Professor Alison Park

Professor Alison Park is Deputy Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Alison joined ESRC as Director of Research in January 2019 and served as Interim Executive Chair between January 2021 and June 2023.

Prior to joining ESRC she was Professor of Social Research and Director of CLOSER (Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources), a significant ESRC-funded collaboration based at the University College London (UCL) Social Research Institute. CLOSER brings together leading UK longitudinal studies, the British Library and the UK Data Service to maximise the use, value and impact of longitudinal studies.

Much of Alison’s career prior to joining UCL was spent at NatCen Social Research, leading research teams that designed, implemented and analysed a wide variety of government and academic studies.