Occupational & Organisational Psychologist · Talent Scientist, Canonical
Psychological measurement and quantitative methods applied to how organisations understand, assess, and select people.
I am an occupational and organisational psychologist working as a Talent Scientist at Canonical, where I apply psychometric assessment, behavioural science, and quantitative analysis to selection at scale across a fully distributed, global organisation.
My training is a research training: a First-Class MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology (University of Surrey) and a First-Class BSc in Forensic Psychology (Coventry University), alongside three years as a research assistant on a doctoral project running high-complexity experimental work. My methodological interests sit in the measurement of individual differences — psychometric scale development, factor analysis, and regression modelling — and in how evidence-based selection can be made both more accurate and fairer.
Trained in experimental and quasi-experimental design, survey design, and psychometric scale development across two research degrees. Three years' hands-on experience running high-complexity experimental sessions on a doctoral project, including participant recruitment and scheduling, protocol adherence, briefing and debriefing, and applied research ethics. Comfortable moving from a research question to an analysable design, and from a measurement problem to a validated scale.
Multiple regression, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation and reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and psychometric item and scale analysis. Applied experience with large-scale organisational datasets at Canonical: cleaning, transformation, and modelling of people data to answer selection questions, and translation of results into recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
| Package | Proficiency | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| SPSS | Advanced | Core and advanced techniques throughout MSc and BSc; factor analysis, regression, and psychometric scale development. |
| Excel | Advanced | Data handling, charting, conditional logic, and reporting. |
| SQL | Advanced | Daily use for people-data analysis at Canonical. |
| Python | Intermediate | Analysis and automation of people data in an applied setting. |
| R | Intermediate | Statistical analysis; ongoing independent certification. |
| JavaScript & Google Apps Script | Intermediate | Automating recurring reporting and building web applications. |
| dbt | Intermediate | Data transformation and modelling. |
| Superset | Intermediate | Data exploration and dashboarding of hiring metrics. |
| Qualtrics | Intermediate | Survey design, distribution, and data collection. |
SQL and JavaScript as primary working languages, plus Python for analysis and automation. Experience with dbt for data transformation and modelling, Apache Superset for exploration and dashboarding, Google Apps Script for automating recurring reporting, and Git and VS Code as everyday tooling. Builds and maintains personal web projects end to end (leahcrhunter.com), including a Big Five self-reflection instrument delivered as a web application.
Eighteen months as a mathematics teaching assistant at Brentwood School, delivering after-school tutoring in small-group and one-to-one settings, and sixteen months of one-to-one SEND tutoring with DegreeSix. Practised at differentiating explanation for the individual learner, and at making quantitative material accessible to students who do not consider themselves mathematical.
Mentoring of neurodivergent and high-risk young people as a SEND tutor, including crisis management, safeguarding awareness, and boundary-setting in sensitive one-to-one work. Currently advises candidates and hiring leads through a structured assessment process, which requires careful interviewing, active listening, and delivering difficult feedback well.
Manages a team of 12 hiring leads at Canonical, coordinating selection activity across multiple departments and partnering with senior stakeholders to keep organisational targets on track. Owns process documentation and efficiency improvements for the talent acquisition pipeline, and handles ticket-based queries across hiring systems — operational work that requires accuracy, prioritisation, and clear written communication at volume.
Advocacy for neurodivergent learners as a SEND tutor, adapting materials and delivery to individual support plans and representing student needs to the people responsible for meeting them. Professional advocacy for fair and evidence-based selection practice, making the case to senior stakeholders for structured, validated assessment over unstructured judgement.
Assessment platforms: Thomas International psychometric assessment; Greenhouse applicant tracking system. Certifications: Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design & Illustration using Adobe Illustrator. Communication: experienced presenter to both technical and general audiences, including at an international conference; design and production of presentations, posters, and reports.
Happy to talk about psychological measurement, selection research, or anything data and hiring related.