Judit Alcalde

Biographie

I am a co-partner in CAP Consulting. With over 25 years of experience working with community groups and government organizations conducting research and program evaluation, my experience is extensive and diverse. Through my participant-focused approach to research, I have worked collaboratively with a range of partners, from those in marginalized groups to managers and directors in government offices. I have extensive experience developing tools and administering multiple research methods, including person-to person interviews, telephone interviews , focus groups, questionnaires and surveys (mailed out, on-line, over the phone and administered in person), observations, and chart audits. My experience also includes large-scale, provincial or national projects where I have been involved in bringing together a range of stakeholders and negotiated, managed and fulfilled the range of goals and expectations for the research project. I have couched many organizations and facilitated capacity development in various aspects of evaluation and process and impact measurement.

My formal training was in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. The skills and approaches I gained in the Master’s Program continue to frame my work. At the core of these values is collaboration, citizen empowerment, research as a means to social justice and social action, and attention to diversity as a strength. My interests are diverse and I have worked on a range of topics.

My strengths include: my ability to relate to people and to work with marginalized people; listen and understand what an organization needs and what project stakeholders need; my passion for social justice and the work community-based organizations do in contributing to this; my ability to always see the big picture and make connections; and my project management skills. Enriching the research skills I bring to projects is my other diverse work experience – I have facilitated support groups with women, has developed protocols related to woman abuse, has co-edited a book in collaboration with single mothers living in poverty, has conducted training related to research, woman abuse, and other topics, and has coordinated various programs and services in the areas of health promotion, woman abuse, and cross-cultural issues.