Mid-Term Review of the ESRC Big Data Network Phase 2

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MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE ESRC BIG DATA NETWORK PHASE 2 Introduction 1. The ESRC is seeking to commission a mid-term review of Phase 2 of the Big Data Network. 2. The mid-term review will assess overall performance and impact against the stated aims of the Network and will identify lessons learned and any additional factors to inform whether and how any future investment should be made in this area. The Big Data Network 3. The ESRC is investing in a Big Data Network to optimise big data as a resource for research. The Network is organised over three phases: • Phase 1 - The Administrative Data Research Network • Phase 2 - Business and Local Government Data • Phase 3 – ‘New Forms of Data’ (incorporating Civil Society and Social Media data) 4. The focus of this mid-term review is phase 2. Under this phase, the ESRC has invested in three Big Data Research Centres: • Business and Local Government Data Research Centre, University of Essex - http://www.blgdataresearch.org • Consumer Data Research Centre, University College London and University of Leeds - https://www.cdrc.ac.uk • Urban Big Data Centre , University of Glasgow- http://ubdc.ac.uk 5. Additionally, the UK Data Service provides support for and facilitates coordination across these Centres - https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk 6. The ESRC Data Infrastructure Strategic Advisory Committee (DISAC) is responsible for strategic oversight and the provision to the ESRC of independent assurance for the UK Data Service and investments made under the Big Data Network Phase 2. 7. DISAC: • seeks to ensure that the investments are developed, managed and maintained in a way that maximises benefit as a long term resource, taking account of the investments scope and resources. • advises on strategic issues relevant to the realisation of benefits and sustainability. 8. ESRC’s Capability Committee provides strategic advice to Council and the Office in support of the development of strategy, policy and activity in the area of training, skills, methods and infrastructure, including investments under the Big Data Network. Purpose of the Mid-Term Review 9. The principal aims of the mid-term review are: • to provide assurance that the aims and objectives of the Big Data Network Phase 2 are being realised • to assess the overall performance and pathways to impact of the Big Data Network Phase 2 to date (including value for money) • to advise on the appropriateness and effectiveness of how the Centres are managed and co-ordinated • to identify lessons learned from the commissioning of the Big Data Network Phase 2 network to inform future investment in this area • to identify any additional factors to inform future investment in this area.