The Better Data Community is a network of public sector data representatives focused on improving the quality of data collected, and exploring effective approaches to data management and reuse.

We have developed a high-level events roadmap which highlights our plans for the year. With your help, we would like to continue reviewing our upcoming events so they remain relevant, meaningful and engaging. So please do send in your thoughts and stay connected.

Roadmap

• Feb–Mar: Build common ground through shared standards and practical metadata
• April-May: Pause for the election period
• June–July: Enable better data sharing and proactive publication
• September: Build confidence in using “good enough” data and improving quality
• October: Prepare for the future, including emerging practices and tools like AI

Call for speakers: We are looking for speakers to come along and share their experiences and work. If you want to get involved, please get in touch with Smerah Akbar (Smerah.Akbar@gov.scot) as soon as possible.

Our community brings together people from a wide range of roles—whether you work directly with data or simply use information to make decisions in your day‑to‑day work. We recognise that people engage with data in different ways, so we design our events and resources to suit different levels of experience and confidence. 

Data Technicality level:

• Level 1 🟢 Introductory – Discover: No prior knowledge needed. Focus on awareness and foundational understanding.
• Level 2 🟣 Working Level – Apply: Suitable for those with some experience, focusing on practical use and real‑world application.
• Level 3 🟠 Advanced – Advance: Designed for participants with strong expertise, covering technical depth and optimisation.
• Level 4 🔴 Expert – Specialise: Intended for experts, with emphasis on advanced practice, strategy, and innovation.

We are trialling this rating scale to help make our events even more accessibility. Please tell us what you think.

Events FAQ

1. What is the date and time of the event?
The events will take place at the indicated date and time. Please update your calendar to ensure you do not miss out.

2. Where will the event be held?
Our events are mainly held online which means you do not need to worry about travelling to and from a venue.

3. How do I register for the event?
To register for an event, simply click the “Sign up for free” button next to the event you’re interested in and select Checkout. You’ll be prompted to enter your name and email address to confirm your booking.

If you’d like to attend multiple events, you can add them to your cart. This allows you to complete your registration in one at the checkout, meaning you only need to enter your details once—saving you time.

4. How can I contact the event organisers?
If you have any questions, please reach out to us via Smerah Akbar (Smerah.Akbar@gov.scot).

5. Will the event be recorded?
We aim to record as many events as possible. Within each events page you will find further information on whether the presentation part of the event may be recorded. If you're unsure please reach out. If you’re unable to attend, be sure to sign up so we can share the recordings with you after the event.

6, How can I stay updated about the events we run?
You can keep track of our events by visiting this page regularly or you can request to be added to our mailing list.  Please contact Smerah Akbar (Smerah.Akbar@gov.scot).