Dr Kelly Watson
About Dr Kelly Watson
Dr. Kelly Watson serves as the Associate Director of Urban Solutions at Hatch and has held various roles in academia and industry, including Honorary Senior Research Fellow at The University of Manchester. With over a decade of experience in social value and sustainability, Dr. Watson has contributed to multiple projects and research initiatives in urban environments.
Work at Hatch
Dr. Kelly Watson currently serves as Associate Director of Urban Solutions at Hatch, a position she has held since 2021. Prior to this role, she worked as a Senior Consultant in Urban Solutions at Hatch from 2020 to 2021. During her time at Hatch, she focused on integrating social value into urban planning and development projects.
Education and Expertise
Dr. Watson completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at The University of Manchester from 2012 to 2016, specializing in social value and sustainability. She also holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree from The University of Manchester, achieved from 2010 to 2011, and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the same institution, completed from 2006 to 2009. Her academic background supports her expertise in social return on investment (SROI) and wellbeing valuation in urban environments.
Background
Dr. Watson has over 10 years of combined industry and academic experience in social value and sustainability. Her career includes various roles in notable organizations, including Quotient Clinical Ltd, Groundwork, and Arup. She has worked in different capacities, ranging from research associate to economic planning consultant, contributing to her comprehensive understanding of urban solutions.
Previous Positions
Before her current role at Hatch, Dr. Watson held several positions that enhanced her expertise in urban solutions and social value. She worked as a Senior Consultant at Hatch Regeneris from 2019 to 2020 and as an Economic Planning Consultant at Arup from 2018 to 2019. Additionally, she served as a Research Associate at The University of Manchester from 2016 to 2020, where she contributed to academic research in her field.
Research and Interests
Dr. Watson is interested in social value and wellbeing valuation in urban environments. Her research focuses on the application of social return on investment (SROI) in new contexts, aiming to enhance the understanding of social impacts in urban planning. This interest aligns with her professional roles and academic background, contributing to her ongoing work in urban solutions.