Public sector delivery is often data rich, but struggles to efficiently use that data in monitoring, appraisal or evaluation. Linking together big datasets has the potential to transform our understanding of policy impact. At this masterclass Prabhat Vaze (Belmana Consultancy) will overview data linking and the associated analytical techniques, including the infrastructure and capability needed to undertake linking. He will then discuss the new insights data linking can provide using case studies of recent evaluations where the policy focus has been improving business productivity. Prabhat will also discuss the future of data linking in policy analysis and of secure data access.  

Prabhat Vaze is Director at Belmana and leads evaluations often focusing on business productivity policies. Recent published studies include the evaluation of the BEIS/DLUCH Regional Growth Fund. This used mixed methods, including a significant series of analyses using linked administrative datasets about businesses made accessible at the Office National Statistics. Prior to setting up Belmana, Prabhat was a government economist leading analytical services in the Ministry of Defence, and roads analysis at the Department for Transport. Twenty years ago, Prabhat - as ONS Chief Economist - initiated a “data lab”, now the ONS Secure Research Service. It provided secure research access to ONS business microdata. Prabhat has taught economics and has an economics PhD.

This event is being held online via Zoom from 1pm-2pm. For more details email admin@spe.org.uk