We are pleased to announce that Tarek Al Baghal will be stepping into the new role of Professor of Survey Methodology and Understanding Society Deputy Director from January 2022. He will be working with Director of the Study, Professor Michaela Benzeval, to support the expansion of the Study and to develop new projects.
Tarek comes to the new role with a wealth of experience as a survey methodologist, having previously completed his PhD in Survey Research and Methodology at the University of Nebraska, followed by a postdoctoral research year working on innovation in survey development. Since 2013, he has been working at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, and from 2019 been leading the questionnaire development team at Understanding Society. He has particular research interests in linking survey data with other novel sources of data, like social media, and the psychology of survey response and questionnaire design.
He said, “I am really pleased to be able to take on this new role at Understanding Society. The Study has exciting plans for enhancing data collection and implementing cutting edge survey methods, and we’re also seeing data from the Study being used by an ever-growing number of researchers and policymakers. The massive increase in use of the Study during the covid pandemic shows how vital longitudinal data is to decision making in the UK. I’m very much looking forward to helping Understanding Society grow.”
Director of Understanding Society, Professor Michaela Benzeval, said, “We’re delighted that Tarek is becoming Deputy Director at such a key point for Understanding Society. We have big plans for continuing to enhance data collection, for new datasets, and for projects that focus on particular population groups. We’re also preparing to do more biological data collection. The next couple of years are going to be busy for the Study – watch this space.”
Professor Peter Lynn, Director of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, home of Understanding Society, said, “Understanding Society is central to the work of ISER. Tarek’s appointment will strengthen both the leadership of the study and the senior team at ISER, helping us to extend our cutting-edge research.”
You can read more about Tarek’s research here.
Biomarkers, genetics and epigeneticsCovid 19EducationEmploymentEthnicity and immigrationFamily and householdsHealth and wellbeingIncome and expenditureMoney and financesPolitics and social attitudesSocial mobilitySurvey methodologyTransport and environmentYoung people
