What is synthetic data?
Synthetic data is data that mimics real administrative data, but doesn’t include real people’s information.
Because synthetic data is not real data, it can be accessed safely and quickly to help someone prepare to use and analyse data. This can support people learning about data analysis, when planning research projects, and when collaborating with others.
However, there is currently a lack of shared understanding about synthetic data, including how it is made and what it can be used for.
ADR UK is running a range of projects to help develop this important and emerging field. Watch this space by signing up for updates, and follow us on LinkedIn as we share developments.
View the full synthetic data infographic for more infomation. This was designed through the ADR UK-funded Discussing Data project at Cardiff University.
What’s happening now?
Research to understand the future of synthetic data
ADR UK has funded research working with a range of partners to consider the benefits, costs, and uses of synthetic data. This has involved gathering views from those who own and host data, as well as from the wider public:
- The role of synthetic data in research: Benefits, costs and practical insights from data owners and trusted research environments experts
- Public views on synthetic data
A workshop hosted by ADR UK in May 2025 brought together representatives from government departments, academic researchers, analysts, data processors, and members of the public to consider next steps following recent projects.
The workshop produced several actionable conclusions:
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The need for more examples and use cases of synthetic data to test its value and utility
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The importance of a clear and compelling narrative about its value and application, in order to secure high-level commitment
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The development of shared principles for the creation and sharing of synthetic data, which can be endorsed across the community to build trust and ensure consistency and high standards in production. A consultation is now open - see below.
The Synthetic Data Working Group (see below) is currently exploring mechanisms to implement these actions.
Synthetic Data Working Group
ADR UK chairs a working group that brings together experts from across the sector. Current projects include:
- Developing a shared glossary of synthetic data terminology
- Identifying characteristics that make synthetic data valuable for researchers
- Exploring tools to measure risks and assess uses of synthetic data.
Following our workshop in May 2025 we have collaborated to develop shared principles for the creation and sharing of synthetic data. These are now open for consultation. You are invited to provide feedback, either written in an email or as comments on a downloaded version of the paper. Closing date for comments: 30 September 2025.
Please send comments to: Emily.Oliver@esrc.ukri.org. Please be sure to include your name and email address with any comments you provide in case we need to contact you again for clarification of any points you have made. No direct attribution will be made to those who provide feedback.
ADR UK is also an active member of the UK Synthetic Data Community Group, funded by DARE UK (Data and Analytics Research Environments UK). The group aims to build a collaborative network of researchers, data owners, and members of the public to advance the responsible use of synthetic data in sensitive data research.
Collaborating across the data community
ADR UK took part in a panel session at the International Association for Social Science Information Services and Technology (IASSIST) conference in June 2025: "Synthetic data's role in shaping research and governance". The presentation slide deck - including findings on synthetic data terminology and outcomes from this workstream - is available on Zenodo.
