University of Oxford and DfE begin six-month study into student data use in AI

The research will examine how anonymized school data can support AI development while protecting children's rights, with Ofqual and Oak National Academy contributing to the project

The University of Oxford is working with the Department for Education, Ofqual and Oak National Academy on a six-month study examining how pupil-generated data can support AI research while protecting children's privacy and digital rights.

The University of Oxford has begun a six-month research project with the UK Department for Education (DfE) to examine how data generated by school students could be used in artificial intelligence research without compromising children's privacy or digital rights.

The project, titled Publicly Funded Pupil Data as a Strategic Asset and Public Good, will investigate how anonymized student information can be accessed, shared and governed to support educational research and the development of AI tools.

Funded through an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) React Award, the study has been co-designed with the DfE and brings together researchers specializing in education, law, AI governance and learning science.

Ofqual, England's qualifications and examinations regulator, and Oak National Academy are contributing to the research, alongside expert support from Baroness Beeban Kidron.

The work is intended to inform government policy on student-generated data, including the safeguards needed when information collected through education systems is used to develop and evaluate AI technologies.

Research will examine safeguards for student data and children's digital rights

The project will combine international evidence reviews, legal and ethical analysis, and engagement with stakeholders to evaluate different approaches to managing student-generated data.

Researchers will examine how information produced by children through their education could be made available for research and innovation while maintaining appropriate protections and public trust.

Dr. Sara Ratner, who is leading the project at Oxford's Department of Education, says: “Together we hope to prepare a set of research-informed recommendations as to how England can best safeguard student data and the digital rights of our young people at schools across the country.”

The study will produce a proposed governance framework for student-generated data, guidance on implementing a Pupil Data Commons and recommendations for future AI assurance and certification processes.

The proposed Pupil Data Commons would form part of the research into how student-generated information could be managed and accessed responsibly. The announcement does not establish it as an operational data-sharing service.

The researchers will also consider how different governance arrangements could support educational innovation while protecting children's rights.

Oak National Academy to contribute anonymized assessment data

Oak National Academy will contribute fully anonymized datasets of multiple-choice responses to support the research.

The organization already makes its curriculum content and code openly available for the development of educational tools, including AI applications.

John Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Oak National Academy, says: “Robust data is essential for AI to compute how children learn, and in turn, improve their outcomes. But responsible handling is non-negotiable: pupil privacy cannot be compromised.”

Oak's contribution will provide the research team with student-response data as it examines approaches to responsible data use. The project has not yet established which governance models or safeguards it will ultimately recommend.

Ofqual will contribute its regulatory perspective, particularly on the development and use of AI systems involving student information.

Jo Handford, Ofqual's Director of Assessment Integrity & Innovation, says: “Ensuring student data is used responsibly in the development and use of AI tools is critical. We’re pleased to contribute to this important research, bringing our regulatory perspective and helping build the evidence needed to support safe innovation while protecting students’ interests and maintaining public trust.”

The six-month study builds on an existing collaboration between Oxford's Department of Education and the DfE.

Its findings are intended to inform policy and practice in England, with recommendations covering student data governance, responsible AI development and future assurance requirements for educational technologies.

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