Pathfinder Career Narratives is an ongoing series tracking the career choices and experiences of doctoral graduates. You can see all of the posts in the series here. You can find all the Pathfinder resources and opportunities here. Today’s blog is written by Dr Hannah Griffin-James, Founder of Expert Evaluation. You can find Dr Griffin-James on LinkedIn.
Name: Hannah Griffin-James
Doctorate subject area and year of completion: Inclusive Science Education, 2019
Role and employer: Founder of Expert Evaluation
Approximate salary bracket for this type of role: Project dependent
A Magpie’s Path: How My PhD Led Me to Entrepreneurship and Social Change
If you’d told me when I started my PhD that I’d end up running an evaluation business in Hong Kong, I wouldn’t have believed you. Back then, I had no clear vision for my future, only a determination to make a difference.
What I didn’t realize was that the PhD process would give me so much more than expertise in argumentation, reasoning, and inclusive science education. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate ambiguity. Skills that now shape everything I do. But the journey wasn’t easy.
As a first-gen university student, I often floundered, figuring things out as I went. The learning curve was steep, and opportunities didn’t always come knocking. What got me through? Stepping out of my comfort zone and asking for opportunities, even when I wasn’t sure I deserved them.
Looking back, the skills I honed during my PhD – critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication – have been central to every phase of my career. From academia to industry, and now as a solo entrepreneur, I’ve learned that success doesn’t have to follow a traditional path.
How I Found My Purpose in Social Change
I’ve always been fascinated by how we treat each other, and how we can do better. My career reflects this. I describe myself as a magpie, moving from one shiny project to the next. (Yes, this is my way of disclosing!) Having a wide breadth of skills has been invaluable in the business of social change.
Early in my career, I designed a project to examine perceptions of people who had been wrongfully convicted. I developed tools to measure stigma, and this eventually led me to a role as a statistical analyst. At first, my work was about crunching the “hard numbers” to reduce bias and inform policy changes.
But my turning point came when a mother knocked on my door, desperate to help her incarcerated son. She hoped I could do something. In that moment, I had never felt more powerless. I couldn’t change his situation, but it made me realize something important: while I couldn’t address every injustice, I could use my skills to support systemic change. I could help others gather the evidence they needed to advocate for the people they serve.
That moment crystallized my purpose: to amplify voices, advocate for justice, and drive meaningful change through the power of data and research.
Taking the Leap: From Post-Doc to Entrepreneurship
For a long time, I searched for the right space to live out this purpose, moving from project to project as a fixed-term postdoc and later working in Advance HE’s Insights team.
In 2023, a personal move to Hong Kong gave me the push I needed to take a leap of faith and start my own business, Expert Evaluation. Running my own business allows me to design research and evaluation studies that align with my values, and those of the organizations I support.
The best part? My PhD trained me for this. It taught me how to navigate uncharted territory, create structure where none exists, and keep going even when there’s no clear path forward. These are the skills I rely on every single day.
Blending Research with Advocacy
Today, as the founder of Expert Evaluation, I champion inclusivity by working with organizations to showcase their impact and ensure their incredible work gets the recognition and funding it deserves.
For example, I am currently:
· Managing an asynchronous theory of change workshop with a charity in Hong Kong that supports first-gen students in gaining paid work experience.
· Leading an impact evaluation of a mental health program for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
These projects go beyond collecting data; they change lives. I design evaluations that blend rigorous methodologies with accessible tools, ensuring that evidence inspires action. For me, it’s not just about proving impact; it’s about amplifying voices and driving cultural change.
The Value in Side Quests
Addressing structural inequalities has always been deeply important to me. Side quests – projects that fall outside the traditional scope of my work – bring fresh energy and ideas to impact evaluations and allow me to support systemic change in unexpected ways.
For example, teaching music to neurodiverse and physically disabled students gave me a new perspective on inclusion. These experiences shape my approach to evaluation, helping me uncover creative ways to address barriers and make systemic change more achievable.
If you’re considering pursuing side projects, do it. They may seem unrelated at first, but they’ll bring unexpected richness to your work and open up new possibilities.
The Power of Community
If there’s one piece of advice I can offer any PhD graduate, it’s this: find your community. For me, mentorship and coaching have been pivotal. Programmes like the Market Research Society Mentorship Scheme and Women’s Space gave me the guidance and encouragement I needed to take risks and walk my own path.
Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Whether it’s mentors, colleagues, or online communities, the right people will give you the confidence to take the next step.
A PhD Prepares You for Anything
As a first-gen student, I know what it feels like to be on the outside looking in. That’s why I’m passionate about creating research that not only measures impact but also empowers others to break down barriers and create lasting change.
Your career doesn’t have to follow a traditional path to be meaningful or successful. The resilience, curiosity, and adaptability you’ve gained during your PhD are your greatest assets.
Take a chance. Ask for help. Pursue those side quests. And above all, trust that the skills you’ve built during your PhD can take you anywhere.
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