Profile
Fran Biggin
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About Me:
I live in Cumbria with my wife and our dog Meg. I’m currently working in health research and work from home. In my spare time I love to play TTRPGs – Table Top Role Playing Games – like Dungeons and Dragons.
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I have always loved exploring the outdoors and travelling to different places. Although I live in Cumbria now I have lived all over the UK as well as spending time abroad in France, Uganda, South Africa and Turkey, both travelling and working.
Before I was a data scientist I was in the Army where I worked as a medical planner, and before the Army I worked for the Environment Agency in water management. Careers are not always linear!
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I’m a data scientist working in health research. I analyse NHS data to help improve the way health care is provided.
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Data Science is a very broad field which combines elements of statistics and computer science. I work with large amounts of health data, which is collected during the day-to-day running of the NHS, and use this information to gain insights into ways in which health services can be improved.
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My Typical Day:
When I get up in the morning the first thing I do is let the dog out into the garden. I work from home so after breakfast, I go up to my desk and sit down at my computer to start work. I usually take a break at midday to walk the dog.
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Almost all of my work is done at a computer, I use a statistical programming language to help me analyse large sets of data. Sometimes I spend my time crunching numbers, other times I’ll be creating graphs, or perhaps writing up my work in a scientific paper, or putting it into a presentation.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would use the prize money to create a set of lessons that could be used to teach students about probability and its importance in scientific research.
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Education:
I went to my local secondary school – Aldridge School – up to GCSE
For A-levels I went to the grammar school – Queen Mary’s Grammar School for boys – which had just started admitting girls to the 6th form.
My undergraduate degree is in Outdoor Studies, which I studied at a small campus of what is now the University of Cumbria in the centre of the Lake District.
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Qualifications:
1998: GCSEs – English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Geography, D&T Food, Economics.
2000: A-levels – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Studies
2007: BSc Outdoor Studies
2015: PGCert Public Health
2017: GradCert Statistics
2018: MSc Data Science
2023: PhD Statistics and Epidemiology
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Work History:
1998-2000: Sainsbury’s checkout clerk (part-time)
2000-2001: Chamber maid in a French hotel
2001-2003: Travelling and working various temporary jobs
2003-2004: Bartender at a pub in the Lake District
2007-2008: Office temp with Reed recruitment
2008-2009: Environment Agency – Freshwater Fish Surveyor
2009-2010: Environment Agency – Project Support Assistant
2010-2016: British Army – Medical Support Officer
2018-present: Data Scientist
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Current Job:
Post Doctoral Research Associate in Neurology Data Science
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Employer:
NHS
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be many things including a barrister, a sweet shop owner, a pharmacist and a jockey.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would run a dog walking service.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I'm probably showing my age here, but I love Led Zeppelin.
What's your favourite food?
Curry, specifically Balti, as I grew up in Birmingham
Tell us a joke.
I was wondering why the frisbee kept getting bigger and bigger, but then it hit me.
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