Member Spotlight: Clare Torney, Head of Analytics, Reporting and Audit, Historic Environment Scotland

This week, we caught up with Clare Torney, Head of Analytics, Reporting and Audit at Historic Environment Scotland, the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland's historic environment.

Hi Clare! Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I’ve had a bit of a strange route into the data world - I initially did a degree in Earth Sciences (Geology) at the University of Glasgow and after this, found myself working as a Materials Analyst for the Scottish Lime Centre Trust in Fife; this was my first step into the world of building conservation. A year later, I returned to university in Glasgow to do my PhD. My research focused on trilobites (extinct marine arthropods that lived in the seas many hundreds of millions of years ago), specifically the chemistry and crystallography of the lenses in their amazing compound eyes. The work involved a lot of scientific analysis, and produced a lot of data but I still considered myself very much a geologist at this point.

Fast forward a few years and I found myself working as a Conservation Scientist for Historic Scotland (now Historic Environment Scotland). My post was research focused and again involved testing materials, gathering and analysing data, spotting trends and attempting to understand the complex systems at play in our historic buildings. At this point, my work was focused the interactions between historic building fabric and modern repair materials and how these materials behaved in our ever-changing environment. In 2015 I moved over to our Estates department to undertake as assessment of our Properties’ needs and through this exercise came to realise the value of data to the organisation…and I never turned back! In hindsight I can now see that the work I started out on set me up well for a career in analytics…. and I’ve also come to discover that many others have made it here via equally unexpected paths!

What is your experience of introducing a data driven culture in a third sector organisation?

For me, it’s definitely been a challenge…but a fun one! When I first came into post I realised just how much work needed to be done - we were starting from scratch, literally working with pen and paper recording in some cases and with little in the way of central recording or reporting. As with the implementation of any change, the response was mixed and there are always one or two pockets of resistance, but I’ve found the key to getting people on board is in showing them what the data can do for them. It’s nice to look back now and see just how much progress we’ve made in the last few years.

What's the biggest challenge that you've faced in the last year? 

Working from home during the pandemic has meant that I don’t get those chance interactions with colleagues outside my usual sphere. Bumping into people at the tea point or in the café and having a casual catch-up often led to exciting collaboration opportunities and that’s been something that has been difficult to replicate virtually.

What are you working on at the moment that really excites you?  

A big part of my work is in understanding the needs of our historic assets and using this knowledge to inform our approach to their care. Like any organisation, we have gaps in our data and recently I’ve been looking at ways we can fill some of these. Earlier this year I started learning Python and have been really excited to start using this in my day job. I’ve been looking at ways that we can use machine learning to fill some gaps that will help us better articulate the needs of our monuments and help us answer some really important business questions.

You mention you had an 'unexpected' career path. If you could start your career over, would you do anything differently?

To be honest, I don’t think I would. For the first few years in my current role, I wasn’t quite sure where I fit in – I don’t come from a data science background and wasn’t really sure what my professional ‘label’ was. I’ve recently come to realise that the job title is much less important, it’s all about your skills…whether they are the ones that you initially set out to learn, or ones that you ‘accidentally’ picked up along the way. If you’ve got them, you may as well put them to good use!

What is your top tip for aspiring data professionals?

Just get stuck in – there is no such thing as perfection, so there is no point holding off while you wait for it. Don’t be afraid of your skills gaps, instead figure out what these are and look for opportunities to fill them. And if there’s a job that you’d like to go for but don’t think you quite meet the requirements….put in an application anyway.

What resource would you recommend to our community?

I’ve been aware of the Data Skills for Work programme for some time, but only recently looked into what this could do for me. The Skills Portal is an amazing resource with links to so many training opportunities. Funding is available if you’re eligible, but if you’re not, there are still loads of free opportunities you can take advantage of. Once you’re signed up on the Inkpath app you can browse courses by skill and even set up your own personal development plan. It a good way of charting your own progress and keeping on track with where you want to get to.

The Data Lab values are Support, Respect, Innovate & Grow  - which one resonates with you most at the moment and why? 

Right now, it’s definitely support. We’ve all been through a very challenging time recently, and I don’t think the pandemic has slowed down work for anyone in the data world. It’s great to know that there is a support network here that we can all contribute to and benefit from. For me this year has also been about growth - identifying and accepting my skills gaps, and looking at how I can fill these has brought about some really exciting challenges and opportunities.

Our theme in the community this month is 'Our Planet' - what is your organisation doing to move towards net zero and inspire climate action?

Last year we launched our Climate Action Plan detailing our approach to the climate emergency. This includes a commitment to revise our Carbon Management Plan to align with the national net-zero 2045 target in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, requiring a doubling of our annual emission reduction targets over the next ten years and beyond. Other Climate Action Plan themes include Travel, Tourism, Biodiversity, Procurement, Circular Economy, and Climate Impacts & Adaptation.

The profile of our sites provides unique opportunities to talk about how built heritage that has stood for hundreds, or thousands, of years is threatened by climate change. And how even the most culturally significant places can be adapted to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resilience – if you can put solar panels on a castle, there’s good chance you can put them on your own home!

What motivated you to join The Data Lab Community?

At HES I have a few colleagues that also work in the data sphere, but we are definitely the minority. I’ve always been intrigued as to whether others out there have similar experiences and challenges. I’ve been keen to hear from others in companies that are at different stages on the ‘data journey’ and the Data Lab Community has been a great way for me to start making those connections.

How do you think you could help other members of our community?

I’m always open to chatting about my experience of pushing a public sector organisation towards a data-driven approach, what’s worked for me and what hasn’t.

And in return, how could our community help you?

I’m looking at developing a set of metrics to articulate the social benefits that our historic monuments provide. I’m keen to hear from anyone that has experience of undertaking a similar exercise.

Massive thanks again to Clare for taking the time to chat to us, we're so delighted you've joined us in The Data Lab Community! 

If you'd like to be featured in one of our Member Spotlights just get in touch via [email protected] or drop our community manager Paul a DM.