Professor Alison Park

Professor Alison Park, interim Executive Chair, ESRCProfessor Alison Park was appointed Interim Executive Chair of ESRC in January 2021, having joined ESRC as Director of Research in January 2019.

Prior to joining ESRC she was Professor of Social Research and Director of CLOSER (Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources), a significant ESRC-funded collaboration based at the UCL Social Research Institute. CLOSER brings together leading UK longitudinal studies, the British Library and the UK Data Service to maximise the use, value and impact of longitudinal studies.

Much of Alison’s career prior to joining UCL was spent at NatCen Social Research, leading research teams that designed, implemented and analysed a wide variety of government and academic studies, including:

  • Understanding Society
  • British Social Attitudes Survey
  • the UK arm of the European Social Survey.

Alison was awarded a CBE for services to social sciences in the 2018 New Year Honours and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Last updated: 17 February 2021

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