SafePod Network
Welcome to the safepod network
The SafePod Network (SPN) provides researchers with standardised safe settings (SafePods) across the UK for data that requires secure access for research.
All SafePods operate under standardised policies and procedures and provide approved researchers with access to their project datasets from Data Centres that join the SPN. So far, this includes:
- Office for National Statistics.
- UK Data Service.
- SAIL Databank.
- Scottish Government.
- Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.
- National Records of Scotland.
- Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.
The major benefits of the SPN are outlined here.
The SafePod Network is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and is part of the Administrative Data Research UK programme.
ABOUT safEpod
A SafePod is a standardised safe setting that provides the security and controls for data that requires secure access for research. A SafePod includes a door control access system, CCTV, a researcher area for dataset analysis, secure IT cupboard and a height adjustable desk.
SAFEPOD OPERATION STATUS
View the operation status for SafePods here.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Read more about SafePods and how datasets are accessed here.
Researcher registration
Researchers must register with the SPN (which includes passing an online training questionnaire on the SPN User Agreement) before a SafePod can be booked and used to access project datasets. Further details about the researcher registration process is available here.
Once registered, a researcher can book and use any SafePod in the network for access to their project data from an SPN Data Centre.
Data ACCESS
A number of organisations provide a wide variety of data for researchers to access through the SafePod Network. For more information click here.
OBJECTIVES and principles
The major objectives of the SPN are to:
- Significantly improve the quantity and diversity of public benefit research by providing researchers with equitable and secure access to data through the provision of a network of SafePods across the UK;
- Improve and widen the sharing of data for public benefit research by raising awareness and advocating the work of the SPN with data centres in the UK; and
- Provide clear information and sign posting for researchers to be able to understand how to access data for public benefit research from all safe settings across the UK.
You can read about our principles for secure data access here.