Me, myself and D&I

Hello! My name is Edisa Livingstone, and I am a Grade 7 Statistician at the Department for Transport and co-chair of the GSS Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Working Group.

It might sound odd to some, but I’ve been passionate about statistics for a while now! Statistics really came to life for me when I studied it at postgraduate level as a mature student.

Why Diversity and Inclusion is important to me

As a Ugandan-Scot born in Newcastle and raised in Norwich, I’ve always been surrounded by difference – and I see that as a strength. Embracing diversity is about more than representation. It’s about respect, empathy, and levelling the playing field. I’ve never expected everyone to be the same, and I believe everyone deserves the same chance to thrive at work.

When we honour our differences, we unlock better outcomes for everyone. Like any analyst in the Civil Service, it’s my duty to use data for public good, and to strive to work with data that truly reflects the diversity of the public we serve.

We need to shatter more glass ceilings — so much so that seeing someone like me in a senior analyst role becomes completely unrekarkable.

Getting on as a person from a diverse background

It hasn’t always been easy, however the Civil Service Statistics Fast Stream helped provide a structured path for me to progress. There are still very few Black statisticians, and I’ve often been the only one in my immediate division or directorate. That can be isolating, but I’ve had incredible allies and supporters throughout my journey who’ve helped me stay the course.

Barriers you can face as an analyst

Intersectionality matters. Being a Black woman and an analyst can mean people underestimate you — especially those from non-analytical backgrounds who have a stereotypical idea of what an analyst looks like.

Sometimes, I can sense surprise when colleagues learn my grade. Delivering tough analytical messages is part of the job, but when you’re already standing out, it can feel more challenging.

Building a more inclusive Government Statistical Service

We all have a role to play. For managers, it’s about questioning your own assumptions — especially around who gets picked for high-impact projects. Stretching opportunities should be available to everyone, not just the usual suspects.

For new analysts: lean in. Say yes to challenges, even when they’re outside your comfort zone. The Civil Service embraces learning on the job — you don’t need to have it all figured out today. Mentoring has been a game-changer for me. Having someone to talk things through with, especially during key career decisions, can make all the difference.

And finally, D&I shouldn’t be a side conversation. It should be front and centre, supported at the highest levels and built into our organisational culture. As co-chair of the GSS Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, I’ve seen first-hand how active inclusion efforts through our Shadow Board help shape a better, more equitable workplace for statisticians.

In the workplace, the need for fairness is enshrined in law with the Equality Act 2010. The Civil Service has the opportunity to develop a consistent role model for employers across the UK, to uphold the ethos of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

As individual civil servants, we should always be asking ourselves if we’re living up to this. I would like people to become more confident in challenging microaggressions whenever they arise and continue to learn about what it truly means to be inclusive.

Although I identify as a Black woman, my mixed heritage helps me realise that people can learn and empathise with experiences very different from their own, but that empathy needs nurturing.

Michelle Obama said it best:

“Thinking of changing your workplace, changing the way the world thinks, that’s big and it gets daunting and then you shrink from that. So, start with what you can control. And that’s you first.”

Let’s keep growing, learning, and building a Government Statistical Service and wider Civil Service where everyone can belong.

If you are interested in joining the GSS Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, please contact the careers team at GSS.Careers@ons.gov.uk.