A significant new partnership has been established between Smart Data Foundry (SDF) and Research Data Scotland (RDS) to facilitate secure access to public sector and financial data for researchers. This collaboration, which will last for two years, is set to address pressing societal issues such as poverty and the cost-of-living crisis through innovative research.
Strengthening Research Capabilities
Operating from the Edinburgh Futures Institute, SDF and RDS will leverage their combined expertise to promote public good. Smart Data Foundry, a not-for-profit arm of the University of Edinburgh, focuses on utilizing financial data to enrich lives through research. In contrast, Research Data Scotland aims to simplify access to public sector data, enhancing health and social wellbeing across Scotland.
- Key Objectives of the Partnership:
- Facilitate Collaborative Research: Joint exploration of research and development projects.
- Enhance Data Accessibility: Improve access to anonymized banking and public sector data.
- Address Societal Challenges: Focus on issues like poverty and chronic health conditions.
Layla Robinson, Chief Partnership and Strategy Officer at RDS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the potential to explore how digital footprints can be linked with public sector data. “These digital footprints – or smart data – could have real power if linked with public sector data,” she stated. This integration could lead to more informed policymaking based on accurate insights.
A Vision for the Future
The partnership is designed to formalize and strengthen the ongoing collaboration between the two organizations. By sharing best practices and exploring joint service development, SDF and RDS aim to maintain their distinct areas of expertise while enhancing their collective impact.
- Focus Areas for Collaboration:
- Information Sharing: Keeping each other informed on sector developments and public engagement.
- Research Insights: Collaborating on financial and public sector data research.
- Joint Service Development: Exploring opportunities to develop services that benefit both organizations.
Magdalena Getler, Head of Academic Engagement at Smart Data Foundry, emphasized the importance of this partnership in harnessing the potential of combining financial and public sector data. “We are looking forward to collaborating on projects that merge data from these areas to gain valuable insights for research and innovation,” she noted.
Timeline and Long-Term Goals
The partnership is set to run from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026, with a long-term vision for continued collaboration beyond this initial period. By focusing on increasing the discoverability of data for evidence generation, the partnership aims to support evidence-based policymaking that can lead to meaningful societal improvements.
As SDF and RDS embark on this collaborative journey, the potential for impactful research and innovative solutions to complex challenges in Scotland is promising. The integration of financial and public sector data could pave the way for a deeper understanding of the factors affecting health and wellbeing in the community.
