As part of the Royal Statistical Society’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in statistics, data science and related professions, we are launching a programme to support data professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds to become “Future Leaders”. The call for applicants is now open!
Our aim
Motivated by the phrase “you cannot be what you cannot see”, our Future Leaders programme aims to celebrate the diversity of the data professions and empower data professionals from underrepresented groups to pursue leadership positions within the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) and the wider data community, working with us to inspire future generations of statisticians, data scientists and data analysts.
What does the programme involve?
Our cohort of 15 Future Leaders will help develop an RSS working group to further shape our approach to mentoring, training and supporting practitioners from ethnic minority groups. They will report back on their work through our publications and public meetings, and all Future Leaders will receive a complimentary delegate pass to our 2024 conference in Brighton – joining more than 500 other data professionals for four days of networking and knowledge sharing.
The Future Leaders programme, funded by the Academy of Social Sciences (AcSS), also provides access to RSS training courses and the opportunity to connect with, learn from and support other data professionals through the RSS mentoring platform.
Learnings from the Future Leaders programme of work will be shared across the social sciences, to support equality, diversity and inclusion activities within other AcSS societies.
Applicant criteria
To become one of our Future Leaders, you must:
- have at least three years of professional experience in data, data science, AI or statistics roles
- be based in the United Kingdom
- self-identify as a member of an ethnic minority group
Successful applicants will be invited to attend an in-person meeting at the RSS offices in London on 12 March, 10.30am–4pm, to meet with other Future Leaders and RSS staff and members.
To apply for the Future Leaders programme, please complete our online form.
Application deadline 23:59 (GMT) on 19 February 2024.
Any questions? Please email Ricky McGowan.