Prof Christopher Fox

Who am I?

I am Professor of Evaluation and Policy Analysis at Manchester Metropolitan University where I am Director of the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit and co-lead of Metropolis. 

I have led many evaluation and research projects in policy areas including criminal justice, public service reform and social investment. Much of my current research concentrates on innovation in the delivery of public services and the role of evidence in policy and practice. My recent books include 'An Introduction to Evaluation' (published by Sage) and 'Payment by results and social impact bonds: Outcome-based payment systems in the UK and US' (published by Policy Press). I was also lead author of a handbook on knowledge mobilisation: ‘Transforming Research and Policy: A Handbook to Connect Researchers with Policy-Makers’ (published by Metropolis).

I am also:

• A member of the Probation and Youth Justice Expert Advisory Group of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation
• A Trustee of Coaching Inside and Out (CIAO)
• UK National Liaison Official for the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (UN-affiliated body)
• A member of the Board of Chorus Education Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust

I teach on the following modules:

• Policy (MA Applied Criminology)
• Quantitative Impact Evaluation (MsC Applied Quantitative Methods)
• Working with Offenders (BA Criminology)

I supervise PhDs in the following areas: offender rehabilitation and criminal justice policy, social outcomes contracts (Social Impact Bonds) and public service reform.

Why do I teach?

The public sector is changing fast and at the heart of many of the debates about new directions in policy and practice is research and evaluation evidence. I spend a lot of my time advising organisations across government, the Third Sector and the private sector on what research and evaluation evidence says, how to use it and how reliable it is. The modules I teach on at undergraduate and post-graduate level are designed to reflect these debates and equip students with the skills and knowledge to take on management roles in organisations that deliver public services.

How I’ll teach you

My work is at the cutting edge of social policy and criminal jusice and I will bring examples from this into the classroom and give you opportunities to develop skills and experience that are relevant to management jobs in organisations that deliver public services.

Academic and professional qualifications

Ph.D on 'The Theory and Practice of Crime Management' (10/1995 – 7/2000) awarded by The University of Sheffield

MA in Socio-Legal Studies (10/1994 - 8/1995) awarded by The University of Sheffield

Other academic service (administration and management)

Director of the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit. This means that I’m involved in a wide range of ongoing active research projects. 

Co-lead of Metropolis, a think tank to develop effective public services, cities and a caring society. Based at Manchester Metropolitan University

Distinguished Fellow at the Sol Price Center for Social Innovation at the University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy

Member of the University of Bologna Scientific Board for Sociology and Social research PhDs

Why study Evaluation, Social Policy, Economics and Crime?

Europe is changing fast. Globalisation, new technologies and an aging population are all changing the way we live our lives. The modules I lead try to reflect the pace of change. For example, in Economics and Crime we look at the 'crime drop' that has taken place over the last 15 years, the changing nature of organised crime, the rise of 'legal highs' and the impact of new technology on the sex trade.

Faced with rapid social and economic change, governments across Europe are looking for new, innovative ways to deliver public services in cost-effective ways. My evaluation modules equip students to undertake and use evaluation and research to shape policy and redesign practice in areas such as offender rehabilitation, substance misuse and unemployment. In Economics and Crime we look at innovative approaches to reducing crime and re-offending ranging from community safety to desistance from offending.

The modules I teach are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to take on management roles in organisations that deliver public services.

Undergraduate courses

Economics and Crime

Evaluating Crime and Criminal Justice Policy

Postgraduate teaching

Policy Evaluation and Research

Research expertise

My main research interests are:

Evaluation and evidence-based policy: I have directed approximately £6 million of evaluation and applied research projects over the last 13 years. I co-authored An Introduction to Evaluation published by Sage and the entry on 'Evaluation Research' for The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. 

Crime and criminal justice: I have led numerous evaluations in the criminal justice system. My books  on criminal justice include Economics and Crime: An Introduction (co-author: Kevin Albertson) and Justice Reinvestment: Can the Criminal Justice System Deliver More for Less (co-authors: Kevin Albertson and Kevin Wong). I co-founded the website www.reducing-reoffending.uk and am a member of the Ministry of Justice Expert Network and the Probation and Youth Justice Advisory Group at Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation. 

Social Impact Bonds and public service innovation: I recently co-authored a book on Payment by Results and Social Impact Bonds: Outcome-based payment systems in the UK and US for Policy Press. I was Director of a Horizon2020 project 'Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening communities in Europe' (InnoSI) that finished at the end of 2017. Currently I am part of the Horizon2020 project Co-creation of Service Innovations in Europe (CoSIE).

Publications

• Books (authored/edited/special issues)

  C. Fox, R. Grimm, R. Caldeira (2016). An Introduction to Evaluation. SAGE.

  CC. Fox, KV. Albertson, J. Meadway, I. Rock (2015). How to Run the Country Manual. United Kingdom: Haynes Publishing.

  KV. Albertson, C. Fox (2014). Justice, With Reason: Rethinking the Economics of Crime and Justice. United Kingdom: National Association of Probation Officers.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, K. Wong (2013). Justice Reinvestment: Can the Criminal Justice System Deliver More for Less?. Oxford: Routledge.

  K. Albertson, V. Chris Fox (2011). Crime and Economics. United Kingdom: Willan Pub.

• Journal articles

  S. Baines, C. Fox, J. Harrison, A. Smith, C. Marsh (2022). Co-creating rehabilitation: Findings from a pilot and implications for wider public service reform. Probation Journal. 69(4), pp.452-471.

  P. Davies, SP. Morris, C. Fox (2018). The Evaluation Market and Its Industry in England. New Directions for Evaluation. 160, pp.29-43.

  C. Fox, J. Harrison, C. Marsh, A. Smith (2018). Piloting different approaches to personalised offender management in the English criminal justice system. International Review of Sociology. 28(1), pp.35-61.

  C. Fox (2017). English and Welsh experience of marketisation, payment by results and justice devolution in the probation sector. Proces. 96(2),

  C. Fox, C. Marsh (2016). Operationalising desistance through personalisation. European Journal of Probation. 8(3), pp.185-206.

  C. Fox, C. Marsh (2016). ‘Personalisation’: Is social innovation possible under transforming rehabilitation?. Probation Journal. 63(2), pp.169-181.

  TO. Smith, YA. Hameed, JL. Cross, C. Henderson, O. Sahota, et al. C. Fox. (2015). Enhanced rehabilitation and care models for adults with dementia following hip fracture surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015(6),

  K. Albertson, C. Fox, K. Wong (2013). Justice Reinvestment - thinking outside the cell: Kevin Albertson, Chris Fox and Kevin Wong consider social justice alternatives to imprisonment. Criminal Justice Matters. 94(1), pp.22-23.

  A. Fox, C. Fox, C. Marsh (2013). Could Personalisation Reduce Re-offending? Reflections on Potential Lessons from British Social Care Reform for the British Criminal Justice System. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY. 42(4), pp.721-741.

  M. Ellison, C. Fox, A. Gains, G. Pollock (2013). An evaluation of the effect of housing provision on re-offending. Safer Communities. 12(1), pp.27-37.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, K. Wong (2013). Justice Reinvestment and its Potential Contribution to Criminal Justice Reform. Prison Service Journal. 207, pp.35-46.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, K. Wong (2013). Justice Reinvestment and its Potential Contribution to Criminal Justice Reform. Prison Service Journal. 207, pp.34-46.

  R. Grimm, C. Fox, S. Baines, K. Albertson (2013). Social innovation, an answer to contemporary societal challenges? Locating the concept in theory and practice. Innovation.

  A. Fox, C. Fox, C. Marsh (2012). Could personalisation reduce re-offending?. Criminal Justice Matters. 90(1), pp.30-31.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson (2012). Is payment by results the most efficient way to address the challenges faced by the criminal justice sector?. Probation Journal. 59(4), pp.355-373.

  T. Bateman, C. Fox (2012). Editorial. Safer Communities. 11(4),

  B. Puddicombe, D. Corry, C. Fox, K. Albertson (2012). Payment by results: Bill Puddicombe, Dan Corry, Chris Fox and Kevin Albertson debate the merits and disadvantages of payment by results. Criminal Justice Matters. 89(1), pp.46-48.

  T. Bateman, C. Fox (2012). Article type: Editorial from: Safer communities, volume 11, issue 3. Safer Communities. 11(3),

  T. Bateman, C. Fox (2012). Editorial. Safer Communities. 11(3), pp.290-292.

  T. Bateman, C. Fox (2012). Editorial. Safer Communities. 11(2),

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, M. Ellison, T. Martin (2011). How will the recession affect crime rates in Greater Manchester?. Safer Communities. 10(3), pp.17-30.

  T. Bateman, C. Fox (2011). Editorial. Safer Communities. 10(4), pp.24-41.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, K. Williams, M. Ellison (2011). Estimating the costs and benefits of an alcohol treatment requirement. Drugs and Alcohol Today. 11(3), pp.147-155.

  T. Bateman, C. Fox (2011). Editorial. Safer Communities. 10(3),

  C. Fox (2011). New data on re-offending for Prolific and other Priority Offenders (PPOs) and drug-misusing offenders. Probation Journal. 58(2), pp.172-174.

  C. Fox (2011). Review: Trial and Error in Criminal Justice Reform: Learning from Failure. Probation Journal. 58(2), pp.179-181.

  C. FOX, K. ALBERTSON, F. WARBURTON (2011). Justice Reinvestment: Can it Deliver More for Less?. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice. 50(2), pp.119-136.

  C. Fox (2011). A new ‘Compendium of reoffending statistics and analysis’. Probation Journal. 58(1), pp.76-78.

  C. Fox, R. Moorhead, M. Sefton, K. Wong (2011). Community legal advice centres and networks: a process evaluation. Civil Justice Quarterly. 30(2), pp.204-222.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson (2011). Payment by results and social impact bonds in the criminal justice sector: New challenges for the concept of evidence-based policy?. Criminology & Criminal Justice. 11(5), pp.395-413.

  D. Briggs, C. Fox (2010). Editorial. Safer Communities. 9(4), pp.2-4.

  C. Fox, T. Bateman (2010). Editorial. Safer Communities. 9(3), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox (2010). Developing an offender problem profile. Safer Communities. 9(3), pp.17-27.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2010). Editorial. Safer Communities. 9(2), pp.2-3.

  G. Copitch, C. Fox (2010). Using social media as a means of improving public confidence. Safer Communities. 9(2), pp.42-48.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2010). Editorial. Safer Communities. 9(1), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson (2010). Could economics solve the prison crisis?. Probation Journal. 57(3), pp.263-280.

  C. Fox (2009). An economic analysis of alternatives to prison for women offenders. Probation Journal. 56(3), pp.289-290.

  C. Fox (2009). Inspection of Youth Offending Teams 2003—2008. Probation Journal. 56(3), pp.286-288.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2009). Editorial. Safer Communities. 8(3), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox (2009). Working towards recovery: Getting problem drug users into jobs. Probation Journal. 56(2), pp.186-187.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2009). Editorial. Safer Communities. 8(2), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox (2009). Towards effective sentencing. Probation Journal. 56(1), pp.75-77.

