This year’s theme for Love Data Week 2025 asks us to take a minute to think about who owns data compared to who uses it.
For example, different groups, such as researchers, the government, companies and organisations might collect data. They could also own it, share it, publish it online or combine it. However, it is also important to remember where the data came from before we started to use it.
Enabling research
We spoke with some of our recent Dissertation Award winners about how much they value the generosity of people who contribute to surveys and provide data. These winners have used datasets from the UK Data Service’s collection to assist extensively with their research.
Many said they value the contributions of the original data sources because their cooperation makes it possible for researchers to discover information that has the potential to influence government policies and change lives.
Emma Chaplin, who won the Dissertation Award when she was studying at the University of Cambridge, said:
“It is important to know the research that can influence government policies and generate important findings is really underpinned by several individuals that have been willing to give up their data.
“It’s crucial to be grateful for their contribution and recognise its value. In my case, from this data I have gathered, I am grateful that my research can now be discussed within many different policy circles. Since publishing my research, I’ve spoken to a few people in the education sector to discuss my findings and it’s great to know different people find it interesting and of valuable further use.
“I’m excited about the data being publicly available for other researchers to conduct replication studies on my research within the UK Data Service. Again, this is all thanks to people giving up their data in the first place.”
More information
The title of Emma’s dissertation is: “There is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch: The Impact of Free School Meals on Household Spending”. The dissertation investigated how household spending changes when households receive free school meals.
Analysing data from the Living Costs and Food Survey (LCFS) from 2010-2018, Emma evaluated the impact of the Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM) policy introduced in 2014, which provides a free school meal at lunchtime to all infant school children (4-7 years old).
Emma used a difference-in-differences model to compare household spending patterns before and after the introduction of the policy. A key finding was that the effects varied by household income: lower-income households increased spending on food necessities associated with evening meals, while higher-income households increased spending on luxury goods.
To find out more about the ethical way to approach data research, in the spirit of Love Data Week 2025, please attend our free Dissertation projects: Introduction to secondary analysis for qualitative and quantitative data workshop.