CLOSER has appointed a new Advisory Committee to guide the future strategic and scientific direction of the organisation.
The new Committee members are:
- Prof Bobby Duffy (Chair), Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute, King’s College London
- Harry Aagaard Evans, Senior Advisor, NHS England
- Nathan Cunningham, Assistant Director – Research and Infrastructure, Corporate Information and Computing Services, University of Sheffield
- Prof Vernon Gayle, Chair of Sociology and Social Statistics, University of Edinburgh
- Dr Grant Hill-Cawthorne, Head of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
- Dr Rosie McEachan, Programme Director, Born in Bradford
- Prof Deborah Wilson, Professor of Public Policy and Management and Faculty Research Director, University of Bristol
The Committee’s membership spans the social and biomedical sciences, and brings significant expertise in public policy and managing large-scale research infrastructure. They will provide independent strategic advice on all aspects of CLOSER’s work, including research, data discoverability, communications and impact. Members have been appointed on an initial three-year term.
The Committee will be chaired by Prof Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London. Prior to joining King’s, Prof Duffy was Managing Director of Public Affairs for Ipsos MORI and Global Director of the Ipsos Social Research Institute. He sits on several advisory boards for think tanks and universities, as well as for the Campaign for Social Science, and also brings with him expertise from serving in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.
Prof Duffy said, “Longitudinal research is a vital source of evidence to shape our decisions, inform our policies, and change the way we live our lives for the better. CLOSER is helping to maximise the value and impact of the UK’s longitudinal data and evidence. The Committee and I look forward to shaping the important work of CLOSER, and to ensuring its work remains valuable and relevant to a wide range of stakeholders both within and outside academia.”
Prof Rebecca Hardy, CLOSER Director, said, “It is a critical time for the longitudinal community in the UK, and it’s vital that we continue to drive innovation and retain the UK’s world-leading position in this area of science. We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Advisory Committee to support us in this mission. Our work will benefit enormously from advisors of their calibre and breadth of experience.”