ADR UK Ambassadors
ADR UK Ambassadors are people working in and around government and academia who are committed to increasing and improving the use of administrative data for research to inform policy and practice. They are a crucial part of our work to build the bridges between government and academia needed to make this happen.
Our Ambassadors are drawn from a range of disciplines – from information management and analysis, through to economics, social and life sciences, policy and operational delivery – and a variety of career stages. They are united by the belief that administrative data held by public bodies holds untapped potential to create insights that can help make better decisions, improving public services and the lives of people across the UK.
ADR UK Ambassadors are publicly recognised as data-driven change-makers. They have an important role to play in making sure the potential of data for public good is harnessed, in a way that is safe, legal, ethical and sustainable, while maintaining the trust and support of the public.
You can browse and hear from some of our current ADR UK Ambassadors below.
What do ADR UK Ambassadors do?
ADR UK Ambassadors are committed to highlighting the benefits of administrative data research to colleagues, signposting to ADR UK.
Depending on how much time they are able to give, our Ambassadors are also given the opportunity to support our work in a variety of other ways, including:
- Advocating for administrative data research within their own organisations and across their wider professional networks, promoting a culture shift whereby using this resource to inform policy and practice becomes the norm. This could be through informal conversations, and/or more formally by speaking at internal events or disseminating information about ADR UK’s work across these networks.
- Putting their support for administrative data research ‘on the record’, with a short (written and/or video) statement on our website about why this work matters to them.
- Creating and promoting content, such as blogs and opinion pieces for the ADR UK website and other platforms, discussing issues related to administrative data research within their own professional experience.
- Identifying opportunities for new, public-interest administrative data linking and research projects, signposting colleagues and peers to ADR UK as a source of support.
- Supporting the development and uptake of training on the use of administrative data for research across different audiences, including researchers and decision makers.
- Providing feedback and insight to ADR UK on how best to support their organisation.
- Networking with other ADR UK Ambassadors, sharing advice and guidance with peers on how best to enact data-driven change – including at our yearly Ambassadors’ thank you reception.
How do I become an ADR UK Ambassador?
If you are interested in becoming an ADR UK Ambassador, please contact the relevant Ambassador Coordinator for where your organisation operates: Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England or UK-wide. Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to be an ADR UK Ambassador.
After an initial conversation with us, if the scheme is a good fit for you, you’ll be signed up as an ADR UK Ambassador for an initial commitment of one year. At the end of the first year, we will check in with you to see if you would like to continue being part of our network.
ADR UK is taking positive action to increase the diversity of our Ambassadors. This means we
are particularly interested to hear from people currently under-represented in the cohort. This may include for example, women, people from minority ethnic
backgrounds, and disabled people.
How will I be supported?
As an ADR UK Ambassador, you will be supported by ADR UK to advocate on behalf of administrative data research, and to get the most out of the role. This support includes:
- A digital ADR UK Ambassadors’ Handbook, with guidance on how to explain administrative data research and answer frequently asked questions (or who to refer questions to).
- Opportunities to speak at and/or attend events organised by ADR UK or our partners.
- Networking opportunities with other ADR Ambassadors.
- Communications resources, including standard slide templates and graphics, that you can use to talk about administrative data research.
- Editorial support when creating any relevant content.
- An ADR UK Ambassadors’ logo you can add to your email signature.
- The chance to be nominated as our ADR UK Ambassador of the Year.
Please note, this is a voluntary, unremunerated role. However, expenses incurred while advocating on behalf of ADR UK, such as travel and subsistence, will be reimbursed at standard UKRI rates.
