Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network

Melanie WrightAdministrative Data Service

What is the ADRN?

New national research infrastructure

Research access to (linked) government administrative data

Central and regional government sourcesTax records

Benefits records

Educational records

Criminal records

etcIntroducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

What’s so special about ADRN?

Fulfills government transparency agenda; feeds Beyond 2011 census agenda

BUT big public concerns about use of government collected personal data for research

Unlike survey data, these data are not collected for research purposes and are not only unconsented but many involuntary

So, especially in the wake of care.data, the trust issues are enormous!

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

The history of the ADRN

Frontiers meeting (May 2011)

Administrative Data Taskforce (2012)

Chancellor’s autumn statement (Dec 2012)

Government response (June 2013)

ESRC commissioning of ADRN (Jul-Oct 13)

Website : www.adrn.ac.uk

Beta-test (now)

Full service (Autumn 2014-)Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

Phase 1 of larger Big Data investment

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

Our Structure

Four Administrative Data Research Centres (ADRCs), one in each UK countryEngland – led by University of Southampton

Northern Ireland – led by Queens Uni Belfast

Scotland – led by University of Edinburgh

Wales – led by Swansea University

Coordinating Administrative Data Service (ADS) – led by University of Essex

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

How It Works (1)

Website “front door”

Application support

Ethical review, privacy assessment

Approvals Panel of independent experts

Accreditation and training Students paired with responsible mentor

Negotiation for permission to access & link

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

How It Works (2)

Linkage via Trusted Third Party

Analysis of de-identified linked data in secure environment

Results of analyses checked before released

Penalties for misbehaviour severe

Plain English summaries of research published

Syntax preserved and shared

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

Our Governance and Oversight

ADRN Board convened by UK Statistics Authority – reports to Parliament

Management Committee convened by ESRC – reports to BIS

Approvals Panel of independent experts

Expert Scientific Advisory groups

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

Public Engagement: Key Takeaway Lessons Transparency, transparency,

transparency

Independence is good

De-identification and linkage procedures are very important

Strong opposition to commercial usage

Public benefit must be clear

Understandable but accurate messages are hard

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

Implementation of Lessons Learned

Involve public in decision-making Lay members on ADRN Board, Approvals

Panel

Consultation, not fait accompli Beta-test period

Talk to those who have concerns Engaging with activists

Be prepared for intense scrutiny & spin Transparency key; publish everything

Public benefit the goalIntroducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 8 July 2014

Our Mission and Vision

To benefit society and quality of life through intelligent social research

To place the UK at the forefront of innovative social and economic research

Introducing the Administrative Data Research Network| Melanie Wright | 3 July 2014