Congratulations to Professor Karen Broadhurst, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), on her appointment as the new co-director of Lancaster’s Data Science Institute (DSI).

Based in Sociology, Karen has previously served as DSI’s Society Theme Lead and has helped transform DSI’s activities in this area. Her research is focused on family justice and she currently leads a cross-university team which is producing novel analyses of linked family court data, to address pressing questions about the impact of the justice system on the lives of children and families.

Karen led the development of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, now a thriving independent organisation.

Her research has previously catalysed major investment from central government in new preventative solutions designed to help women avoid family court involvement. Karen’s work and those of her colleagues in Lancaster’s Centre for Child and Family Justice, is regularly featured by the BBC: Today Programme, BBC Breakfast, World at One, Woman’s Hour. She is also involved in international collaborative research with colleagues in the US, Australia and China.

Karen currently serves as advisor to the ESRC Data First Programme led by the Ministry of Justice and is currently chairing the ESRC’s fellowship grant allocation panel, linked to this programme. She is expert advisor to the national Care Review and serves as advisor to the HMCTS modernisation of justice, including digital transformation.

Karen says “Having served as Society Lead for the Data Science Institute, I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the new Co-Director role. This new role will enable me to continue to work with Nigel and the theme leads to progress major new programmes of research. The Data Science Institute’s interdisciplinary focus is exactly what is needed to ensure research can rise to the societal challenges we face. Our Monday morning team meetings have been a highlight in my diary for some time – given the richness of ideas and actions generated when science meets arts and humanities. My new role will also provide me with the space to support the University as we move forward to transform our use of sensitive data.”