About the event

This free half-day event provided an opportunity to catch up with new sources of data for social science research. Presentations covered examples of research use cases and ways to access each of the following sources of data in the UK:

• Administrative data
• Biomarker and genetics data
• Consumer data

For each of these sources of data delegates were given an overview and were asked to consider how they can be used to extend your options for exploring social science research questions.

This event was hosted by the UK Data Service and was organised collaboratively by theAdministrative Data Research Network, BLG, CALLS-Hub, Centre for Longitudinal Studies, CDRC, CLOSER, NCRM, UBDC,UK Data Service and Understanding Society.

Level: Introductory

Experience/knowledge required: None

Target audience: Aimed at researchers from academia or elsewhere who want to know more about new sources of data are that are available for social sciences research in the UK

Programme

Chair: Vanessa Higgins, UK Data Service

12.30 Coffee and registration
12.55 Welcome and introduction from the chair

13.00 Session 1: Administrative data: new research opportunities
Dr Emma White, Administrative Data Research Centre for England, University of Southampton

• How to access administrative data. An overview of the Administrative Data Research Network
• Using administrative data to answer new research questions: case studies
• The importance of transparency and public engagement in using administrative data

13.50 Session 2: Consumer data: new research opportunities
Guy Lansley, Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC), University College London

• The type of data generated by business-to-customer organisations which can be informative of human activity
• Some examples of social science research by the Consumer Data Research Centre
• Opportunities to work with consumer data (the CDRC data service and the CDRC Masters programme)

14.40 Tea/Coffee

15.00 Session 3: Why do social surveys have biomarker and genetics data?
Professor Meena Kumari, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex

• Overview of biomarker and genetics data available from secondary data resources
• The use of biomarker and genetics data in social science research including examples demonstrating country-specific effects within the UK

16.15 Session 4: Data Horizons: Some (further) thoughts on the future of data
Professor Mark Elliot, Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, University of Manchester

• What data will be coming on stream as social science objects in the short to medium term?
• What will future data mean in a social scientific sense
• How will data ethics change and evolve?

16.40 Close