EMMA WOODS CV
I'm a queer, neurodivergent, mother of two, passionate about radical economics systems change, creating community and challenging the status quo.
Traditional CVs demand that we only present the aspects of ourselves that are deemed valuable in a capitalist society. My CV reflects a more holistic view of who I am, not just what I do.
The common themes of my life center on voice, community and education.
professional experience
skills
contact details
community memberships
Wellbeing Economy Alliance
Doughnut Economics Action Lab
Post Growth Institute
Parents for Future (Sheffield)
Sheffield Families for Gaza
Post Growth Institute Basic and Advanced Offers and Needs Market Facilitation 2024-2025
Slingababy Babywearing Consultant 2024
Parents for Future Climate Cafe Facilitation 2024
BA Economics and German, University of Leeds 2010
Flourish Economics Founder, 2023 - Present Regenerative economics education; alternative research and analysis; heart-led facilitation, support work and community building.
Transport for the North Acting Head of Economics and Research, 2017 - 2023 Team, research and budget management, economic advice, strategic thinking and economic development.
British Business Bank Economist. 2016-2017 Regional Economic analysis and research
Government Economic Service Economic Advisor, 2010-2016
Cost benefit analysis, statistics, analysis, research, workshops, comms and policy development.
emma@flourisheconomics.com Derbyshire, UK
Economics; Orthodox including (neo)classical, Keynesian, cost benefit analysis and HMT Green Book appraisal; heterodox including degrowth, post growth, wellbeing and doughnut;
Analytics; evidence gathering, research, modelling, statistical analysis, policy development, reporting and communication to broad audiences.
Facilitation; ability to create warming and welcoming spaces, energising and heartfelt events through deep and active listening. Willingness to be flexible, meet participants' needs and bring groups together.
Creative; Knitting, crochet, sewing, macrame, visible mending, website design
Intermediate German speaking, reading and writing
community and volunteering experience
Chesterfield Sling Library Volunteer sling consultant, 2023-ongoing
Barlow Nature Club Organiser, 2023-ongoing
Barlow Speedwatch Volunteer 2024-ongoing
South Yorkshire Nappy Library Volunteer, 2020-2021
about me
education and training
communities
professional experience
flourish economics; 2023 - present
british business bank; 2016-2017
government economic service UK, Civil service; 2010-2016
Offering a wide range of consultancy, education, community building a faciliation. Recent projects include;
Research Consultancy; Just Treatment supporting research for the Mad Youth Organise Campaign. Covering the Costs of their crisis; research into the viability of a corporate levy to fund youth mental health treatment. Includes background, context and summary statistics of key issues, detailed research into existing levies on corporate sectors and basic modelling of corporate revenues, mental health treatment costs and levy proposal on harmful corporate activities. Published February 2025
Strategy and Economics Consultancy; Team Kenya supporting the charity's five year strategic planning, including critically examining their approach to and assumptions around economic development in the communities they support in Kenya. Strategic advice, reflective planning workshop and community engagement workshops for their trip to Kenya Autumn 2025.
Educational Facilitator; Co-designer and co-facilitator of the Gaia Education Regenerative Economics Design Course. Redesigned the structure and content of the Economics Dimension of Gaia's GEDs in close collaboration with Della Duncan, course co-facilitator. Facilitated the 10 week course with weekly live calls, participant engagement through the online platform and review of participant final projects. Summer 2024
Community and educational Facilitator;
Sheffield Social Enterprise Network;
Offers and Needs Market series; three community building events designed to acknowledge and share abundance and reciprocity with existing and new connections.
The Power of Rethinking; Myths, Markets and Meaningful Change. SSEN Conference Workshop designed to be participatory, provoke community conversations and sprinkle seeds of transformative change.
Social Enterprising the Transistions ahead; economic expert on circular economy and degrowth.
Upstream Coffee Club; Monthly virtual and in-person events to build solidarity, discuss issues and ideas from the Upstream podcast and drink coffee.
Upstream Podcast Library; Creation and publication of transcripts from the Upstream podcast to aid accessibility and share knowledge.
