We are starting two new policy projects – one focusing on data technicians and one looking at statistics and analyses that are produced at pace to inform government decision-making. We are looking for members who are interested in these topics and who would like to be involved in the work. This could include providing direction to the projects in discussions or via email, commenting on draft plans or reports, or joining a project steering group. Please use this form to register your interest with us.
Our work on data technicians will investigate how well current apprenticeship systems are set up to meet existing and future data technician skills needs and identify where improvements could be made. This project is supported by the Gatsby Foundation. The overall goal is to help strengthen the data science skill-base in the UK by supporting people to attain data technician roles, as well as by supporting technicians through their career and recognising their skills.
This project will be crucial to the RSS’s efforts to influence the government to invest more in data-related career pathways. We are interested in supporting people – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who may not identify as having mathematical skills – to have a pathway into data careers. We especially welcome expressions of interest from members with experience in employing, managing, training or working as data technicians to help shape the project.
The second project focuses on the production of statistics and analyses at pace to inform government decision-making. This is driven by experience during the pandemic, where some people working with government statistics have suggested that a desire to use near-perfect data could delay timely decision-making, or could mean that decisions were made in the absence of data.
We aim to explore the extent of this issue, and to engage with the question of what a ‘good enough’ piece of analysis is – i.e., where information with biases and uncertainties might still be good enough to inform decisions if the biases and uncertainties are clearly explained. This project aims to explore instances where statistics produced at pace have been effective in informing decision-making, along with exploring any barriers to this approach and what could be done to overcome them.
If you are interested in either of these projects, please let us know using this form by 23 March 2023. We will be in touch with you shortly after that date with more information.