Getting Started With Data: Meet the academics behind the course

Meet the academics behind our Getting Started with Data CPD course and discover how it helps professionals who are new to data develop practical data skills for the workplace.

Want to feel more confident working with data in your role? Our new Getting Started with Data CPD course empowers you to make informed, evidence-based decisions — even if you have no prior experience working with data.

The course helps learners confidently engage with data in a professional setting. It's flexible and fully online, making it ideal for professionals new to data who want to develop practical skills and knowledge they can apply immediately in the workplace.

Learn from leading Data Science experts

The course is taught by Professor Paul Baxter and Dr Jenny Sexton, both based at the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) — widely recognised as the home of data science at Leeds.

Professor Paul Baxter

With over 25 years’ experience teaching data skills to learners from diverse backgrounds, Paul understands the challenges that many people face when starting with data.

“While data concepts like uncertainty, variability and prediction are universal, how we teach them matters. Mathematics can be powerful - but also intimidating.

Today, it’s more important than ever to understand the thinking behind the tools - not just the software itself. That’s what allows you to question results, recognise bias, and make better decisions.”

Paul’s says the course makes data more accessible by removing common barriers:

• No maths background is required
• Learners focus on real-world applications
• It’s delivered in an intuitive and hands-on way

“We’ve created a course that gives learners confidence with data fundamentals, so that they can progress into areas like business analytics, healthcare and science.”

Dr Jenny Sexton

As a Lecturer in Data Science, Jenny brings a passion for making data accessible and meaningful for everyone.

Her approach focuses on empowering learners to work with data on their own terms to:

• Build confidence through practical, guided learning
• Learn to interpret results - not just produce them
• Understand limitations, bias and assumptions in data

“Data science isn’t just about calculations. It’s a structured way of solving problems in uncertain, real-world situations. Mistakes are part of the process and help us better understand data to improve our analysis.”

“Throughout the course, we start with real-world problems and ask: what do you need to understand and trust the results? That’s how we build your skills.”

Learn more about the course

The Getting Started with Data course can be completed in just eight weeks. It is fully flexible, delivered online, and taught by a World Top 100 University (QS World University Rankings 2026).

It’s designed to be:

• Fully online and flexible, allowing you to fit learning around your schedule
• Structured to avoid overload and support step-by-step learning
• Include opportunities for peer learning and regular feedback