ADR Wales was delighted to be represented in force at this year’s International Population Data Linkage Network (IPDLN) Conference in Rotterdam, joining leading researchers, data scientists, policymakers and innovators from around the world.
As one of the most important conferences in our field, IPDLN provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase innovation and collaborate with colleagues who are tackling some of society’s most important challenges through the use of linked data.
This year, our delegation reflected not only the breadth of expertise across our organisation but also our commitment to continuous learning and international collaboration. With a strong presence across presentations, posters, leadership discussions and networking events, colleagues shared their expertise, showcased the impact of Welsh research and explored new opportunities to collaborate with partners across the globe.
Throughout the week, colleagues connected with experts from across academia, healthcare, government and industry, discovering new approaches, exploring potential collaborations and sharing insights from our own experiences.
The conference also provided a platform for professional development, enabling attendees at every career stage to expand their knowledge, strengthen their networks and identify new opportunities to advance both their individual careers and our collective ambitions.
Reflections from our attendees
To capture the experience, we asked our team to share their thoughts on the value they gained from attending IPDLN. Their reflections highlight the diverse benefits of participation, from developing new skills and forming international connections to discovering research innovations and identifying opportunities for future collaboration.
Will Lewis, Statistical Officer, who showcased a poster entitled “Higher Education Data Linkage in Wales: Methodology and Lessons Learned” said: “Attending conferences like IPDLN gives you the unique opportunity to connect with people doing similar work but from all over the world with different backgrounds and experiences. Learning about new developments and techniques in data linkage methodology is especially useful and something I wouldn’t be able to do in my day-to-day work.”
Lucy Robinson, Linked Data Analyst within the ADR Wales Ymateb theme, also presented a poster entitled Year 11 Attendance and Progression to Post-16 Education in Wales. “The rapid-fire presentation sessions were my highlight, providing an engaging overview of a wide range of innovative research and highlighting topics to explore further afterwards.”
ADR Wales Co Director Lucy Griffiths said: “Attending a data linkage conference is a great way to get outside your usual bubble, learn from others doing similar work and gain fresh perspectives, ideas and approaches.”
Matt Evans, from ADR Wales’ Welsh Government Data Acquisition team, delivered two presentations that showcased the governance and infrastructure that underpin trusted research environments and data-driven policymaking. Matt reflected on the value of learning from peers facing similar challenges around the world: “It provides an opportunity to meet counterparts in different organisations and countries working in similar areas, understand their challenges and learn how they overcome them. It provokes new ways of thinking and how we can do things differently.”
Faye Gracey, Head of Data Acquisition and Linking for Research, who delivered two presentations that demonstrated how Wales is helping lead international discussions on population-scale data linkage. Reflecting on the conference, Faye said: “Hearing from inspiring world leaders in their fields gave me renewed motivation and lots of ideas to bring back to Wales.”
Katy Huxley, ADR Wales Education theme Co-Lead, presented “The Young Social Care Workforce in Wales: A Longitudinal Analysis of Transitions into Social Care Work Using Linked Workforce and Education Data”. Reflecting on the benefits of attending IPDLN, Katy highlighted the opportunity to learn from international approaches to population data research and infrastructure: “Learning about different data access systems and infrastructure in different countries and engaging with population data researchers is hugely valuable.”
Matthew Skermer, Senior Statistical Officer at ADR Wales within the Welsh Government presented a poster on the Interplay between children looked after (CLA) and substance misuse in Wales said: “One of the key benefits for the organisation is being able to promote your research to the wider research community, but there are many personal benefits: Networking opportunities enable you to connect with people who could support you or expand your work, attending other people’s presentations inspires you to investigate novel techniques to get the most out of your future research and associating with fellow researchers helps you to feel part of a global community dedicated to helping the public to get the most out of data.”
Carmel Albiston, ADR Wales Project Support Officer presented on her experience of managing the Welsh Government Data Access Panel. Reflecting on the lessons gained from attending IPDLN, Carmel said: “Attending my first international conference gave me valuable insight into how similar roles are delivered across different countries, while broadening my understanding of the latest research and strengthening my professional network. The highlight was presenting to an international audience and showcasing the impactful work of ADR Wales.”
Matthew Curds, Head of Major Projects and Project Development, DALfR Welsh Government presented on pay disparities among individuals with protected characteristics in Wales and said: “The highlight of the conference for me was the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and have dedicated time to share ideas, experiences, and potential research opportunities. It was particularly valuable to discuss current and future capabilities with colleagues from across Wales and the international community, while also connecting with people outside our usual networks and learning from their perspectives and approaches.
The conference highlighted not only the strength of ADR Wales’ research portfolio but also the importance of investing in opportunities that enable staff to develop professionally, contribute to international conversations and help shape the future of population data science.
As attendees return with new ideas, collaborations and perspectives, the benefits of IPDLN will continue to be felt across the organisation, strengthening our research, informing policy and creating new opportunities for impact.