Podcast: Gerrin' on wi' it series - Six slices, better decisions: The story of the Evidence Pie

How can local authorities make better, fairer decisions using evidence that everyone can understand and contribute to? In this episode of Gerrin’ On Wi’ It on the Research and Innovation Podcast, host Lauren Cox is joined by Zoe Lancelott and Rhianydd Davies from the Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).

Together, they explore “The Evidence Pie” — a simple but powerful tool designed to demystify evidence and create a shared language for decision-making across organisations. Built around six equal slices — professional knowledge, academic research, impact measurement, organisational data, population data, and lived experience — the Evidence Pie encourages a balanced, non-hierarchical approach where every perspective matters.

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Zoe and Rhianydd share how the tool emerged from a need to translate research into practical, everyday council work, and how it’s helping embed evidence-informed decision-making across services. From tackling health inequalities and poverty to improving collaboration between councils, communities, and researchers, the conversation highlights how making evidence accessible can drive real change.

You’ll hear how the Evidence Pie is being used in practice — from training staff and engaging residents to shaping scrutiny processes and influencing policy decisions, including a powerful example focused on child poverty. The episode also discusses the cultural shift required to value lived experience alongside traditional data sources, and how organisations can make collaboration a natural, “business as usual” way of working.

Whether you’re working in local government, research, or community engagement, this episode offers practical insights into building confidence with evidence, fostering collaboration, and creating more transparent, inclusive decision-making processes.

Tune in to discover how six simple slices can lead to better decisions for communities.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday 20 May 2026. If you would like to get in touch, please contact contact@y-pern.org.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. Y-PERN is funded by the UKRI’s Research England Development (RED) Fund; YPIP is funded by the UKRI’s Economic and Social Research Council.  

About the speakers
Zoe Lancelott has over 30 years’ experience of delivering and managing services for children, young people and families in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Living and working in the South Wales Valleys, Zoe has a keen interest in the role of early intervention and prevention in reducing barriers to education, engagement and opportunity faced by individuals and communities and redressing health inequalities. To her role as the Head of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration, Zoe brings a proven track record of strong strategic leadership, partnership working, delivering multi-million pound change programmes across local government services, public and third sector partners and transforming traditional Council services within both Education and Social Care spheres to deliver measurable outcomes for children, young people and families.

Rhianydd Davies is Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRC)’s Organisational Development Lead and she’s been working in the council and Human Resources for over 20 years. She previously managed the training and occupational health teams and sat as senior management partner for HR within that team. She brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience of RCT council and its organisational development. So along with the rest of the team at RCT HDRC, Zoe and Rhianydd’s work is crucial in driving evidence-based decision-making at all levels within the council, aiming to break the cycle of poverty, and improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged residents. 

Lauren is the Communications and Engagement Manager for The Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). She has over 5 years of experience working with the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector across Luton and Bedfordshire in roles with the local authority and within a criminal justice charity. Lauren’s career has been centred around collaboration and partnerships and facilitating spaces and environments for voices to be heard. Lauren will be joining Leeds Institute for Societal Futures in July 2026 as the External Engagement Manager.

Related content / relevant links:

• Health Determinant Research Collaboration Rhondda Cynon Taf (HDRC RCT) - 
• Make a Change RCT 
• Introducing the Evidence Pie 
• RCT HDRC Evidence Pie