NatCen Appoints New Head for Policy Research Centre

Martina Vojtkova has been promoted to Director of the Policy Research Centre at the UK's National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), replacing Nancy Kelley who left earlier this year to become CEO at Stonewall.

Vojtkova, who is also a trustee of the Social Research Association, is currently NatCen's Director of Evaluation and Analysis, and returns from maternity leave on 11th November. In the new role she will lead a team of more than 80 researchers with expertise in policy areas such as health, crime and justice, education, work and income, including NatCen's evaluation work.

Vojtkova says of her appointment: 'It's exciting to have the opportunity to lead NatCen's Policy Research Centre during this period of social change for the UK. Social research has a crucial part to play in informing policy makers as we come out of the pandemic and during the post-transition Brexit period. It can provide critical insights into tackling multiple disadvantage, improving physical and mental wellbeing and renewing our democracy and the social contract. NatCen, with its experience and reputation of over more than 50 years, is ideally placed to do this'.

CEO Guy Goodwin comments: 'The National Centre is already the 'go to' place for anyone wanting to know about our society and social research and Martin's leadership skills and drive for high quality and excellence will enable us to continue to build on that reputation. There are so many opportunities for this organisation looking ahead and we are rightly excited about the role we can play to help policy makers in the 2020s'.

Web site: www.natcen.ac.uk .