David joined the ODI from the University of Southampton where he was a Lecturer in the Web and Internet Science Group. He was responsible for creating the world’s first undergraduate course in open data.

Since joining the ODI David has put in place key educational content that has helped transform governments and unlock over $15m for startups. Additionally David has applied his data science skills to build policy making tools for open data leaders, including the Open Data Barometer visualisation. This tool has been used to guide policy development and allow leaders to compare and contrast their open data initiatives with other similar initiatives globally.

As Learning Skills Lead, David is responsible for the direction and quality of the ODI’s learning offering. Products include face to face training, eLearning and the ODI’s Learning Records System (LRS). Underpinned by the skills framework, all of these products put together ensure that the ODI can offer high quality online and face to face training to as many people as possible.

Emily joined the ODI in June 2015 to support the Learning programme. She coordinates training, and works closely with the ODI’s pool of Registered Trainers.

Emily graduated in 2014 with a degree in Languages and Contemporary European Studies, which included a year abroad in Strasbourg, where she worked in the European Parliament and studied at the university. Itchy feet led her to moving to Germany after graduating to work in a statistics company, before returning to London to work at the ODI. Thanks to her travels, she speaks French, German and Spanish.

In her spare time, Emily can be found hiking through the UK’s mountains and national parks, in all weathers and sometimes against her better judgement!