New ESRC council announced

The Board of UK Research and Innovation has confirmed the appointment of the new ESRC Council

The Council comes into effect with the launch of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on 1 April 2018.

Welcoming the announcement, Professor Jennifer Rubin, ESRC Chief Executive and Executive Chair Designate, said: “It is with great delight that we welcome members to the new ESRC Council.

They will be vital to ensuring that the social sciences make their contribution within the UK research and innovation landscape, and that the ESRC contributed to shaping opportunities for social science as they emerge.”

The members of the Council will be as follows:

• Professor Diane Coyle* Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2021
• Mr. Mike Emmerich, Founding Director, Metro Dynamics, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2020
• Professor Jane Falkingham^ Professor of Demography and International Social Policy, University of Southampton, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2021
• Professor Matthew Flinders, Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2020
• Professor Nigel Gilbert^, Professor of Sociology, University of Surrey, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2020
• Professor Rachel Griffith, Professor of Economics, University of Manchester and Research Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2021
• Professor Melinda Mills^, Head of Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2021
• Professor James Smith, Professor of African & Development Studies, University of Edinburgh, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2020
• Professor Anna Vignoles, Professor of Education and Director of Research, University of Cambridge, Term: 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2022
• Sir Christopher Wormald**, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health

Professor Sir Mark Walport UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Designate, commented: “I am delighted to welcome these new Council members. Their stimulus, support and challenge will provide a critical role in the development of strategy and the governance of UK Research and Innovation. The diversity of their personal backgrounds, experience and expertise will ensure that we make the very best choices in how to invest wisely in research and innovation and develop capability and capacity for the future.”