Digital

Introducing the Scottish Government’s Data for Research: Change Management Board

March 3, 2026 by Stewart Hamilton No Comments | Category Data, Digital Scotland, Public sector data

Blog by Helen Davidson, Communications and Engagement Manager, ADR Scotland.

In November 2025, the Scottish Government established the Data for Research: Change Management Board, marking an important step toward streamlining how Scotland manages, shares and uses administrative data for public good research.  

Chaired by the Chief Statistician Alastair McAlpine, the Board is in line with the Vision for Public Sector Data in Scotland and the recently launched Digital Strategy centred around Scotland’s ambition to harness data responsibly and effectively for public good. 

This new Board plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Scotland’s data infrastructure delivers long term value and is fit for the future with new processes that are legal, ethical and efficient on linking administrative data research for public good research.  

Change Management Board Remit and Membership
The Board’s remit includes improving the processes by which researchers access data, strengthening agreements and governance between agencies and ensuring that legal, ethical and operational standards remain robust. Through using expert guidance, the Board aims to streamline the research data journey- from application to approval -so evidence can be generated quickly and securely.  

 The Board brings together senior experts across Scotland and the UK’s data landscape including: 

• Economic and Social Research Council 

• EPCC (Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre) 

• National Records of Scotland 

• Office for National Statistics 

• Public Health Scotland 

Additional advisers from Administrative Data Research (ADR Scotland) and Research Data Scotland contribute further insights.

Current work 

It is envisioned that the Change Management Board will operate for the next two years, meeting monthly. The Board is currently working at pace to review the end to end process of both: 

• the researcher application process to use administrative data – from initial enquiry, to application submission, panel review and approval if it meets the appropriate standards  

• and the journey administrative data undertakes once approved for use including information governance processes, making the data linkable, ensuring it is deidentified and then finally available in the Scottish National Safe Haven. 

A number of task and finish groups will be established throughout the lifecycle of the Change Management Board. Further updates on this will be shared in future blogs. 

Why This Matters for Scotland 

Better access to secure, well governed data is essential for high-quality research that can improve public policy, health outcomes, and social wellbeing. By redesigning how data is provided to researchers, the Change Management Board supports Scotland’s broader ambition to harness data for public good-ensuring transparency, trust and impact sit at the heart of every decision. 

This initiative builds on the country’s already strong track record in responsible data linkage and reinforces Scotland’s position as an international leader in data driven innovation. 

Want to know more. 

Full details on the Data for Research: Change Management Board can be found on the Scottish Government website, including minutes.  For more information contact: ADRScotland@gov.scot  

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Tags: ADR Scotland, Change management board, Data for research

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