Population Research UK (PRUK) is a new national resource designed to maximise the use of, and benefits from, UK longitudinal population studies across social, economic and biomedical science. PRUK is funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Infrastructure Fund.
UK longitudinal population studies (LPS) are a national asset based on the generous donation of detailed longitudinal data by participants over decades.
PRUK is maximising the potential of this data by bringing together and developing the infrastructure, processes and people that will enable LPS data to be efficiently enhanced, accessed and analysed.
PRUK is:
- helping remove barriers to the use of data across multiple LPS resources, where data may have been collected in different formats
- broadening insights from LPS data through data linkage (between studies and to routine and other data), and capitalising on cutting-edge approaches in data capture, data storage and processing technologies and analytics
- working with studies to develop practices and standards that ensure UK LPS infrastructures are interoperable with each other in the future and with other international LPS data-sharing initiatives
- working with existing infrastructures to help increase policy relevance and impact through engagement of policymaker stakeholders
- responding to the public voice on complex data-sharing issues, and seeking to maintain public confidence in using their biomedical, health and socioeconomic data for research.
In this way, PRUK is facilitating a greater research understanding of the following determinants of health:
- biological
- behavioural
- social
- economic
- environmental.
PRUK is also facilitating a greater research understanding of the complex interplay between the above, guiding improvements in health and societal wellbeing, and informing economic, health and social policy.
The scope of PRUK includes all significant UK LPS, encompassing longitudinal population studies, panel studies and biobanks.
PRUK activities will prioritise resources currently or previously funded by ESRC and MRC in the first instance.
Wellcome has worked alongside UKRI to develop PRUK and may in the future consider whether to become a funding partner.
PRUK leadership team
ESRC and MRC launched a £10.8 million funding opportunity for the PRUK coordinating hub team in May 2023. The leadership team for the coordination hub of PRUK was appointed in 2024. The PRUK leadership team are:
- Nicholas Timpson, University of Bristol, Co-Director
- Alissa Goodman, University College London, Co-Director
- Jennifer Symonds, University College London (CLOSER), LPS Connection
- Andy Boyd, University of Bristol (UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration), LPS Connection
- Chris Orton, University of Swansea, Technical Lead
- Paul Bradshaw, ScotDen Social Research, Forum Lead
- Rosie McEachan, Born in Bradford, Forum Lead
The leadership team coordinates the delivery of PRUK. The team is working with the community to identify and address priority needs, building on existing provision and commissioning additional activities under the five original themes from the PRUK prospectus:
- data discovery
- data access
- data linkage
- training and capacity building
- coordination and advocacy
A strong collaborative ethos ensures that PRUK and the wider ecosystem work successfully together. The broad LPS community is integral to the work and includes:
- the UK’s LPS teams
- research and policy users of longitudinal data
- data service providers
The leadership team brings extensive health and social science experience of LPS, data and infrastructure. By maximizing the potential benefits from this longitudinal data, we will help to change lives and society for the better.
As we all benefit day-to-day from longitudinal data, and the insights they provide, the work delivered by PRUK will open new possibilities.