Liberty Vittert - The statistician who’s cooked up a career as an academic, TV chef, author and political commentator
Release Date: 02/28/2020
5.8 Melvin Breton on his global career with UNICEF and harnessing the power of tech
UofG Sound Tracks
Melvin’s career in social and economic policy has taken him from the Dominican Republic to East Timor, China and now New York City where he is a Policy Specialist at UNICEF. Melvin is a self-described ‘technology enthusiast’ and tech is a theme we return to throughout this episode. Melvin discusses the implications of new technology for policy work and how students and graduates can harness tech to prepare themselves for a rapidly changing workplace. He has some great advice on how to make the most of new tools and apps and how AI can function as a thinking partner,...
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5.9 Kirsty Hassard on knowing your value and shining in the competitive museum sector
UofG Sound Tracks
Kirsty takes us on her journey from UofG history student to working at the V&A, where she’s been involved in exhibitions ranging from nightclubs to robotics, and now Tartan, the first exhibition to be curated solely by V&A Dundee. You’ll get an insight into the day-to-day work of a curator, from researching and choosing objects, to speaking to press, shaping learning programmes, installing exhibitions and ultimately feeling an enormous sense of pride when a new show opens its doors. No week is the same in this hugely varied job! Kirsty landed her first job at...
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5.7 Salem Avan on UN peacekeeping and heart-based leadership
UofG Sound Tracks
Salem Avan has worked on UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, an experience which he tells us fundamentally changed his understanding of the world and how people live. Salem progressed from management to leadership roles, and in this episode he discusses the important differences between the two, and why he takes a ‘heart based leadership’ approach, focusing on respect, dignity, equality and psychological safety at work. Now based in New York City, he oversees technology within the UN, the projects he leads are seismic and have...
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5.6 Part 2 Claire and Cristina's inside track on working in the Civil Service
UofG Sound Tracks
In this special two-part episode get the inside track on working in the civil service from two recent graduates who both made early career changes into policy roles. Neither Claire nor Cristina did the Civil Service fast stream programme. They found their own paths. In this episode, we take a deep dive into what these unconventional routes can look like: what inspired them to work in government, the application process, and important knowledge and insight learnt along the way. Claire found the application and interview process clear and simple, but it took her a...
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5.6 Part 1 Claire and Cristina's inside track on working in the Civil Service
UofG Sound Tracks
In this special two-part episode get the inside track on working in the civil service from two recent graduates who both made early career changes into policy roles. Neither Claire nor Cristina did the Civil Service fast stream programme. They found their own paths. In this episode, we take a deep dive into what these unconventional routes can look like: what inspired them to work in government, the application process, and important knowledge and insight learnt along the way. Claire found the application and interview process clear and simple, but it took her a...
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5.4 Ian Sharpe on making it in a booming TV industry
UofG Sound Tracks
In this episode we meet Ian, whose hard work and determination has led him to success in a highly competitive industry. Graduate Ian quickly learnt that getting a foot in the door of the music industry would require rigorous preparation, and after beating 10,000 applicants to a BBC Trainee Scheme, embarked on a career in digital, radio, and TV that took him from Glasgow to London. At a time when video streaming was growing, Ian was tasked with the challenge of visualising BBC Radio on YouTube for the first time, which gave him the opportunity to start experimenting with TV production, filming...
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5.5 Kirsten Hogg on leadership in the third sector and shaping policy that changes lives
UofG Sound Tracks
In this episode, Kirsten shares an honest account of how tough she found her first year out of university and the knock-backs she got from job applications — happily none of which she can even remember now! Hear about the temp job that changed the course of her career, sparked her interest in working in policy and helped build her confidence, eventually leading to her first permanent role with the City of Edinburgh Council. Join Kirsten as her passion for the third sector shines throughout this 40-minute episode. Her drive for creating positive impact for people and communities is a core...
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5.2 Zara Gladman on public engagement pairing science with creativity and comedy
UofG Sound Tracks
In this episode Zuzia Boguslawska, UofG Careers Intern, gets the low-down on working in science communications and public engagement from Zara Gladman. Strap in as we follow Zara’s journey from volunteering with Glasgow Science Festival to leading Public & Community Engagement at UofG as she reflects on the ups and downs learnt along the way. Zara has built her career pairing creativity with science. She talks about taking part in the , where stand-up comedy meets science. It’s a unique example of taking science communications to places you wouldn’t expect to subvert expectations...
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5.3 Laura Bell on finding her stride in science communications
UofG Sound Tracks
Laura made the difficult decision to leave her cancer research institute to pursue a career in science communications, and the career change opened a wealth of new opportunities and personal accomplishments. Since making this leap, Laura has worked for organisations including Cancer Research UK and the MS Society in communication roles ranging from public health, policy, fundraising, and research. In her current role as programme lead at , Laura describes it as telling a story — a story that puts Glasgow at the centre of science and research and one that she is passionate about telling....
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5.1 Laura Crean on the myths of working in museums and the value of authenticity
UofG Sound Tracks
Laura’s passion for working in the museum sector shines through in this episode, from the importance of creating an inclusive environment and bringing diversity of thought and representation, to the ways museums can affect change and make a difference to people's lives. You’ll hear about the enormous value that Laura places on authenticity and how she encourages her team to bring their personality to work. Laura shares her inside knowledge on the breadth of opportunities in the museum sector and explains how museums and the cultural sector need people with a diverse range of skills and...
info_outlineStatistician, political commentator, television chef and author – Liberty Vittert has developed so many strands to her career. In this episode, we travelled to Boston to meet Liberty and to find out how.
Liberty is a passionate believer that data can be used for good – and tells us about how the work she has done on the Board of USA for UNHCR, the north American arm of the of Refugee Agency has done just that.
Liberty’s research, as a PhD student at UofG, focused on facial shape analysis with Dr Adrian Bowman, who she describes as the ‘greatest supervisor on the planet’. During her time at Glasgow Liberty hosted an STV cookery show and amongst her many accolades was named one of the "Coolest People in Scotland" by the Herald in 2018!
Hear Liberty’s thoughts on the importance of learning to use maths, just like we learn to read, and how we can encourage more women and girls to study and work in STEM. Liberty explains how – no matter your background – there are so many opportunities to train and work in stats and data analysis.
Liberty also shares awesome advice on finding volunteering opportunities that match your skills and interests and building connections as a PhD student and early career academic.
Listen out for a special cameo from Henry – Liberty’s rescue dog who she adopted in Glasgow and now lives with her in Boston! He is officially the first guest pet to appear on Sound Tracks.
What's your soundtrack?
With - Aine O'Brien, UofG PhD student in Planetary Science who has 3 space-tastic themed songs, now added to the UofG SoundTracks Spotify playlist!
For resources and links to take next steps visit www.gla.ac.uk/soundtracks