This site uses cookies

Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.

For more detailed information please check our Cookie notice


Necessary cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality. This website cannot function properly without these cookies.


Cookies that measure website use

If you provide permission, we will use Google Analytics to measure how you use the website so we can improve it based on our understanding of user needs. Google Analytics sets cookies that store anonymised information about how you got to the site, the pages you visit, how long you spend on each page and what you click on while you’re visiting the site.

#DataImpact2021: insights

#DataImpact2021: #IdentityInData – Who Counts? Visibility, voice and culture in data collection and use takes place tomorrow. We asked Dr Victoria Moody, Deputy Director and Co-I of the UK Data Service, to tell us a little about what we can expect.

What kind of insights can we expect from Lemn Sissay MBE at the event?

We are excited that poet, author, broadcaster (and chancellor of the University of Manchester) Lemn Sissay MBE is the keynote speaker for #DataImpact2021 as he brings a personal perspective about how identity can be removed and (re)constructed in data and the impact of this on his life.

What kind of insights can we expect from the panellists at the event?

Our panellists are researchers and policymakers across UK academia, public, and voluntary and community sectors who will provide insights into #IdentityInData focused on populations, communities and individuals.

Dr Dharmi Kapadia of the ESRC Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity (CoDE) will explore the representation of ethnic minority people in data and introduce the Evidence for Equality National Survey, funded by UK Research and Innovation, which aims to document and understand the experiences of ethnic and religious minorities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Daniel Staetsky is from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research. He will explore how, being a small proportion of the general population, Jews constitute an equally small proportion in sample surveys, which means that surveys may not contain usable data on Jews. He will also discuss other particularities of the Jewish community which can result in Jews being undercounted in the UK censuses.

Dr Kevin Guyan, is from Advance HE,  an organisation that focuses on equality, diversity and inclusion among staff and students in UK higher education. He will be discussing the topic of identity in data, especially in relation to LGBTQ people. His presentation will cover three areas: who counts, data as productive and partial, and queer data competence.

Craig Moss, Research Manager at the pan-disability charity Scope, will share insights into representations of disability within data, particularly within the areas of representation, Coronavirus and beyond, data use, and co-production.

Dr Karen Hurrell, statistician at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, will introduce the Commission’s Measurement Framework which underlies its statutorily-required reports ‘Is Britain Fairer?’ Her work for these reports has identified strengths and gaps within the robust and complex quantitative and qualitative survey data produced in the UK, much of it accessible from the UK Data Service.

We are also pleased that our chair, Gillian Prior from NatCen Social Research, will bring a data producer view to discussions at the event.

Some of our panellists have written posts on the Data Impact blog to start opening up the discussions that will continue during and after #DataImpact2021.
Can you tell us more about the plans to establish a digital community focussed on “Identity in Data”?

The aim has always been that #DataImpact2021 will be the starting point for ongoing discussions and community-building and not an end in itself. At the event, we want to open discussions by posing these questions:

  • What key development would support the continued and evolving representation of self and identity in data?
  • What are the opportunities from convening collective research and policy focuses on data collection methods focused on identity?
  • How might a community support innovation in this space? What would the community look like?

We have a desire to support the building of a vibrant, inclusive and supportive community, while recognising that, for it to be meaningful and have longevity, its direction and shape will need to be co-produced with data producers, researchers, policymakers and members of communities and groups.

Join us for this important and ground-breaking event

Date: Wednesday 24th February

Time: 10.30 – 12.30

Book your place for #DataImpact2021

Find out more about #DataImpact2021: #IdentityInData – Who Counts? Visibility, voice and culture in data collection and use