NEWS - ADR Scotland publishes its strategy for 2022-2026

Alongside each of the four Administrative Data Research partnerships of the UK, our strategy demonstrates that we share ADR UK's mission - to be the default choice to host linked administrative data from across the UK and devolved government, making data accessible to a deep pool of trained researchers to generate insights that routinely inform better policy and practice.

Our mission and goals

At ADR Scotland, our mission is to ensure that our investment in data linkage infrastructure and capacity, utilises Scotland's wealth of public sector data and enables vital research to better inform policy and public services. There are four strategic goals underpinning our mission:

• Widespread acceptance among public and data owners of the value of linking administrative data for research: ADR Scotland will strive to ensure linking administrative data for research is seen as credible, sensible and essential, maintaining public trust and the trust of data owners throughout.
• Substantial increase in cross-cutting research that enhances bodies of knowledge for public good: ADR Scotland will increase independent, collaborative and innovative administrative data research that creates and enhances new and existing bodies of knowledge that address societal challenges.
• More researchers with the skills to use rich linked administrative data for public benefit: ADR Scotland, in collaboration across ADR UK, will increase the number and capabilities of researchers who can conduct administrative data research to inform public policy, both directly and in partnership with others.
• Acquisition of linkable enduring research assets which enhance the quality and accessibility of administrative data: ADR Scotland will negotiate with data owners to acquire administrative datasets related to Scotland and make them into useable research assets that can address policy needs and which will be made accessible for agreed research purposes.

In order to achieve these goals and make an impact, ADR Scotland has developed eight change objectives that will enable the strategic goals to be attained as shown in the graphic below:

For the full ADR Scotland strategy, please click here. 

Professor Chris Dibben, Co-Director of ADR Scotland, said:

 We are delighted to share ADR Scotland's strategy, as we start a new phase of funding. We are very much looking forward to building on our current successes, whilst continuing to improve administrative data access and carry out research which responds to Scotland’s policy priorities. 

ADR UK strategy

ADR UK is made up of 4 national partnerships (ADR England, ADR Northern Ireland, ADR Scotland and ADR Wales) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which ensures data provided by UK government bodies is accessed by researchers in a safe and secure form, with minimal risk to data holders or the public. To view the strategies for the four national partners, please visit the ADR UK website.