- Specialists across academia and industry have been appointed to new advisory networks supporting the work of government departments
- Professor Helen Kennedy joins two Colleges of Experts, to contribute towards policymaking around digital technologies and skills
Professor Helen Kennedy, Professor of Digital Society and Director of the Digital Good Network, has been appointed to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) College of Experts. She has also been appointed to the Government Skills College of Experts.
Helen joins a group of 71 science and technology specialists from academia and industry, to offer independent expertise to DSIT, selected through a highly competitive process that attracted nearly 1,200 applications. Professor Chris Johnson, DSIT Chief Scientific Adviser and Head of the College of Experts said:
“The experts volunteer their time to support us, reflecting a real commitment from the UK’s research and innovation community to contribute to government policymaking".
Helen has also been appointed to the Government Skills College of Experts, which consists of members with specialist knowledge across different disciplines related to the work of Government Skills, who can be called upon dynamically to advise in areas that could benefit from their scientific or technical knowledge.
The appointments come in recognition of her contributions to research on data and digital technology, and the ways these developments are experienced in everyday life. Her work looks at how these experiences can inform the work of digital practitioners in ways that overcome inequalities - including reimagining what a ‘good’ digital society may look like.
Following the appointments, Helen said:
“I’m excited to support these two government departments to ensure that the work they do draws on evidence about public opinion, is inequalities-aware, and considers societal impact.”
