Andrew is a sociologist who has ended up being a social epidemiologist. Along the way he has been involved in the full spectrum of research activities, including management, ethics, policy, funding, teaching, advocacy and governance in Aotearoa and overseas.

His passion is for work that makes a difference and results in permanent, positive change. He has contributed to CoVID equity and vaccination modelling in Aotearoa, the development of easy to learn open-source statistical software, the establishment of the project that identified the CDH1 stomach cancer gene and an international award-winning statistical literacy initiative.

Most of his current work is on social/health inequity, statistical literacy or making statistical information resources more useful to decision-makers beyond government.

Outside of work he's the owner of a pair of very well-travelled jandals, the author of too many gin tasting posts and the proud dad of two awesome grown-up children who are way taller than he is.

Andrew Sporle

I am a social science researcher with over 10 years of experience in research project management and data collection.

I started survey research as an undergraduate student at the University of Auckland, and now run and manage a variety of projects from other surveys through to qualitative projects, and Māori community co-design.

I have a PhD in psychology from the University of Auckland and over 60 peer-reviewed academic publications in multiple academic disciplines, largely relating to psychology, health, wellbeing, identity - including Māori identity, gender, and sexuality – survey methods and data, and politics and policy.

I regularly engage with the media as a political scientist and love following current events and politics. I also enjoy reading books, visiting new and interesting restaurants, and exploring Tāmaki Makaurau with my son.

Dr Lara Greaves

Nicole is a senior researcher at iNZight Analytics, and leads the analysis for projects on health and wellbeing using Stats NZ’s Integrated Data Infrastructure.

Nicole holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Auckland, where she remains an honorary academic.

She has over 9 years’ experience in quantitative and longitudinal analysis of survey data. She has published research in over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles on topics in social and political psychology, intergroup relations, and prejudice.

When not working, she enjoys looking after and buying new plants, and escaping to Marlborough to spend time with family.

Dr Nicole Satherley

I have a PhD in Statistics and have been the lead developer of iNZight since 2015. I'm responsible for maintaining the software, implementing new features, providing tech support for our users, and most other things related to the iNZight desktop software. I love making things with code, especially tools that can be shared and used by others.

If I'm not working on a side project, I'll either be outside gardening or inside reading, playing the piano, or cooking.

Dr Tom Elliott

Tom Elliott

I am a statistician with more than 10 years of experience in academia and three years working in official statistics.  When I’m not teaching, I develop novel statistical methods and primarily use them in gravitational-wave astronomy.  My research interests include Bayesian inference, machine learning, astrostatistics, and official statistics.  I have a PhD in Statistics from the University of Auckland.  

In my spare time, I enjoy making music that no one else will hear, exploring the great indoors, watching native birds destroy my tomato crops, and losing convincingly at board games.

Dr Matt Edwards

Daniel Barnett

Brad is a Biostatistician and PhD candidate at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland. He went through the NSW Health Biostatistics Training Program, holds a Master's degree in biostatistics from the University of Sydney, and has worked in public health research for nearly ten years. 

His current work includes developing new statistical methods and providing his collaborators with a broad range of statistical services. He is passionate about high-quality science with meaningful impact.

Outside of study and work, Brad spends all remaining time with his sweet little pēpi, or trying to catch up on sleep.

 

Brad Drayton

I am a Researcher at iNZight Analytics and a PhD candidate at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland. I hold a Master’s degree in Statistics and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Statistics. Aside from my studies, I’m also a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the University’s Tuākana Statistics programme.

I’m passionate about combining my Psychology and Statistics background to communicate meaningful stories from data.
 
I am an experienced user of StatsNZ’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), and the majority of my work is centred around health and wellbeing, particularly for Māori. My recent research includes creating methods to transform Aotearoa’s only survey of Māori wellbeing (Te Kupenga) into a longitudinal study for health outcomes. I have also previously reported on the impacts of the COVID-19 Māori vaccination response.

In my spare time, you’ll typically find me at reformer pilates classes or at a ceramics studio creating and tutoring wheel-thrown pottery. I also enjoy trying out new restaurants and going on hikes with friends.

Tori Diamond

I'm currently in my final year of a Science and Global Studies Conjoint Degree, majoring in Statistics and Global Politics and Human Rights respectively, at Waipapa Taumata Rau (UoA). I am deeply passionate about the intersection of Data and Politics, specifically as it relates to Sustainability, Pacific health, and Education. You can read more about this interest for me here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2020/11/25/statistics-and-a-sustainability-mindset.html

I have been working as a Teaching Assistant for the University for four years overall and was named a Tuakana Science Scholar in 2020. I have worked at Stats NZ in the Wellbeing and Housing Department, focussing on Wai 2700 – the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry, and at Qrious, working in the Advisory team, focussing on Sustainability Frameworks and Offerings for and by the Digitial Sector. 

Outside of my study and work, you will probably unfortunately find me talking about statistics still as I have been known to hijack open mics, populated by my more musically able friends, with my new favourite "stats fact" and pivot from screen-sharing birthday slideshows to my probability coursebooks (basically do not give me a captive audience). I also work as a barista part time so if you are ever in need of a coffee from an over-caffeinated stats nerd I have the perfect place for you. I enjoy cooking with my partner and we are currently working our way through Kenji Lopez-Alt's "The Wok" which I very highly recommend to anyone.

Ruby Pankhurst

I am a currently undertaking a Master of Science at Waipapa Taumata Rau | UoA at the School of Biological Sciences. There I am researching genetic and molecular mechanisms that underpin extreme drought tolerance observed in a group of plants commonly referred to as “Resurrection Plants”, aptly named as they seemingly come back to life after extended periods of drought. If we put our Stats Hats on, statistically speaking, periods of drought are becoming more frequent and severe. Understanding how Resurrection Plants are capable of surviving drought will help us to protect our food systems.

I am also a tutor for Tuākana through which I have the opportunity to assist tauira navigate academia whilst also encouraging them to pursue post-graduate studies; having more Māori in academia is only a positive thing. I am also a part of Te Manga Matapopore, an advisory group that influences positive changes at UoA. Outside of study and work I enjoy gardening, but on a surprisingly large scale for an urban environment. With the help of a few friends, we are farming 400 plants that includes tomato, eggplant, chilli, cucumber, courgette, watermelon, and several herbs. If anyone enjoys a good farmers market, keep an eye out for us!

Eric Marshall

I've just completed my Honours in Sociology at Waipapa Taumata Rau - The University of Auckland. My research focused on mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand, examining how (and why) poor mental health has been defined as a specific social problem to be solved through policy. Through an in-depth analysis of He Ara Oranga - the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, I sought to comprehend the underlying rationale driving state mental health interventions, and the implications of this for individuals and for the future of the mental health system. 

At iNZight, my role is making sure everything that needs doing gets done. This encompasses everything from general admin to  project management, graphic design, and research assistance.

Outside of academia and work, you'll usually find me at home with my partner and my cat, where I enjoy reading, making music, and playing excessively-difficult videogames. I spend a lot of time sitting in cafés, and I regularly play disc golf, which is potentially the nerdiest sport in existence.

Rōpū | Our Team