ONS is currently reviewing the criteria and process used to grant Approved Researcher status and, as part of this review, has launched a public consultation exercise which will run until 29th March 2015. ONS is inviting views of researchers on how the Approved Researcher scheme could be improved.
The review, and its supporting consultation, is being led by an expert Steering Group composed of ONS staff and external stakeholders. They are proposing a number of changes to the current criteria and process to address known limitations of the current scheme and are seeking views from all interested parties on these proposed changes, and whether there are other changes that could be made.
The consultation document, and details of a public consultation event in London on 16th March, is available on the ONS website.