About Me

My name is Erica Ann Metheney and I am a Researcher, Statistician, and Head of the Data Team at the Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD) at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. I hold a PhD in Statistics from Texas A&M University and a BS in Mathematics & Statistics with a minor in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

I am currently Principal Investigator (PI) for the Emerging Cities Project and Co-PI for the Survive, Thrive, or Deprive? Drivers and Outcomes of Resilience During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Malawi Project.

I am also leading projects on the integration of generative AI into survey development best practices and on using complexity science to study the impact of social institutions on migrants.

As a statistician, I also provide statistical consulting to GLD staff and our extended network and create tools and procedures for the design and implementation of fieldwork and analysis plans. As Head of the Data Team, I recruit, manage, and train data team staff and interns.

Research

My Publications

Current Projects

My current research activities cover a range of topics. You can visit a specific project page using the buttons below.

Education & Employment

Current Employment

University of Gothenburg

Governance and Local Development Institute

Role: Researcher, Statistician, Head of Data Team

Graduate, PhD in Statistics

Texas A&M University

Dissertation: Simulating Networks with Heavy-tailed Degree Distributions

Graduation Date: August 2019

Advisor: Dr. Daren B.H. Cline

Undergraduate, B.S. in Mathematical Sciences

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Specialization: Statistics

Minor: Business Administration

Teaching

I believe an effective quantitative methods course requires:

Alleviating students inherent fears of math and statistics by providing them high frequency, low stakes opportunities to practice the skills they are learning.
Use of precise language to solidify the small details essential in statistics.
Well motivated lectures to show students the value in the material being learned.
A common trust between the instructor and the students based on the students knowing their instructor cares about their learning and the instructor knowing the students are putting in effort to learn.

Personal Interests

Medium sized black dog sitting on its hind legs on a park bench

Outside of work I enjoy:

Teaching my dog Willow new tricks
Hiking and visiting lakes
Trying new recipes, particularly from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Watching movies at the theater

Medium sized black dog in a pulling harness standing on a rock facing a lake on a sunny day

Social Media

Here you can see content relating to

Network Science
Statistical Practices
Statistics Education
General Scientific Practices
Local Governance Research