Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Our strategic partnership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) places a strong emphasis on developing skills, career pathways and creating graduate opportunities with mutual benefits for both organisations.

Launched in July 2019, this partnership aligns well with both organisations' strategic aims, particularly with regards to developing research income opportunities, mutually beneficial partnerships, student and staff work placements, and graduate recruitment. In addition, the skills and resources across the University will support ONS’ key strategic aims for data revolution and innovation, using data for public good and skills development of its staff.

As two of the largest employers in the region, we are committed to creating social and economic impact through our strategic partnership with ONS, due to a strong sense of place and civic mission.

Aims and objectives

Our partnership is focussed around 5 key strategic themes:

Data Science: To collaboratively develop a holistic programme of activity for data science, statistics and data innovation, led collaboratively Cardiff University and ONS, and for Cardiff and South Wales to be seen as the home of data science and public policy.

Economic Intelligence: to assist ONS in addressing the key issues in the UK economy and improve economic capability; to make effective use of ONS statistics, expertise and data sources on matters relating to the measurement of the economy and the collection and presentation of economic data for the UK, and; to increase numbers of academics and students making use of and citing ONS economic statistics.

Healthy Ageing: to assist with bringing together Cardiff academics with expertise in this area including from Neuroscience and Mental Health Research and Dementia Research Institutes as well as Social Sciences; to deliver ways to align collaborative activity with the ONS on healthy ageing. initiatives and programmes, including participation with other organisations such as NHS Wales, Public Health Wales and University Health Boards.

Regional Impact: to support regional innovation in helping to unlock the public sector as a significant asset in Wales and through other regional initiatives related to the broader public policy agenda; to work collaboratively with ONS to make the move from observing to answering the big questions through linking data together better.

Skills and Education: to increase knowledge exchange across ONS and Cardiff University with more co-creation and co-location through formal mechanisms such as secondments, placements, recruitment, membership of advisory boards and committees as well as informal relationship building and knowledge sharing; provide a talent pipeline for ONS and training and development for current ONS staff and students.

Theme leads

The following academics are helping to steer and develop joint opportunities with ONS counterparts.

Strategic themes

Collaborative projects

• Data Science Campus / Data Science Academy
• New Masters in Data Analytics for Government 
• £10m Challenge Fund

Contact us

If you have any queries or questions regarding the partnership, please contact the University’s Partnership Manager: