Government Analysis Function > Analysis in Government (AiG) Month Hub > Learning outcomes from Analysis in Government (AiG) Month 2025 live events

Learning outcomes from Analysis in Government (AiG) Month 2025 live events

Week 1: Commencing 28 April 2025

In this session, Dr Ine Steenmans, Associate Professor in Futures, Analysis and Policy at UCL, challenged the traditional focus on predictive accuracy in policy modelling. Drawing on recent studies, she argued that a model’s greatest impact often comes from how it transforms our thinking, not what it predicts. By valuing exploratory power alongside predictive power, even “wrong” models can generate profound evidence for policy. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Chris Paterson and actuaries from the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) discussed how climate considerations could affect the public sector. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

1. Learn about the services of the Government Actuary’s Department

2. Read related Government Actuary’s Department news stories:

3. Check out related guidance:

4. Take a look at the Actuaries in Government blog, or focus more specifically on their climate change blogs

In this session Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Head of the Analysis Function provided an overview of different aspects to ensure impact, including working better with our customers, the importance of having a clearly defined question to be answered, and the importance of communicating the results effectively. He also covered some of the tools which support impact, including data sharing and linkage. Below are just some of the support resources available:

 

Week 2: Commencing 5 May 2025

In this session, Dr Berkeley Zych, Senior Data Policy Analyst and Operational Researcher in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) discussed advanced econometric analysis, approaching complex research problems and engaging effectively with academics. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session, Paul Matthews, Head of Profession for Statistics in the Scottish Government discussed making an impact by maximising tasks that add most value and minimising those that add least value. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Library staff shared the impact of two elements of their service; literature searches and online resources. The team shared examples of how the Library’s literature searches of external evidence have been used to inform decision-making within DWP’s Analytical Community. This was followed by a demonstration of how the Library’s introduction of O’Reilly Learning has supported DWP analysts develop their skills with tools like Python and Power BI. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

Unfortunately this event was cancelled, keep an eye on our Eventbrite page for updates on rescheduling.

In this session Franca MacLeod and Chris Martin from Children and Families Analysis in Scottish Government discussed the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding. The session focused on the evaluation of the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding, a £500 million multiyear commitment in Scotland to support local transformational system change of holistic family support. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session we joined Professor Jackie Carter, Author of Work Placements, Internships & Applied Social Research. Prof of Statistical Literacy. FaCSS, NTF. 1-in-20 Women in Data, University of Manchester for a ‘fireside chat’. Jackie discussed how diversity positively impacts the analytical community and how she has supported diverse talent pipelines. She shared some insights into her work as an educator teaching social research methods and a pioneer of the Data Fellows programme. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Alfie Dennen, Digital Senior Product Manager in AI Enablement for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) discussed how Redbox is already helping Civil Servants extract, summarise and synthesise information on specialised subjects, and how we can increase the impact of Redbox further in the future. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session, analysts from Office for National Statistics (ONS) presented four ways in which ONS staff have had a positive impact through their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) ambassador work.  Attendees were taken through some of the most successful STEM activities and inspired a new wave of STEM ambassadors. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Sam Mold, an analyst working in the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) discussed the concepts of demography, demographic challenges, and related Government roles. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

  • Attendees were informed that the Demography Centre of Expertise in the Department for Work and Pensions aims to:
  1. Ensure that DWP has access to the best possible demographic data and research to support modelling and policy development
  2. Ensure that DWP uses demographic data in an effective, accurate and efficient way
  3. Develop and lead on key briefing for demographic trends
  4. Key products of the team are a ‘Demographics Overview’ slidepack summarising key demographic trends and a ‘Spliced Spreadsheet’ of historic and projected demographic data for use by modellers and forecasters. We store these and other useful demographic data in a ‘Demography Repository’ on Sharepoint for use across DWP

 

Week 3: Commencing 12 May 2025

In this session Dr Karina Williams and analysts from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) discussed three tools that have been developed to assist analysts across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) to assess administrative data quality. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

  • The Administrative Data Quality Framework covers what aspects of quality to consider when using administrative data for research and statistical purposes. The framework aims to help you assess the quality of administrative data for use in the production of statistics
  • The Administrative Data Quality Question Bank provides questions for analysts to consider as a quality assessment tool, or to ask data suppliers, to understand quality when conducting analysis or research using administrative data
  • The publication, Cataloguing errors in administrative data; outlines the different types of errors and methods to consider when using administrative data for statistical analysis or research. It gives a theoretical overview providing error classifications and outlining possible ways to deal with errors when using administrative data for statistical purposes

Unfortunately this event was cancelled, keep an eye on our Eventbrite page for updates on rescheduling.

In this interactive session Dr Francesca Bryden,  Head of Data Engineering in the Department for Transport (DfT) discussed all things data engineers. This included how to get the right data to analysts who need it, how pipelines* deliver tangible real-world impacts across DfT, and how DfT are innovating to ensure that analysts can continue to deliver impactful results in a data-centric world. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

  • Understand the data engineering role, and how it contributes to both foundational infrastructure and cutting-edge innovation
  • Explore the range of APIs currently produced by the public sector, which wouldn’t be possible without data engineers. Take a look at the API Catalogue
  • See DfT’s future ambition in the area of Digital Twins, cutting edge digital products which rely on structured, scalable, and reliable data flows with the TRIB Roadmap
  • Learn about geospacial digital twins, including what they are and who uses them
  • For more information on data engineers you can contact data.engineering@dft.gov.uk

In this session Levin Wheller, Evaluation Lead in the Cabinet Office, along with speakers from the Cabinet Office Evaluation Task Force (ETF) discussed Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs). The session explored key learning from the delivery of two ‘wait-list RCTs’ of interventions which aim to support children and families affected by domestic abuse. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Dr Caroline Wright, an analyst and researcher in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) discussed multidisciplinary work in Local Knowledge & Intelligence Service (LKIS) and writing a good impact story. The session provided an introduction to measuring impact, why it is important, and some great examples of the impact LKIS has had across the system. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Simon Marlow (Deputy Director and Lead Analyst for the DWP and DHSC joint work and health directorate) with the help of his analysis team, discussed the impact of Contracted Employment Support. The session examined the innovative analysis that, over the past six years, has transformed the evidence base for employment programmes. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Amy Woodget, a Senior Data Scientist for Natural England discussed the ‘Living England’ habitat mapping project, including how this innovative project is using earth observation imagery, extensive field survey and an AI workflow to map broad habitat types across England. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session Aris Xylouris, Head of the Data Policy Analysis Team at the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) discussed using behavioural science to give consumers greater control. Aris detailed the ‘privacy paradox’ in Cookie pop-ups, where users prioritise speed and ease by opting for automatic acceptance, while at the same time expressing a desire to safeguard their data. When Ministers considered changing the approach to online browser cookies (GDPR cookie pop-ups), analysts from DSIT worked with policy to produce credible options that they could test in a randomised control trial (RCT). Aris discussed how this work highlighted very unexpected results which led to Ministers to reconsider their course of action. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

In this session representatives from the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) discussed their multiple-award-winning Childcare deserts and oases project. We learned how this project has transformed disparate cross-government and commercial data into novel real-world insights on the everyday experiences of parents seeking nurseries/childminders. Below are some of the supporting resources from the session:

 

Week 4 Commencing 19 May 2025

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Week 5: Commencing 26 May 2025

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