Speakers
- Rob Lee
- Chris Page
- Dr Sreemoyee Roy Chowdhury
Agenda
3.00pm - Event start with welcome, introductions and housekeeping for venue attendees
3.10pm - Data 'storytellng' - speaker Rob Lee (Chief Data Architect - HM Revenue & Customs/Bristol [he/him])
4.00pm - Data ‘visualisation’ - speaker Chris Page (AI Research Engineer - Building Digital UK/Coventry [he/him])
4.50pm - Data ‘personalisation’ - making data work for you - speaker Dr Sreemoyee Roy Chowdhury (Lead User Researcher - Solirius Consulting/Newcastle [she/her])
5.40pm - Event summary and survey
6.00pm - Event close
Synopsis
“Humanising Data” is about bridging the gap between complex data sets and human comprehension. It refers to the process of making data more relatable, understandable, and meaningful to people. This involves representing raw data into formats that resonate with individuals, often through data ‘storytelling’, ‘visualisation’, and ‘personalisation’ when placed under the right context. By adding a human touch, data becomes more than just numbers; it draws a holistic picture that can inform and empower data consumers.
Please note; venue attendees are welcome to arrive a little ahead of the event start time to enjoy the museum’s unique collections and exotic galleries for free.
DATA 'STORYTELLING' - ROB LEE
Summary: Great Customer Outcomes are reliant upon great identification of who the customer is across all IT systems. We have all seen the internal shenanigans that go on to keep customer data in sync across different systems inside and outside an enterprise. One area that crops up consistently is the customer’s address. We move it around in numerous formats, validate it against the PAF, compare them with one another, and basically write loads of code just to deal with the address, including how we share it from one organisation to another. This session provides a 12-step plan to solve that issue.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Rob Lee (Chief Data Architect - HM Revenue & Customs / Bristol [he/him])
Rob had worked in IT his entire life, specialising in data for the last 25 years. In 2015 he left the world of IT and joined “the business” to help set up a Chief Data Office for one of the UKs leading banks. Since then he has sat across the boundary between the IT people, the Data people and the Users of the data delivering outcomes such as ubiquitous dictionaries across business and IT, innovative customer data solutions driving lower complaints and costs, enhanced visibility of data issues to exec leaders; basically flying the flag for data across organisations in a highly practical way. He is committed to diversity despite being forever the bearded geek; bringing the next generation of folk to love what we can achieve with data as much as he does. Outside of work he spends his time celebrating what others can do with their talents: Live Rugby, Music Festivals, Plays, Opera and Gigs. He also volunteers to help a number of local charities focussed on homelessness or loneliness.
DATA 'VISUALISATION' - CHRIS PAGE
Summary: Explore how conversational visualisation transforms raw data into dynamic, interactive insights. This talk delves into the complexities of geospatial data and broadband connectivity in the UK, showcasing how innovative approaches make data accessible and actionable for policy and infrastructure planning.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Chris Page (AI Research Engineer - Building Digital UK / Coventry [he/him])
Chris, an AI Research Engineer at BDUK, specialises in innovative AI Agent based solutions, particularly for data access and visualisation challenges. With expertise in visualisation for technical and strategic purposes, Chris has played a key role in projects integrating geographic data, infrastructure planning, and advanced analytics. He is passionate about demystifying and democratising data to enhance clarity and accessibility for all stakeholders through technology with a human touch.
DATA 'PERSONALISATION' - MAKING DATA WORK FOR YOU - DR SREEMOYEE ROY CHOWDHURY
Summary: Data platforms fail to meet the needs of diverse users when they do not account for accessibility needs or specific user contexts. Research shows that 30% of users struggle with basic navigation when accessibility is not prioritised (GDS, 2020). Role-specific tools are also crucial; a survey by the User Experience Professionals Association found that 70% of users feel frustrated with generic solutions that don’t meet their job-specific needs (UXPA, 2019). Users with visual, cognitive, or mobility challenges are disproportionately affected when platforms are not designed inclusively. The National Federation of the Blind reports that 7 out of 10 visually impaired users face barriers when using poorly designed data platforms (NFB, 2021). These challenges are compounded when data platforms do not cater to the specific needs and tasks of users, resulting in frustration and inefficiency. In this talk, I will explore how iterative user research helps create personalised, inclusive data platforms that cater to diverse user needs. I will showcase design solutions that turn complex data into accessible, actionable insights, bridging the gap between raw data and human understanding.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Dr Sreemoyee Roy Chowdhury (Lead User Researcher - Solirius Consulting / Newcastle [she/her])
Sree is a multidisciplinary researcher with 10+ years of experience in research. A Lead User Researcher at Solirius Consulting, Sree has been deployed to the Department for Education (DfE) for the past 2 years. Skilled in driving user-centered design and managing UX teams, she delivers actionable insights. As a Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) trained Service Assessor, Sree ensures that government services are user-centered, inclusive and accessible.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
Please note: if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via groups@bcs.uk and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.
For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
This event is brought to you by: BCS West Yorkshire branch
