Catherine Hutchinson
Biography
Catherine Hutchinson was appointed Chief Scientific Adviser, Chief Analyst and Director of the Central Analysis and Science Directorate in DWP in July 2024. She was later elected the Head of the Government Social Research profession in May 2026.
Catherine is a professional social scientist by background, with a strong experimental and applied psychology academic foundation. After frontline roles in psychology departments of various prisons and HM Inspectorate of Prisons, she dedicated her career to ensuring evidence is at the heart of decision making in government. Early in her career working in the What Works Centre for Crime Reduction, leading on experimental trials of new technology and the impact of international policing. Then serving in senior evaluation roles at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the former Department for International Development.
Most recently, before DWP she was in the Cabinet Office establishing the Evaluation Task Force (ETF) a joint Cabinet Office/HM Treasury (HMT) unit set up to continuously improve the understanding of the impact the £1trn a year the government spends. At Cabinet Office she also acted as the Chief Social Researcher for HMT, Cabinet Office and No.10.
Catherine is a council member of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), a member of the National Statistics Executive Group.
As Head of Government Social Research Catherine’s responsibilities include:
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leading the Government Social Research (GSR) GSR community to champion the use of social research and support social researchers across government
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providing overall strategic leadership for the GSR profession across the Civil Service
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acting as a visible champion for social research across government and externally
DWP Chief Scientific Adviser
The Chief Chief Scientific Adviser is responsible for:
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provide ministerial advice to ensure policy and operational decisions are supported by the best science, analysis and technology advice available
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ensures quality and fit-for-purpose science and analysis
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providing professional leadership to the scientific and analytical communities.
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building a network of scientific expertise and communicating effectively between government, academia and industry