NIHR Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)
Working together to personalise and modernise research
13 July 2022
Building the NIHR's Digital Future - End of Quarter One Comms
Dear colleagues,
As we close the page on quarter one, it has been a joy to reflect on all the progress we have made in the past 12 weeks. From holding multiple ideation workshops to help define a user-centric online presence, working towards government-leading Cyber and Information Governance (IG) regulation standards, laying the blueprints of what a future-state Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) capability could be, and building a platform to better integrate NIHR systems, we’ve made great strides towards our year two goals.
The NIHR Digital Transformation
Over the last year, the NIHR Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Office has refreshed the NIHR Digital Strategy and held cross-centre workshops that identified over 500 ideas that we have shaped into 50 initiatives for inclusion in a digital vision and roadmap for the next few years.
Our objectives are to:
accelerate end-to-end research
increase awareness, recruitment and diversity in research
improve engagement with research participants
make it easier to track and value the impact of research
enable greater data sharing, value and insight
improve organisational digital leadership and capabilities.
Supporting these objectives we have initiatives being delivered in the year ahead around integration and API automation, digital trial engagement, cyber-security, information governance, data tools and strategy through funded business cases for delivery in this financial year.
25 May 2022
NIHR DDaT Team Visit CRN Greater Manchester
The DDaT Team is keen to meet in person with the wider NIHR family now that there are no Covid-19 restrictions in place. Our first visit took place with CRN Greater Manchester on Thursday 19 May.
3 May 2022
Mick Mullane's Return to the NIHR CRN Information and Knowledge Directorate
The NIHR DDaT Office would like to thank Mick Mullane for the considerable help and insight he has brought to the DDaT Office in the area of Innovation and Partnerships during his 8 month secondment. Mick is returning to his role as Innovation Lead within the I&K Directorate reporting to Samantha Liscio from the 20th April, but with an added importance of retaining strong links into the DDaT Office. Mick will link into the DDaT office and work on key areas such as Digital Modernisation, Service Design Forum representing the CRNCC. His role and experience will help to strengthen alignment, coherence and patient centricity across future CRNCC and pan-NIHR DDaT projects.
8 April 2022
Delivering digital across NIHR - A busy year and lots planned
As we begin a new financial year, I wanted to reflect on the progress of the Digital Strategy Implementation (DSI) Programme, to thank all colleagues involved and to share a snapshot of our plans ahead.
Please read and share our end of year programme summary and forward look “Building the NIHR’s Digital Future”
John Nother
NIHR Chief Digital Officer
8 April 2022
Google Workspace to Remain as the Collaborative Working Tool for the NIHR
It is now nearly nine years since the NIHR moved working tool platforms from Microsoft to Google Apps, now Google Workspace (GWS). Collaborative working tools were in their infancy at the time, and over the years we have seen many changes made to Google’s capability, including the addition of externally provided tools. Other providers, like Microsoft, now have competing products.
The last user survey of the NIHR Hub was conducted between 2016-18, and as we move into a new ‘Business as Usual’ as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was felt the time was right for a further review, which was conducted at the end of 2021. We recently reported to the NIHR DDaT (Digital, Data and Technology Board the outcomes of this Corporate Workspace Services Review, the highlights of which are set-out in this summary.
[Read more]
Latest: 18 February 2022
Speeding-Up Research and a Common ID
The NIHR DDaT (Digital, Data and Technology) Office is, with other members of the research system, undertaking a programme of work to facilitate how IT systems link together. This programme will enable data sharing across the research landscape, and streamline services for users, with the ambition of accelerating the end-to-end research journey.
Improved data sharing between core systems used by researchers will reduce the administrative burden that comes with duplicated data entry, and support a clear and guided path from study design, through set-up, approval and delivery.
Latest: 16 December 2021
NIHR Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Office Review of 2021 and Happy Christmas
The NIHR DDaT Office has had an eventful and successful year that wouldn't have been possible without our colleagues across the NIHR and our partner organisations. To reflect on the last 12 months we have pulled together some of the highlights, and very loosely based them on The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The DDaT Office and the Digital Strategy Programme Tiger Team would like to thank everybody for all their hard work and interest over the year and we wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year. Whatever you are doing, enjoy the downtime with your families and friends.
Latest: 24 November 2021
NIHR Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Office update - November 2021
In this month's update:
CSR (Comprehensive Spending Review) Update
Digital Strategy Initiative Programme Updates
Q3 Planning Event was held in London during October
DTE (Digital Trial Engagement) and undertaking a GDS (Government Digital Service) assessment
Electronic Data Capture
Interoperability and Systems Integration
Communities of Practice
TDA (Technical Design Authority)
SDF (Service Design Forum)
Celebrating Cyber Awareness Day
Farewell to Katherine Axel-Mckay
Latest: 7 October 2021
Your Cyber Hygiene Beauty Routine Event
October is European Cyber Security Month, an annual, Europe wide campaign dedicated to promoting cyber security to individuals and organisations across Europe.
To celebrate, and to support the NIHR Cyber and Information Security Governance Strategy, the NIHR is holding its first Cyber Awareness Day on Friday 29 October, which will be led by Robert Cowgill, the NIHR Cyber Information Security Assurance Manager.
Latest: 5 October 2021
NIHR Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Office update - September 2021
In this month's update:
Digital Strategy latest - emerging deliverables and bidding for further funding in the CSR
As we approach the midpoint of the year, there are plenty of exciting developments to report from the DDaT team. Our work on implementing the first tranche of Digital Strategy continues at pace.
We're expanding!
Google Hub updates
Latest: 3 September 2021
NIHR DDaT Office Event at Leeds Digital Festival 2021
The NIHR DDaT Office is very pleased to announce that we are hosting a virtual event at this year's Leeds Digital Festival.
Adrian Hall will be presenting and taking questions on the subject of: 'How the NIHR is enabling health and care research in a more seamless manner'.
Latest: 9 September 2021
Robert Cowgill Joins the NIHR DDaT Office in a New Pan-NIHR Role
The NIHR Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Office is excited to announce, with immediate effect, the appointment of Robert Cowgill to the new pan-NIHR role of Cyber and Information Security Assurance Manager.
Robert's previous role was with West Yorkshire Police as Cyber Protect Officer for the Force.
Latest: 16 August 2021
Mick Mullane Joins the NIHR DDaT Office
The NIHR Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Office is excited to announce, with immediate effect, the secondment of Mick Mullane to the DDaT Office for 6 months to support in the areas of Innovation and Partnerships.
6 July 2021
NIHR Digital Office Update - June 2021 from John Nother, NIHR Chief Digital Officer
In this month's update:
Digital Strategy latest - a £10m investment to begin our digital transformation! - Following the last nine months of working with and listening to our stakeholders to refresh and evolve the NIHR Digital Strategy, and develop the initial business cases, we are very pleased to share some truly exciting news with all of you.
Do you want to join the new Digital Community of Practice?
We are now the NIHR DDaT Office