Tara McGregor
I help people think about their purpose, challenge their assumptions, and empower them to move forward.
Facilitator, trainer, coach and change maker, based in Scotland
As a facilitator and coach I support individuals, teams and partnerships to progress ideas, improvement and change. Often I am asked to design sessions when clients are embarking on something new, and want to get off to a great start. Or, when people have become stuck, lost their way, or want to take a new direction.
I deliver accessible, open training courses for people to learn about different approaches to planning, evaluation and improvement. I specialise in supporting people who are trying to make a positive difference in the world, but face complex or complicated challenges with this. I am increasingly integrating improvement science principles and complexity thinking into my work. I lean towards participatory approaches, which encourage constructive, honest and fair dialogue.
My research work
I am a co-founder and Associate Director of Research Scotland, where I continue to lead national and local research, evaluation and support projects.
I recognise the value of using a range of established frameworks and models, but believe strongly that change and improvement is fundamentally most about people.
My work with people in the third and public sectors
I have been working with the third and public sectors in Scotland for over fifteen years. My work has focused on outcomes focused planning, and evidence-based practice.
Before moving into consultancy and research over ten years ago, I worked for the Scottish Government in a range of policy roles.
My qualifications
- Bsc Honours (First Class), University of Glasgow
- MSc Public Policy (Distinction), University of Glasgow
- Level 5 Diploma, Professional Management Coach and Mentor, Institute of Leadership and Management
My practice
Over fifteen years ago I was working for the Scottish Government as a junior civil servant, and began to explore evidence-based approaches to policy making and design-led approaches. This led me into a range of now well-known outcomes focused approaches, including Theory of Change and Logic Modelling, which I have been working with ever since. My practice continues to be influenced by emerging thinking and my own experience.