The UK Data Service has hit a significant milestone in its history, with the number of data collections we make available reaching the 10,000 mark. Over the past six decades, the UK Data Service and its forerunners have supported research by simplifying findability and access to social, economic and population data.
Our data collections include surveys, longitudinal studies, UK census data, international macrodata, qualitative data and mixed data. All data is carefully curated, with standards-compliant metadata. Our approach supports the FAIR principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable.
Decades of trust and collaboration
Marking the milestone, Steve McEachern, Director of the UK Data Service, said: “The fact we can now make over 10,000 data collections available to our users underlines the importance of the UK Data Service to the country’s research infrastructure.
“We’re immensely grateful for the support we continue to receive from the wider research community, and we remain committed to working tirelessly in the coming years to further expand our collection and create an even richer resource for researchers.”
Camilla Philpot Thomsen, the Associate Director, Data Operations, for the UK Data Service, added: “Reaching 10,000 data collections reflects decades of careful work by our teams and our partners to ensure that valuable research data is not only preserved but made usable for the long term.
“Every dataset added to the UK Data Service represents an investment in future discovery – enabling researchers, policymakers and students to build on existing knowledge and address new challenges.”
Cristina Magder, Data Collections and Development Manager at the UK Data Service, is also delighted about reaching the landmark: “I like to think that this milestone also reflects the Service’s integration within a broader, collaborative research ecosystem. We’re proud to be part of a network of national and international organisations working together to support data access, stewardship, and reuse.
“Whether through our work with consortia such as CESSDA and EOSC, initiatives like ADR UK, PRUK, and DARE UK, or our ongoing relationships with data producers, funders, academic institutions, and researchers, we are contributing to a collective mission: enabling high-quality, impactful research. We are most fortunate to be able to leverage a flexible and data-centric three-tier licence and access policy.
She added that reaching this historic landmark is very energising for the whole team. “Each new study we add feels like another piece in a rich mosaic of societal understanding. It’s a privilege to be part of a process that values data as both a historical record and a tool for progress. Seeing how these collections evolve and continue to be used by new generations of researchers reminds me daily why this work matters.
“If 10,000 collections show anything, it’s that there is no shortage of knowledge to collect, preserve, and share data. The challenge now is to stay ahead by adapting to new forms of data, new ways of working, and evolving user expectations. This is not the finish line; it’s a foundation for even more innovative, inclusive, and impactful data services.”
Professor Annette Jäckle, Deputy Director of Understanding Society, is pleased that so many people make effective use of Understanding Society datasets inside the UK Data Service collection.
“Understanding Society has been part of the UK Data Service collection for many years. The Service provides thousands of researchers with access to our datasets each year and ensures that the data we collect is curated and archived to the highest standards for future use too. The breadth of datasets in the UK Data Service makes it a vital resource for social science research and a repository for a vast amount of information about life in the UK.”
Dr. John Day, a lecturer for the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex, who has researched extensively into the areas of health, families, and sport, added:
“I would say that the service is invaluable in terms of the quality and amount of support available when reaching out to the service during the design phase of research projects. Staff have been able to both check if any additional evidence was available that I may have overlooked and guide my focus to specific aspects of large data sets that are most relevant to my work.”
More information
You can read more about how we got to this milestone and the importance of it on the Data Impact blog:
10,000 data collections: nearly six decades of data impact (part one) – Data Impact blog @ 10
10,000 data collections: nearly six decades of data impact (part two) – Data Impact blog @ 10