New Director of Justice to join the Nuffield Foundation

Robert Street has been appointed Director of Justice at the Nuffield Foundation.

The Nuffield Foundation funds research, analysis, and student programmes that advance educational opportunity and social well-being across the United Kingdom. The Foundation’s primary objective is to improve people’s lives through better understanding of the issues affecting their life chances. In 2017, Nuffield announced a new five-year strategy, which set out its funding priorities in the three core domains of Education, Welfare, and Justice. It will also fund work that cuts across these areas, in particular the impact of digital technologies on people’s lives, social inclusion between and across generations, and the impact of disability and chronic illness.

Robert will contribute to the strategic leadership of the Foundation while defining the future focus of its work on Justice. He will also take strategic oversight of the Family Justice Observatory, an initiative which aims to support the best possible decisions for children by improving the use of data and research evidence in the family justice system in England and Wales.

Society conducted a wide-ranging search that spanned the Civil Service, the Not-For-Profit sector (including a number of large charities, social research institutes, trusts and foundations), as well as academics and professionals working in Law. We sought those who are leading voices in debates on Justice, have strong data and critical analytic skills, and have experience working at a strategic level.

Robert is an experienced social researcher, bringing with him over 20 years’ experience from the Civil Service. Following his MPhil in Criminology from the University of Cambridge, he held a number of roles with the Home Office, advancing from delivering research to directing research portfolios for Crime, Offenders, Drugs & Alcohol as well as Organised Crime & Cyber Research. In 2015 he joined the Youth Justice Board, where he oversaw a team of researchers and statisticians to deliver its evidence and effective practice programme. Robert has a strong commitment to engaging with policymakers and practitioners to produce and use robust evidence to inform policy and practice.

On his appointment, Robert said:

“After many years working in government, I’m delighted to be taking up a new role as Director of Justice and am really looking forward to helping the Foundation develop its ambitious and exciting agenda.

It was great working with Tanya and Megan at Society through the recruitment process - they were always helpful and supportive, and challenging in the right way”.