Dr Mariana Atkins
Dr Mariana Atkins (she/her) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Impact UWA (CSI UWA) with a background in human geography and planning.
Mariana has extensive research, evaluation and consultancy experience in developed and developing countries. She brings a holistic, trauma-informed perspective to her work shaped by her experience of working with different cultures and groups. Employing qualitative and quantitative research methods, Mariana is skilled at conducting evaluations focussing on vulnerability in various sectors including homelessness, unemployment, health and age care for clients across all levels of government, as well as the private and not-for-profit sectors. She is experienced at project design and management of multi-disciplinary teams across Australia.
Currently she is leading a developmental evaluation project for the Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia which is developing a framework to support financial resilience in communities across WA to better prepare for and respond to disasters. Additionally, Mariana is working on various projects on disability and inclusion and art and wellbeing. An experienced communicator, Mariana teaches the Outcomes Measurement course delivered by CSI UWA.
She has a growing publication record in a variety of platforms including peer reviewed journals, book chapters and various academic and public forums. She has a PhD in Geography and Planning from the University of Western Australia, an MSc. (Distinction) in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics and a BA (Honours) in Geography from University College London. Mariana is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society.
Areas of interest
- Ageing policy
- Disability
- Unemployment
- Homelessness
Research methods
Qualitative data collection and analysis, mixed methods, next generation evaluation approaches including developmental evaluation and meaningful evaluation
