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;

  • 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

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.