Why did you choose your MSc and Edinburgh Futures Institute?
Coming from a communications background, I had been working in digital communications for a few years when I started becoming increasingly interested in data.
I especially enjoyed the aspects of my work that involved data, such as communicating the findings of a statistical publication or creating a metrics report. I wanted to slightly shift the focus of my career towards one with a stronger data component, but I felt that I lacked the data skills to make this possible.
At the same time, I knew I didn’t want to pursue a Data Science or Data Analytics programme; rather, I was looking for something that would blend my two worlds: communication and data. That’s how I came across EFI and its interdisciplinary approach, which allowed me to acquire the technical skills I was missing, particularly in statistics and programming, without compromising my creative side.
How did you get to where you are?
I currently work as a Data Visualisation Expert Consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank, based in Washington, DC. I work in a team of economists and engineers, and my role is to translate their analyses into easy-to-understand visual outputs, mainly charts, spanning a wide range of topics related to the Bank’s work across Latin America and the Caribbean: from crime to health, and from climate change to infrastructure.
Prior to that, I taught data visualisation at universities in Uruguay and Argentina.
My time at EFI was certainly pivotal in allowing me to refocus my career, develop expertise in data analysis and visualisation, and make valuable connections in the field.
What did you gain from your time at Edinburgh Futures Institute / the University of Edinburgh?
Aside from my degree itself, one of the best things I think I gained from studying at EFI in 2023/24 was a critical perspective on the use of data and artificial intelligence. At the time, large language models were rapidly becoming more widely used, and I feel privileged to have received an education that encouraged me to think critically about their use. AI is here to stay, so that perspective is something I know I will carry with me throughout my professional and personal life.
I remember there being a sense of being at the forefront of conversations about global hot topics, whether in the classroom, at events organised by EFI, or in the corridors talking to classmates and professors. I felt like I was in the right place, and sometimes I miss being able to have heated discussions about these topics or listen to world-class experts discuss them.
Moreover, I made friends from around the world whom I still talk to every week, no matter how much time has passed or how far away we live from each other.
Tell us about your Futures Project
My Futures Project was a long-form journalistic piece about secondary education in Uruguay, my home country. It used data visualisation as a means of communicating both statistics and the personal stories of young people who had faced barriers during their time in secondary education.
I think the Futures Project is as much a learning experience as the courses you take throughout the programme. It gave me the opportunity to focus on just one thing for about two to three months and really delve into the possibilities within its scope.
If I could give one piece of advice to a student about to start their Futures Project, it would be to look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and to talk to different people about it — professors, classmates, experts. Additionally, if I could give one piece of advice to a student who is about to finish or has already finished their project, it would be to show it off! These projects take too much work for only two graders to see them. Submit your work to journals, prizes, and talks. I did all of those things and gained recognition, won prizes, and expanded my network, so I definitely recommend it!
Do you have any highlights or a favourite memory of your time at the University?
Aside from the academic aspects, one of my favourite things about my time at the University was the experience of living in one of the best cities in the world. I still have to pinch myself when I think that I got to call Edinburgh home for a year of my life. A piece of my heart will forever be there.
Another great memory was having the opportunity to attend the Information Plus conference, a data visualisation conference held in Edinburgh that year. I got to listen to superb speakers and connect with data visualisation practitioners from all over the world.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying at Edinburgh Futures Institute?
Coming from Uruguay, universities work quite differently over there. There are huge differences when it comes to aspects like in-person class time, university facilities, and the amount of information and resources available. So, one thing I would recommend to prospective students is not to take those things for granted, but to make the most of them!
Class time in the UK is reduced compared with what I was used to, so I could use the time I had outside of class to further explore the University and my interests. This included browsing the library to see what books were available that aligned with what I wanted to learn (I could access those for free! That’s not something everyone gets the chance to do), or even joining societies.
So I would say: make the most of the time you have and the wealth of resources the University offers.
