PROFESSOR Nigel Gilbert, founder and director of Surrey’s Centre for Research in Social Simulation, has been appointed as a member of the Council of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), after being apporoved by Downing Street.

The distinguished academic, who is an expert in computational social science, social simulation and sociological methods of research and statistics, joins the ESRC at a crucial time as it works towards the creation of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The ESRC is one of seven councils which invest around £3billion in research across the arts, humanities, science and engineering. The current Research Councils UK (RCUK) partnership enables each of the seven to work together more effectively to enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of their research, training, and innovation.

It is the ESRC Council’s responsibility to decide on issues chiefly related to corporate strategy, key strategic objectives and targets.

Acting vice-provost (research and innovation) Atti Emecz said: “Nigel’s exciting new role is incredibly prestigious as the council determines the high level strategy for the ESRC with those strategies instrumental in shaping how economics and social science research is conducted in the UK.

“Nigel’s appointment is testament to his standing in the research community and I have no doubt the experience he will bring to the ESRC Council will help them and RCUK UKRI in the important work they do in maintaining the UK’s reputation for research and innovation.

“Going forward I would like to see more of our colleagues gain such appointments and so be in a position to help the UK government funding agencies and the research communities they work with.

We are confident Nigel will excel in this role, and wish him all the very best in this appointment.”