  K. Marsh, C. Fox, R. Sarmah (2009). Is custody an effective sentencing option for the UK? Evidence from a meta-analysis of existing studies. Probation Journal. 56(2), pp.129-151.

  K. Marsh, C. Fox, C. Hedderman (2009). Do you get what you pay for? Assessing the use of prison from an economic perspective. The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice. 48(2), pp.144-157.

  C. Fox, G. Smyth, P. Williams (2009). Findings from an interim evaluation of Peer Panels – a form of restorative justice. Cahiers Politiestudies. 2(11), pp.159-172.

  C. Fox (2008). Arguments for and against prison expansion. Probation Journal. 55(4), pp.402-403.

  C. Fox (2008). A new approach to crime and justice. Probation Journal. 55(4), pp.405-406.

  C. Fox (2008). The prison population in America. Probation Journal. 55(4), pp.403-404.

  K. Marsh, C. Fox (2008). The benefit and cost of prison in the UK. the results of a model of lifetime re-offending. Journal of Experimental Criminology. 4(4), pp.403-423.

  K. Albertson, C. Fox (2008). Estimating the costs of crime in England and Wales. Safer Communities. 7(4), pp.25-33.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2008). Editorial. Safer Communities. 7(4), pp.2-3.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2008). Editorial. Safer Communities. 7(3), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, J. Pitts (2008). Editorial. Safer Communities. 7(2), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, J. Pitts (2008). Editorial. Safer Communities. 7(1), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, J. Pitts (2007). Editorial. Safer Communities. 6(4), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, J. Pitts (2007). Editorial. Safer Communities. 6(3), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, J. Pitts (2007). Editorial. Safer Communities. 6(2), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, J. Pitts (2006). Editorial. Safer Communities. 5(4), pp.2-3.

  J. Pitts, C. Fox (2006). Editorial. Safer Communities. 5(3), pp.2-3.

  C. Fox, T. Hope, S. Mackay (2006). The independent review of crime statistics. Community safety journal. 5(4), pp.4-12.

  C. Fox (2005). The future of crime and disorder reduction partnerships. Safer Communities. 4(3), pp.40-43.

  C. Fox, D. Jenkins (2005). The development of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the implications for community safety. Safer Communities. 4(1), pp.4-11.

  C. Fox, G. Butler (2004). Partnerships: where next?. Safer Communities. 3(3), pp.36-44.

  C. Fox (2004). NOMS: how to avoid re-inventing the wheel. Criminal Justice Matters. 57(1), pp.20-21.

• Chapters in books

  C. O'Leary, C. Fox (2020). Commissioning and social determinants: evidence and opportunities. In: Local Authorities and the Social Determinants of Health. Policy Press,

  C. Fox, K. Albertson (2020). Outcomes-based Contracts in the UK Public Sector. K. Albertson, M. Corcoran, J. Phillips. In: Marketisation and Privatisation in Criminal Justice. Bristol University Press: Policy Press, pp.30-44.

  K. Albertson, C. Fox (2020). The Progress of Marketisation: The prison and probation experience. K. Albertson, M. Corcoran, J. Phillips. In: Marketisation and Privatisation in Criminal Justice. Bristol: Policy Press, pp.73-87.

  C. Fox, S. Morris Evaluation Research. In: The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Wiley, pp.1-4.

  K. Albertson, C. Fox, C. O’leary, G. Painter, K. Bailey, et al. J. Labarbera. (2018). Outcome-based commissioning: theoretical underpinnings. In: Payment by Results and Social Impact Bonds. Policy Press,

  G. Pollock, J. Ozan, H. Goswami, C. Fox (2018). With a View Towards the Future: Working Towards an Accelerated European Cohort Survey. In: Children’s Well-Being: Indicators and Research. Springer International Publishing, pp.163-178.

  G. Pollock, J. Ozan, H. Goswami, C. Fox (2018). With a View Towards the Future: Working Towards an Accelerated European Cohort Survey. G. Pollock, J. Ozan, H. Goswami, G. Rees, A. Stasulane. In: Children's Well-Being: Indicators and Research. Cham: Springer, pp.163-178.

  C. O’Leary, C. Fox (2018). Understanding the Potential Policy Impact of a European Longitudinal Survey for Children and Young People. In: Children’s Well-Being: Indicators and Research. Springer International Publishing, pp.147-161.

  G. Pollock, J. Ozan, H. Goswami (2018). Notions of Well-Being, the State of Child Well-Being Research and the MYWeB Project. In: Children’s Well-Being: Indicators and Research. Springer International Publishing, pp.1-13.

  C. Fox (2016). Research Ethics in Criminology. M. Cowburn, L. Gelsthorpe, A. Wahidin. In: Research Ethics in Criminology: Dilemmas, Issues and Solutions. Routledge, pp.5-21.

  CC. Fox, M. Ngouateu-Bussemaker, A. Härkönen, V. Taatila, R. Behrens, et al. J. Martínez-Rubio, J. Orozco-Messana. (2016). Joining Forces in Facing European Challenges: The CARPE Consortium on Applied Research and Professional Education. In: Global Perspectives on Strategic International Partnerships: A Guide to Building Sustainable Academic Linkages. IIE Books,

  K. Albertson, K. Albertson, C. Fox, D. Ellingworth (2013). Economic values and evidence: evaluating criminal justice policy. M. Cowburn, M. Duggan, A. Robinson, P. Senior. In: Values in criminology and community justice. UK: Policy Press, pp.313-328.

  K. Albertson, C. Fox (2011). Crime and economics: an introduction. In: Crime and economics.

• Conferences

  H. Olson, S. Gellen, C. Fox, G. Painter, J. Ozan (2022). Comparing Different Approaches to Evaluating the Impact of Social Outcomes Contracts. Phoenix, Arizona, 25/5/2022.

