In this episode of Work with Purpose, David Pembroke speaks with Dr David Gruen AO Australian Statistician and the inaugural head of the APS Data Profession about the transformative role data plays in the public sector.
The APS Data Profession, launched in 2020, it has grown from a pilot into a thriving community of 13,500 members across Commonwealth, state and territory governments. The profession is about more than technical skills. It’s building a culture of evidence-based decision making, giving leaders confidence in using data, and opening career pathways through graduate streams and cadet programs.
Dr Gruen reflects on how communities of practice, the Data Capability Framework, and initiatives like the Data Awards are shaping a smarter, more collaborative public service ready for challenges like AI and machine learning.
key tips
Why data matters in government – the APS Data profession is building skills and a culture that supports evidence-based decisions.
How the data profession is growing – from graduate programs to communities of practice, creating a strong pipeline of talent and collaboration
What leaders need to know – why senior executives and decision makers must understand data to better shape outcomes for Australian citizens
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David Gruen
David Gruen was appointed Australian Statistician on 11 December 2019. As Agency Head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, he is accountable for the functions and operations of the Bureau.
David was previously the Deputy Secretary, Economic and Australia’s G20 Sherpa at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Before joining the Department in September 2014, he was Executive Director of the Macroeconomic Group at the Australian Treasury. David joined the Treasury in January 2003, before which he was the Head of the Economic Research Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia from 1998 to 2002.
Before joining the Reserve Bank, David worked as a research scientist in the Research School of Physical Sciences at the Australian National University.
With financial support from a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship, David was visiting lecturer in the Economics Department and the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University from August 1991 to June 1993. He holds PhD degrees in physiology from Cambridge University, England and in economics from the Australian National University.
David was appointed as the inaugural Head of the Australian Public Service Data Profession in 2020. David was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (General Division) in 2022 for distinguished service to public administration, economic research, business, and education.