Met the team (testing)

Understanding Society is a complex and important study requiring significant investment and expertise, clear scientific leadership and effective operational management. It is led by a team at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, with expert advice from Topic Champions in many different fields.

Co-Investigators

Photograph of Professor Tarek Al Baghal

Professor Tarek Al Baghal

Associate Director, Content Development
Photograph of Dr Hannah Howman

Dr Hannah Howman

Survey Officer
Photograph of Professor Michaela Benzeval

Professor Michaela Benzeval

Director, Understanding Society
Photograph of Dr Jonathan Burton

Dr Jonathan Burton

Associate Director, Surveys
Photograph of Professor Paul Clarke

Professor Paul Clarke

Co-Investigator, Statistics
Photograph of Professor Thomas Crossley

Professor Thomas Crossley

Co-Investigator, Economics
Photograph of Dr Paul Fisher

Dr Paul Fisher

Associate Director, Income

Methodology

Developing the survey methods that underpin and enhance Understanding Society, the team also provide weights and weighting guidance for the Study.

Photograph of Professor Peter Lynn

Professor Peter Lynn

Associate Director, Survey Methods

Peter leads on sample design and the design of experiments and has overall responsibility for the study’s programme of methodological research. Alongside his work on Understanding Society, Peter is Director of Survey Futures.
Photograph of Dr Olena Kaminska

Dr Olena Kaminska

Survey Statistician

Olena leads on developing and producing weights and contributes more broadly to improving the quality and efficiency of Understanding Society data. Her research addresses the role of motivation in survey response, and strategies for tackling nonresponse.
Photograph of Professor Paul Clarke

Professor Paul Clarke

Co-Investigator, Statistics

Paul’s work for Understanding Society focuses on the development of advanced longitudinal methods for the analysis of household panel data, including estimating mode effects and developing novel weighting schemes. Paul also contributes to the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change.

Innovations

Managing the Innovation Panel and the experiments that are fielded across Understanding Society.

Photograph of Professor Annette Jäckle

Professor Annette Jäckle

Deputy Director and lead for Innovations and Enhancements

Alongside her work as Deputy Director, Annette leads the innovations work for Understanding Society. This focuses on new data collection methods, improving the quality of survey data, and collecting additional information from respondents using tools other than survey questions.
Photograph of Jim Vine

Jim Vine

Senior Research Officer

Jim works on innovation panel experiments and survey methods research, including event triggered data collection, and using apps in surveys. He also manages the Innovation Panel Competition.
Photograph of Owen Preston

Owen Preston

Research Assistant (Innovations)

Owen supports the Understanding Society innovation projects.