Connecting Society: How everyday data can shape our lives

9 Episodes

Reverse

Can administrative data save your life?

2026-01-2929:44

Good health is something we all need – but it doesn’t simply start and end with the body. Increasingly, we’re beginning to understand how different parts of our lives and circumstances can combine and interact to shape our health, including from before we’re even born. Economic circumstances, social inequalities and childhood experiences all have a role to play in public health. Because administrative data contains a wealth of information about these different areas of our lives,...

To change the outcomes, change the system

2024-11-2134:55

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 Chi...

Justice in the age of data

2024-11-2827:48

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 addre...

Inside the working lives of nurses and midwives

2024-12-0427:58

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 ...

How data is shaping a healthier Wales

2024-12-0931:35

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 int...

Redefining research with care experienced young people

2024-12-1230:37

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, E...

Your data, your rights

2024-12-1629:44

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 pub...

Festive special: Data Claus is coming to town

2024-12-1915:40

On the first day of Christmas, your producers sent to thee… a bonus episode of Connecting Society 🎁 Mark and Shayda are coming together in person for the very first time to bring you this special festive episode. They answer some burning questions, including: what actually is their favourite statistic? Can we ever agree how to pronounce data? What are some surprising facts about the holiday season? And does Santa use administrative data for his naughty/nice list? Grab a warm drink, se...

Bonus episode: All your data questions, unwrapped

2025-12-1821:57

Time flies - and yes, we have returned with another festive episode. After a hiatus, hosts Shayda and Mark return for a one-off Christmas bonus ahead of Connecting Society series two launching in 2026. This episode flips the format and hands things over to you. Shayda and Mark answer listener questions and some of the most common queries that come up during ADR UK’s public engagement work, from favourite administrative datasets to data security, skills, and how the public can get involved in ...

#box-pro-ellipsis-176999130521930{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Connecting Society: How everyday data can shape our lives

Connecting Society: How everyday data can shape our lives