboration for 10+ years
I worked with Grainne for nearly 10 years on EU funded projects. These ranged from large-scale scientific research projects involving large qualitative data sets to participatory-action research projects focused at the grassroots, which aimed to amplify marginalised voices to national and European audiences. Grainne is a highly skilled researcher who is able to meet multi-level stakeholders’ needs, navigate complex funding agreements and deliver projects with real world impact.
Dr Kate Smith
Close collaboration for 10+ years
Researching with Grainne creates a bridge between intellectual discourse and lived experiences, and her research has important impact and influence beyond academia. She makes a difference to the value and change created through research.
Grainne is vigorously intellectual and her research is a political act. She makes a difference by showing us how we can use research in the most hostile environments to make sense, to learn, to reflect, and most importantly to stand in solidarity and act. She is transformational to work with and produces transformational knowledge.
Team at Northorpe Child and Family Trust
For evaluation comp. October 2025
Via Facebook.
We’re so excited to introduce you to the lovely Dr Gráinne McMahon, the independent evaluator for Me + My Normal! 
Gráinne is a sociologist, researcher, campaigner, and activist with 25 years’ experience in research, advocacy, and social change.
She worked closely with the young people and their families to hear their stories and make sure their voices were at the heart of her report.
The result was an incredible evaluation that clearly shows the power of neuro-affirming, young person-centred support. 
With all the conversations happening at the moment about supporting neurodivergent young people, it feels like this report and Gráinne’s work is needed more than ever.
When young people are met where they are — in a safe, relaxed space that celebrates who they are rather than trying to “fix” them — amazing things happen.
They grow in confidence, make friends, feel less alone, and develop skills that last long after the programme ends.
We’re so grateful to Gráinne for sharing these insights so brilliantly — this report really shows the difference the right kind of support can make.
Read the full report here: http://bit.ly/47xOfKa
Dr Kate Smith
Close collaboration for 10+ years
Unapologetically political, Grainne’s research seeks to dismantle patriarchal systems and often pushes on the boundaries, challenging the status quo. She recognises and celebrates the subjectivities of relationship, interaction, and intersubjective knowledge building when it comes to researching the social world.
Grainne is highly accountable to work with, demonstrating to stakeholders and the wider public the value of research with those who have been marginalised.
Dr Shaun McDaid
Senior Lecturer, Criminology
Leeds Trinity University
Close collaboration for 10+ years
I regularly worked alongside Gráinne in my former capacity as Deputy Chair of the School of Human and Health Sciences Research Ethics and Integrity Committee (2017-2020) at the University of Huddersfield. Her reviewing of research project proposals was diligent and thorough, underpinned by a sincere concern for protecting participants and researchers alike. Her contribution to the committee helped ensure that research conducted within the School was carried out to the highest standards of probity.
Dr Gráinne McMahon: Research Consultant, Academic Activist 