ESRC Big Data Network Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres Welcome, Context, and Call Objectives Dr Fiona Armstrong, Professor Peter Elias, Dr Paul Meller
Today s event
This event is to: Create a forum for potential bidders to receive comprehensive, clear and consistent information about the call for Business Data and Local Government Data Research Centres Discuss and comment during a lengthy Q&A session Enable networking between potential bidders and collaborating partners
Structure Presentation 1 - Welcome and introduction to the ESRC Big Data Network Presentation 2 - Business and Local Government Perspectives Presentation 3 - A Bidders Guide Networking Lunch
Presentation 1: Welcome and introduction to the ESRC Big Data Network
ESRC Background and Introduction
Distribution of ESRC funding 2012/13
2011 Delivery Plan Strategic Priorities 2011 Economic Performance and Sustainable Growth Influencing Behaviour and Informing Interventions Vibrant and Fair Society Refresh February 2013 What have we achieved so far? Are there gaps remaining to be filled? Are there new opportunities to be seized? Partnerships and collaboration Major element of the Plan Attracting around 20m of additional funding each year Co-production ensures research is better placed to inform policy and practice
ESRC Data Landscape Longitudinal Studies British Household Panel Study & Understanding Society LS, SLS & NILS Birth cohorts (1958, 1970, Millennium) Life Study Ageing studies (ELSA) CLOSER Integration of data services via the UK Data Service Access to census and other datasets Safe access to sensitive data
ESRC Data Landscape National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) Methodological development and training Secondary Data Analysis Initiative (SDAI) 58 projects awarded (ageing, financial affairs, families, etc.) Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) Quantitative (and other) quotas Quantitative Methods Initiative Undergraduate to postgraduate pipeline (with HEFCE and Nuffield Foundation)
Capital Funding & Big Data Chancellor s Autumn Statement included 600m for science, research and innovation, 484m for RCUK Funds to support the development of innovative technologies across eight areas, including big data Draws from RCUK Strategic Framework for Capital Investment (published Nov 2012) ESRC earmarked 64m to support packages of activity within the big data theme
The Big Data Landscape
Why are such data of interest to social scientists? Their large scale means that rare events which can be captured Re-using existing data is cheaper than creating new data for research Some types of data are international they are not generated via national processes They can often be combined with data collected by more traditional methods, to facilitate triangulation and/or to enhance such data
RCUK Big Data 21 st century raw material
Commercial RCUK Big Data 21 st century raw material Open data Understanding Populations (ESRC) Open Data Institute Business Datasafe (ESRC) Open data (public sector) Business data Social media data Energy Efficient Computing Infrastructure (STFC) De-identified admin (including health) data Longitudinal survey data Securely held data Archive data Environment data Research data Clinical data Admin Data Research Centres (ESRC) Digital Transformations (AHRC) High Performance Data Environment (NERC) Research Data Facility (EPSRC) European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL) Bioscience E-Infrastructure (BBSRC) Square Kilometre Array (STFC) Medical Bioinformatics (MRC) Understanding Populations (ESRC) Clinical Practice Datalink (MHRA, NIHR) 100,000 Genome Project NHS) Research
Big Data Network
Big Data Network
Phase 1: Administrative Data Research Network (ADRN) Four Administrative Data Research Centres (ADRCs): England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland An Administrative Data Service for the network A UK-wide Governing Board for the network Researcher training and accreditation Safe settings Public engagement strategy Key partnerships with National Statistical Authorities
Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres A national resource to facilitate access to business and local government data Primary aim to contribute to the development of data infrastructure, and promotion of existing infrastructure, around business and local government data through collaboration with data owners and to provide a service to enable access to that data for the wider research community.
Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres opportunities Opportunities Training and Capacity Building Opportunities Boosting Data Insights and Organisational Decisions Flagging Corporate Social Responsibilities and Creating Shared Value Preserving legacy data and informing decisions on future big data analytics
Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres challenges Challenges Types of Data Data Owners Privacy and Public Perceptions Preserving legacy data and informing decisions on future big data analytics
Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres - Objectives Provide services to enable academic research access to business and/or local government data Collaborate with data owners and encourage the participation of further data owners through active engagement with private and/or local government organisations Act as centres of expertise in data relevant to particular business sectors and local authority domains or around cross-cutting themes
Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres - Objectives Conduct and stimulate an original programme of research in at least one key area of social science using the data made available, and exploring ways to improve access to and analysis of that data, as well as opportunities for data linkage Develop a programme of knowledge exchange that will ensure data owners have access to the expertise to realise the opportunities that social science can bring to their organization
Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres - Objectives Develop a programme of capacity building and training activities Work in collaboration with other Centres, other elements of the Big Data Network as well as the UK Data Service (UKDS) and Administrative Data Service (ADS) as appropriate to encourage the harmonization of services and standards and avoid duplication of effort.
