The Team
Dr Gillian Vogl
Director
(she/her)
Gillian has 20+ years facilitating qualitative research and 10+ years’ experience carrying out user experience research. She has a PhD in Sociology. A large proportion of her research has focused on the inclusion of ‘hard to reach’ and marginalised groups. Gillian has also facilitated research in workplaces exploring the impact of workplace cultures on employees and various aspects of employees’ experiences of work. Since founding Vogl & Blake, she has worked on research projects for government, businesses, and not-for-profit organisations. Prior to establishing Vogl & Blake, Gillian worked in research in both universities and not-for-profits. She is passionate about inclusivity. Gillian loves running, reading and coffee. She participated in her first marathon in 2019.
Shiffa Samad
Researcher
Shiffa has a Bachelor of Arts (Class I Honours) and Masters of Nursing, where she specialised in minority rights and mental health. At Vogl & Blake, she works on qualitative research projects where she helps interview participants, analyse findings and write reports. She also assists with developing and analysing surveys.
When she’s not working with the gang, you will find her moonlighting as an amateur beekeeper, throwing bowls on a potter’s wheel or sowing seeds in her veggie patch, trying to emulate her gardening hero, Monty Don.
Tsukasa Hiraoka
Researcher
Tsukasa has over 14 years of experience working with marginalised communities in the areas of human rights, criminal law, and policy development. She has a Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diplomas in Psychological Science and Legal Practice. Tsukasa is currently based in Dubbo working closely with the community, and particularly with young people facing homelessness, domestic violence, and antisocial behaviours. As part of her studies, Tsukasa completed an internship with Vogl & Blake and was awarded the highest grade in her year for the qualitative research assignment. She continues to work with Vogl & Blake on a casual basis assisting with research projects.
Hannah Wise
Researcher
Hannah has a Bachelor’s Degree in the Comparative History of Ideas and International Studies from the University of Washington. At Vogl & Blake, she performs user research interviews, focus groups, data analysis, and other relevant research practices. She additionally manages aspects of research projects as well as writes literature reviews, final reports, blog posts, and case studies for Vogl & Blake.
Hannah enjoys rock climbing, spending time outdoors with her dog Toby, playing and listening to music, and Olympic-style weightlifting.
Aiva Jokela
Strategy and Transformation
Aiva has a Bachelor of Business, is a qualified Trainer and Assessor and is completing her Life Coaching certification in Health and Wellness.
She has worked in the public service and for a variety of private and not-for-profit organisations, across multiple industries.
She is passionate about developing individual, team and organisational performance and has 17 years of experience managing teams, facilitating learning and implementing process improvement initiatives. At Vogl & Blake, Aiva is involved in business strategy and development and also facilitates workplace workshops and co-facilitates research focus groups.
When she’s not reading, Aiva is experimenting in the kitchen, or working up a sweat strength training in her garage.
The Collaborators
Rebecca Hempstead
Content Editor
Rebecca works with the Vogl and Blake team to ensure that all content in reports, presentations and social inclusion tool kits are of a high standard and she also assists with note-taking during qualitative interviews.
She has 25 years of experience in the running of a small graphic design and photography business, where she is responsible for many projects including the production of a number of publications.
Rebecca is a trained early childhood teacher and continues to work casually with special needs children. Rebecca’s passion is to travel, always seeking out new adventures.
Dr Laura Vogl
Quantitative Specialist
Laura has a PhD in Public Health and Community Medicine and a Clinical Masters in Psychology. She is committed to the importance of translating scientific knowledge into public/patient health benefits. Laura has over 20 years experience working on statistics projects. She currently divides her time between her psychology practice, collaborating with Vogl & Blake on projects requiring statistics, her garden and her menagerie of pets.
Naaz Hussain
Communications Specialist
Naaz is a freelance communications specialist. Her work with Vogl & Blake includes producing digital content and online communications and consulting on social inclusion guidelines and principles. Naaz has worked with various businesses and non-profit organisations in communications and content production. Her passion for diverse and inclusive media has seen her work with complex and underrepresented communities. These spaces include youth mental health, the international student community, and socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs. As a big fan of diverse storytelling, Naaz runs her own regular bookclub for readers and writers of colour in Sydney.