​The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) is part of the UK Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration (UK LLC), a national research resource that enables researchers to access data from participating longitudinal studies linked to health, administrative, and other datasets.

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The UK LLC provides opportunities to investigate how health, social, economic and environmental factors influence people's lives over time. Researchers can access data from multiple longitudinal studies, or combine data from individual studies such as ELSA with other linked datasets, within a secure research environment.

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What ELSA data are available through the UK LLC?

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The UK LLC holds a range of ELSA datasets covering different waves of the study, including information on participants' health, economic circumstances, social relationships and cognitive function.

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Researchers can apply to use these data alongside other datasets available through the UK LLC, subject to the relevant permissions and data access conditions.

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The availability of particular ELSA variables and linked datasets depends on the data currently held by the UK LLC. Researchers should consult the following resources before applying:

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• ELSA datasets available through UK LLC - details of the ELSA datasets currently available.

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• UK LLC Explore - a searchable catalogue of available datasets and variables, which researchers can use to prepare their data requests.

 

Who can apply?

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The UK LLC welcomes applications from UK-based researchers undertaking non-commercial research for public benefit.

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Researchers must hold Office for National Statistics (ONS) Accredited Researcher status before accessing the data. Those who have not yet obtained accreditation can begin the application process while completing the accreditation requirements.

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All research proposals must meet the UK LLC's eligibility criteria, ethical requirements and the conditions set by the relevant data owners, including ELSA.

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Further information is available in the UK LLC eligibility guidance.

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How to apply

 

Applications to access ELSA data through the UK LLC are made directly to the UK LLC, rather than through the ELSA linked data access process.

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Researchers should first check that the required datasets are available and then submit an Expression of Interest through UK LLC Apply.

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If the Expression of Interest is accepted, researchers will be invited to submit a full application. Applications are reviewed by the UK LLC and the relevant data owners, including ELSA where its data are requested.

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Approved researchers access the data through the UK LLC's Trusted Research Environment (TRE), which provides a secure setting for analysing sensitive data without downloading individual-level records.

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For further details, please see the UK LLC application guidance.

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