Kelly is a researcher specialising in research, consultation, and analysis across the cultural and heritage sectors. She has experience delivering evidence-based studies, stakeholder engagement, and strategic reviews. She specialises in mixed-methods research, combining rigorous desk and field-based quantitative research with tailored, in-depth qualitative research.
Since joining Counterculture, Kelly has worked on market analysis for the Royal Institute of British Architects; business cases for Cromford Mills and Benton End; strategic reviews for Derby City Council, Pitlochry Visitor Centre and Eden Arts; impact evaluations for Creative UK, Kent County Council and The Ingram Art Foundation; economic impact assessments for Liverpool City Council and Skillnet Ireland; and sector mapping for Arts Council Wales.
Prior to joining Counterculture, Kelly interned at Singapore’s foreign office, supporting diplomatic engagements in Southeast Asia, and with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK in Westminster, analysing women’s political participation in parliamentary democracies. She also conducted research and evaluation for the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre and a community interest company under NHS East London Foundation Trust under a volunteering scheme.
Kelly graduated with first-class honours from UCL in BA Politics and International Relations, where her dissertation focused on tactical voting websites in the 2024 UK General Election. At university, she ran marketing campaigns for theatre festivals platforming Global Majority and LGBTQ+ creatives, performing arts events fundraising for humanitarian aid, and inter-university performing arts festivals.