We’re pleased to announce the launch of the UK Data Service Dissertation Award for the 2026-27 academic year.
Read on to find out all the information you need to know and how to enter:
What is the Dissertation Award?
The award recognises undergraduate social science dissertations that include excellent reuse of data.
Who can enter?
Any undergraduate students at UK universities who are writing dissertations on social science topics and have used data accessed from the UK Data Service data catalogue, either for the entire analysis or part of it. It must also be submitted in the 2026-27 academic year.
What will winners receive?
Three winners will be selected and each winning entry will receive a £300 award and publicity via the UK Data Service website, Data Impact blog and newsletter.
How to enter?
You can find all the information and the entry form on the Dissertation Award page.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for the 2026-27 Dissertation award is midday on 1 July 2027.
What topics have entries covered in the past?
Entries have covered a wide range of topics including:
- Devising a measure of women’s perceived safety at night in Leeds
- The impact of cancer diagnosis on income levels in the UK
- The impact of austerity on the wellbeing economy in England (2010-2023)
- The impact of class on perceptions of environmental crises
- Investigating changes in transitions to adulthood
- Electoral performance
- European social work environments
- Food environment and obesity
- Trust in the police and reporting of crime
- The impact of free school meals on household spending
- Energy pricing and fuel poverty
- The impact of the introduction of the National Living Wage on employment
Where can I find resources to help with dissertations?
Our Students page on the Learning Hub contains resources to help with planning a dissertation, finding the right data, evaluating datasets and how to register and access data.