Support worker; Providing holistic support to a neurodivergent client through the Access to Work Scheme. I provide compassionate and deep listening, practical support such as administration, organisation and planning and physical support at events their run where I observe, respond to and support their needs as required. October 2024 - ongoing
transport for the north; 2017-2023
October 2017 - July 2023
Acting Head of Economics and Research Transport for the North, Manchester January 2021 - July 2023
In addition to the Principal Economist role;
Manage the Economics and Research team; plan and prioritise workload for the team, manage team research budget (£500k), directly line manage two senior officers and support two junior officers as a senior manager.
Contribute to the management of the organisation through senior management meetings
Act as a challenge and oversight function through my role in the employee forum.
Principal Economist Transport for the North, Manchester
Lead the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review, development of the Northern Evidence Hub and supporting research programme exploring alternative success metrics beyond conventional measures. Selected publications on; Connectivity and labour markets, International trade and connectivity and Innovation
Undertake, commission and manage TfN's research programme and analysis to support TfN's Strategic Transport Plan and transformational transport programmes, including fact checking and comms support.
Lead on economic advice across the organisation and collaborate with a wide reange of partners across the North of England to deliver transformational change.
Economist, Sheffield
Lead on regional evidence and analysis to support Bank policy on regional small business lending
Lead analyst on Midlands Engine Spotlight report
Lead design of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (£1 billion in funding to date)
Economic Advisor, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Sheffield 2013-2016
Lead economist on the returns to Higher Education, publishing official statistics, commissioning of external research, supporting policy development and engagement with comms team.
Lead Economist on Spending Review business case for investment in Higher Education totalling £3 billion.
Line manage, coach and support new graduate economists joining the Government Economics Service.
Assistant Economist Department for Business, Sheffield 2010-2013
Rotation through various roles through the Government Economics Fast Stream graduate programme developing core public economist skills including analysis, research, policy development and communicating with Ministers.
Worked in various policy areas including small business access to finance, further education and Better Regulation including EU legislation and completion of the Erasmus for Officials programme.
GES External Assessor, virtual
Interview candidates for the Government Economic Service;
Following strict recruitment guidelines, interview and assess candidate's economics and communication skills
Act as an impartial third party advisor and provide feedback on the recruitment and interview process
government economic service; 2020 - present
community and volunteering experience
chesterfield sling library; 2023 - ongoing
south yorkshire nappy library; 2020-2021
Parenting and postnatal support has evaporated since Covid, so the sling library serves not just as a place to learn about babywearing but also to meet other parents and caregivers, socialise, share and learn in community. My involvement varies but each month I usually provide;
Babywearing education and support; Sharing of babywearing skills and knowledge, including safety, comfort, different types of carriers, positions, support and fit checks.
Creating community and supporting environment; Create a warm and welcoming space for new and returning parents and caregivers to feel able to ask for support with carrying, provide childcare, a hot drink and a listening ear (often sorely needed).
Information on reusable nappies and sanitary products
barlow speed watch; 2024 - ongoing
Volunteer, Barlow (Dronfield)
Completed Derbyshire Police's Community Speedwatch training and now volunteer monthly on community speedwatch campaigns to raise awareness of speeding and its dangers.
Organiser, Barlow (Dronfield)
Co-founder and organiser of a local nature club. We meet monthly and encourage parents and children to reconnect with nature through outdoor based activities, games and education. My involvement to date includes;
Application for grants, managing purchases and grant budget
Maintenance of equipment
Creation of digital media and all comms, engagement and booking through Facebook, Instagram and Eventbrite
Co-facilitating events ensuring activities are engaging and educational for young children
barlow nature club; 2023 - ongoing
Volunteer, Sheffield
Varied activities including engaging with clients, sharing resources and information about reusable nappies, maintaining and hiring out nappy library kits; all to support more sustainable nappy usage and minimise environmental impact.
south yorkshire nappy library; 2020-2021
CREATIVity
























Despite not considering myself "creative" my ADHD brain is always itching for the next dopamine hit. Below are some of my crafts and artistic creations. I enjoy experimenting with new materials, trying out newcrafts and passing on my knowledge and passions to others.