The SafePod Network (SPN) is an exciting development in the way that administrative and other sensitive datasets can be accessed.
The SPN is a network of independent standardised safe settings, known as SafePods, located in higher education institutions across the UK. All SafePods operate under the same policies and procedures and provide accredited researchers with access to project datasets from participating data centres.
The major benefit of the SPN for researchers is that they will be able to have widespread access to research datasets from across the UK in a single location, eliminating the need for long distance travel to a dedicated safe setting provided by a data centre.
The SafePod at Ulster University is located in the School of Psychology on the Coleraine Campus and is available 10am-4pm on weekdays, excluding public holidays and University holiday closures.
Once the SPN goes live, researchers that need access to sensitive or confidential datasets from a participating data centre will be able to access them from this SafePod.
Researchers that require access to sensitive and/or confidential datasets from participating data centres will be able to access them from the SafePod. A wealth of government datasets, as well as study and survey datasets will be available for secure access from SafePods. This will include datasets from:
- Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service
- UK Data Service
- SAIL Databank
- Linked datasets created by Administrative Data Research UK projects.
Other data centres may join the network once the service is up and running. The SafePod can also be used for other local or confidential work that requires the use of a safe setting.
The SafePod Network is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and managed by the University of St Andrews. SafePod is a registered trademark of the University of St Andrews.
How to book a SafePod
Once the SafePod Network has gone live, the SafePod at Ulster University can be booked through the SPN website.
Where needed, priority of access will be given for research that is critical to society and the economy.
Access to our SafePod will be coordinated by trained staff.
Further information
For further information about the SafePod at Ulster University can contact the Director of Research in the School of Psychology, Dr Victoria Simms: v.simms@ulster.ac.uk
The SafePod Network can be contacted on +44( 0) 1334 463901 or safepodnetwork@st-andrews.ac.uk.