Taming the DRAGoN: Building Bridges to Secure Data Access and Collaboration

About the talk.

From the winners of ONS Research Excellence Awards 2024 -Organisational Excellence Award

Navigating the complex landscape of data access requires robust governance. The Data Research Access and Governance Network (DRAGoN) research group at the University of the West of England, Bristol is tackling this challenge head-on. We explore cutting-edge methodologies for managing data access, ensuring security, privacy, and ethical considerations are at the forefront. Our research spans diverse domains, from healthcare to labour markets, investigating novel approaches to authorisation, authentication, and data sharing. Join us to discover how DRAGoN is shaping the future of data access governance, empowering organisations to unlock the potential of their data while mitigating risks. We are forging a path towards a secure and trustworthy digital world.

Meet the presenters.

DRAGoN Team - University of the West of England, Bristol.

Dr Elizabeth Green

Dr. Lizzie Green is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of the West of England (UWE), where her research focuses on applying the European '5 Safes' data management model across different cultural contexts. She was awarded a Future Data Services Fellowship by the Economic and Social research council (ESRC), collaborating with the Future Data Services (FDS) programme to develop the next generation of data services. Lizzie's work centres on disclosure control and training experts in managing data responsibly. She actively collaborates with a variety of organizations, including United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Office for National Statistics (ONS), Open Safely, and NIHR, to promote safe data sharing and usage. She has been working in the area of developing training and tools for both researchers and support staff and also navigating the career pathways and journey in data services. Her research is based at UWE's DRAGoN.

Dr Damian Whittard

Dr Damian Whittard is an Associate Professor in Economics at the UWE. His research focuses on the core areas of economic measurement, regional economics, labour markets and sustainability. He has a particular interest in exploring the intersection between data, policy and practice.

Damian is a founding member of the Data Research, Access and Governance Network (DRAGoN) research group and associate member of the Sustainable Economies Research Group. He is also an Economic and Social Research Council Fellow, focusing on green jobs and the transition to net zero.

Damian leads the Wage and Employment Dynamics (WED) Project which is creating a national wage and employment data spine. Working with partners from the University of Bath and Futures West, Damian is helping to deliver a regional economic observatory for the West of England.

Prior to joining academia in 2012, Damian spent much of my career working in a policy environment, initially at the South West Regional Development Agency and then the Office for National Statistics.

Learn more about the series

Each year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) organises a collection of online research events called the Research Excellence Series. The series showcases exceptional research projects that use a diverse wealth of invaluable research data. These data are used by researchers to produce new insights, inform change and make a difference in people’s lives.

Research Excellence Series 2025 will delve into the story of a unique research project. From inception to methodology, dissemination and impact. These sessions will be hosted by an eclectic range of speakers from across the research community.

This year’s series will include the winners from the ONS Research Excellence Awards 2024.

The events will take place through Microsoft Teams. They will also be recorded and available to watch later.

Getting in touch

For more information about this event, please visit the ONS SRS website, or email srs.engagement.team@ons.gov.uk.

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