A day of connection and collaboration at the GSS Conference
It’s been a year since the launch of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Vision, and this year’s conference, Ahead of the curve: preparing for the future of statistics, centred one of the core themes: Innovation and Transformation.
The day demonstrated the vision in action as we celebrated the work of over 20 speakers, demonstrating our collective impact delivering statistics for the public good, and engaging in conversations about how we can work together to progress our practice.
Over 1,000 members of the Government Statistical Service from over 50 organisations came together in-person and online to share their knowledge and create new connections for the future.
The venue was buzzing with enthusiasm as attendees participated and networked throughout the day, asking thought-provoking questions and making new connections across departments.
Thinking about the statistical system together
The day began with inspirational remarks from Acting Head of the GSS and Acting National Statistician, Emma Rouke. Emma reflected on the accomplishments the GSS has made this year, including stronger governance, our shared vision, and our strength as a multi-disciplinary community. She encouraged members to think about the challenges ahead of them with a series of important questions. Why not ask yourself a few?
- How are you bringing your technical experience and experience in your department to bear on bending the curve in innovation?
- What is it new that we need to create?
- Do you understand the tools that you have, and how to knit them together as an ecosystem to deploy them?
Ed Humpherson (Head of the Office for Statistics Regulation) launched the Code of Practice 3.0, discussing how integral the code is for both the GSS and users of our statistics. In a world of increased technological developments and opportunities for misinformation, the refreshed code sets standards and guidance for statistics, continuing to champion Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. Ed was joined by a panel of senior leaders to explore this in more detail, answering audience questions about how we can further embed the pillars.
Penny Young, Interim Chair of the UK Statistics Authority Board, offered the following reflections on this, as well the session she led alongside Mairi Spowage (Non-executive Board member):
“As a community, it’s clear we want to see the integrity of official statistics protected, with their limitations clearly explained. We had lots of positive dialogue about the Code’s more explicit focus on public use of statistics, which wraps up not just statisticians but people who communicate their work across government too.
Mairi and I led a session on what people see as personal challenges for them and for the system as a whole. We found it inspirational to talk with so many colleagues from across government. We will spend some time considering all their contributions, and how the Board and the next strategy can best support the system in response.
Thank you to the Conference’s organising committee – it’s a tremendous amount of work to make these things happen.” – Penny Young, UK Statistics Authority Board.
Bringing in new perspectives
Our external keynotes offered unique perspectives on how collaboration and connection can enhance our work.
Eric Anvar, Head of Smart Data at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), reflected on the power of leveraging and building ecosystems for data by creating wide-reaching relationships, connecting on shared challenges, and sharing knowledge. He spotlighted how much further we can go together, to deliver more with less, sustainably, within resource limitations. He motivated attendees to innovate and build their ecosystems, centralizing Communities of Practice, and developing connections across projects to move forward together.
Eric shared the following remarks:
“I was incredibly privileged to participate in the conference and to get to know and learn from the vibrant UK statistical community. Innovating in practices, building capabilities, collaborating on transforming data experiences: all the sessions were insightful. The conference spoke to the challenges and opportunities met by the global statistical community.”
Allison Littlejohn, Pro-Vice Provost for UCL’s Grand Challenge Data Empowered Societies and Professor of Learning and Technology at University College London (with thanks to the School of Public Policy, UCL for their sponsorship), shared insights and considerations for inclusion in data. She discussed how UCL are ensuring their work is “human led and human driven as well as data informed and data-driven”, exploring considerations through the themes of working and learning with data, knowing and deciding with data, embracing vulnerability, and sacrificing individual interests to contribute to the greater good.
Allison shared examples which illustrate how we can empower people with data and find solutions which improve their practice for the future. Key lessons focused on understanding the cultures and challenges of different groups and what changes to data and systems mean to them. She discussed supporting users to better understand data and avoid misinformation, as well as helping those working on data to understand and overcome barriers to necessary change for the future.
Allison shared her experience:
“I enjoyed participating in the conference as a keynote speaker. It was inspiring to meet statisticians from across different government areas and to hear their perspectives on the ‘future statistician’. Our conversations connected with UCL’s Grand Challenge Data Empowered Societies, which explores how we can create data empowered workforces as people use data and AI. The conference left me feeling energised and optimistic about the road ahead.”
Championing the diversity of our knowledge
The collective expertise across the GSS was demonstrated by our 15 parallel presenters. Topics ranged across reproducible analytical pipelines, analytical processes, data linkage, artificial intelligence, subnational data, innovative methods, the future statistician toolkit, centralising users in design, and collaborating across boundaries.
Speakers shared their excitement:
“Presenting at the conference was a fantastic experience – it was great to see lots of familiar faces in the audience and be given a chance to link up with other statisticians across the community. The event provided great opportunities to collaborate with new teams in a range of departments who we haven’t worked with before.” – Sam Caton, Head of Cross Government Analysis, HM Revenue and Customs
“The conference was a fantastic way to connect with different government statisticians and to reconnect with former colleagues, making the event especially memorable. All the presentations I attended were brilliant, but having the opportunity to showcase how the Data First programme is transforming justice data through innovation and collaboration was a highlight for me.” Georgina Eaton, Principal Statistician and Social Researcher Data First Research, Ministry of Justice
“It was a privilege to be part of the session on building capabilities for the future at the GSS Conference 2025. It provided a fantastic opportunity to learn from leading experts and hear ideas from across our community – ideas that will inform our thinking and shape the vision for the Future Statistician.’ – Steve Ellerd-Elliott, Deputy Head of the GSS, Department for Work and Pensions
Further blogs will follow from some of the speakers shortly.
Looking forward to 2026
Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback on the conference, which we will use to inform our planning for next year.
Beyond the conference, there are plenty of opportunities to engage and build your relationships throughout the year across GSS events, champion networks, and regional networks and more. We look forward to seeing you soon.
The GSS Policy and Coordination Team, UK Statistics Authority