Connecting Society: How everyday data can shape our lives – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Administrative data is about real people and their lives. So in the first episode of Connecting Society, we’re diving into the big picture behind the vision of ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK): why does using administrative data for public good research matter? How can it make a meaningful difference to society? And is your data being stored and used securely?

Joining us to unpack these questions are Dr Emma Gordon, ADR UK’s Director, and Ally McAlpine, the Scottish Government’s Chief Statistician and Co-Director of ADR Scotland.

This episode explores the state of the data landscape before ADR UK’s work began, the goals we’re moving towards, and the benefits this work brings to the public. Our guests will also share their personal career journeys, what motivates them, and why they believe this work is so important.



Wondering what administrative data is? Visit https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/administrative-data/.

If we used any terms you're not familiar with, check out ADR UK's glossary at https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/glossary/.

Read an article from Emma which provides more information on the background of ADR UK: https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/to-change-the-outcome-of-a-process-you-have-to-be-prepared-to-change-the-system-five-minutes-with-public-service-data-live-speaker-administrative-data-research-uk-director-emma-go/. 

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

A current research project within our Lifelong health and wellbeing thread is investigating whether Commuting has an impact upon a person's health.

In this third episode in our podcast pilot, Professor Chris Dibben and Dr Laurie Berrie discuss with Renata Samulnik  the value of using administrative data and linking datasets, in order to research whether:

• Commuting to work by bicycle can improve your health and how?
• What barriers stop people cycling to work in Glasgow and Edinburgh?
• Can these barriers be overcome and how?
• How our research can affect policy?
• What further research needs to be done in this area?

You may wish to refer to the following documents after listening to the podcast;
Blog: Commuting and its impact on health
Data Insights: What makes people more likely to cycle to work?

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

In the 1980 and 90s, Glasgow was notorious for a knife crime and had a high rate of homicide – which, in 2005, resulted in the World Health Organization dubbing Glasgow the “murder capital of Europe.”

In this second episode of our podcast pilot, Mr Alastair McAlpine discusses with
Professor Susan McVie how Glasgow has seen a 60% drop in homicide, and violent crime in Scotland has fallen to historic lows over the last two decades, and asks whether she believes that 'this was a miracle' or whether there were other reasons.

In this episode, Susan discusses:

• The development of the Violence Reduction Unit’s approach to dealing with violence as a public health issue and how that shifted from Enforcement to Empowerment
• How reductions in youth crime and changes in the social behaviours of children, including their use of technology, may have shaped patterns of violence
• The potential impact of the Scottish Government’s development of 'Getting it right for every child' focused on child wellbeing and the development of a whole systems approach for dealing with young people who offend
• The value of administrative research data in studying violence, including how using ambulance, hospital and A&E data is helping to show the relationship between levels of repeat violence, deprivation and alcohol availability in Scottish communities
• And the valuable contribution of linking police and health data in understanding patterns of compliance during the pandemic in Scotland.

You may wish to refer to the following documents after listening to the podcast, which demonstrate the value of researchers having secure access to datasets from Police Scotland, Hospital A&E, Census 2011 or Ambulance Service.
Violence and vulnerability
Covid19 - Policing the Pandemic

Professor Susan McVie has recently joined a European research group on crime register data, who hope to expand and formalise into a more formal group of the European Society of Criminology. It is hoped that future funding will allow joint research.

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

This episode focuses on data on children and families and explores our latest research in this area, how it can help policy and practice, and why engaging with children and understanding their rights is so important.

You may wish to refer to the following documents after listening to the podcast;
Report on The Impact of Covid-19 on Children’s Care Journeys in Scotland
Report on Infants Born into Care
Comic on data, research and children’s rights

Please visit our website pages for further information on Children's Lives and Outcomes or email scadr@ed.ac.uk .

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

A current research project within our Health and social care programme  is investigating whether there was an  increase in deaths at home during and after the Covid19 pandemic and the implications for end of life care and health service usage.

Our Research Fellow, Jan Savinc, shares his initial findings from his work analysing the linked death records held by National Records Scotland and health service data held by Public Health Scotland, with Dr Iain Atherton. 

