ADR Wales

Over the next year, ADR Wales will focus on building momentum and delivering impact. This will be achieved through a strategic set of activities designed to strengthen data capabilities and align ADR Wales work with emerging government priorities.

A key objective will be the continued acquisition of crucial data sources, ensuring ongoing access to high-quality, timely, and relevant data to support research and analysis. This includes securing existing data pipelines and identifying new sources that enhance insights into policy-relevant issues.

In parallel, the team will refresh and expand the ADR Wales Programme of Work, preparing it to address the priorities of the next funding period, extending into 2026 and beyond. This process will involve close collaboration with stakeholders to co-develop a forward-looking, impactful research agenda.

Supporting responsive partnerships and data use

A significant focus will be on evolving the partnership’s work to remain responsive to changing government needs - supporting both long-term strategic planning and urgent, short-term requirements.

ADR Wales will also continue to support and empower others - across government, public services, and voluntary and community organisations - to mobilise and use their own data to generate intelligence and evidence.

Finally, ADR Wales will deepen cross-sector partnerships and invest in the skills, infrastructure, and governance required to support sustainable data innovation.

Hosting the ADR UK Conference 2025

We are delighted to host the ADR UK Conference 2025 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff as September 2025 comes to a close. This year’s theme, From records to research: Harnessing administrative data to enhance lives, provides the opportunity to engage with others about the importance of administrative data research.

ADR UK conferences welcome discussion on a broad range of research, from crime and justice, to education, social care, health, and economic outcomes. This year we are welcoming leading voices across research, policy, and data to share their insights on the latest developments and innovations in administrative data research. These include conversations on public engagement, research methods, and ethics.

The conversations and learning that takes place at the conference will no doubt feed into our future plans and those of the delegates that attend.