School of Social and Political Science

Background

Dr Vicky Gorton is a lecturer in Data and Society in the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) department. Vicky is an interdisciplinary researcher with experience in the analysis of large-scale survey and administrative datasets, as well as creative qualitative and mixed methods. Her research interests include: learning-teaching of data science and quantitative methods within Higher Education, critical data studies, COVID-19 policy, and approaches to public engagement with statistics.

Prior to joining STIS, Vicky was a research fellow on the ‘Policing the Pandemic’ project at the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR). This research examined the role of police enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. This included the statistical analysis of linked health and crime administrative data, with results being fed into the ongoing UK and Scottish COVID inquires. Having worked as a statistician for the Scottish Government through the pandemic, she has an extensive understanding of COVID-19 policy and its impact on crime statistics.

Prior to the pandemic, much of Vicky’s research focused on the learning-teaching of quantitative methods in the social sciences (which was the focus of her PhD). Vicky has strong ties to the University of Edinburgh's Research Training Centre having previously worked on ESRC-funded research that examined statistics anxiety among UK social science undergraduate students.