A day in the life of a donkey data wiz

When Senior Statistician Stuart Norris left university with qualifications in agricultural science and ecology, he admits his didn’t know much about donkeys.

“I assumed, like many people do, that donkeys were similar to horses. I couldn’t have been more wrong!”

It may not have been a conventional approach to data science, but he quickly discovered that combining his skills in statistics and geographical information-mapping with his long-held passion for computers made for a great data scientist.

He continues, “The opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is so committed to animal welfare, while working with data to provide insights that lead to better care, was incredibly appealing to me. It was a rare chance to align both my professional expertise and personal values, all while making a positive difference in the world.”

“It’s a bit of a cliché, but no two days are ever the same at The Donkey Sanctuary! This week alone I’ve worked with the research team on data collection, built machine learning models to explore relationships between physiological measures and mule body weight, and developed reporting workflows for our donkey assisted activities programme.”

The world of donkey data

“My team mostly analyses donkey-focussed data, but we also collaborate closely with the supporter services team, who work with donor data, to ensure we create a cohesive picture for the organisation.

“It is often said that 90% of a data scientist’s job is cleaning data and that’s certainly true here. Ensuring the quality of the data, identifying errors, and then tracking down and correcting those errors can be a painstaking process.

“We can then use this robust information to do the fun data modelling side of things! An example of this is behaviour modelling, using quantitative behaviour assessments and multi-variant statistics to understand the behaviour of donkeys and how that changes over time.

“As you might imagine, we also have lots of veterinary data and clinical information at The Donkey Sanctuary, which helps better understand diseases and their causes.

“Summarisation data such as “how many donkeys do we have across our farms?” is more complicated than people might think. Donkeys are regularly being moved for treatment, or under biosecurity measures, or with bonded pairs, so keeping track of donkeys is very involved. I often explain it to my 8-year-old daughter that daddy counts donkeys at work, but it’s a lot more complex than that!”

Performing magic

“A common misconception is that we perform “magic” behind the scenes! People are often amazed at how data appears exactly where and when they need it, and at how they can automate tedious reporting tasks – freeing up time for staff to focus on direct donkey care.

“Sometimes there’s concern when we start automating aspects of people’s role, but once they see how much time it saves, they’re very happy! AI and automation isn’t taking over; it’s giving staff more time to do the work they’re truly passionate about – caring for donkeys.

“A typical day often starts with checking for any overnight alerts from automated data processes I’ve set up. If there are errors, my first task is to resolve them to ensure the smooth running of our data systems. These processes involve collating data from various sources and disseminating it to decision-makers within the organisation.

“My day is then divided between meetings and hands-on project work. Meetings often involve discussions on data collection strategies for new projects or business reporting updates.

“My team usually steps in at the early stages of projects to advise on how best to structure and collect data against project objectives. As projects progress, we continue to monitor the incoming data and assess whether it’s still meeting our goals. Once data collection is complete, I help collate and analyse the results, providing insights that the project leads can use to assess success and consider follow-up interventions to improve donkey welfare.

“On the business reporting side, my role is focused on making sure the Senior Leadership Team has the most accurate and relevant data at their fingertips, enabling them to make informed decisions that directly impact the sanctuary’s operations.”

Learning to be more donkey

“Over the years, I’ve learned so much about donkey behaviour, health, nutrition, and veterinary care. I’ve also gained a deeper understanding of how working donkeys support some of the poorest communities globally. What’s been most remarkable is the wealth of knowledge we have here —the experts in every field have been so generous in sharing their insights, and this collaborative environment has been invaluable to my learning.

“There’s a lot to love about donkeys —their gentle nature, their cuddliness, and their mindful, thoughtful approach to life. But what I admire most about donkeys is their strong sense of self. They won’t be pushed into doing something they don’t want to do. They know their limits, and they require space and time to make decisions on their own terms. In our fast-paced world, I think we could all learn something from donkeys. Sometimes, we need to slow down, take stock, and be more like a donkey—thoughtful, deliberate, and sure of our own boundaries.”