Jessica Benson-Egglenton

Research Manager

As Research Manager, Jessica is responsible for scoping, designing and managing TASO’s research and evaluation projects, including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies.

Jessica joined TASO in March 2026. 

As Research Manager, Jessica is responsible for scoping, designing and managing TASO’s research and evaluation projects, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. She will also contribute to the development of open-source evaluation tools and evidence synthesis resources, supporting the sector in implementing evidence-informed practices, as well as deliver external training courses on evaluation methodologies and present research findings at workshops and other stakeholder events.

Prior to joining TASO, she spent over 10 years in widening participation evaluation roles across several London higher education providers. More recently, she has worked in academic roles: first at the University of Sheffield, evaluating a UKRI research-policy engagement initiative, and then at Sheffield Hallam University within a team delivering commissioned education and youth evaluation projects, including RCTs for funders like the Youth Endowment Fund.

Jess holds an MRes in Social Research Methods from Sheffield Hallam University and is currently completing a PhD in Education. Her doctoral research uses qualitative methods to explore how young women from white, working-class families understand their journeys to higher education.