Alex McCluckie

Alex joined DJS in 2011 as part of its graduate recruitment scheme and has since progressed to Research Director, where he now leads one of the organisation’s five research teams.

Alex is a highly experienced qualitative researcher with particular strengths in in-depth interviewing, facilitation and insight generation. He has extensive experience designing and delivering qualitative research with people whose life circumstances may make them vulnerable, including those facing health challenges, social disadvantage or complex personal situations. His approach is grounded in empathy, active listening and ethical best practice, ensuring participants feel comfortable, respected and heard while producing robust, meaningful insight.

Alongside his qualitative expertise, Alex is a strategic thinker with a strong interest in solving complex problems and driving innovation. He leads the design and execution of both qualitative and quantitative research programmes and plays a key role in identifying, developing and embedding novel methodologies and ways of thinking within the business.

Alex also heads up behavioural science at DJS, applying behavioural insight to a wide range of social and commercial challenges — from encouraging positive public behaviours and improving service experiences, to understanding how people make decisions in emotionally charged or high-stakes contexts.

Throughout his career, Alex has delivered research across a broad range of sectors, including:

• Health (Mölnlycke Health Care, Health Enterprise East and numerous NHS organisations)
• Sport (Sport England)
• Utilities (Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water, South East Water, United Utilities, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, CCWater, UKWIR, Ofwat)
• Education (further and higher education institutions and awarding bodies)
• Arts, culture and collections (The British Council, The British Library)
• Retail (East of England Co-operative Society, Central England Co-operative)
• Local government (Cumbria County Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Localise)

He holds a BA (First Class Honours) in Sport Sociology and an MA in Social Research Methods from Durham University, as well as the MRS Advanced Certificate. Alex also regularly produces insight and thought leadership for his specialist areas, including behavioural science pieces such as:

• Why saying something and nothing could help you achieve your financial goals
• They live among us: Behavioural scientists in the wild
• It’s the little things that count