A significant investment of £22 million has been announced by Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) to fuel the development of innovative data services
This initiative will provide researchers across the country with access to new forms of smart data, enabling them to delve deeper into a range of critical issues.
New data services and the future of data-driven innovation
The investment will fund the establishment of several groundbreaking services, including:
- Imagery Data Service (Imago):
- This service will leverage satellite imagery to provide a more comprehensive understanding of pressing challenges, such as environmental vulnerability, urban development, and inequalities.
- Smart Data Donation Service:
- This platform will empower individuals to donate their data for research purposes, contributing to a better understanding of online safety and digital wellbeing.
- Geographic Data Service:
- This service will integrate various data sources to generate insights into equitable and sustainable growth, focusing on geographical disparities and vulnerable populations.
- Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service:
- This service will address challenges related to health and sustainability by analyzing data from retail, business, transport, and infrastructure sectors.
SDR UK’s goals
These services will operate collaboratively as part of the SDR UK program, focusing on:
- Acquiring, stewarding, and enabling safe access to smart data
- Developing user-friendly services for researchers
- Ensuring responsible data use
- Building capacity within the research community
- Enabling impactful discoveries
Examining the impact and future outlook
Joe Cuddeford, Director of Smart Data Research UK, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “These new data services represent a major step forward in our mission to unlock the power of smart data for society.” Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the critical role of data infrastructure in driving economic growth and improving public services.
The investment in Smart Data Research UK is part of the UKRI Infrastructure Fund, which supports essential facilities, equipment, and resources for researchers and innovators. By investing in data infrastructure, the UK aims to position itself at the forefront of data-driven innovation and create a more sustainable future.
