The Role of Synthetic Data in Research: Benefits, Costs, and Practical Insights from Data Owners and Trusted Research Environments Experts - A Project Report with Practical Recommendations

This report investigates the potential and challenges of using synthetic data for data owners and Trusted Research Environments. Drawing upon a literature review, surveys with data creators, case studies from organisations creating synthetic data, and a focus group with Trusted Research Environments representatives, the report identifies key issues witholding the wider adoption of synthetic data including legal ambiguity, resource constraints, inconsistent quality assurance practices, and misperceptions around what synthetic data is and isn't.

The findings inform a series of actionable recommendations for policymakers, funding bodies, data creators, and the research community aimed at fostering a secure, efficient, and standardised approach to the use of synthetic data in the UK research infrastructure.

This work was supported by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK). ADR UK is a partnership transforming the way researchers access the UK’s wealth of public sector data, enabling better-informed policy decisions that improve people’s lives. ADR UK is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) investment (part of UK Research and Innovation). Further information about the grant is available on this Gateway to Research webpage.

For futher information about the project and related outputs please visit the project webpage.

The authors would like to thank all the data owners who generously shared their insights and expertise through the survey and case studies. We are also grateful to the TRE professionals who participated in our focus group, contributing invaluable perspectives on synthetic data's practical and governance challenges.