Anna Carnegie (she/her/hers)
DSxHE Community Manager
Twitter: @Anna_Carnegie
What does your job as DSxHE Community Manager entail?
Many different things 😊 I'll be supporting DSxHE’s themes and working groups to achieve their aims through providing project management and administrative support, ensuring the smooth running of meetings and events, reviewing and updating DSxHE documentation, welcoming new members and organisers, coordinating The Dish, posting on social media…and lots in-between! If there is something you'd like to see us do within DSxHE, you'd like to get involved - or you just want to say hi! - feel free to get in touch.
What should people reach out to you for help with?
Anything related to the community! Whether it's an event you'd like to see us run, a suggestion for how we can improve, an article or resource you'd like to share, a piece of work or project you'd like to promote…or anything else you can think of! I'm all ears!
What’s your interest in data science and/or health equity?
I've been passionate about equity - in all its forms - for a long time. 10 years ago, I was privileged enough to receive lifesaving treatment on the NHS. I've spent the last decade feeling justifiably angry that the support I received is not universally available to all who need it.
I'm newer to the field of data science. Through my "day job" at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, I’ve been exposed to the field and have been learning a lot about the challenges, complexities and inequities within. Something I’ve been reading about recently (shout-out to Community Member Ahwaz Akhtar - whose member spotlight touches on this very issue) is the concept of “data deserts” and its resulting impacts on resource allocation.
What’s a topic in data science/health equity that you know/care a lot about - why is it important/interesting, tell us about it!
I’m a passionate reproductive justice advocate and will talk at length to all who will listen about how abortion bans - in all their forms - are a health equity issue which disproportionately harm minoritised communities. In places where access to abortion is conditional, people with resources will find a way to access the healthcare they need. While those without will be locked out of provision, often being forced to take desperate or dangerous measures to end an unwanted pregnancy.
What was your last impulse buy?
A manicure. It was a much-needed pick-me-up after a long week!
What never fails to make you laugh?
More of a who! My amazing friends can always be counted on to make me proper belly laugh.
What quote resonates with you?
“What’s for you won’t pass you”. Possibly an Irish (or at least Celtic) saying and often uttered in my household growing up…especially that time we just missed out on a winning Lottery ticket. It’s a nice reminder to let go of the need for control (not always easy!) and trust the process.
Aside from that, I’m a big poetry fan and these lines from Seamus Heaney’s The Cure at Troy are some of my favourites: “History says, Don't hope On this side of the grave… But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme”.