Listeners may wish to read these accompanying articles after hearing the Research Update:
- DATA INSIGHTS -Were people who died at home less likely to attend hospital at the end of life during the Covid pandemic?
- BLOG SERIES: Dramatic increase in deaths at home
- PALLIATIVE CARE AT HOME: implications of the Covid-19 pandemic and into the future, March 2021

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

In this episode, we examine how data collected by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is being used to drive positive change in the justice system. Our discussion explores the types of data the MoJ collects, why it is collected, and how de-identifying, linking, and sharing this information securely for research can reveal new insights into the justice system.

Amy Summerfield, Head of Evidence and Partnerships at the MoJ, shares how data linkage programmes like the Data First initiative aim to address issues such as reoffending and improve the efficiency of justice services. We also hear from David Maguire, Project Director of the Building Futures programme at the Prison Reform Trust, who sheds light on the realities faced by people in the justice system. From the probation system to outcomes for defendants, prisoners, and the wider public, David highlights gaps in understanding and what changes are most urgently needed.

Through real-world examples, this episode demonstrates how using administrative data can contribute to better outcomes for those in the justice system, support for justice personnel, and a more efficient and effective system overall.

Wondering what administrative data is? Visit https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/administrative-data/.

If we used any terms you're not familiar with, check out ADR UK's glossary at https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/glossary/.

For information on Data First go to https://www.adruk.org/our-work/browse-all-projects/data-first-harnessing-the-potential-of-linked-administrative-data-for-the-justice-system-169/, or for information on MoJ datasets made available by ADR UK: https://www.adruk.org/data-access/flagship-datasets/?tx_llcatalog_pi%5Bfilters%5D%5Bwork%5D=800&cHash=c420033b8cba2bed85ac90343d2aeab9.

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

Nursing and midwifery form the backbone of the UK’s healthcare system, but the sector faces significant challenges - impacting both professionals' wellbeing and the quality of care patients receive. Administrative data collected by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) holds the key to understanding these issues, and research using this data offers a path to evidence-based solutions.

This episode unpacks the wealth of information the NMC collects, how it’s being made available for public good research, and the ambitions behind linking it with other datasets. From analysing workforce trends to revealing inequalities, this data has the power to drive policies and interventions that better support nurses, midwives, and the communities they care for.

Our guests, Caroline Kenny, Head of Research and Evidence at the NMC, and Fiona Gibb, Director of Professional Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, share their journeys into the sector and provide insight into the experiences of nurses and midwives. They discuss what’s missing in the current evidence base and the meaningful improvements they hope this research can bring to the field.


Wondering what administrative data is? Visit https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/administrative-data/.

If we used any terms you're not familiar with, check out ADR UK's glossary at https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/glossary/.

For information about nursing and midwifery data recently made available by ADR Scotland, go to https://www.adruk.org/data-access/flagship-datasets/nursing-and-midwifery-council-register-linked-to-census-2021-england-and-wales/ and https://www.adruk.org/our-work/browse-all-projects/exploring-the-dynamics-of-the-nursing-and-midwifery-workforce-749/. 

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

How can co-producing research with historically excluded groups drive impact? In Northern Ireland, a unique partnership between the charity Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) and ADRC NI (Administrative Data Research Centre Northern Ireland) has placed care experienced young people at the heart of research about their lives. These young people have shaped the research by defining priorities, providing feedback, and translating findings into engaging resources.

Guests Brenda Kilpatrick, Engagement Development Worker at VOYPIC, and Elizabeth Nelson, Public Engagement, Communications and Impact Manager at ADRC NI, share how this approach has amplified the voices of care experienced young people while improving the ethical and practical value of research. By involving those directly affected, the collaboration has set a new standard for inclusivity, trustworthiness, and accountability in data-driven decision-making.

This story of co-production offers important lessons for researchers, policymakers, and communities, showing how consulting historically excluded groups can lead to higher quality research and more meaningful outcomes for everyone.


Wondering what administrative data is? Visit https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/administrative-data/.

If we used any terms you're not familiar with, check out ADR UK's glossary at https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/glossary/.

For information on the partnership with VOYPIC and ADRC NI, visit https://www.adruk.org/news-publications/news-blogs/involving-historically-excluded-groups-how-were-co-producing-data-driven-research-with-care-experienced-young-people/.

