Mallory Notting
Professional Background
Mallory's approach to research and evaluation is underpinned by sociological methods, drawing from her experience in both academic and applied environments. She appreciates that evaluation allows her to interpret and identify behavioural patterns, dynamics, and social structures and interactions to help inform policy and practice. As such, Mallory prides herself on conducting thoughtful and thorough evaluations that distil complex findings into meaningful insights.
Prior to joining FPC, Mallory was employed as a qualitative researcher in the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine at Monash University, where she was involved in end-of-life care research exploring the outcomes of assisted dying legislation. Before that, she worked as an anthropological researcher at the Cape York Land Council, assisting consultant anthropologists in fieldwork and native title research with Traditional Owners.
Mallory also occasionally works as a research assistant at the University of Melbourne School of Social and Political Sciences, contributing to research on topics such as the impacts of COVID-19 on digital nomads.
Areas of Expertise
Mallory's expertise lies in combining rigorous evaluation approaches and theories with practical application. She values opportunities to integrate broader researcher interests into her work, including social and cultural geography, tourism and mobility studies, decoloniality, and geopolitics.
Specialist Expertise
- Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis: Advanced skills in developing and implementing qualitative methods to identify and interpret insights
- Ethics in Research and Evaluation: Experience preparing and managing HREC submissions and promoting responsible and reflexive evaluation practices
- Evaluation Framework Development: Expertise developing and implementing tailored evaluation frameworks and approaches for diverse contexts
- Large-Scale Evaluation Management: Proven ability to coordinate complex, multi-year evaluations with multiple stakeholders
- Knowledge Translation: Skilled in communicating and sharing impact through multiple formats, including workshops, publications, and conference presentations
Sector Experience
- Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: Extensive experience evaluating mental health programs, particularly within Movember's mental health portfolio
- Public Health and Health Promotion: Experience leading evaluations for programs like Healthy Loddon Campaspe and ACT School Active Travel, assessing community health initiatives
- Social Impact and Inclusion: Experience leading multiple evaluations of VicScreen programs, and contributing to research projects for Ethical Clothing Australia, Women in Seafood Australasia, the Settlement Council of Australia, and the Australian Association of Social Workers
Selected Projects
Since starting at FPC in 2020, Mallory has led and contributed to diverse evaluations and research projects primarily within the social services and public health sectors.
Movember Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Portfolio
Worked closely with Movember on evaluations including the Social Innovators Challenge, a global initiative for men's social connectedness. Manages ethics protocols, supports funded projects across four countries, and has contributed to global knowledge community meetings in Canada and the UK. Also evaluated the Digital Social Connections Challenge, 'Dad in Progress' Podcast Series, and 'Family Man' digital product.
Evaluation of ACT School Active Travel Program
Led evaluation of the 10-year suite of programs to increase student active travel rates. Used robust methodology including surveys from nearly 2,000 students, parents and teachers, prior evaluation data, and updated pedestrian and traffic data. Report will inform transport, environment, and health programming.
VicScreen Evaluations
Led two evaluations for the Victorian Government's screen development agency. Both projects involved comprehensive desktop and literature reviews and primary data collection, assessing outcomes against key VicScreen strategic objectives to identify alignment opportunities.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe Initiative
Leading external evaluation support, developing a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan. Supporting Health Brokers from six LGAs to collect data, producing annual progress reports, and working with organisational partners and the Department of Health on contextually appropriate evaluation approaches.
Turn the Tide Program Evaluation
Providing evaluation support for the T3 program which connects, supports and champions women in the seafood industry. Developed comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, supporting implementation and facilitating reflection and program improvement processes.
Local Prevention Grants Program Evaluation
Developed and implemented evaluation framework for large-scale prevention grants program funding 14 projects across NSW. Worked closely with funded projects to develop evaluation approaches relevant to their contexts and populations while adhering to the overall framework.
Education & Qualifications
Mallory's educational background in social policy, anthropology, and sociology provides a strong foundation for her work, particularly in understanding cultural dynamics, community wellbeing, and human behaviour.
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Master of Social Policy
University of Melbourne, 2018
Advanced study in social policy analysis, research methods, and policy evaluation. Developed expertise in understanding social systems and policy impacts that informs current evaluation work. -
Bachelor of Arts Honours (Anthropology)
James Cook University, 2017
Honours thesis explored the experiences of non-Indigenous Australian tourists taking part in Indigenous cultural tourism. Received Academic Medal for Honours thesis, recognising exceptional research quality. -
Bachelor of Arts
University of Melbourne, 2013
Comprehensive study in humanities and social sciences, developing foundational research and analytical skills essential for social research and evaluation work.
Awards & Publications
- Emerging New Talent Award – Australian Evaluation Society, 2023
- Academic Medal (received for Honours thesis) – James Cook University, 2017
- Publication: Moselen, T., Notting, M., Healy, D., Lim-Carter, I., Snelgrove, B., Anderson, J., & Busst, C. (2025). Redefining Strength: The role of a noncontact boxing intervention in improving social connectedness, mental health and wellbeing for disengaged young men (16-25 years). International Journal of Men's Social and Community Health, 8(2), 95-106.
- Publication: Holleran, M. & Notting, M. (2023). Mobility guilt: digital nomads and COVID-19. Tourism Geographies, 25(5), 1341-1358.
- Chapter: Notting, M., & Healey, M. (2022). "Evaluation and Impact Measurement" (Chapter 1.13), in The Australian Pro Bono Manual: A practice guide and resource kit for law firms
Professional Experience
- Principal Consultant – First Person Consulting (Current)
- Research Assistant – University of Melbourne, School of Social and Political Sciences (Current)
- Qualitative Researcher – Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine (Previous)
- Researcher (Anthropology) – Cape York Land Council (Previous)