Emma is the Director of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) at Stats NZ. She joined Stats in 2023 with a mandate to establish a centre that would help the public service navigate the complex ethical challenges of data use.
In 2024, CDEI was launched as a small but focused unit dedicated to supporting government agencies in considering the ethical dimensions of data and the real-world impacts on people when things go wrong. CDEI is focused on practical solutions and recognising ethics isn't about perfection, it's about thoughtfulness and balancing competing priorities.
Although not a data scientist by training, Emma has spent much of her career working alongside data experts and scientists. She brings deep experience as a policymaker, with a particular focus on the social impacts of digital innovation.
Her work is grounded in a commitment to ensuring that data-driven technologies serve people and the public good.