This is our time
Yes, it is one fraught with danger, as the storm clouds of social inequality and climate emergency gather, compounded by the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As ‘digital’ permeates every aspect of our lives, we have a deep-seated, ethical responsibility to help lead and shape how technologies and data are employed to enable people, communities and our natural world to thrive. The designs we use to collate, analyse, present and harness the data generated by emerging technologies are critical, whether they are in supporting vulnerable people, ensuring accessibility and usability of digital services, sustaining an environment in which education, training, business and employment can flourish, managing the quality of the air we breathe or conserving diverse wildlife habitats.
Socitm is embracing this challenge as it positions its research advice and guidance within a framework of equitable and fair social foundations and a sustainable ecological ceiling - Doughnut economics - as advocated by Kate Raworth.
Our ethical, digital place-making model has these foundations at its heart and is providing a framework for rethinking our policy and research priorities for a post-Covid world.
Over coming months, we will be developing a range of practical resources and tools for use by our members.
These resources will pick up on a number of the themes set out in our Digital Trends 2021 briefing.
We would be delighted to hear from you about your views and suggestions for what is needed.
It is our choice. Will you be able to look your grandchildren in the eye and say: “I made a difference”?
https://igpp.org.uk/blog/article/guest-post-our-time
Georgina Maratheftis
Georgina Maratheftis
Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services
Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.
Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.
If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2029
- Twitter:
- @GeorginaMarath
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-maratheftis-0a002a102/
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @IleanaLupsa
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/ileana-lupsa
Tracy Modha
Tracy Modha
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 02073312000
- Twitter:
- @TracyModha,@TracyModha
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83,https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracymodha83
Alison Young
Alison Young
Alison Young is the Associate Director Local Public Services.
Alison has background in International Trade & Investment, with experience in the public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets, inward investment and working closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation and partnerships and technology. Prior to joining techUK, she has her own consulting business and was Head of Global Investment with the Connected Places Catapult. This role had a focus on FDI around the built environment and mobility, working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group, to foster and network of knowledge sharing and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network, to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment.
She spent six years living and working in the Middle East, with the Department for Business and Trade. Based first in Oman, leading on a number of sectors, from Education to Infrastructure, then based in the UAE, setting up the Technology and Smart Cities sector, with a core focus on AI and Fintech.
She is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities; the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies MA, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 20 7331 2029
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonayoung/