Sensitive data research has the power to transform lives, but solving complex global challenges requires international collaboration and shared standards.

This is why DARE UK (Data and Analytics Research Environments UK) is proud to announce that we are a Gold sponsor at this year’s International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN) Conference, taking place from 13 – 16 July 2026 at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Bridging Datasets and Deepening Insights

Hosted this year by ODISSEI (Open Data Infrastructure for Social Science and Economic Innovations), the biannual IPDLN Conference is a leading global forum. Hundreds of experts who manage sensitive data, build the infrastructure to use it, ensure it is accessed safely, and engage the public to build trust will come together to exchange their diverse experiences.

This year’s conference programme gets straight to the heart of modern data science by highlighting the real-world application of experimental studies and the transformative potential of administrative data linkage.

The conference’s programme aims to answer the following:

  • How can cross-sector data linkage unlock experimental insights to solve global challenges in health, education, the environment and beyond?
  • What advanced infrastructure, secure data environments and federated networks are needed to safely run sensitive data research at a population scale?
  • How can we ethically integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimise and scale up the data linkage process?
    How do we build governance and public engagement to ensure linked sensitive data research remains fully transparent and trustworthy?

For DARE UK, participating in IPDLN 2026 is an invaluable opportunity to connect with the global community, share learning from across our programme, and support a national and international data research infrastructure that works for everyone.

DARE UK at the Heart of the Conversation

We are participating with a comprehensive series of workshops and talks showcasing how DARE UK funded initiatives and community groups are actively shaping a secure and collaborative sensitive data infrastructure.

Innovative work from several DARE UK-funded groups across TREvolution and early adopters will be introduced:

  • the SATRE project will discuss standardising and aligning Trusted Research Environments (TREs) assessment frameworks as well as how to guide TREs to train and release AI models on sensitive data;
  • the PANORAMA project will share findings on operationalising governance for federated analytics;
  • and a synthesis between K8TRE and FRIDGE projects present their work to extend robust data governance for high-performance computing.

Outputs from the DARE UK Community Groups are also presented: the AI Risk Evaluation, the UK Synthetic Data, and SPRINT Community Groups will introduce their varied work on the use of AI in neuroimaging, responsibly generating and evaluating synthetic data in TREs, and communicating data linkage to the public.

Together with these contributions, DARE UK’s central team will also be presenting at IPDLN 2026. Speaking on our Community Building programme on Thursday 16 July at 3 pm, Programme Manager Najmeh Modarres will discuss how community building can help transform a fragmented TRE ecosystem into a connected, standardised network. She will share DARE UK’s experience of developing collaborative community groups that bring together researchers, data custodians and members of the public to advance safe, trusted data research. Drawing on lessons learned, she will explore building sustainable communities, effective governance, appropriate funding models and meaningful public involvement.

Earlier on the same day at 10:30 am, Senior Engagement Manager Elizabeth Waind, alongside our former Project Coordinator Katie Porter and ADR UK’s Senior Public Engagement Manager Shayda Kashef, will also be presenting ongoing work to better understand public attitudes towards the development and use of AI trained on sensitive data in TREs. The session will showcase the findings of an initial pilot public dialogue exploring how to have effective conversations with the public about the topic and discuss next steps for digging deeper into public attitudes on a UK-wide scale.

This wide host of expertise and topics demonstrate how DARE UK’s collaborative ecosystem is turning innovative data research into practice.

Connect with Us

Are you attending IPDLN 2026? We would love to connect with you!

Beyond our scheduled workshops and presentations, members of the DARE UK team will be stationed at our exhibition stand throughout the conference.

Drop by our stand to meet the team, ask questions, share your insights, and explore how we can collaborate to advance safe, trusted data research on a global scale. We look forward to seeing you in Rotterdam!

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