Heath (pictured) joined the University of Manchester in 2010, prior to which she worked at the University of Southampton for 12 years, where she was co-director of two ESRC Research Centres: the National Centre for Research Methods and the Centre for Population Change.

In 2016, she was elected as a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Sir Robert Burgess, chair of the board of trustees, said Heath’s “considerable experience in research methodology and ethics” will enable the continued delivery of  “independent, high quality research that makes society better.”