We’re the UK’s national programme for smart data research. Our mission is to unlock the power of data to improve lives.
Smart data is made whenever we engage with the digital world. When we buy something, ‘like’ something, or get directions.
If used for scientific research, smart data can change our world. It can help us to understand important social challenges, from disease prevention to climate change.
Jobs
Smart Data Research UK is recruiting for a new Senior Data Policy Manager (Legal and Responsible Research). Apply now!
News
Another chance to see the Smart Data Research UK team discussing the Fellowships opportunity.
Event
Researchers – join our Social Platforms Data Access Taskforce for a webinar on Ofcom's recent report.
News
The launch of the SDR UK Fellowships, supporting smart data research to help solve real-world challenges.
Financial Data Service for insights on financial behaviours, economic resilience and regional economic activity.
Geographic Data Service for new insights into equitable and sustainable growth from linked and georeferenced smart data.
Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service for place-based research on health, lifestyles, and mobility.
Imago – Data Service for Imagery, unlocking the potential of satellite imagery to understand urgent challenges.
Smart Data Donation Service, empowering citizens to take control of their own data and share it safely with researchers.
Smart Energy Data Service, transforming our understanding of the UK’s energy system through integrated data.
Smart Data Research UK brings together companies and researchers to unlock the power of smart data for research.
We provide researchers with safe access to help address broader social, economic and environmental challenges.
Smart Data Research UK prioritises public involvement, transparency, ethics and responsibility.
Health researchers from Imperial College London, UCL and the University of Birmingham examine loyalty card data.
How University of Liverpool researchers used Mastercard data to assess the economic impact of a major music event.
A team from the University of Bristol, supported by SDR UK, is developing new tools to track modern businesses.
Smart data can help us understand what drives growth and innovation. It helps us plan infrastructure for different communities across the UK and tackle inequalities. The advent of smart data sources provides a unique opportunity to study the factors that influence productivity and prosperity. These sources include professional social networks, transaction records and remote sensing.
Smart data can provide insights to improve population health and tackle inequalities. It can help us understand the drivers of the mental health crisis, and how we might live longer, healthier lives. Data sources might include financial transactions, loyalty cards, social media and wearable devices. Using the data, we can better understand the links between health, wellbeing, behaviours, circumstances and places.
Smart data can provide insights about online safety, misinformation, the digital divide and the future of work. The digital society research theme encompasses studying data from social media, search queries and online activity is vital for understanding the challenges and opportunities of advancing technology.
Smart data can help tackle issues such as decarbonisation, green growth and the transition to a sustainable future. Data generated through our use of devices and the data gathered by sensors have huge potential to support research related to environmental sustainability, one of our four research themes.