Find out about VOYPIC's work: https://www.voypic.org/

Read a blog from Liz on the collaboration: https://www.adruk.org/news-publications/news-blogs/embedding-co-production-in-data-research-how-internships-can-contribute/

Explore the young person's guide to co-production: https://www.adruk.org/news-publications/publications-reports/a-young-persons-guide-for-researchers-co-producing-data-research-with-under-served-groups/

Discover the public dialogue between ADR UK and Office for Statistics Regulation: https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/skills-and-resources-to-use-administrative-data/public-engagement-in-practice/lessons-learned-from-a-uk-wide-public-dialogue/

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

Wales’s health and care system is grappling with complex, interconnected issues and opportunities, including an ageing population, inequalities, and the rise of new healthcare technologies. Tackling these now and in the future will require evidence-based policies and strategies that connect health outcomes with broader social factors such as housing, education, and income. A recent Welsh Government report, "Science Evidence Advice: NHS in 10+ Years" (aka. the SEA Report), highlights these intersections and guides the nation’s vision under the A Healthier Wales strategy.

In this fourth episode, we explore how administrative data is uniquely positioned to help. We’re joined by Tracey Breheny, Director for Strategy and Corporate Business, Health, Social Care & Early Years Group at the Welsh Government, who unpacks the insights these linked datasets provide, the current situation facing healthcare, and the potential of data-driven policymaking. Dot Williams, Project Officer at the Butterfly Conservation and member of the SAIL Databank Consumer Panel, offers a personal perspective on navigating Wales’s health services and shares her vision for positive change.

From improving workforce conditions to addressing health inequalities, this episode reveals how data is shaping a healthier, more equitable Wales.


Wondering what administrative data is? Visit https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/administrative-data/.

If we used any terms you're not familiar with, check out ADR UK's glossary at https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/glossary/.

For information on the Welsh Government report and strategy go to https://www.gov.wales/report-projections-health-evidence-and-policy-recommendations and https://www.gov.wales/healthier-wales-long-term-plan-health-and-social-care.

For information on ADR Wales work in the areas of health, wellbeing, and social care, visit https://www.adruk.org/our-work/browse-all-projects/adr-wales-themed-projects-health-and-well-being-1/, https://www.adruk.org/our-work/browse-all-projects/adr-wales-themed-projects-social-care/ and https://www.adruk.org/our-work/browse-all-projects/adr-wales-themed-projects-major-societal-challenges/.

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.

In a data-driven world, administrative data holds the power to tackle society’s toughest challenges - from improving healthcare and education to boosting the economy. But how do we ensure this data is used securely, ethically, and for the public good?

Featuring Nikhil Harsiani, Data Ethics Policy Advisor at the UK Statistics Authority, and Mhairi Aitken, Senior Ethics Fellow in the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute, this final episode dives into how legal safeguards and public engagement combine to protect privacy while demonstrating trustworthiness. Discover trusted research environments, the Five Safes framework, and how involving communities makes research more transparent and impactful.

This conversation unpacks how strong protections and meaningful public dialogue are building a system where data serves as a force for public good, delivering solutions that are as fair and trustworthy as they are effective.


Wondering what administrative data is? Visit https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/administrative-data/.

If we used any terms you're not familiar with, check out ADR UK's glossary at https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/glossary/.

For information on legal frameworks: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/30/part/5/chapter/5, https://www.adruk.org/fileadmin/uploads/adruk/Documents/The_legal_framework_for_accessing_data_April_2023.pdf, https://www.adruk.org/learning-hub/skills-and-resources-to-use-administrative-data/accessing-data-for-research/.

Learn more about ethical data use and the public good: https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/ethics-responsibility/, https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/guidelines-on-using-the-ethics-self-assessment-process/, https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/considering-public-good-in-research-and-statistics-ethics-guidance/pages/1/.

Discover approaches to public engagement: https://www.adruk.org/our-mission/working-with-the-public/, https://www.adruk.org/fileadmin/uploads/adruk/Documents/PE_reports_and_documents/ADR_UK_OSR_Public_Dialogue_final_report_October_2022.pdf, https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/considering-public-views-and-engagement-regarding-the-use-of-data-for-research-and-statistics/pages/1/.

Connecting Society is brought to you by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). Find out more about ADR UK on our website, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. This podcast builds on a pilot series known as DataPod, produced by ADR Scotland.