We design and deliver
ethical,
relational,
place-based
research
Wild Fig Research is a Sheffield-based organisation that works with communities, VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise) organisations, universities, and the public sector to design and deliver participatory research.
What we offer
Co-production
Designing research and services together with the people they're for, not just about them.
Participatory research
Methods that put lived experience at the centre, from co-design workshops to peer research.
Qualitative and visual research
Interviews, ethnography and creative methods that surface what numbers alone can't show.
Impact evaluation
Mixed-methods evaluation frameworks that show what's working, for whom, and why.
Theories of change
Clear logic models and outcome measures that connect activity to real change.
Quantitative research
Surveys and statistical analysis that add a robust evidence base alongside qualitative insight.
Research ethics & data management
Rigorous ethical approval, informed consent and secure handling of sensitive data.
Content design & user research
Plain language and accessible content, shaped by research into what users actually need.
Systems change
Working across sectors and services to shift the conditions that hold problems in place.
Read more about Wild Fig Research
Our recent work
Towards better workforce wellbeing across the VCFSE sector
September 2026
Impact and evaluationWe worked with Voluntary Action Sheffield to synthesise three years of learning from their Worker Wellbeing Workstream for frontline VCFSE workers.
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Community-university partnerships for place-based change
June 2026
ResearchResearch carried out with Local Trust exploring what it takes to build genuine, lasting relationships between universities and communities.
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Community co-design with The Green Estate CIC
June 2026
Capacity buildingWe worked with The Green Estate CIC on a community co-design project shaping a Greenprint for a more connected, resilient Manor Castle Ward.
Find out more about this project