The OpenSAFELY team at the University of Oxford has been awarded the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education, a major recognition of its transformative impact on public-health science. The award celebrates the group’s leadership in secure data research and its important contribution to understanding health risks at a population level.

OpenSAFELY emerged as one of the most trusted analytical platforms during recent global health challenges. The team designed a system that allowed researchers to study anonymised medical data at scale while keeping patient information protected. As a result, scientists produced rapid, policy-relevant insights on treatment safety, long-term health risks and disease patterns. These studies supported decision-making for clinicians, health agencies and governments.

🔬 A Milestone for Data-Driven Public-Health Research

The prize highlights how the OpenSAFELY model improved scientific transparency. Its fast processing and strict privacy standards set a new benchmark for responsible health-data use. The team also made its methods openly available, which encouraged reproducible research and allowed global partners to learn from the approach.

In addition, OpenSAFELY helped bridge gaps between academic researchers and public-sector organisations. The platform supported ongoing studies on vaccines, chronic conditions and inequalities in health outcomes. These analyses strengthened real-world evidence, which remains essential for effective and inclusive public-health planning.

🌍 Growing Global Influence and Future Outlook

The award is expected to increase international interest in similar secure-analysis platforms. Many countries are exploring ways to modernise their health-data systems, and OpenSAFELY now stands as a proven example of how large-scale research can be conducted safely. Oxford’s continued leadership in this space may inspire new collaborations with universities, health ministries and technology partners.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand the platform to support more health-system studies, including long-term disease monitoring and evaluations of new treatments. Their work demonstrates how academic innovation can strengthen healthcare delivery and benefit society.