ONS Research Excellence award win for UWE Bristol data research group
UWE Bristol’s Data Research, Access, and Governance Network (DRAGoN) has been honoured with the Organisational Excellence Award at the 2024 Office of National Statistics (ONS) Research Excellence Awards.
The award recognises DRAGoN's groundbreaking contributions to UK data services, particularly in developing innovative datasets, tools, and approaches to data research and governance.
Led by Professor Felix Ritchie, the team has made significant strides in transforming national data management through critical projects such as Wage and Employment Dynamics (WED) and Semi-Automated Checking of Research Output (SACRO).
The judges specifically commended DRAGoN's pioneering work in Trusted Research Environments, highlighting the team's ability to set best practices for secure digital research spaces. Their projects, including the Future Data Service Fellowships and ODYSSEY Project, demonstrate a vast impact and comprehensive approach to improving data infrastructure and professional development in the field.
Professor of Applied Economics within the College of Business and Law at UWE Bristol, Felix Ritchie said: “This is a great achievement for the whole team. DRAGoN has been a significant actor in the development of the UK and international data landscape for many years, leading the world in theories of confidential data management, protocols, operating guides and software tools that directly affect research capability across health and social sciences. We work in the background and the researchers which depend on our work rarely notice it, so I’m very pleased with this wider recognition of the team’s efforts.”
DRAGoN has been at the forefront of developing national and international training programs around data management, ensuring the highest standards in data access and management. The team's interdisciplinary expertise has positioned them as leaders in driving innovation and efficiency in data research and governance.
For more information about DRAGoN, click here.
Related news
03 January 2025
Big leap forward for environmentally friendly ‘e-textiles’ technology
Research led by UWE Bristol and the University of Southampton has shown wearable electronic textiles (e-textiles) can be both sustainable and biodegradable.
19 December 2024
UWE Bristol academic appointed honorary professor at prestigious Danish university
A UWE Bristol researcher has been appointed an honorary professor at a prestigious university in Denmark.
18 December 2024
Opinion: Christmas… are you ‘totally sleighing it’ or wondering ‘what the elf’?
Could singing in a group bring a moment of calm and boost your mood this Christmas?
04 December 2024
UWE Bristol to lead £1.3 million project to evaluate the use of phone app to help with back pain
UWE Bristol will lead a £1.3 million project to evaluate the effectiveness of using an NHS-recommended smart phone app to help people suffering with low back pain.
28 November 2024
Work of UWE Bristol academics features in Government report on air quality measurement
Two UWE Bristol academics have made contributions to an influential Government report on the measurement of air pollution.
27 November 2024
Traffic noise reduces the stress-relieving benefits of listening to nature, study finds
Road traffic noise reduces the wellbeing benefits associated with spending time listening to nature, researchers have discovered.
22 November 2024
UWE Bristol professor unveils blue plaque honouring Bristol’s Cary Grant
Dr Charlotte Crofts joined Historic England to unveil a blue plaque celebrating the Hollywood star.
20 November 2024
Innovative university-business partnership to power economic growth and devolution for the West of England
A new centre created by the University of Bath with UWE Bristol and Futures West will pioneer new approaches to economic research and data analysis for the West of England.
15 November 2024
Global body confidence education project supported by UWE Bristol reaches 20 year milestone
A global initiative supported by UWE Bristol to build body confidence and self-esteem for the next generation of young people has celebrated its 20th anniversary.
05 November 2024
Researchers are turning soil sounds into songs
When David Attenborough said saving the planet is now a communications challenge, he probably wasn’t thinking about the possibility of DJs doing soil sets.
22 October 2024
‘Life changing’ prosthetic leg developed at UWE Bristol to be trialled at global competition
Researchers from UWE Bristol are preparing to showcase an advanced bio-inspired prosthetic leg they have developed to improve the quality of life for people with above-knee amputations.
17 October 2024
Immersive Arts opens applications with grants up to £50,000 available
Immersive Arts, a UK programme to support artists to make and share extraordinary immersive work, has opened applications for its first round of funding.