1. NILS: An Introduction Rónán Adams NILS User Forum 11 th December 2009

2. What is The NILS? Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) Managed in “safe setting” at NISRA HQ 28% Sample of N.I. population Database of administrative records linked over time Drawn from Health Card Registration Data Linked to other datasets (2001 Census, Vital events) Northern Ireland Mortality Study (NIMS) 100% of deaths in N.I. 2001-2007 linked to 2001 Census

3. Establishing The NILS Funded by HSC R&D function of the Public Health Agency Managed Under Census legislation Research Proposal initiated in 2003 Launched December 2006 Data Custodian is Registrar General for N.I.

4. NILS Security- ‘Secure Data, Safe Setting’ Supervised “safe setting” for researchers -NILS RSU All datasets completely anonymised Closed network Strict Disclosure Control Policy I.T. Security, Data managed by Core NILS (NISRA) staff Security Agreements & NILS Licence Legal Approval-Data Transfer Agreements Ethical Approval

5. Management of The NILS NILS Steering Group (SG) –Responsible for Strategic Direction NILS Research Approvals Group (RAG) –Manage Research Applications Process NILS User Forum –Input from researchers –Represented on SG NILS Research Support Unit (RSU) –ESRC funded. Established April 2009 –Expert support for NILS researchers. Assist with applications, analysis, NILS promotion, upholding NILS security

6. NILS Research-Some Examples ‘Predicting Short Run Changes in Fertility in Northern Ireland’ ‘Mortality amongst residents of nursing and residential homes in Northern Ireland’ ‘Describing and Modelling Internal Migration in N.I. 2001- 2006 using the NILS: Individuals, Households and Places’. Breast Screening Exemplar Project

7. NILS-RSU Contact Details Do you have an idea for a NILS Project? –Michael Rosato 028 9082 8210 –Gemma Catney 028 9034 8199 –Email: nils-rsu@qub.ac.uknils-rsu@qub.ac.uk –Website: www.qub.ac.uk/nilswww.qub.ac.uk/nils