Developing the Researcher Access Service and the Research Data Access Pathway
Learn about how we’re improving the ways researchers can discover and access secure Scottish data
What is the Researcher Access Service?
The Researcher Access Service is a platform for researchers to discover and apply to access de-identified data about people, places and businesses in Scotland.
It provides a starting point for researchers to discover datasets and to enquire about accessing data through secure approval pathways, including the Research Data Access Pathway and the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel.
Historically, ways of accessing public sector data for research in areas such as health, education, child protection and justice have been fragmented. From a researcher’s perspective, even simple requests are not straightforward, forcing people to work across multiple websites and follow often convoluted processes.
Managed and led by Research Data Scotland (RDS), in collaboration with our partners, the Researcher Access Service brings together information about public sector data which is held by organisations across Scotland. It provides a clear, simple starting point for researchers to begin their application to access data through the National Safe Haven and Regional Safe Havens, which together make up the Scottish Safe Haven Network.
Through the Researcher Access Service, RDS is leading on the alignment and development of Scotland’s data access systems. This includes:
Developing the Research Data Access Pathway for streamlined access to certain datasets
Facilitating access to other data access pathways, including via the Public Benefit and Privacy Panel and the Scottish Safe Haven Network, and making it easier for researchers to find and use these pathways
Improving data discoverability through our metadata catalogue
Guiding researchers through data access processes
Developing the Research Data Access Pathway
The Researcher Access Service enables researchers to request streamlined access to certain datasets via the Research Data Access Pathway.
The Research Data Access Pathway (previously referred to as the RAS pathway) offers a digitised, streamlined approvals process, including a portal for applicants to track the status of their application throughout. RDS leads and manages the service, in collaboration with eDRIS at Public Health Scotland.
Find out more about some of the key milestones in developing the Research Data Access Pathway below:
From October 2025 to October 2026, we piloted a new Public Impact Advisory Group (PIAG) for the Research Data Access Pathway. The PIAG provided early feedback on research applications received via the pathway.
The pilot is currently being evaluated for future continuation.
From October 2025, the Research Data Access Pathway became aligned with the UK Digital Economy Act 2017 (DEA) to simplify and accelerate access to public sector data for research while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, security, and public trust.
An initial beta version of the Research Data Access Pathway (then called the RAS pathway) was launched in April 2024. At launch, the Service enabled faster access to nine datasets around health, held in Scotland’s National Safe Haven, through a fully digitised application process.
In 2021 and 2022, ADR Scotland (Administrative Data Research Scotland) public panel sessions took place to help to shape and offer valuable feedback on the strategic direction of RDS. These panel sessions introduced some of the concepts for the development of what would later become the Research Data Access Pathway and offered panel members the opportunity to comment and question the approach.
The public panel feedback influenced the approach we have taken, how we communicate safeguards and the name of the service.
Throughout the development of the Research Data Access Pathway, we have worked with the public, including via our public panel, Scotland Talks Data.
Working with users, the public and partners
We work collaboratively with researchers, members of the public and partners to understand the current barriers facing researchers, and to identify opportunities to align and improve existing data access systems while maintaining high levels of public trust.
This includes working with our partners in the Scottish Safe Haven Network and the Scottish Data for Research Alliance, collaborating with members of the public through our Scotland Talks Data public panel, and with users via our engagement contact list.
Recently, insights from a tree test circulated to both our research community and partners helped inform improvements to our web content and information architecture. One-to-one user testing also helped us make further enhancements to the Researcher Access Service section of our website.
If you would like to get involved and help shape the future of the service, you can sign up as a user/researcher, or find out more about our public engagement.