Analysis in Government Awards 2020

Thank you to everyone who has submitted a nomination for the Analysis In Government Awards. We have received well over 100 nominations; an indication of just how important government analysis has been this year.

There are five separate awards which will be presented to teams from across the Analysis Function and you can find the shortlisted entries under each category.

Collaboration

This award recognises great working between teams, departments, other professions and/or external organisations or researchers to deliver a piece of analysis or analytical project. The joint winners are:

  • COVID-19 Infection Survey – COVID-19 Infection Survey Team (Office for National Statistics)
  • Excess mortality in England – Population Health Analysis/Public Health Data Science (Public Health England)

The two highly commended entries are:

  • COVID-19 international trends – International Comparators Joint Unit Data Team (joint unit between Cabinet Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
  • Collaboration in preparation of the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2019 – WIMD team (Welsh Government)

Innovation in Methods

This award recognises innovation in methods of analysis. The winner is:

  • Splink: Probabilistic Data Linkage at Scale – Internal Data Linking Team (Data and Analytical Services Directorate – Ministry of Justice)

The runner-up is:

  • How we are teaching machines the difference between shirts and t-shirts – Prices Classifications Project Team (Office for National Statistics)

The two highly commended entries are:

  • NI Pharmacy Needs Assessment – Pharmacy Analytical Projects Team (Family Practitioner Services Information Unit)
  • How DWP upgraded its modelling and forecasting methodologies to respond to the Universal Credit forecasting challenge in the time of Covid-19 – Working Age Modelling and Forecasting Division (Department for Work and Pensions)

Communication

This award recognises clear and successful presentation and distribution of analysis using methods such as commentary, visualisations, interactive materials and social media. This could include public facing communication as well as within teams and departments or across professions. The winner is :

  • COVID-19 Situation Operational Dashboard – Analytical Products team, Product Management, Design and Delivery (NHS England and NHS Improvement)

The runner-up is:

  • COVID-19 press data team – Best Practice and Impact (Office for National Statistics)

The two highly commended entries are:

  • Emergency Care Intensive Support Team Urgent and Emergency Care dashboard – Emergency Care Improvement Support Team (NHS England and NHS Improvement)
  • GAD’s work on McCloud remedy – Public Service Pension Schemes Team (Government Actuary’s Department)

Impact

This award recognises analysis which has had a lot of impact through its use or influenced decision-making and/or has contributed to public debate. The winner is:

  • Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard – COVID-19 Statistical Reporting Team (Department of Health Northern Ireland)

The runner-up is:

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by ethnic group – Health Analysis and Life Events (Office for National Statistics)

The two highly commended entries are:

  • Statistics on Deaths involving COVID-19 in Scotland – Vital Events Statistics Team (National Records of Scotland)
  • Evaluation Transformation Programme – Implementation Unit (Cabinet Office)

Investment in people

This award recognises achievements in the development of our people and the building of an inclusive culture across the Analysis Function. The winner is:

  • Happiness Index – Data Services (Ministry of Defence)

The runner-up is:

  • Building the Analytical Community in Manchester – Sarah-Kate O’Grady (Department for Work and Pensions)

The highly commended entry is:

  • MoJ EU’s Nationals Network – Maria Angulo (Ministry of Justice)

Awards and certificates will be sent out to winners and short-listed nominations shortly. We’ll also be hearing more about the short-listed work (as well as all of the other nominated work) at the first ever Analysis in Government Month being held next year as well as through a programme of sharing webinars that will soon be rolled out across the Government Analysis Function. Further details will be announced in due course.

World-class analysis

The work of the Government Analysis Function, in bringing together all in the analytical profession, has long been essential to inform decision-making and monitor the delivery of the government’s priorities. Every day, our community delivers data, evidence, analysis, research and evaluation, which is vital to make critical decisions. In 2020, our work has never been more important. We have put world-class, innovative analysis in the hands of decision-makers in order to answer government’s most important questions at pace.

Please contact AF.Awards@ons.gov.uk for any further information.