Speaking at the recent Government Social Research conference, MacDonald said: “It is important that we talk collectively with other analysts and scientists and that we share good practice, and we must continue to develop our links with the external research community, including working with learned societies and research councils.”

MacDonald was previously at the Home Office where she led the team responsible for providing research and analysis on crime and policing.

At GSRU she replaces Teresa Williams, who has taken up a job-share role as head of evidence and analysis at the Office of Criminal Justice Reform.

The GSRU is the professional body for the Government Social Research Service, which is headed by Paul Wiles, and is responsible for promoting the use of evidence in strategy, policy and delivery and for setting standards for social research in government.