Research with privacy-sensitive population data – like people’s income, employment history or health records – is very important, but also requires strict controls and data protection measures that can make rapid analysis during a pandemic a challenge. Synthetic data could offer a solution. These are artificially generated data that mimic the characteristics and patterns of a real population, without being traceable to real individuals.

On 4 and 5 June 2026, during the OneGov #2 hackathon, TU Delft’s Digicampus developed a first set of synthetic population data. To explore whether these data can be used reliably for research at the PDPC, Digicampus and the PDPC have now started the ‘Synthetic data’ research project. The project kicked off on 18 September 2026. The researchers will investigate whether the data developed during the hackathon can be expanded into an integrated dataset that supports research across different areas relevant to pandemic and disaster preparedness.

The project brings together postdoctoral researchers, who are looking at the potential of the dataset from four connected perspectives:

1. Population and validation: Does the synthetic population resemble the real Dutch population closely enough to be used for reliable research? This will be assessed by comparing it with secure CBS data, for example to see whether it can be used to study the spread of infectious diseases.
2. Wastewater surveillance: Can we link the synthetic population to wastewater treatment areas? This could help researchers better understand and interpret signals of pathogens found in wastewater.
3. Transport and mobility: Can the synthetic population be used to simulate people’s movements that are relevant to the spread of infectious diseases?
4. Climate and environment: Can the synthetic population help us understand which people and areas are most vulnerable to climate-related risks, such as heat, flooding or disease-carrying mosquitoes?

A validated synthetic dataset could allow the PDPC to explore different pandemic and disaster scenarios and better understand their potential impact. This can help inform where preparation is most needed. The project will run until the end of 2026, after which the researchers will deliver a report with the validation findings and a roadmap for further development.

The PDPC is working on the project with a multidisciplinary team from TU Delft, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC and Digicampus, drawing on expertise from organisations including Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the National Data Center (NDC) and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). The research findings are expected to be published in a scientific article in 2027.