ESRC Big Data Network Phase 2: Business and Local Government Data Research Centres Bidders Guide Dr Maria Sigala
Structure of presentation The scope of the Centres Funding: key issues Being part of a network Management and leadership Assessment criteria Eligibility, application process & timetable Contacts
The scope of the Centres Based in academic institution, could focus on a: particular business sector (e.g., retail, financial services, utilities) particular local priority/ service area (e.g., transport, education) particular geographical area or areas (e,g, urban areas, cities) theme drawing on either business or local government data or a combination of the two (e.g., provision of health and social care, local economic growth) particular type of data relevant to business or local government (e.g., consumer, transactional, organisational) Bids can be for a centre or a co-ordinated hub and spoke cluster of investments
Funding: key issues 7 million resource and capital budgets for 5 years A large proportion of this must be for capital funding Funding mechanisms, alongside core research: Research Opportunities (e.g., SDAI) Knowledge Exchange Activities (e.g., fellowships & internships, KTPs) Training and capacity building (e.g., training courses, studentships)
The ESRC Big Data Network
Being part of a network Centres are expected to work closely with each other and build on existing infrastructures within the network UK Data Service to: enable access to a wide range of data; support and advise around pre-ingest and ingest activities, data management and archival storage and safe data access; provide a co-ordinated and centralised user support mechanism to the Centres as a whole negotiate for and purchase data where of wider benefit to researchers AD Service to provide support and advice: to enable access to business organisational data held by government for accreditation and training activities
Management and Leadership Director appropriate percentage of time allocated to lead Centre Director and Senior leadership team: Experience of leadership of multi-institutional partnerships In depth knowledge and understanding of commercial and or local government organisations Excellent negotiation skills and ability to manage and develop relationships High quality management skills and technical expertise An understanding of relevant infrastructures and how these will be used to develop the Centre
Assessment criteria Innovation and originality in the Centre vision and strategy Expertise in the delivery of key functions Well-considered approaches and plans Skills and experience of the Director and the Senior Leadership Team Value for money
Innovation and originality on: Facilitating safe research on this data for mutual benefit Broadening access to this data by means of addressing key technical, legal and ethical issues and by engaging researchers and data owners Original research using this data Conducting a programme of knowledge exchange and capacity building activities in collaboration with data owners.
Expertise in the delivery of key functions Setting up, managing, and running a substantial research resource or centre and providing a service to the research community Working in partnership with key stakeholders including data owners and other centres or services Strong institutional commitment and practical contributions to hosting and sustaining the centres.
A well-considered approach and plan Setting up and running the Centre as a state of the art infrastructure (e.g., secure data facility) A clear timetable Internal management processes for demand management Internal planning and resource management, including staffing strategies Robust management structure Collaborative working with other Centres as well as the wider Big Data Network, including the UK Data Service and Administrative Data Service Engaging with and supporting data owners, and for developing relationships with further data owners Public engagement Outputs, dissemination and impact.
Skills and experience of the Director and the Senior Leadership Team Demonstrable high-quality record of delivering large-scale and complex projects, to timetable within scope and budget Experience of successful collaborative working with a range of partners and stakeholders Significant experience of developing and delivering engagement with business and/or local government data holders to access their data and of building infrastructures for safe access to this data Well-established publication track record within their field.
Value for money Effective and well-considered inclusion of existing infrastructure and services within the proposals Demonstrable appreciation of the potential to exploit synergies across the Big Data Network and wider UK data infrastructure Justified costs, with the potential for flexibility once the other components of the Big Data Network are implemented.
Eligibility, application process and timetable Eligible research organisations for Research Council funding Led by single UK academic institution Only one proposal per host institution Closing date 8 October 2013 Applicants notified of interview late October 2013 Interviews with Panel w/c 11 November 2013 Start date 6 January 2013
Key ESRC contacts Paul Meller Email: paul.meller@esrc.ac.uk Telephone: 01793 413055 Maria Sigala Telephone:01793 442855 Email: maria.sigala@esrc.ac.uk Enquiries relating to technical aspects of the Je-S form jeshelp@rcuk.ac.uk or telephone 01793 444164