Women in data science: academic perspectives and career opportunities
How does data science move from academic research into industry practice? How does this differ across sectors?
The Data Science Institute convenes a panel of women working in data science and AI across a range of industries. The discussion explores how they got into these roles, the challenges they’ve navigated, and the opportunities they’ve seized along the way.
Please note this event is open to LSE students only.
About the speakers and chair
Rianna Beaton is a Senior Data Scientist at TikTok with a background bridging behavioural science and data science. She has a BA and MPhil in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Data Science from Birkbeck, University of London. Rianna joined Amazon on a commercial graduate scheme and quickly progressed into technical roles. Over six years at Amazon, she led global, cross-functional initiatives spanning machine learning, experimentation, and scalable data infrastructure. Rianna is a passionate advocate for equity in tech. She revitalised the Amazon Women in Engineering (AWE) in London and has played key roles in International Women’s Day initiatives in the UK and Netherlands.
Lareina Milambiling is a Senior Data Scientist at Zoopla, where she leverages LLMs and AI to redefine the property portal experience. Previously she has worked Amazon and Lyst, and as a member of The LEGO Group’s Incubation team. Lareina’s career began in academia before successfully pivoting to industry. She is also a dedicated educator and advocate for the tech community. She serves as a Lead Instructor at BrainStation London, has mentored through AnitaB.org, and frequently speaks at institutions like the LSE Data Science Institute.
Saghar Motarjemi is a Lead Data Scientist at the LEGO Group, where she develops scalable data solutions and frameworks that turn complex information into real business impact. With a background in engineering and a PhD in Environmental Science, her career has taken her from academic research and environmental modelling to large-scale forecasting and advanced analytics in industry. Her work sits at the intersection of scientific rigour and practical application, bridging the worlds of research, data, and strategy.
Michaela D’Mello is a Responsible AI specialist at Lloyds Banking Group. She has spent five years implementing responsible AI across aerospace (Rolls-Royce), consumer (The LEGO Group) and public sector – managing the open-source Aletheia Framework, scaling data ethics to 12,000+ colleagues and embedding governance into AI development workflows. She works at the intersection of innovation and responsibility – helping teams move fast whilst managing risks around fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Event chair: Dr Alexandra (Ali) Cirone is a faculty in the School of Public Policy, and has a joint appointment in the Government Department at LSE. She is also a Faculty Affiliate at the DSI. Her research focuses on lottery-based selection in democracies, sampling and recruitment in deliberative democracy, digital governance, and historical political economy. She is also a non-resident fellow in Democratic Innovations at Yale University ISPS, and serves on the Governance Innovation Council at Meta. She received her PhD from Columbia University, and previously was faculty at Cornell University.
About Careers in Data Science and AI
This talk forms part of the Data Science Institute's Careers in Data Science and AI series, which aims to connect students with people working in data science who have made the transition into industry.
Held twice per term, these events are open to all LSE students with an interest in pursuing a career in data science or related fields. Our series features guests with experience of both the public and private sectors, including early career professionals as well as established leaders.
The Careers in Data Science and AI series provides opportunities to find out more about pursuing a career in data science and AI in an informal environment. Each presentation is designed to be conversational in tone. Audience questions are encouraged and there is further opportunity to ask questions and network with refreshments after the presentation.
LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.