Sue Duncan named first Government Social Researcher (18/9/2002)
Sue Duncan has been appointed to lead the profession of government social researchers as head of the Government Social Research Service.
The decision to create the post of Government Chief Social Research Officer has been driven by the Government's commitment to develop and implement policies informed by sound evidence.
Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Sir Andrew Turnbull, explained:
'Good research underpins effective decision making. The Government places great importance on strengthening the base of evidence on which policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated.'
Currently Director of Policy Studies in the Strategy Unit, Sue Duncan will take on:
- Overall responsibility for the quality and standards of government social research;
- Liaison between Government and the wider research community;
- Co-ordination of research planning across government Departments; and
- Working with other government analysts to ensure a co-ordinated approach and more effective use of analytical skills.
Sue Duncan said:
'I am looking forward to making a greater contribution to improving policy making and strategic skills. These are exciting and challenging times for government research and this new role puts me in the ideal position to work with researchers and analysts inside and outside government to maximise their input to policy development and review'.
Notes to editors
- Sue Duncan has over 23 years government research experience in the areas of housing and social security. Prior to this she worked in local government. She has a Sociology degree (University of Bath) and an MA in Sociological Studies (University of Sussex). A Full member of the Market Research Society and an academician of the Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences, she serves on various committees including: Commission on Social Sciences; Economic and Social Research Council Research Evaluation Committee; Advisory Committee for ESRC Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (Chair); UK Strategic Forum on Social Sciences; University of Bath Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Board; Editorial Board of 'Policy and Politics'; University of Surrey's Department of Sociology Advisory Committee.
- Sue Duncan will take on the role of Government Chief Social Research Officer with immediate effect, and continue in her role as Director of Policy Studies, Strategy Unit. Led by Geoff Mulgan, the Strategy Unit exists to provide the Prime Minister and Government departments with a capacity to look creatively at long term issues and to promote strategic thinking and improved policy making across government.
- Creation of the Government Chief Social Research Officer role builds on recommendations in a number of government reports and papers including the Modernising Government White Paper, the Professional Policy Making in the 21st Century report, the Better Policy Making report and the Performance and Innovation Unit report 'Adding It Up'.
- The scope of the role will develop to include:
- Oversight of:
- Career development and training for social researchers
- Professional and ethical issues for social research and for policy issues, such as publication of research
- Quality and standards in government social research
- Spokesman and representative for government social research at the centre and lead on liaison with the external research community
- Lead on co-ordination of research planning across Departments
- Lead on innovation and change within Government Social Research
- Liaison with other key analytical professions (eg. economists, statisticians) to ensure a co-ordinated approach and most effective use of analytical skills
- Interview with Sue Duncan and photograph available. Contact Cabinet Office Press Office.
Cabinet Office Press Office
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LONDON SW1A 2AS
Tel: 020 7276 1203
Fax: 020 7276 0618
Out of hours telephone 07699 113300 and ask for pager number 721338.
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