New ESRC Council announced

6 Mar 2018 12:33 PM

The Board of UK Research and Innovation has confirmed the appointment of the ESRC’s new Council – the senior decision making body of the organisation.

The Council comes into effect with the launch of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on 1 April 2018. Welcoming the announcement, Professor Jennifer Rubin, ESRC Chief Executive and Executive Chair Designate, said: "It is with great delight that we welcome members to the new ESRC Council. They will be vital to ensuring that the social sciences make their contribution within the UK research and innovation landscape, and that the ESRC contributes to shaping opportunities for social science as they emerge."

The members of the Council will be as follows:

• Professor Diane Coyle*
  Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge  
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2021
• Mr Mike Emmerich
  Founding Director, Metro Dynamics
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2020
• Professor Jane Falkingham^
  Professor of Demography and International Social Policy, University of Southampton
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2021
• Professor Matthew Flinders
  Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2020
• Professor Nigel Gilbert^
  Professor of Sociology, University of Surrey
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2020
• Professor Rachel Griffith
  Professor of Economics, University of Manchester and Research Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2021
• Professor Melinda Mills^
  Head of Department of Sociology, University of Oxford 
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2021
• Professor James Smith
  Professor of African & Development Studies, University of Edinburgh
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2020
• Professor Anna Vignoles
  Professor of Education and Director of Research, University of Cambridge
  Term: 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2022

• Sir Christopher Wormald**
  Permanent Secretary, Department of Health

As part of the nine Councils of UKRI, the ESRC Council will work with Professor Rubin to deliver the ESRC’s aims and objectives and to support UKRI's overall mission to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in research and innovation. The ESRC Council members will also provide Professor Rubin, and UKRI more widely, with input, intelligence and feedback from their communities and stakeholder groups. The Council will act as critical friends to the UKRI Councils.

The members announced today – totalling 32 people across the Councils of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council and the ESRC – reflect the diversity of communities that they represent coming from varied backgrounds and experiences including academia, business, policy, third sector and voluntary sector.

Professor Sir Mark Walport UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Designate, commented: "I am delighted to welcome these new Council members. Their stimulus, support and challenge will provide a critical role in the development of strategy and the governance of UK Research and Innovation. The diversity of their personal backgrounds, experience and expertise will ensure that we make the very best choices in how to invest wisely in research and innovation and develop capability and capacity for the future."

Notes for editors

1. The appointments to Council are made in accordance with the Code of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
2. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. No political activity has been declared by any appointee.
3. Appointees each receive an annual remuneration of £6,850 for their position on Council.
4. None of the appointees currently holds any ministerial public appointment.
5. Under the HER Act each of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation has a Council comprising the Executive Chair and between 5-12 ordinary members. Council members are appointed by the UK Research and Innovation Board in consultation with the relevant Executive Chair. The Secretary of State may appoint one of the members, and is entitled to attend any Council meeting (or nominate a representative to attend).
6. * Senior Independent Member: One member will be appointed as Senior Independent Member with a direct communication channel to the Board and Chief Executive.
7. ** Councils will want to call on the best expertise and advice as required to fulfil their functions.  As such, UK Research and Innovation will ask Civil servants (including but not limited to Chief Scientific Advisors), to join the council in a personal capacity.
8. ^ Members previously served as a member of the research council.