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User groups and communities

This section signposts to various user groups, communities, and networks relevant to those interested in or already using administrative data. These include those invested in and developed by ADR UK, as well as external communities. 

On this page, you can discover existing collaborative groups and networks within the administrative data landscape. These are centred around specific research areas, datasets, themes, and other relevant aspects. The page also contains information on how to join a group or find out more.

This content is divided into two main parts: communities developed actively by ADR UK, and external user groups, communities, and networks.

ADR UK's investment in developing communities

ADR UK allocates funding, time, and expertise to foster thriving, well-connected networks that drive impactful research using administrative data.

Through initiatives like the Community Catalyst projects, we are building strategic leadership and capacity in key areas such as children’s outcomes and youth transitions. Our efforts extend to supporting PhD students and research fellows, ensuring they have the resources and collaborative environments needed to advance their work.

By nurturing these communities, ADR UK is advancing the use of administrative data for public good across the UK.

ADR England Research Community Catalyst: Children at Risk of Poor Outcomes

This Community Catalyst will build a community of researchers and analysts focused on children and young people supported by early intervention services or children’s social care in the UK. This community will serve as a vital point of connection, information sharing, and coaching, and provide national strategic leadership for administrative data and research in this field.

Join the mailing list

ADR England Research Community Catalyst: Youth Transitions

This Community Catalyst aims to build a research landscape informed by existing research and evidence gaps in the field of youth transitions. It provides opportunities to address these gaps using administrative data and offers a platform for existing and prospective researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and voluntary and community sector organisations to learn, collaborate and innovate.

Join the mailing list

PhD students using administrative data

ADR UK is supporting 22 PhD studentships, which will use ADR UK’s new flagship datasets to answer policy-relevant research questions. These students are hosted by supervisors at Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral Training Partnerships across the UK.

To support PhD students using administrative data, we have also developed a noticeboard. This contains information about relevant upcoming events, training resources, and placement opportunities. 

Go to noticeboard 

ADR UK Research Fellows

ADR UK has funded multiple cohorts of research fellows to use ADR UK flagship datasets for research in the public interest. Research fellows conduct research and analysis to derive insights from linked datasets, showcase their potential for policy impact and public benefit, and develop them as useful research resources for future users.  

Public panels

Public panels are a growing element of ADR UK’s public engagement work, providing a platform for members of the public to offer valuable feedback about our work and research. 

Guests can apply to engage with some of these panels, such as the ADR England Public Insights Panel.

Early Career Researchers Using Scottish Administrative Data (eCRUSADers)

eCRUSADers provides a space to share information and experiences, improving the use of Scottish administrative data in research.

Existing external user groups, communities, and networks

While these groups work closely with ADR UK and support our mission, they operate independently as self-sustaining entities.

To discover more about the user groups and communities that ADR UK is actively nurturing, go to ADR UK's investment in developing communities.

Education and Child Health Insights from Linked Data (ECHILD) user group

The ECHILD user group provides an opportunity for existing and prospective users of ECHILD to learn about new data developments, analysis and research findings, and meet other users. 

ECHILD discussion forum

The ECHILD discussion forum is an informal place to ask questions about ECHILD data, raise issues, and start discussions. 

Growing Up in England (GUiE) (via Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service) research community 

The GUiE community is for researchers interested in or currently accessing the GUiE dataset via the Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service. The community allows researchers to access relevant information and engage with other GUiE users.  

Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) (via Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service) research community

The LEO community is for researchers who are interested in or currently accessing LEO data via the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Secure Research Service. The community allows researchers to access relevant information and ask questions. This helps the Department for Education (DfE) and ONS to make the LEO service useful and accessible. DfE will also use the community to post announcements about LEO. 

Wage and Employment Dynamics (WED) community of interest

The WED project is developing a sustainable, documented ‘wage and employment spine’ that can provide new and important insights into the dynamics of earnings and employment in Great Britain. This community of interest is for anyone using WED datasets. 

WED - Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) research community

The WED community is for researchers who are interested in or currently accessing the ASHE dataset via the Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service. It allows researchers to access relevant information, ask questions, and engage with other ASHE users to collaborate and share knowledge, insights, and good practice.