Award Title: UK Data Service (2017-2022)
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Abstract: Primary objective is to provide users with access to easily discoverable and relevant data for social and economic research. In order to achieve this objective we shall:

* To act as a trusted national digital repository for a wide range of data providers and users 
* To provide a single point of access and enhanced support to a broad range of quality assured economic and social data, including controlled access to sensitive and/or disclosive personal or organisational information
* To extend use of its data holdings to the widest possible academic, policy and practitioner communities for generating greater impact.

We shall also:
* Develop and promote common standards and agreed strategies for data preparation, processing, documentation and preservation
* Integrate data services (but not necessarily making model less distributed) through the development of a universal single point of access and simple registration procedures and common conditions of use 
* Enhance underlying data sources and promote increased re-use and re-purposing of datasets
* Help build up capacity within the social science community through the development of programme for user support and training, including support in data management planning and in close cooperation with the ESRC
* Engage on a regular basis with a wide range of stakeholders in the UK and overseas, including data suppliers, data funders and users
* Ensure regular and transparent service evaluation, reflection and business development process to stimulate the most efficient delivery of the service for the benefit of the widest-range of users.
* Promote behavioural changes in approach to data sharing and re-use among social science researchers
* Increase the number of users who do not require formal authentication process to access and use data held by the UK Data Service 
* Ensure that all our activities provide value-for-money

Lay Abstract: The UK Data Service will provide an easy to use, trusted, one-stop shop for 
    * owners of data which have potential for re-use for social and economic research
    * users of these types of data
Users are expected to come to the UK Data Service's website to search and browse for data collections created by a wide range of suppliers, including government data, data from ESRC-funded research projects, and will be able to access or download these data for their own use. The Service will rely on user registration to enhance our ability to tailor the needs of users and to ensure that licensing arrangements are correctly managed. (In the intervening period between the submission of this proposal and the new award, there will be a complete review of all the data collections currently held under the ONS-Special Licence. This review will remove this form of licence, therefore, all data currently available through this mechanism will either be available through our near-Open End User Licence or controlled through Secure Lab.) We shall continue to advocate Open access to relevantly classified datasets, while ensuring that access to personal data is maintained through the provision of secure access to sensitive data for trusted and Approved Researchers. 

The five years of this award, are likely to see some of the most significant changes in sharing government data --- all of which have a significant impact on the UK Data Service --- the review of the Approved Researcher status has the potential to broaden use of our Secure Lab; the Digital Economy Bill (currently in Parliament) is likely to widen the range of data we have deposited from government and the change of policy of the ADRN to allow the retention of data means that the UK Data Service is one of the most likely places for these data to be maintained. The timescale for some of these activities is clear and we can plan for; for others, we shall have to be responsive to external factors.

For the Service to provide long-term access to data, the highest levels of digital repository and digital preservation techniques will be applied; and the Service shall conform to the relevant national and international standards to ensure the highest quality service.

Audience
Stakeholders
Public - protection of data.

Research Activity Codes: 2.6 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (AETIOLOGY)
Health Categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE