The SafePod Network (SPN) is a major research innovation to provide and manage a network of standardised safe settings (SafePods) across the UK for data that requires secure access for research.

All SafePods operate under standardised policies and procedures and provide accredited researchers with access to their project datasets from Data Centres that join the SPN.

The SPN is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and run by the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research as part of the ADR UK programme.

What is a SafePod?

A SafePod is a small standardised safe setting that provides the physical security and controls for a researcher to access sensitive datasets. This includes a door control access system, CCTV, a researcher area for the analysis of datasets and a separate secure storage area for IT equipment. A SafePod is also wheelchair accessible and includes a height adjustable desk.

SafePods will be primarily based at universities.  The major advantage for a researcher is that they will now be able to securely access different Data Centre datasets from a single local SafePod, removing the geographical, time and cost barriers that have typically been associated with a researcher attending one of the few safe settings across the UK.

A total of 25 SafePods will be part of the SafePod Network and spread geographically across the UK.

Data Centres joining the SPN

A wealth of government datasets, as well as study and survey datasets will be available for secure access from SafePods.  This will include datasets from:

Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service
UK Data Service
SAIL Databank

Other Data Centres are expected to join the SPN to provide access to their datasets over time.

SafePod location and opening hours

The University of Manchester SafePod is located at the Main Library, Oxford Road.

Further information about the SPN and other SafePod locations is available from their website.

®SafePod is a registered trademark of the University of St Andrews.

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