Our public panel - Scotland Talks Data

Our public panel helps to inform our research and the use of public sector data in Scotland and to keep public good at the heart of what we do.

Following on from a successful previous panel in earlier funding, our latest panel was established in 2019. In 2023, we joined with Research Data Scotland to co-run the panel.

What does the panel do?

The online panel consists of members of the public from across Scotland with different backgrounds and lived experience of a range of issues that our research covers. They help our researchers and partners to better understand the views the public hold about the use of public sector data for research.

Being part of the public panel involves: 

  • Discussing different research proposals 
  • Advising on issues including around public trust and acceptability 
  • Helping us to better communicate what we do 
  • Informing how we engage the public

The 'Scotland Talks Data' panel is managed by Harriet Baird (SCADR) and Katie Oldfield (Research Data Scotland). Further information can be found here.

What topics have the panel discussed?

Panel topics cover all aspects of the data journey. From what type of data should be available for research, to how it should be processed or how researchers should communicate their work.

The 'Scotland Talks Data' panel meets five times a year - details of topics covered are shown here.

One of our panel members, Nigel, shared his thoughts on being part of the public panel:

The public panel has a wide range of backgrounds and robustly challenges research projects. Despite the meeting being held online, they are very lively. All challenges are heard and discussed in a professional manner. The meetings are very varied which makes attendance more enjoyable, exploring a wide range of projects from policing and justice to health and care. I would recommend this to anyone interested in helping the good use of data.

How can I get involved? 

In Summer 2023, the panel recruited new members in order to better represent the profile of Scotland. We worked with a company called Sortition to recruit a diverse range of people from across Scotland using a postcode lottery. Please contact us if you'd like to find out more or get involved.

Panel news