Robert Grant

Freelance vignettes

This page summarises a few examples of the work I have done for various clients since 2017. You can also obtain my CV as PDF here.

Applying Bayesian modelling, project management, and coding

Worked alongside client to understand their bespoke predictive model code in depth
brought in sports modelling expert as third opinion to check that the model and output would match state-of-the-art standards
used specialised knowledge of Stan software, as one of the Stan development team, to implement the predictive model efficiently to run in the cloud and supply outputs overnight to front-end developers' requirements

Applying statistics expertise, health care data experience, and inter-personal skills

Reviewed client's policy for redacting small numbers in publications and how it was implemented in various project procedures
met with stakeholders to identify priorities and risk-benefit balance for the client
wrote options paper and presented to stakeholders to agree common organisation-wide policy for data and statistical confidentiality
drew on general statistical expertise to review current developments in privacy-preserving data sharing and publishing

Applying statistics expertise, consulting, training, and health care data experience

Met team leaders to understand context of team's work in clinical trials
proposed a plan for upskilling the team through training workshops, conceptual and coding practice exercises, and tutorial discussions
monitored and followed up with team members in the context of their roles and strategic goals until they were ready to roll out the service

Applying statistics expertise, health care data experience, coding, and consulting

Conducted a line-by-line review of partly documented legacy code (in R) from a former contractor
Met analysis team and stakeholders to identify priorities for future-proofing and updating functionality
Wrote options paper, presented to team and advisory committee, and obtained sign-off on three approaches to try in order of preference
Translated code to client's analytical software (Stata), developed theoretical justification to correct one problem in the legacy code, reduce burden on team, and allow for client modifications in future
Worked with the lead analyst to road-test my new code on real patient data, on-site and securely
Produced complete documentation of Stata commands (user-friendly interface), as well as underlying calculations

Applying statistics expertise, health care data experience, coding, consulting, and inter-personal skills

Reviewed methods used by two contractors to the client to assemble, curate, clean, analyse, and report sensitive surgical data
Conducted a line-by-line review of source code
Met and interviewed contractors with respect for the confidentiality of their relationships with NJR
Wrote report and recommendations, presented to steering group to facilitate discussion and agreement of options, leading to creation of a new technical oversight group
Recruited independent health care statistics expert to serve on new technical oversight group
Briefed first meeting of new technical oversight group as handover

Applying consulting, training, statistics expertise, and communication

Consulted with client to establish communication needs and concerns of various teams, and their stakeholders
Worked throughout to highest standards of professional confidentiality
Delivered interactive training workshops and coaching sessions on-site
Left analytical teams with a shared terminology and basic visual communication standards, later used in 2020 by team members seconded to produce Prime Minister's daily COVID briefings