This is a new role focused on supporting better data management and use within the Research team. My four areas of focus are: people - growing the team and enhancing skills across the organisation; processes - identifying roles and responsibilities, especially where data management roles are shared across multiple teams; projects - delivering projects that enhance data access and use; and partnerships - forming new relationships and leading on the development of the Data Partnership with HM Government.

This role is different every day. I manage a small team to deliver research primarily for the Digital directorate - everything from digital infrastructure mapping, to understanding the digital inclusion ecosystem. That means using all manner of research and analysis tools, primarily GIS software, Tableau, and the like. My team also supports other areas of the business with mapping queries, and I tend to be the go-to person for GIS.In the research team we each need to be self-reliant, and cover the broad spectrum of research and analysis. I tend to manage the full research range, from concept design, through options appraisal, cost benefit analysis, research development, primary and secondary research, data analysis and visualisation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects. It's never a dull day.But I'm also responsible for MappingGM (https://mappinggm.org.uk), which aims to be the home of geospatial data in Greater Manchester. I've managed it since it's inception and seen it grow from just a map to a series of over 20 maps that visualise information for the public; source information for policymakers; and analyse information for decision makers. It's something I'm incredibly proud of, and something that couldn't have been done without a strong team effort.More recently, my work has also shifted towards information policy development as well, especially around open data. I've co-authored Greater Manchester's Local Data Review, and the Greater Manchester Information Strategy in the past year, and I advocate for the release of more open data, not just for transparency, but also to support new business growth and the development of new services.

Managing a significant Cabinet Office funded project to deliver a single map of physical and social infrastructure across Greater Manchester, the first in the country to do so.

Delivering cost benefit analysis support to organisations looking to access government funding.

Supporting the role of the chief executive, responding to queries and managing smaller strategic projects.

Delivering workplace wellbeing programmes across Greater Manchester and the wider North West.

Co-ordinating research across the UK, Spain, Germany and Bulgaria to support the development of international mental health toolkits.

I started at New Economy as an economic analyst whilst completing my masters in economic development and public policy. My role varied from economic analysis to supporting the development of relevant local economic strategies. From this role I quickly progressed to a senior economic analyst position, responsible for the delivery of core projects. The job role included a variety of economic analysis and research, strategy development, report writing, stakeholder engagement and data management.

For 8 weeks I worked as an intern on the Government Economic Service's internship programme. The role covered a wide field of crime, justice and offender research and analysis. My primary role within the team was to develop an analysis of offender pathways, collating information from a variety of sources to identify the main routes for ex-offenders after finishing a custodial sentence.