The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Data Analytics was delighted to host a reception in the House of Commons' Thames Pavilion to celebrate the work of the Business and Local Government Research Centre on Tuesday 12th February, 2019. 

Hosted by APGDA Chair, Daniel Zeichner MP, the event brought together a range of senior stakeholders from across the sector; including policing, the NHS, and regional government. A number of parliamentarians also attended to discuss how big and open data is transforming the relationship between local authorities and the way in which members of the public interact with their services.

The keynote address was provided by Professor Maria Fasli, Director of the Institute for Analytics and Data Science at the University of Essex. In a thought-provoking and wide-ranging presentation, Professor Fasli outlined how the rise of big and open data is creating fresh challenges and establishing new opportunities for local government, especially with regard to monitoring public health, promoting economic growth, and mapping infrastructure and housing.

A copy of Professor Fasli’s presentation is available for download here.

Jack Tindale, Manager for Design and Innovation at Policy Connect, provided the closing remarks, noting the Group’s forthcoming inquiry into technology and data ethics, to be launched in May 2019.

Based at the University of Essex, the Centre is funded as part of the ESRC Big Data Network and brings together experts and services from the University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Kent and London School of Economics.

Over the past five years, the BLG DRC has established a lead role in leading the way in which advanced analytics can be used to help companies, local authorities and academics use data more effectively. The Centre provides a world-class facility that brings together the expertise of academic researchers, social scientists, data scientists and statisticians to enable better decision making and help organisations solve real issues. The Centre also offers secure data storage and access through its partnership with the UK Data Service the Centre employs state-of the-art technology and expertise in the field of secure data storage and safe access to ensure physical, hardware and software security.

The APGDA is delighted to note that the Centre has received funding for a further three years of operation and look forward to working with them in the future.