Tell us a bit about you?
I’m a Senior Assistant Statistician at National Records of Scotland working on preparations for the next Census in 2031. I joined National Records of Scotland, an agency of the Scottish Government, in 2021 from academia to work on quality assurance of the processing and outputs of Scotland’s Census 2022.
———
Did you study after leaving school?
I went straight from school to study Biology at Imperial College London. I stayed at Imperial for a Master’s in Advanced Methods in Taxonomy & Biodiversity, followed by a PhD in ecology and evolution. I then carried out a short post‑doc in plant science.
———
What and where was your first significant job?
My first significant job after studying was a three year postdoc at University of Edinburgh in population genomics.
I had followed my husband to Scotland where he had started a position at University of Stirling and had applied for a postdoc in a new field from my previous research. It was a steep learning curve, but it gave me valuable technical skills and the confidence to step into new areas.
I then secured a lectureship at University of Stirling where we live, teaching undergraduates biology and statistics and doing independent research. I enjoyed the challenge of convincing biology students that statistics was important to them and the freedom to pursue research in areas that interested me.
———
When did you join the Scottish Government and what was the role?
My first role in Scottish Government was with the Census, starting in summer 2021.
———
What first attracted you to working at government or in the public sector?
I had a baby in 2018 and found that working in academia and juggling parenthood was tricky.
I also felt unmotivated to relentlessly apply for grants and was looking for a role that had the chance for better work-life balance and the potential to do some wider good.
I knew several academics who had moved to the Scottish Government and spoke really positively about it, so I took the leap too, and I haven’t regretted it for a single day.
———
What does a typical day look like for you?
I work shorter days so I can pick up my son from school, so I usually start before 9am. I first check my email and catch up with the rest of my team via Teams.
Most days are a mixture of meetings with my team or the wider Census team, some analysis and some research time looking at what other statistics agencies are working on and where to source good data from.
———
What do you like most about your current job?
I have loved working on Scotland’s Census. It’s a huge program tasked with producing one of the most important datasets for Scotland.
As part of the Quality Assurance team I got to become a mini-expert on Census topics such as health or the labour market and interact with a lot of expert colleagues across the SG as well as lead my team to deliver high quality work under pressure.
I enjoy working with my friendly and passionate team and I enjoy being appreciated and recognised for the work I do.
———
What is your working pattern?
I work four days a week, finishing early to pick up my son and start a new working day entertaining him ‘til bedtime.
———
What do you think is the best thing about working at Scottish Government?
Definitely the people. I’m surrounded by colleagues who are supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about the work we do.
———
Have you used any employee benefits whilst working at Scottish Government?
The flexi system has been invaluable for childcare, letting me adjust my hours at short notice and make up time later. During the busiest period of Census quality assurance, I built up a lot of flexi hours and reclaimed them once things quietened down.
———
What career advice would you give your younger self?
As someone who has worked closely with people entering analytical roles, I’ve seen how valuable it is to make use of the opportunities that come your way. Throughout your early career, you’ll meet people and encounter situations that can help broaden your understanding of the field, so it’s worth exploring any leads or ideas that spark your interest.
You don’t need to have a fixed long‑term plan. Many roles across statistics, data analysis, and wider STEM fields rely on the same core transferable skills, such as data management, analytical thinking, communication, collaboration, and leadership. And while competing deadlines or priorities can sometimes land at once, a bit of planning usually makes things manageable, and you’ll develop confidence in handling these moments as you go.