As is customary, we invite our newest team members to say hello and share an introduction to their work at DG Cities, some of their previous experience and how they are finding their first few weeks. We’re delighted to welcome our new Graduate Evaluation & Data Analyst, Gabriela Mihaylova…

After just over a month as a Graduate Evaluation and Data Analyst at DG Cities, I can already say that this is a dynamic environment where the missions and projects are as inspiring as the team behind them.

With a background in BA Geography with Quantitative Methods, I value sustainable urban development and the innovative solutions that can have a positive impact people and businesses, and help them achieve their potential. The team at DG Cities aims to do exactly that by putting people first, with a collaborative approach and by exploring the capabilities of data and technology to create better cities for everyone.

My first few weeks were packed with a variety of engagements, some expected - think introductory meetings and admin - and some very exciting, - like joining an NHS-led session about local connection, meeting the Royal Borough of Greenwich council leader Anthony Okereke, and even getting involved in a rebranding exercise. These experiences showed me the behind the scenes of where and how we bring value to the public sector, organisations and people - and built my excitement for what is to come. 

My academic background centres around GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping, data analysis and visualisation, with a focus on population health and accessibility to city services. My expertise in geocomputation was applied in a specialised quantitative dissertation, developing a framework to measure the effect of proximity to amenities on personal happiness, reliant on concepts like the 15-minute city. 

I’m experienced in tools like R, QGIS and Excel, and had the opportunity to do placements at QStep and Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) where I enhanced my understanding of research applications and real-world data analysis.

I’m now excited to contribute to innovative projects here at DG Cities, by using evaluation-based methods including Theory of Change (ToC) development, data analysis and report writing. I am thrilled to be part of this interdisciplinary and passionate team aiming to address urgent environmental, social and economic challenges!