Who We Are
Dr. Callum Etches
Dr. Callum Etches is Director and Principal Consultant at Nested Insights, specialising in impact evaluation, systems approaches and participatory research. He works with charities, public bodies, funders and partnerships to understand complex change, strengthen learning and generate evidence that supports better decision-making.
Callum has more than 10 years’ experience across evaluation, applied research, programme delivery and partnership development. His work spans national programmes, place-based partnerships and community-led initiatives, with particular expertise in food systems, public health, sustainability and complex social change.
Across his career, he has worked with organisations including the Sustainable Food Places programme, Sustain, the Institute of Development Studies, the International Rescue Committee and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, as well as many local authorities across the UK.
Callum holds a PhD in Science and Technology Policy from the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex, where his research focused on place-based food system governance and collaborative action. He is also a Research Fellow at the University of Sussex, contributing to research on food system resilience and participatory systems methods.
His approach combines analytical rigour with a strong focus on practical, useful evaluation that reflects how change happens in real-world settings.
Dr. Pablo Ayala-Villalobos
Dr. Pablo Ayala Villalobos is a Senior Associate Consultant at Nested Insights. His work focuses on policy impact, mixed-methods approaches, and inclusive design, supporting organisations to understand how change happens in complex and politically contested environments, and to generate evidence that is both analytically sound and practically relevant.
He holds a PhD in Science and Technology Policy from the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex, where his research examined inclusive innovation process. He also holds an MSc in Development Studies from Lund University, Sweden, with a focus on participatory decision-making and knowledge governance. Alongside his consultancy work, Pablo is a Research Fellow at SPRU, contributing to research on policies for just food transitions and accelerating green energy transitions.
Pablo's background spans academic research, grassroots community work, programme evaluation, and policy-facing roles across the UK, Mexico, and internationally. He has contributed to evaluation and research work at institutions including the University of Sussex, the Institute of Development Studies, and the Stockholm Environment Institute. His approach combines rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods with deep engagement with the social and political dimensions of policy change.
