Researchers collaborate at the launch of The Northern Administrative Data for Policy Hub
Categories: ADR UK Research Fellows, ADR England, Office for National Statistics
14 March 2025
In this blog, Dr. Bogusia Wojciechowska, Senior Research Manager at ADR UK, shares her reflections on the launch of the Northern Administrative Data for Policy Hub at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
Led by Drs Will Cook, Katie Hunter and Anna Leyland, the event brought together researchers, PhD students, and ADR UK Research Fellows to share their experiences and plan future initiatives. The launch took place on 26 February 2025.
A milestone event for ADR UK and our researcher community
ADR UK is making significant strides in transforming access to public sector data for researchers. I was delighted to attend the launch of the Northern Administrative Data for Policy Hub, an event that marked an important milestone in this journey.
This new initiative, developed by ADR UK Fellows, supports the use of administrative data for impactful research and, critically, aims to foster wider collaboration within the research community.
The all-day event offered participants a fantastic opportunity to strengthen peer connections, inspire new ideas, and build joint working.
Event highlights: sharing research experience and looking ahead
A real highlight from this packed event came with Dr. Emma Gordon’s introduction. The Director of ADR UK gave an inspiring overview of the partnership’s accomplishments over the past five years and outlined our future ambitions.
Researchers and data owners then shared recent projects and opportunities for future collaborations. This included Professor Gary Pollock, who discussed opportunities for international collaboration using administrative data, emphasizing the global potential of ADR UK's data-linkage work.
Researchers also shared their stakeholder engagement activity, and its impact on public policy. Kathryn Tranter and Neha Agarwal from the ADR England Community Catalyst Youth Transition project shared the importance of incorporating stakeholder voices and perspectives when shaping the research agenda. While Louise Corti from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), led discussions focused on what makes an ideal research team, emphasizing collaboration and diverse expertise.
Finally, the event’s researcher panel discussed stakeholder engagement strategies and the policy impact of findings, with Dr. Kent outlining how their work on educational outcomes for children with brain injuries involved close collaboration with leading charities and education professionals.
What is The Northern Administrative Data for Policy Hub?
Based at the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), the hub focuses on fostering collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to drive policy-relevant research to inform and improve public services.
Some of the key goals of the Northern Hub include:
- Collaboration: The hub brings together researchers from various disciplines to work on projects that use administrative data. This interdisciplinary approach helps generate comprehensive insights and solutions to complex policy issues.
- Stakeholder Engagement: By involving stakeholders such as government agencies, non-profits, and community organizations, the hub ensures that research is grounded in real-world needs and perspectives. This engagement helps shape the research agenda and ensures that findings are relevant and actionable.
- Capacity Building: The hub aims to build capacity among researchers by providing training and resources on how to effectively use administrative data. This includes workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities to share best practices and innovative methodologies.
- Impactful Research: The hub focuses on producing research that has a direct impact on public policy. By addressing pressing social issues and providing evidence-based recommendations, the hub aims to contribute to better-informed policy decisions and more effective public services.
Strengthening researcher and administrative data stakeholder networks
The launch of the Northern Hub is a significant step towards utilising administrative data to improve the lives of citizens.
It also aims to strengthen the network of researchers and stakeholders working together across the UK to make a positive impact through data-driven policy research.
