Data for Research: Change Management Board
Overview
The Data for Research: Change Management Board was established in November 2025. It supports our commitment to using data for innovation and research, following our Vision for Public Sector Data in Scotland and new Digital Strategy.
The Board ensures our investment in data infrastructure delivers our long-term goals for trusted and inclusive research data use.
The Board focuses on:
- how we provide data to researchers
- making data sharing and approval processes smoother (legal, ethical and operational)
- improving agreements and policies between agencies for research
- reviewing current processes and working towards the best system
- supporting new and emerging policy priorities
The Board provides recommendations, advice and challenge so we can improve how efficiently researchers access data.
Members
- Alastair McAlpine, Scottish Government (Chair)
- Emma Gordon, Economic and Social Research Council
- Eilidh McLaughlin, Scottish Government
- Esther Roughsedge, National Records of Scotland
- Bill South, Office of National Statistics
- Mark Sawyer, EPCC
- Carole Morris, Public Health Scotland
Advisers
- Roger Halliday, Research Data Scotland
- Chris Dibben, Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research and University of Edinburgh
Officials/observers
- Alessia Morris, Scottish Government
- Alex Ramage, Scottish Government
- Natasha Kong, Administrative Data Research United Kingdom