joy livingston, phd
has extensive experience designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research to inform a range of human service program and policy decisions. Joy is deeply committed to information-based decision making. She especially enjoys helping individuals and groups figure out what they need to know and how they will use information. Consistent with Joy's belief in the idea of "nothing about us without us," she brings everyone involved with services and service systems into the research process. She successfully bridges differences and builds consensus among a variety of stakeholders including policymakers, service providers, advocates, and service recipients. She works with groups to develop practical, cost-effective and meaningful ways to measure progress towards their desired outcomes, providing all stakeholders with clear and concise information for decision-making.

Over her career, Joy has conducted a wide range of research from program evaluations to system assessments. She loves the opportunity to learn, savoring opportunities to explore the vast array of human services. Her work has addressed a number of areas including early childhood, child neglect and abuse, teen prevention, adult mental health, disabilities and independent living, older adults, sexual offenders, domestic violence, and a range of education programs.

As an undergraduate, Joy attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and then earned her Ph.D. at the University of Vermont in 1982. Joy used her research skills to build a consulting career focused primarily in Vermont. She is a highly skilled data analyst but especially likes to translate sophisticated statistical tests into clear, accessible, and useful information for a wide range of audiences. Although Joy thinks analyzing data is fun, she can also be fully entertained running, hiking, cross country skiing or boating. She feels blessed to live surrounded by Vermont's beauty.