Review urges support for data assets like 45 and Up Study
National Centre for Longitudinal Data's Adam Rowland addresses the meeting
Adam Rowland, Executive Manager of the National Centre for Longitudinal Data, addresses the meeting

A national review of longitudinal data architecture will recommend that existing national longitudinal data assets be maintained and supported, the 45 and Up Collaborators Meeting heard this month.

National Centre for Longitudinal Data (NCLD) Executive Manager Adam Rowland, who gave a plenary address to the meeting, said the Centre was established two years ago to promote a longitudinal evidence base that informs policies and practices to improve the lifetime wellbeing of people and families in Australia.

The Centre, which is within the Department of Social Services, currently manages four longitudinal surveys:

Mr Rowland said a review of Australia’s longitudinal data architecture was announced in the 2015-16 Federal Budget, with the aim of informing Australia’s future longitudinal data needs.

The review initially identified 79 longitudinal data assets in Australia, including the 45 and Up Study, and then focused on an initial list of 15 core longitudinal data sets which were deemed to be of the broadest national value, he said.

A holistic approach to Australia’s longitudinal data system

The review was recently completed and while its findings are yet to be released, Mr Rowland outlined the broad recommendations, which included taking a holistic approach to managing the nation’s longitudinal data assets for the benefit of data asset custodians, researchers and policy makers.

Mr Rowland said the findings would be further discussed at the Longitudinal Data Conference 2016 being held in Canberra next month, which is themed: Powerful data, Strong evidence, Informed policy.

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