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DARE UK Phase 1 overview

Phase 1 of the DARE UK programme aimed to develop a clear vision of the needs of different research communities, and to understand the interests and concerns of the public around the use of sensitive data for research.

DARE UK Phase 1 (July 2021 – March 2024)

Phase 1 of the DARE UK programme is an extensive listening exercise

The goal was to understand, through open dialogue with stakeholders – including researchers, technologists, the public and others – what’s needed to enable more efficient, coordinated and trustworthy data research across the UK. By exploring stakeholder experiences and challenges from existing infrastructure, we ensured that subsequent phases of DARE UK addressed the needs of the UK in making the best use of data at scale for public benefit.

  • An initial infrastructure landscape review of existing data research infrastructure across the UK was carried out and published in autumn 2021. This involved a comprehensive series of interviews and workshops with over 150 technologists, researchers and others to better understand their experiences and needs.
  • In autumn 2023, another infrastructure landscape review was conducted to update the insights gotten from the initial infrastructure landscape review. This second review was conducted using a survey.
  • In 2022, a programme of Sprint Exemplar Projects uncovered and tested early thinking around use cases and the governance, ethics and technical feasibility required to deliver a UK-wide data and analytics research infrastructure.
  • Meanwhile, a series of workshops with researchers, technologists and others, and a UK-wide public dialogue, explored views regarding what a coordinated national data research infrastructure should look like.
  • In August 2022, the findings and recommendations that emerged from engagement with stakeholders during the first year of DARE UK Phase 1 were published.
  • From February to October 2023, UK Research and Innovation is funding a programme of Driver Projects to lay the foundations for a coordinated and trustworthy national data research infrastructure.
  • In April 2023, the DARE UK community groups were launched and funded to promote community-led initiatives and innovations that align with the DARE UK vision.
  • In February 2024, a scientific use cases workshop was held with more than 60 researchers and members of the public to demonstrate the potential of a linked UK data research infrastructure to address societal challenges. 52 use cases were identified and captured in the workshop report.

DARE UK has taken forward the initial Phase 1 recommendations and outputs, alongside knowledge from further scoping activities conducted in collaboration with UK sensitive data research stakeholders and the public. Insights from these efforts have been crucial in refining and shaping the delivery of the programme’s vision in Phase 2 and beyond.

DARE UK Phase 1 programme workstreams

Outputs from the four programme workstreams below will lead to a community co-designed blueprint for an interoperable network of next generation trusted research environments (TREs). This innovation will be guided by industry standards, best practices and ethical policies based on trustworthiness, appropriate security, and foundational interoperability.

Continuous landscape mapping​

Discreet and ongoing work to maintain an accurate understanding of the UK sensitive data research landscape, as well as continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders throughout the landscape.​

Community-led pathfinding​

Discreet and ongoing work to convene and enable the community to collaborate on developing solutions, including funded efforts, in key areas of need.

Demonstrating trustworthiness​

Ongoing work throughout the programme to demonstrate trustworthiness of the programme and the wider sensitive data research ecosystem.​

Forward planning​

Ongoing work to prepare for a step-change injection of impetus with longer planning horizons in future phases.

Initial DARE UK Phase 1 findings and recommendations

In August 2022, we published a summary of findings and recommendations from Phase 1 of the programme to date. The report makes 31 recommendations for the design and delivery of a coordinated and trustworthy national data research infrastructure across seven core areas of need.

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