Smart Data Research UK is supporting nine research teams with funding under its £2.3 million accelerator scheme.  

The projects address different research challenges, with teams exploring how to create, access, and use smart data more effectively. 

The research is part of Smart Data Research UK’s mission to unlock the power of data to improve lives.

Our accelerator projects  

Mobilising gender data 

This project aims to capture and understand gender differences in everyday mobility data using geographic smart data collected from people’s interactions with mobile apps. Led by Dr Alessia Calafiore, University of Edinburgh.

Analysing social media to explore neighbourhood change 

This project aims to establish innovative methods for analysing neighbourhood changes using social media data and hedonic house price models, focusing on gentrification and its impact on housing markets. Led by Professor Alexis Comber, University of Leeds.

Linking digital footprint data with survey data

This project will improve how browser and social media information can be anonymised and linked to survey data responses. Researchers can then use this data to help answer important research questions. Led by Professor Rachel Gibson, University of Manchester.

Digging into digital footprints data  

This project team, spanning the University of Bristol and the University of Southampton, will create an open framework to help researchers better understand and use smart data in social research. Led by Dr Jessica Ogden, University of Bristol.

Capturing the digital footprints of video gameplay 

This project will link gameplay data with mental health data, to help policymakers and industry better understand how gaming affects players. Led by Professor Andrew Przybylski, University of Oxford.

Measuring and correcting biases in human mobility data

This project aims to develop a way to quantify and adjust existing biases in smart data on human mobility so that research can be trusted and more broadly adopted. Led by Professor Francisco Rowe, University of Liverpool.

Linking loyalty card data with UK longitudinal population studies 

This project aims to identify the best way to link smart data from retailer loyalty cards to data from longitudinal population studies, offering new insights into people’s behaviour. Led by Dr Anya Skatova, University of Bristol.

Data donation for climate action

This project will use supermarket loyalty card data to develop an Environmental Food Purchasing Index, identifying the food people often spend money on and the associated climate impact. Led by Professor Alexa Spence, University of Nottingham.

Using smart data to map economic activities in the UK

This project will use the internet, one of the largest sources of smart data, to map economic activities in the UK at an unprecedented level, enabling policymakers to understand patterns of change. Led by Professor Emmanouil Tranos, University of Bristol.