ADR UK highlights a year of achievements and development in 2021-22 annual report
Categories: Annual Report, ADR UK Partnership
5 October 2022
Today, ADR UK has published its annual report for 2021-22, showcasing a range of achievements and developments from right across the partnership.
The report gives an overview of progress from the year – for example, we now have over 1,000 live and completed research projects, and almost 400 datasets for research in the public interest. Our data services have also grown significantly, and the report outlines the options and locations available for accredited researchers to securely access our datasets across the UK.
This year also saw the recommissioning of our core national partnerships (the Office for National Statistics (ONS), ADR Northern Ireland, ADR Scotland and ADR Wales) to 2026 following a £90 million reinvestment in our programme, which will allow us to continue to develop a wealth of insights from administrative data right across the UK. Each partnership has developed an ambitious strategy outlining how they will bridge the gap between government and academia in support of our mission. You can read more about what each partnership has been working on, and their plans for the future, in the full report.
In September, ADR UK directed the International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN) 2022 Conference in Edinburgh. This was a milestone event, bringing together researchers from around the world to exchange knowledge and ideas. Read some key reflections on the event in the full report.
"Across the partnership, we’re working to expand the potential of research in the public interest using linked administrative data. The IPDLN conference also allowed us to share the insights from this research with an international audience, and to learn from the experiences of researchers from across the world." - Dr Emma Gordon
We’ve continued to build our engagement with government, academia and the public this year. The report contains key reflections and findings from our UK-wide public dialogue in partnership with the Office for Statistics Regulation, which explored public perceptions of “public good” use of data for research and statistics. You can also read a Q&A with two of our newest ADR UK Ambassadors, who share their hopes for future use of administrative data in the public interest.
The report outlines key projects across the partnership, such as the progress of ADR UK Research Fellowships, and new and emerging datasets for research. These datasets have been developed across the partnership and span our key research themes, from health and wellbeing to children and young people. As researchers begin using them to generate insights, they will contribute to solving pressing policy questions, and ultimately, to improving lives.
Dr Emma Gordon, Director of ADR UK, said: “This has been a pivotal year for the ADR UK partnership. Challenges facing the UK, from the economy to the aftermath of Covid-19 lockdowns, show beyond doubt that high quality evidence is crucial for shaping policy decisions that benefit the public.
“Progress made by ADR UK this year supports these aims – from the development of key datasets that address vital questions about society, to our Training and Capacity Building Strategy, which will help more researchers to understand, access and use administrative data. Across the partnership, we’re working to expand the potential of research in the public interest using linked administrative data. The IPDLN conference also allowed us to share the insights from this research with an international audience, and to learn from the experiences of researchers from across the world.
“I’m proud to share our achievements this year, and looking forward to seeing our future plans coming into fruition.”
