Profile

Photo:

Kathryn Atherton

My CV

  • Education:

    University of Oxford; Blundell’s School in Devon

  • Qualifications:

    I have a DPhil (PhD) and MSc in Neuroscience and an undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford. I’ve also done a PGCE in primary school teaching with a specialism in maths.
    My A levels were maths, chemistry, English literature and drama & theatre studies. My GCSEs were in maths, English literature, English language, physics, chemistry, biology, French, Spanish, geography and drama.

  • Work History:

    Currently, I’m an Associate Advisor in Education at the Behavioural Insights Team.

    Previously, I have been a post-doctoral research scientist at the University of Oxford (in which I worked on a project investigating the effect of an in-school physical activity intervention on brain function in secondary school students) and a primary school teacher.

  • Current Job:

    Associate Advisor in Education

  • About Me:

    My goal is to use science to make a difference.

  • Read more

    I live in London with my fiancé. We live in a flat overlooking a creek, which I love because it is tidal and is changing all the time. Friends of ours chose to live in the same development – we have friends in a flat on the floor above and another set of friends in the next door building – so my life often feels like an episode of Friends.

    I am very close with my family. I have cousins who live in London too. My brother, who is a GP, lives in Bristol and my parents live in Sidmouth, overlooking the sea. I grew up in the countryside in mid Devon. I moved to London after a 10 year stretch in Oxford.

    I used to be a primary school teacher. Before that, I was an educational neuroscientist at the University of Oxford, after I had finished my DPhil (PhD), MSc and undergrad (in Experimental Psychology) there.

    In my spare time, I love to sing in choirs and play squash. My pronouns are she/her.

  • Read more

    I work in the education policy part of the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). BIT uses research on human behaviour to come up with solutions to problems in our society. We then scientifically test the effectiveness of our solutions, using randomised controlled trials (the gold standard of evaluation) wherever possible. This tells us whether our solutions actually work and how well they work. When our solutions are found to be effective and to represent value for money, we try to ensure they are used as widely as possible. In this way, we are trying to make governments’ and organisations’ decisions evidence-based and socially impactful.

  • My Typical Day:

    Working with an exciting, dynamic, smart and inspirational team of people.

  • Read more

    My day-to-day work involves: reading academic research papers to keep up to date with the latest behavioural insights; interviewing members of the public to help us better understand the problems we are facing; working with colleagues to generate solutions to society’s problems; designing and implementing scientific experiments to implement and evaluate our ideas; meeting with our clients (e.g. the Department for Education) to discuss our ongoing projects; presenting our results internally or externally; developing new work for BIT by sharing what we do and what we recommend (e.g. with No. 10 Downing Street).

  • What I'd do with the prize money:

    Fund young female scientists from disadvantaged backgrounds to send letters to girls at their old school, encouraging them to pursue science.

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Curious, bold, positive

      What did you want to be after you left school?

      I didn't know.

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Yes. If you ask me about it during a call, I will tell you about it.

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      Sigrid

      What's your favourite food?

      It used to be shawarma, but I don't eat meat anymore. So, banana splits!

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      If they have to be spent on me, rather than others (which really doesn't seem fair), then: 1) That my organisation thrives, so I can stay here forever if I want to 2) That my partner, family and friends live long, healthy lives and that our relationships go from strength to strength, 3) That I have a family of my own one day

      Tell us a joke.

      Sorry. I like observational comedy. I'm not usually a fan of out-of-context jokes. I find them artificial.

Questions answered by Kathryn

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