ESRA 2027 sessions by theme
Back to Overview of Sessions
Administrative Data in the Age of AI: Building on Established Strengths for Future Research |
| Coordinator 1 | Mrs Dana Müller (Institute for Employment Research (IAB)) |
| Coordinator 2 | Dr Christin Czaplicki (German Pension Insurance (DRV Bund)) |
| Coordinator 3 | Miss Katharina Werhan (German Pension Insurance (DRV Bund)) |
Session Details
Administrative data has long been a cornerstone of social science research and evidence-based policymaking. Covering domains such as employment, earnings, unemployment, pensions, health, education, taxation, and social protection, they provide rich information over extended periods of time. Often encompassing entire populations rather than samples, they allow researchers to observe individual life courses at scale, support robust policy evaluation by providing a unique basis for assessing the implementation, effectiveness, and unintended consequences of public policies. This research potential can be further enriched by linking different kinds of data with administrative data. Their comparatively low collection costs and measurements that are unaffected by recall errors or survey nonresponse further make administrative data an indispensable resource for monitoring social change and informing public decision-making.
Yet, as methodological debates increasingly focus on artificial intelligence, digital trace data, and other emerging data sources, the continued development of administrative data infrastructures risks receiving less attention. Important questions remain about how these infrastructures can continue to evolve and meet future research needs.
This session invites contributions exploring how administrative data can be maintained, expanded, and more effectively utilized within future research infrastructures. We welcome papers on data quality, data access, governance frameworks, legal and ethical challenges, and applications for policy evaluation and evidence-based policymaking. We particularly encourage contributions addressing strategies to enhance the value of administrative data, including data integration, enrichment through complementary sources, and innovative analytical methods, including AI-based tools.
We also seek international perspectives on how countries are adapting administrative data systems to technological change and evolving research needs. By bringing together researchers, data providers, policymakers, and infrastructure experts, the session aims to discuss how institutional, technical, and legal frameworks can support the sustainable development of administrative data, foster innovation, and unlock their full potential for research and policymaking.
