Data Futures programme

Jisc's Data Futures programme aims to make data collection and reporting in higher education more efficient. This is the first change to student data systems in more than two decades.

The programme is designed to support in-year data collection, assurance and dissemination of higher education data.

Independent review

We have appointed reviewers and a steering group to conduct an independent review of delivery of the Data Futures programme.

In March we wrote to universities and colleges to let them know that we were commissioning an independent review of the issues experienced in delivering the first year of the Data Futures programme.

We appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to undertake this review. Throughout the summer, PwC have talked to sector groups and a selection of institutions across the UK to inform its work. They are now drafting a report of their findings and recommendations. The report should be finalised and shared with funders in the autumn.

Steering group

The steering group is in place to oversee the review. The steering group is chaired by Margaret Monckton, former chief financial officer at the University of Nottingham. She is joined by representatives from sector bodies and the devolved nations who have expertise in the collection of higher education data.

The steering group has met monthly since the review started in June. They have

• Reviewed and endorsed PwC’s approach, including the criteria for selecting which stakeholders to engage with and how.
• Ensured engagement and overall progress is on track
• Considered emerging themes from engagements to ensure these convert to meaningful recommendations.

The next step for the steering group is to review the evidenced findings and recommendations set out in the draft report.

The programme is on track to deliver the final report to the funders at the end of October or early in November. The steering group will continue to meet monthly until the report is finalised.

• See the steering group's terms of reference
• See the requirements and scope for the independent review