In 2020, the awarding of exam grades in the UK brought the use of algorithms and statistical modelling to the fore of public consciousness in a way that had not been seen before, despite their rise in use over many years. It raised questions about the public acceptability of statistical modelling, and communicating with the public on these subjects.

The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), the regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority, is the body responsible for upholding public confidence in statistics. In the months that followed the awarding of grades, OSR undertook a review of lessons learned from the approach to developing the models that decided exam results. Using exam grades as a test case, OSR sought to understand – in a world of abundant data, what can be learned about the real-life consequences of using algorithms?

In this lecture, Ed Humpherson (Director General for Regulation and Head of the OSR) will discuss the review’s findings, what Government and public bodies should learn from the exams case, and what it means for the use of algorithms and statistical models in public policy going forward.

Speaker biography

Ed Humpherson was appointed as Director General for Regulation in October 2013 and took up post in January 2014. He is head of the Office for Statistics Regulation which provides independent regulation of all official statistics in the UK. The aim of OSR is to enhance public confidence in the trustworthiness, quality and value of statistics produced by government.

Prior to joining the Authority, Ed was a Board Member and Executive Leader for Economic Affairs at the National Audit Office, a post he held since July 2009. This role included responsibility for the overall strategic direction of NAO’s work on economic affairs.

Ed Humpherson was educated at the University of Edinburgh. Ed is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.