Robert James

University of Essex - BA, Economics - 1970 – 1973.

The Address as a Special Case in Geographical Referencing.

Supervisors: Chris Perkins, Martin Dodge and Robert Barr.

Gazetteers and geographic dictionaries, the naming of space, the naming of Topographic objects, the creation of addresses for Topographic objects, personal names.

“The research aims to deal with the paradox that whilst Postal and similar addresses are the most frequently used spatial identifiers there is no theory as to how they are constructed, what they represent or how they change over time”.

The main research question of this study is:

            Would a single definitive UK address data set be beneficial?

Secondary research questions include:

1. What is an address and what does it represent?
2. What structures can an address have?
3. How do addresses come into being?
4. Do addresses change as the referred object changes over time?
5. Is a single definitive address data set technically, politically and financially feasible?

It is necessary in this context to define definitive, and differentiate it from the similar reference or master data, the OED definition will be used;

Having the function of finally deciding or settling; decisive, determinative, conclusive, final

Thus an address from a definitive data set is the only one that can be correct in a particular domain, e.g. if the domain of interest is postal geography the only correct address can be one from the Postcode Address File (PAF). This is not to say that a definitive data set will not include errors, just that it should not.  In general data can be considered as definitive de jure, or de facto, only if it is shared between different groups. Reference and master data are accepted as a standard within a limited domain, usually a single organisation but would not claim to be correct only standardised.

Almost all of my work has been for clients and as such is confidential however one paper on multi occupation property, written for DCLG and co-authored with Dr Robert Walker is available at:
www.landregistry.co.uk/upload/documents/acacia_multi_occ.pdf

Career Summary

Unusually I am completing my PhD at the end of my career rather than at the beginning for the last 29 years I have primarily worked in the area of data management usually as a data analyst or as a consultant, with particular reference to data processes and quality issues relating to addresses and personal names. Initially I worked for the Post Office, managing the Postcode Address File, and latterly have worked mainly with government users of address and other linked data sets.

Relevant Work Experience

Senior Consultant Robert James Consultancy Jan 1996 – Present
With interests in all aspects of data particularly the creation of information from data and knowledge from Information.
Head of Police Software Trilogy Computers - Jan 1993 – Dec 1996
I was responsible for Police Software as a separate operating unit within the company. The software  for crime recording, analysis and mapping was in use on more than 25 sites, including the Metropolitan Police.
Director Lynchester Computers Ltd - May 1992 – Dec 1992
Developed map based Crime Pattern Analysis software including SQL and cross tabulation modules.
I designed and managed the development of a real time vehicle tracking system capable of handling many thousands of “simultaneous” vehicle reports, and the outline design of Casualty bureaux and PC based Holmes Systems.
Head of Group, Postcodes Royal Mail - February 1983 – August 1988 
Managed the postcode system for the UK, maintaining up to date records for all 26 Million UK Addresses with 140 staff, £4m budget, £1m+ income from product sales.