Data Connect Showcase - register now

Join us on 27th November 2025 to find out how Data Connect is connecting researchers with health and social care data, enabling research that improves lives regionally, nationally and globally.

Firth Court

We are delighted to announce the Data Connect Showcase on Thursday 27th November 2025. Join us from 13:30 at Firth Court, University of Sheffield to find out how Data Connect is connecting researchers with health, social care and sensitive data.

What to expect

We will be joined by Professor Sue Hartley OBE, the Data Connect team and speakers who are driving digital and data transformation and innovation across the health sector. This event is a great opportunity to network with academics, regional partners and policymakers.

Programme

13:30 Doors open for refreshments and networking

From 14:00 Introduction to Data Connect and how we can support your research projects, plus an update on the national and regional data landscape with our partners from the Yorkshire & Humber Secure Data Environment (SDE). 

  • Professor Suzanne Mason
    Professor of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Director for Research, Barnsley Hospital NHSFT and Academic Director, Data Connect
    'Introduction to Data Connect'
  • Kate O'Sullivan 
    Head of Secure Data Services, Research & Innovation IT, University of Sheffield and Associate Director, Yorkshire & Humber SDE
    'How Unconsented Data Supports Equity Research'
  • Dr Phil Waywell
    Chief Data Officer, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber and Director, Yorkshire & Humber SDE
    'Data-driven R&D in healthcare and the life sciences’
  • Dr Rosie Gough
    Senior Research Project Manager, Data Connect
    'The Data Connect Service: Support and Simplifying Access to Complex Datasets'
15:00 Short break with refreshments.

15:15 Presentations and insights from researchers who have successfully used the Data Connect service to plan, apply for, and access research-ready data. With guest speakers:

  • Dr Kieran Baker
    Chief Digital and Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Deputy Senior Information Risk Owner, South Yorkshire ICB and Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine and Population Health
  • Professor Chris Burton
    Professor of Primary Medical Care, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield
    'Big data for big problems: a health services research perspective'
  • Dr Richard Jacques
    Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield
    'Exploring Regional Linked Health Data Capability for Research: Variation in Attendances and Admissions for Ambulatory Emergency Care'
  • Nick Hamilton 
    Principal Research Fellow, Sports Engineering Research Group (SERG), Sheffield Hallam University and Innovation Lead at the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub
    'smart-health and the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub'
  • Dr Maria-Cruz Villa-Uriol
    Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science, University of Sheffield
    'Visual Data Analytics: Empowering Better Decisions'
16:45 Thanks and closing remarks from Professor Sue Hartley OBE, Vice-President for Research & Innovation, University of Sheffield
17:00 Drinks reception and networking

What is Data Connect?

Data Connect provides secure, single-point access to sensitive health and social care data. We offer comprehensive support, including:

  • Information governance and ethics
  • Data extraction and transformation
  • Data management and statistical disclosure

Our cloud-based environment is ISO27001, NHS DSPT, and CyberEssentials+ accredited.

Researchers can either access our existing datasets or get support to create new, bespoke datasets.

Register now

We would encourage you to attend in person to take advantage of networking opportunities before and after the main presentations which run from 2-5pm. However, we will also offer an online joining option if you are unable to attend in person. Feel free to share this invitation with colleagues who are interested in using sensitive data for research.

RSVP to attend in person: Join us at the University of Sheffield (includes refreshments before and after the main presentations, doors open at 1:30 pm)

RSVP to attend online: Join the event virtually from 2–5 pm

Please get in touch if you have any questions about the event: dataconnect@sheffield.ac.uk

Networking at the Data Connect Launch Event
Data Connect Launch event

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