Synthetic data’s role in shaping research and governance – insights from ADR UK projects

Synthetic data is emerging as a transformative tool for enhancing data accessibility. With four expert presentations, we will provide a holistic view of how synthetic data is set to shaping the data landscape in the UK. This panel marks the culmination of a series of projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) via the Administrative Research Data UK (ADR UK), which explored the benefits, costs, and utility of synthetic data from the perspectives of the public, data owners/providers and Trusted Research Environment professionals, and researchers. Despite key recognised advantages such as obtaining data familiarity, training and capacity building, challenges such as public trust, routine adoption, and scalable production persist. With the findings from these completed projects, this panel will provide a comprehensive analysis of synthetic data’s potential and challenges. Expert speakers will share their unique perspectives on: • Public engagement: reflections on public understanding and acceptability of synthetic data, with actionable recommendations for building trust and transparency. • Data owners and TRE professionals: insights into best practices and lessons learned in implementing synthetic data collections at scale. • Researcher’s perspective: reflections on how synthetic data might be used by researchers, therefore influencing what data, metadata and documentation must be made available for reuse. • Synthetic Data Working Group: outcomes of cross-organisational collaboration, with a focus on the development of standardised terminology in line with FAIR/CARE principles. This session will go beyond presentations, incorporating interactive activities such as live polling and a moderated Q&A. These engagements will enable attendees to apply findings to their own contexts, exchange ideas, and explore pathways for advancing synthetic data adoption globally. Join us to reflect on the journey of synthetic data, discuss its future potential, and collaborate on strategies to address persistent barriers in research access and governance.