A synthetic data strategy for Scotland: Using synthetic data to improve access to public sector data for research

ObjectivesResearch Data Scotland (RDS) is working to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing in Scotland by enabling access to, and linkage of, public-sector data for research in the public good. Our objective was to explore how synthetic data can be used to support this aim.
 MethodsWe investigated what other, similar, data organisations were doing around synthetic data, both in Scotland and beyond, and the issues to consider. We discussed use cases, tools, level of fidelity of synthesis, disclosure risk, information governance (IG) requirements, where the synthetic data might sit, who could access it, training and accreditation requirements, and barriers to synthesis. The findings were used to draft a synthetic data strategy, create a working group and plan future work. We also held a user workshop to discuss researcher requirements and asked our public panel about their understanding and concerns around synthetic data.
 ResultsThree workstreams have been set up around disclosure risk & IG, synthesis, and access, promotion & engagement. A test synthesis of education data is planned. From our user workshop one of the main themes that emerged was