Karen Powell is Head of Research Strategy and Commissioning for the ADR UK Strategic Hub. Her focus is on providing opportunities for the academic community to access ADR England’s flagship, research-ready data to conduct policy-relevant research, as well as building and nurturing a professional community of administrative data researchers. Karen worked at the Department for Education for a decade before joining the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), including various analytical roles, a secondment to a local authority, policy development and running a programme office. At ESRC, Karen took a lead across the What Works Network investments before shaping the ‘service design’ for what has become ADR UK. Karen developed the ADR England Strategy and places a high importance on ensuring research can become useful evidence to inform better decisions for public good.