Hey everybody, I'm Tom Smith from the Office for National Statistics’ Data Science Campus. We’re using data to help the UK improve people’s lives. Ask Me Anything!

Abstract

Hi Reddit, I’m Tom Smith, MD for the UK’s Data Science Campus as part of the Office for National Statistics. I have 20 years’ experience using data and analysis to improve public services and am a life-long data addict. I have a PhD in computational neuroscience and robotics, an MSc in knowledge-based systems and an MA in theoretical physics. I'm currently Chair of the Advisory Board to the United Nations Global Platform for big data & official statistics, Member of Council for the UK Royal Statistical Society, and previously chair of the Environment Agency Data Advisory Group, vice-chair of the Royal Statistical Society Official Statistics section, and a member of the Open Data User Group ministerial advisory group to Cabinet Office. Since the Campus was founded in 2017 we have been working on a huge range of projects including: - using tax returns, ship tracking data and road traffic sensor data to allow early identification of large economic changes; - exploring what internet traffic peaks and troughs can tell us about our lives; - using satellite imagery to detect surface water and assess changes over time, for rapid detection of emerging issues; - launching a hub focused on data science and AI for International Development, located at the Department for International Development (DfID), near Glasgow. - supporting ONS, government and public sector organisations to increase their data science capability. We’re aiming to have 500 trained data science practitioners for UK government by 2021. I'll be here to talk about statistics, data and making the world a better place from 3-5pm GMT today. Proof: https://twitter.com/ONSfocus/status/1237060713140625416 Ask me anything!