Bringing data to life

Want to learn how the cost of living is calculated? Or where the happiest places in the UK are? What about how we measure the population?

"Bringing data to life" is a series of free online events, hosted by us at the Office for National Statistics (ONS). These events explore the life cycle of how statistics are created, from gathering the data to releasing the figures that make a difference.

We are exploring how statistics can be used to help us make better choices and improve our public services. Everything from health and gross domestic product (GDP) to the environment and migration.

You will hear from people who work with data across government, exploring:

• the difference between data and statistics

• how statistics are created

• where statistics have made an impact

You can also take part in quizzes, ask questions and share your thoughts.

The webinars are free and open to anyone who is curious about data and how statistics are created. They will also be recorded and shared on YouTube for you to watch later.

We will be exploring a range of statistical topics. The next phase of webinars in 2025 will be: 

• the story of crime in numbers 

• measuring what matters most: understanding national well-being 

You can find out more and sign up for the events on Eventbrite.

Measuring what matters most: understanding national well-being

Date: 25 March 2025

Measuring national well-being helps us to understand how we’re doing beyond standard economic measures. Our data at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows us what matters most to people when it comes to living a good and meaningful life.

For our seventh webinar, we explored how we have developed our different well-being measures, and how well-being can look differently across the nation. We were also joined by a guest speaker from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to understand their crucial work to place a monetary value on the health and wellbeing impacts of culture, creativity and heritage, so policymakers can accurately measure the impact of public investment in society.

You can watch the recording on Youtube  (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

The truth behind the numbers: spotting statistical misuse

Date: 25 February 2025

As a producer of official statistics, being able to define what misinformation means in relation to data and statistics is so important to us.

For our sixth webinar, we explored how we handle statistical misuse especially in the media. We were also joined by speakers from the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) to explain how they play an important role in investigating and challenging the misuse of statistics across government.

You can watch the recording on Youtube  (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

Artificial Intelligence and innovation: keeping humans in the loop  

Date: 21 January 2025  

From asking a virtual assistant for the time to using facial recognition when you open your smartphone, Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to evolve and integrate into our daily lives.  

For our fifth webinar, we were joined by speakers from ONS to explain how we are piloting the use of Generative AI and Large Language Models. We were also joined by NHS England to explain how they are using AI in early screenings to detect cancer and how innovation can improve lives.  

You can watch the recording on Youtube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

How are your vitals? Exploring health by numbers  

Date: 12 December 2024 

Our population is growing, and people are living longer. This means understanding the nation's health is more important than ever. 

Data can tell us what the picture of health looks like across the UK, and how cause of death changes based on personal characteristics or what region people come from. 

For our fourth webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS exploring how life expectancy has changed over the last 30 years. We also joined by Public Health Wales to explain how their work helps to protect and improve health and reduce health inequalities for the people of Wales. 

You can watch the recording on Youtube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

Air fryers and vinyl records: how we measure the cost of living

Date: 21 November 2024

From a holiday to a cup of coffee, or even your weekly grocery shop, the price we pay for things matters to all of us. By collecting and analysing different consumer prices data, we can closely monitor if prices are going up or down for everyday basket items.

For our third webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS exploring how we produce prices statistics. We also heard from His Majesty’s Treasury to explain how they use our statistics to maintain control over public spending and set the direction of the UK’s economic policy.

You can watch the recording on Youtube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

Create your own butterfly effect: citizen science and environmental statistics

Date: 22 October 2024

It’s more important than ever to understand what’s happening to our natural world.

By collecting and analysing lots of data, we can closely monitor the changes that are happening to the environment and create statistics that make a difference – and you can play a part in this too.

For our second webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS and Defra, exploring the environmental statistics they produce, such as air quality, wildlife population changes, and climate change concern. They also explained how people can play an important role in producing wildlife statistics through citizen science schemes.

You can watch the recording on YouTube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides.

Bringing data to life: an introduction to statistics

Date: 30 September 2024

Platform: Microsoft Teams

Data are all around us. When they are collected and analysed to make statistics, they tell us really interesting stories about the world we live in. They can even be used to help people make informed decisions for the better.

That might be your neighbour who wants to understand average house prices in their area. It could be your local council planning public transport services, or even the Bank of England, who sets the UK’s Bank Rate, which affects your interest rate.

But how are data collected, analysed and communicated in a reliable and meaningful way? And how can we all use it to inform our decisions and actions?

For our first webinar, we were joined by speakers from the ONS, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, exploring the difference between data and statistics.

You can watch the recording on YouTube (plays in new window) or read the presentation slides (PPT, 17.8MB).