Prior Takes Deputy CEO Role at NatCen

In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Gillian Prior as Deputy Chief Executive.

NatCen is Britain's largest independent social research organisation, and carries out research into all areas of social policy, including health, crime, education, employment, travel, social attitudes and families. In June, it launched a Centre for Deliberative Research, studying attitudes after citizens have been provided with evidence and an opportunity to discuss issues from different perspectives, as well as projects that enable the public to be involved in policy development or decision-making.

Prior has worked in social research for more than twenty-seven years, and in a previous spell at NatCen was Deputy Head of the Health Research Group. She then joined TNS BMRB as Head of Longitudinal Studies, in 2014, and returned to NatCen in 2016 as Head of Health and Bio-Medical Surveys. In 2018 she was promoted to Director of Surveys, Data and Analysis, leading a team of over 80 researchers, data specialists and analysts. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and a trustee of the Social Research Association.

With the promotion she adds responsibility for helping to drive the organisation's continued development, working across the statistical value chain from data collection to dissemination, and diversifying its work programme into new methodologies and topic areas. She comments: 'Having been a member of NatCen's Leadership Team for the last three years, and leading the talented colleagues who deliver our social surveys, I am delighted to take on this new broader role. We are passionate about the power of social research to make life better and ambitious in our plans to diversify, grow and increase our impact. I look forward to working with Guy and the Trustees to make these plans a reality'. CEO Guy Goodwin adds: 'These are exciting times at NatCen as we push forward with our Towards 2025 strategy. Gillian is a great appointment for us as she brings both strong leadership skills and an extensive knowledge of social research and methods. I'm very much looking forward to working with her as Deputy CEO'.

Web site: www.natcen.ac.uk .