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About Research Data Scotland (RDS)
Research Data Scotland (RDS) is an independent charity, established in 2021 by the Scottish Government. We’re making it faster and simpler for researchers to access public sector data for research. We work in partnership with other organisations in Scotland and the UK to build on, and transform, key aspects of the data research system.
We are working to improve lives by enabling research and through that, better evidence-based decisions.
We have a leadership role in the data research system in Scotland: setting strategic direction and delivering key projects, like research elements of the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Data Strategy. Additionally, we are convening thinking and establishing best practice on things like public sector data, synthetic data and Scottish data ecosystem.
Organigram and Values & Behaviours
Please visit the bottom of this page to view our available downloads with information on our company organigram and our values and behaviours.
Vision and mission
Our vision is to promote and advance health and social wellbeing in Scotland by enabling timely and cost-effective access to public sector data about people, places and businesses. Using this data, we facilitate collaborative data-driven research and innovation in the public good.
To achieve this vision, RDS is:
- coordinating access to the excellent data already collected about people, places, and businesses in Scotland
- facilitating working across boundaries to collaborate on common datasets
- enabling access to the analytical tools researchers need to bring cutting edge insights that inform great decisions.
Strategy and business plan
Our new CEO will lead and help deliver our strategy to improve quality of life for people in Scotland by making it easier for decision makers to base their insights on evidence built on good quality data.
Read our 2025-2026 strategy and business plan
Who we are
RDS is a small but dedicated team comprising experts in a wide range of disciplines including data, statistics, business management, communications and digital delivery. Together, we’re committed to delivering a world-class service that revolutionises public sector data discovery and access across Scotland.
RDS was set up as a charity with funding from Scottish Government. We are governed by our Board of Directors/Trustees and place a strong emphasis on providing our users and the public with accurate and timely information on our actions, policies, decisions, programmes and initiatives.
Meet our Board and find out more about our governance structures
Interested to know more? Read our 2024-25 Annual report to discover our impact