Profile

I spend my time speaking to people that live and work in small rural communities in the UK to figure out how they use Internet services (such as Facebook, online banking and so on), and whether or not they need their Internet to be faster. Many small communities have slow Internet – or none at all! – and there is a lot of interest in making it faster and better across the country.

I’m interested in how people connect with other people – through both online websites and chat – like this I’m a Scientist website! – and through offline activities, like walking outside and going to the local shop.

I want to know if having faster Internet services changes how we use the Internet, and whether that means that people are happier, more productive, and better off in their communities.

In other words, I get to spend a lot of time on my computer and speaking to people about their computers and I get to call it work 🙂

In general, every day is different for me. Some days I sit at my desk in Aberdeen and spend my time writing and thinking. Other days I get to go and visit people in their homes and talk to them about their Internet and drink lots of tea and eat lots of biscuits! Those are my favourite days. Being a scientist means you get to do a lot of weird and wonderful things!