  S. Baines, C. fox, K. Albertson, C. O'Leary, G. Bailey Social Impact Bonds and two meanings of "Social Investment". London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and RAND Europe, 12/9/2016.

• Reports

  C. Fox, S. Gellen, J. Ozan Interim evaluation of Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership and Greater Manchester Better Outcomes Partnership. , Bridges Outcomes Partnerships.

  K. Szifris, S. Maruna, A. Roberts, C. Fox, A. Smith Exploring the underling ideas and theories from which cognitive behavioural therapy was developed. , Nuffield Foundation.

  M. Roberts, C. Fox, J. McManus Drink and disorder: alcohol, crime and anti-social behaviour.

  C. Fox, S. Gellen, P. Sergeant Evaluation of RESCALED: Final Report. , Porticus.

  S. Gellen, E. Burchell, C. Fox Impact Evaluation of the Kirklees Better Outcomes Partnership: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis. , Bridges Outcomes Partnerships.

  J. Ozan, S. Gellen, C. Fox, S. Morris, R. Cargill We can talk about domestic abuse. Pilot evaluation report. What Works for Children’s Social Care, What Works for Children’s Social Care.

  C. Fox, S. Gray, J. O'Sullivan (2019). Transforming Research & Policy: A Handbook to Connect Research with Policy. MetroPolis: Manchester Metropolitan University

  C. Fox, D. Adams-Guppy, B. Hall, R. Webster, K. Wong A Realist Review of Effective Management in Probation and Youth Justice. , His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.

  C. Fox, K. Heyes Junior University: Report. Manchester Metropolitan University, Which?.

  CC. Fox, J. Harrison, C. Marsh (2017). Personalisation in the criminal justice system: An evaluation of Group-Based Personalisation Pilots. Manchester Metropolitan University, Interserve Justice.

  CC. Fox, J. Harrison, C. Marsh, A. Smith (2017). Personalisation in the criminal justice system: An evaluation of Person-centred practice Pilots. Manchester Metropolitan University, Interserve Justice.

  CC. Fox, M. Ellison, H. Partridge, K. Szifris, R. Horan (2016). The Enablers of Change Assessment Tool Evaluation. Manchester Metropolitan University, Interserve PLC.

  CC. Fox, G. Bailey, S. Barnett Invest. Innovate. Involve: Building human capital through welfare state reforms: A provisional overview of public policy according to 'social investment' from institutional perspective according to policy instruments analysis and public policy analysis. European Commission, European Commission.

  CC. Fox, S. Baines Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening communities in Europe: Policy Brief.

  CC. Fox, J. Harrison, C. Marsh, A. Smith Personalisation in the criminal justice system: An evaluation of Person-centred practice Pilots.

  CC. Fox Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening communities in Europe: Policy Brief. European Commission, European Commission.

  CC. Fox Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening communities in Europe: Policy Brief. European Commission, European Commission.

  CC. Fox Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening Communities in Europe: Periodic Technical Report.

  R. Clarke, M. Ellison, J. Ozan, CC. Fox (2015). Evaluation of Intensive Community Support - Interim Report. Manchester Metropolitan University, Public Service Reform (PSR) Justice and Rehabilitation Team.

  CC. Fox, R. Clarke, M. Sefton (2014). Mentoring Evaluation. Manchester Metropolitan University, London Probation Trust.

  CC. Fox, C. Marsh (2014). Evaluation of RECOOP project to build capacity to support older offenders: Final Report. RECOOP, RECOOP.

  K. Albertson, M. Ellison, C. Fox, M. Hennesey, C. Smith Report on the feasibility of a Cost Benefit Analysis of HMP Grendon. MMU, HMP Grendon.

  C. Fox, M. Ellison, S. McGougan (2014). Evaluation and monitoring of Manchester Cathedral Volunteering and Employment Project: First Year Report. MMU, MMU.

  CC. Fox, . ICF GHK, . Sheffield Hallam University, . Manchester Metropolitan University (2013). London Reducing Reoffending Programme Evaluation. , London Development Agency.

  C. Fox, M. Sefton, K. Albertson, H. Goswami (2013). Evaluation of Grandmentors. MMU, CSV.

  C. Fox, C. Marsh (2013). Evaluation of RECOOP project to build capacity to support older offenders: First Year Report. RECOOP, RECOOP.

  GM. Smyth, C. Smith, A. Watson, C. Fox, M. Ellison (2013). Evaluation of Choose Change at HMP Manchester.

  K. Heyes, C. Fox, A. Smith, S. Baines, A. Fraser Cornwall Frequent A&E Attenders SIB Evaluation – Interim Report 1. , Addaction.

  C. Fox, M. Sefton (2012). Nottingham Systems Thinking Programme: Final Report. AdviceUK, AdviceUK.

  C. Fox, M. Sefton, K. Albertson (2012). Evaluation of Grandmentors: Second Interim Report. MMU, CSV.

  C. Fox, P. Williams, S. Campbell, E. Oluwa, J. Rowsley, et al. A. Wegner. (2012). Interim Evaluation of Inside Out. , Prison Service.

  M. Ellison, C. Fox, A. Gains, G. Pollock (2012). An evaluation on the effect of housing on reducing re-offending. , Vision Housing and InterserveFM Ltd.

  M. Sefton, C. Fox (2011). Independent Evaluation of the Planning for retirement (pfr) project. Age UK, Age UK.

  C. Fox, G. Smyth, P. Williams (2011). Final Evaluation of Peer Panels. MMU, Nacro.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, K. Williams, M. Ellison (2011). The Prospective Costs and Benefits of an Alcohol Treatment Requirement. Stockport, United Kingdom: Acorn Housing and Treatment, Acorn Housing and Treatment.

