SRA trustees

Meet the SRA trustees

The SRA can have up to 15 trustees, who serve for at most six years in this voluntary role. They attend six board meetings a year and make decisions about the direction of the SRA, finances, activities and other areas of work.

Ed Dunn

I have around 25 years’ experience in social research and analysis and am currently Senior Director in Population Studies at Verian. I lead the Verian offer in large scale population studies incorporating new technology and approaches to social research, whilst identifying opportunities where my deep expertise and the skills and experience of the Verian team can benefit the public good. I joined Verian in 2022 after more than 16 years at the Office for National Statistics where, as Deputy Director and Chief Social Researcher, I had led the 1,400 staff of Social Survey Division, the statistical design and production of the 2021 Census and the design and initiation of the world-renowned Covid Infection Study.

I also held the role of Deputy Head of the Government Social Research (GSR) service and was responsible for the professional standards, recruitment and strategy of the approximately 2,400 social researchers in UK Government. I began my career as a researcher working in local government, and I am a graduate of both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Bristol.

Ailbhe McNabola

I am Director of Policy at Power to Change, a charitable foundation that supports community business in England. I have 20 years’ experience in research and analysis in policy-relevant fields, having started my career in management consultancy at Accenture. I went on to join the team evaluating policy implementation at the National Audit Office, then a stint at PA Consulting before leaving consultancy to head up the research team at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (now part of Arts Council England) and in my most recent role, at the Design Council where I was Director of Policy and Research. At the SRA I hope to bring in the perspective of those using and commissioning social research for policy and advocacy work, in particular in the third sector.

Diarmid Campbell-Jack

I’ve worked in the Cabinet Office since 2022, following previous jobs at Ecorys, ScotCen and Save the Children. My current work focuses on research and evaluation on leadership & management training, an important part of making sure civil servants and public sector staff have the requisite skills, knowledge, and networks to do their jobs effectively. I veer towards the quant side of social research, but will try my hand at anything. This is a fascinating time to work in social research given the clear challenges facing society. New situations need a response and open up old questions about the relationship between our work and wider society. Being an SRA trustee offers an opportunity to help support social research, learn from researchers and contribute to an organisation with a reputation for impact that goes far beyond the right-hand tail of any normal distribution…

Kirstie Hewlett (Hon. Treasurer)

I am a Research Fellow at the Policy Institute, King’s College London, where I work across a wide range of social policy areas, with interests in inequalities, social division and equality of opportunity, and the role of values, emotion, trust and identity in policy making. I typically work on mixed methods studies, bringing specific expertise in survey design, qualitative research methods and deliberative approaches. I’m delighted to be working to support the SRA as Treasurer and Trustee, bringing previous experience as Treasurer for the Society for Music Analysis and a commitment to diversifying pathways into social research and improving opportunities for early career researchers.

Jenni Brooks

I have been a senior lecturer in sociology at Sheffield Hallam University since January 2016. My own research over the last decade has focused on experiences of chronic illness and disability, often on the personalisation of social care, and most recently exploring online illness narratives. I’m co-chair of SRA North, and a member of the NIHR Research for Social Care committee. Part of my job is teaching qualitative research methods, and having long admired the way the SRA connects researchers in disparate fields and disciplines, I am keen to explore how the SRA can further facilitate the transition to a variety of social research careers.

Dan Clay

I co-founded Basis Social in 2021 with former Kantar CEO Darren Bhattachary. We are about designing for a better world. Undertaking excellent research, grounded in rigour, provides a foundational plank of this work but fundamentally I set Basis Social up to help address inequity and to build a more sustainable future for the generations to come. My background cuts across social research, market research and strategic communications, with the majority of the past 20 years spent working to inform public policy, communications and service design. I’m a long term supported of the SRA and delighted to be able to support their work as a Trustee.

