As one of the largest household panel studies in the world, Understanding Society provides a rich resource of datasets for researchers from many different fields.
The Data User Group provides a user’s perspective on datasets before they are released. The group are experienced users of our data, from a variety of different disciplines, who provide feedback on the different topic areas of the Study. The group includes data analysts already familiar with the Study and who have experience of using the data for research and teaching.
Group members are granted early access to the data to provide additional user insights on the data before release. Group membership affiliation is for three consecutive years and group members can select which topic area(s) they would like to focus their feedback on.
If you would like to become a member of the Data User Group please complete the application form. Applications can be submitted at any time; however, all applications are reviewed once a year in July.
Researchers are eligible to apply if they are from the UK or in a country which is deemed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to have a full adequate level of data protection (see “Question 1” for the full list of countries).
If you would like an informal conversation about joining the Data User Group, please contact Alita Nandi, Associate Director, Outreach.
Applications will be assessed on the applicant’s expertise with the Study and ability to demonstrate a good understanding of data analysis and data processing/management practices.
We welcome applications from researchers at any career stage, but you must have used/analysed Understanding Society previously. Membership of the group is not open to Master’s or PhD students.
Our current members
- Early access to the EUL pre-release data, 10 weeks before the data are available via the UK Data Service
- Access to the full version of data, including value added income and weights, will be shared for further checks four weeks before the data are released.
- Making a lasting contribution to UK Social Science research by suggesting improvements to the usability of data, such as new derived variables or datasets, training workshops, user support resources.
- An opportunity to gain early insights in to proposed developments and changes to the Study
- An opportunity to network with members of this group, other data users.
- Meet once a year to discuss new developments and changes proposed.
- Provide in-depth quality checks from the users’ perspective on pre-release data (with an estimated commitment of up to five days per year).
- Share syntax used to provide feedback with project staff.
The Data User Group aims to foster expertise across all topic areas of the Study.