This month’s episode of the Connecting Society podcast looks a little different. ADR UK recently took part in Pint of Science, a worldwide science festival which brings researchers to the pub to share their knowledge with local communities. At the event, we recorded a special two-part live episode of the podcast. For part one, the audience heard from ADR UK Research Fellow Dr Alice Wickersham. Alice explained how administrative data – information routinely collected by schools, hospitals, wo...
Jun 25
27 min
From revolutionising business to transforming the way we use the internet, AI is a story that just keeps growing. Innovation in AI technology has accelerated at an unprecedented rate in recent years. But as the day-to-day use of AI becomes embedded in everyday life, is the public along for the journey – or are we at risk of being left behind? In this episode, we're joined by Eleanor O'Keeffe and Roshni Modhvadia from the Ada Lovelace Institute. We’ll explore research that can help us ...
May 28
29 min
Climate change can often feel overwhelming, distant, or abstract. We’re surrounded by data about rising temperatures, emissions targets and future risks – yet knowing the facts doesn’t always translate into action. And this can be true for many issues which feel beyond our control, such as the cost-of-living crisis or tackling child poverty. Increasingly, researchers are asking why the gap between knowledge and action exists, and what actually helps people, organisations and governments move ...
Apr 30
29 min
Across Europe, governments are experimenting with new ways of using everyday data to understand society and improve people’s lives. In the Netherlands, a national infrastructure called ODISSEI has become a testbed for what can happen when information from different parts of life – like work, family, health and neighbourhood – is brought together safely to answer big social questions. In this episode, Tom Emery, Executive Director of ODISSEI, joins us to explore what the UK can learn fro...
Mar 26
31 min
Evaluation is often seen as a neutral and technical process: collecting data, measuring outcomes, and judging whether a policy or programme “worked”. But what if the way we evaluate is shaping - and sometimes harming - the very systems and communities we’re trying to improve? Dr Luke Roberts is a complexity theorist and evaluator who argues that traditional approaches to policy evaluation do not account for the complex, adaptive systems that underpin society. From inequality and public...
Feb 26
26 min
Good health is something we all need – but it doesn’t simply start and end with the body. Increasingly, we’re beginning to understand how different parts of our lives and circumstances can combine and interact to shape our health, including from before we’re even born. Economic circumstances, social inequalities and childhood experiences all have a role to play in public health. Because administrative data contains a wealth of information about these different areas of our lives,...
Jan 29
29 min
Time flies - and yes, we have returned with another festive episode. After a hiatus, hosts Shayda and Mark return for a one-off Christmas bonus ahead of Connecting Society series two launching in 2026. This episode flips the format and hands things over to you. Shayda and Mark answer listener questions and some of the most common queries that come up during ADR UK’s public engagement work, from favourite administrative datasets to data security, skills, and how the public can get involved in ...
Dec 18, 2025
21 min
On the first day of Christmas, your producers sent to thee… a bonus episode of Connecting Society 🎁 Mark and Shayda are coming together in person for the very first time to bring you this special festive episode. They answer some burning questions, including: what actually is their favourite statistic? Can we ever agree how to pronounce data? What are some surprising facts about the holiday season? And does Santa use administrative data for his naughty/nice list? Grab a warm drink, se...
Dec 19, 2024
15 min
In a data-driven world, administrative data holds the power to tackle society’s toughest challenges - from improving healthcare and education to boosting the economy. But how do we ensure this data is used securely, ethically, and for the public good? Featuring Nikhil Harsiani, Data Ethics Policy Advisor at the UK Statistics Authority, and Mhairi Aitken, Senior Ethics Fellow in the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute, this final episode dives into how legal safeguards and pub...
Dec 16, 2024
29 min
How can co-producing research with historically excluded groups drive impact? In Northern Ireland, a unique partnership between the charity Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) and ADRC NI (Administrative Data Research Centre Northern Ireland) has placed care experienced young people at the heart of research about their lives. These young people have shaped the research by defining priorities, providing feedback, and translating findings into engaging resources. Guests Brenda Kilpatrick, E...
Dec 12, 2024
30 min
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