Naomi Day

I am an independent social researcher with 15 years of qualitative research experience. I work predominantly with research agencies and/or collectives of
other independent researchers on research and evaluation for central government and other public sector bodies and agencies. After a BA in sociology at the University of Birmingham my entry into the profession was at NatCen in 2005. I decided to apply to be a trustee because I felt that, as an independent social researcher based in the north of England, I could provide a different perspective on guiding the strategic approach of the SRA. I have a particular interest in how we open up more opportunities at entry level into the profession to ensure access across socio-economic background, geographical region and minority ethnic groups.

Dr Rachel Hughes

At the heart of my career is a strong commitment to social justice and making a positive difference to people’s lives. I have over 20 years of experience working as a social researcher in Wales in both academia and the public sector, and in 2020, I founded Dotiau. My expertise is in undertaking and applying research and insight to a public policy environment. I am a Visiting Professor at Wrexham Glyndwr University and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. I am also a Parent Governor and Non-Executive Director of the Education Achievement Service for South East Wales. As the Chair of SRA Cymru, I am keen to develop our network in Wales and bring a devolved perspective to the Association.

Lee Chan

I recently (Jan 2023) became Insight Lead within the Behavioural Science and Insights Unit at the UK Health Security Agency or UKHSA. It's my first time in the civil service after a highly varied research career across a number of sectors.

I started out in commercial market research as a graduate trainee, then became a consultant in stakeholder engagement, before moving into policy research for a local council and a charity.

Immediately prior to joining the civil service I was an interim behavioural insights manager at the Football Association where I project managed the evaluation of the impact of the 2022 Womens Euros and conducted other strategic research.

I like mixing methods and employing deliberative and participatory approaches, and have an interest in making research inclusive for those taking part and for researchers of different backgrounds.

I have been involved with the SRA for as long as I can remember, as a member and volunteer and most recently as a trustee. I want to help the SRA extend its reach to a diverse set of researchers and analysts who would benefit from the networking opportunities we can facilitate and from the knowledge it shares. I also want the SRA to give researchers from underrepresented groups a platform to promote their work.

Rosie McLeod

I work at a think tank and consultancy for the third sector, helping charities and funders use research and evaluation to increase their impact. I’ve been in social research since university, starting out in participatory action research projects with Somali refugee women. I then became a social policy researcher focused on qualitative and deliberative

Beth Moon

In my current role at Ofgem I lead a programme of exciting and impactful research, helping to ensure better outcomes for energy consumers. My first role at the Office for National Statistics provided me with an excellent foundation in social research methods and over the last 15 years I’ve gained a wealth of experience applying social research within government. I’m also particularly passionate about applying behavioural science to knotty policy challenges. I’m keen to help social researchers develop themselves, their careers and support the industry, and with the challenges that the pandemic has presented for everyone, I can’t think of a better time to do it. 

Daniel Stunell

Daniel has spent the last eleven years as a researcher, evaluator, and programme manager with both WRAP and Zero Waste Scotland, bringing a social science perspective to multi-disciplinary projects in the field of waste, energy, materials, and net zero evidence and policy development. In December he is moving to Eunomia Research and Consulting, where he will continue to work on projects focused on developing solutions to our climate and nature emergency that blend thinking about both the technical and societal changes needed.

Gillian Prior

I oversee NatCen’s social surveys in household, longitudinal and health surveys, with a team of around 50 researchers and data specialists. I have worked in social research for over 30 years at NatCen, TNS and Kantar, managing surveys in a wide range of policy areas. I first got into social research because it sounded interesting, and that interest has kept me here all these years. I have a strong belief in the value of social research and the insight it gives into people’s lives, bringing the public voice to policymaking and ultimately improving society. As a trustee I especially want to assist the SRA to encourage new researchers into the profession and help them develop rewarding careers.

Martina Vojtkova

I oversee NatCen’s evaluation work and lead on the design of impact evaluations as well as NatCen’s systematic review and evidence mapping work. I’m experienced in mixed methods evaluation approaches, logic model and theory of change work, and process evaluation methods. I also hold the role of associate editor for the Campbell Collaboration. I started my research career as a systematic reviewer and have always been passionate about applied social research and its importance in informing policy and practice. I am particularly excited about the SRA trustee role as it provides a unique opportunity to continue supporting a large number of high calibre researchers in their professional development.