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September 2026

Welcome to UK LLC Data Bulletin
Discover our latest data news in our quarterly newsletter.

  • News & updates
  • Spotlight on EXCEED
  • Research focus: Beyond the linkage rate - understanding linkage quality in UK LLC
  • Reminders for researchers
News & updates
683,863 participants from 25 Longitudinal Population Studies
Help shape a learning platform for a new training Trusted Research Environment: We are leading a workshop, organised by Population Research UK (PRUK) to develop a training Trusted Research Environment (t-TRE) and online learning platform. Sign up for a workshop on the 10th or 17th September.
New datasets available from: BCS70, ELSA, GLAD, NCDS58 and Understanding Society. Click here to view.
International Population Data Linkage Network Conference 2026: Several UK LLC team members presented papers. Topics included: consent review, UK LLC’s Citizen Panel and cross-cohort participants.
Spotlight on EXCEED

The Extended Cohort for E-health, Environment and DNA (EXCEED) was set up to increase the understanding of the genetic, environmental and lifestyle-related causes of health and disease. Launched in Leicestershire in 2013, its initial focus was on smoking, alcohol consumption and weight, and their influence on the development of multiple long-term conditions. Recruitment to EXCEED is on-going, with a focus on boosting participation from ethnically diverse local communities. EXCEED data in the UK LLC Trusted Research Environment (TRE) includes baseline demographics as well as information on occupation and lifestyle. In line with researcher demand, there are plans to expand the data held in the TRE to include anthropometry, spirometry and ‘omics. More information about the cohort characteristics and how to apply to access EXCEED data is available on Guidebook.
Research focus: Beyond the linkage rate - understanding linkage quality in UK LLC
When researchers work with linked data, it can be tempting to think of linkage as a purely technical step: records either match or they do not. However, linkage can also influence who is represented in the data, what information is captured about them, and ultimately how research findings should be interpreted.

In this article, Joseph Lam explores why understanding linkage quality requires looking beyond headline linkage rates. The article discusses linkage bias, how administrative and health data are created and processed, and why researchers need information about who is represented in linked datasets and who may be missing.

Read more about linkage quality in UK LLC.
Reminders for researchers
  • Find out more about Statistical Disclosure Control by taking our quiz!
  • How can your research be enhanced by place-based data? Take a look at which of our partner LPS link to geographic datasets.
  • Thinking about a new research project? Submit an Expression of Interest today and hear back about feasibility within a week.
Where to find out more
Email our Data Team:

support@ukllc.ac.uk
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UK LLC is run by the Universities of Bristol and Edinburgh, in partnership with UCL, SeRP UK, Swansea University, City St George’s, University of London, University of Leicester and Population Research UK. It originated as part of the COVID-19 Longitudinal Health and Wellbeing National Core Study. This work is funded by UK Research and Innovation, Medical Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council. UK LLC uses data provided by study participants and patients collected through longitudinal studies, or as part of their care and support.