Assessing and Strengthening The Computational Skills of Uk Data Service Staff.

Data service staff in social sciences need strong computational skills to keep pace with evolving data, methods, and research needs. These skills ensure they can deliver effective services and support cutting-edge research in a rapidly changing data environment.

This paper reports findings from a UK Data Service staff consultation on computational training needs, conducted in Autumn 2024 as part of the UKRI-funded project Building Computational Capacity among Global Data Service Staff (UKRI302). The consultation was designed to inform future workforce development and training priorities, ensuring that staff across all functions have the capabilities needed to meet the changing demands of data services work. It focused on identifying existing strengths, perceived skills gaps, preferred approaches to learning and development and priorities for training needs.

All UK Data Service staff were invited to take part in the consultation; a strong response rate was achieved, with 64 staff (around 80% of the workforce) participating. Results reveal strong recognition of the strategic importance of computational and AI skills and a high level of motivation among staff to enhance their expertise. While a solid foundation of technical capability exists, findings highlight variation across roles and identify clear opportunities for targeted, role-specific training.

The paper will present more detailed findings and outline how they will shape future investment in professional development, supporting the UK Data Service’s ambition to remain at the forefront of data innovation and delivery. Insights will be relevant to global data services seeking to strengthen staff capacity in an era of rapid technological change.