[3] Coyle's early career as an economist was followed by a period in journalism including being economics editor at The Independent from 1993 to 2001.

[5] She did her undergraduate studies at Brasenose College, Oxford, reading philosophy, politics, and economics, before gaining an MA and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University, graduating in 1985,[6] her thesis was titled The dynamic behaviour of employment (wages, contracts, productivity, business cycle).

[13][14][15] On 7 April 2011 the Queen approved Coyle's appointment as the Vice-Chairman of the BBC Trust, the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

"Among the negative comments there are complaints about a lack of variety, too much soap or costume drama…disappointment about old series being brought back and a degree of cynicism over 'rehashing' and ripping off old ideas".

[22] Following her Indigo Prize-winning essay on radically replacing GDP measurements, Coyle now leads the Six Capitals research project, funded by LetterOne, at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at Cambridge University; the project was inaugurated in January 2019 and explores social and natural capital.

[23][24][25] At the 2018 New Year Honours, Coyle received the award of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her contributions to economics.

[27][28] Coyle was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to economics.