Announcing new board members
15 April 2025
Smart Data Research UK is delighted to welcome four new members to its programme oversight board.
Professor Jo Edson Ferrie, David Halpern, Gaia Marcus and Pete Stokes will bring a range of experiences and expertise to help guide and shape the development of the SDR UK programme.
The four will join current board members to support the effective governance of the programme, alongside chair Professor Alison Park and SDR UK’s Director, Joe Cuddeford.
About the new board members
Professor Jo Edson Ferrie
Jo Edson Ferrie is Professor of Sociology in the School of Social & Political Sciences and Associate Dean of Skill and Method at the University of Glasgow. She has worked closely with civil society to realise human rights, co-founding and serving as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Making Rights Real and both the Research Advisory Group and Human Rights Budgeting Group for the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Jo is also the founding Director of Glasgow Q-Step. She was lead author on the independent review of Data-driven Research Skills, with Technopolis and colleagues. The review underpinned the recommissioning of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnerships 2023-2029. Jo also sits on the ESRC’s Data and Infrastructure, Skills and Methods Expert Advisory Group.
David Halpern
David Halpern CBE is President Emeritus of the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). He was previously the team’s CEO and its founding Director in 10 Downing Street. David served as the UK’s National What Works Advisor (2013-2022) and led efforts to improve the use of evidence across the UK government. He was the Founding and Research Director of the Institute for Government, and the Chief Analyst at the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit (2001 to 2007). Across roles, David has served prime ministers, across Labour, coalition and Conservative governments. Before entering government, David held tenure at the University of Cambridge and posts at the University of Oxford and Harvard University. He has written a range of books and monographs applying social and behavioural science policy. David is also a member of the ESRC Council.
Gaia Marcus
Gaia Marcus is the Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute. Before joining Ada, Gaia was Deputy Director (Advanced Analytics and Local Capabilities) at the Spatial Data Unit within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Here, she led on ensuring that data and data-driven analysis were used to support policymaking and service delivery. Gaia’s extensive leadership roles include Deputy Director (Strategy for the Integrated Data Service) at the Office for National Statistics and Head of National Data Strategy at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In the non-profit sector, Gaia has specialised in data strategy and participatory approaches to research, innovation and policy, with roles at Parkinson’s UK, Centrepoint and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Pete Stokes
Pete Stokes is Director of Platform Development at the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford. It’s a role that follows a long career in the Civil Service, including ten years leading the development and operation of the Secure Research Service, the largest Trusted Research Environment in the UK. Pete has significant experience advising Ministers and senior leaders across the Public Sector and internationally, on managing secure research access to record-level data, and its benefits to society. He is a strong advocate for increased access to data, for research that will improve people’s lives.
“Clear governance and oversight are crucial in ensuring Smart Data Research UK demonstrates value to the public and champions the highest standards of responsible research practices. As chair of the board, I’m excited to welcome such a distinguished group of new board members, each with their own unique viewpoints that are already helping to shape the direction of our programme.”
Professor Alison Park, Senior Responsible Officer for Smart Data Research UK
“We are so pleased that Jo, David, Gaia and Pete have joined the Smart Data Research UK community. Having a broad range of perspectives and insights is invaluable for our programme.”
Joe Cuddeford, Director of Smart Data Research UK
Meet our Smart Data Research UK programme board members.