  C. Fox, M. Sefton, F. Warburton (2011). Evaluation of Grandmentors: First Interim Report,. MMU, CSV.

  C. Fox, P. Williams, G. Pollock, A. Albertson, A. Provaqn, et al. A. Woods, K. Kent, R. Nokes, C. Haslam. (2011). Final Evaluation of Choose Change. MMU, Greater Manchester Probation Trust.

  C. Fox, R. Moorhead, M. Sefton, K. Wong Community Legal Advice Centres and Networks: A Process Evaluation. Legal Services Commission, Legal Services Research Centre.

  A. Wickens, S. Earnshaw, C. Fox, K. Albertson (2010). The costs, barriers and benefits of involving volunteers from under-represented groups: Final Report. United Kingdom: The Commission for the Compact, The Commission for the Compact.

  K. Albertson, D. Ellingworth, C. Fox (2010). Break Even Analysis of Intensive Alternatives to Custody Programme. Sheffield Hallam University, Ministry of Justice.

  C. Fox, D. Ellingworth, K. Albertson (2010). Intensive Alternatives to Custody: Impact feasibility study. Sheffield Hallam University, Ministry of Justice.

  C. Fox, K. Albertson, P. Williams, A. Provan, A. Woods (2010). Choose Change: Second Interim report. MMU, Greater Manchester Probation Service.

  A. Wickens, S. Earnshaw, C. Fox (2009). The costs, barriers and benefits of involving volunteers from under-represented groups: Interim Report. The Commission for the Compact, The Commission for the Compact.

  C. Fox, F. Warburton, D. Ellingworth (2009). Manchester RAN Evaluation: Final Report. MMU, Manchester City Council.

  G. Smyth, P. Williams, L. Heywood, C. Fox (2009). Evaluation of Peer Panels: Second Interim Report. MMU, Nacro.

  C. Fox, P. Williams (2009). Evaluation of Choose Change: First Annual Report. MMU, Greater Manchester Probation Service.

  C. Fox, P. Williams (2009). Choose Change: First Interim report. MMU, Greater Manchester Probation Service.

  C. Fox, D. Ellingworth, K. Albertson (2009). Economic Review of Cheshire Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit. Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire County Council.

  . Manchester Metropolitan University (2009). At What Cost To Young Carers? An economic assessment of the value of young carers’ interventions for young carers’ affected by parental substance misuse and mental health problems. MMU, CrossRoads Association.

  C. Fox, G. Smyth, P. Williams (2008). Evaluation of Peer Panels: First Interim Report. MMU, Nacro.

  C. Fox, G. Pollock, K. Albertson (2008). An economic evaluation of young carers interventions. MMU, The CrossRoads Association.

• Other

  C. Fox (2011). Interim evaluation findings from the London Youth Reducing Re-offending Programme. Probation Journal. 58, 408-410.

  C. Fox (2011). Early lessons from the Social Impact Bond at HMP Peterborough. Probation Journal. 58, 407-408.

  C. Fox, J. Kennedy, S. Afzal (2001). Value for money? Cost analysis in crime reduction.

Grants

Current and past projects that Chris has led or been involved in include:

