What Shortwork does

Shortwork is a Liverpool-headquartered social research agency providing participatory action research (PAR), mixed-method evaluation, and participatory research training to public-sector bodies, third-sector organisations (charities, social enterprises, cultural institutions), and select private clients. The firm operates with no direct employees, delivering work through a leadership team of two co-directors — Research Director Dr Rowena Hay (who incorporated the business in 2017 after inheriting it from founder Susie Hay) and co-director Sabina Dewfield (joined 2024) — supported by a curated network of specialist Research Associates spanning arts and heritage, environment and sustainability, and health and public health.

The core service is mixed-method evaluation combined with PAR, where community members and people with lived experience are positioned as co-researchers across data collection, analysis, and reporting. Delivery is project-based and bespoke, with notable engagements including the Enterprise Development Programme evaluation for Access (325+ charities across six sectors), NHS North Central London Integrated Care's Better Births research (179 participants), Network Rail's ExploreStation evaluation (29,612 people), and work for National Trust, British Red Cross, Camden Council, and Design Council. Methodology expertise is codified in a published book with Policy Press and a Training Hub offering courses in PAR, citizen science, and community researcher training. Shortwork also operates the Mighty Mini Research Collective (MMRC), a free member-led community of 200 independent researchers, which functions as an ecosystem-building asset rather than a direct revenue line.

The business model is professional services revenue from client fees; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, with enquiries routed through a single email channel. Customer concentration is diversified across named public, health, heritage, and third-sector clients, though the firm is small and project-driven. The firm has not raised external capital and is not a candidate for venture-style scaling.

Name

Shortwork

Legal name

Shortwork Limited

Website

https://shortwork.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shortwork is a Liverpool-based social research agency delivering participatory action research, mixed-method evaluation, and training to UK public-sector bodies, charities, and cultural institutions, operating through co-directors and a network of specialist research associates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research and Evaluation Services: Delivers mixed-method research and evaluation projects for public sector, third sector, and private clients across culture, environment, and health sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shortwork is a social research agency delivering Participatory Action Research (PAR), mixed-method research and evaluation, and participatory research training for public-sector, third-sector, and private clients. Core services span Participatory Research, Evaluation, and a Training Hub covering Participatory Action Research, citizen science, mapping, and community researcher training. Projects are delivered across Culture (arts and heritage), Environment (sustainability and conservation), and Health (NHS and public health) sectors.

Product overview

Shortwork is a social research agency offering a portfolio of interconnected research and evaluation services. The core offerings include Participatory Research Services (Participatory Action Research/PAR), Evaluation Services, and a Training Hub for building skills in participatory methods. The company also operates the Mighty Mini Research Collective (MMRC), a community programme for independent researchers that provides networking and peer support, alongside an annual MMRC Unconference event. Shortwork delivers mixed-method research across three sectors: Culture (arts and heritage), Environment (energy retrofit and conservation), and Health (primary care and public health). The company's approach is people-centred, rigorous, and focused on actionable insights that drive real change for organisations, communities, and funders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mighty Mini Research Collective (MMRC): A member-led community for independent researchers, freelancers, and micro-businesses founded by Fran Harkness (Kohlrabi) and Rowena Hay (Shortwork)

Products and services

• Participatory Research Services Participatory Action Research (PAR) and mixed-method research services where community researchers co-lead projects, analyse data, and turn findings into actionable insights. Spans data collection, analysis, and reporting, and is delivered to public-sector, third-sector, and private clients.
• Evaluation Services Mixed-method research and evaluation projects helping organisations, funders, and the people they serve embed learning, understand impact, and share results. Services cover discovery, design, data collection, analysis, dissemination, and review phases.
• Training Hub Bespoke training programmes helping people and organisations build skills in participatory methods, covering Participatory Action Research, citizen science, mapping, and community researcher training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of participants felt better equipped to withstand future shocks after Enterprise Development Programme support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mighty Mini Research Collective (MMRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember-led community for independent researchers, freelancers, and micro-businesses founded by Fran Harkness (Kohlrabi) and Rowena Hay (Shortwork). Focuses on running research businesses through quarterly networking, training resources, peer support, and external advocacy.
• The ResearcheryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator providing statistical analysis expertise on research projects.
• Ada JusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator providing visual minuting and illustration services for project outputs.
• TreliganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator bringing sustainability and conservation project expertise.
• Carbon CoopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organisation collaborated with on Energise Manchester project; co-presented learning reports and blogs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• NatCen Social Research: UK's largest independent social research charity, conducting mixed-method and survey research for government, charities, and academia. Directly comparable on methodology mix (quant + qual + participatory) and public/third-sector client base, though operating at much larger scale with in-house interviewers and panel infrastructure.
• Involve: UK participation specialist focused on deliberative democracy, citizen engagement, and participatory research for governments and foundations. Overlaps directly with Shortwork's participatory and co-production methodology, though skewed more toward democratic deliberation than mixed-method evaluation.
• Simetrica-Jacobs: UK social value and wellbeing measurement consultancy delivering SROI, social impact evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis for public and third-sector clients. Comparable on third-sector evaluation mandates and mixed-method impact measurement, though with stronger specialisation in monetised social value.
• Shared Intelligence: Independent research and evaluation consultancy working with public services, charities, and community organisations across the UK. Comparable on evaluation methodology, public-sector client base, and mixed-method research approach.
• Traverse: Social research and participation consultancy specialising in engagement, co-design, and evaluation for public and third-sector clients. Closely comparable on participatory methods, public-sector delivery, and mixed-method evaluation — likely the closest direct competitor in the participation niche.
• Renaisi: UK social-purpose consultancy delivering research, evaluation, and impact measurement for charities, funders, and place-based programmes. Highly comparable on third-sector client mix, mixed-method evaluation, and impact reporting — a likely peer for EDP-style mandates.

Others

• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations): Membership body for the UK charity sector producing large-scale research and sector benchmarking (e.g., UK Civil Society Almanac). Adjacent rather than directly competitive — a potential data partner or referral source for Shortwork's third-sector evaluation work.

Emerging players

• New Economics Foundation: UK think tank combining research, policy analysis, and participatory programmes on social and economic issues. Comparable on third-sector focus and mixed-method approach, though operates as a campaigning think tank rather than a contracted evaluation agency.
• The Young Foundation: UK research and development organisation focused on social innovation, community research, and evaluating place-based programmes. Overlaps with Shortwork on participatory research in health and place-based settings, though with a stronger research-publication orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Ipsos UK: Global market and social research firm with major UK public-sector practice. Overlaps with Shortwork on social research and public-sector evaluation, but as a broad incumbent offering full-service quantitative and qualitative research rather than a specialist in participatory methods.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shortwork1
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shortwork