Trusted Research Environment
The University of Glasgow Trusted Research Environment (TRE) is an advanced, secure digital platform designed to empower researchers by providing safe access to sensitive health data. It allows scientists to explore personal and confidential information while adhering to the highest legal and ethical standards. This environment fosters collaboration across diverse disciplines and institutions, driving significant advancements in public health and community well-being.
In collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Trials Collaboration (CETC), the University of Glasgow TRE combines research expertise with innovative trial design, ensuring secure access to electronic health records and patient privacy. Guided by the Five Safes Framework and certified under the Cyber Essentials Plus and NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit, the University of Glasgow TRE operates from a Tier 3 ISO 27001 data centre. Partnered with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and West of Scotland Safe Haven, it offers pseudonymised linked data for health insights. This platform ensures that researchers can safely engage with sensitive information while prioritising patient privacy, a vital consideration in today’s research landscape.
Find out how the Five Safes framework keeps data safe and secure when it's used for research.
Our Services
The University of Glasgow TRE offers a comprehensive suite of services, carefully tailored to support researchers at every stage of their projects:
Data Access and Analysis
The University of Glasgow TRE can facilitate secondary usage of sensitive real-world datasets. Researchers can access advanced analytical tools with AI and machine learning pipelines to conduct novel data science analyses.
Support and Training
The University of Glasgow TRE offers extensive training and personalised support to help researchers effectively use the platform and its tools.
Collaboration Opportunities
The University of Glasgow TRE promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, leading to innovative solutions for complex challenges.
Access Control
The University of Glasgow TRE enforces strict access controls, allowing only authorised personnel to access data after a thorough approval process.
Audit Trails
All information in the University of Glasgow TRE is encrypted during storage and transmission to protect against unauthorised access, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
Data Encryption
The University of Glasgow TRE maintains detailed logs of all data access and interactions, ensuring transparent oversight and holding users accountable for their activities.
Latest News
The University of Glasgow’s Trusted Research Environment (UofG TRE), funded by the College of MVLS, is a new initiative, offering a secure computing environment for researchers working with sensitive data. It ensures privacy, security and will strengthen the University’s capacity for high-integrity research.
As our year one TRE Exemplar projects progress, collaboration remains central. We will work with colleagues across MVLS, the wider University and external partners (NHS). Our exemplar projects shape a user- responsive service. Based on the Five Safes framework What is the Five Safes framework? - UK Data Service researchers, technical specialists, data specialists and governance lead all contribute to a robust, trusted and adaptable service.
Public involvement in the development of the UoG TRE has been fundamental to the development of UofG TRE, with a public engagement event held on 17/11/25. We are now pleased to share the invaluable insights contributed by public, patient and partner communities in our published report, Public, Patient and Involvement Engagement (PPIE).
An important milestone for the coming month will be the initiation of the first UofG TRE workspace, enabling refinement of service accessibility for new users.
