Freedom of Information and Data Protection

The Constitution Unit is the leading academic centre in the UK specialising in Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection (DP). Our ten Researchers and Associates have been closely involved in the introduction of FOI in the UK. Our team's mission is to:

• conduct cutting edge research in the UK and overseas;
• contribute to the development of sound, evidence based policy and practice;
• provide high quality training, consultancy and advice;
• organise lively and professional conferences, workshops and seminars;
• promote the exchange of ideas and best practice between the UK and other jurisdictions.

Projects | Events | Links and Resources | Publications | Monthly Updates | Associates

Current Research Projects

	The impact of FOI on Parliament (August 2009-August 2011) Is Parliament as an institution more transparent and accountable as a result of FOI, and what impact has this had? Has FOI helped MPs hold the government to account?
	The impact of FOI on local government (August 2009-November 2011) Has FOI made a difference to an already transparent system of government, and has it affected the new local government model?

Past Research Projects

• The impact of FOI on Whitehall (January 2007-June 2009)
  Has FOI achieved its objectives, such as increasing transparency, accountability and trust? And has it affected the workings of Whitehall, such as ministerial accountability and the Cabinet system?
  • Summaries of the findings of the project are now available on the project homepage
  • Our book based on our research - The Impact of the Freedom of Information Act on Central Government in the UK: Does FOI Work? - has been published by Palgrave Macmillian.
    
• Understanding the Formulation and Development of Government Policy in the Context of FOI (June 2009).
  Prepared for the Information Commissioner's Office, this report describes the policy making process in central government, and examines the interaction of this with the section 35 exemption in the UK, and comparable exemptions abroad.

Upcoming Events

• 2010 FOI Seminar Series: Our next seminar is on Tuesday 28 September with Dr David Erdos (Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford), titled Data Protection - Fit for Purpose?
  
• Click here for other upcoming Constitution Unit Events

This page last modified 3 September, 2010 by v.spence@ucl.ac.uk

Ben Worthy on BBC 4's PM programme, Unit in the News, 2 September 2010

Government Information Policy Seminar Series -
Next Seminar 28 September

See the whole 2010 programme

Latest FOI and DP Monthly Update August 2010

FOI Live 2010 Tuesday 6 July
More info