About

As an information designer

I see two key areas where I can really help with presenting data and information in an effective and visually engaging way.

• Bringing together complex data and information, often from multiple sources. Then focussing on crafting clear and coherent messages which engage with key audiences. I think of this type of work creating short data stories, which emerge out of what can initially look like an overwhelming ocean of data.
• Understanding the research, data, and evidence landscape for a particular topic, and identifying where a small, additional piece of analysis could bring a new perspective. Then weaving all this together to create a nuanced narrative which explains what we know, what we don’t know and where the big contradictions lie. I think of this type of work of as creating data rich long reads.

I work across the full project lifecycle. From researching data sources and data cleaning to creating static and interactive data visualisations, and writing articles and longer reports. Throughout the process, I am guided by a key principle. The words, data visualizations and pictures presented to the audience should work together in harmony. A harmony which is developed iteratively, collaboratively and over time.

As a researcher

My practice as an information designer is informed by my background as a researcher and data scientist. I have deep subject knowledge across the social and physical environmental sciences, having worked across many academic disciplines including: innovation studies, environmental psychology, sociology, urban studies, engineering, computer science, atmospheric science and organisational science.

My academic research career spanned more than a decade. My best-known works assess the credibility of expectations held by entrepreneurs, technology companies and policy-makers that digital innovations - such as smart cities and the sharing economy - will drive the transition to a sustainable, low carbon economy. A list of my publications can be found here.

I have held research positions at institutions including the Schools of Geography at Durham and Manchester University. I completed my PhD in computational atmospheric science in the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds. I have also worked on applied research and development at the Environment Agency (UK). Throughout my research career I developed a strong grounding in statistics and data science methods.

As a data sonification artist

I create both data sonifications and music which is more subtly shaped by data. My current musical reference points are the places where the electronic and contemporary classical meet. Think artists like Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Jon Hopkins and Floating Points. Before turning my hand to data sonification, I was more focussed on electronic music production, mainly house, techno and down-tempo.

I was lucky enough to study electronic music production at Leeds College of Music (now Leeds Conservatoire), before they stopped offering evening classes to the local community. This is where I learnt how to use Ableton Live, which I now think of my primary musical instrument. I have recently been exploring the possibilities offered by Max for Live for creating sonifications with Ableton Live.