• Director of evaluation and research programme for Interserve Justice. Providing a range of evaluation and research services to support Interserve Justice’s management of five Community Rehabilitation Companies. Funded by Interserve Justice (2015 – 18). View project
• Director of evaluation and research programme for Novus (The Manchester College). Providing a range of evaluation and research services to support the continued growth and development of the College’s criminal justice business. Funded by The Manchester College (2015 – 18).
• Director of Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening communities in Europe (InnoSI). This Horizon2020 project started in May 2015 and deploys multidisciplinary research on innovative ways of implementing and financing social welfare that promise lasting benefits. Its aims are to identify and evaluate existing innovative and strategic approaches to social welfare reform at a regional and local level; explore social and psychological impact of these innovations on individuals and communities;
and collate useful, practical learning from this new body of evidence and mobilise it to inform policy and practice across the EU. Funded by the European Commission (2015 – 18).
• Director of evaluation of Intensive Community Order (ICO). The ICO is being implemented across Greater Manchester. Our evaluation looks at implementation and impact. Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (2014 – 16).
• Deputy Director of Measuring Youth Wellbeing (MYWEB). This FP7 project is examining the feasibility of a new pan-European, longitudinal survey on children and young people’s wellbeing. Funded by the European Commission (2013 – 16). View project »
• Director of a Cost Benefit Feasibility Study for HMP Grendon. Grendon is a unique prison in the UK being the only one to be run as a therapeutic community. Funded by HMP Grendon (2013).
• Director of an evaluation of an Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP). The evaluation is using a mixed methodology including qualitative interviews with staff and offenders, a quantitative reconviction analysis and economic evaluation. Funded by London Probation Trust (2013).
• Director of an evaluation of an offender mentoring programme run by London Probation Trust. The programme offers peer mentoring to male offenders aged 18 – 25 and mentoring to women offenders. The evaluation is using a mixed methodology including qualitative interviews with staff and offenders, a quantitative reconviction analysis and economic evaluation. Funded by London Probation Trust (2013 – 14).
• Managing an evaluation of RECOOP’s project to build capacity to support older offenders. Funded by RECOOP (2013 – 14).
• Advisor to an evaluation of the impact of housing provision for offenders on reducing re-offending. The housing provision of Vision Housing in London was the subject of the evaluation. Funded by Interserve Ltd (2012)
• Director of an evaluation of Rochdale Connections Trust. Evaluation included a qualitative and quantitative element, including analysis of project case file data and an estimate of economic value. Commissioned by Rochdale Connections Trust (2011 – 12).
• Advisor to an evaluation of housing provision for offenders who are part of the Integrated Offender Management programme in Cardiff. Funded by the Home Office. Commissioned by the Welsh Probation Trust (2012).
• Director of the evaluation of ‘My Square Mile’ a prisoner resettlement project at HMP Forest Bank. Commissioned by Khulisa (2011 – 14).
• Managing MMU’s contribution to the Evaluation of the London Reducing Reoffending Programmes, led by GHK. The programme includes a number of interventions designed to rehabilitate young offenders leaving YOIs and serving sentences in the community. Project Commissioned by London Criminal Justice Partnership (2011 – 12). Value of overall project £120,000 (value to MMU £21,200).
• Directing a project supporting Wigan Drug Action Team to develop a Payment by Results approach to commissioning drug treatment services. Commissioned by Wigan Drug Action Team (2011 – 12).
• Director of the Greater Manchester Crime Futures project. The aim of the project is to make predictions about future crime trends in Greater Manchester. The project involves reviews of existing research literature, analysis of large quantitative data sets including the use of econometric analysis.
• Providing expert advice to an economic evaluation of Intensive Offender Management in West Yorkshire. I am a member of a team led by Sheffield Hallam University. Commissioned by Leeds City Council (2011).
• Providing expert advice to an economic evaluation of Intensive Offender Management in Sussex. I am a member of a team led by Sheffield Hallam University. Commissioned by Sussex Criminal Justice Board (2011).
• Director of an economic appraisal of the Alcohol Treatment Requirement for Acorn Treatment and Housing as part of a payment by results feasibility study. Commissioned by Acorn Treatment and Housing (2011).
• Director of an evaluation of Inside Out at HMP Preston. Inside Out is a ‘through-the-gate’ resettlement project for prisoner serving sentences of 12 months or less. The evaluation includes both qualitative, impact and economic elements. Jointly funded by Lancashire Criminal Justice Board and Manchester Metropolitan University (2011 – 12)
• Director of an evaluation of Nottingham Systems Thinking Pilot. This is a project to reconfigure the commissioning and delivery of legal advice services in Nottingham. Commissioned by AdviceUK (2010 – 2011).
• Contributed to a research project on the prevalence of gangs in Oldham. Commissioned by Oldham Borough Council (2010).
• Director of an evaluation of the Grandmentors project. This is an intergenerational mentoring project and the evaluation includes an implementation evaluation and economic evaluation. Commissioned by CSV (2010 – 2013). View project »
• Managing MMU's contribution to the national evaluation of Intensive Alternatives to Custody. Led by Sheffield Hallam University and commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (2009 - 11). This involves an impact feasibility study, economic evaluation and implementation evaluation.
• Director of a review and service reconfiguration of services that support substance misusing parents and their children as part of the Hidden Harm and Safeguarding Children agendas. Commissioned by Salford DAT (2009).
• Director of a short evaluation of Respect Action Neighbourhoods. Commissioned by Manchester City Council (2009).
• Director of the Process Evaluation of Community Legal Advice Centres and Networks. The project is led by Manchester Metropolitan University, in partnership with the University of Cardiff. Commissioned by the Legal Services Commission (2009).
• Managing MMU’s contribution to a study to investigate the costs and benefits of engaging volunteers from under-represented groups. Led by CSV Consulting and commissioned by the Commission for the Compact (2008 – 9).
• Director of an economic review of domestic violence services in Cheshire. Commissioned by Cheshire County Council (2008-9).
• Director of Choose Change evaluation. Choose Change is a resettlement project for short-term offenders leaving HMP Manchester. Commissioned by Greater Manchester Probation Service (2008 – 10).
• Director of an evaluation of Peer Courts pilot (a form of restorative justice) in Lancashire. Funded by HM Treasury, commissioned by Nacro (2008 – 10).
• Director of an economic appraisal of the long-term costs and benefits of Young Carers services. Commissioned by Crossroads and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (2008).
• Director of MMU’s contribution to a project to pilot a new Minimum Data Set for statistics relating to race in the Criminal Justice System. Led by The Matrix Knowledge Group. Commissioned by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (2007-8).
• Advisor to an evaluation of the Police Protective Services pilot programme. Commissioned by the Home Office (2008).
• Advisor to an ex poste evaluation of a European programme to strengthen Research Infrastructures (2007 – 9). Commissioned by the European Commission.
• Director of an economic appraisal of the long term costs and benefits of different sentencing options in the UK criminal justice sector. Commissioned by a group of Charitable Trusts.
• Director of an economic appraisal of the long-term costs and benefits of School Home Support. Funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, commissioned by School Home Support (2007).
• Director of a Rapid Evidence Assessment on case management. Commissioned by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (2007).
• Director of a review of innovation in legal services, commissioned as part of a substantial report being written by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).
• Director of a project providing support to the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit undertaking a strategic review of the Drug Interventions Programme (2006).
• Director of the evaluation of the Dedicated Drugs Court Pilot commissioned by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (2006 – 7). Directing a team of 10 staff including colleagues from the Urban Institute, Washington. At the point Chris left Matrix the project was approximately 75% complete and direction was handed over to a colleague at Matrix
• Director of an evaluation of community safety projects in Hackney commissioned by the London Borough of Hackney (2006). Projects included Intensive Family Intervention projects and projects with a focus on domestic violence.
• Director of the team supporting the Statistics Commission to undertake a National Review of Crime Statistics (2005 – 6). Directing a team of 6 staff including colleagues from The University of Keele. Commissioned by the Statistics Commission.
• Director of the process evaluation of the National Offender Management Model Pathfinder commissioned by the Home Office. Directing a team of 9 staff including colleagues from the Jerry Lee Center, University of Pennsylvania (2005 – 6).
• Director of a RCT feasibility study for a number of criminal justice programmes commissioned by the Home Office. Directing a team of 5 staff including colleagues from the Jerry Lee Center, University of Pennsylvania (2005 – 6).
• Director of a 1 year research project to examine the size and nature of the civil legal advice sector (2005). Directing a team of 3 staff and working in partnership with The University of Sheffield. Commissioned by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
• Directing Matrix’s contribution to a 1 year research project on the clustering of justiciable civil legal problems in partnership with Cardiff University, led by Professor Richard Moorhead (2005 – 6). Commissioned by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
• Director of a 3 month research project on the substance misuse needs of young people in Bristol. Commissioned by Bristol DAT (2005).
• Director of an 18 month evaluation of the Young People's Drug Interventions Programme (2004 – 6). Commissioned by the Home Office
• Manager of the 6 month Independent Review of the Community Legal Service (2004). Managing a team of 5 staff. Partners included The University of Sheffield (led by Professor Joanna Shapland) and Professor Richard Moorhead from The University of Cardiff. Commissioned by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Projects and initiatives

