Marian is responsible for the research innovation and methodology of the Research, Evaluation and Information Department. She is Project Director for the national evaluation of Aimhigher: Excellence Challenge and for a number of other national projects related to Excellence in Cities, widening participation, pupil choice and decision-making and environmental education.

Joined NFER as a Senior Research Officer in 1990 from a career in teaching.  Has since headed the majority of NFER's work in the field of careers education and guidance and has led and directed projects in areas such as environmental education, vocational education and teaching and learning.

Careers education and guidance, education policy, environmental education, Excellence in Cities, widening participation, work related curriculum, 14-19 education, Further education, Higher education, research methods and statistics.

Cross-curricular themes and teaching and learning frameworks.  Particular research skills are in devising systematic and replicable data collection and analysis frameworks; codifying qualitative data for use in quantitative analysis and the creation of composite indicators (exploring inputs, processes and outcomes) using both qualitative and quantitative data.