SafePod Network
The SafePod Network is a new service designed to improve data research and access for the public benefit, by providing and operating a network of independent safe settings, known as SafePods. Unlike traditional safe settings, SafePods will support access to research datasets from multiple participating data centres across the UK.
What is the SafePod Network?
The SafePod Network provides a major step change in the way that researchers access datasets and data centres can provide datasets in the UK. It comprises of:
- A network of SafePods based within higher education institutions and other UKRI funded organisations;
- A web application to provide information about the SPN and booking of SafePods;
- Policies, procedures and assurances for the operation and management of SafePods;
- An IT service to provide secure access to research datasets;
- A CCTV service to enable data centres to view and monitor activity within a SafePod;
- A dedicated User Support Service to assist stakeholders with SPN enquiries;
- An Advisory Board to plan and make decisions on the long term objectives of the SPN.
The SafePod Network, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), has been developed by Professor Chris Dibben and Darren Lightfoot who are both part of the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR).
What is a SafePod?
A SafePod is a small prefabricated safe setting that can provide access to sensitive or confidential datasets for research purposes. A SafePod has many features including a door control access system, a CCTV system, a researcher area for the analysis of datasets and a secure service area for storage of IT hardware and SafePod equipment.
The South West Doctoral Training Partnership hosted a SafePod Webinar in March 2021. The event covered an introduction to SafePods and the SafePod Network, example research projects and practical guidance for accessing datasets and using SafePods - here are the links to the slides and video for this event.
Benefits for researchers and for data centres
The major benefit of SafePods for researchers is that they will have local access to research datasets, without the need for possible long distance travel to a dedicated safe setting provided by a data centre.
For data centres, the SafePod Network provides a low cost and secure platform to widen access to their research datasets across the UK. As SafePod policies and procedures are all standardised, a single SafePod accreditation from a data centre is all that is required to accredit all of the SafePods in the network.
Further information
Please visit the SafePod website or follow @SafePodNetwork on Twitter.
Alternatively, please contact Darren Lightfoot (SafePod Network Manager) on 01334 463901 or email: safepodnetwork@st-andrews.ac.uk.