Selected projects that I have either directed or made a substantial contribution to are set out below.

• Director of a Rapid Evidence Assessment of to assess the outcomes of community and custody delivered vocational training and employment programs on re-offending (2020). Value £20,000 (£10,000 funded by Ministry of Justice).
• Director of a Rapid Evidence Assessment of Probation Caseloads funded by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (2019-20). Value £20,000
• Director of evaluation of RESCALED a project to promote the Detention House custody model to European policy-makers. Funded by Porticus (Belgium) (2019 – 22). Value €80,000.
• Director of evaluation of Macmillan Cancer Support’s Integrated Financial Services prototype. Funded by Macmillan (2019 – 20). Value £88,000
• Director of the UK element of a project to develop a longitudinal birth cohort survey of children and young people in Europe (the EuroCohort). Funded by DfE (2019 – 2023). Value £200,000
• Director of an evaluation of the Cornwall Frequent A&E Attenders Social Impact Bond. This includes a process, impact and economic evaluation. Funded by Addaction (2019 – 2026). Value £100,000
• Director of a Rapid Evidence Assessment of The Use of Technology in Offender Supervision funded by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (2018). Value £20,000)
• Deputy Director of European Cohort Development Project funded by the European Commission (2017 – 19) a pan-European, Horizon2020 project creating the specification and business case for a new Research Infrastructure on youth wellbeing. This follows on from MYWEB (see below). Value of overall project €1.5 million (value to MMU circa €400,000)
• Contributor to Co-Creation of Service Innovations in Europe (COSIE) a pan-European Horizon 2020 project looking at innovation in co-creation of servies. I am leading an evaluation of a co-creation pilot in the UK. Funded by the European Commission (2018 – 21). This follows on from INNOSI (see below). Value of overall project €5 million (value to MMU circa €350,000)
• Director of a Sex Offender Management review and evaluation covering different strands of work in Greater Manchester, including sex offender assessment, the use of polygraph, and the organisation of supervisory roles. Funded by Greater Manchester Police (2016 – 18). Value £80,000
• Director of evaluation of Junior University – a widening participation programme targeting 14 and 15 year olds. Funded by Which? (2016). Value £25,000
• Director of evaluation and research programme for Interserve Justice. Providing a range of evaluation and research services to support Interserve Justice’s management of five Community Rehabilitation Companies. Funded by Interserve Justice (2015 – 18). Value £240,000
• Director of evaluation and research programme for Novus (The Manchester College). Providing a range of evaluation and research services to support the continued growth and development of the College’s criminal justice business. Funded by The Manchester College (2015 – 18). Value £250,000
• Director of Innovative Social Investment: Strengthening communities in Europe (INNOSI). This Horizon2020 project started in May 2015 and deploys multidisciplinary research on innovative ways of implementing and financing social welfare that promise lasting benefits. Its aims are to identify and evaluate existing innovative and strategic approaches to social welfare reform at a regional and local level; explore social and psychological impact of these innovations on individuals and communities;
and collate useful, practical learning from this new body of evidence and mobilise it to inform policy and practice across the EU. Funded by the European Commission (2015 – 18). Value of overall project €2.5 million (value to MMU circa €350,000)
• Director of evaluation of Intensive Community Order (ICO). The ICO is being implemented across Greater Manchester. Our evaluation looked at implementation and impact. Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (2014 – 17). Value £50,000
• Deputy Director of Measuring Youth Wellbeing (MYWEB). This FP7 project is examining the feasibility of a new pan-European, longitudinal survey on children and young people’s wellbeing. Funded by the European Commission (2013 – 16). Value of overall project €1.5 million (value to MMU circa €250,000)
• Director of a Cost Benefit Feasibility Study for HMP Grendon. Grendon is a unique prison in the UK being the only one to be run as a therapeutic community. Funded by HMP Grendon (2013). Value £10,000
• Director of an evaluation of an Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP). The evaluation is used a mixed methodology including qualitative interviews with staff and offenders, a quantitative reconviction analysis and economic evaluation. Funded by London Probation Trust (2013). Value £20,000
• Director of an evaluation of an offender mentoring programme run by London Probation Trust. The programme offers peer mentoring to male offenders aged 18 – 25 and mentoring to women offenders. The evaluation used a mixed methodology including qualitative interviews with staff and offenders, a quantitative reconviction analysis and economic evaluation. Funded by London Probation Trust (2013 – 14). Value £20,000
• Advisor to an evaluation of the impact of housing provision for offenders on reducing re-offending. The housing provision of Vision Housing in London was the subject of the evaluation. Funded by Interserve Ltd (2012). 
• Director of the evaluation of ‘My Square Mile’ a prisoner resettlement project at HMP Forest Bank. The project used mixed methods including qualitative interviews with staff and offenders and the visualisation of quantitative data from the criminal justice system. Commissioned by Khulisa (2011 – 14). Value of project £15,000.
• Managing MMU’s contribution to the Evaluation of the London Reducing Reoffending Programmes, led by GHK. The programme included a number of interventions designed to rehabilitate young offenders leaving YOIs and serving sentences in the community. The evaluation used mixed qualitative and quantitative research methods. Project Commissioned by London Development Agency (2011 – 13). Value of overall project £120,000 (value to MMU £21,350).
• Directing a project supporting Wigan Drug Action Team to develop a Payment by Results approach to commissioning drug treatment services. Commissioned by Wigan Drug Action Team (2011 – 12). Value of overall project £15,000
• Providing expert advice to an economic evaluation of Intensive Offender Management in Sussex. I was member of a team led by Sheffield Hallam University. Commissioned by Sussex Criminal Justice Board (2011). Value of overall project £50,000.
• Director of an economic appraisal of the Alcohol Treatment Requirement for Acorn Treatment and Housing as part of a payment by results feasibility study. Commissioned by Acorn Treatment and Housing (2011). 
• Director of an evaluation of Inside Out at HMP Preston. Inside Out is a ‘through-the-gate’ resettlement project for prisoner serving sentences of 12 months or less. The evaluation used qualitative and quantitative methods and included an implementation, impact and economic evaluation. Jointly funded by Lancashire Criminal Justice Board and Manchester Metropolitan University (2011 – 12). Value of overall project £10,000 (£2,000 secured from external source and the remainder an in-kind contribution from Manchester Metropolitan University).
• Director of an evaluation of Nottingham Systems Thinking Pilot. This was a project to reconfigure the commissioning and delivery of legal advice services in Nottingham. The evaluation used mixed methods. Commissioned by AdviceUK (2010 – 2011). Value of overall project £17,500.
• Director of an evaluation of the Grandmentors project. This is an intergenerational mentoring project and the evaluation included an implementation and economic evaluation that used mixed qualitative and quantitative methods. Commissioned by CSV (2010 – 2013). Value £29,700
• Managing MMU's contribution to the national evaluation of Intensive Alternatives to Custody. Led by Sheffield Hallam University and commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (2009 - 11). This involved mixed methods applied to an impact feasibility study, economic evaluation and implementation evaluation. Value to MMU £80,000 (total value of project £300,000). 
• Director of a review and service reconfiguration of services that support substance misusing parents and their children as part of the Hidden Harm and Safeguarding Children agendas. Commissioned by Salford DAT (2009). Value £20,000
• Director of the Process Evaluation of Community Legal Advice Centres and Networks. The project was led by Manchester Metropolitan University, in partnership with the University of Cardiff. Commissioned by the Legal Services Commission (2009). Value £123,000
• Managing MMU’s contribution to a study to investigate the costs and benefits of engaging volunteers from under-represented groups. Led by CSV Consulting and commissioned by the Commission for the Compact (2008 – 9). Project value £50,000. Value to MMU (£12,000).
• Director of Choose Change evaluation. Choose Change is a resettlement project for short-term offenders leaving HMP Manchester. Commissioned by Greater Manchester Probation Service (2008 – 10). Value £30,000
• Director of an evaluation of Peer Courts pilot (a form of restorative justice) in Lancashire. Funded by HM Treasury, commissioned by Nacro (2008 – 10). Value £40,000
• Director of an economic appraisal of the long-term costs and benefits of Young Carers services. Commissioned by Crossroads and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (2008). Value £36,000.

