ESRC Director of Research
Dr Jen Gold is Director of Research at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
She is also co-founder and co-lead of the UK Government’s Metascience Unit, a joint initiative between UKRI and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
The initiative aims to accelerate the generation and use of evidence on more effective ways of funding, supporting, and conducting research and innovation.
Before joining ESRC, Jen was Head of Evidence and Evaluation in the Prime Minister’s Office. She was previously based in the Cabinet Office where she led the Government’s ‘What Works’ initiative to champion the use of research evidence in public policy.
Jen has held senior roles at the Institute for Government and the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy and Governance.
She holds an MPhil and PhD from the University of Cambridge (both funded by the ESRC) and an undergraduate degree from Durham University. She has also been a Visiting Fellow in Science and Technology Studies at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Last updated: 14 May 2025