Privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) workshop - 3/4 June 2025

Record linkage is the process of identifying records that refer to the same real-world entities (often individuals) across two or more databases. The main aspect that makes record linkage challenging is the lack of unique entity identifiers (such as NHS numbers) available in all the databases to be linked. Therefore, the personal details of individuals, such as their names, addresses, and dates of birth (commonly known as quasi-identifiers) are used to compare and link records.Such an approach will, however, be challenged by data quality (erroneous, missing, and out-of-date values) and privacy regulations (which limit or prohibit the exchange of personal data). To overcome the second challenge, privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) has seen increasing interest across a variety of domains in the past three decades.

Workshop Overview

The workshop will run over two days; attendees will have the option to attend either Day 1, or Day 2 or both days. Participants will learn about the concepts, methods, and challenges of privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL), and hear from experts in the domain about state-of-the-art research, practical real-world applications of PPRL, as well as future directions.

Day One - 3 June

The first day; will have 4 lectures from international speakers, focusing on the general concepts of the PPRL process, describing key PPRL protocols and techniques, and highlighting the limitations and vulnerabilities of existing PPRL methods.

Day Two - 4 June

On the second day, delegates will be asked to choose either Stream 1 or Stream 2:

• Stream 1, will include practical sessions where participants will be able to work with simple Python-based PPRL programs (provided to participants) to explore PPRL methods using small publicly available example databases.
• Or they can select Stream 2, where there will be a mix of presentations by researchers and practitioners from organisations who are employing PPRL methods, followed by discussion sessions.

Delivery

This in-person workshop will be based on-campus at the University of Edinburgh, within the recently opened Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Located in central Edinburgh, it is close to Waverley Train Station as well as many hotels being close by, including Ten Hill Place Hotel (owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) and the University's Scott Hotel, KM Hotel and The Scholar Hotel.

Applications

The number of participants for both days of the workshop will be capped. Applicants for Stream 1 (Day 2) are expected to have prior experience of quantitative data analysis and preferably experience using Python (or are willing and able to gain some basic Python knowledge prior to the workshop).

Due to restrictions in numbers, we ask those who are interested, to please complete this 'Expression of Interest' form by 24 February 2025.

We understand that delegates will need to book travel and accommodation in advance, so we will confirm your place by mid to end of March. 

Enquiries

The programme for the Privacy-preserving record linkage workshop will be available by the middle of February. If you are interested in attending, please complete this form by the 24 February - https://forms.office.com/e/RLwfkeSM3C

If you have any questions, please email scadr@ed.ac.uk with the header 'PPRL Workshop'.