Consultancy and advisory roles

I hold a number of advisory roles:

Current:

• Life Chances Fund Evaluation Advisory Group (Department for Culture Media and Sport) (2019 – present)
• National Liaison Official of the United Kingdom to the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, a UN-affiliated body based in Vienna (2018 – present)
• Member of the Ministry of Justice Expert Network (2018 – present)
• Member of the HM Inspectorate of Probation Advisory Board (2016 – 2020) and Probation and Youth Justice Advisory Group (2020 – present)

Past:

• Advisor to the Justice Division of InterserveFM Ltd, a FTSE 250 company (2012 – 2015)
• Member of the Ministry of Justice Evaluation Advisory Group (2012 – 2015)
• Member of the Home Office Economic Research and Advisory Group (2011 – 2015)
• Home Office Regional Advisor on Research and Analysis for the North of England (2008 – 2010)
• Member of Advisory Group for CSV Prisoner Day Release Programme (2005)
• Member of an Advisory Group for an Audit Commission review of community safety (2002)
• Member of Local Government Association Community Safety Advisory Group (2001)

Community, charity and NGO links

Current:

• Trustee and non-executive director of Chorus Education Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust (2020 – present)
• Trustee and non-executive director of Coaching Inside and Out, a charity and social enterprise that advocates for and delivers coaching in the criminal justice system (2016 – present)
• Member of Governing Body, Woodland Federation of Peak District Schools (member 2012 – present) 

Past:

• Chair of Governors, Woodland Federation of Peak District Schools (2013 – 2020) 
• Governor of Manchester Metropolitan University (2013 – 2019)
• Trustee of People’s Voice Media, a charity and social enterprise that specialises in using social media as a community engagement tool (2009 – 2017)
• Trustee of CSV (Community Service Volunteers (2005 – 2012)
• Member of the Greater Manchester Transforming Justice Steering Group (2010 – 2011)
  Member of the Greater Manchester Reducing Re-Offending Group (2010 – 2012)
  Member of the Community Safety Commission of the Greater London Authority (2000 – 2001)
  Member of the Community Safety Reference Group at the Community Justice NTO (1999)