In 2004 the ESRC created the post of Strategic Advisor (Data Resources), as a potential research award to a nominated individual in an eligible UK institution. Via an open competition, an award was made to the University of Warwick to fund a work plan proposed by Professor Peter Elias from October 2004 to September 2007. Following peer review of the work conducted in this period, an extension to this award was made for the period October 2007 to September 2010.

• Further details of the work conducted in the period 2004-2007, and the plan proposed for 2007-2010 (PDF, 110Kb)

Considering the central role of the post in the successful implementation of the National Data Strategy and the need to build upon achievements of the post to date the ESRC took a decision to extend the post of Strategic Advisor for the further period from October 2010 to September 2013. Following the results of open competition the collaborative application of Professor Peter Elias (University of Warwick - external website) and Professor John Hobcraft (University of York - external website) was approved and the new contract commenced in October 2010 for three years. Professor Elias leads on issues and developments relating to data access and linkage, organisation-based resources and international collaboration, while Professor Hobcraft leads on longitudinal studies and interdisciplinary linkages.