Professor Lisa Holmes was invited to attend the Education Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 14 May.

Lisa was nominated for her invitation by the Government's Department for Education for the impact of her research on children's social care and improving outcomes for children and families.

Lisa Holmes, Professor of Applied Social Science, in the Department of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, was invited to attend the Education Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 14 May 2025 attended by King Charles III. The garden party's focus was on education and skills, including growth industries.

Lisa was nominated for an invitation by the Department for Education due to the impact of her research on children's social care and improving outcomes for children and families. Lisa has carried out a range of research and evaluation projects over the past 25 years including for various government departments.

Lisa said:

“I am delighted and humbled that my research has been recognised. I am passionate about ensuring we generate the best possible evidence to inform children’s social care policy and practice”

Alongside her teaching and funded research projects, Lisa was one of the co-founders of the International Work Group for Therapeutic Residential Care in 2016 which she continues to co-chair, and also co-established the Children's Social Care Data User Group in late 2017 to share expertise and learning between users and potential users (academic, practice and policy) of children's social care data. The group currently has over 200 members and hosts online events.

Lisa started her career in children's social care as an outreach worker in the early 1990s and subsequently worked as a residential social worker in a local authority children’s home in England. She has published a range of books, journal articles and project evaluation reports.