Five minute profile: interview with Rachel Edwards

What’s your background and how does it give you additional insight to your work at RDS? 

I have a very varied background, which I love because it has given me so many different insights and perspectives. I find that it really helps me relate to the different people I engage. I gained a BSc Hons in Marine and Freshwater Biology in 2012, which kick-started my career in… housekeeping for The Balmoral Hotel. No, it wasn’t the dream job, but I met so many people from all walks of life that I remember it fondly.

After 2 years there, I eventually became a lab scientist at the collection centre for National Museums Scotland. Here, I did my first ever piece of public engagement with a school on the local beach, educating the children about marine life.

From there, I worked in various short-term roles until I eventually landed in Clinical Trial Administration, which I loved. I then moved on to work for two biobanks at the University of Edinburgh where I fell into public engagement, and which led to me gaining a scholarship to study Science Communication and Public Engagement. I got my MSc in 2022 before joining HDR UK as a Patient and Public Engagement Officer. It was a great experience to work on a UK level, but eventually, Scotland called me back, and that’s when I joined RDS.

Meeting so many people showed me that we are all unique, which really helps when working with the Scotland Talks Data panel, who come from all across Scotland. I feel really comfortable chatting with them, and it’s been a great experience getting to know them.

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

Do I have to pick just one highlight? I’ll go with two! The first highlight is that my colleagues in RDS are all genuinely lovely people to work with. I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and ideas with everyone, and even outlandish ideas have been given a chance. The other highlight, specific to my role, is being able to chat with members of the public. Everyone is unique, and they all have so many personal experiences to share, which are invaluable to the work RDS does.

As most people who speak to me will know, the biggest challenge for me is presentations. I find it really nerve-racking, particularly when I do them in person  and I often need to tell myself to ‘slow down’ when I’m speaking. I am challenging myself though. I have already given a few presentations this year with positive feedback, which is helping to build my confidence.

What difference do you hope RDS will make?

I really like the RDS aim of making it faster and simpler to access Scotland’s public sector data for research, but I have another hope for RDS. My big hope is that we can raise awareness of public sector data use with the Scottish public so that they can help shape the direction of its use. One way we’re working towards this is our Public Engagement Fund, which supports projects that improve public understanding of the user of data in research. Our 2025-26 fund is open for applications now, and closes on Monday 14 October.

What would be your "Mastermind" specialist subject? 

Orcas – They are my absolute favourite animal and are the reason I studied and worked in Marine Biology. Maybe don’t ask me about them though, or you might be listening to me talk about them for days.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

In the famous words of Eric Idle ‘Always look on the bright side of life.’ I’ve always been quite pessimistic, but it was a favourite song of mine and my late Grandad. If I’m ever down I always try to reflect on all the positive things I have in my life.

The RDS Public Engagement Fund is open for applications now, and closes on Monday 14 October. Eligible organisations can apply for £1,000 to £10,000 to help improve public understanding of the use of data in research. Find out more about the fund.