At this pivotal time when the UK government is strengthening its digital centre, introducing new data legislation and addressing what a National Data Library should be, this is an opportunity to reflect on lessons we can learn from other governments. What can they tell us about how to build sustainable, equitable and inclusive data infrastructure?
This interactive session is chaired by Emma Thwaites, Director of Global Policy and Corporate Affairs, and there will be opportunities to ask questions.
Who is this for
Everyone who is interested in the future of digital governance, from policymakers to concerned citizens.
Speakers
Aaron works on how large, complex organisations like governments can (i) better use, regulate and enable digital technology in a range of domains, and (ii) plan more effectively for the long-term.
Previously a Singaporean civil servant, he held several policy leadership roles, including Deputy Secretary at the then-Ministry of Communications and Information, founding Head of the Centre for Strategic Futures, which examines long-range trends, and starting the the Civil Service College Applied Simulation Training (CAST) Laboratory, which creates serious games to help policymakers grapple with wicked problems. He co-chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy (2022-2024), and now co-chairs the GFC on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure. He is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Future Generations, a Brussels-based think-and-do tank, and a member of the OECD’s Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Futures. His PhD, also from Oxford’s Blavatnik School, compared the digitalisation of tax and social policy agencies in Estonia, Zealand and Singapore.
He is also a Fellow of the Singapore government’s Centre for Strategic Futures, Civil Service College, Centre for Liveable Cities, and Culture Academy. He chairs the South African government’s International Advisory Group on digital transformation, and is a member of the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology advisory panel on redesigning the digital centre of government.
Emma Thwaites, Director of Global Policy and Corporate Affairs, the ODI
Emma’s portfolio at the ODI encompasses public policy, events and engagement, Data as Culture, thought leadership, communications and marketing, and ODI Membership. Emma’s team comprises individuals with multi-disciplinary expertise to deliver behaviour and culture change consultancy – specialising in the global data ecosystem - policy and public affairs research, engagement and influencing, convening and collaborating with our network of influential stakeholders and audiences worldwide and sharing the ODI’s research and thought leadership.Emma has over 30 years of strategic business experience, gained in senior roles at the BBC and UK Cabinet Office, and founding – and running – a successful consultancy practice. A former journalist and editor, Emma is a member of the ODI’s Executive Leadership team and advises the board. She is a board director of OpenUk and Executive Chair of Allegory.