Research and Insight
Good research can help cricket organisations understand their audiences, evaluate what is working and make better-informed decisions about the future. Raf combines academic research expertise with an in-depth understanding of sport to investigate complex questions, gather evidence and turn findings into practical insights for organisations, governing bodies and charities.
Her work spans audience research, governance, policy and the impact of initiatives in sport. Here are some examples.
Connecting cricket researchers
In 2024, Raf established the Cricket Research Network, bringing together academics, policymakers and practitioners to share knowledge and explore the issues shaping cricket. As Chair of the Network, she leads its work to strengthen connections between research and practice, including annual conferences held around the UK.
For cricket organisations, research is most valuable when it informs real-world decisions. Raf can help connect your organisation with relevant evidence, identify unanswered questions and develop research that addresses the challenges facing the game.
Understanding audience and measuring impact
In 2023, Raf worked with the Women in Sport charity to investigate the impact of the first year of The Hundred. The project combined survey research with focus groups involving people who had attended the competition, exploring their experiences and perspectives.
Understanding audiences is essential for organisations looking to grow participation, engage supporters and assess the effectiveness of new initiatives. Raf can design and deliver research to help you understand your audiences, evaluate programmes and identify opportunities to improve engagement.
Research to inform governance and policy
In 2024, Raf received funding from FIFA to investigate the 1993 merger of the Women's Football Association (WFA) and the Football Association (FA), exploring its lasting implications for women's football and the lessons it offers for future governance.
The project combined archival research with oral history interviews with seven people involved in the WFA at the time of the merger, alongside interviews with people working in the governance of English football and current FA employees. The findings were used to develop recommendations for future best practice in football governance.
This work demonstrates how research can help organisations understand the consequences of past decisions, identify structural challenges and develop more effective approaches for the future. Raf can undertake independent research into governance, organisational change, equality and other issues affecting sport, producing evidence and recommendations to support policy development and strategic decision-making.