The data research landscape is growing quickly. So, how do we ensure that the public voice is not left behind?
At the Public Engagement in Data Research Initiative (PEDRI), we bring together a community of organisations and individuals who are all committed to improving public involvement and engagement in research using data and statistics. A key part of this work has been the co-creation of the PEDRI Good Practice Standards, a framework developed with both the public and data research community.
What are the Good Practice Standards?
The PEDRI Good Practice Standards are a set of seven guiding principles on how to work well with the public in data research. They are the culmination of two years of work led by PEDRI including members of the public, researchers and representatives from our partner organisations such as Research Data Scotland, Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK), and Data and Analytics Research Environments UK (DARE UK).
Building on existing guidance, these Standards are designed to support researchers, public involvement and engagement professionals, and all those involved in data-related projects, with embedding the public voice in their work. The Standards provide a flexible framework that balances the unique needs of our diverse data research community while maintaining a strong commitment to good public involvement and engagement practices.
Through a series of consultations with professional and public stakeholders, we created and published the latest version of PEDRI’s Good Practice Standards in January 2025. In brief, they are:
Equity, diversity and inclusion - The fair and balanced inclusion of people with different backgrounds, experiences and identities in research projects or initiatives involving data about people and communities.
Data literacy and training - The ability to read, understand, and communicate data empowers people to engage in data research and statistics, which can often be complex and challenging to navigate.
Two-way communication - Data research and statistics often includes complex terms and abstract information. Two-way communication is essential to promote an active exchange of information between parties, allowing both to share and receive insights.
Transparency - Making information freely available and easily accessible while fostering a safe space for open and honest conversations with the public.
Mutual benefit - Adopt an ongoing, dialogue-based approach that encourages benefits for all parties involved, including public members, professionals and the wider population.
Effective involvement and engagement - Projects should be led by clear objectives, purpose, outcomes and a strategy for integrating public input into the project.
Creating a culture of involvement and engagement - Embedding public involvement and engagement at every level of projects, ensuring adequate resources and ongoing support while also encouraging an environment where public members’ contributions are valued and integrated throughout data research projects or initiatives.
Jan Speechley (PEDRI Public Partner, left) and Nicola Hamilton (former Head of Understanding Patient Data, right) presenting a poster on the Good Practice Standards at the European Patient Forum Conference back in November 2024.
Why are the Standards important?
As data plays an increasing role in shaping decisions that affect our lives, trust and transparency have never been more important. The Standards provide an ambitious roadmap towards a world where diverse public voices are not just heard but celebrated in research. A place where trust and transparency in the data research process are the norm.
What’s next?
We know that Standards are most effective when they are usable and adaptable in real-world contexts. That’s why our next phase of work is focused on supporting implementation. We are developing an evaluation tool that will help individuals and organisations assess how they are applying the Standards in practice. The tool will provide a way to capture learning, demonstrate progress and offer opportunities for reflection. Our aim is to help turn the Standards into something that not only guides practice, but also supports growth, accountability, and shared learning across the data research landscape.
A timeline of the evolution of the Good Practice Standards from 2023 to 2025 and beyond.
PEDRI is a collaborative and ever evolving initiative. If you are interested in applying the Standards to your own work or working with us to strengthen public engagement in your context, we’d love to hear from you at contact@pedri.org.uk