Five minute profile: interview with Jo Bruce

What’s a highlight and a challenge of your role? 

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is collaborating with partners. I’m constantly inspired by the dedication and passion of my colleagues in the Alliance Technical Group, which includes members from RDS, EPCC, National Records of Scotland, Public Health Scotland, the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research and the Scottish Government. Their commitment to improving systems and their ability to work together to solve problems is truly motivating. It's exciting to see how we're driven to innovate and find new ways of working that benefit everyone and improve efficiency. 

On the flip side, collaboration can also present challenges. Implementing system-wide change is a complex process, especially in an environment where competing priorities and limited resources often come into play. Balancing those factors while striving for progress can be a delicate and ongoing challenge. 

What difference do you hope RDS will make? 

I hope we can successfully facilitate enhancement of the system and streamline processes to increase efficiency for the individuals who play a key role in the operation and success of research across the Scottish Safe Haven Network. This involves identifying and implementing improvements that make the work of researchers, data analysts, and other stakeholders more effective and less time-consuming. By optimising processes, reducing unnecessary complexities, and ensuring smoother coordination between teams, we can support those at the core of research operations—enabling them to focus more on their work and less on administrative or procedural barriers. Ultimately, this approach fosters a more productive, innovative, and collaborative research system in Scotland. 

What would be your "Mastermind" specialist subject? 

Anything related to the potential health risks for dogs, particularly from the perspective of an over-anxious new pet owner 😃  After three and a half years of Googling questions like "Will my puppy be okay if...?", "Can a dog eat...?", and "Should I be worried if my dog...?", I've become well-versed in the countless dangers that a spaniel (or any dog) might face. 

Who, real-life or public figure, has inspired or motivated you in your career or life? And what's the best piece of advice you've ever received? 

Some of the best advice I've received includes "You may not have control over the things that happen to you, but you do have control over how you respond”, highlighting that, while we can't always control the events or circumstances that come our way, we do have the power to choose how we react to them, and "The only true failure in life is the failure to try" which was a favourite mantra of my late Grandfather. 

As for real-life figures, my parents have been the cornerstone of my inspiration. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and consistently led by example throughout my upbringing. I've learned to approach challenges with a positive, can-do attitude, much like they did. Even when things didn’t go as planned, I observed how they faced adversity with resilience and a collaborative spirit, always supported by a strong network of family and friends.